Chapter 145: The Goal of the Demon Race
Kingdom of Garcia.
Near the port town where Ryu and his companions were staying lay a vast forest teeming with monsters. The Adventurers’ Guild had designated it as a hunting ground for upper-ranked adventurers—a place where only the capable dared tread, and where death was never far behind.
“W-Wait, sto— GYAAAAAAAHHHH!!”
In the dead of night, a single agonized scream tore through the trees—raw, desperate, and abruptly cut short. An adventurer’s life ended there, swallowed by darkness.
A red-haired man wiped the blood from his hand with casual irritation.
“Man… humans really have no fight in them. Too weak. It’s irritating.”
Beside him, a blue-haired man spoke coolly, his voice devoid of emotion.
“Stop complaining and bury the body with magic. Leave no trace at the scene. We cannot allow the investigation to advance.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
While the red-haired man began concealing the corpse with earth magic, the blue-haired one crouched to rummage through the adventurer’s pouch.
“Hm… A B-rank adventurer’s tag. And a handful of gold coins. Not bad.”
“That weakling was B-rank⁉ You’re joking, right?”
“It’s true. Look.”
In his palm lay a metal tag engraved with the unmistakable letter B.
“No way… B is pretty high up, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Third from the top. If I recall correctly, they account for less than one percent of all adventurers.”
The red-haired man let out a long breath.
“So one of the rare few… and this is all they’ve got? Isn’t it enough? We’ve confirmed the humans’ combat level. Let’s head back.”
“No. According to the adventurer we killed previously, there is a significant gap between B and A ranks. We will not return until we have tested an A-rank.”
“What about S-rank? Not curious?”
“Across all races, the very top are monsters. There is no need to verify the obvious.”
“Hah. You really are smart.”
“You’re simply foolish.”
The blue-haired man turned away.
“We’ll use these gold coins to remain hidden in that town a while longer.”
“Well, human food’s pretty damn good… guess I can tolerate it a bit more.”
Scratching his head, the red-haired man followed after him.
Moonlight filtered through the canopy as they walked, silver beams illuminating their path.
“Yawn… Why’d the Chief give us this mission anyway? The Demon Continent’s huge. No need to expand to this one. And humans? Weak species. Don’t see the appeal.”
“The Chief intends to unify all clans and ascend as Demon King. Such thoughts are beyond beings like us. For now, we obey.”
“You think he’s trying to surpass the Demon King from a thousand years ago? Conquer the world where the previous one failed?”
“…That is possible. If it is him, he will succeed.”
“Yeah. No one’s beating that monster of a Chief.”
“Indeed. In the near future, he will be feared and revered across the world as Demon King.”
“Can’t wait.”
“…Nor can I.”
They walked on, red and blue hair swaying.
And from their foreheads protruded horns—unnatural, inhuman.
Demonfolk.
◇◇◇
Several days passed since Ryu joined the investigation.
Under his direction, they had searched the coastline for suspicious ships, investigated sea monsters in nearby waters, examined locations far from prior incidents, and questioned the Adventurers’ Guild.
…Every lead turned up empty.
“The enemy’s not stupid,” Ryu muttered.
(But based on the frequency of incidents, they’re likely still nearby.)
He sat in the garrison, a stack of reports in hand. For some reason, Esther sat atop his lap like it was the most natural throne in the world.
“For even Ryu to fail to grasp their trail, they must be formidable. As expected, foolish child Lily could never have found them. Mm, this cookie is quite good.” munch munch
“You said ‘foolish child’ again!”
“I also believe Captain Lily is foolish.”
“E-Even you, Subordinate-chan⁉”
Despite Lily’s apparent youth, the loyalty her subordinate displayed suggested she possessed genuine charisma.
“…You two really are close, aren’t you?” Lily murmured.
“Yeah.” “Indeed.”
Ryu calmly flipped pages, resting documents atop Esther’s head as though she were a convenient shelf.
