I don't care who you are

"Brave hero, what are your orders?"

I, Alice Ashglade, took a glance at the army the king of Esfar had lent me for this raid. Together with my usual party, we were now at the entrance of the Cursed Forest where the Demon Castle was located.

"My party will be at the front. Just don't get lost." I answered the general of the king's army.

"A-are you sure? My men reported to me that dozens of demons were heading towards the castle even as we speak right now!"

"With me here, there's nothing to fear."

I sharpened my eyes as I entered the forest. It's been a while since I was last here. The Cursed Forest was a fitting name for a place that was home to dying trees. It was dark and covered in a light fog. Just looking at the entrance alone made one's hair stand up in dread.

"Hah, as cool as ever!" Sophia huffed with a relaxed and wide smile.

"It may be true that we can handle the typical demon, but shouldn't we consider forming a strategy with the army to maximize our efficiency?" Harald sighed.

"You know her, don't you? She doesn't need a strategy." Jean joked lightheartedly.

"Hehe, she is pretty much the strategy!" Zera proclaimed in a smug manner.

While my party seemed in high spirits, I focused all my senses to detect any incoming threats. With Teufelsjaeger on my hip and my right hand on its grip, I was ready to strike anyone down at any moment. 

"You can still relax, Alice. I don't sense a demon in our vicinity." Jean stated.

"I know you're trying to reassure me, however, I won't let my guard down the moment I know that we're about to face those vile things."

It was roughly a week ago, right after the day we had defeated the previous Demon King, that we decided to launch an attack on the Demon Castle. Knowing that the current Demon King was still clueless and naive about his position, we wanted to use it to our advantage and strike as soon as possible.

From our last encounter, we learned that he was also pretty weak, so it wouldn't be that difficult to kill him. The only problem was that weird skill of his...

But it won't be like last time...! This time, I won't let my guard down!

"But let's at least slow down a little, Alice." Jean suggested, smiling wryly.

The general and his army struggled to keep up with us. Was it because they were too wary and scared of the Cursed Forest that they moved more slowly than usual?

When we had decided to raid the Demon Castle, the king of Esfar had caught wind of our plans and sent his troops with us. Initially, I had tried to reject his offer, but the king insisted on taking them. It was his shrewd way of trying to take a piece of the glory if we were to defeat the Demon King. He'd say something like "It was thanks to you and MY army that you were able to kill the Demon King" with his unsightly face. But arguing with him would have been more stressful than the actual mission, thus I let his army tag along.

Anyways, there was no time to rest.

"The first ones are coming."

At my words, my comrades took their stances and got into formation as they turned their backs to each other, whereas Sophia and I faced forward.

"D-demons!" one of the soldiers screamed in panic.

When Harald used his skills as a priest to illuminate the vicinity with the light on his staff, a few demons with spears and swords in their hands were revealed, trying to take out the soldiers first.

I gripped my sword Teufelsjaeger tightly and headed to the demons.

"Jean. I notice the presence of other demons hiding nearby." I said.

"Got it!" he responded, nodding his head firmly.

"Zera, support Alice! Sophia, stay by Harald's side while he uses his skill!" Jean ordered.

Now that everyone's tasks were clear, I could concentrate on one thing — hunting down demons.

"Guah!"

"She's-"

"Forget those weaklings for now and gather-"

With the first strike, I beheaded the first demon. With the second one, I cut the second demon in half. And with the third action, I pierced through the third demon's mouth.

"Take this, you demons!" Zera shouted as she fired off fireballs at the other demons.

"..."

A demon thought that I let my guard down and attacked me by swinging her sword down on me, however, I reacted faster than she anticipated.

"Heh... It's exactly like the rumors told us. A young girl who holds nothing in her cold eyes!"

She talked a bit too much just because our swords were clashing.

"What a sharp gaze~ Did you perhaps react to my words? What a pitiful killing machi-"

"Noisy."

With the activation of my skill, I sliced her into pieces. Now, standing in a puddle of blood, I looked down at the lumps of meat.

I guess maybe I was-

"Alice!"

It was Zera's cheerful voice that snapped me back. Apparently, she took care of the remaining demons. Even Jean came back after dealing with the hidden demons.

"I-is it over...?" the general, who was sweating buckets despite having done nothing to contribute, asked.

"Not yet."

After all, a presence that was far stronger than the average demon approached our group.

"Out of everyone, it had to be him? How troublesome..."

Even Jean, who was always the one to reassure us with his calmness, seemed troubled and stern.

"Young ones..."

The echoing voice sounded frail.

"Please help this old man remember..."

"General! Take your men and get away from us!" Sophia yelled.

"No matter how hard I try to..."

We all faced forward once the silhouette of the mysterious person was in sight.

"I just can't seem to remember when we invited you lot to our home."

"Ugh...!"

Zera's legs were shaking and they almost gave out if it were not for her staff that supported her body balance. In fact, I couldn't blame her in this situation. An old, hunched man parted the fog as he closed the distance. Because of his cloak, I couldn't see much of the person, aside from his wrinkles. He was old and frail.

However, he was not an ordinary person. And it was surely not just due to his scythe that he seemed so ominous.

"I am one of the Demon King's three generals. You may call me Owen." he introduced himself.

"On behalf of my benevolent liege, I ask you to turn back." he added with an iffy smile.

The Demon King ordered him to let us go? We can just lea-

"Hng!"

I dropped to one knee when intense pain surged in my chest. 

"A-Alice! What's wrong?!"

Teufelsjaeger felt heavier than usual.

"It's okay, Harald..." I said through clenched teeth, signaling my allies to leave me be.

It was not the first time I experienced this.

"One of the three generals...?" I said, slowly getting up again.

I got it already. Seemed like a tiny part of me had a strange thought. But I was determined. I wouldn't return even if I were given the chance to. So stop acting up, Teufelsjaeger.

"Never heard of you and never cared about you."

The pain finally eased up and I had no trouble holding my sword anymore.

"In my eyes, I just see a demon that will die by my hands. Nothing more, nothing less." I declared, pointing my sword at the old man.

"I see. Then, would you like me to guide you to the castle, Lady Alice?"

"I will go to the castle. But only after killing you."

"That's too bad..."

Contrary to what he said, his face and tone didn't match at all. With a grin on his face, he raised his scythe behind, ready to attack us.

"It's just like my liege predicted... In this case, I will have to use force."

"There was never an alternative."

"A-Alice, I'm good now...!" Zera stated determinedly.

The rest of the party was also good to go now.

Thus, I lunged at him, initiating the first move.

"I will drag your dead body to the Demon King."

After all, once a demon was in front of me, I couldn't hesitate to kill it.