The problem with the horse, which I thought would be a once-in-a-lifetime crisis, was solved unexpectedly easily.
Ed was talking to someone, then he put the horse away and prepared a carriage.
Then he approached me and cautiously asked for my understanding in an extremely polite manner… I honestly wondered why he was so humble.
I'm good, you know.
Anyway, after receiving Ed's repeated apologies, I got into the carriage and was now leaving the castle and heading to the city.
Of course, since the road wasn't paved at all, my butt hurt every time the carriage drove by... but what can I do? It was much better than riding that horse.
And even if I don't want to endure it, I have no choice but to endure it. Ed is in front of me.
He sat across from me, saying he had something to explain, and he was calmly flipping through the documents in this roughly rocking carriage, reading the tiny letters.
It was truly an amazing ability.
"The reason the monsters target cities is simple: they have abundant food. They originally targeted small villages that could offer no resistance, but now that cities are all that's left, it's only natural they're flocking there."
"If we're going to be that picky, the Demon King's Castle is also on the scale of a small city…."
"Isn't there a Demon King in the Demon King's Castle? And the legion commanders are there too."
"ah."
"On the other hand, the city is filled with nothing but easy enemies. The Demon King's castle, filled with unstoppable powers, and the city, where you could probably defeat them if you pushed through with numbers. If you had to choose between the two, wouldn't you choose the city?"
Demons lack reason. They are driven solely by instinct.
Those with a heightened instinct, as well as a lack of reason, could not have failed to sense the aura emanating from the Demon King's castle. Even if they hadn't sensed it, they would have been able to sense at least some degree of danger.
It's not that they don't have emotions, it's just that they lack reason.
It was natural to avoid the Demon King's Castle unless the feeling of fear was lost.
"And the city is frequently visited by people from other regions for exchange. So, simply guarding the paths and raiding them would have provided ample food."
"It's not there now, so I guess they're targeting the castle itself."
"Yes, that's right…."
BANG!
Kaaaaaaaaa!!
The carriage shook violently. My body, as thin as a sheet of paper, shook too.
Ed, who naturally caught me as I was running towards him as if he was going to punch me, checked to see if anything was wrong with me, then sat me down and continued talking as if nothing had happened.
"...Yes. So, we are in the castle…."
-Kill him!!
"Prepare your defenses…."
-Don't let them come near the carriage!
"...I plan to do it."
-You fucking bastards!! Die! Dieoooooooo!!
… … Really, it's amazing in so many ways.
There were several monster attacks on my way here. How could I, who was initially terrified, still sit so calmly now?
But Ed's composure was beyond common sense.
Unable to bear it any longer, I opened the window slightly, looked outside, and spoke to him in a subtle manner.
It was chaos outside.
"Ed, aren't you going to help them?"
"The legionnaires will take care of it. Don't worry, they're not called the 0th Legion for nothing."
"Uh… what…."
It certainly seemed that way. The legionnaires were steadily killing the monsters.
It doesn't seem like there are any seriously injured ones, and no matter how bad they are, everyone can at least take care of one.
But… why is Ben there?
"Die! Dieeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!"
Kwak!
Blood spurted out. I quickly backed away and closed the window.
I thought I was moving quickly, but it seemed I was already too late. There was a warm liquid on my cheek.
Well, one thing's for sure: Ben's not in his right mind right now.
I roughly wiped it with the back of my hand, and for some reason, Ed, startled, his face turned pale, and he hurriedly took out a handkerchief and wiped it off, then said in a resolute voice.
"I think it would be better to open the window after the battle is over."
"Uh, yes. I understand. But Ben…."
I thought back to the image of Ben I had seen a little while ago.
The sight of him swinging his bag around and smashing the monster's head, while screaming even louder.
It was to the point where there was confusion about his occupation.
Wasn't he his doctor? Where did the doctor go? Why was that light warrior over there?
"Oh, Ben, once he gets a taste of it, he can't control himself. Even though he looks like that, he's still a demon."
Yes, it's a demon tribe. I had forgotten for a moment.
He's a doctor and a skilled fighter. Wouldn't it be enough to just have him around?
But I never want to be alone with him because he says he can't control himself once he starts acting up.
As I recalled the past when we had been alone together for medical purposes and other purposes, I quietly rubbed my stomach as the shock that was belatedly coming over me washed over me.
'Oh, I feel sick.'
It feels like the more capable people I have around me, the shorter my lifespan becomes.
-Hahahahaha! Die, you little shits!!
"ha…."
I leaned my head helplessly against the carriage wall, listening to Ben's frantic voice coming from outside.
Ah, I hope the demons and the idiots end quickly.
"Take a break!"
"rest!"
Ed's booming voice filtered through the crack in the door and into the carriage. Added to this were the voices of the legionnaires, who were chanting.
I sat there for a while, stretching my heavy body and thinking to myself.
'Seeing him like that, it seems he really is the adjutant.'
Because he was always trying to serve and run errands, I got confused with the servant.
From the Empire's perspective, that's something the Vice-Commander should be doing, but in the Demon King's Castle, the adjutants of the commanders also serve as Vice-Commanders, so Ed is currently performing his role very well.
I was feeling suffocated from being in the carriage all day, so I got out to rest my sore butt and get some fresh air.
As I opened the door and stepped out, what appeared to be a terrifying sight was a herd of black horses emanating a dark aura. Even a single horse could radiate overwhelming majesty, and they were gathered in one place, tearing at something.
I was startled for a moment by the seemingly peaceful atmosphere, but I was able to relax a little.
