4 – The Unfading Shadows (2)
A carriage struggled to move forward on a road shattered by the torrential rain.
Inside,
Captain Maximira Robes Fiora and Charlotte,
And their two Devil Hunter juniors, wearing serious expressions, were conducting a final weapons check.
“I will definitely succeed… This time, I will complete the mission perfectly…”
Fiora, feeling an unusual sense of pressure, finished the final check.
Then, her gaze turned to the pair of male and female Devil Hunters in front of her.
Jick and Lauren.
Although they were juniors who became Devil Hunters just a year ago, they were talented individuals who could soon be assigned solo missions, having developed their own skills.
However,
As she observed them at this moment,
Fiora could clearly see the fact that the current atmosphere was almost the worst.
The trembling in their hands as they cleaned their guns and axes.
At the same time, even though the weather was relatively cool, there were cold sweats on their foreheads.
Fear of death.
What they felt was the fear that they might not be able to return alive.
This was a phenomenon common among Devil Hunters being deployed in recent missions, not just those present in this location.
The worsening situation and the pressure it brought were so massive.
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Although the Devil Hunters had not yet been defeated.
But the significant losses suffered by the Devil Hunters in the process.
The story of more than half of the personnel being killed has now become a daily occurrence. In the worst case scenario, Devil Hunters are getting annihilated while becoming one with demons. The situation has escalated to the point where demons are even burning down villages. Considering the fact that just three years ago, there were hardly any injuries, let alone deaths, it was clear just how illusory the current “victory” was. And the ultimate responsibility lies with Fiona and Charlotte, who are leading the Devil Hunters in the north as squad leaders. “Still… I can’t give up… It’s just… I’m still not fully adapted to this. If I gain more experience, someday I’ll be like that person…!” At that moment, she realized that she was once again thinking of that person. Without her knowledge, Fiona began to strengthen her grip on the gun she was holding. The shadow of that person that always comes to mind whenever something like this happens. The thought that her flaws and lack of skill were what caused the current situation, the fact that she killed that man with her own hands, was once again causing her immense pain. “I… I just… eliminated a wicked betrayer who joined hands with demons… What I did… it was never wrong.” Honestly, she was never at ease during that job. Gellert, who was like the symbol of the northern Devil Hunters and showed more hatred towards demons than anyone else in this world. Even if the story that he was scheming with demons and collaborating on wicked plots came from the Marquis, who was their patron and master, she couldn’t easily accept it. However,
The evidence the Count presented to Fiora and Charlotte was such that it inevitably instilled doubt in them about Gellard.
Gellard’s whereabouts were often shrouded in mystery, except when he was vanquishing demons or teaching his disciples.
Moreover, there were devil attacks on certain facilities that coincided with the times he was missing.
Coupled with the testimonies of a few people and, crucially, Gellard’s belongings found at the scene of the attacks, they could not help but gradually nurture their suspicions of Gellard, albeit with some reluctance.
Additionally, Count Lamotte, of all people, had no reason to unjustly frame Gellard, his most powerful subordinate.
After several days of deliberation, they decided to carry out the Count’s orders…
And ultimately, they succeeded in putting their decision into action.
‘It would have been someone else’s job to handle this situation if not for me. By stepping in swiftly, I’ve saved the Devil Hunters of the North from a great crisis.’
In this way, through her self-justifications, Fiora steadied her emotions and strove to focus on the imminent task at hand.
Then,
-Creak!
“!”
The carriage came to a halt.
Fiora and the other Devil Hunters now realized they had finally reached their destination.
“We have arrived,” came the coachman’s voice from outside.
Fiora glanced at the other Devil Hunters.
“Is everyone ready?”
“Y-yes.”
“Ready.”
“…”
Devil Hunters nodded heavily in response to Fiora, who had taken the lead on this mission, as they felt a suffocating anxiety amongst themselves. Setting that unease aside, Fiora declared with a resolute voice, “Alright. Let’s set out.”
