Chapter 94

As twilight descended, just a short while before the sky darkened, Zolmneum gazed up at the towering walls of Rodnea.

This is nothing more than a single city.

There are just a few more people studying magic here; it’s not as if there are powerful adventurers hunting mighty monsters or elite soldiers of the imperial army stationed here. The hero should still be a child. There is no one in this party of strong individuals who could pose a threat.

So this fear must be—probably due to the overwhelming pressure. The time has finally come to achieve the purpose of the journey. Zolmneum had long forgotten that he, too, could feel such emotions.

The plan is already understood by everyone.

They will drive the students from all four sides of the academy, converge near the central main building, and then proceed with further slaughter. If they find someone who looks like a hero, each member will send a signal using their specialized magical device. Even if they don’t find anyone, the commotion should lure out those with martial prowess.

It’s a rather uncertain plan, but there’s no choice. The hero isn’t sitting on a throne like the former Demon King.

Zolmneum wished he had the skills for espionage.

He understood the importance of information, but he couldn’t secure the necessary personnel.

However, he had the maps of Rodnea and the academy, which he had made by capturing a few merchants and comparing their drawings. Using these, he would send each member to their designated location with Gahl Ganees’ teleportation magic. The fact that the merchants’ goods and the members themselves became unexpected supplies was a stroke of luck.

Now, it’s just a matter of leaving the success or failure to fate.

“I feel like it might work out.”

Lo Ni broke the tense silence.

“Dee and Mide are also full of enthusiasm, and besides... we won’t lose to anyone.”

“Aye, that’s a good attitude.”

Muderev followed the rabbitman’s words.

“Keep your heart strong. It’s necessary for great deeds. If your heart is weak, nothing will go well, not just in battle.”

“Mnya... I’ve heard that six times already...”

“Everyone already knows that.”

Zolmneum smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth.

Surely, it will succeed. With this party—.

“Let’s go.”

The man of divine and demonic heritage told his companions.

A few moments later.

The figures of the demons vanished along with the residual light of the magic circle.

****

Gahl Ganees, who had teleported to the western end of the magic academy, realized two things.

One, that the teleportation of everyone, including himself, had been successful.

And the other, this unexpected fog.

Despite there being no sign of it from outside the walls—-the magic academy was covered in a thick fog. Even Gahl Ganees, who was not well-versed in weather, understood that an evening fog was an extremely rare phenomenon. Moreover, such a dense fog confined to the area within the walls was unheard of.

It was so thick that it could make one lose their way. But it was too late to change the plan over such a minor issue.

“Tch...”

Gahl Ganees created countless flames in the air.

The fog thinned slightly around them.

If the temperature rose, the fog would clear. But the flames he created with magic were like pouring water on a scorched stone. This area was sparsely built, and even if he set fire to something, it wouldn’t spread. The flames served as a light source at best.

But even so, it was better than nothing. At least he could see his surroundings.

Surprisingly, there were human presences nearby.

People walking on the path, stopping to chat.

They were probably students here. They didn’t seem disturbed by the fog. Perhaps it was a common occurrence for them.

Gahl Ganees clicked his tongue.

“Tch, they’re so complacent... Don’t take it personally.”

He knew it was an unreasonable statement.

It was impossible not to hate. Who could accept being killed suddenly and without fault?

It was a sentimental thought, too late.

When he decided to take on the mission his brother couldn’t complete and defeat the hero to save the future of the demons, he was already prepared to be hated.

Besides, this place—-was where his beloved brother fell.

He had a right to revenge.

Gahl Ganees aimed a flame at a chatting female student.

It was supposed to burn her lungs and heart, scatter embers from her mouth, and take her life in a short time—.

But.

“Oh...? What is this?”

****

Lo Ni and Pylislaria teleported to the southern end of the magic academy.

“It seems to have worked. But... it’s a pretty thick fog.”

“Mnya...”

The rabbitman boy continued brightly.

“Well, this much is no problem at all.”

Lo Ni had an extremely good sense of direction as a beastman.

This level of poor visibility was not an issue.

“Lo Ni, you’re reliable...”

“Pylislaria? Are you awake?”

“Yes...”

Lo Ni turned around, and Pylislaria, with her eyes slightly open, nodded.

It was rare for her to be awake when there was nothing to do.

She would probably drift back to sleep soon. Still, she would perform her duties in battle, and Lo Ni wondered how she managed it.

“But what’s this? You’re praising me?”

“Lo Ni, you’ve... gotten stronger...”

“Me? What are you talking about?”

The rabbitman boy smiled wryly.

“I haven’t changed. Dee and Mide are the ones working hard, and I’m still the weakest among everyone.”

“No... Lo Ni, you’ve gotten stronger... I think you’re stronger than me now...”

There was a reason Lo Ni and Pylislaria were paired.

Lo Ni could handle multiple monsters but was helpless against stronger enemies. Pylislaria’s evil eye was powerful but had many weaknesses due to its extreme nature.

They needed to complement each other.

Compared to Gahl Ganees, who controlled teleportation and fire magic with unusual precision, Muderev, who possessed overwhelming martial prowess, and Zolmneum, who mastered both magic and swordsmanship, the two were weaker.

However, even so.

Pylislaria continued in a whisper.

