Interlude: Zolmnem, at Rodnea (part one)

It was just before dusk fell in the sky.

Zolmnem looked up at the towering walls of Rodnea.

This is just one city.

There are only a few people learning magic, but there are no adventurers hunting powerful monsters or the elite of the Imperial Guard stationed here.

The heroes, too, must still be children.

No one is a threat to this party of strong men.

So this fear ---- is probably due to the pressure.

It was finally time to fulfill the purpose of the journey.

Zolmnem had long forgotten that he too had these feelings.

The plan is already understood by all.

The students will be driven in from all four sides of the school, and after meeting up near the main building in the center, they will go on to carry out further killings. If they find someone who looks like a Hero, each person will send a signal at that point with a special magic tool. Even if they do not find him, they will be able to lure out those who excel in valor if a commotion is created.

It is a very uncertain strategy, but it cannot be helped. Unlike the demon king of the past, a Hero does not sit on a throne in an easy-to-understand manner.

Zolmnem wished he had the art of espionage.

He understood the importance of intelligence, but he could not get the necessary manpower.

However, only the map of Rodnea and the school was made reliable by catching some of the merchants who came and went, having them draw it, and comparing it with the map. Based on this, Gal Ganis’ transfer magic sent each of them to their scheduled locations.

It was fortuitous that the merchants’ cargo and themselves became an unscheduled supply.

All that remained was to leave the success or failure of the project up to the gods.

“I have a feeling it’s going to work out.”

The tension-induced silence was broken by Ro Ni.

“Dee and Meade are very motivated, and ...... we’re as good as any of them.”

“Well, that’s a good feeling.”

Muderev follows the words of the beast man.

“Keep a firm heart. It is necessary to do so in order to achieve great things. If your mind is fragile, you will not be able to do anything well, not only in the martial arts.”

“Munya ...... that, I heard it six times ......”

“Everyone already knows.”

Zolmnem had a small smile on his mouth.

I am sure we will be able to accomplish this. This party can ----.

“Let’s go.”

The god demon man tells his friends.

A few moments later.

The figures of the demons faded away with the afterglow of the magic circle.

******

After transferring to the western edge of the magic academy, Gal Ganis learned two things.

One is the successful transfer of everyone, including himself.

The ---- Magic Academy was covered in a thick fog, even though there was no sign of it from outside the walls.

Even Gal Ganis, who is not a meteorologist, understood that fog at dusk is an extremely rare phenomenon. Even within the confines of the city walls, such a dense fog was unheard of.

It was enough to make them feel as if they were going to get lost.

However, this level of problem was not enough to change the plan.

“Tch........”

Gal Ganis created countless flames in the air.

Only around that area, the fog is slightly thinner.

The fog would clear as the temperature rose. However, as expected, the flames generated by magic were not enough. The area was sparsely populated with buildings, so even if a fire was set, it could not spread. At best, the flames could only serve as a source of light.

Still, it was better than nothing. At least we would be able to see what was going on around us.

Surprisingly, there were signs of people in the area.

People walking along the road. Some stopped to chat with each other.

Perhaps they were students here. They didn’t seem to be affected by the fog. Perhaps it is a common phenomenon for them?

Gal Ganis clicks his tongue.

“Tsk, you peace-loving bastards ......, don’t take it personally.”

It was a reckless thing to say, I thought to myself.

How could I not feel bad? Who would not curse the fate of being killed suddenly and without blame?

It is too late for such sentimentality.

When I decided to take over the mission that my brother couldn’t accomplish, to defeat the heroes and save the future of the demon tribe, I was already prepared to be resented.

Besides, this is the place ---- where my beloved brother died.

I have my own reason for revenge.

Gull Ganis transferred one of the flames, aiming at a girl student chatting.

It would burn her lungs and heart, sprinkle sparks from her mouth, and kill her in a short amount of time.

However.

“Huh ......?’　What the hell?”

******

It was at the southern end of the magic academy that Ro Ni and Pirithralia materialised.

I guess it all worked out. But ...... that’s a hell of a fog.”

“munya......”

The beast boy continues, cheerfully.

“Well, I’m totally fine with this.”

Ro Ni had an extremely good sense of orientation, a characteristic of beastmen.

This degree of poor visibility was not a problem.

“Ro ni, you’re dependable......”

“Pirithralia?　Are you awake?”

“Yes. ......”

Looking back at Ro Ni, Pirithralia nodded, both eyes thinly open.

It was unusual for her to be awake when nothing was happening.

She would probably return to slumber again soon. Still, she does a good job of fighting, so I wonder what’s going on.

“But what?　I can’t believe you admired me.”

“Ro-Ni, you’re ...... stronger ......”

“I’m ......?　What are you talking about?”

The beast boy smiles bitterly.

“I haven’t changed. It’s Dee and Meade and the others who are working hard, and I’m still the weakest of them all.”

“No. ...... Ro Ni, you have become stronger. ...... I think you are already stronger than I am. ......”

Ro Ni and Pirithralia were teamed up for a reason.

While Ro Ni can handle a large number of monsters, he is helpless against stronger enemies. Pirithralia’s evil eye is powerful, but her extreme abilities leave her with many weaknesses.

Therefore, they needed to complement each other.

They were weak compared to Gal Ganis, who manipulated transfer and flame magic with unusual precision, Muderev, with his overwhelming prowess, and Zolmnem, who mastered both magic and sword.

But still.

Pirithralia continues to mutter.

“You’ve become better at using monsters ... your heart ...”

“Haha, yeah?　But my heart is a little better. I thought I was the best in the village. But after meeting the captain and Mdelev and going on the trip and everything that happened, I feel like I’ve been ...... rehabilitated.”

At first, I didn’t recognize it, and often attacked Pirithralia.

I remember often being hostile, thinking that she was the only one who could beat me, and that I was by no means the weakest in the party.

In the end, though, that was a mistake, too.

“I’m ...... a little more confident ...... now, too.”

“You?　You used to be the best back home, didn’t you?”

Pirithralia shook her head slowly.

“Such power ...... is of no use in a peaceful place ...... where I am always sleeping, and I am a nuisance ...... to everyone.”

“......”

“But ...... today, I finally feel like I can proudly ...... tell my mom and dad that I defeated ...... a hero.”

“... That’s right. Then ... let’s get it done sooner.”

Ro ni’s shadow spread wide, and one by one, the shadow wolf packs appeared on the ground.

Just ahead, I knew that there were signs of more than one person.

Perhaps they were students of the academy.

“Come on, guys!”

A shadow wolf sprinted and attacked the ---- figure.

This monster is a challenge even for high-grade adventurers. An amateur could not compete with it.

This was just the beginning. A pack of wolves can easily drive a group of people into a corner.

But ---- Ro Ni felt strange.

The fog made it difficult to see what was going on, but it was strange. The screams that were supposed to be heard could not be heard.

The shadow wolves seem to be confused.

“What ...? Come back!”

Eventually, the shadow wolves return.

Seeing what was in their mouths, Ro Ni scrutinized them.

“Is this ......?”

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter