Chapter 179
We were initially taken aback by the fact that they had fled. Though we had our doubts, we didn't expect them to actually leave like this.
When one looked at the empty Village, it was enough to feel not just absurdity, but even emptiness.
Perhaps because we'd expended so much stamina getting here, one of the Adventurers, whose efforts felt wasted, said irritably.
Seriously? There's not even a shadow of them, is there? After all that posturing, you couldn't even properly track where they were, could you?
No matter how annoyed he was, to say that directly to a Knight was a rather rude remark.
One of the Knights might have immediately stepped forward to scold him, but surprisingly, the Knights simply ignored him and crossed their arms.
When I saw their reaction, it seemed they had an idea of what was going on.
“I had a feeling, but... they really are gone.” “They must have gone to *that place*, right?”
They exchanged words known only to themselves. I cocked my head, eavesdropping on their conversation. The other Adventurers nearby did the same. Finally, one Adventurer asked, unable to contain their curiosity.
Where is *that place*?
“The Altar. The Demon Altar.”
Now that I think about it, the reason this Extermination was hastily organized was that they'd discovered a Demon Altar. Demons were always troublesome beings, after all.
It seemed they intended to summon a demon before fighting us at all. If it was a demon they could communicate with, fighting alongside a demon would be even more advantageous.
Unless they intended to scatter completely, that was the only place they could be.
“Do you happen to know where it is?”
“Yes, it's quite close to here. It seems the Altar is just past the Pit where the Imps emerge.”
“Honestly... This Kingdom has a Cult Order and sealed Demons... It has everything, doesn't it?”
“Well... thanks to that, weren't we able to track them easily? While secretly monitoring their Stronghold, we stumbled upon the Altar as well. Don't be too bothered by it.”
Reilly stepped forward and smoothly deflected the Adventurer's grumbling. With a Commander-level individual directly stepping in like that to appease him, the Adventurer had no choice but to back down.
However, the Knight from the Ruryeon Kingdom who was listening to the conversation nearby had a foul expression.
Calamities were practically brewing all over the country he used to live in, so of course he'd be dumbfounded.
Now that I think about it, I heard the people from the Ruryeon Kingdom were shouting about Kingdom Reconstruction. Somehow, Kingdom Reconstruction seemed to be getting further and further away. At this rate, I wondered if they'd just settle down in the Empire.
Then, we're moving out.
Anyway, since we'd confirmed the Lemegeton's folk weren't here, there was no reason to stay any longer.
And so, we began to move again.
*
We were still traversing the Imp Stronghold three hours after entering the Kingdom... Although we had been fighting for quite a long time, fortunately our advance didn't slow down.
While there was a huge number of them, each individual Imp wasn't particularly strong. The Extermination Squad's Defense was quite solid, too solid for mere Imps to break through.
Of course, as we fought continuously, our stamina was bound to be depleted. Though the large number of individuals rotated in combat, just by our being in it, the fervor of battle alone gnawed at our stamina.
Moreover, perhaps because it was summer, the heat was considerable.
*Ugh, did I really join for nothing?*
Honestly... it was enough to make me think that for a moment. But anyway, as we walked without rest, the Pit where the Imps emerge began to appear slowly.
Kiiieek!
Kieeeek!
A massive hole gaped open in the ground, its floor stained red, and the cries of Imps echoed from all directions.
It's like looking into Hell.
At the desolate sight, everyone stared blankly at their surroundings. Eventually, someone couldn't hold back and asked Reilly.
“It's disgustingly huge. Can this be closed?” “...We're looking for a way.”
It seemed from his answer they hadn't found a way yet.
Honestly, it was a topic I was secretly curious about too, so I quietly nodded to myself.
Perhaps because there wasn't really anyone among the Knight Commanders to ask. I was quite grateful to the person who stepped forward first to ask such a question.
Vivian was too timid to open her mouth in front of people. And Reilly, well, we had an awkward relationship.
*And the remaining 1st Knight Commander...
She simply said nothing. Her expression was so blank that I couldn't read what she was thinking. In such an unapproachable atmosphere, no one went near her.
