Zarichu The Hunger

“…So you’ve come, Titancia.”

“Zeria…”

The one who appeared was Zeria, clad in armor and wielding a staff of pitch-black wood.

“Sorry, but I can’t let you proceed any further.”

“…Yeah. I know.”

Because of the demonic pact with Zarichu, Zeria could not betray him.

Knowing this better than anyone, Titancia nodded with a sorrowful expression.

And Zeria, facing her, shared that same expression.

“I see… Sorry, Cia’s former childhood friend, but we’ll have you serve as a hostage—so we can annul the demonic pact safely.”

“…!?”

Taking advantage of their exchange, Quylindra suddenly appeared behind Zeria and pressed an arrowhead to her neck.

Not even Titancia or Colette had noticed the move.

“…As expected of the one feared as the Silent Archer. Still, I didn’t expect you to be this skilled even without a bow.”

“Ohoho, thank you. Though honestly, if you can’t do at least this much, you wouldn’t last a day in there.”

Bound from behind by vines, Zeria offered her praise with a faint smile.

Quylindra gave a wry smile—she truly possessed strength befitting the Elf chieftain.

It would take Titancia and Colette many more years to reach her level.

“That should do. Cia, sorry, but I’m leaving her in your care.”

“Okay. Got it.”

Taking Zeria from Quylindra, Titancia nodded.

Then the four of them—including the captive Zeria—proceeded through the forest toward the Swart Elf settlement.

“…Zeria, just wait. It’ll all be over soon.”

“I have never expected anything from the start. …No, that’s not it. I never wanted such things in the first place.”

“…I know.”

Titancia whispered while gripping the restraining vines tightly, but Zeria only shook her head without changing expression.

But Titancia understood—those words weren’t Zeria’s true feelings.

Her “I never wanted that” meant, unspoken, If it comes to it, abandon me.

“I won’t forgive this. Ever.”

Titancia muttered and bit her lip hard.

Hard enough to draw blood.

“…Foolish girl.”

Zeria mocked her, yet faint tears shimmered in her amethyst eyes.

“Whew… Luckily, we didn’t encounter any other Swart Elf.”

At last reaching the Swart Elf settlement, Quylindra let out a deep breath.

She said “luckily,” but that wasn’t the truth.

The path Zeria was forced to guide them through simply happened to be one without Swart Elf guards.

The fact they encountered her first also implied that very thing.

“Ready? I’ll present Zeria to them. While they’re distracted, Cia and Colette—find Zarichu hiding somewhere in the settlement.”

“Okay, leave it to me.”

“Okaaay, understood〜”

Colette’s drawn-out speech lacked tension, but her expression was filled with grim resolve.

To forcibly sever the demonic pact, Zarichu had to be sealed using all five Barrier Stones.

“All right… let’s begin.”

“…!?!?”

As Quylindra leapt into view with Zeria, the Swart Elf gasped collectively.

“Ohoho. I’ve captured Zeria—daughter of your chieftain. Unless you behave, who knows what will happen to her?”

“Ghh…”

She pressed the arrowhead against Zeria’s neck, drawing a thin line of blood.

Zeria grimaced in pain while the Swart Elf glared at Quylindra with fury.

“Damn you! And this is what the so-called heroic Silent Archer does!?”

The one shouting, stepping forward, was an elderly man with white hair and amethyst eyes.

He was the chieftain of the Swart Elf—Zeria’s father.

“Yes, that’s right. With a Demon Army officer hiding here, I’ll use any means necessary. That is my duty… no, my responsibility.”

“Grrr…!”

As Quylindra pressed the arrowhead deeper into Zeria’s slender neck, the chieftain could only groan helplessly.

“So? What will you do? Bring Zarichu the Hunger here now, and she goes free. Otherwise… she might die.”

“…………………………”

The Swart Elf glared silently.

A few of them repeatedly glanced between the chieftain and a building deeper within the settlement.

Meaning—

“Cia! Colette!”

“Right!”

“Alreeeady on it〜!”

The two quickly arranged the five Barrier Stones, forming a seal around that building.

“O spirit of the Hero who saved the world… now, to sever the demonic evil—reveal your power!”

Quylindra formed rapid mudras and shouted toward the structure—no, toward the Barrier Stones.

At that moment—

“…!?”

“This… this is…”

A sacred blue light enveloped not just the building… but the entire Stygian Forest.

This was the Hero’s barrier—capable of repelling all demonic presence.

“Now! The demonic contract binding you has been forcibly dissolved! So I ask you—in this world where the Demon King no longer exists, will you still side with evil!? Or will you reclaim your pride as Swart Elf and stand with us against the remnants of darkness!?”

At her declaration, the Swart Elf looked shaken and confused.

But—

“Yes… yes! I refuse to obey that monster any longer! We are proud Swart Elf! With the Demon King gone, at long last we can stand with the Elf and—ggh!?”

“…!?!?”

The very moment one Swart Elf shouted in agreement and raised his fist, red foam spurted from his mouth. He collapsed, unmoving.

The others recoiled in collective terror.

“Geff… gefufufu… You foolish black pigs…”

From within the sealed building emerged a man with a vulgar grin—Zarichu the Hunger, officer of the Demon King’s army, revealing his grotesque form.