‘He protected you while facing so many enemies. And he allowed so many of his soldiers to escape… The strength it takes to command without fear during such a hopeless situation. That is what you call a true warrior.’
The general continued to sleep, unaware of her praise. As if he was trying desperately to stop the flow of energy and blood from his body.
‘However, you now have a chance to kill him. If you do it now, even if he tries to fight back, he will not have enough energy to stop you…perhaps.’
“Will the Demon King, come back?”
‘I heard that there are great restrictions when it comes to them interfering with the surface.’
In other words, if he let this chance go, he might never be able to defeat the Demon King again.
That was what Salia was saying.
Sheto unsheathed his hatchet and approached the minotaur. The bull-like head was covered in sweat and breathing coarsely. He did not seem to notice Sheto’s presence.
In just one swing, he could cut open Berganda’s throat. And he would be dead.
This was an enemy that should be defeated. But still, his hand did not move.
“Salia.”
‘…What?’
“I’m…going to help him. Is that, fine?”
After a short hesitation, the goddess chuckled with a sigh.
‘Do as you please.’
Shetto nodded as he cut the leather armor straps and removed the burden.
“I…an idiot.”
He shook his head as he took out some medicinal herbs and started the treatment.
—
When he came to, Berganda was resting on the ground. A sharp scent reached his nostrils, and then he saw the kobold sitting nearby.
“Drink.”
He took the leather back and put it towards his mouth. The water was so cold that it stung as it rushed down his throat.
“Gah…delicious.”
Sheto took the empty bag and offered him another one. And then he finally noticed that his arms and legs had been treated with herbs and vines.
“Did you do that?”
“You, were bleeding a lot. Almost dead.”
“I see. I suppose it was a little reckless.”
He had used leaves to press the herbs to the wounds and tied them with vines. It was not a method he had seen before, but perhaps it was the way kobolds did it.
“You could have just left me here. You could have cut my throat while I slept… Why?”
“No point in killing. You live, because I can make use, of you.”
The kobold was quietly making a fire and not even looking in Berganda’s direction.
“Hero’s army, very strong. Still plenty of you, left. Both sides can crush each other. I, hunt what is left.”
“…I see. You are a horrible monster.”
Use others for your own gain. Suche foresight and strength was not usual in a kobold.
“Take advantage of the opportunity, eh?”
“…What?”
“That’s what my master says. If you acquire something valuable, you wait until the value goes up even higher.”
At first, he was just following orders. However, once he got to know the kobold, there was something strangely captivating about him.
“In fact, I think I’d like to have you nearby.”
“What! I am Salia’s Hero! I would never!”
“Indeed. That is the problem. But you are quite interesting. And so my master wants you.”
The kobold glared at him. But there was more uncertainty than anger in his expression.
“You want to defeat Heroes. And we want the same. Surely we can cooperate?”
“No! I, already said! Not just Heroes! I hunt the Demon King too!”
The ominous words aggravated him for a moment, but his admiration and interest in Sheto were enough to sweep such emotions away.
“Hunt my master, eh? Well, you could accomplish that within the Demon King army.”