In the story, we now know that the superhuman nobility displayed by the ‘Sword Saint’ is merely an illusion created by the ‘Player’s’ choices. However, in the world of <Let’s Kill the Demon Lord>, the Sword Saint is just another person living in this world. He is human too, honest about his desires, seeking power, and afraid of death just like me.
‘Even knowing that… was he really like this?’
I turn my gaze back to the book written by the ‘Sword Saint.’ A book purely crafted to mock the opponent. Looking at it now, I feel a fresh sense of emotion.
“Then, where should I obtain the teachings of the Sword Saint?”
The Sword Saint’s disciple is ‘Julian,’ not me. My body moves instinctively rather than by my intention, which sometimes felt frustrating. That’s why I tried to learn by self-study through books. There was only one reason for this thought: I felt lacking. Especially in the battle with Colparan’s soldiers, my movements felt awkward and unnatural, and although complacency played a large part, I was caught off guard. It was a situation where I could have truly died from magic.
After much contemplation, I finally realized the need for the Sword Saint’s teachings. So, I visited the library to study his books, but damn it! I overlooked the fact that even the Sword Saint had an immature phase.
‘It would be nice if I could see traces of Julian’s battles, at the very least.’
Though I’m imitating him, I wonder how vast the difference in skill is. And how different it could be. As these questions arose in my mind,
“Ah, there it is.”
I remembered the place. ‘The very place where Julian fought a high-ranking demon before I came here.’ At that time, Julian suffered a head injury and had a hard time pretending to have amnesia.
‘That place, right.’
After closing the book, I stood up. There are many things to organize before going there. Ah, and I didn’t forget to mutter viciously while putting the Sword Saint’s book back on the shelf.
‘Crazy bastard.’
***
Actually, I know it’s not a good time. If I leave the capital now, who knows what might happen. However, my burning desire made it impossible for me to make a rational decision. The urge to quickly verify the ‘traces’ in that place was overwhelming.
“So, I am taking a leave of absence, Odwin.”
I have to do what I want. I know that’s Julian’s principle of action, but since this is a personal matter and not a mission, I should report it, right?
“Do I need a leave of absence?”
Odwin, sitting in her office, looked up at me with a sullen expression. What?! Really? I get tired and want to rest too.
“If you want to rest, rest; if you want to work, work. That’s been your way all along. Why suddenly a leave of absence?”
The obvious ‘do as you please’ nuance hit me again. Julian, you reckless bastard.
Shaking her head with a resigned expression, Odwin suddenly propped her elbows on the desk and rested her chin on her hands.
“Still, I would like to hear the reason. Just in case the secretary’s office asks, I need an excuse.”
At Odwin’s question, I pretended to ponder for a moment before giving the prepared answer.
“If I have to say, it’s a journey to find my ‘self’.”
“Self-reflection? Julian, you?”
“Aren’t some people studying how to grow taller at that age?”
Odwin, who had been making an incredulous face, soon glared at me fiercely.
“Are you leaving the capital?”
“Yes.”
“Destination?”
“You’re prying too much. Don’t I have some privacy?”
“……And who was it that enforced the Empire’s regulations without regard for such privacy?”
After deliberately acting shamelessly for a few moments, I finally answered.
“The northern part of the Empire.”
“The north?”
When I nodded, Odwin’s expression changed to one of concern.
“You’re not going to see the Third Prince, are you?”
I understand why she’s reacting like this. The northern region of the Empire, particularly the northern front, is the most dangerous place within the Empire. Monsters and demons invade constantly, there’s harsh cold, and resources are always scarce. It’s also where Julian and the Sword Saint made their early achievements. Now, the Third Prince, who is obsessed with the succession to the throne, is staying there to control the military.
“Of course not. I’m not that foolish.”
“……Phew, that’s a relief. The ‘Closed Eyes’ must remain neutral. Meeting the princes for personal reasons is… not right!”
Odwin, after organizing her thoughts, shook her head.
“It’s only troublesome for me, right? After all, the empty title of commander is what I hold.”
Though her words were self-deprecating, Odwin seemed indifferent.
“Indeed, the title of ‘commander’ for Odwin is rather hollow.”
While she was indifferent to her own self-deprecation, she seemed slightly annoyed when I agreed with her.
“No, not exactly…”
“Well, I’ll be off now. Please handle my leave properly.”
To escape her fierce glare, I hurriedly left the office.
***
Since I would be away from the capital, I thought it would be good to inform Pintel as well. He might cause trouble while I’m gone.
“The north? What business takes you there so suddenly?”
