Had we continued heading north without resting?
The anomaly occurred during my turn on night watch.
“Wake up.”
I woke the sleeping party while watching the flame illuminating the night sky.
I had no idea what it was, but its presence was far too overwhelming to simply ignore without waking anyone.
Moreover, the orange-red light was rapidly approaching while leaving an aurora-like trail across the sky.
Whether by coincidence or intent, it was heading precisely toward us.
Fwoooooosh!
[You have not traveled as far as I expected.]
But my efforts became unnecessary for an entirely different reason.
The enormous flame dyeing the night sky red—and the bird composed of that flame—was not hostile toward us.
[More importantly… I see. You are the human who carries a demon within. I have heard of you.]
A phoenix?
I adjusted my grip on my sword as I stared at the mysterious creature whose every feather burned with flame.
Judging by the fact that it did not immediately attack, it probably was not hostile, but you never knew.
[Bearer of the profane, put away your sword. I shall not harm you, nor those behind you.]
“…….”
Still, more than half the humans behind me right now were helpless, fragile—relatively speaking—ordinary people.
“Ah! Adventurer! What happened?!”
Perhaps because I ignored the firebird’s words and continued gripping my sword, the Inquisitor came rolling out from the women’s tent.
She was holding only her mace, without even properly fastening her leather armor, let alone putting on her Sea Dragon armor.
“A-Ancient Beast…….”
[Are you the one who acts in God’s stead?]
“G-Greetings!”
Finally recognizing the firebird, the Inquisitor widened her eyes without any trace of hostility.
The firebird’s tone…