Linda had a nightmare. It was a dark room. She was often caught by the teacher, tied to a chair, and then lost consciousness while swallowing poison and being injected. Every time she came to her senses, her friends had disappeared one by one.

Linda endured it by thinking of cake. She endured it by imagining sitting around with her friends and eating cake together.

But in the end, her friends disappeared. And the teacher who had been feeding her poison also died.

In the dark room, Linda was left alone.

"Where did everyone go?"

Linda whimpered.

"I'm scared. Don't leave me alone. It's too dark in here."

As she sat huddled with her knees hugged in the darkness, sniffling, a warm light flowed in from somewhere.

Linda raised her head. The room was completely dark. A hand approached with the warm light.

"...Huh?"

Linda, as if possessed, reached out her arm to grab that hand.

Slap.

"...?"

Linda touched her slapped cheek and looked at the one who had slapped her. There was a man with a desolate atmosphere like a devil.

Blood-red eyes. A fierce smile.

But in Linda's eyes, it was as if a halo was shining behind him. She felt a warm warmth on the cheek he had slapped.

Linda smiled brightly.

"Devil!"

He said.

"Follow me. If you don't want to die."

"Okay!"

Linda grabbed her tingling cheek and followed him out of the dark room.

.

.

.

"...Heeheehee."

Shushruta looked at Linda, who was sleeping soundly in a corner of the carriage, and said.

"That girl. What's wrong with her?"

I said nonchalantly.

"Leave her be. She must be having a good dream."

It had been two days since Camus had joined us. As he had boasted, he did not allow the magical beasts to approach. He would sit in the driver's seat and shoot arrows at any magical beast he saw, chasing them away. Such accuracy on a running carriage. It was an amazing skill.

Of course, bandits would also approach stealthily from time to time, but at those times, Shushruta and I would go out secretly. It wasn't to deceive Camus, but we just did it. Because he was a magical beast hunter, not a human hunter.

Fortunately, Camus did not suspect this. He just said that we were lucky that the bandits didn't appear and moved on.

And thanks to Camus taking care of the magical beasts, I was able to concentrate more on my energy circulation, and thanks to that, my understanding of the Snow Branch Blue Flame Art deepened.

Balancing the extreme yang and extreme yin became more natural, and it became possible to maintain the Snow Branch Blue Flame Art even while moving my body somewhat violently. Naturally, the power of the Flame Art and Ice Art that I could perform also became stronger.

The Heavenly Demon called this realm the Second Stage of the Snow Branch Blue Flame Art.

I activated the Snow Branch Blue Flame Art and wrapped a blue flame around one hand.

Fwoosh—

Perhaps because it was a flame made by burning my ki, it wasn't hot even when wrapped around my hand.

"Oh..."

Shushruta exclaimed with wide eyes. As I waved the flame here and there, her bright eyes followed it. Then, out of curiosity, she tried to touch it slightly, but was startled and pulled her hand back.

"H-hot!"

"Well, it's fire, of course it's hot."

Her actions were no different from a cat's.

After withdrawing the blue flame, this time I created cold energy with my other hand.

Saaa—

White cold energy came out of my palm and scattered with the wind.

"Ooh."

"Give me the water bottle."

After receiving the water bottle from Shushruta, I sent a little cold energy into it, and the water bottle became as cold as ice. But because all the water had frozen solid, I couldn't drink it, so after receiving a complaint, I melted it with the Flame Art and returned it.

[Haaam... when are we going to arrive at that place called Schirnberg?]

Perhaps because there were no more magical beasts to face after Camus joined, the Heavenly Demon expressed his boredom.

"I think we're almost there."

[Didn't you say it was your hometown?]

"I spent my childhood there, but I've hardly ever visited since then."

I approached the driver's seat and held out the beef jerky pouch.

"Beef jerky?"

Camus glanced at me, then took out three or four pieces of beef jerky and put one in his mouth.

He said, chewing on the beef jerky.

"We'll arrive in Schirnberg before the sun sets."

"Already?"

"We hurried a bit. As I said, it's a dangerous place."

"Hmm."

No wonder the carriage seemed to shake more often. I hadn't thought much of it, but it seems this worried man had been worrying about us the whole time we were in the carriage.

