Joshua showed displeasure at his current situation.
‘Damn it, because of my unnecessary meddling… why am I, a noble recognized even in the capital and a member of one of the four great families, in such a predicament?’
To explain this, we need to go back to the time when Herand got beaten up by Orun under the pretext of a ‘Progression Test.’
– “Grandfather, isn’t this enough?”
It was Joshua’s attempt to defend Herand that caused the problem.
– “Joshua, I will also give you a ‘Progression Test.’ Defeat a Demon with one horn and present its horn to me.”
Instead of direct reprimand, Orun chose the ‘Progression Test.’
Originally, the test was scheduled to be held later, but due to Joshua’s mistake, it was hastened a bit. Up to this point, it was an acceptable and not so bad task for Joshua. A one-horned demon was at the level of an ordinary knight, and it was an easy opponent for Joshua, who could handle a sword. Besides, he had the help of his family members and had hunted demons several times.
– “I have failed to earn Grandfather’s trust. Therefore, as a reflection, I will handle this task alone, without any servants or guards.”
These additional words, meant to regain Orun’s trust, were the root of the problem. Joshua had said this to please Orun, who liked bold and manly behavior.
‘Damn scammers…’
Joshua cursed inwardly as he tasted the bitterness of his situation.
“So, you say you approached a demon hunter in the city to get information and were dragged here?”
“Yes… yes…”
“And you were drugged and tied up after drinking a spiked beverage.”
Innocently and without any filter, Joshua explained.
Only then did Julian, who had solved the mystery, look down at him with an indifferent gaze. Joshua, feeling humiliated but knowing that Julian was his only hope to get out of this situation, could do nothing but bow down.
“What a fool.”
Julian’s harsh criticism made Joshua even more miserable. He knew very well that this situation was truly damnable.
Honestly, during the journey to this village, he had been confident he could handle any ambush. However, he hadn’t anticipated that the food would be drugged. This was the limit of a noble who had grown up like a pampered flower in a greenhouse.
“How foolish to eat something given by a stranger without any hesitation.”
“Indeed, it is.”
Julian’s words were echoed by an unidentified giant standing nearby. As Julian glanced at the giant with the same look he had given Joshua, he clicked his tongue.
“Thank you, Brother Julian!”
***
Joshua, freed from his bindings, bowed politely to me. Remembering our first encounter, I was taken aback by his suddenly changed attitude. Although I could have left him there, I chose to release him for an unexpected reason.
‘It wouldn’t hurt to create a debt.’
It seemed the validity period of the previous Replica incident was almost over. And most importantly, I appreciated that during Herand’s beating by Orun, Joshua had attempted to ‘mediate’ in his own way.
He was someone who would do anything to gain Orun’s favor, but who knew he had a conscience?
“What, what brings you here, Brother Julian?”
“Personal business.”
I answered roughly, not wanting to explain further. Anyway, it’s not like Joshua would accompany me…
“Can I join you, Brother?”
What is he saying? Why would he want to come along? For a moment, I doubted his words, but then I remembered his reason for being here. Ah, it must be because of the demon subjugation. He could probably handle it alone, but why bother?
After hearing why he was here, I had a slight idea.
“Are you thinking of catching a one-horned demon with Sir Julian’s help? Isn’t that too obvious?”
Felkor, seemingly sensing it too, glanced at Joshua and muttered.
Seeing my actions towards Joshua, he probably thought of him as a mere underling of the Crypart family. Ordinarily, people wouldn’t dare to act so openly because of the prestige of the four great families.
Kor, Kor, Felkor.
This guy is the heir of the Crypart family. In other words, the next head of the family.
Joshua, after glaring at Felkor for a moment, confirmed that my gaze was still on him and then prostrated himself again.
“I will offer a reward, Brother Julian.”
“A reward? But in this situation?”
“I will cover all the travel expenses for the future!”
“Hmmm.”
