As I hurriedly descended the stairs, I could hear someone shouting in anger.
It was a man’s voice, oddly high-pitched and nervy.
When I looked, I saw Binks, who had been stopped for questioning, screaming at the top of his lungs.
Binks stood with his back against the residence wall, surrounded by police officers. It seemed impossible for him to escape.
“That’s Binks; catch him!”
As soon as I confirmedd, one of the officers reached out to apprehend him but suddenly let out a cry of pain.
Blood was gushing from the rough, hairy hand he extended.
It turned out that Binks had brandished a hidden knife.
“Ugh!”
Binks let out a strange cry, swinging the knife high and showing signs of further resistance.
I thought he might create a path of blood and attempt to flee, but in the next instant, he made an unexpected move.
To my surprise, he stabbed the back of his own left hand, which was holding a large bundle, with the knife in his right hand.
“With my blood, I summon you, the ultimate end, the brink of the abyss, emerging from the deepest darkness, fulfilling my wish–“
He was summoning a demon!
“Inspector, the demon is coming!”
The incantation was uttered at an unnaturally rapid pace and immediately concluded, unleashing a surge of darkness from within the package he was holding. The police officers in the front row were blown backward by the energy wave.
Then, from the pages of a book, a pitch-black fluid began to flow, gradually transforming into a single demonic entity right before our eyes.
The demon that appeared was small, with a head resembling that of a fly and a body that resembled a stark white human form. However, its gender was indistinguishable. It had insect wings on its back and a long, slender tail protruding from its rear.
At first glance, it seemed comical, but upon closer inspection, it was grotesque.
“Hee hee hee… I am… Legoir. What do you desire?”
“Er… Eliminate all of them for me!”
Upon hearing Binks’ plea, Legoir’s mouth rattled in what seemed like delight. Though it was difficult to discern the expressions of an insect, it certainly gave off that impression. Regardless, the situation was dangerous.
Even if it was a lower-ranking demon, it possessed considerable strength. I had heard that demons were far more formidable than ordinary monsters.
Suddenly, Legoir’s hand stretched out and grasped the head of the fallen officer, pulling him closer. I wondered what it was planning, but it proceeded to try and sink its teeth into the officer’s head.
“Thud!”
However, Inspector Jaguar , who was quick to react, intercepted Legoir’s attack with his bare hands. Thanks to his intervention, the captured officer was spared from being bitten.
Truly a composed and resourceful individual, Inspector Jaguar was renowned as the best in the Londia City Police Department. While everyone else present seemed frozen and unable to move, he was firmly adapting to the situation.
“Everyone, draw your swords! Nothing matters if you kill the demon!” Inspector Jaguar commanded, causing the tense officers to unsheathe their swords simultaneously.
However, Legoir showed no signs of fear and continued rattling its mouth. With insect-like eyes that made it unclear where it was focusing, it glared at the officers who were slowly closing in.
“Uooh!”
A robust officer with a booming voice launched an attack, but tendrils, black as shadows, extended from Legoir’s back and repelled the assault.
But it didn’t stop there.
More than ten tendrils extended, lashing out at the surrounding officers in a relentless assault. They twisted and thrashed like hardened whips, piercing the officers one after another, causing injuries to their arms and legs.
The narrow back alley had turned into a hellish scene of chaos, and the scent of blood hung in the air.
Inspector Jaguar skillfully evaded the attacks and managed to sever several tendrils, but he didn’t deal a fatal blow to the demon yet.
One by one, the number of combat-ready personnel dwindled.
I couldn’t simply stand by and watch, even if I was outside of their jurisdiction.
If I was going to take action, I had to give it my all from the start. With that thought in mind, I activated the body enhancement magic scroll from my pocket.
In an instant, I felt a surge of lightness. It was as if my strength and speed had increased by one and a half times their usual levels.
With swift precision, I severed the tendrils that threatened to impale Inspector Jaguar, right before my very eyes.
“Mr. Wolf!”
“I’ll provide assistance. Find a way to attack the demon itself!”
“Understood.”
Collaborating with the remaining capable officers, we confronted the tendrils of Legoir. However, the tendrils seemed to mock our attacks as they continued to sprout relentlessly, one after another.
Furthermore, I could sense that the efficacy of the body enhancement magic was diminishing with time.
However, there was no room for panic.
In times like these, it was crucial to remain calm and seize the enemy’s vulnerability.
Taking a stance with my sword held horizontally, I carefully observed Legoir’s figure.
Legoir stood with the residence’s wall at its back, defending Binks, who was positioned behind it.
And then I noticed something.
From the book held by Binks, a black, viscous substance slithered along the ground, connecting to Legoir’s body.
Perhaps if we somehow dealt with the book, Legoir would cease to exist in this world.
I leaned closer to Inspector Jaguar and whispered.
“Could you draw its attention? I have an idea.”
“Understood.”
I discreetly positioned myself on the right side of the group, trying not to attract attention.
Inspector Jaguar signaled with his eyes, and I nodded in response while preparing a magic scroll from my pocket.
“Those who can move, launch a coordinated attack!”
In unison, everyone launched their attacks simultaneously.
I feigned an attack on Legoir while carefully watching for an opening.
After dodging the tendrils that extended towards me, I rolled on the ground and unleashed a fire magic spell towards the “The pact of Zoma” book held in Binks’ hands.
“Uggh… Gahh… Gahh!”
The roaring flames engulfed the forbidden book, turning into a raging inferno that illuminated the alley.
Simultaneously, amidst the jarring cries of agony, Legoir began to melt away like thick, gooey tar.
A noxious miasma filled the air, causing everyone to cover their mouths and noses with their sleeves.
As if something had been dissolved by a potion, the remains of the pitch-black demon bubbled on the ground, emitting foam.
My eyes stung, and even breathing became slightly difficult.
“Simpson, go to the Holy Knights’ Order and urgently bring someone who can use purification magic. The rest of you, seal off the area. Keep civilians away from this location.”
Upon receiving the order, the officers quickly dispersed from the scene.
“Inspector, are you injured?”
“Thank you; I’m fine. But Mr. Wolf, it seems like I’m always being saved by you. I had no idea you were skilled in fire magic.”
“Well, it’s not exactly that. I just happened to have a magic scroll for fire magic.”
“I apologize for having you use something important. We’ll make arrangements to compensate for it.”
In reality, I was also using a magic scroll for body enhancement magic, but delving into those details wouldn’t be very interesting.
If I can at least receive compensation for the fire magic scroll, I’ll be grateful.
“By the way, you…”
“What is it?”
“Why don’t you quit being a prison guard and come to work for the Londia’s City Police? I want you to work under me as soon as possible.”
If it had been a week ago, I would have eagerly jumped at that proposal.
But…
The image of the hero waiting for me in my mind flashed by.
Damn it! I had forgotten about the hero’s dinner again.
Though not as much as last time, it seemed that I would be late in delivering dinner tonight as well.
“Inspector, thank you very much for the invitation. However, I have special circumstances that prevent me from quitting as a prison guard at the moment. I just remembered an important task, so I must take my leave for today!”
I dashed towards the Alban Prison, heading into the darkening city.
And by the time I reached the prison gate, I finally remembered.
I had completely forgotten to collect the 3,300 gil from Mrs. Poe.
What was it called in celestial language again?
Ah, right, it was something like “All for nothing”…
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