Chapter 84 - Please Don't Do This (9)

Has it been about two weeks? The Archmage looked back, wondering when so much time had passed.

Having spent day after day swamped with work, it felt even more unreal that this much time had slipped away.

But in exchange, the security within the city had stabilized, and they had gained some breathing room with the arrival of additional personnel. It was to the point where the Inquisitor could leave the inner city to clear out the demons outside.

Not that they had stopped policing the inside.

As soon as they had the manpower, they also consecutively executed the Bipurit gang members whom they had previously left alone due to a lack of resources.

Anyway, as their tasks dwindled one by one in that manner...

A bolt of news struck the Archmage, who had been relieved by the report of a second batch of additional personnel arriving, thinking, 'Can I finally take a breather!'

"This place is not yet safe enough for you to visit, My Lord..."

The Lord of Zakrati, Piuon, had come to the newly reclaimed Ayu Hin.

"I won't say that Ayu Hin and Zakrati were on good terms, but I don't believe they were bad enough that we couldn't extend a helping hand in a situation like this."

Was it at least fortunate that she didn't demand any protocol?

He knew Piuon's reputation differed from the average noble, but the Archmage had lived too long to rely on such things.

Moreover, just a short while ago, he...

["A human harboring a Great Demon. It seems more beneficial to kill him rather than keep him alive. Why did you make that judgment?"]

["A Great Demon's vessel? If you're going to kill him, can't you transfer the corpse to us?"]

["You must have left him alone because... Purification isn't possible. Did the Temple's seal not work either?"]

["A seal to prevent a rampage, how fun! Could you send over his physical data? I'll make one right away!"]

He had just come from dealing with the Great Sages, whose actual personalities were polar opposites of their public reputations.

It was to the point where managing to secure even partial cooperation was his only comfort.

"If you are perhaps worrying about my reception, there is no need. I plan to leave as soon as my business is concluded."

Setting that aside, Piuon continued speaking. In the spot where she stepped slightly aside, there were pirates who had been carrying this and that back and forth between the Hidden Harbor and Ayu Hin, in addition to the Captain of the Guard she had brought as an escort.

They were Windhand, the Outlaw, and Blue Moon, respectively. To a man, they all looked quite shy as they stood demurely with their hands clasped and eyes cast downward.

"First, my initial business is this."

At Piuon's words, the pirates and the guard moved in perfect order. Then, the veils covering the things they had painstakingly dragged all the way here were pulled back.

It was supplies like food, clothing, and medicine, which were most needed in Ayu Hin. The people who had peeked out to watch upon hearing that the Lord of another city was visiting began to erupt into cheers.

"T-This is."

The Minister of Finance—who had returned on the pirates' ships as soon as Ayu Hin was retaken, brought over first because they needed someone to soothe and lead the people—was also deeply moved, tears welling in his eyes.

Indeed. They might have expected it the moment Piuon brought a bunch of things over, but anticipating something and seeing it in person naturally felt entirely different.

"The amount I provided from my own pocket is small; the vast majority consists of things the city's people pitched in to prepare after hearing of the situation."

"I heard Zakrati's situation wasn't good either, but how could you bring all this..."

"Could it be as bad as here? And... forty years ago, didn't we receive an exceptional amount of help? Everyone must have remembered that. So do not feel too burdened by it."

She waved her hand and added,

"Other cities, and even Canaves across the sea, are sending supplies after hearing of the situation, so even if it is lacking, hold on just a little longer."

"... We must. We must hold on."

"It felt a bit improper to pile the supplies on the beach, so I left the rest at that harbor. Move them whenever you have the capacity."

"I am merely grateful for the help."

"Thank the people rather than me, and the pirates who opened up their harbor. The harbor they built has become a strategic point."

For reference, there was no special reason for the Hidden Harbor being used as a strategic point.

It was simply decided because the evacuated people provided ample labor, the terrain prevented demons from entering, and its location was right in the middle of the island.

Another reason was that it was the only liberated harbor available.

Of course, that place had also been swept up in an incident once more due to a traitor's existence right after the Hero's party departed.

If the main force hadn't arrived just in time, that place would have been rendered unusable as well.

"More importantly, I heard the Magic Tower uncovered information regarding this zombie outbreak."

