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“Looks like you found my greeting more charming than I expected, huh?”

My expression naturally soured.

What kind of greeting involves setting off magic and swinging swords right after the first meeting? I felt an unsettling chill for the first time in ages, and it wasn’t exactly a pleasant feeling.

I gazed at the deep cut in the earth where my sword had just been moments ago and said, “Are you hurt?”

“…I have a question for you.”

“In the end, wasn’t it Princess Shione who rolled around more aggressively on the ground?”

“……”

Shione inspected various parts of my body, probably checking for injuries.

I put on a show of indifference. And prepared for the next moment the damn attacker would strike.

I slowly got up and took my stance.

“Thank you.”

“I just… paid you back. Remember when that orc charged in, you saved me back then.”

Ah, that time…

Back when we first started facing orcs near Count’s House, and Shione froze up when she saw one charging towards her. I recalled casting magic to rescue her while she just stood there, dumbfounded.

I can’t believe she remembered that until now.

I chuckled and took an arrow from my quiver.

“Then let’s consider our debts settled, right?”

Still, there were way too many times I saved you. It’s going to take a while to pay those off, so I’ll have to step up my game somehow.

I really wanted to know what expression Shione was making right now, but given the situation…

I focused my gaze on the hybrid creature ahead, recalling the number of arrows I had left.

‘Total of six.’

Most of the arrows in my quiver were scattered around after the recent cloud cover. Right now, I had only this one in hand and five that I could pull out immediately.

‘That’s a bit tight.’

Normally, six arrows would be more than enough to deal with one reaper, but given the recent strike, and considering Tania was facing someone as dangerous as that…

Six arrows suddenly felt a bit insufficient.

“Oh. After almost being cut in half, you’re pulling your bowstring well, huh? I guess you’re a lot tougher than those long-eared idiots who’ve been slaying my siblings all over the place─”

What on earth is this villain so excited about?

I released an arrow aimed at the irritating speaker.

The arrow was infused with Orna and Tania’s magic, flying toward her heart with explosive speed and ferocity.

“Got some guts there. Every man from the Empire seems weak, but I guess those from the Kingdom are a cut above.”

Like Diolia’s Aura Blade.

A potent energy began to coalesce on her sword. Yet, this energy wasn’t a clean blue; it was murky and nefarious.

A cursed sword.

Her blade was undeniably wicked.

It embodied killing in its truest essence and radiated the user’s madness.

Just looking at her sword was enough to make anyone uneasy, and those with a weak stomach might even hurl.

“You gave me such a fun greeting.”

What a chatty one, considering she might get an arrow lodged in her heart any moment now.

I suppose there aren’t any sane folks among those under the influence of magic, but this one seemed to be on another level.

Bang─!

The hybrid demon’s wicked sword clashed with my arrow.

Flames erupted violently, sweeping around and engulfing the fanatic.

Unfortunately, instead of a scream of pain, all I heard amidst the explosion was her laughter.

“Well… that was surprisingly strong. You gave me a scare.”

She stood, unharmed, sending sneers my way and Shione’s.

Then it happened.

“It’s you, isn’t it? The hybrid girl who almost wiped out the first pursuit team.”

In the shadows, a pair of green eyes glowed menacingly.

“Piel.”

“I got it!”

Seizing the moment when the explosion briefly obscured my vision, Friel swiftly closed the distance.

With a precise motion, she drew her sword. An obvious and large swing aimed upwards. Normally, her predictable swordplay wouldn’t pack much power.

However, when combined with her wind spirit, Piel’s magic, it transformed into an absolute technique fit for any scenario, especially fighting the enemy.

“You lowly descendants… you think you can tread here without consequences!”

Bang!

Their swords clashed.

With a dull thud that resonated through the forest, their blades locked, and a struggle of strength commenced.

In this deadlock, the zones for effective strikes were limited.

Both concentrated on subtle distances and their leverage.

Of course, that was just the concern of those wielding swords.

“Tania.”

“Just prepare the strongest arrow for me. Is that okay?”

“Make sure to conserve some of my mana too.”

“Don’t worry, you think I would let that slide?”

As the archer, I had no stake in this debate.

I immediately nocked my next arrow. Tania infused the arrowhead with the essence of the flames. Although I was compelled to use some of my mana, the flame only remained small.

But this white flame was that of the spirit. It would more than hold its own, likely showing power beyond what my mana could produce.

Poof!

The moment I released my thumb and index finger from the bowstring, a fierce arrow took flight.

“…This is a nuisance. That looks dangerous.”

“Can I let my guard down with you right in front of me?”

“What’s stopping me?”

The fanatic twisted her sword.

Sreeeong!!

The rasp of metal on metal rang out as the balance shifted at that instant.

The one gaining the upper hand was the half-demon, not Friel.

“Guess being sheltered in the woods has left you with bad skills.”

Smack!

“Ugh!”

Friel, who had lost her balance, was sent tumbling to the ground.

“I daresay… this is proving to be easier than expected!”

The fanatic deflected my arrow with her sword.

It was the reward for successfully defending myself. Was it because of the magic resistance gained? Or thanks to Tania’s white flame? The moment my arrow touched the white fire, the dark magic coiling around her sword began to crack.

The arrow, propelled by fire, should have been simple to deflect, but she was concentrating even harder now than when she was clashing with Friel.

Clang!

In the end, she managed to redirect the arrow’s trajectory. With a sigh, she spoke, “This is proving to be much more bothersome…”

With a twisted grin, she raised her sword once more, readying for battle.

Just then.

Clomp, clomp.

Walking slowly towards me was the orange-haired elf, Airine.

She seemed to possess far more mana than the others, with the three spirits of different attributes she commanded demonstrating their high rank as they quickly surrounded that obnoxious fanatic.

“…Tsk.”

To my surprise, Airine reacted to my click of the tongue.

“You… that hair color tells me you’re that foolish one they mentioned, huh?”

“……”

“Thanks for the amusement. Heard you gave one of those fools a good slice clean across their horn. Watching them try to reattach it was hilarious.”

“……”

“Those elves you were with at that time? Well, they made excellent sacrifices. Guess being elves really works wonders.”

“…You.”

Just as Airine’s composure faltered, the fanatic swiftly backed away.

Her spirits tried to seize her, but it was hardly feasible under the combined threat of magic and a direct strike.

Having widened the distance enough, she shouted, “I’m taking the killed elves and retreating! Move quickly!”

At her command, the demons, who had been charging madly at the elves, started to retreat, carrying the fallen elves on their backs.

Despite the elves’ efforts to block them, they gracefully navigated the terrain, escaping easily.

The eyes of the hybrid demon met mine. She wore a sly smile, whispering,

—You remembered.

I sealed my lips tight at her unsettling words.

Half-Demon. In this world, they were meant to be a non-entity, neither human nor demon. Yet, the magic I glimpsed from her was concentrated and strong, far beyond what should be evident from diluted demonic blood.

“Huh…”

She was of a higher caliber than the half-demon I had killed back at Count’s House.

Dealing with her alone would be a bit too daunting for me now.

*

Silence and darkness enveloped the forest.

The tranquil sounds of insects and the occasional howling of wild beasts echoed softly in the still woods. Finally, we could take a moment to rest.

Be it the casualties of our allies or whatnot, I was exhausted, intending to let others keep an eye out as I seized a moment of peace. Yet, I couldn’t help but frown.

“Ugh…”

[…@, *※# is interfering…….]

“What the heck is going on?”

Ever since stepping into the Great Forest, something had begun to unfold.

Slowly, but surely.

 

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