Chapter 18: Pride of the Warrior
Same Time, Eastern District of Fant
“Humans! Cease your assault on the innocent citizens and face me!”
Magnus’s heavy voice echoed through the frenzied side street.
This was a commercial district two blocks east of Themis’s position, particularly concentrated with stores selling food.
“What do you mean ‘face me’…you fool!”
“…Lowly scum.”
A group of soldiers, who had halted at Magnus’s roar, surrounded him with sneers.
Had humans lost their pride as warriors? Internally sighing, Magnus drew the sword at his waist.
“Show me what you can do, you mere demon! Gahahahahaha!”
As the man in front laughed obnoxiously, the soldiers surrounding Magnus joined in with mocking laughter.
“My name is Magnus de Hydragram.”
Disregarding the humans, Magnus quietly announced his name. No matter how despicable his opponents were, he maintained his dignity as a warrior. This was his pride and the restraint he imposed on himself.
“I shall advance.”
After whispering this softly, Magnus charged fiercely, slashing through the jeering soldiers. His sword pressure sliced shallowly into the wall of the street.
“This…this guy! He’s at a Legion Commander level!”
As a soldier behind Magnus screamed in a mix of terror and awe, the nearby soldiers who had been looting turned and fled in panic.
“Eek! Aaaaaahhh!”
“Vermin…huh…”
Magnus muttered sadly, gathering magic in his palm and launching a fireball at the back of a fleeing soldier.
The incandescent sphere pursued its target accurately, filling the street with the stench of burning flesh accompanied by a death scream.
“Indeed, at this state, they could be considered vermin…”
As Magnus repeated the ‘task’ of launching fireballs, he murmured with a pained expression. The earlier battle involving Themis flashed through his mind.
In truth, Magnus did not have strong feelings towards Themis. As a warrior, he would obey orders to follow or execute her. However, witnessing the previous fight had filled him with an inexplicable sense of unease and fear.
“That human…the captain…what should I call it…”
While leaking a part of his thoughts, Magnus continued his ‘task,’ his thoughts sinking deeper.
The way Themis fought seemed like mere madness at first glance. Ignoring unharmed soldiers to torture and kill the incapacitated. For humans with strong elitist views but weak sense of solidarity compared to demons, this was far from an effective tactic.
“Was that…anger? No, something purer…a tantrum, perhaps…”
Magnus felt a déjà vu from Themis’s behavior.
She seemed incredibly agitated before the Demon Lord, and even while heading to Fant. Her demeanor had changed the moment she saw the state of the town. And her method of fighting…it was like witnessing a child’s raging tantrum…
“Seaaaah!”
“…!?”
Just as his thoughts were about to reach an answer, a sudden chill ran down his spine, pulling his consciousness back to reality with a fierce battle cry.
“Who goes there!?”
In Magnus’s line of sight, in front of a young soldier fleeing, stood an old soldier wielding a well-used halberd.
“My name is Melzac. Dragonkin, have you abandoned your pride by striking those who flee without a fight!?”
“!!?”
At Melzac’s stern rebuke, Magnus involuntarily flinched.
“Ridiculous. If so, humans too have lost their dignity. If you deny it, how do you explain this devastation?”
“…”
When Magnus roared, Melzac fell silent, and a heavy silence enveloped the area.
“Stand back, human.”
“…What?”
It was Magnus who broke the long silence.
“My mission is to exterminate ‘vermin.’ I see you still as a human.”
“Rubbish. Do you ask a knight to live in disgrace!?”
An enraged Melzac stood up vigorously, grabbing Magnus by the collar.
“No. As a warrior, I shall take your life.”
Magnus brushed Melzac’s hand away, picked up the halberd blade lying at his feet, and presented it to Melzac.
“My master’s wish is for a peaceful world. We cannot afford to lose people with a heart like yours.”
“…What?”
Magnus smiled wryly, removing the broken handle from the blade, turning it into a makeshift hand axe, and handed it to Melzac.
“When was the last time I had a proper duel after introducing ourselves… It’s been a long time since I’ve faced a warrior like you. To let your honed skills and noble heart perish without passing them on would be foolish, wouldn’t it?”
“…”
Melzac fell silent at the offered blade, and Magnus spoke again.
“From my perspective as a demon, humans are beasts that have lost their pride. Perhaps you see me the same way. However, at least this encounter is more beneficial than ravaging and destroying the city.”
With those words, Magnus pressed the blade into Melzac’s hand and turned his back on the old soldier who stood in silence.
“Captain…? Understood, mission updated. What? Sakud…? Understood.”
Sheathing his sword, Magnus nodded while touching his neck, mounted his horse, and left the shimmering street behind.