“You’ve gotten better at handling monsters... and in your heart...”

“Ahaha, really? But my heart has improved a bit. I was the best handler in my village. I thought I was the best. But after meeting the captain and Muderev, and going on this journey... I feel like I’ve been knocked back to reality.”

At first, he couldn’t admit it and often lashed out at Pylislaria.

He didn’t want to be the weakest in the party and often burned with rivalry towards her.

In the end, it was all a mistake.

“I’ve... gained a little confidence...”

“You were the best handler in your hometown, right?”

Pylislaria slowly shook her head.

“This kind of power... is useless in a peaceful place... I always sleep and... just cause trouble for everyone...”

“...”

“But... today, I finally feel like I can stand tall... I want to tell my father and mother... that I’ve defeated the hero...”

“...Yeah. Then... let’s get it over with quickly.”

Lo Ni’s shadow spread, and a pack of Shadow Wolves appeared on the ground one after another.

He knew there were multiple human presences nearby.

They were probably students of this academy.

“Go, everyone!”

The Shadow Wolves dashed—-and attacked the human figures.

These monsters were tough enough to make even high-level adventurers struggle. They were far beyond the capabilities of amateurs.

This was just the beginning. The pack of wolves would easily drive the group of people into a corner.

But—-Lo Ni felt a sense of unease.

The fog made it hard to see, but it was strange. He couldn’t hear the screams that should have risen.

The Shadow Wolves also seemed confused.

“...What...? Retreat!”

Eventually, the Shadow Wolves returned.

Lo Ni squinted at what they were carrying in their mouths.

“What is this...?”

****

Muderev, who teleported to the eastern end of the magic academy, looked around and muttered first.

“Aye, the fog is thick. But it should be manageable.”

Despite his vague words, his steps were confident.

In the uncertain surroundings, deciding the direction to go was just a matter of intuition.

But Muderev valued his warrior’s intuition. From his experience, it was reliable.

There were no human presences nearby.

The eastern end, which Muderev was responsible for, was an area with research buildings. According to his intuition, there didn’t seem to be anyone in the buildings. Perhaps this place was rarely used.

“Well, that’s fine... but it’s a bit of a problem.”

Muderev didn’t want to kill humans indiscriminately.

He wanted to face a worthy opponent, someone strong enough to match his full strength. He only needed to take on as many as he could eat. That was enough for him. Unnecessary killing should be avoided for both humans and beasts.

But just this once, he couldn’t afford to be so picky.

He needed to create a commotion to expose the hero.

For that, he needed the humans to scream.

“But if there’s no one, there’s nothing I can do. This must be a miscalculation by Zolmneum...”

He stopped talking to himself and suddenly readied his club.

With a sound like an axe striking a giant tree—-two throwing knives pierced his club.

“Oh...!”

Muderev looked at his club and exclaimed in amazement.

This club, carved from an ancient demon tree he had once felled, had only been damaged a few times by swords, spears, or magic.

But now, a small knife, no bigger than his finger, was embedded in it, albeit slightly. The impact transmitted through the club and the technique was extraordinary. He quickly realized it was a magical effect.

“O strong one, reveal thy name.”

Muderev smiled with joy and called out to his opponent.

It was a small human.

A girl, a child. With rare gray hair, she wielded a large battle axe that seemed out of place for her small body.

The girl didn’t give her name and asked curiously.

“Who are you?”

“I am the ogre, Muderev. The one who will defeat you.”

“...Where did you get hired? There was no one like you in the guild.”

“Guild? Gahahaha, I don’t understand what you’re saying!”

“...It doesn’t matter. I won’t let you pass...!”

The girl closed the distance in an instant and raised her battle axe.

Muderev had anticipated her movements, but they were much faster than he expected.

He blocked the battle axe with the metal band on his club, which was used for reinforcement. The impact resonated through his body, and a heavy metallic sound echoed.

If he had blocked it with the bare wood, the blade would have surely sunk deep.

The girl quickly pulled back her battle axe and delivered a sweeping strike aimed at his legs.

Muderev planted his club on the cobblestones and blocked it. He then swung his club to sweep her off her feet, but she dodged by crouching.

The girl then swung her battle axe upwards. It was fast, and she showed no signs of being intimidated by the ogre’s powerful punches.

“Gahahaha! You’re on the defensive! ”

Muderev laughed.

While evading the girl’s fierce attacks, the ogre warrior thought calmly.

Her technique was impossible.

Each strike was too heavy. On the other hand, her movements were light, and she didn’t seem to be weighed down by her weapon.

Strength could be supplemented with magic, but weight was different. The girl was too small. Unless her body was filled with lead, such movements would be impossible. Normally.

Muderev’s face deepened with a smile.

It was nothing.

The ogre warrior had been hoping to fight a strong opponent with such extraordinary techniques.

The girl’s battle axe swung down diagonally.

This time, Muderev—-deliberately—-blocked it with the wooden part of his club.

“...!”

With a creaking sound, the battle axe’s blade sank into the club.

It didn’t cut through, but it was not shallow. The girl’s expression slightly distorted, and the heaviness she felt from the battle axe suddenly became slightly lighter.

Muderev seized the opportunity—-and swung his club, which had the battle axe embedded in it