Chapter 26
Translator: RoblagEditor: H . K . Glenstid
The magical attack was about to hit when Angeline had appeared in the nick of time . With a single kick, the girl had sent the attack careening into the sky . A powerful mass of magic had literally been punted into the horizon .
Everyone just stares with their jaws dropped; speechless and stunned .
Angeline herself looks like she had a rough night . She’s got her hair messily tied up, but one can still see the evidence of bed hair . Dark shadows linger around her eyes which were practically radiating with tiredness . The simple dress she had worn to sleep is full of creases and wrinkles . But that doesn’t matter to her right now .
“So . I assume you’re the one bullying my friends . ”
Angeline’s eyes narrow dangerously on the boy .
“You,” Byaku’s normal emotionless demeanor cracks a little, a tiny drop of cold sweat trickles down his face . “I’ve seen you before…”
The girl shrugs . “Yeah . I get that a lot . ”
Byaku’s eyes never leave Angeline’s . He grinds his teeth . “If I were you, I’ll walk away and pretend I didn’t see anything . ”
Angeline’s eyebrow raises questioningly . Then her gaze turns into a murderous glare .
As if to provoke the boy, she performs a couple of practise swings with her sword . She gently prods at her shoulder wound, checking it before going into a quick set of stretches and squats . The girl seems satisfied with her body condition .
“You know…” Angeline says, readying her blade . “I think I’m going to fight . ”
Byaku growls . He dashes back a safe distance and raises his arms . The panorama around Angeline distorts like a mirage .
“Angeline his magic is invisible!” Sasha yells .
However, Angeline doesn’t attempt to move at all . Although she looks like she barely had a wink of sleep, she wasn’t an S Rank for show . Her sword is a blur as it swings at the open air .
The remnants of the magical attacks split and fall to the ground, dispersing on contact . Everyone is silent .
“Hmm…”
Angeline’s figure blurs and disappears from view . Byaku blinks, and suddenly finds the ‘Black Haired Valkyrie’ behind him .
“What—”
Angeline—with an indifferent expression—kicks Byaku just as he tries to raise his hands and launch another magical attack . The golden geometric pattern prevents a direct hit, but the force of the kick sends Byaku flying back .
“My condition is pretty good…how did I recover so quickly?” Angeline thinks to herself .
She remembers having a nightmare when she was asleep . Beyond all the darkness, there was a voice calling to her, lulling her in further . But the darkness of her dream began to take hold of her and tried to drag her into a much deeper, darker area .
However, the warm sensation of a hand drove away the darkness . The nightmare disappeared completely and was replaced by the fragrant and nostalgic aroma of the forest .
It was peaceful .
But something had awakened her from her slumber .
A terrible feeling tormented her until she could no longer bear it . It’s as if something was calling her . So, she took her sword and ran out of the mansion .
Angeline snapped out of her thoughts when she senses another build up of magical power . She simply slices another spell with her sword .
“Do you mind? I’m trying to think…”
“You think this is the time to daydream?” Byaku growls . He stomps on the ground, a large burst of light erupts from him . “Don’t you dare underestimate me!”
Byaku’s magic swirls around him like a vortex of golden power to the epicenter . Golden third-dimensional shapes spin to life . Spheres, triangles, squares and other ecstatic complicated figures spin around the boy . The light flowed like a living liquid, squirming and moving and constantly changing form .
The golden geometric patterns illuminate Byaku like a radiating beacon of light .
Elmore stares in awe, hand shielding his eyes from the bright light . “T-That’s…Three Dimensional Patterns!”
Three-Dimensional Magic Patterns are high-level magic spells . In order to perform them, several techniques must be applied simultaneously . The flow of magical power and the shape of the pattern must be maintained, as well as the constant increase of energy and a firm will of the conjurer .
These spells are capable of acquiring mass, so they can be used to block swords and arrows, and can also be effective in attacking the enemy . By incorporating an automatic activation formula, the patterns can function as magical barriers and instantly defend the conjurer .
