Chapter 265
If you go further north from the Demon Forest, you’ll reach the northernmost area called the “Annulment Zone.” Covered entirely in ice and snow, it’s the coldest region in this world. While the Northern Garden is somehow habitable, this place is an extreme wilderness where not only humans but also animals, plants, and even monstrous beasts and demons cannot survive. The only beings living there are those called the “Winter Wraiths.” Well… saying they “live” is half true and half false, since they are already dead—undead.
Aaron was also an undead from the Annulment Zone. For some reason, he descended from there and was subjugating the demons of the Demon Forest. By now, he should have gained control of the Demon Forest and marched toward Roelgreen Castle, but my intervention caused a hiccup. I thought we’d meet soon, but I didn’t expect him to reach out first.
Aaron expressed no intention to fight and said he wanted to talk. Whatever it is, it’s not too late to hear him out and decide.
I set up a temporary meeting spot in the middle of the forest, near the pond where Luna fell in yesterday. On our side, it’s me, Helga, and Blanshe. Aaron, on the other hand, is alone. Thanks to that, the gazes of the women standing behind me were all fixed on him. Though his mask hid his expression, it was clear they were hostile toward him.
Helga, in particular, was standing with magic power flowing through her body, ready for a fight. Having fought off monstrous beasts and demons as part of Aslan, she was already brimming with the desire to clash. I hope she doesn’t act without my orders…
Blanshe, on the other hand, was calm. That doesn’t mean she was relaxed. She just wasn’t openly showing hostility like Helga, but her guard was up. It was behavior befitting her title as the Duke’s daughter’s bodyguard knight. I wish Helga would learn a thing or two…
“…What’s wrong?”
“…Nothing.”
“You seem… disappointed in me…”
“It’s probably just your imagination.”
Honestly, having just these two is reassuring enough, but the Annihilation Maid, Rian, and the Black Earth Tribe are also hiding in the shadows of the trees around us. Oh… wait. Rian is actually sleeping while hiding in the tree’s shadow. Lately, she’s been hibernating like she has narcolepsy whenever it’s cold. I didn’t know this was part of her setting, but apparently, vampires get sluggish in the cold.
Anyway, seeing them act like this without being told shows they’ve realized something: Aaron is no easy opponent.
The winter knight, Aaron, sitting on a rock, was smaller in stature compared to Leon or Gale, but the aura emanating from him surpassed both of them. Facing him, Aaron gave off the vibe of a noble warrior. His snow-white hair, frozen beard, and strong facial features hinted at the life he had lived. In a way, it didn’t quite match the title of “knight.”
He came to the meeting alone, without any subordinates or followers from the Hoin Tribe. He seemed unfazed by our hostility.
“Not long ago, humans from the south took over the castle.”
“Ah, right. That happened.”
“…You don’t seem surprised, so you must have already known. Well, with such a large army coming, it’d be stranger if you didn’t.”
“Well…”
Honestly, since I was the one who brought those humans here, I have nothing to say.
Aaron quickly got to the point.
“Then this will be quick. Let me be blunt. How about we join forces until we drive out the humans?”
Of course.
He plans to postpone our struggle for control of the forest and first eliminate the Imperial Army that has taken the castle. Unlike the first expedition in the original story, this time a massive army of 100,000 has come to the north. From his perspective, it must feel like a huge threat.
“You know as well as I do that our real enemy is the humans. They’re right in front of us, setting up camp. If we join forces and strike back now, victory is certain.”
But I won’t let things go his way.
I sat on the chair Blanshe prepared, crossed my legs, and smiled like a villain. I might as well practice not looking like Tristan.
“Strike back? You make it sound like the humans attacked us first.”
Hearing my unusual tone, Helga and Blanshe flinched behind me. Regardless, I decided to fully immerse myself in the character of Trinity.
“At least I don’t remember being attacked by humans.”
“They led a large army and took the castle without warning. If that’s not an attack, what is?”
“That would be true if the castle was ours.”
“What?”
A frown appeared on Aaron’s brow.
“If I’m not mistaken, that castle originally belonged to humans, right? Huh? No?”
“That was in the past. Now it clearly belongs to us demons—”
“Has there ever been a time when monstrous beasts or demons lived in that castle?”
“……”
Of course not.
Aaron doesn’t need Roelgreen Castle. He’s a demon with deep hatred for humans. He’s inciting demons to escalate conflict with humans.
