The Escort Knight Who Is Obsessed by the Villainess Wants to Escape - Chapter 88

The Demon Realm.

A region that, in the distant past, was said to have been populated by people and to have flourished with civilization.

Now, it’s a land where humans can no longer dwell.

It isn’t filled with ominous clouds that constantly cover the sky, nor is there a suspicious purple mist flowing about—nothing of that sort.

In fact, it has many similarities to places where people still live.

The sun and moon still rise normally.

‘Of course, the deeper you go, the more differences there are from human-inhabited lands….’

Anyway.

The environment in the Demon Realm is harsh to the point of being desolate.

Most of it is desert.

Sand, or rocks.

Steep canyons appear from time to time.

There are places where one could stay temporarily.

Like an oasis forming a small forest.

It even rains.

When it does, paths where water once flowed turn into rivers.

Naturally, the water is drinkable.

Though it’s too harsh for humans to settle, it’s not an environment where people couldn’t survive at all.

The real danger lies elsewhere.

That would be the demon beasts.

Even if humans tried to cultivate the land, they’d be frequently interrupted by them.

Anyway.

Room 13 was walking through that Demon Realm, which bore no traces of human presence.

After a week of marching toward the destination, we finally arrived.

Dylan spoke.

“From this rocky canyon onward, we’re in the area marked on the map.”

A steep rocky canyon.

Thanks to me leading the way, we arrived relatively easily without encountering enemies.

A dark mage is still a human, after all.

Even if they eat demon beasts, they still need to find water separately.

They have no choice but to settle near places where water is easy to obtain.

This canyon is one of those places.

When it rains, it turns into a river, and it’s easy to find groundwater here.

There’s also plenty of shade.

“Phew… shade….”

Esmo muttered as he wiped his sweat.

After walking in the scorching sun for so long, it was no wonder he was exhausted.

Dylan warned those eager to move forward.

“If you go ahead, it’ll be dangerous. Shade is also a good place for demon beasts to rest.”

“Ugh….”

First, we observed and searched the entrance area outside the canyon.

Checking for any potential dangers.

Yuel and I, who had endured a hard journey, took a brief rest.

I gave Yuel some water and stroked her head.

“Hot, isn’t it?”

She eagerly drank it down.

She had suffered a lot, too.

It was the first time I’d seen her look so exhausted.

“We’ll rest a bit once we’re in the shade.”

While the group was checking the surroundings, I organized my thoughts.

‘Even dark mages wouldn’t normally come this deep into the Demon Realm to live….’

Dark mages who mimic magic by sacrificing lives.

They are inevitably expelled from society.

Enamored and addicted to the power of magic, they can’t help but reveal themselves.

Expelled dark mages end up hiding in the Demon Realm.

‘Even so, if the map Eliza gave us is accurate, there should be a few places suitable for a dark mage to stay.’

One of those places is the canyon right in front of us.

More specifically, the hidden area below this canyon.

‘What kind of dark mage would venture this deep?’

Just as Yuel was whining for more water, the search was completed.

Dylan declared.

“There are no dangers at the canyon entrance or its surroundings. Proceed to enter!”

This time, Yuel and I took the lead.

As soon as we entered the shade, the air felt different.

It was noticeably cooler.

“We’ll rest here for a while.”

Everyone put down their bags and leaned or sat on rocks to rest.

Groans could be heard from various spots.

“Ugh, this is tough….”

“We’re gonna die of heat, not the dark mage….”

“Anyone have extra water?”

In the meantime, Dylan and Richard were looking down at the map.

I squeezed in between the two of them.

“Ah, Judas. Thanks to you, we were able to come here comfortably.”

Dylan said with a smile.

“No need to mention it.”

“I wish I had one like this too…”

Richard reached out to the moon deer with a look of envy.

But Yuel dodged away, inching back.

“Tch. Still doesn’t like me, huh.”

“It’s obvious, with all that fussing.”

“Who said I was fussing? Anyway, who does it take after to be so devoted to its master alone…?”

“…Can I just hit him once?”

