“It looks like you’ve completely cleaned up the city. While I can't say that this was a wise decision... Good work. Thanks to you, losses have been minimized.”
The two of us spent the whole night hunting Demons in the city.
The rescue team that joined us later also killed some, but the number was incomparable to those we’d hunted. The path we’d taken was littered with Demon corpses.
“It seems the Great Demon didn't reappear. Thank goodness. I was worried they might be plotting something back there since it's been so quiet around here.”
The reason for that was pretty simple.
While not overly competitive, my character had so much pride that it could pierce the skies.
And when Berserk, who was endlessly aggressive and unyielding by nature, was added to the mix, the answer was more than evident.
We competed fiercely over who could kill a Demon first or who would kill the most. As a result, we ended up spending the whole night killing those things without any rest.
“Except for those with serious injuries, most of the injured have regained consciousness after being treated. Now it’s time to repair the wall and buildings... Thanks to you, we no longer have to worry about the Demons.”
I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t been exhausting. However, hearing that our efforts successfully reduced everyone else’s suffering was enough to satisfy me.
Honestly, the fatigue wasn’t the most difficult to deal with, but Berserk’s wild shouts and roaring challenges—something like: “Wahaha, come at me!”—all night long seriously strained my ears.
“Good job.”
Anyway, I turned my head slightly while listening to the Archmage’s words. I didn’t do it specifically for the Archmage, so he didn’t need to thank me; that’s what this was supposed to mean.
Seeing this, rather than smiling contentedly, the Archmage sighed softly. He reacted a bit differently from before. Had he been worried?
“Ah, here come the bodies.”
The people who’d gone out for repairs returned with corpse-laden carts. They were all civilians who’d volunteered for this, all wearing thick boots to prevent Olgoi-Khorkhoi bites.
“What a mess...”
“That’s how it is in the rear. Hardly any there died cleanly.”
Most of the bodies were torn apart or mangled due to Demon attacks. It was unavoidable, given how many were devoured by Olgoi-Khorkhoi or crushed by the Sandworms.
As for those who’d died after becoming Demons due to Demonic Erosion... Even if their limbs were intact, they weren’t pleasant to look at either due to the Demonization they’d been undergoing.
“The faces of those guys are completely smashed. It’ll be impossible for us to find out who they were...”
...For the record, that wasn’t my fault. Not to blame the others here, but I certainly killed them very cleanly!
“It’s the Martial King!”
“The Martial King? He’s dead?!”
“The Martial King is dead?!”
At that moment, a corpse with its head half cut off was unloaded from one of the carts. It was a dark-skinned member of the Curety race. I couldn’t really tell, but judging by the reactions of those around me, that appeared to be the Martial King.
“I don’t know if you heard, but it would seem the Martial King really made a deal with the Demons. Since we have many eyewitness accounts of him using some strange powers, no one will be able to cover up this incident.”
With the corpses laid before us, the Archmage spoke up again. It seemed like he knew that I hadn’t heard about that yet.
More importantly, hmm. We’d originally planned to find some flaws in the Martial King, ruin his career, and have him punished... But that’s just how the world worked.
At least he didn’t die a hero. With how many criminals I’d already sent off, I shouldn’t care too much about the Martial King’s judgment, but at least this was better than nothing.
“As Demons are involved, the Lord can’t avoid an investigation. Ignorance also won’t absolve him of responsibility. In the process of investigation, I believe the murder concealment will also be uncovered.”
On another note, I wondered why he was telling me about all this. I wasn’t particularly interested in that stuff.
“As soon as this becomes known, not only will he have to pay a fine amounting to half his fortune, but he’ll also lose his status. If this were any other region, he'd just get dismissed without even a need to look into this any further, but the circumstances of this place are a bit different.”
This kind of comeuppance is something any person would applaud, but it didn’t exactly matter much to my character. It wasn’t any of his business, after all.
“That’s all?”
Ah, he wasn’t talking to me, huh?
I quickly glanced at Deb, who’d suddenly spoken up. The signs of Demonic Erosion had disappeared completely, perhaps because he’d taken some medicine after I left. His arm was still in a splint, but the Inquisitor said she would treat him once she had time.
“He covered up someone’s death and only gets dismissed?”
