The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Spider Hunt (1)

For monsters to become tainted with magi, they needed a connection to demons.

It could be the work of demons who had descended to the mortal realm.

Or it could be the pathetic schemes of demon worshippers eating away at the world.

Since this had occurred right in the western mountains of Sianella territory.

We searched in an expanding radius from where we'd hunted the magi-infected ash wolves.

Since this involved magi.

We divided into separate teams, postponing monster elimination to focus solely on finding anything related to magi.

As a result, Sione and I could move separately and set our own rest times freely.

If combat seemed likely, we could just secretly slip away.

It was good for me since I didn't have to worry about anyone besides Sione.

I watched Sione as she wiped sweat from her brow and pushed her bangs back.

"Let's see..."

Though she'd lived a shut-in life, as if to prove she was still a proud member of House Sianella.

She was beside me now, eyes blazing as she scanned the seemingly identical mountain scenery with sharp turns of her head.

Even for Sione.

I'd thought she would rest occasionally when tired from searching without results.

It was surprising to see her searching for magi-related things so diligently without rest, dripping with sweat.

She wasn't usually such an energetic person...

Thinking both Sione and I needed a break around now.

I immediately started a conversation.

"Aren't you pushing yourself too hard in this heat? Perhaps we should rest briefly before continuing our search."

"Good idea. Let's rest over there for a bit before continuing our search."

Sione pointed to one side.

The tree shade would shield us from the harsh sun.

The ground was relatively flat too, perfect for a short rest.

We quickly cleared spots to sit and lowered ourselves to the ground.

My eyes felt tired from carefully scanning the surroundings for any clues.

After climbing the mountain all day, my legs were quite fatigued too, making this rest feel sweet.

"Ahhh..."

Looking over, Sione seemed just as tired as me, even letting out an exhausted sound.

I closed my eyes tightly while massaging them with my hands.

She even tried loosening her muscles by patting her legs.

She must have been secretly waiting for me to suggest taking a break.

Watching such a Sione, I began asking things I'd been curious about.

"May I ask you something?"

"Hmm? Of course. Feel free."

"Then... do you think there's a demon here, Lady Sione?"

Those with the Demon Slaying Authority were famous for unerringly finding and killing even the faintest traces left by demons, if nothing else.

Even if the power had been diluted through generations, she should still be able to sense that much at least.

"No, I don't think there's a demon here. This incident seems more like..."

Sione's blue eyes, which had held the color of a bright sea, sank to the shade of deep waters.

"It seems like the work of people similar to those who targeted me before."

"You mean..."

"They likely drew out dark energy through sacrificial rituals to demons."

Tch.

Sione clicked her tongue in irritation.

"I'd heard there were still such deranged demon worshippers in the Empire. I didn't know our kingdom had such foolish people too."

Then she crossed her arms and spoke haughtily.

"But of all houses, we found them. House Sianella, who established and spread the Physical-Spirit Demon Theory. They won't escape unscathed."

"Physical-Spirit Demon Theory...?"

"When the war with demons first began, our ancestors created this theory together with the Order... would you like to hear about it?"

I nodded at Sione's words.

Physical-Spirit Demon Theory.

It sounded quite impressive...

That was when I shouldn't have nodded.

Sione began listing her ancestors' great achievements after the Physical-Spirit Demon Theory.

How one head of the family became a Sword Master at what age, how another head created the Physical-Spirit Knight Theory from the demon theory and spread it in the kingdom's west.

Even after our rest ended, she remained busy talking non-stop.

How could someone with such pride in their family have locked themselves away in their room, only lowering the family's reputation further?

By the time I'd grown tired of Sione's words and was just giving perfunctory responses.

"Ah, yes. Indeed. They were truly remarkable."

"...Ray. You weren't really listening, were you?"

"...Pardon?"

I could see Sione staring at me with a suddenly hardened expression.

...This seemed like I'd stepped in it.

I immediately lowered my head.

"I'm sorry."

"Well, never mind. Even I think I might have gone on too long... Raise your head."

I lifted my head as she said.

I could see Sione quietly staring off in one direction.

"I think I sense something similar to dark energy over there."

"...Aren't we going too deep into the mountains?"

"Still, I think we should check it out."

"It could be dangerous, so let me take the lead."

"What lead? Just follow behind me."

