Chapter 108

I watched the scenery passing by as we traversed in the forest .

[Touka-dono . ]

[Yeah, it looks like it’s fine . ]

We finally arrived at a forest trail .

There are two people sitting on each horse .

There’s also the weight of our luggage .

We can’t proceed through the road fast .

With the sounds of hooves stomping on the ground, we proceed through the forest trail .

Eve and Liz were ahead of us .

They seem to be chatting, though they were glancing here sometimes .

I decided to talk with Seras .

[About how much would we need to arrive in Demon Zone from here?]

[At this speed, I think we would arrive about a day and a half . ]

[And if we try to detour around the castle?]

[If we were to detour around the Anti-Demon Battlefield located at the south of the Demon Zone, then we would be delayed for about half a day . ]

The regions directly next to the Demon Zone .

Each country had a castles and forts placed on them .

However, we currently have to avoid them .

[Do we still have to watch out for other things in relation with the Demon Zone?]

I’ve already learnt some basic knowledge back in Monroy .

[It’s not verified information, but there’s still one thing we need to watch out for . ]

[What is it?]

[It’s a unique monster called the Human-Faced . ]

[Human-Faced? Is it some species of monsters?]

[They were mainly called as such because they’re monsters bearing a human face… but there were hardly any sightings making it harder to gather information about them . However, it is said that there are many Human-Faced living in the Demon Zone . ]

[There’s hardly any information about seeing them, but it seems the existence of these monsters were acknowledged . ]

Seras’ voice turns into a serious tone .

[It’s probably because almost all of those who witnessed them were killed . ]

[So that’s how it is . ]

Dead people don’t talk .

If they were dead, no one would be able to acquire any information about their sightings or any of the sh*t they’ve done .

[The details were quite obscure, but they were known as a ferocious monster . However, they wouldn’t come out towards more conspicuous places even though they carried the strength of a ferocious monster . ]

[……………… . ]

Human-Faced .

Immediately, one thought quickly came into my mind .

The Soul Eater .

The monster waiting at the top layer of the Disposal Ruins .

Only that monster felt quite different compared to the other monsters .

So that’s how it is .

These Human-Faced must be his kin of the same race, huh .

Golden Demon Zone .

If monsters of that level were really inhabiting that area, then I can understand why that place is called a danger zone…

[Speaking of which, isn’t it said that Eve has stepped into the Demon Zone?]

Seras inquired .

[It seems so . ]

[Is that the reason why you want her to be our comrade?]

[Well, yeah…]

That certainly was one of the reasons why I invited her .

[By the way Seras, how’s your talk with Liz? Did you get along well?]

[Yes… That girl is a very good girl . ]

High Elf and Dark Elf .

I had an image that they would suddenly be in conflict with each other .

I was a bit worried about that but…

I’m quite relieved that there was no problem .

Seras looked towards the people riding in the front .

[However, is it really okay for that girl if we just proceed as is?]

[Yeah, we will bring that girl into the Demon Zone . Eve is willing to take her with us too, and that girl doesn’t want to be separated with Eve . Unless the person herself refuse to enter the Demon Zone, we would be entering the Demon Zone just as we planned . ]

[Would it be alright though?]

[I also intend to protect her with all that I can . Besides, Eve and that girl would be taking us to the Witch of Taboos . ]

As if she’s trying to stifle a laugh, Seras just smiles .

[As I thought, you’re really kind . ]

[You and Eve both overestimate me too much . ]

[Is that really how it is?]

[Yeah . There’s a more realistic reason why I’ve helped them out and made them our comrades . ]

Making sure that I’m holding firmly unto Seras’ waist, I continued .

[There are several reasons why I wanted to make Eve one of our comrades . One of them is that, just as I had said before, Eve is a great warrior . Second would be, just as you had just said, Eve had experience entering the Demon Zone . And the third reason would be— if I were to think about the Witch of Taboos, we should have Eve accompany us when meeting her . ]

[What you mean is…?]

[There’s one decisive difference between us and Eve . ]

The Witch of Taboos lives while trying to hide from others .

That’s why, it wouldn’t be easy trying to meet her .

However,

[Didn’t Eve mention that she’s indebted to her?]

[Ah, I see . ]

Seras seems to have noticed what I mean .

[That’s right . It would be easier for us to make a connection with the witch if we went with Eve who already somehow knows her . ]

It’s quite simple if you were to think about it .

And people who don’t have a connection with them .

Naturally, it will be easier for people to come into contact if you were to go through someone who you both had a connection with .

I guess you could call this something like those so-called “introduction of acquaintances” .

[However, with the way Eve spoke about her, it would be quite questionable if she could be considered her acquaintance…]

Eve’s way of speaking has a unique sense of distance .

At least, it feels like she’s not talking about a friend or a comrade .

I really want to ask her about her relationship with the witch .

Also, the contents of the favour she’s indebted to .

[And, there’s also Liz…]

Seras looked back at me .

[What about Liz?]

[Ah…]

I heard about that story in the first day at the tavern in Monroy .

“Is it that aforementioned Witch who was said to be living in the Great Ruins? If I remember it correctly, she should be a Dark Elf, right?”

[Didn’t they say that the witch is a Dark Elf? And now—]

Seras looked at the horse Liz is riding on .

[Liz is also a Dark Elf…]

[We’re “visitors who rescued a young of the same race as you who had been experiencing cruelty” . If Eve and Liz were to explain that they were true, the witch wouldn’t doubt them . If we do it well, it may become a source of positive reaction from the Witch of Taboos . ]

That’s why, I will make sure that Liz survives .

I will bring her towards the witch .

[I see, you’ve really anticipated about it that far ahead huh… As expected of Touka-dono . ]

[It would always be better if you have one more negotiation card in your hand . That’s why in the end, it would all just be a matter of self-interests . ]

I watch over Liz .

She was happily chatting with Eve .

[However, though I said that—]

I remember back when I first met Liz at the White Coin .

……………… . .

Me, who was abused by my real parents .

Liz, who was abused by her proprietress .

At that time, those two images suddenly overlapped in my mind .

My past self who can no longer be saved .

And Lizbeth that could still be saved .

Just as Seras said, that girl is a good girl .

[Rather than seeing that girl trembling as she sobs… It would be ten times better if she were to happily laugh at the enjoyable things in the world . Well, that’s what I think…]

[Yes . ]

Her voice softened, Seras agreed .

[I think so too . ]

▽

The first one who reacted was Eve .

The next one is Pigimaru .

I’m the third one who noticed it .

[This sound—]

I turn my head to our rear .

I could see some kind of light .

Multiple lights .

[Touka-dono . ]

With a meek expression on her face, Seras called out .

[Yeah . ]

Considering the time we had left from the royal capital, I think that they responded too fast but…

[We’re being chased . ]