And if this were not enough, Byaku is able to add formulas of invisibility . It is an extremely difficult task to use so many techniques at the same time and without any error .
But if Angeline cared, she didn’t show it . She knows that all she has to do is defeat the enemy in front of her, regardless of what fancy tricks they have up their sleeve .
“High-tier magic…is that all?” Angeline mocks with a snort .
Byaku throws his arm forward . “Why don’t you see for yourself!”
The three-dimensional pattern flies at Angeline, it’s deadly golden light radiating with power . Angeline swings her sword, dispersing it with a steady swing, but is shocked at the weight . The magical attack forces the girl to skid a couple of feet back .
This new attack was a lot heavier than the Magic Bullets . Did his magic grow stronger when it became visible?
More three-dimensional patterns burst out around Byaku . Its radiance made him seem like the sun; the three-dimensional patterns were planets that revolve around him .
Angeline shakes her head, knowing now wasn’t the time to be lost in thought .
Her eyes narrow in on the boy’s hands, watching them conduct the patterns around . Most mages tend to direct their magic through their hands, and if Angeline is able to observe the movement of the boy’s arms…she can easily predict the direction of his attacks .
She leaves a small crater when she kicks off the ground, charging straight at Byaku . Byaku raises his arms calmly, sending his magic forward . Angeline side steps and spins around the first pattern, barely scraping past it . Another flies towards her head, and she cuts it down with full force . The magic patterns attack Angeline one after the other, barely giving her second to relax . She dodges them all with minimal movements and destroys the ones she can’t dodge with her sword .
However, when she thinks she has everything under control, a big impact strikes the back of her head . The adventurer’s view is clouded for a few moments . Dazed, Angeline dashes a safe distance .
She glares at the boy and steadies herself . Apparently, there are also patterns that can move without Byaku having to raise his arms . Byaku had tricked her into thinking that his attacks were linked to the movements of his arms .
Angeline rubs the back of her neck . “That was a dirty trick . Though to go through so much trouble…are you perhaps really weak?”
“…”
Byaku, as always, does not reflect any expression . However, the edges of his mouth or eyes twitch slightly . It is as if he is desperately trying to contain something .
Angeline feels the pain at her nape disappear quickly . She’s curious to her already recovered state…but is her body healing faster? What happened while Angeline was sleeping?
“It must be because of my Daddy’s care and love…yes, it must be…”
Angeline was certain that it couldn’t be anything else . She can already feel the power flowing through her body . It is not necessary for her to concentrate on other unnecessary ideas .
“Alright let’s see what I can do then . Here we go . ”
Angeline’s figure distorts like a flame in the wind . A split second later, Byaku back caves in as Angeline buries her foot into his back .
“Gah!”
The attack was too fast, even for the automatic magic barrier . The air escapes from his lungs and he feels a piercing pain in his chest . For the first time, Byaku’s face reflects an actual expression of pain .
Following her kick, Angeline smashes his temple with her sword hilt . Byaku’s head flies back as his vision goes hazy . A world of pain erupts from his head .
Distorted, Byaku stumbles back, blindly reaching out and grabbing Angeline’s arm in a vice-like grip . “That’s enough dodging out of you!”
With a murderous glare, he swings his other arm down . The remaining Magical Patterns hone in on the adventurer .
Seeing this, Angeline grabs Byaku and flings him to the side, diving for cover . The Magic Patterns collide with each other and create a huge hole in the ground .
Baku hits the ground and starts rolling away, but Angeline is hot on his heels . He tries to rise to his feet, but another solid kick sends Byaku skidding across the ground and into a tree .
“Guh…!”
He falls to the ground, gasping for breath, his shoulder dislodged and hanging loosely . He tries once more to get up, but Angeline is already behind him, placing her foot on his back and pushing him back to the ground .
“If I were you, I’d stay on the ground,” she growls . Her sword finds its way to his neck and rests there . “Now tell me, who are you? What’s your goal?”
Byaku spits on the ground . “Who do you think you are, bitch?”
