.｡.:✧ Chapter 11 ✧:.｡.

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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Iziniki laughed a bit, as if bemused. He continued speaking while looking at Miller, who was still gripped by Valian’s hand.

“…This guy said some outrageous things last night. About killing you, taking your possessions to present to the lord, and getting support from the soldiers. Or going to the city to hire mercenaries. So I called him in to admonish him a bit.

And I left him in the church overnight to pray to Epollus and repent his insane thoughts. But when I came this morning, he was brandishing a dagger at me and summoned that monster to threaten the villagers. He ranted that your defeat of the werewolves last night was undoubtedly a scam. Calling us ignorant backwater mole demons. And then you arrived.”

Valian lightly pressed his fist against Miller’s abdomen, releasing his grip on the collar. Miller retched, vomiting up everything in his stomach. Valian gently pushed the back of his bowed head, and Miller collapsed face-first onto his own vomit, wheezing.

“So what was that spell he was using? He wasn’t originally a mage, was he?”

“…I don’t know about that either. But why are you hitting him? He might actually die.”

“Don’t worry, he won’t die from just this much. You’re saying he’s never learned any spells before?”

“That’s right.”

Valian stepped on Miller’s fingers as they reached for the dropped amethyst wand, and grabbed a fistful of his hair, lifting his head.

“Hey. You suddenly managed to use a spell, huh? How did you do that?”

“Ugh… Why should I… tell you…?”

Valian let out a small laugh.

“You’ve got some guts, at least.”

With his right hand gripping Miller’s hair, Valian slapped the opposite cheek from the one he had hit earlier with his left hand. Blood and teeth splattered. Iziniki was aghast.

“Good heavens, stop! You’ll kill him at this rate!”

“I’m just curious about this guy’s secret since he’s being tight-lipped. Don’t worry about it.”

“How can I not worry? I’ve known that guy for almost ten years!”

Valian’s cold gaze turned towards Priest Iziniki.

“If he seems to be dying, can’t you just heal him with that healing prayer of yours?”

“I’m no legendary priest capable of resurrection prayers. If you beat him so mercilessly, even if I heal his wounds with my prayers, there will be lasting aftereffects!”

Ignoring Iziniki’s protests, Valian continued to press the bloodied and dribbling Miller.

“Hey, get your senses together and talk. How did you command that monster and use magic you’ve never learned before?”

Miller trembled and glanced around nervously. When Valian’s hand began to rise again, he finally opened his mouth.

“The wand… the power of the wand! Last night, an emissary of Limore Tusros came to me! He came and said I was worthy of becoming Limore Tusros’s apostle, and gave me that wand! He said with its power, I could defeat the werewolves!”

Limore Tusros? Who was that again?

“Good heavens, Miller! How could you do such a thing after receiving Epollus’s baptism?”

Miller turned his head towards Iziniki and shouted defiantly.

“What else could I do! Don’t you know how terrified the villagers were because of those werewolves? And my dead friends—Pito, Mallay, Kun! They were all my friends! How could I just sit back and do nothing!”

“That’s why you entrusted the task to this man here! And he admirably resolved the issue! That’s no excuse for selling your soul to a demon!”

Miller shook his head.

“I didn’t sell my soul…”

“The demon didn’t demand a price?”

“The emissary just said I had to defeat the werewolves… Then the goblin servant and magic wand would become my full possession. Did you really think I’d make such a reckless deal?”

Valian released Miller. He could roughly understand the unfolding situation. That emissary of Limore Tusros wanted something peculiar.

It wasn’t the acquisition of souls like other demons. Amillia, the werewolf—what was the peculiarity she possessed? A werewolf cursed by Rophyna. The mother who kept mating with men and bearing children. The curse that was driving her insane. Didn’t she use to study spells at the magic tower? And what else?

Suddenly, Valian placed his left hand on the hilt of his sword. Among the knowledge he had gained since falling into this world, a rumor surfaced that defiling the holy sword could turn it into an unholy blade. Whether it was true or not, he couldn’t say. After all, most of Valian’s knowledge came from after he arrived in this world. He had fallen here as soon as he created his character, so what could he have known beforehand?

If Amillia’s words were true and this was indeed an ancient holy sword, then it would certainly be a relic coveted by demons. For a powerful holy sword could simultaneously become a powerful unholy blade. Valian spoke.

“Who is Limore Tusros?”

