Chapter 140. Stranger (1)

It was fortunate that they could meet Zahard safely, but a problem arose.

Why did I encounter this gentleman not in the 'Blizzard Forest', but here?

However, the reason became quickly apparent.

"The security is tight."

"... Security, you say?"

I felt puzzled.

'Blizzard Forest' is a forest closest to 'North Pole', the northernmost barrier of the Adratan Empire, but it is outside of the Empire's top-priority surveillance areas.

It's not a place with frequent demon appearances, and even the northern barbarians avoid it due to the 'witch' living there.

Except for the 'witch', it's a place relatively safe for the north.

'Still, it's the north.'

Having arrived here, finding the 'Blizzard Forest' wouldn't be too difficult.

"... It's true."

As he said, soldiers guarding the entrance to the path leading to the 'Blizzard Forest' came into view.

"It's strange. This isn't a place so dangerous that soldiers need to be stationed here."

"That may be true, but is there any place in the north that isn't dangerous?"

"That's also a valid point."

In this case, they would have to find another route.

Luckily, there are many paths. Just fewer places that are touched by human hands.

Remembering the experience of playing 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉...

"Is your destination the Blizzard Forest?"

While I was thinking that, Felkhor confidently showed a proud expression.

"There is a path from here to there that only the locals know."

Oh! As expected, a local!

Despite having shown dislike earlier, it seemed unavoidable since returning to his homeland.

"Oh, really?"

Zahard displayed tremendous relief at Felkhor's words.

To him, who until now was at a loss due to not knowing the way, Felkhor's words would be like a lifeline emerging from the fallen sky.

"Indeed."

"You must be someone from these parts. Yulian, where did you find such a talent? From what I can sense, he could be helpful in battles too, and he's familiar with the geography of the north."

"Haha..."

I couldn't help but laugh softly.

It's ridiculous. Finding such a talent?

This guy was one of those who came looking to kill me in the past. If he'd tried to kill me just one more time, I'd probably exalt him.

"Let me thank you in advance. It came at a time when I was troubled about what to do."

"No thanks necessary."

"Oho... You're as open of heart as your head."

Hahaha.

Again, I chuckled without realizing it.

Open-hearted as one's head. Was it meant as a jab or a compliment?

Felkhor, wiping away his earlier confidence, now spoke with a slightly serious expression.

"This guy, the way he talks is outrageous. Can't he see anything?"

"That's right. I indeed can't see anything."

He can't see anything, Felkhor hit the nail on the head with that statement.

While I quietly nodded, Zahard burst into hearty laughter.

Granted, he was being insulted, but can he really be fearful of a naive child raising a fist in threat?

He probably just saw it as cute.

***

Felkhor's guidance was accurate, perhaps because his claim of being from the north wasn't a lie.

"This ridge is so complicated and overgrown with bushes that it's thought hard to manage, yet it seems they really don't know it here."

Puffed up with pride, Felkhor shrugged his shoulders with satisfaction.

Although the path connected to the mountain was a bit difficult, surprisingly, there was an area passable by people.

As I entered the 'Blizzard Forest', taking in the spectacle of snow-covered trees,

"Did you bundle up properly?"

I heard the concerned voice of Zahard.

"Yes."

"That's good. It's going to get very cold from here on."

"No worries."

I had already bought what I needed from a merchant we encountered on the way here, even the underwear was thoroughly equipped with thick fur.

The reason Zahard gave such advice wasn't just because this place was the 'north'.

Blizzard Forest.

As its name suggests, this forest experiences strong snowstorms capable of taking one's breath away.

While some called it the 'witch's barrier' as if rejecting intruders, most viewed it as a natural phenomenon.

"However, how are you going to find a demon in this vast Blizzard Forest?"

Thanks to the brief explanation given about why they stopped here, Felkhor naturally had questions.

Blizzard Forest was quite expansive.

It was so large, roughly about a third of a major archipelago, that finding a single demon here would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

"That's not a problem."

"... Pardon?"

"There's someone here who can find it for us, isn't there?"

I smiled and looked at Zahard.

Meeting my gaze as if surprised by how I knew, I subtly coughed to change the atmosphere.

"It's certain that the one-armed demon is nearby."

Unlike his playful demeanor up till now, Zahard wore a distinctly serious expression.

His face carried the emotion called 'certainty'. The certainty of finding the 'one-armed demon' within this vast forest.

'The reason that's possible is...'

The 'one-armed demon' housed more than the 'tri-horned's' thoughts, and because of that, it evolved some unique 'traits' similar to the 'tri-horned' demons previously encountered.

Propagation.

That is the trait the 'one-armed demon' possessed.

Dispersing magic from its entire body in all directions, it serves as a means to preemptively detect the opponent's information.

In other words,

'It's similar to the ability of the blind warrior.'

Zahard, knowing well about this, stood firm, sensing the surroundings.

"Just find it quickly. It's freezing."

Felkhor grumbled, wrapping his arms around himself for warmth.

Like Felkhor, I urgently wanted to end the 'one-armed demon'; for him, it was to leave this vile cold homeland swiftly, for me, it was about eliminating a potential threat in any way possible.

With that thought, I decided to be actively involved in Zahard's work.

"Let's move, for now. We'll find it once we go deeper into the forest."

There's no doubt the one-armed demon is there. It's always been that way.

"No."

Just as I was about to advance with that thought, I could feel a fierce aura exuding from Zahard's body.

Murderous intent and hostility.

Not directed at me, but those are unmistakable blades of emotion I've encountered before.

'Could it be.'

I shifted my gaze towards where Zahard was dispersing his ill-intent.

