The ground shook and dust rose.
'I' don't think any monsters would be full just by eating this small body, but large monsters were running towards me with excitement.
The good news was that they ran as if they are competing, as if they knew that they cannot share 'me', so the distance between the one running at the front and the monsters behind him has widened a little.
'I', who was standing still and watching the scene, grinned.
'That's enough.'
'I' don't know who was running in the lead right now. But he would be hunted by his prey again.
'I' have some talent for this type of play. Especially when the opponents are such simple beings, leading the momentum according to the mood is a piece of cake.
If you make one guy the scapegoat and reveal your cruelty, the other idiots that were chasing you will be flustered and stop. That gap is enough time to create fear for 'me'.
'They say they're failures who couldn't become demons, but they're simple and stupid... I really like them.'
The dagger in 'my' hand spun. 'My' thumb kept folding and unfolding as if it were going to be used as a handle, and 'I' slowly lowered my posture. When the leading monster reached right in front of me, 'I' jumped out of 'my' spot and ran out.
In their eyes, it probably seemed like 'I' had disappeared for a moment.
Because 'I' was going at a speed that my body couldn't bear, 'I' heard a snapping sound from 'my' legs. 'I' ignored it, jumped into the air, swung 'my' arm, and plunged the dagger into the guy's neck. It took a bit of effort to get the dagger into the tough leather, but it was okay.
Ignoring the burden on 'my' entire arm, 'I' shifted 'my' weight and lowered it as if 'I' was hanging on.
"Kaaaa!"
"Maybe it's because it's big. Even though it was stabbed in a vital spot, it still has a lot of energy."
Before falling, the dagger in 'my' other hand was re-inserted into the wound, fixing it and sticking to it.
Looking at the location and size of the wound, it seems like it will die even if left alone, but 'my' purpose is not to kill this guy. Those who are following behind must also be taken into account.
"After all, attacking the eyes would have a good visual effect, right?"
'I' did this against humans as well, so there was no way 'I' would hesitate against monsters. 'I' raised 'my' weak arm, thrust the dagger into the guy's eye, and twisted it.
"Kaaaa!!"
"It hurts?"
'I' kindly put 'my' face in front of its remaining eye and smiled innocently.
Eyes the size of fists shook. The screams of 'anger' at being attacked by prey began to take on the quality of 'fear'.
The other monsters who were running in a panic at the unexpected situation that happened in front of them stopped. 'I' raised 'my' dagger and started to roughly cut out the remaining eyes.
And then stopped.
"... Oh, there was poison in your claws."
The front paw of the struggling monster scratched 'my' side.
'I' looked at the wound that was turning purple and looked at the monster. Even though he lost his eyesight, he had a triumphant look, as if he had a general idea of the situation he is going through.
... For someone who will die soon to struggle. After glancing at the monsters that were beginning to approach from behind, 'I' plunged the dagger in 'my' hand deep into its eye and jumped down.
And without any time to waste, 'I' took out a clean new dagger, cut off the affected area, threw it on the floor, and trampled on it.
Squelch.
The crushed flesh beneath 'my' feet made an unpleasant sound.
"I thought about throwing it to you guys, but I didn't want to create any unnecessary variables."
Wouldn't it be a big deal if you eat something and end up rolling your eyes at how delicious it is?
Only then did the mangled monster fall down with a thud, as if its tenacious life had run out. The monsters that followed behind had already stopped a long time ago.
'I' said with a wide smile at the others.
"What's wrong with you? I can't wait to come."
They would think the other posters had managed to inject poison after being chopped up, but 'I' cut off the flesh 'myself' before it could spread to 'my' body... and even smiled brightly, as if 'I' was not even conscious of 'my' side, which was bleeding.
Basically, a crazy person is recognized regardless of his or her race.
The monsters slowly began to retreat.
***
I had a dream again. I seem to be having strange dreams often these days... I frowned as I stabbed the neck of a small, rabbit-sized monster with a dagger.
'The contents...'
I don't remember the contents.
'So in the dream, I...'
I don't remember.
I definitely don't remember the content, but seeing as how I didn't feel very good after waking up, it couldn't have been good content.
'Ah, I'm craving drugs...'
Against the background of a beautiful moonlit night, I was wearing comfortable everyday clothes with my face bare for the first time in a while... I sighed as I slayed the crowd of little monsters.
As if considering my poor physical condition, the Emperor ordered me to hunt minor monsters a week later.
Yes, I'm glad they're not big, fierce and scary monsters, but...
'There are too many small monsters, and they run away easily...!'
I threw my dagger angrily at the fleeing monster. The guy whose torso was pierced precisely fell apart. It's not threatening. If we were to compare it to a wild animal in the human world, it was a monster the size of a rabbit or rat. However, since they also try to eat the flesh of living things, it is only difficult if their numbers increase.
'Well... let's just say it's dangerous.'
Although their numbers had not yet increased to a threatening level, it was an order from the Emperor who judged that it would be better to eliminate such variables in advance as it was a war situation.
Whether it's the Emperor or the Demon King, they pretend to care about my body, but in the end, they use it here and there. Is that really the case when you become a monarch?
"Anyway, it seems like everything is roughly organized..."
Rustle.
"... I don't know what to say."
As soon as you speak, the remnants appear?
I held the dagger tightly in my hand and looked towards the grass where I heard the sound. As if it sensed that it had been caught, the grass shook, and then something jumped out and ran towards me at full speed.
