Chapter 62 – Ruined Village (3)

“Anyway, it turned out well. Although those fellows are a ragtag bunch, we can exploit them enough. They might become a decent variable.”

Cara, who spat out bitter words, took a sip of alcohol. Soon, she lifted her spoon and hurriedly ate the stew contained in the bowl. Her small mouth mumbled, and the thick contents of unknown identity entered her stomach. ‘She eats well. She must have been very hungry.’ Velloc tilted the bottle to fill her empty cup.

“Thanks.”

Cara smiled smirkishly with a flushed face and spoke once more.

“To think we would end up leading hundreds of soldiers. I feel like I’ve made it big.”

Adele asked while stirring the stew that was sticking to the pot.

“Those guys who don’t seem to have a shred of unity will follow us?”

Cara licked her lips and nodded her head.

“The reason the expedition was wandering like lost children was that they lacked a focal point. That is, they had no leader. Because everyone was scattered due to the archdevil’s magic. In such a situation, a ruthless warrior appeared. A swordsman who swings a greatsword as large as a human torso and slices demons to pieces in one go.”

The witch’s brown eyes stared deeply at Velloc. He was just tilting the bottle to fill Adele’s empty cup. Adele looked at the floating amber liquid once, then at Velloc’s face once, and sipped it carefully. Therefore, it was Isabel who answered.

“Now that monsters are pouring from all sides, nothing catches people’s eyes as much as overwhelming military power. To them, you are a savior and a light illuminating the path ahead. It is enough to follow you.”

“That is a valid point. Because Lord Velloc is fully qualified to be.”

“You are flattering me too much.”

As even Adele chimed in, Velloc answered briefly and drank the little remaining alcohol straight from the bottle. Along with the bitterness invading his mouth, the strong liquor passing down his esophagus warmed his body hotly.

He knew this was an illusion. He also knew that no matter how much alcohol he consumed, it would only lower his body temperature. It was just a trick of the senses. The illusion they had of him was the same. Velloc threw the empty bottle onto the floor.

“I have no intention of becoming a hero. Nor do I plan to lead them. If they can’t keep up, I will discard them. I refuse to play babysitter.”

Cara smirked.

“I knew you would say that. What a cold-hearted man. But your way of thinking… I don’t think it’s bad. There is no way they are following us out of heartfelt loyalty, right? Something that doesn’t exist cannot appear overnight. In the end, they just intend to cling to us for their safety. So we can just exploit them too. Whether as shields or for disarming traps.”

Cara spoke, putting strong emphasis on the word “we.” Cara’s face was now as red as her hair. Velloc looked at her loosely relaxed shoulders once, at Adele’s face staring intently at him once, and at Isabel, who had a curious expression while pricking up her ears, once. He spoke.

“Yes, it is this kind of world. A world where everyone tries to exploit each other. In a gap like this, it is taxing enough just to look after my companions.”

Cara burst into laughter. It was loud enough to echo throughout the room, and she seemed to be in a good mood.

“I’ve been thinking about this, but you are very strange. Should I call it honor as a knight? A way of thinking? Something like that seems a bit different from others. I mean… just looking at how you treat us! While appearing to issue commands, you are considerate… and you listen to others well. And you are kind… and.”

‘I think she is drunk.’ When Cara muttered with vacant eyes, Adele slapped her on the forearm. Startled, Cara cried out in shock.

“Ack! Why, why?”

“What are you doing acting so foolishly? Are you flirting with Lord Velloc right now?”

“No, I just…”

Cara exhaled a deep sigh. Soon, brushing her face with both hands, she hung her head low.

“I just wanted to say thank you once more. If it weren’t for you guys, by now I would have… been humiliated and paraded around in a cold dungeon, and buried my bones there.”

Along with her mumbling voice, a few transparent streaks flowed down through her curly hair.

“You! You crybaby…”

Adele flusteredly comforted her, and Isabel watched the scene with a curve in her eyes. ‘Laughing at others crying? As expected, this woman isn’t normal either.’ While Velloc wore a displeased expression, Isabel spoke.

“Your bond is truly nice to see. I can genuinely feel that you care for each other. Should I say it feels a bit different from just obeying orders? This is what comrades are.”

“Why? Do you want to join our party?”

“Oh my. Wasn’t I already the guide and archer of this party?”

Velloc accepted Isabel’s banter expressionlessly.

“Well, let’s call you an apprentice. Don’t you have somewhere to go anyway? Didn’t you say you have to find the source of the plague spreading through the kingdom?”

“I feel like I will be able to find clues about the plague if I follow you around. Anyway, an apprentice… Thank you for at least thinking of me that way.”

Isabel nodded, agreeing by herself, and asked once more.

“How can I remove this apprentice tag?”

Velloc had thrown the words as a joke, but her green eyes sparkled seriously. ‘Why is this woman so passionate again? Does she really think she will find out about the plague if she follows us? Or, she might just want to escape. From the sense of duty pressing down on her shoulders. Come to think of it, she said she was a soldier. She might want to quit because military work is hard. That field is bound to be quite dirty. Or she might just be drunk.’

Velloc glanced away. Perhaps because they hadn’t added firewood, the bonfire’s power was greatly weakened. The soup pot above it was also showing its bottom after filling the bellies of the hungry party. Sobbing, comforting, and the prompting voice of the elf. Velloc shook his head. ‘It seems even seasoned monster hunters cannot stop making confessions as long as they have alcohol and a bonfire.’ He muttered.

