A month had passed since the Royal Palace was attacked by an unidentified monster.
Many knights and magicians were rendered unable to fight, and the head court magician suffered severe injuries from the powerful monster, but it was repelled by their efforts… or so the official story went.
The damage was so extensive that many died, and powerful magic was used that could be felt even outside the castle. If they remained silent, only bad rumors would spread, so such an exaggerated account was made public to dispel the people’s anxiety.
The castle was on high alert for several days after that, but it has now regained its calm thanks to the dispatch of Priest Knights from the Holy Church in the Royal Capital. This was because there had been no new attacks in the past month.
The aim of the Greater Demon that appeared was unknown. But the demon’s miscalculation was the existence of Carla, who could oppose it.
That is why Carla was not held responsible for killing so many knights and magicians as collateral damage.
In fact, the head court magician, who was intentionally caught up in the attack, was burned all over his body, and his lost arm was so severely injured, possibly due to the effects of miasma, that it was uncertain if it could be regenerated, forcing him to rest for several months.
“Why is Carla so docile about this?”
Elena, who had been called back to the Royal Palace from the academy, muttered this question, and Rookwell, her escort knight, quietly nodded.
“No offense, but I don’t think she would willingly follow the Royal Family’s wishes. Still, she has a position to maintain, so perhaps she is just pretending to agree?”
Certainly, it was entirely possible that she would just nod on the surface and act as she pleased. But I understood Carla’s intentions.
“Probably… because she’s waiting.”
When I muttered this, everyone in the room looked at me, and they seemed to understand.
Carla is waiting for the demon. I can’t imagine that Carla would let her “prey” escape. Perhaps even Carla couldn’t completely defeat the demon.
That’s why Carla is waiting for the demon to come and attack her. To destroy it for sure this time. The reason she’s waiting in the castle is probably to harass her father, who is being treated there, but that’s just my guess, so I’ll refrain from mentioning it.
Perhaps because Carla is in the castle, the demon hasn’t appeared since. I don’t think demons have emotions like fear, so probably the demon is also waiting for an opportunity to kill Carla for sure.
Until now, demon countermeasures had been limited to equipping and being vigilant based on reports from adventurers like me, but with the actual damage, full-scale measures were taken.
Elena and the Prime Minister believe that the probability of a demon of that level naturally appearing in our world is low, and even if it did, it wouldn’t have that much power. In other words, there is someone summoning and controlling it. Even if ordinary knights and magicians can’t defeat a Greater Demon, if it’s being controlled by a human, they can capture or defeat them.
Thinking that way, the culprit’s motive becomes clear.
“Clara was the first to be attacked. At first, we thought the Royal Family and those related to them were targeted, and that it was the Aristocratic Faction, but that would be too simplistic.”
As Elena began her explanation, everyone nodded quietly.
The Aristocratic Faction has taken actions that seem simplistic, such as 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 country. If the nation itself becomes too weak, it will be at a disadvantage in negotiations with foreign countries.
So, who would benefit from killing the Royal Family and those connected to them?
The surrounding countries probably aren’t that foolish. Even if they clash over the Kondo Mine’s interests, if the Kingdom of Claydale weakens, the Kingdom of Canhaarl in the north and the Calfaan Empire, which is currently a friendly nation, would reach out to this region.
It’s possible that those great powers are behind it, but if we think that far, we’ll end up suspecting everything.
Before that, if you can summon and control a Greater Demon, there are other things you should be able to do. You don’t have to use such a crude method as assassination; there are many ways to weaken the country, such as manipulating the local leadership.
That’s why Elena thought that there was meaning in attacking Clara first.
It was a truly simplistic crime, like a child’s prank, to eliminate Clara and “replace the Crown Prince’s fiancée.”
But, as it stands, there are no suitable young ladies of good age in the Duke family for the Crown Prince. There might be some in the Marquis or Count families, who are also upper nobility, but Elena said that no upper noble family would consider such a thing, given the current Crown Prince and the situation where Elena’s position is threatened.
“So, not just childish?”
“That’s right. There’s a possibility that it’s a child’s crime.”
Elena nodded in affirmation of my question.
Logically, summoning a Greater Demon should be impossible for an average magician, and even if they could summon one, they would be killed by it unless they were a Rank 6 or higher Magician.
That’s why the King, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Knight Commander, who are all sensible adults, couldn’t reach that possibility. Only Elena, a child who has seen the battles of unconventional children like me and Carla, noticed.
The demon’s simplistic actions and uncontrolled behavior are due to that.
But, as a practical matter, is it possible for a child to summon a Greater Demon?
Carla might be technically capable, but that’s not it. If she were to spend the time and effort to summon a demon, she would choose to become stronger to kill it with her own hands.
Logically, it’s impossible for a child to do such a thing. But we know something that makes it possible.
“…Dungeon.”
Items that are rarely obtained from dungeons, whose manufacturing methods are unknown in reality. “Orbs” with high-level magic or potent poisons, and Demon Swords can also be obtained in dungeons.
