3 – The Unfading Shadows (1)
“Ah…”
A bathtub filled with hot water.
No longer icy cold stream water, but a warm bath that I soaked my body into, I let out a contented sigh.
“I never thought I would be taking a bath like this. After enduring such hardships, it’s about time I enjoy the luxuries I deserve.”
Having received treatment beyond what I expected, thanks to using the king’s name to scout, the place I am in now is the mansion located about 30km away from the Arden Forest in the northern region of the Franz Kingdom.
It is a spacious property that exudes an elegant atmosphere.
I heard that it is one of Ellie’s villas and will serve as the headquarters for the Devil Hunters under her command, but for now, I was simply content with the fact that it was available to me.
Here, I can sleep in a bed after 3 years, eat food cooked by someone else, and enjoy a warm fireplace in a place where the wind does not blow.
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It is a situation where a part of the happy life I have longed for, not just for the past 3 years, but even before that, has finally become a reality.
However,
While genuinely satisfied with this, I couldn’t fully let my guard down.
Separate from the fact that I can escape from the forest.
Ellie must have some desires for treating me so favorably.
If those desires are not fulfilled, then naturally, this lifestyle will come to an end.
Of course, even so, it would be better than rolling around in the forest, but regardless, I have determined to do my best to maintain my current life.
“First and foremost, I need to gain as much trust as possible. Since she assigned me devil hunter missions as part of the La Place suppression, I need to clearly demonstrate my abilities from that aspect.”
For the past 3 years, I have been killing and devouring all sorts of demons in the forest.
Any ordinary devil would just seem like a meal to me.
Although there might be devils in this world that I don’t know about unlike in the first installment, I didn’t even consider that I would lose against them.
“And besides, since they still call the final boss Laplace, the situation might be solved unexpectedly easily…”
Although I can’t make use of it immediately, there are means available that I can use after establishing a certain position.
With that thought, I decided to stop worrying about the future for now and began to think calmly in a more relaxed manner.
“That being said, was she really a beauty?… That woman named Ellie.”
*
Ellie sat quietly in the study, reviewing documents.
Then, she turned to Napoleon, who was standing next to her, and spoke with a quiet voice.
“…I feel like I have something to say. Where should I begin?”
“Because I’m not easily convinced…”
Upon hearing Napoleon’s words, Ellie gently lowered the documents she had been holding.
Then, her red eyes continued to gaze at Napoleon.
“Are you talking about the Gerad Kingdom’s matter?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
As Napoleon spoke, he discreetly observed Ellie’s reaction.
To be honest, it was uncomfortable for her as the owner to question the decision made, but still, she carefully voiced her doubts and concerns.
“Of course, I acknowledge that his ability is remarkable. However, giving him this mission… and even assigning him the three elite units known as the “Third Group” seems like an overly excessive measure, don’t you think?”
She knew Gerad’s abilities as well as she had personally witnessed them with her own two eyes.
However, regardless of these facts, the individual in question is someone who has accumulated experience in various aspects.
He was a formidable figure even in the northern region, so why did he suddenly go into hiding, and why was it said that he died? These were still lingering questions.
In this situation, Napoleon thought that it could be risky to trust him without any tests or trials.
However,
Eli calmly said to her.
“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
“But…”
“Napolea.”
“!…”
Eli quietly called out her name, as if trying to refute her.
Continuing, she spoke with a calm yet distinct voice.
“This is my judgment. Do you need any further explanation?”
“Uhm… No… I understand. Eli, sir.”
Unable to argue any further, Napolea sealed her lips.
Watching her, Eli could not help but show a subtle smile on his lips.
*
In the Kingdom of Franz where demons rampage.
The power of devil hunters who fight against these demons is divided into two main factions.
One group belongs to the royal family and are called the Central Devil Hunters. The other group, known as the regional Devil Hunters, are sponsored by the nobles to defend their respective territories. Although they share a common goal of hunting demons, the relationship between the two factions was far from amicable.
The authority of the Franz royal family had been greatly shaken by the demons’ devastating attacks. As a result, the local nobles, desperate to regain their autonomy and escape the king’s interference, had begun striving to bring back the past. To these nobles, the militant group known as the Devil Hunters became a legitimate pretext to lead mercenaries.
