At a distance of about 20 meadows, the red-haired demon approached while knocking down trees, and I held the 'fairy sword' in my hand in my right eye.

　The Demon Bear (Magma).

　I remember seeing that name on the Adventurer's Guild's request board.

　It was treated as a beginner's quest, the same as the first Goblin Extermination that I had received an order for, and it was treated as a beginner's quest.

(But I can't let my guard down.)

　I remember what the guild staff said to me at that time.

　Even if the quest is for a beginner, there must be at least five red-marked adventurers, or three blue-marked adventurers or more to receive permission to order.

　I'm a red-labeled adventurer.

　And one.

　Even though my sword skills are praised as being better than a blue mark, we still don't have enough people.

　Most importantly, I didn't have any armor right now.

　The only thing I was wearing was 'Cloth Clothing'.
''Fairy Iron Armor'', ''White Silver Armor'', ''Travel Clothing'', all of those equipment are missing.

(....If only I had the 'White Silver Armor'.

　So I lament.

　But we can't help what we don't have.

　At the very least, we have to buy ourselves some time to get those sisters to the village in one piece.

　Ten minutes at least.

　And I expect maybe 20-30 minutes until the support comes from the village.

(You want me to run away as fast as I can during that time?)

　I chuckle at my own thoughts.

　Impossible.

　I don't have the strength to move at full speed for half an hour.

　--I'm going to take down the demon bear alone.

　This was the only way I could survive.

　And I couldn't use the 'Divine Body Mode', which was the secret move, with my current physical condition.

(........my body would surely break.)

　My body still hurts in many places in reaction to using the god body mode yesterday.

　Any more, it's dangerous - I instinctively know that.

　Besides, I shouldn't have gotten into the habit of relying on 'God Body Mode'.

　I'm sure that wouldn't make me strong myself.

　Above all, that beautiful silver-haired master.

"Let's take out a demon bear with normal swordplay, Marle.

　I'm going to say something like that.

(Yes.)

　I laughed.

　Bakiki.

　Staring at the giant bear demon that was approaching me while snapping its branches, I made up my mind and attacked the demon bear myself.　

''Hey!''

　He runs low, shouting his spiritedness.

　As expected, I can't fight them from the front.

　The trees in the forest were used as a shield as we approached.

''Bufo!''

　Snorting, the demon tries to hit me with his giant paw.

　Snap!

　As intended, a tree trunk got in the way.

(-- now!)

　Phew.

　He ran the 'Fairy Sword' into his empty flank.

　Fresh purple blood danced in the air.

　But.

The response is... something weird!

　I run straight past the demon, feeling uncomfortable.

　Schuh.

Ugh.

　The returning demon bear's paw snatched a claw from the hair on the back of my head.
　Oh, it's dangerous.

　And then I found out.

　I cut myself, but it didn't do any damage.

(The subcutaneous fat is so thick.)

　That got in the way, and the blade couldn't get through to the muscles and blood vessels that mattered.

　That's probably why the response was so weird.

　Crack, gagoons, hyphens.

　I slashed a few times, using the trees as a shield to prevent my swinging paws from being swung around - but the result was the same.

(No, this isn't good.)

　My sword technique was based on the 'caressing sword'.

　It's effective if it's against an opponent, but it's not very effective against a demon like this.

　Even so, to deal damage.

(...we have to go further.)

　He had no choice but to unleash a stronger sword technique with closer spacing.

　But.

　vacillating

　A tree the size of my waistline was snapped by a blow from the demon bear.

"..........

　You're stepping into that pause without any protective gear.

　Scary.

　Honestly, I thought so.

(But I guess I just have to do it.)

　I can picture her smile in my mind.

　--Please give me courage.

　I beat my trembling heart and run.

"Guoong!

　The demon, who had been frustrated by my running away, bellowed happily at me as I approached from the front.

　Gaba.

　Lift your front legs and stand on two feet.

　Big!

　The demon, which is just as big as it is, starts to look more like a giant monster.

(Don't freak out!)

　That man stood up to the giant "Tyrant's Tortoise", even more so than that.

　All by himself.

　All by himself.

　So, it's my turn!

No!

　The cry of the rift.

　Boom, gasp.

　The front leg that is swung down is met with a 'counter sword technique'.

