The Demon Hunting Method of the Regressed Inquisitor

Hunter’s Guild (2)

Since it was the first day, we only received light training and were on our way back.

“Excuse me, Mr. Lost.”

“Yes, Miss Linea. What is it?”

“…Can you stop using honorifics with me?”

“If you want me to be comfortable, I will. But… why?”

“I feel uncomfortable.”

“……”

I was surprised. With an indifferent face, she stabbed my heart.

Is the kind and gentle Linea I knew no longer there?

“Oh, it’s not that……. It’s just that when Mr. Rost uses formal language, it often seems like he’s deceiving people……”

“There is a minor misunderstanding.”

“And since we’ll be working together as colleagues from now on, isn’t it more comfortable this way?”

She pushes her point without even pretending to listen to the word “misunderstanding.”

It wasn’t just my imagination.

For some reason, Linea harbors doubts about me.

It’s obvious that she plans to follow me around to resolve those doubts.

Yes, it’s so obvious. Yet, I still don’t know what those doubts are.

What on earth does she want?

What does she want that she can’t ask directly and has to dig around like this?

Is there something I don’t know?

“Then, Linea.”

“Yes, Mr. Rost.”

“Shall we go eat?”

“Shall we?”

There is no opposition to my suggestion.

She doesn’t express any dissatisfaction about accompanying Titan.

I don’t know her purpose, but……

It wouldn’t hurt to keep her by my side.

* * *

The next day.

Even though it was just a day, Burke, who realized that we weren’t a completely incomprehensible group, started to speak to us more familiarly.

“So! Yesterday, I told you about the monsters that appear in the Forest Duke’s territory, right? Today, we’re going to meet those monsters in person and experience them.”

Once it was revealed that Burke was the oldest, he started speaking informally.

Titan said it was okay to speak informally, but he’s quite a bold guy.

“No matter how much I think about it, experiencing it firsthand seems to be the best.”

Burke Ryan led us to the area where the monsters appeared.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t a spontaneous action but part of the official curriculum.

In a way, it makes sense. Many people learn better through direct experience than just hearing about it.

Take Titan, for example.

He is well-versed in the monsters that exist in his kingdom, but he couldn’t understand a single explanation about the monsters in the Duke of Foris’s territory.

He is the type who learns by experiencing things firsthand.

“Alright, we’re here. This is the territory of the Metal Wolves.”

In the direction Burke pointed, there was a massive rocky mountain.

Looking at the sheer cliffs, it doesn’t seem like a place where any living creature could survive.

Of course, that’s in a typical case.

“Come on, this way. It’s inside here.”

There was a door in the massive rocky mountain.

And when we opened that door and went inside, a forest appeared.

What we saw from the outside wasn’t a mountain but a wall.

“Hmm, interesting terrain. Can something like this be formed naturally?”

“Haha, I don’t know about that. This was made by the Duke himself.”

“Hmm…”

Duke Age Foris. The artificial nature created by the great magician.

I knew about it, but every time I see it, it gives me chills.

The fact that there exists someone who can perform such absurd feats.

And the fact that even such a being couldn’t hold back the trials.

“Normally, Metal Wolves would be a bit too much for newcomers. But I think you’ll be fine. Oh, and don’t worry, questions about Metal Wolves might come up during the interview.”

Burke was more passionate than I expected.

He conducted the training in the way that suited us best.

While others might just end things with a few words, he made us experience and learn firsthand.

Even if it was dangerous, he chose the sure method because he could solve the problem himself if needed.

He’s not inherently a bad person.

“Ah, I see them. Three Metal Wolves… That’s just right.”

Burke observed the state of the Metal Wolves over a small hill and then began to explain.

“The Metal Wolves have their backs covered in metal. You can’t even scratch them with ordinary attacks.”

The Metal Wolf is one of the more troublesome beasts in the Forest Duchy.

Not only is the metal on its back hard, but its teeth are also strong.

These beasts swallow metal, refine it in their bodies, and wear it as armor.

That’s why you can get high-quality metal from them.

“The only place not covered in metal is their belly. The problem is, they know that too.”

