Chapter 480
Chapter 480
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 480
Chapter Title: Killing Demons
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"Some people do call me that. Nice to meet you."
I flashed an immediate smile and offered him a handshake. He smiled back and grasped my hand, shaking it firmly. It seemed my face was pretty well-known among the Isvant faithful.
It had been quite the impactful speech, after all.
Even Rosario had heard it.
"It's truly an honor to meet you again. The way you decisively punished those heretics back then came as quite the fresh shock."
"Heretics need to pay for their sins and die."
"Exactly. What a righteous statement."
I chatted with him briefly about heretics and such. Naturally, the conversation turned to my search for demons.
"As expected of a saint—even you have come out to hunt demons for the sake of humanity's peace. I suspected as much before even approaching you."
"Heh heh heh. Of course. I can't just stand by and watch something like this."
"Hmm... in that case."
>─Shruk.
The priest pulled a map from his robes and showed it to me as he spoke.
"Might I ask a favor of you, Saint?"
"A favor?"
"Please, look here."
He pointed to the Isvant city gates marked on the map.
"Right now, the holy knights and the lord's soldiers are searching from here all the way over there. That leaves a gap in this area. We don't have enough manpower to fully encircle the region."
He began explaining the holy knights' and soldiers' advance routes in detail.
From what I gathered, they wanted me to cover the gaps since their forces were spread too thin to form a perfect net.
"If you could search this area, it would be a tremendous help. Would that be alright?"
I'd thought it was some nonsense when he suddenly asked for a favor, but this was an opportunity.
No demons would stick around the routes where holy knights and soldiers were marching. Especially the holy knights—they were monsters who'd gotten a taste for slaying demons. I'd shredded a high imp myself; holy knights would be at least as capable, if not more.
And it wasn't just them—adventurers had probably tagged along too. Total saturation. So, targeting the lightly guarded sectors made sense.
To snag some scraps from this incident, I had to exploit those gaps.
My goal here was to slay demons, collect proof, and bring it back to the church, after all.
"Ho, sharing such valuable intel. Thank you. But is it really okay to tell me this?"
"You're trustworthy, Saint, so I'm sharing it specially. Truth be told, I've been agonizing over it since last night, but this works out perfectly. Surely the guidance of Lord Verde."
"Then I'll help out. Don't worry—I'm not sure about results, but I'll head this way today."
"My thanks for your dedication. Here, take this—it'll help."
The priest bowed and pulled two vials from the pouch at his waist, handing them over.
"Holy water. Excellent for repelling evil. Please use it well."
Holy water again, here?
Religious folk really are the best.
Having joined the holy war together and earned the title of saint, they trusted me and showed goodwill.
The bonds I'd forged with the faithful through justice were paying off like this. Living righteously meant people helped me out.
"Oh, no need to bow. Truly grateful. I'll make sure to use this holy water to slay demons."
"I leave it to you. I just want to exterminate these demons as soon as possible. Surely you can accomplish this, Saint."
"Worry not. Even if it breaks my body, I'll slay the demons."
The priest finished his greetings and went off to talk with the other holy knights. And just like that, as soon as I passed through the gates, I had intel and holy water.
Things were going smoothly.
"Can't believe the blackie's famous. Though, no one could forget that time. Heh heh. Feels like ancient history now."
"Hee hee hee, shall we go then, Saint?"
Winia laughed, and Claudy teased me with a grin. Was this part of fame too? It puffed up my chest a bit, but more recognition meant higher risk of threats spotting me.
"Heh heh heh, let's go."
I'd have to be more careful from now on.
Before setting out, I pulled the map from my pouch and checked our position.
"Looks like today'll go well. Claudy, Winia—this area's short on troops. We'll head there."
I confirmed the direction and set off with them.
We were armed to the teeth: three vials of holy water and a holy knight's dagger. The holy water would come in handy.
As we entered the forest, we passed other adventurers and soldier columns, but the deeper we went, the fewer signs of life.
The atmosphere screamed demons: ominous shadows in the dark underbrush and treeline, as if evil lurked everywhere.
I'd heard demons were so inherently wicked that their presence warped the surroundings. Records even mentioned monsters going berserk nearby.
