Chapter 137 - Damn Reincarnation

Preparing for the Hunt

Two days later.

It was not yet time for dawn, but Black Lion Castle was bustling throughout.

Hunting demonic beasts was a routine undertaken every New Year, hardly worth calling an event.

This hunt, however, was special compared to previous years. People who were not Black Lions were participating, and among them were even two young lions who had yet to undergo their coming-of-age ceremonies.

“The Council of Elders will be stationed at Red Rock.”

Genos had come to see Eugene in the early hours to explain the hunt.

“It is unusual for the Council of Elders to leave the castle for a demonic-beast hunt. At least since I joined the Black Lions, they have never gone hunting.”

“But they won’t actually be running around out there, will they?”

“No.”

Genos nodded and pointed at the map.

“Unlike last year, this hunt will also serve as a test for Lionheart’s young people.”

Mount Uklas was vast, but the areas inhabited by demonic beasts were strictly demarcated.

That was only natural. As Ciel had said, demonic beasts were different from monsters.

Mages had explained the origins of monsters long ago, and the subject remained a recurring topic of discussion even today.

Monsters originated as animals mutated by exposure to mana. The appearance of most monsters made it easy to imagine the animals they had developed from. In other words, a pet puppy, a wild wolf, and a monster wolf were ultimately not very different in essence.

The same applied to humanoid monsters such as orcs, goblins, ogres, and trolls. Places like the Holy Empire refused to acknowledge it, but Aroth’s magical society maintained that these humanoid monsters and humans likely shared a common ancestor.

Still, that concerned events thousands of years ago, perhaps even longer. Who would simply accept it if told now that orcs and goblins were relatives of humans?

But unlike monsters, which had links to animals or humans, demonic beasts had no connection to any animal or monster. Even if their appearances resembled animals, monsters, or humans, their essence was never the same.

Demonic beasts were born from demonic energy. They could not interbreed with other species. Only demonic beasts could give birth to demonic beasts. Those ominous origins endowed them with a savage “power” that monsters could not rival.

That power resembled magic. Yet demonic beasts required no formulas. As if their very existence were a magical formula, they consumed their own strength to produce magic-like effects.

“The territory of the demonic beasts begins beyond Red Rock. The farther in you go, the more numerous and powerful they become. A test only has meaning if it is rigorous... but we cannot let the young people die.”

Genos took out a pen and drew circles at various points on the map.

“As soon as this hunt was planned, the Sixth Division worked through the nights to release ‘eyes’ into the forest.”

Those magical eyes would transmit events in the forest directly to the camp.

“The other captains and I will take instructions from the camp and clear the way so that the young lions do not encounter excessive danger.”

“What about the ordinary Black Lion knights?”

“They will hunt just as they do every year. We have special guests, and the arrangements have become more cumbersome, but the hunt itself is something we do annually.”

His pen moved.

“The Black Lion Knights will advance toward the heart of the forest by the shortest route. They will ignore the minor demonic beasts and concentrate on clearing out those that deliberately block their path. ... Senior, do you know about demonic lairs?”

“I do.”

Eugene nodded. Had he learned about them in Aroth? Or at the main family? Genos did not trouble himself to ask where that knowledge came from or how extensive it was.

“... A demonic lair is... a nest of demonic beasts. More precisely, it is a source that generates demonic energy and keeps demonic beasts in the area.”

“What’s in there?”

Eugene spoke as he stared at the map. He had heard before that demonic beasts were allowed to roam the mountain’s forest... but seeing it on a map brought it home more vividly than the explanation had.

“Demonic stones? Cursed objects? Or did you go all out and draw a black-magic circle?”

A mana stone was a condensed mass of mana found where mana pooled or inside monsters, among other places. Demonic stones were a similar concept: condensed masses of demonic energy. Just as mana stones were used in mana training, demonic stones were used in the practice of black magic.

Cursed objects were different from demonic stones. They were accursed items steeped in demonic energy... Low-grade cursed objects had little value, but high-grade ones generated demonic energy on their own. Bloody Mary, used by Belial, Incarceration’s Staff, and Demon King weapons such as the Demonic Spear and the Crushing Hammer also belonged to this category.

‘The area is absurdly large.’

Eugene frowned at the map. Helmuth would be another matter. But here in southern Kiel, in a forest on a mountain brimming with life... demonic beasts inhabited an area that vast?

“All three.”

Genos answered with a wry smile.

“Deep within the lair, we inscribed a black-magic circle using cursed objects and demonic stones as catalysts. This hunt serves both to keep the demonic-beast population from growing too large and to maintain the magic circle at its heart.”

Dangerous.

The thought crossed Eugene’s mind, but he did not bother to voice it. Elsewhere, perhaps, but this was Black Lion Castle, home to one of the continent’s foremost knightly orders. Even if the magic circle somehow ran out of control and brought in a massive influx of demonic energy, the castle’s forces would be able to quell the disturbance before demonic beasts could overrun the area.

