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So boring.

As the carriage rattled along, Lichter absentmindedly licked his tongue and cast a sharp gaze out the window.

The sky appeared surreal, as if detached from reality. The ever-changing landscape exuded an aura of tranquility, but Lichter thought it would be more productive to sharpen one of his knives during this downtime of travel.

He scratched his hair, leaning back in his seat, not wanting to appear impolite to the others in the carriage.

In a brief moment, Lichter caught sight of Seletina, her gaze languidly fixed on the passing scenery.

What a beauty. She sure lives up to the rumors, but that’s all she is, beautiful. I don’t feel like she’s any strong.

Lichter felt as if he’d been deceived.

So boring… What was all that crap about, oh she can stand up to you, oh she’s so strong. F̲u̲c̲k̲ that black gorilla.

Lichter cursed Loggins in his mind.

He played me for a fool.

That was the conclusion Lichter reached upon coming here. Day after day, Lichter had relentlessly challenged Loggins to a duel. After a while, Loggins grew tired of it, and this trip to the Empire provided the ideal justification for him to get rid of Lichter.

If Loggins was not lying and the girl in front of him was indeed as Loggins had said she was, then Lichter would’ve known it by now.

Lichter exuded a faint aura of hostility, his bloodlust barely discernible. However, Seletina, engrossed in consuming her madeleine, seemed oblivious to it.

She stole a glance at Lichter for a moment, however Lichter believed that to be purely coincidental.

And here I thought I’d get to have a proper bout with a strong opponent.

Lichter let out a sigh of disappointment.

This trip is shaping out to be utterly boring.

Lichter suppressed a sigh and contemplated how he would occupy his excessive amount of free time.

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

The carriage continued its journey, smoothly traversing the Wool Plain along the road, without encountering any incidents.

After spending nights at several relay points, three full days had passed since they set off.

Finally, they reached the vicinity of Leverence, the bustling trading city of the Gildam Empire.

From a small hill, a partial view of the city came into sight, revealing the red-brick, pointed rooftops that dotted the skyline. The grandeur of the city befitted its status as a prominent trading hub, and the bustling crowd added to its liveliness.

Leverence was encompassed by sturdy walls, serving as a defensive measure against the polluted areas that often bordered the Empire’s cities. Such fortifications were a common sight throughout the empire.

That being said, Leverence was considered relatively safe compared to other cities, and the walls had seldom been truly necessary for protection.

Seletina gazed out of the window, her expression tinged with nostalgia. This had been the place she’d also visited in her past life. Although, more than twenty years had passed since then. It was understandable that this familiar sight lifted her spirits, if only slightly.

However, “H-Hey! What’s that?!” In a quivering voice, the coachman shouted out.

Down the hill, there was a disturbing sight unfolding outside the protective walls of Leverence.

Darkness stirred, spreading a sea of black.
　
It seemed like an overwhelming number of entities, each bearing a twisted human form with thin, lifeless limbs reminiscent of withered trees, and adorned with three enormous, menacing claws on each hand.

Their wriggling, red eyes held a reptilian quality that could send shivers down anyone’s spine.

These humanoid Demons were categorized as Middle Rank Demons.

Their horde was battling with the Empire’s soldiers. The disparity between the horde of demons and the limited number of soldiers was stark.

To say the situation on the battlefield was far from favorable would be an understatement. In reality, it bordered on being a trampling.

Just below the hill, the scene resembled a nightmarish depiction of hell.

The coachman was overwhelmed by fear and rather than questioning why there were so many Demons gathered in this particular location, he simply couldn’t help but let out a horrified shriek.

“L-Lya-Le… Let’s pull back! W-W-W-We can still make it! T-T-They haven’t noticed us! Let’s pull back!!!”

He was desperate. His once neatly trimmed beard around his mouth now looked disheveled, as if a typhoon had swept through it.

The cavalrymen who surrounded the carriage gulped in fear, fully aware of the dire situation unfolding before them.

After all, the Demons numbered in the hundreds. The presence of a dozen cavalrymen would be inconsequential against such overwhelming odds.

Moreover, this was the empire. They had no obligation or duty to help.

“Y-You’re right. Let’s go back.”

Seletina’s dignified voice echoed through the air.

It was a voice that brought relief to everyone present. It could have been anyone, but they longed for a leader to make a decisive call.

The coachman and cavalry breathed a sigh of relief, preparing to turn around and retreat.

However, Seletina’s voice continued, determined and unwavering.

“I’m going down. Take care everyone.”
“Huh? But…”
“Elita. Elyutinias, please.”
“Of course.”

The coachman was left lost for words.

In the blink of an eye, Seletina received the sword from Elita and leaped out of the carriage window with a resounding yell.

Before anyone could fully grasp what was happening, she descended the hill in a single leap, disappearing into the sea of darkness.