We set off for the Demon City. The three of us walked along a rough, unpaved road. The reason we left our horses behind was because the road was not suitable for horses to run on, and there was a possibility that it would attract monsters and undead.
The road is not too bad right now, but I hear that up ahead there will be a dense forest. The Demon City seems to be a mountain of rubble, so I'll have to leave my horse behind after all. After all, the horse is just getting in the way.
"Thank you both so much."
"No, it's a request. Don't worry about it."
Lady Elmia, clad in armor with a dress-like skirt, called out. I'm sure this is her real female knight armor. The elf is of unknown age, but she is wearing very cute armor. I think it's because she recognizes me that it boosts morale. Men are monotonous, and will be the flower of the battlefield.
Yes, for example, I think if a magnificent female demon were to ride a white horse in heavily decorated white armor on the front lines of the battlefield, it would be a great morale booster.
"The reward is good. Do your best, servant."
"Your reward will be ready by the servants when you return to the mansion."
I spoke to the hero who was walking ahead, swinging his large sword and cutting grass. I asked him about his weapon, even though it was a little late. It was a two-handed sword called Zweihander.
The base of the blade is wrapped in leather so that it can be swung with force. It is a heavyweight weapon that can be used to slash away, apparently by grabbing it there and pushing with all one's might. It is a heavy weapon, but one forgets this as it is swung easily with one hand like a knife. A heavy weapon swung with one hand. "Is this thing a monster?" I thought, and my spine shivered. It would never be used for mowing grass. It is originally a weapon used to kill people.
"I'm going to work hard on cutting the grass, so don't come any closer, it's dangerous. Anyway, was it Miss Elmia who locked the door yesterday?"
"Of course. It might be the last time."
"Huh? Why?"
"I'll be honest with you. I might die."
Lady Elmia spoke up. I wondered if she was really that cruel without any hesitation.
"It scares me when you say that."
I hope there won't be any ghosts. I don't know.
"You can go home now, okay? Nefia-chan."
"Don't call me 'chan'. I'm a guy."
"Oh? She's so cute?"
"I have a woman's body now."
Now that he had been found out, he told him the whole story. For some reason, Lady Elmia smiled and stood behind the hero.
"Hey, why did you do that?"
"Unfortunately, Miss Elmia. I won't say anything since you haven't said anything either."
"I see. That's fine then. But isn't she in danger?"
"It's okay, I'll protect you."
"I see... Hehe, I'm jealous."
Miss Elmia looked lonely again. I still couldn't read her intentions. After that, everyone was quiet. And then... the sun went down.
"We can't go any further today. Let's camp out."
With the words of the hero, we prepared to camp out. We quickly prepared for a night's stay. We lit a fire before going to bed. It was still spring, so it was cold at night.
When a fire is lit, opposition parties appear, but I heard that there are few opposition parties here, and since there are two women, they decided to light a fire. I told them not to treat me like a woman, but they didn't listen.
For meals, they eat a portable meal of kneaded wheat flour and baked until hard. If they encounter monsters along the way, they will hunt them down, but the encounter rate is low. The forest is frighteningly quiet.
"You seem quite used to traveling, Tokiya-dono."
"Well, I went all the way to the Demon Castle by myself."
"To the Demon King's Castle? You traveled alone to the north?"
"Really. When you appeared before me with just a knife, I wondered if you were sane."
It happened recently, but I miss that time. I'll try to forget about the barbaric kiss that followed. No, I want to forget.
"It's not like I'm going to war or anything."
"Fufufu, Tokiya-sama has unfathomable power. Even though he was recommended by the captain of the Black Knights."
"You shouldn't feel indebted to the Black Knight. He's just getting rid of you... he passed the matter on to us."
"I was told the same thing."
"I see. The commander isn't one to act on emotion, so be careful. That is, if you're going to make him your enemy."
"Yes, as long as he's alive I'll be careful. But you two!!"
Miss Elmia clasps her hands together, tilts her head and laughs, her voice sounding joyful.
"How far have your buddies gone?"
A question that sounds like a girl's curiosity. I realize this and make a displeased face. The hero laughs, making me feel even more uncomfortable.
"I've said it many times before! Our relationship isn't what you say it is!"
I stand up in protest, telling myself with all my heart that this must never happen.
"Oh? Weren't they sleeping together last night?"
"Well! I had mercy on him because I thought it was a shame for him to have to sleep in the hallway."
"Oh? But is that different for you, Hero Tokiya-dono?"
"That's right. Just as you think, I am..."
The hero spoke with a serious expression.
"I love Nefia."
For a moment, my body reacted with a jerk. My face grew hot from the embarrassing words.
"Oh my! That's disgusting!"
"...This is what he said?"
