Sousetsuka

Chapter 192 Strongest Sage, Ordered

 

"...Was Folkia a mining town?"

"I don't think I've heard anything like that..."

The quest is about ore mining.
The name of the ore in question isn't mentioned, but apparently it's used to make a [Sturdy Building Material].

The reward is on the higher side for a quest that doesn't involve fighting monsters... but it's frankly pretty low for an adventurer's quest.
Since there's no other quest present, adventurers must have no choice but to take up this quest.

"Are you here to accept quests?"

A man came out of the guild's interior and approached us while we were looking at the quest form.
From his attires, apparently he's a receptionist, but...

『Um, this is...』

『Yep, a demon.』

The guild receptionist is a demon.
And the demon cast a spell chantlessly on us as he walked here.

『Thought Dampen』--In short, a spell to dull the target's judgment.
This spell seems to have been adjusted to work with general populace in this era, so it's not working on us... but in exchange, it's hard to detect.
Ordinary adventurers probably wouldn't have any clue when this demon cast the spell.

The reason why fake bandits are sent to raid on high-ranking adventurers is probably related to this magic.
As there might be high-ranking adventurers capable of noticing the spell being cast on them.

Adventurers who noticed it would flee, and spread the story about weird things happening at Folkia Guild.

『Did he just cast a spell?』

『Yea. A spell that's not working on us... no doubt about it now. This mining quest is connected to demons.』

I look at the demon while talking through comm magic.
We'd better... pretend that we've been affected by his spell here.
We'll infiltrate their inside in in the meantime and show everyone these sub-demons at the site.

"That's right. We're here to take a quest."

"Then I recommend this quest. You can complete it without fighting monsters, the reward is pretty bountiful too."

The receptionist (demon) gave us the mining quest form.

"I got it. We'll take it."

I immediately signed the form and handed it back.

"I also need your guild cards to process the form. Do you have them with you?"

"Yea."
<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
I fetched four... fake guild cards from my bosom pocket and handed them over to the demon.
Since the demons seemed to be cautious of high-ranking adventurers, I've camouflaged our cards to be of Rank E in the way here.

There's not many high-ranking adventurers in the world, disguising as one wouldn't last long once they looks at the guild register and such... but not even the guild note down every Rank E adventurer's names.

"Thank you."

As expected, the demon took the cards, and handed them back after nodding in satisfaction.

『Is it really okay for us to take this quest... oh, is this like an undercover investigation?』

『Exactly. Declining here would make him wary of us cause his spell didn't show any effect.』

While we were having a briefing, the demon completed the quest form processing and came back here.

"This quest has two stages of operation. Mining and refining. You're free to participate in either of them... which one?"

"The refining please."

"Okay. The refinery's location is marked on this map."

The demon handed me a map.
It shows locations of the refinery, first-aid station and other facilities.

Looking at the number of facilities, this mining operation looks to be quite a large scale project.

"Err... This way."

The refinery is right in the center of the town, very easy to spot.
It's a very sturdy building that's been reinforced with magic.

And there's a demon standing in front of it.
...This place is really full of demons.

"We're here for the ore refinery quest."

I gave the demon the quest form while saying that.

"Got it. I'll have you guys work immediately."

While saying that--the demon cast another [Thought Dampen] spell on us.
Most likely, these demons cast [Thought Dampen] on the adventurers every step of the way to make them work like robots for demons.

But demons are still demons despite being a subspecies.
They should be able to yield way more ore by doing it themselves rather than gathering a bunch of humans to do it for them, why would they out of their way to--.

I got the answer of that question when the demon opened the refinery door.
The ore gathered here looks familiar.

『...Rankine Ore huh.』






Previous Chapter

16-50. Vampires

 

Satou here. Don't you think that the most terrifying thing about vampires that come up in movies and stories is their ability to turn people into vampires? Since their proliferation rate outstrips even that of rats'.


◇


"Snacks that Satou made really are the best."
"This liquor is pretty nice too, no? Saga Empire's brandy huh?"
"Ale is nice too, but this snack go down the best with strong stuff!"

Rusus and Fifi sipped their glasses in good moods in the airship's main cabin.
They're already without their armor, wearing risky-looking clothing.

Liza is in the room too, she's currently absorbed in sampling the seven types of jerky we stocked at Pier Rock kingdom.

"Where'd the lil' girls go?"
"I asked them to do some errands for me."
"Eeh, booring."

The drunk Rusus puts my head under her arm.
The sensation on my cheek is quite wonderful, but the impregnable fortress pair would intrude in if this kept up, thus I steel myself and get away from the sweet powerful shackles.

"You're gonna fight dragons once we arrived at Dragg Kingdom 'rite?"

Fifi said some dangerous sounding words.

Come to think of it, the treasures in my Storage belong to [Dragg Holy Kingdom].
Since they look like old coins, it might be a currency used in the country that precedes Dragg Kingdom.

"I can't wait for it. How bout you Liza, ever fought a dragon?"
"Yes--"

Replying Rusus, Liza who blurted out unintentionally realized her verbal slip and looked at me.

"--You fought some lesser dragons when we visited the western countries, remember."
"Lesser dragons huh--Well, I guess that's only right."
"True dragons are on a whole different level than those."

Rusus and Fifi nodded at each other when I replied in Liza's stead.

"Is that true?"
"Those guys are simply outta this world, just you know."
"There was this time we ran into a blue and a red dragons at Saga Empire, they were way out of league it wasn't even a fight."
"I mean, a single breath managed to blow us away."
"On top of having a wide range, it was unbelievably fast, we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Hayato's protection given by god."

Rusus and Fifi narrated their story while looking boastful somewhat.
Hearing that, Liza replied with, "Truly", with a meaningful look on her face.

Indeed, there's no way to evade those laser-like breaths of a true dragon without something like Ground Shrink or Flash Drive, no way to block them either without a Fortress-class barrier at least.

While we were having such a conversation, I caught sights of overflowing refuges in the towns and forts trailing to the neighboring country, thus I landed the airship and shared provisions to them many times.
Food in the form of portable carry cereal bars made of a mix of Giant Kelp fine powder, finely chopped dried fish and sea serpent meat.


◇


"Think we're about to arrive soon?"

Leaving the dead drunk Rusus and Fifi in the main cabin, I went to the deck with Liza.

I realized that we were out of Pier Rock Kingdom on the Map, so I used [All Map Exploration] from the magic list.
I don't see any vampire in the monster domains around the neighboring kingdom.
I used [All Map Exploration] again once we got out of the monster domain and reached the neighboring country.

"--Lots of them seem to have been scattered about."

Not insignificant numbers of Vampire Slaves and Blood Stalkers are still lurking in the two destroyed towns, while one Vampire and several Vampire Slaves are hiding in the subterranean tunnel of the Royal Capital.

"I shall immediately go exterminate them if Master wishes so."
"Right then..."

According to the documents I have on hand, only Vampire class and above have the ability to increase their numbers, I should leave the clean up in the destroyed Tokislu town to Saga Empire's expeditionary force and to Tokiswolk Kingdom's troops who must be hellbent on getting their revenge.

Since Vampire Slaves and Blood Stalkers are relatively strong, they will likely suffer some casualties, but from what I've seen through space magic Clairvoyance, butting in here seems like it would invite their grudges instead.

"...We should leave this area to the local troops, I'll be counting on you to look for the vampires in the capital city later."
"Understood."

Liza gave her affirmation.

The airship came nearby Tokislu town while were conversing, thus I decided to land the airship there to offer our help.
I'm not going to participate in the subjugation, but there should be no problem in sharing provisions here.
I gave them lots of magic potions, magic tools embedded with light gem that vampires hate, and a few simple version of holy monuments.
I hope it could ease Tokiswolk Kingdom's generals and soldiers even a bit.

I also asked about what happened during the vampire raid.

"--It just suddenly happened?"
"Yeah. Missing persons increasing, weird incidents happening, monsters and beasts shifting locations, it was completely void of those omens."

According to the soldiers, no [Vampire] was ever sighted here since the country was founded.

"This Tokislu town was overrun by vampires the same day the Royal Capital's Parion Temple Miko received an oracle."
"Lots of rumors flying about like maybe the gate of hell had opened, or that they were summoned through a ritual by an evil sect's Soul Art users, but the truth is shrouded in darkness."

