Hero's Coffin Chapter 78

Chapter 78

However, that anger gauge looked precarious, and he wondered if someday it might be directed at them. Just as he was thinking that he'd be curious to see that scene, Beatrice looked around the room.

Her eyes sparkled as she checked the robes the companions were wearing.

"By the way, holy knights have come to this subjugation team too, what are you going to do? No matter how firmly you fix the hood of the robe, it could come off while moving, and they seemed to recognize your voices yesterday..."

"What are you trying to say?"

Haren immediately asked for the main point, as if he had grasped that there was another purpose from her question. Beatrice smiled as if it was just out of goodwill.

"Shall I cast a disguise spell on you?"

"What? Really?!"

Noi reacted with great enthusiasm. Already worried about the news that holy knights would be in charge of leading this subjugation team, his eyes immediately sparkled brightly, and Beatrice nodded her head with a benevolent smile.

"Of course. I'll change your faces and voices too. I'll connect you so that you can recognize each other without being disguised. Ah, and I can also make your auras partially blurred. Like fog spreading around you."

If she did just that, the companions would be able to use holy power much more comfortably, and Noi wouldn't have to go through the trouble of drawing magic circles or chanting spells. Although it wasn't entirely welcome news for him, who had planned to stay out under the pretext of having to hide his wicked energy, it was certainly going to be more convenient.

However, Beatrice's next words instantly made him uncomfortable.

"In exchange, let me join your mercenary group."

She smiled confidently and wiggled her fingers. Probably, no, certainly it was a gesture made towards him as if calling an animal.

"Surely you won't reject this good offer?"

***

Beatrice joined the Hero's Light mercenary group.

Fortunately, it was only a temporary joining for this monster subjugation. She said she couldn't be away from her position for long since she had only briefly slipped out of the imperial palace.

He had been afraid he might have to accompany her from now on, so that news was very welcome. As soon as he clenched his fists tightly, Beatrice looked at him, and he quietly pretended not to notice.

The servant who came to the room didn't notice anything strange even though a person had suddenly been added to the mercenary group. Even though there were so many mercenaries that they couldn't remember each face and voice individually, it was strange that they didn't find it odd that the number of people on paper had increased.

Noi explained that this was a kind of mental magic.

"It's slightly manipulating the mind to make them accept it as natural!"

"That could become a terribly scary ability depending on how it's used..."

"Nah, Her Highness is only harsh to death row inmates."

"..."

"...Oh."

They headed towards the forest, having this sad conversation. Unfortunately, the sky was gloomy today too.

The holy knights in charge of leading the monster subjugation gave instructions at the entrance of the northern forest. Samuel climbed onto a platform and recited the strategy. The total force participating in this subjugation was about 200 people, and they would start the search by spreading out as widely as possible.

He warned that since the northern forest of the city became swampier towards the center, they should scout from the edges as if surrounding it, and when encountering monsters, they shouldn't rush in recklessly but should guide them outwards, and also to be cautious as there was a high probability that the monsters' nest had been made in the center of the swamp.

"Following Sidon's instructions should be your top priority."

"Don't become a burden to us, and don't cause harm either! We came to subjugate monsters, not to be volunteers protecting you. Be especially careful, as those drunk on their own power often fall pathetically."

The intention behind his words as he spoke last, looking towards where he was, was obvious. Kuk kuk, laughter erupted here and there. Mercenaries standing close to the holy knights mocked loudly, saying it was amazing he hadn't tucked his tail and run away today.

Seeing this scene, Beatrice tilted her head.

"They're sucking up to the holy knights."

Considering Sidon's prestige, it was understandable that some would want to get close to them, but it was quite thick-skinned of them to do so right after looking down on mercenaries yesterday.

He saw Jade trying to stop the mercenaries around him. As he shouted, "Saiph is a good friend, even if we can't understand him completely!" and tried to restrain them, well, that guy was definitely not on his side. As the mockery intensified, he turned his head, pretending not to see Jade greeting him.

