I Became a Raid Boss-Chapter 108: In the Land of the Dead (4)

Thud!

The night was cold.

It was only natural, with the warmth of the sun retreating below the horizon.

However, it didn’t feel as chilly as one might expect—perhaps because the temperature difference wasn’t that severe.

Thud!

On the demon continent of Raxia, the pervasive miasma blocked out the sunlight, often lending a coolness even during the day.

Noticing that the roaring flames had waned slightly, I tossed another log onto the fire.

The flames, which had momentarily hesitated, greedily devoured the log and flared up once more, casting a gentle warmth around us.

"Mmm..."

Selene shifted in her sleep.

The sudden warmth must have felt unfamiliar to her.

Yet she didn’t seem to dislike the cozy embrace enveloping her, as she simply resumed her quiet breathing without stirring.

As for Daeun...

Yes, she's sleeping soundly.

She was so still that, out of curiosity, I placed my finger under her nose and felt the soft tickle of her breath before pulling back.

Thud!

“...Don’t they ever learn?”

As I scanned my companions, a knocking sound echoed once again.

It was the third attempt already; if they hadn’t broken through by now, it was about time they gave up.

With a sigh, I unsheathed my sword without moving from my seated position.

Swinging a sword from this posture wouldn’t be particularly effective.

Using only my arms would naturally limit my strength.

Given my small frame, I usually had to be careful not to drag the blade on the ground even when standing, let alone while seated.

But I didn’t bother standing this time, since this level of effort was more than enough to deal with whoever was persistently tapping against the barrier Selene had cast with her holy power.

Swish.

In an instant, a sound like the sharp wind cutting through brushed against the camp.

It was enough to silence the intruder who had dared to knock on our metaphorical door in the middle of the night.

Those who disturb my peace are subject to a swift end.

Although, truthfully, I’d just been staring blankly into the flames.

But sometimes, it’s all about presentation.

"Huaaahm..."

Watching the flickering flames as they danced made me yawn.

I felt... oddly drowsy.

The night watches I knew were usually more tense and charged.

Thanks to Selene's holy barrier, though, I almost felt as if we were on a peaceful retreat.

In fact, there wasn’t much need to keep watch at all.

Most enemies wouldn’t be able to breach the barrier, and if anything strong enough to break through came along, I’d sense it even in my sleep.

Then why are you sitting here alone, sulking?

...I’m not sulking. I was just organizing my thoughts.

Well, it looks like sulking to me.

A lizard’s eyes are different from a person’s. I’ll let it slide.

Tsk, such cheek.

Leave, if it bothers you.

There was no worry that he’d actually go.

Gracid wouldn’t leave me—if anything, that’s what I truly wanted, so there was no need to be concerned.

An opportunity to shake off this clingy, perverted lizard.

Come to think of it, maybe I’d become more used to Daeun’s daily visits because of Gracid.

Not that I’d thank him for it.

...Ahem! Not that I dislike it.

If that’s the case, then be quiet.

As I expected, Gracid fell silent at my bluffing, grumbling all the while.

If you have worries, why not confide in me?

...Me? To you?

Even I’ve lived long enough to offer some wisdom. You could at least give it a try without fear of losing out.

How is there no loss? Talking to you is already exhausting.

...You’re the first human to treat me this way, and you’ll be the last.

Grandpa, times have changed.

Dragons remained figures of awe, but Gracid’s influence wasn’t what it used to be.

That’s probably why the royal folks had come to look down on the Red Flame Knights.

With no interest in sharing my troubles with a perverted lizard, I voiced a question that had crossed my mind.

Don’t you feel anything about your kingdom’s fall?

My contract was with Zigrid, not his descendants. I’ve already shown enough favor. Do you know how much power I spent to make that ring?

You want to say you went through all that trouble, even delaying your recovery from the wounds you received fighting Krumo?

I’d heard this story so many times that I could recite it in my sleep.

There weren’t many who could even use it properly.

...I grew attached while making it. A dragon-made item should carry a certain prestige. Wouldn’t want it used by any random riffraff.

How noble of you.

So, he made it without considering whether anyone could actually use it, just to maintain his pride.