The two towns were destroyed practically in the same day, the capital suffered an attack by masses of vampires when the other six temples were on their way to convey the oracle they received.

"The attack was carried out in daytime?"
"Yea, there was an out of season torrential rain on that day, musta because the sun those vampires hate didn't show up then."
"Now that ya mention it, the survivors of Tokislu town also said there was a torrential rain on the first day too."
"Damn, what a totally shitty coincidence in this dry season."

I heard some troubling words in the soldiers' conversation, so I tried to search the Map and found neither evil sect nor Soul Art users in this country.
Didn't catch any sight of people powerful enough to cast magic capable of manipulating weathers like reincarnated people with Unique Skills either.

After thanking the soldiers for the info, I took off on the airship.


◇


"Where did those vampires come from--"

I'm pondering while feeling the winds on the airship's deck.

According to the documents I have on hand, the vampires in this world cannot multiply as easily as they would in tales about vampires on earth.

Vampires here have three specific skills that can be used to increase their numbers; [Blood Covenant], [Blood Contract], and [Blood Subordination].
[Blood Subordination] is used to create [Blood Stalkers] from corpses.
The ability to create Vampire Slaves and Vampires, [Blood Contract], has some restrictions; it needs a ritual to be performed during a night of full moon, thrice. Once a ritual has been performed, the recipient will have [Blood Contract: In Progress] state.

In other worlds, creating one vampire above Blood Stalker class needs at least two months time.

The documents state that Appraisal skill cannot see through the [Blood Contract: In Progress] state, however, it's hard to believe that no one noticed the amount of vampires needed to destroy a countries the entire time.
Additionally, the [Blood Covenant] greater vampires have can create vampires with [Blood Contract] ability.

"--Guess asking the person itself will be the fastest."

I muttered so while gazing at the Tokiswolk's capital city in the distant.

<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
◇


"...This is terrible."
"Yes, it's like a village in the wake of war."

I'm currently strolling the capital city with Liza.

Lethargic people sitting beside rubbles and burned down houses, the sights of piled up bodies being burned with fire magic and oil, and the figures of people crying around those piles.
These sights would have been enough to make me hate vampires as a whole if I wasn't acquainted with true ancestor Ban Hellsing and vampire princess Semeri.

I asked Rusus and Fifi to get a permission from Saga Empire's garrison in the capital city to let us through.
Of course, my goal is to separate the two away from us.

"Looks like we can get into the tunnel from there."

I head for a drainage trench at a riverside.
To meet the vampires lurking in the capital city of course.

I buff Liza with dark magic [Night Sight] and went into the tunnel without lighting.

Red dots are reflected in my Radar.

"Master."
"Yeah, they're here."

Vampire Slaves.
They seem to have noticed us, they're moving toward the Vampire's location, slightly away from them.

"Hold it, Liza."
"Should we not run after them?"
"We can't get through that path with our physiques."

I stopped Liza who saw the red eyes, and picked the shortest route to the Vampire's hiding place.

Someone was waiting for us when we got close to the hiding place.

"Stop!"

The voice of a boy.
Six red lights float in the darkness at the direction of the voice.

It's the Vampire Slaves.

"I need to interrogate them, no killing, got it?"
"Acknowledged."

Liza closed in on the Vampire Slaves with Flickering Step and suppressed them with a single blow.
Without even giving the Vampire Slaves a chance to use their specific ability, [Mist Form].

"Cats and children..."

I restrain the Vampire Slaves with soul magic [Soul Bind (Hold Undead Soul)].
They'd get away with Mist Form if I used ordinary ropes.

This magic seems to be painful to undeads, the Vampire Slaves are groaning in anguish.
I feel pretty bad since their appearances are that of cats and infants.

The last red dot approached us while I was thinking that.

A shadow jumped out of an inconspicuous corner in the tunnel.
Liza quickly holds down the shadow on the ground while leaving trails of red light from her magic spear, without me having to do anything.

"Torque! Please, I don't care what you do to me, just please let them go!"

The hiding Vampire was a girl.
Moreover, her attire is that of a normal village girl you could find anywhere.

According to AR readings, she's a level 20 Vampire with all the specific abilities peculiar to the species, but she's only 12 year old without skills nor gifts.
Detailed info taught me that she was a daughter of an ordinary family that lived in the capital city.

Dunno if I could get any info out of her, but I should ask just to be sure.

"Tell me all information you have. I'll let them off with their lives if you could give me a satisfactory one."
"Information? What kind of information? I'll tell you anything!"

She's more obedient than I thought.
Looks like there was no need for hostages and interrogation.

"When did you become a vampire?"
"I don't know. I had fangs before I realized it, and when I saw mom and my little brothers, their blood..."

The girl mumbled at the end.
When our eyes met, the girl hesitantly spoke, "Thirsting for blood, she was afraid she'd assault her family and ran out of her house."

"Then tell me what you can recall about the time before you turned into vampire. No matter how trivial it is."
"Before I turned?"
"Before you have fangs."

The girl closed her mouth with a serious look afterward.
She's probably retracing her memories.

"I got unusual jerky from the uncle next door. It was really tasty."

Liza who's standing next to me is slowly swinging her tail, probably piqued by the girl's story.

"I ate the jerky at the fountain since my little brother would have snatched if I went home... A hunter with his dog came by to get water from the fountain, and I was injured by the dog who jumped for the jerky. Huh? But it's healed. Even though it was really painful and I had it bandaged."

The girl recited the day in stutters.
Even though there were some suspicious episodes, none seemed to be related to the vampire yet.

"Come to think of it, there was someone weird at the fountain square."
"Someone weird?"
"Un, he was fetching water from the fountain even though he was a noble."

Well, normally nobles would have sent their servants to do that.
According to the girls, his entire body was hidden in a hooded mantle, the girl concluded that he was a noble since the clothes seen from the mantle's gap was that of a foreign high-class suit.

"Also..."
"Also?"

I urged on the girl who hesitated to continue on.

"That person went away somewhere after leaving the pot he used to draw water."

That's suspicious for sure.

"Did anything unusual happen afterward?"
"Nn, I don't think so."

I asked the girl about the location of the fountain in question, and checked it with space magic [Clairvoyance].
There was not even a trace of the pot.
It was either taken away or destroyed during the vampire raid.

"--Ah."

The girl raised her face.

"I got stung by a bug."

The girl raised her skirt and pointed at her leg.

Not a trace of bug bite there.
It must have been healed by the recovery rate of a vampire.

"Remember anything about your surroundings? Like how other people were like."
"Other people? Oh right, lots of people were yawning."
"At what time?"
"At the second afternoon bell, I think? Even though it was the time when I was usually awake and hungry, I felt really sleepy so I went straight home, I think."

And apparently, she was a vampire when she came to.

--No, wait.

Something bothered me with what she said.

"You think?"
"Un, I don't really remember what happened after I felt sleepy."

It seems like her memories are quite fragmented.
I tried to probe for her missing memories with mind magic as a form of hypnotherapy, but I only found out that there was nothing unnatural involved, like memory deletion or tampering through some means.

The seemingly nobleman that drew water with a pot at the fountain is the most suspicious.
The unusual jerky and the hunter with a dog are suspicious too, but it's impossible for them to be involved with the vampire incident.
The bug is suspicious too with the bloodsucking thing and all, but these fiction on earth-like stuff like turning people into vampires by means of insects can't possibly exist in this world.

Just in case, I contacted my beloved high elf Aze-san at the Boruenan forest, Hikaru who was acting as the founder king, and the [Master of Forbidden Library] princess Sistina through space magic [Telephone], and re-confirmed that the only ways to create vampires are through the three methods found in my documents and a ritual to bring forth True Ancestor.

"Now then, what to do with these kids..."

Apparently, my whisper was heard, as the kids began to hug each other while looking terrified.
I forgot about the outstanding senses of vampires.

"Don't worry, no need to get frightened. At the very least, we're not going to kill you."

These kids have no Crime of harming people carved on their status.
They must have been terrified and fled here.

I asked them about their ages and their family names, but I couldn't find those names in the country with Map search.
Unfortunately, they seem to have passed away during the vampire incident.

"Liza, please take care of things here for a bit."

I entrusted the kids' safety to Liza, teleported to the True Ancestor Ban's castle in the labyrinth's lower layer, and requested them to take the kids and cats into custody.
Of course, they asked me back for compensations, but they readily agreed to my request while also using this opportunity to kill their time.
Well, compensations here mean three bottles of a cheap wine [Lesseu's Blood], so it's really just for form's sake.


