Final March (2)

“This is really the right path. Good thing I checked.”

Max looked around from the watchtower and was satisfied.

An abandoned village in the demon world. The only useful building in the desolate ruins is the watchtower.

As I headed to the top of the watchtower, I was able to see a panoramic view of the demon world.

Until now, I had witnessed the monster’s movements in many places.

Now I couldn’t even see him and it was just quiet.

There were no significant attacks while heading to the village.

Only the small children that had fallen from the group rushed in and were safely eliminated.

The forest of the Demon World visible in the distance was quiet without any significant movement, and only a desolate sandstorm was blowing in the plains.

“It looks like he really went into hiding in the Demon King’s Castle. “I can’t even see the devil’s nose.”

“I killed quite a few people when I went around the forest of the Demon World to look for Makiella. The number of the Demon King’s army must be quite small.”

“Even so, it’s too quiet. There could be an ambush.”

While I was talking with Max and Eric, my colleagues were on guard in all directions and continued scouting.

At that time, Tyria quietly closed her eyes and slowly opened her mouth.

“I can hear the cries of a monster coming from the southeast. “Not just one, but many.”

“Can we possibly know how far away it is?”

“Uhm… “I’m not sure, but it’s near the Demon King’s Castle.”

When asked if there were any traces of monsters elsewhere, Tyria shook her head resolutely.

“You still have to be careful. Because there are assassins who hide their presence.”

“Okay. “You have to be careful.”

Catalina was also attacked by assassins and was injured, so she had to be very careful.

Of course, with Erina and Tyria by my side, I was relieved because even the slightest sign could be caught right away.

Then, the knights around him began to admire.

“As expected, elves are different. “I heard that my hearing was exceptional, but I had no idea it was this good.”

“Oh, no…”

Tyria blushed, probably out of embarrassment, and smiled bloomed on the faces of the knights who saw that.

It is a fact that we have become accustomed to after being together for a long time, but Tyria was the most beautiful woman.

Honestly, there are only a handful of people who wouldn’t fall in love with Tyria’s appearance.

I was able to realize once again how beautiful Tyria is.

“Tyria’s words are trustworthy enough. Let’s leave right away.”

“Okay. “We have to conquer the hill beyond today.”

The sun had not yet set, but it was slowly tilting towards the west.

We had to hurry over the hill and occupy the base in order to survive the day safely.

After coming down from the watchtower, they continued their march without delay.

Until now, everyone was following along with no one left behind.

However, a few people were walking slowly with dark expressions.

“Everyone, let me know if you’re not feeling well. Because I can go back now.”

Max noticed and spoke, but no one came forward yet.

You may be able to withstand a simple march, but it will be different in battle.

I repeatedly emphasized this because it could be life-threatening, but no one has responded yet.

While most continued the march looking exhausted, there were only a few who were fine.

Fortunately, the knight commanders and the trio were not affected by the fog of the demon world.

“Everyone, don’t pay attention. You never know where a monster might pop out!”

When Paul came forward and reprimanded the knights, his walking speed increased again.

I was barely able to get up to the top of the hill before the sunset went down.

“Huh… Huh… “

The knights take a deep breath when the march stops.

When we finally started the fire and pitched the tent, everyone fell to the ground and couldn’t come to their senses.

Max swallowed his sleep as he looked at that scene.

No one said they would go back because everyone was holding on to evil.

The selected knights were struggling more than expected.

“I didn’t know it would be this bad. It seems like the fog gets thicker as we head towards the center of the demon world.”

“We’ll have to slow down our march tomorrow. If we keep going like this, we might get exhausted before we even get to the Demon King’s Castle.”

Eric, who was examining the situation, clicked his tongue and went into the tent to check on the condition of his colleagues.

Max also kept looking around to see if any monsters were coming.

Likewise, I also checked the status of my colleagues.

Fortunately, everyone looked fine and was packing up their luggage.

“No one is in pain, right?”

“Yes. We are fine.”

Tyria smiled with a relaxed complexion.

Unlike last time, the fog didn’t seem to have any effect at all.

Even after marching all day, there was no sign of fatigue.

In particular, Celica showed the most notable changes.

He was walking around giving healing to the knights standing around.

In the past, there were times when it was difficult to fight properly due to the effects of the fog.

In just a few months, it grew to the point where nothing happened.

The drivers were also surprised and expressed their gratitude.

Even though there was a healer among the knights, he couldn’t move.

Fortunately, with Celica’s help, the knights were able to quickly find stability.

“Seohyun. “I’m sorry, but I’d like to ask you to be a little more alert today.”

“Okay. “I can’t help it.”

Among the knights, we decided to leave those who were very tired and leave it to us and the knight commanders who were still in good shape.

