Chapter 66 - From the Beginning (1)

The Archmage looked back on the situation she was facing with a sigh.

The detached force, consisting of the Inquisitor, the Demon Knight, the Thief, and Windhand, had left for the next enemy stronghold.

That left the Temple's personnel, the Mages of the Magic Tower, Windhand's subordinates, a few adventurers, and the people rescued this time.

Among the environmental factors, demonic corruption had been observed. The more Purification was delayed, the greater the disaster it would return as.

"For now... your role is important."

However, this was Yabad. A land that did not tolerate the Temple. If things went wrong, an unfortunate incident could occur where people who needed to cooperate would fight each other instead.

"You all must mediate between the residents here and us."

Thus, she firmly made a request to Windhand's subordinates and the adventurers. They were the only ones who could at least converse with the residents.

The Mages? She had no expectations of them. Even if asked, those idiots would completely forget everything while focusing on their own interests.

She did not trust the people of the organization she belonged to.

"I know it might be unpleasant. But... I'm asking you."

"Uhm, well, it's a request for us, so don't worry."

"Goodness, things have become a headache in many ways."

Fortunately, the adventurers were immediately cooperative.

"... Don't worry. We have brains too."

"It's really annoying... but this is my hometown. So I'll cooperate."

Even if the atmosphere wasn't positive, Windhand's subordinates also showed a willingness to cooperate. The fact that Windhand and the Inquisitor had a big blowout in front of everyone probably had an effect. Or perhaps it was a single word from the Demon Knight.

"And regarding their treatment, I'm trying to see if it's possible to hand them over to Zakrati for now. If it works out..."

"Send them there?"

"We can't send them back to the village, and the stronghold is too unsafe. Even so, it's difficult for us to split our personnel here. It would be one thing if it was just this once, but isn't this something that will keep repeating?"

Of course, it would be a different story if reinforcements came. If reinforcements came.

If they permitted it.

"So about that..."

"Look here, Mage."

"Oh, please speak first."

"... Can you really solve this? I don't even expect things to go back to how they were. Can you really drive Bipurit and... those damn demons out of this land?"

The Archmage pondered for a moment at the question from Windhand's crewman.

Should she tell them the truth or give them hope? In a short moment, many possibilities flashed through her mind.

"If I were to just state the conclusion, I believe it is possible."

With the combination of the Demon Knight's martial prowess and the Inquisitor, the natural enemy of demons, there were rather few demons they couldn't kill. That was true even adding the disadvantage that their compatibility was so bad that one side unilaterally suffered damage instead of creating synergy.

On top of that, there was the Thief who was skilled at spotting traps and gathering information, and Windhand, who had been attached to the group to advocate for the Inquisitor.

While they might not reach the main base where Bipurit would be, there was a high probability they would break through with unstoppable momentum right up to it.

"However, if we want to reduce the casualties further... we will need help. The help of the personnel waiting on the mainland."

"... Don't tell me you mean to bring in more of the Temple!?"

"It isn't anything new, is it?"

Hunting demons didn't end with just killing them. The land corrupted by demons had to be purified, and even after Purification, they had to search out and kill all the remaining dregs.

And those tasks couldn't be resolved in a single breath just by having high combat power.

"What we need right now is time and personnel. And the more we have of one, the less we need of the other."

"There's already fifty of you!"

"Look at this objectively. The sheer size of Montata isn't so small that fifty people can handle it."

Fifty people wasn't nearly enough.

If they insisted on doing it with just those fifty, alright. Assuming they worked tirelessly without resting for a single moment, it would take at least a year.

It might even take longer than that. As much as Purification was delayed, demons would spawn, and when demons spawned, the demonic corruption would accelerate.

It would turn into a very fierce tug-of-war.

"Alternatively, obtaining thousands or tens of thousands of Purification Stones would also be a solution. However... as you know, Purification Stones aren't items that are so easily made. Even if we gathered all the stock circulating in the market, it wouldn't be enough. If the Yabad region asked for them, the Temple would probably provide them free of charge, but even the Temple doesn't have the ability to pull out items that haven't even been made yet."

"..."

Ultimately, the issue was time. If they didn't want to bring in the Temple, they had to endure the time, and the casualties that would occur because of it.

"I know it's no different than a disgrace for you. I know that just accepting us right now was a bitter pill to swallow. But there is no other way. This task cannot be handled by the Magic Tower alone."

It was a cruel fate.

"If so, what's the reason you're going out of your way to tell us this?"

"Boatswain...!"

Just then, someone stepped forward. Since the first mate among Windhand's subordinates had gone to request reinforcements, he was likely the next in command.

Seeing that he noticed her hidden intentions, she could also understand why Windhand had entrusted him with the command.

"We need someone to deliver a message to Zakrati."

Thus, the Archmage spoke honestly. The boatswain's face crumpled slightly.

