ALL NOVEL chapter 16
16: Information on the Demon Tribe
Let’s just pretend I didn’t see the straw doll in her hand.
“Have you been doing your own thing since we came to this town? Are you worried about Noel’s energy?”
“I’m fine, as you can see. You don’t need to worry about me.”
Noel snorted and turned away, her slightly visible ears reddening and twitching.
To borrow Durandal’s words, she was a tsundere elf, not straightforward at all.
“I’m still relieved that Noel seems energetic. I’m at ease now.”
I said with a smile, and she smiled back, but her ears kept twitching. It was quite obvious.
Unlike her in the past, the current Noel was easy to read, with her ears and attitude giving away her emotions. Well, now that we’ve exchanged greetings, I can ask her about what’s been bothering me.
“By the way, Noel, can I ask you something?”
“Do you have a question for me? I hope it’s something meaningful.”
She looked puzzled.
From my perspective, it was worrying, but it seemed like it wasn’t a big deal for Noel.
“What’s that thing you’re holding in your hand?”
I asked, and Noel let out a small snort.
“I don’t think you, a mere mortal, can understand, but it’s a curse.”
“A curse?”
“That’s right. Just a tool for curses.”
It looked like a straw doll to me. It was more like a hex than a curse.
“What were you doing with the curse?”
“That’s my business.”
“I don’t think that’s it. I’m a bit worried.”
“Well, it’s fine. As I said, I just cast a curse.”
There was a slightly displeasing female cat involved.
“A female cat?”
“That’s right, a thieving cat that touched my belongings.”
Her eyes were blazing. She was clearly angry, but I didn’t think it was towards me. It was better not to pursue the matter further. A cat? Did it steal something from her? Food or something?
It didn’t feel right to pry further. Let’s change the subject.
“So, I don’t know much about curses, so I won’t understand even if you explain it.”
“I told you already. You won’t understand.”
“Still, you taught me. Thanks, Noel.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I’ll accept your thanks.”
“I also have something I want to ask, so I’ll ask.”
“Ah, the response from here is irrelevant.”
“It’s like, if you’re going to ask, you should respond. I get it.”
“Have you obtained any useful information during your 7-day stay in this town?”
“Honestly, I haven’t gotten any information I’m looking for.”
I’ve obtained some information that’s hard to swallow. It’s all disturbing news.
One of my friends is a half-breed of royalty and demon, or that there’s a demon king among us, or that Tora is a woman…
No, it’s okay to talk about Tora.
At least I’ve made some progress. I’ve figured out the demon king’s location. I just don’t know who it is.
But I can’t say it, so I’ll be honest. My progress is zero. Noelle let out a disappointed sigh.
“You’re probably the same as the others, huh?”
I’m not sure if she’s evaluating or belittling me. But it’s certain that I haven’t met her expectations.
Is there any information that can be salvaged? I’m thinking about it.
I recall what the guy at the inn said on the first day. But he was just a drunk, so it’s not reliable. Still, it’s better than nothing.
“Yeah, I did get one piece of information. But the source is questionable, so there’s a problem with the quality.”
“What? It’s okay, go ahead and talk.”
“I’ll judge whether it’s useful or not. I’m more accurate than you, a commoner.”
“Got it.”
That’s true. I’ll leave the judgment to Noelle. I’m not expecting much from the drunk’s information.
“The guy I heard it from was a customer at the inn. He was talking while drinking, so I don’t know if it’s true or not.”
“No need to preface it. It’s a waste of time.”
“Sorry. According to him, he saw a demon with dragon-like features in the forest at the foot of the ‘Dekee Mountains’.”
How’s that? It’s good information, right? I was treated to a drink afterwards, haha.
Since I was quite drunk, my legs were wobbly, and I was heading back to my rented room on the first floor. I wasn’t sure if I should believe this information.
Maybe this information is accurate and useful… but it doesn’t seem likely. Thanks, anyway.
I regretted saying it when I saw Noelle’s displeased expression, with her eyebrows furrowed.
“I’ll judge whether it’s useful or not. It’s useless. I can honestly call it trash.”
“Ah, yeah.”
“You should know this yourself, but the Dekee Mountains are located along the border of our country, ‘Telma’.”
“That’s right.”
“Since it’s a waste of time, I won’t say it again.”
In other words, such information hasn’t reached the church.
It’s just a drunk’s tall tale, after all.
As Noelle said, the Dekee Mountains are located along the border of Telma. Considering defense, it’s natural that they would focus on gathering intel in that area.
Our current enemy, the elves, have clashed with humans multiple times. They’re not complete allies.
Most of the church members are elves, and Noelle holds a high position as a bishop. The information that reaches her is far more accurate than a drunk’s story.
My information was useless, just as she said.
───As a supplement, let’s talk about this.
The Church has a seven-tiered hierarchy: “Pontiff,” “Archbishop,” “High Priest,” “Bishop,” “Priest,” “Deacon,” and “Cleric.”
Noel is the third-highest High Priest. He’s an incredibly important person. It’s questionable why he participated in this journey.
Perhaps it’s because he was talking to Earl Durandal about the Eldridge matter in the morning. At the time, I didn’t have the luxury to think deeply due to the urgent situation and stomach pain, but now that I think about it, it’s a significant international issue.
An Elf who became a High Priest in the Kingdom of Arcadia, a noble of the Elven country “Telma,” has caused a huge commotion. It’s entirely plausible.
It’s not just the Church; it might also lead to a conflict with the Elven country “Telma.”
Earl Eldridge, who dislikes big troubles, might have resolved the situation by yielding. Earl Eldridge’s face comes to mind.
No, Earl Eldridge is simply a kind person with no limits. My stomach is starting to hurt a bit.
There’s one thing I want to say to the Church.
Is it okay to have someone like Noel as a High Priest?
No, I understand that Noel is excellent.
However, it’s a fact that his misanthropy often causes problems.
Let me say it again. Is it okay?
“Kail, didn’t you think something rude about me?”
“Yes, I didn’t think that.”
“Why are you speaking in fragments? That’s so typical of commoners.”
Noel lets out a sigh, a familiar scene. It’s become so familiar.
“And, did you gather any information, Noel?”
“It’s different for you and me, of course. Naturally, I’ve got it.”
He’s wearing a smug face, a perfect smug face.
I apologize for getting annoyed. And please forgive me. She’s been like this since the past.
She’s overflowing with confidence and has a tendency to look down on those inferior to her. Honestly, she’s not a good person.
But she has a certain kindness when it comes to her friends. Occasionally, she makes mistakes, panics, and looks like she’s about to cry, which is extremely cute.
It seems she’s managed to gather some information, though.
“I’ve found the location of a certain demon.”
“A demon?”
“It’s Crovicas.”
I sense a faint anger at the name that came out of Noel’s mouth.
It’s not intense passion, but I can feel my anger rising.
───Crovicas of the “One Wing.”
The demon who brutally killed the family of Beriel, the kind-hearted demon.