abcnovels
Chapter 126
Chapter 126
Chapter 126
Chapter 126
We were now inside the Golden Demon Zone .
Looking from the outside, you would think that the Demon Zone is a huge woodland .
Even after we went inside, there were mostly trees and shrubs surrounding us .
Because it was still in the morning, the wind stroking our skin was quite cool .
You could feel freshness in the air .
There was a strong scent of vegetation around the area .
From time to time, I could hear a roar from something from a distance .
Are those from monsters?
I used my hand to somewhat cover my eyes from directly looking at the sun as I look up in the sky .
I could see the sky in between the branches and leaves of the surrounding trees .
We still haven’t entered the Demon Zone .
The place we were in now wasn’t that deep into the forest yet .
Currently, it still feels like we’re just comfortably walking through the woods .
Leading our advance as she watched around the area, Eve said .
[I haven’t felt the presence of any monster yet . ]
Yes, there weren’t any presence of monsters nearby .
It’s not really zero but the presence that we’ve felt was still far away .
The vanguard of our formation is Eve .
Following next is me and Pigimaru .
Liz is directly following behind me and Seras would be holding our rear .
[Have you and Liz entered the Demon Zone before?]
[Umu... I haven’t held that much with me that time, so I could run away from the monsters . ]
Even though it’s just for a short time, she still have some experience spending some time inside the Demon Zone .
This could be really advantageous for us .
[We only have some knowledge of the place we have reached, however we also know of springs where we could obtain some drinking water . There’s also the hidden antique buildings that were scattered around the area . Those buildings were also the reason why this place was called the Great Ruins . ]
[What about food?]
[Most of the flesh of the Golden-eyed monsters contain toxins . Moreover, we really couldn’t tell whether each type of those monsters had toxins or not . The troublesome part is that... Most people wouldn’t know if there’s a toxin within its flesh until they’ve eaten it and injested into their body . ]
If you are knowledgeable about it, you could tell if a mushroom is poisonous with just a glance .
However, it seems different when it comes to Golden-eye monsters .
You won’t know until you’ve tried it .
It seems that you can’t determine it through their odor either .
Even if we assume that’s the case, I doubt you could eat something like that unless you’re really starving that much .
At that time back in the Disposal Ruins, it was really impossible because their bodies were filled with acid...
[Contrary to what you might expect though, none of the fruits and mushrooms were safe to eat . Well, I don’t know about those ones you could find deep inside the Demon Zone though . ]
[Well, we should be able to solve the food problem in one way or another . ] josei
We have the leather bags that I’ve mentioned before .
First of all, there is no difficulty for us carrying these leather bags .
Basically, we don’t have to worry about preservation and storage of our food .
We’re also clear on whether these foods were safe to eat or not .
In places like this, this is an item that makes a big difference whether it exists or not .
[In that case, the biggest factor why Eve and Liz ran away from this place was—]
[Of course, it would be the monsters . ]
As expected, their biggest bottleneck is that .
However, if you put it in another way—
As long as we could defeat the monsters, we could head deeper without any probles .
I looked behind me .
[Are you alright, Liz?]
Liz is walking while carrying a large backpack .
She had the most luggage among us four .
[I’m alright, Touka-sama . ]
[You don’t have to hesitate and just tell us if you’re tired, okay?]
[Yes . ]
I want to carry as much luggage as I can .
That is what Liz requested me before we entered the Demon Zone .
At that time when she told me that...
“I would like to respect Liz’s will . ”
Eve’s words blocked Seras and my words .
“The less luggage Touka-sama and everyone have, the more chances that I will survive . I couldn’t help at all when it comes to fighting . Therefore, if Touka-sama and everyone were able to move nimbly... It would also make me safer . ”
Logically speaking, she’s not mistaken .
[Liz . ]
[Yes . ]
[You’re already a legitimate member of this Mercenary Corps . ]
[Ah—]
Liz’s face shone in delight .
[Y- Yes!]
It would be difficult to bring a horse into the Demon Zone .
Even the experienced Eve said so .
We would end up getting easier to detect by the demons .
It’s probably because they’re in this kind of place that the horses wouldn’t be able to calm down because of stress .
In that case, we should just bring our luggages on our own .
[Aren’t you scared?]
[I- I’m alright . Thank you for your concern . ]
[............... . ]
I could see some nervousness from her .
However, she doesn’t seem to be that frightened .
IIs it because she has already entered the Demon Zone together with Eve once?
Or perhaps...
Looking downwards, Liz spoke .
[I- It might sound strange but... if I were asked, compared to that time when I was in the Demon Zone together with Big Sister... I was more scared back when I was in the White Coin . ]
Liz’s eyes softened .
[As long as I could be together with Big Sister... it would be where my happiness is, wherever that may be...]
[My bad, Liz . ]
Still looking at the front, Eve apologized .
[It’s because of my stupidity that...]
[When it comes to people like those guys, they would eventually know about you two even you try hiding . ]
In Liz’s case, it seems that she haven’t received any external wounds .
I’ve also asked Seras to check back when she helped her change her clothes .
It seems that they have only mentally cornered her .
Liz herself is the type that endures all hardships she received .
She must have been really cheerful whenever she meets Eve .
Therefore, it could even be said that Liz’s kindness is one of the results from that tragedy she received .
[............... . . ]
Sh*t .
Knowing that her kindness is the result of that tragedy, I feel sh*tty within my heart .
That’s good .
It was good that I’ve made her suffer before I got rid of that proprietress .
That proprietress who deeply hurt Liz’s heart .
Even if I were criticized because my methods were wrong .
Even if I were cursed because of my selfishness .
If she had just peacefully lived in Monroy without meeting that d*mned woman, I wouldn’t have been able to understand her feelings .
That’s why— I don’t regret sending that b*tch to hell .
[It would also be bad if you worry too much, Eve . ]
[Mhmm...]
[Most of all, Liz’s existence itself has been helping us . We are here in this place now because you have chosen to escape with us from Monroy . You have made that decision . That much is enough for me already . ]
As if she had given up, Eve let out a sigh .
[I really can’t match you . ]
▽
We stopped for a moment .
I then injected magic energy into Eve’s arm .
The map from before came out again .
The distance between the two glowing dots has become closer than before .
[It seems that we’re finally approaching our destination . ]
The neighboring Seras squeezed herself closer and peeked at the map .
[However, I don’t know if we could just go straight towards that place from here...]
[Even though that’s a map, it doesn’t really show the details about the terrain here . ]
Moving away from Seras’ shoulders, I looked across the forest .
[Depending on the terrain, we may have to go through around just to arrive there...]
Seras is about to say something .
However, I immediately closed Seras’ mouth .
[Nhnn...?]
Seras looked confused .
My eyes matched with Eve .
Eve silently nodded and pulled out her sword .
As expected, Eve noticed it too huh .
Through eye contact, I told her .
“Just as we planned . ”
Eve nods again .
She’s prepared to attack as she gazed through the thickets .
It seems Seras and Liz noticed that something must have happened .
The two of them lowered their postures .
[——————-]
The presence of monsters .
I held out my hand towards the direction where I’ve felt its presence .
It appears that we’ve finally encountered our first monster in the Demon Zone .
The edge of my lips spontaneously distorted .
Whatever the monsters in the Demon Zone could be...
[.................. . ]
Now then, come .