Entrance to the Demon World (3)

“It’s still so desolate to see you after such a long time.”

Even if the monsters retreated, the wasteland did not change.

A vacant lot where unpleasant sand winds blow.

Even though the monster’s cries, which resembled screams, had decreased, it was still desolate.

“There is still no sign of life. “Wouldn’t it take a very long time for vegetation to grow?”

Tyria looked outside with a sad expression.

Considering the surrounding climate and current situation, the terrain is too barren for living things to live in.

Even if the war ended, there was a high probability that the environment would remain uninhabitable.

The shaking of the carriage became worse while passing over rough ground instead of a road.

In a situation where it was difficult to sleep, my colleagues remained silent.

“Everyone, let’s be patient a little longer. It will arrive soon.”

Everyone was exhausted after being cooped up in the carriage for such a long time.

Meanwhile, Erina was the only one keeping her expression.

“Erina. “Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m fine.”

Even so, it would be difficult to be stuck in a carriage for two weeks.

Erina kept a blank expression as if nothing was really wrong.

However, I kept my mouth shut as if I was thinking of something else in my head.

There is no friction with other colleagues, so I wonder if it is okay.

‘I don’t know what you’re thinking.’

It has become more difficult to know her inner thoughts.

Previously, emotions were often revealed in facial expressions, so you could barely notice them.

Now he has an expressionless or depressed expression, making it difficult to read his thoughts.

Nevertheless.

“Why, why are you like that…?”

As I stared, a blush appeared on my expressionless face.

She still showed her weakness only to me.

A feeling of liking me unchangingly from the beginning until now.

I hoped that that would remain the same.

“No. Nothing special happened.”

I turned my head without holding my gaze for long.

Even now, Kayla was watching restlessly.

While spending time like that, the carriage finally stopped.

When the carriage door finally opened, an unpleasant sandstorm greeted us.

The joy of arrival disappeared along with the dust.

“The wind is unusually strong. Everyone please be careful.”

When we got off the carriage with the driver’s instructions, there were people waiting for us.

Eileen and her knights.

Among the three knights guarding the central battlefield, Han

“Eileen. “It’s been a while.”

“Yes. I’m glad you arrived safely.”

“The other knight commander?”

“I’m waiting in the barracks.”

Was it only Eileen who came to meet us first?

Maybe it’s because it’s been a while since I last saw her, but she looks happy.

“It’s been a while, Eileen.”

“Ah, Captain Max. It’s been a while.”

Eileen and Max exchanged familiar greetings, perhaps because they were already old.

However, even though they were the same knight commander, Eileen used the honorific title.

Although they are equal in title, Max is slightly higher in position.

Max’s knights were one of the best in the capital, so it was worth it.

Finally, as Catalina approached, Eileen’s body stiffened.

“Ah. It’s been a while. Director Eileen.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you.”

Contrary to what he said, he didn’t look very welcoming.

The two people’s behavior is almost polar opposites, so their relationship is quite uncomfortable.

Anyway, there were few people who got along well with Catalina.

After a brief greeting, I headed towards the central barracks.

Meanwhile, Eileen told me about what happened in the central battlefield.

“Fortunately, the Demon King’s army’s counterattack was successfully stopped.”

“What happened to the spirits and fairies?”

“After the Spirit King fell, it virtually disintegrated or scattered. In fact, only the remnants of the demons and the demon king’s army remained.”

Since the most difficult opponents, spirits and fairies, were gone, we were able to defend with the number of knights.

It is said that they cannot dare to advance into the demon world yet.

“The closer we got to the fog of the Demon World, the more our morale dropped. In fact, fighting is impossible in the Demon World.”

The only ones who can survive are the knight commander and those with the same mental strength.

In severe cases, it is said that soldiers began vomiting one after another.

Currently, it is said that a garrison has been established near the Demon World, and soldiers are regularly rotated to defend it.

After being roughly informed of the situation, when we entered the barracks, two people stood up.

Gilbert and Paul.

“You came back safely, dear.”

“Yes. Did anything special happen?”

“Yes. The Demon King’s army retreated and the battlefield remained unchanged.”

Gilbert greeted me in a relatively friendly manner.

Paul only shook my hand with a shocked expression.

“Nothing happened to us either.”