“Hey, that’s insubordination.”

“I’m no longer a cadet, so technically, aren’t I above you now?”

“…What? What did you just say!”

“Nothing?”

I acted nonchalant and calmly petted Yuel.

Richard, unable to argue, mumbled to himself, while Dylan rubbed his forehead, looking exhausted, and leaned against a rock to sit down.

Everyone was quiet as we took a break.

The relentless march had worn us out.

‘Let them rest for a moment, then I’ll guide them naturally to the black mage’s location when we start moving again.’

The break ended quickly.

It was time to walk again.

As we crossed the canyon, Dylan discussed various things with his companions.

Then Gauss spoke up.

“What about the underground city?”

“Underground city?”

“Yes. The one where the ancients supposedly hid. It’s famous for being hidden here and there across the Demon Realm, isn’t it?”

“Hm… I always thought it was just a myth among adventurers… But it might be worth considering at least once.”

The underground city isn’t just a legend or a rumor.

It exists.

‘And it’s right beneath this canyon.’

This is one of the areas I narrowed down where the black mage might stay.

It’s also the reason I led them here.

‘But something feels off. The underground city I know was just an empty space…’

I explored this underground city once before my possession.

A different time, but…

There was no black mage then.

‘Well, we’ll find out once we search.’

As I pondered how to guide them to that spot…

Suddenly.

Yuel stopped in its tracks.

An arrow struck right in front of us.

Someone shouted.

“We’re under attack!”

The narrow bottom of the canyon.

On both sides, steep rock cliffs blocked the way.

One by one, shadows appeared from the layers of those cliffs.

Red skin.

Small stature, but with sturdy muscles.

Threatening tusks protruded.

Enemies, snorting heavily through flared nostrils.

Creatures with intelligence slightly below humans, but a far more intense fighting spirit.

They hunted in packs…

“Red Orcs!”

Dozens of red orcs emerged from various spots around the canyon.

They beat their shields and stomped, threatening us.

The ground trembled as if struck by an earthquake.

The pounding echoed like a heartbeat.

The orcs lifted their bows.

They pulled the strings and released.

The narrow sky above the canyon filled with a rain of arrows.

Sharp projectiles rained down.

Dylan shouted urgently.

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

***

Dylan gave a loud order.

In the fleeting moment before the arrows fell.

“Stay calm, everyone! Raise your shields, lower your stances! Take cover behind the rocks, then reform the ranks!”

Everyone moved with precision.

I turned the reins and hid behind the largest rock.

I had to calm the startled Yuel.

“Easy, easy. It’s alright. Just wait here.”

Yuel quickly calmed down.

I cautiously peered out from behind the rock.

‘I didn’t see any signs while going down to the canyon floor. I never expected those orcs to be here….’

All my comrades had already taken cover.

The five skilled in archery.

Jerry, Gauss, Felin, Nils, Esmo.

They immediately drew their bows and counter-fired.

Arrows fell in an arc.

Like a stream reversing, a few arrows traced sharp trajectories upward.

Thud! Thud!

Two orcs were struck in the neck by arrows and collapsed.

A few more counterattacks followed, and as many orcs fell.

“Look for an opening and retreat!”

“We’re blocked in from behind!”

Lindel shouted.

The passage we came through was clogged with red orcs.

The same was true at the front.

The narrow path was filled with red orcs.

“Damn…!”

Dylan gritted his teeth, looking frustrated.

Meanwhile, I found it a bit strange.

‘Why are there so many of them…?’

Red orcs usually form small groups to hunt their prey.

Occasionally, they do gather together, but not in such large numbers.

‘And why are they so calm?’

Typically, red orcs are aggressive and impulsive by nature.

They’re clever enough to set traps and ambush, but they’re not this organized.

‘Something’s off here….’

While I was briefly lost in thought, our allies responded quickly.

The five archers took cover behind rocks.

The remaining ones split into groups of three and two.

Two of them pushed back the red orcs advancing from the front.

The other three fought the orcs in the rear, trying to clear a path.

