Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330668192322926/episodes/16817330668305934618
Crunch crunch crunch.
We went up the mountain path, stepping on the piled up snow.
I slayed all the demons that appeared along the way.
It had been eight years since my reincarnation. It was the first time I had encountered demons, but it didn’t stir my heart even a millimeter.
I gouged out the vital points of the demons while nonchalantly assessing their movements.
I no longer needed to use my aura. If it was a weak individual, I could push it with just my physical strength.
[Fufu. I know how Luca is feeling right now～]
“What are you talking about?”
[It’s simple. Luca must be wondering why his physical ability is so high !]
“No, I’m not.”
[Why not !? You’re probably wondering, right !?]
“I have an idea.”
It’s true that at first, as Lilith said, I was surprised that I could defeat a monster without using an aura.
No matter if I’m a member of the Salvatore family, it is abnormal for an eight-year-old to defeat a monster.
However, I soon realized that this was due to the influence of Lilith. After making a contract with her, not only my aura, but also my physical ability has improved.
[Buu~. It’s not nice to be so perceptive.]
“I’m grateful for Lilith’s power. It’s thanks to Lilith’s power that I’ve been able to get stronger as fast as I can.”
I may be curt, but deep down inside I’m grateful to Lilith.
The reason I don’t say it is because this is not a power-up based on trust, credibility, or goodwill.
What there is between me and Lilith is a conflict of interest. I help Lilith get her revenge, and Lilith will make me stronger in order to carry out her revenge.
That is all. Therefore, I can’t have her full trust.
[It’s okay if you understand～. But, where are you heading, Luca? You’re not looking for a demon, are you?]
“Yeah. The key to survival is how not to fight demons. There is no need to waste energy.”
[Then why are you going all the way up the mountain instead of staying in one place and resting?]
“I’m looking for something in these mountains.”
[Looking for something? What’s that?]
“A cave.”
[Why a cave? Is that where you’re going to make your home?]
“That’s one thing. But the main reason is different.”
[Muu…don’t be too pretentious and tell me quickly~]
Lilith puffed out her cheeks and clapped me on the back.
It seems that she can interfere with my body since I signed a contract with her. Even though she only exists as a soul.
“Yeah yeah. I want the thing that was dropped in the cave.”
[L-lost and found? What is it that you came all the way up here to the snowy mountains to find?]
“You’ll be surprised when you see it. Because it’s a holy relic.”
[H-holy relic? Holy relic is a tool that was said to have belonged to a hero.]
“That’s right. The relic is supposed to be in the cave.”
[How do you know that?]
“I saw it in a dream.”
[Huh?]
“I’m joking. I can’t tell you why. You don’t need to know.”
[…..Fair enough.]
Lilith looks indifferent and convinced.
I’m sorry, but I can’t talk to her about my past life. It’s pointless to talk about it, and I don’t think Lilith will understand it.
My secret is mine. There was no merit in going to the trouble of explaining it.
After that, we walked along the mountain path without resting.
After a while, the entrance to the cave we were looking for came into view.
I entered the cave, keeping an eye out for monsters, although I did not know if any relics had fallen there.
In the darkness, I found it.
A silver necklace on the ground.
“Phew. We’re in luck, Lilith.”
[Is it the relic Luca was after?]
“Yeah. It belonged to a priest who once saved and guided many people.”
[How did such a thing come to be so close to your home?]
“I don’t know. As far as I know, the person who had this relic is–you see, dead.”
I picked up the necklace and continued on, and found a white corpse lying a short distance away.
It’s a male, judging from the pelvis and overall size.
[It’s a body. It was his item.]
“Probably. He was here because he was being chased by a monster or because he had something to do in this mine. I don’t know the details of why. I don’t care.”
It’s none of my business.
[You’re cold, you know. You don’t seem very human.]
“Really? ……Maybe you’re right.”
For me, this world is an extension of the game.
It feels like reality, but it also feels like a fantasy.
