Chapter 19

As expected, nothing in this world comes for free.

In exchange for receiving information about the Golden Maggot, Woojin explained to the holy knight how he had come to travel together with the wolf beast, Rex.

Their first meeting. The bat wings. The wolf hunt with Hector. And the story of how the red wolf—once a subordinate of the werewolf—eventually came to seek Woojin out on its own…

Explaining everything in detail would have taken too long, so he summarized and adjusted parts of the story as he told it.

After hearing everything, Raymond folded his arms and let out a string of impressed exclamations.

"...Huh, that's a story I never would've imagined. So you're saying you subjugated a werewolf together with the beast hunter Hector?"

"Yes. It just happened that way."

"To think Hector was still active… That's surprising. With the amount of money he must have earned, I assumed he would've retired long ago."

Raymond repeated Hector's name several times under his breath. Watching him, Woojin grew curious.

"Is Hector that remarkable of a hunter?"

"Of course. He was renowned both inside and outside the Wall. In his youth, he was truly extraordinary. His success rate on subjugation requests was so high that the Order Alliance nearly exhausted the bounty funds they had allocated."

Raymond spoke with faint excitement, as though recalling Hector's glory days.

Since the holy knight seemed to know Hector well, Woojin asked something that had been bothering him.

"Hector didn't look to be in good health… Do you happen to know why?"

"I heard he inhaled poisonous mist emitted by a beast. Because of that, his body was ruined and he lost the skill he once had. A tragic matter."

At that explanation, the image of the old hunter surfaced in Woojin's mind.

That unnaturally pale face. Whenever he exerted himself, Hector would cough violently, as though his whole body might collapse.

'Did the poison damage his lungs?'

Without question, it was a fatal injury.

And yet Hector had entered the demonic realm in that condition to hunt a werewolf. Alone.

Thinking back… the place Hector had stayed was a remote region far removed from the frontier city. To survive there by hunting beasts must have required exceptional skill and experience.

"Grr…"

As the talk about Hector continued, Rex let out a low, strained sound at his side. Apparently, he had no fond memories of the man.

From the wolf's perspective, that was only natural. Rex had once been one of the old hunter's primary targets.

Raymond's gaze settled on Rex, and there was clear regret in his eyes.

"From what I've heard… this wolf following you is an extremely rare case. It would be impossible for someone else to replicate it."

"I apologize for not being of more help."

Raymond had hoped to learn the method for taming wolf beasts, but Woojin's situation offered little guidance. Rex had approached him of his own will and chosen to become his hunting companion.

The two continued walking, chatting idly. At one point, Raymond lifted his head and glanced at the sky, as though gauging the time by the sun's position.

"…I should be heading back."

"You're returning a bit early today."

"If I'm any later, my juniors might stage a rebellion. I've been slacking off too much lately."

With that, Raymond quickened his pace. He must have been in a hurry—unusual for a holy knight who usually preferred to stroll at a leisurely pace like a sloth.

Raymond left.

At the same time, Claire—who had been lying down—opened her eyes.

"What? You were awake?"

"I was only pretending to sleep. There was something I wanted to test."

"You were snoring."

"…Anyway, that's not important."

Claire cleared her throat and continued.

"I wondered if Raymond's attitude might change a little if I wasn't part of the conversation. What if that holy knight suspects you?"

"Suspects me? Why?"

"Have you ever heard the term 'dark-side priest'?"

"Mm."

Woojin answered readily, and Claire blinked in surprise, looking at him suspiciously.

"You… know about it?"

"What kind of reaction is that?"

"I assumed you wouldn't. It's not a commonly heard term… Where did you learn it?"

"Yurgis' Records of the Demonic Realm. I once had a chance to read it."

The term 'dark-side priest' appeared frequently in that record, referring to fanatics who worshipped the demonic realm. When Woojin explained, Claire nodded as if that confirmed something.

"Then there's no need for a long explanation."

"…You look a little disappointed."

"I've been explaining things so often lately that playing teacher has become a bit fun. Anyway! Back to the point. You're currently traveling with a wolf beast, right?"

"Ah, I think I understand."

Wolf beasts cannot be tamed.

Yet Woojin was now traveling with Rex. From the perspective of a devout holy knight, this could easily be mistaken for the ability of a dark-side priest.

If that were the case, Raymond might have approached him under the guise of conversation to interrogate him and deduce his identity.

So Claire had (by her own claim) pretended to sleep to allow the two men to speak alone. If there were extra ears nearby, the holy knight might not have spoken freely.

"So, do you think you know why Raymond approached you?"

"Yes. From what I can tell…"

Claire let out a faint snicker.

"To borrow his phrasing, I think he's just slacking off. Wanting to know the method for taming wolf beasts is basically an excuse. I think he just comes here for amusement."

"That matches my thoughts."

There was no grand reason Raymond kept coming here.

He simply seemed to enjoy spending time with the Golden Maggot's sons.

And it wasn't just him. The holy knights on assignment with him appeared to feel the same way. His remark about being overthrown by his juniors didn't sound entirely like a joke.

Just what kind of people were they, to make holy knights react like that? The more he thought about it, the more curious he became.

As that thought crossed his mind—

"…Kieeeek!!"

A sudden, piercing shriek struck their ears.

Startled, Woojin and Claire turned toward the source of the noise.

The tarasque carrying the tent was letting out a long scream. In the next moment, it abruptly changed direction and bolted straight toward the depths of the forest.

The tarasque had suddenly broken loose.

The problem was that their employers were riding on its back. The Golden Maggot's two sons were in danger. Realizing the situation, the mercenaries' faces turned pale.

"Catch it!!"

