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Vol. 4 CH. 5 - A Brawl, A Research and A Goal....
PART#1
The ocean is vast, so vast that there would be more people with peculiar strengths and abilities of their own that can be said as naturally born strong. In this world, such people exist in small numbers. They can vary from races to genders but not on their biology.
It can be said that most of this worlds own strongest warriors lived in the sea. Because the ocean had more natural, untapped caverns and even dungeons of their own that most of this world's inhabitants couldn't deal with.
The wastelands was the same. The Demon Spawns that lived there were all strong. They greeted strong by fighting strong monsters and the very environment they lived in. However, because the world sees them as nothing but a black cat with nothing but misfortunes and carry the cursed color of the Demon God, the Demon Spawns weren't able to show the strengths they developed in their life.
Bruce, a Demi-human, A shark Seafolk, was one of those very few individuals that could stand on the same ground as the heroes.
"Ugh......"
Bruce was looking up. The glistening blue surface that was refracting light from outside was beautiful. He had grew up seeing such thing and never did he grew tired of looking at it. However, that wasn't what he recall.
Wasn't he supposed to be inside a bar holding a Playboy hero by the neck and just threw down through the floorboards?
Yet here he was, laying on his back watching the small fishes swim above and the rays of light beaming from the surface of the water. The buildings around were just as they were but the passerbys were looking at him as though he was a drunk passed out from a party.
But the ground he was laying on was overturned. The fin on his back was stuck into the ground and his own body was aching like he was hit full force by a Horned whale. Slowly, Bruce stood up. He shook his head and tried to make out of what happened.
Just then, someone was walking towards him......
—
Everyone was in shock of what happened. Yet Kyoushiro casually pulled Koizumi from the basement with his Gravity manipulation skill.
"Hey, don't go making fights after you got drunk you bastard"
"Ugh.... Can't say I'm that drunk. I'm very much sober actually"
Koizumi smiled wryly as he cracked his necked. Turning around, Kyoushiro looked at the people looking at him, making Kyoushiro squint his eyes as he was seeing more people than before.
"Didn't knew you guys invited some people. Was this supposed to be some sort of celebration or something?"
"Dude seriously? You sent someone flying already"
Katsuto pointed at the broken doorway leading outside. There were onlookers peeking inside the bar. Kyoushiro scratched his head thinking "Was that a friend of these two?" before placing the kid in his arm down on the counter.
Corralia who saw the kid Immediately walked towards him.
"W-Who's child is this? Don't tell me you...."
"I didn't kidnapped him if that's what you're thinking. I found the kind in the bathroom on a corner. Looks bruised so I fixed him up"
"I see, who looks alright to me. I'm sorry for suspecting you of such thing"
"It's fine, I'm used to it"
Kyoushiro replied back before walking outside. Elyria then called out to him.
"Hey, where are you going?"
"I'd like to check if the guy I just kicked out is alive"
Kyoushiro coldly said as he stepped out of the bar and walked through the streets. Onlookers watched him with suspicious eyes, observing his movements as though ready to pounce on him. Kyoushiro ignored that, simply because even if they did anything, he could easily wiped them out. But being in a place where the ruler was a benefactor, Kyoushiro would rather go through this with only a tiny bit of bloodshed. Who said no one's going to die today?
"Ugh....."
Bruce, who just got up while shaking his head, leered at Kyoushiro.
"Who are you?"
"Just some guy"
With a punky attitude Kyoushiro shrugged off the question. Bruce glared at him and walked towards Kyoushiro with heavy stomps coming from his feet.
"Look land dweller, this isn't your place to be. You better look around before you start something"
The hell is this? America?— Kyoushiro though to himself as he compared Bruce to some thug he had seen once on a television show back on earth. Kyoushiro, however, did looked around and saw there were guards forming around him and Bruce. There were some onlookers glaring at him as well.
"Haaaah....."
Kyoushiro sighed.
"Look, walk away before somebody gets hurt"
"Kh! It'll be you who gets hurt!!"
Instantly Bruce thrust down his fist towards Kyoushiro. The gigantic log like arm went straight to where a young man was standing.
*Boom!* A dull sound rang inside the ocean and water spew from the surface like an explosion just occurred. Dusts lifted from the ground and spread everywhere. However, before long, the sound of water being dragged away sounded.
*Ururururu.....* The sea parted, light shined from above as the blue sky and white clouds appeared above everyone's head. It was like a spotlight, with the sun brightly shining down, Bruce had to squint his eyes to get adjusted from the sudden light.
"You! What did you do!?"
"Well....."
As Bruce exclaimed, trying to pull his arm back, Kyoushiro smiled at him with an arrogant grin. His hand was gripping down on Bruce's large fist and like an immovable vice, he had Bruce locked in place.
"I'm getting tired of breathing water so I'd like some fresh air for a bit"
Slowly, Kyoushiro raised Bruce with his arm, showing of a greater strength than the monstrous Demi-human Shark Sea folk Bruce. And then....
"Why don't you sleep with the fishes for a bit"
*DOO—!!* A dull impact resounded, as Bruce body went > and flew far back into the water like a bullet. Crashing through buildings, light post until stopping at the corner of some intersection.
*SHAAAA!!* The water then came crumbling down like a waterfall and created a whirlpool as the water slowly returned back to it's shape. The city was protected by a barrier so it wasn't damaged much from the current created by the whirlpool.
"Yeah.... everyone does sleep with fishes here...."
Kyoushiro muttered to himself as he walked away with a smug look on his face.
PART#2
While something was going on outside, Rizandra was working on the object that Kyoushiro and the others have delivered. Inside the research laboratory created by Rizandra herself for the sake of creating various magical artifacts that will save the world, the orb with a human heart inside was inside a large test tube with large hoses stuck from above and down of the test tube.
The heart was still beating and furthermore, the liquid inside the testing had slowly turning red from blue. It was as if, the heart itself was transforming the liquid inside the test tube into blood.
"Rizandra-sama, we've tested the extract from the orb and it seems that the liquified mana stones had turned into some sort of mutative drug"
A researcher reported the findings on the testing. In his hand was a flat box that was showing a small clip of an ordinary fished, turning into a Sahuagin as the red liquid entered it's orifices. From there, the clip was cut short after the Sahuagin attacked the screen.
"Looks like we found evidences of possible reasons as to why monsters kept on appearing and overflowing from dungeons"
"Even so, we still need to look into the very existence of this orb itself. Who's heart is that and what kind of being had it's own heart sealed inside the orb"
The orb itself was a pure magic essences that accumulated over time and formed a crystal around the heart. However, the carbon dating results says that the orb was well over a few thousands of years old. It was far beyond the time when the other Demon Lords appeared or when the humans came to existence.
In this World's history, there were many beings that came to play that made the evolution of every being very confusing. Like having multiple gods creating other races than humans or the very growth of humans which have even surpassed the normal evolutionary growth of a normal being.
Oceanus has just recently became a technological master in this world but even they were still grasping things around the dark. Even with all the smartest people in the world pulling together to study how the world works, no one would still be able to explain just why there were monsters in this world and how they could infinitely multiply.
Demon Lords fight to prove their strengths to each other, that cause some diversities to get pushed out from their homes and out into places where that are people in it. In the past, Demon Lord's attacking nations were normal but overtime, even they had grown tired of bullying the weak and ended up fighting against each other just to see who's stronger than who.
"Your majesty, even if we have created the best research equipment on hand, we still lack the knowledge to dig into this. I suggest we—"
"We what? Abandon this research? Once we know the reason how these monsters multiply and how they overflow from dungeons, don't you think we would be able to stop them from ever returning?"
"That is why adventurers dive into dungeons and break the dungeon cores in order to stop the monsters from overflowing"
"So you say yet once a dungeon close two more grow back. It is an never ending cycle and being in our location and all, the more we dragged this research the more stronger the monsters even grows. We do not have the leisure of stalling for time"
"But still your Majesty, we still lack personnel to do this. Even with all of us, who've you trained yourself, we can't still reached the conclusion of this research"
They were Oceanus' Finest researchers. They study magic and monstercology in order to understand why monsters never ran out of numbers. They were personally chosen and trained by Rizandra, they were good enough that the current magic alchemist in every Kingdom or even the scholars and grand mages wouldn't be able to compare.
However they still lack both numbers and equipment. If anything else, they were just to well behind compared to how advanced their research was.
"Your Majesty....."
"Enough. We shall discuss this at a later time. For the meantime, let us all take a break for now. I have a lunch meeting with the heroes today"
As Rizandra pushed the conversation to a close, she exists the lab leaving the research with a tired look on his face.....
—
"Kagami-sama, please refrain from destroying out buildings next time"
Kyoushiro's group had returned to the surface. However, Kyoushiro was getting an earful from Corralia, who had just witnessed the absurdity of Kyoushiro's power. Watching the sea part like that was like a something a god could only make. Although it was just a small hole, the depth was well over several hundreds meters. If compared to, it was around as high as the Burj khalifa on earth.
"........"
"Are you listening Kagami-sama? Even you are a hero, you cannot just wreak havoc like that. There some civilians right there earlier. You could have seriously hurt someone"
This was the first time someone scolded Kyoushiro after his parents died. Kyoushiro admit that it was refreshing but even things get old overtime. Kyoushiro merely sighed at Corralia who kept on talking while climbing back up to the surface.
After what happened in the city, the guards didn't arrested Kyoushiro thanks to Corralia's help. Some buildings and roads were destroyed but it was something a little magic couldn't fix. Literally speaking, Kyoushiro remade the broken walls and streets with «Transmutation» skill which easily fixed everything back to normal.
Kyoushiro even commented "At least make a Self-repair enchantment on the buildings. They're too weak compared to the ones I made" before leaving Ambrosia issued minted coins to the guards saying "have the architects visit Ambrosia next time" before completely leaving.
Elyria watched Kyoushiro do incredible things as though they were normal. Compared to other heroes, which didn't involved themselves in raising defenses in the countries they were chosen to protect, Kyoushiro just fixed some broken walls and streets in just a few seconds. It easily surpassed what normal architects can do in Paracellumn.
"Are you listening Kagami-sama?"
"Yeah, yeah. No breaking just put down someone gently"
"I think you misheard somethings....."
Katsuto remarked so as he was now sobered enough to recall to never messed with Kyoushiro again. After all, Kyoushiro already took down a Demon Lord singlehandedly. He just that strong compared to the others which could only work together to fight defensively against one Demon Lord.
In any case the group was heading back to the castle. This time, it was about having lunch with Rizandra and also having her assist in finding a place where Kyoushiro could set up his [Gate] artifact.
Unlike in the underwater city, Kyoushiro was happy that he could breath proper air and was walking dry on the surface. Kyoushiro had to feel wet all over in the underwater city. Plus, Kyoushiro wanted to have a bath before meeting with Rizandra. Being under the ocean and all, Kyoushiro smelled salty and fishy.
"Haaaah..... For the meantime, please stay in your quarters until lunch is ready. I shall come and get you all once everything is done"
Corralia reminded then so as they got near the castle.
PART#3
Kyoushiro had taken a bath and changed his clothes. From his adventurer look to a civilian style clothing, Kyoushiro walked out from his room. The kid he brought were sent to the infirmary for proper inspection so he wasn't with Kyoushiro. Corrallia took charge of the kid until he wakes up.
Koizumi and Katsuto left Kyoushiro after parting at the entrance of the castle while Elyria was escorted by the maids to her room.
Kyoushiro was left alone until lunch was ready.
Walking alone in the halls, Kyoushiro recalled his time in Travestin. Although short, it was very much what started everything. Forcedly summoned, got ostracized, ger sentenced to banishment after being trial for a ridiculous crime and went to the wasteland and created things that would help him conquer this world. Well, that was his first idea but abandoned it after meeting his parents in some weird dream like place while turning into a Demon Lord/ Hero.
All that happened in just six months. Kyoushiro can't believe all the things that happened while being in this world.
"Well.... there some ups despite the downs"
Kyoushiro accepted Lucinda, he learns that Mikoto has feelings for him and for whatever reason, Arianne was lusting over him. What's more, he met a mother and daughter elf while looking for an elf princess before getting involved inside family schtick that nearly caused a whole Kingdom to get destroyed.
Just how whack is this world that everything that just happened was full of unexpected things happening one after the other. Besides from fighting a tentacle Demon Lord, meeting a Demon Lord with strange interior decorating taste and then killing some army of mutated mercenaries which then led to some battle with another Demon Lord.
Kyoushiro's feet stopped as he gazed at the distance before realizing how very eventful his six months was. Enough to make him sight a thousand times and absentmindedly look away.
Seriously, really, it was too eventful....
"I really need a vacation......"
Kyoushiro muttered to himself as he started walking again.
For now, Kyoushiro had to focus on one thing first. That was to create a communication network with every abled country in this world. That way, instead of putting two heroes on one place, everyone could deeply their armies the moment monsters would come an attack or a Demon Lord would start some kind of war with a country with heroes.
Travestin needs some fortification. That was Kyoushiro had to link Travestin with Ambrosia. By now, even without Kyoushiro's supervision, the people of Ambrosia could create things that will help fortify Travestin.
Furthermore, Kyoushiro's army might grow to a point where they could go to places and act as an international relief army for the sake of keeping world peace.
But that was for the future. There are still 11 Demon Lords left. There is a lot to do before resting.
"Looks like you're thinking about something"
"........"
Elyria had suddenly appeared in front of Kyoushiro. Although in her case, Kyoushiro had wandered off near Elyria's room as she just got out.
Kyoushiro shook his head before walking again.
"Hey, don't ignore me"
"Look, I wasn't trying see you alright? Don't get any strange ideas. I just wandered off that's all"
Kyoushiro replied prickly at Elyria.
"I wasn't thinking of anything. I just noticed you were deep in thought"
"Well, if you noticed that, you should notice I was trying to ignore you"
Elyria's brow twitched for a second at Kyoushiro's reply. As the two were walking, Elyria grabbed Kyoushiro's arm and pulled him to a stop. Kyoushiro halted his steps and looked at the hand holding onto him.
"Look, I'm just trying to make up for what I've acted towards you back in my country. You're our savior yet I still haven't thank you"
"You're welcome. Now, let go"
With a brisk pull Kyoushiro got out from Elyria's hand. Elyria glared at Kyoushiro for a bit before heaving a heavy sigh.
"Haaaaah....."
"What?"
"Look, I'm sorry alright? I know I acted rudely but—"
"I don't care. Rather, I don't like hanging around women I'm not comfortable with. Makes me itchy"
Kyoushiro coldly shotdown Elyria, who was sincerely apologizing. Though what some of his words were a lie but most of them was true. The last time he got comfortable with some woman he didn't know he got branded as some molester in his part-time job.
Elyria's face then turned dark as she felt insulted by what Kyoushiro had said.
"I'm already sorry so why are you acting so bitchy about?"
"Tsk. Just stop being so annoying and get away from me"
"Oh come on. I know you're a hero and all but aren't you being way to rude to a woman who's trying to say sorry how she acted before?"
"Like I've said before, I'm now hero. I don't like being called and neither being treated like one"
Kyoushiro started walking again but Elyria jumped into his way and glared right straight in his eyes.
"I don't know what's your problem but you need to start sorting it out and stop taking it out on me"
This time, Kyoushiro got more irritated. A blue vein popped on his forehead as she glared back at Elyria.
"You're starting to get on my nerves"
"Well then? What are you waiting for?"
Elyria put both arms to her side, insinuating that Kyoushiro hit her. Kyoushiro clicked his tongue and just walked passed her. Elyria however, persistently kept on getting in front of Kyoushiro, trying to get things out from him.
Finally, Kyoushiro stopped. With his right hand, Kyoushiro massaged his forehead, trying to calm down the rushing head ache coming up.
"Look lady, I'm busy thinking of things which you don't even care about. So how about you go on your way and make friends with everyone. Ok?"
"........"
"Seriously?"
Elyria refused to move away from Kyoushiro's path. With her hand on her hip, Elyria looked up at Kyoushiro's eyes straight, waiting for an answer. Kyoushiro couldn't help but be more annoyed by this but he couldn't just threw Elyria out of the window and walk away. After all, she was sent here by Elfianna as an escort. Also if he killed her now, it wouldn't do any good since he has already established a base in Paracellumn. It be more annoying if the elves started a war because he just killed Elyria.
"......."
And so, Kyoushiro, having no other choice, make a look of surrender and sighed.
"Haaaah.... God, why are women so stubborn...."
"We're not stubborn, you men are just too guarded. Why not let your emotions out once in a while?"
"Do I look like the type that gets emotional?"
"I was there when The Demon Lord of the Shadows came. I saw how you glared at him for calling you a child"
For whatever reason, Elyria smiled at him. Kyoushiro was taken aback by that and took a step back.
"You're acting....weird"
"That's just your imagination. Come, let's talk in my room"
Elyria walks to her room's door and beckons Kyoushiro to come in. Tilting his head, wonderingly what the stiff elf was trying to do, Kyoushiro walk towards the room and enters it. Though he has no idea why Elyria was acting like that, Kyoushiro just wanted to finish things up and eat.
*Clack* As the door closes, Elyria lead Kyoushiro his seat.
|
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"series": "8984",
"id": "220062",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 4 CH. 5 – A Brawl, A Research and A Goal….",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
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"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
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"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
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"tags": [
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"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
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}
|
Vol. 4 CH. 0 – Prologue
PART #1
The connection between Ambrosia, Paracellumn and Travestin was established. On the two terminal points of two different kingdoms, bustling crowd crowded the stores made the Demon Spawns they once hate.
Inside Travestin, the once known as slums district was changed to a functional trading hub within the city. The tall market building were built easily by the worker golems and dwarves in just a few days while the stores were tended by the Humans with black hair and eyes merchants.
It only has been a few days since Kyoushiro had created the terminal in Travestin, yet most of the commoners in the city were pushing themselves just to get inside one towering building. It was no joke. Even the [Gate] was filled with people trying to enter Ambrosia as quickly as possible.
Everyone already knows that Ambrosia was a safer Haven compared Travestin and other nations but they didn't expect an other world to appear before then once they get to Ambrosia's exchange district.
Inside one large city where many people were walking by and a systematic traffic was created for the sake of transport. Naturally, one would need to pay a toll just to enter Ambrosia but it wasn't so high that people can't pass through.
And so, as the [Gates] were created, there were now many people travelling in between Paracellumn and Travestin. Elves and humans, Demi-humans and Dwarves. All of the races were walking in crowded streets just to see the place where a single hero had been called a king.
–
"It's a pain in the neck but I still need to visit some places"
Kyoushiro was getting ready to leave Travestin after spending some days with his family. Lucinda was carrying Clara in her arms while Kyoushiro was like a father leaving for work. The only difference was that, he wasn't wearing a suit and tie but a dark grey colored overcoat with black and silver linings.
Kyoushiro was reluctant to leave Lucinda in Travestin but as she was going to be officially Queen of Travestin, she had to stay. Naturally, Kyoushiro wasn't so cold hearted to take away Clara from Lucinda. Kyoushiro decided to leave her in Lucinda's care.
"I'll be fine here now Kyoushiro-sama. I know you are still busy, you are a hero after all"
"Ugh.... I can still leave the world on it's own and stay right?"
When Kyoushiro said that, Lucinda shook her head. She didn't liked the idea of Kyoushiro being bound in one place. After all, he has things to do as a hero in this world.
"You can't. Kyoushiro-sama, didn't you already promise to visit the other kingdoms in other to connect with then?"
"I don't plan on connecting with them, I just sent them some gifts of gratitude that's all. Oceanus is the last stop but I got invited by the Dwarf king and even the Beast King"
There were extras that Kyoushiro didn't wanted to think about. After all, most of them had their own heroes to protect their kingdom. There was no way they would need Kyoushiro's help.
"I'm sure you'll do great"
"Why do I feel like a husband leaving for work......"
Kyoushiro sighed as he turned around to leave the throne room. The nobles were thankful that Kyoushiro didn't killed them for doing a lousy job in keeping Lucinda safe. King Verdik and Queen Isabelle were glad that Kyoushiro was willing to cooperate with them in further protecting the lands that are being attacked by monsters.
An issue of joint training between Elven soldiers, Black Army soldiers and Travestin soldiers was made for the sake of training the ones that will be protecting the powerless civilians from monster attacks.
There were still a lot of monsters roaming around Travestin. They had to clear out some dungeons or two and liberate some monster infested lands.
Lucinda would be very busy once she ascends the throne.
"Kyoushiro-kun, we'll be going together this time~♪"
Mikoto held Kyoushiro's arms with hers as they marched out of the throne room. Niya, who became Lucinda's exclusive maid watched the two leave with a rather foul mood.
"Your highness should be strict his Majesty. I'm sure there'll be new additions to his collection of wives after this"
"Well, Kyoushiro-sama is very cool after all. I'm sure many women will try and get his attention"
Lucinda answered as though she already know what Niya was scared about. She didn't care if Kyoushiro has many wives. She already gave birth to his first child after all and what's more, Kyoushiro wasn't someone that would try and take any woman he gets his hands on. Despite having introduced to many daughters of the nobles in Travestin after he calmed down when he arrived, Kyoushiro shrugged them off with a threat of setting their homes on fire.
Lucinda trust that Kyoushiro won't even accept any woman he doesn't like even she does try and seduce him.
A confident smile can be seen beaming ear to ear on Lucinda's face as she played with Clara in her arms. Niya didn't missed such confident smile.
"You are.... not worried about it?"
"Hmmm.... I can't say I'm not worried but Kyoushiro-sama has currently decided that I get the most priority despite me allowing him to be with Mikoto-sama. It's fine to leave him be for now"
Kyoushiro only had Lucinda in his mind after he returned. He didn't thought of anyone besides him after hearing what happened in Travestin a few weeks ago. What's more, Lucinda had already decided to prepare a grand stage for Kyoushiro once everything was settled. He might not stay in this world once peace has returned but Lucinda still wished he would leave something behind before he leaves.
But for now, that's was far in the future. What was important was the present.
"Niya-sama, I'll be counting on you to help me from now on, is that alright?"
"Yes, your highness. I shall serve you to the best of my ability"
Niya followed behind Lucinda quietly. As she would take now take the throne now that Queen Isabelle has abdicated, there would be a few days before her coronation. For now, there was still more things to do before Lucinda sits on the throne.
Ambrosia was now connected to Travestin, thanks to this, the cities of the two countries would continue to advance in a future of prosperity and technological advancements.
It was also the start of hidden empire created for a certain hero in the near future. However, that's a story for another time......
PART #2
During the short few days of my break, I ran around fixing some things in Ambrosia. For the meantime, I stopped the further building of Ambrosia's entire city since it was more or less finished anyway.
I forgot that my worker golems were very skilled in their work as construction experts since they don't rest and don't eat.
Now that I know that Lucinda and my kid is doing fine, it's time to finish this ambassador business as fast as possible. There's only Oceanus left and hopefully, this time, no hiccups would happen.
I'm tired of meeting Demon Lord's that hurls mountains, Demon Lord's that has many tentacles like some sea anemone or even a giant alien tree. I'm too sick of meeting monsters along the way and get dragged into problems I didn't want to be part of.
This time, once I'm finished sending my gifts to Oceanus, I'll just go home. Hero? Demon Lord? I don't care what people call me but it's embarrassing so I just wished they'd stop. Anyways, I'll call it a day once I'm done taking Sairenji and Koizumi to Oceanus Kingdom.
I was told that it was around in the vast ocean of Seafra, a parallel version of the Pacific ocean located around west of part of the globe.
"Boss! I heard you crashed your aircraft so we made you a new one!"
The Black beared dwarf that was accompanying me to the development building told me about the new aircraft they just made. The one used broke because my magic power literally burned the magic engine powering the entire thing.
I do remember teaching these guys about planes and jets but since I was no expert, I only did told them that an engine is used to make them move.
In this world, these dwarves are naturallying adept in craftsmanship. They know how which rocks they need to use in order to make weapons, unlike me, who can make ores through transmutation only. These guys are the experts.
Just that, they aren't the type that sings and live in tiny little mushroom houses in the forest. They were more like cave dwellers with short size and stubby nose, thick hair and pointy ears. They have barrel like figures and could carry twice the weight a human could carry.
I think this guy's name is Barv? I don't get Dwarf names.....
"I see.... well just keep it for now. It's not like I can fit one in my magic necklace"
The size is too big after all.
"Heh, I expected as much. You don't use any of the things here after all"
"It's because it's your creations. I already trust your skills but I don't have a license in this world to fly them"
If this was Earth, I'd be arrested. Even for the cars, I don't drive them because i'm to young to drive. I'll drive one if it's a motorcycle but I don't know how to drive. I only did made cars in this world because carriages are pain in the butt to ride. Literally.
I walked along with Barv while talking about the changes in Ambrosia.
It seems that while I was away, the majority of the craftsmen took the majority of further improving the city. They helped builed new roads and more houses for everyone who wanted to live here. What's more, they even went so for as made some new armors for Black Army.
Sadly, none were used yet since the ones I gave was three times more better compared to theirs.
Moving along, the development facility for Magic airships has improved greatly. Not only they employed my ideas of utilizing high grade golems development purposes, they even upgraded the facility themselves.
Who knew that a hangar would turned into an underground facility that has a direct link to the subway train station. It was very impressive.
"It was really sad that most of the ships I brought with got wrecked. How many are left in this place?"
Some of the battleships I brought with me to Paracellumn we're destroyed during the attack. I salvaged some parts to make a one-time used ship that helped me in stopping Pernicious from further destroying their city.
Though we can make them, I fear that most of out resources would be exhausted.
"Hmmm.... counting the Mordred, we at least lost around 10 to 16 battleships. Including the ones we have here. We kind of blundered with the mgaic furnace you designed....."
"You guys are......"
My head hurts. I know it's not my fault for not given them a better blueprints of my Magic furnace since I'm now artist, but losing a couple because of some blunders are just....
Well, I'm not one to blame. I too lost some during my time in Paracellumn.
"Sorry boss..."
"Don't mind it. Also, we don't need to rush our weapons developments anymore. We'll still use the ones available in the future but for now, focus on making defense armaments for Travestin. Some Demon Lord came and attacked there and a Bastard hero even joined forces with him"
Lucinda told me what happened while I was away. The 13th Demon Lord came and attacked Travestin for the sake of eating Clara, then he used Taiga as a distraction and made undead attack the city. The 1st Demon Lord appeared and seemed to have helped but later vanished without even saying anything.
Now that a [Gate] is made in Travestin, transferring some Magic Iron Knights to defend Lucinda and Clara would be easy. Plus, with that, I can visit anytime I want.
Barv nodded to my suggestion and quickly wrote then down on his notepad.
"We'll work on it boss. Anything else?"
"Hmm... if there's more limb growing potion you can find in my storage send one to Gaius, it's the guy with a severed arm back in Travestin"
"Alright. I'll have the boys work on it later"
With this my business in the development facility ended. Barv went back to his station leaving me alone on the first level floor.
"You sound like a real working adult now huh?"
It was Aizawa. I forgot she was with me since I left Travestin. I even forgot she was with me this entire time since I had my mind occupied with talking with Barv.
"Sorry, I guess I forgot that you're with me right now. Let's get something to eat before we go to Paracellumn"
"No, it's fine. I don't mind. Plus, if we take long I can spend more time with you like this"
Aizawa smiles as she took my hand. I don't know why she's in love with me. Even after all this time even. I know we had a past but even I forgot about it until she mentioned it. I feel bad since I'm pouring all my attention on keeping Lucinda and Clara safe right now....
"Hmm? Is something wrong Kyoushiro-kun?"
"Uh....no I...."
Do I really deserve this kind of girl? She's sweet and kind but to a guy like me she's..... Let's not think about it right now. I may be keeping attention on Lucinda and Clara but Aizawa still honestly staying with me despite that.
I need to at least return what she's giving.....
"Alright. We'll just stroll around the city then head to Paracellumn. We can have a long date with that"
"Yay~!!"
Aizawa jumps in my arms as I decided we could have a date before we leave Ambrosia. But come to think of it... This is my first date isn't it?
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 4 CH. 0 – Prologue",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
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"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
CH. 14 – For now
PART #1
"Graaawl!!"
Kuro's roar shot out loudly as he charged at Darrius and Clint. The pair of gauntlets that glimered with shiny gold luster and red Ruby eye at the face of the lion, clawed violently at the two corpses.
However, Clint dodged nimbly. His body, who had signs of decomposition, moved as though he was alive. Two arrows was shot.
"Hrrng!!"
Kuro broke the arrows aimed at him.
"Kuro-dono!"
Leticia chased from behind with her sword bursting with blue light. Kuro jumped back as he sensed something was creeping up behind him.
Darrius cut air as he missed Kuro's back with his twin daggers. Leticia had seen Darrius used his skill «Stealth» so many times since she had joined their party was a swordsman and a night toy.
Leticia's expression creased as her anger surged up, recalling how she was toyed by the two corpses before her back then.
"Magic Sword – «Stream Blade»!!"
The longsword surged like a straight river. The violent stream of magic power that was endowed with the water element created an attack that shoots forth a jet stream of water.
This would have been enough to cut down a human into two. However, this not Earth.
As the attack ended, Darrius stood there with both of his arms guarding against the attack.
"Damn it..."
"Don't worry about it"
Kuro's voice entered Leticia's ears. A large shadow leaped over her head and as she deflected three arrows coming her away, Kuro had swung down his large fist down at Darrius.
"Martial Skill – «Earth Breaker»!!"
*!?*
Darrius quickly jumped away from Kuro's attack.
*Zudon!!* The fist that lost it's target crashed at the floor, breaking it down to the floor below. Kuro growls at Darrius in irritation, he then kicks the ground and leaps over the broken floor.
"Martial Skill – «Raging Blow Fist»!!!"
*DODODODODODO—!!!* Hundreds of punches rained down at Darrius. The sheer force of his fist was enough to break the walls, floor and even the windows. Cracked formed all-over in the hallway, and with the last punch, Kuro sends Darrius flying.
Clint, who was on the side, didn't wait and immediately attacked the moment he saw Kuro stopping. Kuro jumped back and landed beside Leticia.
*Boom!!*
The floor where Kuro was just down burst from Clint's magic arrow.
"They are rather tricky to deal with"
"They aren't supposed to be this strong though....."
Leticia muttered with her hand gripping tightly on her longsword. Kuro glanced at her then smiled.
"Then I shouldn't be holding back"
"Eh?"
Leticia was dumbfounded. She thought that Kuro was already fighting his all with him forcing the two walking corpses back. However, in truth, Kuro was only assessing their strength.
The current Darius and Clint we're tricky to deal with, however they weren't that strong to stop Kuro. To prove that, Kuro broke Darrius's daggers while he was trying to deflect Kuro's heavy fist. A cheap dagger wouldn't hold again a mighty gauntlet made from Magic Gold and Force rubies.
Added by the effects of Kuro's uniform, Kuro even became faster than before.
*Pah!*
The air exploded. Kuro had leaped the crack on the floor once more and kick over from the ceiling to the wall on the right before....
"Martial skill –«Earth Breaker»!!"
Kuro thrusts his right fist at Clint. Clint tries to dodge to the side but he was blown apart by Kuro's heavy fist. Not only that, the entire section of this castle was blown away.
"Hmph"
Kuro snorted.
"Tricky but they were already dead"
Kuro remarked as he returned to Leticia's side.
"That was...."
Amazingly....— Leticia couldn't hold back her words as she was lost for words when she witnessed such powerful attack. Darrius and Clint we're strong because they leveled up alongside Taiga and their levels should have been around over 100 before they died.
But Kuro just blew them away with a punch.
"Let's go, there is no time to dawdle"
"A-Alright...."
Leticia awkwardly nodded before heading over to the stairs.
While they were climbing up, Leticia couldn't help but be curious about Kuro's level. Then when she asked about it, Kuro just smirked and said...
"240"
Then he hurried up his pace and climb faster than Leticia. Speechless by such number that only heroes should have Leticia suddenly stopped.
Her feet stopped at the 3rd step of the stairs near the next floor.
Because she just realized something.
The person who she fought with was someone that serves the other hero, Kyoushiro Kagami. Then between Kuro and Taiga's party members, he was clearly the strongest.
Even Ricardo, which was only level 112 before he died would have had trouble fighting Kuro.
"No, it's not the time to be thinking about this"
Leticia shook her head and quickly climbed up.
It wasn't the right time to think about who was better between the two heroes. After all, there was an emergency happening right now in the city.
Then as she ascends the stairs, explosions shook the castle.....
—
Nero had taken down most of the Black army soldiers. It took long but he was able to subdue them enough to make them groan in their sleep.
"You guys are seriously annoying. I should have just stayed in the ship instead with you guys"
Surrounded by groaning soldiers, Nero made such annoyed remark while wrapping a cloth over his left thigh.
Not just that, Nero was covered in cuts and bruises. He was fighting the army Kyoushiro improved after all. It was already unbelievable that he didn't lost an arm or a leg fighting them.
"Ugh.....eh? Captain?"
"Yo, looks like you woke up. Care to tell me wh—"
*Boom!!!*
The castle wall was suddenly blasted off from the outside. Magic Iron Knights quickly flew to the area above the hole on the wall and shot their magic bullets from the barrels of their fingers.
Nero's eyes narrowed as he had no clue what the Magic Iron Knights we're firing at.
As some of the Black army soldiers began to regain consciousness, another explosion came.
*Boom!!*
It was from the front gate.
"S-Sir. Nero!!"
One of the gate guards ran towards Nero wounded. Nero stood up and ordered the rest to get back up on their feet.
"What happened?"
"The.... The city.... The city is being attack!!"
The gate guard pointed at the smoke rising from outside the castle walls. Nero quickly ran over to the fallen gates to see what was happening.
It was there that he saw hell breaking lose.
Hundreds of zombies and skeleton soldiers were attacking citizens. Some guards were fighting off the horde of undead but they were being overwhelmed with numbers.
With the whole situation turning grim by the second, Nero couldn't do anything but grit his teeth and glare at the chaos outside.
His mission was to stay and protect Princess Lucinda. He already disobeyed the order when he left her alone with the twins.
"Damn it..... I hope Commander won't be mad at me for this"
Nero took a deep breath as he faced back behind the gates and gazed the soldiers forming around him.
Both the Travestin Soldiers and the Black army were standing by and waiting for orders. Nero glanced at everyone's face and sure enough, they didn't hold any negative feelings about Nero giving orders, especially those who held prejudice against Demon Spawns.
"Listen up!! The whole city is under attack right now. None of us has any idea what's going on or who instigated this attack. Now there are us here who has still enough strength to save them so either some of you stay here and guard the castle or come with me and protect the city"
"........"
No one answered. The Black army soldiers only snickered as they all pulled their weapons out from their scabbards. The rest of the Travestin soldiers..... they glanced around at each other before giving a nod.
Nero grinned happily.
"Well then! Fellow soldiers of the country of Travestin! Follow me and save the city and it's people!!"
"OOOOOUUU!!!" Everyone replied energetically. There was no discrimination, everyone raised their swords and Spears above their heads and yelled loudly.
The Travestin Soldiers already saw what the Black army was capable of. They only need to follow their lead.
That was enough.
"Let's go!!"
Nero shouted. He lead the rescue mission and left the castle to the Magic Iron Knights that was surrounding the castle.
PART #2
Mikoto and Kuro-chan, cleaned up the undead that was roaming inside the castle. She took the staffs of the castle to kitchen cellar to keep them safe them and left a tamed monster to guard them.
Now she was running around to look for Inomiri-sensei who should still be asleep on the third floor. Then as soon as Mikoto reached the room where Inomiri-sensei was, a Lich appeared.
"Kuro-chan, keep him busy"
*Grrrrrrr*
Kuro-chan growled at the Lich as Spears of ice were forming above Kuro-chan's head. Mikoto nodded then enters the room to wake Inomiri-sensei up.
"Shizuka-sensei!"
Mikoto called out to the lady sleeping on the couch. She shook Inomiri-sensei up and woke her up. Though forceful and rude, it was needed in this situation, Mikoto dump cold water on Inomiri-sensei to wake her up.
"Uwaaah!? W-What just.....Eh? Aizawa-san? why did you—"
"No time to explain Sensei! We need your help right now, the whole city is under attack!! There's bunch of undead in the castle!"
"Eh?! Just what happened while I was asleep?! Also, what happened to Kurosawa-kun? Is he safe?"
"I don't think this is the right time for that! Sensei, we got to—"
*Boom!!*
*Gyain!*
Kuro-chan suddenly burst into the room through the wall.
"Kuro-chan!? Tsk!"
Mikoto ran to Kuro-chan's side and took out her magic bow she got from Kyoushiro from the storage ring . A long golden bow mixed with white colors, [Artemis Bow].
Mikoto created a brilliant golden colored arrow and shot it towards the Lich. The Lich receives the attack with a barrier and safely enters the room.
"Aizawa-san, get down!"
Inomiri-sensei called out as she casted a Holy magic spell that shot Spears of light using her skill «Divine Spears»
The Lich, taken by surprise by the new enemy was unable to dodge or to make a barrier to protect itself and dies.
As the enemy disappeared, the quickly got out of the room.
"Aizawa-san, just what is happening?"
"No one knows. Just suddenly, undead monsters began appearing inside the castle. There's even something going on outside"
"I see... where are the others?"
"They went up to the towers for safety. I came here to look for you while assisting in saving the others"
Mikoto and Inomiri-sensei quickly rode Kuro-chan and ran towards upstairs.
"Then, Lucinda-sama is safe?"
"I think so, I actually just went and run out when the commotion started. I accidentally left Sensei alone on this floor so I hurried back"
"........."
Inomiri-sensei paused for a moment after hearing that.
Probably sensing that Inomiri-sensei didn't like being left alone when a bunch of monsters were popping out of nowhere, Mikoto apologized.
"I'm sorry Shizuka-sensei, it was kind of an emergency so...."
"It's fine, besides, we need to help the others outside first"
"Alright. Kuro-chan, please go outside. I'll call out everyone as well"
*Woof!!*
Kuro-chan barked for affirmation and turned around. For now, Lucinda was safe under Kuro's protection. Rea and Lea were there as well so there shouldn't be any problem.
I hope we can settle this quickly— Mikoto wished so in her heart as Kuro-chan broke a wall before jumping outside.
—
Wrap in utter chaos, the city was currently under a hellfire of destruction. Looking outside the windows above the tower, the Magic Iron Knights we're doing their job in destroying every piece of undead attacking the castle.
However, they were only doing just that and not considering the civilians that were running for their safety.
"Just what is going on....."
Lucinda peers outside with a worried look on her face.
She and the others arrived at the east tower safely. Mikoto's tamed monsters have saved more than enough staffs in the castle and mostly protected the place where they were hidden.
Right now wthe whole city was a battlefield. No one knows what was happening and how it all began.
"Retribution....."
Aria suddenly mutters. The little girl who was curled up in the corner muttered so with deep seething hatred in her tone.
Lucinda turns away from the window and looked her little sister.
"Aria...? What are you..."
"It is retribution Onee-sama. For robbing Taiga-sama of his right of being a hero"
Aria slowly stands up and walks to the window. For her, this sight was the revenge of the gods for damning their chosen hero. The whole city was suffering because of their ignorance.
Lucinda suddenly took hold of Aria's shoulders and shook her to make her come to her senses.
"This? Retribution? What kind of princess thinks like that of her own people?!!"
It was sad to see that her own sister sees the chaos outside as divine retribution. Her own people were screaming and wailing in pain and panic. They were being hurt and killed senselessly and the whole city which was the very face of the country was being ravaged without even an ounce of fighting back.
There was hardly enough soldiers to help protect the city and there was hardly even adventurers joining in to save the city.
It was because the soldiers were conscripted by Taiga.
It was because the adventurers moved to another city because of Taiga's party's selfishly doing whatever they wanted.
It was Taiga that drove the city into a state where the city was unguarded. It was Taiga that drove the kingdom into travesty.
"Aria, you are a princess that should be thinking of the welfare and safety of your people!! It is our duty as royals to govern them and protect them!! How could you just abandon them because of your false pretenses?!"
"Tsk!"
Aria shook of Lucinda's hold of her and took a step back with a scowl on her face.
"False pretenses?! Mine!? Aren't you the same Onee-sama?! You chose a criminal to be your partner instead of completed taking the throne and ruled the kingdom when mother was sick!! It was you who abandoned everyone just because of that criminal!!"
"........."
"If only you properly did your duty as the heiress apparent, then we would not be in this kind of mess! Please do not selfishly point your finger at me when you have done the same thing as me!!"
".........."
"You were already acting as mother's replacement yet you went and did whatever you wanted. Me and Onii-sama had no intention of taking the throne as it was already decided that it was you that will inherit the crown! But you chose to be with that criminal hero!"
Lucinda couldn't utter a word back. She knew her choice made it hard for her father to take care of the royal duties of a Queen alone. The other nobles didn't even tried to help him out and merely exploited the chance Lucinda had given them.
If Lucinda had acted like a royal should be, she wouldn't be bearing the child of the man she loves and instead, she would be by the side of her father properly ruling the kingdom.
"I am not the one being selfish Onee-sama, it was you that was one"
Selfish. Lucinda was indeed selfish. She chose to follow her heart instead of the duties as the next Queen. Aria's words cut deep inside Lucinda's heart.
"Aria.... I"
*Blag!!* The door suddenly flew open.
"Aria! Lucinda!!"
"It looks like you two are alright....."
King Verdik and Queen Isabelle as well as the knights that escorted them have arrived at the east tower. Behind them were Kuro and Leticia.
"Niya, it's good you prioritized her highness first. Good work"
Kuro greeted Niya and the twins with praise as soon as he locked up the door. Leticia breathes out slowly as she settles her ragged breath after running around for so long.
Queen Isabelle then looks around before asking Lucinda something.
"Where's your brother? I thought he would be here?"
"He is not in the castle mother. Have you forgotten that you have ordered him to work with Alfred-sama in the other dry regions"
Fortunately, the first prince was safe along with the court mage. If ever the king and queen then the princess die in this battle, there would be one royal that would continue the royal bloodline.
Queen Isabelle sighed in relief. King Verdik then lead the Queen to an empty seat to relax while the soldiers were guarding the door.
Lucinda took a moment to take a deep breath before facing Aria again.
"Fuuuu..... let us not fight right now Aria. It is not the best time for this"
"........"
Aria quietly turned her head away from her sister and returned to the corner of the room.
However, just then, Kuro received a call from Mordred. Immediately, he took out the Comms Link and placed in his ear.
But the call was short and the words only say "Enemy attack. Reinforcement impossible"
It was enough for Kuro know what happened to Mordred and it's crew while they were away resupplying.
An enemy attacked on the base created for the sake of resupplying Mordred. However, the attack proved fatal for the crew and the ship to provide reinforcement. Kuro easily deduced the message sent to him.
With a slow motion, Kuro stored back the Comms Link into his pocket then walked to Lucinda.
"Your Highness, may I have a word?"
"Yes?"
Lucinda turned her head to the large lion faced Commander of the Black army. Kuro wore an expression as though he had lost something important to him. Lucinda sees such face and quickly wore a serious face.
"What is the current situation Commander?"
"I have just received a call from Mordred. Unfortunately, they are attacked and cannot provide us any means of support"
"......."
Widened eyes, the shock Lucinda fell silent. However, Kuro continued.
"I wish for permission to leave your presence"
"I do not mind since you are not part of the Travestin army. But..."
"Please don't worry. Niya has been trained by Nero himself and Rea and Lea are experts in assassinations. They should be able to provide you defense even while I am gone"
Niya, the brother of Nero was more or less given a strict training by Nero long before Ambrosia was formed. Rea and Lea on the other hand are a pair of slaves that were used for assassinations by a certain underground organization. Even if Kuro were to leave right now, the three of them should be enough to fend off a dozen or two enemies.
"But where are you going?"
"I'll look for the culprit that started this mess. What's more, in case of emergency, I was given by my king a special item"
Kuro pulled out a blue crystal from his storage ring. It was a large 12 inch crystal with ancient text carved on the largest portion of the crystal and a round flat plate under it.
"This is the same piece of material the barrier Ambrosia uses. Although this is small, the whole castle should be protected for about an entire day"
Kyoushiro had dabbled with the large monolith found in Ambrosia once. Since it was supposed to be a device that produced a large barrier around the kingdom at the time, Kyoushiro experimented on it. One of those experiments yeilded the the magic item Kuro was holding.
"Are you planning on setting this up inside the castle?"
"Yes. Once the barrier is up, even the monsters inside the castle would be repelled out of the castle"
"I see.... Very well. Please do what you need to do. Also, you can bring some of the soldiers with you to help you out"
"No, it's fine your highness. I should be enough to break through the enemy inside the castle. I'll be going back to the throne room to set the barrier up"
"Understood. Then, please be careful"
"Yes"
Kuro lowered his head before walking towards Niya and the twins to explain the situation. For the meantime, they would be able to take a breather while the barrier was set up.
|
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"id": "182750",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - CH. 14 – For now",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
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"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 3 CH. 20 – Epilogue; A brand new start.....
The days after the attack in Travestin Kingdom was harsh. Three days after the attack, the citizens who bore hate in the governance of the Royal family of Travestin returned to enact their rebellion. The people that were hurt because of what Taiga and the nobles did came to the ruined city asking for reparations and forgiveness. As well as a new head ruler for the kingdom.
Because of this, the lives of the Royal family of Travestin we're busy. Queen Isabelle had to address the common folks' wishes and took care of the rebuilding of the city along with King Verdik. The rebelling commoners decided to wait until the Royal family were able to reinstate public order in the kingdom until they resume their protests. As a result, the outside of the city was filled with temporary houses of the people who wished for a change.
It went without saying that Gaius was busy mediating between the angry mob and maintaining the public order.
The Black army was more or less received in the city. It was thanks to their efforts that most of the citizens made it to safety. The ones trapped in the castle were able to get out safe sound while the prisoners in the prison camp within the city we're given a decrease in their time behind bars. That was because, even when the whole city was being destroyed by the horde of undead, they helped other citizens evacuate inside their prison.
Not only that, the kingdom promised to given position in the Knight Order so long as they reform themselves.
Now then, a few more days after the incident had passed. The Travestin royal castlewas back to how it was before and even more so, improved to withstand attacks from both physical and magic attacks.
Kuro had this made so that if ever Lucinda decided to stay in Travestin, she would be safe no matter what. Niya would be her exclusive maid while Rea and Leah would bee bodyguards.
Nero wasn't really pleased leaving her sister in a place that doesn't like their color but he immediately accepted it after Niya told him to just come and visit as much he wanted to.
Queen Isabelle promised to make sure that Demon Spawns wouldn't discriminated in Travestin anymore and King Verdik decided to formally step down as king and merely stay as a general in the kingdom.
King Verdik's decision about stepping down was unprecedented that even Queen Isabelle was shock. However King Verdik said that "There's no longer need for me to be king since someone else is more better than me". It was obvious who he was talking about. After all, what help the kingdom this time was from that person.
And so, the few days that passed by were peaceful. All lives returned to how it was before and not a single problem can be found in the city.
Except for the entrance of a certain person......
–
Kyoushiro was riding at full speed inside one of a single driver airship. It resembles that a jet plane but with smaller wings and smaller body. It was a one-seater complete with blasters and laser guns. It was something out of a sci-fi movie that many would want to have.
Such aircraft was flying bolstering speed, zipping through the clouds like a bullet.
Kyoushiro heard that Lucinda gave birth. Arianne had explained that Travestin was recently attacked by a Demon Lord and caused much destruction through out the city. She also told Kyoushiro that it took a whole month just to finish rebuilding it. The [Gate] artifact was yet to be installed as there was a slight problem with man power.
The incident at Travestin had took some people from the Black army as well as Mordred, Kyoushiro's battleship.
Kyoushiro heard everything from Arianne however, Kyoushiro barely listened to most of it. Would he care about the place where he was treated like a criminal? No, even if Lucinda became Queen, he wouldn't like living there.
But he was still worried. This was Lucinda after all. The only person that Kyoushiro sees as the only real person in his life.
That's why, he was in a hurry. Kyoushiro wasn't excited to see his child but rather, he was worried. After all, there wasn't enough time for the child to be born yet.
"Damn it.....!! There!!"
Kyoushiro's hand was shaking. He didn't know what to feel right now but he was very anxious. Was Lucinda alright? Is the child still alive? Are Lucinda and the child receiving medical attention? Kyoushiro's mind was filled with such thing even until he saw the city he was kicked out off.
There was a single battleship outside. It seems that the rest already came back after helping out in the kingdom.
But that was not important. Kyoushiro put more power into the engine and blasted through the sky like a rocket down at the castle gates.
Obviously, the guards that saw immediately scrambled to safety.
*Boom!!!*
The main door was crushed underneath after Kyoushiro's hard landing.
"Get out of my way!"
When the aircraft landed soldiers immediately ran to secure the intruder. But the moment they saw Kyoushiro's face, they stepped back. No, it was better to say they immediately gave way and stood to the side with their heads lowered.
It was like welcoming the real owner the castle.
"Tsk. That old goat. If I even see a single hair out place of my wife's head I'll pull off his head like a freaking toy"
Moreover, Kyoushiro's angry face was enough to make everyone look away in fear. Walking through the corridors with an raging heartbeat, Kyoushiro finally reached the throne room. It was the place where the King Kyoushiro knows always sits all high and mighty.
"Please wait! What are you going to do?!"
"Step aside! I'm gonna kick this door open and wring in that bastard's neck!!"
"A-Ah!! P-Please wait!! E-Everyone!! Step away from the door! Quickly!!"
The guard who saw Kyoushiro raise his feet, attempting to kick down a tall 5 meter tall, 10 inch thick steel door, with only just a foot, freaked out and knocked on the door like a wild man whole calling out to the people inside.
Naturally, Kyoushiro didn't care about pleasantries.
*Doo–Gaggh!!*
As soon as Kyoushiro kicked the door, one side flew all the way to the other side, stabbed through the wall.
"You bastard old man.... I though I told I'll kill you if you let something bad happened to my girl?"
It was like a thug meeting an old gang member that was told to look after his girlfriend only to have the girl get hurt by some woman that hated the girlfriend. It was complicated.....
King Verdik, who wasn't sitting on the throne but rather, standing next to the other nobles, had his eyes wide open in shock after seeing a large metal door sent flying.
Kyoushiro walked towards him, with a face that looks like he was about to chop someone's head off with a butcher knife.
".........."
King Verdik remained speechless. As soon as Kyoushiro was in front of King Verdik, Kyoushiro smiled menacingly.
"As soon as I came back from that elf place, I heard Lucinda gave birth, this place got attacked by a Demon Lord and you let her get hurt. As much as I want to see the other guy and pull his insides out, you're the first one I haaaad~ to see no matter what"
Kyoushiro held King Verdik by the collar and raised him with one arm. The smile Kyoushiro was showing was giving everyone chills...
"It was.... inevitable. We were powerless against the attack in the first place"
"I don't care about excuses. Where's my girl and my kid? If they aren't here in 3 seconds I'll pull your head off"
It was a very unreasonably order that made even the nobles cry "That's impossible!!!" while shaking in their boots.
"L-Look Kagami-dono, why not.... calm down and have some tea first?"
"Tea? Do I look like English to you?"
"Engli– what?"
"Tsk. Whatever, I'm just gonna look for them myself"
"Uwwoohh?!"
Kyoushiro tossed King Verdik like laundry bag to the floor. The nobles immediately ran to his side and help the old man stand up. The guards weren't doing anything to Kyoushiro, they were just attending to the ones who got caught up in his storm of rage.
It was then soon after that Kuro and Nero appeared.
"Your Majesty!!?"
"Boss!!"
"Ah?"
Kyoushiro turned his head like normal thug would. However the glare in his eyes was enough to make Kuro and Nero halt their steps.
"You two...."
"Y-Your Majesty! I apologize for not greeting you immediately! Welcome back!!"
"I-Is this really the time?!"
Nero scolded Kuro for greeting Kuro instead of stopping Kyoushiro from making more problems for everyone.
"Boss! Everything's fine! Lucinda-sama and the princess are alright! Please calm down!!"
"Calm down? Nero.... don't tell me to calm down. I just flew here the moment I came back from Ambrosia but what I heard was that Lucinda gave birth. Not only that you guys let a Demon Lord near her"
"We're sorry boss!!! We couldn't stop it! It was really impossible to keep the princess safe in that kind of situation!!"
Being suddenly attacked, the soldiers mind controlled and undead suddenly inside the castle was just something hard to do something about. Expecting some two hundred soldiers deal with that was just impossible. Furthermore, everyone else was pretty much caught off guard because of it.
Nero continued to reason with Kyoushiro until he was slowly calming down.
"Look boss, we did out best. We lost some guys but it couldn't be helped. It was just that unexpected"
So much so that they didn't got to fully use of Mordred's capability. If Mordred to have been available at the time, the army of undead or even the Demon Lord for that matter would have been easy to deal with.
"So please.... take a deep breath and calm down. We already had someone fetch the princess for you"
"Tsk. If I see any injury on her I'll cut off your tail"
"Yes, boss....."
"Phew...." Nero sighed in relief after pacifying Kyoushiro's rage. On the side the nobles were looking at him like a saint that came to save them from the devil. Everyone's faces expect for King Verdik and Kuro were relieved the moment Kyoushiro calmed down.
It was then soon after, Lucinda came.
"Kyoushiro-sama!!"
"........"
Lucinda ran towards Kyoushiro but stopped as he slowly walked towards her. She didn't expect to see such scary look on his face the moment he came back but....
"Ah....."
The moment Kyoushiro held her tightly in his arms, Lucinda was able to understand why Kyoushiro was mad.
"Don't make me worried...... I thought I'd lose someone important again...."
"Again..." Hearing those words, Lucinda properly understood how Kyoushiro was feeling. He was worried that he would someone held close to his heart. Lucinda had heard bits of the story from Mikoto but Lucinda was still wasn't sure how Kyoushiro thought of her.
However, seeing how worried Kyoushiro got and how reacted after just realizing something bad happened to her was enough to fully understand how much he care about her.
A while later, Kyoushiro broke off the embrace.
"Sorry..... I got too much hotheaded there"
Hearing Kyoushiro make and excuse and avert his face bashfully, Lucinda couldn't help but smile.
"Mmm... No, it's fine. I'm sorry I worried you"
"Me too. I couldn't get hold of you back on the other side. I should have sensed something bad happened here and came back"
As the two had their share of smiles, Mikoto, Niya, Gaius, Rea and Lea, as well as Princess Aria came to the throne room. While Gaius and Princess Aria were surprised to see the door of the throne room stuck on the wall, behind the throne itself, Mikoto, Niya, Rea and Lea all rant towards Kyoushiro. Niya chased after Lucinda of course.
"Kyoushiro-kun!!"
"Aizawa....."
Kyoushiro welcomed Mikoto to his chest and wrapped his arms around her back. Feeling the warm embrace of her dearly beloved, Mikoto was full of smiles.
"Welcome back"
"Yeah. Though it looks like you got yourselves into something troublesome yourselves"
"Ahahaha.... well"
Mikoto averts her eyes away from Kyoushiro. Though she did helped out saving others, she couldn't protect Lucinda from getting hurt. It was good that she was able to get immediate help from Ambrosia but she and Inomiri-sensei was a bit too late in coming back. As expected, gathering the battleships and the soldiers took time. Even the using the skill «Grand Teleportation» took too long to charge up.
Kyoushiro showed a relived smile once more and patted Mikoto's head.
"?"
"Good work. At least you guys are safe and sound"
It was an unexpected response from Kyoushiro. After all, aside from Lucinda, there was this certain wall that Kyoushiro made to treat Lucinda and the other two differently. Mikoto thought Kyoushiro would be angry at Mikoto for not protecting Lucinda very well but it seems that Kyoushiro was genuinely worried about Mikoto's well-being as well.
"Your Majesty, welcome back"
"Yeah! Welcome back~!!"
"Welcome back Onii-chan..."
"Yeah, I'm back. You guys did great. I'll give you guys some gifts once we get back at Ambrosia"
"No, it is alright your Majesty"
Niya bowed curtly as she refused receiving a reward from Kyoushiro. The reason? It was obvious that she would just get paid quite handsomely and wouldn't even get to use it in the first place. As for the other two....
"Yay~!! Candy!!"
"Choco cake...!!"
It obvious that their minds were full of sweets. Kyoushiro had finally settled his nerves down and turned to face King Verdik.
"Hey old man, I'm taking Lucinda with me. She isn't safe here"
"Though I would love to agree to that but as it stands....."
"She can't" hearing those two words, Kyoushiro narrowed his gaze into a glare.
"Are you saying you won't let her leave?"
"No, she can however she wishes but staying away for good cannot be done. After all–"
"After all, she's decided to succeed the throne now that I officially stepped down as Queen"
A woman that looked like an older version of Lucinda appeared behind the girls. Following from her back was Leticia and Princess Aria who had already arrived a few seconds early. Seeing Queen Isabelle for the first time, Kyoushiro looked back and forth between Lucinda and Queen Isabelle.
"So that's how'd you look like once you grow older huh?"
"Eh?"
Lucinda's face turned red as she noticed Kyoushiro's eyes looking all-over her body. Shyly, Lucinda covered her face while mumbling "Uuuu.... I forgot that Kyoushiro-sama only saw me as mother's double before...." and remembered how she magnanimously failed to act like her mother back then.
Anyways, Kyoushiro turned his head back to Queen Isabelle.
"Lucinda will be a real Queen this time?"
"Yes, as she was already set to replace me from the very beginning. But after the whole incident a few days ago, changes had to be implemented quickly"
"........"
"We have yet to be formally introduced, I am Princess Lucinda's mother Queen Isabelle Quintus Aluferd Travestin. I am pleased to finally the esteemed hero and King Kuro-dono had been praising about"
Kyoushiro glared at Kuro for saying calling him embarrassing nicknames again to other people. Kuro scratched the back of his head while laughing proudly. It seems that he didn't get what Kyoushiro was saying with his glare.
With a sigh, giving up on telling everyone to call him by his name instead, Kyoushiro shook hands with Queen Isabelle.
"Kyoushiro Kagami. Sorry but I got your daughter pregnant before marrying her"
"That's the first time I've heard such introduction but a pleasure to meet you"
As mother and would be son-in-law got acquainted, Gaius and Leticia came in as well. They greeted Kyoushiro after a long while, especially Gaius. Kyoushiro told Gaius that he'll have an artificial arm ready immediately for Gaius's severed arm but Gaius politely declined.
"That would be troublesome....."
"Alright, I'll just see if I can make some more potions that can regrow limbs. I've ran out of stock after what happened on my side"
Gaius smiled awkwardly as he couldn't refuse insistence on giving Gaius back his severed arm. For the moment, everyone welcomed Kyoushiro. As for the door, Kyoushiro had to fix it back to the way it was and fixed the front door where his special aircraft was parked. There was no one injured during his grand entrance however, the brand new walls were needed to tended again after he broke the walls and the doors.
After a while, Kyoushiro got to meet his daughter Clara. While the little girl looked afraid when she saw Kyoushiro, the father who saw a bit of his mother's face on his daughter smiled nostalgically. Kyoushiro picked up his daughter, despite the girl looking quite afraid and just quietly hugged her tight.
Those who watched such seen saw for the first time Kyoushiro's eyes dripped a tear drop down his cheeks. It wasn't unpleasant but none of them saw such side from Kyoushiro as he always had an angry look on his face.
Though the their meeting was happy, it couldn't be said to the ones that died during the battle against the undead monsters and Demon Lord Vraheim. Kyoushiro visited the place where the bodies of the dead were buried and offered his prayers for the peace of their souls.
Of course, Kyoushiro had to pay his respects even to the brave souls of the Travestin soldiers for fighting to protect the citizens of the Kingdom alongside their hated Demon Spawn counterparts. He had to, of course, because he personally knows how deep rooted their hatred for Demon Spawns.
And so, before the day ends, Kyoushiro to tell everyone what happened on their side. However even they didn't expect Kyoushiro to fight against a Demon Lord while on a trip. Because of this, none of them could blame Kyoushiro for not being able to come back and help.
But when the story went to Taiga fusing with a Demon Lord and escaping, Kyoushiro's face turned sour.
"That bastard got away again huh...."
His two swords he wanted to take back so bad had returned to him. While it had been maintained well, Kyoushiro felt a little disgusted holding his two swords again. In the end, he took the swords and kept then safe in his magic storage necklace.
After having a feast during dinner, the whole castle celebrated Clara's birthday and the rebuilding of the city. While the party was ongoing, Kyoushiro had a visitor.
"It has been quite a while since I last saw you Kagami-kun"
"Sensei....."
It was Inomiri Shizuka-sensei. Aside from the training days, Kyoushiro never did got to see her again even after he was sent away to the wasteland. It was that's to her that Kyoushiro got away from being killed by Welmner's instigation as well as arranging his destination to the wasteland. Kyoushiro was thankful that he was saved more or less by her kindness but it would have been great if he was sent to a different place instead.
Nevertheless, Kyoushiro was thankful for his HR teacher for saving his life.
"I've heard you've got a bit of titles under your belt now. I didn't think one of my students would become a king in this world"
"I'm not. Those guys just decided on their own"
Kyoushiro pointed at Kuro, who was dancing with Leticia. Unexpectedly, his lion face didn't scare the lady out of her skin.
"Ahahaha..... That person was very proud of you I guess...."
"He should turned that down a little. I don't like getting called with something so embarrassing in the first place"
Kyoushiro took a heavy sigh....
Inomiri-sensei noticed something though. Out of everyone of her students that was summoned and treated like true heroes in this world, Kyoushiro was different. While Taiga had a fair share of experience getting drunk although Inomiri-sensei scolded him so much, Kyoushiro was holding a glass of juice rathern wine.
What's more, unlike the others, Kyoushiro took a while before he adjusted to this world's common sense. Inomiri-sensei did heard from one of Kyoushiro's soldiers that whenever a different race appeared before him, he would always get surprised.
Was Kyoushiro the only normal person between all of them? When everyone was living how they like, Kyoushiro was the only one trying to get back the things he left on earth. Going so far to recreate them in Ambrosia.
I wonder..... how Kyoushiro sees this world....–
Although Inomiri-sensei never did meet Kyoushiro's guardians, she did know that his parents have already died long ago.
"Hmm? Something on my face Sensei?"
Kyoushiro noticed Inomiri-sensei's gaze over his shoulder. Inomiri-sensei then shook her head.
"No, I'm just thankful that your alive"
"What's with that....?"
Kyoushiro casually left to get more roasted cockatrice and went to the kitchen. Although he could have just asked a maid to do that, he left the dining hall.
Seeing as person from Earth, never changed such trait, somehow put a smile on Inomiri-sensei's face.
–
Three days later, Kyoushiro decided to build a [Gate] artifact on this side. Normally, he would get stoned and thrown garbage at the moment he stepped into the city but this time it was different. Despite him walking straight out of the city with his black hair and eyes undisguised, there was no one that even threw a tomato at him.
All of them just watched Kyoushiro curiously as walked through the main Street.
"I feel like a rare animal at the zoo all of a sudden"
Kyoushiro's words weren't quite what Mikoto nor Inomiri-sensei's had expected.
"Well, everyone here knows that it was your creations that helped save them. Plus, the food they ate during the incident as well as before, were from Ambrosia. Some of them just have mixed feelings receiving help from Demon Spawns"
"I'd rather have them thanked the real people that actually grew them"
Kyoushiro didn't got involved in the agriculture development much since he only did improved the quality of the soil in the wasteland.
"Still though, why are we going to this place? It's the most wrecked part of the city"
The place Kyoushiro went with Mikoto and Inomiri-sensei was the slums. It was once a place where the commoners that didn't have much lived their lives happily until the undead monsters brutally destroyed everything. What was left afterwards were an empty plot of land where hardly any people were in it.
"I'll make a small terminal here. That way it'll be easy for Ambrosia to exchange goods with this place"
The area was big enough to make a train station. What's more, it was right next to the main Street where most carriage drive through.
It was an idea place to make a building where Ambrosia's merchants could sell the goods they've grown in the wasteland.
"Terminal? But you don't have anything with you?"
"Already have the materials I need in this ring. I had Kuro prepare this the other day"
Kyoushiro asked Kuro to go back to Ambrosia bring the materialso he needed to make a small [Gate] artifact in Travestin. Kuro happily did as he was told and came back almost the next day. Kyoushiro felt bad for thinking a lion acted like a dog.
In any case, Kyoushiro took out the materials inside the magic storage ring. From there, he ignored the people who got curious of what Kyoushiro was doing. Inomiri-sensei didn't quite get what Kyoushiro was trying to do but as the red lights flickered one after the other, a large arc with intricate and mechanical design stood before them.
It only took like about thirty minutes to finish.
"Alright then"
Kyoushiro activated the [Gate] artifact. *Zwuuun.....* Purple, plasma like light shown on the gate.
"Eh?"
Inomiri-sensei was taken aback.
"So this was how gates are made"
Mikoto merely commented on how easily a [Gate] artifact was created. As the connection between Travestin and Ambrosia was made, a new beginning had started. With this, Travestin was now standing on the same side as Ambrosia.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "198846",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 CH. 20 – Epilogue; A brand new start…..",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
CH. 16 - The Hero and the Hero's faithful Knights....
