213 - - Art. 213. The Hidden Thing in the Forest

"Hyahhhh!　Destroy the demons!

The young elf warriors head for the hordes of demons that have appeared.

"Cut, cut, cut, cut!

They dodge the demons' attacks with a fine line, and those who fail to dodge drink elixirs to heal themselves before heading back out again.

Then they attached themselves to the demons and dismantled their bodies without fail.

"Kgwaaaaahn!

I won!

"Hee-hee-hee-hee!　We won!

And so the peace of the township was kept today.

These days the elves and dwarves are taking the lead in the fight, and we are a bit bored waiting in the back.

But it's always good when young warriors become men and no more lives are lost.

"Cu-cu-cu-cu!"

Then, as Mohamofu is about to leave the township with the demon's meat in his mouth, I lift him up and stop him.

Then I look in the direction from which Mohamofu was leaving.

"Well, I guess it's about time.

◆

"Now that the township's defenses are in place, I think I'll go exploring in the woods."

After the battle, Sharaza gathered the chiefs together and I suggested that we leave the township defense and go to the forest.

"Rex, that's too dangerous. The forest is a den of demons!

"Well, although you and your young men have trained them to be stronger than ever before,...... I'm not sure if you can honestly say they're stronger than ever before. It is dangerous to go into the forest. In the past, warriors have gotten into trouble trying to defeat demons out in the open before reaching the township.

Not only Mr. Sharaza, but also the chiefs stop me from going out there because it is dangerous.

"That's right. I understand the feelings of His Majesty the honorable King Rex, but it is too dangerous to go out of the forest. We should stay in the township until the monster attack is over.

Well, I wish the chief dwarf would stop calling me that.

"I know what you mean. I understand what you are saying, but I think we should investigate even without the risk.

"Investigation?　Not to take them down?"

Yes. Since I arrived here I've been using probing magic to assess the situation around me, and the number of demons roaming around the township has been increasing at an accelerating rate recently.

Is that true, Lex?

Yes. But if the demons find the township and call their friends to attack at once, it will be a much bigger attack than we've ever seen before.

"What a ......!"

The chiefs' faces turn blue when they hear that the battle will be more fierce than ever.

"So I'm going to go and look for the source of the demons that are sending them here.

"The source?　The queen?

Hearing this, Ms. Sharaza guessed that I was aiming for the queen demon that would continue to produce demons.

"Yes. I heard that the demons are after the fruit of the World Tree, but even so, I'm worried about all the demons in the forest coming here.

In the first place, the World Tree was even called the world's largest weed.

If there had been a demon that intentionally targeted the World Tree, we would have farmed it with great joy in our previous lives.

"Demons are not that cooperative, so there must be an entity that has ordered them to target the township.

"Are you saying that someone is controlling the demons?

For example, there are beings who use demons called "demonologists".

It is very possible.

Or, there is a powerful boss among the demons. Some of the demons in a pack are capable of issuing very strong and coercive orders. The herds with such demons act as puppets of the boss, disregarding the damage.

Those types of demons are a real nuisance.

Moreover, the boss demon's thoughts are twisted.

They only target children, or spread the disease to target only those who have a certain disease.

"But it's still too dangerous. But it's still too dangerous.　Then wouldn't it be safer to go on an expedition near the township and cut down the demons?"

The Dwarf King has a good point.

If we don't know where the demon boss is, it is better to cut down the number of enemies first.

But this time I have a plan.

"But, since we've been here, Mohammed has been trying to get out of the forest again and again. It's always in the same direction.

"Same direction?　What the hell is that?"

Mohamofu always tries to go out in the same direction no matter which direction the demons attack from. It's as if there is something in that direction."

"So that's what you call a demon boss."

Perhaps.

Yes, this is the first time Mohammed has shown such interest.

Even if we don't find the demon boss, there is a good chance that we will find something.

"Fortunately, the young elven warriors have gained confidence in their abilities, and the dwarven craftsmen have regained their lost skills to make better equipment. And with the elixir as a catalyst for fertilizer, the food problem has been improved, which should make sieges easier.

"Well, I can't thank you enough for that."

"So now that the township's defense system is in place, we decided that we should search for the demons' stronghold before their attacks intensify."

"Mmm ......"

When the chiefs heard my plan, they closed their mouths in thought.

