episode_0106

The tense atmosphere that was disrupted by the attack returned to normal starting from Noah’s party. The fact that there were no casualties played a significant role.

It took about a week to reinforce the damaged building, tidy up the hyenas lurking around, and make other preparations.

As the organization returned to its normal course, Noah and Nan immediately began planning to leave Cardysan.

Because it is impossible to survive in the land marked by the Demon Army.

Noah, Lily, and Nero began rigorously selecting people to accompany them. Using even magic circles to verify, they gathered only those who had been proven trustworthy.

Once the trusted officers gathered in the conference room, Noah immediately brought up the agenda.

Various opinions were presented. Some suggested splitting into several parties and dispersing in all directions, while others proposed fleeing to lands where the Demon Army could not find them.

Due to my original knowledge, I could judge whether seemingly plausible suggestions were dangerous or not.

“Scattering in all directions is dangerous. The Demon Army is actively occupying other countries. Eventually, even the lands currently held by humans will fall to the Demon Army. So, instead of scattering, we should aim for the most powerful empire and flee.”

In the original work, all countries except the empire fall into the hands of the Demon King. Just before the last empire fell into the hands of the Demon King, the final hero, Iris, appeared like a comet.

Therefore, we must aim for the empire without fail.

“Being caught by the Demon Army while staying in the Demon Land is only a matter of time. Even if you live in remote places beyond their reach, they will eventually find you.”

The Demon Army consists of individuals who can wield not only dark magic but also various strange powers. Even if demons hide in lands where survival is difficult, they will eventually be exposed.

As I confidently presented my opinions along with evidence, the meeting unexpectedly began to revolve around me.

“The first issue we need to address is the number of people wanting to leave the Demon Land. Just because they are Nest organization members doesn’t mean they can all leave the Demon Land.”

Those whose basic values have been compromised growing up in Cardysan inevitably have to stay in this land. The majority of those staying at the external headquarters fall into this category.

Even among those who were once slaves, there were many who looked down on others and sought to use the power of the Nest organization.

Not only was there a lack of people to educate and correct them, but many were inherently flawed in character.

Including such individuals in the escape party would surely lead to trouble.

It was decided that the escape route would be determined by me, who possessed original knowledge, Nero, who oversaw information comprehensively, and Noah.

The remaining officers were tasked with selecting people to join the escape party.

Using magical tools to indicate the degree of evilness of the counterparts, they initially filtered out individuals and then started observing rumors and behaviors to further narrow down the selection.

Their target date for the escape was one week later.

With the deadline approaching, they had to move quickly.

“…Rian, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

During work, Noah frequently asked Rian if she was okay. Every time a sweet scent brushed past her nose, Rian closed her eyes tightly.

Julianna watched the two with a sinister expression.

Busy days passed by smoothly as preparations progressed steadily. About a week remained before departure when the members to escape together were decided.

The number of members was smaller than expected. With a total of 98 people, it was less than one-tenth of the organization’s members. Excluding the number of officers, it had to be assumed that the majority of the organization’s members would stay in Cardisan.

“Since the Nest organization dominates Cardisan, everyone wants to stay in Cardisan.”

“Even if the Demon Army or other organizations target us, many people think that’s a problem for another time.”

Nest could be metaphorically seen as a large corporation within Cardisan that no one could touch. Even if other companies targeted Nest or even if ownership changed, most organization members wanted to remain with Nest.

Many of those who held such thoughts had greedy and ruthless sides. Therefore, the officers did not bother to hold onto such individuals.

Noah, upon hearing the report, smiled bitterly. The fact that children who had been slaves grew up to be greedy weighed heavily on him.

As the situation was somewhat settled, night fell. I crawled into bed slowly, feeling sleep creeping over me.

Thud!

At that moment, light footsteps were heard outside the door.

Click!

The door opened without a knock. I sat up immediately, looking towards the door. Due to the lack of windows, the entire room was engulfed in darkness, but Lian could discern who the visitor was keenly.

“Jess, what’s happening this night?”

“Lian!”

Jess ran towards me and jumped lightly, rushing at me.

“Whoa!”

Feeling like being tackled by a large dog, I tumbled onto the bed. I rubbed my head as Jess approached me suddenly.