'Still, it seems like a horse. Seeing it grazing, which doesn't match its appearance... Hmm?'
… … Something is a bit strange.
Isn't that... a monster corpse?
That's right. It's a real monster corpse. So, they're peacefully huddled together right now, devouring the monster corpse...
As soon as I realized the truth, I instinctively hesitated and stepped back.
I came to my senses when I felt the hard, cold carriage door on my back.
"Demon."
"...."
"Demon?"
"...."
Damn, those are horrible things! And there are so many of them.
It's only natural that there are as many as there are legionnaires, but... it's still scary. It won't suddenly go crazy and run wild, right?
Perhaps it was because of its terrifying appearance that could not be seen in the human world, but my gaze kept going towards it against my will.
It's not that I'm interested at all. No, if I'm interested, then I guess I am. Keeping something in sight for the sake of caution is also a form of interest.
As I was blankly staring at the group of horses, a water bottle was suddenly thrust in front of my nose.
"Demon, would you like some water?"
It's a fairly polite attitude considering it was suddenly announced.
The person who carried out that action, which could be seen as offering rather than offering, was none other than his loyal adjutant, Ed.
Actually, I expected it.
'How many people are this devoted to me?'
How can he fulfill his duty like this even though the other person is just a human being?
"Thank you."
Gratitude for water, and gratitude for me, a human being, who silently fulfills my duties.
Ed, who couldn't have known that the greeting had two meanings, just smiled and said it was normal.
Then, he looked at the group of horses I had been blankly staring at a moment ago, glanced at me, and then spoke cautiously as if he had made up his mind about something.
"I saw you a little while ago… It seemed like you were looking at horses…."
"Oh, yes."
Damn, I almost forgot.
Yeah, I was watching. Just in case they went wild.
If I, a particularly fragile human, were to encounter something like that, my body and soul would be severed. So, I have no choice but to be on guard.
By the way, you noticed that? You must be keeping a close eye on me. Did the Demon King give you an order?
'No, maybe because of the resignation letter?'
Because you thought I might get kicked?
It's a somewhat plausible guess.
Ed, who had been hesitating for a moment, grimaced at the Demon King's persistent attitude, slowly spoke. The words that came out of his parted lips, hesitantly, were completely contrary to his expectations.
"By any chance, would you like to ride a horse?"
"yes?"
"As expected, you still have some regrets…."
Things were going well, and then suddenly, what the hell are you talking about? You want me to ride something so horrible?
I opened my mouth in bewilderment, then belatedly waved my hand in a panic.
But it seems like it was seen differently by him.
"No, absolutely not. That's not it…."
"I'm sorry. I know it must be frustrating, but could you at least use the carriage until you feel better? You can ride the horse afterwards, please."
"...."
I stopped my mouth from denying it again.
Wait a minute, does that mean I'll never ride again?
My physical condition is not a side effect, but rather a congenital condition, so it will never get any better in my lifetime.
If so, is there any need to deny it?
"...All right."
There's no need to show weakness to the demons, and this is better than making each other feel embarrassed.
My throat is parched, perhaps because of the sense of crisis that I almost lost my mind.
I happened to have a water bottle in my hand, so I took a sip while looking around… .
"Newbie, you know how to ride a horse now, right?"
"No! It's not enough!"
"What about humility? Okay, that's enough. So now all that's left is the final step, right?"
"Yes, there's one important thing left. It's a special tradition unique to our legion, you might say? It's not that old, actually."
A special tradition? Did the 0th Corps have something like that?
Even though I knew it was rude to hear a story I had never heard before, I unconsciously listened.
What is the final procedure?
It is questionable whether there was such a thing as tradition in the 0th Corps before.
The 0th Legion was created because of me. In other words, it's a new legion that was created only about two years ago... Tradition?
I focused on their conversation, keeping my mouth shut so that the sound of swallowing water wouldn't disturb their conversation.
And I had to regret not swallowing the water.
"There's one story every member of the 0th Legion must know. It's about our Legion Commander, Demon."
"Oh, no way…."
"Yes, we're called the 0th Legion. We need to know exactly what happened when Demon-nim killed the warrior, so we don't get into trouble somewhere."
Phew-!!
"Ku, kuluck! Ugh, keuk."
"Demon?!"
Thankfully, I avoided the unfortunate incident of spraying water on Ed's face thanks to my head being lowered immediately. I quickly wiped my mouth and coughed repeatedly to clear the water that had accidentally spilled.
It was Ed who was embarrassed.
He took out a new handkerchief in a hurry and placed it on my mouth. He took it off slightly to check the inside, then fumbled with a look of shock on his face.
"Blood, blood…."
Huh? Is there blood again?
Looking at that pale face, it looks like I am bleeding again.
Well, this isn't the first or second time this has happened. I'm not too flustered...
"There was no blood! Doctor, doctor!!"
"...?"
"Ben! Where are you! Baeeeeen!!"
Excuse me? Don't you think something's strange right now?
I'm more confused by the fact that there was no blood. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
His handkerchief was clean.
At least there weren't any red stains or anything like that.
Of course not. I was just possessed.
"What's going on!"
Oh my god. Even Ben came.
When I see him running in a panic, my conscience prickles for no reason.
I was trying to take control of the situation, but the adjutant, who was so loyal that I wanted to push him away, grabbed him by the collar and shouted at him.
"Demon suddenly started coughing violently, but there was no blood!"
"oh my god!"
At this point I gave up thinking.
I was wrong. These guys have no common sense at all