Chapter 371: Those who Received Training

The attack of the dark scarlet sword exploded and killed a herd of magical beasts. With just one swing of that longsword, the magical beasts’ flesh and blood stained the air in a great momentum.

It was a spectacle that resembled a kind of fantasy. Even though the attack was bloody, it had a sacred atmosphere. A primitive, yet one-sided massacre. The purest form of death.

It was ironic that it wasn’t a monster that did it, but a human being.

What was going on? The magical beasts vanished without getting the answer to that question. Blood was spilled, bones were crushed, and flesh was scraped off.

No. Actually, the magical beasts knew what it was. However, they couldn’t understand why it was hurting them.

The deer-like magical beast’s eyeballs twisted dramatically. It used its multiple eyeballs to look at the person who was slaughtering them with a familiar power.

A silver-haired human. At first glance, she was just a petite girl. A weak category of the human species. The deer-like magical beast knew that they were originally subjugated by the demonic beings.

However, the magic embedded in her body was different. Its spine almost turned to ice.

She was far greater than them. Far stronger. She was…huge.

Yes, that’s right. Her power resembled that of a giant, the so-called great demon, the ruler of the earth who would never fall.

Then, why did that giant attack them, who was of the same demonic nature? The deer-like magical beast couldn’t understand why it did that. The silver eyes were now facing him.

The deer-like magical beast leaked its sobbing voice and raised its hooves while coughing blood. Then, it stood on its knees and stretched out its hand in hope, to ask why.

The giant in front of the deer-like magical beast looked at it and said the following words.

「…Die here. That’s the best for you. 」

The dark scarlet sword covered the deer-like magical beast’s eyes. There was nothing in the next moment. However, only the corpse of one magical beast remained.

—

「I feel like I didn’t get one line, let alone my turn. 」

I said while looking at Caria from a distance as she carefully wiped the blood of the magical beasts that had spilled onto her silver hair. The bones and flesh of magical beasts surrounded her, as if a curse consumed everyone who approached her.

I was speechless. It was a spectacle that could only be applauded.

It was like the old journey. No, she was greater than before. She was amazing. That word was enough to describe Caria today.

Even though the magical beasts were amazingly killed from their flanks, it was undoubtedly because of Caria’s existence that they were easily crushed. Her sword skills had grown sharper over time, even her perception had not lost its keenness.

It was right to say she was not human anymore. For a moment, a chill passed down my spine.

Perhaps she noticed my gaze since she loosened her cheeks and returned her gaze. A disturbing battlefield scene. Even though she was surrounded by the corpses of magical beasts, Caria had a strangely beautiful face.

「So, are you proud of your shield? You won’t get a better shield than this, you know?」

Somehow, Caria spoke in a very provocative way. Her silver eyes swayed while she was looking at me. I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head as I replied.

「You make me feel completely useless in comparison. I don’t think I’ll be bothered by threats for the rest of my life as long as I have you as my shield.」

I cleared my throat as I spoke jokingly. I didn’t give a wrong answer, as I saw Caria nod her chin in satisfaction.

Recently, there were times when she showed a strange harshness with just one word. That’s how she was nowadays, so I had to be extra careful with my words.

No wait. It was the same as before, yes. Nothing changed.

As I gathered the slightly dispersed soldiers, Filaret’s black eyes widened by my side. Ahead of her gaze stood several people who looked like Gharast soldiers.

They must had been the first soldiers to use their spears against the magical beasts. I could see from their wounds that nobody got unscathed.

There was a hint of suspicion in their expressions, albeit faintly. No, of course they had suspicion. Right now, soldiers of the Heraldic Order and Ghazalia stood side by side with the soldiers of the Gharast Kingdom. It was certainly a strange scene.

It had a bitter taste. I honestly didn’t know what to say. At times like this, Matia or Eldith’s support would be lifesaving, but they were not here in the frontline.

I was having trouble choosing my words. A woman who seemed to be the commander in the lead lifted her eyes and spoke to me. When I looked at her expression, I got the impression that she was someone stubbornly serious.

「First of all, we’re grateful for the rescue. My name is Neymar Gloria. I’m the adjutant of the Royal Guard Corps. Thanks to your rescue, my soldiers’ lives were saved…But what is the purpose of your brigade?」

I’ve not heard that the Heraldic religion, or Ghazalia, had entered the Gharast Kingdom’s territory. She let her voice leak as she said her words.

Her strong gaze pierced through me, Caria, Filaret and all the soldiers. However, was it because of fatigue that her words seemed to be a little weak?

Well, how should I answer? Before replying with formal words, for a moment, my lips were tight.

「I don’t belong to a specific place, but my name is Lugis. My purpose is just to rescue. There’s nothing else.」

At the same time as I professed those words, Neymar’s face had become somewhat stiff. But I could see that she was trying to suppress those emotions in her voice and expression.

Suddenly, just for a moment, I felt a strange sense of incongruity when I saw that expression. A sense of déjà vu, should I dare say? However, I had never met her before.

Words were spilled again after a moment of reflection.

「The royal capital of the Gharast Kingdom has fallen, and just like in mythology, the demonic beings are walking through the earth again. It’s no longer the time for humans to fight each other. Isn’t that so?」

Therefore, are you rescuing the royal capital? Neymar muttered lightly in response to my words. Her shoulders were still moving up and down.

I nodded. Then, she opened her mouth with the same tone as before. Her words were not very powerful.

Yet, they contained a clear hostility.

「…What’s waiting for you ahead of that rescue? No, wait. That action will bring the Heraldics and Ghazalia an effective control of the royal capital. There has never been a bloodless handover of an effectively controlled land since the dawn of history.」

It was a light tone. But she seemed serious, to the point of entangling my heart with those words.

I felt a slight nostalgia. Perhaps, this was not her natural quality. Someone taught her.

If that was the case, did I truly have a sense of déjà vu? I wanted to recall, to understand the roots of that nostalgia. I puffed up my cheeks and gave her a smile.

Still, Neymar didn’t care about my expression.

「I appreciate your help. However, words such as rescue melt away with the death snow. Those words will only get us the worst results. Please don’t underestimate me, Hero Lugis of the Heraldic Order. I am well aware of your purpose.」

The adjutant of the Royal Guard Corps. She certainly said so. Then, it was easy to trace the roots of my nostalgia. I knew very well who stood above her and who taught her.

It was the person who gave me a lot of trouble.

There was no need to hide it anymore. There was no meaning in doing it anyway. I opened my mouth with a genuine smile.

The nostalgia made it hard for me keep my cheeks firm. I even felt like I was looking at him under this woman.

「The worst results, you say. Perhaps you’re right, Neymar Gloria.」

I looked into her face, and then spoke to her while staring at the depths of her eyes.

「Even so, it’s better than being ruled by the magical beasts. It’s much better than being destroyed by the great demon…please tell this to the old man Richard. He’s here, isn’t he?」

That old man often said the wasteland was his territory.

For the first time, I felt that Neymar’s face was greatly distorted.

「Well then, let’s do it. Lugis Vrilligant. That’s my duty after all.」

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