Chapter 96 – Interlude: Under the Same Moonlit Night

Termwills was in autumn. However, the abandoned capital Beriondora in the north was already cold enough to be considered winter. Soon, it would be sealed off by snow and ice.

Yet what filled one corner of the Beriondora Royal Castle ruins wasn’t the cold air, but rather a swirling mass of miasma.

Trees stood crowded together, with one particularly large tree towering among them.

Before this great tree stood a man—the Demon Valros—continuously releasing dense miasma from his palm and having it absorbed by the tree’s roots.

“How’s it going? Is that the master of this Sacred Tree Garden?”

A woman walked through the space swirling with dense miasma—a concentration that no normal creature could withstand for even a moment—while wearing a faint smile.

“—Luceriage. Unfortunately, this isn’t the master. There’s an even larger tree deeper inside.”

Valros glanced over his shoulder, acknowledged the approaching woman, then turned back to face the tree before him.

“I see… Well, this should be the most heavily guarded area. Things aren’t going as planned, are they?”

Looking around, Luceriage murmured. The hall contained many trees—all already withered.

“Exactly. I still can’t move from here for the time being.”

“Acting without delay, not allowing others to interfere. A seal and contract through the Sacred Tree Garden, I presume. They certainly went through the trouble of creating such a complicated system.”

Sacred Trees. Trees that continue to grow while absorbing and purifying miasma. A seal that utilizes this property.

For ordinary demons, merely stepping into the garden would result in being completely drained. That’s precisely why only a limited number of individuals can perform this task.

If one suggested simply destroying it, that wouldn’t work either. Unless the contract is formed and the proper procedures followed, not only would the seal remain unbroken, but these withered trees would likely revive immediately.

“As you can see from the contract with this section, it was clearly created with our nature in mind. So, what brings you here? What about your post?”

“I came here because my work is nearly finished.”

“Oh? So the Sacred Tree Garden you’re responsible for—”

Valros’s voice mixed with a tone of delight.

“Only the master tree remains. As for Termwills—communication from Zevion has been cut off, so it must remain untouched, correct? I came to tell you that if you need assistance, I could go there myself.”

“Indeed. I know from reports about the timing of the Spirit Hall’s liberation and the sections involved, but—”

Valros cut off his words and furrowed his brow.

“My, you’re being quite pessimistic.”

“The reports ended up being incomplete. Because of that, I can’t grasp the full picture of whoever drove off Linette and Zevion.”

The situation in the abandoned capital Beriondora was progressing, albeit slowly. But regarding Termwills, Valros felt they were falling behind.

The Boundary City and the abandoned capital were far apart.

With insufficient personnel and the need to operate secretly, gathering and transmitting information, as well as issuing instructions, inevitably incurred delays.

“Even considering we can’t easily infiltrate human strongholds—a Demon Slayer, you say? Is it really possible that we can’t grasp any information or methods about them at all?”

“It seems they’ve noticed that we’re gathering and operating as an organization. Regarding the Demon Slayer who appeared in Termwills, various pieces of information are circulating.”

“Oh?”

“A sturdy man. A beautiful woman. Or an old person. There was even one about a child. Titles include the kingdom’s knights, magicians, adventurers. Clerics, nobles… various others.”

“…Information manipulation, perhaps? If they were just rumors, they wouldn’t vary this much.”

“Probably so.”

Valros nodded at Luceriage’s words.

If they could manage this much, Valros believed it was undoubtedly led by people like the king or prime minister.

For example, by reaching out to other countries through official letters, having trusted individuals or organizations spread false information, fabricating false eyewitness accounts… or by having them deny the truth, they could conceal information about the Demon Slayer.

Or perhaps—the one who accomplished the demon slaying wasn’t an individual, but a coordinated effort by knight orders, magicians, clerics, and shrine maidens…

“How cunning.”