"We do have a way to make contact. We left one Mage behind, after all. However, actually delivering the message is a separate matter."

"So, you want us to tell the Lord with our own mouths to bring in more of the Temple?"

"I'm not forcing you. And I don't even expect you to say it directly. I merely hoped you would show some support for it."

"That's the same thing."

Was it impossible after all? She felt a bit disappointed but quickly gave up. It wasn't as if she couldn't understand their attitude of despising the Temple, being survivors of the massacre or the generation of their children.

"If God exists, he's truly heartless. How could he force such a choice upon us? He's a cruel one."

However, it seemed her disappointment was premature.

"... But it's also true that we have no other choice. Alright, let me speak with the Lord. You said you can contact him."

"Boatswain!"

"What."

"The Temple is...!"

"The Temple, what? Don't tell me you think I'm doing this because I don't know? My mother was a militia captain. I know better than anyone what those damn Temple bastards did here! But do we have any other way? Do we!"

"That's..."

"Kids are dying!"

"..."

"It's not just the kids; the adults and the elderly are all being dragged away or chewed to death by the teeth of monsters! You can tell just by looking at those people! Bipurit joined hands with demons and sold out this land!"

"But..."

"The captain's choice was right. I can't forgive the Temple bastards. I never will. But... if those guys can really save this land, if this is the only way. I can give them a chance, at the very, very last. Goddammit, this land is just too precious to me."

"..."

"So... make the call. I'll somehow try to persuade the Lord."

Sometimes, hatred is crushed by the fervent love and longing for someone.

* * *

"Y-You guys. Just what."

The sixth day since arriving on Montata.

I advanced as fast as possible while managing my fatigue. As for my dropping satiety, I could just fill it with the preserved food looted from the strongholds.

If there was any luck to be had, it was that we found horses at a stronghold we raided midway.

Thanks to that, we were able to move quickly for a while. If it hadn't been for the attack by demonized beasts, we might still be riding them now.

"Are you guys monsters...?"

"... Please leave me out of that."

However, while the Inquisitor managed to keep up with my speed reasonably well, the two guys seemed to be struggling with their stamina. Their breathing was rough, and the dark circles under their eyes looked ready to reach their chins.

Compared to ordinary people, they would also be physical powerhouses with overwhelming stamina, but it was just a pity they happened to be stuck with me.

"Do not act so weak!"

"I told you I'm not a superhuman like you!"

"This is not a physical issue, but a mental one!"

"Does this 'mental' thing feed you and put you to sleep?!"

DeB and the Inquisitor were fighting for the first time in a while. Since it had been a long time since they bickered like that, I happily─

"Shut up."

Interrupted them. Not only was this enemy territory, but we were in the position of moving toward the sounds of laughter and chatter we were hearing. Even though the dumpling bastards seemed to have forgotten.

"S-Sorry."

"I got scolded because of you."

"I-It's not because of me...!"

"... One thing's for sure, if you two keep at it, you're going to get scolded again."

Windhand pointed out in a deflated voice. The two of them flinched, then quietly agreed on a truce. They were truly acting like cute rascals.

"You're going through a lot too..."

Well. With my concept being what it is, I couldn't really control them in a detailed manner, but.

It was a bit of a stretch to say it was a hardship. Even if those two growled at each other like that, they still took care of their respective tasks. They had never been a hindrance when things were serious.

Above all, their childish bickering was cute.

「A hostile target exists within a 30m radius.」

At that moment, the notification and my ears rang. It was the moment when the boisterous sounds I had been hearing earlier became much clearer.

TAP.

My hand stopped near the solar plexus of Windhand, who was standing next to me, halting his steps. DeB, who had been squabbling with the Inquisitor, must have heard the sound too, as he quickly covered the Inquisitor's mouth.

"Enemies?"

Probably. I hid my body behind a tree trunk and looked toward where the sound was coming from. It was over the hill.

"I'll go check it out."

The steep slope was covered with the fallen leaves of dead, dried-up trees. Just as I was wondering how to pass through that, DeB volunteered. His hands silently slipped off his own shoes.

RUSTLE, RUSTLE.

It was hard to say there was absolutely no sound.

However, that was only a sound I could hear because I was watching his steps. The people over the hill would have a hard time even realizing such a sound was there.

DeB's body slowly began to climb the hill. Dead leaves were attached to his hood—who knew when he had stuck them on—making his concealment even more effective.

SHUFFLE, SHUFFLE.

A short while later, DeB, who had crawled on all fours to peek over the hill, looked back toward us and moved his fingers. He spread all five fingers and gave them a single shake, flipped his hand to show two fingers on the back of his hand, and finally flipped it again to show four fingers.

"14 people?"

It was a bit on the high side. It was all the same to me, but still, what if I let one get away? Not that I would.

"Will you be alright?"

Did Windhand still not trust me? I gripped the hilt of my sword, shot him a fierce glare, and was about to step forward.

