Chapter 10: Demons of the Golden Age (5)
Cherry blossoms bloomed in this world too, lining the highway to Baije, the largest human stronghold in the Northern Plateau. Their pure white petals made everything—broken carriages, gutted horses, trampled corpses—look like a grim painting, dusted with falling blossoms.
I gazed, lost in thought.
Krrrrrr. My subdued dragon nuzzled my leg, purring like a giant cat as I stroked its head.
“Ujjujju, Yongyong. Bored? Wanna play?”
As I played with the dragon, Rivale stood in the highway’s center, humming.
“Here~ is the proof that the end has come~.”
He raised his greatsword in both hands, measured his target, and swung with a huff.
“Kkuek!”
A scream cut short as the blade cleaved through a man’s ornate-clad neck, splitting it like firewood. Blood sprayed. Rivale grabbed the rolling head, glanced around, and grinned.
“Okay, eat it.”
He tossed it to the dragon, who caught it eagerly. Crunch, crunch. A gulp, then a burp.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Rivale, Schlacht said to kill strong humans, not everyone on the highway.”
He clicked his tongue, tossing the headless corpse into the forest.
“Tsk tsk, child. Impatient. How many roads lead to Baije? Block them, and the city’s goods and people stop flowing.”
I stared, confused. He explained.
“When the city struggles, the lord sends knights or wizards to clear the demons. We wait and kill them.”
“Oh…!”
Clever. Baije’s lord wouldn’t expect two great demons. He’d send his best to restore the road, playing into our hands. Rivale wasn’t just muscle—he was a strategist.
A cold wind blew. I shuddered.
“I’m still far from perfect. I need to get stronger, learn more…!”
Humans and demons here weren’t easily felled by simple spells like Azeriyuje or Zoltrak. I couldn’t relax.
Rivale grinned, patting my shoulder.
“Realized it? Your eyes have changed.”
“Yes. Thank you!”
Every lesson brought me closer to facing Frieren. I focused, sensing for more targets to subjugate.
A large magical presence approached, with smaller ones—humans. A mage and knights, per Soliter’s teachings.
“Rivale, humans are coming. One mage, several knights.”
“Good. I was low on blood.”
Thump. Thump. Rivale stabbed the ground with his greatsword, then raised it, roaring.
“I am here! Humans, add your blood to Rivale’s blade, god of war! Come quickly!”
Hooves thundered in response. Ten knights and one wizard appeared.
Rivale turned, voice sharp.
“You handle the wizard.”
I grinned, lifting my scales.
“Leave it to me.”
Taang! Air tore as Rivale charged the knights like a cannonball. I used flight magic to slip into the nearby bushes.
Demons, often overwhelming alone, were poor at teamwork. If the knights and mage coordinated, we’d be in trouble. I wouldn’t let them.
I didn’t wait long. A mage burst through the bushes, sensing my magic. His face darkened.
“A demon… Great Demon level… Damn. I’m done for.”
“Why not run?”
His reply was scornful.
“Deserters and their families face execution. You heartless demons wouldn’t understand family.”
I had a heart. But sometimes, I had to kill it without hesitation.
“Sad. Truly sad.”
I meant it. My demon instincts mourned the human, yet their indifference soothed me. A contradiction—humans carry a few, don’t they? I’m half-human, so one’s fine.
The mage aimed his staff, eyes cold, calculating his spell.
Tension stretched taut, ready to snap.
I struck first.
“Zoltrak.”
A killing beam shot out, slightly faster than sound.
“What! Defen—”
Thud.* A corpse fell, heart pierced. Human defenses couldn’t stop Zoltrak—not yet analyzed.
Killing was this easy.
I closed my eyes, unwilling to see the body. The knights’ desperate screams against Rivale echoed faintly.
Every moment burned into my mind.
Forgetting wasn’t as easy as killing.