90
Chapter 90
Beatrice Constantino, a loyal knight serving the demons, was preparing the camp with King of Humans John. Squatting atop her head was the Wolf Girl, Aru.
The Goblin Shaman, Meta, was in the middle of summoning familiars to secure food from the area. For Meta, who could manage a massive army, this was far too easy a task.
Uriel, the winged angel, was flying through the sky, scanning the surroundings. Her goal was to determine if any suspicious individuals were approaching. Although their group was classified as powerful beings within the Demon Beast Forest, it was still a place where one could not afford to be careless.
"Woof."
The two wolf ears atop Aru's head twitched. I wonder what she heard. Aru narrowed her eyes for a moment and stretched her nose forward.
"Sniff, sniff-."
Aru caught a scent drifting through the breeze. Beatrice, who was about to light a fire with gathered firewood, heard the sound and asked.
"Aru, what is it?"
"Woof woof, woof woof woof. They're coming."
"Coming? What exactly is coming?"
Along with her answer, Aru's blue eyes gleamed sharply.
"The Seven Dragons. And the Beasts of Slumber. Woof woof."
"...The Seven Dragons are coming?"
"Woof, they're sprinting. The targets are the Young Demon and us."
"Targets, you say?"
"They want to kill us. They've formed an alliance."
Stop-.
Beatrice's movements ceased as she moved the firewood. The King of Humans, who had been eavesdropping nearby, stopped as well.
"Is that information certain?"
"Woof woof, I can hear everything. My hearing is sharp. That's why I usually keep them closed, but I open them when an unfamiliar wind blows. Woof."
"...That's enough then. King of Humans, let us report to the Lord first."
"He said he was going to attend to some demon business. But he's not in sight yet."
"He told me never to follow him when he's attending to his business... but this is no ordinary situation. For the Seven Dragons to lead the monsters, it's practically a state of war."
It wasn't that Beatrice hadn't anticipated things turning this way. Following the orders of her Lord, Oscar, she had been slaughtering the magical beasts of the Demon Beast Forest wherever she found them.
As long as the Beasts of Slumber possessed intelligence, it was inevitable that they would form a community to oppose them.
However, she didn't expect the Seven Dragons to join in. Beatrice calmly stroked the hilt of her sword.
The Seven Dragons.
Three dragons chosen by Dragon King Endros. In the Demon Beast Forest, they were regarded as top predators just below the Five Kings; it was said they usually remained observers, as the order would collapse if they entered the struggle for survival.
In a sense, they were like the guardian deities of the forest. Naturally, they possessed power befitting their reputation. In particular, Níðhöggr, the four-headed dragon among the Seven Dragons, was called the Dragon King's right hand and was hailed as one of the strongest dragons.
'For those Seven Dragons to target us... the Lord must have predicted this. I must seek his opinion first.'
When the leader, Oscar, was absent, the highest-ranking person in the group was Beatrice. This had been decided simply because she had joined the group the earliest.
In truth, Wolf King Aru had been with the party even sooner, but she had already been designated by Oscar as a 'pet.' Thus, the position of vice-captain naturally belonged to Beatrice.
As the vice-captain of the group, Beatrice rested her chin on the back of her hand and sank into deep thought. No matter how strong they were, the Seven Dragons were not opponents to be taken lightly. It would be too risky to carry out an annihilation without any preparation as usual.
"John! Come over here for a second!"
Just then, Oscar approached from afar, waving his hand. Beatrice turned her head with a brightening expression. Her tightly tied brown hair swayed.
"Lord, you've returned."
"Sir? Hold on a moment. We don't have much time. I said for John to come here!"
"Demon? What is going on?"
Oscar gently pushed Beatrice aside and urgently sought the King of Humans. Because of this, Beatrice missed her timing to speak.
"John, follow me. I'll explain as we go, so don't ask why."
"L-Lord! I, there is something I must tell you...!"
"Oh, Dame Beatrice. Please wait a moment. We're in a rush right now. Can't we talk about it tomorrow?"
Without giving Beatrice a chance to speak, Oscar grabbed the King of Humans' wrist and vanished into the thicket. Beatrice tried her best to call out, but Oscar cut her off completely.
Oscar had no choice but to hurry. He had to return to that spot with the King of Humans before Merlin Gregory could bring the Hero Party. Beatrice, unaware of this, was simply frustrated, but since the etiquette between a lord and knight was carved into her very bones, she could not bring herself to interrupt Oscar.
"Lord! Even for a moment, please let me speak with you...!"
"Geez, I didn't take you for this type, but you're being really clingy."
"C-Clingy...? A-Are you speaking to a knight?"
