Chapter 29. Soul Stone (2)
In this world, demons are classified by their form and the number of horns they possess.
However, in the game, demons that are tri-horned or higher are given unique names based on their special abilities.
One such demon is the 'Dream Beast' Hamelin.
This demon appears in the Firun Forest near Vernidn.
The reason why I could recall its name so distinctly was due to the notorious reputation of this 'Hamelin'.
'No wonder there's over 15 pages of strategy guides on the wiki.'
As a devouring-type demon, once it finishes devouring a certain area, Hamelin can turn it into its fortress.
An entrance and exit that change daily, a swamp that looks normal but causes poisoning the moment you step in, demons armed with all sorts of status effects, and the mental attacks from Hamelin's main body...
Various other threats...
This demon was a player's nightmare, which is why when I heard the three words—border town Vernidn, triangle demon, and Firun Forest—I could easily recall the demon 'Hamelin'.
It was also because I could remember Hamelin's abilities that I anticipated the hunting schedule being moved up following Ascension Day.
About two days have passed now, so it would probably be tomorrow.
If not, then on the day the commemoration starts...
"Sir Yulian! Sir Oronil has requested your immediate presence at the manor!"
──I expected, but it's sooner than I thought.
While spreading Vernidn's specialty, bacon jam, on my bread, basking in the warm sunlight, I looked up at the member with 'Blind Eyes' who had abruptly entered.
Above his head, the "Color of Fear" began to appear.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't realize you were eating!"
"No, it's fine. It's an urgent matter."
As I took a bite of my bread, the rich sweet and savory taste began to tantalize my tongue.
No wonder it's a specialty, I thought with a smile.
A perfect taste to start the day.
***
Upon reaching the manor, the first to greet me was Oronil, who was a picture of confidence yesterday but now looked like he was at death's door.
Beside him stood a woman who seemed to be his wife, also looking distraught and restless.
"You called for me, Sir Oronil."
After I greeted Oronil politely, he slowly raised his head to meet my gaze.
It was just past noon, and not even a day had passed since our last conversation, yet something seemed to have happened as worry was etched all over his face.
"..."
When he finally mustered the words, the first thing he spoke of was his daughter.
"My daughter, Terina, hasn't woken since last night."
"I see."
"Even her physician cannot determine the cause of such a state..."
Oronil muttered in a daze, and from what I gathered, it seemed that his daughter had lost consciousness since last night.
The diagnosis was unclear.
Even the family doctor couldn't figure it out, so it must have been a bolt from the blue for the border marquis and his family.
"Terina is my precious child, born after several miscarriages. Why would such a thing happen to Terina..."
Had it been Yulian, would he have mocked? For a moment, such a thought crossed my mind, but I wasn't so cold-hearted as to chide a father already grieving for his child.
"The reason I called for you, Sir, is because of my daughter, Terina. I was hoping you might know why she cannot wake."
"To begin with, I'm not an expert in medical techniques. I'm an expert in demon extermination. You called for me because you too suspect something, don't you, Sir Oronil?"
Clearing his throat, Oronil's low groan, full of self-reproach, echoed in the room.
"Then let me tell you first. As you suspected, it's likely your daughter's condition is due to the demon in the Firun Forest."
Hearing this seemed to bring hope to Oronil's eyes.
I had specified the previously unknown cause of his daughter's abnormal condition and the source, her surprising hope emerged on Oronil's face that had seemed near lifeless a moment ago, anxiously asked again.
"Then... Could we advance the hunt we postponed yesterday? What matters Ascension Day now? My daughter...!"
"It's already too late."
However, when I pinpointed that the demon was behind the incident, the hope that had started to rise on his face dimmed again at my response.
"W-what do you mean by that!!"
"The demon asleep in the Firun Forest is known as 'Dream Beast Hamelin'. It's a tri-horned demon, a devouring-type that roots itself in the land, turning nearby areas into its territory."
Oronil listened intently as I continued.
"While absorbing energy from the earth, it spreads spores to plant its seeds in surrounding animals."
"Seeds, you say?"
"The animals implanted with seeds soon become Hamelin's puppets. Fortunately, it has little effect on humans, but there are exceptions."
"What would that be?"
"Children."
His face darkened quickly. With my words, it was easy for him to foresee what situation his daughter was in.
"Especially detrimental to children who just lost their milk teeth. The gap acts as a nerve pathway leading easily to the brain."
"Then even now, shouldn't we hurry and exterminate the demon!"
Voicing his frustration, Oronil shouted at me, but my response remained cold.
"As I said before, it's too late. It's already made its move, hasn't it? Demons aren't mindless. Especially ones at the tri-horned or higher possess quite developed intelligence."
Wars are only joined when one thinks they can defeat the opponent.
"The demon dubbed as Dream Beast Hamelin decided to resume activity upon determining that the Firun Forest was under its sway. Using the controlled Firun Forest, it will thwart all our efforts to locate it."