The blade presses slightly . “I’m Angeline, daughter of the ‘Red Ogre’ Belgriff . ”
“A daughter?…A daughter! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Byaku starts to laugh . “You dare make fun of me!”
A demonic voice rips from the boy’s throat . Byaku’s body starts to squirm as unsettling noises erupt . The dislocated bones of his shoulders snap back to their original position . Byaku throws Angeline off him . Several emotions swirl in Byaku’s face and his eyes glow with madness .
He slowly rises to his feet, baring his teeth like an unchained animal .
“Why are you here, you bitch?!”
Angeline takes an unsteady step back . “Uh…what happened to your voice?”
Byaku roars and leaps at the adventurer . His hands have turned jet black, sharp claws replacing fingers . Angeline raises her sword and blocks the attack . She slides back a couple of feet from the strike .
“What are you? Are you even human?”
Byaku doesn’t answer and leaps again . His attacks are a blur to everyone, surpassing the speed of most seasoned adventurers . Angeline ducks another blow before dashing backward, but the attacks keep raining on relentlessly . Thankfully they are quite crude and predictable, like a berserker . She just needed an opening .
Angeline sees her opportunity and batters the next strike with her arm . She gives a battle cry, swinging her sword with all her strength . The blade flashes quickly, already by Angeline’s side . It takes a while, but soon Byaku starts yelling in pain .
“GAH!” the boy grabs his chest .
Angeline lifts up her leg, lashes out with a devastating kick to the boy’s chin . Byaku’s head is knocked backward and he topples onto his back . There is no blood on his clothes from the attack, but a black mist begins to rise from his wounds . Byaku’s hair changes from black to white .
Angeline pants heavily, pointing her sword at the downed boy . Her eyes narrow .
“What are you really? A new kind of magic beast?”
Angeline didn’t know what kind of response she would get . But she certainly wasn’t expecting Byaku to start giggling . He coughs and sucks in a deep breath .
“I’m the same as you…bitch . ”
Angeline looks confused, and her grip on her sword loosens just a bit . Byaku puts his hand on his chest and closes his eyes . Suddenly, his figure distorts for a moment, and Angeline realises her mistake .
She raises her sword and brings it down on the boy . But by the time she strikes, Byaku has already disappeared .
“No…No! Goddamnit!” she yells . She takes a couple of seconds to breathe . “H-He escaped…”
At the same time, a dull rumble is heard in the distance . It’s as if something had broken . Angeline looks towards the sound, as do the rest of the people .
A threatening black cloud looms above the Bordeaux mansion .
“Daddy! Please take care of everything in here!”
Belgriff awoke to the sound of Angeline screaming . Hazy, he sees Angeline grab her sword and run out of the room .
“W-What?” he asks, confusion lacing his voice .
Anessa and Miriam also get up suddenly and immediately look for their weapons, a common habit among adventurers . Their expressions are still a bit sleepy .
“What? What’s going on…?”
“Huh~? Where’s Angie~…?”
Belgriff looks at the elven elixir in his hand . He slips the small bottle into his pocket . He grabs the sword by his side and moves to open the window . A large dark cloud covers the night sky . The wind is warm, just like the one yesterday . When Belgriff looks at the garden, he can see Angeline sprinting to get somewhere .
“I have a bad feeling about this . The fight isn’t over yet is it…”
Belgriff turns to Anessa and Miriam .
“Let’s go . I’m worried about Lady Helvetica . ”
“But Angie is—”
“—She already left . We, on the other hand, have to protect this mansion . ”
The two girls look at each other, before nodding . After that, the three leave the room and head to Helvetica .
On the way, Belgriff is surprised to see how easily he can move his body . The old adventurer is convinced that the Elven elixirs are incredibly effective .
The smell of rottenness is still perceived inside the mansion, but the remains of the undead have been removed and all the windows have been opened for better air circulation . The guards continue to watch the mansion, while the servants clean up the remaining dirt .
In a large room, Helvetica and Selen are discussing some affairs . Their escorts are located in front of the doors and windows . Hearing Belgriff and the girls rushing in, Helvetica lifts her face with a surprised expression .
