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The Demon's Compass
Butcher Demon Chapter 295 Dream Chaser
Without saying anything, I walked up closer to the campfire. He sat there like a Yankee, with his knees up, seeming all composed.
"Taking a butcher for a walk, are you some high-profile ◎○▽▽ or something? I talked to another ◎○▽▽ a while ago. I wonder what they said.... By the way, you're wearing really unusual ●. What's □●?"
"Um... Excuse me, but can you use common language?"
"Huh? What did you say?"
"I can only speak Japanese besides the common language. Gevaudan, can you understand what this person is saying?"
"Hey, you have a cute face, aren't you &〓? I don't think I see any 〓〆○□."
The man was talking to Haruka. He seemed to consider her the leader of this group, but their conversation was not going anywhere. Of course not. They were speaking in both the Alien language and Earth language, without even realizing it. It's really amusing.
This ain't gonna get us anywhere. I decided to interrupt the conversation.
"Wait. rain. shelter. together."
I tried my best with some broken Alien language. The important thing was to convey my intention.
It seemed my passion got through as the man looked at me with surprise.
"You're not a Butcher.....?"
"I. Gevaudan. Mysterious. Talking. Butcher."
"Really? Then what about that woman there?"
"My. friend."
I took Haruka's hand and swung it back and forth, showing a friendly gesture.
"Ho, ho....."
A strong sense of bewilderment comes through from under the scarf.
So, we kept on with the awkward talk for a while and confirmed that we held no hostility toward each other. The BGM was the sound of Yakumo's flute. A touch of elegance. I told Haruka to stick with me and be quiet since the other party was an Alien.
"Here. token. of. appreciation."
"Oh, thanks... wait, what's that...!"
I pulled out a log from my bag and put on a magic show to pique the guy's interest. I crushed the log into small pieces and set them on fire. When visiting someone, it's important to bring gifts. In this case, a high-quality, dry log.
"Burns. well."
"You're interesting! I bet if I go around ▲△§▽ boasting that I had a chat with Butcher by the campfire, I'll be the popular one for the night!"
"What's ▲△§▽?"
"Tavern. Tavern. It's where ★〆■ hang out.
"★〆■?"
"Adventurers. Aren't you one?"
With that, the man pointed to the nose ring dangling from my chest.
"But seriously, is quite an unusual sigh. A weak-looking girl and a child, acting like friends with a Butcher in the ▽▲〒 Forest, seeming like an adventurer but not quite, not knowing the language but Butcher is able to talk instead. You guys are a strange bunch. Truly 〆■ that living up to being called the "navel" of Mifosis, huh? Gevaudan, what brings you here?"
"Wait. moment."
I didn't feel like explaining the situation. The man hasn't even introduced himself yet.
"Ah, well then, no need to hurry, The rain has been heavy for quite something now so, take all the time you need."
When I hesitated to give out information, the man left it at that and returned to tending the campfire.
He wore a hat with a feather hat with a large brim and a scarf wrapped around his head. He appeared friendly at first sight, yet his every move exuded a sense of caution.
Most Notably, the positioning. The man always maintained a stance where he could draw his sword at any moment and made slight adjustments to his sitting position to subtly bring Haruka and Yakumo closer together, as if he could attack them if given the chance. He's quite skilled.
I know a little about the basics of Alien skill systems since Arshella taught me.
There are skills that can penetrate my body and hit targets behind me, even when I'm trying to protect them. It's crafty, and that's why I find it hard to trust Aliens.
In short, if the man showed even a slightly suspicious movement, I had to deliver a fatal blow before he could draw his sword.
I kept adding more firewood to the fire whenever the man made a move, pretending to adjust my sitting position. But my real plan was to disrupt his arm movements and at the same time, position myself where I could deliver a decisive strike ―― in other words, within my effective claw range. He noticed and tried to dodge with quite an exaggerated adjustment, so I changed my position again.
Such a tense exchange was repeated over the campfire, and eventually――.
"――Ahh, pause, pause! My body can't take it anymore!"
The man raised both hands in surrender.
"I haven't introduced myself yet, didn't I? I am Baghwan, a wayfarer traveling all around the world."
"Way, farer?"
"Yes, that's right. That's why I have to keep my guard up... You guys are not under Narus's command too right? I can tell. So, let's stop this, shall we?"