I also put a piece of beef jerky in my mouth and chewed on it, lost in thought.

Now, Schirnberg was really not far away. The Maia Kingdom has several cities, as it is a large land. Among them, Schirnberg is one of the largest cities in the Maia Kingdom. Without going far, the back alley where I had rolled around as a child was the back alley of Schirnberg.

These large cities are surrounded by thick walls, so there is no need to worry about magical beasts. That's probably why people try so hard to get into the city. But because of that, the population is saturated. Therefore, unlike those who have settled in the city, the marginalized who are not provided with a place are naturally pushed into the back alleys of the city.

My parents, whom I don't even know the faces of, must have been the same.

In a word, it is a place where black and white are clear. The shade and the sun are divided. The back alleys are dirty and smelly, but the squares where the nobles and the rich live are bright and clean. At night, a warm light flows from the magic lamps where they live, but the back alleys are dark without even starlight.

The people who live there are the same. The back alleys are dirty, and the noble people are clean. So they would look at us with contemptuous eyes or spit.

And, it is also the place where that girl finally passed away. Is that why I deliberately didn't visit...

"So, what's your business in Schirnberg?"

Camus's question broke my thoughts. Come to think of it, he hadn't asked why we were going to Schirnberg the whole two days we were traveling.

I answered nonchalantly.

"It's a big city, isn't it? I heard it's safe."

Camus clicked his tongue.

"It's safe. From the magical beasts."

It sounded like it wasn't safe from people.

"Hmm."

Judging by his expression, he seemed to be worried that my younger sisters and I would be stuck in the back alleys.

Camus asked in a serious tone, chewing on the beef jerky.

"Do you have some money?"

"Not much."

Camus shook his head.

"You can't live in Schirnberg without money. Are you planning on being homeless with your younger sisters?"

"Not really."

"Then how?"

I was planning on leaving right after finishing my business, but since I would be parting with Camus after accompanying him to Schirnberg, I answered vaguely.

"Well... it'll work out somehow."

Camus sighed.

"I've never seen such a thoughtless guy like you. I'm even surprised how you've come this far safely. You must have had a lot of luck."

"Maybe."

"You seem to be a bit good with a sword."

"Not enough to brag about."

"Yes. Not enough to brag about."

"...."

He would ask for a sparring match whenever we took a break, saying he wanted to see my skills. And he would pour out all sorts of advice while watching my sword. As I followed his advice, my stance had returned to the clumsy way I had swung my sword before I fell from the cliff. Only then did Camus nod with satisfaction.

From that, I could infer that this man's skill was similar to mine before I fell from the cliff. So he was a man who couldn't use mana at all.

"Still, it's good enough. You learn quickly. You have a talent for it."

"...."

"I know someone in Schirnberg. I'll introduce you, so get a place to stay with your younger sister."

"You said I need a lot of money."

Camus got angry.

"I'll help you out a bit, so just do as I say. You can pay me back later or not, whatever."

"...."

"And join the mercenary guild and earn money by taking on requests. I'll take you with me for a while. Until you get used to the work to some extent."

I looked at Camus silently for a moment.

"Why are you doing so much for me? We've just met."

Camus said nervously, tearing at the beef jerky.

"Are you complaining?"

"I'm not complaining."

"Shit. It's my business. ...Damn it, why did I get involved with such a fool."

"...."

I stared blankly at Camus, who was muttering something.

The Heavenly Demon let out a small laugh.

[You're similar.]

"In what way?"

[In some way.]

"Hmm. Should I grow a beard too?"

Camus suddenly glared at me.

"You. Fix that habit of talking to yourself."

"Why?"

"Because you look like a madman. Who would give a request to a madman?"

That made sense. I humbly admitted it.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Tsk."

I suddenly became curious and asked a question.

"By the way. I heard that the Sherwood Mercenary Corps has been disbanded, is that true?"

Camus nodded while chewing on the beef jerky.

"It's true. It's been about half a year. I heard that one of the members went on a magical beast hunt and never came back."

I nodded with a grave expression.

"That's unfortunate."

"I don't know the details, but I heard that they scattered after that incident."

"Where to?"

"I don't know."

"Hmm."

I didn't think so. It seems they really have been disbanded.

'Then... I should go find the leader first.'

