We observed the situation from within the grove.
There was no sign of people on the road.
"Lord Touka."
"Yeah, it looks clear."
We stepped out onto the forest path.
Riding double.
The weight of the luggage.
We could not move very fast.
The sound of hooves rang out as we advanced.
Eve and Liz were riding ahead.
They occasionally glanced back while chatting.
I spoke to Seras.
"How long will it take to reach the demon zone from here at this speed?"
"At this pace, we should arrive in about a day and a half."
"What if we detour around that castle?"
"If we detour around the Demon Defense War Castle located south of the demon zone, arrival will be delayed by about half a day."
The areas bordering the demon zone.
Each country had placed small castles or fortresses there.
However, we should avoid them for now.
"Is there anything else we need to watch out for regarding the demon zone?"
I had already been taught the basic knowledge during the journey to Monroy.
"It is not confirmed information, but there is one thing that concerns me."
"What is it?"
"It concerns a special type of monster called a human-faced species."
"Human-faced species? Is that also a type of monster?"
"They are mainly monsters that possess human faces… however, there are not many sighting reports. Still, it is said that human-faced species inhabit the demon zone in large numbers."
"Sightings are few, but their existence itself is known."
"Yes. The scarcity of sighting reports has a reason."
Seras's voice took on a serious tone.
"It is probably because almost everyone who has seen them has been killed."
"I see."
Dead men tell no tales.
If they die, there are no sighting reports to speak of.
"The details are unclear, but they are known as an extremely ferocious type of monster. However, despite possessing ferocious power, they do not appear in conspicuous places."
"…"
Human-faced species.
It immediately clicked.
Soul Eater.
The monster that had been on the uppermost floor of the Ruined Ruins.
That one had felt different from the other monsters.
I see.
So it was one of those human-faced species.
The Golden Demon Zone.
If monsters on that level inhabit it, I can understand why it is feared as a dangerous area…
"By the way, Eve has experience stepping into the demon zone, right?"
Seras asked.
"Apparently."
"Was that also one of the reasons you wanted to bring her into the group?"
"Well, yes."
That was certainly one of the reasons.
"Speaking of which, Seras, how are things with Liz? Do you think you can get along well?"
"Yes… that child is a very good girl."
A high elf and a dark elf.
I had vaguely imagined them being at odds.
I had been slightly worried about that…
It seemed there was no problem, and I felt relieved.
Seras faced forward.
"But is it really all right to take that child with us like this?"
"Yeah, I am taking the child to the demon zone. Eve also intends to bring her, and the child herself does not want to be separated from Eve. As long as they do not refuse, I plan to take her into the demon zone as is."
"Will it be all right?"
"I will protect her no matter what. I will take both Eve and the child to the Forbidden Witch no matter what."
Seras smiled softly.
"You really are kind."
"Both you and Eve are overestimating me."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. There are more realistic reasons for saving her and bringing her into the group."
I adjusted my hold around Seras's body.
"There are several reasons I wanted to bring Eve into the group. First, as I said before, Eve is an excellent warrior. Second, as you mentioned earlier, Eve has experience stepping into the demon zone. And the third reason—"
I thought about the Forbidden Witch.
"I thought it would be better to have Eve accompany us when considering the Forbidden Witch."
"What do you mean…?"
"There is one decisive difference between us and Eve."
The Forbidden Witch is hiding.
So she probably will not meet us easily.
But,
"Eve said she owes a debt of gratitude to the witch, right?"
"Ah, I see."
Seras seemed to have understood.
"Yes. It should be easier to make contact if Eve, who has at least some connection to the witch, is with us rather than us visiting out of nowhere with no connection at all."
When you think about it, it is only natural.
Someone with a connection.
Someone with no connection.
Naturally, going through someone with a connection makes contact easier.
It is similar to a "referral from an acquaintance."
"However, from the way Eve spoke, it is unclear whether they actually know each other…"
Eve's way of speaking had a unique sense of distance.
At the very least, it did not feel like comrades or friends.
I would like to ask about her relationship with the witch later.
Including the details of that debt of gratitude.
"And about Liz…"
Seras looked back at me.
"Liz?"
"Yeah."
At the tavern in Monroy on the first day, I had heard the story.
"You mean that witch said to be in the Great Ruins Belt? She is a dark elf, right?"
"We are 'visitors who rescued a girl of the same race who was suffering terribly.' If Eve or Liz herself explains that it is the truth, the witch should have no reason to doubt us. If things go well, what we did could become material to draw a favorable reaction from the Forbidden Witch."
That is why I will protect Liz no matter what.
I will take her to the witch.
"I see. So you were looking that far ahead… as expected of Lord Touka."
"It is better to have as many bargaining cards as possible. So in the end, it is all calculation."
I looked at Liz.
She was chatting happily with Eve.
"Still though—"
I recalled Liz when I first met her at the White Foot Pavilion.
...
The me who had been abused by my real parents.
Lizbet who had been abused by the mistress.
At that moment, the two suddenly overlapped.
The past self I could no longer save.
Lizbet, who might still be saved.
As Seras said, that child is a good girl.
"It is far better to see a child like that smiling happily than trembling and crying… no matter how you look at it."
"Yes."
Seras agreed in a gentle voice.
"I think so too."
▽
Eve was the first to react.
Next was Pigi-maru.
I was the third to notice it.
"This sound—"
I looked back.
Lights could be seen.
Multiple lights.
"Lord Touka."
Seras called out with a solemn expression.
"Yeah."
Considering the time we left the royal capital, their movement seems too fast…
"They are coming after us."