　Two fingers are severed.

　Using that recoil as well, I evade the paw as I go through it.

　Doon.

　Behind me, I heard a heavy sound of a paw hitting the ground.

　Right in front of me, the head of a demon bear.

(Now!)

　He shakes off his sword, which is held at the top level.

　Hu Kong.

　One of the demon's twisted horns was severed from near its base, and its entire left eye was slashed across its face.

　The fresh blood that spurts out drenches me.

''Gaoao!''

　The intense pain made the red-haired demon squirm.

　.............

　The fear that ran down my spine.

(......................I failed to kill it.

　I was going to make a decision with one blow, but I didn't get a few more inches of fear.

　Desperately backing away.

　The demon bear's one remaining eye caught that figure.

　Not good.

　Bad, bad, bad.

　As the demon held itself in a low position, it kicked the earth and rushed forward.

　On its head, a twisted horn that became only one.

　If this is the case, it will pierce my abdomen - that's what I realized.

...

　Instantly, something snaps in my head.

　In a world that seemed to be in slow motion, I was leaping backwards while holding the 'fairy sword' at the upper level.

　I swing the blade off in the air, aiming at the approaching corner.

　Hyukon.

　With uncanny ease, the horn was slashed.

　At the same time, the head of the guy who lost his weapon crashes into me and flips me off.

(Gu.........)

　But the less damage I was leaping backwards, the less damage I was doing.

　I spun in midair and landed sideways on a tree trunk.

　I swing my sword at the trunk.

　Hu Kong.

　The thick tree trunk was cut off at an angle.

　It fell toward the huge body of the demon bear that was right below me.

　Zu-do-on!

Gua!

　It exhaled air from its lungs and let out a sound like a crushed frog.

　A thick tree trunk was pushing down the huge body of the demon bear.

　This red-haired demon's monstrous power would be able to jump off and get up in no time.

　But only for a few seconds.

　That stagnation alone was enough for me.

â€

　From the trunk of the tree that fell, just a fraction of a second later, I fell with my sword at the top step.

　The demon bear's one eye, which was lying on the ground, reflected my figure.

　That was the last view he saw.

　Hu Kong.

　The sword technique that he released as soon as he landed, this time, without a doubt, severed the huge head vertically.

　The severed skull.

　Peeking out from there, shredded brain plasma.

　The purple blood spreading on the ground underneath it.

''.........''

　A steamy pool of blood slowly wets my feet, which are in a sword-swinging position.

　Eventually, convinced of my doom, I

"Phew.

　I exhaled heavily.

　As it was, I leaned back against a nearby tree with a boffin.

(................I won, I did.

　I report in my mind to those people I can't see.

　My hands are still trembling with nervousness and excitement.

　Zipping.

　I went on and sat down at the base of the tree, sliding down my back.

　Relief.
　And a sense of release and accomplishment.

　I looked up at the blue sky beyond the forest, and then slowly closed my eyes.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　About fifteen minutes later, Illtimina returned here with five hunters, including her own father, in tow.

''Marle-kun, you're okay!''

　The corpse of a giant bear.

　How did she see the child sitting at the base of the tree in front of it, bathed in the demon's purple return blood?

　The girl runs up to me and hugs me, not caring if I'm stained with blood.

　Then she looks into my face.

'You're alive!　You're alive!
Yes.

　I nodded, giggling.

　And she looks like she's about to cry and hugs me tightly once more.

(.........ah...)

　I was really glad that she was worried about me.

　I put my hand on her back and gave her a light pat to reassure her with a clunk.

　On the other hand, the five hunters were surprised at the corpse of the demon bear.

''........What a huge body of a demon bear!''
I've never seen anything like this size.

　Apparently, the demon bear I defeated is the bigger one.
　And the five of them look at me.

"This........that kid by himself?

　Someone murmurs, and those awe-filled gazes pierce my skin.

(.........hmmm?)

　Is it still a great thing to take down a demon bear by yourself?

　The gazes of the adults were very uncomfortable.

　Mr. Ortima, the supposed leader of the five of them, exhaled heavily.

'Mil, Doma. Go check the area for any other threats.
Yeah.
Okay.

　The two hunters nod and disappear into the forest.

　He watches them and looks at us.

