Chapter 93 – Because It Depends on the Other Side (1)

For outsiders trapped inside the village, some waited patiently for things to calm down, while others actively searched for information to understand the situation. There was plenty of movement.

Handling and preventing further chaos was the responsibility of the village guards, but they were just as overwhelmed as anyone else.

In this case, the fact that the situation hadn’t escalated into a full-scale riot was almost a miracle, and that was thanks to the quick intervention and support from the Edenrevan Regiment branch staff.

“You’ve really been through a lot.”

“…Letting in just one wrong person has caused this disaster.”

Ruslan, a blue-skinned female demon of the Edenrevan Regiment branch, was carefully keeping communication lines open with the guards just in case.

The two stood side by side at the entrance to the branch building, the emptied village behind them and the crowd inside observed with their own emotions.

Of all things, it was a disaster caused by the Demon King’s army remnants, those who were openly called demon remnants, so there was plenty of risk that trouble could also fall on the Edenrevan Regiment.

For those with blinded eyes, the bad relationship between the regiment and the Demon King’s army remnants was irrelevant.

‘What matters is what people want to believe.’

Rather than resenting an enemy they can’t fight, it’s an instinct of the weak to seek out someone they can safely blame, even if it’s just another weak person.

In reality, they aren’t truly weak, but neither can they be oppressed.

Earlier that morning, a man who tried to attack Cariel and several other men were killed by soldiers under the demon legion commander.

Now, those soldiers had set up a small temporary camp near the entrance of the village.

Because of that, no one could easily escape through the main entrance.

Even if they could slip out themselves, moving their belongings was impossible.

Those who had come empty-handed might manage to get away, but…

“After this, the local merchants will definitely start talking.”

“With the lord’s prestige on the line, something will be done… though who knows. Maybe things will work out surprisingly well.”

At the guard’s regretful comment, Ruslan considered, from a ruler’s perspective, what should be done about the aftermath.

“At least this is Metlan. In another country, we demons who left the Demon King’s army could have been killed for revenge or even hung from the gallows, just as an excuse.”

“Would they really go that far?”

“Yes, easily. But here, thanks to Grandeus, this is one of the few countries where demons who left the Demon King’s army were able to join the human alliance in peace. There’s a lot of gratitude, so resentment is relatively low.”

Metlan didn’t idolize Grandeus just because he defeated Luelde.

He influenced many places, using Metlan as his base.

Even in situations ripe for conflict, he brought people together in peace, the most jarring thing about him was his ability to unite them under the name of justice.

And what made that possible was overwhelming power.

Even the Demon King’s army couldn’t easily go on the offensive wherever he was, regardless of the numbers or violence.

“If you think about it, the son of the great hero who saved the world seems to have it pretty tough too.”

Unexpectedly, the guard didn’t curse him.

“Aren’t you resentful? He’s being blamed as the main culprit of all this.”

When Ruslan asked that,

“I’d be lying if I said I’m not resentful, but honestly, it should be the opposite. We should be grateful… but I doubt anyone cares about that right now. I heard the stories growing up, but not everyone did. Besides, aren’t you, Ruslan, getting some criticism for taking him in at your branch?”

“That’s something I have to accept. It’s a fact.”

Maybe this whole incident wasn’t actually caused by the hero’s descendant.

Maybe that last demon legion commander was here for something else entirely.

And just happened to run into the hero’s descendant?

That’s possible, isn’t it?

“What are the odds of that? Tsk.”

Even as he said it, the guard clicked his tongue, unsure if he believed it himself.

Ruslan spoke, almost as if praying.

“Whatever happens, I hope things work out.”

“When everyone rushed to the Irenis Church chapel, I thought something awful would happen. But watching him resolve it head-on, I realized he’s really someone special.”

“You saw it yourself?”

“From a distance.”

He had a presence that set him apart.

Outwardly, he looked like a kid much younger than Ruslan.

Yet from the moment he appeared and every time he drew people in and pushed through with his will, it was astonishing.

“Are all hero’s bloodlines like that?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

Whether it was inherited greatness or innate talent,

or both, 

…Only they themselves would know.

“By the way, a swarm of rats was making a fuss last night, but strangely not a single cat was seen. And the chickens didn’t crow this morning either.”

“Oh, now that you mention it.”

“Turns out, all of them were found dead. No warning or anything. The owners were in tears. Some people are worried it’s a plague.”

“That happened?”

When something big changes, animals’ instincts and senses react before humans’ intuition does.

She hadn’t seen it herself, but recalled hearing her companions say they’d noticed the same signs.

‘Maybe.’

The real crisis hasn’t even started yet.

Do they say trouble comes all at once?

Or maybe,

the timing just happened to tie all these events together.

* * *

Blocking the entrance and preventing anyone from lighting a signal fire was enough to leave the village defenseless.

Even if a signal fire had been lit, it would take at least half a day for the lord to gather troops and rush over.

From the start, this was deep inside Metlan, a region with little threat from outsiders, so only a minimal force was left for public order.

In the past, men and women alike called themselves warriors and fighters, but now, they had all become far too weak.

Unconditional peace like this eats away at even the strongest spirit.

“It’s time.”

Barugo headed for the village entrance.

Some followed behind him, while others stayed behind to begin clearing out the barracks.

One way or another, their business here was nearly done.

Even though the old remnants of the Demon King’s army roamed openly, no one dared to stop them.

