Van looked at Rowy, the source of this magical power. Rowy was half-floating in the air, spreading his magical power throughout the sea. Van, who couldn’t even dare to touch Rowy, was dumbfounded.
‘I thought he was amazing, but… he really is tremendous.’
This was the first time he’d felt this much magical power. Van was purely amazed at that strength. After some time had passed, Rowy, whose eyes had now turned completely blue, finally opened his mouth.
“26, 19, 160, 191.”
“…Coordinates!”
The captain, who had been holding his breath along with them from the moment Rowy cast his magic, shouted. Van quickly approached the captain as he hurriedly ran to the captain’s cabin and spread out a map.
“It seems to be here.”
“What’s there?”
“Well, what else but islands everywhere.”
On the map the captain pointed to, there was indeed a small island drawn just as he said.
* * *
On the way to the island Rowy had found, the group discovered a broken boat. The captain confirmed that the boat was the butler’s. And behind those remains, the island that was their destination revealed itself.
“Something’s strange here.”
The captain whispered quietly.
“Indeed.”
Van agreed. Even though it was an island densely overgrown with trees, not a single common bird sound could be heard.
…Wasn’t it similar to the cursed island? Places where demons stayed for long inevitably became lands of death. If this place was also for that reason… a thick tension flowed among the group.
“From here, we’ll go by ourselves.”
“I’ll wait nearby, so signal if you need me.”
At Van’s words, the captain readily nodded and lowered a small boat. After Van got on the boat first, he took Rowy’s hand and escorted him. If it were up to him, he’d want to leave Rowy behind too, but….
‘There’s no way this person would listen to that.’
Still, Van confirmed with Rowy once more.
“It looks dangerous. Must you go together?”
“Of course.”
I promised to protect you. Even with a pale, hardened face, he says such reassuring words. Even in a tense situation, that was quite cute, so Van smiled inwardly.
‘He is an amazing mage.’
Rowy had already shown tremendous magical skills. Of course, if that connected to combat, he didn’t know how it would turn out, but….
‘That’s not it either. I already saw him deal with the Demon Vessel….’
At the auction house, even though it was clearly his first combat, Rowy had quickly neutralized the enemy without hesitation.
‘Even so… it seems dangerous.’
From earlier, a familiar presence had been felt from inside the island. It seemed certain that there was a demon. The way it scattered its presence as if showing off its existence was clearly not a lower-class demon. Mid-level, perhaps even higher.
‘I thought all high-ranking demons were dead….’
Van, who had gripped his Holy Sword tighter, looked at Rowy sticking close to his side. Seeing that fluffy face inappropriate for the situation, nagging came out automatically.
“I’m fine, so if anything dangerous happens, take care of yourself first.”
Even if he was an amazing mage, Van would be more accustomed to combat with demons. He absolutely did not want Rowy to become endangered.
“Even if you’re in danger?”
“Even if I’m in danger.”
At the firm voice, Rowy raised his head to look at Van. His completely hardened face was full of worry for Rowy. Rowy, who had hesitated for a moment, opened his mouth.
“…There seems to be a demon here.”
Rowy, who glanced at Van again, opened his mouth again. This time in a slightly quieter voice.
“And… I think it’s a demon I know.”
* * *
“You have no memory of your first day on the island?”
“Mm-hm. I didn’t know either, but I found out today while talking.”
Van’s face became serious. For there to be a gap in the memory of someone who lived in a castle with a demon, this was a bad omen. Stirring up people’s minds and burrowing into their hearts to dominate them was the most terrifying power demons possessed. Van stopped walking and examined Rowy’s face.
“How far back do you remember?”
“…I don’t really know.”
There were blanks in more places than expected. Why he came to this island, and what happened that night. And even after that… Rowy, who had been tracing his memories, bit his lip.
“I think I tried to imprison the demon in the castle… but I think I forgot that.”
“…Another reason to kill the demon has arisen.”
He didn’t know how powerful the curse was, but most curses were designed to be lifted when the demon who cast it was killed. Van comforted the anxious Rowy.
“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen. Hunting demons is my specialty.”
“……”
“I’ll say it again, but if a dangerous situation comes, take care of yourself first no matter what.”
“…Then what about you?”
“I’ll be fine.”
Because God is always with me. Van’s face as he said that with a grin… was truly full of faith in God. And at that moment, a realization suddenly came to Rowy as well. He thought that perhaps the meeting between Rowy and Van… might not have been a coincidence either.
To think that the slave he met while cursed by a demon and having lost his memory was a Holy Knight who exterminates demons. Wasn’t it too coincidental to dismiss as chance? As if… God had sent Van for Rowy’s sake….
‘Does God really exist?’
It was unknowable. Even if God really existed, there was also no reason to send someone like Van for Rowy’s sake. He had no faith whatsoever, and more than anything, he himself was….
“Shh, come this way.”
Van guided Rowy, who was burrowing deeper into the swamp of thoughts, with a small voice. When he raised his head, they were already at the entrance of the forest. Van discovered traces of people there.
“It seems there isn’t just the demon here.”
Where Van pointed, there were several footprints and marks as if something had been dragged. Were those dragged the castle’s servants? They should be alive…. The two, who had briefly conversed, moved forward again, completely tense.
After entering that far into the island’s interior, the two discovered the demon faster than expected. Part of it was because it was a small island, but it was easy to find the way because Rowy was clearly reading the demon’s presence.
‘…I think it’s a demon I know.’
Those words seemed to be true. The demon they encountered like that was indeed not alone. The two hid their bodies with Rowy’s magic and observed the situation.
In a small clearing located inside the forest, about four or five people wearing black robes were drawing something in red on the ground. Along with the scent of blood that wafted thickly, Van frowned. An unknown formation drawn with blood. These were familiar types to Van. Of course, they were also types Rowy had seen before.
“Are they demon summoners like the people we saw at that auction house?”
“It seems so.”
“Then did they capture them as sacrifices to summon a demon?”
Where Rowy pointed with his hand, the castle’s servants they had been searching for were there. Those who had lost consciousness were tied to trees in a cross shape, which was a common form in the ritual where demon summoners offered sacrifices. It was clear they were about to proceed with the ritual. And that was probably more than summoning….
“They probably intend to offer them to that demon.”
Van pointed to the demon standing with closed eyes near the sacrifices.
The bizarre skin like dark red leather clearly indicated that being was not human, but aside from that, its appearance was no different from a human. The stronger the power, the more demons enjoyed hiding their true form, acting like humans, and burrowing into human hearts to manipulate them. It was clearly a mid-level demon or higher. However, that demon had some kind of problem, as its presence was greatly wavering enough to be visible to Van’s eyes.
“You said you sealed its power with magic, right? It seems it’s not back to normal yet. It would be good to strike first now.”
“Right away?”
“I’ll face it, so could you rescue the people?”
“You’ll face the demon alone?”
A faint distrust crossed Rowy’s face. However, Van just grinned.
“I’ll be more accustomed to dealing with demons. I have the Holy Sword too.”
“Will you be okay?”
Action answered instead of words. Van, who had instantly penetrated into the middle of the enemy camp, swung his sword widely.
“What! Block it!”
“Krgh!”
At the suddenly started attack, the demon summoners hurriedly drew their swords. However, among the sinners who had forsaken God, Van’s sword showed no mercy. The demon summoners fell like autumn leaves in one strike.
Rowy, who saw Van dealing with the demon summoners in an instant, also moved. It was to rescue the people captured as sacrifices. When Rowy raised his hand, the bound people began to be freed by themselves. And at that moment, the demon opened its eyes.
