“Unnie… then we can’t go, right…?”
Rubia’s distorted expression settled down, and it became quiet again.
What was that look she gave me just now…?
And she’s trying to mess with Rubia…
Hmm… What the heck is going on…?
“No. That’s even more of a reason we HAVE to go.”
Hephaestus tilted her head.
My head tilted too.
“Hephaestus, who do you think knew about Elixir Mona’s existence? I, being a Shaman, didn’t even know.”
“Um… It was just me and my master… and…”
“It was probably only someone closest to her, right?”
Hephaestus nodded slowly.
“But the fact that that kind of crime organization knows about it is—”
“Did my master get betrayed…?”
Rubia stayed silent.
But was that enough of an answer? Hephaestus’ expression distorted in an instant.
“Who on earth… Ah, so that’s why we HAVE to go. But the knights and adventurers all failed… Rubia unnie said so.”
Hephaestus was right.
She said many knights and adventurers took up the request and attempted to purge it, but they all failed.
They must have prepared thoroughly and attempted it post-preparation.
And here we are, just three…
Honestly, I’m not entirely confident in this state.
There could be unpredictable situations…
“Those are just ordinary people.”
Rubia slowly straightened up.
Then, she placed one hand over her chest and said with a facade.
“Who do you think I am?”
“Shaman…”
Rubia’s lips curled up into a grin.
“That’s right. Just trust me, Hephaestus.”
“Wow…”
Even I, who was struggling to follow the conversation, couldn’t help but admire Rubia’s aura.
“First, we’ll just identify the location for today and call it a day. The real start is tomorrow.”
“Then, what about that Mariel?”
“For now, just act like nothing’s happening. I’ll take care of that woman.”
“Ah, okay. Got it.”
After getting Hephaestus’ reply, Rubia reached out to me with a chuckle.
“Come on, let’s go eat, Noah. You must be really hungry. Hephaestus, aren’t you hungry too?”
“Ah, yes…”
“…But I don’t really have an appetite.”
I nodded and grabbed Rubia’s hand.
The grip felt stronger than usual.
“Noah, try not to show too much, okay? Hmm. Just keep being as you are now.”
“Yeah, it seems like Noah unnie can just stay as she is.”
Rubia and Hephaestus chuckled softly while looking at me.
“W-What do you mean by ‘stay as I am’?”
Are you teasing me?!
“You’re cute.”
“You’re just like your usual self.”
It really felt like they were teasing me…
“Uuuuh…”
“Puhuhuh- hah… Anyway, Hephaestus, don’t worry too much. Even if it takes a little longer, it should be a sure-fire method.”
“That’s true, but… I’m worried that you girls might get hurt…”
“Since those guys have no way to contact each other, even if things don’t go well, you won’t die. And I don’t think you’ll get seriously hurt either.”
Rubia gripped my hand so tightly it felt like blood circulation was cut off and continued.
“But, if by any chance that happens…”
Her gaze was again focused on me.
“I’ll engrave how painful it is not to die as you want into your skull. One stitch at a time, with great care.”
*
Rubia and Hephaestus’ acting skills were… phenomenal.
Especially Rubia.
Hephaestus is one thing, but… how does Rubia hide that chilling killing intent so well…?
“Did everyone eat well?”
“Ah, yes. Thanks to you… I really enjoyed it. Thank you.”
But Mariel’s acting was top-notch too.
If Rubia is right, they are preparing to backstab us.
If you look at their faces, they really seem like grateful people…
“Yep. I ate it all.”
“Me too…”
“Then… Shall we start moving slowly?”
Rubia stood up with a gentle smile.
That sales smile she showed when talking to Jur…!
“Okay. Let’s go.”
Hephaestus stood up with a determined expression, just like before.
“Yes, understood… Phew…”
Mariel looked incredibly tense.
I just nodded with the usual expression as Rubia and Hephaestus mentioned.
“First, we’ll just check the location and number of people today and then leave. The main sweep will happen a little later.”
Hephaestus clenched her lips tightly.
“Sorry, Hephaestus. But… this can’t be helped—”
“Yeah. I know… it’s fine.”
She interrupted Rubia’s words with a rough voice and now clenches her fists.
…I can’t tell if it’s acting or genuine.
“Noah, you got that, right? No matter how few people there are, we have to endure today. We can’t rush in like last time. Understand?”
Did I rush in…?
“Y-Yeah…?”
“Why? Just like last time when you said to take it easy on crushing that newly formed crime organization in Alruba, you couldn’t hold back…”
Alruba…?
Huh…?
“The boss there was in such a state where his limbs were torn apart, he couldn’t move, and his jaw was ripped off, crawling with his upper teeth… even if he’s a bad person, that was too cruel.”
Rubia spoke as she slowly shuddered.
