I Became the Burden of a Conscienceless Party

73 – The Transcendents (4)

Transcendents (4)

The next morning.

Esmeralda, who came out into the lobby feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep, was able to find her colleagues gathered there.

‘Well, no problem today too.’

There was no La Pa.

It seems that they decided that it would be better to watch from a place that is not visible than to remain here.

Esmeralda looked at her colleagues’ expressions, which were no different than usual, and then turned her head towards Tina.

She regained her original appearance overnight.

There are no horns to break, no wings to snap, no tail to cut off.

Isn’t that a blessing?

“Your gaze is a little uneasy, Esmeralda.”

“I’m glad you’re safe, Tina.”

“From what… … ?”

Tina’s intuition was different today too.

I instinctively read the meaning behind Esmeralda’s words, “I’m glad you’re safe.”

“But Mr. Jim, your face is pale today too?”

“Ah, yes. I guess I’m still tired, I have no energy and I even feel chills. Sir, I’m worried that the road will be delayed because of me who is so weak. I guess I’m here… … .”

“Oh, it’s okay. If Mr. Jim collapses, I’ll carry him and take him to the Demon King’s Castle with me.”

“… … .”

Jim clicked his tongue as if he hadn’t expected it. Yes, if he could have just said he was tired or sick, he would have done so long ago. He had already been burned by the dragon’s breath, so what more could he do?

“But where did that guy… … no, that dragon go?”

“Ah, La Pa left early in the morning. I thought that if we stayed with them, the atmosphere would only get worse… … .”

Tina scratched her cheek as she dragged her suitcase from the corner of the lobby.

“This is supposed to be an apology for what happened… … . I guess something like this won’t make you feel better, right?”

“What’s inside?”

“Potions have a sect, and magic tools have a magic tower, so there is only one thing that our Eye of Truth can give you.”

Tina opened her suitcase as if she was ashamed. It was filled with countless gold coins.

A dazzling brilliance that is almost blinding.

The remaining distrust, doubt, and dissatisfaction in Esmeralda’s heart disappear in an instant as if purified.

“Oh, and Rapha has no intention of antagonizing us… … .”

“I forgive you.”

“Huh? I’m not finished talking yet.”

“It’s okay. If Tina believes in something, I believe in it too.”

“No, I don’t trust that person. How can I trust that person when I’ve become like this? I just don’t trust him and I plan to live with him.”

“Oh, I see.”

Esmeralda, who had been blinded by gold and had forgotten important facts, had no choice but to come to her senses after seeing Tina’s confident declaration of distrust.

Yeah, La Pa is suspicious.

It was the same with changing Tina’s body and avoiding her eyes.

Esmeralda has a good sense, although not as much as Tina.

Even if we don’t antagonize La Pa, we shouldn’t lose our sense of caution.

That’s understandable, because it was a monster that blatantly blocked Esmeralda’s power right in front of her eyes.

The ability to block literally, not by deceiving like Irina or being thoughtless like Milia.

I can’t even guess how that was accomplished.

Esmeralda’s power was born from the power inherent in the Holy Sword.

It is no exaggeration to say that in some sense it resembles the power of God.

Isn’t it the opponent who blocked that kind of power without deceiving it?

It’s hard enough to deal with the Demon King, so there’s no reason to increase the number of enemies.

‘Ah, but the dragons… … .’

Esmeralda’s journey often involves her encounters with dragons as much as with demons.

Most of the work involves chasing away or subduing rampaging dragons.

In reality, Esmeralda had already dealt with several dragons.

In that case, shouldn’t we consider La and Pa, who are of the same dragon tribe, as enemies?

‘Let’s just be cautious for now.’

No, even if that were true, the conclusion would not change.

Esmeralda is a warrior, but she can’t solve everything.

For now, the priority is to subdue the Demon King. She took up her sword for that. Even if she had to turn back, she would not forget that.

Rapha also gave her gold coins right away, showing that he had no intention of being hostile, so she could just focus on her work.

“Then, should we just put it in our heads for now?”

“… … Well, that would be the best.”

Tina nodded, understanding Esmeralda’s intentions.

It is an overwhelmingly advantageous situation to stand by and watch rather than to be hostile.

At the moment, most of what the ＜Eye of Truth＞ is doing is erasing any traces of dragons from the ruins, so it is difficult to clearly define it as ‘evil’.

It’s clear that something is fishy behind the scenes, but… … isn’t this a situation where there is no evidence?

“Okay, then… … .”

Esmeralda looked around at the group, then slowly nodded and said.