‘... Times really have changed.’

Eugene clicked his tongue and tilted his chair back. Demonic beasts had been released into Black Lion Castle’s forest to train the knights, just like monsters. By the standards of his previous life, that would have been utterly unacceptable.

But now, three hundred years later, it was not even particularly unusual. Apparently, not only the Black Lion Knights but other renowned knightly orders frequently trained against demonic beasts as well.

They provided ample practical experience, and there was no problem with killing them.

‘... Some tribes in Samar apparently even command demonic beasts.’

And that was not all. In places like Aroth’s Bolero Street, even demons were sometimes sold as slaves. Whenever Eugene encountered such realities, he could not help feeling a disconnect.

This was another such moment.

“... So... we wear bracelets?”

“Yes.”

“And every time we kill a demonic beast, the number is recorded in the bracelet... and checked at the camp?”

“The knights have already placed their bets.”

Genos shrugged as he answered.

“As for who will kill the most... well... most knights are picking you, Senior, though a few have chosen Hector. At any rate, the betting on you is so overwhelmingly one-sided that betting on first place would not work. So everyone is focusing on who will come second.”

“... Who did you bet on, Junior?”

“Who do you think?”

“Your daughter?”

“Yes. ... Oh, please keep this a secret from Genia. She is sure to get angry and demand to know why I did not bet on her taking first place.”

“... We aren’t close enough to have that kind of conversation.”

Wearing bracelets to compete in hunting demonic beasts... Eugene cleared his throat, concealing his unease.

‘... Aren’t people these days treating demonic-beast hunting too much like a game...?’

Well, it was not Helmuth, after all... Eugene nodded with a sour expression.

“... Some people must be betting on Eward too, right?”

“There are a few reckless young people hoping to win on a long shot... but, well... most expect Young Master Eward or Decon to come last.”

It was a miserable assessment for the main family’s eldest son. Still, Eugene’s opinion was not much different.

Nine Lionhearts in total were participating in the hunt. Among them, Hector was a powerful fighter who had earned the rank of honorary knight in the White Fangs, and Genia’s skills were comparable to those of Shimuin’s Twelve Champions.

‘Cyan and Ciel go without saying... Even Gargis and Dezra, who would rank toward the bottom, only fall behind because of this lineup. Judging by their skills alone, they could hold their own anywhere.’

Decon was the one who fell far behind.

‘Actually, Eward... isn’t all that lacking in terms of ability alone.’

The Fourth Circle Eward had reached was not a level of ability anyone could dismiss.

Eugene’s standards were simply too high. Eward was twenty-two. Eugene himself had already passed the Fourth Circle at around eighteen.

‘... Regardless of his Circle level... there’s no way Eward has practical combat experience.’

Decon might actually be better than Eward in real combat.

“The bracelets we issue also have tracking magic built into them. Your locations will be transmitted to me and the other captains in real time.”

“Brings back memories.”

Eugene nodded as he murmured. He had worn a bracelet like that at the Bloodline Succession Ceremony when he was thirteen.

“... I will not stray far from you, Senior. If you face any danger, I will intervene immediately.”

Genos paused for a moment and shook his head.

“... Under these conditions, I cannot imagine the head of the Council of Elders... no, anyone attempting to assassinate you...”

“These conditions might actually make it easier.”

Eugene answered with a faint laugh.

“This hunting ‘game’ lets them know exactly where I am in the forest.”

There could hardly be better conditions for an assassination.

“... A game...”

Genos murmured with a wry smile. Certainly, even he thought this hunt had a strong element of play to it.

‘... If you’re confident in your abilities... I suppose it would.’

Eugene could be assassinated at any moment. Yet even here, at the assailant’s base, his composure remained unshaken. ... Genos had felt this before, but he simply could not believe that Eugene was a twenty-year-old who had only just come of age.

That impression became even more striking when Eugene stood alongside others his age.

‘... They’re nervous.’

Red Rock. Facilities to serve as a camp had already been completed here.

Genos looked ahead through narrowed eyes.

Nine people, including Eugene, stood in a row. Each wore a white bracelet on their left arm, and they gazed at the forest, still pitch-black before the sunlight reached it.

“Do not be too afraid.”

Doynes, the head of the Council of Elders, began speaking with a gentle smile.

“Demonic beasts are merely somewhat troublesome monsters... Anyone who carries on the Lionheart name must not fear such creatures. Our founder is none other than the great Vermouth Lionheart.”

With every sentence in that leisurely voice, Decon visibly hunched his shoulders. Eward, standing beside him, looked surprisingly calm, but his fingertips were trembling slightly.

They were not the only two who feared the unknown. Gargis swallowed hard, and Dezra repeatedly took deep breaths.

“It is simple.”

