Chapter 144. Sporadic Movements

It was unthinkable for a guide to get lost.

Even Rinne, who was attending the academy, knew this.

However, after hearing about Zahard's situation, she decided to help him despite prince Kaldrach's order.

"You're behaving unlike a knight."

Suddenly, Yulian spoke up.

Although Rinne intended to ask what he meant, she quickly understood his intent.

As a knight of the Empire, it was only right to prioritize orders from the imperial family.

That sly slit-eyed villain was implying that Zahard had disobeyed that.

"I know Sir Zahard personally, after all."

Moreover, according to Zahard, they weren't defying the prince's order just to deal with a demon.

It was revenge for losing someone precious.

She never imagined that this sly man was helping Zahard for such a reason.

"Besides, he's Zahard's son. I can't really criticize that, and honestly, I even want to help."

"Is that so?"

"I also joined Sir Hayden Reich because of a family-related 'matter'."

"It seems like your master's betrayal has slightly changed your previously rigid thoughts."

Rinne looked at Yulian with a curious expression as he spoke with an assertive presence.

Honestly, by now, it didn't evoke much reaction within her.

The betrayal and transformation into a demon of the noble Sword Saint.

After that event, it was certain her feelings had changed.

With a short sigh, Yulian took the lead walking up the ridge while letting out a faint chuckle.

Watching his back, Rinne felt compelled to ask whom he had lost that drove him to chase after the 'Dawn Society'.

- '... I lost...'

- '... After that incident, no, you could say 'Yulian' died'.

She remembered the monologue she overheard from Yulian after a battle with Alphas.

'Forget it.'

Right now, the priority was the demon Zahard must deal with.

Moreover, "... It's nice the snowstorm has stopped, but other guests have arrived."

The 'demons' that began to appear over the ridge yanked her thoughts back to the pressing reality, leaving no time for idle conversation.

With the help of 'Aura Sonar', Zahard was the first to sense them, drawing a sword from his staff.

"A group of demons... How can they form such a group in this raging snowstorm?"

"It's probably thanks to the abilities of the one-armed demon."

As if foreseeing the question, Yulian muttered about a tri-horned demon's power, the 'one-armed demon'.

Naturally, he started scanning the surroundings.

When his gaze reached the edge of the ridge, "... Can't see it."

Finding no target he wanted among the swarming demons, he mumbled to himself.

"Indeed... I don't feel it either."

Zahard felt the same way.

Then, the ominous 'demonic energy' began to surge over the snow-covered ridge from afar.

An unusual force.

Realizing it was spreading near the Northern Front's wall, 'North Pole', Zahard's face darkened.

***

So that's how you're going to play it.

Clicking my tongue inwardly, I sensed the 'demonic energy' emanating from the 'North Pole' wall.

This 'demonic energy' was similar to that of a demon, but in reality, it was different.

It was, more precisely, 'human-made'. To be exact, it was emitted by a 'witch'.

In other words, the 'witch' was scattering her 'demonic energy' to summon the 'one-armed demon'.

"Razid, this bastard... to think."

Noticing Zahard's mutter as he realized it, I quickly evaluated the situation and made a decision.

"From now, we'll head to the 'North Pole' wall. Demons visible on the ridge might pursue us, Felkhor."

"Yes, Sir Yulian."

"You handle them."

Felkhor began to assess the demon horde.

Although some demons with single horns appeared sporadically, seeing no two-horned or high-rank demons, he nodded with relief.

He judged this place to be safer than the 'North Pole' wall.

Although his bald head occasionally made foolish decisions, he was still strong enough to be chosen as a Monsignor.

"Understood, leave it to me."

Yes, that should suffice.

After nodding to Felkhor instead of verbally replying, Zahard and I immediately started sprinting toward the 'North Pole' wall.

Meanwhile, the witch's scattered demonic energy and the 'one-armed demon's propagation ability began to resonate.

This meant the one-armed demon had arrived at the 'North Pole' wall.

"Hood!"

As we raced towards the 'North Pole' wall, Rinne, keeping pace with us, shouted while looking at me.

Knowing Blind Eyes' political position, it was advice she could offer.

Pulling up my hood quickly, I reached the wall, and the dense smell of blood assaulted my nostrils.

"... Horrific."

The repulsive stench of demon blood.

And the even more overwhelming sight of human devastation.

As expected, the 'one-armed demon' was inside the inner area of the northern wall, 'North Pole'.

"The first gate is breached."

Moreover, the situation was deteriorating.

The stringent door of the first gate was wide open since the creature rampaged inside.

Amidst the chaos, demons and barbarians from the north were massacring soldiers.

― Kyaaagh!"

Screaming demons lunged at the entrenched soldiers, but they never reached fruition.

Because Zahard and Rinne cut down the charging demons, saving the soldiers.

