384. A New Team Member

“I’m going to ask you several questions. After you answer them all, I might just let you go. To be honest, I don’t really have any reason to kill you”

“…………”

Volk says nothing.
His warrior eyes are staring straight at me.

Why’s he staying quiet? Is he trying to do psychological warfare on me?
Mind games aren’t really my strong suit.
Maybe I should’ve sounded more condescending.
I may have been too relaxed or too vague.

Or, is the mere thought of being spared ruin his pride or something?
No, he could easily escape Nightmare’s web if he wanted to.
I really can’t let my guard down before this〖Legendary Adventurer〗.
He’s only gotten this strong because he’s survived many grueling challenges.

I stay vigilant and alert.
I notice that Volk’s looking below my face.
I follow Volk’s gaze. His eyes are fixated on the sword I’m holding.

“…… Of course, I’ll give you back this Leral too”

“What are your questions, Ouroboros……?”

The instant I mention his sword, he talks.
I thought he was just silent because he’s scheming a plot, but he was just thinking about his sword.
I was scared for no reason, then.
Is his head just all about his precious sword and nothing else?
Ah, who cares.

“Did you come here to the Alban capital because you were invited by the princess?”

I ask Volk the question that’s been on my mind ever since I saw him.
After all, the Demon King is gathering strong people to turn them into experience points by pretending to be the princess.

If Volk was originally an adventurer from the royal capital Alban, then he should have already met the Demon King.
The Demon King wouldn’t just pass out on the chance to convert Volk into experience points.
But because he’s still safe, then it must mean that he’s not from around here and he probably came here for a reason.
And if that reason is an invitation to the royal palace, then the story matches.

If his answer is yes, then this already serves as a big stepping stone about what’s going on in the royal family.

“You’re awfully familiar with humans’ circumstances. That’s half-right. It’s true that the princess is inviting many strong fighters for a party. And, I’ve heard that she also likes to stage mock battles in her own personal arena that she enjoys. A royal messenger has given me an invite as well. However, I have another reason for coming here to Alban, and it’s not because of the invite”

A different reason……?
I’ve already got my hands full on this Demon King biz, I don’t know if I can handle more.

“The legendary swordsman, Halgrey. He went missing for a long time and is supposedly assumed dead…… but I believe he is still alive”

So there are other humans that are at least as strong or stronger than Volk out there……?
To be honest, I don’t want to meet the guy.
And no, I’m not saying I won’t win, it’s just that I really don’t like to fight humans.

If I end up in a situation where strong fighters are protecting the Demon King because they actually believe it’s the princess, then that makes things harder for me.
And I don’t have the mental fortitude to keep having to convince musclehead battle freaks, like Volk, to switch sides every time, and who knows how many will even believe me.

“Since the princess is gathering all the strongest swordsmen in the land, then Halgrey might appear too. I will challenge him for a match, and beat him in front of everyone to prove that I am the strongest swordsman in the world”

So joining the party is just a bonus, and his main reason is actually something different……
On the contrary, in the short time that I’ve known him, I can tell that he’s not really the scheming type, so it might not hurt to get along with the guy.

“But, I don’t see why a dragon like you would be that interested……”

“The princess is actually a monster in human’s skin. I’ve come here to take it down”

“Wha-……”

I use Volk’s sword to cut open the web that’s restraining him.
Then, I place it on the ground in front of Volk.

“That monster plans on killing all of the strong fighters it gathered to increase its level. I recommend that you don’t attend the party. For your own sake. There’s already disturbing rumors running around, haven’t there?”

Volk picks up his sword and stands up.

“I did hear that strange things have been occurring within the royal family…… but I still find it hard to believe. Besides, there should be no reason for someone like you to be worrying about humans”

“Many people are gonna die! Of course I have a reason!”

Ah, I inadvertently raised my voice.

Defeating the Demon King isn’t all about my deal with the Saint anymore, it’s become personal.
If the Demon King successfully gains a massive level up from killing all the strong fighters he’s gathered and gets even stronger, then who knows how many will die.
There’s also the future to worry about. Once the Demon King grows strong enough, he could command all the monsters to start an all-out attack against humanity.
If that happens, the world will be in chaos.
All the places I’ve worked so hard to protect, Millia’s village, Nina’s new home, and even the Lithuvar Tribe, nowhere will be safe.

Seeing Volk’s confused face, I look away.

“…… A-Anyway, I won’t take more of your time. Just tell me everything you know about the princess and you can go”

Volk stares at me for a while, then snorts with a smile on his face.

“Umu, I like you. However, I am not the type of person who would just walk away from the one who’s crossed blades with me and even spared my life. If you continue to fight monsters for us humans, then I will gladly be your sword. Make use of me as your own blade”

Eh……?
Is he saying what I think he’s saying?
No, no, I mean, of course I’d accept him to be a part of us, his stats and skills are greater than Alo after all, but like, I dunno, this feels like we’re adding one extra headache too……

“But, if Halgrey might appear for the party, then I cannot afford to miss that chance. Even if it’s a monster’s trap, I will still go. To chase down that phantom swordsman. I’ve been looking for him for over a decade, and yet I still haven’t found a single clue of his whereabouts”

O-Over a decade and still nothing?
I admire his dedication, but still……

“Besides, I can just slay that monster, can’t I? I didn’t get the chance to show it in our earlier fight, but I still have another ace in the hole”

I…… don’t think this is something humans can handle.
Yeah, the Demon King is currently in the middle of leveling up, but his big plan of gathering many strong fighters to raise his level is certainly ambitious.
He’s definitely gonna be stronger than the blonde Hero.
Worse if he’s as strong as Eldia.
No matter how strong Volk says he is, if we’re up against someone with Eldia-level stats, it won’t matter.

Still, an ace in the hole, eh……? Wonder what it is.
Looking at his skills, I don't particularly see anything worth notable though.