【Um, are you sure it is okay for us to come like this?】

【Visiting another tribe's village without prior notice is certainly rude, but... since we are allies, I believe we can somehow brush past it.】

【Even though you are actually thinking of discarding that alliance?】

【That cannot be helped. We were the ones struck in the back first.】

Not long after the Thief and the fighter departed, the Zatabs suddenly retreated. Thanks to that, they were able to head towards Bigabol's territory...

Right now, White Wind was traveling with the Chief of Serhang.

【Because it is a matter concerning the Mountain Lord, of all things.】

If you had to name a cause, well. You could say it had escalated, triggered by the meeting with the Mountain Lord that White Wind had asked about just in case.

【If he was bluffing despite being unable to contact the Priestesses of the swamp, I am sorry to say this to you all, but it is a welcome outcome for us. However, if he can truly make contact with them... yes. The moment that is discovered, all the tribes of the Great Forest will point their blades at Bigabol. As long as we are allied with them, there is a high chance our tribe will also suffer disaster. I have no intention of sitting back and watching that happen.】

【I see. But I guess meeting the Mountain Lord during the Katina period is that sensitive of an issue?】

【Because the one chosen by the Mountain Lord immediately ascends to the position of Great Chief, regardless of the Katina's outcome.】

【Shouldn't someone chosen by the Mountain Lord be respected instead?】

【Yes. That is correct. The tribes of the Great Forest have always believed so as well. However, eighty years ago, there was someone who, lacking the confidence to win the Katina, bribed the Priestesses of the swamp and lied that he had received the Mountain Lord's choice to become the Great Chief. It was a scheme that exploited the loophole that the Mountain Lord does not easily reveal itself.】

【Ah, so?】

【Yes. So since then, unless the Mountain Lord shows its choice in front of everyone, it is dismissed as a lie. Naturally, the Priestesses of the swamp also banned contact to avoid suspicion.】

If that was the case, it made sense why the Chief of Serhang was being sensitive. White Wind stuck their lips out in a pout, thinking that these tribes sure had all sorts of peculiar rules.

【Now, once we cross this hill, Bigabol's village will come into view.】

【I see.】

But it feels strangely noisy...

Feeling completely out of breath, White Wind took the final step. The other side of the hill slowly began to come into view.

【A fight?】

【... Oh no.】

They had wondered why Zatab retreated, but it seemed this was the reason.

They clicked their tongues as they watched Zatab and Bigabol brawling. At this rate, they couldn't enter Bigabol's territory. No, even if they could, they shouldn't. They would get swept up in the fight.

【We have to turn back—】

"Wait."

At that moment, the Hero, who had been standing at the rear boosting the Mages' stamina, sprang forward. His hair, which was slowly starting to cover his neck, fluttered lightly.

"I feel a curse."

"Pardon?"

"I will go on ahead!"

What in the world? Why all of a sudden? For what reason?

White Wind blinked before urgently concentrating on mana. Though it wasn't their specialty, the precision search magic they had learned as a basic skill extended its aura in all directions.

"... It's real!"

【Um, is something the matter? Is it okay to let him go...?】

"That isn't, no. 【That is not the problem right now! A curse has broken out over there!】"

As long as it was related to a demon, there was no avoiding intervention. White Wind shrieked about why this incident was blowing up so much before urgently following the Hero.

【W-Wait.】

【Chief, what should we do?】

【... If it is a curse, it must be related to a demon. There cannot be a demon in the forest the Mountain Lord watches over. Let us go!】

【Yes!!】

Without knowing the full details, the people of Serhang chased after them as well. It was the moment a three-way meeting between the three tribes was abruptly brought about.

【S-Save me!!】

【It is a curse! A curse!!】

【Those crazy Zatab bastards, what the hell did they bring!!】

【Death is approaching!!】

【C-Commander! Commander, please save me!】

【W-What is this. What the hell did those outlanders give—!】

DeB had an innate talent for masking his presence, so he had simply thought of using that to free the hostages.

