I Stayed Loyal When My Teacher Was Betrayed

14 – Proof 3

Where Ark Lich is located is to the north. We were on our way to the place known as the Black Forest. Just a day into the journey, the densely wooded surroundings started to thin out, and now it was difficult to find healthy looking trees among the charred or withered ones. The ground was tinged with a dark light, signaling that this was indeed a land of death. Sometimes, we could see murky puddles, but they were filled with stagnant water that we didn’t dare to drink, let alone touch.

So, standing in that dreadful place, we ventured towards the center of the forest where we intended to reach. “Here is the Black Forest… I’ve heard stories, but it’s even more gloomy than I thought.” “Yeah, it’s my first time here too and didn’t expect this much. Master, is this all because of Ark Lich’s influence?” “We can’t say that the influence is minimal at all. But even that is, to me, just a part of a more fundamental force. I can’t be sure of the details yet.”

As the teacher spoke with a serious expression and looked around, I suddenly looked back at the watchers quietly following us. One was smiling disdainfully, two had relaxed faces, and the last one had an austere expression. I hadn’t talked to them during the journey here, but…

I noticed that they looked unwell, and so I continued to pay attention to them.

Just then, “Let’s take a rest here for a moment. It’s mealtime anyway.”

“Yes, master.”

“Understood, Master.”

At the instructor’s command, we hurried to look for wood that could be used for fuel.

Dead trees that were dried up.

That’s when we were collecting the ones that resembled dry firewood more than actual trees.

“If it’s okay, would you like some help?”

“! …”

A sudden woman’s voice.

I turned my head in that direction with a sense of vigilance and found a woman with shiny black hair and a member of the Valkyries who had been tasked with watching.

“Are you Sigrún? It’s okay, don’t worry about it. This is my job.”

“Hmm~ I guess it’s normal for you to do this and that. I thought there would be something different in how the demons do it…”

With those words, Sigrún casually grabbed the branch that I was picking up.

And with a cheerful smile, she spoke with a pleasant voice.

“Don’t be so stiff. We’re just following orders from above. In that sense, there’s not much of a difference between you and me, right?”

“… Fine, do whatever you want.”

Her attitude, which seemed to have no intention of going back, made me respond with some annoyance.

“What was your name? … Edmond?…”

“…It’s Edmund.”

“That’s right, Edmund. That was the name. How did you end up as that witch’s warlock?”

“…”

“By the looks of it, it doesn’t seem like you’re forcibly bound by a contract… Am I right? Or does she have a different motive? Like aiming to take advantage of a moment of carelessness to take her life…”

“…”

Her words were slightly irritating.

I stopped moving for a moment and gazed at her with cold eyes.

“…Oh… Are you angry right now? It’s fascinating, I’ve never seen a domesticated horse express emotions so blatantly.”

“…Haah…”

Her response reeked of provocation.

But I put my interest in that aside and started finishing my work again.

Then…

“Hey, um. If possible, would you also like to join us? You can’t keep groveling under that inferior woman forever. When you become a full-fledged demon, you’ll probably have enough power…”

-Thud!!

“…”

The annoying words.

In response, I used magic to split the firewood she was holding into two pieces.

“Don’t think you’ll get away with this forever. Next time, it might be your head that gets split.”

“Ho-ho~ That sounds quite fun, doesn’t it? As a demon… I’ve been quite bored lately as it is. Maybe I’ll play with you a little this time?”

With those words, Sigurn begins to release her magic.

As she steps forward as if she had been expecting it, I also began releasing my magic.

Then.

“Edmund. Stop it.”

“…Master.”

Suddenly, the Master appeared and spoke in a calm voice.

I had no choice but to step back for the time being.

“Sigurn, was it? I’ve heard about you from Ovelin, but your personality is not very appealing. You shouldn’t touch other people’s things without the owner’s permission.”

“I just wanted to play for a little because I was bored. Don’t be so sensitive.”

“Don’t worry, pretty soon there won’t be any time to be bored. You’re becoming a grown adult, you shouldn’t act like this.”

“…Fine. I got it.”

The Master spoke in a calm voice as if comforting a child.

Sigurn pouted slightly and then left with the firewood.

“You were reckless. It would have been better if you had been a little more patient…”

“…I’m sorry. She was disrespecting you, Master.”

“!…”

The Master showed a slight pause in response to my words.

However, she soon stiffened her expression and spoke in a serious voice.

“But… don’t do anything reckless. We can’t tolerate foolish actions like last time.”

“Yes… I understand, Master.”

Compared to then, it wasn’t a reckless act, but I still lowered my head at my teacher’s words.

Saying this and that,

Feeling a secret joy in the fact that she was worried about me.

At that moment…

“…? Master, this is…”

“It’s true… I said it would take a little while… but it’s faster than I thought. At least we have time for a meal.”

With those words, the teacher began to emit magic power.

I also immediately put down the firewood I had gathered and entered into a combat stance.

“Master!”

Bernie rushed towards us urgently.

Behind her, a horde of monsters started to appear.

Undead creatures made entirely of fleshless bones, wielding corroded weapons.

The figures wrapped in blue flames were rushing towards us, still gripping their weapons.

“Skeletons… as a first opponent, they’re just average.”

“Don’t be too relieved, it seems like there’s more to it than just them.”

With those words, the teacher grasped the staff.

I also released my magic power and prepared to face the enemy.

“Why… why are those people just standing there? Shouldn’t they at least help us?”

As Bernie said, even though enemies appeared, the Valkyrie adventurers behind us simply kept their distance and watched us.

It felt like they were watching a fire across a river.

Regarding this,

While preparing my magic, I told her the harsh reality.

They will probably see this as an examination. They’ll only score us as we die or survive…

“To cover their bases, they want to assess our combat abilities as well.”

“What? Wh-what does that mean…”

Bernie had an expression of incomprehension.

Regarding this, the teacher spoke to the innocent girl in a stern voice.

“Remember, Bernard. Humans are dirtier and more wicked creatures than you can imagine. Even if they belong to the same group, they are beings that could strike you in the back at any time.”

“What do you mean…”

“That’s all the advice I have for you. Come.”

With those words, the master swung his cane vigorously.

At that moment, a wave as powerful as a giant sword emerged from her cane, sweeping away everything in its path.

– Paga-gak!!!

The skeletons shattered with a loud noise.

Witnessing dozens of skeletons being blown away with a single strike, Bernard’s expression turned blank.

And then…

“Don’t stand there dumbfounded. Stand beside me!”

“Ah!”

Startled by my words, Bernard quickly turned her gaze.

There, she saw a skeleton that was about to swing its sword towards us.

“Haaah!”

– Pak!

A spell shot out from Bernard’s cane.

Although it was a basic magical bullet, it was enough to defeat such low-level undead.

Moreover, even though she had only recently learned magic, as the master said, Bernard’s magical power was almost overflowing.

She began firing consecutive magical bullets, destroying the undead one by one.

“He said I would be sufficient alone… And he was right…”

Even though it had been only a few days since she started learning magic, Bernard was effortlessly doing something that her past self wouldn’t have dared to attempt.

Feeling a slight bitterness due to the clearly apparent difference in talent.

I, too,

Started using magic towards the undead rushing towards us.

There was only one magic I used.

Just like Bernard, it was a very basic and unremarkable magical bullet.