The Great Forest (4)

*^@/ *1 *

There was a question I asked Shuriel in passing, after spending a long time with her.

Why an Executor?

Why does the Empire, after mass-producing paladins and priests through the Holy See, create human weapons called Executors to catch Demons? More than that, why do they always wait to be attacked before launching a subjugation? ‘Demon subjugation’ had many unusual aspects compared to dealing with ordinary monsters. The strangest thing was that all living things, including humans, never touched Demons first, no matter what.

Why? Why act so passively? Shuriel frowned deeply and replied that she wanted to, but couldn’t. I narrowed my eyes and asked why.

Shuriel said it was because of that bastard. Because of that bastard who was practically replacing the Demon King’s position. Humanity couldn’t move easily because of him. The Demon’s name that came out of her mouth was different from the Twin Demons.

The 1st Legion Commander, Barpeuagos.

His alias, the Demon of War.

A hero who miraculously descended into a hellish world filled only with chaos in the distant past.

The Demon King who was subjugated by him.

It was a story now only written in faded history books, but the Demons who survived after the Demon King’s defeat had a slightly different story. They had survived to this day and appeared in reality as nightmares.

Among them, five hundred years ago. The Demon who started a war against all living things as soon as the hero grew old and died was none other than Barpeuagos.

He had burned part of the World Tree, murdered the prince of the Suin, and massacred humanity, a major Demon of a completely different class from the Demons subjugated so far. However. Humanity had won victory even while suffering such damage, but. They hadn’t actually killed Barpeuagos.

―Five hundred years ago, you say. Is he still alive?

―That bastard has no substance. He appears anywhere there is war.

The Demon of War who appears at some point when a large-scale military conflict occurs against Demons. He was an excellent necromancer and a calamity of total war. Even if you cut off that bastard’s head, he reappears leading countless undead if he smells the battlefield.

His appearance condition is only war.

If there is no war, he does not appear.

The only fortunate thing was that, except for Barpeuagos and a few radical Demons, they did not prefer war. Most Demons preferred fighting a strong minority rather than a weak majority. The Holy See explained this warlike nature by saying, ‘Demons have a hidden desire to have a powerful opponent who can defeat them.’

That’s how the Executors were born. Humanity’s sword that can suppress and annihilate Demons without large-scale conflicts.

But.

Wanting a strong opponent didn’t mean wanting to be trampled like a bug. Like Gaolise. Like Parseh. Like Artania. Being treated like a toy without being able to use their strength and having their horns cut off. That would be a more terrible treatment for them than death.

So that was the problem. The only Demons I missed. Pordil, Cordil. The reason the Twin Demons chose to flee instead of fight was because of me. An absolute power that cannot be dealt with.

What choice will a frightened Demon make?

“…”

…Maybe I.

Might have taken it too lightly.

* * *

As soon as the investigation policy was decided, we immediately dispersed. Calverde and Shuriel were superhumans who could fully recharge their stamina by sleeping for only three hours even after running around all day, and Rania and I didn’t need to sleep.

The first to leave were me and Shuriel. Calverde was resting for a while, and Rania was eating. Rania stacked plates on the table and devoured the food. She even ordered dessert after eating so much, it was scary to see how much she ate.

…It’s just Rania, right?

Surely not all Elves are like that?

I unfolded the map and prepared to leave for the Lexen District. I didn’t look ahead well because I was looking at the map and walking, so I often bumped into Aein, but unfortunately, it never turned into a fight.

―Kung!

“Shibal, who…”

“…”

“E, Elf? I, I’m sorry!”

In the country of the Aein, the status of Elves was like that of nobles. The Elves of the Silbehrin Great Forest don’t demand strict rules or obedience like real nobles, but they are still subjects to be respected. After all, aren’t they the ones who built the barrier? When you think about who the Aein can settle down thanks to, you can never treat them badly.

But.

“…I’m human.”

I’m not an Elf, so why?

I am often mistaken for an Elf. I don’t even have long ears like an Elf, but I get asked ‘Are you an Elf?’ at least once an hour. Even Rania, who is a real Elf, asked me if I was a half-Elf, so it’s amazing. For now, I’m too lazy to respond, so I just say ‘I’m human’ no matter what they say. Do I really look like an Elf? I need to see an Elf other than Rania.

Is it because of my beautiful appearance that doesn’t pale in comparison to Rania, a pure-blooded Elf, and may even be superior to some? It’s new to me now, but I was pretty. My face, my body, even if you bring a famous beauty, I wouldn’t be inferior. It pricked my conscience to say this myself, but it was objectively true.

Still. My rotten eyes detract from my charm, so I’m not that noticeable. Should I say gloomy? If I put it nicely, decadent beauty? It’s lessened now, but the gloominess from when I used to self-harm hasn’t been erased. Even now, if I’m not conscious, the corners of my mouth and eyes droop. Elves are said to have few emotional expressions, so that might be one of the reasons why I’m mistaken for an Elf.

“…Anyway, I’m sorry. Please watch where you’re going.”

The Red Wolf Tribe youth in front of me straightened his drooping ears and went on his way.

‘…It’s similar to that time.’

This familiar feeling.

I remembered the rule of the back alleys to avoid normal women at all costs. Tsk…. This is troublesome. If misunderstandings continue, it will disrupt the plan. Even if I meet an angry Yellow Tiger Tribe, I’m likely to be avoided as an Elf.

Investigate? I will do it. I will do it diligently. There are only 3 weeks left, so if I play alone, it will be a nuisance to everyone. Still. One memory is okay, right? It’s not like I’m going to do a sloppy investigation….

As I moved while sighing with worry, I was able to reach the North Gate leading to the Lexen District. My legs hurt because I walked barefoot.

“Stop! …Are you an Elf?”