But how had the situation turned out like this?

I looked at the black water beginning to spread in the middle of the village. It reeked of death and decay.

My right arm itched.

【Fall back, fall back right now!】

"Run away!"

I couldn't just stand by and watch this. I dove among those who were dying helplessly. Experience told me I would be fine as long as it didn't touch my bare skin, so I didn't hesitate.

【Aaaagh!】

SWOOSH!

I fished people out of the rapidly spreading black water. More accurately, I grabbed the people right before they were swallowed and threw them back.

"Raise a wall, Mage!"

"Earth, rise and harden."

Was the Archmage more suited to being a support rather than a DPS? Regardless, an earthen wall rose up and blocked the black water. I continued to toss people over it.

Bigabol, Zatab. There was no need to distinguish their affiliations. Before this plague, fighting was meaningless.

【T-The children!】

Ah, damn it.

I glared as the water rushed all the way to where the children were being held hostage. The suspended children were somewhat better off, but the problem was the children huddled together, forced to their knees on the ground.

Among the power I possessed and the skills I could use, there wasn't a single way to safely rescue all of them at once.

"Oh, God!!"

Damn it. In that case, even if it's just the maximum number of children I can carry—

"Eradicate the impurity!!"

In an instant, a massive storm of light struck straight down. Even though my HP drained drastically, a laugh slipped out for no reason.

"Not bad."

"...! Demon Knight!"

'Waaah! Is our baby dumpling's timing for real! As expected of Mr. Hero! Our dumpling is the best!!'

I glanced at his flushed cheeks and tore apart the ropes binding the children.

The bastards guarding the children had already fled to the back early on, so I wasn't hindered in the slightest.

"Save the other children, too."

【T-Thank you.】

I handed a dagger to the children and pointed at the ones suspended in the air. At the simple yet clear expression of intent, exclamation marks popped up over the children's heads before they quickly nodded.

It seemed they caught on.

"Hah! More importantly, Demon Knight. Why is there a curse..."

Then is my job over here?

I chewed over the Inquisitor's question internally. 'Well. I saw the Zatab guys throw it, but I don't really know why they had it either.' That thought was just an aside.

First, I needed to grasp the situation. I quickly scanned the scene that had been semi-forcibly brought to a lull.

Many of the Bigabol guys who took direct hits had fallen, but Zatab's casualties were also substantial. Most of the warriors who were clashing had either died instantly or were groaning from the curse.

The Inquisitor was bathing the surroundings in divine power, so no one else would die, but it was obvious they would suffer in agony until they were fully healed.

"The one who threw it, who is it."

However, they brought this upon themselves. Of course, I highly doubted the subordinates knew what that effect would be, but...

Are they kids? No, they aren't. They are adults capable of taking care of themselves, and they were the ones who waged this war; so what reason did I have to pity them for dying??

I could feel sorry about their deaths. But right now, the ones I should pity the most were the innocent victims who were almost sacrificed.

"I asked, who is it...!"

Not to mention, a curse item related to a demon had just made its debut, right? My concept's temper absolutely couldn't tolerate that, right?

These bastards truly did all sorts of things. Was it for real that one side abandoned their humanity, and the other side joined hands with a guy who abandoned his humanity? Was it also for real that those kinds of guys had the highest chance of being chosen as the next Great Chief?

How disillusioning.

【What in the world is happening!】

Meanwhile, another faction was added to the mix. I raised an eyebrow after confirming the people of the Magic Tower and the Chief of Serhang swarming in through the breached wall.

"What the hell is going on."

White Wind came trotting over, holding firmly onto their pointed hat so it wouldn't fly back. Covering their mouth at the sight of the chaotic mess was an added bonus.

"I'd love to take one as a test subject. I guess that's a no?"

... Let's please pretend that last remark never happened.

【You are...!】

【Chief of Serhang! You have come at a good time! As an ally, please lend us your aid...!】

Atart, who was reorganizing the frontlines after deploying his warriors to the rear, shouted urgently. The Chief of Serhang glanced in Atart's direction and hardened his face.

