Chapter 28. Soul Stone (1)
Soul Stone.
This heart of a demon, extracted only from tri-horned or high-rank demons, serves as a material to create the horns for the divine relic of Demon God Barbatos known as the 'Demon God's Chalice'. It is also a vessel to gather the residual thoughts of the Demon God.
Moreover, if these residual thoughts are gathered, it could lead to the resurrection of the Demon God, making this item closely related to the current objectives of the Dawn Society.
"The moment I joined the Dawn Society, I was assigned a mission to subdue a tri-horned demon."
I had anticipated that there might be a connection to the Dawn Society within the imperial family.
However, when that expectation turned into reality, a bitter taste lingered at the tip of my tongue.
The organization is too large and possesses overwhelmingly unique strength to be called a secret society.
Considering how to handle this enormous influence called the Dawn Society left my vision dim.
"But what can I do? Now that I've become a part of it, I have to see it through to the end."
Thinking this, I rested my arms on the window sill and continued to watch the ever-changing scenery.
I was currently on the Adratan Empire's pride, a high-speed sightseeing train.
My destination was the border town of Vernidn, where a "tri-horned demon" had appeared, as conveyed through the secretariat.
The train wasn't particularly crowded.
The trains operated using highly valuable 'resonance stones', making them merely a means of transport for the wealthy nobles.
Moreover, the railroads were not laid across the entire empire, so the number of potential customers was even more limited.
***
"Ah, it's nice and quiet. Having a mode of transportation linking major cities is truly a blessing."
While I was internally evaluating the train, Herand, who sat opposite me, spoke up.
"Indeed, Herand brother."
"Haha..."
He laughed awkwardly, cold sweat trickling down his face.
By chance, meeting Herand at the designated seat on the train was quite a sight - he looked as if he'd seen a ghost.
"By the way, elder brother Herand, where is your destination? Are you heading to the border town, Vernidn, like myself?"
"Yes. The Ascension Day for the Church of the Sun is coming up, isn't it? I've been appointed as the representative of the Cryphart family."
Ascension Day... Come to think of it, the time is approaching.
Answering Herand's question with a smile, he swallowed hard.
"So, you're on a mission?"
"Yes. I'm here to fulfill my duties as someone from 'Blind Eyes'."
"I see. You're working hard."
"No need to mention it."
I glanced at the top of Herand's head, where the "Color of Fear" writhed endlessly.
Even without looking at the 'color', his posture, with his body leaning towards the edge of the seat, made it clear how uncomfortable he was.
"Come to think of it, elder brother, are you taking good care of the orchid I gave you?"
Trying to ease Herand's discomfort, I brought up the topic of the orchid.
"Yes, yes, I'm taking good care of it. Treating each leaf as precious... like it was my own life!"
"I'm relieved to hear you're taking care of it like your own life."
"Haha... hahaha!"
As Herand laughed heartily, the "Color of Fear" on his face squirmed even more vigorously.
I merely asked if he was taking good care of the orchid, but how far had he thought about it?
***
When the train arrived in the border town of Vernidn, I left the station and headed into the city.
Unlike the Julin special district, which was still under major development, Vernidn had a decent crowd and exhibited the scent of a bustling city.
As a result, I was the only one drafted for this mission. Since a mage needed for the maintenance of resonance stones wasn't necessary, and the train provided sufficient security, no escort was required.
This meant I might have to face the demon alone during the confrontation.
I was familiar with the target, but tackling it solo was far from ideal.
'I wonder how many 'Blind Eyes' members are in Vernidn.'
***
"Well, I'll be off then."
"Yes, take care."
"Just a reminder, but don't do anything to offend Margrave Oronil."
Surprised by the out-of-context remark, I looked at Herand's face, and he spoke again in a concerned tone.
"You know... the Hilans family you ended... they were closely tied to them."
With those words, Herand dragged his case, heading towards the heart of the city.
The Hilans family I ended...
'I heard one of their sons held quite a grudge against me, didn't he?'
For some reason, the family was branded traitorous and purged, with the survivors fleeing to the Holy Kingdom of Fernand.
Though it wasn't something I had directly done, it left a bitter taste. But by now, I had become used to such feelings.
Ultimately, I was here for a mission, not to chat with nobles.
"Mi-Mister Yulian. Thank you for traveling such a long way from the capital."
As soon as Herand was out of sight, members of 'Blind Eyes' stationed in Vernidn approached me, as if they had been watching my arrival closely.
As the bright sunlight stabbed my eyes, I shielded them with one hand while glancing at the member who greeted me.
"Where is the reported demon right now?"
According to the report, the demon expected to appear around the border town of Vernidn was estimated as triangular.
It was a level with one more horn than the bi-horned demon I had previously subdued.