◇


"Suspicious nobleman?"
"Aah, you must be talking about Prof from the 『Sage's Tower』. He came to this country to conduct a research or something, methink?"

Sage's Tower should be the name of a city state where the Karion Main Temple resides.
Apparently, there were reports of suspicious individuals sighted by the citizens, one of the guard even dropped by to question him.

"Do you know his name?"
"Ah, I sure do. It was Shigan Saga or something."

--Saga?

"Is it perhaps."
"Yea, forgot if it was illegitimate child or grandchild prince, the stuff about having 100th seat for the succession got a laugh out of me."

A family member of Saga Emperor huh... The fishiness has been turned up to eleven.

I should search the Map just in case.

--There he is.

Or rather, was.

Shigan Saga has become a corpse in a forest near the capital city.

There's no other corpses around him in the Map.
Checking with space magic [Clairvoyance], he had been outfitted with thief-like attires, his face had been crushed, and there was nothing in his belonging that could be used to trace back his identity.
Well, Appraisal skill should be able to identify him to an extent, but there's no way anyone would dispatch an appraiser to a mountain where a bandit's corpse was found, neither would they carry a bandit's body down the mountain.

Judging from the situation, high chance he was killed to silence him.

I had declared that [There is no next time] when I put the [Damocles's Sword] in the emperor's bedroom, so even with the circumstantial evidences, I'm hard pressed to conclude that Saga Empire is behind this vampire incident.

I should investigate Saga Empire once again, which means I ought to meet Meiko at Dragg Kingdom.
I was planning to go ahead to the next trial after escorting Rusus and Fifi there, but the plan has changed.

I let out a small sigh as the plan that's gone awry crossed my mind.




※Next update is planned for 6/10




Previous Chapter

Chapter 191 Strongest Sage, Slips Pass

 

『I've erased our sounds with soundproof magic, but be careful not to kick a stone. And it looks like there's a demon guarding the passage, we'll decide how to deal with it once we get closer.』


『Yes!』


『Got it!』


We stealthily progressed through the passage.
Then I saw the passage curving while probing the mana reaction as we walked.
And there's a demon at the end after the corner.


There's only a single demon on the lookout.
We should reach the city once we got pass it and reached the door at the end.


『...This is, slipping pass this demon would be a better idea here.』


A lone lookout like this usually performs safety checks regularly.
Killing this demon would be the same as telling other demons there's an intruder.
Let's save that as the last resort.


『Slip pass... There's only one passage here right? Wouldn't the demon find us just like that...』


『There's a way if the enemy is alone. I'll cast a spell for that, you girls, walk forward once I give you the signal.』


I approach the passage's corner.
A spell to make yourself invisible is enough if you merely needs to deceive a lookout.


Anything would do if it was humans, but we're up against a demon.
Demons with sharp perceptions tasked to stand watch could even detect those who have hidden their body and sounds with magic by slight vibrations on the ground.


I'll be fine on my own, but to let the girls pass here, I've got to meddle with this demon and temporarily cease the demon's perceptions.
And do that in a way that won't get me noticed.


『...This is quite far.』


From the passage's corner to the demon, it's 40 meters away. Unfortunately, Disqualified Crest cannot send magic through walls.
The passage probably has been structured like this to prevent magic attacks through the walls.


While thinking that, I made myself disappear with magic, and took a step into the section after the corner.
Then I set magic barriers slightly above the ground, and stand on it.
...The demon doesn't seem to notice me at all.


I stealthily approach the demon as such.
When you're in close proximity to a demon, their mana perception is the hardest ability to elude.
If you don't walk with a specific stepping to lower interference on the surrounding mana, simply standing around will expose yourself once you've gotten this close.


Once the demon is within my magic range... I cast a spell called 『Disturbance』.
It's a spell that dulls the target's perceptions for a duration of time.
Ruli and the girls should be able to slip pass the demon without getting found out now.


『Now's your chance! ...The demon would notice you if you tread on the ground so walk on the barrier I've put on the passage.』


『U-understand!』

<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
『Got it!』


The girls then walked toward me while stepping on the barrier.
Since they're just walking normally, the surrounding mana have been thrown into disorders (especially around Iris)... But the demon doesn't notice it.


The three passed by the demon just like that and got out of the passage.


『I-it really didn't notice us!』


『We were walking right beside it and yet it didn't notice us at all...』


We arrived at the town while conversing through comm magic.
By the way, once you're connected through the comm magic, its effect on the surroundings is pretty diminutive, thus there's no problem using it.


『...They'll suspect us if we're just standing around here. For now, let's look around the town while pretending to shop around.』


I walk toward the center of the town afterward.
But still, it's really...


『This town feels gloomy somehow...』


『And the adventurers aren't carrying weapon.』


Alma said the exact thing I thought.
This town's mood is obviously not normal.


The populace seems to be mostly humans, but they have gloomy expressions on their faces.
And the adventurers don't have any weapon with them.


Restrictions on arms... or not, doesn't seem like it, but ordinary adventurers would have never gone without one.
There must be a reason behind this.


『Let's put our weapon away. It would raise suspicion otherwise.』


『Gotcha!』


We put away all our weapons into Storage magic in a deserted place, and took another stroll.
Judging from the stock at the stores, distribution of goods seem to flow just fine.


If I had to say, medicine selections are not good... or rather, it feels more like they can't catch up with demands.
Most of the stores selling medicines have empty shelves.
The few remaining ones are rip-offs.


The guild came into view while I was thinking that.


『There's a guild here. Let's take a look at the quest board, I'm also intrigued about the no-weapon situation here.』


『Maybe there's a lot of quests that don't require you to carry a weapon? I mean, bringing one while doing such a quest would only be a bother.』


『That's a possibility... But normally, there's less than 10% of quests that don't need a weapon no?』


Adventurers' job is fighting.
Monsters could sneak on you even during gathering quests, it's unthinkable why an adventurer wouldn't carry a weapon.
There are quests for beginners where you don't need to fight (like carrying luggage), but the number should be extremely small.


『You're right... Perhaps there's a peculiar quest or something.』


We went inside the guild while having that conversation.
And over there was... a single quest tag for mining ores.






Previous Chapter

16-49. Trial of Zaikuon (4)

 

※ The latter half of 16-48. Trial of Zaikuon (3) has been altered. Please note for those who haven't read it.

Satou here. Pure love that bloomed in your youth often come out as foolish, but rather than those who sarcastically make a fool out of it, those who tread upon the path of love following their heart look more wonderful to me.



◇



"--guNZUnu"

I tried to slash him with my sword, but it felt like when I fought the first close-quarter combat apostle earlier.
The weight and speed of his blows are higher than Liza and the girls, but since he's lacking the battle sense, our vanguards wouldn't have much trouble going against him.

Demon lords at the level of [Golden Wild Boar King] probably could easily crush him.

『Swordsman-samaaaaaaa!』
『Who's that guy?』
『He's so awesoooome!』

The cheers that were directed to the temple knight turned to me.

『Guess those permanent Zaikuon Temple losers are staying losers again this year.』
『Yea well, it's Zaikuon 'fter all.』
『I ain't bettin' on them.』
『Buncha fool. Even if god Zaikuon were revived, those Zaikuon Temple bunch are just dregs.』
『Damn right.』

Attentive Ears-skill picked up many voices.
There were some who cheered on the temple knight, like 『Holy knight, don't lose!』 but most were like the above. It's not really my business, but it's a bit unpleasant to listen.

"Damn youuu!"

The temple knight shot out arrows created by the [Vanquish Archer].
With the magic edge-clad magic sword, I cut down the arrows in a way that won't make them hit behind me.

One of the arrow flew way off me, breaking down the transparent wall of the arena's boundary.
Cheers, hoots and disdains turned into screams.

Seeing that, the temple knight showed up a dark smile.
Looks like the thoughtless remarks earlier were heard by the temple knight too.

"nuoooooOoooooo"

The temple knight roared in a rage and unleashed a roundhouse kick.

Since god Zaikuon isn't interfering anymore, I'd love to end this just about now, but judging from all the trials so far, lowering people's faith toward the god in question is not a good situation to be in for a trial.
I'll let the temple knight gain the upper hand during our fight, and then end it with either a draw or a narrow victory.