Burke didn’t tell us everything. He just shrugged and pointed in the direction of the Metal Wolves.

He wants us to experience it ourselves.

“Go on, give it a try. If it gets too dangerous, I’ll help you.”

Titan was the first to move. Despite his massive size, he moved quietly and swiftly.

This kingdom has always been engaged in hunting activities. It’s natural for them to move in a way that doesn’t alert their prey.

Bang!

Titan moved in the opposite direction from us, surrounding the Metal Wolves between the hill and himself.

He cuts off their escape route.

He must have thought no other strategy was necessary.

“Hmm?”

The Metal Wolves reacted quickly.

As Burke said, these beasts know their belly is their weak point.

So they lower their bodies as much as possible to protect their weak spot.

This is the behavior of the Metal Wolves that Burke didn’t tell us about.

“Aren’t you two going?”

“Uh… I’m a doctor. It’s better for me to stay in a safe place than to participate in the battle, right?”

“Ah, staying in the rear is one way. But it’s good to have some means to protect yourself.”

Linea gave a textbook answer. Burke’s point wasn’t a problem for her either.

She can not only defend herself but also slaughter any approaching enemy.

“And you?”

“I’m similar to Linea. But I can provide direct support to Titan in the battle.”

“Then shouldn’t we be doing something instead of just standing here?”

“It doesn’t look like a battle that needs my help.”

“Huh? The Metal Wolves have considerable resistance to physical attacks…”

It’s obvious why Burke brought us to the Metal Wolves.

It was clear that they intended to attach beasts with high physical defense to Titan, the center of the party.

Rather than trapping us, they probably wanted to warn us in advance of the worst possible situation we could face and give us some advice.

However…

Bang!

Unfortunately, metal wolves alone cannot stop Titan.

A loud noise echoed as if iron was being struck simultaneously in a giant forge.

“Too soft.”

The metal wolf turned into a mere lump of metal under Titan’s hammer.

If the opponent has physical resistance, break through with even stronger physical force.

Titan could do that now.

“I’m worried that this level of resistance might dull my senses!”

Bang!

The metal wolf’s head flew off with a horizontal swing of the hammer.

“Yelp…”

“Hmm, they have some spirit.”

At that moment, the remaining metal wolf, which had leaped into Titan’s blind spot, was caught in Titan’s hand.

Crunch!

A sound that one would not normally hear came from the metal wolf’s neck. Titan was crushing the metal wolf with his bare hands.

No need to go to a forge. He is a moving forge.

Pop!

The head of the metal wolf, which had been crushed to its limit, burst as if it could no longer withstand the force.

It took less than a minute to deal with the three metal wolves, known for being tricky beasts.

“…How should I evaluate this?”

Anyone could predict that Titan was strong. But it’s hard to predict the limits of that strength.

Of course, it would be a realm no one had seen before. On the continent, there would be only a handful of beings who could defeat him with pure physical strength.

“Um…”

“Huh?”

“Are there any other beasts here?”

“Oh, right. Be careful, there are also snakes crawling around here. They aren’t poisonous, but it will hurt if they bite.”

“I see. So they aren’t poisonous.”

Linea nods.

Behind her, I thought I saw a glimpse of a severed snake corpse.

I wanted to check, so I quietly moved my position, and Linea kicked something with her foot, dropping it.

“Mr. Rost, it seems there are snakes around, so you should be careful.”

“…Yeah.”

I was inconsiderate.

I knew she didn’t want to reveal her strength. I shouldn’t have tried to confirm it this way.

It seems too careless… From now on, I should pretend not to notice in such situations.

“Anyway… This means we can look around other places. Let’s try to remember as many places as possible without getting too tired.”

Burke smiled kindly, seemingly unaware of the situation.

He is a good person. That’s why it’s even more unfortunate.

* * *

Day 5 of Burke’s hunter training.

Today, we entered the monster-infested area to experience the prey I wanted to see.

“Huh?”

There were other people besides us.

Of course, it’s not unusual, but there’s a certain atmosphere.

“Huh? Young Master Burke…? Playing hunter again in a place like this?”