Even though my line of sight was obstructed by dense trees and swirling snow, the swarming demonic energy seemed to shoot like an arrow toward this location.

Rumble──!

As an odd stillness permeated, Zahard's aura and the demon's demonic energy began to resonate powerfully with each other.

'One-armed demon.'

To think I'd meet it so soon after entering the Blizzard Forest.

Before I could gather my thoughts, Zahard had naturally propelled himself forward.

"What, what is it!?"

Though Felkhor expressed panic, I paid him no heed and began to pursue Zahard.

As I sprinted through the forest at a rapid pace, the pure white snow filled my view.

And then...

Standing there with red horns was the 'one-armed demon'.

― Kreuk..."

Drooling a mucus-like saliva, the one-armed demon continued to scatter 'demonic energy' around.

Ignoring it, Zahard leaped forward, closing the gap to the one-armed demon.

"Foolish creature!"

With a voice akin to a command, Zahard's sword lodged into the shoulder of the one-armed demon.

― Kreuk...

However, the one-armed demon didn't express any particular pain. Rather, it looked down at Zahard as though it was a matter of course.

Without being daunted, Zahard started moving his arm again.

The following strike.

The flowing connection of Zahard's attacks seemed as natural as if rehearsed in a play.

This time aiming for the head.

The sword drawn from the cane carried an aura that was about to cleave the one-armed demon's head.

― Ah, father.

But from the one-armed demon's mouth, human words flowed out.

"... Ugh."

Due to them, Zahard's attack hesitated slightly.

― Kreuk!"

Intentional or not, the one-armed demon caught the momentary pause and began to move its right hand.

About to slam Zahard with a clenched fist,

Crunch──!

Predicting this course, I lunged in and severed the demon's right hand.

― Kuaaaah!

From the right hand touched by the 'Moonlit Sword', blood began gushing like a fountain.

Even though it was a chance for Zahard to strike decisively if he moved now,

'... Tsk.'

Zahard only looked sympathetically at the howling one-armed demon in pain.

'He fell for the trick.'

From the tri-horned demons, they acquired a certain 'intelligence'. Furthermore, those who set foot in the realm of 'Red Ghosts' even started to have 'wisdom'.

The one-armed demon knew 'Zahard' was its biological father. That's why it deliberately uttered those words.

Cunningly, a 'demon' dared to exploit human 'fatherly affection'.

"Yu, Yulian."

"If you're going to hesitate, then stand back."

An obsession that the 'one-armed demon' must be eliminated took a firm grip of my mind.

Uttering harsh words to Zahard, I regripped my Moonstone Sword and surged towards the retreating one-armed demon.

― Ki, kiiik..."

Seeing 'Yulian's' face, the one-armed demon displayed an emotion of 'fear'.

Then soon began feeling a sort of bewilderment.

'It's as if it's asking how I'm alive.'

Through 'memory retrieval', I knew that the past 'Yulian' had clashed with this creature.

The 'one-armed demon' would have narrowly escaped while inflicting a fatal wound on 'Yulian'.

Naturally, it would have thought 'Yulian' was dead, but 'Yulian' was alive.

That memory induced terror in the creature.

"Are you afraid?"

I whispered to it.

As a red demon-rank, it should be able to understand human speech.

― Kuaaaah!

The one-armed demon rejected the notion.

Not at all, its roaring response said.

With a loud cry, it again lifted its right arm and swung it down quickly.

But there's no way I'd be hit by an attack imbued with 'fear'.

Why, you ask?

'Because I can see the trajectory.'

As the swung arm approached, I sliced it and additionally brought the Moonlit Sword towards the demon's neck.

'Tsk.'

Unfortunately, it didn't connect.

Sensing danger, the creature had retreated in such a large stride that the Moonlit Sword sliced through air.

'Still, I cannot retreat. Now! Let's end it.'

With that in mind, as I was about to strengthen my legs to pursue the retreating creature,

"Demon...?"

"Who goes there!?"

A voice came from behind.

A voice not belonging to Felkhor or Zahard.

In quick motion, hiding my face with a hood, I turned my eyes toward where the voice came from.

The first thing I noticed was the insignia of 'Wedge'.

It belonged to the direct unit of the third prince, 'Kaldrach'.

― Kreuk...

While I briefly took my eyes off, the 'one-armed demon' was escaping into the interior of the Blizzard Forest.

Though following through and finishing it was an option,

'I'd incur a clash with the Wedge.'

In any case, I'm an outsider and cannot afford to have my identity exposed.

"For now, let's let it go."

Here, I had to take a step back.

Though Felkhor nodded at my words, Zahard still couldn't tear his gaze from where the one-armed demon had disappeared.

"Sir Zahard, if you're going to be of no help, you may as well surrender to them."

When spoken rather harshly, he turned his head with a pained expression.

"Forgive me."

He ought to be regretful. Naturally, it should be perceived as such.

He had let slip a future calamity.

Simultaneously, I signaled Zahard and Felkhor with my eyes.

'Let's flee.'

As we subtly nodded to each other and began to dash away,

"There! Stop!"

The Wedges shouted and swiftly began their pursuit.

If we sprinted through the Blizzard Forest at full tilt, losing them wouldn't be difficult at all.

"There! There!"

However, the number of Wedges stationed in the Blizzard Forest was abnormally high.

It appeared that an entire unit was deployed here, not just an ordinary force.

'Kaldrach, this madman! What on earth are you thinking?'

Just as the pursuit was starting to get tiresome and thoughts of 'Should I just turn this around?' began to surface,

"Here!"

Not far, a person dressed in 'Northern Front Guard' attire began waving at us.

An all too familiar face.

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