A Nightmare to Demons
A man who was a nightmare to demons.
"Really? If that's true, it's quite interesting."
Orvia burst into laughter as she listened to Rick's story. He knew far too many tales—the man who fell in love with a goat, the woman who loved a monster, the nun caught smoking on the battlefield, and the general who mistook the enemy camp for his own, wandered into it, and annihilated their forces. He had regaled her with all sorts of stories.
"Exactly. So the army that invaded Rucella had no choice but to swallow their shame and retreat."
That general's foolish mistake had driven the enemy to annihilation, forcing them to abandon their plans to invade Rucella entirely.
"And that's how he became the Guardian Deity of Rucella? He seems to have an unexpectedly whimsical side."
The bumbling general from Rick's story who had confused the enemy and allied camps was none other than the famous Guardian Deity of Rucella—Greg Abnaigel. Because that man stood firm at the border, guarding Rucella with unyielding strength, the nation had become untouchable after repelling three failed invasions by the Yura Kingdom. It was a rather fascinating country: the weakest minor state on the continent, yet the safest of all.
"The more I listen to Rick, the more curious I become about Rucella."
"It's a good country. Rucella has its own unique charm—one that can only be felt in small nations."
Orvia nodded at his words. Hearing him speak with such conviction, she found herself agreeing.
"By the way, this tea is excellent. Did you brew it yourself?"
When she asked while savoring the tea Rick had brought, he nodded.
"Yes. Some fine herbs arrived recently, so I took extra care. Does it suit your palate?"
He truly was an impressive man. The more Orvia observed him skillfully handling even the duties of a butler, the more he grew on her.
'Now that I think about it...'
Wasn't it nearly time for that gathering? She pondered. It was the sort of event where bringing a single male companion was permitted. The problem, however, was whether she should even tell this man about it. That was what gave her pause. After all, it was hardly the kind of gathering that should become public knowledge.
"Rick. Are you the type who can keep a secret?"
"That's not something I can guarantee with certainty. Still, if it is your wish, madam, I will remain silent."
Honestly, his answer was irrelevant. Once she dragged him there, the others would handle the rest. And so Orvia made her decision.
"There is a gathering."
She would take this man with her. That was how strongly she had come to desire seeing this steadfast man panting and gasping in pleasure.
Honestly, he hadn't expected her to open up to him so easily.
I listened to her description of the gathering and agreed to accompany her to the next one. The social event she spoke of was hosted by Count Gidric. The location changed every time, but this month it was apparently being held here in Logan. The fact that they had scheduled it during Duke Gilbert's absence on a border inspection told me exactly how much they feared him. It was almost comical.
If they were that afraid, why hold the gathering at all?
Regardless... there was definitely something here. Examining the structure of the event, I immediately noticed the irregularities. Why allow participants to bring a partner to such a secretive gathering? Logically, the more people who knew about it, the greater the risk of leaks. So how had the organizers remained undiscovered all this time? Could mere luck explain it? Especially when they were revealing themselves to the attendees like this?
'There's something more.'
Furthermore, the partner was required to be of lower status than the primary attendee. Why? It almost sounded as though a higher-status partner would become... troublesome. Was it because someone of lower status was easier to dispose of? Or perhaps...
"This is..."
I stopped my thoughts and clicked my tongue lightly. Still, it was fortunate to have gained this infiltration opportunity. As that thought crossed my mind, I sensed that my long stint living as Rick was finally drawing to a close.
Tomorrow. I intended to end it all.
--
The place we arrived at, following her lead, was a luxurious lodging facility in Logan. They seemed to have rented the entire building; not a single regular employee remained. The place was packed with the count's people.
"Hehe, nervous?"
Duchess Orvia asked with a playful smile as I glanced around. I looked at her in that red dress that boldly exposed her back and answered in a deliberately trembling voice.
"Y-yes. This is my first time at an event like this..."
As I spoke, I studied her discreetly. As expected, she possessed the refined dignity of an imperial princess. Her well-cared-for golden hair, glossy and lustrous, was elegantly braided and pinned up, revealing a pale, beautiful nape. Those mischievous blue eyes gleamed with a catlike sharpness. Her breasts were the perfect size—not too large—and her body was impeccably maintained, without a trace of excess fat. She was a near-flawless woman who would look stunning in anything.
Of course... as we moved deeper inside, such things had already ceased to hold my interest. The moment we stepped into the enormous room prepared for the event, the vile demonic energy I sensed shifted my attention somewhere else entirely.
