episode_0077

About a hundred years ago, I talked about the ‘Masurian Forest Eradication Project’ planned by the empire.

Project to annihilate the forest. The other project name is the Hero Party Disposal Project.

How can we get rid of this money-eating insect-like warrior party that cannot be used as a war weapon or even for chores? After much deliberation, the empire decides to send them into the Demon Forest, which was already a troublesome area.

However, that plan from a hundred years ago was foiled by a human woman. Saint Irowell. She protects Masurim even at the risk of death, and the empire loses its justification for carrying out the project.

However, all things are naturally forgotten as time passes.

It is said that rivers and mountains change in ten years. One hundred years is enough time for a person to be buried in the other side of history.

It is now the year 514 of the Imperial Calendar. Historically speaking, it is a fairly quiet time. Except for just ‘one incident’.

“Saint, do you remember what that is?”

[It’s a shame, but I have never made a mistake in matters of national affairs.]

“Kwikkk, I guess you know.”

[A warrior party is coming to Masurim. Led by the warrior Claire.]

“That’s right, because of that, Masurin suffered a huge massacre.”

Currently, year 514 of the Imperial Calendar. The warrior party invades the Demon Forest. I received orders to destroy all the monsters in the demon forest.

In fact, the word is to annihilate, the empire knows, the magic tower knows, and the seven kingdoms know. This command is to just go and die.

The tribe of warriors is strong. That is an undeniable fact. The sword wielded by the hero cuts through the earth, and the magic cast by the wizard of the hero’s party is enough to tell the dragon to go away.

However, all of that is based on the ‘point of end of growth’.

A warrior is a growing being. To protect my friends, to protect the continent. They fight against powerful enemies at every moment and win. For example, the commander of the Demon King’s army or the Duke of Shi. At the same time, you can enjoy the sweet reward of growth.

However, the Demon King Kanos does not attack the continent, and the growth of the hero party stagnates. Of course, a novice hero party cannot conquer a forest filled with demonic beasts.

[In the southern part of Masurim… I heard that all monsters except Dragon King Endros will die.]

But, even if it rots, it’s okay. No matter how bad a mite is, a warrior is a warrior. The warrior party gathered around the warrior Claire succeeds in hunting down all the magical beasts in the southern part of the Demon Forest.

Although he lost most of his comrades in the process, and when he defeated the last demon beast, even the hero’s heart was ripped out.

Their struggles were by no means meaningless. A hundred years later, the warrior party dispatched to the Demon Forest again can meet the Dragon King immediately without losing power. As a result, the Dragon King dies, and a new five kings called Nio ascend to the throne.

And the ‘wizard’ of the warrior party is none other than Merlin Gregory.

Merlin Gregory, the great sage who made my last years stained with pain. One of the greatest wizards of all time, and an absolute powerhouse who reached the 9th circle as a human and stood shoulder to shoulder with the Dragon Lord.

I feel like I want to kill Merlin Gregory a hundred years from now, but I shouldn’t. Because the history of the human world has changed.

At least until Mary is born, we must allow history to proceed as it should. One hundred years later, in the warrior party, everyone except Merlin Gregory dies. That will happen in this episode as well.

And the surviving Merlin Gregory… After facing the huge wall called Dragon King Endros, he established to train his juniors.

In my previous life, I trained the Virgin Mary and the warrior Frey de Siegfried, and in this life, I will also train Oscar.

The best academy on the continent.

[Do you want to intervene?]

“How can I intervene?”

[No one knows what happens in the Demon Forest anyway.]

“Okay, what if history changes for no reason? Just take a look. They say there’s nothing more fun than watching a fight, right?”

[Joker has always been an unpredictable person.]

“Kwikkk, that’s true, but it feels strangely bad. Are you saying you don’t trust me now?”

When I do it again, I’m the man who does it again. Moreover, the birth of a saint is at stake, so there is no way I would act rashly about something like that.

[…] There is no man in the world as untrustworthy as Joker.]

“My image is really shit. But then, are you obsessed with the most untrustworthy man in the world?”

[What do you mean obsession?]

“I wait for my communication all day long and shiver, but when I receive a communication, I receive it in a hurry… If that’s not obsession, what is? Are you saying that you only think about communication with me 24 hours a day? Tsk tsk.”

[…] It’s too much. I did this for someone.]

“Are you asking for a favor from the villain?”

[Wouldn’t it be okay to say a few warm words?]

