While advancing with the surrounding monster, Berganda turned his head towards the depths of the thick forest.
The path ahead was dark and starting to fill up with mist as evening approached.
“Still, what does it mean to do? This kobold?”
Comos, who was riding on a bipedal lizard, asked while looking at a bird that was perched on a tree branch.
“While they are monsters, kobolds are quite different from us. Perhaps…they hate the Demon Army as much as the humans do…”
“But… I still can’t believe it. That Kesh’s arm was destroyed.”
“Shelban confirmed it as well. Gaide was not killed from the power of a Hero. It was wyvern poison.”
“Besides, the arrows that pierced the goblins…they were made from the remains of the mithril golem seen in the Elephas mountains…”
The more he heard, the more afraid he became.
If trained, kobolds were not completely useless. These days, he had been using them more for scouts over the lazy imps or goblins who did not take things seriously.
However, this was on a different level.
“Could it really be…a kobold?”
Comos must have felt the same way.
Even if the facts were stacking up, perhaps there was a different explanation.
“Officially, this expedition is said to be about the fall of Lindle, which had been causing us trouble.”
“If the truth is known, people will come out and claim to be the true demon general.”
The minotaur smiled wryly.
There were monsters below him that did not like to be subordinates. But he had allowed them to call themselves demon generals, as that was the Demon King’s order.
Morania monsters were not united. He wanted people to believe this.
‘In the meantime, you will strengthen your own subordinates and create an army of elites. Let the dogs bark if they wish. It will be a good distraction.’
Due to the Demon King’s precise orders, his subordinates were growing steadily.
Information was being sent from each dungeon, so he was aware of the movements of the Heroes. This, casualties were at a minimum, and at the same time, they were taking towns and villages.
The would-be usurpers grew frantic over his success. And when they grew more active, the Heroes defeated them.
By using the power of unity, Berganda had stabilized his position.
“That reminds me, were there requisitions from that settlement?”
“You did not hear the message? Apparently, they detected our movements and started to move to the south. The settlement is an empty shell.”
“They are always so quick to run away.”
“Indeed. Running is all they can do.”
But what about the thing they were chasing now?
This thing that was no ordinary kobold.
“…A monster.”
“Huh?”
There was a certain legend in the demon world.
In general, it was birth that determined your rank.
A hierarchy that was definite. Goblins and orcs were inferior to chimeras. Vampires and giants ranked high because of their strength.
However, rarely…there were creatures who defied this.
They had power not typical of their race, and could defeat their superiors.
A strange creature that defied their laws.
A real monster.
“Is that what you think this kobold is? Lord Berganda?”
“…It’s ridiculous.”
There were no gods in their world. No miracles. Such fairytales were made for the weak and pathetic to have hope.
“…I was just muttering to myself. Forget it.”
“Yes.”
But even as he said it, the minotaur thought back on the memories that returned to him.
‘I see! A kobold. Is that right!’
He shuddered at the mad laugh.
“That…could it be…”
Could his master, the Demon King, really believe it?
“Impossible.”
But then again, this Demon King was known to be a little insane.
Perhaps it was not impossible.
‘Open your eyes, my demon general Berganda.’
“I…cannot. My lord.”
He whispered weakly so that no one would hear him.
“This bull head has no chance of being able to see through your heart.”
The march continued, without anyone knowing how Berganda felt.
And then, with a cry, a part of the line crumbled.
“Lord Berganda!”
“What is it?”
“A message from Shelban! The dungeon is under attack!”
A goblin ran towards him with a pale expression.
“How many are there? Is it the Hero from Lindle?”
“…It…it is…”
He pulled the messenger closer and whispered in his ear.
“Is it the kobold?”
“How do you…”
“…Listen. Do not utter a word of this to the others. If you do… You understand what will happen?”
The goblin retreated, and Berganda shouted at his army.
“All of you! From now, we will run! Towards the Shelban dungeon! Stay in formation and move away from the road so that the humans don’t notice us!”
While the monsters looked momentarily stunned, they began to run without delay. The silver birds on the branches took off into the sky.
As the others ran, the minotaur clutched his great axe on his shoulder.
“Finally. This may be the real one.”