We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Pursuers and pursued.
With every breath, white mist escaped my lips.
“It’s cold, isn’t it?”
To my voice, Toris nodded deeply.
After being ambushed the moment we entered the land ruled by Demon Lord Kusharilla, we managed to escape to the western mountainous region riding on Nimia.
Snow hasn’t fallen on the plains yet, but the wind is biting, and the sky is a dull, overcast gray.
And, looking west, a pure white mountain range fills our vision with a desolate landscape.
According to Ruilala, that is the Heavenly Mountain Range, a natural fortress separating the human and demon race cultural spheres.
And somewhere within that Heavenly Mountain Range, there should be the Eastern Magician that Listea is looking for.
However, before that.
We were heading to a nearby village in search of our lost equipment and food.
A village at the entrance of the Heavenly Mountain Range. Its location has already been identified.
We confirmed it from the sky while moving on Nimia.
With Ruilala at the front, we advanced, exhaling white breath.
Well, Nimia, in its automatic horse form, was walking diligently, and we were just riding, but it was.
“It’s better that it’s not snowing on the plains, right?”
“If it were snowing this much, we wouldn’t be able to move at all.”
To my muttering, Ruilala looked around.
A cold wind occasionally blew down from the Heavenly Mountain Range. Each time, we pulled our collars tighter and shivered from the cold.
However, unlike the snow-white Heavenly Mountain Range, winter hadn’t seemed to have reached the foothills yet.
Still, it was only a matter of time before the plains were covered in white.
The clouds in the sky above were thick, blocking the sunlight even though it was daytime, dyeing the world in dimness.
“Either way, we should hurry.”
“Yeah, that’s right. We need to get our equipment ready and find the Eastern Magician quickly, because snow mountains are dangerous.”
“Hahaha, as expected of Elnea-kun. Your concern is about the climate, isn’t it?”
“Ah, I see…!”
I mustn’t forget.
We are not the only ones who are about to tackle the Heavenly Mountain Range.
Demon Lord Kusharilla is also trying to advance west across the Heavenly Mountain Range.
In that case, there’s a possibility we’ll encounter Kusharilla’s forces somewhere in the Heavenly Mountain Range.
The forces that targeted us along the eastern border might also move this way eventually.
If that happens, we might be in a truly dangerous situation.
“Alright, let’s hurry! Ugh, still, it’s cold.”
Even though I should have a protective ward against the cold granted by dragon arts, it’s still cold. Perhaps the winter in the Heavenly Mountain Range is colder than Dragon Peak or somewhere else.
Nimia’s body heat, as it rested nestled in my pocket, was a warm comfort. However, my limbs other than that had grown cold.
My fingertips were numb, and I was starting to lose sensation.
I opened and closed my palms, exhaled “Haa” onto them, trying to alleviate the cold through trial and error, when Slaton, who had moved up beside me, laughed mockingly.
“Hmph, you weakling.”
“Aren’t you cold, Slaton?”
“Of course not?”
His white breath was the same as everyone else’s, but Slaton moved energetically on his horse.
Amazing!
I was moved, thinking that even cold could be overcome with training, but I was mistaken.
“Elnea, don’t be fooled. He’s just under the protection of my fire.”
“What did you say?!”
“H-hey, Listea! Don’t say that!”
Betrayed by Listea, Slaton’s secret was revealed.
Faced with our cold gazes, Slaton seemed to become awkward and spurred his horse forward, leaving quickly.
We reached the border village immediately.
In the western border region, continuing further meant entering harsh mountainous terrain, so a few dozen villagers lived quietly in the depopulated village.
“I’d like them to prepare cold-weather gear for them, not just for me. And food, water. If you have any fire magic crystals, those too.”
“Y-yes…”
This is a cultural sphere dominated by demons. That means the ones ruling the village are also demons.
If humans, heavenly beings, or divine beings, who are properly dressed, suddenly arrived riding horses, even peaceful rural demons would be wary, wouldn’t they?
We stayed quietly behind Ruilala so as not to provoke the demons. Instead, Ruilala, acting as our representative, handled the negotiations.
Perhaps her noble demeanor, and the fact that she enslaved not only humans but also heavenly and divine beings, made her words effective. The villagers quickly followed Ruilala’s instructions and arranged the items we needed.
“Thick fur, gloves, boots, and sleeping bags. Yes, this should be warm. We’ll buy them at your price. But there are few fire magic crystals?”
“My lord, even if you desire fire magic crystals at this time of year, this remote village has no surplus.”
“Ah, that’s true. Then, can you sell us what you can spare? Of course, at your price.”
“Haha.”
As Ruilala generously paid with gold coins, I inwardly sighed.
But the sigh wasn’t out of “wastefulness,” but out of envy for “how rich she is.”
The demon residents, pleased with Ruilala’s generosity and warm demeanor, prepared hot drinks and delicious-looking food while they packed our purchases.
However, only for Ruilala.
Even remote demons showed no consideration for us, their slaves. That’s typical of the demon race.
Even as Slaton’s stomach rumbled loudly, the villagers didn’t even offer them anything, saying, “How about you also?”
“Damn it, I’m hungry.”
Slaton muttered softly.
Since crossing the border, we haven’t had enough food to fill our stomachs.
At most, we’ve only nibbled on the sweet potatoes Ares-chan gave us or the preserved dried meat we each had.
Furthermore, we might have trouble with food and drinks from now on.
After all, the food and drinks Ruilala purchased were surplus items from a village facing a harsh winter, so we couldn’t get them in abundance.
Especially, not being able to secure many fire magic crystals is a blow.
