While walking around our quarters, inspecting the areas that needed repairs, I suddenly lifted my head.
‘Wait, this sound?!’
Ding-ding-ding—! Ding-ding-ding—!
The urgent sound of bells rang out.
The bells were ringing three times in a regular pattern.
‘This isn’t good.’
I bit my teeth hard.
A cold chill ran down my spine, as if an icy hand was stroking my back.
The number of times the bell rings depends on the number of demonic monsters that escape.
As far as I remember, the bell rings twice for fewer than ten monsters and three times for more than ten.
Which means…
‘At least ten or more demonic monsters have escaped from the portal?’
Usually, I heard that even in the worst-case scenario, only about one or fewer than five demonic monsters escape.
But suddenly more than ten?!
‘Why did the barrier weaken all of a sudden?’
It hasn’t been long since the barrier stone was replaced.
And then—
― Kiirik, kiirrrk…
A strange and chilling sound, like nails scraping across a chalkboard, reached my ears.
I felt a shiver down my spine.
‘…What is that?’
Frozen stiff, I slowly turned around.
Behind me stood a pitch-black monster, as if it had been crudely molded from darkness.
Its shape was grotesque, like a combination of a lion and a dog.
Its long fangs protruded menacingly from its mouth, and its massive body was easily twice my height.
That monster… looked familiar.
‘That demonic monster.’
I felt my mouth go dry.
‘It’s the same one that Giscard decapitated and brought to the Dawn Festival.’
I stared up at the monster, swallowing dryly.
Why is it…?
Suddenly, the plot of the original story flashed through my mind.
‘Cassia also died because of a demonic monster, didn’t she?’
But I hadn’t enlisted without thinking things through.
In the original story, Cassia’s death by the demonic monster happened much later, long after now.
Which means, according to the original timeline, there’s no way this demonic monster should be appearing now!
― Grrrrr…
The monster in front of me growled low, opening its mouth wide.
Its sharp teeth gleamed threateningly, as though it was ready to devour me whole.
Drool dripped from its maw, and its hot, foul breath hit me.
My heart felt as if it had been encased in ice.
‘I have to run.’
I tried to move my legs, which felt stiff and frozen.
‘I can’t die like this…’
I clenched my trembling hands into fists.
To hell with fate, to hell with the story dictating that I have to die here!
I’m definitely not dying here!
I’ll survive no matter what!!
At that very moment, someone called out to me in a desperate voice.
“Astrid!”
With that shout, an icy chill surged through the air.
It was a sharp, cutting cold, like the edge of a well-honed blade.
― Clang!
The demonic monster, which had seemed ready to swallow me whole, let out a pitiful scream and was flung far away.
Thud.
Beyond the demonic monster, which had tumbled to the ground, something bright red, like a shining jewel, poured down.
It was frozen blood.
A huge ice spike was stuck in the monster’s neck, and a thin layer of frost was attached to the surface where the spike and flesh met.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the demonic monster’s corpse.
‘Just now… I really…’
My legs shook uncontrollably.
I was so shocked that all the strength had left my body.
‘I really just faced a living demonic monster.’
Up until now, the only demonic monster I had seen was the severed head Giscard had brought to the Dawn Festival.
This was the first time I’d encountered a living, breathing demonic monster, one that had tried to tear me apart…
“Hey!”
At that moment, Giscard rushed over to me, gripping my shoulders urgently.
He forcibly turned me away from the demonic monster, breaking my gaze from its corpse.
“Are you okay?”
“……”
“Are you hurt anywhere?!”
Giscard’s face was full of worry as he stared down at me.
I looked up at him blankly, then bit my lip hard enough to draw blood.
‘Snap out of it, Cassia.’
You decided to support the Azure Dawn Knights and save the world.
How can you freeze up over something like this?
‘Most of all, our knights…’
I clenched my fist tightly.
‘They’ve been fighting these demonic monsters constantly, risking their lives.’
There was no time to be stupidly paralyzed with fear.
Just like the Azure Dawn Knights were fighting risking their lives…
‘I have to do my part, too.’
