88 - A Strategic Move?
Having learned that wanted posters of himself were circulating, Ray gave up on his magic tool experiments and decided to travel via back roads that ordinary people did not use. In reality, he barely even used those back roads. He would only step onto them occasionally to confirm he wasn't heading in the wrong direction, otherwise, he traveled through pathless wilds.
Even so, Ray's travel speed hardly changed. It was an ability he had acquired in the Forest of Bewilderment.
The Forest of Bewilderment, a place Ray could call his home ground. Ray had finally arrived there.
...Someone came.
Wanted posters are circulating. Naturally, they'd come here.
That's true. But... it looks like there was a fight.
When the Laurel Kingdom army had attacked, the interior of the cave he called home had once been turned into a mess. Even so, Ray had done the minimum amount of cleaning afterward so he could live there. Looking at it now, it seemed to Ray that it had been disturbed once again.
...Maybe someone fled here.
Don't say such unpleasant things. If no corpses were left behind, that's what it means, right?
If demons and humans had fought and the demons won, there should be human corpses. If none remained, the possibility that the demons lost became higher. Demon corpses disappear over time. The absence of bodies meant exactly that. Though it was just a guess.
Don't start grieving for the death of demons now.
I'm not grieving for the death of demons. I just dislike that demons died in this place.
...True, it does feel unpleasant.
In this place where Kamiira and Kara had died, other demons had been killed again. Thinking of it that way made Kamui feel sick as well.
I'll move after resting a bit. There's a good chance demons fled into the Forest of Bewilderment. It would be a pain if the Laurel Kingdom found out.
Yeah, definitely.
Ray considered the possibility that the Laurel Kingdom army might send forces into the Forest of Bewilderment. For now, it was an unnecessary worry. But it was a possibility in the near future. After all, there were limited destinations for demons fleeing from Nordende.
Should I remove the seal on the Pure Sword? It'd be better to make this place as dangerous as possible for humans, right?
You're so kind. But even if you break the seal, the Hero-sama will just push his way in again... Ah, actually, that might be good.
If the Heroes had to venture deep into the Forest of Bewilderment to seal it, it would be lucky for Ray. In this place, he was confident he could catch them off guard. It was the perfect environment for killing Fumiya.
That makes it a dilemma. What should I do about the Undead Beasts?
...Nordende comes first, right? Those guys are still there.
True. I can just bring them along when I withdraw from Nordende.
Ray's visit to the Forest of Bewilderment was not just a homecoming. It was to obtain more powerful Undead Beasts. The reconstruction of the Undead Legion had moved to the next stage.
Well then, shall we head to the sealed cave to stretch our legs?
Is it okay to skip the break?
I'm not tired. The reason I came here was to renew my resolve, but it seems that's not necessary.
True. Me too.
A place of memories with precious people. And the place where those precious people were lost. He had intended to come here and swear his revenge once more, but there was no need. The flames of anger burning in his heart had not weakened their intensity in the slightest. He would definitely achieve his revenge. There was no wavering in that feeling.
◇◇◇
The Undead Legion garrison after Ray had headed for the royal capital. A quiet time flowed there. It was not a soothing silence. It was an awkward silence.
Thinking it was for Ray's sake, Kai remained in this place. Since Cecil knew Kai was staying because Ray asked him to, she said nothing about it. In other words, the two of them being together was not something either of them desired.
Cecil felt resistance to the fact that she was living with demons. As a human, it was a normal emotion. Kai felt the same. He had accepted it for Ray's sake, but protecting a human like Cecil was not something he could normally accept. It would be more natural to kill her.
Being such people, naturally, there was no conversation. The surrounding skeleton soldiers also uttered no words. As a result, saying the garrison was enveloped in silence would be an exaggeration, but it was close.
"...Are you seriously doing that?"
But today, the silence that had lasted for days was broken. Kai had spoken.
"...What do you mean by that?"
Since it was a question, Cecil replied. She answered a question with a question, but she truly did not understand the meaning of the inquiry.
"Do you think you can get stronger doing that?"
Kai was asking about the training and physical conditioning Cecil had been doing.
"...The way you say that makes it sound like you think I can't get stronger, doesn't it?"
"I think it's better than doing nothing."
"...What do you think is wrong with it?"
Cecil was offended by Kai's tone, but since the matter concerned her own physical strength—an area she lacked confidence in—she kept her anger hidden and asked what was wrong.
"You're trying to train your body to fight alongside Ray. Or rather, just to be able to move. Right?"
"That's right."
"Can you catch up with that kind of exercise?"
"...But this is the training Ray-sama also did."
Cecil had been mimicking the training Ray did in the royal capital. She couldn't keep going until she collapsed like Ray did, but it was still grueling.
"I know. I've seen it too."
Kai had seen some, though not all, of Ray's physical conditioning. It was the strength training he did in the Forest of Bewilderment.
"And yet you say it's no use?"
"Because that's not what supports Ray's movements."
"...Magic power."