The temple knight's body and soul would not hold if I drag it on too long, let's do this quick.

And while I was thinking that--.

"Gununu--NuoooOooooooO"

The temple knight roared up toward heavens.

Numerous arrows of light that look like hedgehog's needles appear around him.

The arrows were released like some sort of missile attack in a robot anime, and hit the transparent wall in the arena's boundary, inviting flashes and thunderous sounds, along with screams and angry yells from the audience.
The defensive wall that protected the audience is smashed down like scattered broken glass.

Half of the arrows went toward me and the rock miko along with Rusus and Fifi behind me, but I cut down all of them with my magic sword.

"What is this guy doing..."

I guess he must be offended by the verbal abuse earlier.
By doing this, instead of getting more believers, it won't be strange if people boycott god Zaikuon instead.
It seems as if it was the temple knight who took the initiative, not god Zaikuon, his act of aggression must be driven by his emotions.

"nuhahahaHYAhaha"

He's going for the third volley, the amount of arrows is fewer than before, but all of them are aimed at the audience.

--Think I'll let you?

While chanting the [<<Flexible Shield>>] spell, I shot down the arrows with magic edge cannon shot out of my magic sword.

The arrows created by the Vanquish Archer move about in mid air in an attempt to evade my magic edge cannon, but I also moved my magic edge cannon mid-air to home in on the arrows.

One of the arrow dodged the magic edge cannon and flew toward the audience.

An explosion occurred at the audience seat.

Red lights flew off, blowing away the explosion's smoke.

"Master! Please leave this to me!"

It's Liza.

Looks like Liza shot down the arrow from the audience seat.

"We'll lend her a hand."
"Satou, leave it to us to help her."

Rusus and Fifi who were done recuperating with magic potions.

"That would be great. Could you also evacuate the arena and take care of miko-dono?"
"Okay, leave it to us."

I think the miko should be fine since I've stealthily put a Fortress magic tool on her, but I guess fighting while holding back and protecting her would be a bit tough.

After seeing off the two who took the miko with them to the audience seat, I stepped forward toward the inactive temple knight.

"Did you think harming the populace is what god Zaikuon wanted?"

I asked the temple knight as I walked toward him.

"They deserved it for they spoke ill of the great god Zaikuon!"

He really did target the audience in the attack earlier.

"--Senuma."

I could hear the rock miko from the audience seat.
She came around at a bad timing.


<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
◇



"shuTUP"

The temple knight spat out angrily and released a light arrow toward the miko.
Rusus and Fifi who were near her knocked down that arrow, but she couldn't hide her shock from getting attacked by her friend.

"W-why--"
"idontNEEdapestlikeyouanymORE"

The temple knight's articulation has clearly turned weird.
A yellow crystal that appeared on his forehead began to grow out and formed a horn-like shape.

For now, I should give up on gathering piety for god Zaikuon and neutralize the temple knight to stop his condition from worsening even further.

"Here I go--"
"coME"

I slipped through the rain of light arrows, and evaded the slash that cut the arena into two by a paper thin difference.
I rushed out and stopped in front the temple knight before he could unleash another attack, and then I hit him with the Piercing Fist.

Feeling the destruction of his barrier on my palm.

I snatch away the temple knight's mana with force magic [Mana Drain].

Right afterward, I lightly put my palm on the temple knight's stomach.

"--HAA."

With my hand still on his barrier, I twist my body and hit him with a strengthened gouging motion. Moment later, a mass of pure mana struck his barrier.
It's the Mana Strike skill I learned in my fight with Goblin Princess Yuika at the labyrinth's lower layer.

The temple knight who was hit by the quiet strike convulsed and fell down like a decayed tree.
I don't think he's dead since I used Abduction skill, but that was quite a dramatic way to fall down.

"Senumaaaaaaaa!

Probably thinking the same, the rock miko called out the temple knight's name.

Roll roll, a circlet rolled and fell below me.
It's god Zaikuon's sacred treasure that was on the temple knight's forehead.

I picked up the sacred treasure for no particular reason and walked toward the temple knight.

Then I saw the temple knight's finger twitched.

"--I (watashi)--I (ore) am god Zaikuon holy warrIORR"

Attentive Ears skill picked up his blurred voice.
Looks like he's still clinging to his consciousness thanks to the Unique Skills.

"No--wrong... I (ore). I (boku), I am the apostle of god senuMUAWAAAAAAAA"

Yellow light courses through the temple knight's body.

"That's far enough."

To stop him from running amok, I trampled down on the temple knight's stomach to stop his breathing, and kicked his chin to induce a cerebral concussion.

If this isn't enough, I'll use paralyze type spell chantless-ly in combination with the kicking.

Something unexpected unfolded before me who was thinking nonchalantly like such.



◇



"SENUMAAAAAAA!"

The sound of an explosion and the rock miko's scream filled the arena that had lost any sign of human presence.

White splinters clad in yellow light jump out of the yellow smoke that appeared along with the explosive sound.
I produced <<Flexible Shield>> chantlessly to block those splinters, but they easily passed through the shield.

I took a light step to evade the white splinters while being surprised by that.

"--What just?"
"That temple knight called Senuma appears to have exploded."

"Exploded? By Satou's attack?"
"No, not because of that. Master's attacks were all in an effort to knock out the temple knight without wounding him."

Liza answered Rusus and Fifi's inquiry.

Eventually the white smoke cleared up.

--Geh.

"Se, numa..."

The rock miko was agape.

A cube that's been split into three are floating in the air, all of the cubes have the temple knight's face along the surfaces.
Many small cubes are orbiting around them like satellites.

This is way off my expectations.

――ＺＷＡＥＥＥＥ.
――ＺＷＡＥＥＥＥ.
――ＺＷＡＥＥＥＥ.

Coarse sounds like that of apostles echoed, yellow light overflowed out of the cubes.
Each of the cube appears to host a [God's Fragment], wearing the effect of [Champion], [Vanquish Archer], and [Great Caster].

While the the temple knight's faces were still running along the cubes' surfaces, the cubes changed their shapes geometrically, and ultimately settled down into a low-polygonal humanoid shape.

The faces disappeared all at once, and then a new temple knight's face appeared on the triangular-shaped heads.

"Senuma, why..."

The rock miko muttered in a daze while shedding tears unceasingly.

Now then, defeating them is easy, but whatever should I do here...



◇



"Satou! 3 against 1 is too much no?"
"We're gonna help too--"

Rusus and Fifi who were going to jump into the arena were attacked by a swarm of small cubes, stopping them in their track.

"What's with these things?"
"My sword just slipped through 'em."

It seems like those small cubes carry the same property as the apostle main body of being physically half-immortal.

Aiming at my opening as I looked away, the Great Caster apostle unleashed several telephone-pole sized holy spears created by holy magic, while the Vanquish Archer apostle rapidly shot out arrows at me at a machine gun-like rate.
While erasing the magic with [Break Magic], I swiftly slashed down the light arrows in rapid succession.

"--<Open>."

I clashed against the incoming Champion apostle with a white sword I took from my Item Box.
I parried off its sword to throw the Champion apostle off balance, kicked it away, and made use of the recoil to zero in on the two apostles in the rear.

――ＺＷＡＥＥＥＥ.
――ＺＷＡＥＥＥＥ.

The Great Caster apostle fortified its defense with holy magic in a hurry, but it was already too late.
I erased the defensive magic with Break Magic, and flowingly slashed down the Great Caster apostle with the white sword.

The Vanquish Archer apostle tried to get away from me while raining down arrows of light on me.

I evaded the attack by successively using Ground Shrink, and cut the Vanquish Archer apostle into two.

Yellow light orbs parted away from the apostles that disappeared into white powder.
Ordinarily, I would have immediately obliterated them with the Divine Sword, but that would definitely invite god Zaikuon's grudge, thus I decide observe them here instead.

――ＺＷＡＥＥＥＥ.

The Champion apostle closed in at a speed rivaling that of a bullet shot out of a rail gun, I blocked it with the white sword and hurled it away.
Looks like the Champion apostle was aiming for the yellow light orbs.

"■■■■■■■■　■■　■■■■..."

I began to chant the [God Sealing] spell that Corpse had taught me at the labyrinth's lower layer.
Unlike with the Divine Sword, I could liberate them later with this spell.

――ＺＷＡＥ.