“The warrior party is finally here. Now it’s time for us to get to work.”

“Oh oh!”

“Suppress the Demon King… … .”

“Okay, let’s finish this quickly.”

It was the moment when the journey of the warrior party to subdue the Demon King began again.

***

The party of warriors who had scattered in all directions with the excuse of wanting to return to the village finally gathered again.

It’s been almost a year since we dispersed and gathered again, so in a way, you could say I’ve accomplished something remarkable.

Because one plan for my escape caused the party to fall apart.

Of course, it is inevitable that the warrior party has achieved absurd growth in such a short period of time.

Because the ordeal of not being able to kill the warrior only made her stronger.

And now, the journey of such a warrior is about to begin again.

“… … How could there be no way?”

-Umm… … .

I felt like my life was in danger.

Honestly, isn’t that true?

I haven’t been able to grow even a single bit in this year. There’s no way I can practice magic while acting as a porter.

But now, when a party of warriors gathers together, they have the power to surpass even the commander of the legion.

I don’t know where he trains, but he keeps getting stronger.

Considering the high-stakes battles that lie ahead, my chances of surviving are very slim.

I said I wanted to meet the Demon King as safely and quickly as possible. Would I have enjoyed the journey like this, risking my life?

I don’t like it. What I want is dialogue, not a solution through violence.

I, Jim, am a cultured demon who runs counter to the savages.

-Actually, there is a way…

“Oh! As expected, you are Lieutenant General Liris. I believed in you.”

-Ahem! Not to that extent.

As expected, the only place where my heart can find peace is Lieutenant General Liris.

I have to confess after this operation is over.

-Ahem! It would be truly foolish to try the same operation that failed once.

“yes.”

– But that’s not necessarily the case. If you know the cause of the failure and can correct it, even a failed operation can be useful. No, it can be even more effective in that it can induce the opponent’s carelessness and catch them by surprise.

“aha!”

I don’t know any of it.

But, since it’s what Lieutenant General Liris said, it must have some meaning.

-So, Captain Jim’s cooperation is absolutely necessary for this operation.

“Yes, you don’t have to worry.”

Well, I believe that Lieutenant General Liris will take care of it.

***

“Commander of the 12th Corps. Would it be okay if I asked you a favor for a moment?”

“Of course! Just trust me, Lieutenant General Liris. This kind of work is no different from what I usually do.”

“… … .”

Awe and compassion.

Lilith felt mixed emotions at the sight of the 12th Legion Commander Twelve boasting that he would do a great deal of work for her while she was away.

A salute to your confidence that something like this can be easily solved.

Pity for his strange fate, which left him with no choice but to resolve such a matter simply.

“Well, I think we can finish this in two hours.”

But more than anything, Lilith felt secure.

Even within the Demon King’s army, there is one being that can think.

What a precious talent. No, I mean, Ma Jae!

A wave of emotion.

Although he had entered the military by parachute, for Liris, who was in a situation where she was no different from the strongest person in the military administration, Twelve seemed like a savior.

“By the way, can you tell me why you are away from your seat?”

“Oh, I see. I guess it would be polite to tell you.”

Liris nodded and decided to answer Twelve’s question.

“As the 12th Corps Commander knows, His Majesty is particularly concerned about Captain Jim.”

“That’s right… … . What happened last time was chilling.”

“Honestly, I have no idea exactly how Your Majesty views Captain Jim.”

Belphegor would definitely say that Jim is special.

But not long ago, he glared at the Ten Corps Commander, whom he had praised as special, as if he was going to kill him.

It’s a strange situation where if you curse, they say you’re insulting them, and if you praise them, they say you’re insubordination.

As for Lilith, she only had a positive view of Jim, so she had no idea how to judge him.

Is it that I am praising others by thinking that I am the one swearing when I swear?

I do not know.

“So, I plan to meet Captain Jim in person and check.”

“that…….”

It would be a good idea to check it out just to confirm that.

“Isn’t it too dangerous? The warrior party was strong, although not as strong as I expected.”

“Haha, it’ll be okay.”

Of course, the warrior party is scary.

How could Lilith, who couldn’t even defeat Twelve right away, defeat a party of warriors who succeeded in defeating him?

But that’s okay. Her goal isn’t combat.

“There won’t be a problem since Captain Jim said he will cooperate.”

“If that’s the case, then that’s fortunate… … .”

Of course, Liris didn’t know.

Jim half-listened to what she said, so he couldn’t remember exactly.

The fact that there is a high probability that her plan will be derailed.