"If constantly grabbing onto me isn't being clingy, then what is! You're like some guy begging an ex-girlfriend to come back!"
"...!"
Moreover, after being called 'clingy' by Oscar, Beatrice's mind went blank, and she ended up failing to mention the matter of the Seven Dragons.
"D-Demon? Where are we going right now?"
"Just run for now! I'll explain on the way! And Dame Beatrice! Make sure nobody follows us, including the others! Absolutely!"
Oscar disappeared into the forest in an instant. Beatrice stared blankly at his departing back, then blamed herself upon realizing she had missed her chance to speak.
'What an idiot...! There is no way anything is more important than the Seven Dragons, so why was I so complacent! No, I must follow the Lord right now...!'
Pinch-.
"Woof woof."
The moment Beatrice prepared to dash forward, Aru, who was sitting on her head, pulled on Beatrice's cheek. Her supple skin stretched outward.
"Aru... what are you doing? You saw the situation just now. I have no time for games."
"Woof woof, don't go. You can't interfere."
"What are you talking about? Don't go? Are you saying I should overlook the Seven Dragons?"
"The Young Demon is trying to do something important. You can't interfere."
"...."
Aru's expression was full of seriousness. Beatrice vaguely felt that this wasn't just a simple prank.
"Aru, what does that mean? Important?"
Suddenly, the image of Oscar's final warning—telling her absolutely not to follow—flashed through Beatrice's mind. She hadn't paid attention to it because she had been so consumed by the need to report the Seven Dragons.
"Woof woof. The Young Demon took the big human. We are not allowed to follow."
"Hmm, then what should we do?"
"We have to make sure there are no interruptions. Not just us, but other things too. Woof woof woof."
"Other things...? Ah."
Aru silently shifted her gaze toward the open sky. A sigh escaped from Beatrice's red lips.
"I do not know what the Lord is planning, but it seems we must stop whatever would block his path."
"Probably, woof."
"Probably?"
"Don't know what the Young Demon is doing. Strangely, I can only hear a bit of the Young Demon's voice. But we mustn't interfere. That part is certain."
"Aru, are you saying that even with your ears open, you cannot hear the Lord's voice?"
"Woof, I can't hear well when he speaks from far away. The Young Demon has always been like that."
Beatrice tilted her head at Aru's cryptic words. It was a statement that left several questions unanswered.
'Then again... this isn't the first or second time the Lord has been mysterious. He is a man surrounded by mysteries.'
But when she remembered that this mystery was exactly what surrounded Oscar, Beatrice found it strangely convincing. That was simply who Oscar was to her. It wasn't much different for others, either.
"Then must we deal with the Seven Dragons on our own? To ensure they do not interfere with the Lord's movements?"
"Woof, probably. That's how we help the Young Demon."
"However, the Lord did not give such an order."
"The Young Demon probably doesn't know. Woof woof."
"...."
"The Young Demon is trying to do something with the big human and a group of humans. Also, he doesn't want us to be seen by them. Including magical beasts like the Seven Dragons."
"Did you say a group of humans? Who else has entered the Demon Beast Forest?"
"Woof, but we must not run into them. The Young Demon wants it that way."
"In that case, we needn't worry about a group of strangers. To summarize, the Lord is plotting something with the King of Humans, and meanwhile, the Seven Dragons are attempting an unplanned ambush... which means the Lord could be hindered. Now I understand."
"Woof woof!"
Hop-!
Aru leaped lightly, stepping softly on Beatrice's hair before landing on the ground. Once her feet touched the earth, Aru tilted her head toward the sky and let out a wolf's cry.
"Awoooo-!"
Aru's howling serves many purposes. One of them is to call Uriel, who is flying through the sky. Before long, Uriel descended gracefully to where Aru stood, folding her snowy white wings.
Flutter-.
The white cloth enveloping Uriel's pure white body fluttered softly. Her voluminous blonde hair touched the ground, yet coarse clumps of dirt dared not soil the angel's body. Not even a single strand of hair.
"What is the matter? Wolf King, Beatrice."
"Woof woof! Woof woof woof!"
"How am I supposed to understand if you use the language of wolves? I lack the translation Authority of an Archangel."
"Woof woof woof woof!"
While Uriel, who had descended in response to the call, asked Aru for the reason, Beatrice brought over Meta, who had been collecting food by sending familiars into the forest. She made sure all released familiars were recalled first.
"Dame Beatrice? What is going on?"
"Just come here for now. We'll talk once everyone is gathered."
"Woof woof! They're here, they're here!"
"Where did the Leader and the King of Humans go? I have something urgent to tell them. While flying earlier, I saw a group of humans in the Demon Beast Forest...."
"One moment. I have something to tell you before that."