“What’s going on?”
A solemn look is on Belgriff’s face . “Lady Helvetica, there’s a black cloud over the mansion again . There is a good chance that another attack will be coming soon . ”
Hearing Belgriff’s words, Helvetica lowers her gaze, letting out a tired sigh . “I was right . ”
Belgriff looks confused . “What?”
“The enemies are after my head . I should have expected them to not have the courtesy to wait until morning to claim it . ”
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“Sister, Sasha is…”
“I know . I believe I have made a grave mistake sending her out alone…”
Everyone knows Sasha’s abilities, but at the moment no one knows what the resources and reach of their enemy are . Helvetica sent Sasha to keep an eye on Count Malta, but if he has a powerful escort…
Helvetica kneads her head, cursing at her recklessness . Was she too imprudent in trying to anticipate her enemy’s movements?
At that moment, the outside of the mansion becomes noisy . A servant bursts into the room .
“M-My Lady! The undead…They have returned!”
“They’re already here?” Helvetica curses .
Her mind is racing, and her heart is panicking . She looks around the room, seeing everyone looking at her . At that moment she takes in a deep breath and slaps her cheeks . Now wasn’t the time to panic . She was a Countess, and right now everyone in the mansion was in danger .
“Nobody panic, we are in a delicate situation and mustn’t waste a second,” Helvetica says . She points at the servant . “Notify whatever guards we have left, and gather everybody . The mansion is swarmed, and we must stick together . Thankfully, it is apparent that our enemy has also been impatient, so whatever forces they have would most definitely be limited . So I ask selfishly that everybody capable wear down their numbers . ”
Anessa and Miriam step forward .
“We’ll help . ”
“Yes~! I still want to fight~!”
“Thank you very much . ” Helvetica says with a warm smile . “And please, don’t push yourselves too hard . ”
The two girls nod and quickly leave the room . Belgriff also tries to leave, but Helvetica’s hand grabs the hem of his clothes .
Belgriff stops and turns to face the girl . “What’s wrong?”
Helvetica looks away nervously . “Could you stay by my side, please…Sasha and Ash aren’t here, and that makes me rather nervous…”
Helvetica’s always gave off the aura of a worthy and righteous noble . Her maturity was well beyond her years but right now…right now her weak grip was trembling . Her whole body was quaking in fear .
Belgriff’s expression softens . “I understand . I will protect you and everyone to the best of my ability . ”
“…Thank you,” Helvetica sighs . Selen is also relieved and embraces Belgriff’s other arm .
Belgriff offers a smile, before clearing his throat . “It’s best we move locations as soon as possible . Somewhere with a window to escape if we necessary . ”
The group soon consists of all the guards and servants of the mansion . At that moment, a lightning bolt illuminates the windows, and then an explosion is heard outside the mansion . Anessa and Miriam have just taken action . The number of undead is much lower than in the Battle of the Cemetery . If two AAA Rank adventurers are in charge of eliminating them, then there shouldn’t be any problems .
“Everybody move now!”
The large group moves to another room on the ground floor . Belgriff closes the door shut .
However, the worrying thing is that the true identity of the culprit of these riots is still unknown to Helvetica . If Count Malta is the mind behind it all, it means that he is being supported by a magician who can perform necromancy .
“We should be safe here for a breather . ”
Helvetica nods, and Selen slumps onto the ground . Everyone else seems to relax . The older of the two sisters comforts the younger, assuring her that everything was going to be okay Watching this, Belgriff thinks of Angeline…Where was she now? Was she alright? Was she caught up in this unruly attack?
Belgriff sighs heavily, massaging his temple and shakes his head . He needs to focus right now . Next to him, the windows begin to shake . He peers curiously at it, looking at the two sisters from the corner of his eye . They don’t seem to see anything…but…
There it was again .
The windows shake once more, and this time the distinctive, unpleasant scent of the undead begins to seep from the outside .
Belgriff’s eyes widen .
“Get away from the windows!” shouts the old adventurer .