Most people were inside, and the surroundings were deserted, but Barugo started up the steps as if none of it mattered.

His goal was that place from before.

If he’d gone alone, it would have taken only seconds, but moving with his subordinates was both a show of force and a way to instill pride.

Even if he died, this scene would be remembered by the subordinates who survived, and passed on to their comrades.

‘…If they survive?’

Why think in those terms?

He stopped and looked up at the sky for a moment.

“Commander?”

“Strange.”

It was quiet.

Wherever humans gathered, there were always beasts and insects.

But now, he couldn’t sense any of that.

‘Something’s off.’

Strange.

But it was too late to turn back.

‘A trap?’

Something was different.

“Let’s go.”

Even so, he couldn’t stop now.

Barugo had to find out.

There was so much he wanted to ask from Cariel.

And from those who orchestrated this situation.

He was very curious about what judgment would be made by those who watched all of this from afar.

‘How far does your arrangement go?’

The Demon King of Wisdom.

The first thing that came to mind was gold.

A wolf or fox in golden form.

But more vivid than that, 

…The vast golden land.

It was still clear in his mind.

Mountains, strange rock formations, deserts, icebergs.

…Everything free and harmonious, all golden land.

But even that gold had never invaded the sea.

Why was that?

It was a random question, but

it was one he regretted never asking.

Now, it was an answer he’d never get.

* * * 

“Um, are you really all right?”

Cariel didn’t draw his sword.

To anyone watching, all he did was grip the hilt for a moment, as if in prayer, then let go as if he’d given up any lingering attachment.

The hope and curiosity of those watching, whether for curiosity, supervision, or any other reason, quickly turned to disappointment.

“……”

Even at Leo’s question, Cariel just gave a small nod.

Even if he somehow used that sword to overcome the current crisis, 

…that would be nothing but a compromise.

It would mean surrendering.

Anyone might criticize him for stubbornness or pride, but there was nothing else he could do.

He didn’t want it, and neither did that sword.

Above all, if he drew it, he’d have to form a pact, and that was absolutely unacceptable.

“The omens are really bad.”

As Leo stepped back to rejoin the group, Deik fiddled with his hat with a sour look, reminding everyone of his unease.

“This isn’t just about someone living or dying.”

Luciri scoffed.

“What, is there anything bigger than someone dying? Of course that’s a big deal.”

“……”

Luillin was calm, but seemed spaced out.

Leo, worried, asked,

“Are you okay?”

“…Oh, me? Yes. I’m fine.”

But Cariel, her teacher, didn’t look fine at all.

Just standing looked difficult.

But right now, he was out of time.

Even the Relief Knights who’d been nearby were gone.

He was unmistakably alone.

And there, 

The ones climbing the stairs and reaching the fourth tier were now clearly showing hostility toward Cariel.

Barugo stopped ten paces away.

With a blank look, he asked,

“Were you hesitating to draw until I arrived?”

“No.”

He still looked exhausted, but maybe because an enemy had appeared, his presence changed completely.

Cariel replied quietly to Barugo’s question.

“If I did?”

“That sword isn’t mine.”

“…So you won’t draw it? Or you can’t?”

“Think whatever you want.”

“How disappointing.”

So you’re just another clown after all.

Barugo waved his soldiers back and took up his pitch-black spear again.

“In that case, ”

His form vanished, and only his shadow stretched out, shooting toward Cariel.

It moved like an arrow fired straight, crossing distance and space in an instant.

Before the onlookers could react, before they could even turn their heads,

Barugo had already reached Cariel’s face.

“!!”

But.

……

It was Barugo’s side that slowly stepped back to widen the distance first.

“What kind of trick is this?”

Cariel’s outstretched sword, the one-handed sword Elhermina had given him, was held straight.

If Barugo had forced the distance, he’d have been run through.

No, that assumption was strange.

He was just holding it out.

Who would willingly throw themselves onto that?

“……”

Cariel looked as if he wanted to click his tongue.

But he didn’t have the strength, so it seemed like he just let out a short sigh.

“……”

Something had changed.

It was different.

But he didn’t know what.

Compared to the first time he saw it, it looked like a dying ember, ready to go out at any moment.

Yet for some reason, 

…it didn’t look easy to put out.

* * *

-What that sword was babbling about, the Black Star, that can wait. Right now, that’s not what matters.

It’s a situation of do or die.

-Now that you’re empty, you’re even more susceptible to outside forces than before.

Even a light breeze could not only scrape your skin, but cut straight through you.

Cariel’s body and senses were in a state so wretched, he couldn’t even describe it.

-Use everything to the limit. Even then, you’re still far from an ordinary human, just riddled with flaws.

Still, your skills remain.

Your technique remains.

And the body that optimized all of it is still here.

Even if your body was never perfected or refined.

-Now that you’re completely emptied out, it might actually let you use everything you have. I’ll temporarily awaken your sensory functions. As for your physical limitations, at this point, they don’t matter, so I’ll release them all.

Even so, 

-If you let your guard down or lose control of your body even a little, your own heartbeat will cause a magical backlash that’ll shake your insides apart. That’s how bad your condition is.

More than anything, 

-Your compatibility isn’t great, but maybe that’s why it’s finally become a perfect fit. Don’t forget your specialty.

From here on, what you do

-will depend entirely on the opponent.

And that was your specialty, wasn’t it?