I opened my dry lips.
“…I’m fine, Commander.”
My voice sounded utterly a mess, even to my own ears, but it seemed I managed to get my point across.
“Fine? This is your first time experiencing something like this…”
Giscard let out a sigh but suddenly his eyes sharpened.
He pulled me into his arms, and with his right hand, he reached out into the air.
Ice rapidly formed in his grip, taking the shape of a sharp sword.
Without hesitation, Giscard swung his arm wide.
Clang!
A sharp sound echoed, like metal clashing fiercely against metal.
― Kieeek!
A horrific scream rang out.
Thud!
Something heavy hit the ground behind me.
Reflexively, I glanced back.
A demonic monster resembling a mantis was staggering backward.
Its severed left arm was thickly coated in ice, turning the entire surface red with frozen blood.
Giscard’s aura—the manifestation of his freezing ability—had come into play.
“Administrative Officer.”
Giscard pulled me tightly into his arms.
“Stay close to me.”
His low voice whispered in my ear.
“Don’t let go, no matter what.”
Clinging to Giscard, I kept my gaze fixed on the demonic monster, which was now glaring back at me with savage intent.
Then, as the demonic monster took another step forward, I widened my eyes in disbelief.
‘No way.’
From the wound where its arm had been severed, white ice began to spread rapidly, engulfing the entire monster within moments.
Snap!
Giscard snapped his fingers.
With that, the demonic monster shattered into crimson and black fragments that scattered across the ground.
‘I knew our male protagonist was said to be the strongest in the world, but…’
I stared up at Giscard, momentarily forgetting I had even been scared.
‘He’s dispatching these demonic monsters as easily as sipping cold soup…?’
But something felt off.
‘Something’s strange.’
With an uneasy feeling creeping in, I bit down on the soft flesh inside my mouth.
At the same time, Giscard furrowed his brow slightly.
“This is strange.”
I immediately lifted my head at his words.
“You think so too, Commander?”
I had felt the same discomfort earlier.
The source of that discomfort was…
“The demonic monsters seem to be targeting you, Administrative Officer Astrid, instead of me.”
He was right.
Since earlier, the demonic monsters had been relentlessly attacking only me, completely ignoring Giscard despite the natural fear they should have had of an aura knight.
It was as if their sole objective was to kill me.
A deep crease formed on Giscard’s handsome forehead.
“Demonic monsters usually gauge their opponent’s strength instinctively. Since aura knights are their natural enemies, it’s rare for them to attack so aggressively.”
“……”
I stayed silent for a moment.
Could this just be a coincidence?
But if the demonic monsters truly had singled me out as their target…
‘Wait.’
My eyes lit up.
“In that case, why don’t we use this to our advantage?”
“Use it…?”
Giscard asked cautiously.
“I could act as bait to lure the demonic monsters.”
Giscard immediately scowled and shot back.
“Are you even listening to yourself?”
“But, Commander.”
“Absolutely not. That’s far too dangerous.”
He shook his head firmly.
Normally, I would’ve agreed and followed Giscard’s lead without question.
However—
“Over ten demonic monsters have already escaped the portal.”
“……”
Giscard fell silent for the first time.
I pressed on, trying to persuade him further.
“If we don’t do something soon, those demonic monsters might break through the defensive line and reach the civilian areas.”
“…That’s…”
Giscard was now caught in a dilemma.
He just bit his lower lip hard enough to draw blood.
He knew I was right, after all.
Even though Giscard had already taken down two demonic monsters, there were still many left.
If they invaded the areas where civilians lived…
“If civilians get hurt, this situation could spiral out of control.”
I continued to speak calmly.
“On the other hand, if I take a little risk, we can resolve this quickly and efficiently.”
“Easier said than done.”
Giscard retorted sharply.
“What you’re really saying is that you, Administrative Officer Astrid, are willing to risk your life.”
* * * *
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Thank you for translating!
I hope the supply team gives these soldiers lots of lip balms because everyone is biting their lips to death 💀
Oh? Does this mean she might have some potential??