"Is this fine now……?"

I'm muttering to myself while leisurely flying through Filsand airs.p.a.ce on my Phantom Horse.

Under my eyes, the giants are methodically sweeping the land, gathering Shadow Demon remains into one place.

The small mountain of remains are thoroughly incinerated with the Fire Breath of a Huge Red Dragon.

If such a large amount of Shadow Demon corpses is left to rot, they might become the source of an epidemic or become undead, so I make sure to be thorough.

"Un. It's fine now…… I think."

Just now, I had been fully indulging in the situation of mowing down an overwhelming enemy army by oneself, something that would get any man's blood boiling.

But after the momentary high, I find myself still thinking of various worst case outcomes.

I would like to think that I've been getting by so-so ever since I was transferred over by The Overlooker. I would, but the truth is that the fear of making a fatal mistake somewhere has yet to fade in my mind.

Several tens of minutes later, thanks to the efforts of the giants and dragon, there is not even a trace left of all those Shadow Demons that had been there not long ago. The only thing left is an especially flat piece of parched land.

Now that there are no more visual vertiges, my heart somehow also grows lighter.

I head back towards the command post set up above the city's main gates, giving the soldiers in position outside a big wave while pa.s.sing by.

" "MARGILS! MARGILS! GREAT WIZARD MARGILS!" "

The entire time until my Phantom Horse lands at the command post, the soldiers are thrusting their fists and weapons into the air and shouting acclamation towards me.

♥♦♣♠

"That was wonderful, Margils-sama."

"Umu."

The only person who addresses me as I get off my Phantom Horse is Claura.

She normally speaks to me on the same level, but in a formal occasion, she makes sure to show me respect. Having a beautiful lady value my work really speaks to my nature as a man. I feel like I understand why CEOs keep a pretty secretary by their side.

On the other hand, for some reason the Duke of Filsand, Elizabel, Dianu, and the va.s.sals are all petrified.

"As you have seen, the Legion has been taken care of. Duke?"

"In-, indeed. As, as expected……"

So says the Duke while jerkily standing up.

In contrast, the surrounding chief va.s.sals, magicians, and knights all prostrate themselves in unison. Elizabel and Dianu too.

"What an in-, incredible sight it was…… to think that you possess that much power……"

"You…… You sure you're not actually the Demon G.o.d?" (Dianu)

(T/N: Dianu was about to use the 'omae' p.r.o.noun to address Gio, but then rephrased herself.)

"Ou-, our hero!"

"It was the very scene of a legend!"

"Ahh, umu……"

This kind of reaction itself, I've already gotten kind of used to. However, perhaps due to their reverence for the Duke, so far his subordinates had yet to deprecate themselves toward me so blatantly, which is why I am slightly bewildered.

…… No, thinking about it, this is also my first time using so many high level spells in such a flashy manner. I think I have grown apathetic to it, but clearly this left a much greater impression on them than that show-and-tell of a single dragon.

"...... Ladies and gentlemen, be at ease."

Originally, it is not my place to speak those words, especially when their master is also present.

But the Duke himself still looks quite out of it, so I have no choice but to purposely speak in a prideful tone.

Everyone looks relieved, and neither the Duke nor Claura says anything in particular, so I think that way of handling the situation was correct.

"Either way, thanks to you the danger has pa.s.sed. We…… Filsand will never forget this debt."

Wiping sweat from his forehead, the Duke displays clear relief on his face. Though this reaction can be said to be natural after the city under his control was saved, it seems that even he has human-like emotions after all.

As we exchange a firm handshake, I can indeed feel heat beyond the thick glove on his hand.

Be that as it may.

I still have many tasks before me, beginning with the matter regarding Elizabel and his children, the handling of the Shulz, and of course 'the second condition' that I still need to present to him.

…… More like, the current task is still not yet finished.

"The danger is not yet over. The fact that so many Shadow Demons have appeared must mean that somewhere — I highly suspect it to be the Shulz's home base — a Shadow Demon nest has appeared. We must go destroy it."

♥♦♣♠

That night.

