As we entered the forest, the rope around my wrists dug uncomfortably into my skin.
"Um… excuse me, Commander… may I ask why you tied my hands too?" I asked,
glancing at him while trying to adjust my bound arms.
"Well, I know it must feel uncomfortable,"
the Commander replied in his gruff tone,
"but bear with it. We found you inside enemy territory. Even if you did help us, it could just as easily be a trap set by the demons."
"I see… understandable." My eyes shifted toward Verixa, tied and blindfolded, walking just ahead of us. "Then… what will happen to her?"
"You don't have to worry about a demon," the Commander said firmly. "Focus on your reward instead—how you'll spend it."
I was silent for a moment before muttering, "I heard… she's to be beheaded publicly, as a declaration of the demon race's end. Is that true?"
The Commander gave me a sharp glance. "Oh? So you caught a glimpse of the truth, huh? Yes, you're right."
I lowered my head, staring at the ground. My voice came out quieter."But… isn't she just a child? She hasn't even done anything yet."
"Boy, you have no idea," the Commander growled. "A single demon is worth ten
human soldiers. And that girl? If spared, she'll become the next Demon Queen. Even if she's a child now, one day she could wipe out an entire kingdom on her own."
"She…" I almost interrupted him. Even after spending only a few hours with Verixa, I couldn't bring myself to believe his words. If she were truly the monster he described, I wouldn't still be standing here after rejecting her earlier offers of help.
But I held my tongue, keeping my silence as we walked.
Eventually, we reached a flat clearing in the heart of the forest. My lips curled into a grin.
"Sorry, Commander," I said, lifting my head. "But maybe next time, if you're going to capture someone, you should check their pockets first."
I dropped a small gem to the ground. At once, thick smoke erupted, swallowing the clearing in a gray haze.
Using the knife Valkira had given me, I cut through my ropes. At that same moment, Valkira herself burst out from hiding. Taking advantage of the confusion, she cut down the soldier guarding Verixa, while the other demons swiftly shot arrows at the magicians before they could react.
"Everyone, it's a trap!" the Commander roared through the smoke. "Be alert! Protect the Queen—they'll try to free her!"
But when the haze finally began to clear, his blood ran cold. The soldiers were alive, yes—but the guards who had been restraining Verixa now lay dead with clean sword wounds, and the magicians lay lifeless with arrows through their chests.
"Damn it!" he snarled. "They've already taken her! Find them! They can't have gone far!"
By then, I was already running through the trees with Verixa on my back, Valkira keeping pace beside me.
"Hey! Run faster, human! If you don't, we'll be caught in no time!" Verixa complained, wriggling.
"Can you shut up for just a moment?!" I snapped at her.
"As you say, human," Valkira cut in. "I told the villagers to escape and hide until the right time comes for us to reunite. I also assigned ten guards to each group for protection."
"That's good," I replied, panting as I ran. "What about the magic-disabling barrier? And the fire and wind magicians?"
"They'll activate the barrier soon," Valkira answered. "But don't you think leaving holes large enough for air to pass is a mistake? It'll weaken the strength of the barrier."
"Don't worry about that. Believe in me. Even if I can't use magic, I know how to use science." I smirked.
"Science? What is that?" Verixa asked, suddenly curious despite the situation.
"It's something humans use… back in my world."
We reached the second location just as planned. The demons stationed there noticed us and activated the magic-disabling barrier. But before that, fire magicians unleashed their flames, setting the forest ablaze.
"Good," I said, patting one of their shoulders.
As the flames spread, I gave the order. Wind magicians fueled the fire until it roared higher, and once it grew fierce enough, I commanded them to fully close the barrier so nothing could pass through.
Inside the blazing forest, panic broke out among the soldiers.
"Commander, we're surrounded by fire!" one of them cried.
"Anyone who can use water magic, put it out!" the Commander barked.
"Sir, our magic isn't working! The barrier's blocking it!" another soldier reported desperately.
Coughs filled the air as the smoke thickened, soldiers falling unconscious one after another.