I thought quickly.

‘Five with bows. Five in melee. Dylan is the commander. He can substitute in close combat. Then the best I can do here is….’

“Captain! I’ll take Yuel and climb up the cliff to handle the archers!”

“Go…! Don’t worry about retreating if it’s dangerous, just don’t get hurt!”

“Yes!”

I climbed onto Yuel and patted his neck.

Now calm, Yuel promptly followed orders.

The feeling of lifting off the ground.

The ground receded, and we rose high.

Yuel leaped powerfully upward.

‘Just a bit short.’

The orcs were perched much higher.

But it didn’t matter.

Yuel pushed off the wall and jumped again.

We quickly reached the top where the orcs were lined up.

On the left was a sheer drop.

On the right, the canyon wall.

A narrow path stretched forward.

It was an ideal setting for facing multiple opponents alone.

“Pshhh-!”

The orcs snorted, drawing their weapons.

Short swords or axes.

Crude shields.

Their armament was unimpressive.

Beasts that harass humans with sheer strength and persistence.

The pupil of my blade slid smoothly out of its sheath.

I glanced briefly to the opposite side.

The canyon split, and there were orcs with bows on the other cliff as well.

I spoke to Yuel.

“Take Richard to the opposite side. Even if he resists, just this once. Got it?”

Yuel hesitated not at all and descended.

He’s a clever animal, perceptive of his surroundings.

Then he immediately charged forward.

Red orcs.

This was my first time encountering them in a real fight.

But there was no need to be afraid.

I’d defeated stronger monsters than this, in real battles.

“Pshhh-!”

An orc charged at me with a shout.

An attack relying on strength, devoid of skill.

There was no need to reinforce my weapon with magic.

He breaks through the front.

Stepping forward, he slices diagonally.

With a swift motion, the orc falls apart, along with its axe.

He clears the collapsing corpse to the right.

The left side is a cliff.

He can’t let it fall on allies.

The second strike stabs and pushes to the side.

Just then, someone cheers.

“Woohoo-!”

It was Richard, riding on Yuel.

“Did you have all this fun by yourself, man-!”

As expected, that crazy guy….

Shaking his head, he runs on.

I’m on the right side of the canyon.

Richard’s on the left.

Steadily reducing the number of orcs.

Dylan quickly gives orders.

“We have the upper hand! Reduce the rear guard to two and focus on defense! We’ll break through the front! Match Richard and Judas’s speed!”

One thing felt strange.

The orc corpse, eyes wide open until the very end, struggling to kill me.

Even for orcs, who are known for their fighting spirit, this is excessive.

‘A zone suspected of having a dark mage. The bizarrely mentally unstable orcs there… Did they use something like brainwashing or hypnosis?’

The probability of a dark mage being nearby increased.

***

By the time I killed all the orcs in front of me, everything was settled.

I came down from Yuel.

“Are you alright?”

Dylan asked.

“Yes. Not even a scratch.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Hey-!”

Richard shouted from above.

His voice echoed.

“You gotta let me down, right-!”

Yuel pretended not to hear, rubbing its face against me.

“You punk-!”

“All this noise… leaving him behind wouldn’t be the worst idea….”

“Dylan, what did you just say, man-!”

“Wh-what…? Not like he could hear…?”

I chuckled, patting Yuel on the rear.

“For real, just one more time, please.”

After a reluctant shake of his face, Yuel climbed up the wall.

I looked around at my comrades and asked.

“Is anyone injured?”

“Yeah. Thanks to you drawing their attention from above, things became manageable quickly. We were surprised, but no one’s hurt.”

The team was, indeed, unharmed.

The way they wrapped up the fight smoothly was veteran-like.

Five years together without personnel changes, this is the result.

Yuel came down.

After dropping Richard off like shaking something off, It hid behind me.

Richard brushed off his rear, grumbling.

“Who on earth did he take after to end up with that personality….”

Dylan muttered with an exasperated look.

“To criticize others’ personalities… You lack some conscience.”

“What was that, man?”

