Chapter 428 – Upholding Order and Punishing Evil Adventurers

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The Sea of Trees was dominated by such a quietness that you couldn’t even hear the breathing of those present. I doubt the Holy Guild Alliance to be a group of inflexible loggerheads, but in the end I took a hostage here.

Oh well, whatever. I guess I’ll try to have a normal conversation with them one more time.

I erased the blood of <Spring of Spirit Blood> with the image of pulling it back into my body. Exactly because it was so quiet, everyone was dumbstruck seeing this.

However, I think that’s understandable. Blood gathering radially around my feet was a spectacle they likely didn’t get to see often.

After all of the blood had been absorbed by me, I faced everyone, focusing on being polite.

“――Everyone, I’m terribly sorry to interrupt you while you’re busy, but could I have you gather over here?”

I had said so courteously, but I was still wearing my new Spirit Blood Clothing’s visor. With the canines protruding out of the mouth part, its fangs, and overall look, it should look quite threatening. Coupled with the blood things just now…

Azol was letting her head hang loosely, unconscious, while I was holding the back of her collar.

Naturally the alliance members were looking at me furiously as if spewing hate at a monster. But, I took on their bloodlust.

I concentrated on shifting from motion to stillness, erasing <Magic Hand guided by Thought> and soundlessly landing on the remains created by <Thousand Palms of Darkness>.

Even after I had landed on the ground, Azol remained unconscious. I had finished absorbing the blood that had been trickling out of her mouth, so she was now clean.

“Azol-san…that cursed vampire…”

“Fuck! For the captain to be taken hostage…”

“What’s the meaning of him not having taken her life despite being so powerful?”

“…Maybe, we just opposed someone whom we shouldn’t have meddled with…”

“…”

“Either way, he’s a progenitor-class vampire, right? The black-haired, noble youth, was it?”

“He’s only got the black hair part, no? Would a stray vampire be accompanied by Death Butterfly people and ancient wolfmen? I’ve never heard anything about such an important piece of news in the town of Alze.”

“Isn’t that because it is so important? The black-haired noble youth is S-Rank. It’s not like it’s impossible.”

The gathered alliance members chatted without any restraint. It was only logical, but they showed all sorts of emotions on their faces like anger, hatred, or aloofness.

All of them wore the same Japanese-styled jacket, so they looked kinda cool. They also wore something similar to a braided cord that seemed to have the effect of a talisman against evil. Moreover, they all held unique weapons. They maintained their distance while pointing their weapons at me so as to be ready to attack at any moment.

At that point, I sensed a magic source beneath the foliage of a giant tree.

“Don’t fuck with me!” Dogal yelled while jumping out from underneath the leaves.

His expression was cramped. I should have stabbed his chest, but it looks like Azol’s healing potion was in time. Having said that, the wound hadn’t fully healed yet, seeing how blood was dripping out of it.

“Tsk,” he clicked his tongue while checking everyone’s state with a scowl.

He took a pill out of the pouch at his waist, and tossed it into his mouth. As soon as he swallowed it, his throat lit up crimson and swelled up abnormally.

That pill appeared to be quite special since the wound’s healing rate increased so dramatically that it was almost as quick as that of Delhart or a vampire. Moreover, his eyes were not only filled with vitality, but also mana. On top of that, his muscles bulged out, blowing away the remaining scraps of his tattered clothes.

The veins around his eyes became very prominent, making his expression look somewhat like that of a madman.

He picked up the hilt of his broken sword from the ground, and said, “――The earlier spear attack that seemed to have used the vampire’s <Triumphant Beast Blood> was marvelous. But, I’m one of the seal busters of the Holy Guild Alliance, “Dogal the Fifth”! At this rate, it’ll look like we’ve been done in, so don’t expect me to pull back here like a sissy…”

The letters carved on the surface of his rectangle tag glowed. It looks like he’s not gone crazy. I could sense some sort of dignity from his tone.

『He does have some courage to challenge you to another fight, Your Excellency』

『Indeed』

“<Seal – Blue Dragon Sword>――”

He passed mana through the hilt of his sword while saying the name of a skill. In response, a blue sword blade extended from the hilt, turning it into a blue claymore with a long and broad blade.

