“Won’t that demon race just run away by itself?”
As I looked at Nameless, who was ominously sharing his thoughts with a creepy grin, my eyes widened to the point where I wondered if they could get any bigger.
What on earth was he talking about? Just keep beating them and they’ll run away?
When did Nameless grow up to be this violent…?
I swear to the heavens, or rather, to myself, I’ve never raised him that way.
…Or have I?
After blinking for a while, I realized I was getting lost in thought and shook my head fiercely before opening my mouth.
“…Are you saying we should side with the Hero?”
Honestly, this thought had been swirling in my mind ever since I heard Nameless speak.
When Lucius and Nameless sparred, Nameless was subtly showing interest in Lucius, and thinking back to what he told me…
It looked like he didn’t care if that demon race died, did it?
However, contrary to my expectations, Nameless tilted his head as if he truly didn’t understand what I was saying.
“What? When did I say that?”
“…Didn’t you just say it?”
He gave me a bewildered look. How could Nameless not remember what he just said?
…This is worse than I thought.
I frowned slightly and was about to discuss more details when…
“Cheon Ha-rang, Cheon Mu-myeong, we’re coming in.”
“Yes.”
“…”
Just then, Lucius approached us, quickening his steps and opened his mouth.
…Honestly, the timing is just terrible. I sighed lightly and followed Lucius as he walked ahead.
…
– Lili’s companion.
The rhythmic sound of droplets echoed, tapping against the sleeping man’s ear.
– Tap, tap, tap.
The man, covered in wounds and lying on the rough stone floor, struggled to open his eyes and looked around.
…Someone was approaching.
In the dark, damp cave, the man’s pupils glimmered ominously.
He had something he needed to do, so he slowly rose from his lying position, waving his injured arm through the air.
As he waved his arm, lines began to appear in the empty space, forming a pattern before his eyes.
A foreboding shade of crimson. Unfathomable symbols and an upside-down cross. All of it looked utterly heretical.
If someone had seen this being drawn in a church, they would surely be hunted down as heretics, but the man seemed unfazed, sweat pouring down his anxious face as he kept drawing the magic circle.
As the magic circle was completed, he pulled the corners of his mouth upward in satisfaction and nodded.
“If it’s this much…”
It should buy him some time to escape.
He had wasted a long time in this filthy cave regaining his power after single-handedly dealing with a squad of the Knights before.
However, the magical energy available in the demon realm, compared to the human realm, was different, and his recovery was naturally slow.
“…I only needed to wait a little longer.”
Getting swarmed by bugs… he muttered under his breath as he frowned, nerving himself up.
It was truly unfair from his perspective.
He should have been quietly resting in the demon realm, thanks to his companion Lili’s request. However, he ended up lingering longer in the human realm, leading to this predicament.
The man bit his lips, nodding as if making a vow.
As one of the few demons who could use teleportation magic in the Demon King’s army, he couldn’t afford to waste time in a place like this.
He took a short breath, closed his eyes for a moment, and began to sense the approaching presences.
There were four. Considering the number of knights he had fought previously, they were manageable enough.
“…Damn it, where are they?”
But one of those presences was uncharacteristically faint.
Ignoring that one, he thought it wouldn’t be easy to handle the others. The uncertainty about the level of the remaining one only added to his anxiety.
With his position already pinpointed, escaping directly wasn’t an option either. Aside from teleportation, he lacked decent means to move.
So he’d have to engage them, absorb some magical power, and then escape along the way…
…If only Lili was here, he could have clung to her and flown away together.
Where the hell was that gloomy girl when he needed her? Always absent at the critical moments.
But he couldn’t give up.
“Ha…”
After steeling himself briefly, he nodded and continued drawing the magic circle. It seemed he’d need all the preparations he could muster.
…
– Cheon Ha-rang.
The familiar energy began to get closer, and I couldn’t control the cold sweat trickling down my forehead.
Given that I hadn’t been able to have a proper discussion with Nameless, I had no idea how he would act.
…According to Nameless, he didn’t say he was siding with the Hero. But if I questioned whether he clearly opened his mouth to side with the Demon King…
…That wouldn’t be true.
Of course, I had told Nameless to maintain neutrality. But now that he was rattling off at the critical moment, my head was pounding.
Anyway.
Even though I hadn’t talked with Nameless, I had decided on my course of action.
First, I’d hide my presence as much as possible, so that the horned demon wouldn’t be able to find me.
That way, if the demon tried to greet me or talk to me, I could avoid any mishaps… I had reached this conclusion after much pondering.
Second, I wasn’t going to get involved in the fight.
I originally came here to help Lucius, but…
There’s no way I’d help that Hero, whom I genuinely loathed, who was blessed by that damned god.
In fact, I hoped they would face a significant setback. Sure, that would mean breaking my promise to Lucius, but…
If it truly came to life and death at some point, intervening wouldn’t really be deceiving anyone.
I had thought up some pretty good excuses. The excuse would be that I was just letting my Disciple gain experience and that protecting Nameless was my top priority…
Something along those lines would work, right?
“Muahahaha.”
Thinking to myself like this, I couldn’t help but grin, curling one side of my mouth upward in a truly evil smirk.
Nameless, seemingly puzzled by my demeanor, tilted his head slightly.
“Master? What’s wrong?”
I let out a deep sigh, covering my face.
“…Just let it go.”
“Yes.”
Honestly. Instead of helping me set the mood, he was just being a nuisance.
He was an utter failure as a Disciple.
I nodded.
…
How long had I been moving my feet in the cave?
Thick, unpleasant odors began to seep in.
Right in front of us.
Lucius and Elia seemed to have sensed it too, their expressions stiffening as they opened their mouths.
“I will lead with Cheon Mu-myeong, Cheon Ha-rang, can we count on you to keep the Saint safe in case something happens?”
“Hmmm, sure.”
Originally, I had planned on sticking with Nameless, but… how could I refuse when asked like that?
I nodded.
Elia, overhearing our conversation, showed a somewhat guilty expression and lowered her head as she spoke.
“I’m so sorry… I’m not much help in battles…”
“Saint, it’s alright.”
Seeing Elia like that, Lucius smiled gently and shook his head.
“After we finish our fight, won’t you handle the aftermath?”
“That’s true, but…”
“That’s enough.”
Before Elia could say more, Lucius firmly cut her off, tightening his grip on his sword.
Truly touching. As I watched, Nameless and I exchanged glances for a moment.
…Hmm, should I say something?
Given the atmosphere, it felt like I had to cheer them on at least once… but I had no clue what to say.
It was only natural since I had never experienced such a situation before.
As I mulled over this, Nameless chuckled, coming over and bowing his head.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Hmm, okay.”
Unlike the earlier conversation with Lucius and Elia, our exchange was remarkably insignificant.
For some reason, it made me want to smile, and I patted Nameless on the shoulder.
“Just remember not to ‘handle’ them. They might be rather important.”
“…Yes.”
As Nameless distanced himself from me, he muttered under his breath.
“Something important to the Master…”
For some reason, I had a feeling Nameless might screw things up, and a wave of anxiety washed over me.
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