PART #1
There was a knock on the door when silence continued in the east tower. Kuro just left earlier and have yet to return.
However, upon hearing the mysterious knocks, everyone just thought it was Kuro returning from his task. However, taking the amount of time needed to climb the tower after going to the throne room was that short. Approximately, there should be at least a quarter of an hour to a full hour before Kuro comes back.
It only has been 30 minutes since Kuro left.
Niya, Rea and Lea quickly prepared themselves in case the person was an intruder or just some undead monster accidentally knocking on the door as it wanders aimlessly.
Leticia picked up her sword. The soldiers themselves were alerted, seemingly tense by the endless rounds of fighting.
Queen Isabelle tightly held the hand of her husband while King Verdik stared straight at the door, not missing planning on missing a single movement from it.
Lucinda worriedly stood behind Niya along with Aria, who was still sitting in the corner.
"Niya-sama....."
Lucinda calls out to Niya, worried about the person behind the door.
Niya then replies with a conflicted look on her face as her nose wasn't picking up any scent.
"I don't know your highness..... I can't seem to smell anything behind the door"
It was weird considering for a beastman, their noses works better than a human's. Worried, Niya glanced at the two fox children who already held their poison coated knives in their hands.
At any rate, there's no knowing who's behind it unless we open the door— Niya swallows her nervousness and tells Lucinda not to worry and stand back.
Leticia noticed that Niya was walking close to the door and decided to accompany her as well.
Then as the two reached the door.....
"H-Hello? Is there anybody in here? There seems to be some monsters downstairs and I...."
A voice of a shaken up man came from the other side. The two girls sighed in relief, thinking that the man may have been just another staff of the castle that got lost during the attack.
Then, as the two glances at each other then to the people behind them, they decided to open the door.
"Ah!, Thank you! I'm saved!!"
There, walking inside with a happy smile on his face was a noble. An old looking man in his fifties. His blonde hair that white strands on the side while his facial hair were shaved off, revealing the wrinkled face from working too much.
But no one recognized him until Queen Isabelle herself mumbles....
"Elder.... brother?"
"Isabelle!! I'm so happy that you're alive!!!"
Velasquez Aldus Ernst, the eldest brother of Queen Isabelle, rushed towards her sister with tears of joy flowing from her eyes..... Was what supposed to happen but King Verdik stood right before Velasquez, stopping him from his tracks.
King Verdik glares down on Velasquez, as if not planning to letting the brother-in-law even get near her wife.
"Who are you?"
King Verdik asked tauntingly.
"There's no way Velasquez would even be happy seeing her sister's face"
The calm silence suddenly disappeared. As if everything was just a lie a moment ago, everyone else felt a tense air coming out from King Verdik. Lucinda, Aria and even Queen Isabelle couldn't understand what was happening and merely watches from the side.
A wry smile emerges from Velasquez's face.
"What..... come on now, there's no way I'd hate my only sister, Verdik"
However the glint in Velasquez's eyes seemingly shining dangerously as he spoke....
"You're but my sister's husband. You have no right to stand between me and my sister"
It was there that King Verdik realizes that the person in front of him was an imposter. After all, he know all full well who Queen Isabelle's brother really was....
The old king stands firmly, his words sounded sharp and dangerous, and his hand held a sword he picked up just a moment ago.
"Who are you?"
And so.....
"Velasquez hates her sister's guts more than anything in the world"
The silly smile on the old noble's face suddenly disappeared.
—
This happened right after Princess Isabelle married the former captain of the Royal Knights and King Verdik was crowned.
"Damn it..... Even though I've told mother about this....!! I...."
Velasquez hits his fists on the bricked wall of the empty corridor.
"I told mother that I should inherit the crown.... like our true lineage was supposed to he and....!!"
*Blag* Prince Velasquez hits the wall once more. His knuckles bled as the skin of his fist was torn. However the pain did nothing to the frustration of the only prince of the kingdom. Instead, the anger that was clouding his mind right now was spreading even more.....
"Your Majesty....."
It was there that the young Former captain, Verdik, had appeared.
"You...!!"
Velasquez growls at the newly appointed king.
"You did this.... Even though I was the one that helped you to become the Captain of the Royal Knights!!"
"Your majesty....I.."
"Shut your trap!!"
King Verdik tried to say something however, Prince Velasquez was too frustrated to hear anything right now.
The young prince walks towards King Verdik, then helds the new king by the collar of his clothes and raised him up.
"Damn you.... you and my sister...that annoying little runt that always gets in my way...."
With bloodshot eyes, Velasquez continues on with anger flowing out of his mouth. The anger that was caused by years of envy and betrayal, the unfulfilled dream of setting their lineage right and the his hope of being the new king of a new era.
"Was it good that you only need to Isabelle to take the throne?! You sorry excuse for a Knight, it should be me that's been crowned as king!!"
Travestin became a monarchy in just two generations where their great-grandfather gave his crown foolishly to his daughter. It was thanks to that action that the nobles were in a complete split of opinions. One were those who wished to restore the proper bloodline of the royal family, where only makes become kings and the other side that wishes that the old tradition should be changed.
This caused a series of fights even among the Court of nobles, which were supposed to be proper governors of their lands and allies to make the kingdom better.
"If only..... If only mother would listen!!"
Prince Velasquez, slowly lowers his arm and eased up his hands.....
".........."
King Verdik, who was loyal to Prince Velasquez more than anyone else, felt sad at the sight of the princess losing his mind because of his jealousy.
It was Prince Velasquez that took pity of King Verdik in the past that made him a Knight and it was also Prince Velasquez that help King Verdik gain various achievements until he gained the title as the strongest Knight in the world.
However, the once proud prince, the one who always held his head high no matter the circumstances, was wallowing in a sense of defeat as he couldn't achieve his dreams.
"Your Majesty, you know very well I had no eye on the throne"
"........"
"This arrangement was only done because your father ordered me to....."
The current king was also displeased that his daughter would become the ruler. However, he knew better that giving a proper support for her intelligent daughter would be more beneficial to the kingdom than to him or the nobles.
If anything else, if King Verdik wished to, he would not accept the crown as king.
"My loyalty still lies with you your Majesty. You are the person who granted me the chance to become someone better after all"
Born from a low ranking Noble family, Verdik wasn't supposed to inherit anything than his last name. Because he was the 6th son of his family, he had no way of inheriting the right to become the head of his house.
However Prince Velasquez helped Verdik when the young noble was aimlessly searching for his own goal.
"I, of all people, should know how you devoted yourself to this kingdom and that you should have the right to become king"
But....
"That's why father thought that instead of his son.... he'll make you king instead?"
Prince Velasquez slowly raised his head....
"Is that why...."
Blood dripped from the tightly clenched fist of the prince of Travestin....
"My damn sister..... will become the ruler of this kingdom?!!"
Widened eyes, King Verdik steps back. Prince Velasquez right now, looked like he no longer will listen to anyone.
"To hell with with Kingdom then!"
Prince Velasquez bellowed, his face red in anger, eyes bloodshot and red. He had finally reached the limit of his patience....
"To everyone that helped my sister become the ruler..... To you and to everyone that dared to betray me, mark my words... I will...."
And as King Verdik watched as his savior lose his sense of reason, abandoning his own creed of protecting the kingdom and it's people, he said....
"I will destroy everything.... Then take back what was rightfully mine!!!"
Then just like that, King Verdik lost his connection to the only friend and possibly even a brother, that helped him since they were kids.....
PART #2
"Sire, this is what I found out about the person you asked me to look into"
"Thanks, you may leave"
The strange person hidden in a cloak hastily leaves the room as soon as he finished his objective. In King Verdik's hand were papers that held all the information that his hired broker had acquired.
Prince Velasquez, now Velasquez Aldus Ernst, settled in Mist Lake town with the family of earls. After Queen Isabelle woke up from her long sleep, King Verdik had two people investigated. Because strangely, Queen Isabelle does not remember anything in the past six months that King Verdik had talked to her about.
Actually, Queen Isabelle collapsed because fo stress and overwork. She still had enough energy to speak even while bedridden. The specialist even said that it was merely fatigue that caused the Queen to collapse.
However, days passed and her condition worsened. Queen Isabelle slept more than she stayed awake. After the heroes were summoned, she fully succumbed to a comma which caused her to sleep in longer days and wakes up weeks later.
However, she still couldn't recover. At this time, King Verdik asked the heroes if they had a skill that could help but sadly, there was no one that had a power skill that could cure his wife yet.
And so, after the events of Kyoushiro's trial, the heroes leaving to other countries, and Taiga doing whatever he wanted in the kingdom, Queen Isabelle's time of waking up decreased and every time she wakes up, she was always in a dazed. Like she was possessed or something.
However, even then she was coherent.
But after yesterday, the Queen finally wakes up. This time, she was fully cured. The only problem that worries King Verdik was that she doesn't recall the times she woke up and spoke with King Verdik.
"As I thought, Welmner did something"
The papers that King Verdik all pointed to the Royal Adviser, who visited Queen Isabelle just before she got sick. But there was still something missing.
There was something else that was moving in the shadows that King Verdik just can't pinpoint to.
"Velasquez....."
The person who swore to destroy the kingdom and take back was his. The only prince twenty years ago, before becoming head of a Earl household.
Now, that prince was living quietly in Mist Lake town.
"It says here that he's been doing something secretly lately.... So he even supplied the hero with weapons for the March to the 1st Demon Lord's domain back the..... Wait... what is this....?"
There was a line in the paper saying "—Numbers of people missing in Mist Lake town increased in just a few weeks. Monster extermination quest doubles" It wasn't that odd since the number of monsters did double the moment the first Demon Lord was defeated. However, that didn't explain the high rise of missing individuals in a single town.
"Just... what is happening to the kingdom.... I should get this looked into"
And after he made such decision, Queen Isabelle placed Welmner and his greedy associates to the dungeon then not long after, a nation wide monster extermination mission was held and King Verdik was unable to do what he wanted to do as he was already limited in hands.
—
"You can fool anyone but you can't fool me. Prince Velasquez was someone more capable than walking inside this room and pretending to like his sister"
King Verdik points his sword at Velasquez, unamused at the sword right up his nose.
"And I'm not stupid enough not to noticed that you just came here without so much as a scratch. There wasn't even any news of you coming here"
Right, if someone like the relative of the Queen came, there'd be news spreading inside the castle. After all, the one that just arrived was none other than the former prince Velasquez.
"Unless you have some excuse to assume the face of my late master, I'd say you should do much better in looking into what kind of person he has become after losing the right to the throne"
With those words, everyone was speechless. Everyone knew who King Verdik was in the past. They also knew his past achievements alongside the person who became his Lord.
The room, wrapped around in silence, was suddenly disturbed by an explosion nearby.
*Boom!!*
"!?"
The tower rocked from the shockwave, causing the girls to scream in terror. King Verdik however, didn't let his eyes turn away from the imposter in front of him.
"How amusing"
The imposter muttered with a smile.
"To think a sorry, pitiful Knight like you would even there point his sword at me... Has the crown rusted your brain as well?"
*Klink* King Verdik tightened his grip on the sword, his face showing more anger than before.
"Spare me from your nonsense! Tell me who you are!!"
"My, My.... what a predicament this is"
Velasquez clicked his tongue, yet his smile didn't disappear. Everyone else was feeling nervous of the situation. An explosion just erupted outside the tower and yet King Verdik was pointing a sword at the former prince's face.
The soldiers were confused on what to do. Rea and Lea were, unlike earlier, on their feet. Their furry tails were standing on end and their eyes glinting with hostility.
"That's enough!"
Just then, Queen Isabelle stepped up. She caught the hand of her husband holding a sword.
"Please Verdik, it's my brother I'm sure that he has his reasons as to why he is here"
"......"
King Verdik merely glanced at his wife but never did he dared to put down the sword. Because of this, even Princess Aria and Lucinda became worried.
"Oji-sama....."
Lucinda's voice whispers. She moved from where she stood but mysteriously, she felt a sharp pain in her stomach... No, in her womb.
"Ugh!?"
"Lucinda-sama!!"
Niya rushed to Lucinda's side, worried what was happening to Lucinda.
Why.... It's just like earlier....— Lucinda held her stomach in pain, thinking as she recalled the stinging pain before everyone else came to the tower.
Kyoushiro-sama.... what's happening to you....— Probably having a bad feeling about the husband who just left to take care of some business, Lucinda worriedly wished that nothing bad happens to him.
On the side, Niya was making a worried face. Rea and Lea ran close to Lucinda, prioritizing her safety more than anyone else.
"Lucinda-sama!! Please answer!"
Finally Lucinda heard Niya's voice as the pain subsided.....
"I'm fine.... thank you"
"Lucinda-sama...."
Niya helps Lucinda sit back on her wheelchair and took her to the side. Aria glances worriedly at her sister's condition but she quickly looks away as soon as she noticed that she was already fine.
"Nn?"
Leticia, on the side then noticed something. A small tremor coming from below. Recalling that Kuro left to set up the barrier, Leticia realizes that most of the guards have left the castle to help outside. No one was guarding the inside the castle except those who stayed with the royal family.
Wait.... Don't tell me.....— Leticia quickly realizes, the hero and his party were still in the castle. It didn't really sinked in to her as the adrenaline rush clouded her mind during the escape but now that she was calm, Leticia remembered that every one of Taiga's party were imprisoned along with the hero himself.
If so then.... who let them out?
When such question popped into her head, without any hesitation, Leticia draws her sword and points it at Velasquez.
"Rembrandt-dono?!"
"Hoh?"
"I'm sorry your Highness, but right now, this man is very suspicious"
A droplet of sweat slid down on Leticia's chin as she faced the former prince. No, someone that was posing as him.
"Have you gone mad?! That's my brother! Cease this at onc—"
"Kukuku....."
Queen Isabelle was cut off by Velasquez's chuckles....
"Kukuku.....Huhuhuhu....Hahahahahaha!!!"
Then his chuckles became a deranged laughter. Everyone froze on where they stood. It wasn't because of the creepy laughter nor the two people who were pointing swords at one of the relative of the Queen, but the rather, to the cold chill that was emanating from Velasquez himself.
"Enemy~!!"
Rea's voice rang out, snapping everyone back to reality.
"Kukuku..... well now, I didn't think this person was very untrusted by everyone"
Like a scene from a play, the villain reveals himself. Standing before everyone, the face of the man who was known as Prince Velasquez, started to melt.
"I was going to make this person's wish come true but..... Hehehehe... You all just couldn't trust him"
From a voice of a normal man, to a deep, gurgling voice of a demon, the person behind the mask appeared. The smell of putrid rotting stench of decay permeated into the room.
Everyone held their breathes as the horrible smell gagged them up due to it's horrendous stench. Quickly, Niya clears the air using wind magic and cleared the room of the smell. Sadly, the smell was sticking on the place where a puddle of melted skin and flesh remained.
"Urp!?"
One of the soldiers couldn't help himself and vomit.
The being who came out of that empty husk was neither a person not a living being. It was a undulating shadow and a skull hovering inside was shining blue flame from it's sockets.
There, coldness drops severely and everyone else realized who they were facing....
"I am.... The 13th Demon Lord....Vraheim"
It was something that no one even expected to come.
—
Inside the throne room, a battle was happening.....
"Raaah!!!"
Kuro unleashes hundreds of heavy punch towards Taiga. Using the Martial skill «Rampaging Fist — Rapid fire» Kuro delivers countless blows at once at the ever confident Taiga.
"Hmph"
Taiga, however, snorted. Effortlessly displaying a smooth flow of movements. He dodges the fists that was flying like bullets towards his face like he was made of mist. The untouchable movement continues on until Taiga sees and opening and swings his large sword at Kuro.
"Krr!!?"
Stopping his attack immediately, Kuro jumps away from the sword's reach.
*Kchink!*
Another scratch appeared on Kuro's armor. Kuro then landed on his feet, gaining a few distance away from Taiga.
Damn it..... He wasn't this strong when we fought!!— Kuro grumbled.
When they first faced each other, Taiga seemed like a lunatic. He was insane in trying to steal an armed ship that has many self-defense turrets on it's hull. He charged ahead, without even knowing who his opponent was and how strong he was. But now, it was like Taiga gained a few tens of levels....
"What are you thinking about so hard!!"
*Klang!!!*
*Boom!!*
Taiga suddenly appeared right before Kuro as he was contemplating. The large menacing sword swings down on Kuro but the commander of the Black army quickly leaps away to safety. The ground where he left however, exploded to bits.
Strength.... speed and even his magic power..... Just what happened to this lunatic?— Kuro begun to get worried since he was gone for a while now. There was an explosion just after his fight started. Kuro was worried about the other's safety.
Anyways, Kuro was facing a powered up Hero. Unlike Kyoushiro, who fights with tactics behind his back, Taiga was different. He was just gloating his own power and making use of his skills. No technique, no plan.
Yet, Kuro was being pushed back despite having the upper hand in both equipment and technique.
"Grrrr....."
Kuro shields himself as he received another attack from Taiga. The large sword sweeps Kuro from under his nose, breaking off the defense stances he had.
"Hey what's wrong?"
Taiga smirks at Kuro, looking down on the fact that Kuro wasn't retaliating anymore.
"I thought you're the commander of the Black Army?"
Taiga further taunts Kuro, walking towards the warrior who was distancing himself from Taiga. Kuro clicked his tongue. Right now, there was no getting out of this situation. Furthermore, he was getting more worried upstairs. He doesn't know what's currently happening to the others.
He needs to buy some time or he needs to run away right now.
Lucinda's safety was more important than entertaining a creep that made a deal with the devil.
"Hey"
"?"
Kuro calls out to Taiga. The red haired her stops his feet and tilts his head. Taiga didn't understood why Kuro was calling him.
"I've been really curious. My king only told me what happened between you two in this world but I have no idea what's going on between you two in your world. You seem to hatest my king not since you came to this world but long before you heroes were summoned"
"........"
"See... out of everyone else among the heroes, I always wondered why it was only you that my King was wary about. It wasn't that you're fearsome, to me, you're more or less on the same category as a kid throwing a tantrum"
Kuro have heard from Kyoushiro what happened to him after he saved the others from the dungeon. However he didn't tell anything beyond the part of his worries about Taiga. Kyoushiro prepared many things just to make sure that he could take down the greedy hero that turned him into a criminal but he never did say what happened between him and Taiga in the past.
But unlike what Kuro thinks, Kyoushiro doesn't think of Taiga anything less than an enemy he needs to kill. Because of what happened to him, Kyoushiro just doesn't want to forgive Taiga for framing him with a baseless lie.
As for Taiga however, it was different.
*Tok*
"!?"
Taiga appears suddenly in front of Kuro and grabbed his face. Then with a cold gaze in his eyes, Taiga looks straight at Kuro as he slowly clenches his hand.
"Krrrgh!?"
"Don't stall for time"
Taiga mutters coldly.
"That bastard doesn't even a hold a candle to what I am right now. King? You have to kidding me"
"!?"
Taiga throws the large beastman with ease, sending him towards the thrones and crushing it.
*Doooonnn*
"Ugh.... Damn it....!?"
Kuro groans as he laid back on the rubble that were once a mighty throne.
Taiga's words then reached Kuro's ears. His steps loudly stepping on the debris filled floor and his gait straight and unfaltering like a king walking back to his throne.
That's right, there was no king other than him. He was chosen as the hero and he was born to be king.
This was his destiny. But to some twists and turns somebody else has taken his throne...
"Kagami has no right in this world of Kings. That bastard is just bottom feeder that eats of the left over guys like me throw away"
Then Taiga stops in front of Kuro, looking down on the exhausted beastman that pushing himself up with will power alone.
However Taiga doesn't care about that. He points his large sword towards Kuro's neck as he looked down. upon him.
"If you really want to know why I don't like him..... then go wait for an answer in the after life"
Taiga raises his sword up. This time, Kuro won't survive. Taiga intends to punish the insolent fool who dared to call someone else other him king.
".......Kh.."
Kuro groaned in pain. It wasn't that he was hurt much, it was because his strength was being taken out from him by the sword Taiga was holding. Kuro didn't noticed at the beginning of the fight because he wasn't hit around by the sword much. However, the problem appeared as the fight went long.
Every time Kuro either deflects or comes in contact with the sword, he felt like his body was weakening. At first, Kuro thought it was nothing and merely a skill that Taiga used but after a while, even Taiga was showing signs of getting stronger.
It was as if the sword Taiga was holding was absorbing the strength of it's opponents into the holder's strength.
What a bothersome sword— Kuro thought so as he braced himself for receiving the attack.
"DIE!!!"
Taiga screams as he brought down the mighty sword at Kuro's body. However, just before the edge even came closer to Kuro.....
*Klang!*
"What?!"
A shaft of a spear had stopped the sword from going down...
"You look horrible there commander, need any help?"
Holding the end of the spear was a grinning beastman in his demi-human form. Taiga quickly jumps away from the new enemy that just entered the fight.
Kuro smirked and forced himself to stand up. Nero passed on a potion to Kuro from his own storage ring and stood beside Kuro.
"Looks like you got out of that special cell of yours, I didn't think I've seen you wearing other than those rags before? What's up with those things?"
Nero points at the menacing set of armor and weapon Taiga was using while shouldering his spear.
"Another one of Kagami's roaches? You guys just keep on coming don't you?"
"Don't take this the wrong way but we're busy at the moment. I don't know how or who let you out but you're going back into that cage of yours"
*Zwaa!* Nero swung his spear powerfully, cutting through the air with it's tip. As he did so, Nero roused up his magic power. It was a technique he had learned from training with Kyoushiro.
"Don't you think animals should be the one using those cages? I guess your owner wasn't fond of collars to keep his pets in check. Well, I'll make sure to teach you some tricks"
Taiga took stance, smiling as if victory was assured even if numbers weren't on his side. Kuro finished recovering from earlier's damage was now ready to fight once more.
"Hmph, out of all the heroes, you're the most annoying one. You got me earlier with that sword of yours but this time, I'll snap that in two"
"Commander.... I didn't think you'd be one to taunt someone like that"
"Shut up. You're late. What's going on outside?"
"Is that really important right now?"
As the two exchange words, the enemy was about to get serious in this fight. With a powerful gust of magic power bursting out of Taiga, the throne room shook once more at another bout with Kyoushiro's soldiers....
"I'll take your heads off and show them to Kagami once I get to rule this place!!"
Taiga declares so as he dashed forward with a bright mad smile on his face.....
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "184823",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - CH. 16 – The Hero and the Hero’s faithful Knights….",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 3 CH. 17 – The Demon Lord's First Born....
PART #1
Demon Lord Vraheim. The being known as the soul eater. Stories about the Demon Lord who ate death to gain power have long since circulated when he first appeared. However, no one knows his true appearance. According witnesses, who survived an encounter with the 13th Demon Lord, he looks like a mass of black smoke with only a skull at the top.
But right now, everyone was looking at the true appearance of the Demon Lord Vraheim. A tall shadow mass like cloak, a skeletal frame of a 3 meter giant and flaming blue eyes in his eye sockets.
He was the Demon Lord who was feared as the only being close to a god.....
"I am..... the Demon Lord..... Vraheim..."
Deep gurgling voice of a creature from an unknown creation leaked out from his faceless skull as he spoke.
Everyone in the room froze in fear as they were faced with an existence that could easily wipe them off the world.
"Hand over...... the child of the....hero...."
His voice echoed in the room. Vraheim's flickering eyes looked down on the young princess that bears the child of a hero.
Lucinda flinched. Her bother shaking from fear. She didn't think a Demon Lord would go this far for her own child who wasn't even born yet. Was he planning on killing them as a way of taking revenge for defeating a Demon Lord?
Such thoughts ran inside Lucinda's mind as she cowers behind Niya to protect her child from the Demon Lord.
"Hand the child...over"
It wasn't a request but an order. Vraheim's intentions were obvious as his threatening air wraps around everyone in the room.
"Kh....UuuuOOOOOOOHH!!!!"
A soldier attempted to attack Vraheim from behind. His voice clearly show how nervous he was when he drew his sword out and screamed his lungs out.
*Swiff*
"!?"
The sword passed through Vraheim like nothing. The soldier, shock, froze over with uncertain thoughts in his mind, wondering why his sword didn't even work against him.
Vraheim then spoke, his head turning 180° on his neck.
"Fool..... you cannot touch... which does not have a physical....body"
Then with the last words "Begone" coming out of Vraheim's mouth, the soldier was thrown back with a force that broke his back, neck and skull at the same time.
"......"
A lifeless corpse laid at the wall, like a doll with no strings.
"Why.... Just why is a Demon Lord here?!"
This time it was Princess Aria that spoke. She stood inside her corner, fearing the inevitability of dying today.
She wants to know why does a Demon Lord appear in the kingdom the moment Taiga was away. Even though Taiga spent so much time in the 1st Demon Lord's domain just to flush him out. Yet here was a Demon Lord, attacking the Kingdom where she lived along with her family and people.
"Someone like you should be facing a hero like Taiga-sama first! There's no way you should attack us!!"
"Foolish little girl.....That hero you... speak of is nothing more... than a greedy, prideful man. He was no hero"
Vraheim gave an uninterested answer while turning his head back around.
Taiga, the hero who wanted everything for himself. Vraheim caught a glimpse of Taiga's memories as Vraheim gave his some of his power to Taiga. The boy who kicks down the weak, the young man who only thinks that he owns everything because of his father's position. Taiga was a person like that, pretty much a Demon Lord in Vraheim's eyes.
"Your hero..... has now accepted my request and is now.... engaging two of your people in the.... throne room.... He has the makings of a Demon Lord, rather than a hero"
"No! That's impossible! Taiga-sama is.....!!"
Princess Aria was lost for words. No, it wasn't just her, everyone else in the room. Because they taught that Taiga was a Hero, he would just forget everything and rescue them. But he accepted the hand of the Demon Lord and decided to work with him.
Taiga right now, was an enemy.
"Damn it....."
King Verdik muttered under his breath, as he hid his wife behind his back. King Verdik knows what Taiga's class was. He was a Paladin. Taiga should be able to fight with the Demon Lord Vraheim considering the difference in attributes.
Taiga should have the holy skills a Paladin should have. If he were to work with Kuro and the others, he should be able to damage him somewhat.
But....
"Dear....."
Queen Isabelle held King Verdik's shoulder, trembling in fear as their situation was growing worse by the minute.
Just what do I do right now...... Is this some kind of divine retribution for sending away that hero and picking Taiga as outr hero?—
Probably stricken by fear, stress and panic, King Verdik's mind was losing it's reason. He just couldn't believe the situation right now. At first, it was Taiga's wrong doings that damaged the kingdom's life, then the Black army from Ambrosia came to guard Lucinda when she decided to go home. Then just like a domino effect, the events the fell one after the other until a Demon Lord showed up.
The situation was in a hell of a mess that no one could even get out.
"The Black army guys!"
One soldier shouted.
"T-They'll come and help us! They have that ship so I'm sure they can—"
"Huhu.....Huhuhuhu....Hahahahahah!!!"
But Vraheim's maniacal laughter cut the hoping soldier off. The hope that the soldier was relying on... won't come.
"They are.... dead"
"......"
"I had summoned....... the Cursed legion of.... Shoggoth.... the Black army should all be dead... by now"
Just like that, all hope was lost inside that small room.
—
"Ugh......"
"A-Aizawa-san.... are you alright?"
Sitting outside on a plain, Mikoto and Inomiri-sensei woke up. There was nothing around them, only a vast plain of green grass and trees at the distance. There was a road at the side, probably leading to a nearby town or something.
Mikoto stood up, holding her head.
"Where.... are we?"
"I don't know..... I just suddenly used my teleportation skill before we got caught up in the explosion"
When the undead witch attacked them, Inomiri-sensei immediately jumped onto Mikoto and while I'm panic, she used her skill «Grand Teleport» to send them to some place safe. However, because Inomiri-sensei was panicking, she didn't think of a place to go. That's why, they were in a place even Inomiri-sensei don't know about.
"Just where are we? It looks like we're still in Travestin though?"
"No..... look"
Mikoto points at the towers protruding above the trees behind her. Inomiri-sensei turn around and saw it herself. Tall towers that emitted magic power and created a domed shape barrier. At the distance, she can see a shining city like no other.
Inomiri-sensei doesn't recognize this place, but Mikoto knew well where they were right now.
"I... I don't know how you got us here sensei but looks like lucks still on our side!!"
"W-What do you mean? Where are we?"
"I'll explain later. For now let's asked them for some help"
Mikoto quickly summons Kuro and rides him along with Inomiri-sensei behind. They were quite close to the city that a certain someone just couldn't help but make.
Despite having the battle against a Demon Lord happening only recently, it seems that the Ambrosia kingdom was still improving their city.
That's right. Mikoto and Inomiri-sensei have suddenly teleported themselves near Ambrosia Kingdom. The place where in, the wasteland's influence was slowly growing smaller and the place where Kyoushiro Kagami had made his base in.
Kuro ran through the plain like it was nothing. They moved so fast that the scenery just moved past by like a skipping replay from a DVD. The signs of the battle against the Demon Lord was already gone. In it's place where green grass and towering monoliths we're kept in place to extend the influence of the barrier.
Before long, a large gate waited them just a few walks away.
"We're really here....."
Mikoto muttered as she jumped down from Kuro.
"Where is here? I don't know this place"
On the other hand, Inomiri-sensei was confused. She doesn't know where her skill took them. But then, Mikoto smiles and says....
"This is Ambrosia Kingdom. The place where Kyoushiro-kun was sent to"
"........"
Inomiri-sensei's jaw dropped at those words. The place where Kyoushiro was supposed to be sent to was a wasteland. However, there was nothing of the sort around her. It was either green grass or tall healthy trees. There were giant monoliths at the distance and the walls were perfectly brand new.
Moreover.....
"This doesn't feel like the wasteland at all"
There were no monsters around. Inomiri-sensei had heard that the wasteland was filled with all kinds of monsters. Fearing that Kyoushiro would just get killed if she let the kingdom send him there via carriage, she asked them once to send him there through a a special vehicle. The Elves' helped answered her request and thus, Kyoushiro was sent to the wasteland.
But she didn't think this place existed at all. Moreover....
"Ambrosia.... it's the first Kingdom that won against a Demon Lord right?"
"That's right, this is the place where me other fought the 9th Demon Lord Kakal. This is also the place Kyoushiro-kun decided to rebuilt.... Well, I'll explain everything later. For now, we need to meet up with Queen Arianne"
Mikoto unsummoned Kuro and went to the gate. Surprisingly, she was let through just by saying her name. Thanks to that, they were able to ask for an escort to the castle via magic car.
"F–Floating cars?"
Inomiri-sensei was taken aback by the sci-fi object in this fantasy world. It was a story genre horribly written by an amateur.
"You'll get used to it soon. Excuse me, please hurry to the castle please"
"Understood, Hero-sama!"
The first car that Inomiri-sensei rode in this world was a special cab used the guards to escort special individuals. Well, either that or they have to ride on a magic bike instead.
On the way, Mikoto explained how Kyoushiro help rebuilt Ambrosia. Naturally, the teacher with a common sense in this world was shocked because one of her students went and changed the setting of the story. They were summoned in a fantasy world but Kyoushiro made his own kingdom a sci-fi, futuristic place where cars float and golems were like robots.
Mikoto then further explains that Kyoushiro didn't just help rebuilt the ruins but taught the others Earth's knowledge about technologies. If one were to think about it, Earth's technological advancements are pretty much magic to this world.
"There's so many buildings....."
"Yeah.... most of them are residential. But most of the stores are pretty much open"
Mikoto pointed at the diners and restaurants available around. There even shop owners that sells glass and textiles or even that flower shop that sells all kinds of flowers. Most of them were merely stall owners once and now has their own shops.
The car reach the spacious road outside the outer wall of the castle. Once they were there, the gates opened and welcomed them.
"They know we're here?"
"The guards on the gates should have used their magic items to contact the ones in the castle. I'm sure Arianne-sama has already been informed"
The car then passed through the first gate with ease. Then as they continued on, another city came to view. This time tall buildings we're erected. There were skyscrapers but most of the tall buildings can be seen sticking out from the rows of organized box housed everywhere.
Then, after entering the second then last wall, the whole castle came to view.
"Whoa......"
The Ambrosia kingdom castle was like no other, surrounded by a large lake with vast space where trees were growing like a garden. Fountains, and stone statues of a seemingly angry young man we're standing out on the path towards the entrance.
The front side was like Sydney's grand Opera House with colorful glass panels on the windows. Towers with large cannons on top of their spires were lined up around the castle as though protecting it.
Walking around were the Worker Golems, tending the garden and cleaning. There were even the Magic Iron Knights guarding on top of the walls for extra protection.
Inomiri-sensei was taken aback by the grand castle, which was even more beautiful than the Great Church in the Holy Empire of Seifield.
"Let's go sensei. We need to hurry"
Mikoto pulls Inomiri-sensei by the hand and dragged her inside the castle. As they entered, a dark elf Butler greeted them inside.
"Welcome back, Mikoto-sama and dear guest. Her Majesty is currently waiting you two at the throne room"
"Thank you"
Mikoto thanked the Dark elf butler before leaving. But the Dark elf stopped the two for a moment and handed out two pairs of Recovery potion and Mana recovery potion.
"Please drink these. I'm sure you two are in need of it"
"Thank you very much. But we're in a hurry"
"Understood. I apologize for the delay, come right this way please"
The Dark elf butler bows towards the two before leading them towards the throne room. Inomiri-sensei was still taken aback by the vast difference between outside the wasteland and Ambrosia Kingdom.
Inside there was an advance city but outside, everyone else were still using candlelight to see at night. But in the castle, there were light bulbs on the chandeliers and amazingly, even air-conditioning.
It was really like mashing both magic and science together. Inomiri-sensei was impressed that something like that was even possible in this world.
After a while, the two reached the throne room.
"Her Majesty is waiting inside"
The Dark elf butler didn't enter inside the throne room. He merely opened the gigantic double door with his one hand and let the two guest enter.
Inside, the purple haired Queen, welcomed them.
"Welcome back Mikoto-sama. It seems that something happened while you were at Travestin Kingdom"
"Arianne-sama"
Mikoto didn't stopped walking to kneel before the Queen, she walked towards her like a close friend. The soldiers inside didn't seemed to mind but....
"A-AIZAWA-SAN!!"
But Inomiri-sensei wasn't. For her that already adjusted to this world, walking up to royalty like that was rude. People who dared to that either get imprisoned or punished for disrespecting the ruler of the kingdom.
Mikoto however, only tilted her head and ignored Inomiri-sensei's who was chasing after her. Mikoto explained everything what was happening in Travestin kingdom right now and how they came here to Arianne-sama.
"I see.... It seems that Mordred's last message seemed to be link to what's happening in Travestin's main capital"
"Mordred's gone? I thought they made a base and built the gate thing to connect Ambrosia to Travestin?"
"That was the plan but just this morning, the gate connecting that base was destroyed. We still are trying to contact Mordred but....."
Arianne sighs and called out a soldier waiting next to the throne.
"Please tell Vice Commander Darrell Dates to prepare five battleships. We'll send reinforcements to Travestin immediately"
"Yes"
The soldier leaves in a hurry.
"For now, please take some rest. I'm sure you two have been through something rough"
"I would like to do that however, there's still some people fighting back at Travestin. We need to get back"
"..... Understood"
Arianne felt dejected that Mikoto was about to leave just as soon as she came but there was no helping it. After all, there was a state of emergency back in Travestin.
Mikoto smiles at Arianne's sad face it seems that the Queen of Ambrosia still wanted to talk to Mikoto. After all, both of them were currently being recognized as Kyoushiro's wives. What's more, Arianne still had things to talk about with Mikoto regarding Kyoushiro but for now, they've decided to leave it for another day.
"Say, have you heard anything from Kyoushiro-kun yet?"
"Kyoushiro? Umm.... he hasn't contacted us yet. However, it seems that they stopped at a town in the outskirts of Paracellumn. One of the battleships with them reported that Kyoushiro and the others will stay in a town called Calladium but there was till no contact from them.
Arianne received a call from one of the battleships that should be going to Paracellumn. However, the ship Kyoushiro and the rest were using stopped at Calladium for some reason. After that, they haven't been contact ever since.
Mikoto looked worried that something might be happening where Kyoushiro and the others were at but since Minami, Sairenji and Katsuto were with him, surely he wouldn't be in any danger.
For now, Travestin's problem should be addresses first.
"Alright then, we'll be going now"
"Eh? But how would you...."
Arianne looked confused as to how Mikoto and Inomiri-sensei will get back, but as soon as Arianne looked at Inomiri-sensei, her face slowly relaxed.
"This person is another hero?"
"Yes, this is Inomiri Shizuka-sensei. Our HR teacher back in our world. Her class is Archmage and it seems like she can take us back using her skill"
"I see, understood. I shall have the reinforcements ready as soon as I can.... But can she use her skill to carry five battleships back to Travestin?"
Mikoto didn't answer, she turned to Inomiri-sensei and waited for her to answer.
"U-Uh.... Well, my skill «Grand Teleportation» depends on my magic power. The more people I carry the more Magic power I use up. It seems that we got here by accident since I was with Aizawa-san"
"Does your skill send you back to the last place you visit?"
"Yes. The skill only needs the memories of those I'm with or my own"
"I see... Then"
Arianne takes out a necklace from her magic storage ring and handed it to Inomiri-sensei.
"Please use this to take everyone back to Travestin. We don't need to waste time after all"
"E-Eh?! But this is....."
Seeing the large deep blue gem attached to the necklace, Inomiri-sensei was reluctant to take it. After all, why would a Queen of such amazing country would hand out such precious item? Inomiri-sensei doesn't understand why Arianne was doing this.
Arianne then noticed Inomiri-sensei's distraught and smiles softly before letting out a short chuckle.
"Ehehehe..... Please take it. Kyoushiro made me many items like this that stores magic power inside. I'm sure he'll be more happy if I use it this way"
Aside from the last battle with the 9th Demon Lord, there hasn't been any instances when Arianne would use them. Well, just like she said, there was still a whole bunch of the necklace stored inside her magic storage ring.
"There's nothing wrong in having too much" Kyoushiro once said to Arianne when he was still rebuilding the whole ruined city.
"Kagami-kun....made this?"
"Yes, and everything you see right now"
Arianne answered prouldy.
"Well then, let us visit the Army's Main Baracks. Lucuos, please take there"
"As you wish"
"!?"
Inomiri-sensei flinched as Lucuos, the Dark elf butler suddenly talked behind her. Apparently, Lucuos followed behind the silently and moved to the side waiting for further orders.
Well, after that, they quickly went to join the vice commander of the Black Army and teleported back to Travestin.
PART #2
Right after Mikoto and Inomiri-sensei arrived at Ambrosia Kingdom's outskirts.....
*Kiiin!!*
"Raaah!!"
*Ktung!*
"Graaaaa!!!!"
The clash between Kuro and Nero against Taiga continues.
"Damn cats!!"
Taiga was raising his speed and strength as he fights. However, with the sword being so long and big, it proved hard to fight with it against two people.
Nero's fast and sharp attacks with his spear and Kuro's heavy damaging blows we're enough to put the newly improve Taiga in his place.
Even with the skill «Weapon Mastery» in used, he still couldn't fight with two people who were well versed in two-man coordination attacks.
The tip of the spear grazed Taiga's face as Taiga sent Kuro flying. Annoyed by the fast reaction of Nero and Kuro's smooth teamwork, Taiga up his game and further made use of his skills.
"Become the light that severs the world!! «Light Severing»!!"
Bright light burned and the undead that coiled around his sword perished within that light.
"Kh!!"
Taiga ignored the cries of pain of the dead souls surrounding his sword. The large blade shrunk as the souls of dead slowly gets purified by Taiga's own skill. It was a miscalculation that Taiga didn't forseen.
Nero changed with Kuro jumping behind. *Kwaang!!* Nero parried the sword and countered by stabbing the head of his spear towards Taiga's chest.
*Ki–thang!*
"Tsk!"
Nero clicked his tongue as Taiga's immediate response deflected his attack. Kuro once more changed with Nero and barraged Taiga with heavy blows of his fist, creating afterimages of his brilliantly burning gauntlet.
"Martial skill + Fire Magic skill «Meteor Rain Fist»!!!"
*Dudududududududu!!!*
Taiga's face almost paled as his heart raced in panic. For some odd reason he was losing. Despite being given the power of a Demon Lord temporarily, he should be at least five steps stronger than the two animals in front of him.
Before Nero arrived, the effects of the sword Taiga was using was chipping away the HP and MP of it's target. However now, it wasn't working anymore.
This was bad. Even though he was the strongest, even though he was a hero, he was being treated like some side character that was bound to lose at some point.
"Damn it!!"
There was no use in fighting a losing battle. Although shameful, he doesn't have much choice but to flee in battle.
"Light Magic «Flash Light»!!"
"!?"
"!!"
Kuro and Nero closed their eyes instinctively as the bright flash of light burst right before their eyes. With their sight taken away, it was already a chance for Taiga to leave.
"I'll remember this you bastards!! I'll kill all of you once I get the chance!!"
It was a shameful remark of a dog running away with it's tail between his legs. The two, unable to chase after Taiga stayed on their spots until their visions returned.
"That rat got away"
"No matter. It's best that we got some leeway. In any case, we need to find her highness first. This whole thing is getting out of hand"
While Kuro was thinking of chasing after Taiga, Nero stopped him from leaving. Right now wasn't the right time to chase after Taiga. With the possibility of the undead monsters coming back later on, there was just no time to waste on someone that wasn't even worth the fight.
For now, Princess Lucinda was their priority.
"How's the outside?"
"We more or less taken care of the situation. But with so many civilian casualties, we might not he able to move if get attack again"
Nero relayed what he saw in the city. Rhodes and Casper, who he faced at some point as well as the number of casualties on their side.
"This doesn't seem to be ending soon"
Nero sighed whilst tapping the shaft of his spear on his right shoulder. However, his carefree attitude soon disappear as Kuro told him about what happened with Mordred.
"Hey now Commander, that's not something to joke around"
"Do you think I'm joking in a time like this? It's best we prepare for another wave of attack outside the city. I don't know how many monsters we'll be facing but it's best that we prepare for the worse"
The last communication from Mordred made Kuro imagined the worse thing possible. If an enemy of a Demon Lord class were to appear now, it would be no surprise if they would get annihilated once the next wave arrives.
Even right now, Kuro was thinking just how many supplies he still has in case he has to fight outside as well.
"I see.... do you think they called for reinforcements before they were attacked?"
"Hopefully but it's best not to get our hopes up"
Kuro took one last breath before moving on. There was no time to waste in this place right now. While the barrier was still up, it was best to have the civilians enter the castle for now.
However, his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden explosion above the throne room. The whole castle shook as the shockwave ran through the pillars and walls of the castle.
"What!?"
"Commander!!"
As the roof broken apart, a tower from outside came falling down from the ceiling.....
—
With everyone stricken with a sense of unease from what the Demon Lord have said, a long silence permeated the room.
"The Cursed.... legion?"
"Impossible.... That's only something that existed in fairytales!!"
King Verdik showed a grim expression as he was faced by something inconceivable. The Cursed legion of Shoggoth.
It was a from a fairytale of who knows how long it was known. The origin of the story itself was questionable as there were no records of the cursed legion of Shoggoth ever even existed.
According to the story, it was said that there was once a god that lived through unimaginable length of time that each time it cried from it's longevity, it's black sludge tears turns into formless monsters with no face except for a mouth. They are an undying creatures that only desires destruction and death to all that they encounter.
With the last phrase in the story being "–Thus the immortal legion devoured the world" it was obvious that it was something only existed in fairytales.
No one believed it was true due to it's questionable origins however, it seems that a Demon Lord has ways to perform the ritual itself.
"Fairytale as it may..... I have unleashed the legion..... Now, only death comes to this....land"
If the story were true, then it was already hopeless to run away. The Cursed legion of Shoggoth was something incomprehensible from the start and if they were to follow how the fairytale ends, then everything else would disappear.
*Thud*
The soldiers fell into despair and fell onto their knees. The hopelessness and inescapable situation they were in was already enough to put their minds in disarray.
Undead, a Demon Lord and now an immortal army. The whole situation was going down hill fast.
"It's hopeless....."
"Just why is this happening.......?"
"Oooh.... the gods.... have mercy"
The soldiers broke down in tears, as their lives were now forfeited to the likes of a Demon Lord. Such scene cause a sense of elation inside Vraheim.
"Humans..... They easily break down.... under pressure"
The sense of foreboding defeat and impending death. Those who felt that every move they made was nothing but twitch from a Demon Lord's perspective had their hearts consumed by the very despair that made it.
It was already hopeless the moment a Demon Lord appeared. There was already no used in fighting once a very powerful being showed up.
So? Who's to blame in all of this?
"......?"
One by one the soldiers heads turned to the direction of the royal family. It was as if the flow of a river was redirected to another channel. The soldiers lost their minds and saw a different enemy than the Demon Lord.
"It's their fault"
One soldier begun to mutter.....
"It's because of them...."
Then another.....
"It's because of them....."
Like that, ally turned enemy within seconds. Inside the small tower, the soldiers turned their backs against the Lord they should be protecting.
"Ugh!?"
However, it was also at this moment that another flow of events had managed to reach this drying river. Black shadowy chains erupted from underneath one princess.....
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "189931",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 CH. 17 – The Demon Lord’s first born",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 3 CH. 13 - The one who ate the reaper
PART #1
"Ugh!?"
Lucinda groaned as her belly ached. The young lady who had golden strewn hair, with unclouded blue eyes, worried caressed her the place where a dear life was currently residing.
"It seems that the rumors were true Onee-sama"
Aria, Lucinda's younger sister, only watched coldly on her bed as Lucinda was being assisted by Niya. "Are you alright Lucinda-sama?" Niya worriedly asked while applying healing magic on Lucinda.
"What do you mean? Did... Didn't I tell you I decided to be with my beloved?"
"That is nonsense Onee-sama. You were raped and yet you delude yourself with such foolish thoughts"
Aria had just lost her hero. Unlike her Lucinda was able to earn the love of the person she loved and right now, she bears the offspring of that person. It was so different from how Aria and Taiga were.
Because Taiga was sent to the deepest floor of the castle dungeon while Aria was locked in her room.
"These are not delusions Aria. Just why do you hate Kyoushiro-sama so much?"
"Then do all of you hate Taiga-sama so much?! Is he not a hero too?!!"
Aria burst into tears as she couldn't hold in her emotions.
"Taiga-sama worked so hard to fight the Demon General's in the 1st Demon Lord's domain yet no one even sings of his accomplishments! No one tries and reward him for the things he have done for the country!!"
Sure enough, Taiga was a hero. He went out on a quest to vanquishe the evil Demon Lord of the night king Vlad, fought his army and came back with many accomplishments.
That much, no one could deny. However, there was one thing that Aria didn't count. That was the things Taiga did to accomplish those deeds.
In order to fight the 1st Demon Lord's army, he took half of the kingdom's soldiers to domain of the 1st Demon Lord. He took along many provisions given by the nobles supporting him and the merchants that were currying his favor.
To keep the morale of the army up, they went to villages and towns and had women serve the army and Taiga's party day in and out even while they were on their way to their destination.
Each village they pass through they stole villages crops, raped the women and leave.
Then Taiga and his party came back. They lost the army they brought, left the other half alone fighting an unbeatable battle and even had gall to take another country's possession.
Aria was young and innocent. She sees Taiga as the hero of her dreams. Just and mighty, like a prince on a white horse sweeping her off of her feet.
It was hard to understand why Aria was protecting such hero.
"He fought for our world's sake even while being alone!!"
"Did you not hear what Leticia-sama had said? Are you going to ignore the one knight that protected you with the cost of her own dignity?!"
Lucinda was swept along by the flow of the conversation and raised her voice.
It was obvious. This sister of hers was denying the valiant sacrifice the very knight that decided to protect her since she was young. Even now that person was in a room inside the castle alone, probably weeping because the person she wanted to protect let herself be taken away.
"........."
"I do not know what sort of journey you all had gone through. However, I made sure that every action of Kurosawa-sama was followed and reported back to me. The nobles that sided with him are now in prison because of what they did to their people"
A grief filled face, Lucinda stared at the innocent young girl who merely followed what she believed.
"I wish that I had protected you sooner. It was my selfish actions that brought you to this mess......"
Indeed. If only Lucinda followed what her father said and stayed away from Kyoushiro, Lucinda might have prevented Aria from ever joining Taiga's party. The mess that involved many lives was also because Lucinda couldn't control her own emotions.
Just like Aria, she too was an innocent girl that wanted to follow her wishes.
"I hate you.... Onee-sama"
"......."
"You were always the best. You were always the one who gets praised. Why does mother only wanted you to be the next Queen..... I too wanted to help mother since I was a child and yet...."
"Aria...."
"No, I do not need you anymore. I won't stand behind you anymore Onee-sama. I—"
*Boom!!* A loud explosion outside cut off Aria's words.
"What was that?!"
"Lucinda-sama, please stay here! I'll what's happening check outside!"
Niya rushed to the window and checked the situation. Smoke were rising from the city beyond the walls and sounds of crowd clamoring below reached her ears.
"Just what—"
"Protect~!"
"Onee-chan...!"
Just as Niya was about to get heat by a debris that flew from the sets of explosion outside, Rea and Lea appeared and destroyed the debris. They then entered the room with a beautiful landing.
"People are fighting~!!"
"It's dangerous. So we hid nearby....."
It seems that the two have been watching over Lucinda and Niya since they left the two kids sleeping.
"What's happening outside? Rea?"
"Bonemen! They appeared out of nowhere!"
"Un. There were zombies and Skeleton knights too...."
Rea and Lea reported what they have seen outside. Apparently, there were mass of zombies outside the gates and Skeleton knights appearing on the grounds in the castle.
The soldiers were doing their best to repel the enemies but they were being overwhelmed by not only the undead but the crowd outside the castle gates wanting to enter.
Lucinda frowned upon hearing such thing. Immediately, she tried contacting Kyoushiro but... they were too far apart.
Lucinda glances at Aria, who was sitting quietly on her bed with her head down.
"Aria, let us go. We need to find shelter"
"I don't want to"
"Aria!!"
"No!!"
Aria refused Lucinda adamantly. Rea and Lea tilted their heads as they watched the two and as though a light bulb flashed over their heads, the two children smiled at each other and went to Aria's side.
"Keepsafe~?"
"Un. Onee-chan's sister is to be saved too....!!"
"Wai— Just what are you two —!?"
Rea and Lea carried Aria with one hand each on Aria's back. The flustered little girl tried go flail around but there were mysterious strings that suddenly wrapped around her small body.
"I carry~"
"I fight....."
It looks like Lea intends to fight alone while Rea carries Aria.
"Wait a minute. Shouldn't the Magic Iron Knights be doing their jobs? Their here to protect Lucinda-sama"
Niya raised a valid question. There were no Magic Iron Knights outside, much less even inside the castle right now. Even though they were ordered to protect Lucinda, they weren't around.
"Outside~!"
"They are occupied outside. Those explosions are from them"
Lea pointed outside the window where smoke were rising.
"I'll contact Kuro-sama on the way. In the meantime, I'll help protect Lucinda-sama and Aria-sama"
Three nodded at each other before everyone left the room.
———
King Verdik and Queen Isabelle were surrounded by a large mass of Bonemen and zombies. The zombies were normal citizens outside the castle however, they had swords and knives in their hands.
"Make sure to protect His Majesty and her Highness!! Don't let a single one of them pass through!!"
Gaius was standing at the front of the fight. The soldiers were making a defensive wall around King Verdik and Queen Isabelle.
However it could be easily seen that they were truly outnumbered.
"That's...."
Queen Isabelle spotted a familiar face.
Limping with an open chest with his innards out dragging at Hus feet was the Royal Adviser Welmner. It was painted on his face how dreadfully painful he was killed.
"I thought there were guards at the dungeons? How come he is here?"
"Unfortunately, we thinned out the number of soldiers in the castle in order to accommodate the civilians receiving provisions the other day. I forgot sending someone to man the station there but...."
One of the security division of the castle failed to place someone at the dungeon door. There being many soldiers sent out not only to give out provisions but also raise the security in the city to avoid the civilians having conflicts with each other.
This backfired with someone entering the dungeon and killed the prisoners there.
"I'm sorry your Highness"
"It couldn't be helped. There is no need to get angry at this situation"
"I'm truly sorry"
The soldier showed a regretful expression while swinging down his sword and taking down a zombie.
It wasn't a good situation to fight with each other. Queen Isabelle used her skills to support the her knights and soldiers behind. King Verdik was using his magic as well to take down the bonemen increasing every moment.
Fire, wind and Holy magic. The clerics purified the undead as well as healing Gaius and the others. However, it was only a matter of time before they could be overwhelmed and be taken over.
"Your Highness!!"
"Rembrandt-dono?!"
Leticia, with full armor, rushed through the crowd of the undead from a door on the left side of the room.
"Please head this way! We need to get somewhere high!"
"Follow Leticia's lead! Make sure none of this bastards reach the Queen and king!!"
"Oouu!!!"
Gaius didn't spare a second thought. He quickly ordered the others to protect the Queen and King while they escape.
"Be severed by my will of Tempest!! - «Tornado Assault»!!"
Gaius took the front stage with a powerful attack that tire nearly everything around him.
Then on the back....
"Quickly your Highness! Your Majesty!"
"Thank you Rembrandt-dono"
"You saved us"
Leticia nodded back and sent «Water Blades» at the enemies, cutting them in half. Soldiers followed behind Queen Isabelle and King Verdik.
From the door where Queen Isabelle and King Verdik ran, Gaius and his group followed suit. Leticia taking charge at the front lead everyone to the quickest route to the highest tower.
Queen Isabelle then turned to Leticia and asked.
"How did you find us so fast? Also, why is there ice walls blocking some of the hallways?"
"There was a Mist Spider that helped the maids and other staffs to a safe place. I was guessing it was an ally because it didn't attack anyone"
"Mist Spider?"
"It was probably Mikoto-sama. She is the only Tamer among the heroes"
"I see...."
King Verdik answered Queen Isabelle's worry. Thanks to the Mist Spider Mio-chan, some of the paths with undead crawling behind the ice wall preventing anything from coming at civilians.
Furthermore, added by Cro-chan's support, the duo of bird and Spider managed to protect the lives of the staff members inside the castle.
"Queen Isabelle?!"
"Kuro-dono?!"
Kuro ran into Queen Isabelle's group.
"What are you all doing here?!"
"There are undead monsters this way, please come with us"
Queen Isabelle invited Kuro to come with them but Kuro wore a conflicted expression. It was like he was hurrying but he failed to do something.
"Alright. I've also been contacted by Niya and they are on their way to the east tower"
"Good, that's where we are headed to. Please assists us along the way"
Leticia nodded at Kuro before they quickly ran upstairs. The east tower was the nearest one to the main part of the castle. The south Tower is where the staffs were hiding while the others were hiding somewhere in the storeroom in the kitchen.
Thanks to Mio-chan making routes that quickly leads up to the east tower, there wasn't any issue while they climb up but....
"That's.... Clint and Darius"
There was Clint the archer and Darius the thief. The two were a pair of undead with their hearts gouged out right out of their chest. The chest cavity itself was exposed and it seems that they were killed in a very gruesome way.
Leticia tightened the grip on her sword as she stares at the pair that given her life misery.
"Kuro-dono, I'll take care of them. Please guard her Highness and his Majesty upstairs"
Leticia wanted to get revenge for how she was treated by these two. If only Riccardo was included, she'd have the full set.
However...
"I don't take orders other than my king and Arianne-sama. That knight with one arm is enough for them to reach the east tower"
"........."
Kuro nodded at Gaius before the rest quickly ran up the stairs. Leticia took a quick look at Kuro's face and smiled.
"I see. At this point, I cannot believe someone would even try and help me"
"Hmph, even like this I am still a decorated knight. Well, I can guess why you want to handle this on your own though"
Kuro grinned while taking out the pair of «Lion King» Gauntlets from his storage ring.
All beastmen have keen sense of smell. Though there are tribes with more keen senses, Kuro was one of the common beastmen that have good sense of smell.
And the scent coming from Leticia was from those two as well.
"My thanks lord lion"
"Just call me Kuro. Let's end this fast so that we can chase after the others"
"Understood"
Kuro and Leticia prepared for a fight. Though their opponents were undead, with veteran senses as warriors, two couldn't let their guard down.
Why?
"Nghhh....."
"Grrrr...."
The zombies, Clint and Darius took their stance like they were a lived and was preparing for battle....
PART #2
Casper was watching a battle where big bulky golems were shooting beams right out of their finger tips from above the roofs of the buildings.
He couldn't help but watch closely as this was his first time seeing such thing.
"Who the hell made those things?"
Aside from being able to tell which were undead and which wasn't, they were also capable of taking down large undead monsters on their own.
Because of that the undead monsters that Rhodes prepared were easily getting destroyed. It was an unbelievable seen where even the undead form of a Tyranno beast head it's head blasted off from it's neck.
Not only dead orcs, there undead ogres, goblins and the ones that Casper killed as well. The civilians running in panicked to save themselves were trying to get inside the castle gates.
Some sane soldiers were taking inn the civilians while the others were fending off the mind control ones.
Mind control. They were Jill's expertise.
"I'm guess those golems were the ones that been taking down the wraiths. Because of that though, the curse that should be placed on the Queen got on the soldiers themselves.... what a nice outcome"
Casper snicker at the battle happening below him.
"It's a good thing that large magic ship left huh?"
"Rhodes? Where the hell did you come from?"
Rhodes came out from an open window on the rooftop. Casper narrowed his gaze at the rude fellow who was interrupting his perfect viewing spot.
"Did Barth contacted you yet?"
"No. Jill's out to find him though. I came here since I've finished my job"
Rhodes had been tasked to take some of the monster corpses collected by the black army and turn it into undeadm Luckily, there were some places that had mountains of corpses that hadn't been collected then. Taking advantage of that, Rhodes had an easy job gathering corpses.
"Where's that client anyway? I hadn't seen him since he gave us those orders"
"Dunno. Don't find him in this chaos too. You'll get killed"
Casper warned Rhodes who was sitting right next to him.
Right now it was impossible to move with all the monsters and mind controlled soldiers fighting and killing each other. It was also impossible to locate the client that hired him to do this sick job.
There was also those golems firing beams from their hands. It was just impossible to move on their own.
"Let's just watch this until it settles"
"Right. Our work here is done anyway"
Thus Casper and Rhodes silently watch chaos unfold in the capital of Travestin.
———
The place where current base where Mordred was being serviced was a flat land. There almost no trees around and the mountains and hills were far from there. As such, it didn't hold much hidden materials needed for the base to be created nor supply Mordred with its magic stones that fuels the Magic furnace inside.
The whole base was already constructed. Beams and strong metal structures were made to hold Mordred in place.
There were barracks and warehouses just below the bay area and the [Gate] artifact that acts as the doorway between Ambrosia and Travestin was built just a next to the loading area where the materials comes in.
Captain Grimwald was making last minute checks inside the bridge when the Area detection sonars as well as the Radars of Mordred caught some suspicious movements coming from the northeast direction.
"Those are...."
"It's hard to confirconfirm if they are merely monster hordes. Judging by the anomalies on the screen, there are over a thousand sir"
"Hmm.... check again. Send some scouts over the area to get a quick view of what those are"
"Understood"
Captain Grimwald left his crew to his devices and went back to work. However as he gazed outside the window, there was an inky black thing that had a shape of a human. All over his body were wiggling eyeballs.
By such sight, Captain Grimwald froze.
However as if it saw through Captain Grimwald's exterior and peered right through his heart with it's many eyeballs, the unknown creature twitched.
The next moment, every eye on that creature was staring right at Captain Grimwald.
"C-Contact the Commander"
"Sir? What are yo—"
Like a sudden drop of temperature, the whole room turned icy cold. Everyone who was inside couldn't move from the sheer coldness inside the bridge. Furthermore, there was a strong pressure grating down at their bodies.
"M-Message sent. sir"
"Yeah....Good work"
As though everyone already understood what will happen next, they left their seats and forced their bodies to move weapons in hand.
"It's been great working with you all"
"Likewise sir"
For those last words, a great big flash of light suddenly burst. Right after that, a powerful explosion erupted at the base taken by the Black army for the sake of resupplying and servicing Mordred.
Mordred, along with it's crew and staff officers, disappeared in a foreign land without anyone knowing......
PART #3
In this world monster mutation are sometimes different from another. Some monsters mutates into stronger versions of themselves by simply because of their living environment. Others mutate through natural selection. Feeding on other races and gaining their skills and traits in the process.
However there are rare cases where accumulation of a single organism causes a string mutation. This then turns a, for example an ordinary worm, into a different lifeform.
In the case of the 9th Demon Lord Kakal where he was an accumulation of a single organism that fused the same organism again and again under the influence of powerful force or an unknown power like magic and miasma, can a Demon Lord be formed.
Naturally a Demon Lord cannot be born instantly. One needs to grow in order to achieve a final form.
Because in this world, even monsters strength are determined by their levels and skills, they undergo through a difficult phase of survival. Where, unlike humans which were made to much of everything, monsters have to fight for their survival in order to grow.
This type of environment will then lead to an end where the monster would be categorized in ranks by the Adventurer guild to determine their levels of difficulty.
But the 13th Demon Lord was born differently. He was a sickly man who merely wished to extend his life more. His family had left him for dead after they discovered he wouldn't last longer than a year.
Then this man who laid in his bed, for some reason, even without eating, was able to live for more than a decade.
On a certain night where not even moon nor the stars can be seen shining so beautifully in the sky, came the reaper on the sickly man's bedside.
"I have been waiting for your death. Why do you refuse to die?" The reaper said, holding a completely still pocket watch.
"I wish to live more and wander the outside of this room" Replied the sickly man with a forlorn smile.
"That is impossible. Your time is already spent. I need to collect your soul now" Replied back the reaper showing the pocket watch with all of its hands point at 12.
"You have overstayed in the land of the living. Time to rest in the land of the dead"
"No, I won't go"
The sickly man angrily refused to die in peace.
"If I were to die like this, then I won't have peace in the afterlife"
"Foolish. No mortals can refuse death. It is the natural law of life"
Born only to die and die only to be born. That was how life cycles work. You live your life once from the day you were born then die in peace at the day of your death. Refusing this means your refusing to born once more and die in your next life.
"Immortality is but a sin. The longer you live the less you become yourself"
The reaper slowly hides the pocket watch, showing a bit of sadness in his voice.
"That too is what it means to be undead"
As though speaking from experience the reaper turns around and walked to the other side of the sickly man's bed.
And at sickly man's ears, the reaper whispered.
"You are no longer amongst the living"
*Fwah!* The blanket rose from the bed, pulled by the reaper. Then laid bare was the rotten corpse of the sickly man. The white bed sheet had turned dark with the organs inside his body rotten with maggots eating squirming inside. His skin had melted along with the muscles of his legs.
A strong and pungent odor was drifting inside the room. Flies flew and buzzed at the sickly man's face.
With the horror of reality sicking in, the sickly man finally realized it. He was long since dead.
And right now, just like the reaper somehow smiling in ridicule beside him had said.....
He was no longer part of the living.
Sadness, rage, despair, madness; all sort of negative emotions pour out from the sickly man's rotten heart and up to his empty shell of a neck and let out a deathly cry. Dark sludge spilled from his melted eyes from the months of endless days and nights, cheeks tore off as his jaw went down so low as he screamed in madness.
Then at the peak of the night, where moon and stars weren't visible, where darkness filled the outside and a single wicker of flame shines in that small room.
The reaper of souls was gobbled up like the wolf eating the red hooded little girl......
———
Taiga caught glimpse of the 13th Demon Lord's past. His madness and despair felt through the barrier of memories and managed to influenced Taiga's heart.
The moment the cage broke, Vraheim's power entered Taiga's.
That mere drop of power from a being that transcends human understanding gave Taiga a feeling of delight.
"So long as you follow what I say, I shall grant the power you desire"
Vraheim, the 13th Demon Lord who appears to be in a form of the Grim reaper, muttered so as he looked down on Taiga.
Slowly Taiga stood up. He dusted off his clothes and turns to Vraheim.
"I'm going to need some weapon and armor"
With only the inner wear of his clothing before, Taiga doesn't have much defensive ability. Although he can use magic, it was all too different when it comes to fighting.
Vraheim raised his right hand and with one snap of his finger, dakr mist suddenly covered Taiga's entire body.
Shortly after, came a dark knight. His armor was pitch black and was laden with spines and bones. Shoulder pads and knee pads were skull shaped. The gauntlets and boots were scaly like a snake and on his back was a mantle of pure black cloth.
The former [Paladin] was replaced by a Knight of Death.
"Hoh.... this feels stronger than I wore before..."
"It is made with remains of the strongest Knights and swordsmen I have fought. Their souls resides in that armor that will give you more of a decent power to even match the 9th Demon Lord"
Vraheim turns around as soon as he finished explaining.
