The Shadow in the Thicket

“It is not far from here to the place where the Demon King is being summoned. Normally, it would take a week at most.”

Azrael spoke the information he had gathered with composure. It matched the location I had estimated using the map.

“First, I have distributed three days’ worth of emergency medicine to everyone. The amount I currently hold is enough to last fifteen nights, even assuming everyone sustained injuries. If you are wounded, please prioritize using the supplies I carry over your own.”

“The monsters in this vicinity seem to be undergoing significant demonization compared to those we have faced before. Their traces are denser than those left by ordinary monsters.”

It finally felt like I was truly participating in a subjugation. It felt like being back in The Hunters. However, my mood plummeted at the single sentence Saul uttered.

“I suspected as much, but there are assassins. I judge they will attack before we penetrate deep into the forest.”

What?

“I understand the desire to secure seven weapons at once and bolster national power… but this is bleak.”

“I tried to think optimistically… but it is just as expected.”

What is as expected! Aren’t we going to kill the Demon King? What on earth is the reason to prioritize assassinating people over the Demon King’s subjugation?

“Since Andrealphus cannot attack humans, this will be a taxing battle.”

“We shall move with the goal of entering the deep forest as quickly as possible.”

Regardless of the screams in my heart, everyone continued their conversation about the situation being “bleak” without showing any particular signs of depression.

Just as they had expected.

“What kind of ability does Andrealphus have?”

Whether I was frustrated beside him or not, Raphael, who had been doing nothing just like me, nonchalantly cut into the conversation.

“He is….”

Azrael crossed his arms and turned his head as if he had no intention of answering, and the knights looked at each other and trailed off at his reaction.

Eventually, Raphael turned to me.

“What kind of ability is it that makes everyone act like this?”

I contemplated pretending I couldn’t hear him just to ignore him, but I opened my mouth with a clear sign of reluctance.

“You will see.”

Raphael asked again with an incredulous expression.

“What?”

“I said, you will see.”

What. Why. What. I ignored the baffled Raphael and approached Azrael. Azrael, who was unconditionally on my side, naturally guided me to an angle where I was hidden from Raphael’s sight the moment I drew near.

Raphael seemed annoyed for a second, but stopped prying once he saw Azrael being so protective of me. Phew.

Perhaps it was because we were nearing the summoning site, but the monsters were indeed stronger than the previous ones. Even a mere Orc, which could only be considered a minor mob at best, already had nearly 7,000 HP.

The text in the status window was also different from other monsters. The phrase [Demonized] was written in a vivid red, as if for emphasis.

The appearance of the monsters had become significantly similar to those in The Hunters; now, I could recall them even without a collaboration tag. It was quite interesting to see that their HP had also become similar to the monsters in The Hunters.

“Master Andrealphus, urgh… support, please!”

Ah. I was too lost in my thoughts.

I cast a heal skill on Judas that restored health by a percentage. Even in the middle of the frantic battle, Judas did not forget to thank me.

In my heart, I wanted to sweep the monsters away with wide-range magic and move safely as if taking a stroll with the knights and Azrael. As I glared quietly at Raphael, he glanced back at me even while busy fighting monsters.

Naturally, the one who looked most at ease during the chaotic combat was Azrael. He handled about three or four monsters by himself while maintaining a fairly relaxed pace.

“The attack power of the monsters here has increased, but their intelligence has not! Do not be overwhelmed by their strength; attack calmly!”

He even managed to issue commands to everyone in the midst of this. He’s so handsome. This is the kind of beauty only graphics can implement… I admired his face vacantly even in this situation.

And Raphael… surprisingly, he was fighting well. He wasn’t as good as Azrael, but his skills were more than sufficient compared to the other knights. Honestly, I was going to suggest sending him back immediately if he became a burden, but at this rate, it would be awkward to dismiss him later.

While Azrael’s sword was a standard longsword design, Raphael’s was closer to a massive claymore. He swung that blade freely, dealing rapid damage to the monsters with a feel that was more like a blunt weapon than a sword.

Observing closely, it was noticeable that his swordsmanship shared similarities with Judas’s. I wondered if this was because Judas had taught him, or because they had originally belonged to the same nation.

The first battle ended with Judas severing the head of the last remaining monster. Everyone took a breath, shaking off the remnants of the fight.

“The closer we get to the Demon King, the harder the battles will become. Honestly, it feels grim.”

The words someone muttered seemed to resonate deeply with everyone except me. A heavy silence descended as soon as he finished speaking.

The situation seemed bad, but it wasn’t actually that terrible. Because I was here. Even if Raphael’s presence was a bit of a hindrance right now, he had already promised to leave the group and return to his own country if he felt his life was in danger.

Even in Judas’s judgment, Raphael was not someone who valued even his living family more than himself, so there was no way he would break that promise.

Perhaps because of that, although the atmosphere among the knights was somber, it wasn’t one of despair.

“Alright, I’ll treat you now, so come line up.”

I raised my staff with a deliberately bright voice. Simon, the mood maker, led John to the line playfully like a kindergartner, and the rest of the knights naturally followed suit. Since no one had sustained major injuries, the treatment ended quickly.

“Were you a healer? A priest?”

When it was Raphael’s turn, he asked me. I remained consistent in ignoring him.

…From what I had seen so far, Raphael didn’t seem like the type to tolerate someone ignoring him, but surprisingly, he didn’t show any particular reaction to my silence. Even if Judas was the exception of exceptions, it was unexpected for him to act this way toward me.

It seemed he didn’t want to create a problematic situation that would force him out of the group…. But was that all?

As I continued to glance at Raphael suspiciously, Azrael lightly pulled me away.

“Oh, Prince, what is it?”

Azrael had a sulky expression. His gaze, fixed warily on Raphael, served as a clear answer.

The sight was so cute that I giggled and stroked Azrael’s hair. I don’t know why just looking at him makes my heart feel so warm. Is this the magic of a favorite character?

“Are those two in a relationship?”

I heard Raphael ask the other knights in disbelief.

We aren’t. Azrael even has a fiancee.

“Do not pester Prince Raphael or Sir Judas.”

Someone’s polite rebuttal came through. Raphael seemed to have nothing to say and shut his mouth.

The mountain path wasn’t particularly rugged, but the group’s movement speed was very slow for various reasons.

First, the monsters were several times stronger than expected, and the sky had darkened due to the Demon King’s summoning. Running on a dark mountain path on horseback carried a high risk.

Even in this situation, the assassins appeared without fail.

“Andrealphus, hide!”

Listening to Azrael’s command with a half-dazed mind, I hurriedly distanced myself from the spot where the battle began, as I usually did.

At a position a few minutes away, I curled up and set up a defensive barrier out of sight of others.

The sound of clashing swords and splashing blood could be heard clearly.

It shouldn’t have been much different from the sounds of fighting monsters, but it was a noise I truly hated to hear.

“I should have played games of this genre sooner….”

Well, I would have been forcibly stopped anyway. Still, it always left a bitter taste in my mouth to be the only one far away while my comrades fought a fierce battle of life and death.

After some time, the sound of clashing weapons ceased. Having been curled up staring only at the ground, I belatedly raised my head. It should be safe now.

The moment I looked up, my eyes met with a human’s.

“……?!”

My heart nearly stopped in a different sense than when I met Azrael’s eyes.

Wh-what. Since when had they been watching?

I backed away from the person with trembling hands. Why were they watching? No, more importantly, why are they here? Had they followed me from the beginning?

My fingertips turned ice cold.