Chapter 21: The Strongest Onmyoji, Abandoned

After reporting the Hydra subjugation to the guild that posted the request, we immediately tried to head back to Keltz…we couldn’t.

Because the achievement reward was high, the guild was unable to prepare the money on the spot.

We didn’t have much time, so we hurried, almost threateningly, and managed to receive the bag full of gold coins two days later.

With that in mind, we arranged a carriage and left the city at the foot of the Dark Miner Mountains on the same day.

“Phew… it’s coming soon. But I can’t let my guard down yet.”

Looking back from the coachman’s stand while holding the reins, Amiyu had a strained expression.

“Okay, you guys. we’ll protect that money no matter what.”

Ifa and Mabel nodded strongly at Amiyu’s words.

“Of course, Amiyu-chan!”

“Leave it to us.”

Together, the two held a large bag filled with gold coins, as if they were their own children.

These three have been like this ever since they received their reward.

It seems that they received a large amount of money that they had never seen before and went insane.

Rurumu was staring at the three of them with a confused expression.

“Well, if you go that far, it’s hard to accept…”

“It’s okay… it’s sad”

“That-If these kids are useful to someone, I’m happy too.”

“A farewell is inevitable for an adventurer…”

“…”

Seeing Rurumu’s face gradually change to look like she’s looking at a sick person, I let out a small sigh and turned my head back.

The Celtic ramparts, illuminated by the setting sun, were already visible.

If you’ve come this far, you won’t have to worry about bandits anymore.

The date for the reserve that Herman promised is today.

It was just in time, but it looked like we could make it in time.

“It looks like everything went well, Seika-sama.”

Yuki said, sticking her face out of her hair.

“Yuki thought it was unreasonable for these people to hunt monsters and make money in one month, enough to last a lifetime. As expected of Seika-sama!”

I calmly answer Yuki’s brisk tone.

“No, we didn’t make it”

“eh?”

“It’s not enough to pay for the slaves.”

“What… what?”

“It’s not enougn money.”

“……My goodness!?”

Yuki, who unintentionally yelled out, hurriedly suppressed her voice.

“What are you talking about!? 　You told them that if they defeat monsters like the eight-headed serpent and Mata no Orochi, you’ll pay for the slaves…”

“Oh, is that it?”

I laugh lightly and say.

“Because I lied to everyone from the beginning.

“Eh, huh? Why did you do that…”

“Just like you said, it’s impossible to earn a lot of money in one month that you won’t have trouble eating for the rest of your life.”

“B-but”

Yuki said confusedly.

“If you don’t have enough money, you can’t buy them back! What do you plan to do from now on?”

“If we don’t have enough, I will secretly provide it.”

“Such a lot of money……………ah.”

Yuki seemed to have noticed.

I say with a smile.

“Yes, there’s a bill I got from Fiona.”

“Using that would probably be enough.”

I continue.

“It’s a good place to use it. I can’t easily prepare the excess myself, but it’s not too expensive, so it’s just right.”

“I see, but… Hmmm, I feel like it would be a pity for you to use that…”

“If you say that, i’ll end up spending the rest of my life without ever using it.”

“As usual, do you have a story from your experience?”

“Oh”

In the mansion of my previous life, many precious fetishes and treasures were stored untouched.

When I died, those things would have been completely destroyed.

Yuki says.

“I was wondering…if you used that bill, could you have paid for the full amount? What was the point of going out of your way to defeat the monsters…”

“I don’t have enough obligations for her to pay the full amount. It’s not good to take too many loans. Besides… isn’t it fine?”

I say so and look back at the carrier.

Where’s the energy you were talking with just now? The party members sitting on the platform, including Rurumu and Nozuro, were all dozing off.

I’m sure they are tired.

I laughed lightly and said to Yuki.

“I really enjoyed it”

***********

It was almost sunset when we passed through the castle gate.

In a little while, the trading house will begin to close.

I rushed the carriage as fast as I could while feeling a little nervous in the unfamiliar city. It shouldn’t be a problem if it’s been a day or so, but I’d like to talk to them as much as possible today.

“Hey. What are you going to do after you buy your companions back?”

Amiyu asked Rurumu in the shaking carriage.

“I plan to return to our village once.”

Rurumu made a smile and answered.

“As expected, I can’t travel with fifteen people.”

Amiyu said in a lonely voice.

Rurumu smiles reluctantly.

“Yes.”

“…”

“Aren’t adventurers not supposed to say goodbye?”