What’s the point of outdoing the dwarves if no one can wield the item properly?

And he even placed the inconvenient restriction of only allowing use by someone of Zigrid’s royal blood.

To be precise, not just any royal blood, but those with Zigrid’s lineage.

Same difference.

If a sword made for someone were to end up hurting them, wouldn’t that be a pathetic sight? I was simply preventing such accidents.

So it was all about your pride in the end.

As expected, dragons were the embodiment of self-love.

It was clear Gracid hadn’t cared about Zigrid from the start.

Knowing I’d struck a nerve, I tuned him out as he began his predictable rebuttals, idly pretending to clean my ear.

If he wanted to babble away in my head, he could pay the price in his own way.

That’s how I saw it.

...I would never have done this without reason. I held it in high regard...

Wait. Be quiet.

...

Gracid fell silent, and the surroundings instantly grew quiet.

Technically, since we’d been communicating mentally, it had already been quiet, but now even the faintest sounds around us became noticeable.

In the stillness, beyond the crackling fire and the occasional gust, a foreign noise seeped through.

...Shff, shff.

It sounded like something being dragged.

A beast?

No.

I shook my head.

It didn’t feel like a beast.

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If it had been, it would have already charged at us or approached more cautiously without making noise.

Besides, I recognized this type of presence from people who had trouble moving due to injuries.

So, the one approaching was likely a...

“Human.”

A demon, a member of the Purifier Clan, most likely.

Just as I’d expected, a pale-skinned demon emerged from the darkness, stepping into the fire’s glow.

His eyes met mine, widening in surprise—apparently, he hadn’t come here expecting company.

Of course, it could be an act, but even if it were, it wouldn’t bother me much.

After all, it’s just how things were.

“You are—”

“Shh.”

I pointed at my sleeping companions, signaling him to keep quiet, and he obediently shut his mouth.

He picked up on the hint pretty quickly.

Since I hadn’t warned him off, he carefully approached the camp.

Thud.

“Aah...!”

The demon let out a short breath—half gasp, half sigh—as he touched Selene’s holy barrier.

With trembling hands, he gently traced the barrier’s surface.

“Edel’s divine power... Ah, I never thought I’d feel it again in my life...”

Tears of emotion began to stream down his face.

Watching this unfold, I blinked in bewilderment.

A fanatic...

I understood Edel’s significance to them, but this reaction was something I’d never seen on Ardina.

In many ways, it felt refreshing.

After silently weeping and tracing the barrier for some time, the man finally pulled himself together, his voice hoarse as he spoke.

“So, you’re from the Ardina continent.”

“That’s right.”

I saw no reason to hide it.

“Do you know Atisha?”

“Oh! Have you met her?”

“Yeah, she brought us here.”

“Even with her health in that state...”

Mentioning Atisha seemed to relax him even further, probably thanks to her name and the holy barrier.

If this were a lie, he’d be letting his guard down at the perfect moment for a scam.

Poor guy.

“And judging by your condition, you’re no better off. I almost thought I was looking at a walking corpse.”

“...Haha, you could tell.”

“It’s hard to miss when the smell of decay is wafting around. If you want to die, go somewhere else—I’d rather not have to dispose of a corpse here.”

Since I hated being forcefully awakened, I’d rather not have to wake anyone else.

Seeing that he might actually die on the spot, though, I reluctantly nudged Selene awake.

“Selene. Wake up.”

“Mm... Kana...? Is something wrong...?”

“Is it a monster attack?”

Selene, rubbing her eyes, asked sleepily.

Not that. That was a regular occurrence.

If a monster strong enough to wake her were attacking, the entire area would’ve been a wreck by now.

“I need you, Selene.”

“Such heart-throbbing words. Is this a confession?”

“No. I know you’re sleepy, but focus.”

“Pfft.”

Due to the language barrier, I mostly spoke with Daeun, which unintentionally left Selene feeling left out.

It had bothered me, so I was glad to have her in the conversation now... though she seemed to be picking up some of Daeun’s mannerisms.

The gentle, compassionate Selene—had she changed that much, or was it Daeun’s influence?

With a mix of emotions, I led Selene over to the man.