A Devil.

To think that he would actually beat a Devil… I was ready to interfere if things went south, but I guess I underestimated him. He even used the lost summoner magic. Synchro Summon Magic. Did that scholar teach him that? Hm?

In the corner of my eye, I spotted a red magic stone.

A devil… A human that purposely turned himself into a demon using the "Terrestrialization Virus" and demon to harness a demon's power.

As a result, they became a very different creature, creating a new type of monster called a Devil. They don't have the usual appearance of the infected monster; they look exactly the same as when they were a human. Their personalities become twisted. Their once honest desires and ambitions are now purely driven and fueled by greed. That being said, human's greed knows no bounds even without this.

They're just like the previous demon lord—nothing but pure malice, greed, and hatred.

That's exactly why I had no choice but to…

"Ha…" I sighed.

This vice mayor may not have manifested all of the demon's power, but it would still take an entire country's military power to kill one.

I'd say this was only the tenth of the demon's power.

"Light girl," I called. "Go ahead and take him to the village."

"What about you, Zel?"

"I'll seal this magic stone. It's dangerous to leave it alone. It will take some time, so the two of you should head back first."

The blood-red magic stones emit a red, eerie aura, a corrupted mana that affects humans and demons. In a bad way.

"I see. Be careful, Zel. Ah! Let me give you this just in case."

"What is it?"

The light girl pointed her right palm at me.

What is she doing?

"Divine Protection."

"What!? You're leaving your trace, you know?"

"Ah, well... Please take care of it? Try to go back before dusk, alright?" She said as she went on her way, carrying the summoner boy in her arms.

Should she really be carrying him like that?

I couldn't help but let out a sigh. "You and your kind are really a pain in the ass."

Just like that time woman.

Anyway, I'll take care of this magic stone first.

Since the incantation is pretty long and lengthy, I surrounded myself and the magic stone with a barrier. After that, I used a fire element-based illusion magic [Mirage] to blend in the forest. Lastly, I used several concealment magics to prevent others from detecting my presence or mana.

That should do it.

Now then, I should start.

Don't think I'd let your soul go to the other side.

*****

It's been an hour since we came back to the village.

When we arrived, I decided to get another room with two beds for Miss Klare and Miss Raela and another one for Miss Mist.

"Jiuru… was it? Me and Klare can share a bed, so please just take one room."

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes. And I think it would be better if Mist woke up to the people she's familiar with. We'll explain what happened to her once she woke up."

That's true.

"Alright. Sorry, Owner, we'll just take one room with two beds."

"No problem. I was about to tell you that that's the only room left for today anyway. Is the duration the same as the other rooms?"

"Miss Raela. Are you two in a rush to go somewhere?"

"Not really…" she replied as she glanced at Miss Klare. Miss Klare nodded, and she continued, "I am unable to tell you the specifics, but we're currently on a run, so we were just wandering aimlessly. If possible, we would like to at least go to a town that has an Adventurer's Guild."

So, they don't know anything about this kingdom's geography. That means they're from neighboring countries.

"I see. Our party's base is in Luminus town. We went to this village to do our quest, so we will be staying for a week. Once we're done, we can take you there."

"Much appreciated. We would like to repay you somehow, but… Oh, I know. Would you allow us to accompany you on your quest?"

I should probably accept her suggestion.

"I understand. I'll inform them once they come back."

"Looks like you guys have decided. Here's the key; it's the third room on the second floor. We don't have a bath, but we do have a well in the back where you can wash your body and clothes. Also, we'll call you when it's dinner time. Enjoy your stay."

"Thank you very much."

After that, we went to the room and laid down Miss Mist on one of the beds. They told me that they would take care of Miss Mist, so I went back down to go back to the forest.

I doubt they will be in danger since Master and Miss Aelee are there…

Before I stepped out of the village, I saw Miss Aelee in the distance, carrying Brother Greo in her arms.

She's carrying him like a princess… Wait, not that.

"Miss Aelee, what happened to Brother Greo?"