She was like a human isolated on a remote island... Because of that, I didn't try to talk to her either.
As we killed Imps and passed by the Pit, something else slowly began to appear.
“Th-they're here!”
“Damn it... To think they'd actually come this far.”
Dozens of people were armed with various weapons. Their attire varied, but given that they appeared right in front of us, there was no need to distinguish them.
It was Lemegeton, of course. Finally, only after we passed the Pit, the cultists we had been searching for so long appeared.
“Block them!” “Don't let those bastards come any closer!”
Upon seeing us, they immediately began to unleash an attack— bows with steel-tipped arrows, throwing spears, and even thick stones
Not only that, some of them frantically beat their shields like gongs, creating a commotion.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
It was as if someone was hoping this commotion would attract Monsters.
Now that I think about it, they must have those crystal balls too, right?
Only the Technique inside was complex. No one said making it was that difficult.
Fortunately, their attack wasn't very threatening. They were just throwing wildly, and their accuracy was terrible.
However, their intentions were obvious, and it was quite annoying. It clearly looked like they were trying to slow down the Extermination Squad's advance. It seemed there was definitely something ahead.
“Imps are coming from behind!” “From the sides too!” “Deal with them all! If we leave them, they'll just keep following us!”
Not only that, with Imps swarming due to the commotion, we couldn't help but slow down. But we weren't just taking it.
Shwaak-! After all, there were no fewer than three Knight Commanders participating here. Honestly, this many could adequately deal with not only Imps, but even dozens of Ogres charging.
Shwaak-! Shwaak-! The chilling sound of flesh being torn echoed from all directions. As they had gathered, watching the skilled individuals was quite a sight.
4th Knight Commander Reilly primarily utilized Defensive Swordsmanship, and it was heavy and solid, perhaps because of that.
3rd Knight Commander Vivian focused on swift footwork, showcasing aggressive and flashy swordsmanship. Sometimes, it made me wonder if she was a berserker.
And the 1st Knight Commander... Well, she was simply clean. She was dealing with Imps, one by one, with a single sword strike. Her posture was flawless and orthodox, but unfortunately, there was nothing particularly special beyond that.
*Is it that she doesn't need to exert much effort against Imps?*
Indeed, I could also honestly achieve a One-shot Kill on an Imp. And I...
“Kiiieek!”
Thud. I just moved moderately, and dealt roughly with only the Monsters that rushed at me.
Anyway, there were enough individuals, and if I actively participated, I would only tighten the noose around Sephiroth and Livia.
With this complicated feeling, I didn't particularly want to move diligently. My feelings still hadn't changed at all from when I first saw the Extermination announcement.
As much as I disliked Demons, I did think Lemegeton's actions needed to be stopped. I didn't want to entrust my life to those Demon bastards, only to be treated like livestock, even if it meant my death.
If so, should I slaughter all the Lemegeton folk like cattle because of that? If you asked me, that wasn't it either.
Their thoughts weren't relatable, but I understood them. And when I met them in person, they were surprisingly easy to talk to. They weren't as malicious as their “criminal group” label suggested.
Because of that, I couldn't help but develop some affection for them.
From the start, I myself was a person who almost faced execution just for being a manifestor. Of course, the situation is a bit different now, but I still couldn't help but dislike their methods.
*Ugh... my head hurts.*
Still, after pondering for a few days, I had a rough idea of how I should act.
I'll stop their plans, but I'll try to get the ones I know out somehow.
For example, if Livia seemed about to be captured by the Knights, I'd subtly help her. Even if Lemegeton fell, they could still preserve their lives.
Subtly hiding them deep in the Forest would be fine too. And if she spouted nonsense about serving Demons again, I might even punch her.
I was thinking such thoughts and slowly moving forward.
“You've already come this far.” “...I wish you had come a little later.”
Amidst countless deterrent maneuvers, familiar faces appeared. A cold-faced woman with white hair and a man with yellow hair were present. Both were individuals I had met at least once and even conversed with.
5th Branch Leader Sephiroth and 4th Branch Leader Harold were the Branch Leaders we first encountered upon arriving at This Place.