Rumble!
Suddenly, the entire Thorn Forest began to shake.
A few of the black trees wavered, then transformed into the shape of
demons, with thick demonic energy rising ominously.
Jaekiel's party's expressions turned urgent in an instant.
"D-D-Demons!"
"There are so many of them!"
Though they weren't novices, they quickly formed a battle stance even as
they spoke in panic.
The Black Tower Master, Greta, also silently prepared for battle, and Anes
asked her, "…You don't seem fazed. Is this normal in the Thorn Forest?"
"Demons appearing is common, but their numbers are unusually high. I've
never seen the forest react this violently either."
Her voice was serious, and it didn't seem like a lie. Everyone present could
feel the violent reaction of the Thorn Forest with their own bodies.
And there was another problem—there were far too many demons.
Tether shuddered.
"Is it because you froze the forest earlier, Auditor? Could that have angered
the Thorn Forest?"
"No."
Greta shook her head firmly.
"If you listen closely, you can hear the whispers of the forest. This has
nothing to do with anger. No… actually…"
Greta tilted her head in confusion.
Her expression showed disbelief in what she was sensing.
"…It's welcoming us. It's reacting like it finally found something it's been
searching for. At least, that's what I feel."
Jaekiel clicked his tongue.
"I was hoping for a peaceful approach, but here we go again."
"…Auditor, what should we do?"
"What do you think? We fight."
.
.
.
Boom! Bang!
The battle went on for quite some time.
Thud! Boom!
The Thorn Forest became a battlefield with magic explosions everywhere,
and the fierce battle continued. While Jaekiel's group had superior combat
power, the sheer number of enemies was the problem.
Jaekiel gestured with his chin.
"I'll handle this area. Support the Black Tower Master."
"That seems best. I've heard she's extremely powerful, but it looks like
she's used up a lot of her life force and is in danger. I'll go help."
Anes nodded calmly at that moment.
"…Who do you think you are, speaking of the Great Witch?"
A strange voice.
Out of nowhere, girls with green hair were glaring at them.
It wasn't hard to understand. These were the frogs that had been near Greta,
now transformed.
'I thought those frogs were unusual.'
The surprising part was the incredible magic each one held. It far surpassed
the level of an ordinary magician.
Jaekiel responded calmly.
"There's no need to take it the wrong way. We were just trying to help."
"The Imperial Tower is obsessed with oppressing the Black Tower. Do you
think we'd believe that? You're just looking for Greta's weaknesses."
Boom! Bang!
The battle continued after that.
Though they were being overwhelmed by the demons, the frogs refused
Jaekiel's group's help at all costs.
'Well, I guess this is how the Imperial Tower is perceived externally.'
Jaekiel thought quietly.
When the Imperial Tower intervenes, it usually means there's something to
criticize, correct, or punish.
As a result, most people find the Imperial Tower's attention unwelcome in
itself.
The frogs continued to grumble.
"They're after Greta's secret techniques, too."
"They'll test this and that, then take her. Later, they'll exploit some
ridiculous weakness to pressure Greta. They have no conscience."
During the battle, Seina frowned as she listened.
"…Those frogs are more annoying than the demons. Master, should I go
teach them a lesson? Maybe hit them a bit?"
"Hold it."
"Anes, why are you nudging me while telling me to hold back?"
The battle was already going poorly, and now, tensions were rising. Just
then…
Three long figures approached.
They were demons, fully clad in black robes made of demonic energy, with
various types of concealed weapons attached all over their bodies,
resembling elite assassins.
The one in the middle spoke.
"Leave the target and wipe out the rest."
At the same time, the two on either side leaped off the ground.
Whoosh!
Their movements were so fast, they were nearly invisible.
"Th-They're strong…!"
"Be careful!"
Just two had joined the battle, but the difference was significant. Even the
frogs were showing signs of distress.
The elite demon, guarding the center, drew twin swords made of demonic
energy and began walking. Although it had no eyes, it was clearly
advancing toward Jaekiel.
"I've found him. Finally, I've found him. Hehehe…"
Jaekiel quietly asked Greta.