'Marle, are you hurt?'
No.

　I answered shortly.

　I just moved around with my inflamed body, which didn't bother me during the battle, but now I was sore all over the place and a bit lazy.

　It was also the reason I was sitting up.　

'I'm just a bit tired,'

　As I added, Ortima-san nodded at me, "I see.

　He then looked back at his two fellow hunters and once again looked at the corpse of the demon bear lying on the ground.

''Saury, Cuiriz, let's dismantle this thing and carry it to the village.
Oh.
We won't be needing food for a while.

　They laughed and replied.

　Hmmm?
　Apparently, the meat of demons can be used as food.

　When I asked Illtimina-san about it, she said that it only contains a lot of magnesium, and its meat quality is not much different from normal animal meat. Of course, there are some types of meat that are not edible due to the high toxin content, but this demon bear is said to be edible.

The village will be saved.

　We've been struggling with food self-sufficiency for some time now, so it seems like a rare and welcome event to get a big one like this.

(Yeah, it was worth the effort for me too.)

　The girl's smile made me think so.

　Ortima and the three of them seemed to be very familiar with the process, and in no time at all, they had turned the demon bear into five parts.

　In the middle of it all, the two who had entered the forest returned.

''There was nothing unusual.''
Okay.

　Ortima-san exhales in relief.

(..........?)

　What was so alarming about it?

　I wondered a little.　

　In the meantime, the dismembered chunks of meat were being tied up with ropes.

All right, let's go back to the village.

　At Ortima-san's command, the five of them started to walk away, carrying a hunk of meat.

(Oh?)

　As expected of the "People of the Demon Blood".
　He was carrying a weight that looked like it was at least 100 kilograms on his back as if it was a matter of course.

　As I watched with admiration.

"Merle.

　Illtimina approached me.

　She was squatting in front of me, with her back to me.
　Huh?

Yeah, I'm fine. I can walk.
No.

　He said with a snap.

'Come on, come on,'
..........

　I don't know if it's the nature of her sister, but there's an air of disobedience in her voice that makes it hard for her to defy orders.

　I reluctantly rested my body on her back.

(Ugh........it smells good)

　Her hair against her arm is also silky.

　And her back is smaller than her adult counterpart, though it's obvious, and it makes me feel somewhat sorry for her.

　Zah.

　But even at a young age, she is a 'demon blood people'.
　She stands up effortlessly with me on her back.

　As it is, she starts to walk with a normal gait.

''.........''

　Relieved by that, I closed my eyelids and decided to give her everything I had for a while.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


　When I returned safely to Rudo village, the villagers greeted me.

　They were all amazed at the size of the lump of flesh of the demon bear carried by the hunters, and then, after hearing Ortima-san's explanation, their gazes were drawn to me in admiration.

''That girl alone........''
It's great being an adventurer.
You've saved Irna's life twice now.

　I hear all kinds of voices.
　And.

Boy, thanks a lot!

　Someone's voice triggered a round of applause from everyone.

(.......................Thank you.

　The welcome mode is embarrassing.

　But Illtimina-san, who is carrying me on her back, seemed happy with the village's reaction.　

''Maal~!

　Ah.
　Among those villagers, I saw a little girl being held by Mr. Forn. She's buzzing and waving her hands.

(Thank God, Solstice was safe too.)

　I laughed at the sight of her, too.

　I suppose it's no surprise that Illtimina-san is safe, but seeing her with my own eyes, I finally feel relieved.

　Ortima-san was staring at me in profile.

　And then...

Ho-ho-ho, this is a great demon bear.

　The human wall cracked open and the village chief appeared with a staff.

　The old woman's thread-thin eyes sullenly stare at the lump of flesh and then at me, carried on my back by the girl, Illtimina.

'Thanks, Marle-boy,'
Nope.
What do you think?　Can you come over to my house for another cup of tea to thank me?

　I laugh.

(............)

　Why is that?　It felt like it wasn't just an invitation to tea.

'Yeah, sure.'

　I nodded.

　The village chief laughed, "Hohoho, thanks," and took a glance at Ortima-san before leaving.

　Receiving his gaze, he left the lump of meat he was carrying on his back with the nearby villager and followed the village chief.

(.........hmm?)