Maybe that’s why. For me, the death of others is not so sad. I’m fine as long as I’m safe, and I’ve discarded unnecessary things in order to become stronger.
Otherwise, I would not be able to live as a member of the Salvatore family.
I will continue to be myself for me.
Even if I don’t end up where I want to end up–.
“I’m going to make a fire here today and spend the night.”
[It will beat the snow and wind, right?]
“Yeah.”
Lilith is a quick learner, thank goodness. She doesn’t pry, she’s an ideal partner.
I put the necklace around my neck and go back the way I came.
I have the tools to make a fire. The rest of the way, I moved toward the entrance of the cave as much as possible to let the smoke out.
Then, as I was walking, I noticed something.
“!”
I stopped walking with a jerk.
Lilith, who was standing next to me, also noticed.
[Oh shoot~. This reaction must be human. Do you know, Luca?]
“No way. During survival, no one is allowed to interfere. It must be a prowler or a bandit.”
As I trained with Sister Norn, she told me something.
The other siblings were not impressed with my talents.
I should say that they hate me to the point of wanting to kill me.
She warned me that they would probably send assassins and the like to me while I was young. As you can guess, this situation is not an ordinary one.
To begin with, there are several knights watching the vicinity of this snowy mountain. How could a mere brigand slip through the cracks?
It must have been an inside man who knew the location of the guards in advance.
If so, they could have infiltrated the snow-covered mountains as much as they wanted.
And if they were targeting my position with pinpoint accuracy, it means that they are…….
“—I knew it.”
I checked the bag I had been provided.
At the bottom was a tool I didn’t recognize. It’s a magic tool in terms of shape and material. Perhaps it is a tool that transmits location information to another magic tool.
[What is that?]
“It’s a transmitter. It transmits my position to another tool.”
[Eh? So I’m guessing this response is from…….]
“It must be the work of my relatives. They went to a lot of trouble to prepare an expensive magic tool.”
The magic tool in my hand is dropped on the ground and I stomp on it.
Poof ! The sound echoed through the cave.
[What are you going to do? Run away?]
“No, I won’t make it in time. I’m already surrounded.”
[We’ve been targeted while we were in the cave, you know～]
“It won’t be a problem. If they come at me, I’ll just have to fight them off.”
[Are you going to be okay? Luca is only eight years old.]
“Even if I’m eight years old, I have your aura. I’ve been training for this.”
I chuckled and resumed my steps.
I walked out of the cave entrance to find several suspicious people in black surrounding the cave in a blizzard.
Seeing me coming out of the cave, the black-robed man standing at the back of the front door spoke.
“Are you the prodigy I’ve heard so much about?”
“Who hired you? You are a fool to accept a favor from my brother.”
“Heh? You’re quite dignified. And you understand what we’re up to and what’s behind it.”
“Hmm.”
Was it one of my brothers who sent them here?
He didn’t deny it, and his response was smooth. It’s a strong possibility.
“I’ll tell you first, if you run away now, I’ll leave you alone. If you want to save your life, get the hell out of here.”
“Haha ! That’s the Salvatore family. An eight year old kid surrounded by us and that kind of composure. I don’t think you’re bluffing.”
“In fact, if you come at me, I’ll kill you.”
I glared at the man dressed in black.
The man laughed even more happily, clearing his throat.
“That’s good ! I thought it was a boring request, but there was room for me to have some fun too ! Of course, my reply is no. Because I can get a lot of money if I kill you, you know? I’ve already received an advance, so die.”
The man drew his sword from the scabbard at his waist.
And a slight reaction of aura could be seen from his body.
“Good grief……I don’t know who sent the money, but really–thank God.”
I couldn’t hold back the beast inside me any longer.
I could see the corners of my mouth twisting into an eerie smile.
I couldn’t stop laughing. I had just decided that monsters just weren’t interesting enough.
I didn’t expect to be able to come here and experience a war with other people. Two birds with one stone.
I pull my sword out of its scabbard.
I shouted with a smile on my face, cloaked in an aura.
“At best, be my flesh and blood !”
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