Deathbringer recalled many things in an instant.

"…?"

But the moment his gaze met those inorganic gray eyes, he forgot it all.

["In the end, he grasped power, at the very least."]

Only those words, ridiculously enough, only those words hovered in his mind.

["Even though we both struggle just the same, he can achieve so much more, a much deeper vengeance."]

Even knowing how much you suffered because of demons, how much despair and countless sorrows you had been through, jealousy had ultimately reared its head first.

CRUNCH.

He couldn't stand before you, if only out of shame for that.

Before the Demon Knight could grasp the situation, or rather, before people flocked over and exposed his true identity, he quickly left the spot.

As always, the knight did not catch him.

"Where are you going, young hunter!"

That knight.

Did not catch him.

"Waah!"

"Berserker understood none of this! Explain before you go!"

"Argh, I don't know!!"

As soon as he went out into the street and blindly pushed past people, the earth rang with a THUD. It was a sense of weight that let him know it was the Berserker without even needing to look back.

She was faster at running than the Inquisitor, and unlike Priests—ordinary people—she wasn't restricted by the roads, so she had definitely chased after him first.

"Explain before you go!!"

"I told you I don't know!!"

At that, more strength naturally went into his legs. A distance that would have been caught up to long ago under normal circumstances was, for some reason, not easily narrowing.

Even he himself felt a sensation of having become incredibly 'faster.'

"Young hunter!!"

So he pushed himself even harder.

He didn't know why he had suddenly gotten faster. Ah, wait. When forcing the provisional contract, the demon had said it would reinforce his body instead of placing a restriction on speaking, so it might be because of that.

But how on earth was this 'a little bit'? His running speed had gotten fast enough for him to noticeably feel it.

Deathbringer let out a hollow laugh and darted into an alley.

He hadn't wished for it, but now, when his physical abilities were boosted enough to run on equal footing, was his chance.

Aside from tracking, hiding was his specialty, so he would shake her off through the alleys and somehow disappear. Deathbringer was certain that this was the only way he could survive.

He was even born in this city, as it happened. Ten years was a time in which some things might change, but not everything did.

He could do it.

He could leave them.

Deathbringer's eyes gleamed fiercely.

"Hunter!"

Naturally, the Berserker followed closely behind.

Her physical abilities were outstanding so she could catch almost any presence, and her crazy intuition allowed her to pinpoint hidden targets to some extent.

"Is it here?"

However, she was ultimately a warrior, not a hunter.

"I think it's here..."

Thus, even with the variable of her intuition, hiding from her eyes wasn't impossible. Let alone the fact that he had a track record of successfully fooling even the Demon Knight.

He also had an item that could detect a person's location beyond a wall.

Therefore, Deathbringer held his breath even more and ignored the person poking their head out right behind him.

"Hmm..."

The Berserker placed her hand on the window frame of the wall he was pressed tightly against, which was the very frame he had climbed over.

CRACK.

Her grip strength was so immense that just by resting her hand and applying a little pressure, the window frame slightly crushed.

But in the end, the one who won was him.

The Berserker gradually moved away.

Phew. A breath he had been holding in for so long returned slightly.

BANG!

"Is he really not here?"

But just as he was about to take out his item, the presence that seemed to be moving away instantly returned and grabbed the window frame. Deathbringer's movements completely stopped with the momentum to halt even the swaying of fine hairs.

"Pfft."

Still, the fortunate thing was that the Berserker absolutely did not look down.

Just as it is dark under the lamp, Deathbringer was relieved by her sloppiness.

"Anyway, her intuition is like a ghost's..."

However, even if she was sloppy, she had intuition to match it. Even though she left, it meant she hadn't given him enough distance to feel safe.

And she was circling around this area.

"Phew."

Taking risks wasn't his preference, but the world never went according to plan.

This was especially true now, as the Berserker didn't seem to have any intention of leaving here in a short time, and she wasn't the only one chasing him.

Because of that, he walked at regular intervals while using his item to track the Berserker's location. He naturally didn't do anything like jump in surprise and run when she occasionally changed direction or started running.

If the opponent had lost his presence, from then on, it was a battle of guts. The act of running brought more noise than walking, and that seasoned warrior would not miss that noise.

Like that, one step, two steps. Occasionally, when the Berserker made a loud noise, he hid within those footsteps to move a little further.

He completely suppressed any other sounds as he took steps. He moved so that not even life could be felt from his exhaled breaths, allowing only silence and stillness to visit.

TAP, TAP, TAP.

And when that large figure disappeared in the completely opposite direction.

He changed his location in earnest. Aside from the Berserker's intuition finally losing its power, the number of people trying to find him was gradually increasing.

"I'd rather die than accept this kind of popularity."

It was a dangerous situation, but he couldn't help but joke.

He mocked his own suddenly overturned circumstances and slipped out of the alley.

However, with the biggest threat, the Berserker, gone, escaping the encirclement wasn't purely difficult either.

Even if it was somewhat inconvenient that the Priests kept tracking him, perhaps chasing the lingering scent of demonic energy, his life wasn't in direct danger.