Just like that, a day in the demon world passed and the sun quickly set.

***

“Erina. “Aren’t you tired?”

“Yes. “Don’t worry about me.”

Erina answered in a pitchless voice.

A flat look, neither particularly good nor bad.

When I came to the central battlefield, I was worried because I kept looking tired.

Fortunately, in the demon world, things were the same as usual.

While all the members of the knights fell asleep, my colleagues and I took charge of the watch.

Erina and I are headed towards the Demon King’s Castle.

The remaining three decided to stand guard, each facing three directions.

Of course, I decided on this arrangement knowing that Erina would never leave my side.

“We’re finally here. It took a really long time.”

“Okay. So much has happened in the meantime.”

Erina also remained silent for a moment as if remembering things that had happened in the past.

There were times when I almost died, and there were times when I was seriously injured, but I survived in the end.

From the Four Great Blades, which seemed daunting at first, most of the Demon King’s army died.

The only remaining enemies are the Demon Castle’s defense forces and the Demon King.

We were finally heading to the Devil’s Castle, the last update of the game.

No special events occur in the game, as can be seen from the lack of development.

In particular, most of the Demon World was expressed as a wasteland, as if they did not have the courage to embody the entire vast territory.

‘For now, it’s a good thing.’

If the game company had designed the Demon World precisely, there would have been more delays than now.

“If we kill the devil, it will become a peaceful world.”

“…I’m sure it is.”

“Then you plan to continue to be with me in the future, right?”

“Yes. “I want to be by your side for the rest of my life.”

“But you also have to get along well with other colleagues.”

As expected, Erina did not answer.

I kept my lips tightly shut, as if I never wanted to say those words.

Recently, after Celica confessed to me, the relationship between Erina and her colleagues became strained.

We had a bad relationship before, but now we have completely crossed a river that cannot be undone.

“Erina. You know. “I don’t want to be separated from my colleagues.”

“…”

“If you want to be with me, you have to get along well with your colleagues.”

No matter how much I tried to persuade her, Erina wouldn’t listen.

Do I really hate getting to know other people?

Can deep-rooted distrust never change?

“Even if a peaceful world comes, do you plan to continue hating your colleagues like this?”

“…I don’t want you to live with those beasts.”

“I don’t want to separate from my colleagues.”

“That… “

“No matter how much you hate me, I have no intention of changing my mind.”

A fact that has been said many times in the past.

As Erina was stubborn, I also had to stick to my point.

Kayla has already risked her life to sign a contract with me as a dragon knight and we have become lovers.

Tyria and Celica also believed in me and wanted to continue being together.

In the end, the future of my colleagues depended on my choice.

That’s why I couldn’t back down either.

“Why do you want to be with those beasts?”

“Don’t call me a beast. “They are precious colleagues.”

“Everyone is targeting you. “I will hurt you someday.”

“Not really. “I was able to come this far thanks to the help of three people.”

Then Erina’s expression turned cold.

The vitality in my face disappeared and my eyes became narrow.

He answered in a colder tone than ever.

“Those three were no help whatsoever.”

“Erina. “That is wrong.”

“No. I was able to come this far only thanks to me. Those three people only caused trouble…!”

Erina was truly angry.

I really believed that my colleagues were of no help.

After hearing her words, I also became angry in my heart.

Because I know how hard they have worked and how much adversity they have gone through so far.

I could never accept Erina’s words.

“Stop. “Don’t ever say that again.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Do you think what I said was harsh? Or did he feel weak after seeing me suffer?

Erina said no more and kept her mouth shut.

In a slightly awkward atmosphere, Erina was looking at me from the corner of her eye.

Looking at her like this, it seems like she absolutely hates being hated by me.

Actually, I couldn’t change the behavior that I disliked.

‘Do you really have other plans?’

How to keep me and my colleagues apart.

Is it his intention to destroy this world as he and Yeriel thought?

But that won’t happen unless I kill Yeriel.

Erina probably couldn’t have planned this point.

Even so, there would be no reason for me to kill Yeriel for no reason.

He must have thought of a way to trick me and make me kill Yeriel.

“Let’s talk again after we kill the devil.”

“Yes. Until then, I won’t say anything.”

First of all, Erina’s cooperation was essential in order to kill the Demon King.

Therefore, there was no reason to provoke her and arouse suspicion.

I had to pretend to be deceived and wait for the right time, just like I had done so far.

And the moment the Demon King is defeated, we will have to see what Erina will do.

If you try to touch your colleagues or harm Yeriel.

‘We have to stop Erina.’

The reason why I have grown so far and the reason why I told my colleagues the truth.

It was all to fight against Erina.

I hope to rescue Yeriel safely without any incident.

Only Erina knew whether things would really go smoothly.