"There things that are needed to be done. Do what you want here but do not take the life of the mother bearing her child"
"Huh? Wait, what do you mean by that?"
"Keep your promise and I'll reward you plenty"
Ignoring Taiga's words, Vraheim melted into a black mist and disappeared completely. Snorting at the rude bastard that didn't even provide any sort of information, Taiga leaves the dungeon and climb out.
As he ascended from the lower floor of the dungeon, the scent of blood thickened. Sounds of battle ongoing outside echoed right straight from the entrance and vibrations from explosions can be felt even from the stairs of the dungeon.
Taiga grinned. If this was how Travestin was going to end, he would have had front row seats to watch the whole chaos.
A Demon Lord was attacking the capital of Travestin. Moreover, it seems that the lord of the dead had planned things out to work out this way.
Moreover, Taiga had been granted a small portion of that Demon Lord's power.
The feeling of empowerment rising from the depths of his body made Taiga feel elated.
Now it was time to take back what that bastard lion had stolen from him.
"Now then..... let's make sure they don't look down on me again"
With killing intent pouring out from his body like a gushing fountain of black mud, Taiga walks straight to the rumbling battlefield of Knights and soldiers.
|
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|
Vol. 3 CH. 0 - Prologue: The heir was born
PART #1
There was a young girl flocking in the flower gardens of a certain castle.Her blonde hair decorated with flowers made into a crown and butterflies danced around her like fairies. The child was about 3 years old in appearance, however, truthfully, she was only born recently.
Her smile was at its brightest, he laughs can sooth even the toughest of hearts and her adorable inquisitive expressions were just too divine.
She was the daughter of the next queen of Travestin Kingdom, Clara Kagami Travestin.
"Au...aha! Ahahah!!"
Clara laughs as a butterfly landed on her small nose. Her sudden laughter and joyous actions caused the butterflies to flutter away. However, they immediately returned as though they were fond of the child's playfulness.
Her dark colored eyes, shined with innocence, peacefully having the time of her life with her little friends.
"Clara, come now. It's time for lunch"
"Wai~!! Hau!!"
Lucinda called out to her daughter, dressed promptly with he elegant white dress. She was young, still not even 20 but in this world, such age was normal for women to have children. As such, her having a child wasn't a problem.
Clara happily runs to he mother's arms.In her hand was a bundle of flowers she picked in the garden of her grandmother, the current Queen of Travestin.
The said grandmother, was sitting behind the mother and daughter, quietly enjoying her brunch. A woman with blonde hair and pale red eyes, a bit younger than her actual age and a mother of six children. Though, her slim body doesn't seem to say that she had given birth at all..
"Mother, it seems that Clara had gotten used to her body. She has already learned how to run"
"Hmm.... that is great news. Who would have known she was only born half a month ago?"
The two glanced at the child swinging her bundle of flowers while singing a song. Clara was just born half a month ago. She has both Lucinda and Kyoushiro's traits. However, it was rather odd to have a half month old child having a body of a 3 year old.
Lucinda then placed Clara at a chair and helped her eat. She, the previous Queen watched the mysterious child messily eat her baby food.
"Have you contacted his father yet?"
"I haven't.... I feel scared....for some reason" Lucinda answers, her expression grew dim as she failed to tell Kyoushiro about Clara.
It was only normal of course, because she had already given birth to her daughter. The father knows that the child was still in its development stage inside her and would have taken 5 more months before she was conceived.
However, Lucinda suddenly gave birth. In the middle of a rebellion alongside her friend Mikoto, she had suddenly given birth to Clara.
At that time, the mysterious black cocoon saved her and Clara. Although she didn't where that thing came from, Lucinda was still grateful that it saved their lives.
However, Lucinda was still unsure whether to tell Kyoushiro anything about Clara. After all, she was born half a year early, something that signifies she might have made love to someone else besides Kyoushiro. She was certain that Kyoushiro would not get mad however, just simply the thought of him leaving her and the child scares her.
The old queen showed a caring smile at her child, troubled with her relationship with the child's father.
"Do you think he would hurt the child?"
"Of course not.... Kyoushiro-sama would not do that..... He loves me and the child"
"But....." The words stuck to her throat, considering the possibility of Kyoushiro turning away from her. The old queen stood up, she then walks behind Lucinda and held her head closed to her chest.
"Then..... I am sure he wouldn't mind...."
"Mother...."
"If he had shown much love to you to the extent of even preparing an army to safeguard you and Clara, then I'm certain that he would never shun you and the child"
Lucinda's cheeks loosen. A smile crept up on her cheeks as her heart finally settles down.
Right, Kyoushiro prepared an army of magic soldiers; one so big and sturdy that even the strongest spells could destroy and ones that so strong that the strongest ramparts were reduced to nothing.
Such army had helped them during the rebellion when Lucinda came back to Travestin due to her mother's health failing. At that time, she did not think that a rebellion would occur.
The rebellion headed by the King's adviser ... it had happened when Lucinda received a letter from her father.....
—
1 and 1/2 month ago, Lucinda watched the airship Phirous depart along with the gifts Kyoushiro had prepared as thanks for the help from Queen Elfianna and Queen Rizannia. Because of the held from the heroes and the elven army, the casualties were lessened and no one suffered greatly from the attack of the 9th Demon Lord.
Lucinda had already prepared herself to die alongside her husband but Kyoushiro came and saved them himself, after obtaining a powerful sword from somewhere in another dimension.
As the ships turned to dots in the sky, Lucinda turned to Ariannne, who was standing next to her, watching Phirous disappear in the sky.
"They have left, Arianne-sama"
"Yes.... I would miss Kyoushiro greatly...."
The two Queens in their respective Kingdoms, showed each other a smile that showed no surrender to whom Kyoushiro belong to.
The fact that Kyoushiro had two Queens waiting for him was a problem. Would he go home to Travestin with Lucinda or will he stay with Arianne in Ambrosia?
Kyoushiro was a known criminal in Travestin show wasn't even allowed to come back. But Lucinda bares his child, the heir to the throne exactly in Travestin.
It wouldn't even matter if Kyoushiro was a criminal. Because in the blood of their child was the blood of a hero. In terms of the common goal of nations where the heroes summoned to, it was a privilege to have the blood of a hero pass down to the royalties of their world.
Lucinda was fortunately she was the next Queen, an incoming ruler once the old queen steps down. Lucinda can easily use her power to grant her child the right to the throne.
"Let's go back; it'll be bad for your health if you stay here"
"Thank you, Arianne-sama"
"It's no problem"
Arianne gratefully pushed Lucinda's wheelchair back to the castle. There were guards standing around them but because there weren't much people that hated the current ruler, no one would try to harm them.
Still, it wouldn't be bad to be careful. Kuro's guards were top notched and thanks to Kyoushiro's training and powerful equipment, they were stronger than the average adventurers.
As the two were about to reach a prepared car for their return to the castle, a maid with black cat ears and tail came with a letter in hand.
"You're highness; a letter arrived for her majesty Lucinda-sama"
"A letter for me….?"
The maid handed the letter to Lucinda, who was perplexed as there should have been no one sane enough to traverse a wide wasteland without a magic airship. Distance wise, it was like walking from west Poland to the Sahara desert.
Lucinda then quietly opens the letter and read its contents.
"Eh? Mother is....?"
Written in the letter were the words "Her Highness Queen Aria Aluferd Travestin, health has declined greatly. We wished to prepare for the worse and immediately handle the enthronement ceremony for your ascension as the next Queen" gave Lucinda a shock.
She knows that her mother was not doing well but she wasn't in a very dangerous situation. Her current health was being managed by the most experienced healers and physicians, if anything, her health should have gone better by now.
"Is something wrong?"
"It's from my country; they want me to return immediately. Mother's health had worsened...."
Arianne looked concerned as she saw how greatly shaken Lucinda was. Seeing a frail looking woman, though she had gained most of strength after staying in Ambrosia for a while, Lucinda was still in no condition to move around. Arianne's fave turned serious, immediately after, he asked the maid to call for Kuro, the general of Kyoushiro's black army, to come.
"Understood, I shall hurry then"
"Thank you. Lucinda-sama, let us return to the castle immediately. I'll have Kuro-sama and his trusted knights escort you back to your country"
"Yes.... thank you"
Lucinda didn't argue and just simply nodded her head. The driver of a wheeless car, powered by a magic crystal converter engine, step out and helped the two Queens enter the long slick black limousine like car.
Once the door closed, the driver went back in front and droved as fast as he could. Trailing behind and in front of it were lines of magic iron knights, hovering at the same speed as the car.
—
Kuro had been summoned; he was to meet Queen Arianne at the command room for a private talk. He made his way there as quickly as possible. Following behind him was the two twin fox sisters, Rea and Lea.
"Hey~ Kuro-sama, are we going to play with Lucinda-sama?"
"Yeah! I want to play with Lucinda-sama!!"
The two child fox-men declared so with a *hmph!" and their arms rose in dissatisfaction. In their eyes, Lucinda was a girl that treated them equally despite being demo-spawns themselves. Both have dark fur and eyes but the two distinct tails behind them had red tips. They were different from a normal fox-men child.
"This is not time for games. If we are summoned to the command room, there is only one thing that would happen"
"That is....what?"
"Yeah! What?"
"A secret order"
Despite the gravity of his tone, Kuro's large bushy tail wagged violently in delight. It had not been long since he was entrusted to command and safeguard the country he was born in, protect it from a demon lord recently and properly execute his master's orders to deal with all the security matters of the kingdom, now he was about to receive another order.
As a knight, he was very happy to be relied on. Kuro had been diligent in his work. Was this a reward for his hard work? He couldn't wait any longer.
"Heh~ secret~?"
"Sounds fun! Rea, let's do this private order!"
"Yeah, let's do it too! Lea!"
The two child fox-men gleefully danced around. Kuro too was in high spirits that he wishes to dance as well. But right now, that wasn't important. Reaching the command room, Kuro's heart beat loudly.
"Your Highnesses, it is I Kuro. May I enter?"
Once the three reached the two leaf doors, they Kuro knocked and announced his presence. Similarly, Rea and Lea too did the same.
Immediately after, the words "Come in" came from the other side. Kuro then opens the door as he says "Excuse me; I've brought Rea and Lea as well".
"That is fine; we might need their help as well"
Arianne stood behind the large oval table. Ever since the 9th Demon Lord attack, the command room hand been reconstructed and designed to have the best sort of equipment for enemy surveillance.
The Gods eye magic artifact at the center of the oval table was replaced by a round globe hovering over a box shape machine with complicated arrangements of buttons over on one panel.
Kuro, Rea and Lea stood side by side after entering the room.
"Your Highness, you said that we might need their help as well.... what do you mean by that?"
"Lucinda-sama will be returning to Travestin and is in need of a strong and trusted escort. It seems that something happened while she was gone, she received a letter just now"
Arianne passed the letter to Kuro. Taking the letter that slid across the table, Kuro then read its contents. His eyebrows frowned as he read through it.
"This seems awfully suspicious.... Its sender is not the King"
"Precisely"
The sender wasn't the king of Travestin, King Vardik Elladon Travestin, but the Queen's adviser, Ricardo Alium Welmner. It was signed and written in a printed manner. The urgency of the situation was there however, it felt suspicious as to why it was he that sent the letter and not the king.
Sensing that something might happen, Arianne immediately thought of having Kuro and the two most deadly assassins known in the underworld trade.
"I will have you ride a battleship to Travestin. We cannot have Lucinda-sama be harmed in any way; Kyoushiro would surely not let it go"
"He certainly won't...." Kuro replied a bit bothered by the outcome of incurring their king's wrath.
Once, there was a foolishly thug that tried to beat Kyoushiro up and even laid his hands on Arianne. The thug got beaten black and blue, he suffered humiliation to the point that he didn't wanted to relive such time again.
If Kyoushiro was angered, on top of utilizing his armed battleships and army, it was possible that even Travestin would disappear in the face of the world.
"In urgency of the situation, I have already prepared the battleship. It's loaded with the gate artifact and the Magic Iron knights. I'm sure that with this, we can show much protected Lucinda-sama is"
"Are we going to war.....?"
With that amount and the battleship chosen for the occasion, it was like Arianne was prepared to go to war. Even though it was just an escort, it was too much. Even a small battleship was equipped with High powered Rail cannons. Kyoushiro wasn't messing around in boosting up this country's defense capabilities.
In response to Kuro's worried words, Arianne sighed....
"If I do not do this much, I'm sure Kyoushiro would get mad at me. Lucinda is the first wife and she currently bares his first child. If she were to get hurt, even us won't be spared"
"Wouldn't Master be lenient if it’s with you?"
"He would but my relationship with him would turn sour. I wouldn't like that all"
Kyoushiro loves Lucinda. It was obvious enough since they were flaunting around whenever they were together. Arianne wasn't jealous of it but losing Kyoushiro completely because she failed to protect Lucinda, was a risk she won't take.
"Understood. Will it be me and these two?"
Kuro pointed at the two children nodding off from the adult conversation. It seems that they didn't want to disturb so they just quietly took a nap. It wasn't a concern; their skills were far better compared to a normal child.
Arianne then nodded as she added...
"Kuro, I'll have you lead a small army along with the escort. Have Rea and Lea guard Lucinda-sama with Mikoto-sama"
"Understood. I shall execute your order"
Kuro accepted the work. Since the kingdom was relatively peaceful and there were golem knights patrolling the streets, all day and night, there wouldn't be any incident even if they left. Furthermore, the whole kingdom was being monitored by the God's eye artifact. Even a single third would be identified immediately.
Once Kuro saluted, the Rea and Lea woke up.
"Is it over~?"
"Is it~?"
Their sleepy mutters fell on deaf ears as Arianne and Kuro just smiled wryly at the two assassins known in the underworld trade. Since they were trained and educated, it goes without saying that they were perfectly fit for guard duties even for their young age.
PART #2
One of the things that were truly impressive with Ambrosia was its web like underground railways. Thanks to none stops development made by the Architect Golems, the whole city improved greatly. No power lines were standing out in the streets and the buildings were mostly fortified as well and reinforced.
Most landmarks were left untouched but most of buildings and walls now were grey colored structures. The advanced cities on earth were pretty much similar now to Ambrosia, to reach such level of advancement in just a short time, it was truly amazing.
The docking bay of ships have been elevated compared to before and was now a building within the northwestern side of the capital. Instead of a warehouse type bay, it was a sophisticated ship bay area that was taller than most buildings with magically reinforced defenses.
The specialized battleship, Mordred, a large sea battleship like spaceship, was docked at the top of the bay area.
"How marvelous. It truly serves the name of its owner"
Kuro had seen numerous ships made by Kyoushiro but the battleships that Kyoushiro designed was even more impressive. Unlike commercial type airships, battleships had more defensive and offensive type armories that require no usage of staff. All of them were golems, leveled up and strengthened.
If used, even one small battleship could erase a country with its multiple cannons and laser turrets.
"Well.... it is designed by his majesty after all"
A crew member of the docks replied to Kuro's words of praise. He was a human with black hair and eyes; though unlike most people working on ships, he was wearing a grey overall with wrenches sticking out from his baggy pants.
"I know, it is just something I could never get tired of seeing"
"I see....."
The crew member then left right away as he spotted some of his crew members were calling for him. After giving a bow to Kuro, he immediately left in a hurry.
"Kuro-sama, I have brought Lucinda-sama's luggage. Where is her ladyship is at?"
This time, a maid arrived. It seems that she brought most of Lucinda's luggage and daily necessity for her return to Travestin. Kuro turns around and pointed at the ship.
"Her majesty is inside already. Please bring everything inside. Rea and Lea are waiting with her in her room"
"Understood, thank you very much, Kuro-sama. I shall take my leave then"
The maid bows and leaves to the ship. She prepared the suitcases and large bags on a cart and strolled away to the ship. Kuro watched her behind and waited everyone to come aboard.
It was still early. There was still time before the battleship set sail.
"Now then, I where is that lazy cat"
Kuro sighs as he looked at the pocket watched he had in hand as he waited for the person that would handle his duties once he left.
—
Arianne watched on her tower. She gazed at the large black and red battleship flying in the sky. Lucinda had has left the country. Mikoto would be staying with her for now since there was no hero left to aid her. What's more, they were friends. It was only normal for them to be together.
Just that, Mikoto was oddly busy until the time of the departure. She seemed to be worrying over Kyoushiro's well-being. Seeing as it has taken a while before he had contacted back.
According to Mikoto, it seems that the magic ship Phirous flying at a faster speed so they might take a shorter time before reaching their destination. Just that, it seems that Kyoushiro was keeping himself busy by fiddling with the ship.
A typical trait you'd expect from him.
"Haaaaah...... I wonder when my turn will come next..."
Arianne gazed at the empty blue sky stretching over the horizon. Now that the first child was made, there was only the second child to expect after. That would be Mikoto's turn to bear a child. But then, how long would it take them? Arianne was worried. Just how long she would wait until she receives Kyoushiro's child?
As a deep sigh escaped from her troubled chest, a strong wind blew over her and made her long velvet colored hair flutter.
|
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|
I'm sorry to break this but i lost the chapters 17 and 18 which are supposed to end the vol. 2
Since i've been working on my phone to finish the chapters as fast as i can while doing irl work, sad to say my sd card got corrupted and everything has disappeared.
I probably won't be uploading new chapters soon. I apologize to those that actually reads my story update after update. Really, i'm sorry?
|
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|
Vol. 3 CH. 4 - Returning the favor
PART #1
Queen Isabella had recovered, the royal family had finally officially announced the comeback of the Queen. It was three days after the incident. Because no one knew who tried to attack Kuro and the others, the investigation still didn't have any progress. And since the thing that attack was a Wraith, it was impossible to determine who sent it.
So since there was no use in trying to find an evil spirit, King Verdik decided to announce the return of Queen Isabella. That truth was that, it was Lucinda that was acting the Queen while Queen Isabella was recuperating from her sickness.
In addition to the great news, King Verdik also publicly introduced Kuro and the others. That they came to Travestin to guard Lucinda during their trip on the way to the Kingdom.
Naturally, the appearance of Demon Spawns in the city caused an outrage. Because standing close to the Royal family was those disgusting races who were born from the Demon God Afvritze.
However, no one reacted violently. Because they could see a giant iron airship was just hovering above the castle. It wasn't from the Royal family, it was the one Kuro and the others used.
So this was the problem.
Aside from the hiding Magic Iron Knights, the golem workers were present during the announcement. The thin humanoid shape golems with no faces. They weren't something delightful to see.
Their figures was that of humans. But the appearance alone wasn't something good for night's sleep. It was the stuff of nightmares for anybody.
Those faceless golems. There were under Kuro's command. Though the captain was given the right as well, it was Kuro that was controlling them directly.
And so, upon Lucinda's request, Kuro made them move. Because the kingdom walls were in a poor condition, Lucinda had Kuro order the Worker golems to fix the walls.
This was only for the sake of not letting the golems be seen as a threat. There was already the Magic Iron Knights so Kuro didn't mind using the Worker golems for Lucinda. She was, after all, none other that Kyoushiro's first wife.
Then after the announcement, the next tasks were up to Queen Isabella to do. Since everyone else were guests, there was nothing else for Kuro and the others to do.
Lucinda and Mikoto are together always and since Niya and the two kids, Rea and Lea were standing on guard as well, Kuro and Nero didn't need to stay with them.
So while there was nothing but peace for the moment, Kuro and Nero remained on standby.
"Hey Commander, shouldn't we at least let the Mordred land? It's been flying around for four days straight now"
Nero was overseeing the training of the Black Army unit that Kuro brought along with the said person. However, unlike Kuro who was properly instructing his men, Nero was just laying on the ground while yawning.
"There's nothing to land in"
"Then why not just make it?"
"Do you think the people here will let us make a Sky port for Mordred? Of course not"
They were in a human land where guys like Kuro and Nero weren't very well like because of the color of their hair and eyes. It wouldn't be surprising if one or two mobs would come and chase them out of the city for trying to make a building near their city.
Kuro could already see some Knights scowling at his men in training.
"Even if we get permission, I don't want Mordred to be boarded by any of those guys"
"Hmmm...."
Kuro pointed at the soldiers watching the Elf and Dark elf female soldiers. The women in Kuro's unit were still from a race where they stay eternally beautiful. While dark elves receives the poorest of reception in human settlements because of their color they were still on par with the elves in terms of beauty.
It was obvious that even the Knights in the castle were practically slobbering at the sight of beautiful women sweating in training.
Nero sighed as he too agreed with Kuro. But well, it was unavoidable since men were still men.
"The girls on our side get leered at often. Shouldn't you do something about that? Commander Lyonn?"
"Tsk, it's Kuro. And for the record, my men are high-leveled so even if one or two of those idiots comes and attacks then, it'd be their funeral"
"Scary..... I suppose his Majesty is very thorough in telling everyone to increase their levels. Plus, added by our equipment, we're at least at the same power level as Heroes in their middle stages"
Kyoushiro had instructed everyone to raise their levels as high as possible to use the equipment. Since enchanted armors requires still to use, it would be hard for a low level person to use them.
Nero was over level 200 while Kuro was around 300 at most. Their stats were boosted by the enchanted armors and magic artifacts so they were on par with the heroes with levels between 400 and 600.
"Come to think of it, his Majesty forced our level caps to rise. How did he do that? I still don't understand how"
"Do you think I would know?"
"Well, aren't you his right hand man?"
Nero was trying to probe Kuro. Since Kuro sees himself as Kyoushiro's, the Black King's right hand man, there was no way he wouldn't know something that Kyoushiro had done himself.
However, Kuro has no idea on how the level caps were raised. Right now, the level caps in Ambrosia were around level 350, at most, while the most common level caps were only 100 for humans and 120 to 160 for the rest of the races.
It was as if that the people who follows Kyoushiro receives some sort of miracle.
"Ngh.... it's frustrating to say but I have no clue"
"Eh? I thought his Majesty trust you?"
"Quiet you! Our Black King appointed me as the high commander of the Black Army!"
"I wasn't talking about that but well.... whatever"
No one knows why but the level caps in Ambrosia rose quite a bit. Well, thinking about it wasn't important. ero was just trying to have a small talk with Kuro. The Commander was just that serious so Nero attempted to at least cheer him up a bit. But Kuro didn't seem to have needed it.
As today was peaceful, there was no need for the Black Army unit to mobilized today.
PART #2
"Now that I've return, I want to know exactly what is happening to our kingdom"
Queen Isabella had returned to work. Currently, she was present inside the throne room where all the members of the Court of Nobles were present as well. King Verdik, as well as Lucinda occupied the two seats on both sides of the throne. Niya was standing behind Lucinda while Rea and Lea were at the Lucinda's side.
This was the throne room where most of the nobles voiced out their concerns and discussed future implementation of strategies to better the kingdom itself. This was also the place where the Queen receives the guest where they would have a small exchange of dialogue about their exchange between Travestin and other countries. Of course, this is where celebrations of bestowing nobility and rewards are also performed.
Because of that, it was made bigger to house large audiences. Although, there was a separate room for court discussions to be made Queen Isabella specifically called all the nobles present in the main capital in order to discuss the current conditions of the country.
King Verdik had already gave her the rundown of things but even she couldn't understand why there hasn't been any actions sought for the improvement of the current situation.
Thus, she decided to hold a meeting where all the members of the Court of Nobles are forced to come.
"As I've heard from the report that was given to me, it seems we are suffering greatly from food shortage due to drought, increase in banditry due to small villages being destroyed by monsters and losing our lands to those monsters"
The areas where food were abundant were mostly the places where monsters attack the most. There haven't been much rain lately so the wells were slowly drying up. Redirecting rivers could solve the shortage of water for the farmlands but with monsters running rampant lately, it was hard to move the engineers to build an irrigation for the farmlands.
In addition to monsters, there was also the bandits rising in numbers lately. Simply sending some men outside the city without proper guards would just end up making losses for the kingdom.
"Royal Adviser, how come there has yet to be done about these problems? Surely, there is enough money in our treasury to fund the hiring of adventurers and mobilizing small troops"
"Y-Your Majesty..... You see...."
Welmner explained as to why the conditions of the regions outside the capital haven't improved yet.
"A-And since the hero Taiga-sama needed some financial support and men for his expedition....."
"So you allowed to use 75% of the kingdom's assets to be used by that hero? Not knowing that we might need them in the future?"
"Y-Yes...ah, no I"
"Enough"
Queen Isabella held her temple with her hand. She was only suffering from migraine listening to Welmner's boorish reasons.
Using the money intended for the kingdom to fund one massive expedition by a hero that wasn't even giving out any results. If funding Taiga would yield tremendous rewards after their war within the domain of the first Demon Lord, then Queen Isabella wouldn't be getting angry.
However, it has been two months since Taiga left with half of the kingdom's troops and there was yet any report of their victory.
—If the first Demon Lord was active, I wouldn't have mind but there wasn't even any reports that he have been fighting among the other Demon Lord for power—
Queen Isabella just couldn't comprehend what was going inside the mind of the hero that went and invaded the lands of the 1st Demon Lord.
The kingdom only lost so much money. Painfully even.
"Y-Your Majesty?"
The silence of Queen Isabella caused the nobles to be stricken with fear. They don't know what was going on inside the Queen's mind. However, out of everyone here in the room, it was only her that cared for Travestin so much.
"I've heard that one hero was sent to the wasteland under the pretense of receiving punishment for endangering the lives of the other heroes"
"Y-Yes! I, Welmner, judged that vile Demon Spawn myself! It was because he attempted to kill the other heroes in order to be the only hero left!!"
"I see.... And? What was the reason for taking all of his items, he personally made and handed then to the other heroes?"
"I-It was reparations your Majesty! I made sure he have paid for the crime he had done!"
Welmner was answering honestly. The thoughts he had for punishing Kyoushiro and taking away his items. What's more, torturing him before sending him to his death to the Wasteland.
Under the impression of having done a good deed, Welmner didn't shirk on providing the information he has on Kyoushiro.
"That Demon Spawn was brought among the heroes as a soy for the Demon God! He was trying to make things in order to kill the heroes.... He even planned on having them trapped in the Dungeon!!"
"......."
"A-Also, he has no position in any of the other heroes! He was just and extra bagge! An incompetent, worthless Demon Spawn!!"
"Kh...." Lucinda groaned as she tried to stop herself from firing a spell at Welmner. Hearing the Royal Adviser insult the man she loves like that, condemning him as a criminal for some ridiculous crime and branding him as worthless and incompetent, there was so much that Lucinda could endure.
However, she need to stay calm. Because Rea and Lea themselves were holding themselves back from attacking Welmner for his insolent words against their savior.
The Queen merely listened. She was looking down on Welmner as she watched him act like some desperate mutt wanting to be praised.
"If you so wished, I will order out soldier to apprehend those disgusting Demon Spawns there and seize all they have! Please give me the order! I shall present you that airship they brought along with them!"
"........"
—I see..... so Welmner had lost himself to greed huh? What an utter fool—
Queen Isabella sighed. It was disappointing but it seems that the Royal Adviser had lost his touch in the ways of politics. This should have been the time where he would come up with a lie to preserve his standing as the Royal Adviser but instead, he was asking to be ordered to seize everything Kuro and the other brought with them.
Royal Adviser. That was a job that was only meant to ease the work load of the ruler in times where they are unable to come up with a decision. Furthermore, they would act like a secretary for the ruler in order to aid them in making fair judgement.
However right now, Welmner was just wagging his tail like a dog; waiting for his master to toss him a treat.
"Royal Adviser-dono"
"Yes?! What is it, your Majesty?"
With eyes shining in delight, Welmner bowed his head to Queen Isabella while waiting for orders.
"Who was the one that made that airship?"
"P-Pardon?"
"I've heard, directly from my daughter, Lucinda, that it was none other than that hero you so shamefully call a criminal that it was he that created that airship outside our city"
"......."
"Not only that, those golems, the weapons and armors as well as rebuilding a whole city in a short period of time"
"........"
"Tell me, who was the idiot who let go of such hero that could make such things and now asking to be ordered to seize those amazing creations of the so called criminal you speak of?"
"......I...."
"Tell me, Royal Adviser-dono"
"......."
"Who gave you the right to decide which hero was useful to kingdom and who is not, and make an enemy of such hero?"
"....Y-Your Majesty.... I... I was merely...."
"Merely what?"
It was there that Welmner realized his error. He had sided with Taiga to make Kyoushiro lose everything he has in order to make Taiga the strongest hero. No, it might be even far from that.
The mistake he made from the start was over stepping his bounds. King Verdik might have been force to make a decision but overall it was the Court of Nobles that wanted Kyoushiro to disappear. Furthermore, it was Welmner that spearheaded this decision, providing further claims that Kyoushiro wasn't needed as a hero.
Now, that hero he chased off became a King of the land where he was sent to die. He made those giant golems and those humanoid golems as well as that gigantic airship outside the castle right now.
Welmner couldn't retort. Because the decision he made was the very thing that caused this situation.
"......"
Then when Welmner turned around, the allies he had that day, were keeping silent for their own safety. They did not dared to speak as they would only be added along Welmner that chose wrongly.
It was there that he saw the faces of those he bribed with money, in order to take his side.....
They were laughing at him.
"You have witnessed it yourself and know that the items that Kyoushiro Kagami-sama made were of high caliber compared to ones our very own craftsmen have made"
This time, it was Lucinda that spoke. Her eyes enraged at the fact her beloved's name was being besmirched like that.
"The two swords that the hero Taiga-sama has been using, was it not the pair of swords Kyoushiro-sama he himself crafted?"
"Y-Yes... that is true but—"
"Yet you blinded your own eyes with greed. Your decision of which hero was useful to the kingdom—no, to yourself, has caused you to misjudged the real hero that should have stayed in our kingdom"
It was infuriating. That after all this time, this was only opportunity that allowed Lucinda to take Kyoushiro's side. If only she had done this before, then Kyoushiro would have stayed the same.....
Not with those cold piercing glare but that calm and soothing eyes she saw the very first time. The bravery and wisdom, instead of the cruelty and vengeance. Kyoushiro wouldn't have changed so wrongly if only Lucinda defended him soon.
"For allowing those lies to become the truth, for letting yourselves be satisfied because of your own views..... You—no, all of you are failures as part of the Court of Nobles"
With those words, every noble present showed anger in their faces. The Marquises, the Margraves, the Earls, the Counts, the Viscounts and the Barons.....they all had their prides and names stepped on by Lucinda.
"Fufufu....."
In such scene, Queen Isabella chuckled softly. Oh how much her daughter have grown after such long time. While she herself was asleep, Lucinda was experiencing many things in life she had only felt for the first time.
Because of that, she was able to give right judgement to all. Without calling out names nor giving out punishments, she was saving the rightful name of the Royal family.
Although on a different angle, Lucinda has still have much to learn. But, Queen Isabella was satisfied for now.
"All of you have heard the words of your next Queen. Now then, shall we begin discussing how will settle the situation of our country?"
Queen Isabella cut the scolding right there and then. Since Lucinda herself had settled down, it wouldn't be progressive if everyone hears were only complaints.
Right, there were much more pressing issues.
"How many of our lands are currently occupied by monsters?"
Queen Isabella asked this to everyone as they all know the current situation of their own regions and lands.
One raised his hand and answered. He was a noble of a Count rank.
"The ones in the northern regions.... 30% were lost due to rampaging monsters. 15% on the south, 10% on the east while 40% on the west"
"That's quite a lot. What happened?"
"According to the last report of the Adventurer guild, it seems that multiple dungeons overflowed at once while the ones on the north, east and south regions were merely monsters that were chased out of their habitats"
Base on the information at hand, apparently there was a large amount of Adventurers that moved to the Dukedom on the the southeast region. That was because the heroes were doing whatever they want in Travestin while they were still in training.
Due to that, the amount of Adventurers in the capital city decreased and the result of was the inability to perform extermination quests to those affected regions.
"Hmmm.... what about the rise in banditry? Were then not enough aid from us that the affected citizens resorted to such heinous job?"
"W-Well...."
Everyone were stuttering. They were trying to avoid looking at Queen Isabella as they all knew the reason. That it wasn't just the monsters or the drought but something else as well.
"Well what? Answer immediately. We need to address this situation as fast as possible and create plans to completely resolve our current crisis"
"Y-Your Majesty...."
Welmner raised his hand and was the one that answered the Queen.
"What is it Royal Adviser? I have yet to decided what to do with you since there are more concerning matters than your punishment"
"Ugh.....uh well, you see...."
"Answer immediately"
Welmner was trying to think of a way to answer where he wouldn't lose anymore face in front of the nobles and the Queen. However, as much as he could, he couldn't come up with any excuse.....
"May I answer that, your Majesty"
".....You are...."
A man clad in silver armor came. He was a wild looking man with lime green spiky hair swept to the back and amber colored eyes. It seems one of his arms was gone but in it's place was an artificial arm that glistened together with his silver armor.
He was the one that witnessed Kyoushiro's strength and was saved by him. Not only that, he had seen the heroes in training while they were still in Travestin.
He was none other than Gaius Kalbern Zeios. The strongest Knight commander of the Travestin Kingdom.
———
"You!!"
"It is a pleasure to see you again, Lord Welmner"
Gaius have appeared in the throne room. Not only that, behind him were soldiers that came along with his whims and were away due to suppressing the amount of damages caused by the monsters.
Welmner on the other hand, paled as he had seen Gaius once again after a long time.
"I thought you have joined Shizuka-sama in Seifield?!"
"Unfortunately, there are things I could not leave alone and ended up staying. Like the messes you and that hero caused"
"Kh!?"
Gaius returned with a proud smile on his face. He ignored the teeth-grinding idiot glaring at him and kneeled down before Queen Isabella.
"I apologize for my late greetings your Highness, but I congratulate you on your recovery"
"Thank you, but may I know where have you been this entire time? Moreover, those soldiers behind you are covered in scars...."
"I'm sorry for our inappropriate state but just I have said earlier, I was away cleaning up the messes the hero Taiga and the Royal Adviser have left"
Standing up, Gaius took a deep breath and told current state of the entirety of the country.
"The villages that were forced to give up their daughters in exchange for the high taxes the government have been collecting, the citizens that were unfortunate enough to earn the irk of the Hero Taiga and his party and ended up getting punished horribly, the large extortion of money from businesses and the weapons and armor shops getting looted in the name of the hero Taiga..... I have been trying to suppress the raging anger of the affected people to prevent an insurrection"
"What....?"
"Unfortunately, I have failed to suppress them any longer"
Gaius ignored the Queen when she had reacted at his report. He then nodded his head at one soldier behind him and had that soldier handed a bundle of paper—reports of the incidents caused by Taiga and his party. That also included the names of the nobles who supported those acts.
As soon as Queen Isabella had read the contents of the report, her face distorted into rage.
"How could you!? All of you!!"
Her voice reverberated and echoed inside the throne room. With her face burning red, Queen Isabella tossed the report down at her feet.
"What is with those numbers of deaths?! The money you all took forcibly from our own people.... how could you all do all such fiendish things!!?"
There were a number of citizens currently sent to a rehabilitation facility to heal their wounds. Some were in a state between life and death and some were either burned or had gotten their limbs or fingers cut just because they talk back at Taiga and his party.
The small party that consisted, even the name of the Queen's own daughter, as well as four other members that joined under Taiga, had all participated in doing those cruel tasks.
Multiple casualties involving innocent citizens in fist fight in bars and brothels. High numbers of women that were either forced or paid to entertain the members of Taiga's party. The weapons and armors taken by forced under the name of saving the world, as well as taking over villages that refused to pay taxes for the government and having their young women taken away as payment.
Unfortunately, none of the women nor the injured citizens could return to their homes. Because almost anyone that encounters Taiga and his party were either hurt or coldly killed.
"Zeios-dono, why have this not reach my ears?"
"Unfortunately, we could not do anything as we hid ourselves until Taiga and his party left. However, if it weren't for Lucinda-sama's aid, me and my men might have been forced to join Taiga in the 1st Demon Lord's domain"
Gaius bowed at Lucinda. Because it was only Gaius that tried to help Kyoushiro during his forced trial, Lucinda trusted Gaius enough to ask for his help. Naturally, Gaius knows who was asking for information about Taiga and the other heroes.
"No, you have also been a great help to me, Gaius-sama"
"In order to help the person that save my life, that job wasn't enough to repay him"
Gaius was thankful that Kyoushiro helped him when they were trapped in that Monster house. If it weren't for him coming to their aid, everyone would have die.
A small sad smile showed on Gaius scar filled face.
"Your Highness, please allow me to relay the current situation brewing outside the city"
"I shall allow it. In the meantime, all of you!"
Queen Isabella turned to the nobles who were slowly inching way from the Queen. They trying to escape before they would be arrested. Naturally, if was only those that knew their names were listed in the report Gaius have.
The moment Queen Isabella shouted, the nobles stopped moving.
"Everyone of you, I won't allow anyone who's name is involved in the evil acts the hero named Taiga Kurosawa, get away with your crimes. Gaius, I'll those nobles who's name you've written in the report sent to the dungeon. Seize their assests as well, it'll be used in repaying those poor victims of their crimes"
"Yes! As you wish! Men! seize them!"
As soon as Gaius gave the order, the throne room was thrown into a chaotic arrest of nobles. With no intention of fighting right before their Queen to save the only pride they have left, the involved nobles were taken to the dungeon.
Obviously, even Welmner, the Royal Adviser, wasn't spared.....
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "133153",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 Ch. 4 – Returning the Favor",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 4 CH. 10 — A parade of terror
PART# 1
Ambrosia is kingdom once was a ruined city filled with frowns and darkened faces. The despair of which hope had been lost after so many years of discrimination and persecuted filled the streets in the past as though it was a daily occurrence.
Smiles rarely appear on people's faces, much like a proper meal a human would have.
Now, as the festival begun, those frowns and faces filled with despair were changed with smiles of Hope and happiness.
Children played in the streets, giving flower crowns and flower necklaces to the guardians of the city, women dressed casually and neatly than before and men had mugs in their hands as they cheer for the future of the kingdom made for people like them.
This was Ambrosia. A new city for Demon-Spawns, a futuristic place made by the Black Hero, Kyoushiro Kagami.
—
One can guess what's the parade was for. A hero had helped the city flourished with his own hands and protected it from the Demon Lord Kakal. Alongside the hero that was recognized as the kingdom's king were the heroes who aided him during the battle.
However, one person was missing. Kyoushiro made rather unpleasant face as he was the one being paraded around the city.
"This isn't the type of festival I had in mind"
Kyoushiro grumbled as he only planned to go around playing around. Since this was a break he wanted for himself, looking around and buying things would have been the best thing he thought of doing during the festival.
However right now, he was seated on a throne with two women on each of his side. On his right was the new Queen of Travestin, Lucinda and to his right was the current Queen of Ambrosia, Arianne. Behind him were Mikoto, Edsel, Princess Lydia and Katsuto.
They were wearing smiles as they waved at the audiences at the streets throwing flowers at the float they were riding.
Kyoushiro had experienced being thrown trashed at him but flowers were a lot different compared to that.
"Isn't it fine? You deserve this much for helping the people this city"
Arianne smiled at Kyoushiro. This was worth the effort since Kyoushiro had done more for the city and it's inhabitants. Being respected like this was good every now and then after all.
"Haaaah.... I was planning on going out with you three while I'm here but I guess it can't be helped"
"!?"
The ears of the three girls twitched as they heard Kyoushiro was planning of having a date with all three of them.
"Kyoushiro-sama, is that true?"
"K-Kyoushiro-kun!"
"Ahahaha.... well, as fun as it sounds...."
It went to say that Kyoushiro's face didn't have that much credibility to what he said. He spoke teasingly and got the reaction he wanted. That much was enough for getting back at them for now— Kyoushiro thought.
"Well, I still have much to do later so I'll take a rest and spend the rest of the day with everyone"
It wasn't like he didn't enjoy the company of his family. Clara was with him as well so he didn't mind having this sort of experience. The little girl who had his eyes and her mother's hair was happily waving her had towards the citizens of Ambrosia.
Watching his own child happy like that made him smile. Experiencing something like this was a bliss. Was this the same thing his parents back when he was a kid? Kyoushiro wasn't sure but, he was glad to have a normal life like this. All that's left was the wedding and all would be set.
Is what he would like to do but there's still something he plans on doing before he gets married. Right, he would return to earth and fix what his relatives did. The money his parents left him and everything under his name. Kyoushiro wished to take it back.
There's also the matter about Taiga going rouge after running away from Travestin after joining with the 13th Demon Lord. Kyoushiro was worried if Taiga were attack his family and he was away.
Also.....
There's that matter with the Demon Lords as well...— Kyoushiro recall what happened in Calladium. He became a Demon Lord himself while fighting another Demon Lord under the aid of another Demon Lord.
Kyoushiro wasn't keen on being friendly with them but, he was worried they might be planning something this time. Furthermore, there's monsters appearing here and there in some parts of the world that he has yet to take care off.
So many things to do with so little time. Kyoushiro sighed and sank his back on the chair he was provided.
"So? What'll we do after this?"
Kyoushiro asked Arianne.
"We'll unveil a special gift to you and after that, is the grand party at the castle. Everyone is invited so we'll expect even the commoners will come"
"So even a party huh? Sounds you went all out with everything huh? Was that also why those merchants were there before?"
"That's right. I asked Kuro to handle the formalities so they provided us with everything we could buy from them"
Arianne had planned to have the festival go for about three of four days. That way, everyone would be able to celebrate the festivities without losing anything. What's more, thanks to the merchants from other kingdoms flooding in, business in Ambrosia was booming. Even the empty buildings were sold out just from Rich Merchants wanting one for themselves.
With this many people coming in from different places, it was bound to give more yeild than loses on Ambrosia side. There was even no need for security detail since Magic Iron Knights we're spread around the kingdom. Even Kuro was using the [God's eye] magic artifact like a surveillance security camera to look around the kingdom.
All was well. There was no need to worry about things going wrong during the festival.
"Hm? What's that?"
But not everything could go as smoothly as they planned.
A man was kneeling right in the middle of the street. The onlookers weren't doing anything, they too didn't know what to do. It wasn't like it was a threat as well, so the Magic Iron Knights didn't moved and merely watched the scene until something happened. As for the Black Knights, they quickly rushed to the scene but seeing how ragged the man's clothes are and how thin he looked, they were scared they might hurt him. With so many visitors from other places, a Demon-Spawn hurting someone else who wasn't a Demon-Spawn might cause things to go bad.
Arianne sighed and stood up. She walked to the end of the float and raised her voice with magic.
"You there, please vacate the premises or you will get hurt. Kneeling in front of this parade will only result in your injuries. Please get back"
"Black Hero-sama!!"
The man raised his head and called out to Kyoushiro.
"My... My town was destroyed by monsters! Please! Save us! My people need your help!!"
Tears rolled down the man's eyes and mixed with the dirt on his face. The Black Knights looked at the man and picked him up gently.
"Hey, old man, this isn't the place to do that"
"Let's go, it's dangerous here"
The Knights spoke softly to the man and slowly dragged him away. However, the man pushed the two knights away and went back to prostrating on the ground.
"Please!! I beg of you!!"
Arianne, looked at the man with pity. She glance back at Kyoushiro, hoping that this wouldn't make him angry. However, behind her was Kyoushiro looking at the man with no emotion at all. What he was looking at was like an insignificant bug not worth stepping on.
Arianne sighed and turned back.
"Ambrosia will do it's best to aid those who are being endangered by the monsters in their area. However, as it is, the Black Army doesn't have much numbers to further expand out area.... I hope you understand"
Arianne felt so sincerely sorry that she couldn't provide immediate help. If anything else, her kingdom was the only place with hardly any monster attacks anymore. If this sort of thing was possible even in other places, she would gladly help but....
"Liar!!"
The man yelled in anger then point at the grandoise float with two heroes on board.
"Aren't that hero just lounging around.... pretending to be king!? If he's a hero, shouldn't he be helping us from those monsters!!?"
Those words pointed at Kyoushiro. Everyone knew who he was looking at. Lucinda stood up, Mikoto stopped her and Princess Lydia glared at the man. Katsuto sighed and held his held while Kyoushiro was just looking down on the man.
The crowd was slowly getting rowdy. With the people from Travestin's sides slowly joining the man's demand. Help us! You're a hero aren't you!? Their words became louder and louder with every single citizen outside of Ambrosia demanding Kyoushiro of his aid.
"You're just playing king!"
"Stop being an ass and help us already!"
"You're the strongest hero right!? So help us!!"
The citizens of Ambrosia didn't made the situation better. Some kids were trying to protect Kyoushiro from the condemning protests of the people outside of Ambrosia. Some adults started fighting, some elderly begun pacifying the situation while the woman were trying to protect their children or their husbands.
"These people are just....."
This time, Katsuto saw what this world truly is. They were heroes in the eyes of the many but in their minds, the heroes were just convenient tools to save this world from destruction. Their adoration was merely for the sake of praising the heroes that save them.
After all, a tax-paying citizen would always complain about how the government fails to provide them with their needs....
Katsuto then recalled the words he heard from the mercenary he fought in the past. “Hah!! Does being a hero give you that much authority to hound us down?! It’s funny to see a guy like you act like a hero!!”
At that time, it was just one bandit, pointing his fingers at Katsuto for being a useless hero. Recalling that person made Katsuto realize that what he had experienced wasn't grand at all. Rather, what was happening before him, to one hero, Kyoushiro, was like that day in the Travestin.
Everyone points their fingers, without even thinking of what happened or if the crime was real or not. They only needed to force their own desires on one person in order for their wishes to be granted.
This time, Kyoushiro was being ordered by the people who doesn't even know what he has done for the mast 4 months, inside the place he built up by himself....
"Oi... Kagami..."
Katsuto wanted to ask if Kyoushiro was alright about this. However, when he saw Kyoushiro's expression, he stopped.
"Stop pretending to be a king and act like a hero and help us!"
A stone flew after those words were said. And just like a motion picture playing slowly, the stone flew parabolically and....
"Nh...!!"
Hit Lucinda on her head.
"Lucy-chan! Are you alright!?"
"I-I'm fine Mikoto-sama..."
Mikoto rushed to Lucinda's side and helped her out. The wound made by the sharp rock didn't wound Lucinda thanks to her defensive magic accessories given by Kyoushiro. She was saved from receiving a wound on her head that might affect her duties as the Queen of Travestin.
"........."
However, the person everyone was demanding from stood up silently. Everyone was silent as they saw something above Kyoushiro's head. A flickering golden flame shape like a crown.
It wasn't just that. The air grew thick, and became hard to breathe. Everyone present around Kyoushiro, even in the streets felt something horrible rumbling in the air. That was then Kyoushiro jumped off from his throne down on the street.
"........."
His right eye shined dangerously red and lightning began to crackle at his feet.
"Who threw that?"
Then slowly he spoke, asking everyone to name the person who dared to hurt Lucinda.....
"I said.....WHO THREW THAT!!?"
*GOU—!!!!!*
A wave of pure magic power swept across everyone. The ground shook and made everyone around fall on the ground. The buildings trembled, the windows shattered and the decorations burned as the crackling lighting sparked at the light posts.
No one knew about this power one hero held. No one realized that the person they were trying to order around was far different from any hero they had come across.
He was the Demon Lord of Chains.....
"I've had it with you all"
Kyoushiro raised his right hand slowly as if picking up something with his hand.
"Agh!?"
A man wearing a shawl over his head flew above the ground and held his neck, trying to remove the thing that was choking him.
"You ask me to help you but you do these kinds of stunts just to rile me up? How long do you all wish to test my patience....?"
"AAAAGHH!!!"
The man screamed on pain. His shawl came slid off his head as he struggled in the air. It was one of the merchant he saw back in the castle before with Arianne. He was probably a starting merchant since he did this on his own. He didn't even had pawns to instigate this whole situation. Or maybe he does and Kyoushiro just doesn't know about it.
Regardless, Kyoushiro didn't care who was calling him a hero or a demon. Right now, he was pissed off beyond his limits.
"If so, then I'll make sure all of you to remember this"
Kyoushiro slowly took a step forward, walking to theman kneeling in streets. The man slowly lowered his head, kissing the ground on his own, trying to avert his gaze to the monster right in front of him.
"Pull this stunt again and I'll destroy everything"
*Splat*
It was a dull sound. Something they didn't expect to hear in a happy occasion like this. However, instead of a rain drop from the clouds above, what came down was blood from a crushed corpse beyond recognition.
Slowly, Kyoushiro lowered his arm.....
"Kyaaaaaaa!!!"
And the chaos began the time Kyoushiro's arm was relaxed.
PART# 2
They witnessed it right before the holographic billboards. Kyoushiro caused a panic by killing one person right in front of a whole crowd.
The Black Army soldiers were rushing to the scene, helping the people to evacuate while the Magic Iron Knights we're pointing their magic cannons at the most dangerous person present.
Elyria, Corralia and Finnick we're speechless from they had just watched.
"........"
"........"
"..... Nii-chan...."
The broadcast was immediately cut right there and the screen turned black. The three who watched the parade at a special seat in the palace were lost for words by what happened.
Corralia covered her mouth in shock, Elyria merely showed a scowl and Finnick was filled with terror, shaking on his seat, scared of the expression on Kyoushiro's face.
A cold, cruel and fearsome monster. Almost like a Demon Lord depicted in every children's stories.
None of them could believe that Kyoushiro would murder someone right in front of the masses like that.
"I thought.... he was revered as a hero?"
Corralia heard of the news from the ships passing by Oceanus. That there was a hero that could rival a Demon Lord on his own. Protecting those who are weak and giving safe haven for those in need.
Koizumi even defended Kyoushiro when no one even believed a Demon-Spawn was capable of being a hero.
However, the scene they saw was far from heroic. It was cruel and horrible. Only a monster could do such a thing.
"I'm defending that man. However, outside this kingdom, people see him as a criminal rather than a hero"
Banished from Travestin in the crimes of attempting murder of all the heroes, trapping them in a Monster house in order to become the only hero. Not only that, there was even rumors floating around that Kyoushiro raped the new Queen of Ambrosia just to get himself in power.
Recalling the news from 4 months ago, Elyria understood how much anger was boiling up inside Kyoushiro. Then that happened.
The people who threw stones and called him criminal was now asking for his helped. That action of their was beyond being rude. That was just plain stupidity. They asked to be saved by the guy they chased out. Furthermore, they went so far and ruined a festival aimed to make the populace recognize Kyoushiro as a hero and not as a criminal.
However, now that Kyoushiro killed someone right before the eyes of many people, it could only be said that the reputation Kyoushiro had built up had only came crashing down to nothing.
Elyria sighed.....
"I don't know who started that instigation but, it was obvious aimed to make the Black Hero angry"
There were a far shorter list of candidates that could do such a thing but Elyria wasn't even sure if there was even someone sane enough to do that.
"...What do you.... What do you mean by that?"
"Just like I said, someone wanted this to happened"
Elyria left the room. Corralia wasn't even sure what's going on and who was good or bad in this incident. However, she couldn't just stay silent at the fact that Kyoushiro might even endanger Oceanus because of his own power.
So as fast as she could, Corralia chased after Elyria.
"Nii-chan....."
Leaving Finnick at his chair with his head down. His image of the hero Kyoushiro was in his mind, just disappeared like a popped soap bubble.....
—
No one would imagine Kyoushiro would do such a thing. The parade was forced to end and Kyoushiro voluntarily left with the Black Army.
Lucinda, Arianne, Mikoto, Katsuto and Kuro were all present in the command room. They were trying to understand what happened in the parade and what lead that to end so gruesomely.
"Kyoushiro-sama..... got angry for me"
Lucinda was the first one to talk.
"Because someone threw that rock at me that Kyoushiro-sama got mad. This is my fault, I need to—"
"Stop, your highness"
Kuro stopped Lucinda from leaving her seat.
"What happened today was due to my short comings. I was watching through the [God's Eye] artifact yet I couldn't prevent that from happening"
Kuro sighed and held his temples with his fingers. This incident was a headache. After all they had done to connect Travestin and Paracellumn with Ambrosia, with the hopes of gaining allies, such a thing happened.
They had just lost the trust of the people. Even those who lives in Ambrosia. None of them couldn't prevent that from happening.
"Just was that? I've never seen Kyoushiro so angry before?"
Arianne couldn't forget Kyoushiro's expression when he got off from his makeshift throne. She never had witnessed Kyoushiro act so violently before even when they had spent so much time together.
"The only time I've seen Kyoushiro-kun got so angry like that was back in Travestin...."
"Yeah, at that time, we were all against him as well"
Mikoto and Katsuto both recalled how Kyoushiro acted when he was being trialed for some ridiculous crime he obviously didn't even do. However, this time was more severe than before. They never saw Kyoushiro kill someone so violently and coldly like that.
"I have"
Suddenly, Elyria cut in the meeting and. entered the room without knocking.
"This is private place. No guests are allowed here"
"Forgive me but I came here with the Black Hero. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me being here"
Elyria just shrugged off Kuro's warning and entered the room. Kuro glared at her for a moment but Arianne stopped him. Lucinda didn't mind as well and Mikoto and Katsuto just silently watched on their seats.
Katsuto knows Elyria so he didn't mind her entering and joining the conversation as well. As for the other one....
"Apologies, but I wish to join this meeting as well"
It was Corralia, she came after Elyria who left the room they were given to watched the parade. She came into the room then followed behind Elyria.
"My name is Corralia Seabrook. I have come Oceanus to see what kind of person the Black Hero is"
Corralia introduced herself so with a serious look on her face.....
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 4 CH. 10 — A parade of terror",
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|
Vol. 3 CH. 3 - Unseen
PART #1
8 trucks left the battleship Mordred. They carried supplies for the ground team while the rest were stored within Mordred. As for where those trucks were right now, they were hidden under the camouflage barrier erected by the Golem workers.
Right now, there were some knights looking where those large mysterious crates of iron had gone to. Since it was big, they thought it would be easy to find them.
However, there was no luck.
"It's no used, where did that thing go?"
One of the bribed knights grumbled. They searched the whole area near the castle as well as the ones outside. However, they couldn't find those trucks.
"Is this even worth it though? I've heard that those Demon Spawns are under that criminal Hero right? He's even Princess Lucinda's husband"
"Quiet. Everyone knows that the damned criminal hero only forced himself onto her Highness. They're only trying to make use of her Highness"
"But aren't those black armored guys there to protect her Highness? I've seen wandering around the castle earlier, they looked strong"
"It's only because of those armors. Now get back to work!"
The knights here were all bribed. The potential riches they could get by stealing those 8 trucks would go far beyond the capabilities of the kingdom to pay for. Those wheelless carts, they were made with a technology based on the hero's world. Surely, anyone would want to buy such thing. Even the things inside might be worth a fortune.
"Damn, there were those thin looking golems too right? I'm sure they are with those black iron crates"
The one leading the search was getting annoyed. Because those golems were too many to not stand out at all yet they couldn't find even a shadow if it.
There was no used in looking for them, they might have returned to that rumored airship in the sky. The leading knight sighed and stopped the search.
*Thunk*
"Huh?"
There was a metallic noise as he raised his right hand to signal to stop the search. As he turned around, he saw an iron bulk of armor standing behind him.
"!?"
It wasn't the trucks they were looking. It was one of those large golems that flew up in the sky....
"Shi—"
The man's words were cut off as the Magic Iron Knight, who was hiding within the shadows using the [Light Magic — «Light Bending] effect inscribed within its ability core, use its large fist to hit the man unconscious.
"What that?!"
"W-What is that?!"
The odd number of knights suddenly fell into panic. One by one, new Magic Iron Knights golem appeared in the shadows of the night. With one hit to the head, their targets were immediately neutralized. No one died, but they won't remember what happened once they wake up.
Once more, the Magic Iron Knight golems blended into the shadows. As though it was just a group of drunk soldiers passing out on a street, no one thought there wasn an abnormality within the area....
———
Because the Queen had returned back to health, the whole castle was bustling. However, her recovery wasn't announced yet to the public. This private celebration was a small one only for those closely involved.
Maids were running here and there, making the best of the day of the recovery of the Queen.
It had been a day after the Queen woke up. The night was still young and so, the staffs hurried to make a party. King Verdik allowed them to. However, he wasn't among the ones who were preparing the party venue.
Besides Lucinda, Mikoto, Niya, Rea and Lea, Nero, Kuro and the Queen, no one was inside this small room. Queen Isabella had been taken aback after hearing that her heir was having a child. The only problem was the person that got her pregnant.
The situation, well, it was complicated. Lucinda tried to explain as much as she could but the story was just that hard to understand.
Kuro even relayed his side of the story about Kyoushiro and Ambrosia but that only made things more complicated.
""Are you sure that this man of yours will properly take responsibility?"
It wasn't about whether Kyoushiro was a hero, a criminal or a king with two more women waiting on him, it was if he could tale responsibility. From what Queen Isabella understood about Kyoushiro, he was going through rough times.
Well, hearing him killing a Demon Lord was impressive in itself.
"Don't worry mother, Kyoushiro-sama will take responsibility. He is just.... busy is all"
"You said he left to visit Paracellumn, are you sure he would not take any more women?"
"It depends mother. Kyoushiro-sama is very heroic after all"
*Cough!* Niya suddenly cleared her throat. While she does agree that Kyoushiro was a hero anyone could admire, it was hard to see women falling for such guy. Moreover, if he were to collect more women now, he won't be different from those nasty nobles.
Nero sighed at his sister's reaction. Kuro just quietly agreed with Lucinda while the two foxmen little girls were tilting their heads.
Was Kyoushiro such a man that was popular with women? Judging from his own conduct, it was hard to imagine. Though on the males' side, it was easy to see that he would rill in women one after the other.
"Niya?"
"My apologizes, Mikoto-sama"
Of course, Mikoto knew what made Niya act like so.
"Hmmm.... So even one of his servants doesn't like him?"
"No, it's not like I don't like his majesty. I just can't seem to like men who collects women"
Niya answered the curious question of Queen Isabella. Lucinda and Mikoto sighed.
While Niya was a minority, polygamy was pretty much normal in this world. Mikoto already accepted that Kyoushiro might have more than three wives but as someone from earth, she understand where Niya was getting at.
IIn the end, they just drop the topic since it was only Niya's personal opinion about Kyoushiro.
"For the meantime let's—"
Lucinda was about to say 'Let's have some dinner' however the door was knocked upon loudly. Kuro and Nero then took their battle stance. Rea and Lea both jumped to Lucinda's side. Mikoto summoned her familiar Ice Wolf and Niya pulled out a dagger out from her skirt and guarded Queen Isabella.
"Who's there?"
Kuro threateningly asked the person behind the door. However there was no answer. Kuro and Nero glanced at each other and nodded. Then they slowly approached the door until they reached the knob.
It was then....
"!?"
*Bam!* The door was kicked powerfully. Kuro and Nero jumped back immediately and pulled out their respective choice of weapons. A pair of sturdy black gauntlets and a long black spear.
"Kuro-sama!"
"Please stay with Mikoto-sama and the others!"
Kuro heightened his senses. His nose and ears, he was trying to pick up any noise or scent from whoever kicked open the door.
—What the.... there's nothing?—
Kuro grumbled as he couldn't find any trace of the mysterious attacker.
However...
"Commander! Duck!"
"Nuh!?"
Heading Nero's sudden warning, Kuro lowered his entire body and laid down on the ground. As he did, there was a loud sound of wind getting dragged by something.
"!?"
Kuro's ears perked up. He then immediately launch an attack with his sharpened iron claws in front of him.
*Uaagh.....*
There, with it's chest exposed, a skeleton wearing fog like robes was thrown back outside the room.
"What the..... was that a Wraith?"
"Commander, look"
The unknown enemy suddenly vanished into thin air. Kuro had definitely hit something as it thrown outside. Kuro didn't sensed anything right until it moved away. Nero must have noticed at as well when the Wraith had attacked Kuro.
The two didn't ease up their vigilance of the surrounding however, there was no follow up attacks.
It was few minutes later that King Verdik came to the room with the maids.
PART #2
"I see.... a Wraith huh?"
Kuro had explained to King Verdik what happened before he arrived. And because the attacker was a Wraith, a type of ghost type or evil spirit like monster, there was no traces of it around.
But, that was the weirdest part of the attack.
"Wraiths are only found in tombs and places where many died right?"
"Yes, that's what I thought too"
Wraiths were a type of evil spirits. They attack using poltergeist or curses. Furthermore, they commonly seen in places of dungeons where undead spawns or places like cemeteries, abandoned churches or haunted castles or mansions. So long as the person died gruesomely and with a deep seething hatred towards his murder, the soul would become corrupt until it becomes and evil spirit.
However this castle was never haunted. Even if there some chinks in its long history.
"I'll have my men look into this later on, Kuro-dono. I thank you for protecting my wife and my daughter"
"That's my job anyway so I don't mind. Don't worry I'll contact the ones in Mordred and my men here to conduct a serious investigation"
"Understood. I'll tell the guards to help you with your job"
"Thanks"
King Verdik and Kuro shook hands before King Verdik ran over to his family's side. Kuro then approached Kuro, who was looking down at the spot where the Wraith disappeared.
"Did you find anything suspicious?"
"Yeah"
Nero stood up before replying to Kuro.
"It didn't have any weapon"
"What?"
Kuro didn't understand what Nero meant by that. Wasn't Kuro attacked earlier? Nero even warned him to duck after all.
"When it attacked you, you heard something brush over your head right?"
"Yeah, I thought it was either a sword or a scythe....Wait, does Wraiths even use physical weapons? They could only use poltergeist"
"That's right but....."
Nero looked back at the place where the Wraith disappeared. Normally physical attacks won't kill it but the one Kuro just attacked vanished. Moreover, it used some kind of weapon for its first attack.
It was odd since Wraiths were evil spirits, ghost of the dead who died gruesomely and seeks revenge.
Nero didn't like the smell of this ominous scent.
"Commander, I don't think it's best to remain in this place"
"Are you suggesting to return to the ship?"
"Preferably, for the sake of her Highness Lucinda-sama and her child"
The two then turned their heads to the inside of the room. King Verdik was with his wife and daughter. Watching that, it was obvious that Lucinda won't just leave her family while she hide herself from danger.
Kuro and Nero can already see how much Lucinda will get mad if they tell her to run away and hide.
"For the meantime, we'll have our men look into this. Most of them have keen sense of smell and those elves and dark elves are very sensitive to the air around them"
"Heh, I didn't you'd happily agree to King Verdik's proposition. You could have done it without needing his permission"
"Shut it. Master wouldn't like having Lucinda-sama exposed to any danger considering her current state. I'll use any means to uphold my duty"
"You're so uptight you know that?"
"Tsk. Just keep this quiet for now. I'll leave the guarding to you. I'll contact the bridge as well"
"Roger that"
Kuro was serious about guarding Lucinda. She was after all, Kyoushiro's first wife. What's more, she carries the child that has the blood of his master. Just imagining that child losing it's life because of his carelessness, Kuro couldn't imagine what kind of face Kyoushiro would show him.
It was Kyoushiro that appointed Kuro as a the High Commander of the Black army. There was no way he would let his master down just because of some attacks from ghosts.
Everything has it's weakness. It was only normal to seek the right tool to take advantage of that weakness.
Kuro hears such words from Kyoushiro when he was planning to make his battleships.
—Weakness..... Right, it should Holy magic right? Let's see if those ghost can be dealt with using our prided Magic Iron Knights—
As Kuro walked down the dark hall, the cornee of his lips rose. This was one tricky situation. However, there was a way to deal with it. His master already made the right tools for the job, all that's left was the use it.
"Whoever you are.... don't dare look down on the defense corps of Aurelius"
It might be there that the first time Kuro was anticipating a good attack from the unknown enemy.
———
"Damn it, it looks like the sneak attack failed"
Inside a gloomy damp underground room somewhere within the city, a man wearing a black robe with a crest of sun with a skull inside, clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"I heard they came to the capital city using that massive metal airship. You didn't think they'd be that strong?"
"Shut up. We've been doing this for a while now. Who knew they could undo a curse we put on the Queen"
Cult of the Soul Eaters. They were a group of people that worships the Demon Lord Vraheim, the Soul Eater. Because Vraheim was an incarnation of death, those who worship him would be granted a right to avoid death itself. In other words, the cult grants immortality to those who worship the lord of the dead.
In addition, they were an extremist group that accepts jobs of assassination and cursing wealthy and powerful nobles for the sake of large money. Calling it 'donation' would be and understatement. They were practically asking for bars of gold in exchange.
"Casper, Rodes, Jill, can we get the curse back on the Queen?"
"No, it's completely gone right now Barth. We need to use another Wraith to stick inside the Life eater worm inside the Queen"
"Damn it. Just who are those guys?"
"There were those large golems too. Do you think they could detect our Wraiths?"
"Nonsense, what kind of golem could see an evil spirit?"
Barth was frustrated that some unknown visitors came by and helped the Queen. Princess Lucinda was with them their group wouldn't be that unimportant. Moreover, Jill had seen those large golems around the castle. While they were big and bulk, Barth and his group were sure that they wouldn't be able to see the invisible enemies infiltrating the castle.
It was still alright. They were still fine. The job can still be completed. Right now, they have the backing of a big time noble. There was nothing to be afraid of. As long as they continue to destroy the will of the citizens of Travestin, their job was still in progress.
