Blood 22 The Demon Clan...
Today's second entry
We have entered the Demon Clan's territory.
It was accomplished with ease.
Of course, we did not simply pass through the border straight on, naively and openly.
The Demon Clan's land borders the Empire, with Imperial forts stationed at numerous points—places where human passage is impossible.
To enter the Demon Clan's territory from the Human Realm, one must bypass the human forts and traverse natural fortresses, terrain so impassable that normal travel is not feasible.
The route we took was the Mountain of Demons—a treacherous range of mountains.
Peaks rising far above the clouds.
Please refrain from treating such a passage as a casual hike.
No, seriously.
They spent the night among the ruins of a village abandoned for several years, encountered the mountain’s dominant dragon, saw Ariel negotiate with it, and fled in panic—unusually—when faced with a peculiar ape.
After traversing this mountain range filled with such incidents, they reached the territory of the demons.
Honestly, the journey had been so grueling that the reality of arrival barely registered.
Additionally, the landscape bore little resemblance to that of the human realm, which may have contributed to the sense of anticlimax.
One inevitably imagines the demon realm as perpetually shrouded in thick clouds, barren of vegetation, a terrifying, hellish vista.
In truth, the sky was blue. Trees and grass grew thick and green. The air was clear and pure.
A vast, unremarkable natural landscape—indistinguishable from the human realm.
This place would be far more fitting as a demon realm than the Demon Mountains.
Apparently, within the demon territories, there are fortresses built just like in human lands—designed to prevent human incursions.
The no-man's-land between demon fortresses and human fortresses becomes a battlefield repeatedly. In a sense, it is the most dangerous area in the world.
If someone suspicious is seen walking there, they are attacked immediately. Such skirmishes often escalate to war-level conflict. This happens routinely.
The lady flinched at the description.
She seemed to believe the Elro Great Labyrinth was far more dangerous.
In truth, hearing about her past, one would think the labyrinth was even more perilous. There was nothing to be done about it.
Since acquiring the ability to assess, I have never used it on another person—only ever restrained by Ariel. Based on what I’ve heard from my master and Ariel, human status values rarely exceed 1,000, if at all.
It makes sense, then, that a labyrinth overrun by monsters with status values several times higher would seem far more dangerous.
Whether one is actually more perilous than the other, however, remains impossible to judge. I lack combat experience, and have never seen either.
Our current position, having crossed the Demon Mountains, lies beyond the fortress of the demon territory. We will not pass through such dangerous zones.
I had thought my master might charge forward without hesitation, but that does not appear to be the case. That is a relief.
Still, even if we avoid such perilous terrain, we will still be traversing paths without known routes.
The reason the landscape remains unchanged whether in human territory or demon territory is likely because D.I.E. advances while buried within nature.
From the perspective of small-minded humans, the grand form of nature appears similar.
Indeed, because Ariel-san and Master move forward without hesitation, we can follow without getting lost. But if I were to navigate this wilderness alone with Melazophis, I would lack confidence in avoiding confusion.
Without constant verification of our current position and destination—using abilities like千里眼 and spatial activation—I would soon become disoriented.
Moreover, even if we do not lose our way, the monsters would approach once Ariel-san is gone.
Currently, wild creatures refrain from approaching due to Ariel-san’s presence. Naturally, that effect would cease if Ariel-san were to disappear.
Whether I can handle the monsters approaching on my own with Melazofis— I have little confidence in that.
Monsters are opponents capable of killing even my master.
If I can't even move against my master, let alone avoid being eaten— I stand no chance against monsters in battle.
Still, I don't expect upper-tier monsters that trouble my master to appear frequently. Lower-tier ones, perhaps— I might manage them.
But all the monsters I've seen so far have high stats.
Ariel-san often defeats them before I can assess them. I don’t know all of them. They’re all stronger than me.
Monsters in this world are excessively strong— imbalanced.
I’m amazed humans survive them at all.
What about the demon kind?
Entering the demon realm will come next. But just how much stronger are they than humans, exactly?
Since they're called demons, they must have an appearance reminiscent of devils, right?
Wings, perhaps?
Skin colored blue, fangs as long as those of our kind—vampires.
Frightening to look at, yet there's a spark of curiosity.
While imagining the form of demons, the journey progressed smoothly.
The landscape shifted from untouched wilderness to cultivated farmland.
A proper road appeared. Travel along it.
Ah, no matter how many times one experiences it, roads are wonderful.
No need to lose HP just from walking—this is not a cruel, game-like natural world.
Farmers tending their harvests came into view.
Ah?
A human?
"Ariel, there are humans here. But isn't this already demon territory?"
Could that be?
Enslaving humans captured during war to labor in agriculture.
“Hm? Human?”
Ariel’s expression froze for a moment, as if she did not understand the meaning of my words. Then she glanced around, and her face shifted—she understood.
Ah. So that’s how it is. To those reborn, "demon" evokes an image of something with a fiendish appearance, by nature. I see. I see—
Ariel, content in solitude.
Um, I could use an explanation soon.
All those over there are demons.
Ariel points toward the people working in the field.
Huh?
Yet, regardless of how one looks at it, they appear unmistakably human.
Neither humans nor demons can be judged by appearance alone. Their forms are identical, after all.
Eh… eh?
What is that?
This is quite a disappointment.
This is no different from a human territory, really.
Humans and demons are not so different, are they.
Occasional intruders—those who have breached the sovereign's压制.