Beatrice made a "Hmm" sound and laughed at his reaction.

"You don't even pretend to hear such criticism. Is it because you're used to it and ignore it, or is it because you really are a being hiding your power? Hmm, it must be the latter. Since you've actually sealed a dangerous and ominous power, you must be able to immerse yourself in the act better."

That's not it.

As he looked at her with disgust, Beatrice chuckled. With her golden eyes full of amusement, she took a big step forward.

"Ah, there probably isn't another pair of eyes that look at the empire's imperial princess like this."

Was this game an otome game? Is this how you unlock the 'You're the first one to treat me like this' route? He couldn't even ask the NPC as it had been nowhere to be found since last night.

He slowly moved away from Beatrice towards Haren's side. Originally, he had always avoided being near him because it was uncomfortable, but now he was the only being who could block the imperial princess. His large build was also suitable for hiding behind.

Haren muttered quietly.

"...Cat."

"What did you say?"

"Ah, I mean, your familiar. Where is your familiar?"

He asked again because he couldn't hear properly due to the low voice, but somehow Haren seemed startled. As if it had been an impulsive statement that came out without him realizing it, he looked very flustered, and he scrutinized him with strange eyes. Why are you suddenly looking for the familiar? Hadn't you never shown interest until now?

"I don't know. It seems to have run far away."

An NPC that ran away leaving only the player behind. Vowing to torment it thoroughly when it returned, he stood a little closer to Haren. There was something he had wanted to urge him about.

Looking at the backs of the mercenaries who had just started marching, he whispered quietly to him.

"Don't get hurt. You know there can't be any problems with you, right?"

After working hard to recover his body during the rest period and finally getting closer to resolving the curse, he was still going out for the subjugation. Even if the danger level was much lower than the monsters he usually faced, he couldn't be completely at ease.

"If you get hurt unnecessarily, it will delay breaking the soul connection too, so be as careful as possible, no, absolutely careful."

"..."

"If you're in pain, I'm in pain too."

The last reason was absolutely not the real purpose.

Haren's eyes widened at his words. He had an unfamiliar look, as if he had never heard someone urge him not to get hurt before. Was it because he was known publicly as a hero with perfect recovery ability that he had never received such concern?

Of course, he wasn't worried about Haren either. He was only worried about himself.

"...Yes, I'll be careful."

Haren answered slowly. He smiled as if this situation was amusing, which made him completely incomprehensible, but since he had never really understood him anyway, he lost interest.

Wheeee–

As they entered deeper into the forest, a damp wind blew. The swampy area's unique humid and stuffy energy filled the air, making even breathing difficult. Tension gradually filled the faces of the mercenaries who had been boasting about their exploits with high spirits until they had just entered.

He felt like he could tell just by smelling from afar now, having encountered it a few times. Monsters were coming. Finally, the ground shook, kugugugung.

[Hyaaaak!]

[Kieeek!]

Monsters covered in slimy mud sprang out. True to the swamp setting, there were many reptilian-type monsters like venomous snakes. The sight of them quickly approaching by slithering, sasa-sat, involuntarily caused revulsion.

"Be careful not to fall into the swamp!"

A holy knight at the front shouted and drew his sword. The mercenaries also gripped their weapons and faced the monsters, shouting "Huaap!" with fighting spirit. A solemn heat spread everywhere, signaling that the subjugation had officially begun.

In contrast, the knights around him were very calm.

"Hmm. These are just big jelly-like things."

"Derik! If you handle them too easily, it might raise suspicion!"

"Oops, is that so? Then... Oh, oh my! My sword won't come out! This one's not easy!"

One slash from Kalterik cut a monster in two. When Noi cautioned that they should be careful, he belatedly put on a clumsy act.

He suddenly felt indignant about being the only one receiving strange looks among these guys. Should he accept it as retribution for yesterday? Still, he should take comfort in the fact that he didn't have to do much since they were handling things well.