In addition, even that pursuit was nothing more than something that would stop once he slipped out of the city. He could endure it.

THUD!

"Where—"

But.

"—are you trying to go?"

That immense magical power he was trying so hard to avoid suddenly approaching and popping out from the alley seemed a bit much.

The posture of blocking the way by leaning against the wall with the momentum to crush it was also the same. It was too bad for his heart. To the point where he couldn't even scream out of shock.

"B-Boss..."

Deathbringer gulped under the gaze positioned above him.

Was the Demon Knight always this big? He hadn't realized it when they were allies because he never had the chance to feel it. Honestly, it was scary enough to make his hands and feet tremble.

"I believe I asked you a question."

Fuuuuck. Had the ones who faced the Demon Knight up until now felt this kind of terror?

He thought it was a wonder his heart hadn't stopped as he faltered and stepped back. The Demon Knight had blocked the way by leaning on the wall, but since he hadn't fully trapped him, it was possible.

"W-Well..."

Had he heard that he had made a provisional contract with a demon? Considering he hadn't cut him down in a single strike, could he believe it was still unknown?

But if he hadn't heard, there was no reason for him to follow him.

Deathbringer naturally lowered his eyes and bowed his head. The hands hidden inside his cloak subtly clenched into fists.

"Even if I say it's a misunderstanding, you wouldn't believe me... right?"

He spoke with a bit of hope. But even before an answer came out, he retracted the possibility himself. Because it was something he couldn't wish for.

"..."

Therefore, he tightly gripped what had entered between his palms.

"...!"

SLASH!

The impure sword the Demon Knight had gifted him slashed the Demon Knight's cheek.

"... Tch."

He had aimed for the head in a surprise attack, but leaving a bloody line on the cheek was all he could do. However, he hadn't thought the attack would succeed from the beginning.

Instead, he kicked his body forward. Afraid his breathing would break, he didn't even let out a single word of apology.

THUD!

His body neatly slipped into the gap between the Demon Knight and the wall, created when the Demon Knight raised his arm.

They bumped slightly, but eventually, his body passed behind the Demon Knight.

He couldn't react to this? He put that question aside. Whatever the reason for the Demon Knight's delayed response, it was lucky for him.

He was fine with dying, but he still didn't want to die; that was his state of mind right now.

Not because his life was precious or valuable, but out of wonder for what would become of the people who died because of him if he died here, for that reason alone.

TAP, TAP, TAP.

Then all that was left to do was run like his life depended on it.

Without even seeing the Demon Knight touch the wound on his cheek, he dashed out into the main street.

The people of the Temple would be spread out, but that wasn't what was important.

As long as the Demon Knight had the ability to slash enemies from a distance, he had to blend in among the people.

Of course, even this was only possible because the Demon Knight wasn't the kind of person to risk civilian casualties.

If he were someone who prioritized demon hunting over civilian lives, Deathbringer would never have stepped out onto the street.

"There he is!!"

Argh. They're so persistent.

Deathbringer dodged those running from the opposite side and changed direction. Upon turning, he realized it was toward the castle, but it didn't really matter.

As long as he could get out of their line of sight, deceiving the eyes of others wasn't impossible. Whether it was the castle, the main street, or an alleyway.

"You!"

"Ah."

So the Softie had finally come out too.

He had no time to check with his item and witnessed a presence he had failed to catch appear right in front of him. It wasn't a big problem.

If the Softie blocked the entire street with that damn barrier of his, it would become a little troublesome, but he knew many petty and cowardly tricks to counter it.

SWOOSH!

Thus, he quickly took something out and scattered it into the air.

SWISH.

"Urgh, cough."

It was the black pepper he had brought for support when the three of them recklessly went to the forest to find the demon last time—it had been ground up then, and there were leftovers.

Well, even he back then wouldn't have known it would be used like this.

"Cough, urk."

Anyway, he threw the pepper, which was more precious than gold of the same weight, into the air—he didn't really consider it a waste since he hadn't bought it with his own money—and quickly twisted his body.

Since it was a spice harmless to the human body that only caused coughing when inhaled, he didn't feel much guilt.

Instead, he additionally sprinkled something else. Colored powder spread in the air.

CLICK!

With the flint he consecutively took out, he sparked embers into the air.

The sparks caught onto the powder, causing small explosions. It was a level of explosion that would only give a slight sting if it touched a person.

However, its purpose was not to cause harm to others. It was merely to create colored smoke to cause confusion.

"Waah!!"

"Wh-Wh-What is this!"

"Cough, cough!"

The civilians began to scatter in panic.

"Hold on, please step aside—"

"Everyone, please calm down...!"

Seeing the civilians unintentionally blocking the Priests, he hurriedly stuck close to the building on the left.

A greengrocer had set up shop, but his legs stepped on the stall and the pillars holding up the tent to easily climb upwards.

"Cough, you bastard. Seriously!"

The reason he chose to go over the buildings instead of the main street was as follows.

Because that frustrating guy lacked long-range attack capabilities but had the power to obstruct paths with his signature barrier. It was an ability with no lethal force, so he didn't have to worry about the civilians either.

"Oh, God!"

