This is the introductory part of a continuing series.
One month has passed since the royal palace was attacked by an unidentified monster.
It was a monster so powerful that numerous knights and Magicians were incapacitated, and the Head Court Magician suffered severe injuries. However, thanks to their efforts, the monster was repelled… or so the official story goes.
The damage was severe enough to cause many deaths, and powerful magic, visible even from outside the castle, was used. If they remained silent, only bad rumors would spread, so such an exaggerated account was released to dispel the people’s anxiety.
The castle was on high alert for several days after the incident, but now things have calmed down thanks to the dispatch of Priest Knights from the Royal Capital’s Holy Church. This is because there have been no further attacks this past month.
The motive of the Greater Demon that appeared is unknown. But the demon’s miscalculation was the presence of Karla, who could fight back against it.
That’s precisely why Karla was not held accountable, even though many knights and Magicians were killed, caught in her fight.
The Head Court Magician, who was indeed intentionally caught in the crossfire, had his entire body burned by flames and suffered injuries so severe—losing an arm that might not even regenerate due to the Miasma’s influence—that he has been forced into absolute bed rest for several months.
“Why do you think Karla is quietly going along with this?”
Elena, who had been summoned back to the royal palace from the academy, murmured this question, and her escort knight, Roakwell, nodded silently.
“Forgive my bluntness, but I don’t believe she would simply follow the royal family’s wishes. However, given her position, perhaps she’s only pretending to agree?”
Indeed, it’s quite possible she’d nod along on the surface while doing as she pleases. But I understood Karla’s true intentions.
“Probably… because she’s waiting.”
When I muttered those words, everyone present looked at me, their faces showing a vague understanding just from that.
Karla is waiting for the demon. I can’t imagine that Karla letting her “prey” get away. Most likely, even she couldn’t completely defeat the demon.
That’s why Karla is waiting for the demon to come and attack her. To ensure she destroys it completely this time. As for why she’s waiting at the castle, I suspect it’s to spite her father, who is undergoing treatment there, but that’s just my guess, so I’ll keep it to myself.
Perhaps because Karla is at the castle, the demon hasn’t appeared since then. I don’t think demons experience emotions like fear, so it’s probably also waiting for an opportunity to kill Karla for certain.
Until now, based on reports from adventurers like me, countermeasures against demons were limited to preparing equipment and remaining vigilant. But now that actual damage has occurred, full-scale measures have been implemented.
According to Elena and the Prime Minister, the probability of a demon of that level appearing naturally in our world is low, and even if one did appear by chance, it wouldn’t possess that much power. In other words, there’s someone who summoned and is controlling it. Even if ordinary knights and Magicians can’t match a Greater Demon, if the one controlling it is human, they just need to capture or defeat that person.
Thinking along those lines, the culprit’s objective naturally comes into view.
“Clara was the first one attacked. Initially, we thought the royal family and those connected to them were targeted, suspecting the aristocratic faction, but that would be far too shortsighted.”
As Elena began her explanation, everyone nodded silently.
The aristocratic faction has indeed taken actions that could be considered shortsighted before, like Elena’s kidnapping, but their goal is the profit gained from trade with foreign countries, not to eliminate the royal family itself and weaken the nation. If the country itself becomes too weak, it would put them at a disadvantage in negotiations with foreign powers.
In that case, who stands to gain from killing the royalty and those connected to them?
Neighboring countries wouldn’t be that foolish either. Even if there are clashes over issues like the rights to the Kondo Mine, if the Kingdom of Claydale weakens, the Kanhar Kingdom to the north and the Calfaan Empire, currently a friendly nation, would surely try to extend their influence into this region.
There’s a possibility that one of these major powers is behind it, but if we consider that, we’d have to suspect everyone.
Before even getting to that, if someone can summon and control a Greater Demon, there should be other things they could do. Instead of resorting to a crude method like assassination, there are plenty of ways to manipulate regional leaders or weaken the country’s power.
That’s why Elena thought there was significance in Clara being attacked first.
It was a truly shortsighted, childish act: to eliminate Clara and “replace the Crown Princess.”
However, currently, there are no young ladies of suitable age for the Crown Prince within the ducal houses. There might be some in the marquis or count houses, which are also high-ranking nobles, but Elena said that no high-ranking noble family would consider such a thing, seeing the current Crown Prince and with Elena herself threatening that position.
“So, not ‘childish’ in the figurative sense, but…?”
“Exactly. There’s a possibility it’s the act of an actual child.”
Elena nodded as if to affirm my question.
Common sense dictates that summoning a Greater Demon is beyond the capabilities of an ordinary Magician; unless one is a sorcerer of Rank 6 or higher, even if they managed to summon it, they’d likely be killed by it immediately.
That’s why sensible adults like His Majesty the King, the Prime Minister, and the Knight Commander couldn’t arrive at that possibility. Only Elena, a child who has witnessed the unconventional battles of children like me and Karla, noticed it.
She reasoned that the demon’s shortsighted actions and seemingly uncontrolled behavior were also due to this.
But, as a practical matter, can a child summon a Greater Demon?
Karla might be technically capable of it, but that’s out of the question. She would choose to become stronger to kill with her own hands rather than spend time and effort summoning a demon.
Logically, a child shouldn’t be able to do such a thing. But we know something that could make it possible.
“…A Dungeon.”
Items occasionally found in Dungeons, whose manufacturing methods are unknown in the real world. “Orbs” imbued with high-level magic or potent poisons, and even Demon Swords, can be obtained in Dungeons.
