Chapter 23 (1/2)

Serulis saw the boy and held her sword ready.

Demonkind tended to have powerful magic abilities. And they were rarely seen in these parts.

Most of them were also stronger than the average human.

Serulis asked him in a quiet voice.

“Yo-you’re a demon, aren’t you?”

“I am.”

I smiled and called out to him.

“That was an impressive illusion.”

“…Tha-thank you.”

“I am Locke. And this is Serulis.”

“…My name is Luchila.”

So saying, he bowed his head.

A very polite boy.

“So Luchila, what is it that you are trying to protect?”

“…Uhhmm…”

He thought for a moment.

He was wondering if he should tell us.

“Well, it is fine if you really don’t want to tell us.”

“Uh, really?”

“Really?”

Luchila and Serulis said at the same time.

Perhaps they had similar personalities.

“It wasn’t exactly included in the quest completion requirements.”

“That may be, but…”

Serulis was not satisfied with that.

I could understand how she felt. And I was honestly, quite curious myself.

However, I didn’t like the idea of forcing someone to reveal something that they wanted to stay hidden.

Unless there was a good reason for it.

And so I said gently,

“But the human villagers are frightened. They believe that a fearsome monster is here. I am sure that you know why.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Can you not do something about that?”

The villagers were afraid because of his illusions.

If Luchila would only stop casting them, then the root of their fears would vanish.

And the quest would be complete.

“…That won’t be easy.”

“Won’t be easy?”

Serulis muttered.

“He said it won’t be easy. What should we do?”

I ignored Serulis and said to Luchila,

“I know that you are protecting something with your illusions. Can you not move it to someplace else?”

“…Move it…”

“We could help you do it. We could even find a new location for you.”

Even if it required money, that could still be arranged.

If I had my money returned to me from the country’s treasury, it would be a large amount.

Eric would return it immediately if I asked for it.

“We are not here to expose you by force. However, we will fail the quest if we leave it like this. Do you understand?”

“Yes. I understand.”

“And well, I don’t even mind that…”

“What? You don’t mind!?”

Serulis said in bewilderment.

She was now yanking on my sleeve.

“Wa-wait a minute, Mister Locke. Failing this quest would be terrible for me.”

“You shouldn’t worry too much over a little failure.”

“But I will worry… Failing my first quest… What will daddy say…”