Chapter 98 (1/2)

”Is this fine now……?”

I'm muttering to myself while leisurely flying through Filsand airs.p.a.ce on my Phantom Horse.

Under my eyes, the giants are methodically sweeping the land, gathering Shadow Demon remains into one place.

The small mountain of remains are thoroughly incinerated with the Fire Breath of a Huge Red Dragon.

If such a large amount of Shadow Demon corpses is left to rot, they might become the source of an epidemic or become undead, so I make sure to be thorough.

”Un. It's fine now…… I think.”

Just now, I had been fully indulging in the situation of mowing down an overwhelming enemy army by oneself, something that would get any man's blood boiling.

But after the momentary high, I find myself still thinking of various worst case outcomes.

I would like to think that I've been getting by so-so ever since I was transferred over by The Overlooker. I would, but the truth is that the fear of making a fatal mistake somewhere has yet to fade in my mind.

Several tens of minutes later, thanks to the efforts of the giants and dragon, there is not even a trace left of all those Shadow Demons that had been there not long ago. The only thing left is an especially flat piece of parched land.

Now that there are no more visual vertiges, my heart somehow also grows lighter.

I head back towards the command post set up above the city's main gates, giving the soldiers in position outside a big wave while pa.s.sing by.

” ”MARGILS! MARGILS! GREAT WIZARD MARGILS!” ”

The entire time until my Phantom Horse lands at the command post, the soldiers are thrusting their fists and weapons into the air and shouting acclamation towards me.

♥♦♣♠

”That was wonderful, Margils-sama.”

”Umu.”

The only person who addresses me as I get off my Phantom Horse is Claura.

She normally speaks to me on the same level, but in a formal occasion, she makes sure to show me respect. Having a beautiful lady value my work really speaks to my nature as a man. I feel like I understand why CEOs keep a pretty secretary by their side.

On the other hand, for some reason the Duke of Filsand, Elizabel, Dianu, and the va.s.sals are all petrified.

”As you have seen, the Legion has been taken care of. Duke?”

”In-, indeed. As, as expected……”

So says the Duke while jerkily standing up.

In contrast, the surrounding chief va.s.sals, magicians, and knights all prostrate themselves in unison. Elizabel and Dianu too.

”What an in-, incredible sight it was…… to think that you possess that much power……”

”You…… You sure you're not actually the Demon G.o.d?” (Dianu)

(T/N: Dianu was about to use the 'omae' p.r.o.noun to address Gio, but then rephrased herself.)

”Ou-, our hero!”

”It was the very scene of a legend!”

”Ahh, umu……”

This kind of reaction itself, I've already gotten kind of used to. However, perhaps due to their reverence for the Duke, so far his subordinates had yet to deprecate themselves toward me so blatantly, which is why I am slightly bewildered.

…… No, thinking about it, this is also my first time using so many high level spells in such a flashy manner. I think I have grown apathetic to it, but clearly this left a much greater impression on them than that show-and-tell of a single dragon.

”...... Ladies and gentlemen, be at ease.”

Originally, it is not my place to speak those words, especially when their master is also present.

But the Duke himself still looks quite out of it, so I have no choice but to purposely speak in a prideful tone.

Everyone looks relieved, and neither the Duke nor Claura says anything in particular, so I think that way of handling the situation was correct.

”Either way, thanks to you the danger has pa.s.sed. We…… Filsand will never forget this debt.”

Wiping sweat from his forehead, the Duke displays clear relief on his face. Though this reaction can be said to be natural after the city under his control was saved, it seems that even he has human-like emotions after all.

As we exchange a firm handshake, I can indeed feel heat beyond the thick glove on his hand.

Be that as it may.

I still have many tasks before me, beginning with the matter regarding Elizabel and his children, the handling of the Shulz, and of course 'the second condition' that I still need to present to him.

…… More like, the current task is still not yet finished.

”The danger is not yet over. The fact that so many Shadow Demons have appeared must mean that somewhere — I highly suspect it to be the Shulz's home base — a Shadow Demon nest has appeared. We must go destroy it.”

♥♦♣♠

That night.