"Where are the Wedge Knights?"

Surveying the atrocities within the first gate, I began to inspect the scene with my eyes.

The human casualties were mostly mere soldiers.

I occasionally saw fallen 'barbarians' overwhelmed by excessive demonic energy within them, but apart from those, all were common soldiers.

"Crazy bastard."

Killing common people to satisfy his greed.

Despite feeling an urge to curse Kaldrach, the situation left no room for it.

While sweeping my gaze across various parts of the wall, I confirmed Kaldrach observing from above.

"Since many eyes are on us, remain still."

Noticing Kaldrach's gaze, Zahard suggested I refrain from getting involved for my sake.

"Blind Eyes has to maintain neutrality. It would be troublesome if someone known as the face of Blind Eyes were to show up."

Said Zahard, then waded single-handedly into the heart of the massacre, wielding his sword.

Living up to the name of being fellow disciples with the Sword Saint, his sword was sharp and lethal.

However, stopping a flood of demons single-handedly was a daunting task.

"Raise the morale of the terrified soldiers and mount a defense."

To do that, the leadership of 'Kaldrach' and the 'Wedge Knights' was indispensable.

It was imperative to have a trusted mental cornerstone.

Yet, Kaldrach merely observed the situation.

― As expected, you came.

Just as my frustration with the current scenario was bubbling over, Kaldrach's voice echoed within my mind.

Flinch.

Although momentarily flustered, I quickly got accustomed to it.

A witch's magic-enabled transmission of voice.

Being aware of its power already.

"Will you just stand by and watch?"

I addressed him.

Even from afar, the witch's spell would undoubtedly relay my words to him.

― The one-armed demon hasn't entered the inner gate yet."

"What would you do if it did?"

― Capture it. That's the intended sacrifice."

Relaying the scene of dying soldiers without deploying the 'Wedge Knights', Kaldrach spoke. He conveyed it as if such a scene was natural, or perhaps tinged with boredom.

'What's this feeling?'

Yet, revealing my disdain wasn't an option.

"Do you consider it worth it?"

― For a tri-horned demon whose horn is starting to turn red, yes, it's worthwhile. Even if it's not, the witch will 'create' that worth.

Talking to him some time ago made it clear he wasn't normal, but to think he knew about the 'red-horn transformation' of the 'tri-horned demon'.

But how?

Was there any previous observation of 'red-horn transformation'?

― Moreover, you 'know' it too, don't you?"

I felt Kaldrach staring at me from afar.

― That demon is worth it. Haven't you 'experienced' it several times?"

My fleeting suspicion began solidifying into certainty.

Noticing him wearing the 'Eye Rabbit's Ring' that wasn't in any showcase, and even knowing about the red-horn transformation.

The hazy mist slowly lifted.

― So, you'd best remain still. After all, if you reveal yourself here, it would be 'Blind Eyes', facing trouble. Hahaha.

Here, at the 'North Pole' wall, there likely wasn't anyone who didn't recognize my face.

From the 'Wedge Knights' to all the soldiers serving here.

He must have issued a separate command.

If I attempted to enter the camp or meddle with the 'one-armed demon', they would brand me a 'traitor' for defying imperial regulations.

Amidst the northern barbarians and demon's sporadic movement, I couldn't seek or capture the 'one-armed demon'.

'He probably lured me here.'

Through the witch, of course.

Additionally, designed a setup to exclude my interference.

'Ultimately, what's necessary for returning to the capital is the merit accumulated here and the Wedge Knights.'

Eliminating anything deemed unnecessary from his perspective, such decisive judgement.

It felt slightly detached from the 'Kaldrach' I once knew, but that didn't matter anymore.

'Retreat.'

It's the optimal decision, I know.

Even if I retreat from here, Kaldrach won't allow anything to penetrate up to his area at the second gate.

He will deploy the 'Wedge Knights' to capture the one-armed demon, and thus, the situation will inevitably conclude.

'If that happens, killing the one-armed demon will become impossible.'

What they will do after securing the one-armed demon remains unknown.

Even if it's not killed, they'll likely confine it for 'red-horn transformation research.'

It'll undoubtedly be something Zahard doesn't desire.

Still... It's beyond my capacity now.

'For safety, it's best to conceal my identity and step back.'

I know.

I clearly understand, yet my mind keeps rejecting it.

Besides.

'Kaldrach certainly harbors something, but the difference lies elsewhere.'

His objective.

Capturing the demon with horns turning red and research through the witch.

Acknowledging his 'need' for that indicates Kaldrach knows less than me.

Had he confronted me as the prince, I might have stepped back.

It is indeed perilous for a Blind Eyes member if that power were wielded unilaterally.

However, if using similar methods and taking similar actions.

'He made a mistake.'

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