“Concealment of a crime isn’t punished that harshly. You’re already aware of that, aren’t you?”
“Someone who hid something as bad as murder wouldn’t have just stopped at that! He must have been involved in plenty more, so if they just investigate him further...!”
“That’s a possibility. However, this isn’t under our jurisdiction, nor do we have the luxury to look into this further. You also know that.”
“...!”
The Archmage spoke quietly while stroking over his staff.
“Our job is to stop the Demon Worshipers and exterminate Demons, not to rid this land of corruption. That is up to the people of this land.”
“...But.”
“Yes, yes. It’s frustrating, I know. How couldn't I know that there’s nothing more infuriating than having to overlook a criminal’s actions? As much as I’d like to, we can’t take care of every city or person’s issue we come across.”
“...”
I found it hard to believe that a restaurant was still operating in this situation, but it seemed she just hired the chef outright. How bold.
“...I told you to get lost.”
Either way, I had no intention of going with her, character settings or not.
I tried to speak even more sternly as a type of final warning.
“Hmm. Ah! Is this too burdensome for you?”
However, it didn’t seem to work on her.
“If that’s how you feel, there’s no need. We spent the whole night fighting side by side, after all! Norda warriors don’t easily abandon those they fought together with, even if it was for just ten minutes, let alone someone like you, buddy. There’s no need for you to feel burdened at all! The same goes for that young hunter over there!”
“No, I’m not really...”
“Let’s go!”
“Just listen to me!”
No, that wasn’t it.
While it was certainly good that she didn’t outright rechallenge me after I defeated her yesterday, I never asked her to invite me like this...!
“Wait, wait.”
At that moment, the Archmage, who was watching us, intervened. For some reason, his eyes seemed to sparkle.
“Did you two fight together last night? I mean, to handle the remaining Demons in the city.”
“Huh? Yeah! It’s been ages since there was a warrior who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with this Berserk! Oh, that young hunter was also good. Such hunting skills are a rare sight even in my hometown.”
...That sounded somewhat ominous.
“...Let’s put aside the talk about the hunter for a moment. So, I’m to understand that, by standing shoulder-to-shoulder, you mean that you fought alongside the Demon Knight all night without rest, correct?”
W-Wait a second. Sir Archmage, please stop. Stop!
“That’s right!”
Aaaaargh!!
“Is that so? Hoh, indeed. Understood.”
I bitterly screamed on the inside at the sight of the Archmage’s eyes sparkling as if he’d come across an extraordinary talent.
I had been wondering why he hadn’t thought of Berserk, but it appeared that it was because he didn’t know the extent of her strength...!
“Do you have any other companions?”
“Companions? I’m traveling with my sister.”
“Is she strong as well?”
“Wahaha! Very strong! But she’s shy, so she doesn’t show her face often. It’s pretty hard to catch a glimpse of her.”
“Hoh. I see. So, do you have any other purpose for your journey?”
“Not really! I just go wherever there are strong opponents.”
No matter how I viewed it, this conversation definitely felt like a recruitment interview. This had been a trap!
I had felt so relieved when he’d shown no sign of wanting to go through with recruiting her, but then this betrayal...!
“Uhm, Mister Mage.”
At that moment, Deb, wearing a somewhat grim expression, grabbed the Archmage by the arm. Was he trying to stop him? Or oppose him?! For a moment, hope gripped my heart.
“That’s the person I was talking about, but... You should consider this carefully.”
“Hmm.”
Perhaps because he was conscious of people with good ears, Deb added some words by writing them on the Archmage’s arm. His fingers were tapping so lightly that even I couldn’t make out what he was writing.
“We should definitely think more about this.”
“...?”
However, it didn’t seem to change the Archmage’s mind completely.
“So, when do you plan on leaving this city? This old man has something he wants to ask you.”
“Leaving, huh? I have no intention of leaving yet. But you want to talk with me? About what?”
“Oh, it’s nothing too serious. I can say that much. How about we talk about it tomorrow or the day after?”
“Hmm. Tomorrow or the day after? That’s okay. But if it takes any longer, I might end up leaving first. I don’t stay in a city too long after I finish fighting.”
“It shouldn’t take that long. Don't worry.”
...I should have known. Ever since Berserk appeared before me, I expected this fate was inevitable.
Uuurgh.