“I’m human.”

“Is that so? Hmm. Okay.”

An Aein with an impressive golden mane blocks the way. A Yellow Tiger Tribe gatekeeper. As Rania said, he looked fierce. A face full of scars, a physique that could easily lift 3 reps of 500.

“Do you have a pass?”

“…I have Executor immunity privileges, but.”

Do you need a pass to go from district to district? I didn’t understand, but I decided to follow the local law for now. I hand over a yellow paper with a golden cross stamped on it. A document with the seals of the Empire and the Holy See. Rushelini’s seal was also stamped small on the corner. Of course, I couldn’t use the immunity privilege, but it served as basic identification and was used instead of a pass.

“What is this?”

“It’s a diplomatic immunity certificate. For investigation purposes from the Empire―”

“I don’t know about that. Outsiders can’t pass without a pass.”

“…Why? I was able to use it when crossing the Red Wolf Gate.”

“That’s those bastards’ business. What are you going to do if you’re not happy?”

“…”

But it didn’t work at all. The Yellow Tiger Tribe gatekeeper in front of me smacked his lips while looking at me. It was intentional disregard. Was he deliberately messing with me?

“If you’re really unhappy, try breaking through with force. That’s the rule of the Yellow Tiger Tribe.”

I remembered Rania’s words. She said that the Yellow Tiger Tribe received the instinct of the law of the jungle most strongly. If you are weaker than the opponent, you cannot receive even basic treatment, let alone respect, that is the rule of the Yellow Tiger Tribe.

“…Is that so?”

Simple. When I was about to gather Mana after hearing those words. The Yellow Tiger Tribe gatekeeper relaxed his fiercely contorted face and said.

“Heh. I’m just joking, so don’t frown like that. I’m doing you a favor because I don’t know what will happen to a chick like you if you go in. Don’t go in and get into trouble, go back quickly. The Lexen District is not a welcome place for outsiders.”

I was about to weave a magic formula with the momentum to grind his face, but I immediately withdrew my Mana after hearing the gatekeeper’s words. I was a little annoyed that he was ignoring me, but he wasn’t as bad as I thought. But.

“Still.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m still going in.”

I’m still going in. The Yellow Tiger Tribe’s yellow eyes narrowed at my bold declaration.

I have felt the injustice of the law of the jungle to the bone. Usually, I was the predator, but anyway. That doesn’t mean I’m going to say it’s wrong. I have no intention of denying the system they have built up. A coalition for a better world… If weak tribes shed blood and unite, they might be able to achieve it. It’s just not my concern.

The Yellow Tiger Tribe gatekeeper raised his staff high and slammed it into the ground with a Kung! The ferocity of a beast spreads in all directions.

“Hoo. It’s embarrassing, but our Yellow Tiger Tribe’s personality is not very good. We try to bite weak guys, and we’re eager to fight strong guys. The Lexen District is a den of madmen even among other races. Therefore, to prevent accidents, we prohibit powerless outsiders from entering. Do you still want to go in?”

I nod. That’s why I came. I replied without changing my expression.

“According to the rules.”

According to the logic of power you speak of.

―Huoong! The Yellow Tiger Tribe gatekeeper spun his staff around, creating wind pressure. The dust accumulated around him flew away and brushed against my clothes. It seemed like a warm-up of sorts.

“Hoo. Are you a mage?”

“For now.”

“Good. Then, if you block my attack even once, or injure me, I will let you in.”

I nod again.

“I won’t yield the first attack.”

“I decline.”

“Then―… what?”

“Didn’t you hear me? I mean, come in first.”

I’m not particularly ignoring the gatekeeper. I don’t know how much to control my power.

“Are you looking down on me?”

Of course.

Only the person involved knew how my words sounded. Bbaddeuk. I hear the sound of teeth grinding. He raised his staff high and pointed it at me when I didn’t answer.

Should I use attack magic or not? I can inflict a huge recoil damage by using a few tricks that apply the barrier.

“I won’t be responsible even if a few limbs are broken.”

The Yellow Tiger Tribe gatekeeper glared and tensed his body. Enlarged muscles, protruding blood vessels. Sharply raised claws. Violence increases. It looked like a symptom similar to being invaded by magic, but it was a little different.

Berserk. A combat technique unique to the Aein that temporarily awakens the instincts of a beast. I know the risk is quite high, but it seemed like he was very angry to use it right away.

“Heuep!”

Huuuk! A nimble stab flies towards my solar plexus.

Should I block it, avoid it, or counterattack?

‘Let’s block it.’

I thought I could inflict damage without attacking. I quickly deploy a barrier.

―Ha! I hear the Yellow Tiger Tribe gatekeeper’s snort. Is it because it looks too thin? But. I didn’t think that staff could penetrate my barrier. And.

“Keuheup?!”

The victory or defeat has already been decided.

Kung. I support the floor with my heels and prepare for the impact. There’s no need to use attack magic. The amount of impact absorbed by the barrier was returned to the gatekeeper as it was.

“Keuheok!”

―Pang! The barrier that shone red shot out a shockwave and blew the gatekeeper away. The gatekeeper, who crashed grandly into the North Gate, slumped down, dripping blood from his mouth.

‘…He’s really strong.’

It’s a simple reflection formula. Anyone with even a little knowledge of magic would have noticed it immediately and looked for a detour, but this was the country of the Aein. A world of the law of the jungle that only works with power.

The sincere stab became an attack as powerful as that sincerity and returned to the gatekeeper. He was unfortunate that he didn’t have a body strong enough to withstand his own attack.

“…Can I go in now?”

But.

What do I do since the gatekeeper has fallen?

―What’s going on?

―Is that, that. Isn’t that the gatekeeper, Bern?

The Yellow Tiger Tribe members who heard the commotion gathered.