I sighed briefly. It’s nice, but it doesn’t quite resonate with me.
“It’s fine, Joshua. Do you think I lack the funds to go somewhere?”
Money was never an issue. I still had the reward I received for guarding Prince Ulysses, and I had sold some of my antique items, so I was financially comfortable.
“Then, I will assist in the battles!”
“Hehe. Joshua, assist me in battles?”
Despite my mockery, Joshua, seemingly desperate, was sweating and looking earnest.
“Are you embarrassed to return empty-handed after boasting so much?”
“Ugh.”
Hitting the mark, Joshua’s face was filled with despair and frustration.
“If it’s something you couldn’t handle from the start, you shouldn’t have accepted it.”
“Exactly. He’s an idiot who doesn’t know his limits.”
Felkor criticized sharply once more, though I barely heard his last words.
What’s with him? Does he have some grudge against the Crypart family? Why is he so sharp?
‘But… taking him along might not be so bad…’
A sudden thought crossed my mind. There shouldn’t be any danger of combat in the Ferente Gorge. I had already taken care of it long ago. Even if there were minor threats, he wouldn’t need to collect the demon horn he wanted.
I can just do my business and part ways there.
“Alright, Joshua. You can come with me.”
Joshua’s face lit up with joy at my permission, while Felkor’s face filled with doubt.
“What use do you have for bringing this guy along?”
I have my reasons.
“Joshua, do you have any cooking experience? Never mind, it doesn’t matter if you don’t.”
“Huh?”
He looked at me in confusion, his eyes asking, ‘What on earth are you talking about?’
It seems he thought he would play a major role in combat, but that’s never going to happen.
“Felkor, bring the luggage and give it to Joshua.”
“Yes? Yes!”
With a beaming face, Felkor brought the horses and luggage, seemingly in a much better mood after following my orders.
“J- Brother Julian… This isn’t fair! I am a member of the Crypart family! Such menial tasks don’t suit me…”
“Joshua, if you want to handle it alone and return to the capital, that solves the problem, doesn’t it?”
At my shameless response, Joshua bit his lip. He could probably handle a one-horned demon on his own. But finding his way there, locating the monsters, and avoiding another scam like the one he just fell for—those were another matter.
‘He’ll follow in the end anyway.’
His pride was trapping him in a position where he couldn’t do anything.
***
After spending a night in the ‘Village of the Defeated’, we headed straight for the Ferente Gorge. It wasn’t far from the village. However, the closer we got to the north, the more the biting cold began to prick our skin.
‘I didn’t expect it to be this cold.’
Although it wasn’t completely the northern region yet, with no snow or ice visible, the wind was quite fierce. Despite wearing more layers, the cold still seeped through.
“Sir Julian, there’s a merchant caravan ahead.”
Fortunately, on our way to the Ferente Gorge, we encountered a caravan heading to another city. After buying a few more clothes from them, I spoke to the caravan leader.
“Cross this ridge and turn right; you’ll see a forest. Inside, there’s a village. Could you deliver the ones tied up there to the city?”
The caravan leader looked displeased, but when I showed the insignia of the ‘Closed Eye’, his expression quickly changed to one of subservient eagerness.
“Of course. We’ll take care of it.”
As expected, a swift change of attitude from someone leading a caravan. In the capital, my face was my insignia. It was a bit disappointing that it didn’t work as well in the outskirts. Still, the insignia of the ‘Closed Eye’ felt like a universal key, which cheered me up a bit.
After parting ways with the caravan, we soon arrived at the Ferente Gorge. With patches of green grass, it seemed like an ordinary forest at first, but the steep terrain soon became apparent. Entering the gorge, a chill ran down my spine. It felt different than usual.
‘Am I scared?’
In a way, one could say ‘Julian’ died here. After fighting a high-ranking demon and losing consciousness, I became who I am now. Because of that, ‘Julian’s’ body seemed to unconsciously fear the air here.
