Varlog, Nickelson, and the rest of the group finally reunited with Nickelson's knights and the remaining adventurers. They had all agreed to keep Van's involvement a secret—at least until he returned, something Varlog assured Nickelson would happen soon.
To strengthen Nickelson's standing, Varlog suggested that he take credit for the sword mark that stretched across the valley, ensuring that his men would place even greater trust in him. However, the knights were more preoccupied with the bone dragon and the other demons standing beside it.
"At ease, everyone," Nickelson instructed, waving his arm dismissively. "These demons have come in peace. They..." He hesitated briefly, glancing at Varlog, who stood calmly by his side with a warm smile. "...Foolishly displayed their aura to alert us of their arrival, believing it to be an act of trust." Varlog, Yilla, and Liliac all nodded in agreement.
It didn't take long for the knights and adventurers to accept this explanation as truth.
"Greatknight Nickelson... He truly is our savior!"
"He's on another level...! Scolding the Second-in-Command of the Demonic Army and taming that dragon...!!"
The knights and adventurers whispered among themselves, praising Nickelson as they looked at him in awe.
"And he also kept Lady Cerille safe!"
"There's really nothing he can't do..!"
Varlog overheard their chatter, thinking, 'He must have spent quite a while building his reputation...' He mused to himself, mildly impressed. Meanwhile, Cerille glanced aside, unable to look at her father with the same admiration she once had.
'And... oh my. I sense some bloodthirsty fellows who don't buy this act at all...' Varlog thought, raising an eyebrow as he looked directly at Magus's former party, who stood at the forefront of the knights.
"Bull-fucking-shit," Marcy spat out, standing at the head of the group. "First, we're supposed to believe that old man Nickelson caused that tremor earlier when he and I are practically on par in strength... And now he says the demons are here to help us? There's no way they're here for peace."
Lalyn, standing beside her, scrutinized Varlog with a cold gaze. "I can't make an educated guess about our Greatknight, but demons under a pact... We all know how much they value such agreements. There must be more to this..."
"What... What could this mean...?" Amoria murmured, tightening her grip on her staff. "You don't think this is related to Van in some way, do you?"
"DON'T BE STUPID! Why would it be that!?" Marcy erupted, snapping her head toward Amoria.
"... Possible," Lalyn muttered.
"LALYN!? Even you..!" Marcy turned to her, incredulous.
"Think about it, Marcy. That meatshield showed up around two days ago, just in time to kill Arutol... And now this?" Lalyn reasoned, her words silencing Marcy. "... I also dislike the idea of blaming him. Maybe he isn't at fault. But we can't ignore the possibility that all of this is somehow connected to him."
"It is—"
"—Not related." Mika and Rika interjected in unison, capturing everyone's attention.
"Oh? You know that for a fact?" Lalyn asked, raising an eyebrow at the assassins.
"It is definitely not..."
"... related to Van in..."
"... any way. We..."
"... made sure of that by tailing..."
"... him the moment he arrived in the city and..."
"... eavesdropping on him."
YOU ARE READING
Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord
FantasyVan and his friend Magus had reincarnated in another world with magic. Tasked to kill the demon lord, they set forth. Van was granted very rough skills that made life for him in that world a living hell, yet he muscled through. Magus however, was be...
