Beginning of the Demon World (12)

A week after crossing over to the Demon World, the mood of the group changed a lot.

The people of the knights are busy moving around. They were working diligently to build a garrison.

Occasionally, monsters would attack, but most of them were monsters encountered while wandering the plains.

The main force of the Demon King’s army had never been seen before.

“It looks like we have retreated to the center of the demon world.”

“Okay. It looks like the plains have virtually been abandoned.”

In the meantime, we quickly built a garrison.

The elite members were gathered together to enter the demon world, and a decent fortress was being built.

Of course, there was constant noise in the meantime, and people collapsed or fainted every day.

Under Max’s command, the fortress was being completed at a rapid pace.

In the meantime, all Catalina and I had to do was remain vigilant.

While Tyria and Kayla guard the other side of the hill. Me, Erina, and Catalina were looking straight ahead.

“Shit. Even if I come to the demon world, I will be so distraught that I will die.”

Catalina lay down on the floor with an annoyed expression.

Even though it was a dirt floor without a mat, she didn’t care.

Uncomfortable feelings kept coming out of her tone.

I couldn’t figure out why. Malcolm is not by her side.

Now he was lying in the tent with a cold.

The day after the scouting trip, Malcolm couldn’t get out of bed.

I lay in bed all day suffering from high fever and cough.

Now Celica was next to him, taking care of him, but his condition still remained.

“Ruler! Take a break!”

At Max’s words, a dying sigh echoed across the hill.

Among them, three knights approached us and sat down on the floor.

“Shit… “I’m going to die from this hard work.”

“Aren’t you doing too much, Lieutenant? Just talking and doing nothing.”

“Be quiet. “It’s not just us.”

In that order, it was Hex, Rack, and Alec. Even though all three of them looked different, their vibe was similar.

Even if you think Arne is a pity, they are good at their work and strong in their own way.

There was a reason why Marx had great trust.

The three fell to the floor, swearing.

All three people are covered in sweat and look exhausted.

Everyone started swearing at Arne in irritated voices.

Meanwhile, Rack said with a subtle look.

“Don’t tell the lieutenant. Unless you want to see us die.”

“Then you don’t mind telling Max?”

“Ah. I don’t think it will matter.”

“Because the leader has a big mouth anyway.”

After all, there was no way my colleagues wanted a situation where there would be conflict.

However, I wonder if Max would also be embarrassed and show his disapproval.

Even if he wasn’t, he must have been stressed, so I didn’t want to bother him.

Just as I was about to laugh and move on, Catalina intervened.

“You. You seem to have quite a bit of skill, but you can’t even handle that level?”

“Can’t you see I’m having a hard time right now and look like I’m going to die… ?”

“What. “I’m only begging for that much.”

The three people also grumbled, probably a bit annoyed, but did not come forward.

Even if three people attack right now, wouldn’t it be difficult to beat Catalina?

Even if all three people were in good condition, the result didn’t seem to change.

In particular, Catalina was stronger in melee.

Likewise, Catalina did not say any more, perhaps because she did not want to provoke her tired opponent.

Meanwhile, Malcolm quietly approached Catalina’s side.

And Serika, who was taking care of him, followed with a pitiful expression.

“Malcolm. “Are you okay inside?”

“Yes. It’s a little better now…”

Contrary to his answer, he had a haggard expression and pale complexion.

His face was a mess, as if he had just vomited.

“Malcolm. Don’t be needlessly stubborn. “Leave to the rear immediately.”

“Sister. “I’m not going anywhere without my sister…”

“Tsk… Stay or not.”

Even though he spoke bluntly, he knew how worried Catalina was.

Nevertheless, Catalina did not force Malcolm.

If I were in her shoes, if Celica or Tyria were in the same situation as Malcolm.

I would have given an order to get her treated at the rear right away.

Even though Catalina was worried about Malcolm, she did not stop him from making his decision.

