Chapter 15
Chapter 15: I shall punish the foolish hero!
At the front-lines of the Odel Knights.
The closest route to Galfa Castle ran adjacent to Dorgo village.
Which also happened to be the location that Deared had recently been to, for their latest mission, and now—
“No, Thank you so much for everything. This is my first time meeting a hero like you.”
“No, no. Please don’t hesitate to call me anytime you need my help.”
“Are you sure we don’t have to pay for this? Is this really, okay?”
“I'm already having such a great time chatting with you guys here! Plus, I’m having lunch and dinner for free. So of course, this is only natural.”
“Woooooooooou! Oof! Huff!”
“Gyoh? Awoooh!”
“Kell-chan, Bell-chan, please wait a little more okay~ Now then, can you guys deliver this to the village chief?”
““Ooh!””
Nasha was there to lend a helping hand to the villagers who were rebuilding their destroyed houses. As she was peacefully conversing with the villagers, the two Cerberus stuck next to her like glue. They were acting quite spoiled, resting their heads on her lap. But as soon as she lightly stroked their heads while gently directing them, they happily turned to ran along the path between the fields.
There was no sign of those fierce guard dogs of hell from before, who had previously trampled on these fields with no mercy.
After Cerberus ran along to carry out what they were tasked with, the village children from the neighborhood surrounded the two dogs to pet them.
Kell-chan and Bell-chan… they looked far happier than when they were with Garlock.
Although this route didn’t directly pass through the village, the sight of it was clearly visible from the nearby forest. Garlock must have also passed through this forest trail back then when he came here to walk the Cerberus before.
Once we pass through the deep forest that laid ahead, we will swiftly arrive at the foot of the demon territory. Although the forest was overrun with vicious beasts, they would never invade the hero territory as they were strictly trained to be that way. The monsters in the forest were only stationed there to prevent anyone from wandering into that area.
We slowly moved forward while admiring the scenic view along the narrow forest trail.
As the members of Shaltz were leading us from the front, Carol crept next to my ear and whispered with a wry smile.
“Eric-chan, don’t they look like Gralock senpai’s Kell and Bell? I’m pretty sure they are, right?
“... Aah, yeah you’re right…”
“And speaking of Garlock-senpai, lately he hasn’t been feeling very well. I did try to heal him in secret but sadly I found nothing wrong with his body. I really wonder what happened to him…”
According to what I’ve heard from before, my absence had caused Garlock to be on 17 consecutive work shifts. It must have been quite vexing for him. Added to the fact that, whenever he attempts to say something about me to anyone, the destruction magic I casted upon him would activate. Plus, he also had to abandon his dear pets, Kell-chan and Bell-chan too. Garlock right now honestly seems quite pitiful…
“Well, it’ll be alright. I think he deserves to be punished a little for slacking off and throwing everything on Eric-chan all this time. It also proves our Demon Lord treats us all equally and fairly.”
Carol put extra emphasis on the word ‘Demon Lord’ as she forcefully stepped on a tree branch with her small foot.
“Come to think of it, other squads haven't shown up yet huh?”
“Yeah…”
Gercel muttered back in response to my sudden question.
The original plan was to rendezvous with another scouting unit around here. Even though this was a B ranked party, it’d still be far too reckless to take on monsters guarding the front-line alone —or so, was what I was thinking at that time.
“Olmann! Ayrad! Now!”
““Aye!!””
The plump, overweight man —Olmann suddenly dropped his sword and clasped his hands together. Followed by the brawny man Ayrad, who swiftly pulled up the great sword that was on his back.
“...Ah.”
Then I suddenly realized, Carol, who should have been standing right next to me, was no longer there. By the time I noticed this, a high-pitched voice rang from behind me.
“... Hahahahaha! Ahahahahahaha!!!”
Owner of that rowdy laughter stood there with his eyes opened wide, as he held Carol in one arm.
“Sorry to tell you this but, we have zero interest in subjugating the demon army! Still, this is quite the surprise. I never thought a weak unregistered party would possibly have a decent talent in it.”
As he was babbling on, Gercel drew a small knife near Carol's neck.
And the hostage in question, pouted her mouth in a grumpy manner.
“Kyaah~ Save me! Fu- Frank-chan—”
That’s an awfully dry tone, Carol.
I released a sigh as I had already predicted this situation beforehand. Then I calmly reached my hand towards her.
“Whoa there, I’m afraid you can’t go that way.”
Olmann suddenly smirked.
I see, he used magic to isolate us on one side.
Me, Olmann and Ayrand stood separated from Gercel and Carol who were on the other side.
Olmann seemed excited as he glanced towards Gercel who was holding Carol at a knife point.
“Hurry up and get that over with, I’ll take care of this side.”
“I know, I know.”
Before Gercel could start sprouting the anthem of low-lives, Carol suddenly interrupted him.
“Hey~ Is that story about that major incursion against the demon army even real?”
“— Eh? Who cares about that… Well, it did look like that was the case but, it has nothing to do with me or you—.”
“... I see. Then I’m glad.”
Carol turned to look at me as she finished her sentence.
“Eric-chan, you can beat them up but just don’t kill them. We can throw them out on our way home.”
“... Alright, Carol. Better to take care of them now before they could become an annoyance to [Deared] later.”
The leader, Gercel, seemed puzzled by our exchange.
However, Ayrad opened his mouth wide and he began to tremble uncontrollably.
“... What’s the matter with you Ayrad? Why do you look scared of these small fries? See their hero power… there’s literally no reaction to the light magic. They can’t even get out of this confined space—”
“N-no… you got it wrong. There’s no way these guys would have light magic…! I didn’t realize earlier since they never showed up on the battlefield but… Did you not hear their names— !?”
Carol’s crimson complexion started to glow. Her white teeth gradually grew into sharp fangs.
Simultaneously, I began amassing destruction magic on both of my hands.
“Oy oy, what the hell’s going on Ayrad…”
Carol quickly escaped the arms constraining her with her teleportation ability.
“... Ah? …”
And in an instant, she reappeared grabbing onto Gercel’s back as she thrust those white fangs into his neck.
“... Bachi! Disgusting…”
The rest of the hero party were staring at Carol in a daze.
“Carol Wapyrus and Eric Adel… Those two are Battalion Commanders of the demon army!!”
I wordlessly fired the small spheres of destruction at their trembling figures.
Of course, just as Carol instructed, I made sure to barely leave them breathing.
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