Chapter 69 The Setup Trap
"Why are you here, potato noble class?!"
"Who are you calling a potato! But really, isn't it obvious why I'm here? Just think about it."
"So, that letter was...?"
"Haha, it seems I'm blessed with some writing talent. I can't believe you actually came. As expected of a commoner, you're quick to wag your tail at sweet words!"
Ruzure was clearly enjoying himself.
He was very talkative, using big gestures and getting high on his own excitement.
"Even that village head was like that. Once I told her a little about you, she went crazy looking for you!"
"I always thought it was strange that she knew I became a knight... so you told her."
"Of course. But the best part was that you actually accepted the request. Taking risks for such a trashy village! Hahaha, what a bunch of lucky fools! All that was left was for you guys to report what you took on. It was really amusing."
So it was Ruzure who set this up.
That's why Hauchi, who only knew the rumors about Ash Valkyrie, was so sure Shura was the one. And why Shidou, the instructor, caught Hiiro and her right after they returned.
"If you're mad about losing to me, just go after me! Hiiro has nothing to do with this!"
"Oh, it has everything to do with him. That idiot treated me like dirt. I have to show him all his place, right?"
"What do you mean by that? Stealing his dream with such a sneaky trick!"
"...Well, I want to strip him of his knight title. But I can't go that far with punishments. So I asked someone reliable for a little help."
"You asked...?"
"──Hehe. It's been a while. To meet me twice in one day, isn't that a bit much for a commoner?"
"!"
Like attracts like. Just a few hours ago, the old noble class, Powell, showed up.
"Lord Powell. Thank you so much for your help."
"Hehe, how could I say no when the heir of the Senegal family asks? Besides, giving a fool the punishment he deserves is the duty of a noble. The inquiry officer understood my influence well."
"...What influence? You just bribed the inquiry officer to twist the punishment!"
"I've heard about Hiiro from Ruzure. We don't need lowly people who don't respect the noble class in our ranks. So I'll take care of this myself."
"For such a silly reason...!"
Shura was burning with anger. Because of that lowly man, Hiiro was in trouble. It was completely unforgivable.
But she needed to stay calm. Right now, Shura was in a tough spot too.
"..., ──There!"
"Whoa?!"
Her heightened senses, fueled by anger, caught sight of a sneaky man hiding in the shadows.
A knife she threw from her pocket hit the wall nearby, making Shouk Shateiya cry out.
"Tch, this girl. She noticed me!"
"Shouk, you useless fool. You messed up."
"I-I'm sorry, Sir Ruzure. That girl is just so unlikable!"
This place was a trap to get rid of Shura. So it was natural to be on guard if Ruzure's followers were nowhere to be seen.
"To lure me out and ambush me. How sneaky... but I won't just sit back and take it. I'll crush you all and make that Paella (Powell) take back the punishment!"
But Shura saw this tough situation as an opportunity. Even if it was a trap, Powell, who twisted their punishment, was right in front of her.
If she twisted it, she could also put it back the way it should be.
No, she would make it happen. By any means necessary.
Shura charged at Ruzure and the others, his sword radiating an unusual energy.
* * *
(Still, how did I fall for a trap like that? What's with Ash Valkyrie? I've been doing so poorly lately. That idiot is going to laugh at me.)
Fighting is all about numbers.
When it's 3 against one, the difference becomes very clear.
But on this night, things aren't playing out like they usually do.
(That's why. This time, I'm going to do it. Helping someone else isn't really my style, but...)
"Take this!!!"
"Ugh!?"
"Shouk!? You got taken out so easily!"
"You're not paying attention either!"
"Ugh... you, stepping on me...!"
"Then this me will use my magic! Spell cancel──'Sylph's Play'!"
"You're weak, you creepy beard! 'Claw of Ifrit'!"
"Ugh!?"
It was almost dazzling.
Eshurareze knocked Shouk away with her guard, kicked Ruzure aside, and countered Powell's green magic with red magic. With a flawless attack, Eshurareze didn't care about being outnumbered. It was an incredible performance, as if trying to make up for the failure in Korghi Village.
"You little commoner, how dare you!"
"Shut up! Your very existence is annoying!"
There was no mercy. No need for reprimands. Even if there were reasons for the sword's sharpness, there was no reason for it to dull.
In front of Ash Valkyrie, Ruzure and the others couldn't hide their anxiety in front of such strength.
(Still, I can't quite get in deep enough.)
The disadvantage in numbers was almost gone. But she still couldn't land a decisive blow.
Powell's green magic was released at a bad time, making it hard to take that last step. He was an incredibly arrogant man, but his skills were those of a knight who had made it into the main force.
(Alright. First, I need to take one of them down for sure...)
"'The shield of the Sun God that Envelops Me'──Svalinn!"
Shura made her decision quickly. She would reduce their numbers, even if it meant taking risks. She cast a white magic spell to boost her defense and readied her weapon.
"──."
"Yikes!"
──The culprit is you. Shura's eyes that gleamed with disdain made Ruzure's knees tremble. Even though Shura disliked and he plotted against her, the taste of a defeat was still not something he could forget easily.
Now, Ruzure took a step back. But just as Shura was about to charge in to take advantage of that opening...
"'Burn, burn, the beginning of red'... Claw of Ifrit!"
"'Sing, sing, blue waters'... Undine's Song!"
"──!?"
Suddenly, a chant echoed out. Following a chill that ran down her spine, Shura turned and jumped back just in time.
Shura's afterimage was swallowed by the flames and blue water.
It was a magic attack, yet it wasn't Powell's, Shouk's, or Ruzure's.
"It seems you're having a tough time, Lord O'Doubler. I've come to help."
"Oh, what a beautiful lady. But to swing a sword at the noble class, she must not have been educated well."
"Lord Mook, you're quite the odd one. Calling that ugly, rude person beautiful. But it's also the noble class's duty to teach commoners who don't understand reason. I'll lend a hand too."
(Reinforcements!? And so many...)
This was the worst.
The new arrivals, who looked like they were from the noble class, numbered 8.
Shura wasn't the only one who realized the battle had turned.
The villains, who were being pushed back by Ash Valkyrie, all showed signs of joy.
Among them, Powell, who likely arranged for their arrival, clapped his hands in delight and looked down at Shura.
"Kuhehe. Even though it's just a mock battle, there's no way I wouldn't have been prepared against someone like that Shidou. It was foolish of you to oppose me in the Punishment Room. I'll make sure you know just how foolish that was...!"
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