“No……”

Amiyu was clearly in tears.

Ifa and Mabel sniffed as if lured.

“… it will take some time before we leave.”

Slowly, Nozuro opened his mouth.

“Some of our compatriots will have to heal from hunger and wounds. We won’t be leaving for our hometown soon… In the meantime, it’s good to go to the dungeon again.”

“…!”

“Nozuro…”

The divine martial artist continued bluntly.

“If we’re going back to our hometown, we can convert some of the money and goods we brought in just in case. It should be enough to stay for a while. Good”

“Fufu, that’s right.”

Rurumu smiles.

“Until the time we say goodbye… Shall we continue our adventures with this party?”

“Well then…”

Amiyu rubs her eyes.

“Promise, no take backs. Oh, and… don’t forget about us. Adventurers are like that…”

“Yes, I understand.”

Rurumu held Amiyu’s hand for a while…after a while, she came to the side of the coachman’s stand where I was sitting.

When I silently look at her, she utters a single word.

“They’re nice and obedient kids. I know you love them.”

“I don’t mean to pamper them. We’re almost the same age.”

“Speaking of which, you said so. It’s a little hard to believe.”

Rurumu chuckled.

I ask with some hesitation.

“… What are you going to do with the search for the Demon King?”

“I’ll continue. I’ll just return to my hometown once.”

Rurumu said with a calm expression.

“But I’m a little tired, so it might be a good idea to rest for a short time.”

“… what if, but”

Rurumu turned her gaze to me as I began to speak carefully.

“If the time comes when you have no choice but to give up… find something to replace it with. There are things in the world that you can’t do anything about.”

Even though I traveled across seas and deserts, and learned ancient wisdom in the West, I never succeeded in bringing my wife back to life.

No matter what kind of being you are, there are things you can’t do anything about.

Rurumu repeats my words with a serious expression.

“Instead, things…”

“Anything is fine. Whether it’s academics, arts… even training disciples.”

“… what did you give up?”

I answer while keeping my eyes on the streets of Keltz.

“I haven’t given up on anything yet.”

Not yet in this life.

“… Yes. I will use it as a reference.”

Rurumu had a refreshing expression.

She must have thought many times about the end of her journey that would come someday.

“Thank you, Seika.”

“If you want to say thank you, please say it all together when we part.”

“Ara. Did you intend to go out with me too? 　I don’t need a first-class adventurer anymore.”

“I’m worried about letting them go to the dungeon alone.”

“You’re cute, aren’t you?”

Rurumu chuckled.

*******

The sun was beginning to turn red when we reached the Keltz business district.

“I hope it’s still open…”

When she saw a signboard that looked familiar to her, Rurumu pointed in front of her and said.

“Oh, it’s over there… it seems like…”

Her words are getting smaller and smaller.

Under the sign posted by the Herman Neg Company, she certainly saw a familiar figure.

A slim man with a beard, the representative Herman.

A gloomy young man with a hunchback, the deputy representative Neg.

But—that’s not all.

Around a dozen of the city’s guards, dressed in similar clothes and armed with weapons, are also hanging out.

As we slowed down the carriage and approached, the guards immediately spread out to surround us.

Even though I have a bad feeling about it, I jump off the coachman’s stand.

Nozuro had already appeared from the carrier, and was directing his sharp gaze at the humans. Amiyu and the others follow from behind, and finally Rurumu gets off next to the driver’s stand.

Everyone had the same uneasy look on their faces.

I called out to Herman, who had an even more suspicious smile on his face.

“Hi Herman. Second time here, and a very big reception. I don’t really like this kind of thing.”

“I’ve been waiting for you, Seika-dono.”

Herman continues, stroking his beard.

“No, no, you’re safe and above all. I’m relieved, too. Even though you’re a dingy adventurer who came without an appointment, you’re an important customer of our company. If anything happens… ”

“As you can see, there’s nothing wrong. What do you have to worry about against a first-class adventurer who slaughters sub-dragons? 　Herman. If you understand, then hurry up and send all the people around you back home.”

“No, no… no way. That’s not going to happen.”

Herman said, no longer trying to hide his plot.

“Really, I’m relieved. I was a little worried when I heard rumors in the town that everyone started accepting guild requests one after another…well, just a little bit. I convinced myself that it wasn’t enough.

“what……?”

“Anything—something like a demonic spy with you…”

Rurumu and Nozuro seemed to hold their breath.

Herman continued with an exaggerated gesture.

