Chapter 116 – Disappearance
After the magic orb was discovered, the party’s attitude towards this mission was inevitably more serious.
He could tell just by looking at the conversations between his men.
“Damn. They again. Do we get involved with them a lot? Or are those who are dissatisfied with the Empire continuing to spread like poisonous mushrooms. Either way, I’m sick of it.”
“Hey, Lord Sento. Let’s think positively, positively. Isn’t it a mission that must be carried out according to orders anyway. It’s convenient to see it as an opportunity to show off the skills you’ve been honing.”
“Whoa, damn it… You’re so comfortable with your speed. Well, you’ve definitely been too loose up until now.”
While moving, the knights were more thoroughly vigilant, while significantly increasing the radius of reconnaissance, and members of the Order, who would not have to step out yet, actively participated in the search operation.
Thus, from the afternoon of the second day, the relaxed atmosphere, as if on a picnic, could no longer be found.
“Sir Wolfgang. Can we have the priests accompany the reconnaissance party from now on? Since traces of evil have been discovered, we don’t think it’s right for us to remain silent like this.”
“Of course, saintess. If you do, it will be of great help.”
On the other hand, the most unexpected thing was the change in Ophelia’s attitude.
After a brief meeting with the leadership due to the occurrence of an unexpected situation. The girl began to show her grown-up side with her eyes twinkling.
“No. Of course I have to suggest it. If there is something I need to help myself with, please feel free to let me know!”
“Yes, thank you. You’re fine right now, so please take care of yourself. In this mission, the safety of the saintess is the top priority.”
“Hehe, thank you for your consideration.”
Her words and demeanor were as classy as a saint’s.
If you look at it closely, there is nothing particularly special, it was close to the basic knowledge that a superior should have.
However, the fact that the subject of the action is Ophelia, who has shown me only a clumsy side of herself, gives me something fresh shock.
Why, it’s not very exciting to see someone who has always been excellent anywhere consistently do well, but isn’t it particularly memorable when someone who always had troubles achieves great results?
‘He was a kid, but he was a kid who did it when he was doing it.’
Considering that she was the official general manager of this mission, it was a delight. What kind of wind did that kid suddenly blow? Had Cardinal Malleus given him some advice?
Behind the girl shrugging her shoulders in front of me, the old man with his arms behind her back smiling heartily, like a grandfather watching his granddaughter grow, seems to be right.
Well, that must have been the original purpose of the Celestial Church. The growth of a saintess.
“If Sir Wolfgang gets hurt… Then I’ll take care of it myself! Uh, anytime!”
“Haha. It would be best not to get hurt, but if that happens, please take care of me.”
Of course, seeing that he added such useless words, he still seemed like he hadn’t gotten out of his childhood.
Seeing that elated face somehow makes me want to let go of it lightly.
The girl who had uttered her bold remark made her face slightly blush and slipped into her carriage, and Agnes, who was next to her, smiled and nodded her head.
“I’m envious, Captain. How can you make a saintess your exclusive priest? Where else can you find such luxury?”
“I’m a dedicated priest. Is that how it works?”
I smile at him and try to ignore it, but for some reason Agnes continues to talk to me even though the meeting has already ended.
Is there anything you want to say?
“…By the way, did the captain and the saintess know each other from the beginning?
“Yes. There was a bit of a connection in the past. Oh, come to think of it, I never told you.”
She had no reason to hide it, so when I briefly explained her relationship with her saintess, she began to spit out something incomprehensible with a meaningful expression on her face.
“Is that so… Captain, you are truly a sinful man.”
“Hmm? Except during the war, I don’t remember committing any major crimes.”
“It’s done. I didn’t expect it, but sooner or later another one will appear. But it’s very fortunate that we can know in advance and prepare.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
When I asked what he was talking about, instead of answering, I was just dumbfounded by the sight of him puffing out his cheeks while glancing at me with clear eyes.
“If possible, I will get pregnant as soon as possible…”
It seemed that she heard something deafening muttering from Agnes, who quickly turned around, but on second thought it seemed that she wanted to finish the mission quickly.
Well anyway, is it because they put more effort into vigilance and search?
“Captain, there is nothing special about this area.”
“Yes. In that case, let’s move on.”
The second day’s march went off without a hitch, except for a few encounters with the native monstrosities that the patrols roamed around.
The problem occurred in a small town not far from the destination.
* * *
It seems that we are almost there. Is it soon after crossing a couple of mountains? If that’s the case, it should be enough to arrive in half a day or so.
However, as I got closer to my destination, I started to hear more and more unusual reports.
“Sir Wolfgang. A demonic reaction is slowly being detected in the vicinity. However, it is not that the source of demonic energy exists in a specific location, but that several mediums, large and small, are constantly moving…”
“It’s a case similar to the report from the previous day. If this is the case, isn’t it almost certain that there are many entities similar to that Direwolf?”
Gradually, an outline of how things are going is formed.
The monsters who attacked the Argon Territory were clearly following Eclipse’s intentions, not trying to engage in territorial disputes with humans.
A monster with demons. If so, should I call it a demon beast?
One of the heretic inquisitors of the Celestial Church in front of me chewed his lips and muttered indignantly.
“Yes. It’s as you said, but it’s a pity that we can’t beat them to death because they’re openly avoiding us.”
“That’s fine. First of all, calm down.”
He gritted his teeth and burned hatred with bloodshot eyes. There are a lot of veins on the temples and neck. A man with a gentle impression is making such an expression, so it’s no joke.
Oh my gosh. Are all Heretic Questioners like this? Well, the leader is Cardinal Malleus. It seems that the people below him have also been greatly influenced by him.
At this point, I feel sorry for the cultists who are hostile to such people. If you’re like me, you’ve beaten evil spirits a long time ago. How deep is the false faith? Crazy guys
Agnes came to me and whispered to me as I shook my head and looked at the map.
“Captain. Excuse me, but one of the civilians is begging to see you. He says he is the chief of a nearby village.”
It smells more fragrant today. Do you take care of yourself diligently during the mission?
Anyway, civilians looking for me. It seems that something has happened to the surrounding villages.
Besides, he’s the village chief. Maybe you will get information you didn’t expect.
“Civilian?”
“Yes. It’s a rule to send Tyler back in moderation to any person encountered during the operation. He said he brought him because the statement was not very serious.”
“Okay. Let’s meet somewhere. It’s also important to secure the testimony of the residents.”
An unknown villager, led by the hand of one of the commanders of the Ten Commandments, knelt down in front of me.
“Oh, knights! Priests! Please help me!”
An untidy beard on a burly face. An old leather garment patched here and there. Even the lumbering ax stained with grime on his waist. He was a man who felt the unique sense of life of a pioneer in the mountains.
“Hee, hee!”
When our eyes met, I was shocked. It’s been such a long time since I’ve been in the middle of a long time, so why did I feel a little welcome.
“Don’t be surprised. I won’t hurt you, so stay calm and explain everything.”
“I-I mean… Since yesterday, none of the villagers have returned. Hans the herbalist, Keras the hunter, my daughter who went berry picking… More than 10 people have disappeared. Something must have happened. .Please help me!”
It’s a mass disappearance of residents.
It certainly wasn’t something to be overlooked. Especially if it was a village close to the Argon Territory.
However, since there is a risk that time will be dragged on unnecessarily if I do something wrong, I thought it would be better to send a detached unit to the village and complete the mission.
“What’s going on?”
Ophelia, who had come closer at a certain moment, poked her head out, showing that she was very interested.