“If you survive this journey, I will promote you to a formal member.”

“The day the archdevil dies will be my promotion ceremony. Good. I will look forward to it.”

Isabel smiled brightly while saluting, and Velloc also smirked. The fatigue on the party’s faces had vanished like melting snow long ago. When the crackling bonfire left only embers and even the murmuring voices subsided, they sluggishly closed and opened their eyes. Although the sky was still red and the surroundings were dark, the party could know instinctively. That the time to grapple with the demons once again had arrived.

#

The one who noticed the change first was Baron Pigo. While sleeping inside the house on a thick blanket, he saw Velloc’s party move and quickly got up. Then, rolling his eyes, he tagged along.

Starting with him, all the remaining expedition members—priests, mercenaries, knights, and soldiers—rubbed their eyes and gathered around the party. After a moment, hundreds of armed soldiers began to follow the heels of the four.

Numerous noises—the clanking of armor, the scraping of robe hems on the floor, the laments and curses of mercenaries, and the sound of soldiers opening their canteens to gulp water—shook the ruined village. Cara, looking back slightly at the rising dust, smirked.

“See? I was right, wasn’t I? I told you they would follow right behind us.”

“They are noisy. It’s like announcing to everyone around that we are moving. How should I handle those bastards?”

As Velloc spoke as if it had become troublesome, Adele stepped forward.

“Leave it to me.”

Stopping dead in her tracks, she turned her head and glared, picking out a few soldiers.

“You! And you! Come here.”

“Y-Yes! Did you call us!”

“From now on, you are the scout team. Search this area one step ahead of us. And report immediately if anything unusual appears.”

“…”

Since it was not their senior soldier leading them but a knight from an entirely different affiliation issuing the command, the soldiers hesitated. Adele stood crookedly, fiddling with the sword at her waist.

“Why are you silent? Prove your worth. If you cannot, we will leave you behind. Although my master, Lord Velloc, is truly merciful, he is not generous enough to extend a hand to cowards. Well, what will you do?”

The soldiers swallowed hard. They looked at Adele’s raised brow and Velloc’s giant greatsword. In particular, their gazes were captured longer by the blade emitting a dark energy. How many monsters had died by that blade? The hesitation did not last long. The soldiers shouted loudly.

“We will follow your orders!”

“In that case, move right now.”

“Yes!”

The soldiers dashed off. Soon, they spied on the ruined village and examined the surroundings. It was always just the beginning that was difficult. Once one or two began to follow the command, many people soon bowed their heads and came to join the party.

Humans are social animals. They want to be in the embrace of the majority anywhere, rather than becoming a minority and dropping out. How much more so in a place swarming with monsters. Watching Adele’s threats and conciliation, Cara widened her eyes.

“This is somewhat surprising. To handle those fools so freely.”

“As expected of someone from a knight background. It’s a great art of commanding troops.”

When Isabel also admired, Velloc nodded silently. ‘I’ve felt this since I fell here, but I really have a good subordinate.’ The ragtag expedition was gradually uniting into one by just four people. At that moment, someone ran over in a hurry with a loud voice.

“Messenger! M-Messenger!”

It was the soldier whom Adele had sent out on the scouting mission earlier. As if his companions had gone somewhere, his entire body was covered in blood, and his pupils shook here and there.

“What is it?”

When Adele asked, the soldier explained, splattering spit.

“R-Red demons have appeared from the nearby skull mountain! And some black-skinned elf…”

“They have come.”

Raising a hand to stop the soldier’s babbling, Velloc drew his sword. Soon, along with the sound of tearing wind, various screeches were heard. The party raised their heads.

Membranous wings, which seemed to number in the hundreds beyond dozens, flew in, dyeing the sky pitch black. It was like a huge storm coming. Isabel knitted her brows.

Just as the soldier said, some elf was riding on the back of the demon at the very front.

“That guy is the Dark Elf the priestess spoke of back then! A dirty bastard who sold his soul to demons!”

“M-Monster!”

“Th-They have appeared! Besides, what is that number…!”

“You retarded bastards! Maintain a state of vigilance! You! Soldier! Can’t you hold your weapon and shield properly!”

While Adele was yelling at the terrified soldiers and kicking them in the butt, the incoming demons also came to a halt. Soon, they slowly flew above the expedition’s heads as if to threaten them. Their beast snouts opened. Soon, they began to screech as if tearing apart.

Kieeeek!

A few weak-hearted ones pissed themselves and slumped to the ground. Another few shrieked and deserted the ranks to flee. The more they did, the louder the demons’ screeches became, and their wingbeats grew violently larger. It was like they were herding prey.

“These bastards!”

Isabel shot her crossbow with a bang, but it was useless. The demons flew within a range where arrows could not reach, toying with them. The Dark Elf’s smirk deepened. Velloc could see that arrogant face. ‘This bastard?’ He stabbed his sword into the ground with a thud. Then, bending down, he swept the ground once. Conveniently, a rock of suitable size was caught in his hand.

“Wait, are you perhaps…”

Just as Cara, who was chanting a spell, showed a flustered smile, Velloc’s shoulder moved in a blur. The sound of tearing air resounded, and the demon’s head burst with a pop. The Dark Elf plummeted to the ground with his smiling face intact.

“Stop playing cheap tricks and bring it on.”

Lifting his visor with a click, he raised his sword and spoke.