　Apparently, Ortima will be attending the tea party as well.

　I let out a deep breath.

　And.

Thanks, Illtimina.

　I get off her back.

　The girl shakes her head, "Nah," she says, looking at my face, which is shorter than hers.

"...if you had a brother, would he be like you, Marle?

　I muttered something like that.

(...no, we're the same age, we are now.)

　I can't help but poke around in my mind.

　But maybe it's because the image of that person as an adult is still there, but the girl in front of me feels like a sisterhood, not a motherhood.
　Is she a 'big sister' by nature?

　The girl notices me with a complicated face.

'Oh, I'm sorry.'
Nope.

　I chuckle.

　Then, in order not to keep the two adults waiting too long, I immediately headed to the village chief's house.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇



Again, thank you for helping Irna and Sol out, Marle-boy.

　Then the village chief bowed his head.

　It was the living room of the village chief's house.

　There was a teacup of tea on the table in front of me, and the village chief and Ms. Ortima were sitting side by side on the other side of the table.

　I take a sip of tasteless tea and

Nope.

　I shook my head.

'I got saved from being lost, too. We're even.

　As she continued, she laughed, "Ho ho ho.

'Oh well. Marlborough is so humble.
Yeah?

　I'm not sure what I am.

　She laughs again and sips her tea with a zuzu.

　Incidentally, Mr. Ortima hasn't laughed once during that time. Does he not like me?

But you took down a demon bear all by yourself.
..........
Even though Ortima is the best hunter in the village, it will still be difficult for her to defeat a demon bear by herself.

　peeking through

　The village chief looks at him.

'...............'

　He remained expressionless.

　Chuckling at that, the village chief then changed his expression.

(.........Is it time to get to the point?)

　I thought.

　The village chief looked at me.

To tell you the truth, Marlborough. Lately, those kinds of demons have become a common sight in the vicinity of this village.
..........

　She nodded silently and urged him to continue.

　She continued.

'It wasn't always like that. We only saw them once in a while, deep in the woods.'
..........
But since a couple of months ago, we've been seeing them in the forest close to the village. And this time, the place where the demon bear was found is the closest one we've ever seen.

　Really?

(...what could it be?)

　I pondered and nodded my head.

　What I came up with was the appearance of the demons in the water system that I saw in the Great Maze.

'Could it be that the demon ecosystem has changed?'
Hmm. Possibly.

　The village chief nodded.

　But with his tone, he seemed to have an idea of another cause.

　At my gaze, instead, Ortima-san opened her mouth.

''So far, we've defeated the demons we've come across.
..........
But that was a month ago.

　He speaks in a hard tone.

　Its content was a bit surprising.

　That day, Ortima-san was exploring the forest with his four companions as usual, when he discovered a pack of wolf-shaped demons called 'White Fang Wolves' in the distance. But among that pack, she said, there was one person.

(.........human?)

　I was surprised by the unexpected words.

　At first, I thought I was being attacked by a demon.

　But no.

　The person wearing a black robe all over his body was saying something to the demons and pointing a strange staff at them.

''--You, what are you doing?''

　Ms. Ortima couldn't help but call out to him.

　Instantly, the black-robed figure was terribly surprised and tried to run away as if in a hurry.

　--suspicious.　

　Ms. Ortima and the others tried to catch him.

　But.

'At that moment, the white fangled wolves attacked us. It seemed to me that their movements were as if they were obeying a man's orders.

　He said so impression.

(............)

　Demons do what people tell them to do?

　How is that possible?

　Both Ortima-san and the village chief felt the same doubts that I did.

　But that doesn't change the fact that it looked that way.

　And.

"As he was running away, my arrow struck him and the man dropped the mask he was wearing.

　He continued to do so.

(...mask?)

　On the table in front of me, who craned her neck, Ms. Ortima put down the sleeve she took out of her pocket.

...

　A white carved wooden mask.

　There are holes in the eyes and a strange pattern around the eyes. On the forehead, there was still a wound from an arrowhead hit.

　--I know what it is.

　I had seen a mask very similar to this one before.

　I didn't know it, and muttered in a trembling voice.



　It was the very mask worn by that group of fanatics who claimed to have eradicated demonic blood that had once fought in the vicinity of the town of Oasis.