And the Divine Protection (Gift) bestowed by Dungeon spirits allows one to use special abilities in exchange for lifespan or life force. If it’s an ability capable of summoning and controlling a demon-like entity, I imagine the price wouldn’t be ordinary…
The person controlling the demon is a child, or an immature individual who hasn’t fully grown up.
If they wish for the Crown Prince’s fiancée to change, it’s either a thoughtless noblewoman or someone subservient to her.
Someone who can delve into the lower levels of a large Dungeon, or someone with the financial means to purchase Dungeon items.
“With that deduction, I believe everyone has a general idea,”
Mikhail, who had brought the information, continued after Elena finished her explanation.
“Even before this deduction was made, I had the Shadow Unit investigate whether anything suspicious was happening, including within the aristocratic faction. If a demon was involved, we were gathering rumors of mass disappearances, or large outbreaks of monsters or undead. Her Highness’s deduction has helped narrow it down considerably.”
Mikhail spread a map of the area around the Royal Capital on the table and pointed to one region.
“This area, despite being close to the center, is inconvenient and known as a remote place. Nevertheless, it’s where the royal family of the old Kingdom of Claydale granted mansions to nobles as rewards, and several noble families still own residences there.”
He marked what looked like villages with an X using a quill pen dipped in red ink, and circled one location.
“There have been disappearances in the villages marked with an X. While people can go missing due to monster attacks, ten is too many. So, we sent in the Shadow Unit, and—”
Mikhail frowned, glaring at the circled spot.
“…We sent five, and none returned. And this location is a mansion owned by Ostール, Baron Hofui, the Temple Head of the Holy Church.”
“Nero!”
As I entered the forest and started running, I called his name, and the Shadow of a giant carnivore silently ran alongside me, as if nestling close.
“Northwest.”
Nero responded to my brief words, and with me leaping onto his back, he began to run through the forest at more than twice my speed.
A place from which the Shadow Unit’s spies haven’t returned. I don’t know if a demon is there, but Elena suspected it was suspicious because of its owner.
Only Nero and I are going. Anyone below Rank 4 would just increase the casualties, so I don’t intend to bring them. Elena didn’t say it, but her gaze showed her worry about me heading out to investigate alone. However, it was decided from the beginning when we considered splitting our forces that I would act independently, so this is all going according to plan.
Now that Karla-san is at the castle, there wouldn’t be a major issue even if I left Elena-san. Still, the reason I left Viro and Jesha behind as well is as insurance in case Elena-san gets caught up in Karla-san’s battle with the demon.
If a demon truly is in that place, it would be like walking into a demon’s trap, but I’ve made my own preparations.
The equipment Gelf had been crafting for me, made from Black Dragon Wing Membrane, was complete.
Its shape is the same as before and it’s thin, so its ability to mitigate impact is low, but it has enough magic resistance and defensive power that arrows fired by low-ranks can’t pierce it, and something like a Fire Arrow wouldn’t even leave a scorch mark.
The most surprising things are its regenerative ability and comfort.
Even puncture marks seal up within the day, and not only is it elastic and doesn’t hinder movement, but the skirt flutters as if reading my intentions, never tangling around my legs.
The gauntlets and boots are also reinforced with Black Dragon Wing Membrane, and dragon scales have been incorporated to increase their strength. The small crossbow built into the gauntlets, its string replaced with dragon whiskers, has slightly increased range and power.
This time, I’ve also made some modifications to the arrows. I prepared a hundred steel quarrels, and used a tiny bit of Mithril on their tips. Normally, arrows are ineffective against undead and the like, but these arrows should be able to take down low-class undead in a single hit.
Even with all this equipment, I don’t know if I can win against a high-ranking demon. Still, I have no intention of letting the demon escape.
Roar
“Understood.”
About half a day after Nero and I started running, Nero’s and my [Detection] skill picked up the presence of someone approaching.
Two people…? At first, I thought it was three, but there are only two living presences.
Chasing the two who seem to be fleeing humans, is an existence without life force.
The sound of branches breaking came from beyond the forest, and a pair of girls, one in a robe and the other in leather armor, appeared.
The girl in leather armor’s face twitched at the sight of Nero, but the robed girl, being pulled by her hand, noticed me on his back and shouted loudly.
“――Help us!”
Groan…
Right after the girls, a massive figure over two meters tall appeared.
An Orc… and it’s undead. It’s forbidden for adventurers to steal another’s prey, but if asked for help, it’s recommended to lend a hand as much as possible.
“Request for aid, accepted.”
The moment I tapped Nero’s shoulder, the black giant, understanding my intent, braked so sharply it gouged the earth, launching me forward from his back.
Tossing aside my cloak, I leaped over the heads of the two girls whose faces were plastered with shock, and as the Orc, noticing new prey, raised its club, I too drew my Black Knife and dagger from my waist.
“――[Dancing Reaper]――!”
“――!”
An eight-strike combo, imbued with the force of my charge and delivered from both left and right, blew the rotting Orc apart into chunks of flesh.
“…What happened?”
As I asked this, having shifted my position to land without being showered in its putrid flesh, the girl in leather armor stared at me, dumbfounded, but the robed girl who had cried for help, her face still a mask of confusion, opened her mouth.
“…O-Our town… something strange is happening to it!”
What is this strange occurrence in a remote town?
I wanted to get Aria involved with some ordinary adventurers.
Next time, Part 2: The Town’s Strange Occurrence