And among those who wielded great power in this manner, ruling the northern region, was Viscount Jahn Balrock Lamotte.
He was currently displaying strong displeasure as he glared at Charlotte, a Devil Hunter with blue hair, standing before him.
“Just how are you handling this situation? Do you have any idea how much damage has been done because of this incident?”
“I… I apologize. I am truly sorry, Viscount.”
Charlotte repeatedly lowered her head in response to the Viscount’s scathing reprimand.
Watching her, the Viscount slowly stood up from his seat and tapped her chin with the cane he was holding.
“Why do I spend a fortune to feed and shelter the likes of you? If you can’t even handle something like this properly, what good are you for?”
“I… I have no excuse, Viscount. I promise… I promise I won’t make such mistakes again. I… I beg of you!”
The Viscount struck Charlotte’s abdominal area with his cane as she was apologizing.
Charlotte’s body remained motionless on the floor. Looking at her like that, the Marquess spoke in a cold voice.
“Stand up straight. It’s been three years since Gerard, that bastard, died, but his name still echoes in my ears. If he had handled his job half as well, the atmosphere wouldn’t be like this, ruined for years.”
“Ugh…”
“If you understood, then leave. Be prepared for the next mission if you fail miserably like this again.”
“Yes… understood, my lord.”
With a difficult farewell, Charlotte left the room.
Watching her like this, the Marquess quietly licked his lips and continued to gaze out the window.
“Damn it… The more I think about it, the more annoying it gets. If Gerard, that bastard, hadn’t done such useless things, it wouldn’t have come to this…”
*
“Sigh…”
Finishing the report, Charlotte left the room.
Immediately after, she approached her friend who had been waiting for her outside the door.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. It’s nothing… just a common occurrence.”
Speaking with a heavy voice, Charlotte,
Watching her like that,
The blond Devil Hunter spoke with a bitter tone.
“I’m sorry. If I had killed the demon a little faster, the wheat fields wouldn’t have been burned like that…”
“It’s okay… It was a tough situation anyway. We couldn’t do it alone…”
“Charlotte…”
While calling the name of his friend, the blonde Devil Hunter held her shoulder with an apologetic sentiment.
Then.
“…It really is beyond us alone… If only… If only our master were here…”
“Shut… up!”
“!”
She suddenly yelled with a harsh voice.
Charlotte realized too late that she had spoken words she should not have, and with a quivering voice, she managed to say, “I’m… I’m sorry. I just…”
“…Tch…”
Witnessing his friend apologize, the blonde Devil Hunter scowled and then, unable to continue speaking, harshly turned away and left.
‘Damn it… Now… Now just stop haunting me, please. It’s been three years! It’s time for it to be forgotten, but how can your existence… your being still…’
Thus, ignoring his friend, who stood dismayed behind him.
The blonde Devil Hunter,
Despite the fact that he no longer existed in this world, felt an excruciating burn within, as the persistent remnants of his presence refused to fade away, and began to bite his lip until it bled.
‘How long… How long do I have to hear that name.’
His master, and the person he had purged by his own hand.
Gellard Müra.
After his death, she and Charlotte became sergeants in their dreams as a result of their secret dealings with the Marquis.
For her, who came from the common people, it was a moment that seemed like a dream.
However,
Now, three years have passed since then.
Every situation surrounding her was falling to the ground.
Even as the entire Franz Kingdom suffered from the attacks of demons, the North had always stood strong.
However,
Since Gelert disappeared and she took his place, the situation in the North had rapidly deteriorated.
The poor performance of the demon hunters, which was becoming increasingly noticeable, and the resulting increase in damage.
In addition, the growing combat effectiveness of the demons.
These phenomena naturally led people to compare her to Gelert,
And every time, she couldn’t help but feel the inferiority she thought she could forget by becoming a sergeant.
“I can’t just sit idly like this. This is a position I obtained…I can’t crumble under the shadow of a mere dead man.”
With that thought, she tightened her grip on her painful heart.
She would endure and overcome this slowly crumbling situation, no matter what.
With that in mind,
Fiona Robes Piomira, a commoner Devil Hunter,
Made her way to her room with the pressure of successfully completing her next mission.