Chapter 69 – Before the Battle

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

As I waited for reports in a room at the guesthouse, the knights returned.

However, there seemed to be more people besides Mercedes and Chester. A female knight with narrow eyes and a cleric-like man with a distinctive mustache had joined them.

“This is our first time speaking like this. I’m Mildred Calvare, serving as the Knight Order Commander.”

“I’m Derek Bolger, an inquisitor.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Theodore Gartner.”

So Mildred was the Knight Order Commander, and Derek with the Kaiser Mustache was an inquisitor.

“First—let me provide answers to your questions.”

It seemed Derek was in charge of the magical inquisition of Fernando and Jasper.

Summarizing that story—there were two adventurers who accompanied them to Dusk Forest. They were apparently staying at a cheap inn near the harbor in the West District.

“According to Jasper, he hadn’t known them for long—they were just guys he hit it off with at a tavern. He said he doesn’t really know them well. They apparently mentioned that searching for knights might bring them money… They said similar things to Jasper. That’s probably why they got along.”

After Jasper parted ways with his original companions, he likely turned to them because they shared similar views.

“So the guys who were captured with him… are a separate group?” Mercedes murmured.

“Those guys were originally from the West District—they’re longtime ruffian acquaintances of Jasper, not actually in the adventuring business,” Derek answered while adjusting his Kaiser Mustache with his fingers.

“Fernando is originally from the West District too. He apparently knew Jasper’s name as a guy who’d do anything for money.”

I see. So they were in relationships where horizontal connections made it easy to become acquainted.

That’s why Fernando took the initiative, and Greg jumped on board to exploit it.

“Well, that’s about all the information we could squeeze out of them. What concerns me right now is—the reason you’re worrying about such trivial opponents.”

Jasper didn’t trust them enough to involve them in the confinement, but from their perspective, it’s unclear how much of the situation they understood. Depending on that, they were either deceived or had some inkling and cooperated.

On the surface, they’re just low-level operatives to that extent. Still, soldiers will probably head to their place tomorrow too.

But… that won’t do.

“To be blunt, I suspect those two might actually be demons.”

“Wha—”

When I said this, uniform expressions of surprise appeared on the faces of everyone present.

“Is that—a theory with any basis?” Chester asked.

“It’s not really what I’d call evidence, but I’m a bit concerned. Combining the fact that demons were investigating matters related to the seal at Moonlight Temple with what Fernando said about adventurers getting burned when they touched it… that’s about it.”

Even if they’re not demons, if infiltrating agents failed, they’d just send in new personnel.

“Now that you mention it… that’s true. I touched that door too, but I didn’t get burned or anything,” Mercedes nodded with an impressed expression.

“There’s a possibility the door itself changed. But going to check Dusk Forest probably isn’t the best strategy. Now that Jasper and Fernando have been captured, if they detect that, they’ll probably escape.”

“But… if they are demons, sending soldiers to question them or bring them in would be dangerous too,” Chester groaned.

Exactly. That would be repeating what happened with the demon Linette. Moreover, this time we might be dealing with two opponents at worst.

“What should we do?” Mercedes asked Chester.

Even if you ask what we should do, if there’s room for negotiation with demons, we might be able to explore methods.

But knowing their way of thinking about humans—the possible answers are limited.

“How about sealing off the surroundings to minimize human casualties, then having a small elite force capable of opposing demons move in? They were cooperating with Fernando anyway, so an investigation will be necessary.”

I dislike roundabout approaches. If they’re just adventurers hired for money who knew nothing… then we can just apologize for wrongly suspecting them. It was the kind of situation where suspicion would naturally fall on them anyway, and with an inquisition, false accusations are less likely to occur. Plus, vetting clients and choosing companions is part of an adventurer’s job too.

“Again… such a rough approach,” the knights smiled wryly, but no one objected. Mildred was even laughing cheerfully.

“If we’re facing demons, it should be the Wyvern Corps’ role… but there’s a problem,” Chester said with a bitter expression.

“Because Greg’s faction is undergoing investigation, so the Wyvern Corps’ morale is at its worst, right?”

“Exactly.”

The Wyvern Corps always requires substantial funds for maintenance like feed costs. That’s probably why they allowed the rise of someone like Greg, who preferred currying favor with nobles over the knight’s true duty… but with Greg, who had deeply infiltrated the Wyvern Corps, now captured, it’s safe to assume the unit is currently dysfunctional. Sealing off access routes and evacuation guidance probably aren’t the Wyvern Corps’ roles anyway.

“So a small elite force after all. Operating as a full unit would be difficult,” Mildred said with crossed arms.

“Either way, I’m going. This isn’t about cooperation—it’s for personal reasons.”

If I hesitated knowing demons might be there, it would be no different from when it happened with Mother. I’ll stick my neck in, and if they have schemes, I’ll crush them.

“…To summarize the discussion, we select a few elites who can ride wyverns and, together with Theodore-dono, strike the demons.”

“That’s fine with me.”