There is a person in charge of everything. The person in charge of this incident is, of course, the leader, Gustan of the Greatsword. I have to kick the person in charge's ass for letting them disband. I should also hear the whole story. And ask about the whereabouts of the other guys.

Since my sister and the leader are probably together, I should start there.

I had a thought that his messy beard was more responsible for the disbandment of the mercenary corps than my disappearance.

'I told him to shave his beard a long time ago.'

I should beat him up this time and then shave off all his beard.

"Alright."

[...How does your train of thought flow like that? It's just amazing.]

Just as I was organizing my thoughts.

—Kwoooong!!

A hair-raising roar echoed.

Crack!

In the distance, a magical beast appeared, knocking down a tree.

[Oh.]

The guy was clearly running towards the carriage.

Camus dropped the beef jerky he was chewing.

"Damn it! Giddy-up!"

Camus hurriedly urged the horses and picked up speed.

I focused my internal energy on my eyes and then examined the approaching magical beast in detail.

"...Hmm?"

Surprisingly, it looked similar to the enemy who had knocked me off the cliff. A huge tail. Terrifying teeth. Hideous claws. A guy that was half reptile and half dragon. I would believe it if you told me it was that guy's twin sibling.

...Is this what you call fate?

***

—Kwoooong!!

The magical beast ran towards the carriage at a fast speed.

Camus, while driving the carriage, took out his bow and shot arrows at the magical beast.

Ping! Ping!

But the magical beast didn't care and just drooled, picking up even more speed.

Camus shouted.

"It's a B-rank!"

And then he shook the reins and urged the horses.

"Run! Run, you damn colts!"

Camus, while urging the horses, shot arrows wildly. Nevertheless, the magical beast got closer and closer. The sound of it running, thump, thump, grew louder and louder.

The situation was such that I could faintly hear its rough breathing.

Camus cursed and then handed the reins to the red-eyed man.

"Take it!"

Ashuban took it in a hurry.

"Don't look back, just keep running straight! We'll be safe once we reach the city gate."

Does this damn guy not know the seriousness of the situation? The red-eyed man just stared at him blankly.

Camus shouted at him.

"Go to the mercenary guild and find Tommy! If you tell that guy, he'll take care of it."

"And you?"

"Damn it. Someone has to stop that guy! Damn it."

And then, without even waiting for an answer, he immediately jumped off the carriage.

"Are you crazy?"

The guy's voice was heard a beat later. But it wasn't a situation where he could answer.

"Keuk!"

As soon as Camus jumped off the carriage, he immediately moved his feet like crazy. He managed not to fall and ran, staggering on the ground, took out his bow, and shot wildly at the magical beast.

"This way! This way, you damn magical beast!"

Fortunately, one of the arrows he had shot randomly while running stuck in the guy's eye.

—Kwaaaang!

The magical beast, in pain, immediately rushed at Camus.

His plan was to draw its attention and then run around to buy time. But the guy, with a thump, thump, reached him in one go.

Is it really a B-rank? It was by no means slow for its size.

A large shadow was cast over the seasoned hunter. A flashback flashed before his eyes.

Camus remembered the time he had hunted a B-rank magical beast for the first and last time. A bloody rainbow sprinkled on the white snowfield.

The hunter with one eyepatch smiled faintly and muttered lowly.

"...I didn't think I would go so vainly."

An answer was heard.

"It's not easy to live as you please in this world."

When he looked down, the crazy red-eyed man, Ashuban, was standing in front of him.

'...When?'

A question flashed through his mind, but it wasn't the time for that.

Just as he was about to shout at him to run away, what was he doing.

—Kwaaaang!!

The magical beast's hideous claw came down.

'Ah, it's too late.'

In Camus's eyes, the descending magical beast's gruesome claw was seen in slow motion. It was falling exactly on Ashuban's head.

But the back of the man who was receiving the attack looked surprisingly calm. Why?

The moment he thought that, Ashuban drew his sword.

Screech—

The moment he thought his sword had flashed, the magical beast was split in half.

Swish!

Blood gushed out like a fountain.

'...Huh?'

A red rainbow unfolded before his eyes.

And, the man with the bloody eyes grinned and turned to him.

"But that's life. Isn't it?"

(End of Chapter)