Chapter 51: Chloe Rommel

“Grrr. That, gi.”

The trail of demonic energy left by the red meteor was fading faster than expected.

Thanks to that, the fine horses provided by Trian had to run all day, pushing themselves to their limits.

Heeeeeigh!

By the time they reached the mountain that seemed to be the red meteor’s destination, they collapsed, foaming at the mouth.

“That, mountain!”

A voice like the broken roars of a beast.

Muno, whose muscles were much more swollen than usual and was even baring his fangs, started to sprint up the mountain without even tending to the fallen horses.

Charrreuk.

Chains that naturally shot out from the armor on his limbs wrapped around the trees in the forest, pulling his body up the mountain.

“What is that now……?”

Chloe Rommel, another vice-commander of the Trian Knightly Order, who was watching the strange feat with slightly widened eyes, soon recalled the Count’s words.

– If high-level magicians could be tracked with just special senses or artifacts, the Mage Empire would not have grown this large.

– I acknowledge Muno’s talent, but it’s about time he faced reality and experienced some frustration. For now, just follow him quietly and watch.

– What if he really finds them?

I’m sending you along just in case. If by any chance that happens, you must bring Muno back alive, no matter what, even if the worst-case scenario unfolds.

You must.

She had heard he was sixteen.

That it hadn’t been long since his coming-of-age party.

To be a 2-Star at that age was certainly a genius of the century.

On top of that, to be able to run for over a day chasing some unknown trace of demonic energy, he was either crazy or truly talented.

But apart from that promising talent or ability, there seemed to be something lacking.

“Ha……. I’m sorry, you guys.”

Chloe, who closed the horses’ eyes with a frown.

Chloe, who started to follow the Muno who had disappeared into the mountain a step too late, moved quietly yet quickly.

However.

“……I need to teach him some manners for handling animals.”

The voice left behind in her wake was by no means favorable.

“Grrr…….”

The spot where the red meteor had crashed(?).

The Demon Devourer, who had been running frantically, scanned the surroundings from the spot where the thick scent of magic remained.

However.

‘It’s not here?’

The trace of demonic energy left by the red meteor had persisted for the past two days.

But now that he had reached the end of that trail, he could no longer feel any trace.

“Grrr. Damn it…….”

And behind him.

Chloe, who had appeared silently, asked in an indifferent voice.

“Did you lose it?”

“……Yes.”

The moment he realized that the demonic energy could no longer be felt, Muno snatched the initiative back from the Demon Devourer.

Crack.

His body naturally returned to its original state.

Once he regained his reason, a fact he had missed came to mind.

‘I couldn’t follow the magician even when she disappeared leaving behind a fake corpse. Right, that’s right. Damn it.’

He scanned the surroundings again, hoping that she might not have been able to hide her demonic energy completely due to her serious injuries.

But there was no way he could find the demonic energy in his normal state when he had missed it in his Demon Devourer state.

And watching his crestfallen expression, Chloe suddenly said something strange.

“Clench your teeth.”

“Pardon?”

The moment he reflexively turned around.

Craaaack.

A loud impact sound, like a stone breaking, echoed clearly in the quiet afternoon mountainside.

“Kkeuk, why? Why……?”

Muno looked at her with eyes full of injustice after the sharp massage to the back of his head.

“Cherish animals.”

Only a nonsensical sound came back.

“……Pardon?”

“You don’t know what I mean?”

Only after seeing Chloe glaring at him with angry eyes did a thought occur to him.

“Ah, is it because of the horses……?”

“Yes. Of course, they might have to be sacrificed out of necessity.

But at least show some mourning. That is the minimum courtesy a human should show.”

“Pardon?”

At those words, Muno’s mouth dropped open.

He had never expected to hear words that animal lovers from his past life would say in this fantasy world where even human rights were at rock bottom.

For a moment, the Count’s words came to mind.

– He’s a bit of a peculiar fellow, so get on his good side. He mainly uses a bow, dagger, and short sword, and is skilled in hunting, so there will be much to learn from him.

‘A bit peculiar?’

Perhaps she didn’t like his dazed look.

Chloe’s already sharp eyes became even more frightening.

“After this is over, you will receive etiquette training from me.

You must. Do you understand?”

Don’t tell me, etiquette training for handling animals?

“Pardon? Yes…….”

He was flustered, but he had no choice but to bow his head for now.

No matter how urgent it was, it was also true that he had handled the horses roughly.

And.

“Then follow me.

Even if there’s no trace of demonic energy, there are traces of people.

From now on, I will take charge of the tracking.”

There was more than enough reason to shut up and follow her quietly after Chloe’s subsequent words.

* * *

“How is Elder Karin’s condition?”

“……She is improving.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to inform Him now?”

“Then He will be angry, and Lady Karin will also be furious.

Then…….”

“Either way, we will surely die.”

A man with a nervous impression let out a deep sigh.

“This isn’t why I became a doctor…….”

“I know, right. It’s frustrating enough to be stuck in a remote mountain like this…….”

The skinny man expressed his strong agreement, but it couldn’t be helped.

Doctors were only respected in the Mage Empire; in other countries where the temple’s influence was strong, they were treated as quack scholars or half-baked priests.

Moreover, having committed a crime in the Mage Empire, their lives were tied to this organization that had saved them right before their execution.

Not just a metaphor, but their lives were literally at stake through a magic contract.

