The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

Considering that they were, after all, the intruders, it would be too aggressive of them to demand that the other side release the hostage first. After all, the other side's strength was unfathomable. Even if they didn't release the hostage, the other side should set the conditions, not the other side.

so...

Ultimately, he chose to compromise and release the hostages first, but only one side of the two groups.

That is, this enormous, bizarre spider monster whose origin is unknown.

"Let's go back!"

Benimaru gestured for Soria to leave quickly, then held his katana, remaining on guard at all times.

If Kiana exhibits any unusual behavior, he will immediately slaughter all the villagers and then lead them in a desperate battle.

Even if the entire army is wiped out in the end, as long as we can deal a heavy blow to this terrifying enemy, then it will all be worth it.

However...

"Very good, it seems you're not just a simple brute after all."

Originally, after Soria was successfully released, Kiana could have simply chosen to break the contract and kill all the demons.

But she didn't do that.

The reason is that doing so would sacrifice many innocent villagers.

Few of these people are happy about the war; some may be taking a midday nap at home, some may be teaching their children how to conduct themselves, and some may be making love with their partners.

In short, they were not the instigators of the war, but they became its victims.

If the squad leader were still alive, he might have summarized this cruel reality with the saying, "When the country prospers, the people suffer; when the country falls, the people suffer."

Therefore, Kiana felt she couldn't let these innocent people get involved.

Go back, go back to your family.

After saying this, Kiana didn't hesitate any longer and put Shuna back.

After the brother and sister embraced, she slowly turned around.

"If you are truly sincere, then take your leave now. I don't want to get entangled any further. Of course, if you insist on fighting, I'm willing to fight to the bitter end."

Faced with Kiana's frankness, the Oni clan members exchanged bewildered glances, and ultimately focused their attention on Benimaru, the leader of the Oni clan.

As the highest-ranking member of the demon race present, he was qualified to respond, and only he could represent the entire demon race in responding.

"...Hmph, if it's a fight, we won't be afraid of you!"

After Benimaru finished speaking, all the demons were on high alert and gripped their sword hilts tightly.

Although they knew the help they could offer was minimal, these warriors still placed their hopes on their leader and the blade in their hands.

Of course, their worries were unnecessary.

because...

"But we don't really have a reason to fight, do we?"

Hongwan sighed, her tone softening, though it was unclear whether she meant it sincerely or was simply looking for a way to save face.

In short, he shook his head and then frankly said, "The Demon King wants to see you, and if possible... he would like to personally experience your strength."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Kiana instantly realized... that the reason these demons had come here was probably related to her?

Um...

"So your Demon King sees me as an enemy?"

"Hmph, the Demon King didn't say that. Only equally matched opponents are qualified to be his enemies; the rest of the weak are nothing more than nourishment to be sacrificed at any time!"

"Nutrition...?"

It's clear that even the Demon King, who advocates friendship with humans, doesn't actually have any real desire to befriend them.

When it comes to killing, the phrase "human life is as cheap as grass" is probably the best way to describe the demon race...

"You guys are really arrogant. In that case, forget it."

Kiana didn't turn around, but instead glanced back at the oni out of the corner of her eye.

"I was originally planning to see just how powerful that demon king really was, but it seems he's nothing special. I have no interest in his invitation. Unless he comes in person, forget about it."

After saying that, Kiana resolutely led everyone away from this place of trouble.

The demons remained silently rooted to the spot, unsure of what to do next...

...

Although the demons have retreated, this human village is still on the verge of destruction.

One after another, the already flimsy buildings collapsed, and human corpses lay scattered on the ground, while others had already turned into pools of blood, beyond dead.

Some villagers squatted on the ground, trembling, their heads in their hands; they seemed to still be reeling from the shock they had just experienced.

Their homes were destroyed, and their loved ones were killed or injured.

Everything happened so suddenly. They were completely unprepared, utterly unprepared, and just like that... they lost everything!

"We can still endure the monsters, but the demons' attack... was too sudden."

Back in the village, Kiana wondered if she could find the old man she had spoken to.

Unfortunately, he is no longer with us.

And he left behind only a corpse.

A little girl was kneeling beside him, sobbing against her loved one's chest.

"It's that same person who delivered the flowers before? No wonder..."

Seeing the girl crying, Kiana felt a little sad.

She had never imagined losing her loved ones, but as time went by...

Therefore, when she witnessed her wife and children being separated from her, and her loved ones passing away time and time again, she always felt a nameless sadness.

"Siegfried... how are you doing these days?"

Kiana clutched her chest and recalled for a moment, then sighed and took out a small bag of gold coins from her system inventory, placing it beside the old man's stiff hand.

After offering some assistance within her power, Kiana slowly turned to leave.

Outside the hut was a messy hillside. Following the narrow path down the hillside would lead you away from the village.

Just as Kiana was trying to find that cheap, handsome horse that had been a gift from across the world.

"Sister, you seem a little sad, why is that?"

Solia, who was behind her, asked softly, seemingly puzzled by the question.

"Why? Perhaps it's because they're thinking about their loved ones who are currently missing and their fate is unknown?"

Kiana answered with her hands behind her back, her voice heavy.

"Is that so? Humans are such strange creatures. They actually cry over such a small thing. Look how sad that little one is crying."

I wonder if I could pierce her heart with my hand and she would cry just as bitterly?

Solia extended her beautiful human hand and gently touched her red lips: "If I could, I really would like to try..."

"Sorya?"

Kiana turned around in surprise.

"What's wrong, sister?"

"Don't you think what you just said was really cruel?"

Kiana was somewhat surprised; this obedient girl who always listened to her...

Could it be that it has such a brutal side?

“Cruel... I don’t know what that word means, although I know how to pronounce it.”

To show that she knew nothing, Solia reached out and touched the back of her head, mimicking Kiana's habitual gesture.

Clearly, this demon king's familiar, born from a spider egg...

Is it about learning about oneself?

"This is not a good thing."

A sentence suddenly popped into Kiana's mind.

If Solia is going to learn from me, it means that she might selectively imitate everything I do.

There's no doubt that this head-patting gesture was learned from me.

But her style of doing things...

Kiana thought about it carefully and felt that no matter how brave she was, she couldn't possibly have such an anti-human tendency, right?

So, Soria...

Oh!

"I remember now, when you first hatched from the spider egg..."

"At that time?"

With her head tilted and body leaning to one side, Solia looked remarkably like a spider contemplating how to pounce on its prey.

Since she began killing from birth, it's practically impossible to expect her to be polite and have a sense of shame.

It is precisely because of this factor that her current characteristics... are quite close to those of the demon race.

Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Kiana stopped and began to seriously consider the question.

However, whether it was fate or simply that she found it so difficult to calm down and think things through, it remains to be seen.

In short, just as Kiana was halfway through her thought process...

"You must be that famous knight?"

After the battle in the small village ended, the remaining human knights did not leave immediately.