Chapter 207
Chapter 207
The mountain range that crosses the human and demonic territories is extremely rugged.
Not only was the roughness of the terrain, but the monsters that appeared were also threatening, so only a handful of people came and went through this place. both before the war and after the war.
Demons were no exception, but their situation was better than humans thanks to their innately superior bodies and abilities. So often, those with unavoidable circumstances or goals crossed over into human territory through the mountains. Most of the results were bound to end in a bad way, but that fact did not matter to those who had reasons to go beyond it.
The same was true of those who were running through a frosty forest that was starting to get dark.
The five of them, wearing thick cloaks made from the hides of demon beasts, looked like uniforms, and anyone could see them as demons. The hood, which was worn deeply to avoid the cold, was literally just to avoid the cold, and had a hole in it to remove the horns, and the horns that came out of it showed off their presence without hesitation.
Even though they are moving at a high speed, they are like soldiers who maintain a disciplined movement. If others had seen it, they would have thought it was a real soldier. In the past seven years, non-soldiers have crossed the mountain range on the hand of one hand.
In the meantime, when the one who was running in the middle of them raised his hand, the eyes of everyone except for the Demon, who was running the most, turned towards it.
“stop.”
Those who stopped at the same time, as if they had made a promise to that one word, neither small nor large, turned their bodies and began to look at the person in the middle.
He was a dwarf figure who seemed like he would be crushed by a particularly large round shield on his back. That doesn’t mean he’s short or tall. It’s just that the shield and the surrounding characters are a little bigger, so they stand out even more. The person who looked around, paying no attention to their gaze, opened his mouth slowly.
“Let’s prepare for camping here. According to the information, there is a high probability of encountering monsters from here.”
I don’t know how long they haven’t talked, but the hushed voice belonged to a young girl. The demons did not refute her order and went into preparation for rest in perfect order. Watching those who diligently fulfill their roles by preparing a bonfire, clearing snow, planting something in the surrounding trees, and chanting spells, the girl put down her shield and took off her hood.
The first thing that catches the eye is the horn that grows from the back of the ear and curves like that of a thick goat, rising above the forehead. The white and distinct features that follow from below are sharp, unlike the expression that has been slightly loosened due to a long trip, and the closed eyes are as calm as those of a person who is asleep. The demon girl, who untied her dark purple hair that had been roughly tied back and let out a long breath, soon knelt down and took a posture for prayer. Then, around her, other demons took off their hoods one by one and began to gather and kneel down.
The girl, whose eyes were still closed, began to mutter quietly.
“Thank you for the grace and protection of Epaga, who drank today.”
“Thank you for supporting us even in the midst of suffering…”
Those who memorized prayers to the demons were infinitely sincere. After praying without any sign of bothering anyone, they sat around a campfire that was all packed and began to eat quietly.
It wasn’t something you would see often. It’s not that they don’t talk because they’re awkward with each other, but just like a monk practicing silent practice, the way they silently continue their meal, excluding unnecessary conversations, is even reverent.
Did it last like ten minutes? In the bottomless silence, someone opened their mouth.
“Can I ask you one question?”
“Please speak.”
Of course, looking at the girl who responded naturally as if it was a question directed at him, the demon opened his mouth, but he couldn’t speak easily. The appearance of calmly choosing words gradually attracted the attention of others, but it did not arouse questions.
As if they understood what he wanted to ask, but didn’t know what the answer would be, the demons’ eyes moved to the girl.
Unlike when looking at the demon who brought up the story, the girl who calmly received the gaze filled with strange anticipation spoke without losing her composure.
“You want to ask if I really need to go?”
“…Excuse me, yes. That’s right. I still don’t understand.”
Is the girl weak? If anyone asks me, everyone will say no. Her shield was unstoppable, and her mace was powerful enough to break the heads of beasts in one blow. No one questioned her skills in choosing and moving on this dangerous path.
Is the girl being pushy? Even if you ask, everyone will say no in unison. The girl doesn’t force herself. just do what needs to be done That is why they were able to follow her on this long journey without hesitation.
Even so, there was only one reason why they wanted to hear the girl’s answer. It was because I didn’t know why the girl was with me on this very sudden journey.
In the chaos caused by war, there have always been cultists who sell the names of demons and spread false beliefs. It has always been the case that such people are searched out and judged. So, moving for the job itself was natural without raising any questions.
But with a girl, it’s a different story.
It was because it was not common for a saintess to act directly to eradicate an insignificant cult, despite numerous objections within the church.
“Yes. I must be with you.”
Even so, the girl answered confidently. It was an unwavering answer, just like when she was first declared a saint of the Demonic Church. In fact, that alone was a sufficient answer, so the demons’ deep doubts faded like lies. Instead, there was only light curiosity.
“Are you an oracle?”
“No. If it was an oracle, it would have been enough to send you alone.”
A trust is a fixed future. Whether it’s an unfortunate event or something unavoidable, it’s like an event that always happens. If it was an oracle with results that would not change even if a three-year-old child was sent, there would be no reason for her to move.
“I have received a revelation.”
It was the voice of a god that was getting more and more blurry, but this time it was different. It was a clearer teaching than ever. That’s why, despite everyone’s opposition, I went out on my own. Originally, I tried to move alone, but I respected the intention of the church, which never compromised on this part, and had to be with those who could be called a kind of escort.
“A revelation that in the process of slaying the cultists… will open your eyes to new understandings.”
The moment the word revelation came out, the demons took a deep breath and began to pray. Even though the girl, who was actually a saint, saw it and thought it was very extreme.
“I have no intention of doubting Epaga-nim’s intentions, but… it still gets in the way of human territory. If we don’t move quickly, it will be very dangerous.”
The concerns expressed by the other demons, who were relieved of religious doubts and felt more at ease, were indeed valid. No matter how far away it may be, it was a problem that eventually occurred within the territory of a country that was at war. There must be a threat lurking on a different level from the demonic spirits that can be easily visited in the city, and it will be just as tiring and there will be many variables.
“Even more so… what kind of trials await us.”
Sometimes mercifully, sometimes cruelly. Revelation has always given them tests and rewards in various forms. As long as they were in the faith, they were always ready to humbly accept such trials, but they did not turn their eyes away from the threat of reality.
“I only pursue faith. I do not pursue fanaticism.”
“…as long as mortals do not pervert His will, enlightenment will always accompany them in warmth.”
As if it was a promise, the prayer that continued for a moment calmed down the anxiety that had been swirling for a while.
“I understand what kind of anxiety the brothers have. I know that it is not a concern for personal advancement, but a shake that comes from a heart that worries about all the brothers and sisters of the church, including the other brothers who are here with us. The current reality is that we have no choice but to worry that doing wrong can lead to persecution.”
When the girl’s eyes, which had been closed all this time, opened, the silvery-white eyes that seemed to have moved the moon began to shine.
“It’s hard for me to explain clearly because I’ve only seen a fragment of the revelation, but don’t worry. This revelation… will definitely be of great help to us.”
Deoni Bire, a saint of the Demonic Church and a Crusader, spoke with a firm tone that did not waver at all.