Fallen Monarch

Chapter 33

33. Facing the Demon Lord (2)

Arrrgh! I keep thinking about this, but why do I have to do it? Am I some kind of cartographer? Not that I mind since its fun I just dont understand! Why do I have to make sure those numbskull gnoll scouts wont get lost? Those bastards have good senses and excellent physical abilities, but how come they wont understand anything other than a detailed map! Hah! This is why we from the engineering battalion are suffering. The goblin scratched his head in annoyance. Besides, why does someone from the engineering battalion have to draw a map? Were a battalion meant for equipment maintenance and supplies! Were the ones who are supposed to be getting the geography from the scouting party, not the other way around! Shit, this is why I dont understand those beasts. How are they any different than wild demons?

The goblin shook his head. He was using a feather quill to draw a line on the map. Without a single stutter, the lines thickness changed with minute adjustments of strength in his hand. He smoothly drew out the outline of the map without a single moment of hesitation, despite his grumblings.

The meticulously drawn image was quickly being materialized through the goblins unfaltering hands. A proper image from birds-eye view was forming. It was more accurate than any other maps Tom had seen in the continent so far, a level of technique that humans could not replicate.

Good! If I just draw a bit more

The goblin turned his head over his shoulder while sketching when he felt something strange. His thick, lengthy crooked nose sniffed and followed the unfamiliar smell.

What? This smell? Human? It smells like humans? But it might be a bit different? Sniff Sniff Sniff Sniff Hm? It smells like its right beside me

The goblin raised his head, and his eyes met with the apprentice Holy Knight whose head was sticking out of the bush. Tom saw the goblin and brightly smiled.

Why, hello!

Oh yes Hello.

The goblin lowered his head in greeting, then turned back to his map.

Now, should I get back to work huh?

The goblin realized something was weird and tilted his head.

I thought I saw a human?

The goblins lips twitched. When he turned his head, the apprentice Holy Knight was staring intensely at him.

Human?!

The goblin was so surprised that the feather quill he held fell out of his hand and onto the map. Thanks to that, the carefully drawn map became ruined.

Nooo! My map! Before that, a human!

The goblin quickly fell on his bottom, feeling jittery all over. Cold sweat appeared on his brow as he pointed toward the apprentice Holy Knight with his finger.

You You, what are you! Human? Why is there a human in this place!

Tom came out of the bush, tidied away the leaves covering his body from head to toe, and shook the trembling goblins hand.

I didnt intend to surprise you Im sorry. Excuse me, but I wanted to ask for directions. Is that okay?

Oi! Dont get all chummy with me, human! Just what are you! Saying Can I ask for directions all politely like some passing dimwitted ogre scratching its head?!

Thats quite an interesting expression.

Who gives a hoot if its interesting! Answer my

The goblin looked curiously at the humans clothing. A white uniform with a silver quilted leather armor above it. While there wasnt a cross etched into it, he could tell that it was the quintessential uniform of the apprentice Holy Knights. He looked in such disbelief at the sight that his eyes twitched.

H-holy Knight? Not even some adventurer, but a Holy Knight is talking to me?!

Yes, I am a lost Holy Knight. If its not too inconvenient, the directions

Its inconvenient, for sure! Even from before! Are you out of your mind?! Youre not some adventurer, but a Holy Knight talking to a demon?! Arent you the bastards that would normally draw your sword and lick it while laughing Oohehe! Let me drink your demons blood!

Its a different interpretation than the Holy Knights I know, but are the Holy Knights nowadays really like that?

Tom looked shocked, but the goblin only reached for his brow as though he felt a migraine coming on.

This is a dream, right? A Holy Knight acting like hes completely ignoring me! No, could it be! Is this sinister Holy Knight only acting polite to get me to put down my guard and stab me in the back? Et tu, Brute?

Im not really that bad? Also, do you even understand what youre saying?

I dont know! Its a language that you humans use! Why have you been talking to me normally since a while ago?!

The goblin was struggling in confusion. Seeing this, Tom spoke sympathetically to the perplexed goblin.

Now, what has caused you such confusion?

Your tone is conflicting for starters.

The goblin was genuinely struggling with what the unfamiliar Holy Knight was saying. In reality, he had to pull out his weapon and be on guard whenever he saw a human, but he had lost the timing on that. More than anything, the human Holy Knight didnt appear to even have a weapon. The human didnt even think about attacking him, one of the 12 apostles, Kulvo.

He was still an apostle by title, and his pride wouldnt allow for him to attack an unarmed Holy Knight without any hostility.

Lets just think about this carefully. The opponent is a Holy Knight, and Im a demon. But, were having a conversation? Wait, did I just say we?! Now, lets take a step back and try to think about what his scheme is. Is he aiming for my back? No, he wouldve attacked me before I noticed him in that case! Then why? Wait, what did that Holy Knight say before?