"Damn it…! Demons don't use tactics like this… Then how—" The Commander froze mid-thought, realization dawning."This must be… the boy's doing…"
As the fire began to die down, we returned to assess the situation.
"Are… are they all dead?" Verixa asked, her crimson eyes scanning the fallen soldiers with a rare trace of concern.
"Nah." I shook my head. "They're just unconscious. The fire burned up most of the oxygen in the air, so their brains didn't get enough. It basically shut them down."
"Oxy… what?" Verixa tilted her head, frowning in confusion.
"Sometimes, even I feel lost when you speak, human," Valkira muttered with a sigh.
"Never mind," I waved it off.
One of the demons stepped forward,
scowling.
"They're still alive. Better to kill them now. If not, they'll chase us down later."
"Wait! Please, leave them be," I said quickly. "I know they're the enemy, but…"
"Tch. Showing pity just because you're human?" the demon sneered.
"Silence!" Verixa's sharp voice cut through the air. Her red eyes gleamed with authority as she stepped forward. "Do as this human says."
The demons fell silent, obeying without argument.
"Uh… thanks, kid," I muttered.
"I'm just returning the favor," she said curtly. Then she turned to the others. "You all must find shelter. I'll send a summon when it's time to reunite."
The demons bowed and began dispersing into the forest until only the three of us remained. Valkira kept her hand on her sword, scanning the area, while Verixa walked quietly at my side.
"So?" she said suddenly, her voice carrying a nervous edge.
"So… what?" I asked.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Are you… going to…"
Before she could finish, a rasping voice came from behind.
"You Moron"
The Commander. Burned, bloodied, but still standing. His body swayed with every step as he staggered toward us, sword raised.
I pushed Verixa aside just as the Commander lunged.
Steel tore into me.
"Zacken!" Verixa's voice cracked as her crimson eyes widened in horror.
Valkira moved in an instant, her blade flashing. With a single slash, the Commander collapsed, his hatred silenced forever.
I stumbled, coughing blood, and pulled the sword free before collapsing onto the ground. Darkness swallowed my vision as I heard their voices calling my name.
When I opened my eyes, the world felt softer.
The first thing I saw was Verixa's face hovering above me. Her crimson eyes shimmered, her lips trembling as if she were about to cry. My head rested against something warm, something soft.
Her lap.
"So… I'm still dreaming, huh?" I muttered with a weak laugh. "Seeing a daring little queen cry for me?"
"Shut up, idiot," Verixa snapped, her voice breaking as her crimson eyes welled with tears. "You're just a weak human… I… I didn't want a mere human to die for me."
"You're right," I grinned faintly. "I still feel pain. Definitely not a dream."
Verixa sniffed and turned her face away, muttering something under her breath. Valkira knelt beside us, her hands folded in her lap, composed but clearly relieved.
"We don't have any medic," Verixa admitted. "And neither Valkira nor I can use healing magic. But thanks to Valkira, we managed to treat you, at least enough to stop the bleeding."
"Miss Valkira," I said, forcing myself to lift a hand. "Thank you for saving me. I thought my isekai journey was about to end way too soon."
"It was my honor to save you, Sir Zacken," Valkira replied with a respectful bow.
"Wait—Sir Zacken?" I blinked, caught off guard. "Not just 'human' anymore?"
She shook her head firmly. "You saved the Queen. To call you 'human' would be disrespectful."
A laugh escaped me despite the pain. "If that's the case… then instead of titles, I'd prefer a reward."
"Reward?" Both of them tilted their heads at me.
"Yeah. Switch spots with this brat. I'd rather enjoy my youth lying on the lap of a beautiful demon… instead of a kid who only knows how to shout at me."
"Wha—?!" Valkira's cheeks flushed red as she turned her face away, flustered. "Idiot human! Who even says things like that?!"
"You ungrateful fool!" Verixa's voice rose, her face red with both irritation and embarrassment. She shoved my head harder into her lap. "After everything I've done, you still complain?!"
Maybe Summon by demon is not that bad