“If that’s true… Ah, what a terrible thing! This is a serious betrayal of human society that puts not only Keltz, but all the people living in the empire in danger! It’s not something that a merchant can handle… I carefully and politely explained such a story to the lord with a little consideration, and thus I borrowed the help. Could you hand over the bodies of the two demons to me?”

“――――No need. Let’s go ourselves.”

It was Nozuro who said that.

Release the cloak that hinders his movement. His gaze was sharply directed at Herman.

“But after that, I’ll be doing whatever I want… At the very least, you should have brought more soldiers to  keep our mouths shut.”

“HM……”

“Don’t hate me”

Nozuro kicked the ground.

It must have been some kind of martial art.” The distance that should have been about 5 ken (* about 9 meters) was closed in one pair, and the merchant entered the distance of his fist.

A lightning-fast hand sword is released.

The physical ability strengthened by the enormous amount of magic power possessed by the divine demons is capable of breaking off in an instant, as much as the neck of a slave trader.

It was supposed to be.

“Huh…!?”

The sword was stopped at Herman’s neck.

A sharp shadow sprouted from the ground and sewed up Nozuro’s arm.

A shadow pierces his right leg, which shifts his center of gravity to move to a kick immediately. Furthermore, the tip of a black shadow pierces Nozuro’s entire body, from his left arm to his shoulder and chest.

“Kof…!”

The divine demon martial artist vomited blood.

Herman, who was stroking his beard and looking at it worriedly, murmured next to him.

“Neg. Please don’t kill it. This product will be expensive.”

“Heh heh heh heh heh! It’s okay, Ani-chan! The demons are strong!”

The stooped vengeful spirit user Neg answered with a gloomy smile.

“Nozuro!”

Rurumu let out a screaming scream and took the bow from her back.

The magic tool’s arrows are pierced.

“Wait now…”

“Hihi, it’s no good.”

At that moment――――A reddish-black thorn-like pattern appeared on Rurumu’s neck.

At once, the shrine maiden of divine demons opens her eyes.

“Ugh… Guh…”

The bow and arrow fell from her hand.

Rurumu collapsed as if she couldn’t stand the pain. She struggled with both hands to remove the rope around her neck, but there was nothing there.

There is only a curse mark of a reddish black thorn.

“Are you okay!?”

As Amiyu rushed over, Rurumu opened her eyes with sweat and spoke in a hoarse voice.

“Run away… come, tsu, ha…”

Before she could finish speaking, Rurumu’s shadow spread wide.

In the blink of an eye, it erodes her feet.

And then — curse marks of thorns also appeared around Amiyu, Ifa, and Mabel’s necks.

“…!”

“Ah, guh…”

“What… what is this…”

Everyone collapses.

As the shadow stretched toward Neg―――― Behind it, a jet-black ghost clad in rags wailed “oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo”

Wraith Lord.

A top class astral monster that uses powerful dark magic.

Herman let out a loud laugh at the side of the King of Ghosts, who guards silently.

“Hahahahaha! Haa… It’s nostalgic, isn’t it?”

Herman’s eyes widened like a gecko.

“We caught a gang of thieves trying to rob a cargo and sold them all to the mines!　I took out the ruffians who tried to cheat me, and sold their wives and children to a brothel!　We threatened the lords who made false accusations and charged exorbitant taxes, and forced them to sell their precious, precious subjects!”

Then he casts a friendly glance at the vengeful spirit user beside him.

“――――Everything was possible because of you, Neg. Those days of violence and business were the cornerstone of our current success.”

“Hihihi, ah, if Brother-anchan hadn’t exchanged them for money, I would have died on the side of the road. Hihihihihi, we are the strongest together!”

Neg laughs in a good mood.

“But, big brother, the number one was… that was it!”

“Yeah, that’s right――――The fugitive slave of the divine demons. It was dangerous, but I’ve never had a product that sold at such a high price. That was the stuff.”

“Ah, if that bastard ran away again, I thought I would find him again, beat him up, and sell him to someone else…”

“It can’t be helped if he’s dead.”

Herman says regretfully.

I see, I thought.

The reason why this guy didn’t hesitate to take on two divine demons, Rurumu and Nozuro —- was because Neg had defeated divine demons once before.

Probably with an overwhelming difference in ability.

“But Neg. We’ve come this far.”

Herman said with a wide smile.

“I can now purchase fifteen items that I could not handle without rare luck. Oops… seventeen.”

