Chapter 44
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Harbinger (2)
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Five days had passed since Peter left the city with Yutenia.
With the support of Merchant Shron, their provisioned carriage was making smooth progress toward the southwestern part of the Empire.
Of course, the carriage couldnt travel all day, so when evening came, they would light a fire and prepare a meal.
They were stopped on a stretch of road.
Just as he had on the previous days, Peter lit a fire and was about to head to the carriage to get the food supplies.
That is, if he hadnt spotted Yutenia sitting on a large rock.
What in the world is that?
On Yutenias lap, a strange creature was blinking its eyes.
Black scales covered its entire body.
Sharp horns protruded from the top of its head.
A small tail swayed from side to side.
And on top of all that, its golden pupils were vertical slits.
Recalling a painting that had been displayed in the city, Peter instantly recognized it as a dragon.
Dont tell me is that a dragon?
Are you curious about what it is?
Anyone would be curious seeing that thing.
Usually, a book would be resting in that spot.
But now, instead of a book, there was a young dragon he had never seen before.
He was certain he hadn't even laid eyes on the creature this morning.
Peters question about the creature before him was only natural.
As Peter wondered about the dragon's identity, Yutenia stroked its head and spoke.
This childs name is Alpha. It is a familiar sent directly by the Great One.
This thing is a familiar of the Great One?
Hearing Alphas identity from Yutenia, Peters face filled with doubt.
When one thought of an evil gods familiar, one usually imagined terrifying and powerful demonic beasts.
However, the Alpha before Peter looked as if it couldn't even harm a small animal, let alone a person.
For such a tiny thing to be the familiar of an evil god.
To Peter, its appearance was not very convincing.
Its incredibly small. I doubt it could even kill a rabbit.
Do you really think so?
But Yutenia immediately refuted Peters words.
Her tone suggested she thought Peter was underestimating Alpha.
Peter couldnt understand why Yutenia was saying this.
No matter how strong it was, the difference in physique was hard to ignore.
Unless Alpha could use magic, it seemed impossible for it to catch an animal larger than itself.
Are you telling me this little thing can kill a rabbit by biting it?
Its possible.
Are you saying it can kill by biting, not by using magic to take it down?
Because what you see here isnt Alphas true form.
What he saw was not its true form.
Hearing Yutenias words, Peter began to ponder.
If this tiny creature wasnt its true form, that meant Alpha had another self that existed separately.
But no matter how much Peter scanned the surroundings, he couldnt see anyone who might be hiding.
At least, to Peters eyes, there was only Yutenia and Alpha.
If its not its true form
This is a kind of physical organ. An organ for acquiring visual and auditory information, and for supplementing that information.
Snort.
At the touch of Yutenias hand stroking its head, Alpha closed its eyes and let out a soft sound through its nose.
It seemed to be enjoying her touch.
Stroking Alphas head, Yutenia looked at Peter and asked with an innocent smile.
Do you want to see what Alpha looks like?
Well, I am curious, but
Then Ill show you.
It would be a lie to say he didnt want to see.
Peter stared intently at Alpha.
Alpha remained calm, its eyes still closed.
As he watched Alpha, Peter added another comment.
Is it just going to pop out of thin air or something?
Alpha.
The moment Yutenias soft voice echoed.
Peter took a step back at the change occurring around him.
The anomaly had appeared on the ground Peter was standing on.
Yutenias shadow spread out wide, and soon, the shadow on the ground began to ripple like water.
Wooooong.
A low hum shook his ears, and Peter began to panic.
Wh-what Are you trying to use a shadow hand?
Its not that.
As Peter stared at the ground, a wall of shadow suddenly shot up around him.
The shadow looked as if it had a distinct, solid form.
The large, massive wall blocked the way between Peter and the carriage.
It looked to be several meters high.
Peter put some distance between himself and the wall of shadow that had risen from the ground.
Wh-what the?
Startled by the sudden event, Peter rubbed his eyes and took another look at the situation.
What had appeared before him was not a wall.
It was a colossal creature, wreathed in shadow.
Flash.
A part of the shadow split open, and a golden eye met Peters gaze.
The brilliant eye was the only thing that held light within the darkness.
Only then did Peter realize what Alphas true form was.
This cant be
A great darkness existed before his eyes.
This was the true nature of the Shadow Demon Beast.
Its outward appearance had been nothing but a deception.
Even the massive shadow that filled Peters vision was merely a part of the Shadow Demon Beast.
Out of consideration for Yutenia and Peter, Alpha was only showing a portion of its head.
Seeing Peters unconcealed shock, Yutenia let out a quiet laugh and said.
Does Alpha still look weak to you?
Judging by its size, it looks like it could easily devour me.
He retracted his statement about it being unable to kill a rabbit.
For a monster of that size, eating something as small as a rabbit would probably be unfulfilling.
Rather, he had to worry about whether he himself would be eaten.
There was a reason the evil god had sent down Alpha as its familiar.
Its alright. As long as Im here, that wont happen.
A hand extended from Yutenias shadow and stroked the part of Alpha that had emerged from the ground.
Receiving the shadowy touch, Alphas true form also shook its head, enjoying the caress.
Alpha seemed to have a surprisingly gentle nature.
It looked like a pet fawning over its owner.
