CH 16

The Demon King’s army, the armies of each nation, and the Hero’s party.

Several forces vying for power and leading the world into an era of upheaval.

And in the middle of all this, there were Seto and Satis walking down a road.

It had been several days since they left the city of Clay Shut.

[It’s been a while since we’ve walked on such a peaceful road.] (Seto)

[His Majes—… I mean, the Demon King’s forces have been dwindling as of late. Humanity has also brought peace back to some degree. And it seems that this road is now safe to use as well.] (Satis)

[…Which means that the battle with the Demon King’s army will soon come to an end, right?] (Seto)

[Probably.] (Satis)

They were proceeding along this pleasant road surrounded by sunlight and a light breeze as they had this conversation.

It was a little after noon.

Beyond the endless blue sky, a majestic mountain range peeked out from the clouds.

Black kites were cawing in the sky, and the meadows they could see from the road had a definite tranquility that helped them forget about hell on earth.

[…I heard that people go to places like this for picnics and to enjoy a relaxing time.] (Satis)

[What’s a “picnic”?] (Seto)

[Hmm… It’s like an excursion or an outing… Well, it’s basically when people go outside and enjoy themselves together.] (Satis)

[I didn’t know there was such an activity. In that case, let’s hope the world will be at peace soon.] (Seto)

Seto contemplated the world as far as the eye could see with a mellow expression.

After meeting Satis, he had come to learn what peace was.

And it was the same for her.

The two who used to scorn each other so much were now sharing such a strong bond, their hearts were now at peace.

Who would have ever thought that these two, who had lived in the carnage of the bloody battlefield, would be walking together like this?

[We should now be close to Benjamin village. …Apparently, people tend to call it the “village of eccentrics”, but that shouldn’t pose any problem to us.] (Satis)

[Eccentrics, huh. I guess we’re in no position to talk either. Hahaha… Hm? I see something on the ground.] (Seto)

As he continued with the casual conversations, Seto pointed ahead.

Something in a large piece of cloth was curled up in the middle of the road.

[Hmm~… Is that… a person?] (Satis)

Satis observed it with a doubtful look on her face.

It certainly did have a human-like silhouette, and was squirming around a bit.

[…Is that an enemy?] (Seto)

[Unlikely. No enemy would be foolish enough to lie in wait out here in the open. In fact, if there was anyone like that among the monsters, I would never want them under my command.] (Satis)

The two cautiously approached the piece of cloth.

It seemed to be a robe, and inside it was a human.

A woman in armor.

A young red-haired woman, lying in a state of disarray.

[…She’s still alive. Satis, hand me some wat—] (Seto)

In the middle of his sentence, the woman instantly grabbed Seto by the leg.

She raised her face with an unsettling expression on it, and opened her mouth as she looked up at him.

[Water and …food. Give me something to eat and drink… I haven’t had anything in three days… Please…] (Starving woman)

[Eh? Wait, are you okay…?] (Seto)

[I’m not, that’s why I’m telling you to gimme some food and wateeeeerrr!!] (Starving woman)

[Whoa…!?] (Seto)

After saying that, she rushed at him like a zombie.

She moved in a refined manner, as if her collapsing from exhaustion had been a lie.

She moved like a trained soldier.

She seemed to be in a state of partial madness, yet she quickly moved to grapple him.

However, she was no match for Seto, who was in perfect condition and managed to pin her down.

[Ugh… I’m so… hungry…] (Starving woman)

[So you’re a soldier too. …Satis, can we share some bread and water with her?] (Seto)

[My god, that was a shocker. …Well, if you insist.] (Satis)

They decided to rest there for a while.

The woman voraciously ate her bread, and drank her water in one gulp.

[Oh dear, you devoured it so greedily. You could get a stomach ache afterwards, you know?] (Satis)

Satis smiled awkwardly at the sheer vigor of her eating.

And at the same time, she wondered.

This woman’s armor belonged to the soldiers present in this country.

However, she was acting not with a unit, but all by herself.

Either she was separated from her unit, or she had fled the battlefield.

[Phew~! You saved me! Oh, and no need to worry about my stomach. I was born tough.] (Starving woman)

The woman, now full of vitality, took a breath and thanked the two.

[Boy, I’m sorry about earlier. I was so hungry I lost my cool.] (Starving woman)

[It’s okay, don’t sweat it. …You’re a soldier, aren’t you? What are you doing here?] (Seto)

[I told you, I got lost.] (Starving woman)

According to her, due to a certain incident, she was demoted.

She used to be a commander in charge of a unit, but she lost her position and was on her way to a certain village.

[Well, you know, all kinds of stuff happen to grown-ups.] (Starving woman)

[So that’s how it is. …Ah, we haven’t introduced ourselves yet. I’m Seto.] (Seto)

[And my name is Satis. The two of us are traveling together.] (Satis)

As they introduced themselves, the woman gave them a puzzled look.

[Seto…? Satis…? Now where have I heard… Hmm, I can’t remember. Oh well. …My name is Kilim. I’m a soldier of this country assigned to Benjamin village.] (Starving woman/Kilim)

She scratched her head as she tried to remember, but her memory was so fuzzy she quickly gave up.

This female soldier named Kilim seemed to be headed to the same destination as the two.

[You said you were lost, right? Why not come with us, then? Satis knows the way to Benjamin village.] (Seto)

[Really!? Oh boy! So this is what the saying “In traveling, a companion ; and in life, sympathy” is all about!! Yes! Please let me tag along!] (Kilim)

[O-Of course, we’re also pleased to be of help.] (Satis)

Satis was not pleased with Seto’s decision.

And rightly so.

Although faintly, the female soldier still had a feeling that she knew who they were.

Thinking about what might happen later on made her nervous.

[Don’t worry, Satis. If anything goes wrong, I’ll deal with it.] (Seto)

[But…] (Satis)

[Besides, I’m not feeling any malicious intent from her. Kinda like that mercenary I met, Holmes.] (Seto)

[Mercenary…? Well, alright. But don’t force yourself.] (Satis)

He whispered to her and managed to get her permission.

It was then that he remembered that he had not told Satis about Holmes yet.

The bearded dandy he met back in the city of Clay Shut.

For some reason, the vibe he felt from Kilim reminded him of Holmes.

Although their personalities are different, I feel like they have something in common…

Accompanied by the female soldier Kilim, the group set out on foot again and followed Satis’ lead.

On that note, it would not be until some time later that they would learn that Kilim and Holmes were in fact ex-lovers.

And that this relationship had a lot to do with her demotion.