The Demon Raid (2)

Rick.

No, spy. Auschulz de Nefer is lost in thought.

His skin is a pale ebony hue.

Rick's face bears the markings of a demon.

A dark-crowned, two-horned black mountain goat.

It was the symbol of the demons, a symbol that appeared whenever the demons grew in power. It is known as the symbol of Baal, the first and most exalted demon.

This meant that Rick had been fed by a demon beyond the required amount.

It also meant that his influence was never small.

"Huu...."

Rick exhaled a pale, heated breath as he injected a needle into his arm.

A special solution to suppress the periodic reflux of demon blood.

Without frequent injections, he couldn't blend in with the humans. Nor could he function as a spy.

So he uses the injections to 'pose' as a human, so to speak.

'The plan is still on track. No major changes yet.'

That's pretty good.

So far, Rick has done a pretty good job of portraying a simple country boy with a talent for accounting. The proof is in the pudding: he's duped Eleanor de Rivalin.

Of course, Eleanor doesn't know he's a demon.

She doesn't know she's a traitor.

In other words, she doesn't know he's a spy.

"Stupid bitch."

It's a word that doesn't sit well with Eleanor.

She didn't trust people, and she moved with care.

But apart from that, she put me under her thumb, and she trusted my skills enough to give me the job of assistant manager.

She doesn't trust people, but she trusts skills, so she didn't look at my background. She put me in a position based solely on my talent.

This made it relatively easy for Rick to become a key figure in Eleanor's inner circle.

He's even managed to keep the Emperor's cronies from realizing he's a pawn, and it's all worked. No one doubts him.

He's just a good little boy with a Newsboy cap.

Things were going so well.

Until he encountered a variable he hadn't anticipated.

"Why did Nox von Reinhafer... turn down my offer?"

Rick pondered, recalling his meeting with Nox in District 4.

At the time, when he'd confided in him, he'd thought for sure he'd join the Imperialist faction.

That he would quickly betray the Dark House that had abandoned him.

But Nox's behavior was anything but what I expected.

He shattered the crystal ball with his sword.

It was something that didn't make any sense.

"Nox was obviously disowned by his family. At first, I thought it was because of his skill, then I thought he was pushed out of the clique."

But it turned out to be neither.

While it wasn't easy to predict exactly who Nox was, one thing was certain.

None of this was a fluke.

'Perhaps.'

Maybe he could be a danger in the near future.

Is it better to leave him alone?

"I don't think so. I don't know what's going on, but...."

When they first arrived at the school. Rick had thought that only Paracelsus, Leon von Marvas, and Lana von Sayder would pose a threat.

But he was wrong.

Nox.

The unknown variable is the most dangerous right now.

Rick thought.

Who was the best performer on the entrance exam?

Who dominated the Fourth District, defeating Paracelsus?

All Nox von Reinhafer.

Even in Professor Lars's theory class, where he is known for his sternness, he showed off his erudition. He even rejected Lars's entreaties to become his pupil.

This was no coincidence.

"It's hard enough to take down the top of Rivalin.... Damn, I've got a lot on my plate."

He muttered, and before he knew it, all the drugs in the syringe were in his system. The pallor of his face was gone.

He's back to being a good little boy with a pale face and a bun hat. The only people who would know Rick's true colors would be the man at the Emperor's side and his true master.

No, maybe....

At that moment, a fleeting thought flashed through his mind.

"Nox von Reinhafer. Maybe he's guessing my identity, too."

Maybe, really, it was a possibility.

But Rick dismissed it as a possibility.

Nox was strong, sure, but he was no match for the Empire.

He'd just have to wait and see how things played out.

…Until then, that is, Rick thought.

* * *

There was a long silence in the nameless forest after Nox's words.

After a few moments, a murmur of voices filled the air among the awakened students.

Every single one of them had something negative to say about Nox leading them.

Penelope was the most questioning of them all.

'The Cold-blooded Princess,' spoke up.

"Nox von Reinhafer. You really need to explain why we should follow your orders. If I'm not the leader, how many others are?"

Penelope said in a cold tone.