Anyway, having seemingly cleared one of the reasons for her visit, Piuon immediately brought up her next piece of business. This was likely the main reason she had descended here in person instead of merely sending supplies.

The Archmage's hand gently stroked his staff.

"I apologize for suddenly cutting in, but it seems the conversation will run too long to have here. If it is alright with you, let us move elsewhere."

It was information he intended to share anyway. Piuon had simply rushed over out of impatience; there was no reason not to tell her.

"My greetings are late. We meet again, Great Sage."

Piuon, having belatedly registered the Archmage's presence, offered a light bow before nodding.

"In that case, hmm. I was actually hoping to see that Bipurit had died. Would it be alright to listen while heading that way?"

"Of course."

They had already mounted Bipurit's head for everyone to see. It wasn't exactly a great place for a conversation, but it would be better than standing around talking here.

"I will guide you."

"Thank you for your consideration."

The Archmage began to lead the way. Piuon and a portion of her escorts followed. As for why it was only a portion, it was because the privateer captains who had been reading the room had slipped away.

Ah, the Minister of Finance, who deliberated for a moment, decided to stay behind to manage the gifted supplies.

Not only had he already been briefed on the matter, but there was also still too much work left for both the Archmage and the Minister of Finance to entertain guests at the same time.

"So, I heard you've discovered the reason why the zombies are being created so quickly."

Surrounded by escorts—though it was somewhat amusing that privateer captains like Windhand were included among those escorts—the Archmage and Piuon began to move.

Both of them ignored the constant craning of people's necks with nerves of steel. At most, their slightly lowered voices were the only proof that they were conscious of it.

"Yes. It turns out the bastards dragged some of the research data all the way here."

It was fortunate that not only had they brought the data, but they had also all died without having the time to clean it up. Strictly speaking, it was more that the Demon Knight had gone berserk and slaughtered them all.

"First, the mechanism behind the accelerated infection... seems to be based on the fear stemming from the incident forty years ago."

"... Based on fear, you say."

"Sometimes knowing is more of a problem than not knowing."

The exact opposite of the saying 'ignorance is bliss' was the culprit behind this outbreak. By exploiting the psychology of those who were more terrified because they knew about it, that negative mentality deepened the curse.

"In other words, it is the materialization of anxiety. The greater the fear, the stronger the effects of the curse."

"That must also be why the time it took for each person to become infected was so inconsistent."

"You understand correctly."

Even leaving aside the generation that actually experienced it, the generation that only heard about it from their parents was split into two. They were either frightened to the point of brainwashing, or they ignored it because it still didn't feel real.

And the former would have been infected quickly, while the latter would have been slow. For this incident alone, the latter group was better off.

"... This is something that would only be possible because it is our region."

"It might not be of much comfort to you, but... yes. This couldn't happen in other regions. While there are places that fear zombies on a village or city level... there is no case where an entire region fears zombies."

"Tsk."

Piuon's brow furrowed at the Archmage's calm explanation. The escorts subtly eavesdropping nearby also scowled, but they did not interject into the conversation.

"I understand. Going forward... I will have to encourage the people to establish countermeasures but not to be afraid."

"A sound judgment."

They wouldn't be able to completely eliminate the fear of zombies, but simply encouraging them would be of help.

Acknowledging that, the Archmage slowly came to a halt.

Near the ruined castle, the remains of what used to be Bipurit were placed, individually skewered on spikes. The skewers lined up like a palisade looked just like ornaments.

"This is it."

"... This is?"

"You might find it hard to believe, but we also have a witness."

A Thief who luckily survived—no, could it really be summed up as just being lucky? According to that Thief, it wasn't luck—had told them everything.

How the Demon Knight accidentally fell into a trap, what happened after he woke up, how she survived, how Bipurit died, and so on.

There were still people who doubted whether 'that' was really Bipurit... but at the very least, the majority of people were convinced that it was him.

"If you wish, I can summon her."

"No, there is no need. It is not as if I came completely unaware either."

Piuon stated that she had also heard about it in advance from the pirates, and politely added that she was only surprised because its appearance was far more grotesque than she had imagined.

"... If it's the bastard I know, he certainly seemed like the type to act this way, too."

She thoroughly observed the diced and mounted corpses. Her dark brown eyes did not easily betray any particular emotion.