Belgriff leaps forward and covers both girls just as the windows shatter . Black smoke rushes into the room . It rises to the ceiling, distorting with various shapes . The guards back up and form a line shielding everyone .
“Everyone out now!” Belgriff shouts, pointing to a door .
“This way!” Helvetica shouts, taking Selen’s hand and directing her towards the corridor . Belgriff holds the hilt of his sword tightly and turns towards the black smoke, he intends to cover everyone’s retreat . The smoke begins to converge at a single point and descends to the ground . Little by little, it begins to take on a clear form .
Suddenly, Belgriff’s right leg begins to hurt . The wooden peg aches, silently screaming at him for some reason . A cold sweat breaks out on the old adventurer . Was he scared?
Belgriff clenches his teeth, keeping his eyes fixed on the black smoke, and waits for the room to be empty . When Belgriff is the last one in the room, he finally slips out the door and into the corridor .
“Keep going! To the end of the corridor!” He urges, dragging nearby furniture in front of the door .
Everybody runs down the corridor . A few moments after they left the room, the door is blown to smithereens . Apparently, the smoke has finally taken a form .
“Lady Helvetica!” Belgriff says, coming up beside the Countess . “The undead should be manageable by Miss Ane and Miss Miri . I ask you to flee with everyone to their side . ”
“Yes, they can protect everyone . But what are you going to do Sir Belgriff?”
“I’ll keep this monster busy until you escape . ”
At that moment, the shadowy creature appears behind them down the corridor . It looks like a deformed spider, with tentacle-like legs, and round torso . However, this creature is much smaller than the one that appeared in the cemetery .
“Lady Helvetica, we are wasting time!” shouts Belgriff as he readily lifts his sword .
“But…Lady Angeline would never forgive me if you die!”
Belgriff smiles and looks back . “I won’t die . That girl…I taught her everything there is to know about being an adventurer . I won’t be able to look her in the eye if I’m defeated in a place like this . ”
Helvetica expression is filled with worry . She bites her lip and looks to everyone else . Helvetica seems hesitant for a moment but finally recovers her composure . She looks back at Belgriff . “All right…Good luck!”
Belgriff nods .
Helvetica turns back to everyone else . “Everybody, we have to go! Selen, hurry!”
“Y-Yes, Sister . ” Selen seems worried about Belgriff, but despite that, she runs after her sister .
Belgriff lets out a sigh of relief . Then he looks dead ahead at the abomination before him . The shadow creature comes nearer; each step closer brings more pain to Belgriff’s pegged leg .
Regardless, Belgriff lifts his sword readily .
“Alright…”
He lunges towards the shadowy creature, his blade arcing like a snake to its prey . The creature whips its tentacles forward in retaliation .
“Too slow . ”
Before they could touch him, Belgriff blade flashes silver and swiftly changes its arc, slicing through the tentacles and they fall to the ground . Moments later, the severed limbs disperse into clouds of black smoke .
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Belgriff’s body feels surprisingly light . Is it the effect of the elixir of the elves? His lost leg still hurts, but it is something he had long since gotten over . Right now, his senses are strangely sharp; it’s as if he can read the movements of his enemy like a book .
The creature squirms once more and attempts to strike the old adventurer once more, but Belgriff cuts the tentacles like a hot knife into butter .
Perfectly balanced, every move was planned and performed to perfection after years of honing his sword technique . Every cut he moved closer to the core of the shadowy creature . In no time at all, he reaches the creature’s torso . His feet come to a halt, but his sword continues to move as if it had a life of its own .
After cutting all the tentacles with amazing ease, the creature falls to the ground . Then it dissipates into black smoke, making a strange noise .
“Is…Is that it?”
This is somewhat anticlimactic . But perhaps for that very reason, the old adventurer senses that this is not yet over . However, he has no time to lose . Belgriff needs to meet with Helvetica, but when he slides the sword back into its sheath, he feels a presence behind him .
When the old adventurer turns around, he sees a little girl .
In front of him is Charlotte . Her face is distorted by anger, and her tiny fists tremble with fury .