“The other day, when I grabbed your shoulder, you yelled ‘Don’t touch me!’ But now…”
“Esther is precious to me. Unlike a certain single captain.”
“My being single is unrelated!”
“I believe I understand why Lily is unpopular.” munch munch
“Esther too⁉ That’s cruel!”
Lily had no idea the two before her were already engaged.
“Captain Lily, if you’re seeking a boyfriend, you should aim for someone like Ryu—someone who maintains proper distance from other women. Most trustworthy. My own boyfriend is similar. Once I return to the capital, we shall resume our daily lovey-dovey li—”
“Don’t want to hear it, don’t want to hear it!”
Lily covered her ears.
“…Hm?”
Ryu froze mid-page.
(B-rank adventurer missing…? Equivalent to Suzaku’s level? That’s rare.)
He flipped back.
(Missing. Missing. Missing… No confirmed deaths. No remains. No traces. That means no decisive battle marks, no belongings, no body parts recovered. Were they instantly killed and carried back to a nest? Unlikely—different forests each time. Only A-rank or above monsters could eliminate B-rank without resistance. Such monsters would leave sightings and disturb local ecosystems. Normally this would be dismissed as unexplained disappearances… but…)
“I unfortunately have a suspect in mind.”
(An entity strong enough to one-shot B-rank adventurers. Intelligent enough to leave no traces. Capable of moving between forests without suspicion. But what’s the objective? And why target E through B ranks methodically? If they wanted money, merchants would be easier prey. So why adventurers… and in ascending order?)
“Assessing human combat strength… Gauging the overall power of adventurers across the continent?”
(That would make sense. A thousand years ago humans were easily suppressed. But today? Who knows.)
“E, D, C, B… Next is A.”
(If they’re cautious, they won’t leave until they test A-rank. If I’m wrong, I’ll reassess.)
“What’s wrong, Ryu? You’ve been muttering.”
“I may know their next target.”
“As expected of Ryu.”
“Praise me more.”
“Perverted Dragon God! Deviant sister-con!”
“Heh… music to my ears.”
Ryu gently set Esther down and stood.
“Lily. Is there an A-rank adventurer in this town?”
“Yeah, one!”
“Good. We’ll meet him. No—better yet, we shadow him without warning.”
“Why⁉”
Ryu explained concisely.
“I see…” Lily nodded.
“Understood.”
“Makes sense…” echoed the subordinate.
“You,” Ryu addressed her. “Watch Esther and Homura.”
“E-Excuse me? Leaving you alone with Captain—”
“Relax. I won’t betray you.”
Homura, after all, was an S-rank monster blessed by dragon protection.
“Subordinate-chan! Ryu’s super trustworthy!”
“Your basis?”
“Instinct!”
“…Of course.”
“Honestly,” Ryu said, “you can’t keep up in this battle. So I entrust my companions to you. Though today may pass quietly. It could take days.”
“Don’t underestimate me! I belong to the First Special Unit—”
Lily cut in.
“Subordinate-chan. If Ryu’s theory is correct, we’re facing Demonfolk capable of one-shotting B-ranks. Upper A-rank at least. I never intended for you to fight.”
“…Captain…”
“Being entrusted with my companions,” Ryu added calmly, “is far more honorable than facing Demonfolk.”
“That is not comforting…” she muttered.
Esther produced alchemical tools from her item bag.
“I shall craft any medicine you desire.”
“…Playing house?”
Sighing, the subordinate finally relented.
She had no idea that nobles across nations would beg for such a privilege.
“Esther. Want a Demon’s horn as a souvenir?”
“If convenient, yes.”
“Understood.”
Ryu turned.
“Let’s move, Lily.”
“Forward march!”
“May fortune favor you both!”
Leaving Esther, Homura, and the subordinate behind, Ryu and Lily departed for the Adventurers’ Guild branch—walking straight toward the trap that awaited the next A-rank target.