“For me, it’s the most difficult thing in the world.”

When I answered calmly, the saintly woman’s voice became dejected. I whispered playfully to her, who was depressed.

“Then, today too, I love you.”

[…] !]

“Ahaha, see you tomorrow.”

[Well, I buy it too… !]

Pop-.

The saint hung up the phone before she could finish speaking. It feels like a silent confession of love is coming from across dimensions, but I don’t know.

Mary has been in the same position in the same place for three hundred years. I wonder if it would feel uncomfortable, but fortunately it doesn’t seem to be like that because it’s a soul body. Nevertheless, I often feel itchy, so I scratch places like my back every time I communicate.

“Keng.”

“Aru, how much hunting did you do today?”

“Keng.”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t have time, I’m busy.”

Nioh walks stomping away with a large wild boar on his back. Above his head, Aru is squatting.

It wouldn’t be surprising if he felt uncomfortable, but Nioh just chuckles and doesn’t scold Aru. After all, he is a man.

On the other hand, that guy… .

“Hey, Aru. Do you know that you haven’t even peeled your nose all day today?”

“KungKong.”

“Sseu-eup, you have to do your best even if you ignore the owner. Have you reached secondary puberty? These days, you keep leaving the door open… !”

“Two doors out? Don’t use difficult words. To put it simply.”

“Ha, it went all the way up to the top of the owner’s head. Do you miss the taste of the magic wand?”

“I am stronger than the magic wand. ”

Ever since I experienced an ‘awakening’ a few years ago… Ji is acting with great vigor as if he were a king. Probably, if you put a dagger in that guy’s hand right now, he could assassinate anyone.

Even in our party, it is the most powerful at the moment. Although it is not yet at the level of Uriel in his prime, it is expected that he will reach that level soon. The problem is that, perhaps due to his sudden increase in power, his attitude towards us has become extremely cold.

“What? You’re stronger than a magic wand? My pride soars to the sky?”

But once a mutt, always a mutt. It is unacceptable to challenge your authority and status as an owner… .

Clud-.

“Keng?”

“… no. As expected, our Aru is the best. Yes, there is no wolf like Aru.”

“KungKong.”

What did I just see? It looks like Aru put his mouth on the rock and lightly put pressure on his chin, so why is it on the bar/up?

Let’s not be picky with Aru. Of course, if we were to fight for life or death, I would definitely win, but there is no need to cause conflict within a team. This is absolutely not about backing down out of fear. It is a strategy and tactic that demonstrates a high degree of intelligence. Huh!

Jump!

Aru, who was standing on Nioh’s head, leaped like a feather and landed on my shoulder. Aru puts his soft, strong thighs on my shoulders.

It doesn’t feel particularly heavy. Before I knew it, my hair had grown long enough to sweep the floor, so why wasn’t this guy gaining weight? Maybe it’s because I use it in the name of hunting.

Aru, who was sitting on my shoulder, purred as if he was tired, then nodded and placed his chin on the top of his head. The guy, who isn’t even that small, is squatting down and doing that. I asked with a sigh.

“Why do you keep leaving your seat these days? Are you crazy?”

“Cow… I’m busy.”

“So why are you busy? What is there to do? Without even bringing food.”

“The King of Wolves is busy. There’s a lot to do.”

“Ugh, yes, yes. Get plenty of sleep. Is this the heart of a father raising a daughter? You really don’t listen to me.”

“Hmm… .”

Aru sleeps on my shoulder. If I even fall backwards like that, the back of my head will break. I moved Aru forward and hugged her like I was hugging a princess. Aru just narrowed his eyes and stayed still.

Meanwhile, Beatrice and Uriel, who had gone hunting in the forest on the other side, returned. King Nio was pulling out the fur from the wild boar he had just caught and roasting it over a fire.

“Master, did anything happen?”

“I’m always fine. Would you like to report on what you have harvested?”

“Yes, God has slaughtered three wild boars and five goats.”

Beatrice glanced at the net she was dragging. It was a net filled with dead wild animals. Okay, that should be no problem for a few days.

“, as expected, it’s Sir Beatrice. Because it’s the best. What about our L.C. there?”

“This body has caught a rabbit.”

“… !”

My eyes brightened. Not only me but Nioh also turned his head with a surprised face. Aru’s ears perked up and he stood upright. Dude, look at how you don’t wake up alone. While I heard everything.

“Sat, you caught a rabbit?”