As she tried to move ahead first, I walked even faster than Sione.

Just in case.

If she tried to protect me out of pride and ended up dying, it would be unacceptable.

I blocked her path.

"Didn't you say you sensed something like magi? It could be dangerous, so I should go first."

"...If it's dangerous, wouldn't you be more likely to get hurt?"

"To me, you are more precious than myself, Lady Sione."

It was half sincere.

Since the main quest had marked Sione.

She needed to stay alive for anything to change.

Finally, Sione began following my words at this somewhat sincere statement.

"It's eerie."

"...The dark energy is getting stronger. It seems they performed demon rituals around here."

Now even I could feel the stinging dark energy on my skin, not just Sione.

This energy that stimulated a primordial discomfort was the same dark energy I had experienced sickeningly often before.

At this concentration, it wasn't strange that the ash wolves had been affected.

The ash wolves from earlier seemed to have been corrupted by dark energy while living near here.

Moreover, with the towering trees blocking all sunlight above.

Despite being midday, the dark forest created an eerie atmosphere.

Just the kind of atmosphere those demon-worshipping types loved.

Walking a bit further, we found a completely rotted dead tree steeped in the scent of blood.

Though we weren't sure what it was for, there was a small altar with a black jewel placed before the dead tree.

"...That's."

Seeing the jewel emitting a gloomy light, Sione immediately approached the altar.

She looked around the dead tree while gazing down at the jewel heavily infused with demon energy.

"...This isn't good."

My instincts warned me.

Not to approach that dead tree any further.

That we'd come too deep into the mountains.

It wasn't just once or twice that I'd survived by following my instincts.

They were so accurate that even when I had real status windows instead of these half-baked ones, I'd had a legitimate A-rank Intuition skill.

Seeing how my heart was pounding so strongly, we needed to get out of here quickly.

I immediately looked at Sione.

"Now that we've confirmed the location, we should return with Lady Siabel."

"This jewel."

Sione pointed at the jewel on the altar.

"It's emanating such strong demon energy... who knows what might happen if we leave it here longer."

I could tell from her expression that Sione felt even greater revulsion than me toward the dense dark energy radiating from the jewel.

Yet she insisted on taking the jewel with us.

Those with the Demon Slaying Authority absolutely couldn't stand seeing demons prosper.

As she said, since this jewel seemed to be both the culprit maintaining and the medium for this dense magi.

Before the dense dark energy could turn this place into demon territory, it would be better to break it or move the jewel, but.

"We should break the altar or take it with us."

"No."

I shook my head without hesitation at Sione's words.

My instincts were screaming at me to avoid causing trouble here and run away quickly.

"Why not? Nothing good can come from letting such dense dark energy persist."

"The signs aren't good. From this seemingly important altar standing alone without any guards, to this rotted tree reeking of blood."

"But still...!"

"It's ominous. Lady Siabel only ordered a simple search, not resolution. You and I have come too deep into the mountains."

"..."

"Just once. Won't you follow my words just this once?"

"Hmm..."

Sione finally agreed with a small sigh.

"I'll follow your words."

"Thank you."

Just as we turned our backs on the dead tree to quickly escape the forest.

That's when something familiar appeared, blocking my vision.

[Emergency Quest has been formed.]

「Self-Sacrifice」

「You and Sione Sianella have stepped too deep into the forest. A monster of the maddened forest has found you and Sione Sianella, and begins threatening your master's life with dangerous venomous fangs. Protect Sione Sianella as her servant.」

「Reward: Major increase in Sione Sianella's bond with you, Increase in Siabel Sianella's favor toward you」

「Failure: Your death, Sione Sianella's death」

I quickly read the status window.

"Venomous fangs...?"

That single phrase reminded me of what Bronte had said days ago.

That arachne also lived deep in the mountains.

Giant spiders with venom potent enough to easily kill an elephant.

Despite being mere spiders, they were disgustingly agile and cunning.

Stealthy hunters that made even seasoned Hunters tense.

Moreover, this place had many tall trees with abundant foliage that arachne preferred.

I immediately lifted my head to look up.

Up above, a giant spider was rapidly descending on its thread with its venomous fangs exposed.

Its target was none other than Sione.

My expression twisted involuntarily.

"No, seriously, fuck."

My damn instincts had never been wrong.

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