"Tsk. I'll report this to that person. Make sure to find a way to sneak that parasite inside the Queen again"
"Alright, should we inform the others about the nuisances?"
"Yeah, it's best to tell them. We'll need the to gather more corpses for the next phase of the job"
"Understood"
Barth gave out orders. Casper and Rodes nodded back at Barth before disappearing walking to the right side of the wall. There, they went inside, a hidden staircase that leads further down into the sewers.
Jill was left.
"What should I do?"
"Just continue sending those Wraiths. You might get lucky and cursed the Queen yourself"
"Heh, that's one fun job. You sure you don't want to do it yourself?"
"Nah, knock yourself out. I need to report this to that person first"
"Alright. May death be with you"
"And to you"
Finishing their farewells, Barth left the underground room and went to the streets outside.
PART #3
"Royal Adviser Welmner. He was a proud member of the royal Court of Nobles that makes the laws of the Kingdom. Aside from his tendencies to side with those who will profit him greatly, he was a man with a great mind.
However, there was one single flaw.....
"Those Knights are a bunch of simpletons!"
He lacks the trait to judge the people he was bribing. The knights he hired to search for the 8 trucks filled with supplies have failed. They were all found sleeping in some corner of a street just this morning.
Also, they didn't remember anything about what happened last night. They all had achings heads and painful backache though.
"Aahh.... it really is frustrating to use worthless soldiers that only knows how to guard a gate. I need to find a way to take those large crates. Once I have them, I'll be able to rise in power once more and become the Prime Minister!"
The position of Prime Minister doesn't exist in Travestin. There was only the highest noble status of Duke. The position of Royal Adviser was merely that of a secretary at best in terms of earth's political ranks.
However, there were other countries in this world that had a Prime Minister in their nation. Though they are only so few in number.
"Anyways, I need more men. Should I call back Taiga-dono and ask for his assistance once more? No, that will only make me lose more profit since he'll just take everything for himself"
There were more ways than to rely on a boy that only has greed in his mind. Welmner have already seen the kind of person he was while Taiga was still in the capital city. Using his title as a hero and Welmner's position as Royal Adviser, the two of them used whatever means they have just to take whatever they want.
Right now, the Kingdom was suffering. There has been no signs of rain in every region. Though High-level mages and spellcasters help the farmlands using Advance level magic spells to make it rain, it was still wasn't enough as their demands kept on rising.
Water shortage was everywhere and reports of grain farms burning in some regions were coming in lately.
Welmner doesn't attend in the meetings and discussions but the Court of Nobles were still debating on what they would need to do right now.
The treasury wasn't infinite so supporting Taiga's current siege in the domain of the First Demon Lord was hard. In addition, the commoners were asking for help since monsters were destroying villages here and there.
Travestin was in a total chaos right now.
—That is one of the reasons why I need to leave—
Welmner had sent a letter to Princess Lucinda to call her back. Using the current state of her Highness Queen Isabella Welmner thought that he might be able to make Lucinda take the blame for the incompetence of the royal family. After all, she was an acting ruler that abandoned her throne for a month just for the sake of a criminal.
"Wait a minute....."
Welmner suddenly realized something. For whatever reason, his face was growing pale. It was as if, he had remembered something terrifying.
"I don't recall anything about what I've written....."
His heartbeat rose audibly, and cold sweat was pouring out of his skin.
There was something, yet he didn't quite recall. He did wrote a letter but, he doesn't recall what he have written. Furthermore, the face of the person he hired as a messenger were blurry.
It was as if, something had tampered with his mind, erasing some crucial pieces about how and what the letter was about.
"Huh? Then why did I sound so confident back there?"
Welmner was talking about the entrance of Princess Lucinda yesterday. He, himself, have said that he had used a connection with a friend to deliver a letter. But thinking about it now, he didn't know anyone so brave enough to travel to the wasteland on foot.
That'd be either an idiot or a suicidal buffoon.
"Kh....."
The more Welmner was recalling, the more his heart beat erratically. It was like he was having a panic attack. Fear slowly encroached his mind, binding him in a tight grasp. Then, as if a switch was flipped, Welmner's trembling suddenly stopped.
"......."
His face was blank, his eyes were dead and his breathing stopped.
Inside a closed room in his mansion, Welmner had stopped breathing while standing.
"He.... woke up.... how... troubling"
It was then, pitch black smoke emerged from Welmner's body. The smoke formed a thin bone like figure. Sinister red flashes of blue cold light was flickering within the unstable black smoke.
A pair of bony hands emerged from the smoke and held Welmner's head.
"Forget..... Forget everything..... You'll soon.... have your wish"
A cold whisper. Like freezing air touching upon one's skin. Slowly, sinking deep into his soul, the words that the being had whispered in Welmner's head.
"My.... wish....."
The desire Welmner had been hiding. The thing his heart most desired. The crown.... throne..... Travestin.....
"Now sleep......"
"......Yes..."
Trapped within a dream. His mind slowly resets back to how it was earlier. Welmner's eyes suddenly snaps back to reality but just like a puppet with no strings, he fell down on the floor.
The smoke rising within his body slowly enters back inside.....
"Until.... the child.... is mine...."
Unknown to whatever it was that spoke, the words it said was left unheard inside a quiet desolate room in a mansion that lacks it's servants.
The 13th Demon Lord, the Soul Eater Vraheim was slowly making his move.....
|
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Vol. 3 CH. 11 - The pitiful girl
PART #1
"Anyone caught helping the hero Taiga Kurosawa will be punished for disobeying a royal decree"
Everyone who were present in the throne room knew of the outcome of Taiga's reckless endeavor as a hero. It wouldn't even be funny if they all admitted that they too once helped Taiga in order to make him strong.
The nobles who didn't have anything to do with Taiga from the start and those who had little connection with him couldn't hide their shock as Queen Isabelle chose to abandon the hero that was supposed to protect Travestin.
"W-Wait a minute!! You can't do that!!"
"And why not?"
Taiga, who's gone pale from such order desperately tried to grasp to the only silver of hope before him.
"I-I'm the hero of this place! Who's going to protect you all from monsters and Demon Lords?!"
"We would make do with our current allied nation Ambrosia. It seems that they have the strength to drive monsters away even with small numbers"
Queen Isabelle received reports of the Black Army's feat in battle. Of course, there were some that exaggerated the report but nevertheless, the Army lead by Kuro was enough to exterminate monster infested lands which were lost when those monsters attacked.
Furthermore, their relay of information was fast. Enough for even Queen Isabelle to be frightened at how fast they exchange infformation with one another.
It was evident that it was best to ally themselves with Ambrosia with sufficient power to protect not only themselves but other nations as well.
"That's got to be a joke! You can't do this to a hero!!"
"Yes well, in records of long history, there has never been a hero caged and shackled before. But as they say, there is always a first"
"S-Stop shitting me!!"
*Bang!!* The cage rattled as Taiga tried to pull his arm.
"I am.... a hero!! Aria-sama! Please tell them that I've been doing everything I can to protect this kingdom!! Tell them that I've been fighting with the first Demon Lord ever since I came to this world!!"
Taiga called for Princess Aria. The little girl who followed his adventure from the start to now. She had witnessed everything that Taiga and his party have done.
That was the case but....
"Unfortunately, Aria-sama didn't see much if anything you've done"
Leticia finally spoke. Inside her cage with her head down before the Queen, Leticia answered in Princess Aria's defense.
"What are you....."
"You are Leticia Rembrandt. The one who became my daughter's personal guard correct? I've heard from my husband, is that true?"
"Yes your Highness"
Both ignored the speechless Taiga, who couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Can you elaborate what you just said? What do you mean by Aria did not see much of this hero's actions?"
"Yes. The truth is....."
From the start, Leticia was already suspicious of Taiga. From the day when the youngest princess got interested of the red headed hero to the day where Leticia herself found out Taiga's true color.
Indeed Princess Aria have been following Taiga for a long time now. Since the day they left the castle to raise their levels to the day they came back from battles.
However Leticia did something that Taiga didn't know. She made sure that Princess Aria had no knowledge of the many cruel things that Taiga and his party did. She block Aria's ears and eyes to prevent her from ever seeing the darkness of the hero she adored.
In every battle, Leticia guards and protects only Princess Aria. That every monster that they faced, it was Leticia that would always go and fight them for the princess's sake.
So that she wouldn't be endangered.
So that she would never be tainted.
Leticia even let he body be toyed by Taiga and his party members....
"I've been using illusion magic on the princess to prevent her from ever knowing the true colors of Taiga Kurosawa"
"That's a lie!!"
They were mostly together. It wouldn't make sense if none of the party members even noticed her doing so.
"With a weak smile, Leticia turned her head towards Taiga....
"You broke your promise first right?"
"!?"
The promise that Taiga made with Leticia. That he won't touch Princess Aria if she were to giver herself to him. Leticia did what Taiga wanted and let herself be toyed by everyone of his male party members again and again, soiling her pride as a noble.
However Taiga didn't kept what he promised. She played with Princess Aria's body and soul.
"Leticia!!"
Princess Aria calls towards Leticia, tears streaming down her eyes.
"My feelings for Taiga-sama is true! I was the one that accepted Taiga-sama's love, that is why—"
"Aria"
Queen Isabelle interrupted Princess Aria. Her expression was like a raging dragon.
"Did you not hear what you guard have said? She let herself be eaten by a pack of wolves just to protect you yet you made it so that her sacrifice was worthless? I have enough of this ludicrous"
It was headache inducing. That even her daughter was stupid enough to open her legs to a hero that acts so arrogant all the time. Moreover, that hero was sitting on a cage right now.
It was utterly idiotic.
"Kuro-dono"
"Yes?"
This time, Queen Isabelle have made a decision. For the sake of the kingdom and her family.
"You can have the hero and whatever he has. Even his party but I request that please leave Aria and Leticia-sama to me to handle"
"Hoh? Is that a negotiation or a request?"
"If you wish for more, should I pay you for the troubles you've faced for our sakes?"
"Kukuku..... No, this is enough. I'm sure his Majesty will be happy to see that man kneeling at his feet"
A toothed grin appeared wide on Kuro's face. Though he did not plan on taking in the hero that tarnished the life of his king, this was a pleasant outcome as well.
Now Kyoushiro won't need to find Taiga and trouble himself more.
"Wait! How could you decide it like that?! You guys were the ones that summoned me, why are you doing this to me?!!"
"As a foreign being taken from his world, Taiga's world held some truth in them. He worked to protect this world yet he was being subjected to such unfair trial.
Then wouldn't it have been better if he wasn't summoned at all?
"How dare you......"
Lucinda words came out. Like a pot boiling up to its brim and spilling out, Lucinda's anger. After all, isn't this unfair trial the same as Kyoushiro went through?
"You are...."
"How dare you call this unfair trial when Kyoushiro-sama suffered far worse of a humiliation than you are right now?!!"
It was in this very throne room. That all of the nobles in the country were present along with all of the heroes. He was accused with some ridiculous crime he didn't even do when he was tasked to save the other heroes. He was hit with magic, battered with kicks and punches.
Lucinda couldn't forget that day. No, she can't forget about it.
It was because, Taiga was the one that started it all.
"You accused him of attempting to kill the heroes. Then you stole everything he worked for and even tortured him so.... yet you are calling this trial unfair?!"
"Oi! I know you were that standing Queen of that time! How could you take someone side when that bastard is a criminal! I'm the hero of this kingdom, how could you take that guy's side!!?"
"Hero or not, I've already gathered evidence of your convolutions with the Royal Adviser! All for the sakee of clearing my husband's name!"
"Husband?! That weakling Kagami?! He raped you didn't he?! Don't change the facts!"
Lucinda and Taiga went back and forth with each other. Neither of them back down. With the throne room being filled with such shoutings, no one heard Inomiri-sensei coming in.
"Eh? Kurosawa-kun?!!"
There, the throne room was drenched in silence.....
———
"Hiyaa?! What are those things?!"
A shrill scream came from Inomiri-sensei as a Magic Iron Knight appeared behind her and passed over her side. Then, as soon as it reach a certain spot, it glowed for a bit before disappearing.
The sight of a large bulky golem flying around blinking everywhere wasn't good for the heart.
"It has been a while since I came here but many things have changed huh?"
Inomiri-sensei was alone right now. Prince Roderick was busy with all kinds of paper work while the mage Albert was out helping the dried up farmlands using his water magic.
After a few days of resting in the palace, helping here and there as much as she could, Inomiri-sensei decided to take a break.
Back then, she couldn't such thing since she was busy with raising her level with Albert. Prince Roderick came helping right after that. Though it would have been fine if Gaius were to have been with her as well.
"Hehe, just what am I thinking......"
Inomiri-sensei let out a small chuckle as she gaze outside the window....
"Oi! Did you hear? The hero Taiga was captured and out inside a cage!!"
"I know! Princess Aria too was with him as well right? Those damn Demon Spawns!!"
Inomiri-sensei overheard two soldiers talking as they ran passed the hall.
Kurosawa-kun?—
Inomiri-sensei didn't understood what the soldiers meant at first but she slowly realized that there was indeed an uproar inside the castle.
As such, she ran quickly. In order to save another one of her students from ever being hurt.....
PART #2
There was a time when Inomiri-sensei got mixed up with some of the school's delinquents. Naturally, as a new teacher, she still didn't know which students were actually students.
Third years at that time had been unruly and the school board have made request to their parents to dropout their sons in order to avoid further legal actions.
It was thanks to this that Inomiri-sensei was spared from ever going through something horrible.
However there was one thing she couldn't ever forget. It was the face of a certain student who smiled at her as though he enjoyed the terrified look on her face....
———
"
"Eh?!! Kurosawa-kun?!"
Inomiri-sensei was shock. She couldn't prevent her voice from raising as another one of her student was facing another absurd trial.
"Your Highness! What is the meaning of this?!"
"It is as you can see. It has just been decide that Travestin will no longer support Taiga Kurosawa"
"Mother!"
Aria cried out to her mother.
"Please rethink this decision! If Taiga-sama were to disappear, our world will—"
"Aria, there are multiple heroes that were summoned. And it was stupidly decided to separate them into different countries altogether. One hero losing a country's support wouldn't mean anything"
"Wait... what's going on here?"
"Sensei...."
"Aizawa-san....? Just what is.."
"I'll explain everything so for now please calm down"
Mikoto decided to step up and calm Inomiri-sensei down. Because she was late to know of all this and was pretty much untouched for quite sometime, she has few news about what Taiga has been up to in Travestin.
Inomiri-sensei looked worried as she glanced at Taiga but Mikoto showed a wry smile and lead her away from the cages.
"Sensei! Help me! These guys are trying to send me away!!"
Taiga begged for help as he rattled the chains inside the cage he was in.
"Kurosawa-kun...."
"Sensei! save me!!"
"That's enough!"
"Save me already you useless bitch!!"
Taiga's words rang loudly, causing the whole room to fall silent. Even Queen Isabelle, who tried to stop Taiga from talking turned quiet.
"Kurosawa-kun...? What did you just...."
Inomiri-sensei's shoulder felt chills. It was like something had triggered inside her mind. A memory buried by the chaotic days she spent in this world.
"Can't you do your job properly?! Get me out of here!!"
"Taiga-kun! That's enough! This is sense—"
"Shut it! If this was earth, I would have all of you dump into Tokyo bay!!"
Suddenly, inch by inch, Taiga's real personality was rising from his mask. Probably because of the stressed build up, the fatigue of all those days fighting in the first Demon Lord's domain and even going back, he forgot to wear the mask he always have been wearing.
The good looking young man that shined under the rain of praise and the pedestal of life, was showing an unsightly scowl with drool dripping from his lips down to his chin and the strands of his hair sticking onto his skin due to his sweat.
The chains rattled once more. The cage shakes and trembled from the bubbling power that Taiga was unleashing because of his riled up emotion....
"Sensei?"
Mikoto felt that Inomiri-sensei had been silent until now. But when she took a peek at her teacher's expression, there was a unexplainable expression of horror written on her face...
Inomiri.....sensei?"
It was there that Inomiri-sensei remembered the certain student who was smiling at her as those third years were being dragged out of the school....
"Alright, this enough"
Finally, Kuro spoke up.
"It's alright if we take this hero away right? Your Highness?"
"Provided that you agree to my terms that is"
"Hmph, whatever it is I'll do it. For the sake of my king, I'll bring this bastard back with me no matter what"
"Very well. We'll discuss the specifics on a later date. For now, take Taiga Kurosawa and his party into the dungeon. As for Rembrandt-dono and my daughter, will you allow me to have them free?"
"As you wish"
As if there was only two of then speaking, Kuro and Queen Isabelle wrapped up this trial as soon as they could. For one thing, they noticed the changed in Inomiri-sensei's behavior and the other was that Aria was calling out to Queen Isabelle to make her plea.
Then as Queen Isabelle signalled the guards to take away Aria from the premises, Kuro ordered the worker golems to set Leticia free and the others taken to the dungeon.
"Mother!! Onee-sama!!"
"Take Aria to her room. As for her knight, give her clothes and a place to rest. I'll have her report to me later once she's well rested"
Queen Isabelle ignored her pitiful daughter's cry and coldly gave orders one by one. The cages were then lift up by the worker golems and taken below the castle.
Unlike what happened to Kyoushiro, no one suffered horrifying blows that causes one to get severely injured. No one laughed. Just the wails of anger coming from Taiga's cage and the cry of the young princess that was taken to her room....
However the eyes of King Verdik were filled with regret. For it was he that let this happen this far.
A sad father quietly open his eyes at the throne room where only his wife sat next to him.
"Would letting the other hero stay the right answer back then?"
"Even if it was Verdik, the outcome will still be the same"
Sitting on a pair of thrones Queen Isabelle and King Verdik heaved a heavy sigh as the throne room returned to it's peace and quiet.
———
"Go fetch the army. You'll be doing your jobs as necromancers after that"
It was two days that Velázquez, Barth's employer ordered him and his companions. It was unknown when Velázquez had planned everything but Barth was surprised when he arrived at the place where Velázquez ordered him to go.
Inside a forest that lies close to the Mist lake, there was a cave there dug unusually. The were far apart and the ceiling was high. There were torches hung high above the walls as though it was intended for a large number of different sizes of people to come and go in this place.
Or that there were big carts hauling something from the inside that the path was made to be enlarged.
But Barth didn't think it was abnormal. Rather, he kind of knew why there was such cave next to Mist Lake.
Covered by a shawl with a cloth over his nose and mouth, Barth descended into the dark dimly lit cave.
"This is....."
Then as he reached the end of the path, a cliff stopped him from going forward. The cliff was high and the bottom of it was deep, creating a inky black hole that sucks away one's sanity.
Barth then raised his other hand which held a torch and tossed it down into the hole.
The fire continues down without a sound. Until a *Bang* echoed back.
"That's..... that guy did he..."
There were cages lined up below. Barth's eyes darted back and forth as he peered down into the darkness. The insides of the cages were filled with dried up corpses dressed up in worn out clothing.
There weren't just one or two, their numbers were that of an army itself. Bigger cages were lined up at the edges of the hole and as Barth climbed down on the path spiraling around the hole, the more cages he saw.
"So he really was insane after all"
Whether that was a compliment from the heart or Barth was just voicing out his views about the nutjob noble that hired him, the sheer number of corpses here weren't normal. Some were older than the rest with just bones piled up in a corner and others were new and fresh like the one inside a cage next to him.
It was a young girl with black hair braided from the back. Her skim was already rotting probably from how long the corpse was kept inside the cave.
"Poor girl, probably a Demon Spawn herself... Looks like a maid too"
While staring at the corpse with pity, Barth sighs through his nose then advance through the cave in order to begin raising the dead......
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "152429",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 CH. 11 – The pitiful girl",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 3 CH. 5 - Fixing the cracks
PART #1
There was an emergency situation needed to be remedied. An insurrection might come to the capital city. Because of the criminal acts of the Hero and his party, as well as the nobles supporting them, the citizens of the country were uprising.
Thankfully, Gaius was trying his best to work hard in suppressing the angry mobs until now. However, because Gaius and his men have reached their limits, there was hardly enough they can do alone.
Right now, there were a lot of things needed to be repaired. Things that are needed to fix immediately in order to prevent the situation from escalating.
That was both the shortage of food everywhere and providing sufficient payment for the remaining soldiers within the castle.
Because half of the total number of troops in Travestin were taken by Taiga, there was a shortage of hands.
Not only that, the citizens outside the castle were dissatisfied with their current situation. Even though goods were circulating, the increase in price were causing the impoverished to be unable to buy their necessary goods.
Not only that, the money inside the treasury weren't enough to quell the grumbling bellies of every citizen in Travestin.
Moving to the meeting room, Queen Isabella was assigning orders to everyone. However, it was impossible for the situation to ease up immediately.
"There are so many problems that is needed to be addressed but we have so few hands to deal with them"
Currently, the Queen, King Verdik, Lucinda and her maid and guards as well as Gaius and a some Margrave, Counts and Barons were inside the meeting room.
But with so little numbers, it was impossible to handle everything at the same time.
A map was laid out on top of a long table where everyone was seated.
On the map, there were small blocks of wood on specific parts of the map. Strictly speaking, the areas that were damaged by either monsters or bandits.
"Zeios-sama, will you be able to speak with the citizens that were affected by the nobles and hero's wrong doing?"
"I'll be able to set out immediately but I won't be able to come back for sometime"
"It can't be help, please use whatever means of transportation you have"
"Understood.. But what of the mission of reclaiming lands?"
"As for that, I want the nobles present here to provide rewards for the Adventurers we will hire. I shall get in contact with the Dukedom on the south to help us"
"But will that be enough?"
"I.... don't know"
Currently, acting fast was needed. While there are dissatisfied citizens, it was necessary to fix the current shortage of food. Everyone can just eat monster meat as temporary means so there won't be any problem if they hired Adventurers for the tasks.
The only problem was that, the treasury wasn't enough yet. They could keep on contacting other countries but to avoid the insurrection, they need to act immediately.
The concerns were speed, money and numbers. The Dukedom was on the south, which was being ruled by Duke Alberto Corneo Arkwright. The Queen could send am envoy there to request for help but it was doubtful the envoy would even reached the border since the southern areas were riddled with bandit dens.
It would only get the envoy killed just by sending him unguarded.
"Honestly, even if we forced ourselves, it will just put the city in danger. As you've said, there are still monsters outside the city"
City was surrounded by villages and towns but if they send the remaining troops outside, it would leave the castle undefended.
Gaius was the only Knight Captain available as the rest were together with Taiga at the moment. He already has his hands full with the citizens that were hurt by Taiga and the nobles so it would be asking too much if the Queen were to have him cover more grounds.
"Verdik, has any of our request for aid in the neighboring countries been granted yet?"
"Unfortunately, they have been keeping quiet. It seems that they are planning to leave us alone as everyone else have their own heroes"
"Haaah... selfish fools"
Queen Isabella could only sigh at the ungrateful allies that merely asked for help couldn't do the same.
"What about the other heroes?"
"Sadly, they don't want to get involved"
It seems that some of the heroes replied immediately but were not planning to help at all. Even the nobles present were having hopeless faces.
"Uh.... can we not... ask for Ambrosia for help?"
"Yeah, those Black Knights in the palace.... I'm sure they can help right?"
A Margrave glanced at Niya who was silently standing next to the wall with Rea and Lea. The others followed suit but Niya merely kept her eyes shut and stayed silent.
Queen Isabella glanced at Niya as well. Lucinda meeting her mother's gaze, turned around and faces Niya.
"Niya, will Kuro-sama and others help us?"
"Unfortunately, I have no say on the matter your Highness. However, if you so wish it, I shall try and ask them if they would give their aid"
Opening her eyes, Niya looked around as saw expectant eyes gazing at her. That made feel annoyed since she has also experienced getting treated horribly by the humans in her hometown.
Rea and Lea didn't react this time. Since their main job was guarding Lucinda, even if anyone in the room asked them to, they won't move without Lucinda.
"Fortunately, we have Mikoto-sama on our right now. We can still have some leeway with her around but, she temporarily returned to Mordred, correct?"
Mikoto returned to Mordred to visit Arianne. That was to ask if Ambrosia were to be willing to help. Earlier, she was visiting old acquaintances but when she heard the situation, she rushed to Ambrosia. Kuro and Nero, doesn't know about it and were clueless that Mikoto used the [Gate] artifact inside the ship.
Queen Isabella was waiting for a reply from Niya but the lioness sighed and uttered 'I shall contact the Commander for now then.....' then took out a small rectangular box, big enough to be hold with one hand. Niya then pull out the end of the rectangular object. A mouthpiece, similar to a mic, with a cord connected to the main component stretched up until the corner of Niya's mouth.
"Please connect me to High Commander, Kuro-sama"
Niya contacted the bridge which then immediately switched the other line to Kuro's communicator.
"Kuro-sama, Queen Isabella-sama is asking if the unit you have brought along on this trip will lend a hand......Yes....Yes..... Understood...."
While nodding to the replies, Niya had her eyes set only at Queen Isabella. Since the person asking was the Queen of an allied country, it would be disrespectful to not answer her wishes.
Then, once the call ended, Niya returned her communicator back to her pocket.
"They will negotiate. I was told to tell everyone 'I will be going there so please wait for a moment' by Kuro-sama"
It seems that Kuro would at least here out Queen Isabella's request.
Lucinda smiled and thanked Niya for her help.
"Thank you Niya. I know I am asking for too much now"
"It is no matter. I am merely doing my job as your maid"
Niya loosened her cheeks as she lowered her head to Lucinda. Because Niya was chosen to take care of Lucinda since she came to Ambrosia a month ago, they had gotten close enough for Niya to accept requests from Lucinda.
However, because Niya just pulled out an amazing device, all eyes were still on her.
"N-Niya-dono.... may I ask, what might be that item you just used?"
Gaius nervously inquired about the communicator that Niya just used. Of course, this was an obvious reaction. Since never in the history of this world has there even been a magic item that could let you speak with a person from a long distance.
Lucinda knows about the one used back when they contacted Kyoushiro when he went missing. King Verdik has an idea of what it was but decided to stay quiet.
Niya tilted her head but she immediately understood what Gaius was asking.
"That was a magic artifact newly designed and developed by Kagami-sama. It was called [Comms Link] but initially, his Majesty kept calling it [Phone]"
"No.... I wasn't talking about it's name but...."
"If it's usage, the one I used was based on the magic earrings and ring that Lucinda-sama currently uses in order to get in contact with Kagami-sama. However, as those magic artifacts have limited range due to relying on one's magic power to connect to the other side, Kagami-sama designed a new one in order to fix that problem"
"So you are saying you can use that to contact someone even in a far location?"
"No, so long as the transmission has a relay point, in our case, Mordred, it can be done"
[Comms Link] were newly developed by Kyoushiro after he got back. While everyone was resting and having fun in Ambrosia, he was busy making new artifacts instead of resting. Furthermore, he let the development teams mass produce the [Comms Link] while he added new functions to his ships. Though still, it still needed some signal towers or some transmission points to connect to a specific person.
Hearing such almighty device, everyone besides those knows about it, wear stiff faces.
*Knock-Knock*
"Excuse me, it seems that Kuro-sama has arrived"
With the knock and a familiar scent came behind the door, Niya walked to the door and let Kuro, who have just arrived inside.....
———
There were individual cells in the dungeon below the castle. There were three floors made for the sake of harbor criminals that have done heinous acts.
The first floors were for the ones with light crimes. The Second one were for moderate and moderate life imprisonment and the third one was fr those with severe crimes waiting for death penalty.
Depending where you were placed, the mental burden you received during your stay here is severe.
In this kind of place, the deeper you go, the less light you see.
"Shit! Why did this happened to me!?"
The Royal Adviser, Welmner, who was thrown in the dungeons along with the other nobles that turned a blind eye to the evil deeds of Taiga and his party as well as those who joined in those acts, held his head with his arms as he cursed the current state he was in.
He didn't think that he would end up in this kind of place. It was truly below that someone like him were to end in.
Moreover, in this lonesome cell of his, was the same place he watched Kyoushiro beaten up by the guards.
"Damn it! Damn it all!!!"
Welmner had been born a proud family line of Marquises. He had grown up in a good family and was treated as a genius in his early years as a child. Great mind and wisdom, good scores in academics within the Magic Academy and most of all, he earned lots of praise after his service as high rank official in the Kingdom's proud Knight Order.
He was trusted as Royal Adviser by two generations after his predecessor. During the reign of the late Queen, It was Welmner that had helped her control the country during troubled times.
However, now he had hit rock bottom because of his own mistakes.
"Shit! Damn it! That idiot girl still hadn't realized it! It was thanks to me that there have been no wars around her and her family, if I did not follow her mother's instructions she wouldn't be in her position!!"
Welmner gnashed his teeth in anger. The real truth behind Queen Isabella's rule was due to Welmner's aid. That he had taken care of the people who were against in her taking the throne.
"Velázquez Aldus Ernst. The Elder brother of Queen Isabella Quintus Travestin.
After changing his surname right after he was adopted to the Ernst Family, which was under the previous Queen's cousin's control, Velázquez became the minister of audit.
Welmner had known who wished for the throne more than anyone between the siblings. But because the kingdom was a matrilineal country, only the princesses can become the rulers.
Velázquez ended up becoming Queen Isabella's mere Minister of Audit. However, it wasn't supposed to be like this. The rule would have been changed if Welmner had not done as the previous Queen instructed. That was to kill everyone who were plotting against Queen Isabella's enthronement at the time.
Then as ordered, Welmner used everything in his possession to fulfill the orders he was given.
"That woman..... I'll make sure she will pay for this.... For making me a fool in front of everyone!!"
The ungrateful brat who merely knew how to gain other people's affection; she would would pay dearly for this horrible treatment.
"I might say, you look good behind bars, Welmner"
"Who....?!"
Welmner recognized that voice immediately. Although he came in so suddenly, it somehow didn't feel abnormal for that man to appear before him. In this barely lit place, at the very end of the second floor of the dungeon, that man appeared before him.
The moment the light of torches brushed at the man's face, Welmner's hostility increased.
""You planned this, didn't you?!"
"How absurd. You know very well those claims were nothing but the truth. It was your own doing that you ended up in this kind of place"
"You....wretched.....!!!"
Welmner glared at the man. The rage making his grip in his hand sink his nails into his palms made blood dripped out from the corner of his hands.
"Velázquez, you bastard.... You knew this was coming didn't you?!"
"Obviously, anyone would predicted this outcome. It's just, you guys didn't stop and think what will happen if you overstepped your boundaries"
"It was for the good of the country!!"
*Bam!!* Welmner rushed to the cell bars and slammed onto it. Watching the old man showing a face in anger, despair and frustration, Velázquez smiled.
To see the man that destroyed his life, Velázquez couldn't be more happier than this.
But it was still wasn't enough.
"Kuku..... That face of yours is still as ugly as before, quite pitiful isn't it?"
"Shut up! Just why have you come here?! To kill me?! For destroying your life.... for crushing your plot against the crown?!"
"........"
"Why have you gone silent?! Say something!!?"
Velázquez stayed quiet. He watched as Welmner exhaust himself from shouting at the top of his lungs. He might be trying to get the other nobles to witness this conversation of theirs but Velázquez have already done his preparation.
"You wouldn't understand Welmner. You have grown too old for your position as the Royal Adviser"
"What was that?!"
"You have grown senile. Mother would be very disappointed if she were to see this"
"Ngh..... you...!!!"
Welmner held deep respect and admiration towards the late Queen.Because it wasn't because she was sites by the last King of Travestin but because she was rewarded for her own talents, accomplishments and beliefs.
Welmner had grew up watching that woman stride through numerous corpses of monsters and enemies alike while wearing a dignified aura around her.
That late Queen whom had allowed Welmner to be the Royal Adviser.... hearing her own son speak like that made Welmner groan in speechlessness.
"Mother was a great leader, sadly she didn't have an eye for her men"
Velázquez father was executed for embezzlement, harboring prostitutes inside the castle and making secret plans to take the throne.
Velázquez's own father was a Knight that swore to protect his mother. Sadly, that man was only thinking of himself and got himself killed.
"It's pitiful that those who is associated with the Queen in this country always ended up dying"
"Just get to the point! What are you doing here?! Where you not staying Mist Lake?! How come you are here in the capital!!?"
"Why do I need to answer that?"
"Tsk! Then why are you here?!"
It was odd that Velázquez would leave his own region. Often, he would refuse to join the meetings of the Court of Nobles because he couldn't stand staying the same castle as his little sister, but he never did stepped out of Mist Lake out of his own accord.
Something was not right, Welmner had a strange feeling that Velázquez was up to something.
"Don't tell me, you are here..... to kill that ungrateful Queen?"
"No, of course not. There's no way I could ever hurt my sister"
"Then why?!"
*Fwup* The torch flame flickered as the magic power within the area got disturbed. As the light grew for a moment, a wide grin entered Welmner's eyes.....
"Welmner...No, Royal Adviser-sama"
".........."
Suddenly, Welmner felt chills run down his back. It was an unpleasant feeling he got after Velázquez called him using his position. It was creepy, like hundreds of small critters were crawling under his clothes.
That itchy feeling, only got worse as Velázquez walked closer to the bars of the cell.
"What I am after is not the crown.... I don't need such thing after all. My niece could have it all to herself if she wants to"
".........."
"I don't also need to get rid of my sister. You know how much I loved that sweet, sweet girl right?"
*Gulped* Welmner unconsciously swallowed his breath in terror. Because within those deep blue eyes, there was something disgusting wriggling about....
"What I want......"
Velázquez inches closer, his voice slowly turned into a horrid cold whisper. One like that of an evil spirit trying to pull you in close to your death....
"The child inside my niece's belly......."
PART #2
The carriage rattled as it passes through a rough road. The quite plains where small monsters can be seen hopping and running around, were quite a view inside the moving carriage.
"Shizuka-sama, do you know about the story of the True faced Goddess?"
"What brought up that question all of a sudden?"
Inomiri-sensei, Prince Roderick and the Court mage Albert Myunella Rafon, were currently riding a carriage heading back to Travestin. The trip would last three days by carriage then they would ride a passenger ship through the large River heading down to the northwestern border of Travestin. It would last 8 days just by using carriage till Arkos city then 3 days towards Mist Lake via passenger ship. Then once they were inside the border of Travestin, they still need about three months till they reach the capital.
Right now, they were riding down the long path home from Seifield Holy Empire.
"I suddenly recall it since I read it once in a scripture inside the Grand Church"
"That still was a weird question though....."
Inomiri-sensei wished to learn about the medicine that was used to cure Queen Isabella's weird illness. In order to research suxh amazing medicine and distribute it to everyone in the world, Inomiri-sensei decided to return to Travestin with Prince Roderick.
Still though, the sudden question about some story about a true face goddess got Inomiri-sensei taken aback. She didn't expected such small talk during this trip.
"Ah, I also know about it. It was from an old scripture dug up in some ruins long ago right? Didn't they say it was just an old story made in the ancient times?"
Next to Prince Roderick was Court Mage Albert. He joined up with Inomiri-sensei, thinking that he would be able to steal her heart once Gaius was gone.
If they were together, Albert knew himself that Gaius would just be an annoying hindrance to make Inomiri-sensei fall for him.
"Yes... As expected of Rafon-dono"
"So? What's this about a goddess?"
*Ahem!* Albert cleared his throat as he took it upon himself to tell the story that Prince Roderick mentioned.
"In the story, it was said that there was only one goddess that gave birth to this world......"
At the time of beginning, where stars were didn't exist and only vast emptiness filled the whole sky, there was a single goddess that was born.
The goddess, which was depicted as a small girl with extremely long hair that each strand connected each stars, created the stars we see in the sky as well as the world we live in.
The warm sun brightly shining in the day and the moon sleeping in the night. The stars that twinkle in the sky at night, the vast blue oceans and seas, the green grass and trees, the high mountains of snow, the great valleys, hills the sharp mountain range, the animals and even the humans. She created everything we see.
However, the goddess grew sad as her creations weren't enough. She was still alone in that dark sky. She had no one to be with, to play with, to watch her creations with.
The goddess was alone.....
So her loneliness grew and her desire for company made her create another goddess with her own image.
"It was said that the Demon God was the True faced Goddess's first creation of a god. But another theory was said that it was a Seifield, the God of Life, was the one that the True faced goddess that created and not the Demon God"
"But, aren't there many gods and goddess in this world? Who's to say that those ones were the first god the True faced goddess ever created?"
As a Scholar, Inormiri-sensei had skills pertaining knowledge of all kindsm Things like history could be easily be understood with a single use of a skill and a guidance like effect would lead her to realized the true history about an object or someone.
Her class might be an Arch Mage but her on will as teacher hasn't dwindled yet. In fact, her class allowed her to study easier compared to before.
Anyways, the gods and goddesses in thus world were numerous. Enough to make the whole place chaotic even. That's why, it was hard to deduced which was the first god that the True faced goddess made.
Moreover, the question was not about which god that the True faced goddess made but rather, who she really was.
"There were many assumptions made so the research in that old story didn't continued. Since no one even believed that there was a True faced goddess"
Albert adjusted his glasses with his fingers. As one of the most knowledgeable among the three of them, even he had once gotten interested in such story. However, having no basis whatsoever, the scripture didn't gained any favor in the mage community nor within the practices of religious groups. It was just one of those things discovered in ancient tombs or ruins and were just labelled as relics of the past.
"Still though, did the scripture said anything about how the goddess looked like?"
"Unfortunately, aside from her extremely long hair, no one knows what the True faced goddess looks like"
"Which is why it was considered as mere fantasy written by someone in the past"
There were many things that happened long before civilization came. It was hard to say whether or not the story was real however, it had one touch of truth which made others stored it for many generations and ended up being research on today.
"There was a single paragraph there that said the forthcoming of a child bearing the face of the True faced goddess. She would be born half of what a child would grow inside a womb... uh.... I think there was about a hero's blood mixing in it?"
Prince Roderick was making an uncertain face as the more he tried to recall what he read, the more hard it was to remember. Probably because it wasn't an important knowledge that even his brain didn't recognized it as necessary information.
In any case, it was uncertain whether the story was true or not.
"That is.... there is no way a child would be born just half of it's nine months inside a womb. That's just impossible right?"
"Well, there are certain races that has that kind of trait. Though, they aren't really human in the least"
The egg laying race. Rather, there were more of a lizardmen kind of species and wasn't even human. No, they were more of a monster to begin with. Of course, there's also the Arachne race in the first Demon Lord's territory but there were still bunch of others that were yet to be recorded.
Inomiri-sensei did read a lot of books in the Magic Academy but probably because of the fights within the 13 Demon Lords, there were a lot of books and old scriptures were lost when other kingdoms and cities fell.
The current information weren't limited but they aren't reliable as well.
"I kind of wish I learned a useful skill like «Teleportation» or «Portal» to reach Travestin quickly. It's uncomfortable riding a carriage all day....."
Inomiri-sensei sighed as she abandoned thinking about the true face goddess that Prince Roderick brought up. Since it was just an old story probably made up in the past, Inomiri-sensei didn't think too much about it.
In the end, when she mentioned she felt uncomfortable inside the carriage, the two guys glanced at one another and took each of Inomiri-sensei's hand and offered to rest for a while.
This was her everyday routine that felt old already. It was tiring dealing with the advances of the two guys who were very interested in her only because she was a hero. Though as a woman, she was happy that good looking men were trying to get her attention but well.....
Even someone with experience like Inomiri-sensei can easily see that there's an ulterior motive behind their advances.
Well, she might be wrong about that.....
"Haaaaaah......"
In the end, the everyday squabble between Albert and Prince Roderick didn't really gave much of a bother to Inomiri-sensei say now compared to before. Right now, she just looked outside with a bored look on her face.
'I wonder what's everyone doing right now....' Those were the only thoughts running in her mind right now.
———
Barth, a lowly member of the cult of the Soul Eaters didn't understand why they needed to curse Queen Isabella for a long time. Although their employer wanted something different than the throne, he still ordered Barth and his small group to placed a curse upon Queen Isabella.
"What I want..... is the child inside my niece's belly"
Those were the words he heard from the man that hired him.
"What....? What are you saying?"
"Simple, that child inside Lucinda. I want it"
It was kind of stupid. In fact, why would you go from placing a curse on your sister to wanting the baby inside your niece? Moreover, the child wasn't even six months old yet. It was kind of stupid since Velázquez still had to way a few months more before the child was born.
Barth was watching his employer with dead, pitying eyes.....
—I wonder I ended up working for this guy?—
Barth and the cult of Soul Eaters were just a bunch of people that didn't want to die. Since worshipping the god of death itself would remove them from the Grim reaper's list of souls to collect, there was no need to go ahead and work under a lunatic.
There was already a bunch of them inside the cult. Most of them were whackjobs of a necromancer that failed to find a job in society because of their classes.
Barth was a [Corpse collector] so naturally, he chose to join the cult of Soul Eaters because it was convenient. He gets paid and has more free time than work. It was a job where just sleeping would let you earn tons of money just for worshipping a Demon Lord.
But learning where those money came from just made Barth feel like he has to work for he has earned. Even with luxury, Barth was worried that it might disappear someday if he didn't work for it.
—But I guess I wasn't smart enough to pick a guy with a sane mind—
Barth was still watching his employer talking with one of the criminals inside the cells. Though the torches here were lit up, the illumination wasn't so great as the insides of each cell were pitch black.
How come Velázquez knew who was inside the cell when they came down in the dungeon of the castle? It was easy since there was an emergency going on upstairs, but usually there would be guards stationed in the dungeon underground.
However, there weren't anyone guarding the exit.
"Welmner-dono, do you know about the story of the True Face goddess?"
"Huh?"
Suddenly, Velázquez asked such question to Welmner. Barth didn't feel interested. He was thinking that it wasn't important so they need to hurry up. 'What kind of villain would tell about a piece of their plan to someone just like that?' Barth was seeing Velázquez as someone stupid.
"The child born between a hero and a person of this world, would give birth to child that has the face of a goddess"
"......."
"And those who takes it life would be able to become gods themselves"
It was stupid but Barth was listening to such ludicrous of a story. Was he planning to murder his own niece and take out the child inside her womb? Moreover, how dies he even know that the child was the one he was looking for?
"Are you...... high?"
Welmner couldn't help but think that Velázquez was in some kind of influence of drugs. There are some in circulation inside the blackmarket but it wasn't impossible to buy them outside the market.
Even Velázquez's story was so hard to believed that it somehow felt like it was made up.
"Of course not, I'm still sane"
—The more I watch this, the more my head hurts—
Barth too was in the same line of thought as Welmner. There so many things to retort about Velázquez's story that even a commoner with no prior education could point them out.
The delusional man then continued.
"Hahaha, it might be hard to believe but..... it is true"
"Then where's your proof? That child might be just a monster instead. Don't you know it's father is a Demon Spawn?"
"........"
Velázquez grinned. It was unsure whether he was bluffing or he did have proof that it was princess Lucinda's child that was the True faced goddess. Both Welmner and Barth waited for Velázquez to say something.
However, he merely turned around.....
"You will know when the time comes. For the meantime, I'll have you watch the chaos unfold when your prided hero returns to the capital. I hope you will enjoy your time here until then"
"!? You.....!!"
Velázquez nodded at Barth. That was the sign that it was time to leave. Barth immediately walked to Velázquez side but he slightly turned his gaze at Welmner's cell.
Either it was coincidence or he was just unfortunate, but the moment he glanced at that pitch black cell, a pair of glowing blue orbs of light flickered.
Barth shook his head. It was probably some kind of insect. Barth convinced himself so then hurried to his employer's side and light the way.
As soon as Barth had reached the exit, he turned his over his shoulders and thought 'I hope I don't need to go back here.....' as he felt chills all over his body.
"In one week, I'll have you and your men gather something"
"What.... might be it, my lord?"
"You'll know after one week. For now, return to your hideout until I call you again. For the meantime, try and place another curse on that sister of mine"
"Understood. It'll be the same curse again?"
"Yes....."
Barth still didn't understand what was the purpose of cursing his own sister. Since his objective was different, shouldn't he be focusing on that more? Barth, still confused, stayed quiet. But Velázquez stopped walking and turned his face over his shoulder.
In that instant, reflected by afternoon light outside, was a smile that felt repulsive to Barth. Because Velázquez's eyes were staring coldly at him....
"I don't want.... my beloved little sister be harmed by what's about to come after all"
"........"
Just like a madman driven by only his desires, Velázquez walked onwards with his footsteps eerily echoing in the empty halls.
Barth, who has his body frozen stiff in fear, was left alone in that empty hallway. His cold sweat, sliding down his cheek.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "142868",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 CH. 5 – Fixing the cracks",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 3 CH. 1 — The Kingdom of Travestin.
PART #1
On board the battleship Mordred, Lucinda was inside one of ship's many rooms. Though it would be best if she had used one of those commercial type magic airships like the Cruise ship Milan, the battleship Mordred was more suitable for speedy travel.
Based on the image of the large cruisers on earth, Mordred was a type of ship that can launch several magic missiles and fire off lasers from ts turrets. However, unlike its other counter parts, Mordred was designed for immediate response. As such, there were rooms in the ship that was luxurious for someone of Lucinda's level.
"My lady, is there something bothering you perhaps?"
A cat eared maid asked so while brushing Lucinda's golden hair. The maid was a black cat type beastmen, long haired, slim body with long legs. If this were earth, she would have been a famous super model based on her looks and figure. But as she was deemed as part of the Demon Spawns of this world, she had a hard time living in other countries.
Her name was Niya. She works as the ruins of Ambrosia's first defense corps led by a small group of vigilante. Niya had also worked with Kuro before, however, for whatever reason there was, they doesn't seem to get along.
Lucinda showed a wry smile as Mordred sail through the sky. The soft looking clouds outside the window was a pleasant sight, calming down anyone who see them.
However, Lucinda felt something was wrong.
"Niya, I had this feeling that something bad is happening"
"Bad?"
"Yes"
Niya tilted her head in wonder. She doesn't understand why Lucinda would feel like that when they were inside one of Kyoushiro's battleships. What's more, Kuro brought along a small unit under his command as well as a hundred or so Magic Knight Golems. Not only that,there were also construction golems which would be used to set up a new base on Travestin. Something like an embassy of sorts.
With this much guards around Lucinda, added by Mordred's firepower, it would be enough to make her feel more secure than travelling on an ordinary magic airship.
"Kyoushiro-sama..... it feels like something will happen to him"
"But his majesty is strong. I'm sure he'll be alright"
For someone like Kyoushiro, a curse or two was nothing. In fact, he even faced Kuro which was clearly stronger than him in the past and won. Even Niya couldn't win against Kyoushiro.
What's more, he even defeated a Demon Lord already. That much fact proves that Kyoushiro can hold a candle on his own against strong opponents.
"I know that but....."
"Lucinda-sama, it is best if you place your trust in his majesty. He might not clearly show it but, he cares for those who are important to him"
Advancement in magic technology as well as magic battleships capable of decimating thousands of cities in an instant. If you add his, magic artifacts, golems and other inventions, it was safe to say that he was putting the lives of those who believes in him first.
Niya reassures Lucinda that no matter what happens, Kyoushiro would come back.
"His majesty is by no means weak. That is why, it is best to simply trust him. You may be apart but I'm sure your hearts will connect with one another"
"I shall bring your afternoon tea, place wait here for the moment" Niya added, before stopping her hands and placing the brush on the table next to her. Niya then bowed slightly before leaving the room.
Left alone, Lucinda sighs and gaze outside the window. The wasteland was slowly turning green. Meaning that they were about to leave the wasteland itself. It will still take some time before they reach Travestin so everyone in the ship was resting.
"Haaaaah.... Kyoushiro-sama.... mother"
With her chest feeling heavy, Lucinda closed her eyes and leaned on her backrest......
—
Mikoto was wondering inside the ship. Because of how advance this ship was, it didn't have those tight and narrow hallways the typical cruisers has. The halls were spacious. With small gives arranged neatly on the ceiling and on the sides of the wall. The rooms were fitted inside in order to accommodate the crew members and the passengers. The storage where the supplies were being kept were enchanted with Space magic, granting it a large sub-dimensional store space that doesn't affect the weight of the ship.
Kyoushiro-kun is amazing as always— Mikoto looks around with eyes like a child in an amusement park.
Because Kyoushiro built all of this in such a short time, it wouldn't be enough to call him a genius. Naturally, it goes without saying that his work in rehabilitating and rebuilding of Ambrosia was just impressive as well.
Just how the buildings resembled that of earth's, the technology the other vehicles were based on were on the same level as SciFi movies. Although there were no rockets that flies you into space or massive space stations or even the internet, Ambrosia was an amazing place anyone was having the time of their life.
Mikoto was even shock to see power stations that converts sun light to magic power and generators that has the ability to produce electricity just by converting magic power as well. Light post, cars, ships, goods and other stuff.
The people within Ambrosia were being taught on how to use them and make a living in such advance city. It was truly a surprise considering they were just some people who used to eat monster meat as staple food.
Now, there were soldiers working for Ambrosia, some had continued their dreams of becoming cooks or chefs, dress makers or even artists.
Mikoto was truly impressed at how fast Kyoushiro making a single nation grow.
"Still though, why make battleships.... I don't get that"
In this world, conquering the sky was enough to just live off by sending normal magic airships as a means of transportations everywhere. Or he would have just made his Black Army into mercenaries and sell swords to anyone who needs it.
But he made large cannons on towers around the wall of Ambrosia, battleships armed with similar types of cannons, railguns and laser turrets. There were even those magic Iron knights that protects the peace of Ambrosia.
It was as if, Kyoushiro was preparing for something.
"I wonder what could that—"
"Oh? Mikoto-sama?"
*Zuuu....* the door split open to the side and Niya appeared before her with a tray in hand.
"Niya-san.... those sweets are..."
"Yes, Lucinda-sama felt restless so I thought I should prepare her something calming to drink"
"I see.... it's about Kyoushiro-kun right?"
"Yes, it seems that she felt like something bad was happening with his majesty"
Although none of them knew what's going on in Calladium right now, the sharp senses of the first wife was just as sharp as Kyoushiro's swords. Though that said, worrying about it too much was bad for Lucinda's health, as well as for the baby.
Mikoto smiles and decides to accompany Niya back to Lucinda's room.
"Mikoto-sama, there is something I have been meaning to ask"
"What is it?"
"Well, what was it that everyone saw in his majesty that you all fall for him?"
While walking side by side, Niya asked one question that she had been wanting to ask. Why does someone like Lucinda, a princess of a foreign country, Mikoto, a hero and Arianne, a queen saw in Kyoushiro that they fell for him so much.
It wasn't that she meant anything bad by it, just that, it felt too weird for such girls love someone like Kyoushiro. He was more like the type of guy who would lash out if you get on the wrong side of him.
To such question, Mikoto's cheeks showed a pink blush....
"Ahahahah....well, i-its.... you know..."
"Is it his manhood?"
"No!! Of course not!! We haven't even done it yet!!"
Mikoto became flustered at Niya's unnerving question. It was quite bold but as much as wanted to, Mikoto hadn't had any sort of private time with Kyoushiro. Although he doesn't seem to be rejecting her at all, he hasn't shown any signs of interest in that sort of manner towards Mikoto or Arianne.
"What I meant is, he is kind"
"Kind?"
"Yes, although no one knows about it, Kyoushiro help someone in need if he has to"
Mikoto recalls a time when she saw Kyoushiro standing in front of a group of scary men harrasing a single girl. At that time, he looked like he had something to do with those men but they left almost immediately. Aside from that, he is found most of the time in one of the city's red light district, chasing off old men with highschool girls with them.
"He helps anyone that needs it but abandon those he doesn't. That is what his majesty is like right?"
But from what Niya had seen, Kyoushiro couldn't careless if an old couple was right in front of him. He would push them away while even saying "Get out of my way, old bags" while wearing a grumpy expression.
"His majesty can make anyone he doesn't like grovel on the ground and step on their head or make a girl turn around and kick her behind without any signs of remorse"
"B-But he is smart to you know?! He made all of this!!"
"I do not think that should be a good part of him....."
Niya was speaking through experience. She had once attacked Kyoushiro only to get her ass handed to her and received a splendid kick on her behind which caused her to be humiliated by her peers in the same line of work as she was.
At that time it was clearly her fault for jumping to conclusions but wouldn't he have been more subtle on his pay-backs?
"U-Uh..... t-there is something...."
"I believed that his majesty is just as ruthless as he is right now even back in your world. I do not understand why he has such character though"
Like hot and cold weather, Kyoushiro was just as unpredictable. He would not hesitate to show anyone his mercilessness or he would be compassionate to anyone that doesn't show any hostilities against him. He would provide everything you need without any questions ask or he would simply take everything you have just because you annoyed him.
For Niya, that was how she saw Kyoushiro, the black king.
"Well, it might be right for me to say but Kyoushiro-kun has been through a lot since childhood"
"........?"
"Niya-san.... many may not like Kyoushiro but he has his reasons for being like that. While he won't care if you call him names or stab him in the back, he would still feel hurt. If he sees someone in need he would help, no questions ask but if its just another person on the road, he would treat them coldly as a stranger"
Having to lose his parents at a young age, that much was enough to make him grow tougher than anyone. He was cynical, rough, tough and even annoyingly stubborn, but in a lot of ways, he was a good person.
"I can vouch for him. Kyoushiro may not get along with people but he keeps the ones important to him close. If he was indeed as horrible as you described, he wouldn't even have spent so much energy in completely restoring Ambrosia"
Mikoto and Niya had stopped walking. The cold air within the hallways were chilling and the silence was enough to make their heartbeats sound loudly.
Mikoto was angry. Not because Niya bad mouthed him but because she herself, couldn't say anymore good about Kyoushiro. It was like, she doesn't know him at all. That fact caused her chest to ache.
"........"
"That is why, I love him. Even if people say I'm out of my mind, iw would still proudly admit that I'm very much in love with Kyoushiro-kun"
Mikoto smiles and resumes her steps. The *Clacking* noises made by her shoes bounced back on the walla of the ship. Niya watched her back as Mikoto slowly disappear in the hallway. Like that, the TWA she had prepared, had gone cold.....
"I may have.... gone a bit too far huh?"
Niya showed a bitter smile as she turns back to the kitchen to prepare a newly brewed tea.
PART #2
Kuro had been watching his men train inside the training room inside Mordred. There was about 20 men of mixed race and genders currently working directly under him and about 200 golems inside the ship. While his men were strong, they wouldn't be accounted for as a small army. The golems were for that reason.
As per Arianne's instruction, Kuro prepared a small army. If needed, he might have to call for more in case something bad happens.
Inside Mordred was a gateway artifact. It was one of installed piece of magic machinery that Kyoushiro made for the sake of lessening the time usedgk travel back and forth on far away places.
Using that, can call for more golems or more of the soilders working in Ambrosia.
Hmph, this guys are overly relying on their weapons and armors— Kuro thought with a sigh, his arms crossed on his chest.
"What a waste of good weaponry"
Anyone can kill with a knife. But letting an untrained child use a sword was like feeding money to a cow. Because the weapons and equipment Kyoushiro gave to everyone of his soldiers were enchanted, everyone was relying on their effects. It was good that they trusts Kyoushiro but they were just using the things that they were given when they don't even deserved it.
Kuro pressed on the speakers button on the control panel in front of. With him on the viewing platform of the training room, he was looking down and observing his men training.
"Everyone, stop relying on those artifacts on your bodies. Use your own strength to make better use of their effects"
Kuro cut off his words after. Immediately, his soldiers were taking off the magical equipment they were using. Right after that, they begun swinging their swords once again.
"You are training them I see"
"Nero, you lazy cat. Where have you been?"
A male black lion type beastman appeared before Kuro, yawning as if he had just woken up. Seeing this, Kuro made an annoyed face.
"And here I though your tribe is the supposed to be the king of the beastmen"
"Hey–hey, don't lump me in with one of those wannabe kings. I prefer on the lazy side of the cat's heritage"
"Kh.... and your sister Niya is a far more capable helper than you"
"Half-sister, Kuro. She's from a different mother"
Nero had this laid back sort of air. Although he has this proud bloodline of kings in his blood, he was a lazy cat who prefers using his human form rather than his beastform.
Kuro and Nero are brother in arms. Even way back before Kyoushiro appeared. Just that, Nero didn't helped Kuro when he was getting beaten up by Kyoushiro. He was laughing on the side back then.
Though, Kuro doesn't really care about that.
"You're supposed to help me train these guys"
"Aren't you more suited to do that than me?"
"You're 'helping' me, you damn feline. You're our army's best spearmen there is"
"Ehh.... but its too much work...."
"Stop grumbling!! It's your job so do it!!"
Kuro snaps at Nero, who showed a reluctant face. Even though she was a strong spearman, his lazy personality just keeps getting in the way of his strength. Even now when he was entering the training room, he took a normal spear from the spares next to the wall and begun twirling it in his hands.
Nero then launched several quick stabs and turns to sweep before he jumps and swings his spear to he floor.
*Doooo—* The ship shakes from that powerful impact.
"Tsk, showoff"
Nero grins at Kuro, who was watching on the control room. Seeing that smug on his face, Kuro involuntarily clicked his teeth and turns away.
The annoying cat was as annoying as ever.
—
Leaving the training room after a few more hours, Kuro went to the command center. The seats operating the ship was few but the person steering the ship itself was there. Since the controls were being powered by golems interconnected through various strings and tubes, there was no need to put many people inside.
A table which was showing a 3D hologram of where Mordred was flying over. It seems that they were flying above some mountain range.
"Is this where his majesty encountered those migrating fire wyverns?"
Arianne mentioned back then how Kyoushiro defend the magic airship they were riding on from fire wyverns. At that time, the ship nearly fell due to the damage but thankfully, Kyoushiro repaired them and prevent the crash landing from happening.
Right now however, there were no such wyverns. There were some large birds but they weren't that much of a problem.
"Kuro-sama, it won't be long till we reach Travestin. Should we prepare the car for her Highness's descent when we arrive?"
"Yes. Tell the men to prepare the ones the soldiers will be using as well as the Magic Iron Knights. We'll show off our kingdom's very own Black Army"
"I see.... striking fear into their hearts is it?"
"Yeah. It's best that we make them see that we are no pushovers even in their country"
In this world Demon Spawns are creatures that bears the color black, the very color of the Demon God Avfritzed. Because of this, many people died from numerous persecutions and inquisitions done by the holy empire as well as the deeds of many oppressive nobles and other commoners and races.
However this time, Kuro was representing a nation of those Demon Spawns under the reign of Queen Arianne and the Black King, Kyoushiro Kagami.
If they were treated like some backwater chaps, with nothing but a large number, they would stain the flag that was on top of Mordred.
Moreover, they'd be stepping on the name of the person that gave them power to move forward. That in itself, was a shame they can't bear.
"Sir. Its coming into view"
"Hmm.... so that's the kingdom her Highness Lucinda-sama came from"
Although it was still far, Kuro can see the impressive walls and towering castle of the main capital city. It was slightly bigger than the current Ambrosia but it didn't bare the amazing sight of hundreds of cultivation farms around the whole city as well as its large barrier monoliths.
The towns and villages came into view but for whatever reason, there wasn't a hint of anything that resembles wheat or even rice plantations. There weren't even large vegetable harms here and there. There were some barran patches of land and smoke rising up front them.
I wonder what those smokes are....?— Kuro wondered worriedly as the ship gets closer and to the capital city.
With this, they have arrived within the birthplace of Lucinda. Travestin Kingdom.
PART #3
"We're making quite a grand entrance"
"It's normal, so make sure not to show that lazy face of yours"
"Roger that, commander"
Dressed in formal military uniforms, Kuro and Nero road the same car that Lucinda was riding. It was a long slick black limousine that had no wheels and hovers a few inch on the ground. Behind them were four hovering humvee, a long line of Magic Iron Knights and Eight black hover trucks behind with all the construction golems behind it.
Mordred was flying right behind the whole line. It was keeping an eye on the knights on the wall that were clearly warry of the unknown group approaching the gates.
"Umm.... is this not a bit too much?"
Lucinda worriedly asked, Rea and Lea sleeping on both of her side.
"This much is necessary your Highness. We must prove that we at least have the capabilities to safe guard an heir to throne like yourself back to her nation"
"But aren't we clearly getting disproved of entrance?"
"Haaaaah... these guys are just"
Kuro was nearing his patience. Even though he had voice their intentions to the people on the other side of the wall, they were denied of entrance. Mordred was using it's speakers to relay the message but it seems that to the knights of Travestin, it was just a monster speaking.
Having no choice, Kuro contact the command center through the new and improved Communication device, dressed like an earpiece attached on his right ear.
"Captain, patch me through the speakers. I'll speak with them personally"
[Understood]
As the speaker connects through Kuro's own comms. device, with a deep breathe and a loud voice, Kuro says....
"We are the Kingdom of Ambrosia's envoys. This High Commander Kuro we are requesting permission to enter your city"
Kuro waited for a minute but nothing has changed.
"Should we send someone?"
"No, that'll be dangerous. It's best we stay here. If they still don't want to open the gates, we'll destroy it"
"Uwaaa.... you're acting like his majesty there Kuro"
"Hmph, that much is expected. I am his right hand"
Kuro took what Nero said as a compliment. Although Nero was hinting that Kuro was showing the bad side of his king, he was still wearing that proud smile on his face like he had done something great. Lucinda got worried that Kuro might start some conflict with his plan but he was probably joking about that. Probably.
—
King Verdik was within a meeting with all the nobles in the country. They were debating whether to ask for help from other countries or abandon the hero taiga for his large expenditure.
In the days that passed since Kyoushiro left, changes have begun appearing within the country. There were hit by a long drought which caused many cultivation villages and towns to dry up. Water supply was slowly declining with wells drying up due to the extreme heat.
On top of that, the hero Taiga had been requesting large amounts of money monthly to fund his whole army that was attacking the land of the 1st Demon Lord.
As of now, the number of gold that had left the Kingdom's treasury was higher than the numbers amounted for the deaths of the soldiers working under Travestin. Added by the excessive taxes the nobles was making the starving people pay, as well as the rise of monsters laying waste in many villages and towns, the kingdom was at it's knees.
"We can't continue like this!! Other countries would take advantage of this weakness and will try and take over our lands!!"
"How do you suppose we do that? There's barely enough food in our storage, and the water crisis is causing more and more people to get sick! The number of death due to the extreme heat is already twice now!! Twice!!"
"Then why not just call back the heroes? I'm sure that they'll help"
"We already did that! Can't you see why are we discussing this? It's because those heroes doesn't want to come back!!"
A rave of back and forth arguments filled the throne room. Because of the many problems happening all throughout the nation, many were at their wits end. Their own family were slowly getting sick and with the amount of food in their own storages declining at a faster rate, they could barely keep their own stomach filled.
"We can sort the food problem by making the people eat meat from the monsters slain by adventurers. As for the water, we'll just get it at the nearest river"
"Have you gone senile because of the heat?! There's barely enough animals or even monsters to hunt in the mountains or in the plains! The nearest river? There's not even a stream left around the whole country!!"
"Stop yelling you bald headed nitwit!! Why don't we just buy what we need and be done with this problem!!"
"Have you gone dead you old crone?! The taxes we collect are what's killing the nation!! Its because of that blasted hero asking for money when they can't even produce sufficient result!!"
It was about half a year now since the heroes were summoned yet there's only one Demon Lord that was slain. Furthermore, the hero that slayed that Demon Lord was the very person they threw out of their country. With the help of the other heroes; Koizumi, Katsuto, Minami and Mikoto, Kyoushiro killed the 9th Demon Lord and saved Ambrosia.
What's more, its even a hot topic that Ambrosia had become a paradise because of that Demon Spawn's help.
"Damn it!! This wouldn't have happened if we didn't drived that hero away!!"
Someone yelled so, causing all eyes to be drawn towards him. It was a noble who had once caught a glimpse of Kyoushiro's magic artifacts and even got hold of one of his potions by buying it from the other heroes.
King Verdik sent his gaze to the young noble.
"What do you mean by that, Lord Walter?"
"I meant no disrespect your majesty but it would have been the best choice if we took the hero Kyoushiro Kagami instead of that hero Taiga"
"And? What's your point? That boy was another Demon Spawn that got in the castle. He is a criminal that dared to planned to have the heroes killed by trapping them inside a Monster house"
Voices of contempt and rage rained on the young noble. The old and experienced nobles calling him "Incompetent", "Greenhorn", "Worthless" and even "Traitor". Lord Walter Cloverfield, a newly instated lord from a backwater town. Because his land was expanding through the years and many people had been living in his domain, the court recognized him as a Baron.
However, with what's happening right now, such title might even be taken back.
King Verdik sighs with his ears ringing from all this arguments. Although every noble in the country was present, the all too important Royal Adviser was nowhere to be seen.
We are crossing swords here and that blasted old snake is no even here! He's supposed to be the Queen's adviser, yet he couldn't even help with this current predicament!!— Verdik held his aching head and caressed his tired eyes.
The one person who holds all the accounts of the nation as well as the largest part of the country, was not even present in this room. Even though he was a distant relative of the Queen, he doesn't participate in this heated discussion.
