Genius Corpse-Collecting Warrior - Chapter 154

Demon Slayer (2)

A street filled with sleet.

While the fire that was burning and engulfing the buildings slowed down, the area around the village hall became muddy with the blood and flesh of monsters.

Inside the hall, Dallon tilted his rough wooden cup and looked down at the scene. A slight bitterness lingers on the tongue and disappears down the throat.

It was originally a strong liquor, a specialty of this village, which can no longer be produced.

“After patrolling, there were a total of 44 survivors in the village. “The injured have been treated with potions and divine power, and the evil magic around the hall has been sufficiently purified, so you shouldn’t have any trouble staying overnight.”

On the other side of the table, Lucia, quenching her thirst with honey water, opened her mouth.

It was she who appeared leading the Holy Knights to this remote village.

The Tsarina, who received news of suspicious movements on the outskirts, immediately sent a request for support to the Holy Knights.

‘You used your brain well and suited the situation appropriately.’

Due to the demon army gathering beyond the Frost Highlands, it was impossible to push back the army concentrated on the northern front.

It is said that the Tsarina, who understood the situation, immediately took part of the national treasury and donated it to the Holy Knights, as if it was out of pride and no need.

‘We will guarantee tax relief for the Tsarist treasures and branches of the Holy Knights, as well as free military activities. Please exterminate the evil cultists in this country.’

Her request came along with the offering. There was no way that the knights who were serious about subjugating demons would refuse this.

At that time, some of the Holy Knights’ troops were suppressing devil worshipers in the northern part of the City Union, and upon receiving the order from the headquarters, they immediately advanced north.

“It looks like about 80% of the town’s buildings will be completely destroyed overnight. “It is late at night and the fire has not yet died down, so we are planning to let everyone rest today, gather the things they can take in the morning, and evacuate.”

“You worked hard. “If it weren’t for you, we would have been in big trouble.”

Lucia smiled tiredly at Dallan’s words.

It was a tough enough schedule. From what I heard, the operation in the northern part of the City Union had been going on for several weeks, and just as it was about to be completed, an expedition was made to the Tsarist Kingdom.

Excessive movement and fighting, as well as search and rescue operations that continued late into the night.

No matter how much the Holy Knights wear the power of the Holy Tattoo, it is impossible for them not to get tired as long as they are human.

Nevertheless, isn’t the fact that they care for the villagers without a word of complaint a testament to their strong sense of duty?

“no. If Dallen hadn’t been here, there would have been no survivors left by the time we got there. “Even though I was in a hurry, I was one step late.”

“Still, the villagers will be more reassured by the protection of the Holy Knights than by unidentified barbarian mercenaries. “I’m not very good at taking care of people either.”

Dallen said, raising his glass. Lucia laughed and shook her head at the sight of him drinking strong alcohol.

When she left the conference room, saying good night, the only two people left in the room were the two.

Special task force agent Craig is writing a report to be submitted to superiors, and Dallon removes the wooden glass in front of him and starts blowing on a bottle.

“Wow, it’s been a tough day to keep my spirits up.”

Craig put down his quill and rubbed his temples. Dallen blew on his bottle and glanced sideways at his report.

It summarizes what Lucia just delivered, and adds the reporter’s opinion and praise for the tsarina’s wise judgment.

“…….”

I felt it while watching Penny, who was a sewer cleaner, but regardless of stability or safety, being a civil servant was not the right fit for her.

“Still, it was a day I will never forget. “I got to see with my own eyes a dragon slayer and a demon slayer.”

“Demon slayer?”

Dallen put down the bottle and tilted his head.

Lucia had definitely caught a demon from a low distance last time, but it wasn’t enough to immediately earn her the nickname “demon slayer.”

It would not be the case for an agent from an intelligence agency such as a special task force to use a second name instead of a first name.

The agent noticed Dallen’s reaction and asked a question as if he was surprised.

“Lucia Castachald, demon slayer, the sharpest white sword of the God of War. Have you never heard of it?”

“No.”

He’s not just a demon slayer, there’s something more to it. It’s not unusual for Lucia, a high-level hero, to have numerous nicknames, but there’s nothing too sudden about it.

What level of merit should one achieve?…

“Inquisitor Lucia Castachald is known to have made the most remarkable contribution in the suppression of the Holy Knights’ cultists that has been going on for the past few weeks. “It is said that more than five demons have been exorcised based on verified information alone.”

“…Five?”

The hand that was lifting the liquor bottle stops. Craig nodded towards him with his mouth open blankly.

“I couldn’t believe it either, so I checked the data several times. It’s surprising that such a demon and warlock were hiding on this continent, but finding and defeating them in such a short period of time…” “

It’s amazing. a lot.”

The number of demons Dallen has defeated so far is less than five.

Of course, the dragon could also be considered a devil in a broad category, and among the powerful people he defeated, including witches, there were some who were comparable to the devil.

In any case, the feat of slaying five demons in just a few weeks was a rare feat even in the long history of the Holy Knights.

In the first place, finding the dark magicians and demons lurking in the shadows must have been difficult in itself.

Even Dallon, who had knowledge of hundreds of encounters, didn’t even try to track down the warlocks moving from place to place because it was inefficient.