“…Go on your way. We’re training hunter aspirants. You know this is a request from Duke Foris, right?”

“Well, we don’t want to get involved with you either. Then, be careful. Don’t go too deep inside.”

“Get lost.”

It was clear that Burke and the group didn’t get along. They were retainers of Baron Lyan’s family.

As an illegitimate child of Baron Lyan, Burke couldn’t be happy to see them.

He must have been severely oppressed, which is why he became a hunter at a young age.

Perhaps Allen Wise supported him because he could empathize with a noble who ran away from home.

“Hey, this is…”

“We won’t be curious. Mr. Burke.”

“Oh, thanks.”

I know Burke is dissatisfied with his family.

I can fully empathize with that. They are oppressing Burke’s younger sister.

Taking care of her frail body would require a lot of money.

For five years, he must have diligently saved up enough money to become independent. But even so, it would still be insufficient.

While the money he had was enough for living, it was far from enough to treat his younger sister.

“We do our job. Didn’t we decide to go see the ‘Beast Cephalotus’ today?”

“Haha, it seems you’re more interested in that than hunting. Well, it’s more stable, and I don’t think it’s a bad idea.”

“We won’t make much money, though.”

“Is a priest greedy for money?”

“Even a priest needs to eat.”

During this brief time, we became quite close with Burke.

I made sure of that.

“By the way, why are you interested in the Beast Cephalotus, such a bizarre carnivorous plant?”

“They say the mucus of the Cephalotus is good for processing wooden ornaments.”

“Do you want to make something yourself?”

“Yes, I’m a priest. I thought I might prepare a cross coated with the mucus of the Beast Cephalotus.”

Beast Cephalotus.

A variant of a carnivorous plant. If you apply the mucus obtained from it, it becomes tough, hard, and shiny.

Of course, the supply of mucus is already sufficient, so it doesn’t fetch a high price. People who collect it usually intend to make something themselves.

Yes. The reason I want it is because, as Burke said, there is something I need to make myself.

The masks used by the inquisitors when they carry out executions are usually carved from wood. And it seems I’ll have to wear that mask soon.

“Oh? Mr. Rost. Now that I think about it, I don’t see Mr. Titan.”

“Well, didn’t he find something interesting? Mr. Burke, you said there were no beasts here that could threaten Titan, right?”

“Ah, yes. But we should still find him, just in case something happens when he’s left alone. If I tell the examiner, it will be a demerit, right? Be careful.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

The plan is progressing steadily.

The reason I came to find the Beast Cephalotus today is also part of it.

Burke might think meeting the retainers of the household was just a coincidence, but unfortunately, it was not.

“He wouldn’t have gotten lost, would he?”

“Who knows.”

The bandits we encountered were engaged in human trafficking. On the road to the Forest Duchy.

So where would those goods go? Where would be the best place to trade forbidden items like people?

“I hope it hasn’t been eaten by the Beast Cephalotus.”

There is a giant plant large enough to swallow a person.

“Haha! The Beast Cephalotus may look like it can swallow a person whole, but it won’t eat a person unless they deliberately go inside.”

“That would be a big problem.”

“Actually, it’s not. The Beast Cephalotus doesn’t usually swallow people. It hunts smaller animals than you might think. So, unless it’s a small child, there’s no chance of being eaten.”

Although it is large enough to swallow a person, it does not secrete enough digestive fluid to dissolve a person.

“So, it’s possible to capture it alive, isn’t it?”

That’s why they bring it alive.

With a person inside, they can naturally move people from the outskirts, where the beast appears, to the inside.

The digestive fluid can be easily blocked using something like a bag.

Even if a person comes out of the bag, the Beast Cephalotus doesn’t have the power to dissolve a whole person.

Now, let’s make such an assumption.

It is possible, but anyone who makes such a far-fetched assumption is either paranoid or knows about this matter.

Or…

“Lost. There was a person here.”

Only someone with a very good sense.

In the direction Titan pointed, there were the remains of a Beast Cephalotus, as if its mouth had been forcibly opened and torn in half.

Along with human blood.