"More importantly, the time has come to pay the ten million gal. Where has the person I agreed to pay gone?"

The Archmage blinked momentarily at that question. It was because this was the first time he had heard of such a thing.

"Ah, you must not know, Great Sage. I commissioned the adventurer known as the Demon Knight to kill Bipurit. Just in case he slipped away."

Oh dear. The Archmage felt as if cold sweat was breaking out on his poreless body.

The truth about the Demon Knight was currently only being shared among the Magic Tower, the Order, and the authorities of Ayu Hin. It wasn't exactly a story that would benefit them to have broadcasted everywhere.

"He is..."

But if the Demon Knight continued to not wake up as he was now, then...

"... He is currently isolated after falling to a curse. I believe it would be best for you to postpone your meeting."

No, there was no way he wouldn't wake up.

The Archmage changed the subject, wondering if he wasn't relying on the Demon Knight even more than the Inquisitor was.

It wasn't particularly a lie, either. It was true that the Demon Knight had fallen to a curse, and that he was isolated by a seal.

He simply hadn't revealed that the demon inside his body was the decisive reason.

"Is that so? Then it cannot be helped. In that case, where is his companion? I mean the one wearing the green hood."

"Hmm, he is..."

Fortunately, this was the kind of question he could answer. He just didn't know the answer.

"I suppose he might be roaming the streets...?"

The Archmage's voice trailed off.

* * *

"... What are you people doing?"

Meanwhile, the person the Lord and the Archmage were looking for currently found both of his arms grabbed out of nowhere.

"Why are you grabbing my arms after popping out so suddenly?"

Now that the pirates under Bipurit's command had all been executed, there were few tasks left for Deathbringer. Hence, he had been peacefully strolling through the city.

It was a moment in stark contrast to the Archmage or the Inquisitor, who were still drowning in work, but it couldn't be helped. The task of searching for followers who might still be around seemed to involve very little actual doing compared to how tedious it was.

In fact, it was true that he wasn't working at this exact moment, either.

"Let us impose on you for a moment."

"Haha, don't be too offended."

However, there was a clear price to pay for playing around instead of working.

Deathbringer was caught by Windhand and the Outlaw just as he was nearly arriving at his destination. Blue Moon was standing crookedly a step away.

"No, why are you here? Shouldn't you be busy going back and forth distributing supplies?"

"What else can we do when the Lord holds us back and asks for just a day of our time?"

"We ran around trying to avoid her as much as possible, but we just had to run right into her at the harbor of all places. Ahaha. So what choice did we have? We just had to let ourselves get caught."

"What are you even saying?"

He had heard from the people chattering that the Lord of Zakrati had arrived. He just hadn't gone to see because he didn't particularly want to.

But to think these pirates would be mixed up in that. Deathbringer's eyes narrowed.

"Then shouldn't you be with the Lord?"

"We read the room and slipped out. Even if we can't refuse the Lord's words, constantly hanging around the guard is uncomfortable, you see."

"Good grief."

"More importantly, where were you headed?"

Had he glared at them a little because it was strange for pirates to be walking on eggshells around a Lord?

He blinked at the Outlaw's question. The place he was heading to right now was not open to others.

Though, he wouldn't have brought them along even if it were an open place in the first place.

"... Well, um..."

He mumbled and trailed off with his destination merely a few dozen steps away.

Was it because his mind was conflicted? The words that usually came out just fine wouldn't easily string together.

"What is it, is there some sort of problem?"

Windhand caught onto that flawlessly.

"What problem could there be."

"Really?"

Still, he couldn't tell them. How could he say that the Demon Knight had been swallowed by a demon, and even though he barely managed to stop his own rampage, he was still dangerous and currently sealed away?

"Hey, do you happen to know where the Demon Knight is? We have something to tell him."

"Ah, right, right. Tell me too."

However, Blue Moon and the Outlaw were no help to him. Deathbringer's face, hidden deep beneath his hood, stiffened subtly.

He had no excuse to make up. Whatever he made up, it was a situation that would be instantly exposed if they just asked around a little.

"... T-The Sir is..."

"Do not block the way."

But even if he got caught, it would still be better than spilling the truth. Just as Deathbringer was about to open his mouth with that thought, a new voice cut in.