"Then even so..."
"During that time, your daughter, Sir Oronil, will lose her life."
Oronil stared at me with wide eyes. The "Color of Anger" flickered over his head, seeming like he might strike me at any moment.
Yet, such acute emotion was short-lived. The "Color of Anger" that had flared like a dwindling flame slowly faded away.
"Sir Yulian, I must ask... yesterday, if I had permitted, would this have prevented the tragedy?"
"Yes, that was my purpose for coming from the capital."
A groan filled with anguish escaped from Oronil. As his wife, too, broke into tears, unable to hold it in, he comforted her gently.
"Do you wish to save your daughter?"
At my question to the couple engulfed in despair, Oronil asked back, startled once more.
"C-could that be done?"
"It can. However, Sir Oronil. To be exact, the border town Vernidn will suffer for it."
"Suffer... you say?"
"Yes."
Though something felt amiss, as his concern for his daughter outweighed any distrust of me, it was soon replaced by unwavering trust.
Yulian Krypart Frason, the Empire's Smiling Executioner.
This character bore many titles, and among them was none other than the Master of Demon Extermination.
"For ...my daughter, I can bear any cost."
"Is that so? Then that's a relief."
Upon his affirmation, I decided to hide my emotions despite the willingness to smile.
Given the already unfavorable reputation, should I appear cheerful, it would seem terrible, as if I were toying with his daughter's life.
***
Dream Beast Hamelin.
As mentioned earlier, players were terrified of this name.
When it became active again, it turned the Firun Forest into a labyrinth, hindering players with minions armed with a myriad of status effects.
Moreover, the labyrinth had its exits change daily, making systematic strategy creation impossible.
Thus, players called this Hamelin a demon filled with the developers' malice.
'Complaining on forums just led to responses saying to endure with sheer determination.'
Of course, I was also one of the victims of this malicious creation.
Of the 15 pages of wiki entries, around 7 pages were authored by me, and the rage I felt was indescribable.
Now standing as 'Yulian', I found myself facing this malevolent entity. But unlike before, I was not overwhelmed.
It wasn't because I had the time to agonize over breaching the labyrinthine Firun Forest for days.
Nor was I intimidated by the prospect of meeting enemies armed with various conditions like poisoning and paralysis.
The reasoning was simple.
I chose the simplest and easiest method among the strategies, dismissing any long-term consequences.
***
"The preparations are complete, Sir Yulian. We can start once the wind direction changes."
"However, do we really need to do this?"
"We must. Leaving this threat unresolved would endanger Vernidn unquestionably. Ignoring such a threat is foolish."
"Yet... to incinerate the entire Firun Forest..."
Members of 'Blind Eyes' hesitated, carrying emptied oil barrels, staring at me in bewilderment.
"We don't plan to burn the entire forest. We're merely disinfecting the demon-infested area."
"Wouldn't this anger Sir Oronil deeply since the Firun Forest is tied closely to Ascension Day?"
A member asked with concern, and I replied.
"Sir Oronil has already agreed. He prioritizes the safety of Vernidn citizens over the festival."
"A man who opposed this only yesterday is now..."
His words trailed off, and he glanced at me. Signaling a gentle smile, he cleared his throat and bowed his head deeply.
"N-no, I misspoke."
Should I clarify the misunderstanding? Probably thinks I coerced him, though I merely pointed out the stakes involved.
"The wind has changed direction!"
A shout declared the shift in wind from another member. All eyes, those of 'Blind Eyes' members and Vernidn soldiers sent by Oronil, came upon me.
"Then shall we begin?"
No need to hesitate further.
Upon my word, both members and soldiers simultaneously hurled their torches into the Firun Forest.
As the flames touched the oil-sodden trees, the blaze began to grow, becoming a fire demon.
Crackle, crackle──!
The sound of embers flying, and the pungent smoke filled the area, as I casually tapped the sword at my waist.
Grrrrr──!
Alongside, an agonizing monster's howl and a massive tremor arose. At its center dashed a monstrously tree-like demon, 'Dream Beast Hamelin', snarling toward us.
"Hi, hiiii!"
"It's a demon! Prepare for battle!"
Amidst the charge of the enormous triangle demon, several soldiers, gripped by fear, sat down or staggered back.
Ignoring their panic, I rather stepped forward, drawing my Moonstone Sword, channeling aura down its length as I always did.
Despite its horrific visage and tree-like size, there was no reason to fear.
Of the 15 wiki pages, 14.9 were merely about breaching its fortress.
The strategy for 'Dream Beast Hamelin' amounted to a paltry amount of 500 characters.
Once it revealed its presence like this, its fate was as good as sealed.
Clacky's Corner:
This is a reasonable use of knowledge in my opinion. Taking a shortcut isn't that bad. :D