"Demoooon!"
"!?"
I barely stopped the dagger I was swinging reflexively.
A familiar-looking demon with leaves on his head ran towards me, calling out a familiar name in a familiar voice. For a moment, my head felt overloaded.
Was I... on a mission as a 'Demon'?
"... Ben?"
"Yes, Demon! I managed to escape from the Demon King's Castle and come here to treat you!"
What is that now...!
My feet twisted because I was flustered. I reflexively stretched out my hand to get my balance, but it had no further effect than touching Ben's shoulder.
'No, usually he just supports me, holds me, and lifts me up, but now he's asking me to do something.'
Yes. I fell on top of Ben now.
One hand pressed down on Ben's shoulder and the other hand holding the dagger rested on the ground next to Ben's head... while inserting the blade into the ground.
Anyone could see that this was attempted murder, or at least a threat to kill...?
Thinking that Ben would misunderstand me, I quickly put away the dagger and tried to make an excuse, but Ben, who rolled his eyes and checked the blade next to his head, spoke first.
"Sorry! I received a signal that Demon was injured, so I was in a hurry... did I get in the way?"
"Yes...?"
"As expected. Sorry...!"
No, that's not it... didn't I raise my eyebrows? Why are you doing that?
I opened my mouth to explain, but this time, Ben spoke faster.
"Still...!"
"...?"
"I'm so glad you're safe."
"... Ah."
What should I do with my doctor who has this crazy professionalism?
He smiled happily, as if he was truly happy. I couldn't bear to get angry at that, so I slowly withdrew the dagger.
'I didn't mean to get angry in the first place.'
The snake scales that covered part of his face reminded me that he was a demon, so how dare I get angry about that. Being used to it and having a swollen liver that makes you angry are two different things.
Still, due to the unexpected worry, the fatigue that had accumulated without knowing it appeared, and the stiff expression on my face relaxed. Ben, who astutely noticed this as he was watching me, did not miss the opportunity to ask a question.
"Are you feeling okay? When I looked at the signals, it doesn't look like there are many places in good condition."
"... It's okay."
"It's probably a lie, so I won't believe it."
Lien said the same thing and he too... If he was going to not believe me, why did he ask?
"Based on the movement, it seems like the muscles in the limbs are also a problem... Ah, the sides! Is your side okay?! The signal was no joke!"
"It's okay..."
"I don't believe it!"
Then don't ask!
"Excuse me, but let me take your clothes off."
"Don't be rude, just–"
"Can I take off the bandage?"
"No."
"Yes, I will heal it."
This bastard...?
The hand inside my clothes fumbled to find the knot of the bandage. It's cold! Maybe it's because he's a demon, but his hands were cold. I got goosebumps.
I felt like even if I refused verbally, he wouldn't listen, so I quickly shook off his hand, stood up, and took a step down.
"I'm really fine. I finished the treatment and my body is in better condition..."
"Marquis?"
"!"
An unfamiliar voice.
I quickly turned my head to check where the voice came from. A man dressed in imperial uniform was holding a weapon and looking at me and Ben in turns.
Ah...
'I'm ruined.'
I made a mistake. Just like when carrying out the Demon King's orders, this mission should have been carried out in secret.
Honestly, there was no need to keep it a secret when carrying out orders given by the Emperor in the Imperial camp.
The Emperor didn't say it was a secret mission, and the mission itself was really light and nothing special.
So I moved confidently. As a result, they said they could not send the Marquis alone, so three knights from the military camp followed along to guide the way.
'I barely managed to separate Dan from following me...'
Originally, more knights were going to follow, but the reason the Emperor moved me in the first place was to minimize the waste of troops, so I read his intention and compromised with just three...
'Your Majesty, I did my best...'
In fact, I wanted to take more, but… this was the best. Because our numbers were small, we had to divide the area into separate areas to deal with the monsters. Still, why didn't I go alone? Haha... Not!
I never thought a problem like this would occur.
'What should I do with that person?'
Kill them? If you explain the situation, the Emperor will understand. But...
I looked at the Imperial knight with troubled eyes and quietly touched my forehead. My head hurt and I felt my stress level skyrocketing.
"Cough."
Oh nice timing. It's a bit absurd that my head hurt and blood came out of my mouth, but now was not the time.
"Demon...!"
"Go."
First, I threw the dagger next to Ben's face as he tried to call out 'Demon' and blocked his mouth.
It was a small voice, almost like talking to oneself, but since he was a demon, he must have understood it well. Even if he didn't hear it, he's not a completely clueless person, so he would have roughly figured out what I meant by my actions just now.
Sure enough, Ben, who slowly got up, quickly turned his back and left. The knight who saw it tried to chase after him, but...
"Keuk, keuk, keuk! Cough! Keheek kek!!"
"Marquis!"
The knight looked between the fleeing demon and me coughing up blood. Then he gave up on Ben and quickly came to me.
Okay... I'm sick, so let's leave that guy behind and go back quickly. Ben, don't come back again.
***
'The demon... Marquis Hardt...'
The knight who was restlessly examining Deon Hardt, who was coughing up blood and almost as if he was dying, gritted his teeth and recalled the situation from a moment ago.
The Marquis stood proudly holding a dagger in front of a demon who barely raised his upper body from a lying position.
It wasn't difficult to understand the situation. The Marquis, who was alone, was busy hunting monsters when the demon attacked him.
'Still, the Marquis would have won.'
The result would have been the scene he saw.