Kulvo turned to Tom to speak.

Human, what did you say your goal was?

***

Kulvo walked through the forest, feeling ridiculous. He looked at the terrain here and there in an attempt to regain his focus, then tried to continue drawing by placing his pen onto the map. Still, Kulvo felt cold sweat as he peeked at his back.

Excuse me.

Kulvo saw Tom, who continued to follow him, and let out a sigh in exasperation. His opponent was extremely careful. He kept a polite distance between them in order to not get in his way, but also in consideration of the fact that Kulvo was wary of him. It was this attentiveness that made Kulvo even more confused.

Just what are you!?

Im here to simply ask for directions.

Hah, Mr. Lost Holy Knight. If thats the case, why not ask that Almighty God you all believe in? Who knows, your God might say, Ah~ my poor lamb! I shall show you the way, and come down?

Tom blinked at his words and gathered his hands to pray.

Lord, Artarrk! I pray to thee to lead me to the right path!

After a moment of silence, Tom looked at Kulvo with a smile.

Seeing as theres no answer, God must be bad with directions as well.

Tell me. Youre not actually a Holy Knight, right?! Are you some adventurer cosplaying as a Holy Knight?! What a troublesome human! Wont you be tortured and killed if you were caught acting as a Holy Knight? Is it really alright to be so brazen?

No, Im indeed a Holy Knight. Probably. I also have faith in God! Perhaps God is busy taking care of other poor lambs?

Why wasnt that last part so smooth?! Also, dont ask me about it! Normally, Holy Knights dont talk about their God like that!

Well, its just that my faith is so lacking Truthfully, regardless of what God does, its our faith in him that matters the most. As it is hard to expect a miracle during any hardship, I believe its best to resolve it with your own strength.

Now youre just openly admitting it?!

In any case, the directions

Ugh

Kulvo shook his head.

Dont get caught up in that Holy Knights pace! At this rate, my headache will only get worse. Lets just tell him the directions.

Fine, Ill answer you! Lucky for you, Ive drawn the geography, territories, and the roads of the Demon Kingdom and the Human Kingdom and have kept it all in my head! There is probably no one alive that could match me!

Tom clapped as he watched Kulvo speaking so proudly.

Oh! Thats amazing.

When Tom clapped with genuine admiration in his face, Kulvo kept his chin up with great pride. As he did so, his body twitched, thinking back on himself.

What the hell am I doing?! Being flattered by the words of some human!

However, he couldnt do anything about this feeling that raised his thick nose so high, almost pointing to the sky.

Okay, where are you headed? I shall tell you!

Tom smiled brightly and replied, Its the Demon Kingdom.

Kulvo felt another heavy blow to his head.

Thats so strange! If a human is lost, they would normally ask directions to the human territories!

No, Im seeking the Demon Kingdom. I had purposely taken the shortest path and got lost in the forest.

And whats your goal?! Could it be a spy It cant be! This dumb-looking!

When Kulvo pointed at Tom, Tom shook his head in reply.

Thats a bit too much, isnt it? To say Im dumb-looking. Ive often heard I looked bright and wise

Stop! Ugh speak your purpose! Then I might have some inclination to tell you the way.

I wish to meet the Demon Lord.

Are you some wannabe hero? Kulvos face grew cold as his hand reached back toward his bag. He was getting ready to pull out his weapon at any time. Why are you trying to meet with the Demon Lord?

To pledge myself to her?

Uwaaaagh! Im going insane! Do I have dementia? Are you actually a hallucination? Thats it, isnt it?

Kulvo began throwing a tantrum in disbelief. He just couldnt believe his eyes or ears.

It was just a joke. Though I do want to meet her, I cant do that.

Dont joke around like that! What are you doing? Looking like you want to tour the Demon Kingdom!

That sounds like something nice. I havent really looked around the Demon Kingdom properly

Alright, stop. Please Im having a crisis of identity! A Holy Knight cant be this naive!

Tom saw that Kulvo looked like he was about to cry and burst into laughter. He was actually poking fun as his expressions were interesting. He felt the goblin could be a good actor with his skills.

Haha, in truth, its for another reason.

What is it?

Im actually going to the strategic point on the battlefront.

Ah, are you deployed to the Heros Allied Forces?

Kulvo had heard that the Allied Forces had invaded the national borders of the Demon Kingdom.

Perhaps, the Holy Knight before him is one of them? If thats the case, itd be better to remove him ahead of time.

According to the most recent report he had heard, Karakul was courageously impeding their path. He had heard that, in actuality, the Heros Allied Forces were being pushed back. It wouldnt be long before they were defeated and beaten home.

