Chapter 201
On the day the Extermination Squad departed. The Plaza was teeming with People. All of them had gathered for the Demon Extermination. Many people had gathered at the news of Paimon's Extermination.
However, there were noticeably fewer People than at the last Extermination. Back then, the place was truly packed.
It seemed that since they weren't facing a 'group' like last time, but an individual Demon, the number of People had decreased accordingly.
Moreover, rumors were circulating that the Demon who appeared this time was on a different level from other Demons.
Because not just one or two People had witnessed Paimon's rampage back then. It was difficult for those who valued their lives to participate easily.
That's why most of the participants gathered this time were Otherworlders. The kind of guys who resurrect like Immortals in three days, even if they die. Many had also received the Hero Title this time, so they were probably eager to try it out.
“Th-there are a lot of People, aren't there...?” “Yeah, so keep your hood pulled down. You'll probably get caught eventually anyway.” “Ah, okay.”
I watched the gathered People with my Companions.
Currently, I had a total of four Companions beside me.
Yu Chae-rin and Im Haneul, who always accompanied me. And Neria and Livia, whom I was now looking after.
It was a very confusing combination. Neria was understandable since we'd moved together before, but Livia and I had only ever seen each other's faces. And as enemies, at that. So it was bound to be awkward.
'I did explain that she’s an Ally now, but...'
Well. That and the awkwardness were separate matters. Still, perhaps because we were in the same Party, they did try to initiate conversation.
“Oh, hello. You're Chae-rin and Haneul's childhood friend, right...?” “Oh, nice to meet you! You're Otherworlders, right? Wow, I'm so jealous. You resurrect even if you die. I wish I had a power like that too.” “Ah, yes...”
Chae-rin and Haneul wore bewildered expressions at Livia's cheerful demeanor. Livia, at least, had a bright personality, even if she was a bit childish and mentally unstable.
“...Childhood friend?”
Meanwhile, Im Haneul seemed to have fixated on a rather strange word. For now, I decided to leave them be. I figured the awkwardness would naturally lessen once they talked a bit.
Instead, I decided to think about something else for a moment.
After all, a thought was still lingering in my mind. The words Barbatos had earnestly asked of me a few days before I left The Depths.
'Please don’t hate Paimon too much...'
It was as if she were pitying her own king.
“What in the world does that even mean...”
Of course, hearing that only left me perplexed. Barbatos could say that because she was a Demon, just like Paimon. But for me, it was a request I simply couldn't accept. Even if it was just in thought.
“Why should I?”
Why on earth should I pity that Demon? Just thinking about those Demons makes my blood boil.
Those nuisances who suddenly appeared, rampaging indiscriminately, claiming World Domination. Those pieces of trash who scattered their blood and ruined countless lives just to burst into this World. I had no intention of pitying them in the slightest.
Any Demon that appears in this World must have its head smashed in, no matter who it is. That was an absolute proposition, a principle that must always be upheld. This wasn't just my thought; it was common sense universally accepted by everyone.
“Even if it”s Barbatos... it'll be the same.'
As I thought that far, my thoughts inevitably drifted to *that* guy.
It made me frown for a moment.
Even I, who would unconditionally rush at any Demon, felt a slight hesitation when thinking about that neck-only guy.
...A day would come when I'd have to settle things with *that* guy too.
The truth was, even if we didn't mention it, Barbatos's Seal clearly seemed to be gradually weakening.
Although I regularly took Spirit Grass, mana was generated within the Forest itself. I couldn't stop the Altar from automatically absorbing mana. Eventually, Barbatos would resurrect too.
I didn't know how it would end..., but I hoped for a peaceful resolution if possible.
“Thank you for gathering here.”
As I was lost in thought, a Knight ascended the Platform. Good timing. My thoughts were getting too deep and needed to be cut off.
Familiar faces appeared on the Platform. There were several Knight Commanders this time too.
2nd Knight Commander Odelia, 3rd Knight Commander Vivian, and 5th Knight Commander... what was her name, Serena?
'It's been so long since I've seen them, I've even forgotten their names.'
It seemed that since this Demon was strong, the Empire had dispatched as many Personnel as possible. Leaving behind only the minimum number of Personnel to protect the Country.
“Looks like the 4th Knight Commander stayed behind.”
For now, I decided to focus on what was in front of me.
After that... a typical speech followed. Words meant to boost the People's morale, like 'We're counting on you,' and “We can win this time too.”
