Final Preparations (9)

“Erina. “Stop it now.”

“…Yes.”

At my words, Erina stomped on the orc’s head and plunged the knife into its abdomen.

An orc that died without even being able to scream.

Even limp bodies were beheaded without mercy.

On the way to the central battlefield, an attack by a monster encountered.

Even though the knights had already wiped them out several times, a small group of monsters still survived.

Fortunately, they were nothing special, so I was able to kill them in an instant.

Erina went into battle with a more excited attitude than usual.

As if pouring out his suppressed anger, he slaughtered the monsters without mercy.

In fact, it was safe to say that my colleagues and I did nothing.

“Erina. I was so excited. “Why is it like that?”

“No… I’m just a little frustrated… “

After hearing my words, he seemed to have calmed down and shook off the blood and put away his long sword.

However, his face was hot as if he was still angry.

The colleagues could not say anything and just watched quietly and avoided eye contact.

Is there any reason to feel bad even though there was clearly no friction?

“Ruler. Let’s go in. There isn’t much left until the central battlefield.”

Fortunately, the carriage was quite large, so I was able to be far away from my colleagues.

In the meantime, I calmly comforted Erina and calmed her down.

“Erina. Why is it like that? If you have any complaints, please tell me.”

“It’s nothing…”

I kept asking her why, but she never answered.

Although Erina commits many emotional and immature actions, she is not the type of person who gets angry for no reason.

However, there was no way to know since he did not openly express his anger or complain.

He just stayed by my side and let me catch his breath quietly, and he gradually calmed down.

Later, when he came onto my lap and hugged me, he returned to his normal self.

“…”

Meanwhile, Kayla was glancing and watching me.

Are you worried that Erina might do something unexpected?

Fortunately, that didn’t happen, and Erina quietly closed her eyes.

“Whoa…”

As she fell asleep, I slowly lifted her in my arms.

I tidied up my disheveled hair and put my head on my lap so I could sleep comfortably.

“Master…”

“Are you okay. Kayla. Let’s just sleep like this.”

Normally, I would always keep my eyes open during the day, but it was quite strange to suddenly take a nap.

Isn’t it easy for even Erina to overcome fatigue?

For now, I decided to leave it alone so I could sleep soundly.

‘The rest of the journey will be a bit more comfortable.’

From the capital, Erina and her colleagues didn’t say a word.

It was the same before, but this time it went too far.

In the past, Erina would have unilaterally pushed out her colleagues.

Now, her colleagues also reacted coldly, keeping Erina in check.

In the meantime, I had to cross thin ice every day.

“Kayla.”

When I called, Kayla answered without any delay.

“Yes. “My lord.”

“I fully understand why you are wary of Erina. Still, be careful during battle.”

“…I am keeping this in mind.”

In the end, Erina is on our side. At least until the devil is defeated.

I believe that Tyria and Celica probably also heard my words and took them into consideration.

Even in the rattling carriage, Erina fell into a deep sleep.

Usually, I was sensitive when I was sleeping and would wake up quickly, but this time I was really tired and fell into a deep sleep.

Even when I stroked his face, he showed no sign of waking up.

While watching him sleep for a while, he suddenly started muttering and talking in his sleep.

“Seohyun…”

Is he clinging to me even in my dreams? I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw that.

Then Tyria cautiously approached and spoke.

“Seohyun. Do you like Erina that much…?”

I spoke in a very low voice so as not to wake Erina.

And I nodded without hesitation.

“Okay. Because Erina is my lover.”

This is definitely not something I say lightly.

I truly love Erina and wanted to be by her side.

Then Tyria nodded with a bitter smile.

I’m sorry to say this, but an ambiguous attitude is only counterproductive.

Even if Erina was deceiving me, I swore that I would not let her go.

Because in the first place, I was the only one for her.

And I’m the only one who can control Erina.

Then envy and jealousy flashed across Tyria’s face.

I couldn’t say it out loud, but my emotions were conveyed just with my eyes.

Same goes for Kayla. After watching Erina and I for a long time, I even felt a sense of resignation.

“…”

However, Celica’s gaze was unusual.

Cold eyes that I have never seen before.

The warm and caring attitude that always appeared has disappeared.

He was casting an infinitely hostile gaze towards Erina.

‘Was Serika always like this?’

Wasn’t it rare for evil people to show their murderous intent?

However, as soon as our eyes met, he instantly hid his life and his expression.

I was able to recognize it right away because it was something Erina did often.

Celica tilted her head with an innocent expression, seemingly unaware that she had been caught.

“Why are you doing that? Seohyun?”

“…No. Nothing much happened.”

When I avoided my gaze again, I felt a sense of death in Celica.

However, Kayla and Tyria didn’t say anything, as if they didn’t notice.

