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Chapter 102. Torture Isn't My Hobby

“Hey, hey… Could you start talking already? I mean, it’s not like I get some sick pleasure from interrogating people. And it’s definitely not my kink to torment women… So, can’t you just give me what I need? If you do, I’ll untie you and even let you live.”

“I-I swear! I don’t know anything! I really don’t!”

“Do you think anyone would freak out just from hearing a name if they didn’t know something? Think hard before you lie… If you stay quiet, I’ll just keep hurting you.”

“Don’t you have a conscience!?”

Like I’d care about showing mercy to a demon. You said it yourself—humans are beneath you, so you should’ve expected this much.

“So, how about I take one of your arms as a start? You’re a demon—your body will absorb the magic in the air and regenerate. I’ll slowly drive a sword through your arm… The moment you remember anything, just speak up, okay?”

“N-no way! Are you serious?”

“Relax. It’ll grow back, right?”

“Pain is still pain, you idiot!”

Then hurry up and talk. I’m not doing this because I want to, after all.

If I use Yaldabaoth, I might drain too much magic from the air and accidentally kill this dumb demon. Better stick to using Uruślagna instead.

“I-I’ll tell you! I’ll talk! I surrender!”

“Good. So, what do you know about the End Dragon?”

“Ugh…”

When it comes to long-lived races, you can trust their words to some extent. Vanessa might still be a kid by demon standards, but the things she’s heard from her companions likely come from firsthand experiences—making her intel much more valuable.

Even if we manage to decipher ancient texts, there’s no guarantee everything written in them is true. It’s always best to gather information from multiple angles.

“M-my mother’s mother saw it… a long time ago.”

“…So, your grandmother?”

“Yes.”

I wonder… How often do demons even have children? Well, that’s not really relevant.

If something from her grandmother’s era is still alive… Elixira did say that the ancient texts we found in the library were from a dynasty about 2,000 years ago. If that’s true, does that mean demons have a generational cycle of about 1,000 years?

“Cladius chased the sun from the far east, destroyed everything in its path, and vanished into the west to devour it… That’s what my grandmother said.”

“Cladius?”

“That’s what we call what you humans refer to as the ‘End Dragon’. It’s not its real name, but that’s how the demons know it.”

So that proper noun that kept popping up in those ancient documents… it’s “Cladius.” It’s a name passed down among demons, though humans might have a different name for it. Either way, it’s safe to assume that this Cladius is the End Dragon.

“It comes from the east and disappears into the west… That’s based on the perspective of this continent, right?”

“Exactly. This continent was originally inhabited by demons until humans invaded later.”

“Ah… Let’s skip that part. It’s gonna be a long story, isn’t it?”

The east, huh… I wonder what’s on the eastern side of this country. They say there are no islands beyond the sea, but apparently, the waters and skies are so treacherous that no one can get close.

“So this Cladius thing comes from the east, huh? But where exactly?”

“Who knows? The eastern sea belongs to sea beasts, so no one can even approach it. For thousands of years, demons have tried to cross their territory… but none ever returned.”

Seriously… That sounds more like the apocalypse than the dragon itself.

“Oh crap… I left Elixira waiting.”

“Huh?”

“I still need more info… Mind if I take you with me without letting you go?”

“Haaah!?”

Not my fault—I was in the middle of looking for books at the shop.

I tossed my jacket over her, tied her hands and feet, and carried her on my back. She complained the whole time, but this was the quickest way to move.

When I finally made it back to the bookstore in the capital, Elixira was sitting outside with an obviously annoyed expression.

“Ah… Sorry, I’m late.”

“Yes, very late. I wandered around the entire bookstore looking for you, but you were nowhere to be found. Care to explain who you were with and what you were doing?”

Her gaze was as sharp as a dagger.

I mean, I was technically out with another girl during our date, so I guess it’s my fault… But maybe if I show her this, she’ll understand.

“Uh, so… this happened.”

“…A pervert? Were you at a brothel in the middle of the day while I was picking books? And now you’ve tied up and kidnapped a prostitute? Should I call the guards or… wait, horns?”

Ah, she noticed just in time.

“Could it be… a demon?”

“Exactly. I got ambushed inside the bookstore, so I took her to the outskirts of the city and gave her a good beating.”

“…Why do you always drag yourself into trouble?”

I’d love to know that too.

I don’t know much about demons, but Elixira reads tons of books. Maybe she can interrogate this one better than I can.

“Mmmph!?”

“Huh, she’s still alive?”

“Yeah?”

“…You should let her go. It’s the decent thing to do.”

Seriously?

With a sigh, I untied her and took her to the alley behind the bookstore.

“Phew… I’m glad not all humans are crazy monsters.”

“That must’ve been tough. This guy here is a bit… eccentric, so don’t mind him.”

“I thought humans had evolved into savages, but at least there are still some sane ones…”

“Hey, don’t bond over insulting me.”

Rude… I’m just a reasonable guy with a bit of otherworldly knowledge.

Sure, maybe the torture was overboard, but considering the relationship between demons and humans, it was only natural.

“I’m Elixira Bifrans.”

“B-Bifrans? As in… the Bifrans of the Slaughter Knights?”

“Huh?”

“Hah… Elixira, you’re just as bad as me, aren’t you?”

This is too funny.