Chapter 140

Chapter 140

Like that, a few days passed. Just when I felt the Temple and the Magic Tower’s relationship had become strangely tense, the report from the wizards dispatched to the Jatav territory finally arrived.

The gist of it was that there weren't any problems.

“As expected, it seems very dense Arcane Power must first undergo some degree of corruption for a Demon or a creature containing Demonic Energy to be born.”

In other words, Arcane Power slowly deteriorated when concentrated in one area. Assuming this deterioration occurred over ten stages, a Demon would be born at stages 9 or 10.

Simply put, the area with the grass around the Magic Tower had reached that stage.

The area near the Mountain Lord's nest was around stage 7 or 8, and the snake farm they’d just investigated in the Jatav territory was around stage 5 or 6.

This wasn't just my speculation but was based on what the Mountain Lord had told me—the difference between its nest and the snake farm in the Jatav territory—refined by the information collected by the wizards.

“It seems the threshold for an entity possessing Demonic Energy to be born is around stages 7 to 8. The Mountain Lord is a special case, but whether something is immediately born as a Demon at stages 9 to 10 or remains a normal... living being... should I say, an ordinary creature? Hmm. It's unclear whether they remain ordinary creatures like the Mountain Lord or become Demons.”

“I see.”

“Separately, no matter whether they are born as ordinary creatures or Demons, I believe they’ll be born with the ability to convert Negative Energy into Arcane Power to conceal themselves from that stage onward. So, keep that in mind!”

“Understood.”

“I’ll give you the detailed results once we conduct more experiments and have definite findings. Because this is important.”

White Wind, holding up a sign that said, ‘Show me the bead,’ declared, ‘That’s the end of my explanation!’ Immediately after, the Inquisitor raised her hand.

“What do these experiments entail exactly...?”

“We’re going to create an artificial environment with ever-dense Arcane Power and observe the birth of Demons!”

“I-Is that really okay to do?”

“We’ve spoken with the Temple and agreed that the experiments will be conducted under their strict supervision, so there’s no need to worry.”

“I see...”

The very by-the-book Inquisitor looked satisfied with that explanation and lowered her hand. However, Deb’s expression became rather peculiar. He was probably thinking the same thing I was.

For example... the possibility of some wizards secretly conducting their own experiments.

“Will this be made public?”

“Only to the Temple. Within the Magic Tower, only a few of the Great Sages and our branch will be aware of this. Otherwise, the probability of mishaps is just too high. Of course, only high-ranking members within the Temple will be discreetly informed.”

Fortunately, they appeared to have measures in place for that. Whether these precautions would be adequate was still uncertain, but it was certainly better than doing nothing.

“I’m already kind of regretting this, seeing the glares already coming my way! Ahaha!!”

If this information still got leaked with these precautions in place, that would also be helpful. It would make it easier to identify who was collaborating with the Demons.

If only a limited number of people were in the know, finding the culprit would be far easier. Perhaps they were already using this method.

“And the Jatav Tribe don’t seem to have any connections to the Demons, at least based on our information thus far.”

Anyway, White Wind, continuing his explanation, glanced at me with a slight smile.

“Too bad, huh?”

That was likely related to his promise to hand over any individuals connected to Demons to me.

I didn’t give him any specific response. Instead, I simply tightened my crossed arms over my chest, wrinkling my coat further.

“Well, although it’s a shame, there’s nothing we can do about it. Here, take this.”

Ah, it seemed that thing was ready

“What is that?”

I wasn’t sure why he was giving it to me in front of everyone, but since it was inside a box, they couldn’t see its contents.

Relieved at that thought, I simply accepted the box that likely contained my chest protector. I’d put it on before we left.

“Hehe. It’s something our Hero doesn’t need to know about.”

“I see...”

Right, right. It was better that the dumplings didn’t know about this. I nodded at White Wind’s words as he waved his sign around. Now, I was truly done with the Magic Tower.

“So, there’s no need for us to get involved with the Great Forest anymore.”

“Not from my perspective. You’re not going to stick around until something happens, right? You’ve more than enough reason to leave.”

“Then, can I ask you a favor?”

“No need, no need. There’s no need to say it out loud. It’s something we should be doing anyway, right?”

