Ch.3939. Spider Hunt (1)

For a monster to possess Magia, it needs a connection point with a Demon.

It could be the work of a Demon that has descended to this world.

Or it could be the pathetic tricks of Demon worshippers who are corrupting the world.

Since this happened in the mountains just west of the Sianella territory,

we searched outward in expanding circles from where we had hunted the Magia-infested gray wolf.

Since this was related to Magia,

we postponed monster subjugation and formed separate teams with the goal of finding anything related to Magia.

As a result, Sione and I could move around separately and were free to set our own rest times.

If a battle seemed likely, I could just secretly slip away.

It was good for me since I didn’t have to worry about anyone other than Sione.

I looked at Sione who was sweating profusely while pushing her bangs back.

“Let’s see…”

Despite having lived a worthless life, Sione was still a proud member of the Sianella bloodline.

She was beside me, eyes blazing, scanning the seemingly identical mountain landscape by turning her head back and forth.

Even for someone like Sione,

I thought she would rest a little when tired of searching.

It was surprising to see her searching for Magia-related things without rest, sweating profusely.

She wasn’t originally such a spirited person…

Thinking both of us needed a break around now,

I immediately started a conversation.

“Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard in this heat? I think it would be better to rest a bit before continuing the search.”

“Good idea. Let’s rest over there for a moment before continuing our search.”

Sione pointed to one side.

There was tree shade to avoid the scorching sun,

and the ground was relatively flat, perfect for a short rest.

We quickly cleared spots to sit and lowered ourselves to the ground.

My eyes felt tired from carefully examining the surroundings for clues.

My legs were also quite exhausted from hiking the mountain all day, making this rest feel welcome.

“Ughh…”

Looking over, I could see that Sione was just as tired as I was, even letting out a weary sound.

She had her eyes closed tight, massaging them with her hands,

or patting her legs to loosen her tight muscles.

She must have been waiting for me to suggest taking a break, even though she didn’t show it.

Looking at Sione, I began to ask what I had been curious about.

“May I ask you a question?”

“Hmm? Of course. Feel free.”

“Then… do you think there’s a Demon here?”

Those with the power to destroy Demons were famous for being able to find and kill even the faintest traces left by Demons.

Even if the power had been diluted through generations, she should still be able to detect that much.

“No, I don’t think there’s a Demon here. This incident seems…”

Sione’s blue eyes, which had held the color of the ocean, darkened like the deep sea.

“It seems like the work of people similar to those who targeted me before.”

“You mean…”

“It seems they drew out Magia through a ritual dedicated to a Demon.”

Tsk.

Sione clicked her tongue irritably.

“I’ve heard there are still deranged people who worship Demons in the Empire. I didn’t know such foolish people existed in our kingdom too.”

Then she folded her arms and spoke haughtily.

“But it’s us who found this—not just any family, but the Sianella family, who established and spread the Mind-Spirit Demon Theory. They won’t escape unscathed.”

“Mind-Spirit Demon Theory…?”

“When the war with Demons first began, our ancestors created this theory together with the church… would you like to hear about it?”

I nodded at Sione’s words.

Mind-Spirit Demon Theory.

It sounds quite impressive…

I shouldn’t have nodded then.

After the Mind-Spirit Demon Theory, Sione began listing the great achievements of her ancestors.

How one head of the family became a Sword Master at what age, or how another head of the family created the Mind-Spirit Knight Theory following the Demon Theory and spread it throughout the western kingdom.

Even after our break ended, she kept talking non-stop.

I wondered why someone with such pride in their family had shut themselves in their room, only further tarnishing the family name.

By the time I was tired of Sione’s words and just giving perfunctory responses:

“Ah, yes. I see. That’s truly impressive.”

“…Ray. You haven’t been listening properly, have you?”

“…Pardon?”

I could see Sione staring at me with a suddenly stiffened expression.

…This doesn’t look good.

I immediately lowered my head.

“I’m sorry.”

“Well, it’s fine. Even I think my story got too long… Raise your head.”

I raised my head as she said.

I could see Sione quietly looking in one direction.

“I feel something similar to Magia energy coming from over there.”

“…Aren’t we going too deep into the mountain range?”

“Still, I think we should check it out.”

“It might be dangerous, so let me take the lead.”

“Lead? No need. Just follow behind me.”

