The massive demon's pupils gradually contracted, fear growing more evident in its eyes as it struggled to speak in a low growl.
"You can't kill me!"
But Edward's expression remained cold as ice, and with a powerful strike, he shattered the demon's skull.
A dull, echoing sound filled the air as its massive head exploded, blood and brain matter splattering outward.
Drops landed on Edward's face and collar, leaving spots of red staining him.
He straightened, breathing slightly heavier, bent down to retrieve his fallen sword, and slowly sheathed it.
In the distance, the villagers crouched along the edge of the fields, their expressions blank as they watched.
Yet, this time, something new flickered in their cloudy eyes—perhaps shock, perhaps even reverence.
At that moment, Edward turned, walking out from the bloody mist.
Stray locks of hair fell across his forehead, swaying slightly in the breeze, and he casually brushed them back with his hand.
Raising his bloodstained hand, he wiped the red stains from his face.
When his fingers cleared his face, Edward reached into his pocket, pulled out his cigarette case, and found only one cigarette left.
He gently clamped it between his lips, reached into his pocket again, and found a box of matches.
Striking one, he sheltered the small flame with his hand, lit the cigarette, and took a deep inhale.
He closed his eyes briefly, letting the heavy fatigue melt away.
Behind him, the massive weasel demon's corpse, its support gone, collapsed onto the ground with a resounding thud, dust rising into the air.
Edward exhaled a long stream of smoke.
"Damn, demon blood splattered in my mouth. Disgusting."
…
Richard gripped the reins tightly, watching the old horse's leisurely, slow pace, his anxiety growing with each step.
Finally, he couldn't bear it any longer, leapt off the horse, and sprinted toward the direction of Creek Village.
Along the way, a growing sense of unease gnawed at him, the scent of blood becoming stronger as he approached the village, causing his steps to falter.
He tightened his grip on his sword hilt, his knuckles white, and his forehead covered in cold sweat.
As the village came into view, Richard quickened his pace, beads of sweat slipping down his temples.
Not far along the path, two villagers walked by.
They paused when they saw Richard, momentarily startled by the sight of a patrolman in the village.
After a brief, tense silence, the villagers forced a strained smile, their eyes revealing a deep-seated weariness and resignation toward authority figures.
Richard tried to smile back, but his mouth twitched stiffly instead.
His gaze remained fixated on the heavy object slung over one villager's shoulder.
It was a massive demon leg, tangled fur matted together, bearing fresh battle scars within the thick pelt.
"Mr. Edward said we should eat something good for a change, said it'd give us some strength.
If we can't finish it, we'll drag the rest back to the village."
The villager swallowed hard, explaining to Richard.
Richard was momentarily speechless, waves of shock rippling through him.
Taking a deep breath, Richard nodded in response and continued toward the village entrance.
The scene ahead grew clearer—not the blood-soaked remnants of a fierce battle, but rather a peaceful quiet.
In the fading sunlight, a familiar figure stood tall.
Edward sat on the field's edge, a cigarette between his fingers, occasionally taking a drag.
Around him, a group of children watched with wide-eyed innocence, hanging on his every word and occasionally breaking into laughter.
Edward ruffled their small heads with a gentle smile, relishing the moment's tranquility.
A few older children even mimicked his smoking gesture, which made him chuckle and shake his head.
In the distance, dozens of villagers were busy in the fields, bending over as they sifted through the mud, searching and gathering.
Now and then, a demon's arm or leg would surface from the muddy earth, giving off a nauseating stench, though the villagers seemed unfazed.
In fact, some even appeared excited, as if they were harvesting crops, thoroughly enjoying the process.
Richard stared blankly, stumbling as he approached Edward.
He looked between the villagers digging up demon corpses and the children laughing and listening to Edward's stories, feeling an unsettling chill.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke, his voice trembling with disbelief.
"The demons…?"
Edward blinked, looking up at him, casually flicking ash from his cigarette, and replied in a calm tone.
"All dead."
Richard's fingers quivered slightly, as he raised a shaking hand to point toward the dark red earth, struggling to suppress his revulsion and fear.
"All of them… there?"
"Gather the bodies; it's time we headed back to town."
Edward acted as if he didn't notice Richard's ashen face, gently patting the shoulder of a child beside him, then stood up to give instructions.
Richard watched as Edward calmly assigned tasks, his silhouette as composed and collected as ever, as if today's events were nothing more than a routine patrol.
Edward reached down, lightly pinching a child's cheek with a warm smile.
"Remember to listen to your parents, alright?"
The children replied in unison, their soft voices echoing through the air.
"Alright!"
He nodded, satisfaction on his face as he looked at their young, innocent faces, and then slowly stood.
[Remaining Demon Life: 672 Years]
Looking at the words before him, Edward couldn't help but feel remarkably wealthy.
But there was one unexpected discovery.
Edward had found a egg-sized, unknown organ within the massive demon's body.
Like a purple crystal, the organ emitted a faint glow, reflecting an unusual beauty in the sunlight.
This wasn't any ordinary demon organ Edward had encountered before.
Ordinary demons, while physically powerful with lifespans of a few hundred years.
This massive demon, however, was entirely different.
Its thick layers of flesh were almost impervious to common weapons.
Edward carefully wrapped the crystal-like organ.
He patted his old horse's mane, then nodded toward the Creek Village villagers.
Seeing the mountain-like pile of demon heads on the cart, he said,
"Hang these heads at the town gate when we return. Let those creatures hiding in the shadows see them."
Richard looked at Edward, his heart brimming with admiration and awe.
Despite the looming threat of demon vengeance, this man's resolve was unshaken, his killing intent only growing stronger.
"Everyone, head back."
Edward's gaze swept over the villagers, who had gathered to see him off.
Then he lightly nudged his horse's side.
The old horse shook its head, took a slow step forward.