68
I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake.
Chapter 68
Caesar was taking a walk with Joseph.
"How is Gloria doing? Does she seem to have talent with the greatsword?"
"That's still difficult to answer. Simply being able to swing a greatsword well isn't everything."
Caesar immediately understood what Joseph meant.
A greatsword is destructive but slow.
This means you always give the initiative to quick enemies, and if your sword misses, you're immediately open to counterattacks.
That's why only classic-type knights use greatswords.
Their solid armor can limit the enemy's attack routes, and if needed, they can throw punches or kicks that are just as destructive as the greatsword.
"We'll know better after fitting her with armor, but she's certainly a promising talent. At least she shows no hesitation in wielding the sword."
That's only natural.
How could someone who's been a mafia boss for three years show hesitation with a greatsword?
Still, Caesar decided to take Joseph's words into consideration.
If even Joseph sees talent in Gloria, that means something.
"I was actually planning to get armor fitted soon. We can't just keep training with Great Mountain forever."
"Are you thinking of going to Dre?"
"Getting top-tier armor too early creates bad habits. We should start with ordinary armor. You need to know the discomfort to appreciate the satisfaction of wearing good armor later."
"Ah, I understand what you mean. There's definitely enjoyment in starting from the bottom and working your way up."
Joseph thought for a moment before speaking.
"Then let's put in an order with the Dre Church. They have quite a few used armors from former holy knights. Of course, you'll need to adjust the size later."
Not a bad idea.
Even in the game, people often buy used armor from the Dre Order for cheap initial equipment.
Though it might be unsettling that most of these used armors belonged to 'dead holy knights,' there's nothing better in terms of cost-effectiveness.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Joseph seemed to think for a moment before speaking again.
"By the way, I heard that Sir Caesar has been assigned to investigate the demon tribe attack incident."
Caesar froze for a moment.
"...May I ask how you know about that?"
That mission is naturally top secret.
That's why Hudson personally delivered the Emperor's order to Caesar.
In other words, while Tina might know about it, it's not something Joseph should know about.
"There's no need to be so wary. The Empire sent a cooperation document to the Dre Order."
"A document?"
"Yes. The Empire seems to place great importance on Sir Caesar's safety. I understand they requested the Order's help in disguising your identity."
The Dre Order helps with identity disguise too?
That's usually Royder Order's specialty.
"I didn't know the Dre Order did such things. Isn't identity disguise against your doctrines?"
"Sometimes we must act against doctrine for the greater good. This demon tribe attack incident... There are some strange points that make it hard to believe the Kingdom of Dior knew nothing about it."
Well, most people think that way.
How could the Kingdom of Dior not notice demons and mermaids coming 150km down the river?
It seems too odd to be simple negligence, which is why various parties are demanding a proper investigation.
They want to prevent a second Eileen River incident.
Joseph handed Caesar a blue flame token.
"This token has an alias written on it. If you need anything, stop by the Dre Order. We'll lend you armor and weapons as well."
It's nice that they're helpful, but something feels off.
It feels like they're too skilled at this kind of thing.
Caesar used psychometry on Joseph just in case.
-The current state of the Kingdom of Dior isn't good.
-They're trying to reject both the Dre and Royder Orders.
-The death rate of holy knights within the Kingdom of Dior is rising rapidly.
-Dior's investigation of demons is lukewarm at best.
-Disguising Sir Caesar as a holy knight seems very dangerous, it would be better to disguise him as a common believer or merchant...
-What on earth is the Order thinking?
Caesar's eyes sharpened.
As expected, they had ulterior motives.
The Dre Order isn't really interested in the demon tribe attack incident.
Rather, they need to investigate the recent deaths of holy knights in the Kingdom of Dior.
It seems they wanted to give Caesar temporary holy knight credentials to gauge the atmosphere in Dior, since they needed more information and samples.
I could have died if I used this thoughtlessly.
Just then, Joseph spoke.
"However, I'd prefer if you didn't use this token within the Kingdom of Dior."
"Why?"
"Well..."
Joseph seemed to contemplate for a while, then made up his mind and stopped to look directly at Caesar.
"There have been incidents of holy knights being ambushed and killed within the Kingdom of Dior. Though investigations are ongoing, they haven't caught the culprit yet."
Joseph's feelings came through.
He was subtly suggesting that for safety's sake, Caesar should enter Dior without using this token.
Caesar picked up the token.
"I understand. Thank you sincerely for your concern."
At least it's clear that Joseph isn't directly involved in this matter.
But looking at the facts, Joseph still handed over this token knowing Caesar would be used.
From now on, I'll need to use psychometry on everything Joseph gives me or any favors he offers.
Starting with this token.
Caesar began reading the malicious intent toward him contained in the token.
-...Demon... Attack...
-Caesar... Martyrdom...
-Kingdom of Dior... Thorough investigation...
As expected, it's difficult to use psychometry without a clear subject and timeframe.
But he roughly understood why they decided to give him this token.
'This damn Pope bastard. Planning to pressure the Kingdom of Dior by sacrificing me.'
They say church officials are all corrupt, but to think they'd try to backstab him like this.
If he entered Dior with this, Caesar would clearly face great danger.
I'll have to decline any requests or favors from the Dre Order for a while.
And look elsewhere for armor too.
"Then I'll be going now. Please don't overexert yourself."
"Yes, understood."
***
A night of full moon arrived.
Caesar locked the door and drew the curtains in case anyone came looking.
"Sigh..."
Actually, he was worried.
How far could he trust Agatha?
If Agatha cast hypnosis or charm magic on Caesar's mind in the shared dream world, he would become Agatha's puppet.
So how could he enter the shared dream world as safely as possible?
The answer was surprisingly simple.
Caesar stripped down to just his underwear.
And transformed into Barre.
