The Devil of the Wasteland, Part 11
"So they stuffed something like this inside a low-level devil's body and controlled it remotely?"
Agnes nodded at Yohan's question.
"High-level devils have various ways of handling low-level ones. This is just one of them."
"Hmm."
One of the three possibilities Agnes had proposed turned out to be true. While this confirmed that the low-level devil's attack was no mere coincidence, another question remained: why on earth had a high-level devil sent its lackey to Junk Town?
"Nothing else comes to mind?"
As Yohan pondered the reason in his head, Agnes suddenly threw the question at him. Yohan tilted his head in confusion for a moment before quickly realizing why she was asking.
"Pandemonium."
The coalition of devils that had begun their activities about two hundred years ago, which Agnes had mentioned not too long ago.
"Exactly. Planting a 'core' inside a low-level devil to control it is the specialty of one of the devils belonging to Pandemonium."
So they already know who it is? Yohan was inwardly impressed by the intelligence network of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. They certainly lived up to their reputation as specialists in hunting down heretics and devils.
"The devils of Pandemonium know all too well that if they operate openly in the center of the continent, they won't be able to avoid an all-out war with us."
"So they play around in the outskirts like this, where a person or two vanishing won't cause much of a stir."
Whether human or devil, their thought processes seemed to be cut from the same cloth. After all, the Undercity Family and their subordinate tomb raiders had also operated in places like Balifield and Junk Town.
"In the first place, the reason I was dispatched all the way out here was because of the bizarre rumors circulating in Balifield."
Agnes wore a highly pleased expression, feeling as though she had finally grasped a solid lead in her investigation.
"When you first told me about those man-eating trolls, I was skeptical. But after seeing that reaction just now, I'm absolutely certain."
"Makes sense."
Yohan understood exactly what Agnes was getting at. The bastard who gave power to the Undercity Family's Big Boss, the bastard who handed the statue to the man-eating trolls, and the bastard who dispatched the low-level devil to Junk Town—they were undoubtedly all devils belonging to Pandemonium.
"I-Is it just me, or is the scale of this getting insanely huge?"
Billy, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, chimed in. He looked quite tense.
"What's this? Are you scared?"
"Dammit, what did you say?"
When Yohan playfully provoked him, Billy looked dumbfounded for a second before realizing Yohan was just trying to ease the tension, letting out a soft chuckle.
"Anyway, if the group that sent that low-level devil is indeed Pandemonium, it means we have no idea when another incident like yesterday's might happen again—at least not until we track them down and beat them to a pulp."
"Indeed. In the worst-case scenario, they might confirm their lackey was defeated and send reinforcements."
Just one of those things had caused a massive disaster, blowing away several houses in the village. If an even greater number of devils descended upon them? Realistically speaking, it would be much better to just abandon the village and look for a new place to settle.
"There's no need to worry too much. Even though Pandemonium is a gathering of devils, its members don't exactly cooperate closely with one another."
Agnes spoke up, noticing the grim expressions on the others' faces.
The Unnamed Goddess made a similar point. Yohan wanted to share her words with the other two, but unfortunately, he couldn't do so with Agnes sitting right there.
"When an incident like this occurs, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith dispatches additional personnel besides the Inquisitors sent as scouts," Agnes continued her explanation.
While Heresy Inquisitors possessed decent combat capabilities, strictly speaking, their main specialty was not fighting devils, but rooting out heretics hiding among ordinary people.
"The Holy Knights of the Holy Kingdom..."
Falco muttered the words that came to mind. Agnes nodded once more.
"If it were merely a gathering of heretical cultists, I could handle it alone. But if multiple devils—especially those from Pandemonium—are involved, the Church will take much stronger action."
"Oho."
Just as Billy said, the scale was ballooning. Yohan imagined a unit of Holy Knights clad in gleaming plate armor marching all the way to Junk Town.
"However... that is only if we follow the rules to the letter."
"Ah."
The excitement fizzled out. Yohan let out an involuntary sigh.
"First of all, the commotion in Balifield was resolved thanks to some unknown powerhouse stepping in."
"T-That's certainly a relief."
This blockhead actually says nice things to hear once in a while. Yohan cleared his throat for no reason.
"But here in Junk Town, things are a bit different."
Agnes turned her head and scanned Yohan's entire group.
"Balifield is, nominally, a city that the Central Church has a duty to protect. In fact, before coming to this village, I had a private audience with the Lord of Balifield to inquire about the situation and obtained the authority to investigate the damaged areas."
The "damaged areas" undoubtedly referred to the Undercity that had been flooded because Yohan's group had blasted a spectacular hole in it. Yohan did his best to look nonchalant.
"Therefore, once the presence of a devil in Balifield was confirmed, the Church would have immediately dispatched reinforcements."
Agnes placed a particularly heavy emphasis on the word "Balifield." Yohan and Falco instantly caught the hidden meaning.
"What does the incident in Balifield have to do with this one?"
"It means Balifield is a city that pays its taxes, but Junk Town isn't," Falco answered on her behalf to Billy, who was the only one who hadn't understood.
"Exactly. While many people certainly live here, not a single one of them pays taxes to the Lord of Balifield."