How? That question naturally followed.

The tarasque had been selectively bred for ease of cargo transport. This lizard beast was larger than two bulls combined.

No one could answer that question, but with no time to hesitate, the mercenaries moved first and thought later.

The tarasque, massive and burdened with heavy cargo, was not especially fast. The mercenaries tore off their armor and sprinted with all their strength. Little by little, the distance began to close.

Swoooosh—!

A streak of crimson wind suddenly swept past them.

It was Woojin, riding atop Rex. The wolf's swift legs caught up to the giant lizard in an instant.

Woojin examined the tarasque's condition.

'…It's completely lost its mind.'

For some reason, its eyes had rolled back wildly. To stop it, he would have to cut off its breath. But he couldn't act recklessly.

'If I misjudge this, the employers will be hurt.'

There was no way that tent had anything like an airbag safety device. If he stopped the beast too abruptly, the people inside would be smashed like toys.

He needed to slow it down gradually.

Having decided, Woojin raised the item he had taken earlier—a javelin from the Spearhead Mercenary Corps. The blade was leveled at the tarasque.

He carefully observed the lizard beast's movements. His five fingers tightened around the shaft, and then he hurled the javelin with all his strength.

Thwack!!

A loud impact rang out. The thrown javelin pierced through the tarasque's front leg.

But its speed did not drop significantly.

The tarasque possessed six legs like an insect. Even if one was injured, the remaining five could still support its body.

Seeing that, Woojin clicked his tongue and reached for his machete. In his haste, he had only grabbed one javelin. At this point, he would have to resort to a more forceful method.

"Rex. Get in close."

Let's see if it can still run after I sever its legs.

With that thought, he gripped his blade tightly for the first time in a while.

…But Rex did not respond to the command.

"Rex?"

Perplexed, Woojin called his name again. The wolf remained silent. Worse, he began slowing down.

Why all of a sudden?

There was no time to argue.

Woojin leapt down from Rex's back. It wasn't as though only wolves had legs. If Rex refused to obey, he would run on his own.

Just as he was about to put that into action—

Tatatatak—

Heavy footsteps thundered behind him.

Woojin turned around. Two holy knights, wrapped in pure white light, were sprinting toward them at astonishing speed.

Long streaks of light trailed behind them, like twin comets racing across the ground. Soon, they positioned themselves on either side of the tarasque, hemming it in.

Fwoosh!

Pale flames burst from their scabbards. The instant they drew their swords, blazing blades carved dazzling arcs through the air, slicing cleanly through the tarasque's hind legs.

A sacred flame strike.

A technique said to be usable only by holy knights. Struck by the blow, the tarasque lost both hind legs, its speed visibly faltering.

It would not be long before it stopped. Certain of that, Woojin let out a sigh of relief.

'Somehow, it's been resolved.'

His gaze shifted back to the wolf.

"What was that about just now?"

"Grr! Krrr…"

Rex bared his fangs at the tarasque. Watching him, Woojin frowned in confusion.

'…Is there some kind of problem?'

Rex seemed oddly tense.

There was no reason for a wolf beast to fear something like a tarasque… So why was he acting like this? And why had the tarasque suddenly gone berserk?

Seeking answers, Woojin headed toward the holy knights.

Raymond was sitting on the ground, breathing heavily.

"Damn it, I can't keep doing this anymore…"

Chasing the tarasque must have drained his stamina completely. Meanwhile, the younger holy knight beside him seemed far less fatigued, perhaps due to his youth.

"Senior, please rest for a moment. I'll bring the two of them out."

"Yes, thank you."

Raymond nodded repeatedly, and his gratitude seemed genuine. Dragging their ill-tempered employers out of the tent would certainly not be an easy task.

Woojin also walked toward the tarasque.

He intended to survey the scene and assess the situation. But the younger holy knight did not allow him to approach.

"I'm sorry, but please do not come any closer. Lord Derek and Lord Cedric will not tolerate a stranger being brought before them."

"…Understood."

An ironclad stance.

With no choice, Woojin stopped at a distance. He had hoped to take the opportunity to glimpse the Golden Maggot's two sons, but it seemed that would not happen.

Perhaps sensing his disappointment, Raymond—still seated—looked over and grinned.

"Regret missing the opportunity? Don't take it the wrong way. That lad is so diligent he can be a bit rigid."

"It's fine. I'm only… somewhat concerned."

As he answered—

…Grrrk.

A strange cry echoed out.

It was a sound Woojin knew well. He had heard it often, and he had always dreaded it.

Instinctively, he turned toward its source.

The holy knight was about to step into the tent.

"Get back!!"

Woojin shouted urgently.

But it was too late.

Hands shot out from the shadows inside the tent and seized the young holy knight. Startled, he struggled, but his body was dragged helplessly inside.

"Aaaagh—!"

A piercing scream split the air.

Startled, Raymond leapt to his feet.

"What the—!!"

Drawing his sword, Raymond rushed toward the tent. Woojin reached out and grabbed his wrist to stop him.

"Let go!! What are you doing? My adjutant is—"

Raymond roared in agitation.

But there was no need to persuade him.

Mid-shout, his voice cut off as he saw something.

They stepped out from inside the tent.

Two grotesque monsters, as though heaps of melting flesh had been molded into human shapes.

Sparse strands of golden hair sprouted from their heads, and from hollow eye sockets, thick black sludge dripped like tears.

'Abominations.'

That was what Woojin called creatures like them. He had seen such beings countless times in the demonic realm.

And yet—

The two abominations emerging from the tent shared many similarities.

Their clothing. Their similar height and build. Their golden hair…

It was as though one were looking at brothers.