“Malcolm. Catalina is right. Tomorrow, the members of the Knights will return to the central battlefield. Let’s follow them together.”

“Seohyun. I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. It will be better tomorrow.”

The reason why Malcolm was so stubborn was clear.

This is because I did not want to send Catalina to the battlefield alone.

Until now, the two have never been apart.

Because Malcolm is the only one who can stop her, who always runs wild.

Without him, Catalina would run wild without control.

“Cerica. “How is Malcolm doing?”

“It’s a little better than yesterday, but there’s still a long way to go. The fog of the Demon World is slowing down healing.”

Serica’s healing was powerful, but there was no miracle of recovering from the disease.

Even though physically injured parts can be treated, illnesses caused by viruses or infections are completely different.

Although the pain could be slightly weakened through healing light, there was no fundamental cure.

‘Because the disease was set as a debuff in the first place.’

I understood that if HP was reduced, it could be recovered through healing, but the debuff could not be erased.

“Go in first and get some more sleep.” “Cold wind is not good for your body.”

“All right… Just wait a moment… “

Malcolm, who was about to go back into the tent, approached Catalina and opened his mouth softly.

“Sister. Don’t fight with others…”

“Stop talking nonsense and go in quickly and get some rest!”

In the meantime, did you hear the voices of Catalina and the trio fighting?

Catalina, for a rare occasion, screamed and became truly irritated.

As Malcolm returned to the tent, Catalina sighed heavily.

“Shit. “I just shouldn’t have brought him.”

“Even if I had stopped him, he would have followed anyway.”

Catalina, unable to refute my words, kept her mouth shut.

Even though she was always stubborn and behaved as she wanted, she couldn’t treat Malcolm carelessly.

Seeing that, the trio looked at Catalina with puzzled eyes.

“Ruler! Break time is over. Come quickly!”

At Arne’s words, the three people stood up and groaned.

I had to go to work to complete the garrison.

The three people were late and turned around before they heard what Arne said.

When the three mortally wounded people left, the surroundings became quiet again.

No matter what people around her say, Erina keeps looking straight ahead.

Catalina looked at her blankly and opened her mouth.

“You too, sit down and rest. “If you just keep standing, your legs will hurt.”

“… “

“What are you doing keeping your mouth shut? The monsters won’t come out anyway.”

Erina didn’t respond and just looked straight ahead.

For a moment, my gaze fell on Catalina.

It means that you are still paying attention even though you are pretending to ignore it.

Catalina continued to talk to Erina, but she remained silent.

At some point, Catalina was annoying Erina.

Although she kept her mouth shut like a stone, Erina was showing signs of increasing discomfort, so I, who was worse than her, stopped Catalina.

“Stop bothering Erina. “If I hate you so much, I won’t even make eye contact.”

“What did I do? “Anyway, what did you do that the kid doesn’t even open his mouth?”

This time, Catalina’s words silenced me.

Now that I think about it, it seems like Erina has become less talkative.

Even if I tried to find out the cause before, I couldn’t figure it out.

“Both of you are having a hard time because of your subordinates.”

Catalina is giggling and smiling for the first time in a long time.

Then Erina, who had been listening quietly, finally opened her mouth.

“I am not Seohyun’s burden.”

“Okay. “What did I say?”

Catalina is teasing Erina like she’s being silly.

The war of nerves between the two continued until the sun set.

***

“The garrison is scheduled to be completed in the next two days.”

Ten days after arriving in the Demon World.

Meanwhile, time passed while guarding the garrison or scouting the surrounding area.

When Catalina’s patience ran out, she was finally able to hear what she had been hoping for.

They say that the garrison will be completed in the next two days.

It’s a clumsy military base built with wooden fences and tents, but that’s not an important fact.

Because we were hoping for a stable supply route to the center of the demon world.

“Let’s get ready soon.”

All conditions for entering the center of the demon world have been met.

In other words, the day of meeting Makiela is getting closer.