The Dump.

By definition, a “dump” is simply a designated place for throwing away trash.

But in the western part of the continent—an area that was once the territory of Grassis—the word held a different meaning for its residents.

It referred to a place where the so-called “human trash,” those beyond redemption, gathered.

A place where the demons from Raxia resided.

That was what they meant by "the Dump."

 

As we left the noisy city and headed toward Raxia, Daeun, who had been deep in thought, suddenly spoke up.

“Kana, did you know they call the place where demons live the ‘Dump’?”

"Is that what you were thinking so hard about?"

I wondered what could have her so lost in thought, and it turned out to be something so trivial.

“Yeah, I knew. Why?”

“I don’t know… I just realized that people seem to hate demons even more than I thought.”

“If they’re just calling it the ‘Dump,’ that’s mild. There are far worse things they say.”

“This is mild?”

“Yep. For example—”

Beeeep and Beeeeeep

“Wait, Kana!”

“Or even Beeeeep, and…”

“Stop! Stop with the bad words!”

A thin, long hand covered my mouth, holding me tightly as I tried to pull free, but Daeun’s grip was relentless.

“Mmmph—”

“You’re not supposed to say such terrible things! Got it?”

“…Pwah! I was just telling you because you seemed curious.”

“That doesn’t matter. Saying bad words makes people think poorly of you, and using language like that makes you dumber and less cute!”

“That’s some powerful side effects.”

But honestly, if looking at noblemen and royals had taught me anything, stupidity wasn’t caused by saying bad words.

Even though their words were refined, their intentions were often impure. They thought it vulgar to speak plainly, so they twisted even the simplest statements multiple times.

Something that sounded like a compliment would actually be an insult, and what sounded like an insult… was also usually an insult.

Actually, thinking back, maybe it was all just insults.

…Maybe that’s why I always got so mad when I listened to them?

“Daeun, how would you feel if someone told you, ‘You have a natural talent for swordsmanship’?”

“Uh… isn’t that a compliment? I’d feel pretty good.”

“Unfortunately, it’s not.”

The real meaning of that statement is, ‘You’re too dumb to do anything but swing a sword for the rest of your life.’

Daeun looked at me with disbelief.

“…Isn’t that a bit of a stretch? It could be a genuine compliment.”

“Well, maybe. But I bet you wouldn’t say that if you’d experienced it yourself.”

People only truly understand the meaning of words when they experience it firsthand. I shrugged, changing the topic since I didn’t feel like convincing her.

Or rather, I brought the conversation back to its original point.

“So, do you get why I said ‘Dump’ is mild?”

“Well… compared to those other terms, I guess it is.”

Daeun must have been recalling all the nasty things people said about demons, judging by the sour look on her face.

“Still, calling it the Dump feels a bit harsh.”

After all, it essentially meant they were labeling all demons as trash. Daeun’s discomfort made sense.

The interesting part, though, was that the demons themselves didn’t seem to refute it.

In fact, some of them even berated themselves more harshly than humans did.

“They see themselves as sinners.”

For survival, they had no choice but to take countless Ardinians’ lives.

They had also abandoned their duties and fled.

Thus, demons refrained from naming the place they lived.

They believed they, as sinners, didn’t deserve to name it.

“…Duties? What duties?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Geez…”

That was, after all, the reason we were heading to Raxia.

I glanced ahead, responding to Daeun’s pout with a smirk.

In the far-off horizon, the land of the sinners, cloaked in thick demonic energy, came into view.

Step by step, as we approached the sinners’ land, the thickening miasma tried to encroach upon me but was kept at bay by the mana shielding me, allowing it to only flick its tongue at the barrier.

A quick glance at Selene showed her usual calm expression, so it seemed this level of miasma wasn’t affecting her.

That was expected, but my concern was Daeun.

I turned to check on her, the weakest among us and thus the one I worried about the most.

“Huff… I-I’m fine. Really.”

Fortunately, she seemed okay so far, despite being the physically weakest in our group. Her face was a bit pale, but that was likely due to nerves.

Seeing the ring on her finger glinting reassured me that the magical artifact was doing its job.

After all, it was crafted from the Dragon Orb—if it had no effect, that would be strange.

The real question was whether it would continue working once we fully entered Raxia.

“It’s so… dark here.”

“Dark?”

“I mean, it’s dim.”

“Ah, I see.”

True to her words, despite it not yet being sunset, the surroundings were already quite dark.

Though sunlight filtered down from above, it felt as if we were seeing through a layer of opaque haze caused by the miasma in the air.

