Chapter 34
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 34
Uninvited Guest (4)
From early dawn, the sound of conversation was heard from the Saintess's room.
However, there was no guest who visited Hariri, and the Pope's face was reflected in the resonance stone she was holding.
"How is living in the North. Is there anything uncomfortable?"
"Yes, I am fine. I got used to the cold too."
She decorated it with a mask-like smile, but the Pope still made a disapproving expression.
"Phew. So why didn't you return right away and went to such a place without a word."
Usually, she was one who left getting permission wherever she went. But the puppet who listened well until now cut the string and left for the first time.
He told her just in case.
"For now, while staying there, it would be better to avoid contact with demons. Because not only Head Carsian but also that Grand Duchess called Yuria is not an easy figure."
"I know. So you don't need to worry too much."
"..."
The Pope stared silently, but she also didn't avoid the gaze with a constant smile.
He requested her before cutting off the contact.
"Saintess. I believe you will understand. The fact that in this peaceful era, no one seeks God."
"...I am remembering it, so do not worry."
"Yes, then."
Even after the contact was cut off, she looked at the resonance stone for a long time. Looking at her own face reflected there, she soon let out a hollow laugh.
"Well, the path I and the Pope take would be different though."
She turned her head and looked out the window. Before she knew it, the moon set and dawn broke, and the winter of the North started falling again.
Outside the castle, the appearance of Carmil training in the training ground was seen.
"I will reveal your identity soon too."
It's already been four days since coming to the North. She had been watching him every single day.
Today too, numerous screams echoed in the North.
"Kuaaaaaak!!"
Slaaash- The sword cut the demon's flesh and blood spurted like a fountain. I muttered small looking at the demon's corpse cut neatly in half.
"Certainly, a masterpiece is good."
A sword made entirely of Ice Crystals. Let alone flesh, even hard bones were split without a single resistance.
Slashing demons, I suddenly looked around.
The glacial gorge of the snowfield. This place where one narrow ice path is everything was one of the pathways connected to the outside. As such, the battle here was always fierce. However, today at least was different from usual.
The number of demons' corpses I am stepping on now was much smaller than the previous battlefield.
"Everyone retreat!"
As if that wasn't enough, even the surviving enemies started to retreat.
The subordinates flustered at their unfamiliar appearance looked at me.
"Captain. Shall we chase?"
"...No. Let them go."
Since we occupied the gorge for now, there was no need to chase further. Besides, if we enter further and the retreat path is blocked, the subordinates' sacrifice was inevitable. I cut off one demon's head and held it high.
"It's our victory. Plant the flag here and announce their defeat!"
"Waaaaaaah!!"
The warriors rejoiced in victory but didn't let their guard down at that discomfort. The members also prepared for possible traps, but I know.
The reason they are coming out so passively is because of the Saintess. From this time, the Theocracy was already entangled with demons. They must be trying to be careful in case they encounter each other like a few days ago.
"Tsk. I don't like it."
"Captain?"
I shook off the blood on the sword and pulled out the dagger stuck in the corpse.
If you guys keep coming out like this, I also have no choice. I guess I'll have to dig an appropriate trap sooner or later.
"Everyone let's return."
"Yes!"
We cleaned up the battlefield and then returned to the territory. Just in time, Yuria who was waiting ran gladly and waved her hand.
"Welcome Brother. Good work."
She wiped the blood stained on my body with a towel.
"What about the Head?"
"In a meeting with the Great Warlord. It seems he's paying attention to the recent trend of the demons."
Well, it makes sense. It's normal to try to actively take it back if pushed back from the front line, but rather, since demons are just repeating retreats with a small number of troops, he can't help but pay attention instead.
But even if I tell the fact that the Saintess is in league with them, it's obvious I'll only be treated as an apostate. All I could do was advise him to be wary of the consolation group.
"But Brother, isn't it a bit strange? That it exactly coincides with the time the guests from the Theocracy came."
Perhaps thinking of the suspicious connection, Yuria also asked me carefully. She glanced at the believers passing by just in time.
Is it certainly thanks to having lived on the battlefield for a long time. The people of the Silvernon family all without exception had much sharper intuition than others.
However, even they seemed unable to suspect up to the Saintess.
"It is a peaceful morning. Everyone." "Good morning! Saintess." "Haha. To see the Saintess as soon as we return. We are very lucky today."
At Hariri's appearance, the warriors around relaxed their tension and bowed their heads. Since she came here, she visited and consoled soldiers individually without rest. Thanks to that, the warriors who received encouragement in the harsh North already trusted her.
Even Carsian withdrew his suspicion of a few days and didn't attach a tail anymore.
'Well. Who would dare suspect that the most benevolent woman on the continent is a traitor.'
If someone holds your hand warmly with reddened two hands on that cold battlefield, anyone's heart would have no choice but to melt. Yuria was also thankful for such behavior of hers.