The man in front of her. The idea of Nox von Reinhafer becoming their leader was just as shocking.

It was customary for the Dark and Holy Houses to snarl at each other.

So why is he out to protect her?

Could he have an ulterior motive?

Of course, based on merit alone, it would make the most sense for Nox to lead the students, but…

It was true that there was something fishy going on.

Penelope swallowed hard for a moment. She expected Nox to be angry.

But his reply was as calm as ever.

"Perhaps the Princess has other ideas."

The casual acceptance in his voice made Penelope stiffen.

So did the other students.

To lead someone, now, in this situation?

There was no way a freshman could take on such a heavy responsibility so easily.

One mistake and they would all die.

If you're a House Reinhafer Hoodlum, you don't give a shit what happens to you….

Others were different.

They had come to Eldain with the honor, progress, and hope of their families on their backs. None of them wished to sully their family's name by rushing out of here.

Not to mention the commoners.

Nox's declaration had stirred the people, anyway.

A better way. A way to protect the Princess and keep themselves alive.

No one else had it.

Humans would panic in such a desperate situation.

Besides, they were still young. Fifteen or so at most. Except for Princess Penelope, who was fourteen, they were all about the same age.

To think that they would be able to handle a situation like this was a mistake.

'I see some of the elite units react differently.'

Meanwhile, not everyone was taken aback by Nox's remarks.

The dark-haired boy in the back, Leon von Marvas, crossed his arms as he watched the situation unfold. It's a sign of confidence in his ability to handle the situation.

As for Paracelsus, the road is as steep as ever.

It's Paracelsus who finds it easier to survive in this situation, and in a way, he's more of a protagonist.

As for Talia, she watches him, her fists clenched as if she had faith in Nox.

"It is your decision, Princess. Either I take the lead and lead the way, or you stay here and find another way, if you're confident you'll make it out alive."

Nox's words were blunt.

Penelope's mind raced as she realized she had no choice. Echidna stepped forward to defend her.

"What have you done to the Princess, Nox von Rheinhafer?"

"I have not spoken to you. Shut up."

For the first time, Nox looked different as if he despised himself.

Echidna's face flushed bright red. She snapped.

"Do you really believe that you can escape this forest because you have a modicum of talent when you know you can't do anything more than find a flaw in the formula?"

"Certainly, but I'd rather be a scumbag with talent than a scumbag with no talent."

Nox said mockingly.

"Wouldn't that be better?"

"No, Nox…."

Talia's soft voice came from behind him.

But Nox didn't care.

"Anyone else can decide where they want to live. But you, Princess Penelope, I will protect you at all costs. It is the law of the Empire."

The laws of the Empire.

It was a ridiculous thing for Nox to say, but no one could deny it.

Protecting the blood of the Imperial family.

It is the duty of all Imperial subjects.

"Goddamn it!"

Echidna exploded in frustration.

In truth, Nox's offer was one that even she could not refuse. Incidentally, the other students were also organizing their thoughts to agree with him.

It's only natural that they wouldn't be able to protect the Princess on their own.

Besides.

If they were to move away without protecting the Princess, and she were to suffer any injuries?

They'd be punished again under Imperial law.

The same goes for Penelope.

As an Imperial Princess, it is of the utmost importance that she maintain her sanctity. {1}

Therefore, in such an emergency, the opinion of the strongest must be sought and followed, for that is the law of the land.

"The strongest of the students is… Nox von Reinhafer, no matter what anyone says.

Penelope finally nodded.

"Very well, Nox. You will lead the procession. However, you will be held accountable if anything happens to me."

"Understood."

Nox said, then pointed to a few people in the back.

"You, and you. Help me."

His words brought everyone in the room to their feet.

And rightly so, for Nox pointed to the two strongest freshmen, Paracelsus and Leon von Marvas.

Even Echidna, who hated Nox, couldn't help but admire him at this point.

'Of course, he's going to help himself by pointing out the strongest freshmen... He's obviously insane!'

* * *

"Ha, you're going to use me to your advantage?"

As expected, Paracelsus didn't obey me.