I silently avoided looking at White Wind’s sign and pushed myself off the wall I’d been leaning against.

We had rested enough, and there was no reason to stay here any longer. I was pretty sure we’d be leaving today.

Since we’d already chosen our next destination during this break, the chances were pretty high.

“If you feel bad for asking, though, just make the Demon Knight give me the bea—”

“Aren't you getting tired of this already?”

“How could I?!”

Anyway, I’d heard they’d found a place for Akata to stay today, so I had to give her the thread before she left. How did I manage to push this back so much? Jeez.

“So, are we leaving today?”

“Berserk is happy! I was dying of boredom, anyway!”

“If you had nothing to do, you could have helped rebuild the bridge...”

“I'm a bit disappointed... I almost finished perfecting my technique.”

While the Archmage skillfully shut down White Wind's whining, we all left the Magic Tower. We didn't need to worry about how to cross the lake since a boat was going back and forth while the bridge was being rebuilt.

“I hope we can leave as soon as possible.”

“Now that you mention it, you’ve been oddly reluctant to stay in this city for a few days now. What happened?”

“...What could have happened? Also, since when were we close enough to ask such things?”

“...!”

I sat on the boat, basking in the warm sunlight. Even excluding Bers and me, all of us together were rather heavy, so we had to split up and take two boats.

“I’m just worrying about you, idiot!”

Since Bers was heavier than me, she was paired with the lightest of us, Deb, while I paired up with the kimchi dumpling.

Despite having shown some concern just then, the Inquisitor, whom Deb had completely disregarded—likely because he wasn’t used to others showing concern for him and became all tsundere about it—was now fuming on the boat.

“Oh! Look, a fish!!”

“Uwargh! Stay still!”

“Ooooh!!”

“The boat’s tipping over!!”

It seemed the kimchi dumpling was getting her revenge through Bers for Deb being grumpy.

“Serves you right.”

The Inquisitor, also realizing that, stuck out her tongue at Deb, who was clinging to the boat, before returning to her usual demeanor. I had no idea where she’d learned to stick out her tongue like that.

“Ah, by the way, Demon Knight, they’ve found a place for Akata today! Would you like to come along to take a look?”

Oh, I was just wondering how I should go about this, and now I’d gotten the perfect excuse. Good job, kimchi dumpling.

I mentally patted the kimchi dumpling’s head vigorously while thinking about Akata.

Even though she could have stayed comfortably at the Temple, that girl had chosen the more difficult path.

I recalled her saying she wouldn’t want to stay there because she wanted to see and learn more about the world. She said she’d even be willing to become an errand girl if it meant getting to know the world more.

Whatever was inside, it didn’t seem to be anything hard.

Rustle.

From the look of it, it seemed to be something for her. Carefully, she untied the top of the bundle.

【Thread.】

It was the thread she’d seen with that large fighter at the store not too long ago.

There were quite a lot of them, too. Anything she’d touched or even glanced at seemed to be inside the bundle.

【...How foolish.】

Really foolish. She smirked, pretty much knowing who had left this for her.

It couldn’t have been the people who’d chatted with her or that snow-white priest. They wouldn’t deliver a gift in such a roundabout way. That left only one person.

【He didn’t have to give me this...】

He must have been with them, but he was the only person she didn’t get to see.

The girl smiled but felt tears welling up as she closed the package. This bundle would now become her most treasured possession, something she would never trade for anything.

The best gift she’d ever received, giving her strength whenever she felt weak.

* * *

He’d probably given it to her, right? Surely, he wouldn’t have just pocketed the 50,000 Gal and run?

While at the Temple’s stables, I wondered whether the gift had been delivered properly. I should have just waited a little to meet her and handed it to her personally, but it was too late now.

I’d already arrived at the Temple, and everyone else had also returned. The Archmage joined us, as well, preparing to depart.

“We’re going to leave this place now.”

“Do you regret it?”

“Not at all. There are still many things to be done.”

Oh well. Worrying about it wouldn’t change anything. I just had to trust it was delivered properly.

Everyone had already loaded their belongings onto horses. Once we mounted them, we would be ready to leave.

“Oh, I forgot to mention something beforehand.”