Anyway, having scoured the area before with Elise to hunt imps, navigation was easy—familiar, even. We crossed the forest smoothly.
Before we knew it, noon had arrived.
Despite walking all morning, we had nothing to show for it.
No demon traces despite searching. Just a few small monsters that charged us. That's how searches go.
"Lunch first?"
"Yeah."
"Blackie, go gather kindling."
Mealtime meant eat and move. I fetched kindling, and Winia lit a fire deftly. She pulled rations from her pack.
Grilled salt-cured sausage always hit the spot. Paired with cheese and jerky, it filled us up. We topped off with dried fruit for nutrients.
After eating, we pressed deeper.
I scanned every direction vigilantly. Then, odd footprints caught my eye—unfamiliar and fresh.
They led straight ahead.
"Claudy. Winia. Check this."
"Footprints?"
The two women examined them.
"Winia, any idea what made them? First time I've seen these."
Adventuring life had shown me plenty of monster tracks. You could usually guess the beast, but these were weird.
"Hmm... What is it? Size suggests blackie-sized, but not orc or troll. Any guesses, sis?"
"Hard to say—I don't know every monster here. But it's biggish. Claws look tough... Demon tracks?"
Only more inspection would tell if they were demonic.
"Let's follow them."
Tracking led to more prints: chaotic clusters of the same size.
I recalled the Brass Holy Knight's words: lesser demons traveled in packs. Unfamiliar shape plus the mess screamed suspicion.
I ramped up my senses and vigilance.
They might be close.
"Hee hee... Demons. Demons from hell... This'll be fun. Blood's boiling."
Claudy was half-feral already, reeking of bloodlust for demon gore.
"Sis is just like blackie."
"Couples start to look alike."
We kept tracking.
The prints clustered sometimes, scattered others. Combat felt imminent. Smart demons would skirt the holy knights.
>─Whoooosh.
Suddenly, wind gusted.
"Hm? Weird presence."
Claudy tensed, sensing something. If she had, no need to look further. I positioned to shield Winia, sword aimed forward.
>─Rustle rustle.
The bushes shook.
>─Grrr.
Then, from behind a tree, a massive black figure with glowing red eyes stared us down.
Black aura settled around it.
Demon scum, plain as day!
"...The humans here are far too violent."
I moved to strike first, but a chilling voice rang out.
"It... spoke?"
Winia's eyes widened in shock, Claudy perking her ears with interest.
Whatever it was, talking first meant it lacked confidence in a fight.
I advanced slowly, alert, toward it. Dismember first, interrogate later—not bad. Easy with Claudy.
"Katt, hold up. Wanna hear what it says."
"...Fine."
Claudy wanted its last words, apparently.
I nodded and halted.
"You who have come seeking us."
The demon spoke again.
Its voice was deep and solemn.
>─Shruk.
"No interest in a peaceful resolution?"
It emerged from the tree: pure demon filth, horse-skulled horror.
Its black skin stretched over twisted muscles, face like a horse's skeleton barely clad in flesh.
How starved must it have been as a kid to grow like that? Hell must be brutal—maybe why they invade our world.
>─Creak creak.
The lesser demon crawled out on its unnaturally long, slender legs for its bulk.
"...Creepy fucker."
Winia's assessment.
It was creepy as hell.
Not normal quadruped gait—like a twisted serial killer tormenting victims, forcing monstrous pain for show. Pure malice in every step.
No way that thing wanted peace. Demons craved blood, violence, slaughter, imperialism—nothing else.
"You from Pandemonium?"
I aimed my sword and asked.
Claudy wanted to hear it talk. Fine—few words, then holy water and dismemberment.
"Can't answer that."
The demon's red eyes blazed coldly.
"Then die, you emaciated four-legged freak. What scraps brought you to the human world? Answer, demon!"
The lesser demon fell silent at my shout, then spoke heavily.
"Human, you crave violence. But killing me gains you nothing."
"What?"
"I know humans get rewards for slaying us. Killing me yields zilch. So, I propose a peaceful deal."
"Wh-what bullshit is this?"
I was stunned by the demon's fluent, elegant speech. Hildegaard had been eloquent too. Same origin, same intellect likely.
"You fucking bastard!!!!"
This fucker dares!