Junk Town was originally established by outlaws gathering in the wasteland, making it no different from an unauthorized shantytown in the world Yohan used to live in. Naturally, the residents of Junk Town had no right to receive protection from either the Lord or the Central Church.
"So the folks here have to fend for themselves."
"Pretty much."
Agnes agreed with Yohan's summary. Regardless of how much Agnes liked Junk Town, she was still a Heresy Inquisitor of the Holy Kingdom and had to act according to the rules. Demanding that she stay in this village just because they were worried about when a devil might strike again would be completely unreasonable.
"Even so, we can't just sit back and watch this happen."
Yet, Agnes herself seemed to have a slightly different idea.
"Junk Town and Balifield are about a week's carriage ride apart. It's not right next door, but it's not incredibly far either."
Clack. Agnes picked up the wooden fragment she had placed on the table and stood up.
"I'll go negotiate with the Lord of Balifield myself. If I play my cards right, I can use the pretext that Balifield itself is in danger to hunt down and subjugate the devils in this area."
I really like this woman. Yohan was genuinely impressed by Agnes.
"So, Yohan. I'd like to ask a favor of you as well."
"Sure, leave it to me."
He didn't even need to ask to know what the favor was. It was to protect Junk Town alongside Wilhelm while Agnes went to Balifield to persuade the Lord and return.
"I've already spoken to the Sheriff. Considering the time it will take for the Central Church to dispatch personnel, it should take about three weeks."
"Don't worry. I can hold out for a month if I have to."
At Agnes's worried words, Yohan thumped his chest in reassurance. A faint smile played on Agnes's lips.
"Since you've fought and defeated a Pure-blood Troll, I won't worry too much. Still, a devil is not an opponent to be taken lightly."
She then pulled a metal rosary from her breast pocket.
"This rosary has been blessed by a high priest of the Holy Kingdom. Even an ordinary person can stand against the terror of a devil if they carry this."
"Whoa, isn't that incredibly precious then?"
Yohan didn't take the rosary immediately, playing it off with a casual remark.
"Of course it is. But even so, it's not worth more than a human life."
Only then did Yohan accept the rosary Agnes offered. Though it was clearly made of metal, a faint warmth radiated from its surface. He couldn't tell if it was simply from Agnes's body heat or because it was a blessed object.
Exactly one week had passed since Agnes left for Balifield. In the meantime, about half of the destroyed houses had been rebuilt, and the panicked residents had returned to their daily routines as if nothing had happened.
Fortunately, neither low-level devils nor the high-level devils controlling them had launched a direct assault, but that didn't mean the threat had vanished entirely.
"They rebuilt faster than I expected."
"These people have nothing but time on their hands, and their houses are nothing more than wooden planks clumsily cobbled together anyway."
Inside the Sheriff's office, Yohan and Wilhelm sat across from each other at a table.
"Take this. I thought about it, and it's probably better for you to have it than me, old man."
"A rosary. Does it have some sort of protective effect?"
"Yeah. The Inquisitor lady left it behind."
Yohan handed the rosary he had received from Agnes over to Wilhelm. This was a decision reached after discussing it with Falco and Billy. Since Yohan was the Apostle of the Goddess, he could face devils anytime. Therefore, giving the rosary to Wilhelm was the most efficient choice. As for Falco and Billy... Yohan had his own plans for them.
"I'll be helping out too, of course, but you're the strongest guy here anyway, old man."
"Hmph. So you intend to use me as a meat shield."
"Pretty much."
"Fine. I understand."
Fortunately, Wilhelm seemed to understand Yohan's underlying intentions and readily accepted the rosary.
"The Inquisitor said it would take at least two weeks, but more likely three."
"Yeah. There's no Teleportation Magic Circle in Balifield. So they have to travel by land once they reach the nearest city."
Having finished his conversation with Wilhelm, Yohan turned to leave.
"What are you going to do now?"
Wilhelm threw the question at him. Yohan paused and slightly turned his head back.
"I'm getting a bit restless just sitting around and waiting. I think I'll start scouting around the village from today."
"Understood. Then I shall stay within the village as much as possible. The reconstruction work isn't fully complete yet, either."
"Got it."
While prioritizing the reconstruction of the destroyed houses, Wilhelm gathered the residents of Junk Town to devise measures against any future devil incursions. Specifically, the residents would take turns standing guard along the village's outer walls, at least until Agnes returned.
Whether it stemmed from the sheer terror of being beaten to a pulp by Wilhelm's iron fists if they slacked off, or because they had actually felt something after witnessing a real devil, the residents of Junk Town followed Wilhelm's instructions surprisingly well.
"Alright, then..."
"Yeah."
Yohan strode toward the entrance of Junk Town.
"Are you done talking?"
"Yeah. Thanks for waiting, guys."
As he crossed the entrance and stepped outside the village, Falco and Billy, who had been waiting for him, greeted him. The three of them immediately began walking toward the wasteland that stretched out beyond the horizon.
They would certainly investigate the surroundings as they roamed outside the village. However, they didn't intend to just search aimlessly for devils or their traces.
A week ago, they had been forced to sit on their hands due to the watchful eyes of the villagers, but this time was different. Just let one of those bastards cross my path. I'll tear them apart with my bare hands. Yohan smiled brightly at the thought.