Chapter 108 Secret Of The Scorching Flames Sword
The chill that made me shiver wasn't just from the rain.
"Well done figuring it out and stopping it, knight order. I never thought it would turn out like this. It seems that performing on the real earth is quite different from the stage."
"Wh-What're you doin' here, Director Drodo?
"...We figured it out, huh? Ha, for a man of few words, you sure can talk when it counts. Planning to confess that you were the mastermind behind it all?"
The Director Drodo appeared just when things were reaching a climax. His way of speaking. That shallow, dark smile. It was hard to say this was a welcome entrance.
Shura probably felt the same way. When she questioned with clear caution, the director simply nodded without hesitation.
"The mastermind, huh? I see, indeed, that 'God's poison'... was prepared by me, if I may be so bold."
"Callin' it 'God's poison'? That's some rich stuff."
"That's a special concoction. It turns a person into a beast driven mad by magic. So, a fitting name is necessary, don't you think?"
"Turning people into beasts, no way... what have you done!"
So, it's wine that turns you into a beast if you drink it. What a ridiculous thing. Lyam's panic was completely understandable.
Hearing the director's cold smile as he claimed to have prepared such a thing made my blood run cold.
"But I must deny the part about being the 'mastermind.' I'm just behind the curtain. This is a tragic woman's revenge play. Therefore, the lead should not be me, but the 'witch'... and the revenge play is far from over."
[rehnnn,,rehnnn,,]
[hikiiim,,,,]
"""!"""
It's still too early for a curtain call.
With a sharp finger snap, a horde of beasts, hidden who knows where, emerged from the depths of the trees.
Among them, 2 horse-like beasts stood out in particular.
One was a white horse. It had a collar like a lizard's umbrella around its neck, and that umbrella had patterns like peacock feathers.
One side was a black horse. It was covered in fish scales, and from between the scales, it constantly released a dark water, different from the rain.
The white horse with a collar and the black horse with fish scales. The contrast between the two stood before us like knights protecting Rose.
"This is a gift from me, Betraying Witch. Go ahead and trample Joosa as much as you want."
"Director, you..."
"You wouldn't hesitate now, would you? Your hatred can't be washed away by this rain. Right?"
"Ugh, you don't need to tell me that...!"
The voice of the Director was cold and emotionless. But that was enough to push Rose forward, and she immediately rang the bell and mounted the white horse. Accompanied by the black horse with fish scales, the two were heading towards Joosa.
"Wait──"
[gruuu!!!]
[syaaaqh,,]
"Yo, don't block my path!"
I couldn't just let her go.
But the throng of beasts wouldn't allow me to chase after her retreating backs.
"Rose!"
"...I can't stop."
Even when I shouted to stop sharply, it didn't reach Rose, who was reigniting her hatred. The face of the woman who turned back just once faded away into the rain.
"Now, you all should hurry too. Just so you know, a horde of beasts is already attacking the town. If you don't hurry, all your hard work will go down the drain, you know?"
"You bastard...!"
He forcefully tore down the curtain that was supposed to fall, pushing forward into a relentless continuation. It seemed he had already sent beasts towards Joosa, eagerly anticipating the arrival of tragedy.
How could he do such a thing? Was his goal the same as Rose's?
Everything was too unclear, but the Director's malice, dark and murky, clearly pricked at my skin.
"This is a thank you for interrupting my stage. Please enjoy it, 'bug boy'──Kuhahahaha!!"
But the Director had no intention of answering my questions, turning his back as if returning to the audience seats, light and carefree.
And with a mocking laugh, he disappeared into the dense, wet trees.
* * *
On the flip side, the situation was getting worse.
[sybjkqsvakk!!!]
[Yo, don't get too big for your britches, punk! Take this!]
[xaxaxaxayyyy!!]
"Ugh, HAAAAAA!!"
[riririreeeee!!]
[gobuuuuuu!!!]
[syaxoooo!!!]
"Both of you, get away!
'Undine's Song!"
I punched and slashed at the beasts rushing at me, burying them all in a torrent of blue water.
Maybe because of the rain, the color balance was leaning towards blue, and Lyam's magic, though low-level, had turned into a powerful area attack.
