Beginning of the Demon World (7)

As soon as it passed the hill, a gust of wind stopped like a lie.

The space where even the sandstorm calmed down was gradually engulfed by red fog.

As the sun was obscured, cold air began to swirl around, creating an incredible aura.

Devildom. An area where sunlight disappears and only red fog fills it.

We continued our march in a gloomy atmosphere.

“Shit. I feel so bad.”

“Whoa… “This is bearable.”

Contrary to concerns, most people seemed to have adapted to the fog.

However, Celica was calmly taking a deep breath while shrinking a little.

I walked up to her side and stayed by her side, just in case she fell behind.

“Cerica. If you are having a hard time, tell me right away. Never overdo it.”

“Are you okay. “I can tolerate this much.”

Even after entering the demon world, I wasn’t much different.

Other than not being able to get sunlight, my mood didn’t really change.

“There is almost no life in it. The energy of death is rising even from the earth.”

Of course, there are forests and plants in the demon world.

However, perhaps because they were contaminated by the fog, they either withered or grew distorted into ugly shapes.

A bizarre landscape that you only see in horror movies.

Tyria was looking around with a nervous expression.

“Tyria. Are there any demon kings or monsters around?”

“No. There’s nothing suspicious about it. “I don’t even feel the presence of ordinary microorganisms.”

As Tyria said, the surroundings were extremely quiet.

All we can hear is our footsteps. In all this time, I have never seen a single ant.

‘Is this an environment in which ordinary insects or animals cannot survive?’

There was little information about the fog of the Demon World.

When I played the game, I only thought of it as a penalty intentionally created by the manufacturer.

Even after watching the ending, I didn’t know if the fog would disappear or remain in the Demon World.

If the fog remained even after defeating the Demon King, it would be quite difficult.

Just because the Demon King dies, it doesn’t mean that the demons will be destroyed.

After walking for a while, a hill appeared beyond.

A plateau that is not enough to be called a mountain, but is definitely taller than a plain.

“Let’s go over the hill and occupy the high ground. “I will set up a camp there.”

Approximately a day’s distance from the central battlefield.

It wasn’t far, as it would take half a day by carriage or horse, but it wasn’t a bad location for a garrison at the beginning of the Demon World.

“Well, even if it’s a demon world, it’s nothing special.”

“I know. I thought monsters would pour out as soon as I arrived.”

“Don’t be foolish and keep your guard up!”

Arne became irritated as the trio chatted and grumbled.

The march had already lasted half a day, so everyone was exhausted, but they seemed to have the energy to talk.

In the meantime, Catalina also didn’t sit still as if she was aching.

“I thought it would be fun because it was called the Demon World, but why is it so quiet?”

Malcolm, right next to me, was watching with a nervous expression.

In the meantime, I was busy adjusting to the fog, fearing that I might make an unexpected move.

I, who was worse off, spoke to Catalina.

“Hold on a little. “If you go over the hill anyway, the monsters will find you.”

“I know. So, just stay still.”

“From then on, I will fight as hard as you want, so just wait a little longer.”

“Older brother.” Isn’t that a good thing… “

“Anyway, it’s probably a good thing for Catalina.”

“I am worried that if this continues, you will turn out to be like my sister.”

Then Kayla, who was next to me, suddenly grabbed my arm.

I didn’t force it or anything, but I tried to cut off the conversation.

“My lord. We must not let our guard down…”

That’s what she said, but Kayla was also watching Catalina’s thoughts.

Am I worried that because I am close to Catalina, I might get stained?

Meanwhile, Erina was restless and couldn’t take her eyes off me.

While the funny skits continued, the march did not stop.

Finally, as the plain ended and she climbed the hill, Tyria’s long ears twitched.

Even faster than that, Erina pulled out her long sword.

“Everyone, get ready!”

Everyone instinctively prepared for battle at the sound of Tyria’s voice.

Soon, the cries of the monsters began to echo.

Among them, the monster that appeared first was.

An ugly figure flying in the sky with wings spread.

Goblins with wings began to fly at high speed.

“W-what…?!”