“—Hmm. Then we just need to ascertain His Majesty’s intentions before we can proceed. Let’s finish preparations by dawn.”

Dawn, huh. There’s still time.

“About the evacuation guidance—you’ll handle the orphanage too, right?”

The orphanage is far from the harbor, so it should be fine, but just to be sure.

“The West District orphanage? Understood. I’ll make sure arrangements are made properly.”

“Thank you.”

“Theodore-dono, what will you do? Will you wait here until it’s time?”

When Mercedes asked, I pondered.

“I’m concerned about home, so I’ll return once to inform them about this matter too.”

Whatever happens, I should properly talk with Grace and the others.

When I fought demons before, I made them worry. This time it won’t be like before where I suddenly had to fight.

“I’m home.”

When I returned home, everyone welcomed me with smiles saying “welcome back.”

Sheila and Irmhild seemed to have been waiting at home too.

“What happened?”

“Greg’s faction and Fernando have been captured. But—”

“But?”

“I might have to fight demons. There are about two adventurers suspected of being demons, and we’re heading to the West District tomorrow morning—”

I explained to everyone what had been decided today.

When they heard “West District,” Sheila and Irmhild furrowed their brows.

“I heard it’s near the harbor, so it seems to be far from the orphanage. The Knight Order said they’ll take the lead on orphanage evacuation too.”

“…Thank you.”

Their expressions softened somewhat.

“Still, near the harbor—that’s close to where Sheila and Irmhild roost.”

“Well… it’s probably better if you don’t return there today.”

“…Understood.”

They seemed to accept it, but their expressions remained somewhat gloomy.

Grace and Ashley were the same. When I looked at them, “I’m worried” was written on their faces without needing to ask.

“…Since we’re dealing with demons, I can’t bring everyone along like in the labyrinth. This is more of a personal fight for me.”

“W-well, I—”

After staring at each other for a while, Ashley was the first to speak.

“To be honest… I want to go with you.”

Ashley narrowed her eyes.

Right. For Ashley too, demons are enemies.

“But… I’m sure I’d just be a hindrance in my current state. Probably—my role isn’t to face demons and fight… but to be ready to cast healing magic whenever someone important gets hurt…”

Her words tapered off at the end. She’s probably questioning herself whether that’s really okay.

From my perspective too, that answer isn’t wrong.

It would be more troubling if she insisted on coming no matter what.

What Ashley just said is probably something she thinks about during our usual labyrinth explorations too.

Not pushing forward too aggressively, maintaining her condition to always be ready to use healing magic—that’s the role required of Ashley. The long mace is just one means of dealing with close-range threats.

So—I gently stroked Ashley’s hair and answered.

“…Yeah. That’s probably right. So I can fight on the front lines with peace of mind.”

“…Yes.”

Ashley tilted her head slightly and smiled.

“Theo—”

I turned my eyes to Grace.

She looked straight at me and asked.

“Would I be a hindrance?”

“…No.”

I shook my head sideways.

Currently, among my companions, Grace is the only one who might be able to oppose demons. And Grace has reasons to fight demons.

“I think Grace can fight. I’ll prepare methods to fight on equal terms.”

“Theo… thank you.”

Me—fighting demons is fine. I have no objections to crushing demons.

But to be honest, I don’t want to let someone important fight demons. Since I feel that way, they probably feel the same. It would be selfish to impose only my viewpoint one-sidedly.

But I think I understand the pain of only being able to watch such scenes.

So if Grace wants to fight and there are means to do so, we’ll fight together. I believe that’s the form trust takes. Grace has her mother’s matter too, so she must want to fight demons.

“…Thank you, Theo. That—the ring’s seal.”

Ah. Grace has been in her released form all this time.

When I applied the ring’s seal, Grace smiled and hugged me.

“…Ashley-sama too.”

“Yes.”

Grace pulled Ashley in too. I was being hugged by both of them.

Soft sensations. Warm body heat. Scents faintly tickling my nostrils.

Gently. Grace kissed my cheek. When I looked at her in surprise, she gave me a gentle smile.

Seeing this, Ashley too—timidly touched her lips to my cheek.

Once they made contact, strength filled their embracing arms.

…Eventually, someone—I don’t know who—pulled away. Both of them… had red faces though.

“Ahem, ahem…”

Sheila gave a small cough. When I noticed, everyone present had red faces. A strangely relaxed atmosphere flowed through the room.

“W-well. If Ashley-sama is enduring, then we must endure too, I suppose,” Sheila said, trying to change the subject.

Irmhilt nodded repeatedly. “Mm.”

“Y-yeah. I’d be happy if everyone waited for me.”

“Understood. We’ll wait for your triumphant return.”

Sheila smiled at me.

“Then let’s have our meal. We were all waiting for Theodore-sama to return,” Ashley said as she hurried off toward the kitchen.

…Still. Even though it was just my cheek—that was quite intense. I’m glad I came home first.

The people I wanted to protect. The reason I seek power. The reason I fight demons. The people I want to protect. I feel like I’ve reaffirmed everything.

I won’t let the demons take anything more from us.