An ordinary person wouldn’t last a few minutes here without coughing up blood.

“Oh, I can see the village!”

With her hand shading her eyes and a squint, Selene suddenly called out cheerfully.

Through the dense miasma, we could see the outline of a stockade.

That must be what Selene had noticed.

From a distance, the stockade looked almost like a fortress wall—tall and sturdy.

Yes, it looked sturdy, but if someone truly wanted to, it could likely be brought down easily.

“Kana?”

“No, I’m not saying I’ll do it.”

I was referring to monsters, demons, or maybe even humans, not myself.

If I had been speaking with the intent to act, I wouldn’t have used speculative language like "it could be brought down."

If I can cut through fortress walls, this stockade would be nothing.

“True, I suppose.”

Though it felt strange to convince her with words like that, I succeeded in getting Daeun to agree.

As we continued this idle conversation, the distant stockade soon loomed right in front of us.

“Halt!”

We were about to enter through the stockade gate when a deep voice rang out from above.

Looking up, we saw a pale face with two black horns protruding from either side, glaring down at us from the watchtower.

“What business do humans have here?!”

“We’re here to catch a ship.”

“What?!”

The man’s shout made Daeun flinch, her eyes darting nervously.

“Do you think he misunderstood us as trying to invade Raxia?”

She whispered anxiously.

But her concern was short-lived.

“I can’t hear you! Speak up!”

“Maybe not.”

“Y-yeah…”

Hearing the man’s follow-up, Daeun gave an awkward laugh.

I nudged her in the side.

“You tell him.”

“Why? Can’t you understand him?”

“If I couldn’t, I wouldn’t have responded.”

“Right… wait, if you understand him, why don’t you just answer yourself?”

“I don’t feel like yelling.”

Having to raise my voice… what a bother.

Daeun pursed her lips, but eventually closed them, casting me a look that suggested she had plenty to say, yet knew better than to argue. After a moment of hesitation, she sighed and relented.

“Fine, fine. But if you understand him, you could just answer instead of making me shout.”

“Too much trouble.”

With a small grumble, she finally raised her voice.

“We’re here to catch a ship to Raxia!”

“…Raxia?”

The man who had been shouting suddenly fell silent.

Ding—

Dong—

Instead, the bell in the watchtower began ringing.

Moments later, a commotion stirred within the stockade.

Rumble…

With the sound of something heavy being dragged, the massive gate started to open.

Naturally, what emerged was a group of demons.

Roughly ten of them, holding weapons, radiating caution as they eyed us warily.

“K-Kana… could you lend me a hand?”

Seeing them make no attempt to hide their hostility, Daeun gripped my hand tightly, her pale, sweat-drenched hand betraying her nerves.

“What’s there to be nervous about?”

“Wh-what do you mean…? What if they start a fight…?”

“You fought just fine last time.”

“T-that was…”

Daeun trailed off awkwardly, the bravado she showed against the one-armed swordsman now completely gone.

See? People’s true nature doesn’t change so easily.

Enjoying my small victory, I squeezed her hand.

“I’ll protect you, so don’t worry.”

There’s no way I’d lose to them.

Daeun, who had been staring at me, broke into a bright smile.

“Kana, can I fall for you?”

“…That would be a problem.”

“Ahaha, just kidding! I wouldn’t fall for my little sister!”

Still, you’re pretty amazing.

She muttered quietly and tightened her grip on my hand just like I had.

“I guess I had nothing to be nervous about. With a reliable little sister like you, I wonder why I worried in the first place.”

I knew it was a rather embarrassing thing to say, but if it helped her relax, then that’s what mattered.

“What business do you have in Raxia?”

At that moment, one of the demons stepped forward and questioned us. Judging by his attire, he seemed to be the highest-ranking demon present.

“I’ll explain.”

Before I could answer, Selene stepped forward.

Her hand glowed with holy energy, which gently wrapped around the demons, who initially looked alarmed but soon relaxed, lowering their weapons as the soothing energy eased over them.

“Well, does that answer your question?”

“…A nun in the service of Edel-sama.”

The previously stern demon immediately softened.

“Huh?”

Daeun looked on in surprise as the man’s hostile demeanor shifted to one of respectful calm, seemingly forgetting his earlier aggression.

After a polite nod, the demon gestured for his companions to move aside, clearing a path for us.

“My apologies.”

“No need. You were only doing your duty. May we speak inside?”

“Any follower of Edel-sama is welcome here.”

Selene turned to us with a gentle smile.

“We’re welcome to enter, so let’s go in.”