Doynes pointed at Cyan’s wrist. Cyan, who had been trying to maintain his composure, flinched and hunched his shoulders at being singled out so abruptly.

“I believe that all of you standing before me will undoubtedly be the leading figures of this generation. With so many promising newcomers gathered... if we are going to do this anyway, would it not be more enjoyable to mix in some competition and play?”

Doynes’s eyes never left Cyan. Cyan took that gaze as attention directed toward the next family head.

“I will tell you in advance: there are no rewards.”

Doynes smiled as though making a joke.

“I mean it. However many demonic beasts you defeat, there are no treasures to offer as prizes. After all, this hunt takes place every year... and you have all chosen to participate of your own accord, have you not?”

“I do not seek a reward.”

It was Genia, Genos’s daughter, who answered. Neither she nor Hector showed any sign of nerves.

“I want to prove the skills I have honed. That is why I chose to participate in this hunt.”

As she spoke, Genia directed a decidedly blatant look at Eugene.

“You seek honor? That is good as well.”

Doynes nodded with a gentle smile.

Honor.

At that word, an unusual light shone in Eward’s eyes. ... His fingertips were no longer trembling.

“Now.”

Doynes stepped a few paces aside.

“There is no need to say ‘ready, go,’ is there? The way is already open... Venture a little farther in, and you will encounter hungry prey. Perhaps I am worrying needlessly, but take care not to become the prey yourselves.”

There were no real rules. Anyone who wanted to compete could compete, and anyone who did not could join forces with someone else. Those who did not wish to enter did not have to.

“Want to go together?”

“Certainly not.”

Hector offered, but Genia refused coldly. She strode forward, then paused briefly and turned back toward Eugene.

“... I will not lose.”

She had said the same thing before. After declaring it, Genia kicked off the ground and leaped into the forest. Hector gave a bemused laugh as he watched her go.

“... Well... then... does anyone want to come with me? If I’m going anyway, I’d like someone to talk to so it won’t be lonely.”

Decon was the one who responded to Hector’s invitation. He hesitantly looked around before finally approaching Hector.

Hector and Decon were the only ones to form a group. None of the others intended to. As Genia had said, the youthful desire to prove their abilities in this hunt drove them all forward.

“... Will you be all right?”

Cyan addressed Eward.

“This seems rather beyond your abilities.”

“Haha... Thank you for worrying about me.”

Eward answered with a broad smile.

“But I’ll be fine. That forest is certainly dangerous... but it won’t threaten my life.”

Eward glanced at the head of the Council of Elders, who merely gave a faint smile without responding.

“Besides... for me, this hunt is like the coming-of-age ceremony I never had. So I cannot accept help from my younger brother. I have to accomplish this myself.”

His murmured words carried a fierce resolve. Apparently not having expected Eward to say anything like that, Cyan looked a little bewildered.

‘... He should be fine.’

Cyan looked back.

The Black Lions, apart from their captains, had entered the forest long ago. Five captains remained, excluding the Third Division, which was away at the main family. The Sixth Division’s captain would stay at the camp to manage the magical transmissions, but even so, four captains would receive the bracelets’ signals and ensure there were no casualties.

‘... This is no time to worry about someone else.’

He saw Eugene standing at ease, not even having set off yet.

‘Hector went out of his way to burden himself with dead weight.’

Cyan attached great importance to this hunt. A family head was someone who had to feel the weight of everything.

‘... Prove the skills you’ve honed? Listen to you, talking like you’re so impressive... And what was that? You won’t lose? You should have said that to me, not that bastard.’

Grinding his teeth, Cyan walked forward.

“... There’s something I should tell you.”

Ciel, who had yet to leave, leaned against Eugene and lowered her voice.

“I wasn’t going to tell you, actually. But I told my brother, and it bothers me a little not to tell you too.”

That was not her only reason. She had simply been waiting for Eugene to change his mind and ask to go together before they set off.

‘... There’s no way you would.’

One look at Eugene’s face confirmed it. That infuriating fellow would never accompany her.

“Listen carefully. I’m telling you because I’m worried about you. If you go in there as you are...”

“Disorienters.”

Eugene answered with an indifferent expression.

“... Huh?”

“Disorienters. Am I wrong?”

“... Uh... y-yes... that’s right...”

“I thought they had divided the territory using manpower. Well, releasing disorienters would reduce the burden on the personnel.”

Grumbling, Eugene headed toward the darkness of the forest. Disorienters were a type of demonic beast. They seeped into the darkness of forests like this one, confusing vision and distorting the senses. They exhausted their prey by making them wander through the woods, then led them into gaping maws hidden in the dark.

“... How did you know?”

Ciel followed Eugene and asked. He answered with a snort.

“You can tell by looking.”

The darkness varied in density, and its edges rippled like waves. The faintly different scent mingled with the forest’s green smell was another clue.

“... You can tell by looking?”

Unable to understand, Ciel shook her head.