## Chapter 488 – Killing Demons
Seeing the demons actually coming through the gate gives me a strange feeling. Still, Hildegard’s information was accurate. There really was a Demon Gate, and small demons were emerging from it.
Honestly, I still have some doubts, but this confirms that I’ll receive a reward. Thinking that makes me feel relieved. The existence of demons being proven has brought peace to my mind.
Happiness really does depend on the time and situation.
Maybe the demons appeared just to let me know that fact.
Anyway, after assessing the situation, Vacharel gathered the search party and gave instructions.
“It’s not too late to engage in combat after we’ve assessed the demons’ strength. Form teams of four. Begin reconnaissance.”
There were nine members in the search party, and Claudia, Winia, and I were there as guides and guests. The eight search party members formed groups of four.
“Brother, you will accompany me. Be careful, as the situation is dangerous.”
“Understood.”
And so, the reconnaissance teams split up.
The paladins and priests set off on reconnaissance as if they were used to it.
They really feel like soldiers. They must have done this countless times. It wouldn’t be wrong to call them the Church’s special forces. Paladins are experts in these kinds of destruction operations.
“This was an extremely valuable tip. To discover a Demon Gate like this… This is a very important matter, and I will be sure to inform the Church of your contribution, brother. You will surely receive a great reward.”
“Hehe, thank you for saying so.”
Vacharel promised me a reward.
Of course, being as devout as they are, they provide proper compensation for such a significant tip. I’ve mostly just received holy water so far, but even that is quite expensive to obtain privately.
Low-grade holy water aside, the Church doesn’t easily leak out such high-quality stuff.
“No, I should be the one giving thanks. If we can close the Demon Gate, there would be no greater honor. Thank you truly, brother.”
“Then let’s just call it mutual gratitude!”
“Hmm? Hahaha. I understand. Let us be grateful to each other!”
If only weak demons are gathered here, as Hildegard said, then the subjugation will be easy. She also said that demons don’t get along well with each other if they’re not the same species, so they’ll just be a disorganized rabble.
Those who act as they please can never defeat warriors trained for coordinated combat.
But there are always exceptions.
There might be something hidden that Hildegard doesn’t know about.
She said that she last checked the gate a few days ago. So, it wouldn’t be strange if there had been changes.
“Katt.”
As I was waiting for the reconnaissance team, hidden in the bushes halfway up the hill, Claudia spoke. It seems the demons from the gate were coming this way.
“Brother Vacharel. Prepare yourself.”
“I sense it too.”
—Squeak, squeak.
Leaving Claudia and Winia below, Vacharel and I awkwardly climbed back up the hill. If we lie in wait and ambush them, we can deal with them quietly.
“Human blood… I want human blood.”
“I want to eat. I want to eat humans.”
Soon, cold voices began to be heard from the top of the hill.
The voices of demons.
“…!”
Vacharel’s face twisted for a moment, and then two small demons came over the hill.
“T, this aura… The aura of humans… Can you sense the aura of humans?”
“Human… Want to eat. But can’t see humans.”
These bastards… Why do they talk so awkwardly?
Does intelligence regress when strength is weak? I don’t know much about Lesser Demons, since they all look so different and lack uniformity. Anyway, being small is proof that they’re weak.
They kept muttering something and craning their necks.
—The moment our eyes met.
That was the signal.
—Whoosh!
Vacharel and I immediately leaped up like jumping spiders and used our bodies to pounce on the demons. The unsuspecting demons fell right into our arms.
“…!”
“Be quiet.”
After suppressing the Lesser Demons by embracing them with all our might, I grabbed their necks tightly to prevent them from making any noise. Vacharel did the same.
“They seem to be weak demons.”
“It seems so. But judging by how they’re talking, it doesn’t seem like interrogation would be useful. And making a loud noise might cause trouble.”
“I think so too.”
—Swoosh.
Vacharel drew his dagger and immediately sliced off the Lesser Demon’s head.
“Mmph…!!!!!!”
The Lesser Demon struggled, trying to shout something, but there was nothing it could do while restrained.
“Heavenly Demon Divine Art.”
I also used both arms to break the demon’s neck.
—Crack!
“Gurgle!”
“Rear Naked Choke.”
This bastard’s voice is clear.
He must have taken good care of his neck bones.
Anyway, the two demons transformed into black goo in less than 30 seconds. The unpleasant liquid soaked my armor.
“If all the demons are at this level, it won’t be difficult to annihilate them.”
“I hope that’s the case. But let’s calm down for now. I understand your desire to eliminate the demons as quickly as possible, but we will only move in earnest after the reconnaissance team brings back information.”
That’s a rational judgment.
This is the kind of person who’s perfect for leading a team.
“They are skilled individuals who have carried out various missions. They will gather accurate information.”
I nodded.
While hiding a little below the hill and waiting, Vacharel and I occasionally cut down the small demons that came over.
Are the demons’ senses of humans not very good because they’re weak?
Every ambush worked perfectly.
It seems they were caught off guard because they didn’t expect humans to be near the gate in the first place. I thought all demons were vicious murderers, but seeing this, it seems there were quite a few bottom-tier residents in hell as well.
For those demons, the human realm must have been like a new paradise.