It was the expression I often made when I ran into someone I didn't want to meet. You know, smiling on the outside but flashing the middle finger with a hand hidden behind your back.

【I am not here in the capacity of an ally right now. I volunteered to be a guide to resolve this after hearing our guest say that a demonic aura had been detected.】

【Right! That is it! Zatab did this!】

【Is that tr—】

RUUUMBLE!!

How many words had gone back and forth between Atart and the Chief of Serhang? Out of nowhere, the earth shook.

"W-What."

The Inquisitor seemed a bit startled, but I was just unbothered. It wasn't just once or twice that things blew up since coming to this region.

At this point, I hardly even felt panicked. I was merely curious about exactly how many times these surprise events would keep happening.

【The Mountain Lord!】

Let me correct myself. I was surprised. Jörmungandr was in the sky.

【T-The Mountain Lord...!】

I widened my eyes slightly as I looked at the white snake existing in the sky. It wasn't scary because it had those round eyes unique to snakes, but it was too big!!

It wasn't just a big snake or a really big snake, that was just an insanely colossal snake!

[Wow, damn. These guys are crazy.]

At that moment, the snake's mouth opened slightly, and a sound like a ship's horn echoed out. For some reason, the sound pierced clearly into my ears.

[It's not like you're performing a ritual for the forest to die. Why are you committing suicide in my forest? If you want to drop dead, don't drag others into it and just die by yourselves.]

But why does its pronunciation sound subtly folksy...?

[Ah.]

Right then, the snake's gaze met mine. The snake blinked twice, then subtly rolled its eyes around.

[Did those bastards perhaps make you uncomfortable... or make you angry by any chance...]

Wait a minute. Why are you acting so polite with a body that size.

[I will apologize on their behalf, so please, if you could just leave the forest alone...]

... I don't think I did anything in particular, so why do I feel like a thug?? Excuse me???

【It is the Mountain Lord's procession! Everyone, pay your respects!】

At that time, people riding snakes... no, lizards? came sprinting over the castle walls and buildings to the scene. Their attire was exactly that of Priestesses, so it wasn't hard to figure out their identities.

There was no way that giant snake was a normal creature, and seeing as how the surrounding people instantly bowed their heads the moment it appeared, it was definitely the 'Mountain Lord'... Which meant those Priestesses must be the Priestesses of the swamp who serve the Mountain Lord.

【Oh, Mountain Lord!】

【Oh, Mountain Lord!】

【Please forgive us!】

【Deliver the forest's judgment!】

More importantly, it truly was a worshipped snake. Serhang, Zatab, and Bigabol all performed deep bows and pleaded to the giant snake, as if they had completely forgotten the situation from just moments ago.

【You there! Pay your respects at once!】

[Are you crazy. The ones who need to prostrate flat on the ground are you guys, not him. Hurry up and show some manners.]

【... We greet the one acknowledged by the Mountain Lord!】

Meanwhile, the swamp Priestesses' instant backpedaling was insane. I ended up receiving their deep bows in my bewilderment.

The Inquisitor, who was right behind me and couldn't understand the local language just like me, ended up receiving their bows as well.

"Um, Demon Knight. How exactly is this situation playing out?"

I know, right... I'd like to know too...

[... You're really not angry, right?]

"... Are you kidding me, snake?"

[Oh my, you must be really angry. Honestly, all because of these idiots...]

The Mountain Lord scratched the crown of its head with the tip of its tail. "Demon Knight? Were you speaking to me?" The Inquisitor tilted his head at me, seemingly unable to hear those words.

[Let it slide just this once, just once. I'll properly educate them, so.]

How was I actually supposed to react at a time like this? There were occasionally moments that confused me when trying to find the right direction for my concept, but there was never a point as conflicting as this one. I sweat bullets internally and racked my brain as much as possible.