"Oh, Jiuru. You see…"

Miss Aelee explained to me what happened after we parted ways as we were walking back to the inn.

"He died like a monster?" I asked.

"Yes. I'm not exactly sure what a Devil is. We can ask Zel later once she comes back."

"That reminds me. Where's master?"

"She stayed to take care of the magic stone that was left behind."

"I see. I'm sure she'll be fine. It's master after all. Ah, let me carry Brother Greo; you must be tired too."

"It's alright. I didn't really do anything, so I'm fine."

"But—"

"It's alright," she smiled. Her lips are smiling, but her eyes are not.

"O-okay…"

*****

When we arrived at the inn, I led Miss Aelee to our room. She laid him down on his bed, took a chair, and sat beside him.

"You should rest too, Jiuru. You exhausted a great deal of your mana. You should not push yourself too much when you don't have to. Get a proper rest when you can."

Miss Aelee really is so kind and considerate…

"Well then, I will. Please take care of Brother Greo."

At her suggestion, I went to my bed and closed my eyes. Maybe it's because I was so tired, but my consciousness slowly drifts away.

"[Comfort]"

Ah… that's warm…

*****

Meanwhile, at the office of the captain of the Order of the Knight, is Marco sitting at his desk. In front of him is a small orb crystal that was glowing green earlier, and now it's pitch black. He's been staring at it intensely since he arrived.

Hmm…

Someone knocked on the door.

"Come in."

"You need something, Marco?" Asked Glen.

"Take a look at this."

Marco handed the pitch black orb crystal to Glen.

"This is… the tracking orb for Virtuo that you used on him when you raided his mansion, isn't it? It's pitch black. Did the Knight Guards get him?"

Tracking orb is a magic tool that tracks any target's movements and whether they're still alive or not in a specialized map. The tracking orb has three marks carved on it in pyramid shape, so it needs two or three different classes' mana. One is the archer's mana whose class skill, [Eagle View], had already activated; second is the mage's mana that has any mana concealment magic to prevent the target from detecting the "mark," and lastly is the mana of the person who'll place the "mark" on the target. It could be either of the first two or someone who can stealthily place it on the target. In this case, it was Marco who did it while he was fighting Virtuo.

It is an extremely valuable magic tool. Because of its complex engineering, the numbers produced annually are limited. Its price ranges from the lowest quality, ten million oires, to the highest quality, fifty million oires. The one they used on Virtuo costs thirty million oires.

"That's the thing; his mark disappeared on the map. We sent out a large number of Knight Guards and Knights to Flatta Forest, so they're moving pretty slowly. Since they left ten days ago, it will take them four more days before they arrive. Either he was killed by someone we don't know or he noticed the mark and removed it himself."

Traveling to Flatta Forest on foot takes eleven days. With a normal horse and wagon, it will take seven days. With a centaur wagon, it will only take two days.

"That's pretty concerning. Alright, I'll send a messenger pigeon to Benmar and tell them to investigate."

"Yeah, please do. And one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Ask Seiha to do a thorough background check on the newly appointed vice mayor."

Seiha is the head of the Assassin Knights Division who works in the shadow. Their number is pretty small, with only thirty members compared to other divisions.

The Knights Guard has one hundred fifty, and the Knights Division has four hundred members who both have Marco as their captain. The Knights Division is made up of one hundred fifty fighters, one hundred archers, five archpriests, five archmages, twenty hydrals, twenty combusters, twenty gales, twenty terriars, thirty support mages, and thirty combat mages.

For a town, Luminus has a pretty decent army.

"Understood."

Glen immediately went out of the room upon receiving his orders.

When the door closed, Marco leaned back on his seat and stared at the ceiling of the room.

Flatta Forest… If I remember correctly, the Adventurer's Guild received a subjugation request for String Serpents in the ruins located in that forest. It's unlikely, but the party who took that quest might be the one who killed him. But even if I tell them that it's related to the vice mayor's case, I doubt they will divulge any information.

"I guess I will have to set up some things," he sighed.