Chapter 194: Pre and Post-processing – Part 1 (4)

Allen from the upper village and Sei from the lower village had been close childhood friends since they were very young.

There are relationships like that in the world—so naturally bound together that the thought of being apart is unimaginable.

It’s something similar to love, yet not quite the same. Though built on affection, it never blazes with passion or dances in dazzling splendor.

It simply stays where it began, like wildflowers in spring or a solitary tree.

Everyone in the village believed the two would marry someday—including Allen and Sei themselves.

Just as it is natural for summer to follow spring, or for day to follow night, so too was it considered natural that Allen and Sei should marry.

Because it was so natural, everything was already prepared: both families’ consent, the dowry, and their future plans were all perfectly in place. All that remained was to set the wedding date.

But in March of that year, the Great Invasion began.

Allen, who had inherited his father’s profession as a hunter, was drafted as a top-priority recruit. That, too, felt like just another natural event—no one had major complaints.

Allen was an excellent hunter, so he wouldn’t fall easily in battle. That wasn’t quite a certainty, but at the very least, Sei tried to believe it, using the thought to soothe her unease.

And in truth, Allen never once faced danger during the war.

The one who ended up in danger was Sei. The Demon King’s forces had suddenly raided the rear region where she lived.

“So you volunteered to come all the way here yourself.”

“Yes, something like that.”

Allen spoke to Leo, the veteran soldier assigned as his mentor.

They were currently stationed on a ridge about three kilometers from Allen’s hometown.

Since it was already late at night, they planned to camp there and begin a proper search at dawn. That would be when they’d find out if Sei and the other villagers were still alive.

He wanted nothing more than to rush there immediately, but being part of an organized force, that wasn’t an option. Even if his heart was anxious, he had to endure it.

“To be honest, it wasn’t easy getting permission to come this far. Claiming you want to abandon the front lines because your village is in danger is just selfish and irresponsible.

Luckily, my commanding officer is a compassionate person. Thanks to his understanding, I was temporarily reassigned. I’m endlessly grateful to him for that.”

“……..”

Leo stroked his beard and fell into silent thought.

At first glance, it sounded like a touching story. A young man rushing into danger to save his village, even at the risk of insubordination. If he could now heroically save them, it would be a perfect tale.

However—

“Sounds like your superior didn’t get the full story. Making such a grave error… I’ll be frank: pack your things and return to your original unit immediately.”

“…What?”

Allen frowned at the sudden command to leave.

What is this old man saying? Has he lost his mind?

“What do you mean out of the blue? I came all this way to save my village. Now you’re telling me to go back empty-handed? Isn’t that a bit rude, especially when we just met?”

“I’m saying this for your sake. I mean it.”

Leo spoke seriously, as if trying to reason with him.

“Let me be clear—what you’re about to see ahead is nothing like what you’re imagining. You’ll likely witness a scene far more horrific and brutal than you could ever expect. I’m not saying this lightly.”

“I’ve already braced myself for that.”

Allen replied, biting his lip.

“I’m not a fool. I know that a village of barely a hundred people—most of whose able-bodied men were conscripted—couldn’t have withstood a demon assault. Most likely, they were wiped out.

Even if that’s the case, I still want to bury the villagers with my own hands. That’s the least I can do to honor them.”

“That’s not what I mean,” Leo said, raising his voice in frustration. “You think annihilation is the worst-case scenario. But there are even more terrible possibilities.

For example, back when I served in another unit—”

Just then—

Rustle, rustle…

“!”

A suspicious sound came from beyond the forest.

Allen and Leo both stopped talking and turned their eyes in that direction. They each drew their longsword and crossbow, aiming into the darkness.

Their current mission was a patrol.

If anything unusual happened, their priority was to report it back to headquarters as quickly as possible—so the allied forces would have time to respond.

Because it was such an important role, the two of them put aside the feelings that had blossomed between them for a moment and focused all their attention on the presence they could sense in the darkness.

And then—

“Allen?”

“!?”

A familiar face appeared through the blurry vision.