――ＺＷＡＥＺＷＡＥ.

The Champion apostle gathers light into the sword in its hand, forming a gigantic sword.
Apparently, it knows what kind of magic I'm trying to cast.

After it's done forming the gigantic sword, the temple knight's face on the cube's surface floats a do-or-die expression and then it rushes after me.
While still continuing the chant, I parry the Champion apostle's fierce attack with both the white sword and the magic sword in my hands.

White, red, yellow sparks scattered around, and even before the chant was done, the Champion apostle had been neutralized into several pieces of splinters.



◇



I continue the sealing spell chant while gazing at the remains of the Champion apostle since there's no declaration of victory yet.
With the splinters still on the ground, the temple knight's faces are reflected on some of them like a reflection in the mirror.

"...bBOWQUUam...HOLyknight."

I could hear a voice-like sound when I touched the splinter.

"Senuma!"

The rock miko ran up and hug one of a biggish splinter in her chest.
White thorn rises up from that splinter, growing toward the rock miko's forehead.

However, the wicked blade was naught to reach the miko.

"--Let go of it. It's dangerous."

Liza with a white spear in her hand intercepted the white thorn and turned the splinter the rock miko was hugging into white powder.

"Master, please forgive me. I used the hidden weapon without your permission."
"Don't worry about that."

I mean the white sword I'm using is also one after all.

"Pendragon-sama, please save, please save Senuma!"

The rock miko is clinging onto me.

I personally have given up on saving the temple knight's life the moment he burst off and turned into an apostle, but as his friend, the miko hasn't given up yet it seems.
The splinter with the temple knight's face on it was destroyed by Liza, but the face has already generated in another splinter.

"I don't mind sacrificing my life to make it happen."

The rock miko entreated.

"Not even Satou could possibly do that, could he."
"Right, no matter how extraordinary Satou is, he's no god."

Rusus and Fifi who had run after the miko said that.
Well, it is indeed impossible.

--No wait.

"Could it be, Master, you could?"

Liza who noticed the change in my expression sounded surprised.

"Is that true?! I'll do anything if you save Senuma. I offer you this body, life--no, even my soul, my all!"

The rock miko said so with a powerful will in her eyes.
It really feels like she'd even sell her soul.

"Then, please lend me your power. I need your help to do it."

The rock miko gave her consent.



◇



"--Geez, to think you'd threaten a god."
"Like, truly unbelievable."

Once everything was over, Rusus and Fifi said that on board of an airship flying away from the Pier Rock kingdom.

"But I didn't threaten anyone. I merely made a request to god Zaikuon."

I sealed the [God's Fragments] that came out of the two apostles, linked with the rock miko's mind to call god Zaikuon, and asked him to put back the temple knight's soul that had remained in the last apostle into a new body created from the apostle's remain as a condition to release the two sealed fragments.

"Well, ain't it fine?"
"And the temple knight's rampage was treated like it was the demon's handiwork, so no harm done on god Zaikuon's reputation either."

Rusus and Fifi shrugged their shoulder.

Once everything was over, I made a show of flashy rays and sounds of explosions with light magic, produced god Zaikuon's mark high above the arena's sky to authentically make it look like god Zaikuon did something, and then I came out of the arena with the sacred treasure equipped.

A demon assuming the temple knight Senuma's appearance was rampaging, and I and the rock miko who had received an oracle stood up to eliminate the demon, or so the story was spread.
Since I came out of the arena equipped with armor befitting that of a holy warrior, a great many people appeared to believe it.

Well, perhaps it's thanks to that follow-up, I've successfully cleared the trial and got the [Mark of Zaikuon] on my title column.
There's also some disgruntled sounding titles like [One who Tricks God], and [Disrespectful Traitor] among the titles, but I don't really care as long as I cleared the trial.

"There was no riot either, ain't it fine?"
"It hasn't been long since the divine punishment, like any moron would cause a riot."

Rusus and Fifi turned their sight outside the window while sipping on ale.

"In the end, you went and donated to all temples?"
"Trifling it may be--"

I affirmed Rusus's question.

I gave donations to all seven temples, 100 gold coins and food of equal proportion to each.
According to these two, Saga Empire would come to help with provision even if I left them be, but I wouldn't want people there to starve while waiting for that.

"So, are you really going there? There's nothing but ruins y'know?"
"Yes, there's something I need to check out a bit."

I replied to Fifi who was delightfully gnawing on dry-cured ham.

"I would come to play too if the vampire survived~"
"That sounds fun."

Liza who came out victorious in a match against the rib meat took a leg meat while agreeing to Rusus.

We're heading to a city at the neighboring country that was destroyed by vampires.
Since that city has been blockaded by Saga Empire, I've asked Rusus and Fifi to let us pass while also escorting them to the Dragg Kingdom.

Since I'm planning to dispatch Echigoya branch offices in the countries around here, it'll be bad if some stray vampires that are good at hiding lurk around, so I'd like to investigate first.

"Hey hey, Satou."
"Wanna wager whether Meiko who went to Dragg Kingdom ahead of time picked a fight with the country's guardian dragon or not?"

Rusus and Fifi said some foreboding sounding thing with a smile on their whole face.
Apparently, there's a lot of brawn for brains girls in this world.

Seeing the two, Liza also smiled.

"Guardian dragon is it. I would love to have a match with it myself."

--Et tu, Liza.





※Next update is planned for 6/3


Previous Chapter

Chapter 55 Gotta be Thorough with the Clean Up - Latter Part

 

Afterward, I went around to visit everyone who helped me in this incident.

I presented sake to Boss-san and bowed my head to thank him for his help. 'Don't worry 'bout it', said Boss-san while laughing heartily. He was even delighted to see me safe instead. What a man.

I also visited Maniwa-san's store to give my thanks but unfortunately, the Muscle Brothers weren't there. I guess it's only natural, they're adventurers after all. Since neither of us knew where they were, I left Maniwa-san with a message for them while also thanking him.
I gifted them with not-for-sale Potion Sets (higher quality stuff that are more potent than the common ones), for them and Maniwa-san.

Since I ran off to Sefi-san, I didn't know what went down afterward, apparently, they let go of adventurers who only took the quest after making them swear not to lay their hands on me ever again. While the three Jamito's underlings are currently training under the Muscle Brothers. That may sound like they got off easy, but when I imagine how Yasuda School training is like, it's kinda frightening. According to Maniwa-san, the school seems to boast an especially tough training course that's also a little naughty that embodies its motto; 'a healthy mind in a muscley body'. Ooh, I cowered a bit there. Especially at the naughty part.

And since I was here already, I also bought several sheet of blankets to fix my now holey clothes. It's a bit embarrassing to use them inside buildings since they bare my body for the world to see.


Next, I went to the 『Flame Dog』 to tell Mitama and Futsuno-san about the info I got, but unfortunately they hadn't returned from their quest yet, so I just left them a message.

Thinking that was all, I went to the shopping ground to purchase ingredients. I'll be in Sefi-san's care from today on, no harm in a little feast right. I've got lots of meat with me anyway, no problem there. Let's get the stuff that's running low like eggs, flavoring and fruits. Huh? Kumahat-san's got some milk and vanilla essence here. I'm kinda interested in where he got them from, but I'm not gonna miss this chance. Bought! Right, it's been awhile since I made that, I'll go with that. I'm sure Sefi-san will be pleased.


<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>

It's almost evening by the time I arrived at Sefi-san's mansion.
And in the mansion, Sefi-san is... sleeping, figured.
Weird, wasn't there an order she needed to rush? But I couldn't bring myself to wake her when I saw her blissful sleeping face. She might have not enough sleep lately with all the stuff happening.

I quietly went to the kitchen while making sure not to make noise. Let's make her something to eat for when she gets up.


Egg, milk, sugar, and vanilla essence. It should be obvious what I'm making with all these together. That's right, pudding. Smooth pudding that won't lose to Tama-chan's super smooth skin. There are times when even men crave for sweet, don't you think. I refrain myself from making bucket pudding tho'.

And here's today's menu.
Louiv Pork tonteki, bread, salad, mushroom stew, and for the desert, fruit punch and pudding.

Now then, it's taken quite a bit of time, I should wake Sefi-san up, and have a meal. Ah right, I should ask her about the order too. Hafta confirm how much work should I help her with.


I put the food on the dining room and shake Sefi-san up.

