The Dimensional Tavern of the Mefilas Alien

"Claire, you must remember this from now on: if you encounter any danger, be sure to summon the tavern's doors immediately and then go inside to wait for me!"

Claire nodded understandingly: "And what about you, Denise?"

"Of course I can do it too!" Denise didn't actually think she'd ever need to use this trick. But to avoid worrying Claire, she still made that wish.

"Alright, it's time for us to get going!"

Denise took Claire's hand and they headed out of the dense forest.

In order for Claire to live in a peaceful and happy world, she needs to thoroughly investigate the truth of this world. And while she's at it, she also needs to capture some demons and awakened beings for the shopkeeper.

...a few days later...

When did the demons appear?

In the small village, the elderly village chief stroked his beard: "Isn't that a monster that has existed since ancient times?"

He didn't quite understand why this silver-eyed witch would suddenly ask such a common-sense question, but considering that she had helped the village slay demons, he patiently answered her.

“I remember my grandmother talking about how there were already demons when her grandmother was alive. As for things that were much older, I don’t know.”

"Okay, thank you!"

Denise wasn't disappointed. After confirming that she couldn't get any more information from them, she took Claire and left.

Her actual destination was the largest town in the vicinity, a more prosperous place where she might be able to leave some records. She simply passed through this village on the way, sensed the demons within, and while slaying them, inquired about their whereabouts.

"Teresa, why don't you use the ball the shopkeeper gave you to catch those monsters?"

Claire was very curious.

"Those balls are precious and shouldn't be wasted on these lackeys."

Denise smiled.

The shopkeeper gave out quite a few balls, but not too many. If they were all used to catch demons, given the density of demons on the continent, the ball pool would probably be full after just three or five encounters.

As the organization's strongest No. 1 in history, Teresa has her own pride. She feels she can't be a mediocre person, so she only plans to capture one demon, and fill the rest of the orbs with Awakened Ones.

"Oh!" Claire didn't ask any further questions.

The two continued on their way.

Although they didn't exactly live a life of hardship, things weren't exactly easy either.

Because of the existence of demons, the economic environment on the continent is very poor. Apart from big cities, even the inns in small towns are not up to par.

However, one of them was a greatsword user, and the other was a poor child who had been captured and tortured by demons, so they weren't particularly picky. They just occasionally missed the food at the tavern.

However, considering that they didn't have much money and Murphy's commission was far from complete, the two of them temporarily restrained their desires.

If Murphy knew that her cooking skills were actually missed, she'd probably laugh out loud. She might even give them a few free meals.

They had traveled a long and dusty road, but had not found out anything about the truth of the demons. However, they were getting closer and closer to the town.

Meanwhile, the organization was also keeping a close eye on Denise's movements.

On the surface, the organization is a force that protects the continent and slays demons.

In addition, they have several rules: one of which is that the Claymore must never attack a human. Regardless of the reason, if the Claymore kills a human, the organization will execute the Claymore.

The other rule is that Claymore must never betray the organization. If she does, the organization will hunt her down.

However, not long ago, Teresa encountered Claire during a mission.

Claire was a child being held hostage by a demon. But with Teresa's power, she naturally ignored the demon's threat and instantly killed it.

She initially thought it was just an ordinary mission, and that after she slew the demon, those present would have no further involvement. However, Claire persistently pursued her.

At that time, Denise was just an ordinary No. 1 and didn't pay any attention to Claire's intentions.

However, Claire was relentless, and even when she stopped eating and drinking and her body reached its limit, she still wouldn't let go of her.

In the end, Claire accidentally fell off a cliff, and Teresa finally took pity on her and saved her.

It was then that she discovered Claire's body was covered in wounds, realizing that she had been captured by demons and become their prisoner.

She initially thought Claire was only clinging to her because she had saved her life. But Claire revealed that it was because she saw Teresa's expression and realized that Teresa, like herself, was heartbroken and grieving.

Claire chased after Teresa because she wanted to rescue her, just as Teresa had rescued Claire from the demons.

Denise was momentarily bewildered, because she herself hadn't even realized she was feeling this way.

Because of her immense strength, she has always been hailed as the strongest No. 1, and she has always been someone to be admired, with no room for anyone to pity her.

Touched by this, Denise took Claire with her temporarily.

Because Claire was tormented by demons, she temporarily lost the ability to speak, so Teresa decided to give her a name.

“Claire!” Denise said.

Claire was pleasantly surprised, saying that this was the name her biological parents had given her.

“That’s probably because your parents love you very much, just like my parents.” After a slight surprise, Denise smiled.

"In mythology, Teresa and Claire are the names of the twin goddesses. It is because they love us so much that they gave us these names."

Chapter Twenty 'Savior'

Two pairs of parents, complete strangers, shared the same love for their children, and at that moment, a wonderful bond was formed.

Both of them felt their hearts were drawing closer together.

However, Denise still did not change her original intention and still planned to entrust Claire to someone else.

It wasn't that she didn't care about Claire. On the contrary, it was precisely because she truly considered Claire important that she did this.

Claymores are not normal humans. Implanted with demonic flesh, their bodily functions are almost entirely different from ordinary humans: they require very little food to maintain their vital signs and sleep for very short periods. More importantly, their sole purpose is to slay demons, and they are destined to reach their limits, become Awakened, and then be killed by other Claymores.

Claire would not be happy with her—Teresa genuinely believed this at the time, and thus entrusted Claire to the local residents during a commission.