Even Hephaestus looked at me with strange eyes…
And from behind, Mariel stood completely still, trembling.
Her teeth were clack-clack-clack- against each other…
“I, I… err…”
Is this acting…?
Do I have to match that energy…?
Hmm…
What would the adventurers I saw passing by say?
While I furiously racked my brain, a suitable response popped up.
Slowly, I cleared my throat inwardly.
“I laughed so hard when I personally peeled the skin off the limbs of the trembling guy and covered him with a blanket… right?”
Was that good?
Was it okay?
Why is there no reaction…?
Is it lacking…?
Then… what would Rubia say…?
“Uh, and… the person who lured us into a trap became a punching bag because of Rubia and can’t even die yet… we can wham-wham- whenever we feel angry… I wish we could get another one… hehehe.”
That’s something Rubia would’ve said!
Since she just talked about tearing limbs and making it impossible to die!
“Noah…?”
“Y-Yes?”
Rubia stopped in her tracks and turned to me.
Her expression was one of shock.
Hephaestus looked the same.
And Mariel…
Thud-
“Ugh… Huuh… Huff…”
She collapsed in her spot and started crying.
“Uh, a… um… haha… yeah, that was really… funny. It would really be nice to get another one right now…”
Rubia, who was awkwardly smiling, suddenly pulled on my hand.
Then she quietly whispered in my ear.
“Noah. In reality… that never actually happened, right…?”
“Of course not… What do you think of me…?”
“Really…?”
“Ah, seriously.”
Rubia finally showed a relieved expression after hearing my clear response.
What’s this?
Rubia brings up this stuff first…
Why is she like this only towards me…?
“Mariel. Don’t worry too much. We’ll manage it for sure, so there won’t be any retaliation.”
“Y-Yes… Thank you.”
“Now, come on. Just let us know the location, and rest easy. I’ll escort you to the temple.”
“Hic… Yes… understood…”
Mariel, who was pulled up by Rubia’s hand, continued to tremble on her legs.
“Now, walk carefully.”
Mariel seemed to have lost the strength to speak, just nodding her head and walking.
After walking for a while…
The number of people on the street decreased.
When the world became quiet…
Mariel’s steps stopped.
Her expression stiffened.
She spread her senses.
As she chewed on the pills lodged in her gums…
“Get out here, you bastards!”
“Since when…!”
As soon as Rubia’s surprised voice was heard,
the outline of a building appeared.
Magical power squirmed from Mariel’s body.
The structure of the building was depicted.
The squirming magical power exploded outwards.
The interior of the building was drawn.
It stretched toward Hephaestus and Rubia.
Behind the door, 32 figures were drawn.
Hephaestus’s expression was flooded with fear.
The figures opened the door.
Rubia’s divine power blocked Mariel’s attack.
She reached out.
Smashing the head of Mariel’s…
No, the beast’s head.
Crash-
The beast’s body collapsed weakly.
Fortunately, it was still breathing.
The door opened.
I drew my great sword.
“Kill the one with pink hair first!”
An axe flew towards Hephaestus.
I deflected the axe with the hilt of my great sword.
The expressions of the beasts were painted with confusion.
I charged forward and swung my great sword.
The abdomen of the foremost beast burst open.
The lower body of the one beside it was torn apart.
Rubia’s divine power enveloped Hephaestus and surged.
A wave of magical power shot towards me.
I ignored it and swung my great sword.
The wave of magical power was blocked by Rubia’s divine power.
My great sword tore apart another beast’s limbs.
Viscera splattered on the walls.
The same wave of magical power shot toward Rubia.
Her divine power squirmed.
It was too late.
I picked up a chunk of meat lying on the ground and threw it back.
The wave of magical power exploded the chunk of meat and vanished.
Stepping on the ground, I punched the beast that emitted that magical power in the abdomen.
Crunch- The sensation of breaking ribs distinctly transmitted.
My hand bones also shattered.
“Ah, that’s done.”
The pain starting from my hand conveyed to my brain.
My heart raced violently.
The blood in my body thrashed like crazy.
Emotions surged.
That emotion lifted the corners of my mouth.
My hands moved as if of their own accord.
Creating wounds on my body.
Crack- Crack- Crunch- Creak-
I scratched my body with my nails and drew blood.
Splatter- Splatter- Crack-
I drew blood with the blade of my great sword.
Splatter- Crack- I bit my tongue, drawing blood.
The blood, wildly surging, sprayed everywhere.
My body heated up.
My throat, parched endlessly.
I craved blood.
My body, drained of blood to its limit, craved more blood.
From the broken hands.
From the scratched skin.
From the cut hand.
From the torn tongue.
The pain diminished.
I felt a ‘thirst’.
My throat is… drying up.