"Is it the Order's dog."

"Aah, if it isn't the Priest."

"... It's been a while, but what's with your hair?"

It was the Inquisitor.

She seemed to have just returned after going outside the city to purify the corrupted land and deal with demons.

"It was cut during a fight."

"Is that so?"

Of all times to return, she had to return right now. In any case, that brick wall of a woman was no help at all.

Deathbringer fretted inwardly as he looked at the stubborn fool who had barged in at a bad time. It was because he was worried she might just blurt out the truth if Windhand asked about the Demon Knight.

"More importantly, if you came to see the Demon Knight, hurry up and go inside. Stop blocking the way."

... Just like she was doing right now!

"What?"

"...?"

"You idiot..."

'I'm seriously going crazy.' Deathbringer rubbed his forehead. At the sudden mention of the Demon Knight, the three pirates had bewildered faces, while the Priest had a blank expression, once again failing to read the room.

"What... are you talking about? Came to see the Demon Knight?"

"... Weren't you going to see the Demon Knight?"

"Why would you say that! Lord Archmage said to keep it a secret!"

"I-I thought you'd already told them since you were bringing the three of them along...!"

"Wait, a secret? The Great Sage?"

"Uh... Does it seem like there's a bit of a problem here?"

"What exactly is going on?"

'I'm screwed.' Having heard this much, there was no way they were just going to back down.

Deathbringer paused mid-dry-wash of his face and looked at the people pressing him for answers. 'Damn it.' Still, his only stroke of luck was that the three of them didn't seem to have loose lips.

"... Follow me."

He turned his steps with a sigh. The pirates, realizing the situation was bizarre, followed with serious expressions, and the brick wall, realizing her mistake, tagged along at the very end with a nervous face.

"I-I'm sorry..."

"Don't apologize to me, apologize to Sir Knight."

"... Did something happen to the Demon Knight?"

"... Yes. But it'll be easier to understand if you just see and hear it for yourselves."

Deathbringer entered a space where dirt walls had been erected around the perimeter to block any lines of sight. It was somewhat fortunate that a door had been made so the watchers could easily come and go.

"Just what exactly are you trying to show..."

And the moment the door opened, the faces of the three pirates stiffened rigidly. Windhand, in particular, was at a level where his usual expression couldn't even be compared.

"... Is that, the Demon Knight?"

"Yes."

"Why, why is he...!"

"Due to the demon worshipers' tricks, the Demon Knight was swallowed by a demon. In a berserk state, he couldn't distinguish friend from foe and even fought us a bit. So he's currently in a sealed state."

However, there was no reason he couldn't explain while looking at those faces. Deathbringer explained the situation with a sullen face. They didn't seem to understand much.

"This makes no sense."

"It's something that has already happened."

If anyone had been in denial, it was them. Even so, reality did not change.

Therefore, all that was left was acceptance.

"No matter if he was swallowed by a demon, this kind of treatment is...!"

"We won't even be able to say our thanks at this rate."

"Was he so strong that you had to go this far?"

Unlike Windhand, who had frequently hung out with them and built up a great deal of trust in the Demon Knight, the Outlaw, who had somewhat less emotional attachment, asked the question.

Right after, he seemed to regret his words—since what he had witnessed would have already been enough—but Deathbringer's mouth was already open.

"Didn't you see the castle with its middle section obliterated?"

"What?"

"Sir Knight did that."

"I did see it, but it was this man who did it?"

"Hah, the Temple must have been in an uproar."

"That's exactly why it's like this."

"... That? How?"

Unlike Blue Moon or the Outlaw, Windhand couldn't easily comprehend it. Deathbringer didn't plan on overexerting himself to persuade him, either.

Simply letting the words about this slip from his mouth was arduous enough for him.

"It doesn't make sense... That man, to a demon..."

"... Wait."

But then, wait. The only person who had been silent since coming in spoke up for the first time.

"What is it?"

Not only did she speak, but she stepped forward. The Mage who was keeping watch from one corner stood up to restrain her, but the red-haired brick wall was faster.

"Demon Knight, have you awakened?"

The person who had stopped at a distance where her foot was just barely brushing the magic circle whispered.

CLINK.

At a moment far too exquisite to be called a coincidence, the iron chains restraining the man rattled.