ETL – Chapter 23
Even though I had a selfish desire and wanted to tease the nobles who were acting all noble before but are now screaming in horror…
At the same time, I wanted to let them know that I was the only one who could help. I got up from my seat and looked out.
The demons wriggled and moved. There was nothing left where the red masses passed by. A once beautiful place was ruined. The grass and trees of the forest were covered in a red liquid.
I did not receive an Oracle this time but I knew enough. If it’s that kind of demon…
“It’ll eat people too.”
The conference room instantly fell quiet at my muttering.
At the same time, a scream filled the air.
My head started to ache at the sight of people running towards me and asking me to destroy the demons quickly.
Not one, but ten of those red masses appeared. Dozens of demons were visible.
Why was everything happening at once these days? From the hunting competition to a falling chandelier, a confrontation with the nobles, and now these demons attacking the temple.
Reneben approached quietly. I spoke in a whisper so the nobles could not hear me.
“Reneben, I’ll be in the temple. Please lead the other priests outside the temple for any possible damage.”
“Miss Emilone.”
His face was slightly distorted. He probably wanted to help me inside the temple.
I explained to him, “When the demons come, it will become dangerous. The first thing we have to do is to evacuate the people around the temple.”
I could see the conflict written on Reneben’s face. In the end, he realized he only had one choice and nodded his head in determination.
Paired with a deep sigh from me, most of the priests went outside.
The red masses had thorns, blocking anyone from approaching. When they moved, everything around them gradually melted.
Suddenly I made eye contact with Duke Cassan. It was so quiet that I forgot him for a moment.
Since he looked at me, I asked him, “Do you want me to help?”
“Please get rid of them quickly!”
“If not the saintess, who can do it?”
I had asked the duke but instead I got answers from some noisy nobles instead.
“You want me to save you?”
“Who will save the people here if not you…?”
“That’s right, it cannot be done without me.”
I had to make myself determined, otherwise I might lose my courage.
“Duke, if I ask you to help, will you help me?”
His eyes trembled. The other nobles looked at the duke and snorted. It was natural for the temple to save people. The duke had no obligation to do so.
“I’m kidding, but…”
I opened the window wide open. Along with the cold wind, the familiar smell of the demon entered. The fishy smell bothered me.
“Don’t take my sacrifices for granted.”
I wanted to hide just as you guys hide behind me.
“There could be moments where I cannot help you, then you have to take care of yourself.”
I had to say one more thing to those trembling in fear.
“Still, since everybody is at the temple because of my invitation…”
So that no one will get hurt.
“I will send everybody back without harm.”
*********
I looked outside. The demons’ bodies were large but their movements were slow. They melted things around them as they moved around, while leaving a bad smell. I groaned at the thought of it.
“Jessie, tell me if there are any knights or wizards among the nobles.”
Perhaps because of the outer wall of the temple, the demons were unable to go into the temple grounds.
Although it seemed to me that they would gravitate towards the center of the temple because of my presence. Right now, the majority of the empire’s most powerful people were inside the conference hall.
There should be knights or wizards among the group. The fact that we were looking for them raised questions among the nobles about why the temple was not dealing with the demons themselves.
“Saintess, what do you mean by that…”
“Jessie, hurry up.”
Jessie had many useful skills, one of which was her memory. I did not think I was lacking in the memory department but even I could not keep up with Jessie’s memory. I was really happy when I discovered Jessie’s ability.
I gave her a document today containing the personal information of the nobles attending the meeting. She memorized it after half an hour. Even so, Jessie vowed to never be my enemy.
Jessie was surprised at my urging but folded her fingers in front of her chest and recited the names of approximately 20 wizards and nearly 100 knights.
It was amazing.
The people whose names were called had horrified faces.
Of course, there were also people who were calm like Duke Cassan, who was also named for he was a knight. He glanced outside.
“Those whose names have been called should go out with me.”
Five minutes ago, I sent a message to the Imperial Palace for more manpower but it was impossible at this point. There was quite a distance between the palace and the temple. The wizards were unable to teleport or fly because they had to replenish their power afterwards.
The knights would come on horseback but that would take 40… more like 50 minutes at the quickest.
Slow. With these demons, one would think that snails would move faster than this. If you think that these demons were not dangerous because they moved slowly, think again. Their bodies were covered with dangerous thorns.
To defeat a demon, you have to make contact with it to infuse it with divine power, but these things were big enough to eat people.
I had to make a wound on those things and then proceed by putting my hand in it. The mere thought of it was horrible.
“We can’t wait any longer.”
Unlike me, who was determined, they were hesitant. Fortunately, Duke Cassan was the first to step forward and stand with me. The hesitation from the nobles was funny and I smiled.
“Thank you, Duke. I will not forget what happened today.”
“It’s alright to forget. If you forget my rudeness last time instead, I will be grateful.”
“You’re even joking.”
I covered my mouth and burst into laughter as if I had heard a very funny joke. Thanks to this, the atmosphere was a little more relaxed. Even so, there were still nobles trying to hide. Only a few others stepped forward.
I raised my chin slightly and swept my hand over the window railing.
“What should I do if you do not listen to my request…”
They flinched at my words. I was starting to feel warm. I always spoke in public like this but my heart was racing.
“I will command as a saintess.”
Why are they hesitating as knights? They were the ones who should be protecting someone like me.
“Help me. The temple will not forget this and you will be repaid with due respect.”
Come to think of it, Duke Nestro did not attend this meeting. It was clear that they were the only family missing among the high ranking nobles. I wished I had Veron Nestro for this time. I was told that there was no one else who could match him in terms of magical abilities. I felt sorry that he was not here.
“The wizards should trap them and then the knights will attack and injure them.”
The priests would also be sent out to help.
The swords that were collected by the temple when everyone entered were returned to the knights.
They were scared.
I tried to be brave, but I was also scared.
I stared at the nobles. I continued speaking without taking my eyes off them.
“I want you guys to deal with the smaller things. That’s enough.”
“…”
“…”
“It’s dangerous. I could die,” mumbled one of the younger wizards.
I was disappointed in the wizard, the knights who would be at the front have not complained.
“That’s right, you can die.”
“…”
“We do this all the time, so isn’t it ok to help us for once?”
Only then did the young wizard shut up. I grabbed his hands that were slightly trembling.
“But don’t worry… no matter what happens, I will protect you.”
*********
Certainly, the process of injuring them was difficult.
I was the only one around here who can get rid of the cursed things that eat people. The red liquid created by the demons was similar to the slime that snails leave behind.
I was the only one who could step on it and be fine. My arms were a little worn out and my body was stained with demon blood.
“Ahhh!!”
“Saintess! Look out!”
It happened when the third demon was destroyed. The blue-green liquid came out as the demon exploded. I wiped away the liquid from my eyes when a scream pierced my ears.