"Sefi-san, your meal is ready you know? Please get up."

"...Mmmm, five hours more~"

"Way too long! I'll do this to you if you won't wake up."

I tickle Sefi-san's foot. Without holding back.

"Hyaaaaa, iyaan, stop iit, ahahahafuuuun. Nmou, Nobu-chan, you meanie~."

"From what I saw the dining room, you didn't eat anything after I left this morning, did you? Sefi-san is gonna drink all day if I leave you alone, so I'm gonna be stern on you. I don't want you to get sick after all."

"Nobu-chan..."

"Here now, please have at them before they got cold. I've prepared your meal and desert with it, enjoy yourself."

"Uwaa, this look so good~. Ufufu, let's dig in."

As expected of a carnivorous girl (in a different meaning?), she made a quick work of the meal. The way she eat is fascinating to watch. She could be a match for Mitama.

"Nnnnn. Swee~t. I love this pudding~."

"I'm glad that it's to your taste. Right, how many potions do we have to make for the rush order? It must be a lot if you need my help, no?"

"Nnfuu, actually, it's not that many? It's 30 peach flavored potion bottles by tomorrow morning~. I think the order form is on the desk there~."

Sefi-san pointed at the living room while blissfully eating the pudding.

"Ah, then I'll go fetch it."

30 bottles huh. I'm sure even Sefi-san alone could finish it easily. Well, she must have felt helpless due to the anxiety.
The desk, the desk... Ah, this huh. So what do we have here, by tomorrow morning.... 300 bottles!?
Waitaminute, isn't it off by one digit!?

"Sefi-san. This order form, it's asking for 300 potions though!?"

"Eh!?"

She stared hard at the order form I gave her then her eyes went round. And then, she slowly turned around to me with a pale face.

"O~oh~no~, I got it wrong~. W-w-w-what should we do. R-right~, since I won the drinking bout against Captain-commander back then, I should still have one request I could ask him. Make it so the order never existed..."

Sefi-san is panicking while holding the order form. Calm down a bit. Since the order is by Master's subordinate, I would feel sorry for him. I mean, his forehead is quite receded enough from accumulated stress even though he's not yet 30. If the 300 potion order was treated like it never existed, lotsa stuff would fall off the guy, in many ways.

"Please calm down. Where did you put the remaining ingredients, bottles, and equipment? I'll lend a hand, let's get it done quick. There should be enough time if we do this together and start now."

"Eh, ah, un, you're right. Those stuff were packed in the vacant rooms, we could immediately begin after unpacking them. Thank you, Nobu-chan."


It kinda feels like I just can't leave Sefi-san alone. And I think that part of her is quite cute, wonder if that means I've fallen that deep.
And thus, the curtain for our rushed life was lifted.










Previous Chapter

Chapter 54 Gotta be Thorough with the Clean Up - First Part

 

I rushed to the 『Shut-in Lamia』.

And got totally taken aback when I arrived there.


Over there is... nothing but an empty plot of land!? Eh? What happened here!!??

It's only been 2 days you know? I didn't get anywhere near here yesterday since I was in a hurry and it was already dark, but isn't this just too much change?

Could anyone explain to me what happened here please...

Someone called out to me from a big mansion behind the store while I was at a loss.

"Nobu-cha~n, over here, over here~"

It was Sefi-san.

She called me from inside that big house, is that alright? I run to Sefi-san with that question in mind.
The mansion in the back is a house bigger and grander than even Master's, it wouldn't be strange if it was a nobleman's. Sefi-san is inside that house like it's normal for her, wonder if she's acquainted with the owner as a neighbor?
I entered the mansion and couldn't find traces of other residents inside. There's only Sefi-san in the parlor.

"Geez, it's cause Nobu-chan ran off without listening to me. Many things happened after that you know~. Even yesterday the guards visited by and asked me lots of questions~."

"Eh!?"

"I think they came to ask about that person? Jamito's mansion was apparently blown away in an explosion, so they came here to ask us about the situation because we were the last people involved with him, you see~. I told them Nobu-chan went to pick some herbs, and there was a testimony of you passing through the north gate so they didn't press that hard~. But Master-san left a message asking you to come by you know~?"

Hargh, Master called for me huh. I'm a bit... no quite terrified. Hope he hasn't found out.
Oh right I haven't asked her about the important stuff.

"Sefi-san, what happened to the store, why is it an empty land? And this mansion is?"

"Although that store was full of memories. It was originally a renovated old store, so things were falling apart anyway~. So I thought, might as well use this chance to build a new one ♪"

No, err, 'might as well'. That easily...

"This mansion is my residence you see~. A retired noble, drinking friend of mine you see. Transferred this mansion to me in his will. We often drank together until morning you know~."

Partner in drinks huh. I had thought it was that kind of relationship, gotta keep that a secret.
According to Sefi-san, a certain retired nobleman purchased this mansion to quietly spend his last after his wife had passed away. But since Sefi-san was his neighbor, and of the same level of heavy drinker as himself, forgot about quietly, he passed away with smiles full of satisfaction. Holding a wine bottle till the end.

Nuh uh nope, drunkards are scary. It's unbelievable how he gave her a mansion just like that for being a drinking companion. As a prerequisite, she's been tasked to manage the winery, or rather a storehouse that keeps his liquor collection. Manage here means to nicely drink everything until it's been exhausted up, said Sefi-san. Well, from that retired nobleman's point of view, I guess that must have been better than having it rot away or sold.

As for the store, tools and consumable that still looked usable were carried into this mansion, afterward workers dispatched by Construction Guild used their magic to turn it into an empty plot. Magic for that kind of use case too huh. I'm also interested in that magic. I'll be sure to watch during the construction.
Most of the products in the store were burned down so we suffered a huge loss, but the mixing equipment and ingredients were safe so they've been stored here in this mansion.


"Since Nobu-chan has also provided the funds, we're now business partners for real okay~. And I have something to ask you... Nobu-chan, if you don't mind, I'd be happy if you could live in this mansion."

What!?

"I mean, look, so many things happened during this incident didn't it? So I thought, it could be dangerous for a woman to live alone here, right. And we have some orders that need to be delivered soon too."

The last part is your real intention huh, I understand. But I did cause her trouble this time, I've got to make up for it to her. Even though Jamito is gone now after taking a tough measure, there's no guarantee there won't be a retaliation after all. I would give them hell they wished they were never born if they did try though.

Thus, I decided to take up this offer. I'm also thinking of making Tama-chan's goods after all. I could use Sefi-san's evaluation whether it could be sold in the market.


<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>


For now, I have to tell the inn about me leaving so I left the mansion. First of all, let's go to Master's house. He's probably still there since it's still early in the morning. Phew, my steps feel heavy.
I arrived there. After passing through the entrance, I went straight to the garden, they should be doing morning training right about now.
The closer I get the louder the 'hyun hyun buon' sounds that most people probably wouldn't have guessed to be the sounds of human swinging their fists.
After waiting for the right time, I call out to them.

"Good morning. I have come as requested."

"Ooh, you're here. I made you come here because there's something I ought to apologize to you for, Nobusada. I did go to look for you myself without avail."

"Pardon me for that."

"There was an interruption in the matter you asked me to handle. I couldn't mobilize the guards as I liked. Forgive me."

"Please don't mind it, Sefi-san is safe after all, and everything came together nicely in the end before I knew it, all's well that ends well."

"Right it did. Even if the ringleader was blown to smithereens in an accident, the guards cannot be mobilized thus there's nothing to investigate either. Dear me, accidents are scary stuff."

Master grinned there. Aah, this is, looks like everyone knows. The fact that he doesn't make any move there is either because of my sake or to one-up the interruption. Either way, Master is quite bad himself huh.

"You've got the strength alright but your softness was a cause of worry. However, thanks to this matter, it looks like that's gotten quite a bit better. I shan't ask you what you did, I'm just glad you're safe."

"Yes, I've been made quite aware how much of a softie I was."

"I couldn't believe my ears when Nobusada-san asked for my assistances, but I never thought it would turn out like this... like how Sefirot-san's store was burned down. Is she alright?"

"Yes, she only got a little scald. And it's healed already. The store will be rebuilt too. And since it's a dangerous time, I plan to stay at her place for a while."

"Eh!?"

"Eh? No well, I mean, otherwise it's gonna be inconvenient if anything happens, most of the potions are unusable too, and I've got to help her deal with the guards and stuff."

