Chapter 187: Burning Puppet Cult

"We from the other side of the continent are not what you think we are. Those hideous-looking creatures that I called lesser demons are not one of us. They were initially humans, humans who sold their souls to the abyss. Each side was taking advantage of them."

Eman narrowed his eyes and looked straight to San Robbal. "What do you mean-- each side was taking advantage of them?" He asked with knitted brows.

"Exactly as what you heard, Commander," San Robbal replied with a grin.

"Do you mean…" It made him feel suspicious. The topic of their conversation turned unexpectedly strange. But he felt interested in it.

"That the human side also used them to rally against us," continued San Robbal while leaning forward.

"What?" It surprised him. But it only happened for a brief time.

'Now, this is unexpected to another level,' Eman thought upon hearing him. But, well, if those monsters could be tamed, then it was natural to use them as additional forces against their enemies. 

After all, those creepy creatures had better vitality than humans. Even him and Sol having a hard time dealing with a newly awakened Demon Yule. 

San Robbal continued. "In this world, haunted souls are lurking everywhere. Once a person's sanity reached the limit that their minds could handle, the haunted souls would take over their mind, soul, and body."

"In short, they are possessed?" Eman asserted.

"Exactly!" San Robbal agreed. "There were also many cases where humans willingly accepted becoming a demon in exchange for power."

Right, looking at the person in front of him, Eman noticed that he looked different from the others. He had pointed ears and a pale complexion. Unlike those lesser demons a while ago. They looked like ordinary humans before they transformed into creepy figures.

"But, humans did not stop with just that," San Robbal continued. "There were already known cases when they forcibly turned humans into demons—"

"Wait, wait!" Eman widened his eyes a little. "What do you mean… forcibly turning them into demons?"

San Robbal grinned. "Right, have you heard the word Burning Puppet?"

"?!"

Seeing his expression, "So you didn't…" said San Robbal after a sigh.

"What is that?" Eman asked.

"A cult," replied San Robbal. "It is a group of shady people whose main goal is to kidnap children with unique seeds…"

"Wait! K-kidnap?"

Upon hearing him, Eman widened his eyes. This sounds familiar! 'Could it be connected to those people in black cloth and with the burn marks?' He asked in mind.

He was about to ask San Robbal when he heard shouts coming from outside along with many hurried footsteps.

"Commander!"

"Commander!"

Looks like some of the soldiers woke up already. Eman thought as he gazed at the entrance.

But he needed to further ask San Robbal about the so-called Burning Puppet cult. However, when he glanced back, he could no longer see San Robbal in his seat.

"Right, before I leave, San Robbal is not my real name. We demon aristocrats never revealed our real name to the humans. Regardless, I'm one of the demon aristocrats who was tasked to investigate this side. If you want to know more about us and those humans, come and cross the border and find the name Baldur, the demon earl of the Winged District! Hahaha!" Said San Robbal announced as he was floating in the air. On his back was a pair of red dragon wings!

Eman was gaping.

The next second, the soldiers entered the grand hall and saw a flying creature fly through the ceiling. Though, not even the ceiling could stop him. They saw his figure go farther and farther.

"Commander!"

One of the soldiers called out.

"Just what is that person trying to tell him?" 

"Burning Puppet?"

"It must be connected to those guys who kidnapped Eina before."

"He needed to find more about them." 

He mumbled.

Well, this was surprising. He never expected that the demon aristocrat would instead talk to him. He was already prepared for a death match.

Eman sighed. Actually, he was so exhausted. He almost dried up all his Soul and Magical energy.

Well, for the sake of reclaiming this land, he must fight him. He could also summon his people to help him when the need arises.

Regardless, it puzzled him. It puzzled him that the demon aristocrat chose to talk instead of fighting him. But he guessed his reason was only to recruit him.

He wondered how strong that demon aristocrat was. Even though he was suppressing the menacing aura within him, Eman could still feel it.

Nonetheless, he wasn't a bit interested in the war between humans and demons in this world. His only concern was to find out how to get the Word Traveler title.

Maybe he needed to solve something or to achieve a great feat to acquire it.

Eman had no idea which. But he had a strong feeling that there must be some kind of quest that he needed to accomplish to unlock it.

Since he was yet to know, it was better to continue with his original goal in the meantime, to build his community.

Since the enemies were subjugated and their leader escaped, he could probably announce that their mission was a success.

Everyone raised their hands in the air while shouting thunderously. Some even hugged the person beside them, out of joy.

Outside the village,

"My Lord! Good thing that you are safe! I rushed here to report that some people will be attacking the village!" 

Said a grotesque figure to San Robbal. It was the lesser demon who fought against Uno's group. The last surviving member of Sacrileges.

He prioritized reporting to the others about the coming enemies. He even left those fools who ambushed them. It was useless fighting them when all his men were already dead. He thought that it was just a waste of time. Regardless, if their goal was to attack the village, then sooner or later they would be facing again against those people. And in that time, he would make sure to kill all of them. Especially the tall person he fought with.

"Hehe!"

San Robbal did not reply. He chuckled as he walked towards him. 

The next second,

"?!"

"My lord?"

GWAAAAAHHH!

San Robbal waved his hand. Then the lesser demon screamed in pain when his body was enveloped by dark flame.

It turned to ash in just a second.

"Hehe, you are fired!" San Robbal whispered. Then continued advancing towards the border, to where the thick fog fogged in the distance could be seen.

The other group of bandits who followed the main road were already killed. The person who took care of them was the newly recruited Boarman, Borris. With his unparalleled strength, he tackled hundreds of enemies.

He was like a rampaging golem.