“…Among the demons, the truly ancient and powerful monsters are called devils. There are six well-known devils, and Limore Tusros is one of them—the devil of darkness, starlight, and obscurity. If his emissary is not human, it’s likely a fairy or dwarf. Either way, it’s dangerous that such an evil being is roaming around here… This is serious… I must contact the bishop.”

Valian’s brow twitched slightly.

“Well, it seems the matter is mostly resolved then. I’ll be going.”

“No, please stay for a few more days. If that emissary intends to wreak havoc on this village, we have no way to stop him. We need a protector right now.”

Valian looked at Miller, bleeding and sprawled on the floor.

“It doesn’t seem like that will be me. You’ll have to protect yourselves.”

“…I understand you might feel resentful because of Miller. I wouldn’t want to protect someone who tried to rob me either. But don’t just look at Miller—consider all the villagers. They’re good people devoted to their lives. Will you really just watch as they’re violated by a demon’s minion? If you want compensation, we’ll give you whatever we can. Please, I implore you.”

Iziniki seemed willing to get on his knees and beg if Valian wished. Valian let out a small laugh.

“No, I think I have a rough idea of what that demon’s emissary wants, so I’m leaving.”

“What do you mean? You know what it wants?”

“Yes. And if I leave, it won’t bother this village further—it will follow me.”

“…Are you sure about that?”

Valian’s left hand fidgeted on the sword’s hilt.

“I’m sure.”

An emissary of the demon, huh. Monsters like the Manticore or Amillia could also be called demons. But they didn’t keep emissaries or intelligent subordinates. However, the truly problematic six devils of this land were armed with powerful spells and wicked magic, which they used to enthrall fairies, dwarves, and giants lacking in power, turning them into their minions. Sometimes even humans.

They roamed the world, seeking relics their masters might desire, sowing chaos in cities, driving people apart, or simply killing indiscriminately to spread disorder wherever they went.

Their numbers were few. And truthfully, any that became too conspicuous were swiftly killed by holy knights of gods like Epollus.

So Valian had only heard many rumors about them, never actually fighting them himself. But if he was wielding this relic holy sword? The one who tried to claim it after killing Amillia would certainly target him.

Of course, judging by how it only pawned off a wand to Miller, it might just be some imbecile unwilling to act directly. But either way, the first new type of enemy he defeated awarded bonus experience. Valian felt that was enough to take on this demon’s emissary.

“…If you truly intend to leave, I won’t stop you. I don’t fully understand what you’re convinced of, but regardless, you are the hero who vanquished the monster threatening our village. And from what I know, your method was quite heroic as well. So I will trust your words.”

The cost for a week’s lodging was not so cheap. Looking into Valian’s eyes, Iziniki said:

“I’d like to at least treat you to a meal, but I can’t detain someone intending to leave right away and make them stay longer. I’ll take care of things here. Safe travels.”

Before leaving, Valian picked up the amethyst wand.

“I’ll be taking this.”

“…A demon’s possession. If you plan to use it, please be cautious.”

“If I take this, that emissary won’t have a reason to come back here, right?”

Iziniki nodded his head, a somewhat moved expression on his face.

Valian shouldered the bag he had set down in front of the church entrance and walked onward. The villagers who had surrounded the entrance, peering inside, did not cheer the hero who had saved their village. They only cast somewhat fearful glances.

The hushed crowd parted reluctantly, making way for Valian’s steps. Valian strode forth unhesitatingly. In the midst of it all, his eyes met Faina’s once more. She was expressionless, and Valian could not read her emotions. Not that he particularly cared. So he just passed her by.

As he walked away, leaving the lingering people behind, someone called out.

“Thank you, Valian!”

Turning his head, it was Faina. Then Mr. Cleechee and Auntie Ransia also spoke.

“Take care, Valian. Thank you for your help.”

“Goodbye! Come back again sometime! Your room’s on the house!”

Apart from them, no one else said a word. Valian let out a small, deflated laugh, nodded briefly at them, and continued onward.

He had gained a good amount of experience, acquired a decent sword, and had an anticipated battle heralded by the preceding night and dawn of this morning.

In truth, he couldn’t be certain whether Limore Tusros’s emissary would really pursue him. Perhaps it would just vent its rage by laying waste to this village instead. Or maybe it was already waiting for him somewhere up ahead.

Regardless, it would die. It would die and become experience points. With those points, he would level up, grow stronger, and thereby acquire certainty of his own survival.

The sun had risen a bit higher than before. Under the noonday sun, Valian headed east, with no particular destination in mind.

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