“You are the girl with the Count…” says Belgriff .
The shadows on her face darkened, as a threatening rise in magical power radiates from the girl .
“W-Why…Why does everyone stand in my way!? Every one of you…!” shouts Charlotte as she slams her foot against the ground . “Why do you do it?! Why?!”
“Hey calm down . Everything is alright,” Belgriff says, offering a reassuring smile . He takes a careful step forward . “You’re not hurt are you? It’s dangerous to be here right now . Come with me and—”
“Don’t come any closer!”
Charlotte slaps Belgriff’s arm away . Tears are welling up in the girl’s eyes, and her power is threatening high . The black gem in the girl’s ring begins to glow a sickly colour .
“We were so close…We were so close!”
A wave of magical power erupts from Charlotte’s body . This catches Belgriff off guard, and he drops his hand to the hilt of his sword without realizing it . Charlotte has a demented and sinister smile, slowly turning mad .
She points her finger at Belgriff .
“Die . ”
A powerful Magic Bullet shoots out . Belgriff raises his sword and pushes against it . It is terribly heavy, and without a proper leg to support his weight, Belgriff slowly is pushed back . He grits his teeth and finds himself sliding back . With a cry, he uses his remaining strength to push through the Magic Bullet with his blade, dispersing it .
A second and third attack conjures around the mad girl and both fire in rapid succession . Belgriff dives through a wooden door and into a nearby room, not having the strength to defend against the magic .
The walls of the mansion explode behind him, sending splinters of wood everywhere . Another explosion happens right behind him, concaving the ground with a loud bang .
“Hahahaha…Hahahaha!” Charlotte laughs hysterically and more Magic Bullets fire rapidly around her . “Die! Die! DIE!”
Belgriff can only dodge them . His surroundings continue to explode as he maneuvers away to the best of his ability . Every second could be his last if he’s struck .
Each Magic Bullet is followed almost instantaneously each increasing with more power . Belgriff’s hand falls to his sword hilt, looking for a prime opportunity to strike…but could he do it? Regardless of power…this was still a young girl…
Suddenly, the Magic Bullets stop . Belgriff eyes widen as he sees Charlotte’s face take on an expression of fear . Her arm twists strangely at a weird angle . She screams and clutches it with her other hand .
“Wh-what is this!” she cries out .
The black gem in her ring suddenly swells, increasing in mass . The gem becomes a viscous liquid-like substance, wrapping around Charlotte’s hand and squeezing it in a vice grip . Charlotte tries to shake off the black substance, but she is unable to do so . She starts screaming in fear .
“No! Not like this! Help me! Father! Mother!”
Belgriff quickly rushes to Charlotte’s side . Her gaze is reflecting tears, her lips quavering . She fearfully reaches out with her other hand and desperately clings to Belgriff’s sleeve .
“Please! Help me!”
Belgriff doesn’t need to be told twice .
“Calm down!” Belgriff booms in a thunderous voice, shutting up the crying girl .
The old adventurer quietly looks at Charlotte’s hand . The black substance is revolting and has consumed her hand up to her wrist . But the substance is constantly eating at the girl, and it was only a matter of time before it covers the entire arm .
The old adventurer doesn’t know what to do . His mind is racing with any solutions, calling back on his years as an adventurer . Should he cut off her hand? No . Charlotte is still quite young . She could suffer irreparable damage from the shock, or something much worse .
Then a thought strikes him .
“Will that work?”
A crazy idea crosses Belgriff’s mind and he pulls the elixir out of his pocket . He unclogs the bottle and looks the girl in the eye . She seems fearful, but she doesn’t question what the liquid is . So he pours a few drops into the black substance .
As soon as the drops touch the black substance, it begins to convulse, almost as if it were suffering from terrible pain . Charlotte’s eyes widen .
“Aaaah!” she screams in pain .
Belgriff quickly grabs Charlotte’s thin arm, slipping his hand over the girl’s hand while holding her . The black substance peels off easily and falls to the ground .
