Chapter 38

After the light cluster made of magic surrounded us, when I regained my senses, the environment around me had changed, and I felt no thoughts.

‘What happened…?’

This kind of situation did not occur in the game.

Even though a considerable amount of time had passed, I had written down most of what I remembered in a notebook and read it when I had the time.

As far as I knew, there was no story like this.

In other words, this situation now was not part of the story.

‘Did they attack already?’

No, I had somewhat expected it.

While high-tier demons were relatively abundant, they weren’t overly numerous.

In short, if low-level demons were the regular soldiers, mid-level demons were the commanders, and high-level demons were equivalent to division commanders…

Once you reach the top-tier demon level, they would be akin to the chief of staff.

If the upper echelon of the Demon King Army was a chief of staff, then the Demon King would be like a president. This is just to make it easier to understand; in reality, the command structure isn’t quite that clear-cut.

In the setting, the Demon King Army’s power is hierarchical, and when translated into authority, there are significant differences.

Translating into modern terms, a demon at the top-level would have powers akin to the line of a chief of staff who, although I do not know its name, is roughly analogous to a high-ranking officer caught behind enemy lines.

Naturally, it was expected that something would happen, and they would prepare for it.

It’s not that I didn’t anticipate that.

However…

‘Albert has already acted…?!’

I had sensed that something was somewhat off.

The thoughts I could perceive were faint, yet the actions were no different from usual. If I hadn’t used my unusual method of dialogue by feeling the opponent’s thoughts and conversing, I would never have found the peculiarities.

Even though I sensed something strange, I thought there would be no immediate attack, thus I had let my guard down.

If I had known this would happen, I would have used purification on Albert…

‘… No.’

Even if I attempted to purify with my current level, I felt it wouldn’t solve anything.

There’s only one demon capable of doing such things.

‘The Temptation Demon…!’

This was the act of a top-tier demon.

A spiritual demon with the moniker of the Temptation Demon, known to take the form of black mist.

A demon capable of invading the mind of its opponent, making them its slave, or giving suggestions to make them move of their own accord.

‘It was that guy…!’

If it were his doing, the narrative would change.

The reason I, sensitive to magic, didn’t feel any from Albert was simply that he had used suggestion rather than manipulation.

So that’s why today felt strange…

‘They got me.’

Their goal was the death of the Hero.

Or perhaps to abduct me.

They probably led us to a specific location and activated the magic circle they had set up in advance.

To teleport us outside of the barrier or even to the Demon World would require exponentially greater magical energy, and it would be impossible for Argen to not notice the magic circle leading there.

In other words, they intentionally distanced us within the area where the barrier was unfolding to take us down one by one.

Because of the barrier spread over this location, it would be difficult to take someone away…

‘Evan is in danger…!’

The possibility of Evan being in danger was high.

I hurriedly touched the bracelet to inform Argen of this fact, but,

“…!”

The bracelet was broken.

No matter how hard I tried to activate it, it wouldn’t work.

‘Did this get destroyed too…?’

If I had checked its condition when I first received it, would it have come to this?

What should I do now?

With the bracelet broken, and my body having been teleported to some strange place, I was at a loss for where to go.

Right now, the only thing I could do was to expand my perception of the space to find out where the others were.

As I thought that, I spread my divine power wider to ascertain my surroundings.

And then…

‘Huh…?’

Only then did I realize something strange.

This place…

‘Isn’t it the Great Forest…?’

Logically thinking, this place could only be the Great Forest.

Even if there were traitors involved, it would be impossible to create a large-scale teleportation magic circle without avoiding Argen’s gaze.

Even if they had somehow made one, it would be strange for Argen not to notice its existence.

Yet here I was, somewhere that wasn’t the Great Forest…

And…

‘This familiar shape… Could it be…?!’

As I expanded my perception, I could identify a massive monster.

The chief of all monsters existing in the Great Forest, or what is referred to as the command entity.

“In this place… why is there a human female…?”

Harpwolf.

We refer to it as a werewolf, a beast that among the races is the only one too wild to be classified as a proper race.

A colossal beast, easily several meters tall, with half of its body covered in fur, was looking down at me.

“[Ah…]”

Could it be…

Knowing that it couldn’t kill me, it sent me to a place like this to try and capture me…?!

‘Oh no…!!’

I was not the only one here.

Thinking it would be more efficient to have me beside it instead of beside the Hero, Albert was next to me, adjusting his hair and rising.

“What… where is this? I clearly… ngh…!”

Having lost his memory momentarily, he placed his hand on his forehead, groaning in pain.

While I was panicking at Albert’s display, the werewolf, looking at me, muttered in a voice that seemed indifferent.

“Whatever, it doesn’t matter. I can just use you for breeding.”

I shivered at those words.

What did I just hear…?

It is normal for everyone not to understand what the werewolf is saying.

Every creature has its own language, and it’s not guaranteed that a werewolf would necessarily speak the common language of the continent.

Of course, there were werewolves who spoke the common language of the continent, but it’s hard to imagine that werewolves who live in a place like this would understand language.

Nonetheless, I could understand not through language but through the essence flowing out as to what it meant.

Naturally, if monsters possess intelligence, it’s equally possible for them to feel emotions like anger or sadness.

However, what I just heard did not suggest a desire to kill me.

If I didn’t mishear,

Me, me, me…!

“A little young, but I guess it doesn’t matter.”

It’s true!!!

“[P-Please wake up, Brother Albert…!!]”

Get up and save me, you madman!!

Amidst this chaos, the werewolf, seeing me as a young female, thought I wouldn’t resist and was leisurely walking towards me.

After all, Albert looked like he could die with just a light touch, and he didn’t seem to be in good condition right now.

I couldn’t allow things to go this way.

I couldn’t just watch my body being used for breeding.

I’m a man…!!

No, there’s no way there’s someone in this world who likes that sort of thing!

“Ugh…!!”

I deployed a barrier to prevent it from approaching.

“Hmm? What is this?”

As a barrier suddenly formed in front of it, the werewolf displayed curiosity and tapped on it.

However, realizing it only obstructed its movement without any other aspects, the werewolf lost interest and began swinging its fists.

With each swing, a tremendous sound erupted, and the barrier began to crack.

‘H-Hey!’

I like pain, but that doesn’t mean I like being forcibly overwhelmed…!!

I absolutely cannot let this be breached…!

I gathered all my essence, even the strength I had when I was nursing from my mother, to express my determination not to let it through.

Every time the werewolf swung its fists in an attempt to break it, I felt the barrier might break, but I poured all my divine power into maintaining it.

“Bothering me, huh…”

W-Wait…?!

It seemed like its punches were getting stronger than before…?!

This wasn’t going to work.

I need support from a magician!

In my desperation, I tried to wake Albert.

“[Brother Albert…]”

It was then.

Thwomp!

As Albert’s thoughts cried out in desperation, I realized something had pierced through my back.

“Ah…”

An ice spear, exuding a chilling coldness, penetrated my back.

What I felt from where Albert had been was the mental presence of the Temptation Demon, smiling at me, along with the sight of Albert, partially consumed, screaming in agony.

As I couldn’t maintain the barrier any longer, the werewolf’s fist came flying toward me.

‘This… I can’t dodge…’

With a sudden rush of pleasure, my legs gave out…

I might faint for a while…

Boom!