Herman walks briskly, grabs Rurumu’s chin, who is suffering from the curse mark, and lifts her up.

“Hmm. There are enough women and children, but it’s quite an elegant product. Depending on the body pattern, it will be priced high. Even so, Neg, I understand well. These two are demons.”

“That’s why I told you, big brother. Hihi, everyone…that’s what they’re saying!”

“Ah…you…!”

Amiyu staggered to her feet with an anguished expression on her face.

A curse mark remained on her neck. She must be in a lot of pain――――Even so, her hand rests on the hilt of her sword.

“Don’t touch Rurumu… don’t touch her!!”

She unsheathed her staff-sword and kicked the ground towards her slaver.

But before she had even taken a few steps—a wall of fire stood in front of her.

“Huh…!?”

The hero’s legs step back and stop.

As if she’s finally reached her limit, she gets down on her knees and gasps as she holds her neck.

A faint red spirit was flying around the flames.

It’s not just the Flame Wraith. Pale frost lace. Light green wind race. An earthy ground race. A Hell Ghost like a black mist, and a Wisp that resembles a human soul.

A wide variety of astral monsters spring up from the ground surrounding us.

“Ah, what are you trying to do with my brother! I’m going to kill you!”

Herman speaks in a gentle tone to the vengeful spirit user who widened his eyes.

“Well, don’t worry about it, Neg. This girl won’t be able to resist any more. It’s a big deal for her to stand up while being exposed to the curse of the Wraith Lord. ……”

Herman’s legs turned toward Ifa, who was lying down and panting.

Around her, vengeful spirits dance, just like Nozuro, who is covered in blood and sewn into shadows, and Rurumu, who is also suffering on the street.

The slave trader looks down at the blond girl as if appreciating her.

“Hmm… this is quite good. Her hair color is not good, but it will be a good price. Neg, what about this demon?”

“You can’t do that, brother.

“Then it can’t be helped. It’s unreasonable to insist that you’re a spy. Let’s give up.”

After saying that, Herman simply turned on his heels.

And he turns to me, who was silently observing the sequence of events.

“Now then. Before we get to the main topic, I’d like to ask you one thing… Seika-dono. Why are you okay?”

Herman had a relaxed smile on his face, but…a faint color of awe could be seen in his eyes.

I answer while stroking the curse mark floating on my neck.

“It’s a boring curse. It just gives the target a pain similar to suffocation. It doesn’t affect the body. This kind of thing is not much different from a mere illusion.”

“… even if I understood it, it shouldn’t be an unbearable pain.”

“Hmm.”

“Yeah… that goes without saying.”

“ Well I wanted to test the strength of the curse seeing you were so spirited, but… don’t think you can do something about me with an imaginary curse.”

“I see. No… first-class adventurers are monsters.”

Even so, Herman kept his calm demeanor.

“But… it’s wise not to imitate too much.”

“…”

“Well, let’s get back to the topic.”

Herman said with an exaggerated gesture.

“Demons, especially if you have a god demon spy with you… no matter how great an achievement a first-class adventurer may be, it is inevitable that you will be charged with a crime based on imperial law. Of course, your party members too.”

“…”

“Even if you think of it, you can’t kill this number of people at once. If even one of the guards manages to escape, you’ll be in trouble. Even if you were able to shut everyone’s mouths, the lord who sensed the situation would probably accuse you.”

“…”

“Huh! But don’t worry, Seika-dono. I… I’m convinced.”

Herman said as if to extend a helping hand.

“You were… deceived, weren’t you…? By these two demons.”

“…”

“I’ve heard that Seika-dono’s party originally consisted of four people. You were deceived by demon spies you met during your travels and was made to help rescue their fellow countrymen. In other words, you are a victim.”

“It’s roundabout. Speak clearly.”

“Give these goods into custody and leave the city quickly.”

Herman smiled like a crocodile.

“Did you sympathize with the demons you happened to run across?　They are divine demons who look a lot like humans. However… their silly feelings will destroy you. I advise you to throw away your heart as soon as possible.”

“…”

“I will not forgive people who target my products. If I gave a reasonable estimate on the spot, I would have offered a cheap price because these guys could have attacked the warehouse, but… all of them. Originally, I would have just laughed it off.”

“…”

“Please think of this disposition as a punishment for not knowing where you are.”

“Sorry for talking so comfortably, but Herman……I don’t know what to do.”

“yes……?”

I told Herman, who had a quizzical look on his face, while looking at Rurumu, who had collapsed.