“Dogal of the Reckless Bravery! Wait, Azol-dono…captain has been…”

“As if I’d care! You guys are professionals of the alliance as well, right!?”

“But…for you to even use that risky pill passed down in Zamalia…”

“Shut up, idiot! We uphold order and punish evil adventurers! Did you forget our oath and this motto!?”

“What!? You’re going too far, Dogal!”

“I don’t give a fuck! I’m not going to become all fainthearted just because Captain Azol was taken hostage! I have my own pride as a seal buster!”

A daredevil, huh? But, I don’t dislike that sort of thinking. Looking at the situation, anyone would want to compromise if there was danger to their own life, just like the other alliance members. That’s the normal reaction. It’s common to value one’s own life. Also, the fear of death is worse than death itself.

But, Dogal overcame his fear. He seems different from the others. His will of trying to accomplish his duty is strong. And by fighting himself and showing his valor, he’s probably trying to encourage the others.

To be honest, I don’t really care much about their little motto of punishing evil adventurers and upholding order, but I admire his strong will to aim for victory through battle, going even as far as taking a dangerous pill.

With my blood boiling in excitement, I laid down Azol and walked diagonally to the front.

Seeing that, he commented, “Heh, a monster understands more about fighting than my own comrades, eh?”

He revealed a gleeful expression. Right away, he pointed the tip of his blue sword at me and charged.

Answering his fervent emotions, I faced him in a fierce duel. After several rallies, with me getting injured a bit, I stabbed him with Murasame and finished it off with my <Spear Kumite>.

Everyone became ashen pale when they saw Dogal being blown away while tumbling across the ground at the end. I cast 《Water Cure》 at his fallen body. The cluster of water was bigger than usual, and as soon as it burst, small waves of water swallowed his whole body.

For a second I worried that he might drown, but it was alright. He was recovering normally while his body shone.

Higlia and her wolfmen walked up to me after having watched our duel, and with her silver claw swords extended, Higlia planted herself in front of her group, and declared, “Hey, humans! Shuuya’s race isn’t one of absolute darkness! And we aren’t being manipulated either! What rude folks you are!”

“Let me properly declare it: my name is Jody. I’m no Death Butterfly woman. I’ve been added as the lowest kin of the spearmaster standing over there as <Butterfly Soldier of the Light Demon>,” Jody introduced herself while floating above the wolfmen.

Having been told by me to stop fighting, she had obediently erased her scythe after swinging it sideways once. However, her feet still maintained its drill shape. Blood was dripping from the tips of those drills, transforming into white moths.

Suddenly my visual field became dark. A gigantified version of Rollodeen arrived to cover for Jody and the wolfmen. Rollodeen widened her mouth so as to threaten everyone. Embers of flames burst forth from deep inside her throat.

And while breathing out a hot breath, Rollodeen roared, unleashing a magic breath akin to a storm. Everyone, including me, crouched down while exposed to that fervent wind.

This had a tremendous effect on everyone present. All the wolfmen prostrated themselves in front of Rollodeen. And the guys from the Holy Alliance apparently lost all will to fight as well. They dropped their weapons while looking frightened.

“Rollo, it’s okay now.”

“Nya?”

Rollodeen expressed her happiness by purring, before transforming into her kitten form with a poof.

Afterwards, she stretched her back and then briskly walked up next to Azol. The small tentacles released from my partner’s nape rhythmically drummed on Azol’s head and shoulders.

Azol’s black hair wasn’t that long, but rather medium, as it flowed past her ears. And the barrette with its shining ancient letters was quite chic.

Rollo had apparently taken a liking to her sexy hair. Though she didn’t use a ponytail hairstyle like Shuhelia or Viine did.

“…A black cat…its previous size was that of a divine beast. Is this possibly Huryia or whatever the god of the wolfmen was called?” Dogal asked with his body trembling.

He looked at Rollo and me, apparently eying us carefully.

His body was as big as Delhart’s, and yet he was quivering for some reason…

The wound on his shoulder had closed by now. My healing magic had apparently done the trick here.

As such I explained while looking at Rollo, “…She’s a divine beast, but she isn’t Hurley. She’s my partner, pet, and beloved friend.”

