The Demons’ Domain – Part 04
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Translator: Kell
Zero laid down three rules while passing through the Demon’s Archway.
One: If anyone calls out to you from outside your field of vision, do not respond.
Two: Never look back even if someone pulls your hair.
Three: No matter what, do not let go of the rope provided for the whole troop.
The rules were too simple that it actually made Gemma worry.
“If we complicate the ritual, some people will not be able to follow, which could result in casualties.”
Convinced by Zero’s explanation, Gemma rushed towards the main troop to prepare the rope.
“Are we really going to be okay?” I asked, uneasiness in my voice.
I wasn’t as straightforward as Gemma, and probably more cowardly than her as well.
Zero giggled and caressed my neck. “I will keep you out of danger. You need not worry. The demon that created this archway is quite fond of humans.”
“How in the world is a demon that hangs human corpses as signsboards fond of humans?”
“That in itself is a sign of their affection. The demon has gone to the trouble of claiming a territory for us and encouraging us to take this path. They would not bother to do that if they wished to slaughter us.”
“So they really mean to welcome us?”
“In their own way, yes.”
I grimaced. I don’t want a demon’s welcome, thank you.
“Most demons like entertainment. If I had to guess, I would say the demon of the Green Archway wants to have fun with us.”
“You sound like you’ve hung out with demons before.”
“Would you believe me if I told you that I used to play chase with them with my life on the line when I was a child?”
“Did you even have a childhood?” I tried to sound seriously surprised.
Zero laughed. “Yes, I actually have a past. Just like you. Speaking of the past, about that attendant. He served the captain’s father in the past, yes?”
“Ahuh.”
“And you killed the captain’s father.”
“Let’s talk about that inside the carriage. I don’t want others reading my lips.”
Urging Zero, I returned to the carriage. Zero settled on my lap and began speaking in whispers, her mouth almost touching my ear.
“In short, you killed that attendant’s master,” Zero said. “But the man did not seem to hate you. Does he not know that you killed him? Or that you are the Black Beast of Death?”
“Nah, he knows everything.”
I went silent. Zero arched an eyebrow, urging me to continue.
“He’s the one who asked me to kill the guy,” I said.
Zero froze for a moment, then turned to look at me. “Do you mean the killing of the captain’s father?”
“I’m not telling you why. Anyway, the greeting just now was a warning not to tell the captain anything.”
Zero nodded, but then cocked her head with a puzzled expression immediately after. “But is it not strange? If the captain learned that you killed her father, the attendant would be in a precarious situation as well. Would it not have been better if you both pretended not to know each other?”
“You dumbass.”
“What did you call me?” Zero pulled my whiskers in irritation.
Brushing off her hand, I proceeded to explain to the ignorant witch what difference in status was. “Listen, Witch. The reason why he came along was to show me the level of trust between him and the captain. If I snitched on him and he denied it, the captain would believe him. Like how she dismissed the vice captain’s opinion, and instead followed the attendant’s advice. If she finds out what happened, only I will be killed.”
“You will not die. I will not let it happen.”
“Yeah, yeah. Thanks. Anyway, don’t say anything unnecessary, either.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you can’t make proper judgement, keep your mouth shut.” I flicked her forehead with my claw.
Zero pressed her forehead in pain. “What was that for?” But she did not pursue the matter any further.
It was after dark when we received word that everything was ready.
“I’m really sorry it took a while.” Of all people, it was Gemma’s attendant, Barcel, who brought the news. “The captain is currently making sure the witch’s instructions are strictly followed. The vice captain’s faction was grumbling, though.”
“Honest question,” I said. “Why wasn’t the old man appointed as captain?”
He seemed the more reasonable choice. There would have been no discord among the troops.
“It’s probably because he objected to having a witch as an escort,” Barcel answered. “Vice Captain Leyland is such an extremist that even when inside the safety of Wenias’ wards, he kept on screaming about exterminating witches.”
“So he lost the position as captain to a young girl because he had a disagreement with the Commander? No wonder he’s acting out.”
“It was Commander Eudwright’s decision. The Commander wanted him to support the inexperienced captain as the vice captain. He agreed, thinking he was going to essentially assume command.”
“And he was wrong.”
“Seems like it.” Barcel laughed.
It would have been easy to manipulate Gemma alone, but with Barcel on her side, it did not work out.
“But why are they grumbling now?” Zero asked. “The vice captain conceded and decided to follow the captain’s decision.”
“According to him, he only agreed to march onward, not follow the witch’s orders. He wants to go through the archway without following the Lady Witch’s advice.”
“What a pain in the ass,” I said.
“You…” Zero paused, drawing Barcel’s attention to her. “You do not seem to be afraid of witches. Unusual for a member of the Knights Templar.”
“I’m afraid of witches, of course. They’re terrifying. But I’m pragmatic, you see.” He grinned. “Besides, I find ordinary humans are just as scary as witches and Beastfallen.”
“Oh?”
“Aren’t you going to ask me why?” Barcel gave a strained laugh. He pondered over it for a bit and glanced at the archway. “I’ve seen something like this before.”
“Do you mean a demon’s work?”
“No, it was a human who did it. It was horrible. They had children chop up the bodies of adults who opposed them. They wanted to make sure that when the children grew up, they would never consider resisting. People who are called noble and honorable do such things without hesitation. I can’t say it out loud, but I’m much more afraid of evil people who pretend to be saints and revered by the masses than witches and Beastfallen.”
“You have a point,” Zero said. “Someone from Dea Ignis once terrorized ordinary citizens.”
“Ah, Corruption.”
I let out a sigh, remembering the bodies buried alive all over the fields.
Barcel seemed to know about the case. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about,” he said, nodding happily. “Dea Ignis is a disgrace to the Church. Its origins are inhuman, and their actions are abnormal. Just getting rid of them would remove half of the Church’s dark side.”
“Bold, are we?” I said. “I guess Dea Ignis is hated everywhere.” The homicidal priest whom we parted ways with just the other day came to mind.
I don’t mean to defend him, but at least he wasn’t evil. He killed people, but he didn’t take pleasure in it. If anything, he sought ways to avoid killing.
“There are some good ones from Dea Ignis.” I decided to back him up.
Barcel looked at me with surprise, then smiled. “I’ve never seen one, but that’s probably true. Just like there are witches and Beastfallen that protect the Church. Anyway, I’ve stayed too long. Are we leaving early tomorrow?”
“No,” Zero said. “We are leaving tonight.”
“What?!” Her words shocked me.
“Why are you surprised?” she said. “The time of day does not matter to demons. Humans, however, feel a little more at ease during daytime. But let us say night suddenly came in the morning, you would panic, yes?”
“I’ve never experienced that, but I guess.”
“But if morning came at night, you would feel relieved. Then it is much better to depart at night. This is witch logic.”
“You have a point,” Barcel said in admiration.
“Attendant,” Zero said.
“Yes?”
“Tell the captain that we leave as soon as the vice captain is ready.”
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