◈Episode 105 Existing (7)
“Are you sure the city has been cleared? I didn’t think it was a wise choice… but it was still a struggle. Thanks to you, a lot of sacrifices will be made.”
The two of us stayed up all night, hunting down demons in the city.
The rescue team that joined late may have caught some devils, but it wouldn’t be anything compared to the sheep we caught. Because the path we passed was filled with the trials and tribulations of demons.
“It looks like the Great Devil hasn’t appeared. Thank goodness. “This side was so quiet that I was worried that they might be making a move in the rear.”
There is nothing special about the cause of this.
My concept may not be competitive, but it is a concept that touches the sky with pride.
Add to that Berserk, who is warlike and has an indomitable will, and the answer is obvious.
The two of us ran competitively, fighting over who could catch the devil first or catch more. As a result, I stayed up all night without being able to rest.
“As for the military situation, most of them, except for the seriously injured, have recovered from their sick beds. Now it’s time to repair the broken walls and buildings… Thanks to you, there will be no need to search for demons.”
It would be a lie to say that it wasn’t difficult. However, if everyone’s troubles are reduced because of our hard work, then I am satisfied with that.
To be honest, what was difficult was more the strain on my ears from listening to Berserk’s roar and loud call – haha, come on! – than the fatigue.
“Good job.”
Anyway, I turned my head while listening to the Archmage’s explanation. I didn’t go through all that trouble for the Archmage to be good, so I can’t thank you enough. That’s roughly what it means.
The Archmage saw that and instead of smiling happily, he let out a weak sigh. It’s new because the reaction seems to be slightly different from before. Were you that worried?
“Ah, the bodies are coming.”
At that time, those who had gone out to do repairs returned carrying a cart full of bodies. They were all civilians who volunteered, wearing thick shoes to protect themselves from possible intestinal bugs.
“It’s a mess….”
“This is the problem at the rear. “There are no people who die safely.”
Most of the bodies had their limbs torn or crushed by demons. There is nothing we can do as many people have died from being eaten by intestinal worms or being trampled by sand tigers.
Those who died after becoming demons due to demonic energy erosion… Even if their limbs are intact, it is not very nice to see them at the time when demonization has progressed.
“Your face is all broken. This is why I can’t even figure out who it was…”
…For your information, it’s not my fault. I’m not blaming others, but I really killed it gracefully!
“It’s King Mu!”
“Why King Mu? “He’s dead?!”
“Is King Mu dead?!”
Then a half-decapitated body was unloaded from one of the carts. White and black Qureity tribe. I don’t know, but judging from the reactions of people around him, he seems to be a martial artist.
“I don’t know if you heard, but it seems like King Mu also made a deal with the devil. “We have also secured testimony that he used strange powers, so no one will be able to cover this up.”
As the body was lowered, the Archmage spoke again. It seems like he knows that I haven’t heard about it and is explaining it to me.
Rather, um. I think it was originally planned to find fault with King Mu, destroy his career, and have him punished… but that’s the way things are in the world.
It’s a shame he didn’t die as a hero. I don’t know how many criminals I’ve sent so far, but it’s better than not receiving them all, even if I’m worried about them being judged again.
“As long as the devil is involved, Seongju will not be able to avoid investigation. It’s not something you can say by saying you didn’t know. “I think the concealment of the murder will be revealed in the process.”
Separately, why are you telling me this one by one? I’m not really interested in this kind of thing.
“As soon as it becomes known, it looks like there will be talk of not only a fine that will reduce half of the family’s assets, but even up to a loss of status. “If it were any other province, it would have been a dismissal without even looking into it, but in this city, the situation is a little different.”
Rewarding and punishing evil is an ending that all humans can’t help but like, but it doesn’t matter to the concept. Because it’s not your job.
“Is that the end?”
Oh, you didn’t just say that to me?
I quickly looked at Dev’s face as he suddenly intervened. After I left, the signs of erosion disappeared as if I had taken the medicine. My arm is still in a splint, but the Inquisitor will treat it when he has time.