Ray had supported a body that could barely even walk using magic power. This was so that once his physical strength recovered, he could exert power one or two levels higher. Cecil had witnessed this up close.
"What, so you know. Then why aren't you doing that practice?"
"I am a mage. I don't know any physical enhancement magic."
"............"
Kai remained silent, staring intently at Cecil.
"...What?"
"I'm conflicted. Because you're a human."
"What do you mean by that?"
"...I'll stop."
Kai moved to end the conversation. He decided that he should not discuss this any further with Cecil.
"............"
Now it was Cecil's turn to stare intently at Kai. Rather than staring, she was glaring. But even when Cecil directed a harsh gaze at him, Kai acted indifferent. He didn't seem to care at all.
"...Don't hide it, tell me."
Cecil was the one to give in and speak.
"I have no intention of talking any further."
"...Is it a way for me to become stronger?"
"Who knows?"
"If it is... please. Teach me."
Cecil dropped to her knees and bowed her head.
"............"
Kai stared intently at Cecil once again.
"Please. I want to become stronger for Ray-sama's sake. I'll do anything for that."
Cecil pleaded further with Kai to teach her.
"...The part about being for Ray is true. But as for your feelings toward me, there's nothing, right?"
"Eh...?"
"Acting to draw sympathy. This level of thing is trivial to you."
"I truly..."
"I don't really mind. To you, Ray is everything. I just figured that out."
"............"
Cecil stared at Kai with wide eyes. She understood the meaning of Kai's words. He had read her heart.
"Why do you have such feelings for Ray? You know you're not the most important person to him, right?"
Cruel words. It was not the unconscious cruelty of childhood. Kai said this intentionally. Ray's number one was his mother, Kamiira. Number two was his older sister, Rui. It had to be that way.
"...I know."
"Then why?"
"...There is no reason. I have no one but Ray. That's all it is."
"Even though no matter how much you care, it might not be rewarded?"
"...I know that."
"............"
Cecil glared at Kai, her eyes brimming with tears. Strong emotion was packed into this. Anger toward Kai, and a far stronger frustration toward the helplessness of the situation.
"I'd be happy if he turned his heart toward me, but I'm not by Ray's side seeking that. I just want to be of help to him, in any way I can."
"I see."
"But right now I'm just a hindrance, and I thought I'd at least offer my body to make him happy, but Ray doesn't even want that."
"...Excuse me?"
It was a slightly stimulating topic for Kai.
"I don't care about ways to get stronger. More than that, tell me how I can become able to use Charm."
"...Impossible."
"Why!?"
"Demons do not use the magic humans call magic because they intend to. Not everything is like that, but Charm is. That's why the women of the Vampio race..."
Kamiira had chosen death. Rui had spent days in humiliation and chose to die at the hands of the person she loved.
"...I'm sorry. I should have known..."
The blood that had rushed to her head drained away instantly. Charm cannot be controlled by the user. Cecil knew that. She had heard Ray's plea.
"...That was the answer to your question."
"Eh?"
"Think about the rest yourself."
In many cases, demons do not use magic consciously. In the first place, many of their abilities are not magic. Ray's physical enhancement was the same. Ray was not activating magic. He was simply utilizing magic power within his body on a level comparable to demons.
Kai also thought that Ray, who could do this unconsciously, was special. However, even if there was a difference in effect, humans should be able to increase their magic power control.
"...Thank you."
She hadn't found the answer yet. Nevertheless, Cecil thanked Kai for the fact that he had responded to her wish, even if only a little.
"...I haven't done anything worthy of thanks."
"Even so."
"So forget the thanks. I'll be leaving here soon. I have to return to the castle once."
If Kai left, Cecil would be all alone. There were skeleton soldiers, but he didn't think their presence would heal Cecil's loneliness. Feeling slightly sorry for her, Kai wanted to say that thanks were unnecessary.
"I see... I understand."
Cecil felt no anxiety about that. On the contrary, being alone was a situation Cecil had been waiting for.
...If things go well, I wonder if Ray-sama will be happy? I wonder if he'll think I'm useful?
Cecil had something she had been thinking about for a while to make Ray happy. If that succeeded, she could finally be useful to Ray.
Thinking of that, the terrible depression from moments ago vanished completely.
◇◇◇
In Nordende, various races and tribes were moving to relocate to safer areas. Most of them aimed for the mountains surrounding Nordende. Staying in the plains meant they didn't know when the Laurel Kingdom army would attack. Except for a few races, it was difficult to outrun cavalry, especially when traveling with children. There was no choice but to flee to the mountains.
Even in the mountains, not far from the entrance to Nordende, there were such races. If they were to flee, they should head to a place further from the forts the Laurel Kingdom army was rebuilding. They knew that too. They were in this place because they didn't have that luxury.
They had already been attacked by the Laurel Kingdom army. People who had somehow survived the raid had fled into the mountains and were continuing deeper inside.
They were the ones who had managed to escape thanks to the sacrifice of many warriors. The group consisted only of women and children.