At this point, nothing would changed even if the debate came to a conclusion.
With my wife current in sickbed. There's nothing much I can do. Furthermore, her condition is worsening. I don't kno what kind of sickness she had contracted but hasn't it been long enough since she had fainted?— King Verdik closes his eyes in worry about the condition of his wife.
Furthermore, there was the request of having Aria take the throne instead. If this keeps going, Lucinda's right to the throne might be take away from her.
There were many problems coming up as the kingdom faced so many calamities. Without the help of other countries, Travestin will fall immediately due to famine and death. The populace are already getting antsy with the heir to the throne unable to fulfill her duties and requested that a different princess take the throne.
But even with that, King Verdik knows that even with that change of head, unless the root of the problem is removed, there won't be much change.
"Haaaaah.... we'll have this discussion once more after everyone has calmed down. There's no point in discussing things if our heads are filled with nothing but hot air"
"Dismissed" King Verdik said in a loud voice. Everyone turn their heads away as they couldn't bare to see the faces of the guys that were just insulting them. Because of the heated discussion there was now a rift within the nobles.
Just then, the door of the throne room was knocked and a knight breathing roughly as he ran towards the king, announced.....
"T-The.... The royal Highness, Princess Lucinda has returned!!"
This news caught everyone off guard. Including King Verdik himself.
—
The gate finally opens after an hour of waiting. Kuro was growing impatience while Rea and Lea were happily playing with Lucinda. Nero was sleeping while the others behind have grown restless. However, after waiting an hour, they have been granted access.
"Finally....."
"It would have been faster if I just got out, Kuro-sama"
Lucinda asked Kuro to let her out earlier. However Kuro didn't allowed her because it was too hot outside. It was thanks to the air conditioning of the car that they were spared from being fried by the hot temperature outside the car.
With the gates opened, Kuro drove the car towards the nearest car. Seeing a weird vehicle for the first in their lives, the knights as well as the common people were forming a crowd at the entrance. Kuro got out of the car and presented a letter to highest rank looking guard.
"The princess is inside. You have made her wait under this blasted heat. Will you take responsibility if her health declines?"
"Tsk, stop acting like a high official you mangy mu—"
Kuro suddenly grabbed the man's neck and raised him up with one hand.
"GH....aaack!?"
"Do try continuing what you were about to say welp. Or do you wish to see what your insides look like under the sun?"
"!?"
Kuro was angry. This has been the longest time he was made to wait. Moreover, although he was formally showing respect to the other side even with how rough his words are, he was still looked down upon just because of his race and color.
But then, everyone had suddenly went silent when a certain someone stepped out of the car.
"That is enough. Kuro-sama, please let him down"
"Tsk. As you wish, your Highness"
*Thud!* Kuro drops the man and walks toward Princess Lucinda. The guardsman coughs hard as his neck nearly got crushed from that tight grip. Thankfully, Kuro wasn't going all out. If not, the guardsman's head would have popped right out of his neck.
"I do not know the current state of the kingdom yet. However, we are in a hurry. Please let us pass"
"B-But.... your Highness"
"This is an order. Please, I am in a hurry"
This time, Princess Lucinda's words became cold. Because her mother's life is on the line here, she couldn't afford go wait. As such, she entered back in the car with Nero's help.
"Commander, ignore them. We're in a hurry right now. Her Highness is getting impatient"
"Alright. We'll proceed to the main road then"
Kuro nodded at Nero, before contacting Mordred. Nero enters the car, while whispering "Aaah.... that was great acting princess~" and with Princess Lucinda's reply "W-Was it good? Did I sound like Kyoushiro-sama just now?" with her hands on her cheeks.
Apparently, Nero suggested Lucinda to step outside and show her face. After that, had her order the Knights to stop bothering them so that they can continue.
It did work but, Kuro was making an exasperated face as he enters the car.
"Captain, relay the directions. Direct the cars to the main road"
The captain in Mordred then replies "[Understood, relaying route coordinates]" before linking the 3D hologram table's function to the golems inside the cars.
Once Kuro had entered the Limousine, the crowded road parted and vehicles only available to Ambrosia filled the streets of Travestin along with the golems following behind.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "92754",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 CH. 1 — The Kingdom of Travestin",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 3 CH. 9 - A reunion of Master and Student.....
PART #1
Mordred landed just outside the forest. The large vessel looked overwhelming under the light of the moon as it cause a huge shadow to overcast just around the entrance of the forest.
Kuro and few black bearded dwarves exits the ship and took out 25 cm long and 12 cm wide iron plates. At the center of it was a large screen display that shows off signs where natural minerals forms and kept.
"Is this place good Karus?"
"Aye, it's a good place with untap resources. We'll get what we need from here"
Kuro nodded at the Dwarf's reply.
Kyoushiro had taught a handful of dwarves, elves, human and demi-humans about his creations. The research and development of various technologies found in Ambrosia were thanks those people's curiosity and ended up making tools of highest grade by themselves.
The slate of iron Karus holds was one of the manyproducts developed by the dwarves and elves together. Being under the same prejudice as Demon Spawns caused the two long archenemies to team up and produce a remarkable creation.
"Kuro-dono"
Gaius appears from the shadows of the forest along with some people following behind with torches.
"Gaius-dono, I apologise for the sudden visit"
"It's nothing. But did you really come to gather some raw materials in this mountain?"
"Yes, the land I asked the Queen for doesn't have much. We still need some other raw minerals and other materials to create the more important parts"
"Ooh? I don't know who you are but you can't just come to my nest and dig around the place"
From the thicket of the trees, Ashna appeared. Her beauty shined under the moonlight, some of Kuro's subordinates were awed by Ashna's pure beauty.
This person is not normal.....— Kuro narrowed his gaze as he sensed a depth of power hidden inside Ashna's tight body.
"It seems that I am in the presence of a great vestige. By your words, are you the owner of this land?"
"Hmph, I see that you are no incompetent to see through this disguise"
Ashna snorts proudly. Kuro may not have any appraisal skills but his instincts were just as sharp. What's more, he caught sight of the scales around Ashna's neck and her arms.
"Let me introduced you Kuro-dono, this is the Ancient Elder Dragon Ashnuval Deraga. She is an Earth Elder Dragon and she owns this mountain as her nest"
Kuro's brow twitched for a bit. He didn't expected to meet an Ancient Elder Dragon at this kind of place. They are rare and is said to be hiding from all the races including the Demon Lords.
Kuro walked up to Ashna and offer a handshake.
"I am the High Commander of Ambrosia's Black Army, Lyon Saber. But please call me Kuro as it is a name I received from my King"
The Black Wrath, Lyon Saber from back then was nothing more but a bad memory for Kuro. For him, the name Kuro held more importance than what he called himself back then.
"Ashna smiles in satisfaction as the person before her wasn't so boorish enough to hold back being polite. Well, the last person who was rude to her was a crazy perverted old man but the disciple was good enough not to inherit his Mentor's personality.
"Likewise Kuro. I see that you brought quite a large ride there? I did hear you saying about gathering minerals"
"Yes, well, if you permit us, we shall begin the extraction immediately. But if it's impossible, we will search for another place"
It was no good to step on the tail of a dragon. Kuro knows it by experience after all. Though he didn't regret his actions back then.
"It's no problem with me then. I'll point you to a place where I don't care even if you went wild. But don't step in other places okay?"
"Yes, understood. I will keep that in mind"
Ashna was smiling when she said that but it was obvious that she wasn't joking when she gave the warning. Kuro made a conflicted smile as he let go of Ashna's hand.
"You got friendly very easily"
"I learned from experience to make sure not to underestimate anyone I meet. That person is not something even I can face"
Kuro and Gaius spoke to each other while walking. The people with Gaius were looking a bit scared as they watch Kuro in front of them. A large Lion type beastman wearing a black military uniform wasn't something you see everyday.
Furthermore. Kuro was taller and more muscular than Gaius.
"How many people are staying here?"
"A little over a thousand. It's a combination of refugees from destroyed towns and villages as well as the ones that received injuries when they interact with the hero Taiga"
As Gaius told the situation of the settlement to Kuro frowned a bit. He did here about the result of Taiga's deeds but he didn't think it was this bad.
The more Kuro hears, the more his face looked bad. For someone who experienced many discrimination from other people, Kuro understood how to live in this kind of world. However, he never had heard such atrocities because the perpetrator was a hero.
Kuro and his men passed through a number of houses. From there. people standing outside were looking at Kuro and his men with tired faces.
Were their tired of hating those Demon Spawn or were they simply not that interested in condemning them anymore after being treated so harshly by the hero they believed in?
In any case, Kuro wasn't so cold hearted to leave alone people in need before his eyes. He might have done it in the past but, if it's him now, he would lend a hand regardless of who they are.
Kuro suddenly stopped walking.
"Kuro-dono?"
"Gaius-dono, tell everyone to vacate the premises and board the ship. There is a medical ward inside that has enough High grade potions for everyone"
"Eh?"
Kuro ignores Gaius's bewilderment and continued to walk. He then took out his [Comms Link] and told the captain about his order.
However.....
[There are people trying to get on Mordred sir!]
It seems another unexpected event has come to hinder his plans.....
———
"Oi Taiga! Just where are we—"
"There!!"
With an energetic gesture, Taiga pushed his horsed towards the direction. Over yonder was a menacing black ship. Its metal hull was overwhelming. The large cannons and turrets were truly a magnificent sight to see.
However, Taiga saw it differently. For him, it was like throne waiting form to sit on.
"Oi.... what the hell is that thing?"
"Tsk, dragging us just to see this crap? What's going on your mind Taiga?"
"Whew~ that some magic airship I'll say"
Everyone of Taiga's party had different reactions when they saw Mordred.
Riccardo, Clint and Leo finally reached Taiga. Farris was on his way with Corrina, Leticia, Princess Aria, Fahnia and Deborah. As soon as the whole group regrouped, they walked towards Mordred.
"This here is a battleship"
"Battleship? That's no possible, there's no such magic airship in this world"
Clint disapproved of Taiga's words. Truthfully enough, what Clint says was true. In any other country, most of the current existing magic airship was only for personal use of royalties.
Magic airships for combat doesn't exists as weapons built inside the ship would just increase the weight and would slow down the ship.
However, Taiga shook his head. He knows that his own words were true.
"No, this thing is a battleship. My father showed me a real one back in my world before"
Taiga had seen one before and definitely, the one before him was real. There were various differences compared to the original but it was a real battleship.
Leo, who saw the thing himself, snickered as he had the same line of thought as Taiga.
"So we're going to steal this thing?"
"Of course not" Taiga muttered, denying that he would do such criminal act. "It's the hero's privilege to receive such thing right? So we're not stealing it. They're going to hand it over to us"
Taiga's smile was beaming ear to ear. Like a boy seeing his first Christmas present. However, the intentions hidden behind such smile was clear and he wasn't even going to negotiate about it.
Wait! How can you say that?!"
Leticia came down from her horse, barely dressed due to being hurried to chase after, only her sword hang down on her waist. Her loosened hair swayed as she moved and the shirt she was using couldn't stop her breast from bobbing left to right. Long white legs wearing only a pair of steel boots weren't least covered by anything.
"That's clearly from a different country! I don't recognize that flower crest anywhere!"
"You're wrong Leticia. Even from a different country, they know that I need a magi. airship to move around"
"How can you be so sure about that?! There's no way—"
"Because I'm the hero"
Leticia was cut off like that. Taiga's words sounded true and even if it wasn't, his expression was saying he won't take no for an answer.
Because he was the hero.
That was enough reason.
"Wha..... Just how can you act like that?! One wrong move and it's war between nations!!"
"Nations can go to war themselves. In any case, this ship is officially mine now"
"Taiga taps the hull of the ship with his hand. The metallic dull sound rang inaudibly. However such action only caused Leticia to act more aggressively.
"Why don't you just—"
"Leticia"
Princess Aria stood in front of Leticia, blocking her from ever charging at Taiga.
"Princess..!? Please! You must understand that in no circums—"
"That ship now belongs to Taiga-sama"
"......."
"That, I shall decree as the Princess of Travestin"
It was an amazing feat. Such a small girl was capable of exuding such magnanimous gaze despite wearing only her pajamas. Princess Aria, who always frolicks and plays around, stood steadfast before Leticia.
"Princes...."
Leticia groaned as she couldn't deny the princess's orders.
"Thank you Princess Aria, for taking my side"
Taiga smirks from behind the princess, making Leticia glare at him with murderous intent.
"It is of no importance Taiga-sama! Please go ahead and claim your ship!"
Princess turns with a twirl, making a smile of a hopeless Princess madly in love with her prince.
"Thank you"
Taiga gave his gratitude once more before slowly turning towards Mordred.He gaze at the overwhelmingly large black ship before him, his eyes gleamed with stars and the dream of ruling this world was slowly coming true.
"Who goes there!?"
A guard suddenly peered over from the railings of the ship. Then a light came down and shone over Taiga and his group.
Is that.... a flashlight?!— Taiga was even more surprise when he caught sight of such earth like tool.
"Riccardo"
"Alright!!"
Riccardo quickly responded to Taiga's call. The large bald man stretched his legs up before taking position and.....
"Oooryaa!!!"
Leaping onto the ship.
*Zuu—PAAAAHH!!!* However, one magical cannon shot a beam of pure heated light.
"GUAAAAAAAH!!!!"
Instantly burning Riccardo to ashes and crumbling in the air.
"Eh?"
Leo's expression froze as he watched such scene.
"There they are!!"
"Get them!!"
Tens of black haired humans wearing overalls came running at Taiga and his party. In their hands were torches and swords.
"Oi! This wasn't part of the plan right?!"
"Shut up! Just take care of them while me and the Princess get on the ship!"
"Shit!!"
Daris clicked his tongue as he drew his two short swords. Leo pulled out his two daggers in disdain while Clint drew his bow back with an arrow in his hand.
Taiga swooped Princess Aria from her feet and carried her over his shoulders. Leticia tried to stop them but Taiga already pulled out the Angelic sword Dusk, and jumped over the heads of the incoming attackers.
"Hero Taiga!!"
"Take care of them Leticia!"
Like that, the Princess and the hero ran away.
"Get that guy!"
"Oh no you don't!!"
With fast legs, Daris immediately appeared before one of the guards of the ship. Quickly swinging his sword, the poor man was cleaved in two.
"Neil!!!"
"You bastard!!"
"You'll pay for that!"
"Hah! Try then!!"
Daris grinned. The three men that separated from the group faced Daris but three arrows flew and pierced their heads.
Daris looked to the side and saw Clint aiming his bow.
"As sharp as ever"
"Just shut up and work. I haven't felt satisfied with Leticia-chan yet"
"Haha, will do"
Saris then turns around and returns his attention to the battlefield. However, as he did so, one crewmen from Mordred that he had just slain stood up and stabbed Daris right through his solar plexus.
"Wh....at......?"
Feeling something hot flowing out from his center, Daris went limp and fell down on the ground.
"Daris!!!"
Corrina, Daria's older sister, a cleric, ran towards him. A girl with fluffy brown hair and emerald eyes, wearing a sexy high slit cut habit, it wasn't something you'd see in a battlefield.
"Die!!"
Leo's yell rang out, around him were the crewmen of Mordred. Even the ones that was shot by Clint at their heads were standing up one by one like the undead.
"What's up with these guys!!?"
Clint kept firing off arrows. However, the fallen men kept standing up like they were just plain undead.
However, there was a difference from the rotten undead and the ones Clint and the others were fighting.
"Keep pressuring them!!"
"Don't let them board the ship!!"
All of them were still alive. The arrows that struck through their foreheads were just sticking out of the skin of their heads. No blood gushed out.
Even the ones who were cut down. The wounds they were receiving were slowly closing up. Barely hanging to their consciousness, they were swinging their weapons wildly like a berserker.
"Shit!!"
Clint screamed. As he tried to get one more arrow, his hand touched nothing.
"Fahnia!! Shoot me a spell here!!"
"On it!!"
Fanhia immediately responded to Clint's calls. She quietly chanted a lengthy spell. Blue light mixed with purple gathered at her hand. Then as her spell was finished, she then fired it towards Clint.
"[Magic Armament skill — «Magic Bow»]!!"
A translucent long bow appeared at Clint's hands.
"Thanks!"
Clint returned to his shooting.
"Kh!!? A this guys.... their tenacious!"
Darris groaned as his shield received a blow. Corrina was supporting her from the back with her support spells while Deborah was keeping up with Leticia.
"Damn it!"
Leticia cursed at the place where Taiga had just left. There were no more guards leaving the ship to intercept everyone.
Under the moonlight shining past the thick clouds, an endless fighting was wagering just underneath Mordred's hull.
PART #2
"Hoho.... this place looks nice"
Taiga landed at the deck. There was a large cannon sitting at the front of the ship. There were turrets stuck to the body of the ship and towering control rooms and hangars were built at the surface of the ship.
*Zuuuu—paaah!!!*
A turret fired a thick beam of condensed magical energy towards Taiga.
"Kyaaaa!!"
"Don't worry princess" Taiga put down the little girl who got frightened by the incoming beam of light.
Then Taiga held up his right hand and casted his skill.
"[Fortress of Knight — «Paladin Shield»]"
A shield of light appeared. It grew about 4 meters in size and blocked the beam heading towards Taiga and Princess Aria.
"This'll be easy~♪"
It was like strolling at the park. Taiga grined joyously at the amazing weaponry of the ship.
*[Intruder found]*
A voice that sounded mechanically overheard from the shadows of the ship.
What's that.....?— Taiga narrowed his gaze as to peer intoghe darkness and make out the figure of the person hiding in the dark.
However, that was no person.
"Oi.... what the hell is that thing?"
A bulk size golem with no legs. It's face was round and clean, it clearly had no facial features at all. However, the thick arms and barrel like fingers spoke the rest.
It wasn't no ordinary golem. In front of Taiga was one of the Magic Iron Knights Golem. Created to combat any sort of enemy wherever and whenever.
[Orders confirmed. Annihilate the Intruder]*
It was already obvious who that intruder was.
"So this ship even has it's own golem. One that doesn't even seem to be known in this world"
Pulling out the two swords on his waist, Taiga daringly taunted the golem. The magic iron Knight golem directed the ends of its fingers towards Taiga and fired.
*Zouu!!!!*
"!?"
Red beams of light were shot. Taiga swung his sword, planning to cut apart the laser beam that was fired.
"Taiga-sama!!"
"Tsk!!"
But then, Taiga changed his stance and put the two swords in front, trying to block off the laser.
*Kiiiiiinn—!!* A sharp noise rang out. The two swords, Dusk and Dawn were glowing red hot from the intense burst of heat from the laser beam.
Taiga then wrapped magic power around the two swords and protected it from melting.
Its done!—Taiga celebrated. As soon as the laser beam was gone, Taiga removed his swords in front of him and charged ahead.
However, the Magic Iron Knight suddenly appeared behind his back.
"!!?"
A large clump of metal fist was hurling at his face. Taiga immediately defended with the sword Dawn and blocked the punch. Then using Dusk, Taiga swung it down on the Magic Iron Knight's arm to cut it down.
But....
*Kii—Tang!!* The sword bounced off.
"Just ho—"
*Bam!!* A fist pummeled at Taiga's face, sending him flying at the base of the cannon.
"Taiga-sama!!!"
Princess Aria cried out. She put out both hands to cast a spell and help Taiga out. But her magic failed from even activating. Let alone the spell showing it's effects, not even magic power was flowing to power the spell.
"What is...!?"
"Unfortunately, this ship was built by none other than the Black King"
A man walked down the deck with white admiral clothing. Black hair and eyes like any other Demon Spawn, furthermore, he had a chiselled face that of a grown man.
Disregarding the two small horns protruding at the top of his head, he looks relatively human.
Behind him was a number of ship crew that was working inside Mordred.
"I don't know who you fools are but suddenly appearing at this ship was a grave mistake. I hope you all would step out as soon as possible"
Captain Grimwald Marc. Appointed as the Captain of Mordred for his experience as a Fisherman back in the past.
"A-A Demon!!?"
'I prefer the term Demi-human. I am a bull type demi-human after all"
Captain Grimwald sighed as he replied at Princess Aria's rude remark. His eyes glanced to the side and watched as Taiga slowly stand up.
"Hah, you're still a Demon Spawn you freak"
"Unfortunately, back in Ambrosia, such term doesn't exist"
Captain Grimwald raised his right and instructed to seize the Intruder. A youth with red hair and eyes as well as a child princess with pink hair.
Captain Grimwald felt something he had forgotten. Especially while looking at the red headed youth.
"As much as possible, I would like to avoid bloodshed. Please leave the premises of the ship immediately"
"Heh.... you speak like you're some bigshot but I bet you're just another weakling!!"
Taiga suddenly sprung up. He leaped above the incoming ship crew that was about to arrest him swung Dusk and Dawn down at Captain Grimwald.
"Hmph, amateur"
Captain Grimwald muttered as he pulled out his own sword out of nowhere. It was a slim sword and looked like pretty much ordinary. It hand knuckle guard and the bottom of the sword connected.
Such sword easy resists the two Swords Dusk and Dawn.
"What?!"
"A kid just swinging swords around. His Majesty would be very disappointment if he were to meet you"
"Captain Grimwald pushed back Taiga with ease. The suddenness of gravity pulling away caused Taiga to lose balance as he landed on the floor.
Taiga took stance and glared at Captain Grimwald.
"Just who are you?!"
"I should be asking you that"
Captain Grimwald ignored Taiga's question and charged at him. He thrust his sword at Taiga. Shoulder, arms, legs and thighs. Streak of multiple flashes showered down at Taiga without him being able to react quickly.
"Guagh!?"
Blood dripped down from the cuts he received from Captain Grimwald's sword.
Taiga jumps away and gained distance.
"Taiga-sama!"
Princess Aria calls out. The ship crew surrounding her.
"Just be quiet!"
Taiga irritatedly replied.
Just who is this guy?!— Taiga couldn't believed what he was seeing. In front of him was a guy that wasn't even wearing a shred of armor. That only thing he has was that flimsy sword in his hand.
Moreover, Taiga was high level himself. It should be him winning rather than the other way around.
"Then how about—!?"
Taiga attempted to use a magic spell. However, just like what happened to Princess Aria, his spell wouldn't activate.
Captain Grimwald noticed Taiga's expression and couldn't help but snicker.
"What's..... what is this?!"
"The magic furnace powering the ship sucks out the magic power of any individual around. It is a failed feature of the ship that has yet to be to fixed. Well, it was left out because it didn't pose any problem at all"
Captain Grimwald had already known every part of Mordred since he was given a manual about it. Though the detailed parts were left to engineers, he still had some bits of knowledge of every strength and weakness that Mordred has.
After being chased out from the home he and his family had near the sea at the south part of Travestin, Captain Grimwald was thankful that he was given the opportunity to ride a ship again.
Not as a fisherman however, but as a Captain of a battleship.
"So? Will you give up now? I'm afraid that you don't stand a chance against me or anyone on this ship"
"Shut up! Don't look down on me!!"
Unable to endure being looked down upon and treated as a weakling, Taiga tightened his grip on both swords and dashed towards Captain Grimwald.
"How foolish....."
Captain Grimwald muttered. Then as though his words was a signal, a Magic Iron Knight appeared in front of him.
*Giii—kan!!* A loud metallic clash echoed. Sparks flew as Taiga mercilessly swung his swords repeatedly. Pitifully, he looked like a wild animal.
Captain Grimwald took out his [Comms link] and contacted the people at the bridge.
"Have you contacted the commander yet?"
"[Yes sir! He is one his way as we speak!]"
It seems that his men acted more faster than he anticipated. Well, they were trained strictly after all. Even though the training itself wasn't really that professional.
"Good, then I'll finish up here then"
"[Understood sir. We'll inform the commander of the current situation]"
Captain Grimwald cut off the connection and stored back the [Comms Link] inside his pocket. Afterwards, he turned towards the battle ongoing while he was using [Comms Link].
Taiga was battling the Magic Iron Knight. Every time Taiga swings his sword, the Magic iron knight deflects it with its thick, hard arms. Then it would attack with lasers from it's fingers or just plainly swing it's thick arm.
The deck was covered with sooth marks and cuts. It would be hard to fix that later.
"Get out of my way!!"
*Twang!!* Taiga's attack was repelled once more by the Magic Iron Knight.
"That's enough playing around. Take him down and restrain him. The commander will be coming"
Captain Grimwald ordered the Magic Iron Knight. It then responded with circuit lines glowing over its head.
"You coward! Come at me yourself not your doll!!"
"Forgive me but, it doesn't need to be me to put you down"
The Magic Iron Knight points its fingers at Taiga, ignoring his taunting. It then shot metal nets and covered Taiga.
"Don't underestimate me! Something like this is—"
A blast of high volt of electricity suddenly burst and electrocuted Taiga from the inside of the net.
"AAABABABABABABABA!!!!!"
Apparently, Taiga wasn't resistant to pure electrifying electricity. A unmanly scream came out from Taiga's mouth. It didn't took a minute until he fell down on the deck, unconscious.
"Nooo!!! Taiga-sama!!"
"H-Hey! Don't kick around kid!! It's dangerous!!"
Inside the hold of one of the crewmen, Princess Aria calla out to Taiga with tears flowing from her eyes.
Captain Grimwald watched as his crew dragged Taiga inside the ship after restraining him with special chains.
"I guess the ones outside are about to finish"
In the dead of the night, Captain Grimwald looked over the foliage of trees with bright dots of light coming towards the ship. As he look down, the sound of sword clashes was already dying down.
———
There was one time when Taiga met a certain someone. It was around in middle school that he first met him.
"Try and jump on me again, I'll make sure you're dead next time"
His words were harsh and cruel. Even the fist bloody from punching the faces of Taiga's underlings, he was the very picture of violence.
His dark gleaming eyes were sharp and deadly, though he didn't looked menacing, there was that strange air around him that made Taiga feel scared for the first time.
"Oi rich kid. Stop waving your money around and come at me yourself next time. These thugs you hired are pretty much useless"
It was just any other common mugging by street thugs. The common occurrence where a guy accidentally messed with a big group thugs in the city.
It was supposed to be that kid that was beaten down to a pulp. However, the truth was far from reality.
It was Taiga who was laid down on the ground with a bloody nose.
Kyoushiro was looking down on him like he was like any other thug around the city.
"M-My father will get you for this!!"
"Then tell him to get in line then. I have other business to attend to"
Like a bigshot of the city, Kyoushiro didn't even cower down when Taiga told him about his father.
"My father's the mayor of this city! I'll make sure to—"
"I don't give a damn if he's the mayor or the prime minister himself. Next time you mess with my job again, beating you up would be the less of your worries"
Kyoushiro spat blood on the ground and picked up the fallen briefcase on the ground.
"Fucking thugs. My life isn't worth enough to sum everyone of you if I lost this thing"
Kyoushiro left Taiga and his thugs that day with broken bones and broken noses.
———
"It looks like you're awake, Taiga"
"Ugh......"
Inside a prison cell inside Mordred, Taiga slowly opened his eyes.
"Where....."
"You're inside a cage brat"
"What......?"
Slowly, Taiga understood where he was. Inside a prison cell where he was bound by chains on his neck, arms, legs and even his body; he was tied down inside a cage inside a prison cell.
Next to his cell were Daris, Clint and Leo. Then on his left was Princess Aria, Leticia, Fahnia and Deborah. Aside from Taiga and the guys the girls were just tied down by a rope.
Gaius and Kuro was standing outside. Of course, everyone one of Taiga's party member were stripped off of their armors and weapons. Kuro was glaring at Taiga while Gaius was showing a contemptuous expression.
"You!!"
The chains rattled as Taiga tried to stand up.
"Taiga, calm down"
"Bastard! How dare you tie me down like this!! I'm the hero, don't you know that?!!"
"A guy proclaiming that he is a hero is nothing more but a clown trying to call himself a king. Remember this; there is only one hero and that is the Black Hero, Kyoushiro Kagami"
"What did you say?!!"
"Kuro-dono, that's enough. I'll handle this myself"
"Hmph"
Mordred have yet to voyage. Since the engineers were busy extracting the raw materials inside the mountain and the Medical bay were being used by the people of the settlement, it was still early to return.
Kuro scoffed as Gaius looked at him with serious eyes.
"Taiga"
"Get me out of here! The king will seriously punish you if you keep in this place!!"
Taiga thrashed around in his restraints. Sadly, those chains were made with a special material which was used as armors for the Magic Iron Knights. It wouldn't do Taiga any good even if he pull or tear it off of his body.
Gaius sighed then stood up and moved to the other cell. There, he looked at a former subordinate of his and the youngest Princess of Travestin. Next to the two were three girls. One was the mage Fahnia, the cleric Corrina and the slave Deborah.
Aside from the three wearing rags, Leticia and Princess Aria were wearing proper clothing.
"Princess Aria"
"......."
"It is unfortunate we met at this sort of circumstances. But I need you to cooperate with me"
With slow and patient tone, Gaius spoke to Princess Aria. Unlike the girls with her, Princess Aria was 13 after all. She was still young even if she has the same education as her sister. She still immature sides and constantly makes naïve decisions.
It was easy to say that she was spurred by the hero who only had childish thoughts.
Gaius couldn't get angry with the Princess.
"Princess, I am sure you are aware of what Taiga did, are you not?"
"........."
"Aria-sama......"
However Princess Aria remained silent. She didn't even tried to look at Gaius at all. She merely closed her eyes and held Leticia's arm like a frightened child.
"King Captain"
"Lieutenant Leticia. It has been a while hasn't it? You left my unit after being posy as Princess Aria's personal guard. correct?"
"Yes sir. That's right"
Once, Leticia had been under Gaius's unit. She was one of the best knights there was and even considered making her the vice captain. Unfortunately, she chose to serve under Princess Aria as her guard when the princess left the castle.
"This is very unfortunate"
"Yes..... indeed it is"
Having no choice but to accept the outcome, Leticia smiles bitterly. Even though she chosed to stay as the Princess's knight, she didn't do anything to stop Taiga and his party to abuse their power.
In the end, even her body was used countless times even she found it sickening herself.
The proud knight who was once Gaius's prided diciple, was currently caged inside Mordred for attempting to steal the ship.....
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "147747",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 CH. 9 – A reunion of Master and Student…..",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 3 CH. 18 — A Demon Lord's Intervention and the Chaos Princess
PART #1
"Hmmm..... It's been a while since I left my castle. The annoying rat finally but to think I'd see the cursed legion again after so many years"
Outside the city, way past the towns and villages that was left burned and barren by monsters, a man clad in classy 18th century noble clothes was floating crossed legged in the air. In his hand was a cup of tea and plates of pastries floating around with him.
His blonde hair was swept back, flowing softly with the wind above 1200 meters up in the air and his shining pair of red eyes gleamed before the setting sun.
But that was not he was staring at.
The inky black mud moving lively like slime was marching towards the direction of the Travestin Kingdom. Figures the formed and deformed groaned as they reached on forward as they moved.
1st Demon Lord of the Night, Vampire King Vlad.
The one who was known as the first ever Demon Lord to be born looked down with a mischievous smile on his face.
"That minx of woman, she told me to visit the wrong place. To think I'd be meeting with an old army that once crawled out from Shub–Niggurath's blood"
"My Lord, is there any reason why we came to this place?"
Another Vampire stood right behind Vlad as the Lord of the Night gazed down on the putrid slime enroaching the region. The trees slowly decayed and the grassed burned. The earth turned black as if a large shadow was being overcast.
The servant of King Vlad looked skeptical at the disgusting sludged moving forward slowly.
"I only came to check in a hero. I've heard he's quite the fighter"
Demon Lord Vlad took one sip of his tea and savored the light of the setting sun. Warmth slowly left his skin as the the orange sun sinking on the other side of the horizon.
"Is this about what Lady Snow mentioned? About the hero that defeated Demon Lord Kakal?"
"Yes. I was thinking of checking him out. See if he would be willing to join under my rule but that sly ice woman told me a different place"
The 3rd Demon Lord had told Demon Lord Vlad about Kyoushiro. That was because heroes that bested a Demon Lord are beings that cannot be ignored. It wasn't for a bad reason like the Demon Lord would be scared of them. Rather, it was the opposite.
Demon Lord's sees Heroes as worthy opponents to test their current strength. As the Heroes are people blessed by the gods in order to defeat the Demon Lords, Vlad and the rest of 13 Demon Lords are always expecting a good fight from them.
Kyoushiro, who defeated Demon Lord Kakal, which was the annoying one of the bunch, was someone that received the attention of other Demon Lords. The Soul Eater, Demon Lord Vraheim as one of them.
Although the strife between Demon Lords were just mere shows of battles that showcases their power to prove who was stronger, a fight between a Demon Lord and Hero was different.
For the 13 Demon Lords, it was their pride to face a Hero in battle.
"But I have heard that Lady Snow had already visited that Hero my Lord?"
"She did indeed. Annoying as that ice sprite may be, she moves far quickly than me. I'm sure she already made contact with him"
Just before Lady Snow left Vlad's caslte, she had mentioned visiting the hero once to see if he was worthy of battle. Just that, she didn't mentioned anything beyond that. Vlad had decided to visit the hero as well, thinking that the place he would be in was Travestin.
But he did not include the fact that Kyoushiro was pretty much a criminal in this Kingdom. Like that, instead of meeting the Hero, he was looking at an ancient legion that should have been lost in the closet of time.
Looking around this vast green land, the enroaching black mud was slithering underneath Vlad's feet. The sight of the cursed legion was enough to make the Demon Lord of the night to let out the milky way from his mouth.
The past memories of those creatures to him wasn't pleasant. As much as he wanted to, Vlad wished to see the murky sludge to disappear but right now.... it was impossible.
The thing leading those things couldn't be seen. I wonder which dullard chose to summon them to this world?–
Vlad showed a irritated scowl as he couldn't find the being leading the cursed legion. The most distinct part of the leader was that it was the only one having an eye on it's face. But he couldn't find it.
"Hmmmm....."
"What's wrong my Lord?"
"It is boring. I shall play around until the thing that leads this flood appears"
As soon as Vlad said that, he raised his right hand loftily. Then from his index finger, a pitch black sphere appeared. Surrounding it was a Corona of white flames and flickering in and out of existence inside were dark storming clouds.
Vlad the raised his arm to the sky and with a smile as though enjoying the view of looking down pitiful beings, he threw the sphere to the ground.
"My Lord.... that's a bit too much don't you think?"
The Vampire servant muttered as he watched the boulder size sphere of darkness slowly descends onto the middle of the cursed legion.
Then as the sphere touches the ground, the whole surrounding was swallowed in an explosion of light.
*Kiiiiiii–!!!*
The light ate everything greedily as it was alive. Seeing such thing, the 1st Demon Lord who have lived for longer than anyone else in this world grinned as the destruction of a piece of land made the sunset look it was nothing but decoration.....
–
"!?"
Vraheim, felt an immense power used somewhere within the country. The thounds of souls he gathered for the summoning were slowly being eradicated by the power he had sensed. Moreover, this power itself was familiar to him.
–Impossible!! What is that person doing here?!–
Vraheim was surprised beyond comprehension as he quickly realized the person who was destroying his immortal army.
The well known recluse Demon Lord came out of his domain. Vraheim, who distinguished himself as a Demon Lord, couldn't remember the last time the 1st Demon Lord came out from his castle. Because out of all the Demon Lord in existence right now, 1st Demon Lord, Lord of the Night, King Vlad, was more powerful than any of all the Demon Lords combine.
The mere thought of the 1st Demon Lord being so near to him made Vraheim tremble in fright. However, that wasn't his concern right now.
*Kreeeee–!!!* Black chains spew out from underneath Princess Lucinda, wrapping her in a cocoon of chains.
"Lucinda-sama!!"
Niya yelled out. She took out daggers from her magic storage ring held them between her ten fingers before throwing them to the chains.
*Pi-tang! Pi-tang!* The daggers fell uselessly on the floor after it hit the chains.
"Danger!"
This time, Rea reacted. From the insides of her skirt, Rea pulled out two short shorts with jagged edge. She nimbly jumped onto the chains and used them as footholds then launched herself at the 13th Demon Lord.
"Seiiyaaaa!!"
"!?"
Unconsciously, Vraheim turned his head towards the little fox girl. It would be useless for physical attacks to harm him, he was in a corporeal form after all. However the shock from sensing King Vlad's power made him losen his nerves.
"Impertinent....!!"
Vraheim raised his bony hands to attack Rea. However, Queen Isabelle and King Verdik acted immediately.
"–«Blessed Water Rain»!!"
Purifying water rained down on Vraheim.
"Kh!?"
Vraheim groaned the pain his body was receiving from the pure water cleansing his dark undead body. It only took everyone an instant, when they heard Vraheim groaned from the Queen's attack, they recovered their nerves.
Gaius, who was been keeping watch of the Demon Lord's movement, waiting for a chance to attack and Leticia, what was thrown back by the pressure from the Demon Lord, both jumped for the attack.
None of then knew why the Demon Lord was thrown out of his nerves but thanks to that chance, the capable fighters made their move.
"–«Tempest Blast»!!"
King Verdik finished his chant and supported Queen Isabelle's magic. Gaius used Holy Magic – «Light Sword» and slashed at Vraheim's defenseless back. Leticia freezes Vraheim's feet with her Ice magic.
"Gaaaah!!?"
Everyone's attacks were effective.
"Damn...you!!!"
Vraheim shouted, his eyes blazing with blue flame shooting out from his orifices. Rea stopped her attacked and dodges away from Vraheim's hand.
"Get everyone out right now!!"
Gaius shouted, slashing the dispersing body of Vraheim. The soldiers who heard Gaius's words quickly but clumsily ran over to the royal family and lead them out. Niya and Lea were being urged by the soldiers to leave as well but the chains have surrounding Lucinda has yet to disappear.
"Lucinda-sama....."
A regretfully frown appeared on Niya's face as she pulled Princess Aria out of the corner then out of the room. Lea and Rea looked at each other then stood shoulder to shoulder. In both of their hands were jagged short swords capable of shredding even the toughest of bones.
"Hey! You kids run–"
"I shall.... not let... you!!"
Vraheim swatted Gaius away like a fly. Gaius flew outside the room and fell on the stairs leading down. Hurting his back, Gaius couldn't move from where he landed.
"Damn it!!"
Gaius cursed as he tried to push his body to stand. But then, the tower rocked as if being shaken from below. Cracks was forming on the walls then crumbling from the earthquake shaking the tower. It was there that Gaius rolled down the stairs to reach safety. After that, the top of the tower came crumbling down below......
PART #2
"Ugh... where...."
Lucinda woke up. However, she doesn't recognize where she was right now. It seems to be a large room filled with seats lined up in a row on top of a slope. A large shining canvas was right before her eyes with large red curtains at the sides.
Where Lucinda woke up was a Cinema. She doesn't recognize the place however she was familiar with the person sitting next to her.
"You fell asleep?"
It was Kyoushiro. However different from his usual self, this one seemed to be happy. He didn't bare the bloodthirstiness Kyoushiro often would let out instead, a calm and loving smile was being directed at her.
"Kyoushiro.....sama?"
"What's up? I guess the movie was too boring for you hahaha...."
Kyoushiro smiled wryly.
It was a different feeling. Lucinda doesn't understand what was happening. She recalls being in the tower and facing the Demon Lord Vraheim along with the people that escaped from the sudden hoard of undead monsters but she woke up in a weird place where a different Kyoushiro was next to her.
Kyoushiro cleaned the popcorn on his lap and drank the remains of his juice before standing up.
"Let's go. We can still have dinner right after this right?"
"Dinner?"
"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost? What? Do you want to head home already? We can go if you want"
Kyoushiro held out his hand and waited for Lucinda to take it. Lucinda reluctantly placed her hand on his and stood up. She then realized that she wasn't wearing her dress but the same clothes Mikoto and Minami wore when they were first summoned.
Short black checkered skirt and a blazer over her white uniform. Kyoushiro lead Lucinda by the hand and got out of the cinema. What Lucinda saw after that was something she never expected in her life.
There were saw many people walking around. All of them wore different clothes with different styles and almost all of them had black hair and eyes. Moreover, the counter where snacks and drinks were being sold were filled with people. Vending machines where being littered with guys with their friends having a drink after a movie and some couples were holding each other while smiling as they talked about how the movie went.
Stepping out of the cinema was more amazing than she thought. Tall buildings towered over, crowds of people crossing the streets and hundreds of cars honked and passed by as the stoplights link from red to green.
Above the blue sky, a plane flew by. As the two walked on and passed by an Electronic store, the Flat screen TV on sale were showing different kinds of shows. From an action scene to a drama. Then the news and then a commercial.
There were some people playing music on the streets and some were listening. Children the same age as Kyoushiro were going to arcades and karaoke bars after school.
Lucinda just saw how different the world of the heroes' was compared to hers. Her eyes sparkled in curiosity, making her forget the world she was just in.
Kyoushiro then took Lucinda to a family restaurant where there was a family celebrating their child's birthday or some office worker had her head sunk in her laptop screen or some plain old couple eating after a date.
"Sorry Lucinda, I guess today's date wasn't that amusing huh?"
Kyoushiro apologize with a sorry filled face as soon as he sat.
"N-No... it's fine, Kyoushiro-sama"
"Haha, although I don't mind being called by that by you it's still been a while since you last call me that"
Kyoushiro smiled wryly as took the menu and pressed the order button on the table.
"Uhhmm...."
"Eh? You weren't hungry?"
"N-NO! It's fine! Let's eat!"
Lucinda panicked as she felt that Kyoushiro felt sorry again. Although she doesn't understand what was happening right now, for whatever reason, she knows how everything works here. She could even read the characters on the menu and even knew what to pick. It was as if she has been here her whole life.
After they ordered and the food was taken over, the two ate happily. While Kyoushiro was gleefully telling how great the movie was, Lucinda was just smiling as it goes. Because she doesn't remember what they were watching before this.
What Lucinda remembered was that she felt her belly ached and everything went dark. She still recalled the Demon Lord that appeared before them.
Lucinda was getting worried about what's happening on the other side.
As soon as they finished eating, Kyoushiro's phone rang.
"Ah, sorry looks like Mom is calling"
"No, please answer it"
"Sorry, I'll go out for bit then"
Kyoushiro apologize for leaving her alone then went out of the restaurant. Lucinda saw Kyoushiro just stood outside the restaurant while talking on his phone. When the two met each other's eyes, Kyoushiro waved with a smile. Lucinda waved back before turning her head back to the front.
–Just what is going on? How come I am here?–
Lucinda was starting to question why this was happening right now.
"I see that you are not very affected by this"
"Eh?"
A girl suddenly appeared in front of Lucinda. The girl, had long hair and was even covering her eyes. She wore a sundress and pink shoulder bag on her right arm.
"Uhmm...."
"It truly is amazing. The chains that connects both past and future that is"
Lucinda stared at the little girl suspiciously. She doesn't know who the little girl was and what she meant by what she said, however Lucinda knows that her current situation wasn't normal.
"Who are you?"
"My identity does not matter, what is important rather, it the thing inside you"
"Inside......?!"
Lucinda petted her belly but there was no lump growingly from there. The child she was bearing for half a year now, it wasn't inside her. An awful feeling of shock and anxiety enroached Lucinda's heart.
Trembling from fear of the unknown situation she was in, Lucinda pulled the girl close.
"My child..... Where's my child!?"
"You need not to worry. It is just the same with the father of your child, she will be alright"
We're those words reassuring? Was it even alright to trust the words of a strange girl inside this fake world? Lucinda was getting even more worried by the second. Right now, she wished to find her child as soon as possible. No, even a second faster counts right now.
The little girl smiles and points outside. Following the girl's hand, Lucinda saw Kyoushiro. He wasn't holding his phone and talkies to someone, but he was being enveloped by a thick shade of chains coming from his feet.
"What is that?! Just is what is happening right now?"
Although she Lucinda failed to noticed, the whole restaurant right now was silent. Color itself was being drained like black and white canvas drawn only with charcoal. Everything was twisting and unraveling.
"You will find out soon"
As the little girl muttered those words, Lucinda's sight was robbed of it's light. The pleasant cool air she was feeling was long gone and that warm uneasy feeling of the air returned. The feeling of dirt sticking to her skin slowly came to her, strong air was blowing and her hair was dancing with the gust.
Soon after, Lucinda opened her eyes. The vast night sky filled with stars was right before her. Towering broken walls and ruined pillars emerged from her field of vision.
"Ugh.... where...."
Lucinda groaned while pushing herself up. Rea and Lea were lying unconscious next to her with broken weapons lying next to their small hands.
Then when Lucinda looked in front of her, she saw a little girl bounded by pitch black chains and her blonde hair was flowing abover her head.
"That's....."
Lucinda couldn't feel the life in her womb anymore. However right before her was a child with the same hair color as her. Following where the chains lead was the Demon Lord struggle with his might, trying to get out of the chains
"Damn you!! Unhand.....meeee!!!!"
Vraheim yelled out as his body flickered in and out of existence. It was as if something was being taken away from Vraheim's body.
"Gah.... damn it.... where did that came from"
A voice came talking from the rubble next to Lucinda. As the rubbles cleared with the person standing up from underneath, the face was the individual was revealed. Red hair and eyes, his appearance wasn't as grand and heroic as before with pitch black armor barely clinging to his body.
"Huh? Hahahaha, I didn't think I'd find you here of all places you majesty"
It was Taiga Kurosawa. For whatever reason, it seems that was buried under the pile of debris after the tower collapsed. There were visible injuries covering his body but nevertheless, he was as energetic as before.
"I don't know if it's god send or whatever but I'll make sure to kill you to make that bastard Kagami know his place"
Taiga pulled himself out of the rubble. In his right hand a shrunk dagger from a bone of an animal was glowing ominously. The look in his eyes, it was like a predator walking towards his prey.
"Tai—!?"
A stinging pain stung on Lucinda's right ankle. It might have been hurt after the tower collapsed. Panicking, Lucinda turned around but Rea and Lea were still unconscious before her. So, instead of running away, Lucinda covers the two from Taiga and pointed her hands towards him.
Taiga smirked.
"Well now, what's this? Going to struggle? Because of you that my whole plan of becoming king of this place was shot. It would have been better if you had just chose me over that weakling"
The reason why Princess Aria chose to accompany Taiga was because Lucinda refused to come along herself. Although, she was the acting Queen for a short time, it was also her responsibility to take care heroes' needs while they were staying in Travestin a few months ago.
It was also during that time that, while Lucinda was sending reports to Kyoushiro above everyone's movements was when Taiga was trying to make Lucinda his. That was one of the reasons why Lucinda didn't even came near Taiga in the first place after the heroes left to tend to other countries.
"........."
"Not talking? Well that just saves me the trouble of making you quiet"
Taiga's cold threats we're enough to make Lucinda shiver. However, there was no way she would back down against a low life that was only interested in stealing the power of others for himself.
One step, two....three and as Taiga reached a suitable distance, Lucinda fired of her magic. A bright light orb shot towards Taiga. However easily dodged the measly attack by turning his head.
"Oi, oi.... what the heck was that about? We haven't started yet and you're weak already? I thought you were some powerful mage in this world but I guess that was a lie huh?"
Lucinda was indeed powerful. As a mage with Holy skill herself, she could probably the only one that could stop Vraheim which was an undead. However, right now was different. Her magic power was drained as if it was taken away. The Lucinda right now could barely even do something to protect herself.
"Well, like I give a damn anymore. I'm supposed to be the hero anyway but it looks like being a Demon Lord would be much better than being a hero"
Taiga shrugged his shoulder then gazed at the Demon Lord that was nearly out of the child's restraints. The power of a Demon Lord was amazing. Taiga experienced it himself. If only his skills were compatible with the undead.....
"Well then, let's get back to–"
*Krrriiii!!!!* Chains flew to Taiga's direction. Jumping away, Taiga managed to leave the place where the chains landed. It was right in front of Lucinda.
Taiga turns his head once more and glared at the child interrupting him.
"I don't know where that brat came from but she's a little annoying ain't she..."
Taiga changed his target from Lucinda to the child. It was then, Lucinda felt a bad chill ran over her shoulders. With her hand stretching out towards the child, Lucinda screams....
"Noooo!!!"
*Doooogsshhhh......* But her shout was cut off sort when something crashed into the rubble......
"My, my, I didn't think I'd see the pesky rat that tried to invade my land here of all places"
Above the moon lit sky was the 1st Demon Lord himself. Behind him was the servant vampire that chased after the Lord who went and visited the human lands.
Lucinda was caught off guard by the arrival of another Demon Lord.
"You!!"
Taiga glared at Vlad, pointing his sword at him.
"Ahahahaha!! This I have not expect. To think even you, Vraheim would be in this kind of place"
However Vlad ignored Taiga and sneered at Vraheim. On the side, Vraheim glares back at Vlad, finally escaping from the chains wrapped around him.
"Grrrr......"
"Don't growl, you are an undead not a mutt. Your bones are better off for them anyways"
Vlad's smile widens as he watched Vraheim get more frustrated from his remarks. The 8 Demon Lords were not friendly with those Demon Lords that came after them. That was because, unlike Vlad and the Demon Lords up to the 8th seat fight each other for the sake of showmanship, the 9th up to the 13th Demon Lords were an eccentric bunch that wishes destruction of lives for their own amusement.
While the Titan king and Armor King were always at each other's throats, the rest couldn't be said the same.
"Fumu"
Vlad nods his head while looking around. Seeing Lucinda and the child producing chains, his attention switched from Vraheim to them.
"Hmmm...... This is a first. I'm feeling a faint power of a Demon Lord yet you two don't seem to be one"
"......."
Lucinda held her breath, trying to not much move an inch from where she stood. The fear making her body tremble was due to the appearance of the most powerful Demon Lord in existence. Vampire King Vlad, or common known as the Demon Lord of the night. The first Demon Lord, which Lucinda's ancestors that have fought in the past.
Records about him have been passed down but not much of them remained after ages of of different rulers. What's more, Demon Lord Vlad doesn't leave his domain much unlike most Demon Lords, making the records they had once lose their credibility.
In the present days, the 1st Demon Lord was more like a fairytale now since no one has seen him since hundreds of years ago.
"No matter. I care not for the lives of humans after all. I only came here to see the hero named..... Kyoushiro Kagami? Was that right?"
"Yes my Lord"
"So, if he is here present him to me. I came to see if he is worthy of being titled as a hero"
Vlad was looking around. His purpose was none other done the person who slayed Demon Lord Kakal. That was because, after centuries past, there have never been a hero that could fight against a Demon Lord and lived. Although the heroes of the past were powerful, they were naive.
Sparing the lives of their mortal enemies just because they find them pitiful after their battle was far beyond stupidity. Because of that, most of those heroes died a helpless death from the same Demon Lords they've spared.
In this world, the sides of Heroes and Demon Lords have already been established.
"He's not here"
"Oh?"
Suddenly, Gaius got out from the rubble. It seems that, he survived the tower's collapsed and made it out alive by making his sword cover him from the debris. Vlad turned towards the one armed man and tilted his head.
"He is not here you say?"
"Yeah, I don't know where he is but he's not here at the moment"
Gaius knows that Kyoushiro and the other heroes fought against a Demon Lord recently and that they survived after defeating him. Such news didn't really mattered to the Travestinians as the news of a Demon Spawn killing his own kind was basically nothing new to them.
Vlad sighs and descends down on to rubble along with his servant. But just as he did, sharp tendrils shot out from under the rubbles and attacked Vlad.
"Annoying little pest"
*Snap* Vlad flicked his fingers and petrified the whole Spears of black tendrils in an instant.
*Guryaaaaaaaaaah!!!!*
A deathly screech came bellowing from under the rubble. The servant vampire, who remains nameless, let out a sigh and shot a white blazing ball of flames at the entity hiding underneath them.
*Dooooommm!!* The rubble burns as it explodes. Melting rocks and dirt altogether in an instant.
"Good work. That thing won't be crawling out anymore"
"Thank you my Lord"
The last sign of the cursed legion of Shoggoth was easily burned to nothing. At the sight of such thing, Vraheim retreated back in fear.
"Damn you.....!!!! Vlaaaaad!!!!"
"Hahahahahaha!! Pitiful undead! You've just wasted a very powerful army in this kind of place!!"
As Vraheim screamed, countless skeleton soldiers emerged from the ground. Dressed in armors from both past and present, with weapons from all shapes and sizes, this was the army of the Soul Eater, the one who devoured death and the one who controls the dead.
"Lord of the Dead – «Call of the Dead»!!!!"
An army of countless undead soldiers. Rushing out like an ashen flood. The clattering noise of armors and bones, the rubbling of the Earth, the call to summon his army was activated. Gaius leaped to protect Lucinda, Rea and Lea. Taiga was forced to face another horde on his own.
Demon Lord Vlad grinned in ecstasy.
"An army for an army! Let me enjoy my first time in a while travel back outside! Vraheim!!"
The sky turned red. With the moon shining behind the King of Vampires slowly turning into a pearl of blood. The power between the 1st Demon Lord and the 13th Demon Lord, to those who were watching the scene unfold, it was like the very end of the world.
|
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|
Vol. 3 CH. 10 - Going back....
PART #1
Thinking back, it was a bit extreme to toy with the people in this world just because he was a hero. Playing with many women was something all men wanted to do once in their life. Pillaging was a sought experience for someone who likes to take things from other people. Setting men on fire, kicking down guys that dared to even look at you funny.
Unless you have the strength and power to back it up, you wouldn't be able to do those things.
Being the son of a politician. Taiga himself had thought once that he would at least do one of those things in this other world when he became the hero.
In this world of chaos, where monsters roam everywhere and many Demon Lords were wreaking havoc, a hero was needed.
Taiga was among those chosen ones that would save this world.
IHis clad was [Paladin] in this world, it was the higher ranking class of knight and a high priest combined. He had amazing skills and could use any type of magic.
He was truly the hero that any world would want.
That's why, in this world, shouldn't he be the king instead?
Unifying the world under one banner. It should be his role that would lead this world to the destruction of the Demon Lords.
It was his destiny.
Taiga was a son of a politician as well as a hero in this world. If he used all his knowledge, it would be easy to conquer this world.
That's why, Taiga thought he was the king.
"Hey, we're here already"
"........"
A large black Lion beastman kicked the cage he was tied in. They were coming down from Mordred after finishing gathering minerals and transported it to the base.
Only four days have passed since the operations started. However, all lands have been reclaimed by the Black army without any problems.
Only on Kuro's side that experienced such problem. Now, Kuro and some Worker golems were heading inside the city through the front gates.
Once everyone had touched land, Mordred smoothly soared in the sky. It would we return to the base for resupplying and would continue to build the base.
Captain Grimwald decided not to leave the ship and would continue working inside it.
Gaius, Kuro and the rest of the small number of soldiers following both commanders, were now heading towards the city with cages carried by the worker golems.
Taiga's cage was the one in front.
"How...dare you!! Get me out of this right now!!"
"Shut it. A would be hero like you deserve this much humiliation. Not for only the Black King but also for the people you've hurt"
"Aaaaghh!!!! Let me out!! Now!!!"
Taiga thrashed around the cage. However, even with flimsy looking chains, he couldn't even break through it. He only made loud noises that made people stare at him.
"Kuro-dono"
"I don't care about what you guys think. You should know that this thing here needs to be taught a lesson"
"I already know that but....."
Gaius glanced at the line of cages behind them. Three of Taiga's male party were caged inside one cage and the four small cages carried each of the female party members.
Even Princess Aria was locked and chained up inside a cage. Leticia was right in front of her while Fahnia, Corrina and Deborah were the ones behind.
Leticia was the only one bounded by a chain and a handcuff outside.
Gaius's chest hurt a bit while seeing a princess chained up like that and a former subordinate being treated like a criminal.
"How did it come to this......"
"You agreed on letting me be the one that will decide on how to punish these guys right?"
Kuro heard Gaius's monologue.
Actually, before they landed in Travestin's main capital city gates, Gaius and Kuro had a talk.
———
"Take custody?!"
Gaius yelled in shock as he couldn't comprehend what Kuro was saying.
"One of the person in your prison cell is second princess of Travestin! Not only that, the only hero of Travestin is—"
"It doesn't matter"
With a stern reply, Kuro turns back towards Gaius. Of course, Kuro knows what he would be doing. Though he has gotten what he wanted from the start, he didn't expect to have a princess captured as well.
But, it wouldn't matter.
"Those who try to cross against Ambrosia is an enemy of mine. I would have let that little girl go if you had convinced her to part with that sorry sight of a hero, but it doesn't seem that she'd be leaving his side anytime soon"
The stubbornness of a woman in love was more annoying than a persistent insect.
"Kuro-dono, if you continue with this I will not stand by it"
Naturally, Gaius would be against it. Imprisoning a Princess of an allied nation, even if the person did cause some problem, it wasn't her own will to begin with.
This would only give conflict between Ambrosia and Travestin. Kuro scoffed then turned his back.
Hmph, say what you will"
"What?!"
"Those who are criminals caught on the act are criminals. And your princess basically sided with that hero of yours"
There was no helping it. They tried to attack a ship with civilians in it. If it weren't for the effects of the overalls worn by the crewmen back then, they would be dead by now.
One of Taiga's party died for attempting to jump over Mordred, and Taiga was apprehended by the Magic Iron Golem.
And Princess Aria allowed them to do so instead of wishing for a peaceful conversation with the crew inside Mordred.
"Do you expect to get away with this just because Queen Isabella owes you a favor?"
"I'm not that petty. The princess will be returned safely to her family as well as the Knight with her. As for the hero and the rest, it'll be depending on how your Queen deals with them"
Kuro gazed at the two irregular sized swords leaning against the wall. They were the prided pair of swords that Kyoushiro lost when he was judged as a criminal for attempting to murder the heroes.
Kuro have retrieved it for his King.
The Demon Sword Dawn and the Angelic Sword Dusk. Kuro quietly closed his eyes as he has taken back what was stolen from Kyoushiro, his master.
———
And so the odd parade where cages were lined of at the road leading to the castle was made.
Many onlookers caught the pitiful sight of a hero chained down like a criminal. Some saw it with contempt, some showed sort of relief on their faces and others had conflicted views on what their were seeing.
Kuro and Gaius were riding horses instead of a car. Making it truly look like a homecoming from war.
"H-Hey, isn't that Princess Aria?"
"That's.... even Taiga-sama!!?"
"J-Just what's going on?!"
Naturally, those who were outside their homes, working on their stalls and just walking around the streets caught sight of the line of cages.
They didn't understand why there was a hero and even a princess travelling down the street inside cages.
Taiga's appearance was even more eye catching. He was bound by multiple shackles inside a cage that was inside a cage.
Every time Taiga tries to wriggle around inside, the chains made noises that anyone could hear.
"Gaaaaah!!! Stupid cat! Get me out of here!! I'll kill you!! I'll definitely kill you!!"
Of course, his shouts caused more people to pay attention to his poor sight.
Kuro didn't respond and merely looked forward. Although there were some voices of concerns from the citizens, they couldn't muster of the strength to go against someone who save them from starvation.
The stigma of being a Demon Spawn were still there but no one was stupid enough to bite the hand that fed you.
They were grateful but their pride as Travestinians were forced to fold in front of Kuro.
PART #2
"Tsk. That Demon Spawn is doing whatever he wants now after kissing the Queen's feet"
There was a small group of people watching the procession from afar. Hidden behind the tight alleyway, the remaining people who were still convinced that Demon Spawns were enemies, glared at Kuro from the distance.
It was sickening to watch that even the princess of Travestin was treated as a criminal. Not only that, the hero Taiga himself was totally bounded in chains.
These people who sided with Taiga from the very beginning didn't like the idea of being under the held of Demon Spawns. Yes, the same people brought in food for the people. Yes, they went around subjugating monster nests that were once proud cities and agricultural farmlands, and Yes, they weren't asking much in return for the things they have done.
But, Demon Spawns were Demon Spawns. They were spawns of the Demon God Avfritzed, the God that Demon Lords worship. They were symbol of death and misfortune. Not only that, they bear the dark color itself.
"They're taking advantage of the fact that the Queen is awake"
"They probably planned it from the start! Especially that criminal hero! I heard he defield princess Lucinda and is currently carrying his child!!"
"Bastard Demon Spawns! Not only making living worse they're even trying to take over this kingdom!!"
They were rather narrow minded men who has too many free time in their hands.
"Hmph, even that Knight Captain Gaius is following that demi-human's orders"
The seemingly looking leader scoffed at the pathetic sight of a war hero following the tail of an enemy. It was a saddening sight that the once famed Strongest soldier, was merely a sidekick to a Demon Spawn.
"I'm sure they're just threatening them"
"Probably. Its probably their fault that the country is suffering too"
They blamed everything bad that's happened to the Demon Spawns, the ones that were currently here in the city.
The drought, the starvation, even the monsters running around everywhere. It was their fault. Mainly, it was that damn criminal hero's fault for even getting summoned along with the other heroes in the first place.
It was because of him and those Demon Spawns.
"I see that you all have quite the imaginations there"
"Huh?"
"Who're you?"
A man draped under a black shawl with weird markings on it appeared behind the small group of narrow minded men.
The man smiled as though laughing at the narrow minded men's poor imagination.
"My name is Casper, I am a messenger of a former prince of Travestin"
"Who?"
"You don't need to know"
Casper took out a bag of coins from inside his cloak and showed it the men before him.
"There will be a large sweeping of....well, let's just say something good is about to happen in this kingdom"
"Huh?"
"Oi, if you ain't gonna talk straight I'll beat the snot out'a ya!"
One of the men lashed out. Casper, sighed and shook his head. Disappointed at the poor understanding of the men before him.
"Really, it's difficult to talk to simpletons like these"
"Oryaaah!!!"
The man swung his fist. However, it failed. The figure of the man's target blurred as his fist went through the afterimage.
Casper smiled and sent the man flying with a heavy kick to the belly.
"Ghk!?"
Bill!"
"Damn you!!"
"You'll pay for that!!"
Because of their friend fell after just one blow, everyone just ran up to Casper, trying to get revenge for taking out Bill.
Casper sighed once more and this time, his figure multiplied.
""What the?!"
"How did—"
"It's really annoying when it comes to this"
Casper's clones began their beat down. The odd numbered men were easily taken down. Quiet groans rose after and Casper, who was forced to raise his hand on pitiful slobs like this, showed a irritated expression while scratching the back of his head.
"Let's take them along. You guys know the place right?"
The clones nodded. Immediately they gathered up the men and carried them over their shoulders.
.
Inside the narrow alleyway, the shadows of the near buildings made good cover for Casper's clones. One by one, their figures meshed with shadows and disappeared.
"Haaaah.... getting those sort of people to listen are always a pain"
Likewise, Casper too melded with the shadows as his words of complaints went unheard inside the alleyway.
———
"What?"
Queen Isabelle's hands stopped as he heard some astonishing news.
The soldier who came and deliver the message froze instantly as the Queen's raised voice shook him to the core.
"Is that true?!"
"Y-Yes your Highness. It seems that Kuro-sama had returned with Gaius as well as the Hero and his party. All of them are currently caged"
This was a surprising news. A hero was caged. It was something not even this world have heard before since ever.
Queen Isabelle was taken aback. She out down her quill into the inkwell and stood from her seat.
"I shall be seeing them. Are they in the castle?"
"N-Not yet your Highness. But they are on their way"
'Very well. Make sure to let them inside. Tell them to head straight to the Throne room"
"Understood"
The soldier saluted before leaving. Queen Isabelle sat back on her seat. As the tension left her shoulders, Queen Isabelle heaved a heavy sigh.
"So Ambrosia is strong enough to take down a hero and put him a cage..... Haaaah, they might be the strongest nation yet in existence"
There was never been any stories of a hero getting defeated by some ordinary inhabitant of this world. Rather, there wasn't any to begin with. After all, the heroes are god like beings to the people of this world.
They are powerful and could even take on an army singlehandedly or even a large hoard of monster alone in an battlefield.
Kuro may be strong but he wasn't someone that has the support of the gods. Heroes have high stats when their first summoned. They have predetermined classes with powerful skills and magic spells.
A single army couldn't possibly defeat a hero. Let alone caged them.
But, the one that came from Ambrosia, a newly formed nation, was able to do just that. Was the hero weak? Or was did he just let down his guard?
Nevertheless, this news was something that could very well shale the balance of power in this world.
If anything else, the army's inside Ambrosia might be as strong as the heroes are....
"Fuuu..... My daughter's relationship with that nation's king is the only good thing I can be thankful for. If not, who knows what might become of this kingdom"
With all sort of problems getting sorted out and new ones popping out of the woodblock, Queen Isabelle could only hope that Lucinda's current relationship with Kyoushiro would turn the kingdom for the better.
And so, as the time passed and her door was knocked. It was now time to meet the hero that sent this kingdom to it's demise.......
———
"Lucinda-sama, the Queen request your presence"
Niya received a message from a maid and relayed to Lucinda, who was having a quiet time on the veranda of her room. Mikoto was sitting across her while Rea and Lea were fast asleep on Lucinda's bed.
Lucinda turned to Niya and placed down the book in her hands before leaving the table.