The trio’s voices were filled with confusion at their bizarre appearance.

Meanwhile, Kayla was quickly reciting the spell.

“I will take charge of it.”

Flames rise from the magic circle drawn in the air.

Small embers began to burn in a winding trajectory like a much snake.

Let the flames, which have guidance properties unlike ordinary arrows, fly into the air.

The goblins who were flying with their wings spread began to fall.

But the monster’s attack has only just begun.

Soon, dust was rising from the crowd of demonic beasts that were coming like a cloud.

“Okay! This is what I wanted!”

“Good. “I will finally do my job.”

The three people calmly took out their weapons.

Max calmly checked his enemies and made a decision.

“We’ll take the left! Catalina will be in the center, and Seohyun will be on the right!”

“Tsk. “I don’t like giving orders.”

“Sister, please stop sounding weak…”

“But these little brats have no energy. The central battlefield was at least fun.”

Catalina was very relaxed even when enemies were right in front of her.

In the meantime, I was less worried when I saw him turn to the left and take out a great sword.

“Ruler. Everyone, focus.”

“Don’t worry. My lord. “I will finish it soon.”

A group of demonic beasts I haven’t seen in a long time. There were quite a few people, but there wasn’t as much tension as before.

***

The battle did not take long to end.

It was a waste of time to even spend time with a group of simple monsters without any Demon King executives.

They were able to kill them all without leaving out a single one.

It was also understandable that Catalina approached the battle with a grumpy attitude.

The battle was over in less than an hour.

It was so bland that it was the first battle in the demon world.

“As expected, you are amazing. Serika. “I have never experienced healing this strong.”

Meanwhile, Arne approached Celica and his eyes were sparkling.

All members of the knights, including Arne, were surrounding Celica and praising her.

“It’s a lot better than the bumbling priests in the capital.”

“I know. “This might be equivalent to a saint.”

When Celica heard what the knights said, she started and quickly waved her hand.

“Oh, no! A saint, it’s not that bad!”

Then Arne also smiled and held Celica’s hand.

“No. I say this because I have personally met the saint. “Celica is comparable to a saint.”

“Oh, no. I can’t believe I’m similar to a saint. To that extent…”

“Maybe Serika-sama also has the qualifications to become a saint.”

At Arne’s words, Celica became restless and did not know what to do.

Saint. The highest-ranking figure in the Goddess Church and the person with the most sacred power.

Located in the capital’s temple, she was mainly in charge of knights and famous people.

‘Maybe we could have been together as colleagues.’

Although she is a companion who can join the party with skills as good as Celica.

Because of her position as a saint, it was not only easy to meet her, but also very difficult to join her.

On the other hand, Celica, who was easy to meet and not difficult to join, was evaluated more highly.

When choosing a companion, I also considered a saint, but that was the biggest reason I gave up.

‘Can we meet again later?’

Even if we met now, it wouldn’t be particularly meaningful, but since I know each other’s faces, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to meet them once.

However, just because she was a saint, she didn’t have a particularly good personality.

“No one is hurt, right?”

“Yes. “There is nothing in particular.”

“I’m fine too. “My lord.”

The battle ended without much incident for both Tyria and Kayla.

Max and Catalina quickly organized their equipment and then decided to continue their march.

“It’s going to get dark soon. “Let’s climb the hill before the sun sets.”

“Okay. Let’s all hurry.”

The moment everything was cleaned up and the march began again.

Erina, who was guarding next to me, was fiddling with her long sword with her mouth tightly shut.

‘…?’

Suddenly I noticed sweat running down her face.

You might think he was sweating from the battle a little while ago.

There was something strange about the sight of both eyes wide open with the mouth tightly shut.

No, I couldn’t say it was strange, but I felt something off.

“Erina. Are you nervous?”

“Yes…?”

Then people around me started looking at me with surprised expressions.

Erina, and no one else, is nervous. It couldn’t have been that way.

“No. “I wasn’t particularly nervous.”

“…Really?”

Is it really my imagination? Erina quickly returned to her previous self.

But was it really my imagination?

There was a feeling of anxiety in one corner of my heart.