*
The Devil Hunters descended from the carriage and made their way up the narrow forest path. Fiora, believing this area to be safe, focused solely on moving quickly with her guard down.
“We’re almost there. Once we get over that mountain, we’ll come upon the village that requested our services.”
“Hey… Aren’t we moving too hastily? Safe zone or not, we should still remain vigilant even in places like this.”
“…Sigh. Yeah. That’s… true.”
Charlotte responded with a tone filled with apprehension to Fiora’s comment. Fiora momentarily felt a surge of irritation, but decided to let it pass for now. They were about to meet the clients who had requested their services, and she couldn’t afford to show any signs of weakness here.
‘Hold back, I mustn’t reveal my emotions here. I’ve been taught that close cooperation with an informed client is essential for perfect success…ugh.’
With that,
Fiora grimaced slightly as she realized she was reflexively recalling Gelard’s teachings.
‘Damn it…’
Fighting back the irritation that began to churn within her again, Fiora maintained as poised a demeanor as possible while climbing up the hill that overlooked the village.
And then,
“Huh?”
Startled, the Devil Hunters halted in their tracks at the scene that lay before them.
Ordinarily, at this moment, they should have been making contact with the client who was supposed to be waiting for them here.
However, there was no sign of the client who should have been at this prearranged meeting place.
Not a soul to be seen, not even an ant.
Yet, among the Devil Hunters present, not one could harbor any complaints about this fact.
From the meeting place, they had a clear view of the village below.
The same word came to every Devil Hunter’s mind as they beheld the village’s panorama in that instant.
Hell.
The mercilessly destroyed buildings and the vivid remnants of battle that remained.
And then.
The smell of decaying corpses, palpable even at this distance.
Based on the circumstances, it had been quite a while before their arrival,
Right after the request had been made, the village had met a gruesome end at the hands of a demon.
The Devil Hunters momentarily stopped in their tracks,
and began to silently mourn the victims, as per their code.
*
“No, we can’t.”
“But please reconsider, Ms. Fiora…”
Zeke spoke, his voice laden with concern.
However, Fiona spoke with a resolute voice.
“No matter how many times I think about it, it’s the same. We can’t go back empty-handed after coming this far to exterminate the devil as devil hunters!”
“That’s true, but all the targets we were commissioned to kill have already died. Besides, to destroy a village of that scale, the enemy must surely not be ordinary.”
“I agree. It would be reckless to engage in a battle without knowing the true identity of the devil.”
Laurent agreed with Zeke’s words.
Then, Shaolote, who had been silently observing the situation, spoke to Fiona in a quiet voice.
“I also… I think it’s better to go back now. Bravery and recklessness are different. We can’t hastily attack without any information.”
“…”
Recalling the teachings Gelert had given, Shaolote tried to persuade Fiona.
However…
-“Get ready!”
“….!? Fiona?”
Upon hearing her words, Fiona drew her sword and spoke firmly.
“We fight.”
“What?”
“I said it before, but we can’t go back empty-handed after coming this far. And if there’s someone waiting for us in that village, then what will happen then? Are you going to abandon those people just because it’s dangerous?”
“That… that’s…”
“Hmm…”
Zeke and Laurent were left speechless by Fiona’s rational words.
She spoke with a sharp voice, not letting go of this momentum.
“If you want to go, go on your own. I won’t go back until I kill that devil over there.”
“Pi…Piola!”
With those words, Piola began to stride towards the village.
Seeing her like this, Charlotte and the demon hunters couldn’t help but follow behind her.
In this situation where Piola held the command, they couldn’t leave her behind.
Moreover, her words about needing to save the survivors were not unreasonable.
And so, following the leader’s command, the reluctant demon hunters started walking.
Taking the lead among them,
Piola once again,
Recalled the thoughts that had been in her mind throughout the journey, gripping her sword tightly.
“I will prove it without fail… That I am better than you… a nobleman who joined hands with demons… That Robes Piola, who came this far as a commoner, is superior to you. In my own way. Based on my judgment. I will complete this mission perfectly and show it!”