Saintess
Saintess
The mountain range stretching between the territories of the Human Race and the Demonfolk was endlessly rugged.
Not only because of the treacherous terrain, but also the threatening monsters that appeared, those who traveled between the two sides through this place were few and far between. Even before the war, and after it.
The Demonfolk were no exception, but thanks to their innately superior bodies and abilities, their situation was better than that of the Human Race. So occasionally, those with unavoidable circumstances or purposes crossed the mountain range into the Human Race territory. The outcomes usually ended poorly, but to those who had a reason they absolutely had to cross, that fact mattered little.
Those running through the frost-laden forest as darkness began to fall were likewise the same.
The five figures identically draped in thick cloaks made of demonic beast hide like uniforms were unmistakably Demonfolk. The hoods pulled low to ward off the cold were literally just for that purpose, but they had holes cut out for their horns, and the horns protruding through them unabashedly flaunted their presence.
Despite moving at high speed, they maintained disciplined movements like soldiers. If others had seen them, they would have thought they truly were soldiers. Because in the last seven years, the number of non-soldiers who crossed the mountain range could be counted on one hand.
As one of them running in the center raised a hand, the gazes of the others—except for the Demonfolk leading at the front—turned toward the figure.
"Stop."
At that single word, neither soft nor loud, they simultaneously halted as if on cue, then turned to focus on the figure in the center.
She was a person of small frame, seemingly about to be crushed under the weight of the particularly large round shield on her back. That wasn't to say she was short. It was just that the shield and the others around her were quite large, making her appear even smaller. Without paying the slightest heed to their gazes, the figure looked around slowly and began to speak.
"Let's prepare camp here. According to the intel, from up ahead there's a high chance we'll encounter demonic beasts."
Though no one knew how long she had gone without speaking, her hoarse voice was that of a somewhat young girl. The Demonfolk did not object to her command and began preparing to rest with unified efficiency. Quietly watching them faithfully carry out their tasks—preparing a campfire, clearing snow, installing something on the surrounding trees while chanting spells—the girl set down the shield she'd been carrying and removed her hood.
The first thing to catch the eye was the horns that grew from behind her ears and curved up over her forehead like those of a stout mountain goat. Beneath them, her pale, distinct features were sharp, contrasting with the slightly eased expression brought on by long fatigue, and her closed eyes were utterly serene like those of someone asleep. Letting down the dark violet hair she had roughly tied back, the Demonfolk girl let out a long breath, then knelt down and assumed a posture for prayer. Then, one by one, the other Demonfolk around her removed their hoods, gathered, and knelt as well.
Still with her eyes closed, the girl began to murmur softly.
"Thank you again today for the grace and protection of the Demon God Epaga."
"Thank you for sustaining us through the continuing hardships..."
Those reciting the prayers to the Demon God were endlessly earnest. With no one showing any sign of annoyance, they finished their prayers, then sat around the campfire of the now-set-up campsite and quietly began their meal.
It was by no means a common sight. They weren't silent because they were awkward with each other; rather, like ascetics practicing a vow of silence, they ate in silence, eschewing unnecessary conversation, and the sight was even reverent.
About ten minutes passed like that? Out of the bottomless silence, someone spoke.
"May I ask just one thing?"
"Speak."
The Demonfolk member looked at the girl, who responded as if it were only natural that the question was directed at her, and opened his mouth, but couldn't easily bring himself to speak. His demeanor, as if calmly choosing his words, gradually drew the gazes of the others, but it did not stir any doubt. As if understanding what he wanted to ask but unsure of the answer, the Demonfolk's gazes shifted to the girl.
Unlike when they looked at the one who spoke, their gazes now held a strange sense of expectation, but the girl calmly endured them without losing her composure and spoke.
"Is it that you want to ask if I truly must go?"
"...I am sorry, but yes, that is correct. I still do not understand."
If someone had asked, 'Is the girl weak?' everyone would have answered no. Her shield never gave ground, and her mace was powerful enough to crush demonic beast skulls in a single blow. No one questioned her ability to choose and travel such a dangerous path.
Even if one had asked, 'Is the girl being obstinate?' they would all have spoken with one voice and said no. The girl did not act obstinately. She only did what she had to do. That was why they had been able to follow her on this long journey without any hesitation.
Even so, there was only one reason they wanted to hear her answer. It was because they did not know why she had to accompany this extremely sudden journey.
In the chaos caused by the war, heretics who sold the name of the Demon God to spread false faith had always existed. Rooting out and judging such people had also always been a common task. Thus, moving for that task itself raised no questions at all.
But the girl's presence was a different matter. Because despite the many objections within the order, for a saintess to personally move just to eradicate insignificant heretics was by no means a common occurrence.
"Yes. I must go with you."
Yet the girl answered with conviction. It was an unwavering answer, just as when she had first been declared the saintess of the Demon God Church. In truth, that alone was a sufficient answer, so the Demonfolk's deep doubts dissipated like a lie. Only a light curiosity remained.
"Is it an oracle?"
"No. If it were an oracle, sending only you would have sufficed."
An oracle was a fixed future. Whether it was a tragic event or something unavoidable, it was like an event that must happen. If it had been an oracle that yielded an unchanging result even if a three-year-old infant were sent, there would have been no reason for her to move.
"I received a revelation."
The god's voice had been growing ever fainter, but this time it was different. It was a clearer teaching than ever before. That was why she had personally stepped forward despite everyone's opposition. Originally, she had intended to move alone, but respecting the order's will—which never compromised on this point—she had to be accompanied by those who could be considered a kind of escort.
"A revelation that, in the process of punishing the heretics... I would awaken to a new understanding."
The moment the word 'revelation' was spoken, the Demonfolk drew sharp breaths and began to pray. The girl, the saintess herself, thought it was so excessive, though.
"I had no intention of doubting Epaga's will, but... the fact that it is Human Race territory is still a concern. If we do not move quickly, it will be very dangerous."
The worry voiced by another Demonfolk, whose religious doubt had cleared and whose heart was now greatly eased, was truly valid. Even if it was a border region, it was ultimately a problem within the territory of a nation at war. Unlike the Demonfolk Territory where one could stop at cities in comfort, there would surely be threats of a completely different caliber lurking, and it would be just as exhausting and full of variables.
"Moreover, if it is a revelation... what kind of trial might await us?"
At times merciful, at times endlessly cruel, revelations had always bestowed trials and rewards upon them in many forms. As people devoted to faith, they were always prepared to humbly accept such trials, but that did not mean they turned their eyes away from real-world threats.
"We seek only faith, not fanaticism."
"...So long as we do not distort the divine will with the wicked hearts of Mortals, enlightenment shall always be with us in warmth."
As if by promise, the anxiety that had briefly flickered amid the succeeding prayers subsided coldly.
"I understand what anxieties my brothers hold. I know it is not worry for personal advancement, but a wavering born from concern for the other brothers present here, and for all brothers and sisters of the order. The reality these days is that one cannot help but worry that our movements may, if mishandled, lead to persecution."
As the girl's eyes, which had been shut all this time, opened, her silver-white pupils, as if the moon itself had been placed there, began to shine with an exotic light.
"I too have only seen a fragment of the revelation, so it is difficult to explain clearly, but you need not worry. This revelation... will surely be of great help to us."
Deoni Bire, the saintess and holy warrior of the Demon God Church, spoke in a firm tone without the slightest tremor.