Damn, this asshole is tricky.

But I must show him that Nox is just as demanding.

"What's the matter with you? You're one of those little bird breasts that keeps the results of a fair duel in your chest, aren't you?" {2}

"This is…!"

The boy interrupted, cutting off Paracelsus' rant.

His tone was calm.

"I'll just call you Nox… What can I do to help you?"

Leon von Marvas. This one was better.

He's a man of his word. He was a gentleman in the game, too. He was pretty easy to recruit, so he was a tier 0 unit. Maybe.

He was also quite popular because of his necromancer background and his decorum. It also helped that he had black hair, which is rare in this world.

They say the fine-tuning is in the hair.

The black-haired man's popularity was certainly enormous.

"Leon von Marvas. You will now summon as many skeletons as you can using undead magic. It is your duty to guard this procession with the students around you, and Paracelsus."

"Ha, shit. I can't do that."

"You will escort Princess Penelope."

"As you wish, my noble lord."

Paracelsus was still a madman. To be so openly sarcastic in front of the Empress.

He was funny in the game, but here he was a troll.

"How dare you… in front of the Princess!"

"I've heard that line before."

Paracelsus shrugged off Echidna's comment, then demanded that she too help the Princess.

"I can block most of them. But I can't block every attack with my sword. What can you do about the remaining magical attacks?"

"How dare you tell me what to do…."

"Or let them all go to hell."

"Shut up."

I snapped back to attention.

Then I simply ordered the others.

"The rest of you will follow and fend for yourselves."

A most difficult mission.

But I'm going to help as much as I can. Even as an extra, I don't want to watch other students die.

It wouldn't leave a very good taste in my mouth, and I need as many people alive as possible in order to exterminate the demons. That way I'll have less to do.

Anyways.

So began our long procession back to Eldain.

The students look a little indecisive, but in the end, they're following my lead, and I'm just taking it easy.

I still have Talia and Eleanor on my left and right, which is a little uncomfortable.

There's even Fel in front of me, impressed by my performance. His eyes are twinkling and he's giving me an admiring glance.

"I've never seen such charisma in my life, Nox-nim… you must be a great noble…!"

"It's noisy."

"Yes, it is loud."

Eleanor and I agreed for a moment. But Fell did not give up.

"How cool was it to see Nox-nim leading so many people just now! Don't you think, Talia?"

At his enthusiastic question, Talia could only mutter softly as she followed along beside him.

"…Huh? It was… kinda, sorta, kinda cool...."

'This sucks.'

I thought to myself, trying to sense the magic that was slowly closing in on us. I'm the only one here who's magically superior…

"Something's coming."

"…That's a pretty good hunch."

No, there was one more. Leon von Marvas.

This guy was pretty good…

"Looks like a flying monster."

...Oh, there's one more.

Why do you keep popping out embarrassingly? Shit.

For the record, this time it was Princess Penelope who dismounted.

I was bored and used [Insight] to check her stats.

__________________

[Basic Info]

Name: Penelope von Arkheim

Gender: Female

Age: 14

Race: Human

Primary Element: Lightning

Achievements: -.

[Traits].

Positives: [Sense of Justice] / [Mana Sensitivity Genius] / [Imperial Dignity] / [Sense of Responsibility].

Neutral: -.

Negative: [Pressure] / [Cowardice] / [Insomnia] / [Nagging]]

[Stats]

Physique: 6

MP: 10

Luck: 6

Will: 4

Charm: 26

[Skills]

Passive Skills: [Retribution].

Active Skills: -.

__________________

As expected from someone who has practiced magic before, this is an excellent sensitivity.

She was born a genius in the first place.

Later, there will be few who can match her in this world.

"Be prepared. I will lower my voice from now on."

After saying that, I drew my sword.

Demons. Ludwig has the power to manipulate demons.

In other words.

"We're going to have to fight quite a few of them."

I'll have to fight more.

'My lifespan will be extended.'

Thinking only to myself, I began to think about how I could eat the last hit without showing off.

A golden ticket to level up like this?

This is bullshit, right?