“It can’t be helped. We have to do as we’re told.”

“Still, Mr. Olson, your 3-year contract is almost over, isn’t it? Then you’ll have a month’s vacation……”

“I’m not taking a vacation.”

“Pardon? Why……?”

Olson didn’t bother to answer his subordinate’s question.

‘He’ll probably laugh at me for being timid.’

But he had no intention of taking a vacation, even if they pushed him to, until he met at least one of his seniors who had gone on vacation with excitement after their 3-year contract had ended.

The organization said they had been moved to other safe houses or branches, but…….

He couldn’t believe those words as they were.

“……Anyway, tell those high and mighty magicians to strengthen the security.”

“Who would come to a safe house in a remote mountain like this?

You said you haven’t seen anyone other than organization members for 3 years, right?”

“……You, how did you become a doctor?

The situation is different. The situation!”

“Yes. Yes! I will relay the message!”

Although he was just a doctor, there wasn’t a single magician in this safe house for the past 3 years who didn’t owe him their life.

Magicians living in the Iron Kingdom, the most hostile to the Mage Empire, would not want to be on bad terms with such a competent doctor.

As long as an elder-class didn’t suddenly visit like now, Olson was as good as the king of this safe house.

‘Though what kind of king is a king who can’t even go outside…….’

Thinking of his own situation again, another sigh escaped him.

And his frustrating past came to mind again.

‘I shouldn’t have done those human experiments…….’

Does it make sense to be executed just for experimenting on some slaves because I wanted to become a slightly better doctor?

‘For just a hundred or so slaves, to execute a competent doctor like me…….’

As he was needlessly chewing over the past, he was bothered by how strangely quiet it was outside the door his subordinate had run out of.

This safe house, built by digging into a cave, even had a magic barrier that blocked outside entry, so even small sounds from inside would echo loudly.

“This guy, what on earth is he doing?”

The moment he irritably opened the door.

“Shh.”

A small voice and a blade touching his neck.

He felt his heart drop, but Olson didn’t have the courage to make a sound while looking at the murderous eyes in front of him.

“This one too?”

He wracked his brain trying to figure out what that meant.

Fortunately, the question was not directed at him.

“Yes. I couldn’t feel him because he’s not a magician.”

Behind the woman with the fierce eyes, a young man with a youthful face, dressed in silver armor that didn’t match his blackish limb armor.

At his answer, Olson desperately tried to agree.

“I, I’m not a magician…….”

“Well…….”

Then the woman soon nodded as if she understood.

Just when he thought he was saved.

Stab.

Something cold dug into his neck, creating a hot pain.

“Grrk.”

Olson’s brain stopped working at that moment.

“……It’s a useful ability, but it has a clear limit.”

Muno nodded with a bitter smile at Chloe’s assessment.

“Should I say……I’m sorry?”

“No, thanks to you, hunting magicians was easy.

It was also surprising that you found and melted the invisible illusion barrier.”

They were conversing in extremely low voices, considering the cave environment.

It was just a mumble that an ordinary person wouldn’t be able to understand properly, but it was a level that posed no problem for the two of them.

Even while having that secret conversation, Muno accurately caught Chloe’s smile, illuminated by the faint torchlight.

‘Scary sister, you know how to smile too.’

He swallowed the inner thoughts he couldn’t say out loud and also showed a smile.

“Well, it’s thanks to the artifact.”

“……Is that so?”

Chloe’s attitude, which left a strange smile, bothered him, but it wasn’t the time to question it.

“What about below?”

“Still the same.”

“The one presumed to be the witch?

And one 4-Circle, and three 3-Circle class magicians?”

“Yes.”

“As expected……. Magicians become strangely careless once their magic is nullified.”

Chloe, who smirked, was about to move towards the path leading to the lower space of the cave.

He stepped forward first.

“From here on, I will take the lead.”

“……Why?”

“My armor is stronger than your armor, Lady Chloe.

Especially if we have to face magic.”

Muno pointed out Chloe’s defensive gear, which was only light armor, unbefitting of a knight.

“……Now of all times?”

Chloe showed her dagger and smirked again.

At the animal lover’s murderous confidence, who had silently slaughtered over a dozen low-level magicians, Muno replied with a bitter smile.

“Because that witch is here.”

He didn’t want to give up his ‘prey’ any longer.

Of course, the small fry she had been dealing with until now didn’t matter.

He couldn’t honestly express that feeling, so he just made a roundabout excuse.

“……You’re quite something. You even know how to be considerate.”

Thanks to that, he seemed to have scored some points with Chloe.

Of course.

“Then…….”

“On your heels……. No, if possible, take off those metal boots, will you?”

“……They’re artifacts.”

“Hmph. Stubborn……. No, well, fine.

If it comes to it, just take the hit with your body.”

Though he immediately lost those points again.

Muno’s turned face was already flushed with anticipation for his prey rather than Chloe’s assessment.

‘Calm down, calm down. It’s a dangerous prey.’

The moment I let my guard down, I might die.

Controlling the Demon Devourer’s cheers echoing in his head as much as possible, Muno moved his feet a little more cautiously.

Clank. Clank.

“Your heels.

If you can’t, walk on your tiptoes as much as possible.”

“……Yes.”

Chloe’s nagging helped him maintain his reason.

And the thick darkness that the sparsely hung torches couldn’t drive away also, thankfully, made him a little calmer.

—————–

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