## Chapter 1028 – The One With Many Questions

And so, I was able to acquire some general, yet highly accurate information.

“We are currently advancing, steadily reclaiming the lost land. We’re purifying the reclaimed land with holy water and divine power as best we can.”
“Can you purify that vast area of contamination?”
“It seems that if we exterminate all the demons in the vicinity before starting the purification process, it’s quite effective.”
“That’s a relief. But are there any side effects from the contaminated land?”
“Hmm… It doesn’t seem like anything has been confirmed yet. We haven’t exactly been experimenting…”

That meant a detailed analysis was still pending.

“In any case, the situation isn’t too bad. Didn’t the Saintess arrive after the Great Demon Andromalius and the Demon Gate were confirmed?”
“Yes. I’m currently working under the Saintess.”
“A very righteous path.”

He gave a satisfied smile and continued.

“Thankfully, reinforcements and various support have been arriving in earnest since then. If we had been stuck with the same forces as before, we would have been helplessly fending off the High Demons until the support troops arrived.”

It seemed that the increased support for the frontier regions had prevented even greater damage. I should let Kadia know about this later.

“Currently, the Royal Knights and Holy Knights are leading the charge in eliminating the demons. Mages, lords’ armies, and adventurers and mercenaries have also joined in, so things are progressing better than expected.”
“It’s a relief that things are going well.”
“Still… it’s very dangerous.”
“Well, don’t worry too much. I’ve heard that both the Great Temple and the Royal Family are taking this matter very seriously.”
“Oh…! It’s a relief that the Royal Family knows, as well as the Great Temple. It certainly is a serious matter.”

He nodded with a grave expression.

Would this be the end of it?

It was a little early to think about the future when we hadn’t even resolved the current situation, but I had a feeling that this kind of thing would happen frequently from now on.

Unless we resolved the situation where the boundaries between dimensions had weakened for some unknown reason, those demon bastards would definitely keep coming. They wouldn’t just stop coming because they got their asses kicked a few times.

If they failed this time, they would come back more cunning and using more inhumane methods next time.

The kingdom wasn’t fully prepared to deal with such a full-scale invasion… It was fortunate that only one gate had appeared here, but what if they sprang up simultaneously throughout the kingdom?

We might lose land.

If that happened, humanity would be left with nothing but a fucked-up future. A world full of despair, pain, and hatred. A world that could only be described as a complete shitshow.

“Ah, the mages are buying up that black fluid left behind after killing demons. When I asked why, it seemed they found it useful for something. Demons have been appearing sporadically in this area, so they must have been doing some research in the meantime.”
“Oh.”

Come to think of it, only black liquid was left behind after killing a demon. I hadn’t really seen it lately, and I’d been absorbing them into Vugal after catching them, so I’d forgotten about it.

“Hehehe, if there’s money to be made, even demons will be killed in an instant.”
“Can’t argue with that.”

Anyway, we continued the conversation like that.

“Honestly, most demons don’t have a concept of an army, so they mostly move alone or with others that look similar. That’s why the situation is relatively good now that we’ve launched a full-scale extermination operation.”
“Hmm.”
“But there are these Satyrs… they fight as an army. They’re very tricky opponents. They’re strong, and they also use demonic magic.”
“Sounds pretty deadly.”

If creatures stronger than ordinary humans formed an army, it would naturally be difficult.

“But what about the Demon Gate? Have you found it? Have you pinpointed its location?”
“We haven’t been able to pinpoint it… We haven’t found it yet. We thought it would probably be in the central area, so we kept sending scouts, but…”
“Don’t tell me they got ambushed?”

Was there an even stronger demon in the central area?

“The Holy Knights suddenly leave to kill demons while advancing, and it’s not yet possible for the knights alone to carry out a deep reconnaissance mission. So, we haven’t been able to figure it out yet.”
“Damn.”

I could almost picture the Holy Knights screaming and writhing as they charged at the demons.

In my opinion, the Holy Knights are useless for reconnaissance in this situation. When they see a demon, they’re just friendly, kind berserkers.

So, the Holy Knights were pulled out, and the knights alone were supposed to carry out the reconnaissance mission, but if it was that difficult, there must be something more.