Demonic energy. The power used by devils. The fact that it was present here meant...
"...Hmm."
"R-Rick?"
I could sense her growing flustered by my reaction, but I paid it no mind. It wasn't the obscene spectacle of flesh unfolding before my eyes that had captured my attention. Vulgar breasts bounced lewdly. People were already lost in sex with the partners they had brought. Men's cocks, slick and glistening with precum, were visible everywhere—some wrapped in ample breasts, others buried beneath large, still-shaking asses. They had all gathered in this vast lobby, sinking into a swamp of pure debauchery. Flesh slapped against flesh. Tongues and lips met in wet kisses.
It wasn't the terrible sin that angered me. Of course they were all married men or women, or perhaps, like me, invited by someone. But none of that mattered right now.
"Orvia! Who's that man? A new partner?"
I sighed at the woman staring our way, her eyes sparkling like a predator that had spotted prey. The owner of this place seemed rather impatient.
"Rick? What on earth is wrong with..."
Ignoring the still-flustered Orvia, I spoke.
"That's enough. Reveal yourselves already."
The instant I coldly addressed the master of the demonic energy who had been staring at us so openly—
Swoosh. Swoosh.
Everyone stopped their carnal acts and turned their gazes toward us.
I see... So everyone here was already...
"W-what is this...?"
To the bewildered Orvia, I said quietly, "It's already too late. This place is a den of demons."
"Ah, aah!"
Orvia began to tremble in terror at my words, but I kept my eyes fixed on them. Shockingly, every human present except Orvia and myself was a demon. I sighed and flexed my hands.
Orvia jumped in fright, but I remained calm. I had already realized from the beginning that this woman was no ordinary human.
"It's because of that thick demonic energy. Anyway... Orvia the heretic, please step back for now."
Her punishment would come later.
"Heretic? Rick, what are you talking about..."
Clink.
The moment I pulled out the inverted cross rosario I had kept carefully hidden in my coat, Orvia's mouth fell open and froze.
So that's why that man brought me here.
Seeing this place, I finally understood why Gilbert had summoned me. He must have realized the gathering was no ordinary affair and decided to call in a priest—the most effective weapon against demons. Did he simply not want to dirty his own hands? Well... he wasn't wrong.
Kwaaaaang!
"Rick!"
Orvia screamed my name as a demon suddenly unfurled massive wings and sent me flying across the room. The creature laughed in a thoroughly unpleasant manner.
I rose from the wreckage and brushed the dust from my clothes.
"This was valuable information I went through the trouble of infiltrating to obtain."
I had sighed while staring at the ceiling. How nice it would have been if this were merely an adultery investigation? No matter how I looked at it, this mission was far outside my area of expertise. I gripped the rosario tightly and wrapped its metal chain around my fist.
Boom!
The head of the demon who had been mocking me exploded. I shook the blood from my hand and sighed as I watched the others begin transforming. This was the fate of demon worshippers—pitiful creatures who had lost everything, fallen into corruption, and become devils themselves.
"May the mercy of Goddess Yuno be upon you."
Even if they were sinners who had fallen after committing adultery, offering a prayer for divine mercy seemed appropriate. With that thought, I seized the face of a charging demon and crushed it.
Crunch!
The surroundings seemed to fall silent for a moment. Yet I simply continued to carry out God's work with calm detachment. To the trembling Orvia, I spoke lightly.
"It won't take long. Please wait."
Her punishment would come later anyway. There was no need to fear mere demons. The only thing humans should truly fear was the judgment of Goddess Yuno.
Let's see... there were roughly fifty of them. A rather large gathering.
'I see. So this time they planned to turn even Orvia into a follower and target Duke Gilbert?'
More dangerous than I had anticipated. Had they succeeded, it would have been an incident capable of threatening the Empire itself.
The demon clinging to the ceiling, which had been trembling until now, issued the command. The others began rushing toward me. I clenched my fist tighter and swung.
Splat!
The four demons that had charged first burst apart without leaving a trace. Orvia screamed at the blood spraying everywhere. I loosened my hands again as I looked at the now-terrified demons.
"Is this all?"
Every human possesses at least one unique magic. Yes, at least one. Though occasionally there are those who possess more than one. Duke Gilbert was one such person. So was my father. And...
"Why hesitate? Shall I come to you instead?"
Coincidentally, I was one as well.
"Very well. As a servant of the merciful goddess, I shall go to you."