Chapter 69: Shadow of The Hero

The unexpected reunion is a joyful one, and Kuna and Punini hug Shion with joy.

“It’s been too long, hasn’t it? I thought Master had forgotten about the elves”

Ever since he taught her how to fight demons and such in the past, Kuna has come to praise Shion as his master. Since he wouldn’t stop even when I told him that I wasn’t going to take a disciple, it’s as if he’s already given up and acknowledged me.

“No, it’s not. I remember and I’m sure I’ll be back. I just didn’t expect it to turn out this way.”

‘Then! Then! Do you also remember me-puni?’

“As for you, Punini, I can’t forget even if I wanted to”

He is as unique a monster same as Haku. He has a charming appearance and a distinctive way of speaking, so no one can forget him once they meet him.

Moreover, at the time, he didn’t trust Shion very much to the point of challenging him to battle. Needless to say, he lost but he got the impression that Shion is strong.

“I’m pretty sure they ruined my clothes with poisonous liquid. That was an expensive one”

‘Ah, right. Though we can forget about it now right­-puni?’

“Hahaha, I don’t mind though. You’re still funny as ever.”

“I can’t take it as a compliment…”

While pouting, Punini jumps on Shion’s shoulder.

While the three of them seemed to be enjoying themselves in harmony, Haku looked up at the sky in solitude. It’s not that I’m being left out, but I felt bad about interrupting the reunion after a long time.

Such an appearance seemed cool to Kuna, and she was interested.

“By the way, Master, when did you get a monster as a pet? That’s so cool!”

“Sorry for the late introduction, but this is Haku. For the world, I call him a follower, but he’s my dearest companion”

Haku, who was introduced, introduces himself in a calm tone.

‘As introduced, my name is Haku. My favorite word is study, and my least favorite word is laziness’

“Oh, come on, you’re not that kind of character”

‘They say first impressions are important’

Haku’s dismissive attitude made Kuna and Punini realize that he is quite light-hearted, unlike his appearance.

After each of them lightly introduced themselves, Shion turned his gaze to the men lying motionless on the ground. Although he didn’t kill them, he gave them a strong blow. They won’t wake up for a while.

Before he can find out what happened, he has to talk to Kuna and the others first.

“Do you know if there are any members of the Reaper’s Chain here?”

“Well, actually, I don’t know what’s going on. I found out that the elves in my village were being beaten

up, and I lost my temper……”

There are several tents made of cheap cloth, but only one of them had a sentry. That guard was also knocked out by Shion and the others earlier.

When he checked the inside of the tent, he found three female elves sitting upright inside. They all look to be around 20 years old, but actually, some of them are over 50 years old.

“Everyone, we’re here to help, so you don’t have to worry anymore.”

Kuna rushed over and put her hands on one of the elves… but there’s hardly any reaction from them. Her eyes were vacant and she was staring blankly ahead, refusing to move even though Kuna and Punini were calling out to him.

They mumbled and muttered that they couldn’t move without their master’s orders. Since there is no such thing as a master in the village, Kuna and Punini tilted their heads.

“It must be the result of some kind of skill or potion”

‘From the looks of it, they don’t seem to be equipped with any particular slavery items…’

Haku, whose body was too big to fit inside, spoke with only his face in the doorway.

There are some collars that make people slaves, but this time it doesn’t seem to be the case.

“Oh, by the way, Master. The woman we defeated also said something about such a method”

‘Yeah, she said that. She was acting all high and mighty since she could brainwash people-puni’

“Brainwashing, you say… could It be…?”

What crossed Shion’s mind was the demon war that happened a while ago. At that time, the handbell that was said to have been given to him by the Brainwash Hero had thrown many of his comrades into confusion.

It’s unthinkable that the demon race and the Hero would team up, and the serious Hero like Shion was furious. It’s not surprising that a person who helps the demons would be involved with criminal organizations.

Haku, who was a keen thinker, had also come to the same conclusion as Shion.

‘Elves are similar to humans, but their constitution is different. Even drugs that enslave humans can have little effect. That’s what makes them go this far, so it’s no surprise that …… Brainwash Hero was involved’

“I don’t see any heroes among those we just defeated. It’s too weak. Or rather, there isn’t even a Reaper’s Chain—hmm??”

‘What is it?’

Thud, thud, thud-

A disturbing sound roared from outside the tent, it seemed to be gradually getting louder and closer. He had a feeling that it would be dangerous to remain inside like this, so Shion and the others took the female elf and went outside the tent.