Chapter 160. Uncomfortable Cooperation (2)
Demons were creatures ford from the residual thoughts of the 'Demon God Barbatos'.
It goes without saying that the 'Demon God' who perished at the hands of humans harbored a deep-seated hatred for mankind, vowing for their annihilation.
This desire perated the residual thoughts, embedding itself into every cell of the demons.
In essence, wherever 'humans' congregated, 'demons' would inevitably appear, unless protected by the barrier of resonance stones.
"We've camped before this without a single encounter... just our rotten luck!"
Felkhor clicked his tongue in annoyance at the ntion of 'demons'.
Similarly, I was not pleased with the sudden appearance of demons.
Most importantly, I thought, 'I'm exhausted.'
The journey had left
fatigued, and the tiredness had yet to dissipate.
Every ti I moved, the demons fixed their gaze on , tilting their heads in curiosity, and I felt irritation bubbling up.
"Given the situation, it seems Sir Zahard's assistance is necessary."
I nodded and released Zahard from his handcuffs.
"Is it alright? If others see, it might cause trouble."
"I'll handle it at my discretion."
"Hmm, indeed."
While so might scold
for releasing a criminal, nobody would question flexibility in the face of demon attacks.
Surviving takes precedence.
Surely, everyone would understand that, especially with academy students present.
They needed to survive, all of them, 'To pass down my achievents to the institution.'
This wasn't Yulian's ego at work.
But rather, ensuring the journey's positive narrative prevailed over visiting the 'Northern Barrier'.
'They're gathering.'
I began to sense insolent gazes from beyond the ridge.
Regardless of who it was, demons with a powerful intent to kill focused their attention here.
The three of us had never encountered demons while camping before.
Perhaps, I thought, the scent of death clinging to Yulian had kept them at bay until the added presence of more people diminished it.
'Hmm...'
I let out a short sigh.
There were more demons revealing themselves than I had anticipated.
"Please protect the students, Sir Felkhor."
"Yes?"
He seed reluctant at my request for protection, but soon, recognizing the relative ease of the task, Felkhor's face relaxed.
"I will ensure their safety, even at the cost of my life."
Yeah, right. He's doing it because it's easier that way.
***
'Demons are coming this way.'
After sharing this news and stepping outside, I saw the faces of the Azure Lion Knights preparing for battle.
Their faces were tense with apprehension.
Not out of fear of fighting demons, but from feeling overwheld by the sheer number advancing on them.
"Get it together."
Smack!
Schvalt slapped the cheek of one Azure Lion Knight.
"Calm down. Do you want to die?"
"No, Sir!"
"Good. Keep that attitude. Returning dead would be nothing but a hassle for ."
With a curt yet asured tone, Schvalt turned his gaze to .
I addressed him.
"I never imagined cooperating with Sir Schvalt. I am overwheld with honor."
"Empty words."
Of course, you fool.
Who would enjoy working with soone like you?
"Yulian!"
That's when Rinne, who had been waiting among the students, intervened.
Holding a sword, she seed intent on joining the battle, despite Schvalt's orders for students to stay behind.
"Rinne Rondvel, you must withdraw."
Noticing her, Schvalt coldly commanded.
I was surprised. From what I knew of his character, I expected him to draft anyone without concern for their safety.
"Sir Schvalt is right. Rinne, please stay with the students."
"I can fight, too."
"Allowing an exception may lead other students to break rank. You understand, don't you?"
Convincing her with such reasoning, Rinne reluctantly nodded and returned to the students.
― Grrrrr...
From the distance, the demons encircling us finally revealed themselves.
Writhing with demonic energy.
Seeing them, the weariness from the journey began to ebb.
As if the 'Battle Maniac' trait pulsing in the veins of the warlike Yulian began heating his blood at the thought of slaying those beasts.
"When so many ragtag demons gather, it ans there's a leader nearby."
Zahard spoke up.
"Where is it?"
I asked him.
To pinpoint the location of the strongest demon using his 'Aura Sonar'.
"In the forest."
He pointed deep into the wooded area.
'Wow.'
I was impressed.
How could he know it was in the forest when there's nothing to see?
"I should eliminate the commander."
Though I wasn't keen on volunteering, the urge to dive into the chaotic pit of demons drew
in.
Having failed to fully express Yulian's instincts at the 'North Pole', I felt it necessary to unleash them here.
"Given it's you, I needn't worry. Leave this place to , baldy, and the Order."
"Who are you calling bald!?"
"Well, he certainly isn't hairy, is he?"
These two just can't stop bickering.