"Hello. Saintess. Are you on your way to console the warriors today too?"
"Yes. Because this much is what I can do. While doing it, I intend to heal the injured soldiers' wounds with my holy arts."
Everyone made a moved expression at her words, but rather, only a hollow laugh came out for me. That is just acting. Because it's obvious there's a separate intention.
As expected, soon she looked my way.
"Come to think of it, I heard a lot of stories about Sir Carmil in the Kingdom. That you fought the 1st Knight Order and won them all?"
"Wait a moment. Why are you asking that suddenly?"
Yuria next to me frowned and tried to stop her words. The members nearby also couldn't hide their embarrassment, but she didn't stop talking.
"Because it's a famous story. Right now on the continent, wherever you go, it's noisy with this story. The story of a Hero who defeated dozens of knights without a single scratch. Isn't it really cool?"
"Haha. It is indeed."
I chimed in as if boasting at her words. After observing from afar for a few days, I was rather thankful she revealed her inner thoughts like that.
Probably that side's patience is also slowly running out. She bit the bait I threw pretending to admire.
"As expected! So those rumors were all true? Then could I also know how you could defeat that many knights?"
"Hmm. It's such a long story I don't know where to start..."
"Anything is fine. For example... did you have a hidden power perhaps."
Her eyes saying so became sharp.
Indeed. I wondered why she came all the way to this distant North unlike the original work, as expected, was it because of me.
Hidden power... Even so, to think she would ask so explicitly. She must have been quite frustrated for four days.
Looking at it, it seems she heard from that guy Leohar. There was no need to deliberately affirm or deny. If she's that curious, I just have to let her keep being curious.
"Fufu. Hidden power. Well. I wouldn't really know."
"Yes? E-Excuse me..."
"If you are here because you are curious about that, I think you may go back now."
At my words, she stood blankly like a mute. I ignored her like that and passed by.
"...Do not say such words to Brother ever again."
After warning her, Yuria stuck to my back. Now. Then how will she react to the next bait.
"..."
I left that spot ignoring the disquieting gaze felt from behind.
A day in the Ar Kingdom was peaceful today as well.
However, the square in the capital was much noisier than usual.
It's already been a week since Carmil left. The protests of the citizens gathered in the square grew bigger and bigger.
"Your Majesty! How could you give up our country's Hero to barbarians!"
"That day, exactly why did Captain Carmil fight sticking to the North side? Is the discord with the 1st Knight Order really true!?"
"We can no longer trust the 1st Knight Order defeated by Captain Carmil. Everyone! We must bring him back even now!"
"That's right!!"
The sympathizing voices of the citizens echoed throughout the square.
The King, who was watching that scene through the window, frowned with a sigh. I thought it would quiet down as time passed, but rather, the citizens' protests were getting fiercer day by day.
"Kuk. Carmil you bastard, just how much do you have to torment me to be satisfied."
Now, just hearing his name made my stomach twist. Even amidst that, the Royal Guard Captain approached him and reported.
"Your Majesty. The investigation team sent to the underground sewer a few days ago has still not returned."
"If it's the underground sewer... Isn't that what that guy Carmil talked about."
"Yes, that is correct. Currently, a blockade order has been issued to the guards, but somehow the atmosphere is unusual. As former Captain Carmil said, even now the Knight Order..."
Thwack! At that moment, the candlestick thrown by the King hit the Royal Guard Captain's forehead. He suffered bleeding, but the King rather got angry.
"Even you ignore my command now. I definitely ordered not to even utter that guy Carmil's name out of your mouth!"
"I-I apologize. Your Majesty. However, because the families of the soldiers who went to the underground sewer begged anxiously to please find them..."
"So, does just that become a reason to disobey my royal command?"
Realizing the King's wrath, he hurriedly knelt down.
"Your Majesty! Please forgive me."
"A guy called Royal Guard Captain only rots my insides. I hate to even see your face, so get out right now."
At that reprimand, he had no choice but to step back without saying anything. Like that, only the King was left alone in the office, but the citizens' protests were still heard outside the window. At that appearance, the King's eyes distorted fiercely.
That guy Carmil or those bastards making noise outside were all the same.
"How dare you bastards raise your voices at whom. I am the very source of this country itself!"
"Hmm. Is that really so?"
At that moment, a creepy woman's voice was heard from somewhere. As he was startled and looked back, someone who shouldn't be in this country stood there.
Horns were attached to both sides of the head of the girl looking with purple eyes. Seeing that, the King denied reality and shook his head.
"D-Demon! Why is a demon in front of me..."
"Excuse me. I'm asking you."
She passed him and looked at the people outside the window.
One. Two. Three... Just those gathered there were well over a hundred. She made a satisfied smile.
"So if only you die, this country collapses too?"
Giggle. Her playful laughter spread fully in the room.