Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: A Female Demon Has Appeared!
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The next morning.
The day of the magical beast extermination operation had finally arrived. It was my first real battle since returning.
"Daron. Got everything you need?"
"Simple rations and water. Checked all my weapons last night too."
Breakfast was over, and muster was just around the corner. The knights were doing their final preparations. Having heard the numbers on the beasts, tension was plain on their faces.
"Nothing uncomfortable anywhere?"
"Condition's perfect."
"If it gets dangerous, don't push yourself—run. Got it?"
"Got it."
Ray fussed over me like the lover of a soldier heading into war. Ah, but it was war. This wasn't just hunting magical beasts. It was a fight for our lives, a proper war. With demons likely involved... it was the prelude to the war against the Demon King.
Unlike the succubus Ellis, this demon was sure to be a real bastard. No excuses for dragging beasts all the way here.
Pooo—!
"Gotta go."
I stepped off under Ray's send-off.
I was in the advance party with Ariana. The princess was right behind us, flanked by her imperial guards. Glancing back for a second, our eyes met—or so it felt. Ever since I'd opened up yesterday, she'd taken a real interest in me.
If I were the princess, I'd be eyeing a guy like me too. Sure, just a soldier, but the knowledge I'd brought back from regression? Even a little could help her big time.
"Magical beasts sighted! Magical beasts to the left!"
"Battle formations! Watch the rear too!"
At Ariana's command, the knights charged in. The massive snakes—anacondas worthy of magical beasts—were far bigger than normal. But against so few, they were no match for the knights. The Gold Eagle Knight Order lived up to its name as the Empire's finest. Fucking strong.
"I've gotten stronger too."
Time to gauge my own power. I pushed to the front. With only a handful of snakes, no hesitation needed. Black anacondas were weak compared to other beasts, but now? Easy pickings.
"Daron. Just like you said—stab behind the head, and they drop instantly."
Rise came over after warming up a bit. The black anaconda's weakness, known only to me: the back of the skull. No need to hoard that info, so I'd shared it with the whole order. Thanks to it, the knights wrapped them up quick.
"Daron. You took them all out in one go, knowing the weak spot."
"Couldn't Vice Commander do the same?"
"Ariana or I could, but the others struggle to hit that spot precisely. You've gotten really strong."
"Like that?"
Rise answered quietly.
"Of course."
No woman hates seeing her man get stronger. The more power I gained, the prouder she'd feel—and the more beyond the dick I'd radiate. From a guy strong just in bed to a capable man all around.
The knights pressed toward the forest center.
A few more clashes with beasts followed, but the knights handled the small fry with ease, keeping our pace steady.
"Red-headed one's here!"
"It's venomous!"
Then the red-headed snake appeared, proving my intel spot-on. Traits, weaknesses—everything matched. Mages threw up shields against poison as Ariana dashed out, beheading it in one stroke. Tough even for knights, but she was fucking beastly.
With her handling the real threats, we reached the forest center faster than expected.
Hours later, a massive snake loomed in the distance.
"All halt."
Every knight froze at Ariana's order. Looked like the snakes' king at a glance, but mage zoom spells confirmed: a writhing mass of them.
"Creepy as hell."
Princess Asabel clicked her tongue, double-checking the countless snakes far off. One was gross enough; that many? Nauseating.
"Commander. Think the plan'll work?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Stick to yesterday's revision."
Original plan assumed a giant snake king: chains, heavy gear for big game. But after my trap reveal, we adjusted.
Several options tossed around, but one chosen.
Simple as hell.
Ariana commanded the knights.
"Everyone, prepare for fire attack!"
They'd swarm the second we neared. Better strike from afar. Even Ariana couldn't handle hundreds, thousands rushing in.
"Magic Company 3, Squads 1 and 2—cast fire spells! Rest, magic barriers! Knights, ready fire arrows!"
Nothing beats fire arrows on bugs. Snakes no different. Bigger blaze? No beast survives. Swamp anacondas might dodge flames... but not here. Dense forest, no swamp.
"Commander!"
"They've spotted our attack."
The massive shape collapsed instantly. Sensing the assault, it crumbled like a sandcastle, surging our way.
They'd waited for our approach, but we were ready.
"Fire!"
Ariana's word unleashed hell. Mages' fireballs and knights' arrows rained down first, barriers containing the blaze.
So simple—yet last round, ignorance brought us too close, heavy losses.
Flames hit the snake wave dead-on.
Kieeeek!!!
An unearthly roar—not snakelike—echoed through the forest. Chilling, repulsive.
"Burning nice! Filthy beasts invading Empire soil?"
Asabel clenched her fist at the inferno. Come to think, she'd scored big too. Annoying, but with minimal knight losses? Fine. Last I knew, imperial knights died aplenty—but I'd saved them.
"Loose!"
Next volley poured at Ariana's shout.
Kieeeek—!
Numbers meant shit against the order's firestorm. Snakes broke through flames aplenty, but still distant. Chain the fire, and only dozens would reach us.
Then.
Pi-ri-ri-ri~♩
A flute note pierced the din, faint amid the chaos. But in that split-second lull, it hit my ears.
A flute...
"Snake charmer."
Demons had a type that controlled beasts. Guessed it was a snake charmer behind this, but flute as medium? News to me.
"C-Commander!"
Post-flute, snakes shifted. Straight charge scattered into dispersal.
"Fire! Faster volleys!"
Ariana urged mages to chant quicker. Snakes sped up, spread wide—leaping to intercept shots mid-air, sacrificing to shield the rest.
"Preemptive fire in their paths!"
Ariana adapted sharp. Can't hit 'em direct? Wall it off ahead.
But as her order landed, snakes changed again. Forming chains, they bridged the flames effortlessly.
And in the tension, another twist.
"Gahk!"
A knight's death cry drew eyes. Gutted knight crumpled, revealing the killer.
"D-Demon!"
"You filthy humans!"
Nearby knights lunged. Demon's claws shredded one's armor.
"Kuhk."
Not till several fell did a hit land.
"Kgh."
Forced back: Vice Commander Rise.
Ariana commanded; Rise was closer. She matched the demon blow-for-blow.
"Strong for a human! But green. Among demons, only the Four Heavenly Kings beat me!"
"Hrgh."
...Not evenly matched.
Demon's weapon: mana-clad claws. Rise yielded ground bit by bit. Only she could've held this long. This demon was no slouch.
"Damn."
I muttered, scanning. Demon's arrival broke fire line sections. Snakes exploited, complicating Ariana's orders.
Decision time.
Piri~♩
Another fleeting flute. I whipped toward it, bolting. Delay meant more knights fucked.
"Where the hell you going?!"
Someone grabbed at my sudden bolt from battle. Ignored it—straight for the flute. Nail the snake charmer, done.
That voice...
Sounded like the princess.
Whatever—charmer down, it'll be fine!
"Oh, a female."
A demon's backside in view, fleeing. Long hair, hips—female clear as day.