The Demon Lord is a being that emerges from conflict and hatred. The more he pushes demons like this, the more this place becomes a suitable environment for the Demon Lord to rise.
If it weren’t for my existence, that is.
“What are you doing? Not answering?”
“…Nothing.”
“Right? That castle is theirs. What would we even use it for?”
“…It’s not about whether we use the castle or not. That castle was built to stop us. Taking it back means they intend to attack us—”
“So it’s just speculation.”
The winter knight, Aaron, was at a loss for words.
An ordinary demon might have sided with Aaron due to hostility toward humans, but I’m not one of them.
Eventually, Aaron realized I wasn’t someone he could easily sway and changed his attitude.
“Listen well… I intend to protect demons and monstrous beasts from humans.”
“That’s the same for me.”
“Then all the demons of this forest must unite and quickly drive out the humans.”
“Wrong. That’s exactly why we shouldn’t. Provoking the humans will only make things worse.”
“Humans are a species that only understands force. Now is the time to show them our power.”
“Don’t be so sure. There are humans who can be reasoned with.”
“Humans… who can be reasoned with?”
Aaron’s eyes flashed dangerously. The cold air around him froze in place.
At that moment… something strange happened.
*Crack—*
Aaron clenched his fist in the air, infused it with magic, and pulled. As if tearing through space-time, a thin rapier appeared in his hand. The sword was made by compressing the moisture in the air and freezing it at an unbelievably low temperature.
Even before he drew the sword, Blanshe and Helga had already stepped in front of Aaron. But Aaron ignored them and pointed the sword at me.
“Expecting dialogue with humans! Answer me. Whose side are you on?”
“Whose side?”
“Are you conspiring with humans?”
Faced with Aaron’s threat, I didn’t even blink, maintaining my “Pride.” Not only that, I could respond with a sneer despite his murderous intent.
“You dare use the word ‘conspire’ as if no demon should ever be friendly with humans.”
“Answer me.”
“You’ve been rude to our lady since earlier.”
Helga was the one who interrupted.
Aaron frowned.
“And who are you?”
“I’m the lady’s potential lover… or something like that. A bodyguard who sticks around.”
“A bodyguard? You insolent… Don’t interfere in the conversation, mere bodyguard.”
“Ehehe… Sorry for interrupting.”
Helga lightly apologized with her hands together. Despite her words, her eyes, visible under her mask, were smiling.
“But since I’m apologizing, can I ask one thing?”
“What?”
“By any chance, do you want to die now? Or do you want to die today?”
What’s the difference between the two?
Aaron reacted to Helga’s blatant provocation. His anger was so intense that I could feel a chilling aura even from where I was.
“Are you out of your mind…?”
“Gasp. How did you know? I am a crazy woman. Now that you know, I have no choice but to beat you up…”
“Both of you, stop.”
Before I could intervene, Blanshe stepped in to calm them down.
“This is a place for dialogue. Calm down and take your seats.”
“You expect me to sit still after such an insult?”
“Please put away your sword first.”
“?!”
At that moment, Aaron’s eyes widened.
Blanshe was holding his rapier with her bare hand.
The sword was not only sharp but also cold enough to cause frostbite with the slightest cut. The fact that she could hold it so casually was enough to shock Aaron.
“Stop fooling around and put away your sword.”
“……”
Facing Blanshe, a frost-resistant beast of the extreme cold, the winter knight Aaron eventually took a step back and dissipated his sword.
“What about me?”
“…Just stop fooling around.”
“Got it.”
Helga also obediently stepped back at Blanshe’s reprimand.
Aaron, sitting back on the rock, asked me again.
“Whose side are you on?”
“Whose side? Well, I’m on my own side.”
“…Answer properly.”
“You’re the one who needs to answer properly, Aaron.”
“What?”
“Just because you’ve gathered some demons in this forest doesn’t mean you represent all demons. It’s troublesome to label me a conspirator just because I don’t follow your will.”
Helga, who was listening, nodded with a hum. Ignoring her, I continued.
“If the humans point their swords at me, that’s one thing. But right now, I have no intention of opposing them.”
“…Have you forgotten the humiliation and scorn we demons have suffered at the hands of humans?”
“Not all humans are like that. Besides, what you’re suggesting is to attack humans who are just minding their own business.”
“So? What’s wrong with that? It’s a chance to show them our power.”
“…Trash.”
“…? What did you just say?”
I crossed my legs elegantly and recited toward Aaron.
“Lowlife.”