They had no plan for what to do next. Just deeper. To a place where the Laurel Kingdom army couldn't reach. With that thought, they simply kept walking.
"It's better not to go any further."
A voice suddenly reached their ears.
"Eh?" "W-who!?" "H-help me!"
Many people were frightened by the sudden occurrence.
"It's just a warning. Because it's dangerous beyond this point."
"...A Vampio?"
"Yes. That's correct."
The one who appeared before them was Kai. He was on his way back to the Vampio castle.
"...Please help us."
Knowing the other party was a demon, they begged for help.
"Are you... of the Ryan race?"
"Yes. That's correct."
"...Where is the former Demon King?"
The Ryan race was the race of the former Demon King, Leo. In the case of the Ryan race, they called their leader the Clan Chief rather than a King, and that should be Leo.
"I don't know. The Clan Chief hasn't returned from the battle with the Laurel Kingdom."
"...Is that so."
This was also the reason the Ryan race suffered great losses. Many warriors who had gone to war with the Laurel Kingdom following the Clan Chief, Leo, had also not returned.
"We were attacked by humans and had no choice but to flee. But we have nowhere to go."
"...And?"
"Could you please help us? Please!"
A Ryan woman bowed her head to Kai, who was still a child among demons. To them, who were merely wandering without a destination, Kai was a savior.
"Even if you ask for help..."
"Please take us to the Vampio castle! Please! If we stay like this, we'll...!"
"I cannot make the decision to accept other races."
"Please. If not everyone, then at least the children."
"No... that would be even more troublesome."
There was a considerable distance to the Vampio castle. If he tried to take the children, how many days would it take?
Moreover, it wasn't guaranteed they would be permitted. Humans viewed demons as a single group, but in reality, it wasn't like that. From the perspective of the Vampio race, the Ryan race was almost no different from humans in that they were a different species, other than the fact that they weren't hostile.
"...Are you telling us to die?"
"Please don't threaten me. Then, let's do this. I plan to return here again. I'll go to the castle, and if I can get permission, I'll convey that to you."
"...How many days will that take?"
"...At most, half a month?"
He knew they wouldn't be satisfied with this answer, but there was no point in lying.
"That long..."
Just as Kai thought, the woman who heard the answer looked stunned.
"...Ray will get mad at me. But still."
There was only one way that they would be satisfied and that wouldn't be too much trouble for Kai. However, Kai did not have the authority to permit it.
"What is it? If such a thing exists, please tell us! I beg you! We will never forget your kindness!"
"...I understand. However, please make a few promises."
He knew Ray would be angry, but he couldn't just abandon them. There was a bit of Kai's reliance on Ray in this decision. To Kai, Ray was a kind older brother who had doted on him.
"If they are things we can keep."
Promises must be kept. That's why, even at a time like this, demons wouldn't say they'd keep a promise before hearing the contents.
"First, there is a human woman named Cecil at that place."
"A human!?"
A place where a human is. The Ryan people thought that was not a safe place.
"Please listen until the end. That woman is fleeing from the Laurel Kingdom. She is fleeing in order to serve Ray, the owner of that place."
"...Who is this person named Ray?"
"Um... he looks like a human, but he was a member of the Demon King's army."
Kai felt hesitation in mentioning the name of the Undead Legion to the Ryan race, whose Clan Chief was the former Demon King Leo. At the same time, anxiety welled up that making this proposal might have been a mistake.
"Of the Demon King's army. I see."
"You must never harm the woman named Cecil. Not only must you not harm her, but any kind of harassment is also strictly forbidden."
"We would not do such a cowardly thing."
"Absolutely. If you break the promise, you will likely all be slaughtered. No matter where you flee."
"...We won't. Absolutely."
The woman was mistaken. She thought the slaughter would be carried out by the Vampio race. Certainly, if the promise was broken, the Vampio race would have the right to deliver retribution. But there was no need for the Vampio race to move. Before that, Ray would destroy the Ryan race. That's what Kai thought.
"Besides that woman, there are also undead. Please leave them alone. They will clean and maintain the base on their own. Moreover, in case of emergency, they will probably help you."
"...Undead helping us?"
Help from the undead is unnecessary. Such a thought appeared on the woman's face.
"Discard that way of thinking. Understood? Anyway, do not do anything to anger Ray. I won't tell you to obey the human woman, but treat her with a reasonable amount of respect. The same goes for the undead. Ray hates feelings of contempt."
"...I understand."
"And then... if possible, please find a place to settle and move before Ray returns."
"Even if you say a place to settle..."
They were wandering the mountains precisely because they didn't have one.
"I'll ask when I return to the castle. If there's a good place, move promptly. Without leaving any traces."
"...Yes."
Kai's explanation was not fully understood by them, who were ignorant of the circumstances. Still, they understood that Kai feared Ray. They must not anger that person.
If they could obtain a place to live, even if only temporarily, by being careful about that, it was a blessing. For now, obtaining a place to settle for the sake of the children was the top priority. They could think about what came after that later. That's what they thought.