"I've heard there was some disturbancein the city. Am I being called because of that?"
"It seems so. The commander have yet to inform me but her Highness Queen Isabelle wants you to join her in the throne room"
"Understood, I shall go then"
"Ah, I'll come too. It might be better since I'm a hero. There might be something that I can help with"
Mikoto rose up from her seat voluntarily. Ever since she have returned to Travestin, she has hardly done anything worth heroically. Although peace was nice, after fighting monsters and taking down a Demon Lord along with the others, it couldn't be help that even she got used to fighting.
Niya bowed her head silent as a form agreeing. While Rea and Lea woke up from their sleep.
"Going ~?"
"Somewhere?"
"It's fine if you two just sleep. I'll still be inside the castle anyway. Mikoto-sama will he coming with me as well so please just take some time off, Rea-sama, Lea-sama"
After changing her clothes with the help of Niya, Rea and Lea nodded and went back to sleep. There was no need for them to keep on guarding Lucinda when she'll be just inside the castle anyway. Furthermore, with the Magic Iron Knights constantly on patrol, there wouldn't be anything happening to Lucinda.
"Niya-sama this is fine right?"
"Yes, letting those two sleep is alright. They are always working I suppose"
Even Niya agreed to it. Well, considering Nero was just outside the door of this room, letting Rea and Lea sleep wouldn't be a hindrance at all.
"Shall we go then?"
"Yes, let's go Lucinda-san"
Like that, Lucinda, Mikoto and Niya head to the throne room as requested. Nero followed behind as they went on.
Finally, as they entered the throne room, Lucinda couldn't hide her shock.
"Aria?!!"
Princess Aria was sitting inside a cage next to Taiga. The other party members were on the back while Leticia was left on Taiga's right side.
Kuro and Gaius were just standing right next to Princess Aria's cage when Lucinda, Mikoto and Niya came in. Nero somehow understood what's going on and silently moved to the wall.
"Now then, since my heir apparent is here, I would like to start this trial"
"Mother?! Trial for what?! Why is Aria inside a cage?!"
"Lucinda, you should know better yourself why. After all, your Aria decided to follow Kurosawa-sama and allowed to continue those atrocities"
Queen Isabelle replied coldly. Her eyes were indeed close but even she couldn't understand why her own daughter was put in a cage like that. Her hands were shaking as it held armrest on the throne.
"Father!"
".........."
Even King Verdik stayed silent. It was Kuro that spoke and explained to Lucinda why they were put inside a cage.
"Lucinda-sama, they are criminals that board the ship and attack it's crew. We could not risk them attempting any escapes so had all of them caged until we got here"
Kuro then ordered the golem workers to open Princess Aria's cage. The small princess quietly walked out and faced her mother.
"Mother, I am happy to see you in good health"
"...."
"Onee-sama, you are fairing well it seems? How is your health?"
"I.... I am fine Aria. But why are you—"
"Mother"
Princess Aria ignored Lucinda and stood steadfast before Queen Isabelle. The eyes of that young princess showed no immaturity and merely a straight serious gaze at the Queen of a country.
Queen Isabelle was bewildered by such expression of he youngest daughter. But as the Queen, she showed now gaps on her mask and answered Princess Aria.
"I wish for Taiga-sama's release as well as everyone else that is currently held captive"
"......."
Queen Isabelle remained silent.
"They have not done wrong. Everyone is doing their best to protect the kingdom! Why must they be treated like this?!"
Princess Aria plead for the captives' innocence.
"Why must our heroes be treated like criminals! They are merely fulfilling their duties!"
"Aria"
Queen Isabelle opened her mouth once more. Her eyes sharp and glinting, her gaze was stuck at the person side the cage with another cage inside.
"You have joined this hero and his party for a while, correct?"
"Yes! I have watched them from behind and I—"
.
"Then you must know of the crimes that hero and his party did while they were staying in the city?"
"That's....."
"The numerous civilians hurt due to reckless impudence, arson, physical abuse, theft, rape..... the list goes on. And here you are defending such hero? You had the same education as your sister. In case something happens and you will be able to fulfill your role as the next Queen. Yet you side with such hero that had done nothing but destroy the peace of this kingdom? Aria, I am very disappointed in you"
*Bang!!* Suddenly, Taiga's cage rang. The red headed hero tried to pull the shackles once more only to fail.
The loud sound caught everybody's attention.
"Shut up"
"Taiga-sama......"
"You've been running your mouth off ever since we got here. Aren't you just the Queen? King Verdik! Order those guys to let us go this instant! They'll pay for shaming a hero like me this way!!"
Thrashing and metal clashing echoed inside Taiga's cage. Unfortunately for him, everything inside that cage was the same as a Magic Iron Knight hard body. Even him as a hero wouldn't be able to break it. Furthermore, the cage he was in had a special magic sealing spell built inside in order to prevent him from even casting any magic.
King Verdik didn't much so look at Taiga and had his eyes closed. Queen Isabelle seems to have realized that all this time, Taiga thought that King Verdik controls the kingdom.
She was being purely underestimated.
"Silence"
"What?!"
"You have been doing what you want ever since you arrived in this world. I don't know what kind of upbringing you had as you grew up in your world, however I will not allow such thing to continue in this world"
Without waiting for Taiga's reply, Queen Isabelle stood up from his throne.
"I, Isabelle Quintus Aluferd Travestin, the 2nd Queen of Travestin Kingdom, hereby strip off all privileges and support given to the Hero Taiga Kurosawa"
Then just like that.....
"Any connection or any sort of aid provided to the hero Taiga after this trial shall be deemed as illegal. Those who will be found giving aid to the said hero will be charge as going against a royal order"
Taiga's world went upside down......
|
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|
Vol. 2 CH. 14 - The visitor
PART #1
The very next day, Durif gathered the heroes in the meeting room they used the first time they arrived. Starting from the center to the right was Durif, Elyria, Koizumi and then Katsuto. The other end was Kyoushiro, Minami and then Edsel and Dahlia.
The mother and daughter duo just followed Kyoushiro since they just had breakfast.
"I'll get straight to the point, her majesty, Queen Elfianna was taken away by Lord Pernicious"
"?!" Koizumi, Katsuto, Minami and Edsel all gasped as they heard such news. Elyria already told Kyoushiro so the two didn't act as such while Dahlia was quietly listening to everyone.
Koizumi slammed his hands on the table as he stood up.
"Why are we just hearing this now?!"
"I'm sorry but I had to make sure first before making an assumption. This is a blood relative of her majesty after all"
Durif's expression darkens as he explained to everyone what he learned through various kinds of information gathering.
"Pernicious-dono was already planning this from the start. Even before you heroes were born. Pernicious-dono was already preparing his grand plan when he got Edsel-sama's husband killed"
The story of how Elfianna met Nefieria Crats Noct and how they ended up separating. The grand fight between the Elf Queen and the Shadow King as well as Elfianna's enthronement down to hunting down Edsel and including Princess Lydia in his plan.
Everything was slowly being prepared for the big finished. It was just then that Pernicious acted when everyone was out and wasn't guarding Queen Elfianna.
Kyoushiro already heard Edsel's side of the story. That was why, everyone except for him and Dahlia were shocked when they heard of it.
Edsel nodded and gave her own story to everyone. In order to supplement the reason why Pernicious abducted Queen Elfianna and plan for their attack, Edsel spared no expense in telling the truth to everyone.
How she ended her career as Elfianna's Court Mage, how she was hunted for nearly half a millennia with her husband and how Pernicious toyed with the life of her husband.
Hearing the stories themselves, Koizumi, Minami and Katsuto all showed faces as though they've done something horrible.
Although it wasn't direct, they did help Pernicious in his schemes. Even if Pernicious' plan went sideways, and Princess Lydia decided to come clean, the three felt horrible for helping a criminal.
"Please don't show such faces. If not for everyone's help, I might not have been saved. The others as well"
"But...." Minami bit down her lip as her voice cracked.
"It's already over. Even if my race have changed, I am still an heir to the throne. I will help as much as I can in taking back my aunt"
Then, Lydia turns to Kyoushiro with a bright and trusting smile on her face.
"Also, Kagami-sama is with us. I'm sure he'll help in this time as well"
But when Kyoushiro heard that, his face frowns.
"Huh? why do I have to?"
"Eh?"
"K-Kagami... you..."
"B-Black Hero-dono?!"
Kyoushiro's words were unexpected. They didn't think that Kyoushiro would refused without so much a hint of hesitation in his tone.
Princess Lydia was dumbfounded, Koizumi lost his words and Durif stood from his seat from shock. It seems that they expected Kyoushiro to help this time as well since he did technically joined in when they were looking for Lydia.
Kyoushiro sighs and continues...
"I've already done my part. The ships and goods has been delivered and all that's left is to visit some of the important guys that runs their own countries. I've gave the rewards for the help from Ambrosia already so what more should I do in this place?"
"B-But.... only you can save her Majesty!!"
"There are three heroes right here right? I'm an ambassador of some sort from Ambrosia, it's isn't my job to help"
"But you went and saved me right?! Were you not willing at that time?!"
"I dazed out for a while and mistakenly left the mansion. I only went and saved you because I couldn't get back to this place unless I'm with these three or with that knight over there. Didn't you see what happened when I stepped in town just yesterday?"
Looking back, Kyoushiro's actions were indeed just as he said. He didn't say anything about helping saving princess Lydia nor he wanted to look for her. Kyoushiro merely got swept up in the moment and ended up raiding Ernest Vern's base.
Kyoushiro's actions were just him going with the flow of the events. If he didn't left the mansion, he wouldn't even met Edsel and Dahlia.
"........."
Everyone fell silent as they recall what happened when Kyoushiro wandered out of the mansion. Even now, they still can't believed that what Kyoushiro did led to the rescue of thepef Princess.
"Look, I'm not saying that I'm not glad that I met these guys and saved someone but this ain't my job to begin with"
"E-Even if Queen Elfianna.... the one that agreed to save Ambrosia... is in danger?"
"Durif, I already gave out the rewards. What is there more to give? Or are you saying that even by now, you're not acting like this because it's Elfianna's orders?"
It wouldn't take a fool to notice everything around him. Kyoushiro was hated from the start. Even if they try to hide it, its obvious that they are repulsed whenever they see Kyoushiro.
The elves, no, the Queen and even Durif was no different.
"I've already lend a hand. I even paid the price for doing it. Just that, this time, I'm sitting this one out"
Kyoushiro breathes out as he pushed out his seat and stands up.
"I'll lend a hand as long as there's something in it for me. I'm not expecting to be paid but with people showing that animosity blatantly, I'd rather sleep and take the day off"
Hate was one thing Kyoushiro was already accustomed to. He didn't care back on earth and he didn't care even now. Whenever he hears the words "Demon-Spawn" it's like an irritating broken record playing back and forth in his mind.
The people in Ambrosia doesn't say much since they feel what Kyoushiro has been enduring now.
Discrimination? That can be fix by absolute power. With how Kyoushiro have gone strong after the last fight with a Demon Lord, staying quiet back in Ambrosia was something that Kyoushiro would be able to do now.
"Kagami.... if you help out, everyone might recognize your efforts. At least think about this"
"You guys are strong enough to take care of this right? A few dead soldiers wouldn't matter"
The power of heroes wasn't something lightly used. But with how Taiga and the rest of his classmates doing what they want with it, even letting them tale over a country would be easy.
The same goes for rescuing a Queen from a power hungry elf like Pernicious.
"Lives would be lost.... Black Hero-dono...."
"And I'd take more if I went there"
"......"
Durif was stunned by what Kyoushiro said. The sheer magnitude of Hus words were enough to make Durif get shaken in his boots. Minami stayed quiet and so did Katsuto.
Elyria couldn't uttter a word, Princess Lydia was lost in disbelief, while Edsel and Dahlia worriedly looked at everyone.
This talk wasn't as progressive as everyone had imagined.
"Well then, what is it that you desire in exchange for rescuing Elfianna?"
"?!"
Suddenly, a visitor appeared. His voice was deep and hoarse but in contrast to that, his body was similar to a young man. Long spiky dark hair, red colored eyes and dark inky skin. Even the whites of his eyes were black. He was the very definition of darkness itself.
Everyone turned their gaze to the mysterious person. Everyone became alarmed the moment they realized he was there.
But....
"Answer me young Demon Lord, will you rescue Elfianna in exchange for something you desire?"
He didn't do anything. His eyes were only directed at Kyoushiro. Staring at him as though Kyoushiro was the only person in the room...
"Who are y-"
"SHADOW KING CRATS?!!"
But then, Durif, pale to the point of being white, trembling in fear as he steps away from the mysterious individual.
He was indeed, the Shadow King who lives within the realm of darkness, Shadow king Crats.
"So? what will you say, young Demon Lord?"
"Tsk!"
Kyoushiro clicked his tongue as the Shadow king waited for his answer....
-
Just what is this? I don't understand what's happening. Please explain what's happening right now!!
Minami Todoroki, was on the verge of mentally breaking down. Because of the surprises and shocking revelations one after the other, her brain couldn't keep up.
A Demon Lord came, he called Kagami-kun a young Demon Lord and right now..... he is.... the two is....!!
Kyoushiro and Shadow king Crats was facing of. But in Minami's eyes, the two looked exactly the same. Their face and height, were almost identical. Setting aside from the color of other person's skin and eyes, both Kyoushiro and Shadow king Crats were like a pair of identical twins.
This was truly unexpected and absolutely shocking even. Koizumi and Katsuto were also speechless.
"Don't keep me waiting young Demon Lord. Elfianna's life is in danger. Answer quickly"
Shadow king Crats demanded so.
"Huh?! Why do I have to?!"
"Are you not a hero as well? This is your duty"
"That ain't my job"
"Then as you've said before, you won't work if you won't get paid? Well then, state your wish, i'll give you anything you like"
The two had such loud exchange that it muffled everyone's breathing. With the topic just going back and forth between the two, there wasn't much progress.
Rather, they were regressing. It's like an adult forcing a kid to do something with a reward in exchange with the kid stubbornly refusing.
It's an unbelievable scene. There was no one that can interpret it like that in the room.
"Wait a minute!"
Then, Minami broke the two off their talk.
"What is it, midget?"
"First of all, that's rude!! Anyways, I just heard something unbelievable there earlier!! Kagami-kun, since when you've became a young Demon Lord?!"
"......."
Kyoushiro turns away and intended to stay silent. Koizumi and Katsuto joined Minami in questioning Kyoushiro.
"Hey Kagami, is that true?"
"You son of a gun.... I didn't think you'd become one...."
Because in this world, the heroes' roles were to defeat the Demon Lord. If Kyoushiro was a Demon Lord then that only meant that another enemy was added into the list.
Furthermore, this was Kyoushuro they were talking about. It wouldn't take him a single day to wipe everyone of his classmates if he wishes to. Even if he was bounded by a curse.
"Haaaaah.... fine" Kyoushiro sighed as though implying he gave up in hiding, then faced everyone with a carefree face.
"I'm the Demon Lord of Chains as well as the Black hero. I gained those class after my evolution"
"There, happy now?" Kyoushiro clicked his tongue once more before facing Shadow king Crats. But this time, Elyria spoke.
"at that time.... don't tell me it's because of you that princess Lydia has.... and my sisters are....!?"
"Yeah, I think.... I'm not sure but I'm probably the cause for their evolution. Using reconstruction skills while undergoing mutation.... that's what probably nailed it"
During his fight with Ernest Vern, Kyoushiro was already immobile due to the effects of the drug. The essence left in the blood of the mutated army that Kyoushiro bathe in while fighting, the drug affected him as well.
Because of that, he was forced to stop moving due to the intense rate of mutation forcing his whole body structure to change violently. But in order to prevent himself from turning into a useless freak of nature, Kyoushiro used <Blueprint Machination> in order to recreate his body while undergoing mutation.
Added by <Transmutation> and <Mineral Processing> Kyoushiro managed to stay as human as possible. However, because Kyoushiro further strained himself with Kakal's cursed skull piece and Elder-God-Blade-Hastur, Kyoushiro gained the skill <Evolution>.
With that, from being a human, Kyoushiro transformed into a Demon Lord.
Elyria watched all that herself but even now, she still can't believe it.
"Then.... in order to turn us back to normal....."
Princess Lydia asked wearily with her hands to her chest.
"I can't remember much of what happened but I might have used the <Evolution> skill on you guys. I was barely conscious at that time after all"
On top of losing his armors, with his body battered and influenced by curses, it went as it is that Kyoushiro couldn't stay sane at that point.
Because of the excruciating pain and the effects of <Evolution> skill, it was still a mystery that Kyoushiro didn't die at that time.
"I see....."
Princess Lydia held her chest tightly as she forced a smile on her face.
"At that time, thank you very much for saving me. Once again, I learned that you've risked everything just to save me, than you"
"Huh? Didn't you hear what I said earlier? I didn't-"
"Yes, I know but, even though you didn't expected to save someone. You still went and done it. I am very grateful for that. Even now, I am still grateful to you and I want to give my everything just to thank you...."
"Hey!! Are you stupid? I said I didn't-"
"Kyoushiro Kagami-sama, in exchange for rescuing my aunt, the current Queen of Paracellumn, I shall give you myself as a reward"
"!?" Everyone gasped at what Lydia said. Shadow king Crats, who've stayed silent until now, reacted saying "So Elfianna had a niece....." while Kyoushiro was dumbfounded and the others turned stone due to shock.
Dahlia didn't seemed to understand so she stayed quiet but Edsel had her jaw dropped by Princess Lydia's statement.
"D-Don't joke around!! Why do I need some woman li-"
"I am a queen to be and even though I've been violated, I am confident that I can still be of used to you. Use me to whatever you wish to do whenever you want"
"Huh!? S-Shut up!! What the hell is up with that!? What kind of woman just readily give her to some guy she barely even know!!?"
"Oh my? It seems you are still unsatisfied. Well then, I shall bring along all the elves that had been helped by you. That includes the elf knights and Elyria-sama. And that elf woman next you as well... hmm, I'm not sure about the child but I can make a compromise"
"Ah-Ha...No.... I...."
Kyoushiro's mouth opens and closes numerous times as he was stunned beyond belief to what Lydia just said. He didn't want any other woman, but with how he said all that about a woman readily giving herself to some guy she barely even knew reminded him of Lucinda.
Lucinda was the first person to confess her feelings to Kyoushiro. She even honesty told him how she fell in love at first sight.
Is this world's woman that loose?! What about the whole morality and the like they always preach?!
Kyoushiro was lost for words because he knew how women work in his world. Or so he thinks as even he doesn't have much experience with women back on earth.
"I see.... so the young Demon Lord has still his human desires. Very well then, I shall hand over to you a land I just previously destroyed. Its a country where humans live now is home for various monsters, that is yours if you will rescue Elfianna"
"Huh!!!? Wait, since when did I said I need something like that?! I haven't agreed to this!!"
"That is troubling.... to think Kagami-sama would desire more.... Then, should I add my uncle's wife and daughters as well? If you want, this whole Calladium shall be yours"
"Lydia-sama?! Please don't make such bargain!! Even if we do take back the Queen and arrest Pernicious-dono, the citizens won't take this silently!!"
"But they have inconvenience Kagami-sama. Would it not serve as punishment to have them serve under him? For what they did, that much should be enough"
The whole talk just turned into convincing Kyoushiro to help rescuing Queen Elfianna. From women to lands, everything was being presented to Kyoushiro on a silver platter. The three heroes were unable to keep up and were left quietly on the side.
Edsel didn't seem to mind staying with Kyoushiro since Dahlia would still live with her, but Durif was at his wits end since Princess Lydia was readily handing out a piece of land to a new Demon Lord.
With this much, even merchants would fight over who would save the Queen. The prices were really no laughing matter.
Wait, isn't this supposed a serious talk? what just happened?
Minami thought as she watch Kyoushiro get flustered with all the rewards presented to him. It was a very serious conversation at first but ended up in a rather dubious way.
In any case, there was still a lot of time. For the time being, the three heroes stayed quiet until they get satisfied at watching Kyoushiro panicked with all the conditions Shadow king Crats and Princess Lydia was offering.
After the whole rescue mission was over, Kyoushiro would make the three walk to their own country all the way as punishment. But that's a whole different story...
PART #2
"Anyways, why not tell us why you want me to help save the Queen?"
After the whole scuffle was done and Kyoushiro calmed down and seated himself once again, they resumed the meeting. Shadow king Crats stood by the wall and did not help himself to a chair.
Just that, because Kyoushiro and him were identical, Minami, Koizumi and Katsuto continued to look at him. It made Shadow king Crats awkward, making him unable to join in the table.
"I believe Durif told you about how I met Elfianna in the past?"
"Yeah, we've heard heard it"
Katsuto answered briskly.
"What happened is true, but only half of it"
"What....? I witnessed that event myself... are you saying not all what happened that day was true?"
Durif was surprised. After all, he was one of the few soldiers that fought Shadow king Crats that day hundreds of years ago. He still remembers the day when Shadow king Crats devastated Paracellumn when he turned into a Demon Lord.
The destruction of that day was so much that it left a part of Paracellumn barren and unlivable for a hundred years.
To think that it wasn't all true, Durif can't believe it himself.
"I turned into a Demon Lord that day, indeed, I fought Elfianna for days and nights but do you believe that Elfianna would kill me, the person she loves most in the world?"
"That kind felt horrible when you say that but, continue"
Minami felt a sudden urge to punch someone and interrupted Shadow king Crats.
The other side didn't seem to care and ignored her though....
"At the time Elfianna left unable to kill me, there was an exchange for stopping my attack..... but do you know why I attacked in the first place, Durif?"
Shadow king Crats glared at Durif as he waited for an answer. Naturally, Durif was shaken by the glare of a ranked Demon Lord, but despite that, Durif answers back.
"It is because the elders tried to stop your wedding at that time...."
"You are wrong Durif, the reason is that Elfianna requested me to"
"What?!"
Durif unconsciously raised his voice due to the unexpected truth.
"It was.... her Majesty's request?"
"That's right, we may have been young and foolish but we were not so stupid as to ignore the warnings of the old elven leaders. It was us that decided to not go through with our wedding in order to stop the ascension of elves"
"Ascension of...elves?"
This time, Edsel was lost for words.... Kyoushiro asked her about this and while shake, Edsel swallowed her fears and answered....
"That is an old forbidden spell that only high rank elves knows. It is a spell that will turn every elves into high elves...."
"Isn't that a good thing? I mean you elves have more attachment to beauty and grace more than anything after all"
When Koizumi asked that, Edsel moved her head left and right. There was a reason why it was a forbidden spell....
"As I've said, its a forbidden spell. In order for the elves to become high elves, they require a large amount of magic power from the environment and spirit light during a full moon, which is why there would only be one high elf during every cycle....."
"But...." Edsel continued as her face darkness.....
"The price for that was the life of this world. Its core, the very magic core of this world would need to turn every elves into high elves. If that were to happen...."
"Every being in this world except for us Demon Lord and the elves, will be unable to use magic. Each and every life would die and the world would advance into desertification. The elves and us Demon Lords would the only one that would remain living"
Shadow king Crats added the last words that Edsel couldn't say. His eyes then turned to Edsel, who was tightly embracing her daughter.
"I recall having seeing you at that day as well. Were you not Elfianna's court mage and adviser at that time?"
"Yes.... I was. I already resigned when I decided to settle down but..."
"What?! Then you are my predecessor, Edsel-dono?!"
Durif was most likely shock by this since even he didn't knew who Edsel was in the first place. He only knows that she was under the care of Kyoushiro.
But he can't imagine such great person reduced to such state. After all, Edsel was known to be one of the most powerful mages the elves ever produced.
"Yes, I was grateful to her Majesty that she let me retire but due to some circumstances. I was lead to this state"
Edsel and her husband was chased by the power hungry elves after all. She even lost her husband during all that event. Which led to how Dahlia became a child born without a father.
"I see" Shadow king Crats cuts in.
"Well, I trust that you know how to stop this spell from ever being used?"
"Yes.... I know how to do it... but"
"But? What is it that concerns you?"
"To stop that spell from being activated, we must destroyed the Spirit tree. Like how you did it when you destroyed the central capital of Paracellumn"
At the center of Paracellumn, the central capital of elves, Yggdrasil, a large tree grows. At that place, spirit of all elements gather and gives life to the surrounding lands.
It was also known as the ancestral tree of the elves. Which was a historic landmark that could even be said as old as the world. However, Shadow King Crats destroyed the said tree in order to prevent the Ascension of elves in the past. Making it so that the forbidden spell won't be used.
This was also due to Elfianna's skill that perceives the hearts of her targets. Because of this, she came to learn of Pernicious' goal long before he even tried to pursue it.
However....
"That tree now stands again at the center of Yggdrasil"
Durif added so worriedly....
"So your saying that if we want to stop this forbidden spell from working, he'd have to destroy this old tree?"
"More specifically, a Demon Lord should destroy it"
As Katsuto asked the obvious, Shadow King Crats adds a more detailed information.
Hearing such thing, the three heroes, Durif, Princess Lydia and Edsel all turned towards the souring looking Kyoushiro, who didn't seem to like most of content of the conversation. In fact, he wanted to leave already since he still feel stiff from all the fighting he has done.
Shadow king Crats then donned his cowl and faced the open window...
"I'll prepare you the reward you wish. For the time being, I expect that you would held your own end of the bargain"
"Wait! I didn't say I'd do this! I haven't even thought of doing it!!"
Kyoushiro yelled angrily at Shadow king Crats for pushing his own terms at Kyoushiro do doesn't want to get involved with anything other than himself.
Shadow King Crats then replies with turning around...
"How long would you keep this charade of doing whatever as you want. You know for yourself that you are merely doing this to distance yourself from others. You being childish in the most important matter sickens me. Young Demon Lord, you are no longer a child, stop acting like you haven't chosen your path"
"GH....."
Kyoushiro groans as he knows fully well what Shadow king Crats meant. Even now, he was acting but, even so, there was no way he'd lend a hand to some people that hates him because he came with the same color as a Demon-Spawn.
Then, as if giving an advice, Shadow king Crats turned his face a bit and said..
"You are me of your world. If you felt the unreasonableness of life, you should know much it pains you to have everything you care about taken away from you"
"?!"
"Listen carefully young Demon Lord, start acting like a grown man. There is no used in making yourself look pitiable with your nonsense about you how lived your life. How you live through it is what it means to become a real adult. If not, your silly actions would cost you more than you even imagine in the future......"
And so, after leaving those lines, Shadow king Crats disappeared like a veil if shadow touched by light.
Left standing there was Kyoushiro, gritting his teeth and his fists, drawing blood in the process.....
"Damn it.... I feel sick because of that guy"
"Kagami-sama...."
Princess Lydia tried to approach Kyoushiro however, he dashed out the meeting room. Leaving everyone with face, showing how troubled they were with what Shadow king Crats told them about.
Of course, Dahlia. who was listening the whole time, fell asleep.
-
"Seriously, why the hell should I even listen to that crap"
That night, Kyoushiro stood outside the veranda of his room. After the meeting with Shadow king Crats, Kyoushiro's mind has been turned upsidedown. Because of what people of expecting him to do and what he wants to be getting all mixed up, Kyoushiro can't decided on what has to do for now.
The cold air turned Kyoushiro's sigh into a small mistas he breathe. Looking at the starry sky with absolutely clear of all polution, Kyoushiro recalls what Shadow king Crats said this afternoon.
"Listen carefully young Demon Lord, start acting like a grown man. There is no used in making yourself look pitiable with your nonsense about you lived your life. How you live through it is what it means to become a real adult. If not, your silly actions would cost you more than you even imagine in the future......"
What Shadow king Crats meant was as it was, Kyoushiro was still acting like he doesn't care about anything. Although it was true that had decided to go through with his revenge, it went without saying that his "desire" to protect wasn't as conclusive as his first.
Because of this, Kyoushiro was hit by a dilemma. Whether or not he chooses to help, not would determine his own future. Because he was set on getting revenge, he forgot to look at his own future with the people that decided to stick with him.
As such, Kyoushiro was unable to decided on what to do from this moment on.
While still wearing that sour face, Kyoushiro leaned and rest his back on the veranda's wall.
"Parallel world sucks, of all the chances, I'd see my face in this lifetime"
Seeing his own face on someone else's made Kyoushiro cringy about the whole theory of parallel worlds. After all, it was said in 1/100000000th chance, there was someone that looks like you in the universe; though in this case, a parallel one.
Moreover, that person was a Demon Lord, which made Kyoushiro nauseated from the fact that he too became a Demon Lord.
"Gaaah!! This whole mess makes me want to run away!! Haaaah....I wonder if Lucinda is awake...."
As Kyoushiro grumbles continued, he sighed and thought of contacting Lucinda. Though when he was about to do that, a knock came from his bedroom door.
"May I have a word with you, Black Hero-sama"
Eh? Who's that?- Kyoushiro thought as he doesn't recognized that voice at all. Although it was a woman's, he hasn't heard such voice in his life.
"Who're you? I can't say there should be people going to my room at this hour"
"Please.... even if its just a mere minute, I wish you to grant me it....I beg of you..."
With the voice sounded so desperate, Kyoushiro opens the door. He was still suspicious about who the person was so he put himself in alert at the moment.
But, as he opens the door, he saw someone he didn't expected....
"You're that guy's wife aren't ya?"
"Yes...."
In front of Kyoushiro was none other than Pernicious' wife, Raflesia Wildflower Calladium.
Wearing nothing but her night gown, she told before Kyoushiro with a crestfallen state.
Seeing her, Kyoushiro's brows twitched.
"The hell are you wearing? Is this some elf customs that you do when visiting someone else's room?"
"N-No.... t-this just...."
Raflesia's cheeks turned red as she tried to denied something. Kyoushiro took that in mind and took off his top shirt and gave it to Raflesia.
"Wear that, I'm not the type of guy to look at a married woman's body. I've got a wife myself so I'd seriously murder the guy who'd peek at my wife"
"T-Thank you very much... then"
"Yeah, come on in. It's late so make sure to speak quickly"
And so, Kyoushiro let Raflesia inside his room in order to hear what she had to say
|
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Prologue…
In a place where there were only verdant leaves and colorful flowers, tall trees and tall bushes, a certain girl was running through a tall grassy field; not minding the small sharp rocks and twigs that were cutting through her sole.
Unlike the usual place where she had stayed before, this amazingly dense forest was far harsher and dangerous compared to that. For here, not only monsters live but also humans that have made a base for themselves and called themselves “Bandits”.
The girl with long pointed ears, long blonde hair and emerald jade green eyes breathe raggedly as she run through the thick tall grasses.
“Hah… Hah… I… I have to… Waa?!”
The girl, Lydia Demius Flowerchild, tripped on the knotted grass and fell on to a muddy puddle, soiling her risqué green dress that shows her under-breast down to her navel. Her lower half was covered by a thin clothe that looked as though like a piece of veil tied to look like underwear. Such things were soiled by mud as he fell onto the ground.
“Ugu… Uuuu…”
Lydia was on the verge of crying. The pain of her soles and the dirt covering her body smelled so awful that she wouldn’t even try and slip again. Immediately, Lydia tried to stand up but the sounds of the grasses thrashing caused her shoulders to flinch and her back stiffened.
Almost immediately afterwards, the footsteps became clear and two odd clothed men with knives in the hands appeared right in front of Lydia…
“Damn it!! We almost got good merchandise and you just let it get away!!”
“Stop yelling at me and just start searching you dullard!!”
The two argued. It was obvious that they were searching for Lydia. After all, it was them that she was running away from. Those two were from the group of highway bandits that ambushed their carriage that was supposed to reach the Elven capital, Paracelumn, where the Elf Queen, Elfianna reside.
Lydia’s purpose was supposed to be only a visit. A political meeting in order to strengthen the partnership between the neighboring Elf Kingdom Bloomsmeir, Lydia was the sole daughter of the Elf king there and was supposed to attend a certain ceremony within the Paracelumn capital.
It was the ceremony of High elves, Moon dance ceremony.
It was a type of ceremony for the elves that only happens when an Elf turned to a High elf. It was to send back a holy message to the Elf Goddess. However, along the way towards their destination, the carriage that Lydia was riding on was ambushed. After that, she was chased after running away.
‘I cannot be seen by them!!’
While keeping her breath as low as possible and her shivering body tight in order to not make the grass covering her quiver, Lydia pleaded so in her mind. Then, as the two could not find what they were searching for, the two bandits left.
|
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Vol. 3 CH. 6 - A savior of tainted black
PART #1
Kuro had been invited in the meeting room. That was, after receiving a call from Niya, that Queen Isabella was asking for help and that she wanted to ask if it was possible for Kuro and his men to help them in their current predicament.
The current meeting room had Kuro present. Alongside the previous members, Mikoto had arrived as well.
"Err.... High Commander Kuro-san, I've already contacted Arianne-sama just in case but I already received a favorable reply. I just want to know what you think about it now"
Mikoto went back to Mordred. That was to get in contact with Arianne and told her about their current situation. The matter of the attack the other night was also relayed so in request for additional support, Arianne was willing to send more troops.
Mikoto then came back to tell Kuro about this but she overhead Niya asking in Mordred to link her [Comms link] to Kuro. After that, she immediately flew back on a tamed wyvern she got from Ambrosia during the battle against the 9th Demon Lord.
"......."
With his eyes closed, Kuro silently breathes out. Then as he opened his eyes, he glanced at the nobles who were currently inside the meeting room.
Kuro was already briefed with the previous discussion so all he needs to do was to decided whether to accept it or not.
"May I ask why you are not going to used your own troops for this? There is also the Adventurer's guild that can help you thin out the monster hoards"
"Unfortunately, we lack enough troops to deploy at the moment. Even relying on the Adventurer's guild in the city, is impossible since as I've said before, most of the high rank adventurers are in the neighboring Dukedom"
Queen Isabella answered back honestly. It was unsure yet whether they might get a favorable response from the Dukedom's Adventurers guild but she didn't like to hope in a response that would either be positive or negative right now.
Gaius hasn't left since, he would like to ask Kuro to drop him off near the rehabilitation facility they made where the commoners abused by Taiga and his party as well as the nobles, were currently staying along with their families. It was still too far from the capital so he would need an airship to arrive there as soon as possible.
Queen Isabella and her consorts were waiting for a positive reply.
"Then, wouldn't asking for the other heroes for help be more easier? After all, they were summoned in this country"
That was indeed more reliable than asking for Kuro and his men for help. After all, this was the country where Kyoushiro was treated like a criminal then thrown away to the wasteland just to let him die there.
There was no need for Kuro to accept such request for help. Even if it was Queen Arianne that ordered him to, Kuro would still refuse as he has such huge respect for Kyoushiro. My enemy is my master's enemy. That's just how loyal Kuro was to Kyoushiro.
"The heroes and the countries that have welcomed them doesn't want to help at all. They did not want their own heroes to risk their lives for this one since monsters are running rampant everywhere"
"Hmph, so those guys are finally showing their true colors. It was right for his Majesty to hate those guys"
Kuro scoffed. He couldn't help it. Those heroes that were summoned in Travestin, were once treated more amicably and warmly than Kyoushiro himself. In exchange for that warm hospitality, Travestin received their ingratitude for refusing their request for help.
Because the only hero in Travestin, was currently in the domain of the 1st Demon Lord.
"Kuro-sama, the ones that treated Kyoushiro-sama horribly will be paying their crimes now in the dungeon. If this ease your anger towards Travestin the—"
"Lucinda-sama"
Kuro heard that the ones responsible for creating this situation was thrown in the dungeon. Because their ineptitude and greed, the whole kingdom was suffering from all kinds of crisis.
But this and that were different.
"I swore my life to serve Kagami-sama. In exchange for giving me a name, I pledge my whole being to only serve him as a knight"
"......"
"Those who stole my master's items, I wish to have them give back what they stole and receive punishment"
"......."
"That includes, this country's hero, Taiga Kurosawa"
Every hero except for Inomiri-sensei got an item from Kyoushiro. Either they were higher grade weapons and armors or even the lowest grade of potion.
Kuro wanted them back. In exchange for the title, the weapons, the armors and even the current life he has right now, Kuro wished to bring back what the others stole from Kyoushiro.
That means the two swords.... Dawn and Dusk.
Hearing this Queen Isabella lost hope. Although not that much, it was already impossible to give back everything that was stolen. King Verdik sighs to the side. He knows what Kuro means but right now, it was impossible to give everything back.
The other nobles, couldn't stand such insolent requests anymore and angrily shout at Kuro.
"That is enough!! Can you not see we cannot comply with such request?!"
"We are asking for help to you spawns of the Demon God, even so much as lowering our heads!! Don't ask for the impossible!!"
"The Royal Adviser is now arrested for his crimes against that hero of yours!! What more can you ask of us!?"
"Do you hear yourself talking?! If you want everything back then do that later when Taiga Kurosawa comes back!!"
It was only normal. Kuro was asking for something they can't provide right now. Even more so, they were lowering their heads to the people they have always been treated as Demon Spawns, people that weren't accepted as human nor any other member of their own race.
The impudence Kuro was showing was making the other nobles shake in anger.
"That's enough...."
Queen Isabella intervened before the comments got more heated.
"We will consider your conditions. However, as Taiga Kurosawa is still a hero that is meant to protect this kingdom, I can't be too lenient in accepting too request for punishment"
"Very well. So long as you promised this, Ambrosia will cooperate"
Kuro stood up. The loud sound his chair made as he pushed it back echoed loudly in everyone's room. Kuro then turned towards Lucinda before lowering his head.
"I will do as the first lady of the Black King's wishes. Please leave everything to my men, your Highness"
"......."
Out of everyone in this room, Lucinda and Mikoto has the highest position. That was because they were recognized as the wives of the Black King, Kyoushiro Kagami.
Everyone else was speechless because of that. Since right in front of Kuro were the King and Queen of Travestin. Anyone would lower their heads before those two.
But Kuro was serving the only person in this world that was hated. Just like him in the past....
Kuro then raised his head and pulled out his own [Comms Link] and contacted the Captain inside Mordred.
"Captain, please everyone know we will be hunting monsters all over the country and will provide transport and communication aid to the Kingdom of Travestin"
"[Roger that. Mordred will be landing shortly]"
*Ratatatatata.....* The windows within the room rattled violently. A sharp piercing sound of exhaust rang outside. A huge shadow overcast the castle and the battleship Mordred, who was hovering just behind the castle could be seen moving just outside the walls of the city.
The was Mordred. A huge battlefield that had more or less has the same appearance as a normal battleship would on earth. However, unlike it's counterparts on earth, this own was has smaller in comparison. The only reason why it looked huge was the stacks above and the large cannons both in front and back.
Kuro put back his [Comms link] in his front chest pocket and spoke once more.
"We have more or less understood the current situation. Please gather your troops and meet us outside the city"
As if that was the last words for everyone, Kuro quietly left the meeting room.
King Verdik sighed as he walked towards the window and took a look outside. He was greatly shaken. Because such thing was created by the same person he banished out of his kingdom. There was a perplexed expression on his face but nevertheless, he was thankful for this help.
King Verdik then turned back and faced everyone who was left in the meeting room.
"Begin the preparation immediately. We now an ally on our side"
As soon as this was said, Gaius and the other nobles left their seats in a hurry and rushed out of the room. It was obvious that they were flustered after they saw that large shadow. Queen Isabella wore a bitter smile as she held her daughter's hand.
"Your husband has some loyal servants"
"Yes....."
Lucinda answered weakly. She knew how great Kyoushiro was however the people following him were different. Because she only chased after Kyoushiro during the invasion of the 9th Demon Lord, she didn't have much closeness to the people of Ambrosia. Her relationship with Arianne was that of Queens from respective kingdoms so she knew that her only connection to Kyoushiro was her being his first wife.
It was frustrating. Lucinda was only a 'wife' to Kyoushiro in front of those who serve him.
She has no official standing unlike Arianne in the Black Army.
—I hope..... Kyoushiro-sama's feelings for me are.....—
Lucinda pursed her lips. She couldn't say what she was ted to say. Because she knows for herself, Kyoushiro was only using her......
———
Things were starting to progress well after Kyoushiro left. There were no more further incidents like the one in the monster house.
It was strange, considering that it only happened quite recently. The heroes got trapped in a dungeon trap and was rescued by the only hero who didn't have any class.
The rage when the news circulated was fierce. Everyone denounced the name of Kyoushiro Kagami. His very name was treated like it was taboo in the city and everyone who says his name would spit on the ground in sour mood.
"Because Kyoushiro Kagami was a criminal. He was the enemy of the heroes and the enemy of the people.
"It seems that, no one would ever see Kyoushiro-sama as a hero anymore...."
"Unfortunately, that is the case, Lucinda-sama"
Lucinda was gazing outside the window. She was caressing her navel as she looked at the sky where Kyoushiro had departed. Two weeks had passed since then. Two weeks since they made love under the moonlight and in the sunrise morn.
Lucinda had just found out her condition. Since, ever since Kyoushiro left, her body was behaving rather poorly. Just in case, she consulted the royal family's physician and confirmed her condition.
She was two weeks pregnant.
That night of hot passion and sweet exchange of kisses, ended up in Lucinda being pregnant.
She didn't hate it. Lucinda was happy to hear that she was pregnant. Because this was the proof that she received the love of the person she fell for honestly and without lies.
"Lucinda-sama, a letter came for you"
"Please put over my table. I will read it later"
"As you wish"
The maid who came and deliver the letter immediately left the moment she finished he job. The only maid that was in Lucinda's room was one of the staffs that rotating to take care of Lucinda.
Everyday, there was a different maid so it didn't feel much difference to Lucinda.
"......"
The room was quiet. The maid was silently standing next to the wall, waiting for Lucinda's order. Lucinda sat next of her table and took the envelope containing the letter and opened it.
This was Gaius's report about the behavior of the heroes. The task that Kyoushiro left her to do.
—I need to report this to Kyoushiro-sama—
Lucinda immediately called Kyoushiro. The magic earrings and ring were a gift from Kyoushiro so that she could contact him anytime she wants. Aside from the lover's ring in her left ring finger, these two magic artifacts have great use.
"Fuu....."
Lucinda was done reporting.
"Umm.... can you bring me some tea please?"
"As you wish. Please wait for a moment"
The maid immediately left the room as soon as Lucinda gave an order. When she finally confirmed that the maid left, Lucinda burned the letter until nothing was left.
That was just the usual reports on Taiga. There were no other reports coming in about the other heroes.
Lucinda sighed once more. The sent of burnt paper, Lucinda quickly opened the windows and used wind magic to get rid of the burned smell.
Then when the maid came with tray of hot tea, Lucinda put on her smile and enjoyed an afternoon tea.
It tasted.....nothing.
Then came three months. The heroes ended their training and were then sent to different countries to lend their aid. Although it was unnoticeable, Lucinda's belly had a slight bump.
Like everyday, it was lonely. She would work in the affairs of the kingdom at from morning till the afternoon, the helped her father sort out the issues the citizens has.
Because of Taiga's recent activities in the city, there were store owners, parents and merchants coming to the castle to complain about the hero's behavior.
—How.... dull—
Lucinda listened to this everyday. She sometimes call Kyoushiro to relieve her heart from stress. There were was one time she couldn't help herself but pleasure herself.
—I miss him.....—
But it was still wasn't enough.....
—I miss Kyoushiro-sama—
Lucinda's chest felt heavier and heavier as this sentence ran across her mind. The whole time she couldn't see the man she loves, Lucinda felt nothing else anymore.
Everyday was dull. Now that Mikoto and Minami were gone from the castle. She would spend sometimes with those two to play around and talk about Kyoushiro when they were still in the castle but.....
The longer the days went, the more the color in Lucinda's world decayed....
Then came the day where there was an announcement where a new kingdom had been formed in the wasteland. A Queen from that place would come to the 8 Royals Council to formally announced the birth of their new Kingdom.
Ambrosia. It was the place where an old nation had perished because of a Demon Lord. Unexpectedly. it was also the place where Kyoushiro was sent.
—Ah.... so that's the one father meant that he wouldn't let anyone hurt him anymore—
A woman with purple hair and a mature body. She wore a dressed for the occasion. A simple red velvety, frilly tube dress.
That was the person which was tasked to look after Kyoushiro no matter what happened. She was none other that King Verdik's direct subordinate.
The soon to queen, Arianne Aurolius....
"It has been a while King Verdik"
"Indeed it has"
The two exchange greetings, like former employer and employee sort of way. Lucinda showed a courteous bow towards Arianne.
Thus after that, Ambrosia was acknowledged was another nation willing to be allied to Traverstin and other remaining countries in the world.
Then after many days later, news about Kyoushiro suddenly went missing reached Lucinda's ears. Soon later, she met with Kyoushiro and spent warm and loving days with him.....
PART #2
Mordred sent 15 small ships for the sake of dividing the areas the whole unit that Kuro brought, to take back from the monsters.
The small ships were identical. In appearance, they were like small fishing boats on earth. The only difference was that it didn't have any sails and didn't have and rudders.
The ship had thrusters on the side with one small magic cannon in front. The passenger area was enough or five people, including the driver, to enter.
However, being only small, the magic furnace inside that burns that magic stones to power the ship were small. Because of that, it has low power output compared to Mordred.
Though that said, the person who designed and made the ships wasn't such pushover.
The small ships had additional features. Like air-conditioning function, food preserving function and navigation function that doubles as a radar and a sonar. Using that, the aboard the small ship could easily detect incoming enemies and projectile from all sides of the small boat.
Kyoushiro went allout in making such things. Some of the assistants that helped him saw him as a bit of a lunatic with a hint of genius.
In any case, it was as usable as it should be.
"I will lend you one ship, Zeios-dono. One of my troops will be driving for you so rest assured"
"T-Thank you"
Gaius didn't know what to say. In front of him was a smaller vessel of Mordred but it didn't lost it's glamour against Mordred. It was painted black with a flower crested on its black flag.
What's more, the small cannon itself was shiny and was reflecting the light from the sun.
Gaius already thanked Kuro for lending him a ship but seeing all 15 of them lined out just outside the city was truly jaw dropping.
If this were mass produced, wouldn't Ambrosia be the most powerful country currently?
Gaius was worried that such power only belongs to a single nation. It was kind of amazing to think that the person that saved his life was capable of creating such amazing ship.
Moreover, the added weaponry as well. Gaius couldn't hide his awe.
"You can leave everything to us. Just ask my subordinate if you wish to relay something to your Queen. We'll pass on the message"
"I'm grateful"
"Hmph" Kuro scoffed while wearing a confident grin on his face. Gaius just smiled wryly before boarding the small ship with his three other companions.
As soon as the small ship floats into the sky, it's thrusters immediately bursts and pushed the ship to it's destination.
Kuro nods and turned his head to the rest of his army.
"Listen well! Out mission is to search and destroy monsters that have invaded human settlements! Wherever they are, our mission to find and kill and each and everyone of them! Don't mind the materials! We'll have the worker golems collect them when we're done!!"
"Oooouuu!!!!" The small army shouted with wide smiles on their faces. The energy of their shouts echoed even inside the city.
"Alright! Do your job and make our kingdom proud!!"
With that as the signal, everyone split into groups of five. The 15 small ships rose into the skies and flew into different directions. Kuro watched the whole thing with brave expectant eyes.
This will make the kingdom of Ambrosia known to everyone in Travestin. Not only that, it will show this miserable country how wrong they were to push away Kyoushiro Kagami.
His might and knowledge, only Ambrosia were making use of it.
"You look like you're having fun there commander"
Nero arrives while holding his spear on his shoulder.
"Why wouldn't I be? This will let this foolish country see how wrong they were to chase away a real hero"
"Heh, it was their idiotic choice to begin with. Well, our own little settlement grew because of it. Now, that ruined city is a flourishing paradise that's also the most safest place in the world right now"
Nero agreed with Kuro. As two kids growing up in a harsh world that rejects their color, being in a place where those types of humans were asking for their help was uplifting.
It gave them confidence that they could change the world thanks to the help of their King.
All of this was possible, thanks to him.
"So our Job's still the same?"
"Guard Princess Lucinda and make sure nothing happens to her. If you find anything suspicious activities going on, destroy it"
"You're more thorough than before"
"Well, we can't let the first wife be endangered under our watch now can we?"
"I suppose you're right"
Nero shrugged his shoulders then made a stifled yawn as he turned back to the city.
Kuro ignores Nero's lazy gestures before boarding Mordred. They still need to do something. Since they already got the permission to do so, Kuro would like to begin the preparations.
A small base for Mordred to land and resupply. If things go south, Kuro's whole army would need a place to rest regardless of what might happen in the future.
This time, they'll be getting back the honor of their king. In exchange for the amazing gifts Kyoushiro had given them, Kuro wanted to help him get back his honor.
So that he won't need to stay in the wasteland because he was a criminal, Kuro will show Travestin how truly stupid their decision was.
Yes. This wasn't just for protecting Lucinda, but for gifting the person who helped the people of the wasteland for everything he had given them.
There won't be any failures.
For the Black King and hero.
For their saviour, Kyoushiro Kagami.
"Captain, let's visit the land given to us by the Queen of Travestin"
After contacting the bridge, Mordred pulled back it's descending platform back and flew up. With the power of the magic furnaces inside, Mordred slowly advanced to the small land he acquired for the sake of having a base in Travestin.
The ever so blue sky, there was a tainted black saviour plowing through the white clouds.....
———
No one in the city expected this to happen. The castle gates were open and there, rations were being handed out for free.
Although after all the struggles the citizens went through the turbulent times, this was the first time that the Castle gates were open to them.
Men and women, young or old, everyone were given as much food and supplies as possible.
The soldiers that kept them from ever entering the castle gates were personally handing out soup in feeding stations. What's more, the supplies the castle were giving were at least two boxes per person.
It was so much that the citizens thought that kingdom itself was being sold to another country.
Drought had hit most farms and monsters destroyed every farmland there was. Taxes rose in times of their need and the hero that should have protect them wasn't there to help them.
But there was indeed a saviour that came. The Queen herself asked for that person's help in order to help the kingdom.
The king of Travestin received help and aid from none other than the same Demon spawn they shunned.
A hero once named as Kyoushiro Kagami.
Under this name, Lucinda Aluferd Travestin, his first wife, declared an unofficial peace treaty with Ambrosia. A country lead by none other than Ariannne Aurolius, a former surviving member of the Royal family that once ruled over the wasteland as a prosperous nation.
Now, under the protection of Kyoushiro Kagami, it grew strong and flew self-sufficient.
The hero Mikoto Aizawa then also said this:
"This aid came from Ambrosia! From the people you call as Demon Spawns. They grew and farmed the rations you will be receiving. If you have any ounce of gratitude, I say do yourself a favor and forget the prejudice between the people born with black hair and eyes!"
This was said on a podium where everyone of the citizens, noble or not, to listen.
Then just like that, the city slowly got it's colors back. The empty streets were filled with people once more. The starving citizens were smiling once more and children were happily playing outside.
This was energy that was once filled the streets of the castle city. Where more than 4 million people lives.
Every single one of them, whether they were rich or poor, they were given equally with the supplies from Ambrosia.
And watching all that, Queen Isabelle and Princess Lucinda stood behind the window overlooking the grand line of people.
"I did not imagine that Ship was storing so many supplies. This much to feed an entire city of 4 million people? My, your husband is quite the person"
"Mother.... this was a direct aid from Queen Arianne. Mikoto-sama was the one that asked for her help"
"I know that but, I still can't believe that a single hero could make such things"
A large battleship that can send out smaller ships to move across the country. Large amount of supplies, containing all the necessities need for a family to survive for two weeks. Even the worker golems who finished repairing the walls were currently busy working inside the castle as temporary staffs.
There was even those large bulky Magic Iron Knights, that appears once in a while to patrol around the castle.
Queen Isabelle was surprised that one hero was capable to such things. Out of everyone else, she accepted that only Kyoushiro Kagami was a real hero.
Lucinda smiles proudly while watching the people outside. This only happened because of Kyoushiro, if it not for him reviving a dead country, this scene before her eyes wouldn't have happen.
"Kyoushiro-sama always do things in excess. I was told by that by Mikoto-sama once"
"I see.... so he prepared many contingency plans just in case it was needed huh? What a smart young lad. And this hero came from the same world as the others?"
"Yes.... though I was told the life Kyoushiro-sama lead in their world was different compared to the others"
A sad smile loomed over Lucinda's face. It was because from Kyoushiro's own words, his life there was 'hell on earth'. He had to provide for himself because of his relatives and he was working with shady people because of those relatives' debts.
The contrast between Kyoushiro's life in his world and this one was vastly different. Here, he had a woman like Lucinda waiting for him with their child. Mikoto supporting Lucinda from next the two and probably, Queen Arianne would be there as well.
In this world, everybody shuns a Demon Spawn but there were three lovely ladies waiting for Kyoushiro Kagami.
"But I think he is very happy right now"
Caressing the life inside her belly, Lucinda made a lovely expression of a wife that was loved by her husband. Her cheeks became rosy pink and her eyes were as motherly and womanly as they went.
She wouldn't ever deny it. Lucinda truly loves Kyoushiro.....
"I see...."
Watching her daughter make such face while thinking of the man she dearly loves, Queen Isabelle's lips loosened and a simple smile of a contented mother came out.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "142869",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 CH. 6 – A savior of tainted black",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 3 CH. 8 - Speak of the devil...
PART #1
Gaius have arrived the settlement he and his knights made for those who suffered from the oppression of the hero's party.
Inside a forest, a large settlement was made. There various houses made just for the sake making a living space.
At one elevation, there was a large building big enough to be mistaken like a military facility.
It was the hospital that the people who suffered from injuries, such as burns, sword cuts, lost of limbs, and other physical injuries. Gaius had it made along with the many families that were affected by the recklessness of the hero Taiga.
"We're here.... and not even a day has passed"
This settlement lies around east and just a few kilometers north, a mountain range lies. The settlement was built just around the foot f the mountain, as such, there were many uneven cliffs and elevation that creates a natural barrier that prevents monster from ever coming near.
Inside this settlement, there was more than a thousand people living in it.
Naturally, those with enough skills were given the task to guard the settlement. The ones that had any experience in farming were the ones growing their food and since there was antueal flowing river nearby, it was a perfect place to have a secret base.
Gaius and his men got out of the ship.
"Gaius-dono, I shall look for a place where I can land the ship properly. Please go on first"
"Alright, thank you for taking us here"
As soon as the door was closed, the ship flew up and slowly hovered above the trees.
Gaius nodded then walked towards the current leader of the settlement.
Passing through the rows of houses, Gaius and his men saw some familiar faces. They waved their hand once and as a form of reply, the lower their heads.
This place has no real ruler. Only a representative was elected just for the sake of communicating with Gaius.
Once he reached the plaza, a huge tree stood tall. It was one of those thousand year old trees that grown too hard to cut down. But this one particular tree was left alone for one reason.
It was only tree that produces golden colored leaves all year around. The bark was pure black and wrinkly but the trunk was massive in size. Even the height was just that huge.
"Gaius-sama, you've returned! Welcome back"
"It's been a short while, Ashna"
"Humu, indeed it has"
Ashna, a woman with caramel colored hair that flows down straightforward down her thighs. Her slanted eyes showed her fierce will along with the amber colored irises. She wore a sort of dress that most commoners wear but, her mature body sticks through her clothes adds a bit of sensuality every time she moves.
However, the most eye catching feature of hers were the scales on the side of her neck and on her arms.
"How did your return go? I do hope that everything was resolved"
"Do not worry lord dragon, Queen Isabelle is already awake. The kingdom is now making moves to correct the misdeeds of the nobles"
"I see, I'm glad then. You humans have already made homes around my nest after all"
"My apologies but, there was nowhere safer than this place after all"
Ashna was no ordinary woman. She was a long lived Ancient Elder Dragon that lived through millenniums. The entire mountain range his her nest, one she created thousands of years ago.
The human shaped Ancient Elder Dragon scoffed as she placed her hands on her waist.
"It is fine. I owe your master this much after all"
"I am very grateful"
Gaius bowed to Ashna. It was obvious who has the higher rank between the two.
"Anyways, you have come back quite early. Did you ride something to get here?"
"Yes, a magic airship of sorts. It is not owned by the kingdom so please do not be reckless with it"
"Ah... so that's the one that landed on my lake shores"
Ashna smiled while gazing at her right side as though she was directly looking at something. Gaius was troubled that she might get angry that a foreign ship would enter her nest. Though it seems that he was just thinking too much about it.
Ashna turns her head back in front.
"Alright. Make sure to hurry up with your business. I want to return to my long sleep after all"
"Will do, thank you Ashna"
"Yeah"
Ashna turns back and with a yawn, she jumps into the ground. Gaius breathes out and quickly returned to his original goal.
The representative of this settlement wasn't Ashna, she was merely the landowner. The one Gaius was looking for was the representative of this settlement.
Easily enough Gaius easily found him.
An old man in his fifties. Just everyone else, he had one or two scars and burns here and there.
"Beltran, I am here on behalf of Queen Isabelle"
"......."
The old man, Beltran turns to Gaius as soon as he heard his voice. However, his expression was as dark as a storm brewing in the horizon........
———
Taiga was the son of a politician. Everything that he wished were immediately granted. His father was a great man, loved by all and respected by his colleagues.
However that father of his had one fatal flaw.....
He was extremely greedy.
Be it money, fame or women, he would want them all. If it was a rising pop idol that he liked on television, he would immediately use his power to get what he wants.
As a father, he was a good man. He gave everything that his son wanted. He was like a genie from a magic lamp.
Even an impossible task, he could make it possible to do.
Hiding a dead body was simple. Melting them through acid then placing the corpse inside an industrial oil barrel before pouring cement in and throwing it at the sea.
Paying thugs to beat up bullies were easy. Simply waved around a couple of ten thousand yen bills, they would work for you happily.
Taiga grew up like that.
He got what he wanted whenever he ask for it. If it was going to be a problem about his grades, he could pay the teacher to push it up slightly.
He wasn't as greedy as his father, but Taiga himself had a flaw.
He was too prideful.
People who tries to look down on him gets kick around the mud. If it was a girl he likes, he would use his good looks to charm her, then do her once she fell.
Paying a victim after deed was enough. Even blackmail can be used to get them to stay quiet.
But this side of him, Taiga doesn't show it. Not unless he wants to that is.
In school, he was the nicest guy in class. Perfect grades, beautiful personality and very athletic. The girls loves him and he likes women back.
If he likes the girl, he secretly do her they pay her to shut up. After that, it would be bygones.
No none knows about this side of him. Not even his greedy father found out his little secret.
Out in the town, late at night, he and the friends he bought off would sometimes get some women to play with. Of course, even he goes to some bars. He has the money to pay for them.
But Taiga finds it very enjoyable when women resists.
First they would try to call for help. Second, they fight back. Then lastly, once they lost their precious purity, they'd give up and accept their fate.
Taiga like feisty women. Especially those with a very strong ego. Ones that would always shout back at you if you yell at them. Ones that punch you if you hit them first.
Forcing those kinds of girls into submission was the epitome of supremacy. It felt like being a king and conquering them all.
Even his mother was a fighter at first. Taiga still remember the face of his step mother the first time he forced her.
Taiga couldn't forget about the despaired face, mixed with snot and tears. It gave him a feeling of being more stronger than his father.
Taiga was truly at bliss.....
"Hey Hero-sama, when will we arrive at the nearest city? I'm getting bored"
A bald man came out from the tent with Leticia. The female night wore nothing but the moment she stepped out, a hand pulled her from another tent and disappeared. Soon after the tent shook and moans leaked out.
The bald man spat on the ground then walked towards Taiga while fixing his belt.
"I'm getting tired playing with Leticia. Let's go find some village or something"
"Shut up Riccardo. It's already weird that we haven't even met a single person ever since we entered the border. Just play around Faiha or something"
"Tsk, that bitch ain't tight anymore"
"Do you think I care?"
"Hmph, suit yourself then"
Riccardo snorts as he went to one of the tents in the camp. Taiga ignores the loud scuffle from the inside and continues to stare into the dark night before him.
It's been days since they entered the borders of Travestin but they hadn't seen any people yet. Supposedly, the should a town around where he was right now but there was hardly any spot of bricks and stones nearby.
There were only monster trees like Trents and Vine creeps when they got here.
"It's weird that the city we passed through before is gone. I wonder what happened?"
Monsters were everywhere. It was odd considering Taiga had already cleaned the up before leaving the country. However, there wasn't even any living human when they came back.
All the encounters they had were from monsters. Goblins, Ogres, and even Trents and large centipedes. There was hardly any towns or villages around to welcome them.
Along the way, Taiga sent the soldiers back first. Since it would be troublesome to go through all those monsters himself, he thought it would be best to just let the soldiers deal with them.
Taiga left some back at the base he established in the Vampire Demon Lord's land so there wasn't any issue of the enemies would come and retrieve their lands.
Even if they did, Taiga can just take it back. For him, everyone in this world was expendable. Letting a couple of soldiers die wouldn't amount to his life as a hero.
The King will even welcome him when he returns.
"They haven't even sent any messages yet"
Taiga sighed as he was getting impatient from waiting. The soldiers he sent first have yet to return nor even send a message. It was extremely frustrating camping outside. The mosquito bites weren't bearable.
"Taiga"
"Deborah? What's up?"
A girl with shoulder length silver hair called out Taiga. The distinct black collar around her neck was enough as proof that she was a slave.
"I found some signs of people around the mountain range just north from here"
"Oh? Were they hiding from the monsters?"
"I don't know. But there some spots where they hunted frequently. It's not too far from here"
"I see.... good work"
Taiga smiled and placed his hand on Deborah as he praised her.
.
"Take a rest for today, I'll tell the others myself"
"Understood"
Deborah lowered her head then turned around. The small girl who was once a daughter of a noble, was now wearing clothes strictly made for entertainment. Her small body can be seen through her veil like clothes.
Taiga's disappears then he turns to his tent where Princess Aria was sleeping. The adorable princess wore nothing underneath hear messy messy blanket.
Finally.... a proper bed to sleep—
Taiga sighs as he sat down on the bed. His hand then softly touches Princess Aria's face, strumming her hair with his fingers.
I was getting tired of this princess already. Leticia is too used and Fahnia is.... well let's not say anything—
.
Taiga took of his armor piece by piece the placed his sword on a rack. The tent he was in was three times bigger than the one hisboarty was using.
Riccardo was still playing around. Clint was using Leticia after Riccardo finished. Fahnia was with Riccardo and Daris was with his sister Corrina.
Everyone were busy. Though not as important than Taiga himself. But nevertheless, they were tired from walking from the dark lands back to the capital city of Travestin.
As soon as Taiga finished taking off his armor, he slipped into the blanket.
However, he was unable to sleep. It was noisy outside. Riccardo probably forced Fahnia to continue outside.
"What are you doing here?"
Leticia enters the tent. Her golden ringlets were disheveled and seems to be covered by something sticky. The small clothe she was using to cover herself had stains everywhere.
Taiga smiles then sat up.
"This is my tent too"
"No, It's princess's Aria's and mind. Didn't you promised me you wouldn't touch the princess if I do what you want?"
"Yeah, I kept my promise. I haven't touch her yet. But this is also my tent"
"......."
Leticia glares at Taiga for playing with his words.
"Come now, don't look at me like that. I haven't even took of my clothes"
"Tsk. It's already enough I have been keeping your party entertained every night but you shouldn't come near her highness like that"
Leticia's glare grew intensely. Her whole body was trembling from angerm However, Taiga shrugged it off by standing up and taking his sword.
"Alright, you win"
"......."
"But you should know what to do next right?"
Taiga grinned. He lied that he hasn't touched Princess Aria yet. He had already done it with her a lot of times behind Leticia's back. The princess did desired it herself after all. Taiga wasn't the kind of man to refuse such an offer.
Leticia averted her face as Taiga tried to lift her chin up with his index finger. Mixed with helplessness and frustration, Leticia's face frowned.
"I'm..... I'm too tired"
"Hoh? Is that so? Then I'm sure Princess Aria wouldn't mind"
"!?"
Leticia snapped her head back in place as Taiga tried to turn around. Her face painted much after she didn't like the idea of doing it again. She has just finished more than ten rounds at most for tonight.
She also couldn't let the beast before her to ever lay a hand on the sweet princess Aria. That innocent child wouldn't be able to bear this treatment.
"Taiga smiles and pushed his face closer to Leticia's.
" Good girl. You shouldn't fight back against your country's hero after all"
You are no hero.... you are a monster!!— Leticia screamed in her mind as her body trembled from Taiga's touch.
Although she had already been used so much already, she was still not used to this kind of thing. She was a proud female Knight that vowed to protect Princess Aria. However, she was treated like a toy by Taiga and his party.
As Taiga's lips approached hers and his fingers slowly moves around her chest.....
"Taiga! Come take a look at this!"
Another one of his party member came.
"Leo, haven't I told you to not enter my tent unannounced?"
"Sorry 'bout that but I just saw a huge magic airship flew by"
"Airship?"
Taiga didn't know about the magic airships in this world. He mostly uses carriages and horses to travel to different destination. That's why when Leo, his party member came and said he spotted one outside, Taiga became interested.
He quickly left the tent and took the telescope from Leo.
