From Trash to Demon Lord: I Can Turn Heroines Into Villainesses

Chapter 100: Exploring the Swamplands...

The first night in Mireveil passed surprisingly peacefully.

After the Chameleon Lizard banquet, the group decided to divide up the rooms the Peques had improvised inside the old church.

Misty ended up sharing a room with Catherine and Felix.

Dawn chose the room on the second floor, right beside the library.

According to her, if she woke up during the night, she could continue examining the ancient books they had found.

Nox decided to stay in the main room beside the prayer hall.

It wasn’t really a bedroom.

It was an old office next to the altar that the Peques had completely restored.

The two adjacent rooms went to Audrey and Claws...

And Tessa took the other one.

The Peques didn’t seem to need bedrooms.

They had built curious beds using the same substance they secreted from their mouths.

That strange cement-like material could harden like stone...

Or become surprisingly soft, like a mattress.

Before going to sleep, Nox had even pressed one with his hand.

"...This is actually pretty comfortable."

But many of the Peques didn’t even use them.

Some slept on the pews.

Others simply curled up on the spiral staircase.

And quite a few...

Slept on the broken statues they had repaired themselves.

Statues that no longer depicted ancient saints.

Now...

Every single one had horns...

And looked suspiciously like Nox.

The demon decided not to ask any questions.

◇◆◇

The following morning...

The sky remained completely gray, mist blanketed much of the swamp, and the group had already gathered in front of the church entrance.

Nox looked over all of his companions.

Audrey already had her bow slung across her back.

Misty was still yawning while stretching her legs.

Tessa looked completely recovered.

Dawn rested a hand on her katana.

And Catherine absentmindedly stroked Felix.

Claws yawned.

The Peques were also waiting nearby.

Nox crossed his arms.

"Alright."

Everyone looked up.

"Today, we’re splitting up."

Audrey smiled.

"Exploration day?"

"Exactly."

Nox pointed toward different sections of the swamp.

"I want us to scout the entire area surrounding the church."

Then he raised one finger.

"If you find monsters..."

He raised another.

"If you find ruins..."

Then another.

"Or even other inhabitants of Mireveil..."

He looked at everyone.

"...come back with information."

Dawn tilted her head slightly.

"What if we find a village?"

Nox smiled.

"If you think you can peacefully bring them under our control..."

He paused.

"...then give it a try."

The women exchanged glances.

"But."

Nox’s voice became much more serious.

"Don’t fight alone."

They all nodded simultaneously.

"I trust that you’re all strong enough to get yourselves out of trouble."

Misty raised a hand.

"That was actually kind of sweet."

"It was."

Nox replied.

"Now get moving."

◇◆◇

Catherine was the first to leave.

Tessa walked over to her.

"I guess we’ll be going together."

The cat girl smiled.

"Perfect."

One of the Peques raised his hand.

"Aude."

It seemed he wanted to accompany them.

"Then come on."

Catherine replied.

The three of them disappeared into the trees.

◇◆◇

Audrey adjusted the strap of her bow.

She looked at Claws.

"Ready?"

The giant bear answered with a powerful growl.

"Grrrr."

The chubby Peque—the same one who had helped her the night before—came running over.

He leaped directly onto the bear’s back.

Audrey laughed.

"Looks like he’s already made his choice."

Nox gave them a thumbs-up.

"Good luck."

Claws roared once more.

Then the three of them disappeared in another direction.

◇◆◇

Dawn remained still for a few moments.

Two Peques timidly approached her.

The princess looked at them...

Then smiled faintly.

"I suppose you two are coming with me."

The pair immediately began hopping with excitement.

Nox couldn’t help smiling.

’Looks like they’re not afraid of her anymore.’

Dawn gave a small bow.

"I’ll return before sunset."

Then she vanished into the mist.

◇◆◇

Little by little...

The church was almost empty.

Only Misty, Nox, and several Peques remained.

The dancer rested both hands behind her head.

"What about us?"

Nox watched her for a moment before slowly shaking his head.

"Not you."

"Huh?"

"I want you to stay here."

Misty raised an eyebrow.

"Guarding the church?"

"Exactly."

He gestured around them.

"The Peques are still building."

The dancer looked around.

They had already started constructing new buildings around the church.

Small structures, walls, and a few huts.

All made from that strange gray material.

Nox continued.

"They need someone strong enough to protect them if anything dangerous shows up."

Misty smiled.

"Then I’ll stay."

She placed a hand over her chest.

"You can count on me."

"I do."

The woman gave an exaggerated little bow.

"Leave it to me."

◇◆◇

That was when it happened.

Three Peques surrounded Nox.

One grabbed his pants, another tugged on his coat sleeve, and the third simply raised both arms.

"Aude."

"Aude."

"Aude."

Nox tilted his head.

"...What’s wrong?"

The three pointed toward the forest.

Then at him.

Then at themselves.

Misty started laughing.

"I think they want to come with you."

Nox looked at the three little creatures.

They genuinely looked excited.

’It’s hard to tell them no.’

He sighed.

"Alright."

The three immediately started jumping with excitement.

"But don’t wander off."

"Aude!"

"And if something dangerous appears..."

The Peques watched him with complete attention.

"...run."

The three nodded so vigorously they almost lost their balance.

Nox chuckled.

"Perfect."

He adjusted his coat and looked back at the church one last time.

The Peques continued building.

Misty was already relaxing, watching the little blue creatures work.

Nox smiled.

’Looks like I made the right choice.’

Misty gave him a thumbs-up.

"Leave it to me!"

Nox returned the gesture.

"See you at sunset."

Then he started walking.

The three Peques hurried after him.

One ran ahead while the other two stayed at his sides.

Like a tiny escort.

As they ventured deeper into Mireveil’s twisted forest...

Nox turned for one last glance.

The old church was already beginning to look different.

’This is only the beginning.’

Ahead of him lay nothing but mud, twisted trees, mist...

And an entire land waiting to be discovered.

Or conquered.

The three Peques began humming their strange little song once again.

"Aude..."

"Aude..."

"Aude..."

Nox smiled as he continued walking.

Without a doubt...

Those tiny creatures were far more pleasant than he had ever expected to find in a swamp abandoned by the gods.