No, there is no need to kill him. The situation wont change because of this bumbling Holy Knight.

Is he drafted? Hah, if there are Holy Knights like you in the battlefield, it would only make it harder to fight. This is why I hate war.

Kulvo gave a loud sigh. The human hadnt hesitated in approaching the demon in a friendly manner and spoke with a grin without any deception. The smile he made every time he teased him was a truly honest one, and he couldnt find any faults with it. It was more than obvious that he had to be a Holy Knight from some backwater part of the countryside, oblivious to the world.

Kulvo had heard that there were times that some Holy Knights were deemed in low regard despite their title. This was the case when they were assigned to a completely distant area with an unknown name. These people were drafted for the sake of their family and would end up dying for it as well. Just like the rookie soldiers dragged along by the Heros Allied Forces meant to serve as meat shields.

This is why I say humans are vile! To force men like him into the battlefield! Are they so happy to kill them off like this?! What madness!

Kulvo peeked at Tom. As the Heros Allied Forces were being defeated consecutively, they would soon retreat. If this Holy Knight were to join the army at that point, he would survive.

Che, Im not telling you because I like you! Its because Ill feel icky when I sleep if someone like you died!

Fine, Ill tell you. Kulvo dug through his bag and pulled out a single map. This is a map of the border area.

Well, its an incomplete map that I stopped mid-way, and I used the human armys map as a reference, so nothing classified should be leaked. Still, there should be enough information for him to find his own way with it.

Tom tilted his head as he received the map.

The geography is not marked on it.

The complete map is classified. Do you think Id hand that over? Ill explain this in plain words. See that mountain over there? Cross it. Then, look at the map and climb through another mountain, and youll find the Heros Allied Force.

I see. I really appreciate your efforts. Tom nodded and grabbed a leather pouch around his waist. Ah, for compensation.

Its fine. What could a country hick Holy Knight like you even have

Even still, Kulvo peeked at him as if thinking Maybe?

Ive heard in the past that Goblin-folks appreciate shiny objects?

Silver coins? You have silver coins?!

Tom brought out the jewels he was carrying.

Would this be enough?

Kulvos eyes grew wide with shock. He was given jolt after jolt today, this one being the biggest one.

No, isnt this a large sum for humans as well? Do you think Id take this?

Your hands are more honest than your words, though.

Kulvo grabbed the jewels. Goblins particularly loved gold and gems. Rather than using them for economic purposes, they had a hobby of collecting them.

Kulvo used the magnifying glass attached to his eye and carefully inspected the jewels.

Mm, good. These are particularly good pieces to add to my collection! Even still, I cant help but not feel bad. This is too much for a single map! Ill have to give you a gift as well to make up. Kulvo put down his bag and began to dig through it with his hands. You bastard, honestly, I dont really like you, but youre starting to grow on me even if you are a Holy Knight! Yep, thats right. Youre different than those other crazed, scary bastards that only know their faith blindly!

He pulled something out of his bag while grumbling.

Here.

He held out a long telescope.

Lets see, what else would be good

Kulvo could not find anything that could compare in value to the jewels, so he was stomping his feet in annoyance.

Sorry, I dont have anything appropriate to give you.

Its fine. However

Something within Kulvos possessions caught Toms eyes; it was wrapped carefully in a cloth covered in runes.

Whats that?

Kulvo looked at it and replied directly, Ah, that. Its food made by Your Highness.

Tom stared back at him speechlessly

Well, Im just as speechless to know that the Highness cooks. Theres nothing dignified about cooking for her subordinates, either. Even so, shes kind and friendly. She doesnt fit the role of Demon Lord, dont you think? For such a female to be sitting on such a weighty throne. Humans should know this as well, but the current Demon King doesnt suit her role. Thats right, to be used and killed like this

Kulvo frowned as he spoke. What did he think he could achieve by venting his frustrations at this Holy Knight? He had met a person he had warmed to after so long that his tongue had grown looser without realizing it.

Well, its just mashed potatoes with sliced fruits and spices all stuffed in a loaf of bread. The cloth has preservation magic to make sure the food doesnt spoil for weeks.

Cant you give that to me?

Kulvo looked at Tom in surprise.

What? Something like this would be enough? Well, it does have food preservation magic, and that has some value of its own, but it shouldnt compare to jewels?

Yes, its fine. The food is enough. Itll be a meal thatll be hard to trade for anything.

Kulvo didnt understand.

A meal that he cant trade for anything? Well, indeed, when would he get the opportunity to eat food made personally by the Demon King?

However, Kulvo suspected that there might be some other meaning behind his words.

Well, if it makes you happy.

Tom picked up his reward.

Thank you.