And the Divine Protection (Gift) given by the Spirits of the dungeon allows you to use special abilities in exchange for lifespan or vitality. If it’s an ability that allows you to summon and control a demon-like being, I think it would require an extraordinary price…
The person who is using the demon is a child, or a childish person who can’t become an adult.
If they want the Crown Prince’s fiancée to change, it’s either a noble lady who isn’t thinking about anything, or someone who follows her.
Someone who can dive into the lower levels of a large dungeon, or someone with the wealth to purchase dungeon items.
“I think everyone has some idea if we make that assumption,”
Mikhail continued, taking over from Elena after she finished her explanation, bringing information.
“Before this assumption was made, I had the Shadow Unit investigate whether anything suspicious was happening, including the Aristocratic Faction. If demons were involved, I gathered rumors of mass disappearances and mass outbreaks of monsters and undead, but I was able to narrow it down to some extent based on His Highness’s assumption.”
Mikhail spread a map of the Royal Capital and its surroundings on the table, pointing to one area within it.
“This area is known to be inconvenient and remote, even though it’s close to the center. Even so, it’s a place where the Royal Family of the old Kingdom of Claydale gave mansions as rewards to nobles, and some nobles still own mansions there.”
He marked a village-like area with a red ink-filled quill, and circled one place.
“People have gone missing in the village marked with an X. It’s possible that they were attacked by monsters, but ten people is too many. So I sent in the Shadow Unit, and—”
Mikhail frowned as he glared at the circled point.
“…I sent in five people, and none of them came back. And this place is the mansion owned by Ostole Robe Baron, the head of the Holy Church Temple.”
＊＊＊
“Nero!”
As I entered the forest and ran, I called out that name, and the shadow of a giant carnivore ran alongside me silently.
“Northwest.”
–End–
Nero responded to my short words, and with me on his back, Nero ran through the forest at more than twice my speed.
A place where the Shadow Unit’s spies don’t return. I don’t know if there are demons there, but Elena thought it was suspicious based on who owns it.
Only Nero and I are going. Anyone below Rank 4 would only increase the damage, so I don’t intend to bring them. Elena was worried about me going to investigate alone, even if she didn’t say it, but from the time we considered dividing our forces, it was decided that I would act alone, so it will be an action as planned.
With Carla at the castle, there shouldn’t be any major issues even if I leave Elena’s side. Still, I left Viro and Jesha behind as insurance in case Elena gets caught up in Carla’s battle with the demons.
If there really are demons in that place, it’s like jumping into a demon’s trap, but I’ve prepared myself in my own way.
The equipment made from the Black Dragon’s wing membrane that Gelf had been working on for me was complete.
The shape is the same as before, and because it’s thin, its ability to cushion impacts is low, but it has magic resistance and defense that prevents low-rank arrows from penetrating, and even fire arrows leave no scorch marks.
The biggest surprises are its regenerative power and comfort.
Even penetration marks close up within the day, it’s stretchy and doesn’t hinder movement, and the skirt flutters as if reading my intentions, never tangling around my legs.
The gauntlets and boots are also reinforced with the Black Dragon’s wing membrane, and dragon scales are embedded to increase their strength. The small crossbow built into the gauntlet also had its string replaced with the dragon’s whiskers, slightly increasing its range and power.
This time, I’ve also put some thought into the arrows. I prepared a hundred steel short arrows, using a tiny amount of mithril on their tips. Normally, arrows are ineffective against the Undead, but these arrows should be able to defeat low-level Undead with a single shot.
I don’t know if I can defeat a Greater Demon even with this much equipment. Still, I don’t intend to let the demon escape.
『Gaaaa』
“Understood.”
About half a day after starting to run with Nero, Nero and my [Detection] caught the presence of someone approaching.
Two people…? I thought it was three at first, but only two have the signs of life.
An existence without life force is chasing two people who seem to be running away.
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, pulled by her hand, noticed me on its back and shouted loudly.
“Help us!”
『…Buoo…』
Immediately after the girls, a giant figure over two meters tall appeared.
An Orc… and it’s Undead. It’s taboo for Adventurers to steal the prey of other Adventurers, but it’s recommended to lend a hand as much as possible when asked for help.
“Accepting the ‘Request for Assistance’.”
At the same time as patting Nero’s shoulder, the black giant, understanding my intention, braked sharply as if gouging the earth, sending me flying forward from its back.
While throwing off my cloak, I jumped over the heads of the two who had looks of astonishment plastered on their faces, and as the Orc, noticing its new prey, raised its club, I drew my Black Knife and Dagger from my waist.
“——[Dancing Ripper]——!”
『――――ッ』
The eight-hit combo unleashed from the left and right with the force of a charge turned the rotting Orc into a lump of flesh and blew it away.
“…What happened?”
As I changed my position to avoid being splattered with the rotten flesh and landed, I asked that question. The girl in leather armor was staring at me with a dumbfounded look, but the robed girl who had asked for help opened her mouth with a confused expression.
“…O-Our town is, something strange is happening to it!”
What is the anomaly that occurred in the remote town?
I wanted to involve the general adventurer and Aria.
Next time, Part 2: The Town’s Anomaly