At that moment, a golden barrier formed above his head. Deathbringer's legs twisted diagonally.

FLUTTER.

He jumped down from the building. Because then the building would block the barrier, preventing it from pressing down on him.

However, he couldn't go down to the street either. He twisted his body toward the building the moment he jumped.

CRUNCH.

His body, flying diagonally forward, reached the empty space in front of the building on the next block, and his hand grabbed the roof of that building. It was a spot out of the golden barrier's range.

Afterward, he lightly climbed onto the roof and ran again. He did the same when the barrier was created in front of him instead of pressing down from above.

Deathbringer rolled inward and continued forward to escape the Softie's field of vision.

It was truly fortunate that the Inquisitor had a sluggish body and couldn't climb onto the buildings, only able to move along the roads. As well as the Berserker, who was nowhere to be seen, and the Demon Knight, who for some reason wasn't chasing him.

Alright, at this rate, let's escape through the castle's dog hole I found out about before.

Deathbringer quickly reset his escape route and pulled out the item that allowed him to pinpoint the locations of magic users.

He absolutely refused to face a heart-stopping ambush like earlier again.

Fortunately, apart from the Inquisitor, most of them were far away. He could run with a bit more peace of mind.

Although he had regained the freedom of his body, it did not mean complete liberation.

Because of this, Young Lord Leon spent time in his office connected to the garden with a troubled expression.

The entity, having transformed into the shape of a white cat, was purring on his lap, putting on a ridiculous act of affection.

I miss Mia. With tears in his eyes, he repeatedly recalled thoughts he couldn't utter aloud. He really, truly missed his bold and steadfast lover.

Sigh.

What was written in the letter Mia sent?

Recalling the voices of the guests he had barely managed to hear, wouldn't she have asked about the 'wild beast crisis'? There was the letter he had sent, and the guests had also brought up the cat story.

Even though it was ruined by Biryuho's interference.

Ah, he really needed to let her know the situation somehow. He glanced down at the entity that could be called the root of all evil.

Sensing his gaze, the cat looked up at him in the same manner. The pink eyes that resembled his lover's, which made him throw it food despite suffering from his fur allergy, blinked.

"..."

With a face that could neither cry nor laugh, he turned his gaze away again.

It was fortunate that his fur allergy didn't act up, supposedly because it was a beast passed down in legends... but the harm it caused was far too great to let it slide for that reason alone.

Indeed, putting aside that Mia was his lover, dozens of people had already died. Even if they weren't people from his city, they were undoubtedly innocent people.

However... the problem was that there was no way to solve this. To be precise, there was no other way but to break up with Mia and offer himself as a sacrifice to appease Biryuho.

"Spit out the truth!"

Is this the only answer in the end?

He pulled out a new sheet of letter paper.

Neglecting the situation for the sake of his own love had a limit. Having acted selfishly enough until now, he had to make a decision now that his last hope—requesting rescue through Mia—was cut off.

A decision for everyone, even if it meant plunging himself into misery.

A decision to make Mia and Mia's city safe.

"Catch the bastard who got the former Lord killed!"

If he had known it would turn out like this, he should have just broken up with her the moment he realized the explosive increase in wild beasts was Biryuho's fault. If he had done that, Mia would have been a little less troubled.

Leon unknowingly shed a few tears as he moved his pen.

As he tried to draft the letter, the cat, which had climbed onto the desk as if to supervise, made a satisfied face upon seeing the contents.

"If it really wasn't your doing, then right now—!"

"... Even though I told you it wasn't!"

But even knowing that this was a choice for everyone, and knowing it was a choice for his lover, he couldn't do anything about the welling resentment.

Out of spite for the protest happening outside, he knocked over the ink bottle. Droplets of tears fell heavily.

[Oh my...]

At that, the cat jumped off the desk. SWISH. The naturally swelling figure soon became a platinum-blonde human.

Biryuho's finger brushed Leon's cheek.

[Do those things outside bother you? If you wish, I shall clear them away.]

"... I don't wish for such a thing."

[But are they not troubling you?]

The one troubling me the most here is you. Leon swallowed those words and shed streams of tears.

"... No."

Ah, Mia. I hope you won't suffer too much.

No, actually, more than that, I'm so anxious you might come in person to figure out the situation. If a cry for help and a breakup notice come one after another, you're someone who will definitely be suspicious.

Because you're a woman who will try to see it with your own two eyes and uncover the truth...

[Then why are you crying?]

"That's..."

I liked that about you, but right now, I hate it a little. If I knew this would happen, I would have just sent a breakup letter from the beginning.

If I knew this would happen, I wouldn't have confessed to you in the first place...

[Oh my.]

Biryuho suddenly clicked his tongue. Leon's head snapped up reflexively.

[I thought it was just a passing beast.]

What problem had occurred now? He followed Biryuho's gaze to the garden connected to the office.

THUD.

Someone dropped down beneath the tree. Dark-colored hair was visible through the hood. The exact color couldn't be made out due to the tree's shade.

[So it was a human.]

However, he could swear that this was by no means a good situation.

Leon's face turned ashen in an instant.