After finishing their speeches, the Knight Commanders stated plainly.
“Then, let's depart.”
For now, it was time to focus on the Boss right in front of us.
*
As mentioned before. This extermination felt a bit rushed.
After all, it had only been a month since we returned from the war with Lemegeton. Even if there had been enough time to rest, going into another Large-scale Battle was still a burden.
Naturally, the Adventurers' complaints about this were quite significant. Worried voices frequently asked if it wasn't too hasty.
Despite this, the reason the Knights were rushing so much was that time was not on our side.
“Paimon is apparently building something.”
Those were the words of Im Haneul, who was beside me. As we walked, she explained to me what had happened in the World during that time. That is to say, it was what had transpired while Nikki and I were living together in a chaotic mess.
Apparently, since the day of the decisive battle with Lemegeton, Paimon had been stacking stones. Every single day, without fail. From morning till night.
He was a guy who possessed an Overpowered Ability akin to Kotodama from the start. Though it was just one Demon stacking stones, its speed was clearly beyond belief.
If he said, “Rise,” a boulder the size of a house would float up. If he said, “Become a wall,” a stone wall several meters high would appear. With a power that could be called semi-omnipotence, he was constantly using his abilities without rest...
After just one day, a structure almost the size of a village would be created.
That's why the Empire couldn't help but feel rushed.
“So that's why we're departing so quickly. The longer we wait, the more fortified it'll obviously become.”
“Yeah. But thanks to that, apparently almost no one has died.”
That was at least a fortunate thing. Honestly, if that Demon had set foot in another Kingdom, the damage would have been severe. Well... on the other hand, it seems like catching him has become even harder.
*'With even fewer people, will we be able to catch him...?'*
Honestly, I don't think it'll be easy. I really don't want to block a Sports Field-sized boulder by myself again. How much it hurts to have your flesh torn!
Still, the Knights must have made various preparations. So, for now, I decided to comfortably trust them. Unlike last time, this time my stamina was at its peak.
“And there's another reason.”
As I was thinking that, Haneul continued.
“That Demon-person who appeared last time, you know. The one created during the battle...”
“Isolde?”
“Ah, right.”
Hearing that name after a long time, I frowned.
Not just me, but Livia, who was playing the finger game with Chae-rin beside me, also instantly showed a downcast expression. They'd been doing just that for tens of minutes, so it seemed she'd overheard some of the conversation while playing.
Anyway, Isolde wasn't someone I had fond memories of. She seemed to have her own circumstances, but in the end, she died consumed by rage. Still, as a fellow Manifestor, I felt a sense of pity. a thought that perhaps if she had been born elsewhere, she might have lived well.
“Anyway, it seems quite a few people died back then... As you know, those killed by Demon-people become Sacrifices. So...” “Meaning another Demon could appear, right?”
Haneul nodded at my words. The emergence of a new Demon was almost a certainty. However, the problem was not knowing when or what kind of Demon would appear.
If another Demon were to appear while Paimon was still alive... A true catastrophe could unfold. I muttered with a bitter smile.
“When looked at this way, it makes sense to depart quickly.”
After that, I spent time having various conversations with my Companions. I was listening to trivial World news, or playing simple games if I got bored.
Spending time like that, we eventually arrived at our destination.
Surprisingly, this Destination was also the Ruryeon Kingdom. It was the place occupied by Imps. Why did we keep coming to this ruined neighboring Country so often? At this point, I felt like I was growing fond of it.
Thump.
Stepping out of the carriage, I couldn't help but marvel for a moment.
“Wow...”
The Ruryeon Kingdom, which I revisited after a month, had changed a lot. To be precise, only one of its many districts had.
The Buildings that had become ruins are nowhere to be seen, replaced instead by a single colossal Building.
A massive Stone Wall, easily several meters high, encircled it on the outside in a circular shape. The only visible Passage had a winding path leading into it, as if inviting us to enter.
Even from the outside, it was a Building of immense scale. It was enough to feel like it filled an entire Territory.
In my opinion, this was not a Fortress. It was too open and complex to be called a Fortress. Instead, there was a word that suited it better.
A Labyrinth.
A bewitching architecture that deceives and confuses people like a living monster.
“It feels like we're a month too late for this.”
I muttered, marveling at Paimon's ability.
He was quite the character, creating something so 'interesting' in just a month.