"That's....."
Through the lens of the telescope, Taiga saw something familiar. It was something that can only be seen on earth, it shouldn't exists in this one.
That's a battleship!!— Taiga excitedly thought so as he watch Mordred from a great distance flying towards the mountain range just north of them.
"See? It's big right?"
"Who cares about that! Wake everyone up! We'll go to where that ship is going!"
Taiga tossed back the telescope back to Leo in a great hurry. He immediately went back to the tent and wore back his armor.
"What's going on?"
Inside, Leticia had just finished cleaning herself and was about to sleep.
Taiga didn't care if Leticia was wearing underwear or not. He most threw her armor at her.
"H-Hey! What's the big id—"
"Just shut up and hurry!"
Taiga rushed outside and with the sound of hooves stomping and horses neighing, it was obvious that Taiga was trying to catch up to something.
"Oi! Why are you so noisy Taiga!? I was about to sleep!"
"Shut it! Leo will tell you the details just hurry up and get your weapon! There's something I need to see!!"
Taiga didn't wait for anyone. He galloped immediately and ran into the darkness.
Though the land was dark due to the clouds, the opening where the clouds part can be seen where Mordred was flying through.
Taiga hadn't saw anything like it in this world. He wasn't sure if it was the Demon Lords or from one of the allied countries. But nevertheless, Taiga wanted it.
It was already a chore riding a horse. Getting that ship would enable him to go different places easily.
"Hahahaha!! If you guys have it, you should have shown it sooner!!"
It was like a bandits laughter. Taiga was chasing after Mordred like a greedy bandit that just a a diamond in front of him.
.
Mordred continued to fly to the direction of the mountain. It was there that Gaius was waiting for a rescue.....
PART #2
Gaius heard terrible news about an army of soldiers getting trampled by monsters. According to the one that witnessed the battle, the soldiers were overrun by large number of ogres heading to the direction of the capital two days ago.
Though Beltran did want to send a messenger to the capital to tell of the terrible news, he couldn't as it was too dangerous for a common man to wander in a land infested with all kinds of monsters right now.
No one knows why there was an exceedingly large numbers of monsters attacking towns and villages, but it was obvious that they came from somewhere.
"Were the soldiers from the country?"
"We were not sure. There was a lot of them, like they were heading back from war"
Beltran recalls the poor appearances of the soldiers then. Covered in dirt and sweat, all wearing expression of exhaustion. Some had bandages covering their wounds and some were leaning on their comrades because of a lost limb.
Thinking about it, it was under like they just left a battlefield.
"I'm sorry if this news cause you to feel remorseful....."
"No, they were soldiers trained to protect their kingdom in exchange for their lives. I honor their valiant deaths"
Gaius was honestly thinking about that. Those soldiers deserved honor for following a reckless hero that was going around causing problems left and right. He was sure that when they were fighting alongside the hero, they lost some of their important comrades.
However, it does leave a bad taste in his mouth knowing that Taiga just left them for dead.....
"Anyways, I came here as a representative of her Highness Queen Isabelle. She is willing to listen to all of you and is prepared to pau numerations for the troubles the heroes and the nobles have caused"
"Is this for.... to make us yield our thoughts standing up against the Royal family?"
"........"
Gaius couldn't say anything in return. It was only natural for Beltran and the others to get mad because they couldn't control the hero. Gaius understood how furious everyone was right now with the royal family.
Beltran sigh and offered another refill of tea.
.
"Gaius-sama, you and your men saved us when we were left nothing to eat after the hero and the army took our supplies when they were heading to war"
The tea pot tilted and poured warm tea on the clay cup in front of Gaius. The Knight Captain quietly watched the cup get full and Beltran move away the tea pot.
"We owe you our lives. You have also given this place of refuge for us who lost our homes"
"That's only normal. I am a Knight who swore to protect the kingdom and it's people"
"But" Beltran immediately spoke, cutting off Gaius from speaking further. The old man sat back on his rickety chair and with a deep sigh, he continued.
"Our dead won't come back to life"
"......"
Everyone's wish is to bring judgement upon the hero that left and used us for himself. We the kingdom to bring justice upon our dead wives and daughters for what they did"
"That's....."
Gaius couldn't say anything else. Out of the 18 heroes, it was only Taiga that went crazy after training. He recruited rough looking adventurers and set off in a journey to become a real hero. However, in the process, he hurt people.
What's even worse, the nobles exploited this opportunity to wring out every last bit of blood from the populace, causing many deaths due to starvation and some wives and daughters handed out as payments for the ridiculous taxes imposed to them.
No one actually know that between the hero that was exiled and the hero everyone chose, the one that stayed rented up causing more mayhem than the one they exiled.
Was this retribution for their failure to choose wisely? Is it their fault that they chose Taiga to be their savior?
No one knows the answer to that. Not Gaius and certainly not Beltran.
"If the kingdom won't listen, the commoners will band together and raize the castle"
"......."
"However" Beltran showed a bit of a self-depreciating smile....
"You have saved us. I shall speak with everyone and will try to convince them"
"That's....! Thank you! You don't have to worry, Queen Isabelle is already in good health. She will listen to everyone one of you"
"I see"
Beltran closed his eyes as though he had accepted something he has been denying for so long. His hands holding his cup, clasped together and moved to cover his face as tears was starting to fall from his eyes.
Gaius watched the old man with warmth in his eyes. As someone who lost his daughter and his home to Taiga and his party, this decision of his was hard. For him to accept having a talk with the Queen, it took all of his being.
Revenge begets nothing. That thought probably crossed Beltran's mind.
*Knock-Knock* Suddenly one of Gaius's subordinates appeared at the door.
"Captain. We received words that Kuro-sama is coming this settlement"
"The Black Army's Commander? Why?"
Gaius was perplexed. Kuro didn't have any reason to head to this settlement. Did something happened that caused them to head here? Gaius couldn't think of any reason as to why Kuro was heading this way.
"Did this came from his subordinate?"
"Yes. I was told that the large ship they were using will be coming here to extract some materials. Also, in good faith, to provide immediate medical aid to the injured citizens"
"What?"
That was hard to understand. Kuro didn't have any reason to do something like help the people of Travestin. He was only asked to help out in clearing the monster infested lands.
Somehow, Gaius was having a bad feeling about this.
"Did he say anything else besides that?"
"No, just that he would come once night falls. He will probably be here by tonight"
"I see.... very well, tell everyone to prepare to welcome Kuro-dono and his men. Also, call Ashna and tell her about this as well. I wouldn't want the owner of this place to go on a rampage"
"Understood"
———
Mordred flew passed the plains in the east side of the country. From high above the skies, there were clear signs of towns and villages left in ruins after getting destroyed by monsters.
Even at night where thick clouds were forming underneath the hull of Mordred, everything was in clear view inside the holographic screens of the bridge.
Kuro, scoffs at the ruins of burned houses and wrecked Stine buildings.
"Even the wasteland has better defenses"
Kuro made an unexpected comparison of defense capabilities between the former refugee settlement in the wasteland and Travestin's. Unfortunately to say, even though it was hard to live in the wasteland, there were no chance of monsters ever even setting foot near the ruins of Aurolius.
In fact, it was rare that monsters enters the town there. Even if a dungeon gets flooded or some powerful monster chased away the weaker monsters, the people in the wasteland would always defend their home.
Unlike in Travestin, simple attacks from goblins, orcs, kobolds and other monsters drove them to such poor states.
"I guess they relied too much on adventurers and that hero"
Kuro sighed. The pathetic side of the people of Travestin was undeniable. They relied too much on other people to help them rather than empowering themselves to bolster their own defense systems.
Even a foolhardy farmer could level up from killing a goblin child if he wanted to.
"Sir, we are nearing the mountain range"
"Good, we'll set down just outside. I don't want to alarm the people staying there. Have you sent a message to Gaius-dono?"
"Yes sir"
Mordred had just finished sending the Worker golems to the site where Kuro was planning to make a temporary base. However, the place lacks the necessary materials to make a proper base so Kuro had Mordred to fly over to the nearest mountains to gather raw materials.
As expected, even with Mordred's special circulation magic power plant wouldn't handle the excessive use of the gate artifact inside it.
"Commander, there seems to be someone chasing us"
"What? someone chasing the ship?"
Kuro was taken aback by the report. No one in their right mind would chase after a magic airship, speed wise Mordred could even compete with an Elder dragon.
But right now, Mordred was just at cruising speed at lower altitude.
"It's probably some bandit. Ignore it"
"Understood"
Kuro was told that banditry was higher in areas where monsters are. That was because it wasn't a place people would normally go to.
But it was kind of surprising that a single bandit was trying to chase a flying ship in the sky. Though the speed itself wasn't a problem for a horse to chase after, it wasn't something that can be approach very easily.
Kuro shoves away the thought of the fool chasing after Mordred. His wild dark colored eyes was looking straight at the ever shrinking mountain before him.
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 CH. 8 – Speak of the devil…",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
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|
PART# 2
Morning came and the sun shined through the foliage of the forest, lighting up the dark forest. The light created by the campfire had ceased and the mother and child, Edsel Rose and Dahlia Rose, were still slumbering inside their tent.
Kyoushiro was already awake. He took out his preferred gear from the inside of his magic necklace and put them on. Black colored blazer enchanted with the <Physical Damage Null> and <Magic Damage Null>. He wore a dark grey pant equipped with pads in order to protect his joints. His black iron sole boot was enchanted with <Speed Boost> and <Air walk> and the dark overcoat he wore covered the long iron sword on his waist.
Each of Kyoushiro’s equipment was enchanted to the point that it could even be said that they were armaments of heroes. Because of their high grade in quality and performance, it was even enough to protect himself a dragon’s breathe.
Having no class whatsoever gave Kyoushiro so many skills that had given him an advantage against the other heroes. Also, at this point, Kyoushiro was already someone that could not be killed by any means. Be it physical or magical attacks, his equipment would save him from death.
Kyoushiro had basically cheated his own curse for not being able to gain any combat skills; so much for the effects of the [Cursed Arm of Hastur].
“Now then….”
Kyoushiro broke a branch from a tree and held it in his hands. Then, he focuses on it and begun to transform it into a magic item using his skills one after the other…
“<Magic Infusion>, <Transmutation>, <Mineral Processing>, <Metal Forging>”
Kyoushiro first infused the branch with magic power before using <Transmutation> to change its composition. Afterwards, Kyoushiro used <Mineral Processing> to process the transmuted branch into a material for his magic item. Then lastly, he used <Metal Forging> in order to solidify the item.
“Alright…. <Enchant>”
Kyoushiro stacked the enchantments stuck in his mind. [Recognition Obstruction], [Illusion] and [Hypnotism]; one by one, the enchantments stacked inside the eye-glass frame that Kyoushiro created from a wooden branch.
A square frame eye-glass that has no glass but has the ability to fool those who would look at him, the glass has effect of making the seer see him as a grey haired young man with red eyes rather than a young man with black hair and eyes.
Kyoushiro wore the glassless framed eye-glass and checked whether his appearance changed. He then went to the river nearby and gazed at his on reflection. Seeing that what he expected was shown, Kyoushiro nodded his head, feeling satisfied with his own creation.
A rare smug appeared on Kyoushiro’s face…
“With this I could get into town and get myself an adventurer guild card. I don’t have any means of identification after all”
“Why didn’t I think of this before?” Kyoushiro thought to himself as he remembered the occasions where he could have made some magic glasses to make him look like a different person. In the end, Kyoushiro berated himself for his own stupidity.
Keeping such thoughts to himself, Kyoushiro took the opportunity to appraise his self. It has been a whole while since he done so considering how much busy he was in the past. Kyoushiro sighed then used <Appraisal> on himself.
Kyoushiro Kagami [Cursed]
17 yrs. old
Male
Job class: - - - - -
Level: 90
STR: 75
AGI: 70
DEF: 70
MAG: 150
RES: 60
Skills: Language Acquisition, Appraisal, Transmutation, Metal Forging, Mineral Processing, Magic Infusion, Magic Manipulation, Magic Seer, Enchant, Earth Manipulation, Soil reforming, Soil conversion, Wind Manipulation, Boost, Increase Strength, Mental resist, Magic Boost, Golem Creation, Alchemy, Synthesis, Potion Craft, Forging, Crafting, Magic Conversion, Electricity Manipulation, Construction Craft, Blueprint Creation, Blueprint Machination, Gravity resistance, Regeneration(Slow).
[Curse]
{Cursed arm of Hastur}
Disable's the person's potential growth.
Effects: Power down, Magic down, Fighting skill acquisition prevention, Mind devour, Magic resist down.
-Cannot be purified by any holy means-
“Uwaah… My skills are all jumbled up from different classes… Having no Job class at all makes me gain different kinds of skills but there are still no combat related skills… just what the hell is my role in this world…”
Kyoushiro had no Job class from the start. Normally, such thing doesn’t exist and many had a job class from the start or so the books that Kyoushiro read said so. There were no people having no Job class at all in this world.
Just that, Kyoushiro gained numerous skills that aren’t likely related to any skills. He gained production skills like crafting skills and he gained magic manipulation skills like Wind and Earth Manipulation skills. That was the reason why Kyoushiro was able to create numerous advance machineries in Ambrosia.
If anything, people would call this a “Blessing in disguise” but for Kyoushiro who was suffering under a powerful curse that doesn’t let him get any combat skills and doesn’t let get higher attribute values, this was nothing but a problem.
Even if Kyoushiro were to create world ending devices in this world, it won’t be enough to defeat Taiga, who was reigning as this world’s hero.
Speaking of which…
“I haven’t gotten in touch with Lucinda for a while now. Even though she normally contacts me regularly, now it’s been really quiet…”
“I wonder what’s wrong….” Kyoushiro has yet to receive a regular call from Lucinda. It has been a habit of hers to contact Kyoushiro every day before and after daylight. Getting no calls from her made Kyoushiro feel anxious and can’t help but be worried.
Of course, Kyoushiro already told Lucinda about the extended trip before they even landed but it has been a while since then.
Kyoushiro was getting a bad feeling.
“Damn it… If only my magic power is enough… I would be the one that contacts her”
Having low magic power, Kyoushiro could barely even send a telepathic message to Lucinda. The magic earrings and rings which help him contact Lucinda could only reach the other side if the person sending the message has enough magic power.
Kyoushiro’s magic power was lo due to the curse in his right hand, making him unable to contact Lucinda at all.
In the end, it was the curse’s fault.
“Tsk, I’ll do something about this later and go back to Ambrosia as fast as I can. I’m already worried since I’m not there to protect it”
Kyoushiro’s face cramped as he felt useless due to his curse preventing his growth. His plan to visit an Adventurer guild was to test if he could get a job class there. His curse might be preventing him from growing but it didn’t say he couldn’t get a Job Class.
Furthermore, a guild card could be used as an ID in this world so even if he doesn’t do any request, he’ll be able to enter towns or cities if he wished to. As for his old card, he lost it somehow. For some odd reason, he couldn’t find his old Status card at all. In the end, he couldn’t use any form of identification. His <Appraisal> skill was useful but it can’t make him display his status to other people.
“Nnn… Papa?”
Just then, Dahlia woke up. Probably seeing a dream just now, she saw Kyoushiro and called him “Papa” which due to his black hair and eyes showing after unconsciously removing the magic glasses.
Edsel woke up after Dahlia and saw Kyoushiro wearing a frown on his face as he received a long stare from Dahlia. Edsel looked to and from the two, who have been quiet until now and let out a faint smile. Kyoushiro sighed and wore back the magic glasses.
Seeing that, Dahlia went “Ah…” with her arms outstretched, trying to reach out to something. It seems that she thought as Kyoushiro as her father just now.
“Lia-chan, that isn’t papa. He saved us from those bad guys”
“Eh? But… Lia is… papa has the same black hair as papa….”
“Lia-chan…”
Edsel embraced her daughter, who was about to cry, and held her tight. Kyoushiro fixed his appearance and prepared breakfast for the two before taking care of the tent that was just used. For the time being, Kyoushiro stayed quiet in order to not have any other misunderstandings that would create any instances that would end up catering someone else’s affections.
After all, Kyoushiro bowed to himself that he won’t get himself involve with any other women besides the three girls in his life.
Just that for some reason, Kyoushiro was having a bad feeling in his heart.
|
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|
Vol. 4 CH. 7 – The figure of a Hero
PART# 1
Kyoushiro was taken to various places where he could make his [Gate] artifact. With Elyria behind him and Corralia presenting the places where the [Gate] artifact could be set up, Kyoushiro enjoys the scenic view of the ocean.
As one would expect from a place surrounded by sea, the dolphins jumping in and out of the sea was amazing. Kyoushiro hadn't been in vacation for a long time now so such thing felt wonderful.
"Waaaah!! Look Hero-sama! Those Dalphines are doing their fishing dance!"
The kid— Finnick, joined Kyoushiro who was going around the city on a boat.
"There! There! The horned whale just shot up some water!!"
Finnick points at the water sprouts at the distance. Kyoushiro saw it too but the huge ocean cruise ship like whale gave Kyoushiro another punch in the face. That horned whale was big enough to swallow a pirate ship if it wanted to. Just seeing that made Kyoushiro think how outrageous this World's seas were.
Moreover.....
"Why is the kid even here?"
"Eh? I thought you wanted to bring him along?"
"Of course not. Why would I want to bring a kid on a trip like this? I don't even know him"
Kyoushiro looked down at the kid who was enjoying the blowing winds like he was in Titanic. The thought 'Should I push him down and see if he'll float?' crossed Kyoushiro's mind since Finnick was brazen enough to join Kyoushiro in looking for a place he could use to make a port.
Finnick then turned around, with stars in his eyes and ran towards Kyoushiro.
"Hey nii-chan!"
"Who the hell are you calling that? I ain't your nii-chan or anything"
Kyoushiro scowled at Finnick for acting so close with him.
"Eh? Aren't you a hero? You should be happy you're helping a kid like me"
Finnick smacks his fist onto his chest. With a smile proudly saying he was serious. Kyoushiro though, only see a pitiful kid who's head had a few screw loose.
"I won't be responsible if someone will claim I kidnapped you when we get back"
"Don't worry! I'll make sure I'll tell them I'm the Black Hero's right hand man!"
Right hand man he says. Although Kyoushiro was already thinking of throwing the kid overboard, Elyria was sure to object in that. Corralia was just looking at Kyoushiro like he was like some kind ideal personification of a hero just like Finnick.
In truth, the reason why Finnick help himself in joining Kyoushiro was because Elyria kept on telling how he fought two Demon Lords and won, fought off a thousand army of mutated mercenaries and grandly told the two much he had changed a city within three months.
All that Elyria said was exaggerated. However, for the people of this world, the exploits of heroes were one thing to remember as they were currently living in the era where heroes currently exist. It was like meeting an esteemed being herald by the heavens above and watching their actions influence the world with their own eyes.
Furthermore, if someone were to question the personalities of each heroes, Kyoushiro would be the unique one since, out of everyone else, he was still couldn't get used to living in this world.
Sperm whales? This world doesn't have that! Bomber Whales is what this world has! Tentacle monsters? We got all sorts! Pick one and you'll enjoy your day!— It was like the world was some kind retail mall that sells all the weird things that the gods made for entertainment. Even the giant squids have blades for legs and tuna with human limbs were the embodiment of nightmares.
For someone who still cling to the common sense of earth, this world was like a never ending rollercoaster that just goes up and down with heights and depth surpassing the even the sky itself.
"I don't need a right hand, I already got mine"
Kyoushiro sarcastically moved his right arm and flicked Finnick's forehead.
"Ow!"
"Now, once we get back, you go home back to your place. I won't be dealing with shits like people claiming I've kidnapped a kid"
Kyoushiro snickered then stood up.
"How childish"
"Indeed, he is"
The two girls commented on Kyoushiro's actions. As the boat sailed close to the last stop, Kyoushiro and sure to ignore Finnick crying while holding onto Corralia's legs.
—
Out of all seven islands available around Oceanus, Kyoushiro chose a wide looking one with an active volcano inside it. It was a small archipelago with numerous smaller islands surrounding the center which had the volcano in it.
"This one here is hardly one I would recommend. Pirates often pass through here and leave their treasures to hide or spend a night it. On top of that, there's a dangerous side which a ravenous whirlpool that is always occupying the north west side of the islands"
Corralia had brought Kyoushiro to all six islands. Each one had their unique shape and size but none of them had such dangerous side to them. The first island was a single rock large enough to make a small town. Kyoushiro seemed to have thought that the first island was a sunken mountain or something just basing on the size of the island.
The second and third were out of the question. They were too small and hardly had enough resources to use for on-site building. The fourth, fifth and sixth ones were just nearly perfect if they didn't have any living inhabitants like the mermaids or the tunamen.
"Would it be best to rethink your choice?"
"Nah, this is good. If all things considered, I could make a resort out of this. Plus there's a volcano nearby, making it possible to build some energy resource facility. I want to see if it's possible to create a geothermal powerplant in this world.....what?"
Corralia, Elyria and Finnick was looking speechless. Aside from the young Finnick, who didn't understand what Kyoushiro was talking about, Corralia and Elyria was just stunned by what Kyoushiro was planning. They understood that purpose of connecting Ambrosia with Oceanus, but building a resort in these waters was next to suicide. On top of that, he was going to use an active volcano for something even they couldn't comprehend. It would have been good of Koizumi and Katsuto were to come since they could talk some sense to Kyoushiro.
But with those two staying back on the palace to relax, there was no one going to stop Kyoushiro and his crazy ideas.
"Uh.... building the port aside, you wished to make a something else in this islands? I don't think I can recommend that"
"That's right, didn't you hear what she said earlier, pirates comes and goes to this place. I don't think the workers you'll send here would be safe"
The worries of the Corralia and Elyria were normal. After all, to them, people were just as dangerous as monsters. Especially in places where the governments of any country barely reach. Oceanus's knights barely patrol the area and there weren't even a lot of people visiting this place since it was too far and dangerous.
It wasn't exactly as safe as the land that never age.
"Doesn't matter. I'll set up the [Gate] now so let's land already"
Kyoushiro told the boat driver to continue inland, ignoring Corralia's warning. As the boat got closer and closer, the air suddenly turned tense and ominous clouds began to fill the skies as though trying to warn the visitors not to continue.
Just then, Kyoushiro waved his right hand, like wiping of dust on a mirror, sending away the clouds like it was nothing using his skills.
"Amazing! You're a hero that control the weather!? That's so awesome!!"
Finnick liked Kyoushiro's actions. Whereas the other two just thought how wasteful it was to use such skill on an islay trying to send them away.
"Stop jumping, do you want to put a hole in the boat?"
"Eh? But this boat is sturdy though?"
"I will make one just make you fall in so stop it"
Kyoushiro warned Finnick from causing more trouble. Finnick then replies with his mouth pouting 'yes' still wanting to have fun. Well, the dangerous part had just passed. Not the clouds but the thing that just swam underneath the boat. Kyoushiro noticed that it was aiming for the boat so he used his «Gravity Manipulate» skill to make it sink deeper underwater. It had it's back bone probably broken since Kyoushiro used to much power on it.
I'll set up some Magic Iron Nights around this place to clear it out. I'd have the worker golems build me a house since this is a beach and all. I always wanted to have fun in the beach— Kyoushiro thought while yawning.
As the ship hit shore, a pleasant breeze blew in. The palm trees were waving them welcome and the whole beach was just shining in glitter. After a couple of years since his parents passed, Kyoushiro came to a beach himself. The only place close to a beach he's been was in Tokyo boy when he was dumping barrels from a boat into the sea.
I swear those barrels didn't have any other waste in them besides melted corpses— Kyoushiro stretched his limbs out while thinking so.
"It's beautiful here"
Elyria stepped foot onto the sandy beach, looking around the place. Corralia came down next and like Elyria, she too thought the island was beautiful. Finnick just dropped down on the ground since his feet couldn't reach the ground.
"Oof"
"Careful kid"
"That was too late for a warning don't you think?"
Elyria sighed then went to help Finnick stand up. Kyoushiro ignored them and surveyed the island using «Magic Seer» skill. Aside from the animals living inside, there wasn't anything noteworthy. Kyoushiro then sent a wave of magic power around the island to see if there was anything more but, aside from the volcano and the whirlpool Corralia mentioned, there wasn't anyone living in the island.
There are buried treasure though.
"Alright, I call dibs on whatever treasure we find on this island"
"Eh? What do you mean by that Kagami-sama?"
Kyoushiro walked off and entered the forest, ignoring Corralia. The three immediately followed him inside. As they walked through the mangroves of trees, they easily reached a clearing. There, Kyoushiro took out the necessary materials he need for a [Gate] artifact and quickly built it before the eyes of the spectators.
*Vwoom* As the gate finished after a while of waiting, a blue colored wave swept across everyone. From there, Ambrosia was now connected to this place.
"Wow....!!"
"H-Huh? This is...."
"......."
They couldn't believe it with their own eyes. Except for Elyria, Corralia and Finnick have yet to see how other countries look like. That's why when they saw the terminal in Ambrosia, they were quickly amazed.
"Let's go in"
Prompting the group, Kyoushiro entered the gate.
"W-Wait!"
Corralia called out to Kyoushiro but he was already gone. Elyria just sighed and shrugged her shoulders saying "It's best if we go now. He won't wait" Then went in inside the gate herself. Finnick nervously went inside then Corralia followed after.
As soon as the three of them entered the gate, a whole new world came into view....
—
A while after Kyoushiro left Ambrosia, a certain celebration was being made under way.
"Arianne-sama, are you certain that Kyou-san will be happy if he were to see this?"
"It's not a problem Edsel-san. With this, everyone will know who Kyoushiro is"
Standing right in the middle of the plaza in the southern downtown part of Ambrosia we're Arianne and Edsel. Guards stood around them to prevent any civilians from entering the vicinity of the area where a certain project was underway.
Arianne was smiling in glee. Everyone around had eyes filled with curiosity and expectation. After all, there was this large object covered by a cloth tower tens of meters before them.
Though, Edsel had her misgivings on upon the project herself, Arianne's will couldn't be bend by merely reasoning with her. After all, if this were to be seen by the person himself, it was without a doubt that he wouldn't be too happy about it.
Ever since Edsel had come Ambrosia, she had seen things that are normally not in this world. There was a proper housing for everyone, be it commoner or noble. Inside the houses has their own source of water and a place to bathe and wash their clothes. Not only that, the streets weren't littered with dirt or trash, it was always clean. Lampposts lights up the streets at night and hardly any people complain about monsters attacking.
The only common thing here like in other places were the ruling government. Hardly any noble stays in this country since the only noble around was Arianne herself. The people helping in her government were chosen individuals thought by the Queen herself in order to help her properly govern Ambrosia.
Edsel had heard from the person herself that at the beginning of it all, it was hard since Ambrosia was just a lawless city. It was thanks to Kyoushiro's meddling that made it possible to make a city so vibrant as this.
"Arianne-sama, the construction crew are nearly done with the project. All that's left is to prepare for the festival"
"Understood, please prepare the necessary materials needed for the festival later on. This is Ambrosia's first festival after all, let us have the people experience something fun after a long time"
"Yes"
Arianne finished talking with the young black haired soldier about the proceedings of preparation for the next phase of the project.
For a while now, Arianne was thinking of having a festival for the whole city. Since, it was only recently that a Demon Lord attacked this place, it was only normal for them to have some sort of relief to tell them that the threat has passed.
Now that there's a way to go to and from different countries like Travestin and Paracellumn, there would now be an exchange of goods; therefore all kinds of goods are now being sold throughout the city.
"Well then Edsel-san, I'll leave the matters of handling the other project on your hands"
"Understood, Arianne-sama. Please leave it to me"
Arianne, being busy as she was, still finds a way to always take a break. Edsel kind of admired her for it. Elfianna wasn't someone to let herself take a break once in a while so there were times she would be more tired to do work. Well, it wasn't that bad as the life in an elf country was peaceful.
Edsel lowered her head slightly as Arianne leaves the plaza and rode a long car guarded by her knights.
This sort of thing was way different in other countries. Edsel was still wasn't used to how Ambrosia work even after a few weeks passed.
In any case, the next project was still underway. The western part of the city still needs some decorations and someone had to place some people to control traffic. There was still a whole lot to do but for Edsel, this was way better than being an outlet of lust by some bandit in a village.
PART# 2
Kyoushiro, Elyria, Corralia and then Finnick appeared in the terminal of Ambrosia inside the commercial district of the city.
"Oh? Boss, where'd you appear this time?"
"Some remote island in Oceanus. Have some people go there and prepare the worker golems to begin construction. After that, have some security personnel guard the place in case some pirate comes in the island"
Unlike before, the dwarf that welcomed Kyoushiro wasn't here. The one greeted him was a Bear type Demi-human. He was also a member of the terminal's work force.
"Aaah.... Your majesty, my apologies but we can't spare some personnel this time. The whole city is preparing for the first festival of Ambrosia"
"A festival?"
It was the first time Kyoushiro heard such thing. He didn't hear anything from Arianne or Edsel when he came here days ago so he was just taken by surprise.
"Yes sir. The whole city is preparing for it. I hear that it'll be a grand festival with fireworks and dancing. I even heard that the commercial district will open their bars for drinks till the festival ends you know? It's going to be epic!"
"You guys really love beer huh?"
Kyoushiro sighed with a smile on his face. Seeing that everyone was now enjoying their peace in a city where their lives wouldn't be in danger or their food would ran out, was enough to make Kyoushiro happy. After all, the inconveniences in this world for him was too harsh as well. Being able to have this party after a long time was just pleasing.
"So? Why wasn't I told about this? This'll be my first festival in this world you know? I got to be there"
"Hahaha! Of course! I'm sure her Majesty Arianne-sama just forgot to mention it to you. Why don't you hurry there and ask herself then Boss?"
"I'll do that later. I'll just take some worker golems and Magic Iron Knights from the depo in my place. Make sure to have a guard or two standing next to this [Gate]. Either that or I'll just close this"
"No, no. I'll have someone man this [Gate] later Boss. Don't worry, just have fun with your lady friends there"
The person then smiles suggestively and winks at Kyoushiro. Turning his head slightly, Kyoushiro caught the sight of the two girls garnering attention. Probably because right now Kyoushiro entered through a gate, which only he can do, caused some attention to go to his direction.
Elyria had already seen Ambrosia so she wasn't that surprised but Corralia and Finnick, who has only been Oceanus since birth, the whole city was like a wonderland that they never have seen before.
"You're misunderstanding something here"
"Nope. No need to explain, boss. Your secret is safe with me"
Once again, the bear Demi-human winks at Kyoushiro. Though, there was no secret to keep in the first place since the two women were nothing to Kyoushiro, it would just be troublesome to explain around a whole crowd surrounding him.
Actually, it was a pretty hot weather. Being in a wasteland and all, it wasn't good to stand in such crowded place. As such, Kyoushiro sighed and walks off towards the exit.
"Ah! Hey wait!"
"Kagami-sama! Please wait for us!"
"nii-chan! wait!'
Quickly, the three rushed to chase Kyoushiro with the cried still looking at them.
—
"Wow...."
Such exclamation came from Finnick as he leaned towards the window inside a moving car. Seated on the driver seat was a driver who was once a cart driver, now drives a cab to earn money. Kyoushiro was on the passenger seat in front while Finnick, Elyria and then Corralia was in the back.
They were driving through the main road of the 3rd district of the Commercial part of the western city of Ambrosia. Because this was the busiest part of Ambrosia as a whole, the towering buildings, probably leased to some merchants that came from Travestin or Ambrosia, were glimmering with lights. Aside from the New York like vibe, it was still normal looking with all the people still dresed in poor quality clothing.
That was only natural since those people were either visitors from Travestin or they still didn't bought some earth style clothing.
Kyoushiro didn't have anything to do with that. There were some people in the old Ambrosia being a dress maker in the past so everything just went with the flow.
"Don't lean up outside too much kid. I don't want to see your guts spread out in the road"
"Uh.... shouldn't you warn him in a different way mister?"
The driver wasn't a Demon-Spawn. He was a normal looking old man that wore a farmer like clothing. But being a concerned person, he reprimany Kyoushiro for his choice of words.
Kyoushiro scoffed and just told the driver to just drive.
"I won't be responsible for the kid. He isn't mine"
"Wow!! Hey nii-chan! Look! There's some elves walking around in the streets!"
Finnick points at the elves sticking out like a sore thumb in their tight adventure equipment. Kyoushiro glanced there for a minute and saw other people wearing some rough looking armor as well. They seemed to be adventurers from Travestin since they weren't Demon-Spawn.
It's probably spread around that they can visit Ambrosia through Travestin huh? Well, I didn't think it would be this fast though— Kyoushiro thought to himself as he recalled that it wasn't only a a month or so since he came from Travestin and built the [Gate] on that side.
Structural advancements aside, the people living in Ambrosia was changing at a fast rate. Kyoushiro might have been the main cause of that since he didn't like sleeping in a hot weather but watching other people from other countries visit Ambrosia, the place where they send their Demon-Spawns too was something unbelievable. It wasn't only long since he received a horrible welcome from the elves but now some were even coming Ambrosia to look around.
"I guess Arianne worked hard huh?"
Kyoushiro snugs himself to his seat and fixed the direction of the fin on the panel. Soon, comfortable cool air hits Kyoushiro's body.
This is one thing I'm happy to make— Kyoushiro muttered to himself with a satisfied smile.
"Hey now there mister. You shouldn't go around calling the Queen of this country like that. That's rude, she did made this whole Kingdom with the black hero after all, have some respect"
Suddenly, the driver got angry.
"Huh?"
"Like I said, you should be grateful that you're in this place. Ambrosia is probably the safest place in this world with how the Black Hero made such convenient place. I'm grateful that someone like me even got the chance to work in this Kingdom"
Apparently, the Ambrosian Kingdom started opening their doors to people from other countries for work. It was due to having less than a half a thousand people living in Ambrosia. Though, that was before the nearby settlements started to migrate to Ambrosia for safety and a new future. But, even with that the number of people working in Ambrosia was small. That's why, when the first gate opened, those who wanted a job were quickly hired.
Kyoushiro was dumbfounded by such thing since it wasn't what he expected. Ambrosia grew because he let his own worker golems upgrade the city. With the help of all the races living in Ambrosia, that has deep knowledge in Crafting, Alchemy and Enchantment magic, as well as construction and a farming, the whole Kingdom advanced at a rate Kyoushiro didn't see coming.
It wasn't something he could claim of doing. After all, he was only a stepping stone in the prosperity of the new Kingdom. It'll be it's people that'll lead it to a better future or to a horrible demise.
"So that's never causally mention the name of the ruler of this great city"
It was bad. No, it wasn't that bad but hearing other people preach like that some kind of religion was way worse than Earth's. It was like some religious fanatics knocking at your door until you answered because they pounded on it like fifty times so you got annoyed and just answered it.
"I see, well I'm sure the great Arianne-sama will understand. She is a benevolent Queen after all"
Kyoushiro replied black while closing his eyes to sleep. The people in the back were just quietly bewildered because the man didn't recognized the person sitting next to him as none other than the Black Hero himself.
Since Kyoushiro fell asleep, Corralia got curious and asked the driver about something.
"Excuse me, Mr. Driver. Can I ask what kind of person is the Black Hero?"
"Oh him? I know rumors but I hear he is the one true hero that's been summoned and only those that came with him were just carried along"
"Eh? But aren't every hero just as strong as him?"
"Maybe. I did hear that he took down the 9th Demon Lord with four other heroes but they didn't seem relevant in the battle is what I heard"
Probably because it was just word of tongue that came from the witnesses of that fight, the story got jumbled up. With everything that's happened, it seems that the rush of the developments in Ambrosia caused the story to be overblown.
"Still though, I'm still curious of what kind of person is the Black Hero. Was he not a Demon-Spawn?"
"Aye, that I heard. Apparently because of that he was exiled from Travestin. Though Her royal Highness Queen Lucinda said that the crime ludicrous and to much of a make-believe crime concocted by the old nobled there"
"I see...."
Corralia nodded to herself, trying to understood what she just heard.
"Say mister! Is the Black hero a great and strong hero? I want to know how that fight with the Demon Lord went!"
Finnick excitedly jumps forward and leans on Kyoushiro's seat, causing Kyoushiro to wake up. With a grumbling look on his face, Kyoushiro once again closed his eyes.
"Let's see..... from how the bards tell it, it seems that the Black hero appeared in the sky and shot a thick beam of light towards the Demon Lord. Then he joined forces with the four heroes and fought the Demon Lord. Sadly the four heroes were no match for the Demon Lord so the Black hero fought it with all his might until he lost an arm and an eye"
"Eh!? He lost an arm and an eye?!!"
"Aye. That hero is said to be living in the tallest tower in Ambrosia. You can see it from here too. It's that towering building behind the royal palace. It's built on a hilltop or so I heard"
"Where!?"
As the driver points the the direction of the tower, Finnick jumps forward and rocks the seat Kyoushiro was on. This time, Kyoushiro, who had been disturbed for the third time, sent back Finnick back to his seat with «Wind Manipulation» skill.
"Oof! Hey what was that for nii-chan!?"
"You've been very annoying kid. Should I just toss you out on the street? Can't you see I'm sleeping here?"
"Sheesh mister, aren't you a sour lemon"
The driver was surprised at Kyoushiro who used force on a kid who was just being curious. Kyoushiro then shot a glare at the driver to make him silent. The driver understood the message and stays quiet throughout the drive until they reached the front of the castle.
"We're here, get off you three"
Kyoushiro got off from the car proceeds his way towards the gate. But the driver, not getting paid for the ride yet chased after Kyoushiro.
"Hey! You haven't paid yet! That's at least 10 silver Ambrose you know!"
"Ah right"
Kyoushiro muttered then walks to the guard of the castle gate. The guards then recognized Kyoushiro's face and quickly salutes.
"Welcome back your majesty Kyoushiro Kagami-sama!"
"Stop that, here, hand this 10 silver Ambrose to that driver there. I'm heading in"
"Yes!"
As Kyoushiro and the others passed through the gate, the driver, who was receiving 10 silver Ambrose couldn't help but wonder, widened eyed, who was that rude passenger he had just drove here. When he asked the guard, he then received a smile and very enthusiastic answer.
"Ah! That was the Black Hero and King of Ambrosia! Kyoushiro Kagami-sama! You sure are lucky to have him as a passenger today"
The guard leaves and returned to his station with a smile on his face. Leaving but the man standing still in shock as the person he had just told off was none other than the person he was just talking about a couple of minutes earlier.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "228587",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 4 CH. 7 — The figure of a hero",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 3 CH. 7 - The Teacher arrives first.....
PART #1
"What's up with this place?!"
Prince Roderick shouted as he cut down an Orc Warrior with his sword. Thick red blood spew from the opened wound on the large Orc's neck and rained down on the white plated armor of Prince Roderick.
"Please just hang in there your Highness!!"
Albert Myunella Rafon burned several number of orc riders running around him with a large fire attack from his grand magic spell «Blades of Flames».
Red hot blades of fire cut through the bodies of both the large Breaker wolves and Orc riders together. Both stench of burning hair and meat spread across the area.
Albert frowned from the foul stenched but he did not forgot to aid prince Roderick, who were being attacked by Orc warriors. The comparable size between a human and a near three meter orc was huge.
What's more, the strength between the two was castle different. Prince Roderick was having troubles executing his sword skills as the difference in reach prevents him from even landing a fatal blow.
They were supposed to reached a small town near the borders but they ended up entering an Orc settlement that had grew to a size of a city.
Standing behind the hundred of orc soldiers, orc warriors, orc archers and orc mages was the Orc king himself. A five meter tall giant with four protruding tusk coming out from his lower jaw. Its fat neck had a necklace of human skulls hanged around it and on its right hand was a large dark red axe that was probably drenched with human blood.
"Kh!? Burn ablaze and turn to cinders!! — «Flame vortex»!!"
Albert cast another spell with wide ranged and turned nearly ten orc soldiers on his right side into bunch of burned corpses.
"Hah....hah.....hah.... Just what happened in this place?!"
Albert cried loudly and sent flame lances, wind blades, Ice spears, earth bullets and all sorts of spells towards the enemies. Not one orc got near him but it was very obvious that the Orcs were just waiting for him to get exhausted.
Truthfully, Albert was reaching his limit right now. If had known this would happen, he would have brought more bottles of magic restorative potions before he left the magic academy.
They were being outnumbered right now"
"Thankfully, our lady Inomiri-sama still stands"
Albert glanced at the woman who was hovering in the sky, dodging arrows and spells from the enemy orc. Five swords of light were hovering around her and each time she swung her arms, the swords moves wildly and slice through the orcs like their made of straws.
At times she blew back the arrows using a high rank wind spell «Whirlwind Storm» both now through the enemies and send son support to Albert and Prince Roderick.
The soldiers that came with them were done for a longtime ago.
It was unfortunate but they lived their lives protecting the Prince till their last breath.
"!? That's...."
"Tsk! Not now!"
Albert and Prince Roderick shouted as they saw the Orc king walking through his subjects while holding his large axe.
This wasn't the right time. Albert and Prince Roderick were already at their limits.
"Albert! Roderick!"
Inomiri-sensei saw the Orc king walking with a devilish grin. Inomiri-sensei immediately tries to ran to the two's rescue but the orc mages and archers didn't let her.
Another volley of spells and arrows headed to Inomiri-sensei's way. Pained that she was going to unable to dodge the attacks this time, Inomiri-sensei casted a barrier to protect herself.
*Dodoon!* *Krrrr—!!* The barrier shook from the various impacts of both spells and arrows.
"Ugh....!?"
Inomiri-sensei felt her magic power dropping like an open faucet. Slowly, she was descending from the sky and one of swords of light had disappeared.
It was bad, really bad.
From below, Inomiri-sensei can see some orcs licking their lips as they held their hands up as though trying to reach her in the sky.
Her body trembled at the disgusting sight of pig faced men with saliva dripping down their fatty necks as they tried to reach her.
Noo!!—
Inomiri-sensei screamed in terror inside her mind as the barrier dissipated and one of the orcuses' fingers touches her heel.
That was close. Inomiri-sensei nealy got caught by an orc.
"Guaaagh!?"
"Dwaaagh!!?"
It was then that Inomiri-sensei heard Albert's and Prince Roderick's pained screams. Over yonder, the orc king had swung his large axe and sent Albert and Prince Roderick flying.
Albert might have attempted to use a barrier to shield themselves from the Orc king's axe but the barrier shattered and the shockwave caused by the axe when it destroyed the barrier sent the two flying.
They might be unharmed but the two fainted due to them getting thrown back.
"Noooo!!!"
Inomiri-sensei despaired as she slowly watched the Orc king raised his large axe above his crown.
It was the end. The two men that helped her all this time were about to meet their end.
She needs to act.
Inomiri-sensei herself needs to do something.
"I have to—"
It was then her words were cut off. Her vision suddenly blurred as her feet was caught by one of the orcs that jumped. Gravity forced her down to hell. In her eyes, the disgusting squirming pigs were about to devour her.
This was the end.
Orcs in this world arm a monster of lusts. They don't stop until their partner is dead or barely alive to keep their offsprings. What's more, they even eat the corpses of the dead they violated.
They are truly monsters worthy of being called ruthless demons.
But then suddenly.....
*DODODODODODO—Kabooooom!!!!!*
As though a bomber plane just carpet bombed the area, large explosions emerged and turned the orcs into mince meat. A bloody mess and a scorched earth came out after the blast.
*Sshhiiii—* The a sound of an turbine engine reached Inomiri-sensei's ear.
"Looks like we found ourselves an orc settlement"
"Yeah, and a big one at that"
Suddenly strangers were walking down the blast zone.
"Hey! There's two fallen men here! You idiots didn't adjust the power output didn't you!?"
"Uwaah.... these guys have some luck, it's a good thing the large Orc shielded them from the blasts"
There were two men and two women; four people in total were having a conversation like they were walking inside a park. The two men, A black haired human holding a great sword and dwarf wielding a giant hammer, clicked their tongues in annoyance at the nagging women with them.
"Stop nagging. We did what we needed to do. They're alive ain't they?"
"Yeah, you girls are just picky with how we do things"
"Shut up you muscleheaded idiots! Their civilians for heaven's sake!"
"Riza! These two are just unconscious! Let's have Vesta bring down the ship!"
The two women, a dark elf and cat person. Unlike the two men, they were more delicate with their way of doing things.
Inomiri-sensei watched as they finally noticed that Inomiri-sensei was watching them in the hands of the orcs.
"Looks like there's a Lady with them"
"Poor lass.... Well, let's get to rescuing"
The two men left Riza the dark elf with the cat person to tend to Albert and Prince Roderick. Riza sighed as waved at the flying ship in the sky to get it's attention.
"Karm! Richter! Save the woman first! Kiyana's going to handle these two with me!"
"Haha! Alright!"
"Let's 'em pigs!!"
Karm the human and Richter the dwarf. Both were menacingly smiling as they charged at the hoard of orcs surrounding Inomiri-sensei.
Karm tightly held his great sword then leaped into the sky.
"Sword art — «Earth Breaker»!!"
*Kii—duun!!!* The earth bursts and cracks as Karm's sword landed. A powerful shockwave tore the orcs into a mess. With a sinister grin and madman like laugh, Karm kicked the ground, grabbed the face of a nearby orc, crushed it before tossing the large thing away with his own arm.
"Hiyaahahahahaha!!! I haven't played this match after the fight with the Demon Lord!!"
Karm wildli cut through the thick body's of the orcs. Probably because they tried to compressed earlier, none of the orcs could move properly. Because of their large bodies, they ended up pushing the ones next to them whenever they attack.
Karm took advantage of that and cut everything he sees. It was like a storm of blades just arrogantly tearing everything away at its wake.
"Hoho! This old man ain't holding either!"
This time, Richter, the black bearded dwarf swung his giant hammer and smashed the orcs in a single swing.
"Hammer art + Wind magic — «Shockwave burst»!!"
Indescribable sounds of bones and meat getting crushed sounded so loudly in the battlefield that the shockwave itself was quiet.
Red fountains erupted and a rain of blood came down from the sky at the same time.
"Oi lassy, ya ain't puking in front me. Go to those girls, they'll ya out"
Richter sounded like a pirate. Inomiri-sensei was dazed at the sight of a heroic scene turned into merciless massacre with blood everywhere.
Her white and purple robe was stained red with blood.
"T-Thank you...."
"No worries. Now get away, this work after all. We don't want any unnecessary casualties on our side now"
It was a like a careless warning. Richter pushed away Inomiri-sensei in the direction of Riza and Kiyana. They were waiting with the ship behind them while they too were slaughtering orcs left and right.
Riza was using a bow and arrow while Kiyana was speedy with her. claws. Riza shot magic shots of enchanted arrows that explodes upon target while Kiyana were killing the orcs with long sharp claws in her hand and cleaving through the flesh of the fat orcs like a panther or even leopard.
Inomiri-sensei watched as the place filled with hundreds even thousands of orcs easily whittled down into a land of blood and opened flesh. Limbs and heads flew, rain of blood whisks everywhere and loud explosions blasted each buildings occupied by the orcs. If that wasn't enough, the small cannon on the ship were blasting down rows of orcs with a condensed blasts of magical power.
It look like a scene from a battlefield. A place that Inomiri-sensei have yet to step into......
As soon as her hand reached the hull of the ship, a great sigh of relief left her lips.
———
It didn't took a while. The battle ended faster than it begun. Everywhere, across the ruined city were nothing but a gory mess of blood and whatever what was inside of the orcs.
The one who did most of the massacre were Karm and Richter. Covered mostly in blood the two were happily chugging bottles of alcohol and recovery potions.
The sight was stuff of nightmares.
"I'm sorry about those two. They are war mongers so they ended up getting heated like that"
Riza gave Inomiri-sensei a bottle of recovery potion as well as magic recovery potion while sighing at the two muscle brains laughing as they counted the numbers of orcs they got.
Inomiri-sensei laughed dryly at the two but nevertheless, she thanked her saviours from coming to help.
"No, thanks for helping us there"
"Don't mention it. It was work after all"
It seems that even Riza, a sane person was calling this massacre a mere 'work' like it was nothing. Even a hero like Inomiri-sensei battled with her life back there after all.
"Riza, I found a large treasure lying around the Orc King's house"
"Just leave it be for now. I already asked the bridge to send the golem workers, they'll be here later to collect them"
"Roger... so? What do we do with these guys?"
Kiyana glanced at Albert and Prince Roderick, who were sound asleep inside the ship. Inomiri-sensei was glad that the two survived the carpet bombing earlier.
"I already reported them but commander wanted us to ascertain their identities first. We'll decided once we know who they are"
Riza crossed her arms under her large bouncy chest inside her tunic while sighing exasperatedly. Apparently, this has thrown their objective into a mess.
They couldn't just leave them alone if they were civilians but if they were bandits, it was a different story. They wouldn't even hesitate to kill all three of them.
However, Riza and her group witnessed how much the three of them fought that orc settlement's even with just three of them. In her eyes, they were no normal people.
"Anyways, can I ask who are you three and what were you doing here?"
"Ah... I'm sorry for not introducing myself. My name is Inomiri Shizuka, I'm one of the summoned heroes. These two are Travestin's Prince Roderick Aluferd Travestin and the Court mage Albert Myunella Rafon. We were heading back to Travestin after receiving a letter that the real queen is awake"
Inomiri-sensei honestly introduced herself and the other two were sleeping inside.
However, Riza, Kiyana, Karm and Richter all stopped moving as they heard who the three were.
"Did you just say you're one of the heroes?"
"Y-Yes.... I'm the class adviser of the heroes that were summoned here. I'm their teacher to be exact"
"Then.... you know Kyoushiro Kagami.... Our lord, the Black king?"
"!? Kagami-kun?! He's alive?! Where is he?! Is he alright?! Is doing well?!"
It was there that Inomiri-sensei panicked. She didn't think she'd her one of pupils' name in this place. She wasn't there when he was trialed as a criminal and neither when he was exiled. But she did heard how she was treated when he was arrested. King Verdik reported to her and thanks to that, she asked the rulers to not hurt one of her students.
She believed that Kyoushiro did nothing wrong at that time. Even now, she feels bad for not being by his side to protect him.
Riza glanced at Karm and Richter then to Kiyana before turning back her attention to Inomiri-sensei.
"First calm down. His Majesty is fine, in fact he is doing fairly well for a man who was missing for a month"
"I-I did heard that he suddenly went missing.... But is it true that his is alright?"
"Yes. For that matter, he serve him as his black army. I'm surprised to meet a hero in this parts though"
"W-We were going back to Travestin capital when he ended up in this place. Before that, is Kagami-kun with you? Is he back at Travestin too?"
"I can't say much in details but his majesty is doing fine. Right now though, he is busy on a trip. We are just here as a request from his Majesty's wife, Lucinda-sama"
Riza was getting overwhelmed by Inomiri-sensei. After all, she was a woman with a great body as well. Not only that, even without makeup, she was a beauty. Furthermore, their large breast where pressing against each other and causing Riza to lean back because Inomiri-sensei were getting too close to her.
Kiyana frowned at the sight of two large breasted women sticking close like that while Karm and Richter were more interested in hearing things about Kyoushiro from Inomiri-sensei.
The two dots for brains didn't even react at the sight of those two beautiful women.
Well, the two were already married so it was only kind of normal.
Inomiri-sensei finally calmed down as soon as she heard that her student was alright.
"Thank goodness.... nothing happened to him"
It was like a burden just got lifted off of her shoulders.
"Inomiri-sama, please accompany us back to the castle. I'm sure Mikoto-sama will be pleased to see you too"
"Aizawa-san is in the capital too? I though she was with the Elf queen?"
"Things happened. For now, let's go back first. Karm, Richter, Kiyana, let's go"
"Roger that"
"Alrighty then!"
"Understood"
Once the magic furnace was done recharging, everyone boarded the ship and returned to the capital. Another one of the monster settlements were destroyed by the black army.
PART #2
The ship didn't have much problem when it came back to the castle. The only difference was that when they landed, there was a bunch of people looking at the small ship.
Riza already reported that they met Inomiri-sensei's group to Kuro through [Comms link] so all that was left was to bring them inside the castle.
As for Albert and Prince Roderick.....
"We were asleep when we rode such contraption....."
"Why the hell didn't I woke up faster.... that was my first time in a magic airship..... "
It seems that they were well enough to be dejected that they were unable to enjoy the feeling of riding a magic airship. After all, riding was really rare and only the elves has access to them since they have ways to power such a vehicle.
The humans side has them but only a few actually flew hundreds of kilometers away from their original to their destination point. What's more, it was really rare to see smaller versions of magic airships since power would drop the more smaller the ship gets.
Once Inomiri-sensei stepped down from the ship, she pats the shoulders of the two.
"That's enough. Just be glad we survived that, alright?"
"Haaah.... very well"
"Understood....."
The two nodded weakly then walked towards the castle. Inomiri-sensei looked around but she saw a number of eyes strained at them.
"What happened here?"
"Apparently some nobles went berserk and swindled lots of money and had the citizens paid for it. You can ask the people inside for the bigger picture though"
Riza answered from behind Inomiri-sensei. Karm, Richter and Kiyana didn't came out were just waiting for Riza to board again.
"Inomiri-sama, we'll be setting out again so this is as far as I can take you"
"Don't worry, it's fine. Thank you for saving us back there"
Inomiri-sensei thanked Riza once more for their rescue earlier. Riza smiled then shook hands with Inomiri-sensei before turning around and boarding the ship.
"I'll come see you again once our job is done"
"Yes, I'll be waiting. It's good to have someone friendly around after all"
"Hmph, bye then"
As the ship floats and the door closed shut, Riza and the others went back to work with a smile on her face.
Inomiri-sensei waved goodbye at the flying ship and then entered the front door and chased after Albert and Prince Roderick.
———
"Sensei!"
"Aizawa-san!! It's good to see you!!"
The moment that the maid lead Inomiri-sensei, Albert and Prince Roderick to recreation room to rest, they were met with Mikoto, Lucinda, Niya and the twins Rea and Lea.
As soon as Inomiri-sensei stepped into the room, Mikoto beamed a smile as she met her teacher after such a long time.
"Have you been doing well Aizawa-san? I thought you and Todoroki-san were staying with the Elf queen?"
"We are but Kyoushiro-kun and the others are busy there for the moment. I stayed with Lucinda-san to help her around"
Mikoto lead Inomiri-sensei to a seat. Niya immediately went to brew some tea while Rea and Lea were playing just around Lucinda.
Princess Lucinda herself have yet to noticed Inomiri-sensei since she was preoccupied with playing with Rea and Lea right now.
Seeing such thing, Inomiri-sensei somehow soften her smile.
"I see.... I've heard many things about Kagami-kun from his subordinates but it really hasn't sink in. But I guess him and Princess Lucinda are really in that stage already"
Inomiri-sensei had asked about Kyoushiro from Riza while on their way to the capital. There, she came to know what Kyoushiro have been doing for a while when he was sent to the wasteland.
It was kind of surprising that most of his subordinates refer to him as the Black King rather than a hero.
The stories of him creating Ambrosia from nothing was just amazing as well. Conquering the wasteland using modern earth knowledge and pure brute strength of the people living there.
All the while being pressure from frequent attacks from the monsters there, sandstorms and even from the attack of a Demon King recently.
No one expected from the weakest hero that he would be able to rise up so much he would become a king of a country.
As a teacher, Inomiri-sensei felt kind of proud of her student. But a same time, she felt pained because she let the people of this world condemn him for his color.
As someone with black hair as well, Inomiri-sensei know how horrible it was to live in this world everyone hates the color black.
"Yes.... well his relationship with me hasn't progressed that much too but we're working on it"
"Eh?"
"Fufufu~ Sensei is surprised huh? Kyoushiro-kun accepted me as his second wife you know? We're on that stage already!"
That news surprising itself. Inomiri-sensei was kind of shock to here something like being Kyoushiro's second wife. Though in this world, it was an accepted custom but in Inomiri-sensei's perspective, it was something that only a fool of a man would do.
Right now, Mikoto was smiling happily while making a peace sign as though she was proud of what she just said.
"T-That is....."
"Ah! Lucinda-san! Inomiri-sensei came! Looks like his Highness Princess Roderick is here as well!!"
"That's.... I apologize for not noticing fast enough"
Mikoto swiftly changed the subject.
"Onii-sama, it has been a while. It is good to see you in good health"
"Yes, you too Lucinda"
Someone was ignoring the fact that Prince Roderick was smeared in blood all over. Albert made a slight discomforted expression as he saw three people bearing the black color but as he know that Inomiri-sensei doesn't like discriminating people based on their color, Albert forced himself to smile.
Niya offered so clean towels to the newly arrived as well as warm tea.
"O-Oh, thank you"
"You are very welcome"
Niya skillfully handed out tea to everyone except for Rea and Lea, who preferred orange juice over tea. Niya, of course, didn't forget to prepare some for the two of them.
As expected of the one who served Kyoushiro as a maid once. She was very impressive.
"It is good to see you Onii-sama, Albert-sama as well but what are you all doing here? Did you all came back to help us in our crisis?"
Lucinda prompted the talk. Once everyone was seated and relaxed, Prince Roderick answered.
"I received a letter saying that mother is doing well now. I haven't heard about any request for help coming from the capital"
"Eh? But.... father had sent many letters to our neighboring allies. Seifield should have received one or two request"
"That's.... unfortunately, me, Shizuka-sama and Albert-dono were preoccupied in the magic academy. We haven't known the situation in Travestin till now"
The three of them faced an orc settlement just the moment they entered the borders of Travestin. The city that should be in that place was already rundown by hundreds of orcs.
That was a rather unexpected experience since it hadn't happen until now.
Furthermore, the Magic Academy inside the Seifield holy empire didn't say anything about any request coming from Travestin. The trip back to Travestin itself was kept a secret from the officials of Seifield holy empire after all.
"But who sent you the letter regarding mother's health?"
"It was from father. Oh here, I brought it with me"
Prince Roderick handed the piece of envelope to Lucinda. The princess took out the letter and indeed found that it was father's hand writing. There was even his signature right at the very bottom f the letter.
Lucinda found it odd since for the past few days, King Verdik was busy moving around to fix the current crisis of the kingdom. Queen Isabelle in the other hand was going around seizing the assets of corrupt nobles that caused the pain and suffering of the citizens.
There was just no time to send any letters.
"For now, I shall I look into this myself. Please rest in the castle for the time being, Onii-sama, Albert-sama and Shizuka-sama"
Lucinda bowed her head then manipulated the golem wheelchair she was sitting on. The wheelchair then moved around the couch that everyone was sitting on before leaving the room. Niya followed behind while supporting the back of the wheel chair then Rea and Lea chased after while skipping around.
They truly didn't shirk their duties to protect Lucinda.
As soon as they left, Albert stood up.
"I shall take my leave as well. I need to report to the Queen about the encounter we had after all"
"Understood, thank you for your help Albert-dono"
"Rest well Albert-san"
Albert lowered his head then quietly left the room.
Inomiri-sensei turned back her attention to Mikoto.
"Aizawa-san, just what's been happening since we separated to different countries?"
"Ahh.... well, many things did happened huh? So much that it feels strange that none of us have said anything about it"
Mikoto scratched her cheeks bashfully. It seems that her senses have dulled after spending a long time in this world. Even the recent battle against the 9th Demon Lord felt like it was nothing but a dream after all. Now, she was inside another situation where a whole nation was moving around.
"I did heard about Kagami-kun's activities from Riza-san...."
"Things have been hectic lately sensei. Right now Travestin is cleaning up the messes that Taiga-kun did. What's more, the lands taken over by monsters, the small army lead by Commander Lyonn, has been currently helping around the place. Everyone is just so busy right now"
"Then where are Kagami-kun and the others? Shouldn't Todoroki-san be with you right now?"
"She went along back to Paracellumn with Kyoushiro-kun, Koizumi-kun and Sairenji-kun. Queen Elfianna wanted to establish a connection with Ambrosia and asked for some magic artifacts in return for their help but... most of them were just gifts Kyoushiro-kun handed to them"
"Magic artifacts? Gifts?"
"Kyoushiro-kun made some.... well, earth like devices in this world so the elf king was interested in some of those"
Mikoto still couldn't forget how Ambrosia had changed. Even with all the buildings and new roads there, as well as advance cars and machines, it should've been impossible to make them in this magic reliant world.
Mikoto saw how the people was living changed their lifestyles. Clothing improved to the point that it was the same level as earth's fashion. Every house has their own lighting and water supply. Waste were being purified as though they were nothing and underground railways moves around the whole wasteland and connects far reaches from all directions.
Even though Mikoto have yet to see all of Ambrosia that Kyoushiro created, she was sure that there were more replicated ideas from earth used and created in this world.
"Kyoushiro-kun went all out for the sake of convenience I suppose"
"As someone from a world with technology and whatnot, living in this world was troublesome. Mikoto couldn't deny that part so she kind of agree that Kyoushiro had to go all out for the sake of convenience.
Inomiri-sensei was troubled hearing all of this.
"Ugh.... I feel like I missed out on a lot of things"
"Ahahaha.... I'm sure you'll be able to experience being back on earth in the future, sensei"
Mikoto felt bad that only four of them felt like they've returned to their world. Ambrosia was like that after all. It was like seeing earth in this fantasy world altogether.
Inomiri-sensei looked dejected and sighed as he leaned back on the soft couch.
"Uhh.... I've been quiet for a while now but.... Where is this Ambrosia you speak of?"
Prince Roderick finally spoke. He has been keeping quiet for a while now but it seems he couldn't hold back his curiousity.
"Your Highness haven't heard the news of the new establishment of the country of Ambrosia?"
"No...."
"But I was sure a representative came to the 8 royals council when Arianne-sama asked for help when the 9th Demon Lord was inside the wasteland"
"D-Demon Lord?!"
Prince Roderick jumped from his seat due to shock. He didn't expected to hear a Demon Lord attacking right off the bat the moment a new country was formed.
"You didn't heard about it?"
"No! There's only news that a Demon Lord was defeated somewhere but... I never thought it was in the wasteland..."
"Sensei?"
"As for me, I just heard about from hearsay. Though I did know about that Lucinda-sama going to the wasteland all of a sudden"
Apparently, Seifield Holy Empire was keeping the heroes in their country out from the affairs of the other heroes. Both Inomiri-sensei and Prince Roderick didn't have any idea who was fighting who and where the Demon Lord attack.
Mikoto somehow thought that the holy empire was trying to close their doors to everyone since they already have their own heroes.
That was also probably why no one responded to any of King Verdik's request for help.
*Ka-blag!!* The door suddenly flung open. Mikoto, Inomiri-sensei and Prince Roderick jolted up and looked at the door.
From there, they all saw Queen Isabelle making a really furious face.
"Roderick!!"
"M-Mother!?"
Prince Roderick didn't expected his own mother to visit him. Immediately Prince Roderick went to greet his mother but received swift hit from the noggin.
"O-Ow!? W-What was that for? Mother?! I heard that you finally recovered and rushed he—"
"I do not want to hear that from you! What kind of royalty tries to abandon his duties?! Lucinda I understand because of her condition but what kind of idiotic thoughts did you have leaving the country?!!"
Queen Isabelle swung her hand once more and this time, a sharp slap to the face jogged Prince Roderick's head. Feeling the heat on his left cheek, Prince Roderick unconsciously took a step back.
"M-Mother I...."
"Don't show that kind expression! Do you have any idea what's going in this country while you were away?! Not only, even Aria is gone! The whole kingdom is heading to destruction and you all are playing around as you pleased!"
*Slap!!*
"None of you even helped out your father or your sister in this time of crisis! The people are suffering and you were playing around like a little boy in a picnic!"
*Slap!!*
"I just woke up and everything was a mess! Can you all do everything yourselves for once?! Lucinda may be the one next in line but I gave you all strict instructions that if anything happens, make sure to work together and keep the country together!!"
*Slap!!* Queen Isabelle's shoulders bobbed up and down as she breathe heavily. Because of all the things that happened while she was sick, the kingdom was left helpless with only two people working around the clock.
Not only that, other nobles were took advantage of the hero summoning and supported a hero that only made things worse in their kingdom.
Now after recovering from her sickness, Queen Isabelle was going around the whole kingdom and seizing assets from the corrupt nobles that made their own people suffer.
"Your father wasn't incompetent but his orders have limits in controlling the nobles. Your sister wasn't in any condition to give orders around and fails to look after herself when she does work. The here I suddenly heard that you just come back from Seifield Holy Empire? Those greedy pigs in white robes won't even respond to any of our messages!"
Queen Isabelle was disappointed at her own family's failure. They couldn't prevent the situation from getting worse and just ended up leaving the country to their sibling and father's hands.
Right now, she was unable to contain her pent up stress and ended up letting it out on her eldest son.
"Fuuu....."
Queen Isabelle breathe out and tried to compose herself once more.
"Your Majesty!"
"Please don't ran like that all of a sudden!"
Coming from outside the room, other nobles were chasing after Queen Isabelle. It seems that she ran off while in a serious discussion.