Fire magic crystals are essential to stay warm in the cold.
While the villagers were packing, Ruilala was the only one who ate her food deliciously and warmed her body from the inside with hot drinks.
We could only watch Ruilala with envy.
However, even Louvent wouldn’t show any blatant attitude or make any ill remarks at this moment.
If we caused a disturbance in a village ruled by demons, our location would be revealed to Kusharilla’s side.
Still, if Kusharilla’s side is also trying to intervene in the Heavenly Mountain Range like us, the exchange at this village will surely be reported soon.
Therefore, we couldn’t afford to take our time.
I was worried about that, but it was in vain.
Because…
“Well now. Shopping so leisurely in a place like this. You seem quite at ease?”
Startled by the sudden voice, we turned around. There, a demon stood where there was no one before.
And not just one or two. Countless demons entered the village from behind us.
“No way! Why did so many demons suddenly appear?!”
Slaton exclaimed in shock.
But Slaton wasn’t the only one surprised. I was also shaken by the unexpected turn of events.
I wasn’t careless at all. I had been vigilant, trying not to run into Kusharilla’s forces.
Yet, I didn’t notice the demons approaching…
While we were stunned, the demons continued to file into the village. And they were all the black-clad ogres we had become accustomed to seeing.
Then, Ruilala, seeing the man leading the ogres, grimaced openly.
“Well, well. General Ogre Balvria. What a coincidence to meet you in such a remote place?”
“Indeed, a coincidence, Lord Ruilala.”
They exchanged brief words, as if they knew each other. The ogre called Balvria had two sharp, long horns on his forehead. His pupils were black with red irises. His face was white, but his skin from the neck down was black, making him appear to be wearing black attire. And he wore a loose-fitting outfit and had a gentle demeanor, which felt familiar.
I wondered if he was an ogre from the same tribe as the man who was a close aide to the Sage Demon Lord. But there was no time for speculation.
We gripped our weapons and took a defensive stance, not letting our guard down.
The black-clad ogres also moved to surround us.
As expected, they were numerous. Not just ten or twenty.
The village was instantly occupied by the black-clad ogres, and the villagers screamed and fled indoors.
No matter how I estimated it, this was an army of hundreds, no, perhaps thousands!
The situation was at a breaking point. If anyone moved carelessly, it would ignite a conflict.
Despite being aware of the surrounding situation, Ruilala continued to converse with Ogre General Balvria.
“Still, it’s surprising. I thought General Ogre was keeping watch on the eastern border? You know, the forces that crossed the border when we did were your subordinates, weren’t they?”
“While they were indeed my subordinates, that was not all of them. And this is also a border, is it not? This time, I shall accompany His Majesty on the expedition.”
“Hahaha. In other words, the Fairy Demon Lord is serious, isn’t that right?”
What did that mean?
Without needing to confirm, Ruilala explained.
However, with an unexpected reaction.
“Elnea-kun, please ask Nimia to get us out of here right now.”
“Eh!?”
“To think that Demon General Balvria would appear.”
“What do you mean?”
Kusharilla is a legitimate Demon Lord, so it’s not strange to have Demon Generals under her command.
However, the famous Demon Generals had all perished in the previous war.
Wasn’t Ogre General Balvria a Demon General summoned after moving to the west country?
But my thoughts were shallow.
“This person is a fierce general who continued to guard the border and interacted with the Abyss Demon Lord even when the Fairy Demon Lord was on an expedition. Consider this: if it’s known that the Demon Lord is away from the country, wouldn’t other Demon Lords interfere?”
Indeed, the Giant Demon Lord had dispatched an elite unit and conquered Kusharilla’s Demon Lord Castle.
However, during that time, this Balvria was the Demon General who continued to protect the border and prevent interference from the Abyss Demon Lord.
“He’s just like you all. General Ogre Balvria is also an experienced warrior. He is a true ogre who has clashed and fought with the Abyss Demon Lord and his subordinate Demon Generals many times. You shouldn’t compare him to ordinary Demon Generals or high-ranking demons. That’s why you should run. I’ll buy you some time!”
Could this ogre named Balvria be such a demon that even Ruilala would say this?
“Though it may be an overestimation, I will take it as praise and listen. However, do you think you can escape after coming this far?”
“Hahaha, you can escape. You, Elnea-kun, and the others.”
With Ruilala’s confident words, Balvria narrowed his black eyes and looked at us.
“The blond one is the human hero. The chestnut hair is the Dragon King, was it? If I had participated in that battle, your heads would not be attached by now.”
Just by being looked at, a shiver ran down my spine.
Great Evil Ogre Yarn and Beast Demon General Neritz had an overwhelming presence befitting a Demon General, but my instincts told me this Balvria was on another level.
“Nimia!”
Therefore, I made an instant decision.
I summoned Nimia from my pocket and asked her to grow larger.
As the giant dragon appeared, the black-clad demons who had formed a cordon became agitated. Seizing the opportunity, I jumped onto Nimia and urged everyone.
“Everyone, get on!”
“But, Lord Ruilala…”
“Toris-kun, he’ll be fine!”
Taking Toris’s hesitant hand, I pulled him up forcefully.
Ruilala will surely be fine! I believe so!
More importantly, escaping from this place is the priority right now!
“Listea and the others too, hurry!”
I urged Listea and Alex. They also seemed to have something on their minds, but realizing the seriousness of the situation from Ruilala’s warning and my haste, they quickly moved onto Nimia’s back.
And then, leaving Ruilala behind, we took to the sky of the Heavenly Mountain Range.