DeB desperately waved his hands without making a sound.

His lower jaw moved up and down, forming the words of some language.

"... Hostages?"

That was a slightly problematic story. I was terrible at protecting people! This was something a Mage or the Inquisitor was perfect for!

"With hostages involved, things have gotten difficult."

"... The captives must be the people of this place."

"Do not worry, for I shall save them. Sir."

"..."

At my still-wavering tone, Windhand's expression, which had seemed incredibly furious just a moment ago, turned peculiar. It seemed his anger at the current situation had at least been pushed to the back burner.

"It doesn't make me feel good to hear honorifics from a bastard like you, so just speak comfortably."

"...! Understood!"

"..."

Had that guy still not figured out the character dynamics even after dealing the Inquisitor for six days? Or was he so exhausted that even his anger had been diluted? Neither was particularly important anyway.

"Positions."

Setting that aside, I urged DeB, who had just come back down. The young man tactfully crouched on the ground and began to represent the situation with a twig.

14 people spread out in a protective square formation centered around a wagon. The children locked inside the wagon. The adults tied up near the wagon.

GRIND.

GNASH.

When I heard that children were locked inside the wagon, my sword hilt and gauntlet rubbed together, producing a vicious sound. Following that was the sound of Windhand grinding his teeth.

The atmosphere instantly turned murderous.

"... It looks like they set up camp because the sun is going down soon. There's a stream nearby, and the view toward the hill is wide open."

They were going to regret that.

Because I absolutely hated crimes that touched children the most! If everyone, adults and children alike, died in something like a war, I could at least just say it was a tragedy and move on, but capturing children and locking them in a wagon?

Just you wait. I don't normally advocate for private retaliation, but you bastards really need to get beat up. Even my concept will allow this!

"Circle around to the back. Do not get in my way."

I pulled out my sword, the scimitar, and gave it a half-spin.

For reference, what I just said was a sort of insurance. Who knew if those bastards would take the children or the people hostage in a fit of panic.

Before that could happen, if the Inquisitor, who had circled around back, deployed a barrier, DeB picked the handcuffs, and Windhand covered for her by saying she was an okay person despite being from the Temple, it would be a relief.

Of course, the fact that I spoke somewhat ambiguously weighed on my mind... but shouldn't they have understood?

If they didn't understand, I'd just have to wipe all those bastards out before they could grab hostages.

"Understood."

"But, I can also fight..."

"You fool, he's saying to secure and protect the people while he draws their attention."

Fortunately, the meat dumpling perfectly caught on to my intentions.

"... It had that kind of meaning?"

"So that was it. As expected of the Demon Knight...!"

"Because he's a sweet person even if he pretends not to be, you see."

No. It wasn't a perfect catch; it was a gross misinterpretation.

Guaaagh. Stop with the gross misinterpretations! This sweetness isn't the sweetness of my concept; it's just a part of my true personality showing through! The concept is sweet too, of course, but I've always thought it wouldn't be, wouldn't be, wouldn't be like this, but anyway, huaaagh!

"Eek."

I swung my sword rapidly, stopping it right in front of DeB's nose. The sudden gust of wind sent the dry leaves scattering.

"Get lost. Before I rip out your tongue."

For the record, my expression right now must be genuinely, fiercely pissed off. I mean, if I keep trying to maintain my distance and they start showing signs of treating me comfortably while calling me a sweet person or whatever... I'd definitely have to push them away.

CRUNCH.

Without changing my irritable expression, I turned toward the hill. My combat boots crushed the dead leaves as I marched straight up.

STOMP, STOMP, STOMP!

And the moment I reached the top of the hill, several arrows flew at me. The skill Ground Crash, activated the moment I slammed down my Zweihander, spewed raw magic power in all directions.

All the incoming arrows bouncing off was a bonus.

"F-Fuck, what is that!"

"I-It's a knight!"

"He knows how to use magic! He's a knight!"

"I thought we killed all the knights!"

As the magic power subsided, I looked down from the earth, which was full of torn-up traces.

The wagon and the people bound in shackles. The human traffickers who had set up camp in front of those people. Filled with traces of them laughing, chatting, and drinking up until I appeared.

'Kill them all.'

I put strength into my legs. BOOM! With an explosive sound, my body dashed straight down the hill in a single breath.

CRACK!

That's one dead for starters.

"Little ones."

Leaving behind the bastard who died instantly thanks to me kicking his face as I landed, I cast my gaze beyond him. The children trapped in the iron-barred wagon were all looking at me.

"Close your eyes."

In an instant, streams of pitch-black energy began to gather on the silver blade of the scimitar.

"This is not something for you to see."

Like very good children, they closed their eyes for me.

Soon, two black slashes flew out, avoiding the wagon and the captives outside it.

SCREECH. The scimitar let out a metallic cry.