“I have something to find.”
It was actually to recall the Sword Saint’s teachings, but it was hard to explain, so I made an excuse.
“Then I will accompany you!”
I expected this. He began to insist on coming with me, citing reasons like not wanting to let me go to such a dangerous place alone. With my head pounding, I decided to gently dissuade him.
“It’s fine. Don’t you have tasks to handle here?”
“Tasks?”
“For the sake of our greater cause, you need to stay.”
“For the greater cause…”
My words seemed to strike a chord with Pintel, who then looked at me with a moved expression.
“If Sir Julian says so, I understand.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Then, at least let me assign an escort for you!”
Why an escort, you idiot! Do you want to announce to everyone that I’m not in the capital? Normally, this wouldn’t be something to get angry about, but somehow, it made me furious.
“Do you not trust me?”
“Absolutely not. I’m sorry if I offended you.”
At my cold reaction, Pintel immediately bowed his head in apology.
“But if anything were to happen to you, Sir Julian, all our plans would be for naught. Right now… everyone gathered for the rebellion, including Archbishop Eleanor, is relying on you.”
Pintel had a resolute look, indicating he wouldn’t back down this time.
“You must take at least one Monsignor with you. I can’t back down on this.”
Hearing the determination in Pintel’s voice, I internally sighed in exasperation.
‘Anyone would think I’m the Grand Archbishop.’
Though not yet, it seemed I had become such in Pintel’s mind. I had no desire to be that, nor did I want to.
***
“Is that why I’m here now?”
At the gruff voice from behind, I turned my head. There stood a large man with a scar on his face. Once known as ‘Felkor of the Strong Arm,’ he sat on his horse, looking grumpy.
“Yes, that’s correct. Isn’t protecting the bishop a Monsignor’s duty?”
“That’s true, but why me…?”
Why, indeed. You got tricked. The one Pintel forced me to bring was Felkor. The other Monsignors of the Dawn Society couldn’t yet be said to be under my or Pintel’s control. But this guy, being somewhat useful and having a connection with me, was the one Pintel chose to involve.
“So, where exactly in the north are you going? Surely not the northern front…”
“You’re right, not the northern front. Before that, we’re heading to the Ferente Gorge.”
“The Ferente Gorge… isn’t that where Sir Julian once defeated a demon? Where you lost your memory due to a head injury…”
He knows quite well, doesn’t he? I was a bit surprised by how naturally the information flowed when I mentioned the name of the place. Ah! Come to think of it, this guy once harbored a grudge against me, didn’t he? No wonder he knows so much about me.
“In that case, we should arrive by tomorrow. Does that mean we’ll be camping along the way? There are no villages on the route from the capital to the Ferente Gorge, right?”
Felkor looked displeased at the thought of camping. Understandably, I didn’t like it either. But fortunately…
“No, there’s a village before the gorge.”
“A village? As far as I know, the villages near the gorge are closer to the northern front.”
That’s true. In this world, villages can’t form without resonance stones. But a very small village could exist without them.
The lingering thoughts of demons are attracted to places where humans gather, but if their number is small, they often ignore them and move on.
“Veteran soldiers should be able to handle lesser demons to some extent.”
As a result, there are settlements that exist without the Empire’s formal recognition.
How many rounds has it been for me?
I only discovered this place after clearing the game a few hundred times, so it’s understandable that those living here wouldn’t know about it.
“There is an unmarked village on the map.”
“Are you saying it could be inhabited by shady characters?”
Of course.
The fact that soldiers capable of suppressing demons to some degree live here without royal sanction is no ordinary matter.
“No way. It’s a decent place.”
***
On the way to find the place where Julian once fought demons, I never imagined I’d end up here.
Well, maybe a little. I didn’t want to camp out.
‘Village of the Disbanded Soldiers’
It’s a village formed by soldiers who fled the northern front and couldn’t enter the cities.
Although it’s a place where former regular soldiers who became deserters have gathered, considering the desperate acts they’ve committed to survive, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call them criminals.
“Ha ha ha, I never imagined ‘guests’ would come here on their own!”
As we entered the village, a man with a rough and almost grotesque appearance greeted us with hearty laughter.
Looking around, I saw Felkor, who was very much on guard.
As he scanned the surroundings, he quickly approached me and whispered quietly.
“Are you sure this place is safe?”
He seemed a bit tense, judging by the behavior of the welcoming party.
“It’s fine. These people just have somewhat ‘special’ jobs, but they do have livelihoods.”
“Special?”
“Yes, these people are bandits.”
Cliche Novel 