It was Uncle Jeff, who ran the bakery. A very kind man who had helped them since they were little kids.

Whenever Allen went on errands with Sei, he’d always throw in an extra loaf of rye bread and smile warmly, telling them to share it nicely.

He was especially close with them among all the neighbors.

“No…”

Allen blinked. He wasn’t seeing things. That face—he was definitely Uncle Jeff.

“Uncle Jeff!? It is you, isn’t it?! Uncle Jeff!”

“Oh-ho! I thought it might be, and it really is you, Allen! I’m saved! It was worth running toward the faint light I saw!”

Jeff’s face lit up as he quickly approached.

“I hate to ask this, but… could we maybe rest inside for a bit, too? There’s no other place around here where we can take shelter…”

“Of course. Survivors are always welcome here. But… how are you still alive? I heard the Demon King’s army attacked the village.”

“It’s a bit of a long story, but somehow, I managed to escape their surveillance. I ran without thinking, just trying to get away, and I ended up here.”

Jeff’s voice cracked. “Anyway, I’m really thirsty. Could I have a glass of water?”

“Yes! Just a moment!”

Allen quickly pulled out the canteen from his belt and started to run over to Jeff. Or rather, tried to run—until Leo, standing beside him, grabbed his shoulder firmly.

“Wait.”

“Huh? Why?”

Allen asked, confused, but Leo didn’t answer. Instead, he glared at Jeff with a cold, terrifying look.

“Hey, old man. What did you just say? You escaped the Demon King’s surveillance?”

“Uh, yes…? That’s right…”

“Did you do it alone? Or were there others with you?”

“There were others. I have a group—about ten of us. We’ve all been heading toward this camp, hoping to find refuge. We won’t be a burden, I swear—just let us rest here for one night.”

“…I see.”

Hearing that there were others seemed to confirm something for Leo. He nodded grimly, then turned to Allen with a cold, flat command.

“Allen. Shoot him.”

“Wha—?! Are you insane!?”

Of course, Allen recoiled in horror.

“I know this man! I’m sure of it! I can vouch for who he is! Even if I couldn’t, how could you tell me to harm someone who just barely escaped from hell?! What kind of person says something like that?!”

“That’s exactly why, you idiot!!”

Leo shouted furiously.

“What? Escaped from hell? Don’t make me laugh. You think the demons’ surveillance is that lax?

“No—they let him escape! They turned him into a demon-possessed bomb, a living weapon, and sent him here to destroy us!”

“…What?”

Allen’s eyes widened at the unbelievable words. A human bomb? That sounded insane.

But Leo wasn’t joking.

“My old unit was wiped out the exact same way. We took in refugees—just like you want to do—and one of them had been altered. The entire unit exploded. Gone.

“It’s a technique developed by a monster called the Inquisitor. The victims look completely normal on the outside, but their will is already gone—they’re just puppets! So shoot!”

“This is… this is nonsense…!”

Allen looked back and forth between Jeff and Leo, totally confused.

A puppet? But Jeff was clearly conscious. They were having a perfectly normal conversation!

“Uncle Jeff, is this true? Were you really… modified?”

“What?! Don’t be ridiculous! I’ve never gone through anything like that! From head to toe, I’m exactly the same as when I was born!”

“Of course you’d say that. You don’t even know you’re being controlled.”

Leo, unable to take any more, grabbed the crossbow from Allen’s hands.

“Give it here! If you won’t shoot, I will!”

“W-wait! Can’t we at least try to check? Carefully confirm if what you’re saying is even true—”

“If that were possible, don’t you think we’d have done it already? Not even family members of decades could tell the difference—how do you expect to find out now?

“More pointless deaths will only follow. Now get out of the way!”

“Guh…!”

Pushed back by Leo’s overwhelming strength, Allen hit the wall and collapsed. Seizing the opening, Leo loaded the crossbow and pulled the trigger without hesitation.

Whish! The arrow tore through the air—

Thud!

“Ugh, AAAAAAHHH!!!?”

The arrow struck Jeff in the solar plexus. With a scream of agony, he collapsed on the spot.