I'm the Only One With a Different Genre - Chapter 147

Chapter 147
Searching for Mother

The idea that the Empire’s strongest being was in danger was hard to believe, but this wasn’t some lighthearted gag world. It was a dark fantasy world, far more cruel than reality itself. It wasn’t entirely impossible.

‘More importantly… in the original story, the Duke ends up dying eventually. So it’s not something that can’t happen.’

That being said— it was still a difficult thing to imagine. The Duke’s death had only become possible after the Demon King had grown several times stronger than he was now.

‘The original plot has deviated so much that I don’t know what kind of variables could have come into play. I need to treat this seriously.’

Having made up his mind, Lian declared that he would join the search party for the Duke. The butler initially refused, saying he couldn’t possibly send their benefactor into danger, but after seeing Lian’s healing abilities, he reluctantly accepted. Priests who could wield healing magic at Lian’s level were rare.

“Huh… My finger grew back.”

“Amazing, isn’t it? I’ve heard that miracles like this don’t just happen for no reason.”

Quietly, Lianism began spreading its roots within the Duke’s household. Given the chaotic situation and how discreet Lianism’s followers were, it was difficult to detect.

Two days passed, and all preparations were complete. Lian, Jess, Iris, Nero, and Noah ended up joining the search party.

Jess, a beastman known as a master tracker, was naturally included. Nero, thanks to his exceptional swordsmanship, also secured a place. As for Iris… the butler opposed her inclusion on the journey, but she refused to be separated from her brother even for a moment, so she inevitably joined. Given that she could easily defeat knights, there was no one who could oppose her participation.

‘Why is Noah over there?’

What surprised Lian was that Noah had been assigned to a different unit. The unit, known as the “Ranger Unit,” was one Lian had never seen inside the castle before. It was said that no one could move faster than them in the forest. They were known to mostly reside outside the castle, setting up camp deep in the woods.

‘She’s been busy training lately, and now I know why. She’s been training with the Ranger Unit. No wonder I couldn’t find her when I was looking.’

It seemed Noah had spent quite some time training with the Rangers, as her attire and movements looked well accustomed to their ways. Their eyes met.

‘Oh…’

Noah quickly averted her gaze. Lian awkwardly scratched the back of his neck and looked elsewhere, failing to notice how her ears turned red.

“What’s up? Something going on?”

“Ah, nothing at all.”

“Doesn’t seem like nothing. Wait, are you interested in that girl?”

The Ranger helping Noah with her training gave Lian a mischievous look, nudging him with her elbow.

“Shohan. This isn’t the time for jokes.”

“Yes, sir! I’ll stop immediately!”

At the commander’s stern voice, Shohan straightened up at once.

“As we discussed earlier, our unit will take the lead and scout the forest. If we find anything, we’ll use the communication device, or in an emergency, we’ll send up a signal flare.”

As they always moved swiftly like the wind, they replied with simple gestures. Before long, the Ranger Unit vanished without a sound.

About 30 minutes after the Rangers disappeared, the knights finished their preparations and mounted their horses. The soldiers were also on horseback to ensure rapid movement. The mages would be riding in carriages to conserve their stamina.

The carriages were intended to be used for medical purposes in case of any injuries. There were two carriages: one carried the mages, and the other had Lian, Iris, Nero, and Jess.

Unlike the knights and soldiers, who had trained extensively and could move as one, Lian’s group wasn’t as coordinated, so they had no choice but to ride in the carriage.

“Let’s move out!”

The sound of the black horses’ hooves hitting the ground echoed like thunder.

***

The Duke was likely out hunting nearby, ready to return at a moment’s notice if needed — or so the butler had predicted. The problem was that “nearby” was based on the Duke’s standards.

As a result, it took them three days of relentless travel to finally reach their destination. The knight captain led the horses to a stop by a river that ran through the forest.

“We’ll rest here.”

“Everyone, we’ll be resting here!”

The vice-captain relayed the knight captain’s words in a loud voice to those in the rear.

Even the finest horses would be exhausted after running for three straight days without rest. The soldiers quickly brought out wooden buckets from the carriages and started drawing water.

In places where there weren’t nearby water sources, they relied on mages to provide water, but with the river so close, there was no need to waste magical energy. Some soldiers prepared meals while others filled the horses’ buckets so the animals could quench their thirst.

While the soldiers busied themselves with these tasks, the knights searched for signs left by the Rangers.

“They must’ve arrived much earlier than us.”

There were markings left on a nearby tree, indicating that the Rangers had anticipated their rest by the river. Judging by the traces, it seemed they had arrived a day earlier and begun their search.

‘By now, they should have completed their investigation.’

