Chapter 108
I watched the scenery pa.s.sing by as we traversed in the forest .
There is no one else on the road .
[Touka-dono . ]
[Yeah, it looks like it’s fine . ]
We finally arrived at a forest trail .
There are two people sitting on each horse .
There’s also the weight of our luggage .
We can’t proceed through the road fast .
With the sounds of hooves stomping on the ground, we proceed through the forest trail .
Eve and Liz were ahead of us .
They seem to be chatting, though they were glancing here sometimes .
I decided to talk with Seras .
[About how much would we need to arrive in Demon Zone from here?]
[At this speed, I think we would arrive about a day and a half . ]
[And if we try to detour around the castle?]
[If we were to detour around the Anti-Demon Battlefield located at the south of the Demon Zone, then we would be delayed for about half a day . ]
The regions directly next to the Demon Zone .
Each country had a castles and forts placed on them .
However, we currently have to avoid them .
[Do we still have to watch out for other things in relation with the Demon Zone?]
I’ve already learnt some basic knowledge back in Monroy .
[It’s not verified information, but there’s still one thing we need to watch out for . ]
[What is it?]
[It’s a unique monster called the Human-Faced . ]
[Human-Faced? Is it some species of monsters?]
[They were mainly called as such because they’re monsters bearing a human face… but there were hardly any sightings making it harder to gather information about them . However, it is said that there are many Human-Faced living in the Demon Zone . ]
[There’s hardly any information about seeing them, but it seems the existence of these monsters were acknowledged . ]
[Yes . There is apparently a reason for the lack of sightings . ]
Seras’ voice turns into a serious tone .
[It’s probably because almost all of those who witnessed them were killed . ]
[So that’s how it is . ]
Dead people don’t talk .
If they were dead, no one would be able to acquire any information about their sightings or any of the sh*t they’ve done .
[The details were quite obscure, but they were known as a ferocious monster . However, they wouldn’t come out towards more conspicuous places even though they carried the strength of a ferocious monster . ]
[……………… . ]
Human-Faced .
Immediately, one thought quickly came into my mind .
The Soul Eater .
The monster waiting at the top layer of the Disposal Ruins .
Only that monster felt quite different compared to the other monsters .
So that’s how it is .
These Human-Faced must be his kin of the same race, huh .
Golden Demon Zone .
If monsters of that level were really inhabiting that area, then I can understand why that place is called a danger zone…
[Speaking of which, isn’t it said that Eve has stepped into the Demon Zone?]
Seras inquired .
[It seems so . ]
[Is that the reason why you want her to be our comrade?]
[Well, yeah…]
That certainly was one of the reasons why I invited her .
[By the way Seras, how’s your talk with Liz? Did you get along well?]
[Yes… That girl is a very good girl . ]
High Elf and Dark Elf .
I had an image that they would suddenly be in conflict with each other .
I was a bit worried about that but…
I’m quite relieved that there was no problem .
Seras looked towards the people riding in the front .
[However, is it really okay for that girl if we just proceed as is?]
[Yeah, we will bring that girl into the Demon Zone . Eve is willing to take her with us too, and that girl doesn’t want to be separated with Eve . Unless the person herself refuse to enter the Demon Zone, we would be entering the Demon Zone just as we planned . ]
[Would it be alright though?]
[I also intend to protect her with all that I can . Besides, Eve and that girl would be taking us to the Witch of Taboos . ]
As if she’s trying to stifle a laugh, Seras just smiles .
[As I thought, you’re really kind . ]
[You and Eve both overestimate me too much . ]
[Is that really how it is?]
[Yeah . There’s a more realistic reason why I’ve helped them out and made them our comrades . ]
Making sure that I’m holding firmly unto Seras’ waist, I continued .
[There are several reasons why I wanted to make Eve one of our comrades . One of them is that, just as I had said before, Eve is a great warrior . Second would be, just as you had just said, Eve had experience entering the Demon Zone . And the third reason would be— if I were to think about the Witch of Taboos, we should have Eve accompany us when meeting her . ]
[What you mean is…?]
[There’s one decisive difference between us and Eve . ]
The Witch of Taboos lives while trying to hide from others .
That’s why, it wouldn’t be easy trying to meet her .
However,
[Didn’t Eve mention that she’s indebted to her?]
[Ah, I see . ]
Seras seems to have noticed what I mean .
[That’s right . It would be easier for us to make a connection with the witch if we went with Eve who already somehow knows her . ]
It’s quite simple if you were to think about it .
People with connection with them .
And people who don’t have a connection with them .
Naturally, it will be easier for people to come into contact if you were to go through someone who you both had a connection with .
I guess you could call this something like those so-called “introduction of acquaintances” .
[However, with the way Eve spoke about her, it would be quite questionable if she could be considered her acquaintance…]
Eve’s way of speaking has a unique sense of distance .
At least, it feels like she’s not talking about a friend or a comrade .
I really want to ask her about her relationship with the witch .
Also, the contents of the favour she’s indebted to .
[And, there’s also Liz…]
Seras looked back at me .
[What about Liz?]
[Ah…]
I heard about that story in the first day at the tavern in Monroy .
“Is it that aforementioned Witch who was said to be living in the Great Ruins? If I remember it correctly, she should be a Dark Elf, right?”
[Didn’t they say that the witch is a Dark Elf? And now—]
Seras looked at the horse Liz is riding on .
[Liz is also a Dark Elf…]
[We’re “visitors who rescued a young of the same race as you who had been experiencing cruelty” . If Eve and Liz were to explain that they were true, the witch wouldn’t doubt them . If we do it well, it may become a source of positive reaction from the Witch of Taboos . ]
That’s why, I will make sure that Liz survives .
I will bring her towards the witch .
[I see, you’ve really antic.i.p.ated about it that far ahead huh… As expected of Touka-dono . ]
[It would always be better if you have one more negotiation card in your hand . That’s why in the end, it would all just be a matter of self-interests . ]
I watch over Liz .
She was happily chatting with Eve .
[However, though I said that—]
I remember back when I first met Liz at the White Coin .
……………… . .
Me, who was abused by my real parents .
Liz, who was abused by her proprietress .
At that time, those two images suddenly overlapped in my mind .
My past self who can no longer be saved .
And Lizbeth that could still be saved .
Just as Seras said, that girl is a good girl .
[Rather than seeing that girl trembling as she sobs… It would be ten times better if she were to happily laugh at the enjoyable things in the world . Well, that’s what I think…]
[Yes . ]
Her voice softened, Seras agreed .
[I think so too . ]
▽
The first one who reacted was Eve .
The next one is Pigimaru .
I’m the third one who noticed it .
[This sound—]
I turn my head to our rear .
I could see some kind of light .
Multiple lights .
[Touka-dono . ]
With a meek expression on her face, Seras called out .
[Yeah . ]
Considering the time we had left from the royal capital, I think that they responded too fast but…
[We’re being chased . ]