"Narus, no connection, why, you, suspicious?"
"Huh...?"
The man who finally identified himself as Baghwan tilted his head in confusion at my question.
"Narus doesn't allow us to wander around. It's quite a famous story. So, I thought you guys were ○〆▲〆▼★ who came to catch a poor wanderer like me."
"○〆▲〆▼★?"
"<Overseer> Those who have a role in enforcing the laws of Elysium, among other things."
"Destroyer?"
"Ah, right. The Destroyers, within the ranks of the Overseers, are the qualified recipients of Narus' direct orders. So it appears you are aware of that at least... Now, what about you? Have you had any combat training or do all Butchers move with such finesse?"
Oh, this guy has never seen a Butcher before, he's got nothing to do with the war.
"I. Butcher. undergone. special. training."
"Hahahaha, I knew it. I see... So? you said the girl next to you is a friend, but what's the deal with that kid over there? Why's he been playing the flute all this time?"
Baghwan let out a dry laugh and then pointed at Yakumo with the brim of his hat.
"Play."
"I'm sorry, but can you make him stop? That sound is giving me a headache."
It sounds pleasant to me. Maybe it's discomforting for others.
I asked Haruka to stop Yakumo from playing the flute, but she said, "Eh, flute? I didn't hear anything."
"Huh? But I can though. The guy over there said it's loud too."
"...?" Haruka put her hand to her ear and concentrated.
"Hmm... Oh, wait. I feel like I can hear an incredibly high-pitched sound. It's more like, like a tremor of air....."
This horn flute seems to function like a dog whistle.
I am Yakumo's dog. Woof woof. Can someone put a leash on me again? Being pulled around by a cute girl is quite exciting. I'm very good at that.
"Oh, right."
As an idea struck me, I took out a butter candy from the apron pocket. I had borrowed it from the cabin as an emergency snack.
"Here, Yakumo. Aaaaa."
Yakumo obediently opened his mouth, and I tossed the candy into it. It rolled around in his mouth, and he seemed pleased. I successfully managed to stop his performance. Maybe he was playing it because he felt lonely. Here, Haruka, you should have some too.
"Want?"
"What's that?"
"Candy."
"Oh, looks delicious."
Baghwan took the butter candy from me and tucked it under his scarf. He's been thoroughly hiding his face all this time. I suppose it's because of the Overseer situation. Is he a wanted man? It might be best not to ask for both of us.
Around the camp, we shared candy and deepened our friendship. Suddenly, a heartwarming atmosphere began to flow.
Candy may be an incredibly cheap gift, but I think it's the most cost-effective diplomatic tool. Just by sharing candy, everyone becomes friends.
"Traveling. alone. rest? Be careful. dangerous. monsters. killed."
Many magical beasts, not to mention those dark magic creatures from earlier, are dangerous to the max. I have outstanding endurance, so I managed to deal with them alone. But no matter how strong aliens might be, encountering that group by surprise would be disastrous. Traveling alone is quite bold.
"Well, it's dangerous, sure. But, you know, it's hard to find companions who share the same dream as mine."
"Dream?"
As I probed deeper, the man lowered the brim of his hat, showing a somewhat shy expression.
"I'm looking for <Atlantis>."
"Atlantis."
I couldn't help but want to make a witty reply. Sure, I'll take one Atlantis, please.
"Do you know about the legend of Atlantis?"
"Island. Huge. Mysterious. Underwater. sunken."
"Well, that's a bit different from the legend I know. The one I know is about the "hidden" 〆■ in the sea. It is said that Miphosis had four〆■ that were similarly hidden in the sea long ago."
From the context, 〆■ probably means continent.
"Atlantis. search. why?"
"It is said that the four continents each hold secrets of this world... Especially in Atlantis, there is a rumor that the most valuable treasure lies dormant. They say that the smoldering '■○', is still there."
"■○?"
"<Eternal flame>"
Baghwan gazed at the flames of the bonfire.
"Also known as <Cardinal Eld>. This flame can create life from nothing, the power that grants whatever the wielder desires."
"Amazing."
"It's my dream...To the point I think was born for it. If there's such a mysterious existence, wouldn't you want to see it with your own eyes? And..."
In Baghwan's dark eyes, the flames flickered.