After dumping all of the detailed processes and paperwork and whatnot due to the clash with the Legion on the Duke, I am currently in the underground dungeon of Castle of Fort.i.tude together with my allies.

The reason is because Leid and Leiha had returned with a huge 'accomplishment' from their separate mission.

That 'accomplishment' is currently sitting on a crude chair placed in the middle of of a cell.

Both arms are tightly tied to the back of the chair, and there is a mouth gag tightly in place.

This man with a stiff, ceremonious appearance is the 'Mystic,' who Leid and Leiha had kidnapped while infiltrating the Shulz's home base, Garden of the G.o.ds.

"I said it was fine to only do reconnaissance, but…… was it not dangerous?"

"I, I'm very sorry, my lord."

"I just did it of my own accord. Since I don't have a reason to listen to your orders."

Indeed, I had asked these two to scout out Garden of the G.o.ds, which I suspect had been taken over by Shadow Demons. I did lend them Phantom Horses for transportation, as well as several magic items, but what happened to my request to not risk any danger……

"W-, well…… I don't mean to comment on you guys' on-scene judgment. And the result is…… this is nothing short of distinguished service."

It's true that I did not say to not bring back prisoners. In all likelihood, it wasn't much trouble for Leid and Leiha anyways.

I make a mental note to be more strict with my cautioning the next time even while patting Leiha's head to soothe her down, as she looks ready to physically punish herself even now.

"To cast such magnanimous words upon one so lowly and foolish as myself…… th-, thank you so very much, my lord……"

"...... Umu."

As I am patting Leiha's light purple hair while she is still on her knees, ecstasy gradually comes over her face.

Due to her being pretty much the embodiment of s.e.xiness, there have been quite a few times when things have inadvertently gotten a bit dicey. But lately, it's starting to feel like showing affection to a big dog who's gotten really attached.

"So, is one of us going to interrogate this man?"

So asks Claura as I get kind of distracted fiddling with Leiha's hair.

In order to interrogate the Mystic, the only person present aside from Leid and Leiha is Claura.

Originally, the high-profile status of this captive means that we should have also called the Filsand and Shulz sides first. However, considering our interrogation methods and the information that we will most likely draw out, I wanted to confirm everything within our circle first, so I forcefully made it into this lineup.

"Ahh. I'll do it. With this."

"...... That again? Not that it's not a method, but……"

"Since I don't have any more cultured way of doing it. And I don't have the confidence to maintain a proper conversation with him in the first place."

I take out my ESP Medal from within my clothes, causing Claura to shrug her shoulders.

In actual fact, despite being bound head to toe, he is directing powerful hatred towards us, and his eyes are indeed glowing golden. The moment Leid brought out his Sight Demon, it immediately began glowing.

Whichever way we look at it, this man's mind has already been corrupted by Shadow Demon influence.

Previously, I tried to read a Demonist's mind in Lelis using this ESP Medal, but his mind had already collapsed by the time I got to him, so all I got was a very blurry and obscure image.

Thankfully, this Mystic clearly still has his consciousness, so we might perhaps get some actual information about Shadow Demons or Demonists from him.

Even beyond the ethical issues, I find peering into a mind dirtied by Shadow Demons quite repulsive in and of itself. However, doing things that need to be done even when you don't want to, that's part of what it means to be an adult.

"...... I'll ask this just in case, but do you have any intention of honestly answering our questions?"

"N—! Nn—!"

I did try, for the record.

The tanned-skinned man wearing a black robe grunts while looking as if he wants to bite my face off.

"In that case, you leave me no choice. I'm sorry, but I'll be reading your mind directly then. Firstly…… how did you guys know my name?"

"......"

Thrusting the ESP Medal in front of his eyes, I begin the interrogation.

When asked a question, he will naturally think of the answer, regardless of whether he wants to or not. If I read those thoughts, I might be able to learn the reason how these Demonists knew about me, even though I've only just left Senpu Village at the time.

And perhaps I might also learn the reason why the War Tribe's Miko is also declaring me a Focal Point.

To get started with Disqus head to the Settings panel.

Chapter 98: Interrogation

Volume 4

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