Leaving them grumbling and snarling at each other behind, I focused on the advancing demon horde.
'They won't organize perfectly.'
It's impossible for them to form a flawless line.
Thankfully, gaps in their loose formation revealed a path toward the 'commander demon.'
With that thought, as I sprung forward, I sensed a presence closely beside .
Schvalt?
Clearly, he was eyeing the sa target.
― Kyaaaaaah!"
A demon approached us first.
A hornless, brainless being.
Was it unable to detect Yulian's scent?
Perhaps it was simply the crowd hiding it.
Sling.
Drawing the Moonstone Sword, I thrust it at the demon before .
The faint moonlight enveloped the blade, and with one clean strike, its head tumbled to the ground.
Swoosh—
Nearby, Schvalt swiftly cleaved through an attacking demon.
His normally stoic face now splattered with demon blood looked terrifying.
"With the esteed Schvalt of the Azure Lion Order having my back, I feel quite reassured."
Despite concentrating on the battle, words likely to irk him slipped out of my mouth.
This body seed a fountain of grudges, always prone to upsetting those it encountered.
"You're the one covering my back."
This guy had so nerve.
To take pride in my taunting words.
"Hup...!"
Increasing his speed, Schvalt swung his sword faster, refusing to be outdone.
The task of killing the commander demon had beco a competition between us.
'... What am I doing, getting caught up like this?'
I hadn't ant to get involved like this, but his intervention had sparked my competitive streak.
'I must compose myself.'
Upon reflecting on this suddenly reckless mindset, I found myself in the forest where Zahard had pointed out the commander demon.
― Duh-ruk, duh-ru-ruck."
Arriving in the densely wooded area, instinctively, I located the strongest source of demonic energy.
A bi-horned demon.
Was this the one orchestrating the horde?
― Ki, kikikik!"
Realizing two humans had cornered it, the demon began summoning others to its aid. But by then it was too late.
I had already closed the distance between us.
"Hup."
Uttering a short cry and striking diagonally with the Moonstone Sword, the bi-horned demon barely evaded by retreating.
'Should I use Angelica?'
Had I tugged it with shadows, its demise would have been swift.
However, I opted not to use it.
After Rinne had harbored 'suspicion', avoiding further attention seed wise.
― Ki, kiririririk!"
Crackle—
Fortuitously, an 'aura' imbued with fierce coldness immobilized the fleeing demon's legs.
Schvalt's unique aura, 'Aura of Bitter Cold.'
With ticulous manipulation, he'd encased the demon's feet in frost.
Swoosh—
Killing the immobilized demon proved easy enough.
Cutting it down, the bi-horned demon, despite its horn count, fell like the lesser beasts before it.
'In the past, they had
fumbling.'
Now that I've learned how to defeat them, they no longer felt daunting.
― Grrr..."
With the demise of their leader, the remaining demons retreated under the oppressive aura of 'Yulian'.
The remaining demons dwindled to numbers that the main group, the Azure Lion Order, Zahard, and Felkhor could easily manage.
'Ti to head back?'
As I pondered this, crackle—
The frost that had bound the bi-horned demon now ensnared .
Predictably, Schvalt's doing. I turned to face him.
"I never thought you'd act impulsively in situations like this."
This was genuine surprise.
Despite despising 'Yulian' for personal reasons, that Schvalt, notorious for his cold logic, would act recklessly now?
"Don't act like you know everything."
Schvalt's voice stayed as cold as his aura.
"I've sothing I want to ask you."
"If you wanted to ask, perhaps a more courteous inquiry would've been better suited."
"Then you'd have given nothing in return."
You know —or rather, 'Yulian'—so well, don't you?
Indeed, I wouldn't have answered.
"In that case, your premise is flawed. You'll gain nothing from
in any situation, as now."
"That's why I drew my sword."
Quzzzzz—
Like a serpent coiling, the frost aura that surrounded
extended to my feet.
'There's a touch of desperation.'
Though I hadn't seen the character 'Schvalt' much, urgency lood over him—mysterious and uncontrollable.
Despite his animosity toward 'Yulian', him drawing his sword now seed inexplicably desperate.
'... Perhaps not?'
Reflecting deeper, Yulian's stigma might weigh more heavily than anticipated.
After all, Schvalt had almost behaved similarly at the building of 'Blind Eyes'.
'Still, sothing feels off.'
Since the trip through 'North Pole', this peculiar sentint had eked its way in.
'... North Pole Barrier.'
With this thought, I glanced at Schvalt to gauge his expression.
'Aha.'
Subtle calculation led to inevitable realization.
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