I thought it was just an overreaction or a delusion, but…
‘Even Angelica seems to sense it.’
The shadow wriggling at my feet wrapped around me, hiding from others’ eyes, blinking in concern. It seemed to sense the fear ‘Julian’s’ body was feeling.
‘I’m fine.’
Utilizing fear was something Julian excelled at. Despite the fear blooming deep within my chest, I didn’t stop walking.
‘What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.’
That noble saying was etched into the mind of this lunatic.
“Is it here?”
Though I didn’t see it with my own eyes, my intuition told me that this was the place where ‘Julian’ fought the high-ranking demon.
“Huff… huff…”
Just as I was about to survey the surroundings, I turned my head at the sound of labored breathing behind me. There, I saw Joshua struggling to follow, laden with luggage.
“B-Brother Julian… how about we rest for a bit?”
Covered in sweat, he looked as if he could collapse at any moment.
“Tut-tut, struggling this much with just this? The future of the Crypart family looks bleak,” Felkor clicked his tongue as he looked at Joshua. Furious, Joshua seemed to want to retort but held back.
“Well, let’s rest here then. We’ve reached our destination anyway.”
With that, Joshua collapsed to the ground, as if he had been holding out for this moment. Ignoring his gasping and muttering curses, I slowly took in the scenery.
[Characteristic, <Amnesia> recalls what happened here.]
When I first discovered the traits window, I noticed the ‘Amnesia’ trait. Although it’s a negative trait with only penalties, coming here seemed to be the condition for unlocking it.
In front of me, like watching an old movie, a figure slowly walked into view.
‘A body just like mine.’
The same stride.
Eventually, the image became clear, and I saw the same face as mine.
It was ‘Julian,’ not me, walking towards something.
“You piece of trash, who do you think you’re looking down on?”
The tone was so arrogant that the phrase ‘arrogance knows no bounds’ came to mind. Although the opponent was a demon, it made Julian’s arrogance even more pronounced. Was he flaunting his ego to a demon that couldn’t understand him?
‘The opponent is…’
A Tri-horn demon. The excessive mucus dripping from it seemed related to its characteristics.
‘Cut.’
With that thought, Julian kicked off the ground and slashed the Tri-horn demon’s waist with his sword. At the same time, what I saw was the ‘Moonlight Sword’ imbued with aura. Unlike me, who needs to maintain the aura with a ‘Moonlight Sword,’ he wielded it smoothly with an ordinary sword.
‘Indeed… the original is strong.’
The moonlight sword Julian wielded was so perfectly saturated with mana that it seemed to be in perfect harmony with the sword. However, I didn’t think my current ‘Moonlight Sword’ was lacking. It was just that the lineage had changed according to the user’s perception.
‘Hmm…’
The fight between the demon and Julian continued. He pierced through the mucus again and attacked the demon’s body. Julian had the upper hand, clearly dominating the fight without any chance of losing.
‘Indeed… Julian’s swordsmanship, perfected through muscle memory, is more refined than mine.’
He remembered the teachings of ‘Hayden Reich’ perfectly. This time, I would also learn from the ‘Sword Saint’s’ teachings.
‘The instructional material is here, so if I watch this, to some extent. Huh?’
At that moment, a huge shadow interrupted the blurry ‘memory.’ It was a demon of a different species from the Tri-horn demon I had been fighting. This one had three horns on its head.
‘Could it be that he survived fighting two Tri-horn demons?’
A monster among monsters. Just as I was thinking that, I noticed something familiar about the late-appearing Tri-horn demon’s appearance. But more important than that was:
‘Its horns… are tinged with red?’
It wasn’t just the color of blood. It was a more ominous, primal hue that evoked a sense of dread.
There’s only one phenomenon where a demon’s horn turns red like that.
‘The Red Demon.’
This is a sign of ‘danger’ that appears in the latter half of <Let’s Kill the Demon Lord>.
Cliche Novel 