“These guys are demons? That’s a surprise. I didn’t even imagine that.”

“…!?”

Herman looked dumbfounded for a moment, but then he opened his mouth and started laughing.

“Hahahahahaha! This is it!”

I continued in front of Herman, who was laughing loudly.

“Just like you said, I just happened to meet them, and I just added them as companions because they had ability… so i was deceived.”

“Se, Seika……!?”

Amiyu raises her face slightly and looks at me in amazement.

“What are you talking about, you…?”

“Hahahahahahahaha, this is good! 　Seika-dono, you seem to have been a very close person to me!　The life of a runaway aristocrat must be like this!”

Ignoring Amiyu for the time being, I say to Herman who seems to be happy.

“It looks like your suspicions have been cleared. Then, please remove the curse on these children.”

“Haha… Hmm.”

“This doesn’t make sense.  I’ll solve this.”

At the same time as Amiyu said that, the curse mark disappeared from Mabel’s neck. Together, the three devoured the air with rough breaths.

“T-this……!”

Amiyu immediately stood up, her sword in hand, ready to attack Herman.

I put magic in my voice and tell her.

“Amiyu. Stop…”

“Huh!?”

With just that, Amiyu stopped her movement.

Her eyes widened as if in disbelief, looking at me.

“Sei, ka… what do you mean…”

“Because you were on good terms with that woman. I understand how you feel.”

“Fu, you’re kidding me…!”

“Excellent. You seem to have been a wise man, Seika-dono.”

Herman deepened his smile.

“These people will be found guilty in a simple trial in the future. I don’t know the charges, but the sentence has already been decided. However, thanks to the kindness of the lord, who I am on good terms with, it has already been decided that I will purchase them.”

“It has nothing to do with me.

“Oops. Excuse me. That’s right.”

Herman, who was in a good mood, said jokingly… He took out two collars from the leather bag he was carrying on his shoulder.

A complex pattern is carved on the surface of the black metal, and you can feel the flow of power.

“Actually, since then, I’ve gotten enough slave collars. I’m glad I made it in time for this day.”

The collars of slavery were handed over to the guards and applied to Nozuro’s and Rurumu’s necks.

Nozuro, who was covered in blood and couldn’t move, calmly accepted it, but Rurumu, who was exhausted, showed signs of resistance.

But she is twisted by the guards, violently grabbed by her hair, and forced into his collar.

“Gu… Kuu…!”

Amiyu, who should have been bound by her name, took a step forward.

As expected, being a hero is a big deal. Born in this world, to resist my curse even slightly.

Just in case, I’ll say it again.

“Amiyu. Let go of the sword…”

“I…no, you…!!”

Amiyu gritted her teeth and re-grasped the sword that was about to be dropped.

However, it seemed impossible to resist the two orders, and she couldn’t move even one more step.

Herman said with satisfaction.

“Hmm, this is a relief. Neg, curses and magic are fine.”

Nozuro, who had fallen to the ground after being overshadowed by his shadow, and Rurumu, who was breathing greedily, were violently forced to stand up by the guards.

I say to Herman.

“If you’re ready to take her, get out of the way. We need to return the carriage.”

“Yeah, let’s do that. By the way, Seika-dono… is it okay if we stop the slave sale?”

“Yes. I don’t need it anymore.”

“Then—Would you like to pay a cancellation fee? Well, just how you feel about it. Just enough to make sure we won’t accuse you.”

… he’s a stubborn guy.

I sigh and look behind me.

Then he walked towards Ifa and Mabel and picked up a large bag of gold coins that had fallen beside them.

“Se-Seika-kun, that’s…”

Ignoring Ifa’s pleading voice, I released the large bag to the slave trader.

Several gold coins spill out from the mouth of the large bag that fell at Herman’s feet.

“Oh. This is this…”

It should be quite heavy, but Herman lifted it himself.

“It looks like you made a lot of money. Adventurers can’t be fooled either. If it’s this, I don’t mind if i sell you one of the god demons.”

“I thought I told you it didn’t matter to me anymore.”

“Huh! That’s fine. You will live a long life, Seika-dono.”

Handing the large bag to Neg, Herman smiles and tells us.

“It was a good deal. Well then.”

Turning on his heels, Herman left.

Behind them were Neg, holding a large bag of gold coins with both hands, and guards carrying two divine demons.

At that time, Rurumu faintly looked at me.

“…”

However, along with the sad profile, it was quickly deflected.

“…”

I just stared at them.

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