A chance to increase their strength, a stepping stone to climb higher. They crossed the gate as soon as it opened, eager to seize the opportunity.
—Without knowing what fate awaited them.
These bastards aren’t soldiers, so what kind of discipline would they have? They’re invaders, but they’re acting so clumsily that they’re all dying. It’s right for those kinds of guys to die.
“There, the reconnaissance team is coming.”
After about two hours of that, the reconnaissance team finally returned. Their clothes were blackened with demon blood. It seems they had several engagements.
The leaders of the two reconnaissance teams are reporting on the current situation.
“It doesn’t seem like the demons are gathered together. It seems they are all moving independently. We killed a few while moving, but they weren’t prepared for battle, and they weren’t very strong.”
“Same here, Captain Vacharel. If the demons are at this level, we should be able to wipe them out completely. Unless this is a trap set by the demons.”
A trap…
That’s unlikely.
Setting a trap means they’re cooperating with each other, but based on the reconnaissance reports, there was no sign of that. And they would have to know we were coming to set a trap.
It seems they didn’t carry out a professional invasion, but just came out for a picnic on their own.
“Captain Vacharel. It seems there would be no problem destroying that Demon Gate right away. The demons that have already crawled out have all left, so the surrounding area is almost empty. Now is the perfect opportunity.”
“That’s right. Brothers, we will now attack the Demon Gate. Prepare yourselves.”
As Vacharel gave the order, the search party members all began to prepare for battle. He urged us to stay close to him.
Not that I particularly need protection.
“Be careful not to break formation as you advance.”
—Thud, thud.
And so, we maintained our formation and crossed the hill. There was no one guarding the gate. The demons moved as they pleased as soon as they came out.
“Oh, oh…!”
“Kheuheuk…!”
“Kahahak…!”
The paladins stared at the Demon Gate with bulging eyes, making bizarre moaning sounds.
—Shudder, shudder.
Their hands were trembling. These crazy bastards seemed to be extremely excited. It seems they were holding back the urge to rush out immediately.
“Kkeueueueuk…!”
But that was the same for Vacharel. He was also moaning with his eyes half-turned and biting his upper lip.
These crazy…
These bastards are out of their minds.
—Whoosh…
And so, we arrived in front of the Demon Gate.
The swirling black gate was a direct passage to hell. Could we use this to cross over to hell? Would Pandemonium, the world of demons, appear the moment we entered?
I felt a sense of oppression.
—Crackle!
—Crackle!
—Crackle!
At the same time, brilliant radiance began to emanate from my weapon and the paladins’ weapons. It was a Holy Enchant that could be used jointly by any church. The priests and nuns also chanted spells and created orbs of light.
“Attack!”
—Waaaaaaaaaah!!!
—Khaaaaaaaa!!!
—Oooooooo!!!!!
As soon as the attack signal was given, the paladins, who had charged like beasts, began to rain down swords and hammers on the gate.
“Verde!”
“Destroy it!”
—Clang!
—Cha-ching!
“What the fuck.”
It was quite a bizarre sight. Every time a weapon shining with holy radiance struck the gate, it sounded like hitting a wall.
—Thwack!
—Thwack!
The priests weren’t idle either. They gathered their brilliant energy and fired it at the gate. The orbs that touched the gate didn’t get sucked inside, but exploded and dealt damage.
What is this?
The attack is working.
I thought that blades and divine spells would all pass through the gate, but the paladins were literally smashing the unrealistic gate with just swords and hammers.
Does physical attack work?
Maybe divine power and the energy of hell are opposites, so attacks are possible.
I thought they would close the gate with some kind of spell or ritual, but I never imagined they would try to smash it with such a violent method.
“Winia. Hurry up and shoot some magic.”
“I was going to test it anyway.”
—Whoosh!
The instantly generated Fire Bolt was fired at the gate. However, it didn’t deal any damage. The fireball passed right through the gate.
“According to the records! Divine power is needed to destroy this kind of gate! Normal attacks won’t work!”
I see!
—Swoosh!
Claudia, who had created a sword aura in an instant, slashed at the gate. That cut the gate in half. The severed gate soon turned into black smoke and scattered.
“Wh, what’s going on?”
What is this?
“We destroyed the gate!!!”
“Waaaaaaaaaah!!!”
“Verde forever!!!”
Before I could even follow the situation, they had already won.
It was a defenseless state and a surprise attack, so was it natural? I thought we would have a fierce battle at least, but this was easier than breaking a Lego airplane that kids had worked hard to build.
“Wa, waah. Hooray.”
I also awkwardly cheered for victory.
“Hmph, a Demon Gate, huh? It’s not that special.”
Claudia glared suspiciously.
“…I guess so?”
“Isn’t it a good thing if it’s not dangerous?”
Winia didn’t seem to care.
However, the situation went too easily.
Rather than being happy, I became wary. Even if the demon bastards aren’t the type to use their heads, there must be a reason why they created a fixed gate here…
Well, it’s a good thing if it was just destroyed.
“Brothers! Through your arduous struggle, we have succeeded in destroying the demons’ gate! The demons will no longer be able to cross over! We can establish justice by subjugating the remaining forces!”
As the gate disappeared, black smoke remained.
The paladins and priests cheered while being wary of it. Anyway, if morale has risen, there’s nothing better than that.