"I-is that so."

Eleanor-san, your expressions are all over the place since awhile ago.
And you Master, stop grinning!

"Oh right, I was ambushed by quite a lot of adventurers in the dungeon, would the Adventurer Guild deal with them if I lodged a complaint?"

"...I'm truly sorry to say this, but since the quest about capturing a criminal that those adventurers had accepted was issued by the guild, we cannot hand out a punishment on them. Of course, that Nobusada-san being a criminal is completely false, so you have nothing to worry about. And since the quest client, Jamito, turned out like that, this matter is most likely going to be unresolved."

Left in the dungeon? Guess there's no helping it since the mastermind was erased from existence, and it was me who did it. Ah well, guess I've got no choice. Since I've memorized all their names, I'll consult with Sefi-san and prohibit our goods to be sold to them.

"Still, the guildmaster deemed this matter to be a huge problem, and has issued penalties and lowered the valuations of all the perpetrators and everyone involved. Please keep this info a secret."

"Bluntly speaking, I egged on the guildmaster. After all, my pupil almost got done in. Even if he's my friend, there is no distinction in this regard."

Ooh, the guildmaster here is Master's friend huh.
Hmm, I think it's a good idea to go through master when I'm delivering evidence about the guild's inner corruption to the guildmaster. I'm gonna keep it with me for now. I'll put it to good use when the time is right.

Afterward, I gave my heartful thanks to the two and told them I would be coming here regularly again from tomorrow morning on.


Next is Solomon's Pavilion huh. If I'm not mistaken, tomorrow is just about time for me to pay the rent again, so it's just right.


At the Solomon's Pavilion, everyone is currently cleaning up after the breakfast period. Feels like it's been a long time since I'm here.
I leave Tama-chan in the care of the little girls, and tell Donur-san I'm leaving the inn.
Donur-san loathed to part with me, 'I see it's gonna be quiet here'. The little girls entreated, 'don't go', mostly to Tama-chan... The hierarchy hasn't changed at all! Or rather, the springy version-up Tama-chan is getting even more popular. I-I'm not sad or anything ok.

I tidied the room while licking my mental wounds and left the room. Most of my luggage is already with me though.
As a farewell gift, I was treated to breakfast from the leftover. Yup, it's good. I leave the inn after making a promise to eat here again, it's in the town anyway.
Thanks for taking good care of me these past two months.











Previous Chapter

16-48. Trial of Zaikuon (3) [Revised]

 

※2018/5/27 The latter half has been hugely altered.

Satou here. I think everyone, regardless of who, has cravings, big or small, for limelight and recognition. That in itself is important as motivation to keep moving forward, but when such a craving is swelled up so big one could only be satisfied by comparing oneself to others, I think that's where it gets dangerous.



◇


"How'd you show up out of nowhere, space magic?"
"And why's miko-chan floating over there?"

Attendants of Hero Hayato, Rusus and Fifi threw me those questions.
Instead of looking puzzled to see me and the rock miko suddenly appearing in the arena, the two seemed very calm as expected of these two veterans.

『Emerge triumphant in the fight, accomplish the trial』

god Zaikuon spoke so through the rock miko who was still floating in the air.
At the same time, a black line was drawn on the edge of the arena.

"So then, are you going to fight us?"
"That's nice~. I was just feeling a little lacking with the fight earlier. We're ready anytime if it's a fight you want, Satou?"

Rusus and Fifi smiled ferociously.
They crack their fists, looking really pleased.

I don't mind fighting these two, but I still can't grasp what god Zaikuon is thinking, having me fight the two apostles that were powerful though imperfect earlier.

The rock miko held her hands up toward the heavens, then a yellow lights descended from beyond the sky, and then three yellow orbs appeared from inside that light, floated away and stopped right in front of me.

『Accept the powers of god, stand among the lowest seat of great apostles』

Nah, I'm good.

Perhaps my inner thought showed, as the yellow light orbs were repelled away in front of my chest.

『Why do you reject』

I mean, why wouldn't you?
Who needs [God's Fragment] that's almost certainly a back door anyway.

The rock miko turns her sight at Rusus and Fifi.

The light orbs floated toward Rusus and Fifi instead, but then a blue membrane-like material manifested itself around the two and repulsed the yellow light orbs away.
That was probably the divine protection of God Parion or something.

"O God! Our great God! Your servant, Holy Warrior Senuma is right over here!"

After the personnels in charge of the arena carried away the [Magic Warriors of Karion], the Zaikuon temple knight rushed into the arena.
The officials tried to go after him, but they were halted by a transparent wall that appeared around the arena.
Looks like the arena has been isolated by god Zaikuon.

The light orbs floated toward the temple knight and then began to orbit around him as if assessing him.

"By the Grace of great god Zaikuon, I shall slay the hounds of Parion and make known the great name of Zaikuon to all!"

The temple knight appealed at the light orbs orbiting around him.
He looks really desperate somehow.

"Satou, isn't that miko-san in, like, a real bad situation?"

At Rusus's warning, I turned my gaze toward the rock miko to find her unconscious with intense yellow light gushing out of her eyes and mouth.
Looks like she's hitting her limit with the Divine Possession.

The light wrapping her dissolved away as she fell onto the ground.
According to AR readings, she's been severely weakened, to the point that she'd die were she left alone.

"I, holy warrior Senuma, beseech your Grace, once again here!"

The cold-hearted temple knight ignored the predicament his colleague in, as he kept appealing to the light orbs.

Seemingly stricken by his desperation, one light orb went inside the temple knight's chest.
AR reading tells me that the Temple Knight has acquired the Unique Skill, [Invincible Warrior (Champion)].
His level has increased from 30 to 45, probably cause he got a God's Fragment.

"Ooooooh! My body is overflowing with powers! God powers of such majesty! No one can stand in my way now!"

Looks like he's intoxicated by feelings of omnipotence from the God's Fragment.

"Here I come, you Parion hounds! Prepare yourselves!"

Yellow light is flickering around the temple knight's body.
According to AR readings, his State is now [Champion] and [Super-Strength].
The former was Unique Skill, the latter is probably from god Zaikuon's sacred treasure.


Now then, that's fine and all, but the situation has gotten complicated somehow.


At first, it seems the trial would be done by defeating Rusus and Fifi, but now I'm not sure if I should cooperate with the knight to defeat the two or beat all three myself.
Working together with the two to defeat the temple knight should be out of question.


Even though he's received a God's Fragment, the current temple knight is probably still not a match to Rusus and Fifi.



◇


"By hound, you mean me? I'm a wolf not a dog y'know?"

The wolfear-kin Fifi rubbed her nose with her finger while smiling ferociously.

"Then, I'll be taking Satou on."
"Ah, no fair, Rusus! We're gonna decide who's going to fight Satou after I beat down this guy!"

I smiled wryly to see Rusus and Fifi disputing.

These two really love to fight as always.

"You bastard! You are before Zaikuon Apostle, the holy warrior Senuma-sama, what insolence!"

While the two were having a carefree chat, the enraged temple knight rushed at a terrifying speed toward Fifi.
The temple knight's sword that was faster than wind flashed and grazed Fifi's cheek.

He's clearly faster than when he's buffed only with [Super-Strength] from the sacred treasure, but he's incomparably slower than the apostle with [Champion] state that I fought before.
It appears that only the real apostle of god could show the true powers of [God's Fragment].

"Oh pretty good. You're as fast as Rusus at least."
"Kuha, kuhahahaha, god's power is grandiose! Having been granted god Zaikuon's grace--"

The temple knight who stopped while getting drunk in his powers got kicked hard by Fifi who closed in at the same speed.

The temple knight rolled on the ground got flicked away by the transparent wall above the black line.

"You're pretty good. Parion Apostles."

The temple knight stood up while bleeding from his mouth.

"Huh, when did we become apostles again?"
"Who knows?"

Fifi and Rusus shrugged their shoulders.

"No point standing around here, let's go at it ourselves yeah?"
"I'd like to give her treatment first if I could, do you mind waiting for a bit?"
"Nope, go on then."

Since I got Rusus's approval, I stopped next to the rock miko and let her drank elixir.
I made use of this timing to put away the holy sword and magic wand I had in hands.