It wouldn't be an easy task, but having completed the 〈Moonlit Sword〉, I felt somewhat confident.
Moreover, there was now the newly acquired 〈Open Eyes〉 trait.
"It seems to be located in the Firun Forest, between the border of the Holy Kingdom of Fernand and the Empire. However..."
Noticing the awkwardness in the member's demeanor, I stared directly at his face.
Yulian's reputation was immense. When it came to simply subduing a demon, many believed it was resolved the moment he arrived.
However, his hesitation suggested there was more to the issue than just 'demon subjugation.'
"They've scheduled the subjugation to coincide with the Ascension Day celebration of the Church of the Sun. As a result, the Margrave has requested to postpone it until after the event."
"They want to postpone the schedule?"
"Yes!"
While there wasn't a strict time limit on this mission, I was in a position where I needed to quickly return to the capital to monitor the Dawn Society's next move.
'I also need to keep an eye on Hayden Reich's movements.'
To do that, returning to the capital, which can be considered the epicenter of events, as soon as possible was crucial.
"When does the Ascension Day start?"
"It's one week from now. The festival is planned to last for two days."
How troublesome.
If I were tied up here for nearly ten days, it would be impossible to discern the Dawn Society's next move.
"The schedule seems too lengthy. I'll need to discuss this with the Margrave."
"Does that mean..."
Did Oronil's family manage this border town, Vernidn? As I was about to request guidance to Oronil's residence.
- 'Just a reminder, but don't do anything to offend Margrave Oronil.'
Suddenly, Herand's parting words resurfaced in my mind.
"Troublesome..."
"Excuse me?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
This situation was ultimately created by the character known as 'Yulian'.
Clicking my tongue internally at the fact, I continued speaking.
"Please, guide me to the Margrave's residence."
***
"I'm sorry, but Sir Yulian. The current Firun Forest is restricted to anyone outside of the Church of the Sun due to the Ascension Day preparations."
As expected, my proposal to complete the task before the celebration was rejected.
The complacency of the decision made me inwardly sigh with a smile.
"The demon that appeared in Firun Forest is estimated to be of tri-horned rank. If it resumes activity, the Ascension Day could be ruined."
"But hasn't there been no activity so far?"
Is that really a valid argument? Shocked, I barely swallowed the words that almost escaped my lips.
"This is an order from the Imperial family."
"I'm not refusing the order. I'm simply asking for a delay."
Gazing intently, a small 'color of fear' appeared above Oronil's head. However, it soon vanished.
"The Ascension Day is a significant tourist attraction for Vernidn."
Income source, more like.
"If the celebration is ruined due to your subjugation mission... could you bear that responsibility?"
Oronil stared at me with openly hostile eyes. Realizing words wouldn't solve this, I stood from my seat.
Oronil flinched. For a moment, his gaze shifted to my waist. Did he seriously think I'd draw my sword over this?
"Daddy!"
At that moment, a cute voice pierced through the tense atmosphere.
The voice belonged to a girl around seven or eight years old. She seemed to have recently lost a baby tooth, with her missing front tooth making her appear quite her age.
"T-Terina!"
"Huh? Daddy, who's this? He's really handsome!"
"D-Don't go near him, Terina! Come here, quickly!"
As soon as Terina entered, the previously vanished 'color of fear' returned above Oronil's head.
Sure, who'd really draw a sword at such a child?
But considering 'Yulian's' reputation, perhaps this wasn't an exaggeration.
"Then, we'll discuss this later, Margrave Oronil."
Having no more matters to address, I politely bid farewell to Oronil and left the residence.
After traversing the well-maintained garden and passing the mansion entrance, the waiting 'Blind Eyes' members approached me.
"How did it go, Sir Yulian?"
"Advancing the postponed schedule was impossible. He was quite obstinate."
"I see..."
The members appeared visibly disappointed, eager to return to the capital.
"Then, as the Margrave instructed, we shall proceed with the subjugation schedule a week later...."
"No, do not disarm. I doubt everything will proceed as scheduled."
"Excuse me? What do you mean...?"
Gazing back at Oronil's mansion, I envisioned the forthcoming events in Firun Forest.
This border town of Vernidn is where players in "Let's Kill the Demon King Now" first encounter the tri-horned demon.
Back then, just like now, the Ascension Day celebration was impending, which allowed me to estimate the demon's reactivation time in the Firun Forest.
"How many members are stationed in Vernidn at the moment?"
"Not even five members."
With such a number, it'd be insufficient to thwart that threat.
According to Oronil's orders, it would be impossible to marshal soldiers from Vernidn.
Even so, I didn't foresee this subjugation mission extending particularly long.
Clacky's Corner:
I'm surprised MC didn't use Yulian's notoriety to threaten the margrave.
But then again, he's probably right. The subjugation will probably end quite quickly.