"Isn't it unfair? To think that there is someone somewhere who has a place like that all to themselves. That's why I will definitely reveal the secret. Even if my soul is burned by the Cardinal Eld and scattered to ■§, I will dirty that ground with my shoes and show them."
That's quite a commitment.
"Atlantis. fairy tale."
"Well, You can't say for sure."
Baghwan leaned forward and whispered.
"...I've been collecting and analyzing various legends from all over Mifosis, but there is a credible theory about the location of the Atlantis, written on the surface of a ※◎ in the demon realm. It's inscribed with the phrase 'A smoldering furnace gazes upon the world from the depths of an unreflecting mirror.' I'm not sure what the smoldering furnace refers to, but don't you think it has something to do with the flame?"
"※◎?"
"<Ark>. An ancient and venerable artifact said to have sealed away the nights of the demon realm when the ancient era ended. Even now, demons worship that box as if it were their god. So, what do you think? It's quite credible, isn't it?"
"Hmm..."
In response to my indifferent reply, Baghwan crossed his arms.
"Still don't believe me? Here's another clue. 『The King of Time and Harmony, ＆§ perished, on that day entrusted the silver wheel to the King of ▼☆■§.』 That passage is in another ancient document."
"King of Time and Harmony. I know."
"That's right. It's about Oberon. He's said to have fought the Demon King Narus and been destroyed, but well, that doesn't matter. Oberon is an ancient being that has existed since the birth of this planet. There's no doubt he's connected to the spirit, The flame. And the silver wheel is probably a person or a spirit or something along that line, I believe."
Baghwan speaks rapidly.
"Why. is that?"
"A wheel symbolizes the movement of stars from ancient times――and by 〓# 〓, it can also represent women. Without women, we would perish. Women symbolize new life. So, the silver wheel is most likely an ancient woman or a spirit that is represented by silver color. Surely, that woman knows the way to Atlantis. What do you think? Are you starting to believe a bit?"
Oh, this guy is the type that dedicates their lives to historical romance...
There were quite a few of them in 88. People who connect baseless stories together and indulge in fantasies. They'd be like, "I bet there are ancient treasures hidden there!" Watching them, I thought it seemed like a fun way to live. But I belong to a different group——I'm interested in more modern mysteries like UMA and UFOs. The underground world also fascinates me.
"Remember the thunder from the other day? You guys must have heard it too. Something is happening in Mifosis. Surely, this must be a □●◎. For tens of thousands of years, no one has been able to grasp even a fraction of that impenetrable secret, but now it seems like cracks are starting to appear. I have a feeling. I will find it, I will―"
He clenched his fist.
"Atlantis. I'll expose it, lay it bare, and engrave the culmination of my long years of wandering on that pure soil."
He spoke with fervor, then let out a sigh.
"But well, I'm being pompous, aren't I? It's ironic that after all that speech, I'm still lost in this forest."
"You too? We. lost, too. Together."
"What are you guys doing here?"
"Goblin. tracking. Lots. Goblin, taking, woman. See?"
"A group of goblins with a woman...?"
Baghwan's eyes momentarily flickered.
"I don't know about goblins, but I saw a group with women. They headed in that direction. It was quite a large group, so I hid and let them pass."
"Saw, when?"
"About half a day ago, I think. Their group was large but also slow. If you hurry, you should be able to catch up with them."
As we exchanged information, the rain stopped as if someone had turned off a faucet.
"This weather is crazy."
Baghwan stood up and kicked dirt over the campfire.
Looking at him from this angle, he had a tall stature with long limbs.
"I'm heading into town, well, let's talk again when we get a chance."
"Goodbye. Take care. Hope. find. Atlantis. Thank you."
As I waved my hand, Haruka, who had been left out, also hastily waved her hand, and Yakumo did the same.
"Yeah, be careful you guys."
Right before he turned around, I felt like Baghwan smiled beneath his scarf.
"By the way, stay away from ▽〒. They might be rare, but they're all really dangerous. If you get too eager, you might end up in a really bad situation before catching up to those goblins. I've seen some idiots get caught up in smoke like that, hahaha."
With those parting words, Baghwan waved his hand and disappeared into the forest. What's 『▽〒』?
"....."
Ever since she heard the word "alien." Haruka had been restless. I patted her shoulder to comfort her and then stood up too.
"It feels good to have someone who understands me to talk with. Well then, let's go."
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Tags:
Butcher Demon