“You cover up a person’s death and it ends with a dismissal?”
“The punishment for harboring a criminal is not that severe. “You know.”
“The person who concealed the crime of murder couldn’t have done just that! There must have been even more collusion, but if we investigate those too…!”
“It might come out. But that’s not under our jurisdiction, and we don’t have the time to do that. “You know it well.”
“…!”
The Archmage stroked his staff and whispered quietly.
“Our job is to stop devil worshipers and punish demons, not to eliminate corruption. “That’s up to those who remain.”
“…but.”
“Okay, okay. You must be angry. I understand. Why don’t I know that there is nothing more upsetting than having to leave a cancer crime behind? “But we can’t take care of every city and every person in detail.”
“….”
“Didn’t you say that once too? It is easier to help by clearly dividing what can be done and what cannot be done. You may not want to admit it, but accept it. “Anything beyond this is something we cannot do.”
“…All right.”
Dev didn’t look very convinced. It looks like he didn’t really like Seongju, but as someone who knows Gans of the thief group, I can roughly guess which point was touched.
The Archmage’s words aren’t wrong, so I just can’t bear to side with him.
“Thank you for understanding.”
“…There is no need to say that.”
“Okay, thank you anyway.”
Still, I’m glad the Archmage spoke well. If there wasn’t an Archmage in our party, we would have been in real trouble.
“It’s more unfortunate than that. In order to recruit talented people, I traveled from all over the city for at least four months. Those who thought they were talented people are sinful apostates. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take someone who is not up to par…”
As if trying to change the subject, the Archmage brought up another story. Considering the purpose of coming to this city, this is something that should have been said at least once.
As someone who knows the existence of Berserk, I am a bit nervous.
Doesn’t Berserk matter in the eyes of an Archmage? Aside from not being happy to join, there’s no way Berserk’s skills are below par. Is it because of your personality that you didn’t keep it in mind from the beginning?
“Well. “There is one person who is nice.”
“Oh really?”
At that time, Dev spoke cautiously. Even though his expression did not change dramatically, his complex mental image was clearly visible.
“You mean you caught that sand tiger all by yourself? Looking at that, it certainly seems like your skills are good…”
“Oh. He’s a talented person who can catch a sand tiger single-handedly. From what you mentioned, I don’t think there will be any problem with defection, so I don’t have to worry. “But are there any other problems?”
“Ugh…”
But if you can guess the reason for such hesitation, is that too narrow-minded?
“Well no. “I will tell you this when it becomes clear.”
“If you think so, then so be it. However, if it takes too long, please arrange a seat for me. “I’m going to wait a little longer to prepare for further invasions… but honestly, that seems unlikely.”
“yes.”
Fortunately, the name didn’t come out of Dev’s mouth right away. I don’t know if that name actually came out, though.
“Oh, since I’m taking a break, Demon Knight, I guess you should take a break too. My thoughts were short. Let’s go now. “If there is an additional invasion, you must have the stamina to participate in the war. If not, you must leave the city as soon as possible.”
For a moment, I pictured Berserk in my mind as it was not able to keep up with me and was not pushed by my stamina.
“I already told you about the true sealing sphere. “You’ll be able to get a spare before you leave the city, so don’t worry too much about that.”
As for the bet itself, in the end, I narrowly won… but because of that, I don’t want to face Berserk again.
It seemed like he was going to challenge the fact that he lost and try to settle it again.
“There you are! “I wondered where it had disappeared to then!”
“…!”
“You…”
“Comrades, let’s go! “There should be alcohol and meat at the end of a fight!”
However, even tigers come when they are told. Not even 10 seconds after I thought I didn’t want to meet him, Berserk suddenly popped his head in.
Unlike me, whose clothes are relatively clean because they have an automatic washing function, she is still soaked in the bodily fluids of demons.
“This Berserk has its place! “Let’s go!”
I didn’t hide my disgust for the upcoming Berserk. Dev doesn’t seem to be welcoming the grumpy face either.