'This should be safe.'
Barre's magic resistance is among the highest on the continent.
Probably the strongest, even?
While this might prevent the shared dream magic from working, he decided to enter as Barre just this once for safety.
Barre lay down on the floor and closed his eyes.
And thought of Agatha.
***
"You came as Barre instead of Caesar?"
Barre opened his eyes immediately.
He was pulled into the shared dream world just from closing his eyes.
Barre looked toward the voice.
There was Agatha.
Agatha was sitting in a strange, dark, blurry chair, tilting something hazy that glowed ash-gray.
Come to think of it, the surroundings are quite bizarre.
Like a broken world.
Everything was monochrome and filled with grotesquely distorted things that made him dizzy.
"Beautiful, isn't it? This is the world I implemented."
"This?"
"Hm? Why? Don't you like flowers?"
Barre tilted his head.
"Flowers? I only see things molded from strange monochrome clay."
"You... Wait a moment."
Agatha approached Barre.
Bare instantly grabbed Agatha's wrist.
"What are you trying to do?"
"I want to see the world as you see it."
"You're not trying anything strange, are you?"
"You... Do you trust me that little?"
Barre used psychometry.
As expected, he couldn't hear Agatha's thoughts.
His wariness intensified even more.
"I've had some bad experiences with succubi on the battlefield."
On the battlefield, succubi charm magic doesn't discriminate between friend and foe.
When Barre was serving as the Sky Knight 'Mil' and an unnamed rifleman, there wasn't yet any way to resist charm magic.
So there were several times he almost died after falling under a succubus' charm spell.
"Why? Afraid I might cast a charm spell on you?"
"There's no guarantee you won't."
"Then you could just read my mind with psychometry right now... Ah"
Agatha's eyes took on a slightly mischievous look.
"So you can't use psychometry in the shared dream?"
This is why dealing with perceptive people is exhausting.
Agatha grinned and moved away from Barre.
"Now things are finally fair between us."
"Not for me."
"Hey, honestly, do you know how unpleasant it is to have only my thoughts exposed while not knowing what's in your mind? It feels like being interrogated."
"That's what succubi do though. Seduce people, use them like puppets, and extract information."
"Aren't you the same? Acting like a sworn comrade who'd give their heart, only to betray at the crucial moment that's what doppelgangers do."
Agatha sat in a hazy chair.
"You and I can never be true friends because we know each other's abilities too well. Even if we tell the truth, the other person will always suspect some ulterior motive. That's why doppelgangers and succubi have lived their lives being rejected by other demon tribes."
Agatha tilted a hazy teacup.
"The difference is that your kind has lived independently while we've stayed together and made our voices heard to other tribes. That's why we were able to settle in one area of the demon realm, while your kind ended up wandering aimlessly through the continent and demon realm."
"Is this a boring history lesson now? How about we stick to just what's necessary?"
"Feeling anxious? Now that you're in a world where you can't use psychometry."
"Stop messing around."
Agatha picked up the hazy teacup.
"So what I'm saying is, let's try talking like other demons or humans do. That's how humans and other demon tribes do it, right? They choose to believe each other even while doubting if the other is lying."
"Do you think that's possible? When I know what you're capable of?"
"That's exactly my point."
Agatha said with a bitter smile.
"I want you, at least, to just trust me."
It was truly frustrating not being able to read Agatha's thoughts right now.
He could have known whether this was an act of vulnerability or if it was genuine weakness like last time.
But paradoxically, this could be Agatha's true self precisely because Caesar couldn't read her thoughts.
The expression looked so fragile that he hoped it was genuine.
"Alright then, let's do that."
"Really?"
"Let's assume everything we say here from now on is the truth. But if there's any betrayal, there'll be no mercy."
"Of course."
For some reason, she seemed quite pleased.
Recognition must really be that important.
When a succubus shows such happiness, it all seems like an act meant to seduce.
Barre decided to lower his guard a little for today.
Agatha had designed this world expecting that psychometry could be used in the shared dream.
So at least the words prepared for today would likely be close to the truth.
"First, could you tell me about this shared dream world? Am I forcibly brought here every full moon?"
"No. It only works when you want to see me."
"Then why did you suggest meeting on the full moon?"
"Because moonlight amplifies succubus magic in the air. That lets me bring you into the shared dream even from far away."
"What about when it's not a full moon?"
"The reception range varies with the moonlight. Where I am now is at the edge of the eastern waters of the continent, in a temporary shelter for mermaids. It's in an area of reefs where many ships have sunk..."
"Ah, I think I know where that is."
If it's a reef area with many shipwrecks on the eastern coast, it can only be one place.
The Adventurers' Grave.
It's where adventurers' ships meet their end after drifting in the currents while trying to break through the thick fog surrounding the Valent continent.
"How do you know about this place? Even humans can't come here, they say."
"It's known through rumors. They say sea monsters that devour adventurers live there. I'm not sure how far it is though."
"Ah… So you don't know exactly where it is?"
"That's right. Anyway, do you have comrades there?"
"Yes. The wrecked ships have formed something like an island, so it's not bad for staying for now."
"What kinds of races are there?"
"Just vampires and succubi. Oh, and mermaids."
"What about doppelgangers?"
"The doppelgangers seem to have survived well on their own. But according to the succubi we freed last time, there was a doppelganger on the ship with them."
Caesar's eyes widened.
"Where is that one now?"
"I don't know exactly. But they said they were taken away when the ship docked once."
"What form were they in? Why were they sure it was a doppelganger?"
"They just felt it. Though they appeared as an incubus, they knew they were a doppelganger. But nobody said anything. They thought that person might save them."
That's somewhat fortunate.
If they weren't discovered, there might be a way to save them.
Then they might be able to share a lot of information about doppelgangers that Caesar doesn't know.