“Oh, my mistake. You lack a lot of conscience.”

“This is unbelievable.”

Just the right amount of tension.

Just the right amount of ease.

The red orcs are strong.

Not overwhelmingly strong, but formidable enough to be a threat.

But they overcame without a major hurdle.

Even after more than a week of running, they stayed sharp.

‘At this level, they’re more than enough to be a royal guard.’

***

“Yuel? Where are you going?”

Judas slipped into a crevice in the canyon.

I followed behind.

“Judas? What’s going on?”

“Wait a moment, this guy….”

It ends at a wall.

A dead end.

“Is there something here?”

Yuel stepped aside slightly.

The wall was revealed.

The overly straight wall felt strangely out of place.

After touching it here and there, he gently pushed it as if it were a sliding door.

It slid open smoothly.

“Ohh…?!”

“What is it? I can’t see! What is it?!”

Beyond the wall, a staircase leading downward appeared.

It was an entrance to the underground city.

I wasn’t sure I could explain how I knew about the underground city.

So, I decided to take advantage of Yuel’s cleverness.

I made it seem as if Yuel had discovered it.

We’ve become close enough that even with just a few glances, we can communicate complex, high-level messages.

“It seems there’s something down here.”

“Could this be that underground city?”

“How did you even find this?”

“Thanks to this one here.”

I patted Yuel and avoided their gaze.

I’m still clumsy at lying.

If I make eye contact, they might catch on.

Fortunately, they were too absorbed in the discovery of a new area.

“But we can’t just go in; who knows what might be inside….”

“I heard from adventurers that there are traps with falling ceilings and collapsing floors!”

That’s all a lie.

The underground city, said to have been used by the ancients, sounds mysterious but is nothing special.

It’s just a tunnel.

From what I know, it was mostly used as a refuge in disasters.

That doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous.

The underground city is sometimes inhabited by monsters or vagrants.

There’s a high chance it’s the lair of a dark mage, so there could be magical traps.

“I’ll go first. Yuel, rest up high. If it’s dangerous, run.”

There’s no need to worry.

An adult moon deer, as a mystical beast, is strong enough to roam the Demon Realm alone.

It’s also fast, making it hard to catch.

I stepped onto the descending stairs.

To stay alert, I held my sword forward.

Thanks to the magic infused in my eyes by the moon, I didn’t need a torch.

Lindel muttered from behind.

“Ugh, feels like a ghost might pop out….”

“Don’t say things like that…!”

The stairs weren’t too long.

A passageway appeared.

Walls, ceiling, and floor dug and packed with earth.

There were forks in the path and spaces carved out like rooms.

It looked like a giant ant nest.

There were no lights except ours.

Nothing was visible beyond a step ahead.

I looked around and activated [Hunter’s Senses].

If a dark mage had used this place, there would be traces….

‘…There are. Footprints. Hold on, why are there so many? Just how many people were here…?’

“Up ahead!”

Everyone’s eyes turned forward.

“Don’t you hear something?”

A sound?

We all held our breaths.

Everyone was certainly listening intently.

Just as they said.

Thud, thud….

The sound of footsteps on the dry ground.

Very slow and heavy.

It was getting closer.

‘Only two of them?’

I watched ahead, remaining on guard.

One by one, my comrades drew their weapons.

The edge of darkness, pushed away by the light.

A foot intruded into the light.

Armor, crudely stitched together.

Slow, lurching movements.

A strong stench of rot filled the air.

‘…Is that a ghoul?’

Did someone revive corpses with dark magic?

At last, its face was revealed.

For a corpse, its face was relatively intact.

“That face… looks familiar….”

Indeed, it did.

It was an enemy all too familiar to me.

Five years ago.

A knight under Barak’s orders, who, as it turned out, was from the Moon God Church.

And then, a cadet who had made deals with that knight and assaulted Dylan.

‘Why are these two here…? No way. Could there actually be a connection between the Moon God Church and the dark mages?’

Gaston and Sallaman.

The two of them stood in front, blocking the way as ghouls of the dark mage.