“go away.”
“Ahaha. What a shy friend! “There is no need to decline!”
“….”
“Wow, a wall made of iron, even stronger than the walls and windows….”
“Oh, there was a young hunter too. Let’s go together too! “There are people who want to see you!”
“yes? Me??”
Ah, this is why I don’t want to be in the same party. I’m confident that if I throw away the concept, I’ll get along just fine, but the concept itself is overly tense and extreme.
I clenched my fists as Berserk refused to listen to me. She is laughing and pounding her chest.
“Are you worried that it might not taste good? If that’s the case, no need to worry! Because Kankan told me who the best chef in town is! “I asked him to cook, so I’m sure the food will be delicious.”
In the meantime, I was wondering if there was any restaurant open in this situation, but did they just hire a whole chef? It’s hot.
“…I told you to fuck off.”
Anyway, I have no intention of joining that event. Concept or anything.
So I tried to say it more harshly, with the feeling that it was a final warning.
“hmm. ah! Was it burdensome?”
It didn’t work.
“If that’s the case, there’s no need to refuse. Didn’t we spend the night with our backs to each other? Norda warriors do not easily abandon those who have fought with them for 10 minutes. Even more so because he was a comrade in arms. There is no need to feel burdened at all! The same goes for young hunters!”
“No, I don’t really….”
“Let’s go!”
“Listen to me!”
No, that’s not it.
It’s definitely a good thing that he didn’t challenge me again, saying that he was the first person to beat me, but I never wanted an invitation like this…!
“Wait a minute.”
At that time, the Archmage who was watching between us intervened. Her eyes are somehow sparkling.
“Did you two fight together last night? So, let’s deal with the remaining demons in the city.”
“huh? Yes! It’s been a long time since there was a warrior who could stand shoulder to shoulder with this Berserk! Oh, I liked the young hunter too. “Such hunting techniques are rare even in my hometown.”
…It’s somehow ominous.
“…Can we put aside the story about the hunter for a moment and understand that we joined hands with a demon knight without resting all night long?”
Just sleep for a moment. Archmage, stop. Stop!
“Yes!”
Haaaaa!!
“That’s right. Oh yeah. Right.”
I screamed inwardly as the great sage’s eyes sparkled as if I had found a talented person.
I wondered why he didn’t think about Berserk, but I guess it was just because he didn’t know his skills…!
“Are there any more people with you?”
“party? “I’m going with my sister.”
“Is she strong too?”
“Hahaha! Very strong! However, because he is shy, he usually does not show his face. “It will be hard to see her.”
“Hoo. Right. “Do you have any other purpose for your trip?”
“Nothing in particular! “If there is a struggle with the strong, that is the path I must take.”
No matter how you look at that conversation, it’s just a census for recruitment. It’s a paving stone!
I was relieved to see that there was no sign of coming to the end, but the back of my head was like this…!
“That monk, Nari.”
At that time, Dev, with a somewhat swarthy face, grabbed the Archmage’s forearm. Are you stopping me? Are you against it?! For a moment, anticipation held my heart.
“That’s the guy I was talking about… but you’ll have to take this into consideration.”
“hmm.”
Dev, perhaps conscious of the fact that people have good ears, expressed his intention by writing words on his forearm in addition to his cute words. He was clapping his fingers so softly that even I couldn’t tell what the sentence was.
“I definitely need to think more about this.”
“…?”
However, it does not seem to have completely changed the Archmage’s mind.
“When do you plan to leave this city? “I’m asking this because this old man has something he wants to tell you.”
“I don’t know about leaving. I have no intention of leaving yet. Just talk to me? “What business is it?”
“Oh, I guess it’s not a bad thing for you. “Can we talk tomorrow or the day after tomorrow?”
“hmm. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? That’s okay. But if it takes longer than that, I might go first. “I don’t stay long in cities where the fighting is over.”
“It won’t take that long. “Don’t worry.”
…I knew it would be like that. I knew it would be an inevitable fate when Berserk appeared.
Ugh.