As soon as it does, the old adventurer lets all the magical power flow from inside him to the blade of his sword and pierces through the substances and the floor . An explosion is heard throughout the entire mansion . Through the smokey clouds, the black substance dies away, wilting under Belgriff’s blade . Both Charlotte and Belgriff watch on as it shivers, and very slowly melts and sizzles into nothing .
Charlotte is stunned and falls to the ground, still shivering . Belgriff lets out a heavy sigh, not realising he was holding his breath . Apparently, they have managed to emerge in one piece .
Belgriff grabs at his sword and attempts to pull it out . He groans when it doesn’t budge at first, but eventually, he does and sheathes it . He looks to Charlotte . “Are you all right?”
Charlotte remains silent, but several tears stream down her cheeks . Then she wraps her arm around Belgriffs, clinging to him like a monkey .
“I was scared! I was so scared!” she wails .
Belgriff lets out another sigh . He subconsciously brings his hand to pat her on the head as she cries . Right now, Charlotte is behaving like any other girl her age .
‘Why does a little girl have so much power?’ Belgriff thinks .
While lost in thought, the air distorts and shimmers . Byaku appears before them in the destroyed corridor . The boy is full of wounds and bruises, obviously from a huge fight as he stumbles towards them . Charlotte sees him and releases her grip .
Despite his obvious pain, the boy is still able to lift Charlotte’s body off the floor with one arm .
“Who are you…?” asks Belgriff . His eyes curiosity observes the boy .
Byaku doesn’t say anything, instead remaining quiet . He looks over the old adventurer with a stoic expression . Charlotte pops her head up at the boy . “Byaku…What happened?”
At first, he doesn’t say anything . “…We have to go . ”
Byaku hugs Charlotte tightly, the movement seems to cause her agony . Suddenly a sea of flames erupts around the two, cascading around them like a flowing wave .
Charlotte looks at Belgriff with an afflicted expression . “…Thank you . ”
Before the girl finishes talking, the fire disperses and the duo disappears, leaving Belgriff in the darkened corridor . Belgriff doesn’t move for a few moments . Groaning, he reluctantly rose to his feet, then he hears footsteps approaching down the hall . When he turns around, someone jumps into his arms .
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“Daddy!”
“Oh, Angie . Are you okay?”
“Yes…You’re safe and sound too, Daddy . I knew you were all right,” Angeline says with a cheerful smile as she buries her face into her father’s chest .
Even if it’s close to dawn, Malta still hasn’t heard a word on the whereabouts of Byaku nor Charlotte . Perhaps this should be classified as another failure . The Count leaves the inn with haste, knowing it was best that he leave . He shouldn’t have entrusted something like this to worthless children .
If everything goes on like this, the Bordeaux family will no doubt catch him soon . He has to get out of the city and try again at a later date .
Maybe he should meet the nobles of the eastern cities?
A sinister smile arcs his lips .
Across the street, the Count meets a troop of soldiers . The soldiers greet him and bow before the presence of Malta .
“Count, what are you doing in the street so late…or perhaps I should say early?” the soldier chuckles at his own joke .
Malta joins in the chuckling, trying to retain his innocent facade . “I…Well, I want to help keep the streets safe . After a devastating attack like that, I thought I should try and help wherever I can . As you can see, I’ve been patrolling a little . ”
“Oh, that’ s wonderful! You must be tired . It may not be high quality, but we know a place with good wine . How about we take a break?”
Malta considers it . There’s no way he can leave town with the clothes he’s wearing . He also has to go to the military station and find his soldiers . He also needs a horse . Besides, if he refuses this offer, they might suspect him . Who will believe him if he tries to remain clear and stay away from the commoners?
“Alright,” he says with a warm smile . “Of course I’ll be glad to join you all . ”
The soldiers smile and guide Count Malta through the streets to the military station . The sturdy building is made of stone, and outside, there are soldiers and adventurers who sit near the fire . All greet the Count warmly as he passes by .