Watching Yutenia handle Alpha, Peter let go of his accumulated worries and looked at her.
It certainly does seem gentle.
You think so?
A little dragon and a girl with ash-gray hair.
The image of the girl smiling as she stroked the dragon entered his view.
To Peter, it was a rather fitting picture, watching them under the setting sun.
If only he could completely erase their true identities from his mind.
Cloud, Riotis Branch.
This was the office that supervised the Riotis region, located in the southeastern part of the Empire.
Gedur, the Riotis branch chief and a 1st-Class Investigator, was a warrior from a minority tribe.
Gedur of the Red Eyes.
He was a man who had risen to the position of Clouds branch chief on skill alone.
It was thanks to Gedur's exceptional skill that he was appointed commander of the Kueberberg subjugation force being formed at headquarters.
There were even rumors that if this subjugation operation was handled successfully, Gedur would be promoted to Special-Class Investigator.
How are the preparations coming along?
Gedur asked his subordinate as he wiped his massive, muscular body with a towel.
It was a question about the progress of the subjugation forces preparations.
The responsibility for the operations preparations lay with Gedur, the forces commander, and the Riotis branch, the core of the operation.
In response to Gedurs question, the subordinate answered in a voice full of vigor.
Personnel from each branch are arriving! So far, the arrivals from Sentirius are
Thats not loud enough. Did you skip a meal today?
But despite the subordinates forceful voice, a complaint escaped Gedurs lips.
Gulp.
The subordinate facing Gedur swallowed hard.
A vein bulged on Gedurs forehead as he glared at his subordinate.
No, sir!
Answer louder. Theres no room for weaklings in our Riotis branch.
I will report again!
Good.
As Gedur resumed wiping away his sweat, the subordinate delivered his report in a voice even louder than before.
The subordinates voice boomed throughout the office.
It was so loud that the veins on his neck stood out sharply.
Only then did Gedur look at his subordinate with a satisfied expression.
From the Sentirius branch, eight 3rd-Class Investigators! Three 2nd-Class Investigators! Among them, three are mages!
From the Yupliod branch, sixteen 3rd-Class Investigators! Two 2nd-Class
Wait. Is that all the personnel Sentirius sent?
Gedur stopped his subordinate mid-report.
This time, the problem was the content of the report.
The number of dispatched personnel was smaller than he had expected.
The subordinate immediately affirmed Gedurs question.
That is correct! The total number of personnel dispatched from the Sentirius branch is eleven!
What about Agent? That bastard Agent didnt come?
Branch Chief Agent Period did not accompany the dispatched personnel!
This was a monster that was causing a great deal of damage.
He had thought Agent, the Sentirius branch chief, would surely come, but Gedurs expectation of him had been misplaced.
Moreover, the number of personnel dispatched to the subjugation force was far too small.
Considering the number of investigators assigned to a single branch, Gedur thought the Sentirius branch should have had more to spare.
Hoping they had at least sent a competent mage, Gedur asked his aide.
Then what about his subordinate, Hurs Alemier? Is he on the list?
There is no investigator by that name on the list!
Agent! That damn bastard!
CRACK!
Gedurs fist slammed down hard on the desk.
A large crack formed where his fist met the desk.
The subordinate flinched at the sight of Gedur striking the desk.
Whats the reason? Why arent they coming?
Branch Chief Agent Period is currently carrying out another mission assigned by headquarters.
What? He has another mission?
This is the message I received from the dispatched personnel.
Thud! Thump!
Gedur struck the desk a couple more times.
A part of the desk, struck by Gedurs fist, completely collapsed.
Unable to contain the frustration welling up in his chest, Gedur got right in his subordinates face.
Then, he yelled into the subordinates ear.
Theres a monster invasion right on our doorstep, and that mission is so urgent?
Th-that Im not sure, sir. All I heard was that it was a request that came to headquarters from the Holy Land
Wheres the mage! The one that bastard was always complaining about!
Th-that was also not in the report, so
With every rise in Gedurs voice, the subordinate seemed to shrink.
But a solid answer never came from him.
All the subordinate knew was what he had heard from the dispatched personnel.
And why are the numbers so low!
They said theyre short on personnel due to a recent unfortunate incident
A problem in the field? Then its annoying, but I guess it cant be helped.
Phew
Hearing the reason for the low numbers, Gedur backed away from his subordinate.
A sigh of relief escaped the subordinates lips at Gedurs seemingly understanding tone.
But Gedur immediately returned to his subordinate.
He then whispered in a low voice into the mans ear.
Your voice suddenly got quiet.
IM SORRYYYYY!
Youre too loud! Get out and begin organizing the magitech soldier units immediately!
Yes, sir!
Weakling! Get out now!
SLAM!
After chasing out his subordinate, Gedur let out a ragged breath.
It seemed the number of people gathering would be smaller than he had anticipated.
But he couldnt afford to delay indefinitely just because the numbers were insufficient.
Even at this very moment, Kueberberg was moving toward the barony.
A chance like this I cant let it be ruined.
Promotion to Special-Class Investigator was what Gedur had been waiting for.
Failing the subjugation and letting this opportunity slip away was absolutely unacceptable.
Grit.
Gedur ground his teeth as he thought of Agent, the Sentirius branch chief.
For the sake of the people. And for his own sake.
This subjugation had to succeed.