“Nyaaa~”

Hearing my words, Rollo jumped up and climbed up to my shoulder, before coming close to my cheek as always and growling. I felt like she was maybe angry about me wearing the visor, rebuking me to return to normal.

“Ah, sorry. Here, I have canceled <Spirit Blood Clothing – Lucival>.”

The visor vanished, and immediately following that, Rollo licked up the blood running down my jaw and neck. The rough texture of her jaw was indescribable.

Seeing this scenery, one of the other Holy Alliance members asked, “…What are you planning to do with Captain Azol…?”

“Nothing in particular. If possible, it’d be a big help if she’d at least listen to me.”

“Eh?”

“Give back…”

“Say…this one is a monster…or a human? Is he really an adventurer?”

“Do you know what you’re saying there?”

Watching my actions and listening to my words, the alliance members had become confused. To be honest, it’d have been possible for me to use the fangs growing out of the visor to bite Azol and perform <Drain Soul> on her, but I won’t do that. After all, I was plentifully able to replenish my blood during the earlier battle.

Well, the alliance members have apparently lost all will to fight, so I doubt it’ll turn into battle once more.

Dogal was also surprised by my actions. Rollo jumped off my shoulder and moved up to his feet. Just when I thought she’d bump her head against his shins or something, she delivered a cat punch, before quickly dashing away towards Azol.

He watched Rollo’s antics and then said, “…We’re…….thanks.”

He lightly lowered his head, bowing towards me. Then he ran up to Azol and knelt down next to her. Pressing his rough fingers against her slender neck, he measured her pulse.

Seeing his actions while being next to him, Rollo transformed into a black panther.

“Nn, nya!” She meowed loudly in a demanding voice.

Her red eyes were fixed on Dogal. After baring her fangs once, she suddenly turned her head away and headed towards Higlia while walking sideways.

At that point, “Me too……”

This voice belonged to Lynn who had been blown away earlier.

My drill attack had destroyed her special-looking weapon and penetrated her chest like it happened with Dogal, but her life had been saved by Azol’s potion as well, it seems. However, her wound hasn’t fully healed yet.

“Gufaah!”

At once, she coughed up blood and collapsed, lying face-down. I couldn’t tell from my position how much her chest injury had healed. But then again, Lynn was rather slender to begin with, so I couldn’t believe her to have lots of physical strength.

Besides, I don’t want to brag about it, but I used <Demonic Chain – Divine Beast Soaring Spear Drill>, a skill combining Rollodeen’s and my strengths. Even a high-class healing potion shouldn’t be enough to avoid a quite serious injury.

I guess the Permeating Drop of the Sacred Flower I possess could handle it. Or alternatively the godly healing potion called elixir, which Melissa had mentioned in the past, might be able to heal it in an instant.

Anyway, let’s give my healing magic a try!

I activated my 《Water Cure》. A transparent sphere formed above Lynn in no time. It burst right away, scattering its liquid across Lynn’s body like a shower.

『Your Excellency! the state of the slug and sword spirits you hit earlier is strange! It’s almost as if they gained a darkness attribute…they’re squirming around while screeching』

『Eh? What does…』

At that moment, the slug and sword spirits materialized for real. The slug was huge while the spirit swords possessed distorted shapes. And the fairytale-like animals were surrounding the swords. The animals had appeared in the form of lining up together with the swords.

Sly weasels, octopus-like monsters, and rats. Here and there you could also see pairs of swords that dwelt inside animals similar to squirrels. Sometimes those swords protruded out of the bodies.

『It looks…like they are aiming at the body…of that light-brown-haired woman…』

And just as Helme said, they genuinely swooped down on her.

“Seriously!?”

“Nyagoaa!?” Rollodeen meowed in surprised as she was protecting Higlia’s group.

The alliance members and wolfmen were shocked as well.

“Earthworm Wind Pikumil and Sword Spirit Ooh are rebelling!”

“Hey, we’re talking about Lynn here. That’s the reason why they’re spirit monsters, right!?”

“……Come to think of it, her spirit wand was broken during the earlier battle, wasn’t it?”

The alliance members stared at me with accusing looks.

