Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Search (3)
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Facing off against a demon requires all sorts of preparations.
Among them, the most crucial is information on the enemy.
Demons haven't been manifesting in the human world for all that long, but one fact has been firmly etched into everyone's minds.
Every demon has its own unique weakness, and the method of attack must be tailored accordingly. Ordinary tactics won't cut it.
'It's not some monster.'
Compared to noble-rank demons—where even a single summoning can obliterate an entire city as a baseline—this one being summoned so quietly means it's not all that high-class.
A worthless nobody without even a title. Low-level trash ghost at best.
Of course, it was still a demon. The danger it posed was beyond imagination.
"I'll contact the Exorcism Division of the Orthodox Church. They'll surely have the info we need."
Siona's serious suggestion stemmed naturally from that reality.
If there was one group in the present era with the most accumulated knowledge on demons, it was them.
If Carlyle's claim that a demon had already been summoned was true, they needed to reach out without delay and gather intel on the foe.
"Before that."
Exactly.
Unless some guy who'd regressed countless times was standing right there.
"Professor Siona, do you happen to know the layout around the black market? That seems more urgent."
"-? Not sure why, but I can get that info quick enough."
Siona contacted somewhere via communicator, then pulled a magitech orb from her pocket. She read the incoming reports and nodded soon after.
"⋯Multiple undead reactions. Looks like the demon summoning is real."
Undead—that's the one.
The things commonly called undead. Abominations born from the dead, defying the natural order.
Carlyle crossed his arms and continued.
"What kinds and scale?"
"Uh—some Maneaters, some Corpse Cleaners, some Ghouls. None in large numbers—"
Right. That's all we need.
Among low-level trash demons, only one drags around that exact 'combination.'
"True name: Belicor. Alias: 'Twin Jesters.' Weaknesses: mercury and the mark on its belly."
"⋯."
"Two entities. One focused purely on personal combat power, the other specialized in commanding minions."
Gray and Siona both fell silent, staring at Carlyle.
[⋯Out of 666 noble-rank demons and multiples more of trash ghosts, you're the only human who knows them all by heart.]
Eh, maybe.
You pick it up eventually. Whether you like it or not.
⋯Not that it's easy—just shows how brutal his path has been.
"How in the world does student Carlyle know all that⋯?"
So it was only natural for those words to slip from Siona's lips.
Even the Hero was looking at him with disbelief, underscoring just how absurd his display was.
His other skills so far could be rationalized somehow.
But knowing demon intel this intimately? That alone was enough to raise suspicions.
With demon and hell revelations still fresh, piecing together the enemy's identity from scraps like this screamed unnatural.
"⋯Later."
But right now, priorities lay elsewhere.
Might as well spill the premium intel while suspicions were already up.
Carlyle eyed the tactical map hovering in midair, drawing two lines across it.
"Whichever one, they can immediately enslave the freshly dead as undead. They'll split up to hunt people."
And their likely targets?
"There's a spot nearby full of 'high-value' humans."
The Gray Cardinal choosing the State Guesthouse for lodging probably had reasons, but proximity to this black market investigation site was a big one.
In this sudden demon outbreak, it made it a prime target.
Both demons would aim there. Instinctively calculating maximum 'chaos.'
"So we go protect it."
"Wouldn't calling for backup be better?"
"No time, and no need. We handle it ourselves. Split up: me, Professor Siona, and Hero."
"⋯Think three can manage? Against that demon?"
Hey, it's just a titeless trash ghost. Our group's combat power is plenty.
In demon fights, only top-tier experts contribute anyway.
No one's that caliber nearby, and even if called, it'd take half a day minimum.
Meanwhile, humans along their 'advance paths' get massacred. Can't let that happen.
And then, a displeased voice cut in at Siona's suggestion.
"What are you talking about?"
Gray scoffed, glaring at Siona.
"I can handle it alone."
⋯Yeah, no denying that.
No one here could argue.
Carlyle gave a wry smile, then marked one line red.
"If my memory's right, this one's more dangerous."
The 'older brother' of the Twin Jesters.
And that 'more dangerous' one headed to the State Guesthouse's main building, housing VIPs.
The 'less dangerous' brother went to the annex with lesser figures.
So, who goes where?
Carlyle glanced at Gray.
Her gaze lingered on the 'less dangerous' path.
Annex.
⋯Where Vespa and Princess Ilia were.
"⋯."
Gray's fingertips twitched restlessly on her Holy Sword's hilt.
She knew full well what the 'right' choice was.
She knew the importance of those in the main building.
But.
Still.
-Hero, she's my friend!
⋯Something like that echoed in her mind.
Someone beaming brightly, sincerely telling her that.
"Never mind."
But she cut it off.
No thinking. No feelings.
Just decide.
Can't be swayed by trivia. Her duties outweighed such things.
"Send me to the important one. It's obvious."
⋯That's the Hero's role.
Save everyone equally, but prioritize the 'valuable' first.
What Cardinal Felix wanted from her—what she agreed was right.
"⋯."
Carlyle watched her calmly.
Long and wordless.
"⋯."
Meeting his gaze, Gray fidgeted again.
What was it?
⋯His stare pierced what she hid, like he read her heart bare.
Finally, he nodded slowly.
"Got it."
"⋯?"
But his straightforward reply narrowed her eyes.
Huh. No tricks after all.
"⋯Then let's go."
"I'll handle prep."
Siona nodded, summoning mana around them.
"I'll ask the wind spirit to fold space."
"⋯What does that mean?"
"Space teleportation."
"⋯."
Carlyle stared in astonishment as Siona drew a circle on the floor.
Teleportation, just like that?
Zipping across distances in an instant?
Cheat.
'⋯Hero, isn't this high-circle magic?'
[⋯Not high-circle. Lost magic.]
Figures. Barely anyone used it even in past loops.
"Now, everyone step on the circle. Hero left, Carlyle right."
They complied.
"Teleport in 3 seconds. Good luck."
That fast?
Spirit knights really aren't average when useful.
"⋯."
And clearly, her utility didn't stop there.
"Professor."
"Yes, Carlyle?"
"⋯Handle the aftermath, please."
Probably.
Only someone like her could soothe an angry Gray.
Carlyle grabbed Gray's chin.
Her eyes widened.
True to her aversion to touch, she reflexively reached for her Holy Sword.
But before that, he channeled mana through his sword.
"⋯?"
Then.
Whoosh.
Carlyle swapped their positions.
Releasing her stunned hand, he grinned.
"Lady, chew me out all you want later."
As the circle lit up.
"For now, do what you want."
His voice rang softly in her ear.
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Moments later.
Blinding light faded, revealing the building interior before Gray's eyes.
"-Lady?"
A voice came from beside her.
⋯Vespa's.
"Hero? W-Wait, the Hero dropped out of thin air-!"
Followed by the princess's flustered voice.
"⋯?"
Gray stood blankly in the lodging, staring at them.
⋯This was.
Where Carlyle and Siona were supposed to arrive.
"Heh, heh. Always up to something fun."
Siona scratched her cheek awkwardly nearby.
Which meant.
The remaining spot—the 'more dangerous' one—had someone 'alone.'
"-That idiot⋯!"
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