“Still, we’ve learned that the deeper you go, the more horrific the scenery becomes. Unknown magical beasts and bizarre, evil, heteromorphic plants cover the area.”
“Hmm… Sounds dangerous. So, a reconnaissance team made up of knights can’t break through, is that it?”
“That’s right. We’d need to launch a proper offensive operation to break through.”

Well, we can do that later.
If all else fails, we can do it ourselves.

“Then this is what I’m most curious about.”

I asked what I was most curious about.

“Has a Great Demon appeared, or anything like that?”
“We’re acting with that in mind as well. Especially since Bakarel went to the Royal Knights headquarters to warn them of the danger. He warned them so enthusiastically that the knights expressed their discomfort.”

That old man hadn’t changed.

Not one bit.

He must have gone to the knights and started doing the Banga Banga Hamtaro dance. No, the Banga Banga Loud Noise was basic, and he must have been having a seizure with inhuman jumps and spins.

It would be a problem if the Royal Knights misunderstood and thought that all the Holy Knights were completely insane psychos.

“If you’re saying he warned them, it seems you haven’t found one yet.”
“Yes. We haven’t confirmed one yet.”

So, a Great Demon hasn’t appeared yet.

Well, of course, one might not come at all, but in this situation, excluding the possibility of a Great Demon’s existence would be nothing short of foolish.

“But… I’ve heard that it takes a long time for Great Demons to cross the gate. Maybe one is crossing over right now. In other words, the demons are buying time so that their Great Demon can cross over.”

My thoughts were similar.

Maybe one had already crossed over completely and was secretly preparing something. Whatever the case, this was a proper gate. If a Great Demon that had crossed over started to act, the troops currently fighting would suffer great damage.

“Anyway, I’ll go take a look. I need to confirm it, at least.”
“As expected!! As expected, as expected!!! That’s wonderful!!!”

He exclaimed and took out a luxurious glass bottle from his pocket.

“Here! Take this with you! It might be helpful, it’s high-grade holy water!”
“High-grade holy water! Thank you!”

It was quite useful. I immediately got up from my seat, bowed, and received it. It wouldn’t hurt to carry one around for emergencies… Well, actually, it would. Hilde was here, after all. I’d have to be careful with this.

“Still, don’t just go off on your own, it would be better to participate in the operations of the Holy Knights or the knights. You need to ensure your own safety as well, as you don’t know what the demons might do.”
“Hehehe, thank you for your concern. But there’s no need to worry.”

ㅡWhoosh!!

I stood up from my seat, drew Vugal, and ignited the sword flame.

“I have cut down countless monsters, demons, and heretical warriors.”
“Oh…!”
“So, rest assured. It’s not for nothing that I work with the Saintess. I have been carrying out the Saintess’s orders, traveling throughout the kingdom and exterminating the enemies of the Order that are rampant. Recently, I also annihilated those bastards from Cabalstro.”
“Cabalstro!!!”

The man’s eyes widened in shock.
It must have been surprising.

“I’d like to tell you more about what’s been happening, but I have too much to do. Thank you for the holy water. I will definitely achieve results.”
“Really…! May Verde’s blessing be with you! Oh!”
“Hehehe, thank you.”

After finishing the conversation, I received a few documents containing the operation map and the progress made so far and was able to leave. It seemed that once I went outside, I could stop by a suitable knight camp or Holy Knight camp to inform them of my status and then act.

“But you’re really popular with the dark-skinned religious people. They’re all so kind.”

Winia said that as I came out.

“Religious people tend to see through a person’s character. They see through my integrity, good nature, and righteous heart and naturally treat me that way. I can’t help but be treated well.”
“Ugh, you’re such a liar. If a dark-skinned person is honest, kind, and righteous, then I’m flat-chested.”
“Really, Winia. Don’t say such ridiculous things. No one can find fault with my character.”

I was socially respected, and the things I actually did were worthy of respect. I was beating up heretical bastards, murderous robbers, demons, and monsters, and if that wasn’t worthy of respect, I didn’t know what I had to do to be respected.

Kim Kat is a saint.

