Yuji POV.
We just took care of everyone within the fortress, seemingly easy to do at first, it turned out to be an annoying task. The bastards somehow got the courage to fight against the banners of the church, and forced us to use more strength, the lethal kind, hah. After wiping them all out, and of course suffering some negligible casualties, we searched through the fortress without being able to find what we were looking for…
The knights looked tired, but they didn't dare complain, we are the hero party after all.
"Haru, did you get any update on their location?"
"It is faint, but it seems that they headed forward, they are within demonic lands…"
Renji then intervened
"We should chase after them. They can't be left to live…"
"NO, actually, there is no need, though I have no idea how they even managed to get past this forest that is filled with ghosts, banshees, specters and werewolves, they will not survive in the swamps before the demonic kingdom, even if they did, they will be caught or killed, let the demons do our job for us."
As I said the words we began heading out, after making sure to decapitate the heads of the captains and the ones that were in control over the fortress, this location was under the banner of the king's second son, and now that they proved their 'treason' the third son who is under the control of the church will rise to position. Now the church will have control over one of the two major exits towards the demonic kingdom the first being controlled by the king himself, and now the second is at the hand of the church.
Some of the knights we brought with us were left to take control over the fortress, more will be sent here to fortify the defenses, and establish a better base of operation. Gaining an easy access towards the demonic kingdom will allow us to easily access the demon king, slaying him, and getting the magic to take us back home, that is if I want to go back home. I actually find it much more interesting here in this world, especially with the newfound powers, and the respect I get from everyone, I can easily have anything I ever want, and do whatever I want, under the name of the church and heroism, what an amazing time to be alive.
That was the case until one of our classmates screamed, followed by him every single one of us, me included. Pain that was indescribable washed over me, the back of my neck felt on fire like I was being skewered with a hot pike. After few moments of agonizing pain it stopped to be followed by a notification
You have been branded!
Your treason shall be repaid, your shame shall not be forbade. For that the one that fell shall rise again, for that the one that reigned shall fall within.
Run, for that you are being hunted, Run for that your life shall not be pardoned
Run for that the Herald asks tribute.
What the fuck is this?
"What the hell happened? Did anyone activate anything? Did you step on a spell or something? Is this a curse?"
Looking around, it seems that everyone is having the same thing…with the exception of the knights that came with us…its only upon the heroes, sigh this is the same like that day. Fucking stupid random curses…we can't stay here any longer, we will be needing to head back to the church…
"Can Any of you remove this thing?" I asked the clerics.
"Could you please show us the notification?"
I did, willing the notification to appear to the cleric he read through it and said
"I've never heard of such a curse, its quite strange, what is this herald anyway…I can't help, probably the bishop can, but there is a problem"
"What is it?" I asked
"This operation was supposed to last a long time, we were to camp here, before further instruction was given, now that the targets we were chasing are not within the fortress, we are not allowed to chase after them, the only thing left to do is for us to wait, but now that you have been afflicted with this strange brand, you will need to go back to the bishop who is no longer back in the mountain of the gods…"
"Where is he then?" I said with impatience
"He, The bishop went to meet his Holiness. The Pontiff asked to see him, you will be needing to head to the capital if you wish to meet with them. The bishop can remove the brand if not I don't think the pontiff will have a problem with it at all…"
Hmm, meeting the pontiff will probably be a great way to boost my standings, propelling me forward into the society's echelons…also I could use the chance to meet with the king, asking for titles and property, it is my right as a hero of the kingdom, and protector, is it not?
"Alright, we shall go then. The hero party and the first division of the knights shall follow us to the capital once the second battalion of knights arrives to fully secure the fortress. We shall move by then"
This brand is surly worrisome, but still, it is worth the wait now that I know that my future in this world is secured. A life of fulfillment awaits me and I will let nothing stop me from obtaining it.