Maybe it was over with. It seemed the Archmage still had something to say, though.

“A few days ago, we encountered someone we suspect is a Demon or a Demon Worshiper.”

Wait, what did he just say?

“Erm, are you sure we should tell them?”

“Didn’t we fail to find them in the city? They could be lying in ambush on our way, so now is the best time to bring this up.”

It seemed Deb knew what the Archmage was talking about. Instead of asking what he meant, he asked if it was okay to talk about it, indicating he knew. This was news to me, though.

“What are you talking about?”

“An ambush? Enemies?”

Judging by their reactions, the Inquisitor and Bers were also in the dark. Only the Archmage and Deb seemed to be in the know.

It was an odd, yet not entirely unexpected, combination. Those two often dealt with certain pieces of information by themselves.

“Say it, now!”

Regardless, I couldn’t ignore his mention of Demons and Demon Worshipers, so I raised my voice.

“Well...”

Soon, Deb and the Archmage started talking. Apparently, Deb had encountered a strange individual a few days ago. Not just strange, but highly suspicious, actually!

“Why are we only hearing about this now?”

“Since this information wasn’t confirmed yet, we didn't want to act prematurely. Had anything concrete come up, we would have informed you straight away.”

That our meat dumpling had almost been in serious danger without my knowledge made my blood boil, but I had to hear their explanation.

Posing a question in line with my character, the Archmage sighed and began explaining the situation.

He said they’d conducted investigations to confirm their suspicions but found nothing. He’d kept a close eye on Deb, but again, nothing came up. That was the gist of it.

“We even requested cooperation from the Tower and the Temple, but nothing came of it.”

Ah, that explained it. No wonder the Temple and the Tower had seemed unusually busy over the past few days. So, it was because of this? But why had they kept it a secret from us?

“Why did you keep this from us?”

The Inquisitor asked in my stead. The Archmage’s face suddenly looked ten years older.

I had a feeling I knew his answer.

“Inquisitor, you were in the middle of training to reach another level. The Demon Knight just recovered from a serious injury. We didn’t want to disturb you with this uncertain information.”

“But...”

Yeah, I thought as much.

If it wasn’t a direct attack or someone causing trouble in the city, and if all they did was approach someone and say a few words, interrupting our break would have been a bit much. Especially considering this was our first proper break in months.

Moreover, what kind of people were the Inquisitor and I? Weren’t we the type to completely lose any sense of reason at the sight of Demons, neglecting everything else? Bers would probably get overly excited, as well, and start smashing things in pursuit of that person.

I completely understood why the Archmage had kept this quiet.

“It’s not your place to decide that...!”

However, my arrogant, prideful character would never accept that.

I stepped forward, cutting off the Inquisitor’s attempt to respond more mildly, and shouted with veins bulging in my neck. The Archmage let out a deep, weary sigh through his lips.

“My apologies. I will be more careful next time.”

From my perspective, the Archmage didn't need to apologize for something like this, but this was the best response in this situation. Even though I was still gritting my teeth, I couldn’t find any more fault with him.

My expression became even grimmer.

“Let’s move on. Just be careful. Judging by their lack of activity over the past few days, it seems they’ve either deliberately gone into hiding or left the city. They might have even prepared an ambush.”

“Okay, I understand.”

“Hmm. So, we might get to hunt some Demons on the way? Berserk is very happy!”

Perhaps because of my overwhelming anger at the Archmage’s actions, the Inquisitor was trying to ease his worries, meaning she calmly accepted these facts.

Bers was the same as usual, so there wasn’t much to say about her.

“Erm, so, we’re heading around the borders of the Great Forest to Camborough?”

As that storm of tension subsided, Deb carefully shifted the topic.

Everyone’s expressions relaxed a bit. Except mine.

“That’s right.”

“...So, we aren’t going to Ednium, right?”

“Since we’re dealing with an issue that’s cropped up in Camborough, we probably won’t be heading there. Unless you want to?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Everyone looked to be ready, and after letting my character’s temper flare up in the most recent conversation, I didn’t utter a single word as I mounted my horse.

“Then, let us depart!”

Our next destination was Camborough, a city located beneath the Whitecat Ridge and known by the nickname “Blue Nest”.