Even so, it wasn't enough to wipe them all out. From the blackened remains, waves of beasts kept coming.
"Shut up, already! How many freakin' fools are swarmin' us?!"
"Even if they're just a bunch of nobodies, they're annoying. We're in a hurry here!"
"With this many, how the hell are we supposed to...?"
I didn't even have time to curse the mess left behind. A diverse horde of beasts. Each one might not be strong, but their sheer numbers were hard to shake off.
"Damn it. What kinda sicko would do this?! Some Director thinks he's above the law, sending beasts after Joosa?!"
"I don't know. But he's definitely not just some nobody; he seems to have been pulling some serious strings. Plus, I'm curious about the bell Rose had. It looked like she was controlling the beasts with it..."
"I really want to know who that person is... but right now, we need to hurry and regroup with my sister. She seems to be fighting off the beasts desperately!"
"Seriously? You can tell, Lyam?"
"Uh. Y-yeah. It's just a hunch, though!"
"...Just a hunch, huh? Tch, your tone's too smooth, Lyam. You've got an angle."
I was curious about Lyam's flustered reaction, but I was more worried about Quollio and the others.
To be safe, Captain Shidou's decision to leave half the squad in town instead of chasing after Rose was the right call.
But the situation over there must be getting worse.
The reason for my anxiety was the two horses that had left with Rose.
(Those 2 horses looked seriously dangerous. They had a vibe like the Banshee from Korghi Village, totally different from other beasts... We were already being attacked by beasts. Even the captains must be having a tough time.)
To turn the tide, we needed to regroup as soon as possible. But the beasts would definitely get in the way. I swung Ruthless around, trying to think of a solution, but no good ideas were coming to me. I was just getting more and more anxious.
It was then, as cold drops, different from the rain, trickled down my forehead.
"──Hiiro. You take Lyam and go to Joosa."
"Eh!?"
Shura stepped forward, right in front of us.
"What're ya thinkin', fool?"
"Hmph. There's no other choice. Those 2 horses were something else. Even Sham and the others would struggle against them along with the pack of beasts. So, I'll handle this."
"But, are you really planning to take on this many by yourself? Even Ms. Shura, that's crazy...!"
"Don't underestimate me. I'm not the kind of person who can't handle this many. And──."
She paused for a moment.
I felt like the ash maiden smiled behind me.
"Hiiro."
"Yeah?"
"Do you know? For a woman who's that desperate... the boldness of a fool like you seems to work best."
"...!"
So, just leave this to me
Go stop that woman. Go ruin that revenge drama or whatever it is.
Shura's eyes, burning brightly, spoke volumes.
"...You're on your own with this mess."
"...I'll take care of it."
We entrusted each other.
No more words were needed.
"'Silver technique that crosses the sky with my legs──[Shoes of Hel (Helskor)]!'."
With wings of swift running on my feet, I forcibly carried the confused Lyam.
In the rain mist, I dashed out.
* * *
"Make sure you crush 'em good."
There was no response to my murmured words.
No, it would be a problem if I got an answer from him.
We entrusted each other, and we were entrusted. So, all that's left is to go straight ahead.
[riririreeeee,,,]
[gururu,,,,]
[syaxoo,,,syaxoooo!!!]
In place of a response, the voices of the black beasts echoed.
A countless number of nightmares were ready to charge at any moment.
But. I must not misunderstand.
She was indeed entrusted. Of course, she intended to respond.
However, there was no determination to die for it.
The mere presence of these insignificant beings before her wouldn't be enough to instill that kind of resolve in her, the Ash Valkyrie.
So perhaps, this was... "release."
That day.
On the awakening at the orphanage in Korghi Village.
It was finally an opportunity to test the smoldering ember that had been burning inside me ever since.
(────)
"Ugh, it's so noisy in my head since earlier...!"
(────)
"Geez, fine! If you want me to shout so badly, I'll shout... so!"
"Bloom. Blade flower of crimson that turns all to ash!
Sword of Scorching Flames──[Lævateinnnnn]!!!"
In the rain, the crimson flames bloomed.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)