【Oh, Mountain Lord!】

Funnily enough, the one who saved me was Atart, the very guy I had wanted to beat to a pulp.

【Zatab has dared to bring a demon's item into this land! Deliver a rightful verdict upon them! Please pass down judgment!!】

[And what's with this bastard.]

The snake's gaze turned toward him. As if its groveling toward me just a moment ago had never happened, the golden eyes looking down at Atart were incredibly cold.

【Oh, Mountain Lord!!】

[What a total shitshow, a total shitshow. Oh my. Just look at him whining for others to be judged without even thinking about what he did wrong.]

Meanwhile, since I could hear the Mountain Lord's words, I could guess what Atart had been blabbering about. It was probably a whine roughly along the lines of 'Zatab did wrong. Please punish them.'

[Yeah. Well, it's not like he's wrong... right? Grab them. Let's do an inspection on the Zatab kids today.]

【The Mountain Lord has commanded. The Zatab tribe will have to prove their faithfulness toward the forest.】

[And tell the Bigabol kids to stay on standby too. One wrong step and the forest would've been wiped out today.]

【... The Bigabol tribe will also be unable to avoid judgment.】

【Wait a minute, why!】

【That is the Mountain Lord's will.】

Anyway, the snake swallowed both Bigabol and Zatab whole at the same time. With that, those two tribes would be unable to avoid punishment.

If that snake really was walking on eggshells around me... it probably wouldn't be a slap on the wrist either.

[And...]

The Mountain Lord scanned the ground with its golden eyes, soon stopping its gaze in one spot.

[That kid is smart, doesn't get on the guest's bad side, and does his job well. Let's make him the next Great Chief.]

【... Equa, Chief of Serhang!】

【Yes, you who uphold the Mountain Lord's will.】

【The Mountain Lord has chosen you as the next Great Chief. Please bring about a glorious reign for this forest.】

【... U-Um, forgive me for asking such an impertinent question, but is it the truth that... the Mountain Lord pointed me out?】

【It is.】

【Wait a minute, this is unfair!】

【Atart, Chief of Bigabol! Do you dare doubt the Mountain Lord's will!】

I feel like the Great Chief they said they were going to pick through Katina or whatever just got picked in a flash. Is it just my imagination?

【I cannot accept this!】

【How dare you!!】

[Hah, that bastard is a funny guy.]

The situation had suddenly gotten exciting. There would be no more people dying, and the snake was solving everything.

While acting pissed off, I watched Atart's downfall with the mindset of munching on popcorn. Language barrier aside, just looking at his face made it obvious his life was ruined.

【The position of Great Chief must go to someone deserving—!】

However, the greater amusement came right after.

RATTLE!

【—! A mere Priestess!】

A white chain tried to bind Atart. Atart dodged the chain by a hair's breadth, but what rushed at him immediately after was a giant halberd.

"Gahahaha! You're the strongest warrior, right?! Have a bout with the Berserker!"

The halberd completely tied up Atart's four arms. The force behind it was so great that he could only block it by raising all four arms to guard.

【Who are you!】

"Alley-oop."

And when Atart used all his arms like that.

"I'll be taking the child."

A presence even I hadn't noticed intercepted the child from Atart's remaining hand. It was the perfect combination.

"I."

At the same time, the opportunity came back to me.

"Told you."

Of course, with the child no longer in Atart's hands, there was no reason I couldn't point my sword at him. The remaining hostages had already been freed too.

"That the children's lives are your life."

【...!!】

"Eh, wait, he's the Berserker's prey—."

SLASH!

Thus, I closed the distance to Atart in a single bound. As a single sword strike carved a trajectory through the air, all three of his right arms were severed and sent flying.

【Kuhuk!】

I gave Atart no time to bark orders, nor any time for his surroundings to react first.

Before his body could even lose its balance, I stomped hard on his chest like a push kick, and the moment his body slammed into the ground, I drove my sword into his shoulder.

"I'll send you to hell."

Catharsis wasn't far away.