Chapter 269 (Self Edited) – Learning Just a Little Bit About the Devil

Soma, who defeated the Demon God, let out a breath.

After all, it wasn’t a big deal compared to last time, and Soma was stronger than he was back then. It wasn’t surprising that he didn’t struggle.

However, that was also because Soma was the opponent. Normally, it would create chaos.

He didn’t know how strong the Holy City was, but without Soma, it wouldn’t be strange if there was a great deal of damage. Although it had Saintess and Paladins, he wasn’t sure if they would be able to respond immediately.

And why did such a thing suddenly appear here? It was the best if he could ask the person himself, but it seemed that that existence had no more awareness. It had nothing but an urge to destroy, so Soma quickly defeated it.

“Hmm… well, I guess I don’t have to be concerned about the details, right?” (Soma)

Anyhow, there was an existence here that he could get the answer by asking. If he would become concerned, he could ask about it later. For the time being, he didn’t have a plan to ask.

Regardless it had something to do with them or not, this was an event that happened in the Holy City. They shouldn’t get involved too deeply.

While thinking about that, Soma looked at Hildegard and Ingrid, but the girl had an expression that she couldn’t say anything for some reason. The expression was a mixture of surprise, suspicion and various other emotions, but Soma walked there, tilting his head, not knowing why she would look in that way.

“Hmm… what’s wrong? Do you want to say something?” (Soma)

“…Yes, I have a lot to say, but… I’ll stop. It’s rude to do that to a benefactor.” (Ingrid)

“Benefactor, is it?” (Soma)

“Well, if it went rampage as it was, I wouldn’t know the extent of damage it would cause. In that sense, you are certainly a benefactor.” (Hildegard)

“That’s right. As one of the Paladins who protect the city, I’m really grateful. Thank you, we’re saved.” (Ingrid)

It was just a matter of course, but if they looked only at the facts, it was certainly true. Soma thought a little bit, and shrugged.

“I don’t remember doing that much, but… well, you’re welcome.” (Soma)

“I should really thank you, but I’m just one of the Paladins. I know what I can do… No, if I inform Saintess-sama…” (Ingrid)

“Aah, no, it’s not really a big deal, so that’s fine. Rather than that… well, if you want to thank me, can you tell us about that thing? Surely, you were talking about the Devil possession, right?” (Soma)

He wasn’t trying to dig the matter deeply, but he was curious. It would be a problem to hear the story directly about that existence, but if she only talked a little bit here, there should be no problem.

“I don’t mind, but… is that enough?” (Ingrid)

“Yes, I only did that much.” (Soma)

“I think you’re too humble, but to be honest, I’m also wondering about it.” (Hildegard)

“Hmm… actually, we also don’t understand it…” (Ingrid)

The reason why she said so was because she thought that it wasn’t something well understood.

However, the information obtained was at least better for Soma and Hildegard than knowing nothing.

“Hmm… didn’t you say that it’s a mighty existence that has appeared since one or two years ago and possessed people?” (Soma)

“The fact that only the Saintess can handle it is not a forced fact, but it means as it is. As far as I can see, it seems that the soul was almost assimilated and it’s not possible to deal with it without Special Rank skills. Of course, it would be a different story if you don’t consider the life that it possessed.” (Hildegard)

“…When the Devil possessed people appeared, we had no choice but to do so. No, if it appears in two places at the same time, we have to do that to one of them.” (Ingrid)

“Well, I don’t think it’s possible to leave it alone and allow it to spread the damage. By the way, from your point of view, the Devil possession doesn’t sound so rare. Have you confirmed it more than once or twice so far?” (Soma)

“No, it’s rare because it only appears once a month. However, it is true that it has already been confirmed several times, but… what about it?” (Ingrid)

“Weren’t you strangely surprised earlier? I wondered why.” (Soma)

It was certainly rare if it appeared once a month, but the way Ingrid was saying that this event was completely impossible to happen. But as far as he had the story, it shouldn’t be surprising even if it appeared rarely.

“Aah… I see. That’s true, but… in fact, the Devil possession has never appeared in the Holy City. No, on the contrary, it shouldn’t appear here.” (Ingrid)

“Really?” (Soma)

“Yes. Saintess-sama told us that.” (Ingrid)

“Hmm…” (Soma)

The Saintess was the Fifth King. It went without saying that her other name was Eleonora, but she was at the highest level of the sacred religion and the representative for God. To be exact, Eleonora was saying that, but… Soma and Hildegard had just confirmed with their own eyes that God actually existed. If that was the case, then, he should think that it was actually a fact.

In other words, the words were the words of God, and it must be true. However, the fact that this event overturned what they had been told was–…

“Something unexpected happened… no, is it different?” (Soma)

“Hmm, yes. At least, they would have been correct at that point.” (Hildegard)

But at the moment, that wasn’t the case. Therefore, it was natural to think otherwise.

“…Well, that’s not what we think though.” (Soma)

“Indeed. This is what we need to do. Until now, the Devil possession has all appeared near the Holy City, and I’ve never heard of it appearing or similar things happening somewhere else. If so, there is a high possibility that the Holy City is involved and we have no choice but to do something about it.” (Ingrid)

Her eyes were looking straight ahead, as if telling them that she didn’t need their help. The attitude was preferable, and Soma’s mouth loosened naturally.

“Hmm, I’d like to say that we should take a look at it, but… Hildegard…” (Soma)

“Yeah? What is it?” (Hildegard)

“I have one question to ask. Is it really the Devil?” (Soma)

“Aah, I know what you want to hear, well, maybe that’s what you think.” (Hildegard)

“Hmm… as expected, huh?” (Soma)

It was common that the same thing might be called by a different name depending on the location. Namely… what was called the Devil and what Soma and others called the Demon God were likely to be the same existence.

And Soma somehow had a connection to the existence of the Demon God. Well, he defeated it at that time, but… when this happened, he couldn’t say that it  had nothing to do with that time.

And if there was something he could do, he couldn’t leave it alone. The Demon King… No, the former Demon King must have been destroyed, but it was because Soma’s friends were involved.

It might be necessary to investigate a little.

“Hmm, what to do…” (Soma)

“Well, I don’t think we can ask that side. No matter how you think about it, you will be dragged in as it is. For the time being, we have no choice but to listen to various stories.” (Hildegard)

“I don’t know what you’re concerned about, but… I’ll cooperate if you like. The information I mentioned earlier wouldn’t be enough to pay for what you have done.” (Ingrid)

“I’m grateful for that… well, it is certainly the quickest way to hear from a Paladin, right? So, there is no need for your turn to come, yes?” (Soma)

“–Oh my, that’s a shame. I was wondering if I could help.” (E???????)

“–!?” (Ingrid)

Ingrid turned her gaze to the voice she heard, with a startled face.

It probably had a double meaning. She didn’t realize that the person had appeared there. And…

“Sa-saintess-sama!?” (Ingrid)

In response to the astonishing voice, the presence stood there with a smile on her face.