The Rangers’ job was to ensure that the outskirts of the forest were safe. While they could delve deeper, only the most skilled commanders or vice-commanders would be able to do that.

This area wasn’t without danger, as dangerous creatures roamed these parts. However, that would only be the case in a full-on confrontation or if a significant disturbance occurred. For covert reconnaissance, the area wasn’t particularly difficult.

Considering the Rangers’ skill, they should have already emerged from the forest and been waiting to deliver their report.

‘The fact that they’re still inside the forest means… something must’ve gone wrong.’

The knight captain gazed at the pale, snow-covered forest with heavy eyes. Though the forest looked relatively safe compared to the treacherous mountains, with snow barely reaching the length of a pinky finger, the ominous feeling lingered.

“Meal preparations are complete!”

Hearing the shout from behind him, the knight captain finally tore his gaze away from the forest. At that moment, the shadow of a tree flickered slightly, but no one noticed.

Since they couldn’t predict what might happen in the forest, lunch consisted of a hearty soup filled with meat they had hunted along the way. After filling their stomachs, they immediately set off into the forest. They couldn’t afford to wait indefinitely for the Rangers.

Of course, since they didn’t know what might have happened to the Rangers, the mages cast various protective spells as they moved. It might be a waste of magical energy, but it was better than risking danger.

[Huff, phew—… Partner, how about building a house here? This land feels really nice.]

‘What? Are you serious?’

Lian and the demon sword were having an oddly carefree conversation, despite the fact that something strange could leap out at any moment. Mindful of the others’ gazes, the demon sword, less flamboyant than usual, trembled slightly as it spoke.

[Yes, it reminds me of the place you used to live. I quite like it.]

‘The place I used to live… You don’t mean Cardishian in the Demon King’s lands?’

[Ah, the overflowing demonic energy was wonderful… Don’t you think about moving back?]

‘No way!’

Lian broke out in a cold sweat as he continued his conversation with the sword.

‘Why on earth does a place in the Empire have such an abundance of demonic energy? Is that even possible?’

[It’s not impossible, just a bit of work.]

‘What kind of work are we talking about?’

[To put it simply—… You have to corrupt the land’s owner.]

‘The land’s owner?’

Just as Lian was about to inquire further—

“What’s that?”

“Is that… fog?”

A gray mist began flowing in from all directions, filling the previously still forest in an unsettling manner. The knight captain lowered the front of his helmet and spoke.

“It could be poisonous fog! Everyone, prepare yourselves!”

Like the knight captain, those with helmets engraved with protective magic adjusted their headgear, while the soldiers covered their mouths and noses with special cloths designed to block most toxins. The mages simultaneously cast protective barriers around the carriages.

Swish.

The fog, rolling in like a tsunami, swallowed their entire field of vision. The knight captain, his face grim, began to vigilantly scan the surroundings.

Lian knew that, in situations like this, the words you didn’t hear often became the most important clue. Ignoring the turmoil around him, he pressed the demon sword for answers.

‘So what exactly is the land’s owner? If they get corrupted, does that mean the land gets taken over by demonic energy? And what happens to the land after it’s consumed?’

[Ask slowly. The land’s owner is simply the being that governs the land. Most of the time, it’s a spirit, but sometimes it’s a mystical beast. If the land’s owner gets corrupted by demonic energy, the land follows suit. It’s not really “corruption” per se, just a change in nature. The land becomes more suitable for creatures familiar with demonic energy. However, there are a few problems…]

‘What kind of problems?’

Just as Lian was about to ask for more details—

“What the—?”

“That fog…”

The eerie silence in the forest was broken by the sudden appearance of thick, gray fog creeping in from all directions. The knight captain quickly lowered the brim of his helmet.

“It might be poisonous fog! Everyone, be on guard!”

Like the knight captain, those knights equipped with enchanted helmets adjusted their gear, while the soldiers covered their faces with special cloths designed to block most toxins. The mages simultaneously activated spells to protect the area around the carriages.

Swoosh.

As the fog moved like a living creature, it began to coil around the black horses’ bodies.

[It seems the master of this land prefers to destroy minds rather than outright devour them. Perhaps it has an affinity for brains? What a strange taste. It doesn’t know that hot blood is the real delicacy.]

Lian, feeling a chill at the demon sword’s casual mention of such inhuman thoughts, asked with a trembling voice.

“…How do we restore the land’s owner to normal, then?”

[Hmm? There is no such way, though?]

Neighhh!!

Even before the demon sword’s words fully registered, the black horses let out a wild cry and began to buck wildly. At that moment, Lian’s gag filter kicked in.

End of Chapter.