“Okay.”

Paul avoids eye contact after a short conversation.

Seeing that, Max approached him with a smile.

“Did you have another accident while I was away?”

“What was the accident? Nothing really happened.”

“Really? Seohyun?”

“Well, nothing happened other than being stuck with me and breaking up properly.”

Max clicked his tongue lightly as if he knew what I was saying.

“You. You attacked me too and your temper remains the same.”

“Tsk… “

Paul sat down as if he was discouraged by Max’s words.

Judging by the fact that he was unable to refute it, it seems that even Max was completely broken.

“Gilbert. “It’s been a while.”

“Okay. Max. How have you been?”

On the other hand, Gilbert welcomed Max warmly.

Perhaps because Gilbert was older, Max also used an honorific title.

After saying hello, the party representatives took their seats.

And the person who took the center of the table was Max.

Gilbert also naturally gave him his place.

“Ruler. Then, let me explain the operation right away.”

Even the knights protecting the central battlefield were following Max’s command.

I heard that Max was active in the central battlefield before.

It seems that conducting has been Max’s responsibility since before.

‘It seems like everyone was divided because Max wasn’t there.’

When he returned, the three knight commanders listened in silence.

Unlike me, there were no complaints or disputes at all.

“The day we head to the Demon World is in four days. “Does everyone have any objections?”

“Four days. Isn’t it too urgent? “How about watching the situation for at least a week?”

“No problem. “Four days are enough for material preparation and maintenance.”

Max noticed what I was thinking and dissuaded Gilbert from giving me advice.

It seems he rejected it in advance because he knew I wouldn’t accept it.

‘Okay. The faster the better.’

Even if we wait longer, it would only give Makiella time to create a mutation.

Since I wanted to subdue her as quickly as possible, I was satisfied with four days of preparation.

“Ah. And I have one thing to tell you.”

While the meeting was in progress, Eileen raised her hand.

“Recently, the number of variants of monsters has increased.”

“Variant?”

“Yes. Unlike ordinary monsters, they were more ferocious and stronger.”

Among the enemies that Eileen witnessed, there was a monster that stood out.

An orc with twice as many arms. A harpy with bulging muscles. A goblin that has become huge.

Even their appearance was bizarre, and they were much stronger than other monsters.

While I was quietly listening to the story, I said something.

“Does this mean that a mutation suddenly appeared?”

“Yes. The exact cause has not yet been revealed.”

“Then it could have been Machiela’s doing.”

At those words, the eyes of those around me focused on me.

The last of the four blades. Makiella.

Until now, there was only notoriety, and there was disagreement about its exact role.

The devil’s agent, the monster’s general manager, a hidden secret weapon.

She appeared on the battlefield only once.

When the Demon King’s army invaded the central battlefield.

He appeared on the battlefield along with the Demon King, Ragnar, and Katrin.

Except for that time, she never appeared and no one knew her exact identity.

That’s why the knight commanders were both surprised and distrustful at my words.

“Makiella. “Why did you think it was her doing?”

“I’m just guessing. But we cannot assume that mutations occur naturally.”

“Hmm, I’m a little too sure about it to be just a guess.”

“It’s okay if you don’t believe it. But isn’t there something unclear? Unlike Katrin and Ragnar, he doesn’t show up at all.”

“Hmm. I will keep that in mind, but I think it will be difficult to believe.”

This is not something I asked the knight commanders to believe.

However, this is meant to raise awareness about Makiella and mutants.

Three of the four blades fell, and the remaining one was completely cut off.

If you defeat only the last remaining Makiella, you will actually reach the ending.

‘Game companies even implemented Makiella and released games.’

Later, the Demon King and Demon King were added in a hurry, so there were no new episodes.

If Makiella dies, the Demon King’s army will be significantly weakened.

However, you should keep in mind that the Demon King was designed to significantly disrupt balance.

As someone who had already seen the ending in the first episode, I thought it was a fight worth trying.

“For now, let’s think about Makiela later. “For now, advancing into the demon world comes first.”

The departure time is four days later. The people are me and Catalina’s party. And the Knights of Marx.

The remaining knights play the role of connecting the supply route from the entrance to the demon world.

The meeting proceeded smoothly and ended without any opposition from others.