“Surely, if we conducted inquiries within the kingdom… inside Termwills, we could narrow down more reliable information. But the fact that Zevion and the others were detected mid-report means we should assume their methods have been noticed. Naturally, if we carelessly investigate, there’s a risk they might uncover information about the abandoned capital as well.”

In other words, regarding Termwills, it had become difficult to even deploy Familiars. Probably, security around the harbor area used for information transmission had been significantly strengthened.

“Originally, I didn’t place much importance on the method used to drive off Linette, given her inferior combat abilities. But when it comes to Zevion as well, we can’t ignore it as a fact. I consider that point a failure.”

“We’re falling behind. Will you be alright?”

“I’m considering countermeasures. In that sense, your offer to go after breaking your seal is rather fortunate.”

Hearing this, Luceriage brought a hand to her chin, showing a thoughtful gesture.

“…You mean it would work out perfectly if I liberated the Sacred Tree Garden’s seal?”

“Exactly. If we can’t transport it out, then there’s the approach of bringing it in instead. This way, no matter who the enemy is, we only need to focus on our work. After all—the humans can’t create new seals anyway.”

“…I see. You’re thinking of something interesting.”

Luceriage laughed, but Valros didn’t feel particularly praised.

“It’s a gamble at best. Because we can’t afford to make mistakes in the final stages. Acquiring the Orb and breaking the Moonlight Temple’s seal would undoubtedly be more certain.”

“Hence why I’m going, correct?”

“…It will become a battle.”

The enemy was an unknown Demon Slayer who had driven off Zevion. Even Luceriage couldn’t predict how it would turn out.

“And? Do you think I’m inferior to Zevion?”

A cold smile fixed itself on Luceriage’s expression. She likely possessed the confidence worthy of her epithet.

“I’m merely saying it would be a mistake to assume it will end easily.”

“…Hmph. As long as I don’t lose and become wasted, it shouldn’t matter to you either way, should it?”

“I’m not telling you to become a sacrificial pawn.”

Luceriage watched Valros for a while, then eventually shook her head slightly.

“I might actually envy Zevion, you know.”

“Oh…?”

“He said that even with long life, it’s just boring. That he wanted to die in battle. If there are humans capable of satisfying that desire, I’d like to see them too.”

“…It’s the bad habit of aged demons. Growing weary of long life and seeking their own place to die.”

In their long, long lives, eventually even meals become tiresome.

Walking forward without leaving anything behind, trampling everyone underfoot. No regrets no matter what happens or when. Not even worrying about their own death, nor having any lingering attachments.

That—was what Valros disliked.

Precisely because they were superior beings, they didn’t put themselves in others’ failures. Valros judged that this was exactly why they found themselves in their current situation.

He even thought that humans, greedy for life, might be superior as a species.

Luceriage smiled at Valros, who was frowning displeased.

“What about the elderly Gardinis? He should be older than me.”

“Don’t mock me. That’s what you call senile disgrace. I suppose there are such vulgar individuals too.”

“We get along well, then.”

Luceriage seemed amused, but Valros maintained his stern expression.

“Well, I won’t deny what you say. I think the fact that both Zevion and I responded to your call was because you started doing interesting things.”

“Those who aren’t like that merely follow my power.”

He spat out the words.

Valros had been glaring at the smiling Luceriage, but eventually averted his gaze and said,

“If you find anyone available, take them with you as you please.”

“Oh? So you do think I’ll lose?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself. I dislike that aspect of demons’ nature.”

“Hmph… Well, fine. If I went expecting a Demon Slayer only to be overwhelmed by numbers, that would be disappointing and boring. I happen to have just the right person in mind, so I’ll do that.”

As Luceriage turned to leave, Valros called out to her back.

“Regarding the continuation of Linette’s research, we’ve achieved some results. Take it with you when you depart.”

Once winter arrived, movement between cities would become conspicuous in itself. Methods for infiltrating city interiors and moving within labyrinths were absolutely essential.

“I’ll do that.”

After Luceriage left the Sacred Tree Garden, only Valros remained behind. Above his head, the full moon shone brilliantly.