“Jess, don’t rush at me like that…”

Before I could finish speaking, Jess collapsed on top of me. His body stiffened.

“Je-Jess?”

*Sniffle*

With narrowed eyes, Jess nuzzled his nose against my neck, making sniffing sounds. I shrank back, grabbing Jess’s shoulders.

“Jess, why are you doing this? Explain first!”

Before I could finish, Jess began wriggling on top of me, similar to a dog marking a new object with its scent.

As Jess rubbed against me, his long fragrant hair tickled my face. Just as he was about to rub against me from the front… no, as he tried to, I grabbed his shoulder to stop him.

*Whine*

Then Jess started whimpering like a puppy whose neck was held. Whenever I heard his cute whimper, I felt like I had done something terribly wrong. Firmly, I shook my head and said,

“Hey, Jess, you need to explain properly why you’re behaving like this.”

*Snort* “I’m erasing the mark left by the Four Kings.”

“The mark?”

“Noah said so. The Four Kings left a mark on you, so you have to run away!”

“Oh…”

It seemed like he understood being ‘marked’ by the Four Kings as having been marked. I recalled a fragment of common knowledge from the original work.

“‘Among water creatures, marking is like territorial marking,’ they said.”

For one water creature to mark another precious item or person is considered an NTR-like act.

Jess being extremely excited and running towards me wasn’t strange at all.

‘…It’s not strange, right?’

Suddenly, Jess’s statement about “marriage! Creating a tribe!” came to mind, but I quickly dismissed it from my thoughts.

“It must be because we’re like family.”

Perhaps it was because I had seen Jess since I was young? Thoughts didn’t easily flow in that direction.

Terrifying to think.

Thud!

“Huh?”

The wrist that was holding Jess’s shoulder weakly grasped Jess. Despite having a gag filter, an ordinary human couldn’t possibly withstand the strength of a water creature.

In an instant, the bed shook, and Jess pinned my wrist to the bed. Eyes accustomed to darkness vividly captured Jess, whose pupils dilated as he licked his lips.

“Jyunnim, I’ll get rid of all the Four Kings’ markings!”

A gentle swish was felt as Jess’s tail wagged past my feet. Contrary to the cute voice, Jess’s eyes were those of a predator staring at its prey. I froze like a prey in front of a predator.

“What? Is he going to eat me to get rid of them?”

The scene of Jess being chewed and swallowed alive flashed before my eyes.

“A reward… No, no!”

In a world where even being stepped on by a cute girl is considered a reward, such thoughts involuntarily crossed my mind. After quickly dismissing these absurd thoughts, I began to soothe Jess.

“I… It doesn’t have to be done right now. How about we talk about it when it’s light out? I’m so tired and sleepy right now!”

As Jess’s mouth neared my neck, his words sped up without pause. Just when I thought my throat would be bitten.

“Gwack!”

Jess suddenly moved away with a strange groan.

“…What are you doing?”

Iris’s soft voice echoed in my ears. Unconsciously, I exhaled deeply and sat up.

I saw Jess, with Iris clinging to his back, making playful noises.

“I only came to remove the remaining markings for Jyunim!”

“Markings? Noah explained earlier that it’s not like that.”

“If you leave traces, that’s marking!”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is!”

Sensing a potential fight, I lightly shook their hands to redirect their attention. Fortunately, both turned their gaze towards me.

“Jess, I haven’t received any markings, so there’s no need for that. Even if I had, such actions should be done with the other person’s consent.”

“Kkeing…”

With drooping ears, Jess made a sulky expression.

“It’s late, so go back and sleep.”

“…Can’t we sleep together?”

“No.”

If it were the cute child Jess, maybe, but the grown-up Jess couldn’t sleep with me.

“If we sleep together, I won’t be able to rest at all.”

For that reason, I pointed decisively towards the door, telling him to go and sleep. Jess hesitated, turning his ears and tail towards me before trudging towards the door.

“It’s dark, which is fortunate.”

If the room had been bright, I might have succumbed to his pitiful gaze. Jess looked so sullen that it was endearing.

Thump.

Jess left the room, leaving Iris and me alone.

“Come to think of it, why did Iris come…”

Before I could finish, Iris started climbing onto the bed. Confidently, she placed a pillow next to me, lay down, and looked up at me with a gentle face.