The damage on both rock miko's body and soul should be restored by elixir, but it seems she still won't come to due to exhaustion.
There's no need for me to stay beside the rock miko anymore, but it'd be bad if Rusus noticed that I was done with the treatment, thus I pretend to be treating the miko by circulating mana into her.

"Oh what's this? Fifi's getting pushed back?"

I lift my head when I heard Rusus, and true enough, Fifi who was on the offensive earlier is now busy defending.

Finding it strange, I looked at the temple knight and saw that his level had been raised to 55, and he now has another Unique Skill [Vanquish Archer].
One of the light orbs orbiting the temple knight has vanished.
It appears that the temple knight got a power up while I wasn't looking.

"Fuhn, forget Hayato, you're not even at Meiko's and Seigi's level."
"Damn you Parion hound!"

Provoked by Fifi, yellow light wraps the temple knight once again.

"This isn't the extent of powers granted to me by great god Zaikuon!"

Looks like he hasn't used the Vanquish Archer's powers yet.

"--Take this!"

When the temple knight swung his sword down, an arrow of light manifested from his sword and flew toward Fifi.
Moreover, it split into 10 halfway through and rained down on her.

Cloud of dust whirled up when the arrows hit the arena, leaving it full of holes.
I think the situation is straying a bit too far from the match.
I'm not too worried about Fifi as she should be able to manage, but perhaps I should be ready to jump in anytime.


<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
◇



Fifi jumped out of the cloud of dust that had filled the center of the arena.
A moment later the cloud of dust was split in two.

Right afterward, Fifi who was still in mid air turned around and swung her sword.

Fifi's sword produced intense sparks, sounds of air splitting echoed in the surroundings.
Apparently, the temple knight attacked her with an invisible slash.

Then second slash, third slash, Fifi parried them away while evading.
She couldn't seem to guard against the shockwaves, she's cut here and there, her blood stains her clothes red.

"Need a help? Fifi."
"Shut up! Fifi-sama ain't gonna lose against this level of an opponent!"

Even though there's not much gap in their levels now, and she's up against someone with two battle-oriented Unique Skills, Fifi still believes in her victory.

"Be proud of yourself, holy warrior. I'll show you a technique that I've never used in a match except against Hayato before."

Fifi provoked the temple knight while calmly sorting out her breathing.

Like saying, she's confident that her technique will bring her victory.

"Come at me, Parion hound. Witness as your little tricks stood powerless before holy warrior Senuma-sama who have received the Grace of god Zaikuon!"

The temple knight arrogantly jerked up his chin.

"O original blood that flows within me. O blood vessel of the divine wolf. Together with rekindled ancient memories--"

Light dwells in Fifi's blue eyes.

Feels like this chant gonna revive my lost history of chuunibyou.
I think it's a type of autosuggestion used to access the skill.

"--<Beast Form>"

Steam-like white aura rises up from Fifi's body, her canine teeth are transforming into fangs.
Along with that, the white aura wraps around Fifi like fur, making her look like a werewolf.

According to AR readings, this aura has a support effect of adding five times her stats into her status.
In exchange, her stamina and MP gauges are decreasing at an awful rate.

This is probably a big reason why she didn't use the technique while fighting against demon lords.

"UORYAAAAAAA!"
"NUOOOOOOOOO!"

Fifi is closing in while swiftly evading the incoming light arrows shot by the temple knight.
The invisible slashes that came assaulting during her rush were all punched down by the silver aura-clad Fifi.

The moment they were within each other sword range, a fierce sword clash began.
The slashes that Fifi parried crushed the arena, while the shockwaves from Fifi's attacks the temple knight blocked blew cloud of dust.

"Uwaa, that looks so fun~"

Rusus looks like she's truly envious as she watches Fifi and the temple knight who are scattering colorful sparks around and letting out heavy sounds.

It's scary since she said that while looking here, but there's something that's piqued my interest more.
I saw yellow light ripples running through the temple knight's body during this battle.

I'm not sure whether Unique Skills from god Zaikuon are the same as Unique Skills that reincarnated people like Arisa have, but I don't think you could get away willy nilly using powers beyond what human could wield.

"Eat this!"

Fifi unleashed a powerful move on the temple knight while shouting out loud.
I missed it a bit, but apparently she hit him with her finisher right when the temple knight lost his footings by her rapid assault.
The temple knight's barrier was broken down by the direct hit, blowing off his helmet.


◇


"Ooh, did she beat him?"

Rusus shouted out loud when she saw the temple knight laying on the arena's ground.

Fifi who's just unleashed her finisher is also wounded with bone fractures and blood all over her body, yet she still keeps her stance without letting her guard down.
Apparently, she's exhausted up all her stamina, she's no longer in Beast Form.

"--Oh boy, you're pretty tough."

The temple knight rose up while supporting his body with his sword.
It seems the bones in his right arm and left leg are fractured.
Fifi smiled fiercely and beckoned at the temple knight with her hand as if provoking him.

"Gununu--"

The temple knight had his gaze swim all over the place restlessly before it caught on the last light orb orbiting around him.

"O god Zaikuon... Grant your grace upon this holy warrior Senuma who befits your apostle!!"

The temple knight's hand clad in yellow light caught the light orb.
As the orb was struggling to get away in his hand, he put it into his mouth and gulped it down.

"--NUOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

The temple knight roared towards the heavens.

At the same time, yellow light wrapped around him, and his barrier that was destroyed by Fifi's beast form reformed back.
Furthermore, his broken limbs and wounds were healed too.

Matching that, his level rose from 55 to 65.
With another Unique Skill added; [Great Caster].

"Glory to god Zaikuon--"

The temple knight looked up to the sky and praised the god.


◇


"Isn't that, like, super bad?"
"It is--"

Not Fifi, but the temple knight that is.

A thin layer of yellow crystal has formed on the his forehead.
Similar to Hero Meiko who overused her Unique Skills during the Divine Punishment.

It's still a bit away before he reached Meiko's state, but that limit is coming closer for sure.

"--Tch. You cheat bastard."

Fifi cursed out.

The temple knight's face was filled with joy when he saw Fifi being like that.
He hasn't gone straight onto the offensive because he's enjoying the situation.

"Would you like me to swap with her?"

I asked Rusus while pretending to stop the rock miko's treatment.

"Huhn? Ain't you on Zaikuon Temple's side?"
"Oh no, I'm not really on their side."

With wounds all over her body like that, it could get dangerous for Fifi after all.

"However, we don't need your help."

Rusus walked toward the arena while waving her hand behind.

"After all, I'm Fifi's partner."

Rusus buffed herself up with body reinforcement skill and rushed out to help Fifi.

The level gap should be bigger than their fight against demon lords, yet the two were able to somehow hold their ground by cooperating together.

However, that probably will only last until they've exhausted up their stamina in a few minutes.

I'd like to respect their warrior spirits, but I probably should get ready to cut in anytime.

"--Gwaaa"
"Fifi!"

Fifi who couldn't block the temple knight's sword got blown away.
Rusus begins to cross swords with the knight, but she's clearly at disadvantage with her partner not present.

Nevertheless she's still able to stand her ground against the temple knight's fierce attack, but she's fighting an opponent that has leveled up beyond her level through God's Fragments, and is buffed with Unique Skills, holy magic and the divine treasure's [Super-Strength].

She's nearing his limit--.

"--Tch. Even double physical buff can't hold this thing off huh..."

Rusus took the downswing attack in order to protect Fifi, she got beat down onto the ground and coughed out blood.

"--Die."
"I won't let you."

This time, the wounded Fifi blocked the blow that was directed toward Rusus.
However, she couldn't manage to block the blow as her sword broke down, the temple knight's sword that hadn't lost its momentum broke Fifi's shoulder.

"This is theend--"

The temple knight holds up his sword clad in yellow light high.

"--What do you think youre doing?"

The temple knight whose articulation had gone weird looked down on me.

"Player swap, I guess?"

I thrust myself between the knight and the two with a handmade magic sword in hand.

"Bastard, who areyou?"

The temple knight inquired my identity.
Now that you mention it, I never introduced myself.

"Demon Lord Slayer, Pendragon of Shiga Kingdom."
"--Demon Lordslayer huh."

The temple knight smiled profoundly after hearing my name.

"I couldn't hope for a betteropponent."







※2018/5/27 I wasn't pleased with the chain of events, thus the latter half has been hugely altered.
The miko and Liza will show up later now, please take note.

Previous Chapter