Everyone in the world calls me that.

I’ve saved so many people that I can’t even count them on one hand anymore.

It was only natural to be proud of that.

“Hehehe, that’s right. Kat is a truly perfect man. Noble, diligent, and progressive. There’s probably no man in this world as kind and righteous as Kat.”
“Right? You really know me better than anyone else in the world. How do you know me so well?”
“Because I’m your mama?”
“Teehee. Mama.”

I couldn’t help but make a Lehu sound.

“My sister has given the dark-skinned guy bad habits, really.”
“Oh my, I was just stating the facts, wasn’t I?”
“Damn.”

Anyway, not much time had passed. I had everything I needed and all the information, so what. I should rest well today and start acting tomorrow.

“Then, dark-skinned guy. Shall we go back?”
“Let’s look around the shops first. We need to decide whether to eat out or make something.”
“Okay. Let’s do that.”

Before going back, I looked around Isvant Street.

“Oh.”

It was a street that hadn’t changed at all.

A familiar city where the faces of the people were all potential murderers and criminals, and it felt like there wasn’t a single person among those moving busily who wasn’t a thief.

I walked down the street, which was just as I remembered it, and reminisced.

“It looks like they’re open for business.”
“It does.”

It seemed that everyone was doing business in their own way. I found that the relatively high-end restaurant area was also open, probably doing business with the knights.

I was too tired to make anything on a day like this, so let’s eat out.

“Let’s eat out today. We can eat and buy some bedding and sleep at home.”
“Then shall we go back now?”

Cloudy asked.

“Let’s stop by the Martial Artist Guild first. I need to let them know, in case we miss each other.”

It seemed like there was still plenty of time, so I decided to go and let them know. I immediately dragged them towards the Martial Artist Guild.

“Hmm.”

The Martial Artist Guild, which I hadn’t seen in a long time, didn’t seem to have changed much. I had been wondering if it had completely gone to ruin, but it was maintaining the sparkling cleanliness that was unique to well-managed buildings.

ㅡCreak.

I opened the door without hesitation and went inside.

“Let’s go in.”
“Are you just going in as you please?”
“Who’s going to stop me, damn it.”
“You’re so full of charisma. So cool.”
“My sister thinks the dark-skinned guy is so cool no matter what he does, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Hehehe, ah. This is so good. But Winia, don’t you think so too?”

Anyway, I said that as I went inside.

“Well… I can’t say that I don’t.”
“Hehehe, just say you do.”

The martial artists around us looked at us, but I didn’t care at all and went inside the building. Still, there were martial artists visible everywhere. It didn’t seem like it had completely collapsed.

The uniforms were the same, so what.

I went up the stairs, grabbed a martial artist, and asked appropriately.

“Excuse me, hello. I’m a friend of Master Lizette, is she here right now?”
“Yes?”
“Is Master Lizette here?”
“Ah. She should be on the top floor right now… A friend, you say…?”
“Have a good day.”

Was it there?
Then I should go.

“I think they’re all probably upstairs.”

I immediately passed the martial artist who was expressing doubt and went up to the top floor, and I knocked on the door familiarly.

ㅡKnock. Knock. Knock.

The voices that had been heard inside stopped for a moment.
How many seconds had I waited?

ㅡCreak.

The door opened, and a blonde woman appeared.
It was Mariel.

“…”

I made eye contact with the guy.

“…”

After a moment of silence.

“Ah, Aaaah!!! Aaaaaaaah!!!!”

The guy screamed like he was having a seizure, widened his eyes, and jumped low.

“Y-y-you!!!”

And then, with an expression that was twice as surprised as if he had seen the ghost of the top student he had pushed off the roof and killed out of ugly jealousy when he was the second-best student in school, he pointed at me and shouted.

“Heavenly Demon, why are you here!!!”
“Hey, hey. Be quiet, you idiot. And aren’t you going to kneel?”
“You crazy…! The Heavenly Demon has appeared!!! And what nonsense are you spouting as soon as you see me!!!”
“I’m a Baron, you idiot.”
“What…?”
“I’m a noble. You fucking ball-sucking bitch. Aren’t you going to kneel?”