Chapter 126

Chapter 126

We were now inside the Golden Demon Zone .

Looking from the outside, you would think that the Demon Zone is a huge woodland .

Even after we went inside, there were mostly trees and shrubs surrounding us .

Because it was still in the morning, the wind stroking our skin was quite cool .

You could feel freshness in the air .

There was a strong scent of vegetation around the area .

From time to time, I could hear a roar from something from a distance .

Are those from monsters?

I used my hand to somewhat cover my eyes from directly looking at the sun as I look up in the sky .

I could see the sky in between the branches and leaves of the surrounding trees .

We still haven’t entered the Demon Zone .

The place we were in now wasn’t that deep into the forest yet .

Currently, it still feels like we’re just comfortably walking through the woods .

Leading our advance as she watched around the area, Eve said .

[I haven’t felt the presence of any monster yet . ]

Yes, there weren’t any presence of monsters nearby .

It’s not really zero but the presence that we’ve felt was still far away .

The vanguard of our formation is Eve .

Following next is me and Pigimaru .

Liz is directly following behind me and Seras would be holding our rear .

[Have you and Liz entered the Demon Zone before?]

[Umu… I haven’t held that much with me that time, so I could run away from the monsters . ]

Even though it’s just for a short time, she still have some experience spending some time inside the Demon Zone .

This could be really advantageous for us .

[We only have some knowledge of the place we have reached, however we also know of springs where we could obtain some drinking water . There’s also the hidden antique buildings that were scattered around the area . Those buildings were also the reason why this place was called the Great Ruins . ]

[What about food?]

[Most of the flesh of the Golden-eyed monsters contain toxins . Moreover, we really couldn’t tell whether each type of those monsters had toxins or not . The troublesome part is that… Most people wouldn’t know if there’s a toxin within its flesh until they’ve eaten it and injested into their body . ]

If you are knowledgeable about it, you could tell if a mushroom is poisonous with just a glance .

However, it seems different when it comes to Golden-eye monsters .

You won’t know until you’ve tried it .

It seems that you can’t determine it through their odor either .

Even if we assume that’s the case, I doubt you could eat something like that unless you’re really starving that much .

At that time back in the Disposal Ruins, it was really impossible because their bodies were filled with acid…

[Contrary to what you might expect though, none of the fruits and mushrooms were safe to eat . Well, I don’t know about those ones you could find deep inside the Demon Zone though . ]

[Well, we should be able to solve the food problem in one way or another . ]

We have the leather bags that I’ve mentioned before .

First of all, there is no difficulty for us carrying these leather bags .

Basically, we don’t have to worry about preservation and storage of our food .

We’re also clear on whether these foods were safe to eat or not .

In places like this, this is an item that makes a big difference whether it exists or not .

[In that case, the biggest factor why Eve and Liz ran away from this place was—]

[Of course, it would be the monsters . ]

As expected, their biggest bottleneck is that .

However, if you put it in another way—

As long as we could defeat the monsters, we could head deeper without any probles .

I looked behind me .

[Are you alright, Liz?]

Liz is walking while carrying a large backpack .

She had the most luggage among us four .

[I’m alright, Touka-sama . ]

[You don’t have to hesitate and just tell us if you’re tired, okay?]

[Yes . ]

I want to carry as much luggage as I can .

That is what Liz requested me before we entered the Demon Zone .

At that time when she told me that…

“I would like to respect Liz’s will . ”

Eve’s words blocked Seras and my words .

“The less luggage Touka-sama and everyone have, the more chances that I will survive . I couldn’t help at all when it comes to fighting . Therefore, if Touka-sama and everyone were able to move nimbly… It would also make me safer . ”

Logically speaking, she’s not mistaken .

[Liz . ]

[Yes . ]

[You’re already a legitimate member of this Mercenary Corps . ]

[Ah—]

Liz’s face shone in delight .

[Y- Yes!]

It would be difficult to bring a horse into the Demon Zone .

Even the experienced Eve said so .

We would end up getting easier to detect by the demons .

It’s probably because they’re in this kind of place that the horses wouldn’t be able to calm down because of stress .

In that case, we should just bring our luggages on our own .

[Aren’t you scared?]

[I- I’m alright . Thank you for your concern . ]

[…………… . ]

I could see some nervousness from her .

However, she doesn’t seem to be that frightened .

IIs it because she has already entered the Demon Zone together with Eve once?

Or perhaps…

Looking downwards, Liz spoke .

[I- It might sound strange but… if I were asked, compared to that time when I was in the Demon Zone together with Big Sister… I was more scared back when I was in the White Coin . ]

Liz’s eyes softened .

[As long as I could be together with Big Sister… it would be where my happiness is, wherever that may be…]

[My bad, Liz . ]

Still looking at the front, Eve apologized .

[It’s because of my stupidity that…]

[When it comes to people like those guys, they would eventually know about you two even you try hiding . ]

In Liz’s case, it seems that she haven’t received any external wounds .

I’ve also asked Seras to check back when she helped her change her clothes .

It seems that they have only mentally cornered her .

Liz herself is the type that endures all hardships she received .

She must have been really cheerful whenever she meets Eve .

Therefore, it could even be said that Liz’s kindness is one of the results from that tragedy she received .

[…………… . . ]

Sh*t .

Knowing that her kindness is the result of that tragedy, I feel sh*tty within my heart .

That’s good .

It was good that I’ve made her suffer before I got rid of that proprietress .

That proprietress who deeply hurt Liz’s heart .

Even if I were criticized because my methods were wrong .

Even if I were cursed because of my selfishness .

If she had just peacefully lived in Monroy without meeting that d*mned woman, I wouldn’t have been able to understand her feelings .

That’s why— I don’t regret sending that b*tch to hell .

[It would also be bad if you worry too much, Eve . ]

[Mhmm…]

[Most of all, Liz’s existence itself has been helping us . We are here in this place now because you have chosen to escape with us from Monroy . You have made that decision . That much is enough for me already . ]

As if she had given up, Eve let out a sigh .

[I really can’t match you . ]

▽

We stopped for a moment .

I then injected magic energy into Eve’s arm .

The map from before came out again .

The distance between the two glowing dots has become closer than before .

[It seems that we’re finally approaching our destination . ]

The neighboring Seras squeezed herself closer and peeked at the map .

[However, I don’t know if we could just go straight towards that place from here…]

[Even though that’s a map, it doesn’t really show the details about the terrain here . ]

Moving away from Seras’ shoulders, I looked across the forest .

[Depending on the terrain, we may have to go through around just to arrive there…]

Seras is about to say something .

However, I immediately closed Seras’ mouth .

[Nhnn…?]

Seras looked confused .

My eyes matched with Eve .

Eve silently nodded and pulled out her sword .

As expected, Eve noticed it too huh .

Through eye contact, I told her .

“Just as we planned . ”

Eve nods again .

She’s prepared to attack as she gazed through the thickets .

It seems Seras and Liz noticed that something must have happened .

The two of them lowered their postures .

[——————-]

The presence of monsters .

I held out my hand towards the direction where I’ve felt its presence .

It appears that we’ve finally encountered our first monster in the Demon Zone .

The edge of my lips spontaneously distorted .

Whatever the monsters in the Demon Zone could be…

[……………… . ]

Now then, come .