Inside a mine on the outskirts of the capital, a group of miners was working hard with pickaxes in hand.
In the dark mine, lit only by oil lamps—a place that usually held only the heavy breathing of miners and the clashing sounds of metal—a different sound emerged.
Thud!
The sound of massive footsteps made the miners startle and turn around. They discovered that, at some unknown moment, a bipedal creature had appeared. It was humanoid in shape but hideous, with grey skin that sagged and oozed in a disgusting manner. Most horrific of all was the wide mouth filled with square teeth, just like those of a human.
"I... I've never seen this kind of Demonic Beast before!!"
"Run, quickly!!"
The first victim was snatched by a monster, his head devoured greedily as blood sprayed out like a fountain. The others were terrified; they wanted to flee, but the entire path had been surrounded by the creatures.
The sound of flesh and bone crushing in their mouths, along with horrific screams, echoed throughout the dark tunnel. The monsters paid no mind to it; they even sat in a circle, devouring the miners like a group of people holding a picnic.
Not far away, a mysterious figure witnessed everything. Instead of intervening, the figure showed amusement, grinning.
"It seems I've found some interesting toys. A bit of a pity to have let that other guy slip away. But you lot can provide me with a little entertainment."
"I shall enjoy this fun, bit by bit."
The monsters' slaughter was not limited to the mine.
At a small wooden house also on the outskirts of the capital, a husband and wife lived. The husband carefully checked his hunting rifle while seriously advising his wife.
"Lately, I've heard rumors that a new type of Demonic Beast has appeared in this area. Remember to be careful, do you hear me?"
"Yes, yes, I know."
Bang!!
A loud crashing sound startled them both. A group of monsters smashed through the wooden door, rushing at the two humans huddling inside.
Bang! Bang!
Two gunshots rang out. The hunting rifle fell to the floor, followed by blood and organs spilling out in a mess. Watching her husband being bitten in half by a monster with her own eyes, the wife collapsed to the ground.
"No... please..."
Her desperate plea changed nothing. The only thing left was one more scream and a feast of flesh and blood.
…
"Thanks to the Jaegers, the rebels around the capital area have been completely cleared out. Even Night Raid has appeared much less frequently. Perhaps they are avoiding your presence, Esdeath."
"Simply wonderful!"
"Yes, Your Majesty. As long as Night Raid shows themselves, I will deal with them swiftly."
Today was a routine audience for Esdeath with the Emperor. This had become a custom.
"Mmm, then consider this matter settled. It is a pity that the Prime Minister and I still haven't found a spouse who meets your criteria. If the Prime Minister won't do, then what about his son? He has a very promising future as well."
The Prime Minister standing nearby had a face as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly. He didn't mind someone praising his son, but once the boy fell into Esdeath's hands, he would most likely be picking up a corpse the very next day.
Mentioning a life partner, Esdeath took on a nostalgic look. Memories of her time with Tatsumi spun in her mind with no way out.
"Your Majesty, as I reported before, I have already found that person. So, you do not need to worry."
"But didn't he run away? How can the two of you be in love like that?"
"I am waiting for him to return. I believe that waiting and distance are also a part of love."
"How... profound!"
The Emperor's eyes lit up, extremely interested in the topic. The Prime Minister next to him, however, saw nothing profound about it.
The audience ended, and Esdeath and the Prime Minister shared a light meal together.
"It seems His Majesty has been influenced by you and has started to care more about love. In a few years, I will let that boy enjoy women, fine wine, and the best food to turn him into a degenerate."
"I guarantee I will give that boy the best memories."
"Don't infect his head with your sick ideas."
"Well, I have another request for you, General."
"Speak."
"Recently, a new type of Demonic Beast has appeared on the outskirts of the capital. I want you to capture and destroy them."
"I am also interested in that matter. Initially, they only appeared inside the mines, but then they broke into people's homes and ate them."
"Indeed. I heard they even look very much like humans. Don't you think that's a very good toy for entertainment?"
"General Budou has ordered to crush them, but it would be better if these things were taken for research."
If commoners died, even by the hundreds or thousands, this old man wouldn't care. But the appearance of these things on the outskirts could threaten merchant convoys, affecting the Prime Minister's economic interests.
"Fine, I will bring back two or three alive. I heard they are very dangerous; they are worth hunting down."
"As for the reward, send it directly to the army in the North."
"Reliable as always... remember to keep them intact. Not sliced into pieces while still alive."
...
"We need to enter the capital by nightfall!"
"I know. This area is too dangerous."
Two drivers took turns urging the carriage to move faster. But the horse suddenly whinnied, and the carriage braked sharply because three monsters rushed out from the trees on both sides of the road.
"They... they're coming!!"
The two drivers screamed in panic. Right then, a tall, large man stepped onto the roof of the carriage, took a leap, and punched a monster in the face, knocking it back.
Topless and wearing a cloth hood that covered his entire head, it was Bols.
"Luckily, I arrived in time."
The two remaining monsters lunged at Bols. He calmly pulled out his flamethrower Treasure Tool, and scorching heat erupted from the barrel, incinerating the two monsters mid-air along with their roars.
The other monsters became terrified and fled into the forest.
"Everyone, there is no need to be afraid anymore..."
Under the light of the still-burning fire, Bols's cloth mask and his current appearance looked extremely terrifying. The two drivers suddenly felt that the monsters from before weren't quite so scary after all.
"Um, I have destroyed the monsters... so you do not need to be afraid..."
The two drivers slowly backed away, too scared to even scream, until a hand was placed on their shoulders.
"It's alright, you two. We are the special forces of the capital."
"Thank god..."
"We're saved!"
Seeing Seryu, the two finally breathed a sigh of relief as she comforted them. She thought that if it were before, she would have said things like "the flames of justice have wiped out evil," but now she no longer dared to keep the word "justice" on her lips.
Wave had caught up by now. Seeing Bols's somewhat lonely back, he hurried to comfort him.
"You... you know... don't take it to heart, Bols."
"They... have calmed down! Thank heaven!"
The monsters that fled did not escape either. It was all part of the plan; they had been herded into the place where Esdeath and Kurome were waiting.
Frost spread across the ground, freezing the monsters into blocks. Esdeath observed; indeed, these were a completely new type she hadn't seen before.
Kurome stared blankly at the frozen monsters, her gourmet nature surfacing. She drooled and approached, but was immediately pushed back by Esdeath's words.
"These are for research, don't eat them."