"Is this your first time seeing that guy, too?"
"Yes, he seems beyond the level of a high-ranking demon. I have no idea
why they're here in the Thorn Forest."
"The reason?"
Jaekiel chuckled.
"I'll find out soon enough."
Thud!
At the same time, Jaekiel kicked off with a powerful step.
His legs, filled with mana, launched his body like a beam of light. The
distance between him and the elite demon harassing the frogs closed in an
instant.
"…!"
The demon quickly turned its head, but…
It hadn't yet turned its body.
"What are you looking at?"
Slash!
Jaekiel's ice-coated hand sliced through the demon's neck. One down
already.
The other two elite demons immediately lunged toward him, firing an
endless barrage of weapons formed from demonic energy.
Jaekiel didn't bother to counter.
He created a large ice cube and then punched it with all his strength.
Craaaaaash!
The shattered ice fragments spread like shrapnel, turning one demon into a
pincushion, while the other had a huge hole blown through its torso.
The demon with the hole in its chest slowly looked down at itself, then
knelt and collapsed.
"Of… course… Snow… Ghost…"
That's when Jaekiel's mind reacted.
This demon had definitely mentioned the word "Snow Ghost."
The surroundings were now cleared. The demonic energy had thinned, and
except for a few frogs, there were no major injuries.
The frogs cautiously approached.
"…We were disrespectful."
"We didn't recognize an honored guest."
"Thank you for saving us."
The frogs had changed their attitude and were now respectful, but Jaekiel
had never been particularly interested in that.
No, the real issue lay with the words of this elite demon.
Jaekiel grabbed the elite demon by the nape of the neck, infused his legs
with mana again, and kicked the ground.
Whoosh!
He quickly put distance between himself and the group, planning to extract
information from the elite demon.
He roughly laid the demon on the ground and asked.
"Reveal your identity."
"Hmm…"
The demon just smiled faintly.
"Huh… Hahaha… Hahaha! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!"
Just as Jaekiel was about to crush the demon's skull in frustration, the
demon spoke something unexpected.
"Snow Ghost… We've found the Snow Ghost… How happy the Goddess
will be. Ah, my Goddess…"
The demon grinned, baring its teeth.
"You! You didn't even send a letter to the Goddess. How dare you commit
such blasphemy? How could you reject the one you should love the most,
the Goddess? How dare you?!"
"…What are you talking about?"
The demon's black face, with its stark white teeth, presented a rather
grotesque sight, but Jaekiel watched with calm indifference.
"The Goddess has been searching for you, seeking to ask why you didn't
write. Just finding you completes our mission. Soon, the Goddess will come
personally to take you away…!"
"The Goddess?"
"Yes, the Goddess's greatest wish is the Snow Ghost. The Goddess will
bear the Snow Ghost's child. So accept it. Accept it! You must accept it!"
Suddenly, the demon shot up and raised its arms in a celebratory gesture.
"The Goddess will descend! Ah, the Goddess!"
Thud!
Jaekiel smashed the demon's head.
The demon remained standing, its arms still raised in the air, now a lifeless
corpse. Jaekiel gazed at it thoughtfully.
"…The Goddess?"
Nothing came to mind.
There could certainly be demons in the Demon Realm who harbored
grudges against Jaekiel, but the things the elite demon had said felt oddly
specific.
Questions about not writing a letter, the talk of the Goddess personally
descending to take him, and bearing Jaekiel's child…
What could all this mean?
The rest of the group arrived, catching up a bit late.
"Master! What happened?"
"Auditor, what's going on?"
"…"
Jaekiel remained silent for a moment, then shook his head.
"I wanted to get some answers, but I didn't hear anything useful."
He kept the story about the Goddess to himself.
Goddess, Goddess, Goddess… Who exactly is this Goddess?
'Could it be…?'
A certain figure suddenly came to mind.
For a brief moment, he thought of the 0th Imperial Princess, who had been
sent to the Demon Realm.
But he quickly shook his head.
'No, it can't be.'
There's no way.