Fortunately, the villagers were kind and truly accepted Claire.

Although Claire was unwilling, she could not defy Teresa's decision.

She thought this little romance would end there, but after Denise left the sizable village, she discovered a gang of robbers.

The quick-witted Teresa immediately realized that although the demons ate people, they also served as a kind of protection for the village, preventing bandits from attacking it.

Now that the greatsword has arrived and slain the demons, they have no more worries.

Fearing for Claire's safety, Denise rushed back immediately. But it was too late; the village was engulfed in flames, and ruthless bandits were burning, killing, and looting with impunity.

Moreover, this group of bandits had a brief confrontation with Teresa. Although they were forced back by Teresa at the time, one of them had his arm severed by her.

The bandit, harboring hatred for Teresa, specifically sought out Claire. He was powerless against the greatsword, but knowing Teresa cared for Claire, he planned to retaliate by abusing Claire.

Seeing the seriously injured Claire and hearing the bandits' foul language, Teresa was finally enraged.

She, who always smiled, stopped smiling and disregarded the organization's ironclad rules, killing all the bandits.

After calming down, Dinisa did not regret her actions.

But at that time, she had no intention of rebelling against the organization.

Despite feeling disgusted with herself and having little affection for the organization, Denise did agree with its principles of protecting humanity and prioritizing human beings.

Since he had violated the ironclad rules, it was only right that he was executed.

"Teresa! No, I don't want you to die! Teresa!"

However, when Claire's cries reached her ears, Denise still moved.

"Sorry, I can't die yet!"

In the blink of an eye, the greatswordsmen sent to execute him fell to the ground. Although they were not dead, they were all temporarily incapacitated.

Denise finally smiled from the bottom of her heart.

“I’ve found the meaning of life.” Denise stroked Claire’s little head as she nestled into her arms. “From now on, I will try to live for this child.”

And so, Denise and Claire defected from the organization.

The No. 1 swordsman's betrayal of the organization after committing murder is a serious matter. The organization, of course, will not let this go unpunished.

It's not that they actually believe in any human supremacy ideology; they simply want to make an example of someone.

Otherwise, if a precedent is set and future Claymores follow suit, disregarding the organization's rules, the organization's control will likely drop to zero very quickly.

Therefore, they immediately gathered the No. 2 to No. 5 greatswords to prepare for a siege against Teresa.

However, the organization divided the continent into 47 regions. Each Claymore was primarily responsible for one region. Given the continent's underdeveloped technology, even with the Claymores' superhuman physical abilities and incredible travel speed, it still took them some time to gather.

Taking advantage of this time, the organization hurriedly searched for Denise's whereabouts.

Despite Teresa's immense strength—considered the strongest in history by even those within the organization—this time is different. They've discovered a new secret weapon. With that weapon, even Teresa will surely be defeated!

Denise was unaware of the organization's determination to get her, but she knew they would never let her go.

So, once they got closer to town, Denise and Claire changed their clothes.

She donned a robe and a hood, concealing all her features. Combined with her knowledge of the organization, even with its vast power, they couldn't find her immediately.

After entering the city, Denise only wanted to investigate the truth quietly. But as soon as she entered the city, she smelled the scent of demons.

Denise hesitated for a moment.

She didn't really want to take action. Because once her identity was exposed, the organization's pursuers would definitely keep coming, making it very difficult for her to stay here and investigate.

But Claire reached out her little hand and grabbed her collar.

Having suffered greatly from demons in the past, she, despite being an ordinary person, could vaguely sense the presence of demons.

As a young girl, she found it hard to watch demons harm people and do nothing, so she made a silent request to Teresa.

"After wandering in the suburbs for so long, you finally get to sleep in a soft bed. Is it really okay not to sleep there?"

Denise looked at Claire helplessly, without mentioning that she also planned to investigate historical matters here.

Claire's face was serious as she nodded vigorously.

I don't mind suffering myself, but it would be so worth it if I could save one more person.

"This is a headache!"

Despite saying that, Denise still took off her outer robe.

The townspeople were terrified when they saw Denise's true face.

Why would a demon hunter be here?

Although the question is asked, the answer is self-evident.

Sure enough, a demon revealed its true form, holding a child who had fainted in its hand.

"God, please save that child!"

The older woman next to him couldn't help but bow her head and pray.

"Honestly, I was planning to do it secretly... but you ruined it all!"

Fearing that Claire would blame herself, Dinesa omitted the word "investigation".

Enraged, she swung her sword and cleanly and swiftly killed the demon, as easily as if she were taking a stroll.

Sheathing her sword, Denise prepared to leave with Claire.

Humans have a deep aversion to greatswords. Having exposed his identity here, he most likely can't stay any longer. It seems his plans for rest or investigation are doomed.

Just as they were about to call Claire to leave, the townspeople around her cheered and expressed their strong gratitude.

What...what happened?

Denise, who had never encountered such a scene before, was overwhelmed by the townspeople's enthusiasm.

"Thank you!" The townspeople surrounded Denise and thanked her.

"If it weren't for you, we would be in danger! You are truly our savior! Please let us repay you properly!"

“You’re welcome… There will be some strange, dark-skinned guys coming up later…” Denise said habitually, her mind blank, but she immediately realized something was wrong and stopped speaking.

Chapter Twenty-One: A World Without History

"Huh? What did you say?"

When Denise stopped halfway through her story, the townspeople couldn't help but press her for more information.

"Ah, no! It's nothing!"