“Okay, was there any problem? Hehe, I caught this myself without anyone’s help.”

Uriel proudly squared his shoulders and spoke. Her bulging breasts stand out.

I responded with a big smile.

“Finally! You’re finally paying for your meal! Now you don’t have to provide our LCD meals separately! Because you have become self-sufficient!”

“What, what? Young Leader, that is… !”

“Why, do you have a problem? Of course, this is your first hunt! But it was the first successful hunt in over 200 years! It’s always difficult at first, right? You did it once, so you’ll do better the second time!”

Wow! We can finally get rid of these insectivores legally! I spread my arms and shouted hurray.

Unlike me, Uriel was trembling as if he had been greatly shocked. The expression that was full of superiority suddenly becomes one of embarrassment. So someone wants to brag about catching just one rabbit. Because he is not Arudo.

Of course, I’m proud because it’s my first hunt, but how can I make up for the 200 years I’ve dedicated to you?

“Woman, leader… I will do better… So, huh? Please cancel what I just said… .”

“Yes? No, are you just telling me to speak twice? Did the Lord teach that?”

“Leader, don’t you know…? ! If this continues, I will definitely… ! Save me! I will never be arrogant… !”

“Ahaha, just kidding. joke. How do you abandon a colleague who is full of ugly and good feelings? I was just joking around for a little while. So relax. If this goes on, you’ll end up shedding tears.”

“No, joking? Phew… Well then… You were surprised! Anyway, you!”

What are you compensating for? In the first place, I never expected anything from the insectivore. If you just stay calm and don’t cause any accidents, you will be very grateful.

Anyway, if Uriel dies, Michael will come down and harass me right away. I think our team can handle at least one Archangel right now, but if Gabriel and Raphael come down, there’s no answer.

And, crucially, I am not a person without blood or tears who abandons his comrades. Rather, he has a soft heart that is quite vulnerable to affection.

“Haha, it’s already a boring world, so we should at least play pranks like this.”

“Tsk! Anyway, you, leader… !”

“Puhahaha! angel! It’s so funny!”

“Large… Still, this is a person I once believed in, but it’s really sad to see him begging for help from demons.”

“Rain, you’re begging! Who is begging for help?! Beatrice! It’s so cruel and blasphemous!”

If you think about it, it’s not strange even if the relationship between Beatrice and Uriel is the worst. No, if you only look at relationships, it would be natural for them to be the worst.

The two always bicker, but they get along well. It’s hard to be close to an apostate from the church and a fallen being who is on the way to becoming an angel again, but Beatrice and Uriel don’t seem to care about what society thinks.

Oh, by the way, this is not society. I’ve been in the forest for so long that I forgot.

Thump-thud-thud-.

While teasing Uriel in celebration of his first successful hunt, Nioh, who had finished cooking the wild boar, tore off the leg meat and presented it to me. It is a wild roast that has been grilled to a golden brown color but has not been seasoned at all.

Okay. It’s not like eating food for the taste. It’s good if it tastes good, but even if it’s not tasty, you should eat it to replenish nutrition.

“Everyone, fill your stomach today. Because I don’t know what will happen tomorrow.”

“Hmm? What does that mean?”

As I spoke while chewing the roasted wild boar, Nioh twitched his eyebrows and expressed a question. I whispered with a wry smile.

“A valuable guest is coming.”

*****

Rustling-.

“Ugh, it’s narrow. Can’t we just go a little to the side?”

“Uriel, why are you doing that to me? This happened because Nioh’s physique was too large.”

“Honestly, Johan is also Johan, but Sir Beatrice’s sword is too big. What kind of sword is bigger than a person?”

“… If my lord tells me to change it, I will change it.”

“That’s it. You’re already used to it, but you should keep using it. But Yohan, where did Aru go? Why can’t I see him?”

“He disappeared earlier, saying he had somewhere to go.”

“Tsk, that guy. I’m planning to go at this important moment. uh? Shh, shh! Everyone hush!”

A group of five humans slowly approaching a group of goblins.

One is holding a sword, one is holding a wizard staff, one elf is holding a bow, one large man is holding a shield, and one is wearing a priest’s uniform.

“As expected, the first hunt starts at the goblin den. From now on, everyone, don’t make any noise. They’re going to die anyway… Because if I get caught for no reason, I get tired.”

We are watching while hiding in a nearby bush.

To witness the end of the party of heroes with an ill-fated fate who will perish in the Demon Forest.