‘Just because they’re part of the Holy Knights doesn’t mean they have sharp skills… Could it be that they’ve already developed that ability?’

The reason why Lucia is called a demon slayer is not simply because she defeated many demons.

Even if you are a famous mercenary, the devil is something that is difficult to encounter at least once in your life.

Although the world is becoming a mess and demonic activity is rapidly increasing, the central part of the continent is still relatively safe.

The fact that she was able to track down the demons and warlocks who were lurking in secret this quickly means that her talent began to shine a few years earlier.

‘If I had developed that ability, I’m sure I would have developed the area as well.’

Did you gain any insight from the fight in the Western District?

He thought that his external energy had changed slightly, but Lucia’s growth had repeatedly surpassed his expectations.

‘Following Felber and Sienna…to Lucia.’

Possibilities that would have originally been buried blossom into bloom, and abilities that would otherwise have to be recovered years later are taken for their own long ago.

It wasn’t just the actions of the evil gods and the time of the end that were brought forward.

As if there were elaborate scales measuring the world, the forces and heroes opposing the apocalypse were also growing rapidly.

Sigh.

With his body buried deep in the hard wooden chair, Dallen quietly looked out the window at the snowstorm raging.

He continued to remain in that position, lost in thought, while the pen grazed the paper and the crunching sound continued.

***

next day.

Villagers woke up at dawn and walked around the burned ruins.

It is impossible to rebuild the village with only forty or so survivors.

After salvaging what they could from the ashes, the residents took a long refuge with Craig.

“Choose only the main roads, but if you come across another village, turn around so as not to be noticed. “Not all villages that have joined the rebels have been revealed yet, so for your safety, you should avoid contact with other villages as much as possible until you reach Baltingrad.”

“…I’m really sorry for saying this, but is it difficult to ask you to escort the Holy Knights?”

“I think it would be a relief if I could escort you. “But there are innocent victims like you in other villages.”

The village residents looked disappointed, but no one criticized the paladins who served as their shield for the night.

Meanwhile, perhaps because he felt burdened by the fact that he had to protect over 40 people by himself, Craig made the same request to Dallon.

“For me, requests come first. “If your superiors ask about my whereabouts, report that you are going to look for weapons to deal with the demons beyond the Frost Highlands.”

“I can’t help it. All right. “Please become a light that illuminates the future of the Tsarist Kingdom.”

After sending off the refugees and paladins one by one, Dallon and his party also moved towards their original destination.

Same journey to same destination. What is different from before is that there is one more person in the group.

“…Then why are you here? “Wasn’t he the commander of the paladins earlier?”

Lucia shrugged her shoulders and said in response to Dallen’s question.

“Didn’t you say you were going to the Tooth Mountains of the World?”

“That’s right.”

“It’s a land ruled by High Orcs. It’s a place where powerful monsters lurk. “Due to my special status as an inquisitor, I have been given the authority to command, but my mission in this dispatch is to eradicate powerful evils, including the devils hiding on the continent.”

“…so?”

“If you follow Dallan, you will end up at least a high-level devil or a witch equivalent to it. “It’s always been the same so far, so I’m looking forward to it this time too.”

“…….”

Wherever you went, demons or other things would appear and things would turn out to be unusual, so this time, I’m going to follow you for a mission.

Aside from the pretty smile he gave, the answer was somewhat uncomfortable.

[Master, perhaps your identity is like a doll that brings bad luck…]

‘Shut up.’

[Ugh! Argh!]

The demon in subspace tried to make a follow-up blow, but was struck like water by the hand he naturally placed in his bosom.

[The closer you are to the truth, the more careful you have to be with your words. Isn’t telling the truth the only answer, tree that has lost its memory?]

‘…You’re going to stop there?’

[What did I say?]

However, even Dallan did not expect that the true dragon in the image would take over the baton by soothing the devil who had been turned into dough.

“Hahaha! When you’re with this friend, there’s no end to fighting! The enemies that come endlessly. A life of struggle where no rest is given! “Isn’t that the path of a hero?”

“I’m glad we can be together, Mom.”

“A mother? “I don’t think I’ve heard your name yet…”

“Akasha… no, it’s Pucca.”

“……oh.”

Between the dwarf who was laughing at the other and the boy who suddenly declared that he was a hidden child, Dallen felt like his head was pounding for the first time in a while.

[Paladin, demon dragon, dwarf, and even mercenary. That’s a good combination.]

Beyond the image, the ancient dragon on the cliff of the snowy mountain laughed happily.

Dallen rubbed his temples and spoke faster.

It seemed like this journey would not be smooth.

***

The group headed east, passing through three more large and small villages.

Fortunately, although the atmosphere was desolate in some places, there were no villages showing signs of civil unrest like the previous time.

‘This is probably because the closer you get to the border, the stronger the influence of the Sangvis Army becomes.’

Most of the troops were concentrated on the northern front, but that did not mean other borders were empty.

In particular, the Tooth Mountains of the world are the territory of the famously warlike High Orcs. It was natural to be more vigilant than the border with the southern city union or the western guild federation.

Encounters with patrols have become more and more frequent, and it has been a week since we left the burned down village.

The party was able to reach the beginning of the World’s Tooth Mountain Range.

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