『Finally my turn has come, huh?』

『No…』

『Humph! Vessel, will you be able to suppress me as well? Hihihi』

It’d be monster versus monsters. It might be just the right medicine. Or so I thought, but Saraten tried to force her way out by wrenching open the line on my left palm. I directly drove thick mana and blood into the fallen holy sword while telepathically telling her, 『You think I’ll let you do that!?』

『W-Wh-Wh-Wha!? …Aahn』

Saraten was confused inside my left hand, which was likely a different dimension. And using that opportunity, I strengthened <Thime’s Darkness Flames> on my left hand.

All of this happened within milliseconds.

『Helme, save her!』

『Okay!』

Helme immediately rushed out of my left eye. Her upper body became that of a female while the lower half remained liquid.

She scooped up Lynn with both hands, rescuing her from the attacks by the hostile spirits. But, seemingly having suffered further injuries, blood was dripping from Lynn’s body.

“Oooohhh!”

“After Azol and Dogal, he now rescued even Lynn!”

The alliance members cheered.

While watching Helme’s rescue, I touched Dark Hellbone Knight, summoning the Burning Knights. With seething sounds and lots of smoke billowing, the knights stepped out from within the dense screen.

“――Your Excellency, Zemetas has arrived right now!”

“I, Adomos, shall take over the left side! Where is the enemy!?”

“The enemies are the moving swords and the slug ghost. Assist Helme.”

“Affirmative! We shall turn the enemy to ash! To magic elements!”

“Roger! All enemies to ash!”

The Burning Knights charged. Zemetas extended his flamberge-shaped bone sword. And as if matching with Zemetas square shield, Adomos also readied his shield.

Zemetash clashed into the slug from the front. Meanwhile, Adomos blocked multiple attacks by the swords while swinging his bone sword, crushing one of the spirit swords after the other. The crooked swords, which were knocked down, were clad in eerie light. They repeatedly materialized and de-materialized, but Adomos quickly used his heavy skeleton feet to stomp on the swords.

As soon as he stomped across the swords, they shattered into small pieces and dispersed. But, the number of remaining sword spirits was big.

Jody continuously swooped down from above like a falcon to attack the swords. Swinging her scythe, she sliced the sword spirits and their accompanying animal spirits apart. Afterwards, she headed towards the slug and cut off one of the long and narrow, protruding eyes.

But it regrew right away.

At that point, Daon charged, shouting, “Wolf Set – Six Fangs!”

He raised his claw swords above his head, and shouted instructions at his unit.

“Ooooohhh!”

“Captain!”

The ancient wolfmen began to charge towards the slug ghost. Higlia and Daon joined in with the rest. The wolfmen unleashed chain attacks with their claw swords in the gaps between Zemetas’s slashes. They also used Zemetas’s shield as a foothold to jump.

At that point, a weasel-shaped sword had left Adomos and was now heading for Higlia. I’ll back her up.

But, the instant I decided so and pondered whether to use magic or <Chain>, I spotted Rollodeen. She jumped into the air and bit the weasel sword. And once she landed while holding the sword in her muzzle, she crunched down on the blade while growling, and then proceeded to happily chew the blade.

Either way, the teamwork of everyone here was amazing. It was clearly an effect of them having been part of Cydale’s defense.

“Burning Knights, it’s fine. Adomos――”

Helme fired ice spears after having flown up into the sky. She shot the spears, which had an arm’s width, at the swords bustling around Adomos. Jody helped out as well, but there were a lot of sword spirits.

“Spirit-sama! Thank you kindly for protecting me!”

While yelling his thanks, Adomos blew a sword away with a shield bash.

Thereupon, Dogal stopped nursing Azol and stood up.

“…Lynn’s spirits have gone berserk!?”

“It looks like it.”

Dogal gazed at my burning hand.

“Shuuya-dono――I apologize for our rudeness. And thanks for having saved Azol’s, Lynn’s, and my lives!”

This time he heartily bowed his head. He immediately lifted it back up. His expression now looked as if he had come to terms with things.

“No, it’s cool. I was able to learn something new as well. So, you believe it’s okay to remove me from the category of being an evil adventurer that has to be punished?”

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