Chapter 140 (2/2)
”That's good news. And where is the Manyu Brigade?”
”Gio-Sama, I have something important to report to you!”
”Tell me.”
”The Manyu Brigade defeated Arken, one of the demon king's three generals. And he left here a few days before we arrived.”
”What!?”
The general grabbed the knight's chest and gave him a look of astonishment, but he quickly released him and composed himself.
”I don't know how I'm going to report this to Her Majesty. After all, she was right, and we can't predict their movements either. How can someone leave without receiving a reward?”
”Gio-Sama, The Manyu Brigade left a message for you.”
”I'll look at it now, where is it?”
The knight leads me to the center of the fortress. There are countless scars on the floor from the fierce battle that took place there.
Two creatures appear before us.
Those... They're two beasts, aren't they?
”Chupipi!”
The metallic blue bird emits a light.
Toru appears in front of us.
I quickly drew my sword and slashed at him.
However, nothing happened, and the sword cut through the air.
”What!? Zig-dono!?”
”Tch, it's an illusion.”
”What?”
”Hello General Gio, it's been a while, well, not really. As you can see, the Demon King's men have been neutralized. I'm sure the soldiers who were captured by them have already recovered. As for my reward, I'm going to do without it. I'm not someone who likes to get titles or receive anything in return for my deeds.”
From time to time, the man in the blurred silhouette scratched his cheek, embarrassed.
It's inexplicably irritating.
It's a face that makes me sick to my stomach just looking at it.
Aide, who was next to me, clenched his fists as he trembled,
”.........Toru.”
A strong murderous spirit emanated from Aide.
There was a chilling and evil presence seeping from his sword and armor.
Aide, just who the hell are you?
”I'm going to head west, I have to do something about this Demon King. I can't guarantee anything though, so don't get your hopes up. Also, there's a research group that might come to visit you, so please don't turn them down, just listen to them.”
Toru disappears at the same time saying; ”take care of them.”
”Chupi, chupi!”
”Shaa.”
The bird and the snake-like beast flew off to the west.
”If we can contact that research team, or any of those people, there is a high possibility of us cooperating with the Manyu Brigade in the future. Their abilities in taking down demonic fortresses, healing dying soldiers and long distance communication would be beneficial to our nation... I must inform Her Majesty immediately.”
The general called the knight and asked him to deliver a message in a whisper.
It seems he doesn't want us to hear what he has to say.
The knight mounted a wyvern and flew away.
”So what are you going to do now?”
”We will gather information about Rudra and then head west. We need to get to Rudra as soon as possible.”
”Well, then, be careful. Beyond the mountain range is a land full of ruffians, and the demons that arise are more powerful. Don't forget that our ancestors were driven from the center of the continent.”
”Do you believe in the old fairy tales?”
”Fairy tales also happen to be facts. I don't know how they tell these stories in Petardaus, but you should still be careful.”
Many years ago, elves and dark elves once lived side by side in the heart of the continent.
But a calamity struck them and those who survived fled to distant lands.
In neither country has it been said what the calamity was.
Something disastrous must have happened to force them to flee the true holy land, even if the nature of said disaster has been forgotten.
Some still insist that the true holy land in the center be recovered, but most people are satisfied with the present form and have completely lost interest.
Celtina, who had remained silent, spoke up.
”Regardless of whether or not we can defeat the Demon King, if we get to take back the true holy land, we can become heroes☆”
”How long do you think it will take to reach the center from here? Defeating Rudra without going that far would be enough of an achievement.”
”That's also true☆”
I then looked at Aide.
”.....The center of the continent.”
”Are you interested, Aide?”
”No, I'm just wondering what's over there.”
”I've heard that many demons of the ancient demon king dwell there, and there are also many powerful relics. From my point of view, I can live a peaceful life without having to enter that place.”
”......Powerful relics.”
I felt that Aide's tone of voice had changed.
It was as if his calm voice was laced with amusement.
”I have work to do, so this is where we part. I'd like to say goodbye to you, so please call me before you leave.”
”Sure.”
The General walked into the building.
So Rudra is in the west... I will not let them take him from me.
I am the hero, the one chosen to defeat the demon king.