As Sione tried to move forward first, I walked with even quicker steps.

Just in case something happened.

If Sione tried to protect me for the sake of her pride and ended up dying, I couldn’t handle that.

I blocked her path.

“Didn’t you say you felt something like Magia energy? It might be dangerous, so I’ll take the lead.”

“…If it’s dangerous, you might get hurt.”

“To me, you are more important than myself, Lady Sione.”

I was half sincere.

Since the main quest had marked Sione, she needed to stay alive for anything to change.

With my somewhat sincere words, Sione finally began to follow my lead.

“It’s eerie.”

“…The Magia is getting stronger. It seems someone performed a ritual for a Demon around here.”

Now not only Sione but I too could feel the prickling Magia on my skin.

This energy, which stimulated a primal discomfort, was the same Magia I had experienced so tediously before.

With this concentration, it’s no wonder the gray wolves were affected.

Moreover, the trees that blocked all sunlight and grew tall created a gloomy atmosphere despite it being daytime.

Just the kind of atmosphere those who worship Demons would love.

Walking a bit further, we found a completely rotten dead tree permeated with the scent of blood.

In front of the tree was a small altar with a black jewel placed on it.

“…That is.”

Seeing the jewel emitting a gloomy light, Sione immediately approached the altar.

She looked around the dead tree and down at the jewel that was heavily imbued with Demon energy.

“…This doesn’t feel right.”

My intuition warned me.

Don’t approach that dead tree anymore.

We’ve come too deep into the mountains.

It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve survived thanks to my intuition.

It was so accurate that even when I had a real status window, not this half-baked one, I had an A-rank Intuition skill.

Seeing how strongly my heart was beating, we needed to get out of here quickly.

I immediately looked at Sione.

“Now that we’ve confirmed the location, we should go back and return with Lady Siabel.”

“This jewel.”

Sione pointed at the jewel on the altar.

“I can feel strong Demon energy from it… if we leave it here any longer, who knows what might happen.”

I could tell from her expression that Sione felt an even stronger aversion to the intense Magia emanating from the jewel than I did.

Yet she was insisting that we take the jewel with us.

Those with the power to destroy Demons absolutely cannot stand to see Demons prosper.

As she said, this jewel was likely the main culprit maintaining this dense Magia and acting as its medium.

It would be better to destroy it or move the jewel before the dense Magia turned this place into a demonic realm.

“I think we should destroy the altar or take it with us.”

“No.”

I shook my head without hesitation at Sione’s words.

My intuition was screaming at me not to cause trouble here and to run away quickly.

“Why not? Nothing good will come from letting this dense Magia continue.”

“I have a bad feeling. From this seemingly important altar standing alone without any guardians, to the smell of rotten blood coming from this dead tree.”

“Even so…!”

“It’s ominous. Lady Siabel only asked us to do a simple reconnaissance, not to resolve the situation. You and I have come too deep into the mountains.”

“…”

“Just once. Won’t you follow my advice just this once?”

“Hmm…”

Sione agreed with a small sigh.

“I’ll follow your advice.”

“Thank you.”

Just as we turned our backs on the dead tree to hurry out of the forest.

At that moment, something familiar appeared and blocked my vision.

[An emergency quest has been formed.]

“One Body’s Sacrifice”

“You and Sione Sianella have ventured too deep into the forest. A crazed forest monster has found you and Sione Sianella, and begins to threaten your master’s life with its dangerous venomous fangs. As your master’s servant, protect Sione Sianella.”

“Reward: Massive increase in Sione Sianella’s bond with you, increase in Siabel Sianella’s affection for you”

“Failure: Your death, Sione Sianella’s death”

I quickly read the status window.

“Venomous fangs…?”

At the words “venomous fangs,” I recalled what Bronte had told me a few days ago.

Arachne also live deep in the mountains.

Giant spiders with venom potent enough to easily kill an elephant.

Despite being mere spiders, they’re incredibly fast and cunning.

These stealthy hunters make even seasoned Hunters tense.

Moreover, this place had many tall trees with lush leaves, which Arachne prefer.

I immediately looked up.

Up above, a giant spider was descending rapidly on a thread, baring its venomous fangs.

Its target was none other than Sione.

My expression twisted involuntarily.

“No, fucking hell.”

Damn it, my intuition has never been wrong.