Beatrice, Aru, Uriel, and Meta stood facing each other. Beatrice took the lead, interrupting Uriel. Knowing that a rigid person like Beatrice would not do so for a trivial reason, the angel did not take offense.
"Right now, the Seven Dragons are approaching, leading a monster legion. It seems their goal is to kill us for destroying the ecosystem."
"What...! Is that true!"
"Woof woof! I heard it all!"
"My familiars sent far out have been reporting that the earth is shaking since a while ago. They said the ground in the east, south, and west is trembling slightly."
When Uriel asked about the words from Beatrice's mouth, Aru and Meta provided further testimony. After confirming Meta's account, Beatrice was inwardly certain that Aru's words were true.
"Then shouldn't we tell the Leader immediately! In this urgent moment with the Seven Dragons approaching, where on earth has the King of Humans gone!"
"Calm down, Uriel. The Lord and the King of Humans are not here. Aru says they won't be back for a while."
"...What?"
"Can't find them. Can't follow them. Young Demon has work to do. With the big human."
"Did you hear that? I also received a word from the Lord just now. He told us 'absolutely' not to follow. All of us."
"What? D-Did Lord Oscar disappear...?"
"It might be so, or it might not. What matters right now is that we do our part. Ultimately, the point is that three 'arrogant lizards' who could hinder the Lord are swarming this way, are they not?"
Beatrice's voice was calm. Hearing this, Uriel and Meta both flinched. It was because she had referred to dragons, supreme beings, as mere 'arrogant lizards.'
Aru, on the other hand, let out a chuckle. Having lived for four hundred years and obtained the Authority of the Wolf King, Aru feared nothing.
"Uriel, Aru, Meta. Let us strike before they can attack us. Let us make those fearless enemies pay a harsh price in blood for daring to target the Lord."
Clink-.
The Greatsword strapped to Beatrice's back revealed its blade to the world.
*****
I run at full speed, gripping the King of Humans' thick wrist. Fortunately, as the previous spot comes into view, no one is in sight.
"Demon! Where are we going! At least tell me!"
The King of Humans, who had been dragged along up until now, demanded an explanation. Since Merlin and the Hero Party weren't visible, I began to slow down and intended to explain the situation.
"Everyone! Mr. Suoka is right over there!"
If Merlin's shout hadn't rung out at that exact moment, I would have explained everything to the King of Humans. I would have told him how to act and what role to play.
Shifting my gaze toward the sound, I saw a boy with green hair poking out from under a magician's hat pointing at us. Several humans were gathered behind him.
"A demon? There's a human!"
"John! From now on, I'm not a demon! I'm Suoka! So please call me Suoka!"
I wonder if the King of Humans' words were heard by them? Seeing Merlin running toward me waving her hands like a puppy, it seemed they weren't. Phew, I almost screwed up before even starting.
"Suoka?"
"Yes! Suoka! And now, be quiet!"
"Understood. Suoka, Suoka, Suoka...."
Damn, I haven't given the King of Humans his guidelines yet. I'll have to improvise. Fortunately, that's not a difficult task for me.
Before I knew it, Merlin and the group of humans were right in front of me. They must be the Hero Party. I raised my arm and waved. Perhaps Merlin had spoken well of me, as the humans were all smiling at me.
"Merlin! Welcome! I've been waiting for you!"
"Yes! These are the members of the Hero Party! But... who is that person...?"
Merlin's gaze landed on the King of Humans beside me. Her eyes were wavering intensely. He has a bold appearance, but to a civilized person, a giant man who looks like nothing but a savage is naturally startling.
However, I didn't choose the profession of a hunter to introduce myself for no reason. I had thought about this. The King of Humans looks more like a 'veteran hunter' than anyone else.
"This is my companion! He's lived as a hunter in the Demon Beast Forest for decades with me! He'll be a great help in this 'hunt' as well! Right, John?"
As I spoke, I nudged the King of Humans in the ribs. He hesitated for a moment.
Please, just use your intuition here. Just go along with it. I prayed desperately in my head.
"That's right! I am John, a hunter of the Demon Beast Forest!"
Oh! Great! As expected of the King of Humans! That's the intelligence befitting the lord of all creation!
Since I couldn't tell him beforehand, it was a major crisis, but fortunately, it passed smoothly.
"By the way, Suoka? There's something I want to ask."
He even calls me Suoka correctly? He remembered it perfectly after just one time? Excellent! At this rate, I could give the King of Humans the position of my primary assistant! I'll just kick Aru's butt!
Ask anything! I'm in a good mood, so I'll answer kindly!
"What are you curious about?"
"Like last time, are you going to kill them too?"
"......Huh?"
Oh, damn it.
Of all things to ask, why that?