‘Apparently, these commoners still think that I eliminated the magic beasts,’ thinks Malta with a smile . ‘They are all idiots . ’
Once inside, a soldier leads the Count to a wooden door at the back of the building .
“Count, this way, please . It’s a room for the exclusive use of our superiors . ”
“Aha . You humble me,” Malta says, though his expression said otherwise .
The soldier offers a smile, and Malta returns it and strolls into the room . But when the Count enters the room, his eyes widen with surprise .
Helvetica is sitting on a wooden chair in the middle of the room surrounded by a group of soldiers . She waves a hello .
“Count Malta, I bid you welcome,” she smiles .
The door slams shut loudly behind Malta . The soldiers quickly rush to his side, seizing his arms in an iron grip . Malta’s face is pale .
“Ah! Lady Helvetica! What a surprise to see you here? To what…do I owe all this!” he squirms .
Helvetica’s smile turns cold . The Count sees the sword hanging by her waist, and his stomach drops .
“It’s a little late for that, isn’t it Malta?” Helvetica says, dropping the honorifics . “I wish you had led a quiet life in Hazel . ”
“W-What are you talking about Lady Helvetica? Did I do something wrong? If so I assure you there has been some mistake—”
“You know well what you’ve done,” Helvetica stands up and draws the sword by her waist .
Seeing himself in front of a sharp blade, Malta’s breath is shaken . “W-Wait! If you kill me, your reputation will fall to the ground…What about evidence? Yes! That’s right! You need evidence to accuse me of something!”
“I have no evidence . For now,” Helvetica admits regrettably . She sighs, her smile breaking .
Malta sees his opportunity . “Then this is stupid! Outright injustice! You can’t do this to me! It’s against morals and the obligation that nobles should uphold!”
Helvetica pauses . Then she shrugs, retaining her cold smile . “I’ll be able to prove it later anyway . ”
Malta once again pales . Helvetica isn’t finished though . “But, if you tell me the names of your collaborators now, maybe you can keep your life . You will lose your territory though . ”
“Ah…ah! O-Okay!” Count Malta says . The names of each and every one of his collaborators slips out from his lips . I mean, why should he protect them when his life was on the line? With each name, a shadow of sadness and disappointment crosses Helvetica’s face .
“That’s it! That’s all of them! We’re even, right? In that case, I demand that you let me go!”
There’s a loud silence that fills the room . Everyone looks at each other, and Malta feels nervous .
Helvetica tilts her head in confusion .
She looks at the soldiers around her, holding her hand in front of her mouth in a mocking fake whisper . “Did I say I’d let him go?”
“No, you didn’t . Maybe he misunderstood?”
“I didn’t hear anything . ”
Count Malta is in shock, but when he realises that he has been deceived, his face turns red .
“Y-You bitch! Skank! Harlot! You tricked me! You lied to me!”
Helvetica smiles, not bothering to take the insults . But her eyes still remain very cold .
“I must thank you Malta,” she says reluctantly . “Now I understand what my indulgence has allowed . Thanks to you I have learnt quite a bit . ”
“Wh-What…? You damned brat! Do you think you can do something like this to me? I’m a nobleman! I’m a nobleman from the Capital! My blood is not the same as yours! My blood is different!”
“Oh thank the gods . It disgusts me just thinking that my blood is the same as yours . ”
Helvetica slowly approaches the Count . The soldiers holding Count Malta move away quickly . Helvetica raises her sword .
“Now if you excuse me Count Malta…Some pigs must be slaughtered . ”
The sword falls and the room becomes silent . Helvetica wipes the blade with a handkerchief, making sure to scrub it properly . She blows on it once, before sheathing it and throwing it to a soldier .
“Take him to the outskirts of the city . The brave Count Malta protected the territory from outlaws, but unfortunately he lost his life in the process,” Helvetica says with a heavy sigh .
“”Yes ma’am . ””
The soldiers leave through the back of the building . Helvetica slowly follows suit, stopping outside . She lets out another sigh of relief and shivers .
“It’s been…a long night indeed . ”
Towards the now rising horizon, the eastern sky has finally cleared .