THDK Chapter 8

Chapter 8: I Protected an Injured Monster in the Forest, So I Want to Bring It Back! (Part 2)

Nox picked me up, and a dark purple mist enveloped us. For a moment, everything went pitch black, and when I cautiously opened my eyes again, I realized we were no longer in the room but in the middle of a forest. After setting me down, I looked around curiously. The forest looked familiar.

“Is this… where I used to be?”

“It’s a different part, but yes, the same forest. This is the area closest to the border with human territory, so I come here occasionally.”

“Why?”

“You’ll see soon enough.”

I tilted my head at Nox’s words. What he said made sense, but it also didn’t. Holding Nox’s hand, we walked deeper into the forest. There were many monsters here, but perhaps because I was with Nox, none of them attacked us. It’s said that monsters and demons have a close relationship, and that didn’t seem entirely wrong.

“…There are traces of humans passing through here.”

Nox knelt down and traced the ground with his finger. When I looked closely, I could faintly see what appeared to be human footprints leading further into the forest.

“Humans entering demon territory…”

“…What are we going to do?”

“Find them and send them back.”

“You won’t hurt them, right?”

“If they don’t cause trouble, there’s no reason to attack.”

I nodded at Nox’s words. I really wish humans and demons could get along, but I know that’s not easy. So, I won’t make any unreasonable demands.

As we ventured deeper, we started finding more and more claw marks on the rocks and trees. The deeper we went, the deeper the frown on Nox’s forehead became. My unease grew as well.

“Squeak!”

“Was that a cry?”

A faint, bird-like chirp came from the base of a massive tree. Without thinking, I started running toward the sound, but Nox told me to stop. Ignoring him, I sprinted to the base of the tree.

“…A bird? …Oh no, its wing is broken…”

I reached out to use healing magic, but the bird-like creature with a wolf-like face opened its mouth wide and hissed at me. Its large, eagle-like wings, now broken, flapped desperately, and its long, iridescent tail slapped the ground. Its sharp claws dug into the tree roots. It felt like it was warning me to stay away, so I pulled my hand back.

“How unusual. A young Simurgh.”

“Simurgh?”

“A rare type of monster that rarely shows itself to humans. It’s still young… It must have been shot by a human.”

Following Nox’s gaze, I saw an arrow stained with blood lying at the Simurgh’s feet. It must have pulled it out itself. Seeing it in such a painful state made my heart ache. How could anyone do something so cruel to such a beautiful creature?

“We have to help it.”

“It’s agitated and dangerous.”

Nox tried to stop me, but I reached out again to heal it.

“Squeak!”

The angry Simurgh bit my arm, and I winced in pain. But the Simurgh was hurting far more than I was. So, I kept my bitten arm still and used my other hand to heal its wing.

Healing magic works faster with both hands, but it’s not impossible with just one. Slowly, the wounds began to heal, and as if understanding what I was doing, the Simurgh released my arm.

“You were scared, weren’t you?”

I used both hands to cast healing magic, and the broken wing quickly regained its former beauty. When I lowered my hands, the Simurgh, which had been so wary, licked my arm. It felt like it was saying sorry, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m glad I could heal you properly.”

I gently patted its head, and it let out a happy, cooing sound.

“Aren’t you going to heal your own wound?”

“I… I can’t heal myself yet.”

Nox bandaged my arm. My magic control isn’t good enough for self-healing yet. But it’s never been a problem, so I don’t mind.

“Let’s go back. We need to treat your injury.”

“What about this little one?”

“What do you want to do, Sol?”

“I want to save it! It might get attacked again if we leave it here.”

“I see. Then we’ll take it with us.”

Nox’s expression softened slightly as he patted my head. It felt ticklish, and I blushed a little as I picked up the Simurgh.

“Let’s go together.”

“Squeak!”

The Simurgh’s cheerful cry echoed through the forest. My vision was dyed dark purple, and the next moment, we were back in my room.

“Welcome back~. Wait, is that a young Simurgh!?”

“We found it being attacked by humans. Send a team to investigate the forest immediately.”

“Got it.”

Nox gave instructions to Zain, who had been waiting in the room.

“Also, tell Ruki to prepare for the Simurgh’s arrival.”

As I watched Nox give orders efficiently, the Simurgh licked my cheek. It tickled, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“A Simurgh getting attached to someone… That’s rare.”

Zain looked shocked, but Nox told him to hurry up. Zain rushed out of the room, and I waved goodbye. Once he was gone, Nox sat down in a chair, still holding me and the Simurgh. He stroked my hair while I petted the Simurgh’s soft feathers. It was a peaceful, happy moment.

“Hey, Nox… Why did you take me to the forest?”

He could have kept me locked in the room forever, but he didn’t. He respected my wishes, took me outside, and even allowed me to bring the Simurgh back. He values my feelings, and I don’t think he realizes how much that means to me.

“I… was unconsciously afraid of you, Sol.”

“You were afraid of me?”

I almost blurted out, “That’s weird!” Nox can use magic freely, he’s strong, cool, and he’s the Demon King. It seemed absurd that he’d be afraid of someone like me, who can’t even control my magic properly.

“Yes. But I was wrong. You’re kind-hearted and gentle. You wouldn’t harm the demons.”

“Nox, ever since I met you and Zain, I’ve come to love demons. So, I’d never do anything cruel! I want to become stronger and protect everyone too.”

If possible, I’d love to stay here forever. But I don’t say that out loud, because someday, I might have to leave. Deep down, I wish for a world where humans and demons can get along.

After what happened with the Simurgh, that wish has grown even stronger. If the conflict between demons and humans ended, fewer people would get hurt, right?

“If I ever meet the hero, I’ll tell them Nox is a good person and ask them not to fight. And then… I think we could create a world where everyone can be happy.”

“…You truly have a pure heart.”

Nox kissed the back of my head as if blessing me. I accepted it, feeling both happy and a little flustered.

“Squeak, squeak!”

As if competing with Nox, the Simurgh turned and licked my face. I laughed out loud, feeling grateful for this incredibly happy moment.