"...... is a good idea. I entrust you with the task of searching for the source of the demon.

"Yes!　I'll take care of it!"

With the approval of the chiefs, I immediately set out for the forest.

Wait a minute!

But the elven chief stops me.

"............ please."

In a choked but desperate voice, the chief asks me for help.

I'll leave it to you!

◆

"So we decided to go and look for the home of the demons."

After leaving the meeting place, I meet up with the elves and the others who are training, and tell them of my plans for the future.

"Right on!　Finally, it's our turn!　My arms are gonna be ringing!"

"I've been so bored lately with the elves that I've been giving up opportunities to be more active.

I'm sorry you're so motivated to finally get out there, but I'm going to have to stop you all.

"No, I think it's just me and Fluff Fluff for this role.

"What?　Why, brother?

"Yes. It seems like you don't need us right now, so why don't you go with Lex?

When they are not convinced, everyone booed.

"This search is all about Mohammed's senses, you know. We don't need more people to follow Mohammed and return once we find him. It's better to go with a small group of elite so that we can run and hide as soon as the demons find us.

"Oh, in that case, I'd better not go.

I'd better not do that either.

After hearing my explanation, Mr. Norbu and Ms. Mina gave up their participation.

"But we'll be fine!　I can keep up with my brother!"

"You're too loud for that, aren't you?"

That's not true!

I wonder if Liliela, Gyro, and Megli are ready to follow us.

"No, I need you and Gyros to stay behind for something."

What do you want me to do?

The number of demons roaming around the township has been increasing recently. There will probably be a major offensive in the near future.

"""""!?"""""

The color of everyone's face changes at the mention of a major offensive.

"That's why I want you all to stay in the township in case of an emergency.

"I see. If that's the case, you certainly want to leave some strength behind.

"Yeah. This is something I can't do alone.

Yes, in a situation like this, in a previous life I would have left it to the Knights of the State.

They protected my back as their role, so I could fight alone without any worries.

But now I am an adventurer without any backing or power.

All I can rely on is my own strength and ......

"I need to be able to rely on all of my friends."

"""Woah!!!"""

Gyros and the others gasp when they hear what I'm asking.

"Me!　My brother!　My friends!　My brother now!　You're relying on me!

"Yes, yes. I didn't know Lex was relying on me ...... so much."

""Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh.""

"Hmm, I'll leave it to you."

Mr. Megli gives me a thumbs up and smiles at me, telling me to leave it to him.

"Hey!　I'll take care of it, bro!"

"Yes!　Hundreds of demons may come, but I'll take care of them!"

Gyro and Lilieira also took over the defense with spirited looks on their faces.

Well, if everyone is protecting me, I can leave without any worries!　

◆

"Well, I'm off then."

"Be careful!"

"We'll take care of the township, bro!"

""""" Leave it to us, Master Lex!!!"""""

"All right!　Let's go, Mohammed!"

"Cue!"

We are all sent off, and Mohammed and I leave the township.

We were immediately confronted by a herd of demons.

There are so many of them. We'd better move on while reducing their numbers so that they don't invade the township.

"Gyuu!"

I pull out my sword and cast a check spell on the demons.

Chase Freeze Pillars!

I release a tracking freezing magic so as not to damage the forest, and trap the hordes of demons in pillars of ice.

In this way, the frozen demons act as obstacles and walls to protect the township.

"Gyuuugg!"

Fluffy is clad in wind with enhanced properties and tears through the demons, tossing them around at high speed.

"squeak squeak squeak squeak!"

Fluffy is overjoyed, perhaps because it's been a long time since he's been able to go on a rampage.

I guess pets need to be exercised outside regularly.

"Come on, let's go for it, Mohamofu!"

"Cue!"

Cu!

"Cu!"

As you're moving through the forest, slaying demons, you see Mohammed coming this way!　A cry is heard.

As we followed the call, we found a large hole in the ground hidden by the trees.

"Is this the ...... underground passage?"

The large path leading to the basement was covered with the footprints of demons, not carriage ruts.

Yes, this is a good guess.

If we check with the search magic, the number of monsters is overwhelmingly large.

This must be the home of the parent monsters that give birth to demons.

Nice work, Mohamofu!

"Cue hoon!"

When I praise Mohammed for finding the underground passage, he beams with pride.

"Well then, let's go meet the boss!"