"My feelings are simply that I like her. But feelings are feelings. My goal is to absolutely protect her. It doesn't matter."
"Even if they hate me?"
"If they dislike me, it will be difficult to protect them, so I want to make sure they don't dislike me."
"Well then, let me ask you this. Would you protect her even if you knew she was the Demon Lord? If you're an apprentice hero, would you? Even if it goes against the Empire's rules?"
"Of course, all of that is just a small thing. I'm no hero."
"That path will be difficult. You may become everyone's enemy. Especially if you're a Demon King, you're an enemy of humans."
The hero is clutching the rocket pendant on his chest. It must be a talisman, since he's holding it so tightly.
"That's something I resolved to do a long time ago."
Hearing this, I was surprised at his straight, serious expression. I turned my back to him and hid my face. My face was so hot I felt like it was going to burst into flames.
"Fufu, it's good to be young, I'm jealous. It reminds me of times long ago... Now, let's go to bed. I'm feeling great now."
"Uh, shut up. A hero blabbering about embarrassing things... how can you not be embarrassed..."
"Oh, no shame, Nefia. Good night."
"Ugh. Shut up, hero..."
I put on my sleeping bag and lie down.
"...…good night"
"Ou"
The hero's joyful voice rang out. I closed my eyes without paying any attention to it. I'm not used to being loved so much.
*
Captured by something called a human.
Wooden handcuffs are cold.
I can't even feel the warmth of the trees in the forest.
The man's body is heavy.
Her lower body and growing breasts were covered in mud.
Again and again I am defiled.
I don't know how long this will last. I don't know. I want to go home.
*
"Ugh?!"
I wake up. The sun hasn't risen yet, but it's a little bright thanks to the embers from the campfire.
"Are you awake? Another nightmare?"
The hero, who was probably sleeping while sitting in a tree, called out to me, his great sword slung over his shoulder.
"Y-you see. It was a nightmare."
"Here, some water."
"Uh, yeah."
The hero hands over a water bottle.
"Thank you... No, it's fine."
I felt disgusted by the way the hero drank so I refused.
"You don't like indirect drinking? Here, hold the cup."
I am handed an empty wooden cup, with nothing in it.
"There's nothing in there?"
Chapun
"Look closely, it's in there."
"Uh, huh?"
"Good night. If you don't go to bed early, it will affect you tomorrow."
I look at the water. It's clear water. However, it had no weight until just now. It shouldn't have had any weight at all. The hero has already closed his eyes and is asleep.
"...This guy."
At that moment, I wondered if he was a magician who controlled water. However, the hero was already asleep.
*
The journey was not as difficult as I had expected and went smoothly. I came to a gap in the forest and emerged onto an open plain.
The plains smelled terrible, and were so rotten that I couldn't hide my shock. Not a single plant grew, and muddy swamps spread everywhere, with black water. I could see something moving from afar. The air felt heavy, and an evil smell was visibly floating about. The moment I saw it, I remembered the words.
"Unclean land..."
Since ancient times, there have been such horrible places. Cursed and polluted places. Many of them are places with a horrifying past, such as a great battlefield or a massacre of a large city. This scars the land.
"Nefia. As expected, you know this stuff."
"The demons call it an unclean land. It's the home of some demons that have resistance to it. There's a lot of such land in the north. It's a place where no walls are needed because it can be avoided by monsters that don't have resistance, but... only a select few can live there."
It's a place that is rarely visited even in the Demon Kingdom. It's the territory of the Orcs and Dark Elves.
"If I remember correctly, it's just mutant slimes, some fairy tribes, and dark elves?"
"You know a lot, Hero. You know the Orcs too."
"Well, adventurers could sneak in here and steal treasure."
The Orcs certainly seem to have money.
"Maybe hero Tokiya-sama is good at dealing with these unclean creatures?"
"Yes, you unclean one. You're very good at curses. But this isn't the place for you... That's right, we're up against an army of skeletons. It'll take time."
In front of him was a rusty sword and shield, wearing only parts of his decayed armor, and patrolling aimlessly. The hero looked at him once, then turned forward.
"I may not be able to protect you. But if I can't protect you with this, then there's no future for me. Huh, Miss Elmia?!"
"Elmia?!"
"Hero!" I shouted. Lady Elmia drew her sword and ran off. She had no strategy or plan. She just ran straight ahead.
"I know the way to the King's Chamber! After all, we can't proceed without fighting."
"Damn it! Hero! What will you do?!"
I naturally relied on the hero. Without thinking, it just came out of my mouth.
"Let's do as the client says. Now it's time for a real fight."
"...I'm not happy at all."
The two of them gave chase. Following behind Lady Elmia, the hero stepped forward and drew his great sword.
That appearance was truly... that of a brave man.