‘I never thought Celica would change like this.’

After learning the truth about the world, I expected Celica to be greatly shocked.

However, while I was worried that I would become anxious and confused, there was no sign of instability.

I never imagined that I would have such sharp hostility and murderous intent towards Erina.

It was so dark that even Kayla and Tyria could not properly notice the change in Celica.

While I was already upset about Erina, I was dying to have to worry about Celica as well.

“Everyone, make sure you get a good rest. “I will arrive at the central battlefield tomorrow.”

With those words, I turned my attention to Erina who was sleeping on my lap.

I gently stroked Erina, who was calm as she fell asleep.

“…”

The ominous gaze still did not fall, but I decided to ignore it and move on.

***

When we arrived at the central battlefield, red clouds began to descend and the peaceful atmosphere became heavy.

The red fog of the Demon World did not disappear until the end of the game.

Since it is set to be a natural phenomenon in the demon world, it will not disappear even after the ending.

In any case, if you conquer the Demon King’s Castle and subdue the Demon King, the war will end.

But wouldn’t it be impossible to completely conquer the demon world?

As we entered the central battlefield, there were people waiting for us.

“Commander. “Are you here?”

The first person to greet you upon arriving at the central battlefield was Eileen.

And all the knights of her knighthood were lined up.

Obviously, when I first arrived at the central battlefield, it was full of hostility.

Now everyone was welcoming me and my colleagues.

“Eileen. “Thank you for coming to meet me.”

“No. “This is nothing for the commander.”

The place we followed her was a huge tent.

A familiar face was waiting for me inside.

“Seohyun. “It’s been a while.”

The leader of the knights of Tarn Village. Eric.

I haven’t seen you in quite some time since the Battle of Hellwood Forest.

It seems that he also came to the central battlefield under the king’s orders.

“Eric. Thank you for coming to help.”

“If we’re heading to the Demon King’s Castle, I can’t be left out.”

There were very few people who could continue the battle in the red fog of the Demon World.

Fortunately, Eric would have surpassed that level.

As we sat down at the table, Eileen’s drivers brought tea and snacks.

“Please get enough rest before heading to the entrance to the Demon World tomorrow.”

“Okay. “It’s been a while since I rode a carriage, and I was so tired that I almost died.”

Eric yawned with a tired expression. Eric said he arrived a few hours before I did.

My colleagues and I were used to the red fog, but Eric seems unfamiliar with it since he has only been in Tarn Village.

Of course, you will get used to it over time.

“Let’s all take a break today. “You guys have to go back starting tomorrow.”

“Yes. I understand.”

The knights following Eric escaped from the tent and scattered.

Unlike Eric, everyone looked clearly exhausted, unable to overcome the red fog.

“That’s ridiculous.” “They are by no means weak knights.”

“It’s the same for us. “Except for me and the vice-captain, no one can enter the fog of the Demon World.”

It is said that the vice-captain cannot head to the Demon Castle because he has to maintain his position while Eileen is away.

In other words, it is difficult to even enter the demon world unless you are a knight commander and those with equivalent skills.

For that reason, the number of people who can participate in this expedition is extremely limited.

Me and my colleagues. The trio of Max and the Knights. Gilbert, Paul, Eileen.

In addition, there are ten people chosen from the Knights.

Arne, vice-captain of Max’s Knights, was also allowed to enter, but was excluded due to the need to protect the unit.

In total, there are barely more than 20 people.

Who could possibly expect to conquer the Demon King’s Castle with this many people?

Still, there were no problems with my operations.

‘The knights’ help extends to the entrance of the Demon King’s Castle.’

According to the game system, assistance from those other than their companions is limited to the entrance to the Demon King’s Castle.

The setting is that while my colleagues and I infiltrate the inside of the Demon King’s Castle, our knights’ colleagues block the hordes of monsters from outside.

Although it is doubtful whether it would be possible to violate that setting and take the knights’ colleagues.

I decided to quit because I didn’t know what would happen if I intentionally broke the game’s system.

Above all, that level of assistance was sufficient.

From then on, my colleagues and I were able to subdue the demon king.

“Everyone, let’s rest.” “If anyone is suffering from the red fog, please tell me right away.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Fortunately, all my colleagues looked fine without any change in their complexions.

In the past, Tyria and Celica looked distressed, but now it was different.

It seems that both of them have grown to the point where they can resist the fog of the Demon World.

Erina didn’t like that and glared at her colleagues.

“…”

All three of them did not lose and met Erina’s gaze.

Before the fight got worse, I held Erina’s hand and looked away.

“Ruler. Let’s go. Because it’s the final rest.”

The battle hadn’t even started yet, but I didn’t want to lose my strength.