"Roderick, No, Prince Roderick, I order you to return to your duties at once. Work alongside that brainless court mage of ours to deal with the ruined farms in the kingdom"
As Queen Isabelle finally calms down, she immediately gave an order to Prince Roderick. The Prince then quietly nodded, unable to retort back to his mother.
'U-Uhmm!!"
Inomiri-sensei called out to Queen Isabelle.
"Hm? Who might you be?"
"I am sorry for the late introductions your Majesty, I am Inomiri Shizuka. I am the teacher of the heroes that were summoned in your country"
"The teacher..... I see. Then? Where were you sent to when the 8 royal families chose their heroes?"
"U-Uhmm.... T-To the Seifield Holy Empire... your majesty"
"......"
Queen Isabelle went silent as she heard that. Her eyes then moved to the idiot son who were standing behind her before sighing.
"Haaaah... We shall talk in private later Shizuka-sama. For now, rest up and clean yourself. There are many things I need to attend to so I apologize for not being able to entertain you"
"N-No! It's fine, I know how busy you all are"
"Very well. We shall take our leave then. Roderick, take a bath and change your clothes. You are a Prince not some common adventurer"
"Yes.... mother"
Queen Isabelle and her entourage quietly left along with Prince Roderick. As soon as the door clothes, Inomiri-sensei and Mikoto finally took a deep breath.
"Puhaa.....! That was terrifying! I didn't know the real Queen was that intense"
"She's just too busy. Don't worry, she's not like that all the time"
Mikoto consoles Inomiri-sensei, who got shaken from meeting Queen Isabelle.
"I suddenly felt our roles got reversed, Aizawa-san"
"Hehehe, It's just your imagination sensei"
Inomiri-sensei smiled wryly as Mikoto chuckled at her words.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "142870",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 CH. 7 – The Teacher arrives first…..",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 2 CH. 17 — The cruelty of the Elves
PART #1
The monolith crystal cracked, releasing it's stored magic power and ending the Ascension of the elves spell. The sky, although the magic circle drawn under the moonlight, the blue color hue which was dispersing was incredibly wonderful.
"Hahahha! Finally! I am now a High elf king!!"
Pernicious proudly proclaimed, feeling the power coursing through his body, further increasing the previous amount he had since birth.
"Ooh!! Finally.... with this I am!!"
"I am....I am now a high elf!!"
"Uuooh!! Glory to the king of the high elves!!"
The elder elves soon followed. Their faces, painted with ecstasy and pride that their laughter's and cheers made a horrible sound. It was like the bellows of demons in the underworld, it did not felt pleasant at all.
Elfianna, looking at such sight, trembled. They have lost, the world will end with Pernicious ruling it.
Tears rolled down her cheeks, falling down on to her well endowed chest sliding down to the nearly exposed pink bud.
The Ascension of elves was complete. No one would help the now.
"SOOOORYAAAAA!!!*
" WHAT!?"
A flash of light came like a bullet, hurling towards the cracked monolith crystal. The roar of the person, who clenched his fist and delivered a finishing blow, turned the monolith crystal, made of pure condensed magic crystal, into mere chunks of rocks.
"We came just in time!!"
Katsuto stood there, fist held high like a champion who had won a match. A wide smile appeared on his rough face.
Koizumi, Minami, Edsel, Elyria and Durif came following suit.
"Your plans ends now, Pernicious!" Elyria said, demandingly. "The heroes are here to stop you!"
"Stop what?! You are quite too late, oh great Knight"
"!?"
White hair streamlining down to his back, blue eyes and four pointed ears. Transparent membranous wings sprouted out from his back with antlers like horns grew out from both side of his temple.
Pernicious daringly turned, smiling, as he had achieved his long dream of becoming a high elf king.
Elyria's eyes widened. It was not just one, but everyone of Pernicious's cohorts had the same appearance.
A terrifying sight. Elyria drew her sword to protect her Queen.
"Damn it.... we did not came early enough to stop them" Elyria looks down as she regretted not being on time.
"No, we came just in time" Koizumi said, wielding his spear and pointing at the city below.
Unlike Pernicious and the elder elves, there were no change in the city. The escaping elves just ran as monsters of misshapen shapes and sizes chased after them. Smoke rose as fires from buildings, caused by the chaos around the city. Tendrils grip out from the earth, capturing elves and draining them of their vitality until they withered and die.
The rest of the soldiers came to their rescue of course. But the sheer numbers of monsters were just too much. Added by the powerful and thick sizes of the protruding roots from the [World Eater], they were barely even doing anything.
Koizumi smiled, showing his pearly white teeth.
"That Kagami had already cut off the link.... probably"
Kyoushiro left them to their own devices. Since he was the only person that was being targeted, he took the chance to lead them away. There were not much roots growing out now, probably because by now, Kyoushiro was underground.
"Tsk...!" Pernicious clicked his teeth, annoyed by the insect that's preventing him to achieve his dream.
His cheeks twitched, his brows quivered and his shoulders trembled....
"DAMN YOU ACCURSED HERO!!!!"
"Wha—?!"
"Grant us steady and powerful protection! — «Aegis Shield»!!"
Pernicious burst into flight. Flapping his bug like wings and jumping off from the top of the tree. Minami immediately cast her skill to protect everyone from the gale caused by Pernicious' sudden flight. It was strong, debris and dust flew everywhere.
"Everyone! Let's follow him!"
"Yeah!"
"No, we won't let you!!"
When Koizumi instructed everyone to leave and follow Pernicious. The elder elves jumped at them, with nails sharp as knives, they clawed at them.
Minami's shield protected them. Even when the elder elves were powered up, they couldn't do much from a well equipped healer, that has nearly 5 digit stats value.
Their futile attempts were stopped immediately, Edsel's spells instantly reached them from behind.
"For my husband....!!"
A gale of spinning blades, added by a cold icy wind, freezing and cutting everything had enveloped the entire top of the tree. Edsel poured her magic, boosting the strength and power of her spell.
Branches froze and broke, the air cooled and prickly, a quiet storm raged on. Without a single word from their dying breathes, the elder elves instantly froze and turned to dust.
A silence came after the spell Edsel used. Wind & Water combination spell «Icy Shredder»
"That spell.... Edsel? Is that you?"
Probably recognizing the spells that was used, Elfianna, healed and untied, looked over at the person who dressed weirdy. A woman she knows well in the past.
Edsel showed a smile and greeted he former employer.
"It has been a while your majesty"
"I thought you have died.... the reports said.... No, it is good to see you again"
Elfianna rephrased her words as she looked down at the place where the elder elves, her court of Wiseman, laid dead. With a sincere smile, Elfianna once more greeted Edsel properly.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but we need to get out of here. The monsters might come after us soon" Elyria interrupted for a bit and reminded everyone that they don't have much time. They were still in danger. Since Kyoushiro was tasked of destroying the tree, monsters might appear in droves while they are on top.
"Yes, we should" Elfianna agreed immediately.
"Katsuto, Minami, Elyria-san, please head outside the city immediately. Me and Edsel-san we'll chase after Pernicious"
Koizumi divided the roles. Leaving the Queen with the highest defense and vitality, as well as a master healer, she couldn't be anymore safe. What's more,it was safer outside compared to the city. This was an emergency, there was no helping that they'd have to leave the citizens behind.
"Once you guys got out makes sure to stay out. I don't know what will happen but Kagami is doing something"
"What make you say something like that?" Elfianna pondered worriedly, a bit confused about what Koizumi said.
"Well, Kagami became a Demon Lord. Looks like the Spirit was defending itself the moment Kagami stepped into the city"
"What?!" Elfianna exclaimed, her beautiful eyes, widened in shock.
"H-How did...."
"I'm sorry your majesty but we cannot stay her for too long. Let us move quickly"
Elyria suddenly stepped in. Because the vibrations of the tree was steadily increasing, it was now dangerous to stay there. Furthermore, human size bats were flocking towards them with great speed.
Elfianna saw them and nodded after. Edsel covered their backs, casting wind blades and icicles towards them.
"We'll leave him to you then"
"Don't worry Elfianna-sama, we'll bring back that blockhead even if we have to drag him back"
As they said their farewells, Katsuto's group immediately left. Soon after, Koizumi and Edsel came down from the top of the spirit tree after all the flying monsters were taken care off...
—
"Agh.... damn it, these thing is really ugly"
Deep underground, Kyoushiro stood at an opening where a large root had grew from. The space was large enough for a train to pass through and there was hardly enough light.
But regardless, he could see the [World Eater] properly. The large circular mouth with long and large tendrils of a tongue extending below, to where the mantle was. However, that part was brazenly cut off. The rest that was extending down was burned off by a powerful lightning attack. Right now, the beast was dripping weird colored saliva.
It was truly ugly, it had a smiliar face of a squid or an octopus but unlike the real ones, it doesn't have any eyes. Just fleshy lips and long and large tentacles.
"Well then, let's blast a hole right through you"
Kyoushiro muttered, suddenly covered with purple lightning crackling around him. A shades of dark mury mud appeared beneath his feet, crawling to the walls, as though enclosing everything in its darkness.
*◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼!!* Its long roar made the whole cave tremble. Kyoushiro made sure to strengthen the walls but, they wouldn't last long.
Kyoushiro jumped from the edge of the cut off path. He drew his black broadsword and slashed off the tendrils heading his way. Using his skill «Shadow Manipulation» Kyoushiro made wires and stuck each ends to the side if the walls, creating a foothold in mid air.
The tendrils then slither, with pointed ends and slimy base, it made it's way like a snake and head straight to Kyoushiro's heart, head and neck.
Once more, Kyoushiro swung his sword, emitting a red line as he swing haphazardly to tear through the attacking tendrils. Sword Skill Revise + Enchant — «Flame Blade».
The scent of burning rubber entered his nose. Kyoushiro's face cramped in displeasure.
"How foul...."
"Indeed it was" A voice came within the darkness. The irritating buzzing noise of a big came bouncing off the side of the walls, making a really disturbing noise.
"So you found me huh?"
"Heh, a pest like you doesn't mean much to a king like me"
Pernicious was there, silver hair, bug wings and red eyes. His skin was tanned and his nails were horribly long and sharp. Kyoushiro saw such sight above. His neck ached just by looking.
Pernicious looked down grandly like a king, seeing the young man below as a pest, pestering him over and over.
The two stare at each other, both weapons on hand.
"Hey, your wife wanted me to let you off"
"Oh? Did she now?"
"Yeah...."
Pernicious sounded indifferent, like his wife and kids mattered nothing to him. His voice didn't so much quiver nor did he even asked why. What he merely said was pure sarcasm, as though he doesn't think of his wife, as his wife.....
"You're not going to stop all of this aren't you?" Kyoushiro asked, a bit disappointed at Pernicious's words.
"Of course not, not now that I am a king of elves"
"That's so? I don't see a crown anywhere"
"Ooh.... you've said it now, worm"
The air trembled, almost like the two were already fighting an invisible battle. There were no sparks nor amazing blast of explosions, the two were merely showing if their murderous intent.
Then, as the shaking continued, a dirt broke off from the wall.....
"DIE!!!!"
"........"
Pernicious shot his spell, a large fireball, at Kyoushiro. The ball of fire grew in size as it flew down in great speed. Kyoushiro held the handle of his sword tightly, then swung it and cut the fire ball in half.....
*Boooooom!!!* The bisected fire ball exploded beneath the foothold, blasting hot air upwards.
"Right, I'll bring you back alive.... without limbs just to be sure"
"?!"
Kyoushiro made his move. He bent his knees and lowered his center of gravity, foisting like a rock on a slingshot ready to fire.
"Hmph!!" Kyoushiro snorted, flying off towards Pernicious like an arrow. His broadsword in front, heading towards Pernicious head.
"Grant me protection from evil o light! — «Divine shield»!!"
As the tip of the sword came closer, a bright white transparent shield appeared before Pernicious. It saved him from being skewered by Kyoushiro's sword. Unfortunately however....
*What?!"
Cracks formed immediately, until the rest of the shield shattered like glass. "?!" Pernicious moved his head, dodging by hair's breathe, and barely managed to avoid getting killed.
Kyoushiro continued climbing in height, he did not stopped until he reached the mouth and the tendrils of the [World Eater]. Kyoushiro grabbed hold on one of its tongue, then without so much of a hesitation, he poured extremely deadly high amounts of electricity into the [World Eater]'s body.
*◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼!!!* The monster screeched in pain, burned by the high powered electricity Kyoushiro had used.
Electricity Manipulation — «Lightning Blow»
"W-What in hell is that?!"
Looking up from below, Pernicious exclaimed. His eyes fixed on the eyeless face of a monster. Green oozing blood dropped down from its gaping maw, scorched and melted due to the intense voltage.
A drop of cold sweat came down from his forehead. Pernicious trembled at the sight of the ugly beast.
"This? Well, isn't this your Spirit tree?" Kyoushiro spoke sarcastically, pointing at the roots— tendrils of the monster. Surrounding its mouth like hairs were tendrils then around those were large tentacles that extended to other places.
The walls it dug through were breaking off, probably because the [World Eater] was retracting its tentacles in order to save it from the danger.
*Dooo!! Booom!!!* The earth shatters and came the large tentacles, crushing the cave paths it had created by digging through the earth with its long tongues.
The cavern slowly collapses as the monster stood up.
"Tsk...." Kyoushiro clicked his tongue in annoyance. The monster was attempting to escape. It did not have much mind to stay in a place where there was someone capable of destroying him. The [World Eater] emerged and rose up from the earth, revealing it's true form.
*◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼—!!!" Its Loud and devastating scream bellowed loudly. The sky begun to show over the circular cavern, wrecked and crushed from the inside. The stars that shines above and formed a sea of sparkling diamonds, looked beautiful from where the two was standing on.
Kyoushiro sheathed his sword, before chasing after the running monster, but his steps suddenly stopped when he saw a skull inside the dirt.
"What the....."
They were human skulls. Not only that, ribs, femurs, backbones, fingers, arms, legs feet..... there were numerous. Almost thousands if not, hundreds of thousands. The other skulls that had animal shaped skulls, which were most like from the beastmen and demi-human race.
Kyoushiro frowned, his teeth gnashed and his fist tightly clenched.
"You guys are really disgusting....."
Kyoushiro knows what those are. Even without the use of his «Appraisal» skill, it was enough to know just what kind of corpses where buried there. They were Demon-Spawns, brutally murdered and buried under the tree as some sort of fertilizer.
It was a disgusting and cruel method of taking care of the dead. Kyoushiro's stomach churns in anger.
"They are mere insects like you with insignificant lifespan. Moreover. they are the spawn of the Demon god Avfritzed. Their life held no meaning, just dirt under the spirit tree"
Pernicious flew at the same height as Kyoushiro. His eyes, looked uninterested and bored at the sight of the young man, mourning for the dead.
"You are but an eyesore, black hero. I'll have you disappear now...."
"Try it if you can"
Once more, the two clashed. Kyoushiro leaped from the rubble and Pernicious swooped down from his flight. From claws to sword edges, sounds of iron clashing echoed. Sparks flew and streaks of light exploded.
Kyoushiro's broadsword swung diagonally, attempting to cut Pernicious from his head down to his left flank. Pernicious dodged, he inclined his head pull back his body.
Fire balls and fire tornadoes, whirlpools with sharp ice shards and Spikes from down below headed towards Kyoushiro.
Exhaling, Kyoushiro lowered his body, with stance drawing his sword from his left side, Kyoushiro unleashed four slashes in quick succession. The first slash cut through the fire balls, the second bisected the whirling fire tornadoes, the third slashes broke the ice shards and caused the whirlpool to collapsed, the last slashes deflected the spikes coming his way.
Sword Skill Revise — «Quick Draw - 4 Cuts»
"Persistent worm!!"
Pernicious, losing all patience as all his spells were torn asunder one by one, he woved one more spell. A high level spell that can only be used with enough magic power.
He took distance, making a few seconds worth, in order to safely cast his spell. Pernicious rose up from the sky, both arms raised, his wings flapped buzzing noisily.
"Come to me, Spirits of the night! I order you, fill this world with your starlight and burn everything!!"
The stars above flickered in response to Pernicious's chant. Then, as though a meteor was called forth, the stars that twinkled beyond space became near. The night sky, covered by numerous asteroids heading towards the planet in great speed, entered the atmosphere.
"Spirit King Magic — «Starfall»!!"
Ten stars now falls before Kyoushiro.
"Hahahahaha!!! Try and dodge this! Black Hero!!!!"
It was Pernicious's win now. With his spell, even the capital Yggdrasil will be destroyed. Overjoyed, a wide accomplished smile stretched widely on Pernicious's face.
However, was that truly the end? No one thought, but the sight of stars falling caused the faces of the elven civilians to lose color. That spell was something that only a few can use and if ever activated, it was enough to erase a mountain.
"That much huh?"
But Kyoushiro merely stood there, unwaivering. Although he lost the sword that can give him godly boost in exchange for the progression of his curse, he wasn't weak now. Not weak to rely on a power where a curse could devour his mind.
He was a Demon lord and a hero together, not by choice, but he was stronger than the average Joe.
"«Demon Lord's Aura»"
*DOOOOOOOOO—* The air tremble at the activation of a skill. Kyoushiro's body, covered in pitch black aura, growing from the deep recesses of his core, made the world know of his existence.
A golden flickering flame of a crown formed on top of his head, showing a kingly might.
"«Household Creation» «Darkness Manipulation»"
Kyoushiro did not stopped there. His murky aura crawled through the gaps of the rubble, slithering disgustingly at the corpses lying everywhere. Entering their sockets, cracks and holes, anything with a gap, the dark slimy thing possessed the dead.
Thus the dead rose from their graves, quietly forming and rebuilding themselves. Covered with dark luminescence, their bodies begun to glow an incredibly dark light.
This was Kyoushiro's Demon Lord skill — «Household Creation»
"Break"
Kyoushiro's hand was pointing at the stars falling from the sky. His spell «Darkness Manipulation» had different derivation that even he was surprised to know about. Unlike the Dark Lord Trause that uses his «Darkness Manipulation» skill to make use of gravity to crush and toy with his opponents, Kyoushiro was using his to its fullest.
On each of the falling rocks on fire, a black dot appeared. Swallowing those rocks, the black dot expanded until it's shape and power was that of a black hole. Nay, it was a black hole itself.
The starfall was immediately stopped by such things.
"All of you, dragged that tree back here"
Kyoushiro ordered his undead army, consisting of thousands to tens of thousands of corpses covered in dark shade. Their skeletal frames, shielded by armors of darkness and supported them in both power and defense.
The army march, run towards the running tree at the distance. Obeying the orders of their king....
"You.....!"
Pernicious gritted his teeth. His plan to eradicate Kyoushiro along with the capital failed. Moreover, the sight of Kyoushiro's kingly crown made him scowl in annoyance.
Because that crown was the proof of a king. Right now, between the two, it was Kyoushiro who looked like a king.
"Pernicious, you're nothing more than a bug in a system, made by gods that toys with their creation"
Kyoushiro suddenly spoke.
"I don't know what sort of life you've lived until now nor do I give a damn about it. You could have made a different choice in order to achieve your dream, but you chose wrongly...."
"What do you know?! You are a mere peasant, a bug that worth nothing to someone like me!!"
"Yeah, you're right. But looked how different you and I are...."
Kyoushiro pointed his crown and Pernicious. comparing both their choices that ended up in a result that they did not wished for.
"The world recognized me as a real king. Unlike someone like you who's just proclaiming that he is one"
"Bastard!! I'll kill you!!!"
Kyoushiro provoked Pernicious, the high elf now charges at Kyoushiro in high speed. Coldly, however, did not let him attack anymore.
"Wha—!?"
Kyoushiro disappeared before Pernicious, only to reappear behind him. A foot landed on Pernicious's back. Feeling the sudden increased in weight and his wings got caught, the two now falls towards the rubble below.
Without hesitation, Kyoushiro plucked Pernicious's wings....
"AAAAAAAARGHHHHHH!!!!!" Pernicious screamed in pain as his wings was forcibly pulled off. His blood spew out, from the roots of his wings, and splashed over Kyoushiro's face.
*Boooom!!!* Pernicious crash landed.
PART #2
A large tree—An uprooted squid like monster was making it's way towards the walls. In front of such monster, the civilians ran in panic. Most of the women, whether they were old or young, all pushed aside the elven men before them..
It was an utter chaos were the elven men were being thrown behind. Others would helped them and some would cling onto them for safety. Worst were the ones that ran before everyone, casting spells to make sure the others behind would trip and fall.
The second wall was reached and a large tentacle had sent a portion of the second wall flying. That piece, unfortunately, landed on the houses near the outer wall, where most civilians gathered.
"R-Run!!!"
"G-Get of the way! I don't want to die!!"
"Save the children! Prioritize their safety!!"
Everyone was in panic. While the knights prioritized the lives of young ones because most of the citizens, young adult or old people, were all alike in appearance. They saved the children because the fertility rate of the women in the elven race was so low that getting pregnant was utterly by chance.
Because of that, even if they die, even if they get crushed by rubbles, even if they were squashed underneath the tentacles or even get trampled on my hordes of monsters, they have to save the childrens.
"GUAAAAH!!!"
"AAAAAGHH!!!*
With that, more and more corpses were piling up.
Then suddenly, icicles rained down like buckshots from somewhere.
*◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼—!!!!!* A long pained roar came from the monster, its body received sharp freezing shards of ice from a powered up Elf mage.
"Everyone! Please help me stop this monster from proceeding!!"
It was Edsel. Her voice echoed loudly on top of the rampart. She was using her magic skills to attack the monster and keep it in bay if possible. However, as she was alone, there was not enough damage.
Following her words, Queen Elfianna, Durif, Minami, Katsuto, Koizumi and Elyria all stood on top of the rampart and begun to launch spells at the monster.
Streaks of colorful lights filled the night sky as they made a parabolic arc as they flew in the sky. A loud ear piercing explosion broke out and the monster tumbled back.
*◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼—!!!!* The monster howls in pain.
"Just what is that thing....? It looks really disgusting" Minami repulsively said, watching the monster fall down like a chopped down tree.
The earth rumbled as the monster fell on the ground, creating a massive earthquake that broke the buildings everywhere.
"I don't know... my «Appraisal» skill can't see anything but its name though.... it says [World Eater]....." Koizumi answered Minami' s inquiry filled with disgust.
Though Koizumi was reading the monster's information using his «Apraisal» skill, its numerical stats couldn't be seen at all. Although the level says it was level one, it had a difference in both size and stats.
Surely it was entirely something else aside being a monster. Because the name [World Eater] sounded more dangerous than a Demon Lord.
"That sounds ominous" Minami replied rather taken aback by that horrid name.
"Well, aside from its odd level, it's stats probably surpasses ours..."
"Wait, you mean that it's stronger than us?!"
"Most likely..."
The three heroes, stood in shock as the monster draws near. It's size was massive, as it was the Spirit tree before, it's height and size was incredibly huge. However, different from how it was a simple tree, its branches on top wriggled like it was alive, the leaves shaken off and naked tails moved wildly like snakes. It's bark had turned grey, like fur had formed over it. It's roots turned into large tendrils and tentacles. Crushing the buildings beneath and killing the civilians who couldn't escape in time.
A [World Eater] it was, the three heroes saw nothing but a monster that could potentially destroy the world.
"Wait, what are those things?!" Durif exclaimed, spotting the black dots running over and under the large monster. They swarmed the large beast like ants on a sugar cube. A mass of dark cloaked skeletons were amassing over the monster.
"Are those undead?" Minami squints her eyes as she stared at the undead swarming the [World Eater].
"Maybe... but why are they doing that....?"
"I don't know but I'm sure they are up to something"
Koizumi and Katsuto watched as the skeleton army swarms and pulls the monster to a stop. They formed large chains using their bodies and pulled onto the squirming tendrils to stop it.
They seemed to be doing something. Something that no undead could do even with large army of them. Undead were usually mindless monsters that attacks anyone that has life in it. However, these ones were acting differently. They were organized as a group, as if following someone's orders.
"........"
Elyria watched in silence. Her eyes drawn towards the mass of undead stopping the monster on his tracks.
She knew however, the mass of undead over there. Their number were thousands, so much that they were covering the ruined city. But those numbers, she knew them all too well.
"There's no way...." She thought, her face growing pale by the second. Those moving bones were the ones she killed. Over the years they piled up, those corpses she buried under the spirit tree as some sort of ritual to appease their souls and make them amend their sins for being born as Demon-Spawns.
Her past, the one that haunted her after meeting Kyoushiro, was uncovered once more.
On the side, Elfianna glanced at Elyria's direction. As the Queen, she heard rumors of persecution of Demon-Spawns in the past. Because monsters ran rampant almost daily back then, those who did not have much choice, went to Paracellumn for salvation.
"......These are sins us elves should carry.... for the sake of those we have wronged....." Her mind was filled with grief and regret. Because she couldn't change her nation for the better, those poor souls was trapped inside their lands. Forever cursing their murderers....
"Hey.... that's...."
Katsuto pointed at the direction behind the [World Eater], now was unable to move from the dark piles of undead sealing it's movements.
Pass that was a figure, clad in a dark veil of light, underneath the Moon's light, a person was floating in midair. Because he was too far, everyone couldn't recognized who that person was. They have no clue as to who that mysterious person was.
But...
"Ah......"
As a black hole forms and distorts space, everyone quickly realizes who that person was. A feeling of ease suddenly well up in their chests, relieved that he has come out from somewhere.
The black hole expands, immediately sucking in the large being from behind. The undead, formed in chains, were sucked along and crushed within the black hole's abysmal insides.
"◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼◼—!!!!* A long deathly roar echoes. With grey hair and tendrils snaps and breaks. The monster, slowly slid back towards the dark entrance of those black hole.
The process lasted long, the elves below and the heroes along the walls, witnessed how a large beast was desperately squirming out of those black hole. But the force of that attack was far too stronger than the [World Eater] itself.
As the black hole expands once more, the body of the [World Eater] bends. The black hole swirls and until finally, the rest was eaten. The portal closes immediately after it's feast. Silence prevails as the monster instantly disappeared out of sight.
Then there, slowly descending from the sky, a king clad in a jet black overcoat, with a flickering golden flame on top of his head, came down.
"........."
Silence continued even when Kyoushiro had somewhat calmed down. The dark aura around him disappeared along with the his golden crown. Although his expression was a bit clouded, he wasn't that showing much rage or anger.
"That's.... That's a Demon-Spawn....."
An elf spoke, his teeth chittering as he nervously pointed at Kyoushiro...
"Right..... It's a Demon-Spawn..."
"I-It's them again..... it's their fault..."
"Again... why....Just why!!!?"
Just like a row of dominoes, everything just fell one after the other. A great avalanche of jeers, insults curses and displeased shouts began to fill the quiet night.
"It's his fault that this happened!!"
"The Demon-Spawns are a plague of bad luck!! Why won't they just die!!"
"Disappear already!! Damn monster! Give me back my child!!"
"Monster!!"
"Evil!!"
"Kill him!!"
"Make him pay!!"
"Get him!! Surrounding him and make sure he dies!!"
It was a flood of angry men and women. Their faces painted how angry, sad and pained and despaired they are. Their angry insults turned violent. As they picked up stones and threw them at Kyoushiro, before grabbing whatever sharp object there was around and surrounded Kyoushiro like ants.
Kyoushiro stood there, watching everyone silently. Because he had gotten used of such reaction, he didn't even tried to talk to them.
There was no way they would listen anyway. There was no use in even convincing them.
"I'll have to get back and drag that guy back to his wife.... Though, I don't think he'd even escape with severed limbs" Kyoushiro thought, immediately flying back to where he left Pernicious.
As Kyoushiro left, the crowd had nothing to pursue. Since the monster that caused destruction left, everyone cheered. "Hooray!!" They all cheered loudly, smiles and laughter replaced the angry cursing shouts and jeers.
The Demon-Spawn have left, the threat had disappeared.
—
The sun already rose from the rubbled left from last night's attack. The elven citizens have started to rebuild what's left their capital city and went on with their normal lives. The proud bustling city, filled with towering trees carved into homes and stone buildings, forming the great Yggdrasil capital itself, was now a ruined city.
Although the other half was still alright, there was still a large amount of land that got rooted up when the [World Eater] got up from the ground. It left a huge hole at the center of the city and piles of rubbles and corpses on its wake last night when it tried to escape.
No one actually knew what truly happened last night. They only saw how Kyoushiro caused the capital of the elven kingdom of Paracelumn was was wrecked by a large monster.
They didn't know that their Queen got kidnapped, the spirit was a monster and someone tried to destroy the world.
No one know, except for those who were involved.
"We'll be heading back to Calladium for now. Afterwards, we'll return and help fix everything up"
Everyone was on board a magic airship. It was small, about the size of a small fishing vessel. On it were Kyoushiro, Koizumi, Katsuto, Minami and Edsel. Pernicious, was tied up neatly on one corner, paralyzed due to a poison Kyoushiro gave him.
Elfianna, Durif and Elyria decided to stay in the capital for now. Since there was still huge amount of work to do, they'll stay in the capital. They'll return to the castle in Parcel later once the whole situation settles down.
Elfianna, faced Kyoushiro, who was wearing his magic eye glasses that caused his hair and eye color to change.
"I see.... I'm sorry that we couldn't hold a celebratory feast for what you have done last night. It seems that I have caused you trouble, Kyoushiro-sama"
"It's fine, you've helped Lucinda once so it's only right to pay you back for that. Don't worry, I'll return to help up with the clean up, that thing did got up and run away when I was about to kill it"
"No, it was already enough that you have ended it's life. I am very grateful.... even though my people showed such reaction last night..."
Everyone knows what happened last night. They all witnessed how the elves threw stones and tried to kill Kyoushiro the moment they saw him. It was large scene that even Elfianna couldn't lie about.
"It's fine, I'm used to it" Kyoushiro replied, showing a bit of a sad smile.
"It doesn't matter where or when, I've always got those kind of people chasing me around"
".........."
What hinted in that smile was not sadness nor melancholy, it was wry smile that told tales of how much he had endured until now. Be it earth or this one, it was the same— that was what Kyoushiro's smile was about.
"Well once we get back we'll make sure to carry some supplies. It'll be bad if those guys starved right?"
Kyoushiro immediately changed the topic, knowing that Elfianna felt troubled to what he just said. Elfianna snaps back but Durif took over her words and shook hands with Kyoushiro.
"We shall await for your return, great king Kagami-dono"
"......I don't think that "great king" suits me though...." Kyoushiro replied back, a bit taken aback when he was called "great king"
"We'll come back, these three still have some work to do on that side after all. We also have to contact the other Queen"
"I'm sure Rizannia-sama would understand the tardiness of her heroes" Elfianna replied, knowing her friend was not that strict in making heroes stay in her kingdom.
Kyoushiro wrapped things up and finally says his goodbyes. Everyone was now going back to Calladium to return Pernicious to his family, before sending him to prison for high treason and rebellion.
The ship's engine powers up and the vessel starts to float. As Kyoushiro held the steering wheel, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"We'll make everyone recognize your efforts, don't worry"
Koizumi said to Kyoushiro, showing an honest to goodness smile.
"Hmph, I don't care about things like that"
"Heh, I know"
With a snort, Kyoushiro starts his magic airship and ascends to the sky. With the ruined capital behind them, the four heroes now flies back to finish their jobs.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "69592",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 2 CH. 17 — The cruelty of the Elves",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
PART #2
The sun’s light shined through the thin curtains of the dusted and unkempt room which only had one bed and a table inside. The mother of Dahlia Rose, Edsel Rose, a female elf former royal adviser of Queen Elfianna of the kingdom Paracellumn slept soundly beside her black haired daughter.
The two who met an unfortunate event with a group of bandits were saved by Kyoushiro, who had been under the corruption of his curse that time, had be bathed and dressed by Kyoushiro and have been brought to a proper place to take a rest.
A day had passed since that incident and right now, the three had stayed in a rundown pub. Its state was rather questionable as a living environment when Kyoushiro had first entered it yesterday. Rats had made a house out of the bed and the walls and roof had large holes peeking through them.
Thanks to Kyoushiro’s magnificent display of his skills, the room had transformed into a more proper room where one could rest as much as they would please.
“Now then, let’s get breakfast downstairs”
Kyoushiro was already awake. Having to have slept on an uncomfortable floor where he was not used to due to his stay in his own room back in Ambrosia, his back had felt slight hurt. Kyoushiro let Edsel and Dahlia used the bed because there was only one.
It wasn’t because Dahlia was insisting to sleep with her “Father” that Kyoushiro ended up sleeping next to the wall just a foot away from the bed. It wasn’t because of that, it wasn’t…
With the appearance of a red eyed, grey-haired young man that wore deep black clothing, Kyoushiro went out of the room and went down in the pub downstairs. The scent of ale drifting around and the stench of smoke coming from the cigars of the burly men seated inside the pub entered Kyoushiro’s nostrils, making him winced due to not being used to such smells.
In their world, particularly in their country, those below 18 or 20 years old were not allowed to drink or smoke. Government officials had advocated the health of the younger generations for the sake of improving the future of their country. Because of that, there were hardly enough students smoking or drinking in public. However it couldn’t be said the same for private places such as homes and public cubicle.
Kyoushiro himself had been curious once and tried to smoke only to end up having a coughing fit afterwards and drunken alcohol then ending up waking up in some place he hardly recognizes.
In other words, Kyoushiro avoid having him himself immersed in such things like smoking and drinking due to some unpleasant experience.
“Ahh… I hate these types of guys” Kyoushiro’s face frowned as he heard and saw the loud group of burly men in one corner, drinking so early in the day. They were the type of men that would either ends up drunk all day and not work or sleeps through the entire afternoon then work late at night.
Seeing the minimal equipment of the men drinking merrily and being so loud in the morning, Kyoushiro concluded that they were of the former rather than the latter; even their weapons were crudely comprised of wrought iron swords and daggers.
They were equipment meant only for low-level monsters.
“Morning mister, want something to drink or breakfast first?”
“Give me something to eat and make some for the two upstairs. They’ll be hungry once they woke up”
Kyoushiro didn’t mind the loud men anymore and sat at the chair by the counter. The bartender there asked Kyoushiro whether he would drink or eat first since it was obvious on Kyoushiro’s face that he was tired as well.
The bartender nodded while muttering “Well, with a woman like that even I would be tired” before going to the kitchen behind the bar.
Kyoushiro then strained his ear in order to get some information from the people inside the pub…
“Ugh… there’s no work around here like always”
“Look, even now there are rumors going around that a hero took down a demon lord on the wasteland!! You’ve got to believe me!!”
“Eh? Like a hero is good enough for a Demon Lord, even that hero…what was his name? Tiger…? Well, whatever it was, that guy has been going in and out of the first Demon Lord’s domain. And every time he goes back to Travestin, he would end up getting injured! That guy hasn’t even killed a Demon General, so what’s the point in believing that the other heroes were good enough to face a Demon Lord in the wasteland?”
It seems that there had been rumors floating around due to Kyoushiro and the other’s achievement back in Ambrosia. The fight against the 9th Demon Lord had been spread quite widely thanks to the elves that went home just the other day.
Furthermore, it seems that Taiga Kurosawa was still having difficulties in subjugating a Demon Lord. Kyoushiro let out a short “HA-HA-HA” chuckle as he imagine the grief stricken face of Taiga as he wallow in self-contempt due to his own incompetence.
Kyoushiro already know this news thanks to Lucinda for reporting to him almost every day back then. But having to hear it from the mouths of the very citizens of this world, Kyoushiro couldn’t hold back his laughter.
“Well, suck to be him right now” Kyoushiro thought so as he showed a grin on his face.
Kyoushiro continued to eavesdrop- listen to the conversation of the two men behind him.
“Oh right, it looks like the Black hero came to Caladium the other day. A bunch of elf merchants says that that hero came with the other heroes as well”
“Ah… that cute little Hero Healer right? Yeah, that girl was a cute one”
“That isn’t what I’m talking about you pervert… I’m talking about the infamous Black Hero, the killer of heroes”
“Oh right the Black… Hey!! I am a not pervert you goddamn fish-face!! That girl is cute because she was small!!” Says the man as he just realized he was branded as pervert by his friend due to admiring the cuteness of Minami Todoroki, the Healer in the 17 heroes.
People that overheard the two laughed. Seeing that he became a public clown just now, he punched his friend in the face, only to get kicked down in the shin. The sounds of table breaking and bottles shattering clattered loudly behind Kyoushiro…
It seems that the conversation of the two ended up in a fight…
-
Once the commotion had died down due to the owner going out and beating the crap out of the two strangers, the pub regained its peace and quiet. Kyoushiro had already finished his breakfast when he overheard a certain conversation from some group of men that had just entered.
“Seems like the boss managed to break the princess. After this it’ll be a walk in the when takeover that elf city”
“Yeah… well, if we could only got in on that princess… damn, I’m really jealous of our boss right now”
The group of men sat right across Kyoushiro, just near the staircase that leads to the second floor. Overhearing an interesting conversation, Kyoushiro’s perked up. It seems as though that this group of men just came here to drink. Hearing complaints from them about their boss made it perfectly clear about Kyoushiro’s conjecture.
“Well, sucks to be us. I heard that the princess we got was the next in line for the throne or something. If the boss gets into that little girl’s mind then it would be smooth sailing for us taking over an elf nation”
“Hey, this isn’t the place to talk about that. Well, if I were to choose, I’d be great to at least get to taste that princess’s body. I mean, that girl has already got used to being ganged on by fifty men a day so, at least let us in on it right?”
“You’re drunk already shit-face!! Weren’t you saying that this isn’t the place to talk about those things?”
“Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha Well, I don’t care anymore!! Damn the booze in this place really packs the punch!!”
“You can say that again!! Dahahahaha!!”
As the drunkards begun their drinking party, loud noise came from everywhere as customers began to storm in. The numbers of tables vacant were immediately occupied and the seats around the counter began to be filled with customers as well.
Kyoushiro’s space began to fill with people ordering beers and a meal all over the place. Seeing that there was no used in staying on the same seat after finishing his breakfast, Kyoushiro took the plates with soup and bread prepared on them and carried it away towards the stairs.
However, a small creature had jumped on Kyoushiro’s chest as he was about to climb up the stairs with a tray of food in his hands.
The impact made by the small creature made Kyoushiro’s body go “>” and fell down on the floor. The tray that he carried managed to stay put on the tray and safely avoided a disaster.
“D-Damn… what was-“
“Papa! Good morning!!”
With a beaming smile and added ounce of innocence, Dahlia had come down flying the stairs, slamming down on Kyoushiro’s chest like a huge chunk of rock. It was thanks to Kyoushiro’s equipment that he was unable to take any damage from that.
“L-Lia-chan! I told you to wait right!! That was very dangerous young lady!!”
Then came after was a gorgeous elf woman, looking so worried about the dangerous actions of her daughter, came down the stairs and scolded the daughter that sat on top of Kyoushiro’s chest. Watching the woman with baggy clothes come down the stairs that greatly shook her unsupported mountain like chests, the eyes of the customers inside the pub gathered around Kyoushiro.
Edsel immediately took Dahlia from Kyoushiro and carried her in her arms. But the moment she did so, the hood covering Dahlia’s head came off; exposing her deep black hair and eyes to the onlookers.
Vain_1997
(You can just ignore this if you like ??)
Ah... to those that continues to read my story, [The Cursed Black Hero], thank you. Although the pace of updating is slow due to me sorting out my problems that came out one after the other, it's really good to see that some are still reading the story as it is.
As those have noticed, the content of the story has many problems. The first chapters particularly needs an editor to fix the misspelling and the how the story is progressing. As some may have known(or may not) the MC's personality is questionable. Its not the type of questionable where he do things to the extreme that he gets branded as a monster but.... No, that's ho he'll progress in the story... What I mean to say is that he shows sides of him getting easily trusting to others and being nice to them (refer to V1 CH. 16) then suddenly goes to hate and kill mode.
Honestly, the MC's structure isn't solid. His foundation is base on a person's perspective on the world around him. How the other world see his dark colored hair and eyes as something heretic, how he was treated in his world and the other then how he was suddenly got into situation where had to risk his life but just get blamed for no reason.
Kyoushiro Kagami is a character that doesn't relies on others point of views and sticks to his own conclusion. He hates the relatives for taking things from him and he hates the other world for treating him horribly. Because of that, he seeks revenge in both worlds. But due to him growing up in a harsh environment, he doesn't know how to interact with people. He hates them and tries to be manipulative but ending up caring for them like an owner to his pet. His feelings were shallow to the point that he ends up getting swept up by the flow then suddenly reflecting on it when he realizes it. This side of him is what confuses everyone the most but it is part of the story. Unless he chooses whether to become a hero or a villain, he on't be able to grow.
The curse he has prevents him from growing strong and due to this, he can't move on whether he would be good or bad. Curses are meant to be shackles to bring down the hero. There are no curses that gives power; every curses hurts and kills. That is why the MC relies on the [Elder-God-Blade] that he made himself despite the demerit of his curse progressing even further and corrupts his mind. In all realities, curses were made to hurt people. But they are made to make people realize their own mistakes. Curses are not good, I know that for myself hahaha.... that's why, even if the MC has a curse, he needs to resolve it himself.
The point is... the reason why the MC is somewhat bias, is because it is connected to the people around him. It affects everything that is connected to him as a single person. His intentions of using others are for his own good and for the good of others. Him using Arianne for his steady supply of materials and using Lucinda to get information on all heroes have the same meaning....
I'll this here for now but if there in need of answers then please message me here. I'll try my best to answer them and if I can, i'll make it even more better for the people the would read my stories...
This has been a great talk, thank you for listening to my useless ramblings and sorry for being so condescending.
Vain_1997
|
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"id": "21104",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 2 CH. 6- The true pain of reality (2nd Half)",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
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"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
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"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 3 CH. 12 - Preparations
PART #1
"Those things just pops up and disappear don't they?"
"Don't mind them, they're just doing their jobs"
The soldiers at the towers surrounding the castle yawned as they watched another Magic Iron Golem appear and disappear. This has been a daily occurs ever since Queen Isabelle first woke up. Because of that, most of the guards and soldiers stationed around the castle was used to seeing them.
"Hmm.... Oh right, I've heard that the hero is getting kicked out of the kingdom"
"That again? It's only been a day you know?"
"I know but still...."
The two were friends since forever. They both joined the army at the same time and had the same work for almost four years now. Them having this conversation wasn't much any difference to other days they spent working together.
"He's getting what he deserved"
"But wouldn't it be bad though?"
"About what?"
"The wrath of the gods? We're practically chasing away a hero you know?"
"Does it really matter? It was the same when that other hero got kicked out though?"
"But still....."
The sun was high and like any other day, there was nothing but peace and quiet. The tower they were in was cool so it was perfect for a midday rest.
However, another Magic Iron Knight appeared and disappeared once more. This time, it was around the Princess Lucinda's window.
"Another one.... How many does it make?"
"15? That's about it I think?"
"You were keeping count?"
"Shut up, I was bored"
Like that, the two unknowingly spend another day watching around the tower while having a meaningless conversation with one another......
———
"Hmm? Mikoto-sama, is something wrong?"
Nero appeared right around the corner when Mikoto and Inomiri-sensei were on their way to a vacant room. However, Inormiri-sensei was having some kind of breakdown and was hyperventilating.
"Nero-san...."
"Ugh....agh.....hah...."
"I'll help you guys out. Lead the way"
Nero decided to carry Inomiri-sensei. As the lady was losing color on her face, if wasn't good to have her stay in a corner of a hallway. Mikoto then lead them to a vacant room with enough space to breath in. The windows were open and fresh air was entering the room quite cooly it seems.
Imce inside, Nero placed down Inomiri-sensei on a couch and took a step back.
Mikoto then went to Inomiri-sensei's side and care for her.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. She just froze up all of a sudden when Taiga-kun snapped"
Mikoto recalled what happened in the throne room. Taiga went wild after being refused to let out. He then kept spouting things he wouldn't say to others and acted more aggressively than before. It was like he was a whole other person.
"That might be.... why Kyoushiro-kun wants us to stay away from him...."
Everyone witnessed what happened in the throne room. Mikoto herself couldn't believed that the righteous and always smiling, nice Taiga Kurosawa could say all those things.
Right now Inomiri-sensei was in a weird state because of that.
"Sensei?"
"Looks like she fell asleep"
Finally, Inomiri-sensei's breathing returned normal. Though in the end of it, she passed out and fell asleep. Mikoto was just glad that Inomiri-sensei could rest right now.
"What will happen to Taiga-san?"
"He won't die, that's for certain. However the commander is very loyal to the king after all. He might do something unreasonable"
"I see....."
It was unknown for Mikoto how loyal Kuro was to Kyoushiro. It was so much that he was even went so far as to capture Taiga and take away the two swords he stole from Kyoushiro in the past.
Nero smiled wryly.
"You are not going to say anything?"
"About what?"
"About your friend's treatment"
Even while an enemy for Kyoushiro, Taiga was still a classmate for the rest of them. Mikoto herself had interacted with Taiga as a classmate and could even go as far as calling herself a friend of his.
It wouldn't be weird if she were to be worried about Taiga's well-being.
"No, I don't need to"
"Why?"
"He deserved what he is currently going through right now. Kyoushiro-kun went through harsher times than he was and I wasn't even there to help him"
There was a tinge of self loath and sadness in her voice. Mikoto couldn't do anything but watch as Kyoushiro was beaten down horribly and taken to the dungeon where he was tortured for days.
In face of all that, isn't Taiga's current situation more light?
"You really love his Majesty huh?"
"Yes.... I do"
A smile and flushed cheeks bloomed on Mikoto's face.
"I've been in love with him for a long time"
"Heh, it's enough to see it on your face. You don't need to rub it in"
Nero smiled bitterly. He turned around and faced the open window where the castle wall can be seen. A wide year laid outside and the Black Army that Kuro brought was there resting. Or more like, they were sparring for whatever reason.
"Those idiots just what are they doing....— Nero shook his head as he sighed.
———
The third level of the underground dungeon under the castle. Inside this inky darkness, Taiga's cage was left down by the worker golems.
"Let me out!!"
Taiga was still energetically trying to tear off the chains and break off the cage.
"Still energetic. I guess you'll need it until we take you back to Ambrosia"
Kuro was still there. The other cages was left on the second floor. It was because they kept insisting that Taiga threatened them to follow him. Though for Kuro, they weren't much concern. After all, only Taiga will be leaving later.
"Just what I do to you that you're doing this to me!?"
"It's not me that you have done something, it was my king that was hurt because of what you did"
"Huh?! Just what's with all this bullshit!? I don't even know who your king is!!"
"Kukuku..... I guess you weren't really listening were you?"
Kuro couldn't help but laugh. All the yes were already laid bare and Taiga couldn't even come up with a conclusion. It was truly pitiful. A foothh grin showed on Kuro's animalistic face.
"Kyoushiro Kagami. In this lands, he is known as the criminal hero but in the wastelands, he is known as the Black hero and the Black King of Ambrosia"
"....?!"
Taiga's expression froze and his jaw dropped as he heard the name of Kuro's king.
Kuro was enjoying the unexplainable look on Taiga's face right now.
"What are you....."
"Kyoushiro Kagami had defeated a Demon Lord long beife you could. He rebuilt a ruined country using only what's available in the wasteland. What's more, he made many amazing tools for both work and war. Everyone in the wasteland acknowledges him as the real hero. Not a fraud like you"
If you count the achievements done by Taiga against Kyoushiro, there was a sheer number of differences between them. While Kyoushiro was treated as a criminal in Travestin, he was the a hero in wasteland. Compared to Taiga who only made things worse as he overlook the effects of his own actions and recklessly did whatever he wanted.
"Kh!!?"
And right now....
"You're tied down inside a cage he himself made"
"RAAAAGH!!!"
*BANG!!* The cage trembled as Taiga snapped from anger. Once again, he was outdone by a nobody in his world. Again, he suffered a humiliation that even Taiga's father won't stand for.
Indeed, if this was earth, taking care of Kyoushiro wouod be easy. But if this was earth that is.
In this world, Kyoushiro was moving higher than Taiga ever was when it was he that supposed to be the real hero.
The Black Hero.
The Black King.
Both titles that Taiga had so trying hard to get was easily obtained by Kyoushiro.
"Noo!! I'm the hero!! I'm the king!!"
"Hmph, no matter how much you clamour you will never be a hero and neither a king. Those things are just far too heavy for you to carry"
Kuro turned around. The lights made by the two worker golems on their shoulders shined the other way. Darkness returned to Taiga's cell. The only light he could see was the ones trailing away.
"NRAAAAAAH!!! DAMN IT!!"
As the light finally disappeared and the sound of a metal door shutting close Taiga was left alone in this utterly dark place.
However, unlike what he thought, he wasn't alone. A pair of pale blue lights gleaming right behind the cage he was tied in....
PART #2
Inside the cave right behind the Mist Lake, dark sludge like creatures with gelatinous humanoid body forming and collapsing over and over again as it moves, climbs out from the cliff where the only exit was.
"Urgh....."
Barth groaned. His whole body was in pain.
"What the hell.... is this...?!"
Barth did the ritual. Inside a small room, he performed a ritual that was written inside the book each and every member of the cult was given.
Written largely on the floor was a magic circle. It was 4 meters in diameter with wriggling letters around the geometric patterns inside.
However there was one problem, Barth was suddenly attacked a by severe body pain that caused all his nerves to flare up and burn.
There wasn't any blood flowing out of his body. But his entire body inside felt like it was burning and melting at the same time.
"I....I'm a necromancer and yet...!?"
The draw back wasn't supposed to be this bad. Yet, Barth suddenly collapsed when he felt agonizing pain from the inside of his body.
"You have done well..... You can claim your reward in the afterlife"
A voice suddenly spoke inside the darkness. Hearing such spine chilling voice that gargles in the dark, Barth turns around.
There a pair of blue lights was flickering laudably.
"What....?"
"You don't need to understand. Your sacrifice will greatly aid my preparations"
The voice and the lights disappeared as though it wasn't even there afterwards. Barth's consciousness was slowly slipping away as he heard dripping noise coming closer to him.
Though it was dark, Barth could see it. Eyes. So many eyes blinking disgustingly with black gooey sludge that smells of tar, ammonia and rust.
"No....."
Barth trembled on the floor. His aching body convulsed every time his muscles contracts. Pain shot through the roof and made Barth unable to do anything but watch those eyes inch closer to him.
"No....Nhoo.....NNMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!??"
His dying scream was muffled and only sounds of bubbles popping inside a boiling pot could be heard after.
"The preparations are complete. Now to get that perfect new body"
The voice returns but this time, a skull with blue lights inside its eye sockets appeared. Wearing a worn out robe of pitch black shadow, the 13th Demon Lord emerged.
"My puppets will proceed as planned. Shoggoth, I order you to gale your brethren and walk around outside"
The wriggling mass of eyes trembled before collapsing into a puddle of muddy water.
The servant follows the command of it's master. In this case, the lord of death that once ate a god in order to gain power, was none other than the 13th Demon Lord, the Soul eater.
———
"Hero..."
A voice rang coldly in Taiga's ears.
"Hero...."
Cold air brushed back on his neck. Chilling air coils around his body, added by the pitch black darkness, it made Taiga flinched.
"Who's there!?"
"Kukuku.... Do you wish for power?"
"What?"
Like a devil's whisper, the voice rang closely to Taiga. Power, it was asking if he wanted power.
"I can grant you the power you need. All you need to do is listen to me"
It offered something Taiga was needing. In this cold and dark place where light doesn't exist, power was what Taiga needed to get out of this place.
This damn cage. Taiga grounded his teeth and clenched his fist.
"I don't care whoever you are, if you're going to give me something, make it fast!!"
"Kukuku....well then"
As the voice disappears, a deathly wail echoed from above. It was like a scream of a banshee or a terrifying screech of a woman dying in pain. But such voice didn't cause much fear to Taiga, nay, it invigorated him.
Then in an instant, a cold pale light of blue hue manifest before Taiga.
It was death.
"Who are you?"
"I am the 13th Demon Lord who ate the messenger of death himself, the Soul Eater"
A cold introduction from a skeleton with burning blue flames from the inside of his jet black torn robe. His skull was in flame and blue pale dots of lights flickered menacingly in its sockets. Then as the jaw cracked open, freezing air wrapped Taiga's body.
Slowly death approached the bounded young man and as he placed his bony hand onto the cage, the steel prison cracked......
———
Two swords of different size laid before Kuro. The two swords, Dawn and Dusk that was stolen from Kyoushuro was retrieved from Taiga upon his capture.
The two swords which symbolizes Kyoushiro's beginning in this world was now going back to his hands.
Kuro was joyous of this.
"At long last, he would be able to take back what's stolen from him. Not only that, I brought justice down on that fraud of a hero"
A short laughed escaped from Kuro's grin.
For the longest time, Kuro had been wanting to repay Kyoushiro for having improved the lifestyle in the wasteland. If it weren't for him, the families there would still be suffering right now.
"Now how should I give these back to him? I'm sure he'll be jumping for joy once I tell him the news"
Kuro snickered. The thought of Kyoushiro praising him for a job well down made Kuro a bit happy. For one thing, Kyoushiro's rewards weren't that disappointing. Making it more reason for Kuro to work hard for him.
"Haha! I can taste that strong brewed beer! Once this is over I'll take everyone for a drink. I'm sure Queen Arianne wouldn't mind that"
Money from Kyoushiro with bonus of more powerful weapons added by Arianne's permission to raid the brewery. It wouldn't be more better to work for people that has everything in their hands.
*Vrr...* The [Comms Link] trembled in Kuro's pocket.
"What is it?"
"[T-There's a problem commander!!]"
"?!"
Kuro suddenly stood up. Explosions rang on the other side of the [Comms Link].
"Oi!!"
"[C-Commander!! there's some crowd firing magic outside the castle!!]"
Another explosion was set off and this time, Kuro heard it.
"Tell the others to quickly take care of that. I'll go and see if the princess and Mikoto-sama are safe"
"[That's also a problem Sir!!]"
"What?!"
"[The... The soldiers left in the castle are fighting against each other!!]"
Ominous sounds echoed on the other side of the [Comms Link]. Kuro immediately tuck back the earpiece into his pockets before dashing out of the room....
———
At the training grounds, even the Black army soldiers were having an intense bout that caused shockwaves one after the other, shattering glass windows and tearing up the ground.
"Graaah!!"
"Nhraaa!!"
Wooden swords clashed and burst into splinters. Soldiers swinging their fists around and some using poles to beat the other one on the ground.
"Oi! What the hell are you guys doing?!!"
Nero jumped from the window and landed right before two soldiers of the black army.
"I said stop already! What's with yo—"
Nero's words were cut off as a real sword was swung over his head horizontally. It was Karm. In his hands was his great sword that could cleave through an orc in one swing.
"Damn it! Just what is going on with you all!?"
Confused, Nero tried to fight back. He dodged the attacks by slipping through the tight gaps between simultaneous attacks or nimbly maneuver here and there as fast as he could.
After all, this was the black army soldiers that was powered up by Kyoushiro's meddling. Their weapons and equipment boosted their physical abilities to the limit and enhances their senses as well. Not only that there were various enchantments that could resist magic and physical attacks at a certain level.
Sadly, mental corruption resistance weren't included in those enchantments.
"Damn it! I've had it with just dodging!!"
Nero's skill «King's roar» caused mental damages to the opponents. Causing them to be restricted by fear and confusion. The black army soldiers froze on their feet as Nero's skill worked.
However it didn't do him much as some soldiers of the Travestin army were joining up as well.
"Just what is...."
Nero groaned as he couldn't understand what was happening right now.
———
Mikoto dashed through the halls in order to find Lucinda. Because there was chaos unfolding almost everywhere outside the castle, she thought that Lucinda might be in danger.
"Lucinda-san..."
Worry invaded Mikoto's heart. She was worried that Lucinda might get caught up in this chaos with her current situation. Surely the king and queen would be protected by the Knights around the place but what about the staffs that was working in the castle?
That too made Mikoto hurry even more.
"Kuro-chan! Come out and help me!!"
*Awoo!!*
A large wolf swept Mikoto off of her feet as she ran through the empty halls.
"You guys too!! Uri-chan! Mio-chan! Cro-chan!!"
Once more Mikoto called out the other tamed monsters with her skill. Uri-chan was a large Flame Jaguar with red fire blazing on her fur. Mio-chan was a Black water spider that glides through the floor with water puddles at the end of it's eight arms. Cro-chan was a three eyed crow that has the ability to locate people hidden behind thick walls.
Using these three, Mikoto had them search around the castle and defend the other staff inside.
"Make sure everyone is alright!"
*Grraaol!!*
*Ii!!*
*Uack!!!*
The three tamed monsters splits up. Uri-chan went to a different hallway while Mio-chan and Cro-chan jumped out of the window.
"Kuro-chan let's pick up the pace"
*Wan!*
Kuro barked and increased his speed. As he did so they easily reached the staircase leading to other floors.
"Eh?! What are Bonemen doing inside the castle?!"
However right below the staircase were bonemen holding swords in their hands.
Mikoto was taken aback by this unknown event that was unfolding just about everywhere.
But there was no way she would let herself be defeated by the likes of such enemy.
Taking out her Magic bow [Robin] that she got from Kyoushiro's armory, Mikoto drew back the empty quiver and shot magic arrows at the lines of the undead.
"Kuro-chan! Run through them!!"
*Awoo!!*
As the large wolf Kuro-chan howled, ice formed at the bonemens' feet, locking them in place. Right after Kuro-chan charged through the hired of skeletons blocking the staircase.
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 CH. 12 – Preparations",
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|
Vol. 2 CH. 13 - Kings
PART #1
For the moment, the search for the missing princess was completed. Kyoushiro, the heroes and the rest of elves Knights and soldiers were now heading back to Caladium. Now that the mission was complete, there was nothing left to do.
Was what how everything should have ended but there was still one last thing before everything was done.
It was arresting Pernicious Caladium for the act of high treason and rebellion. Princess Lydia already confessed everything regarding her involvement in Pernicious' schemes. Her words held authenticity since she was the next high elf Queen.
The rest of elves had themselves surrounding the princess. It was for her protection as well and since they were still inside the forest, there was a high possibility of monsters attacking.
But for whatever reason there is, none of the sort came.
Everyone had been walking for hours now and neither a sound nor presence of monsters appeared nearby them. Only small creatures, like birds, rabbits and squirrels run about from time to time.
Kyoushiro had asked Koizumi what they've been doing before they arrived at the site. According to Koizumi, he was with Katsuto when they arrived at the same target base and left to deal with the rest.
As one would expect, the two encountered two of Ernest Vern's heavenly kings. The mutated creatures were tough enough to make heroes retreat. To the point that even Katsuro went "They were pain in the arse!" while making a face filled with rage.
It seems that they faced a duo of leaders. One could extend himself like a rubber and act like a snake while the other was more a slime with thousands of eyes inside it.
Just one would expect from mutated human, their transformations were too gruesome....
Minami fought one as well. The only difference was that this heavenly king wasn't much of a fighter. Rather, he was an undead. He became a lich after ingesting the drug directly, killing him for overdosing. Minami was a Healer so purifying such monster was easy for her.
But the person in question said "If anything, I didn't like what they did" while showing a dark expression. It seems that as a woman, she detest what she witnessed in some of the bases she and her elf escorts raided.
In all honesty, what Ernest Vern did was truly inhumane. Even by Demon Lord standards, what he did seemed to have been over the top. Lady Snow admitted that even in the past, many like Ernest Vern resorted to artificial strength, but in the end, they did no tried to used it one themselves, much less human beings.
Speaking of which, Lady Snow already left. It seems that she decided that sticking around for too long wasn't a good idea and left almost immediately. Koizumi, Katsuto and Minami were wary of the 3rd Demon Lord's reason for sticking around for such a long time with Kyoushiro, thinking that she was spying on them rather than helping.
Kyoushiro vouched for Lady Snow. After all, he did received some help in raided Ernest Vern's fortress. The elves however, they really just doesn't like the idea of Kyoushiro coming with them so they just didn't talked to him for the rest of the way. Likewise, Kyoushiro ignored them with the best of his abilities. The only problem was that the Female elf knights that Kyoushiro rescued was sticking close him.
Surprisingly, even Elyria found herself in Kyoushiro's company. The evolved elves had changed their races from [Elf] to [Forest Nymphs] which was kind of surprising. They even high access to powerful magic and can even use the power of spirits more easily than other elves can.
Princess Lydia had her race changed from [High Elf] to [High Spirit Nymph]. It seems that her last racial changed from the Moonlight ceremony, her High Elf status was added to her evolution race change. Her skills were much stronger than before which was a good outcome for Princess Lydia since she was captured rather easily.
According to her, she was attacked by Ernest Vern personally so her guards didn't stood a chance. Added by the fact that she doesn't have any experience in fighting, she was captured the moment she was discovered.
Kyoushiro wasn't surprised by that and merely scoffed the whole thing with a snort. He couldn't really careless about. He even thought that she was already dead so he didn't had any motivation to even rescue her. He just ended up meeting Edsel and Dahlia along the way, which then led one thing to another.
Today was more tiring than any other-Kyoushiro thought.
And so, after nearly half a day, they reached the entrance of Caladium. Finally, they were about end all this events and rest. Kyoushiro was one of the people that wanted to just get this over and done with. But with Elyria stubbornly scolding him, Kyoushiro had no choice but to continue.
"We're here but...."
"Yeah, looks like you were hated huh? That's what you get for insulting them"
Minami sighed at the fact that no elf was hiding their killing intent. All their eyes was fixed at Kyoushiro, who was entering nonchalantly as if nothing even happened.
Before he left, he was rained with insults, trash and every kind of vegetable and rotten eggs in the city. Kyoushiro instigated them for a bit then left. It was then he met Edsel and Dahlia which was walking right next to him right now.
"I don't care. It's not like they can kill me anyway"
Kyoushiro snorted then arrogantly smiled at the elves that was looking at him disdainfully. Edsel was looking troubled since she hasn't been in an elf city for quite sometime. After all, she and her husband have been running around for a while now. Dahlia was sleeping in Edsel's arms. She got too tired of walking and running around.
"Hmph, worry not, this time I'll gratefully vouch for you at the entrance"
"Yeah well, it doesn't matter really"
Elyria said that proudly and although it was supposed to be a "sorry" to what she did before, her hate towards Demon-Spawns was still there. Kyoushiro replied like he lost interest in what Elyria got to say so he just answered what came to his mind.
"I would like it if Kagami-sama would like to have some tea sometimes.... with me?"
Princess Lydia timidly asked Kyoushiro out for some tea as a token of appreciation for what he did back at Ernest Vern's base. It was a form of a reward that someone of her status can give to a hero. But as this was Kyoushiro she was talking to, Kyoushiro just answered "It's fine" while looking straight at the road with a blank look.
Actually, Kyoushiro was worried. He had took a glance at his status and saw changes that he didn't expect. Other than he went through two stages of evolution, his status and his class sounded more dangerous than what he expect before.
The thing he saw inside his dream during his first evolution was proof that he was still human but, Kyoushiro gave his humanity in exchange for a power that could overwhelm others.
But losing his humanity and evolving into a Demon Lord no less, that change wasn't what Kyoushiro expected.
Furthermore, he received two different blessings. One from a scary sounding name and the other was from the little girl that appeared in his dream. Kyoushiro still have no idea who that was but one thing was for certain, she gave him power.
I decided to stay to complete my goal. I could've gone with them but as it stands, I can't just leave everything unfinished. There's still Taiga after all and I have to get back to earth and fix everything my relatives ruined...
Besides from the fact that there are things that should prioritized right now, planning his revenge wouldn't really matter right now.
I guess I should really set aside my revenge for the time being. Even now, jerks like the 9th Demon Lord and the Dark Lord would appear again if I don't prepare myself. What's more, there's Ambrosia that's need improving.
Kyoushiro sighs internally as he quickly set things in order inside his mind. Since Taiga was well far away from him right now, flaunting his new found strength by rushing to him wouldn't be practically, no, it was a bother. Kyoushiro would be too stupid if he did that.
Kyoushiro's revenge would come at a later date once the time is right. Now that his curse was finally lifted, added by divine protections of two unkmow deities, Kyoushiro can now do things as he likes.
Still though, my stats looks weird...- Kyoushiro thought as he gazed at his own status using his <Appraisal> skill.
Kyoushiro Kagami [Blessed]
17 yrs. old
Male
Job class: [Black Hero] (Demon Lord of Chains)
Level: 1000
STR: 33567
AGI: 56890
DEF: 30436
MAG: 151000
RES: 60780
Skills: Language Acquisition, Appraisal, Compounding, Transmutation, Metal Forging, Mineral Processing, Magic Infusion, Magic Manipulation, Magic Seer, Enchant, Earth Manipulation, Soil reforming, Soil conversion, Wind Manipulation, Boost, Increase Strength, Mental resist, Magic Boost, Golem Creation, Alchemy, Synthesis, Potion Craft, Forging, Crafting, Magic Conversion, Electricity Manipulation, Construction Craft, Blueprint Creation, Blueprint Machination, Gravity resistance, Regeneration(Intermediate), Evolution II, Shadow Manipulation, Darkness Manipulation, High-Speed thought Process, Group Evolution, Demon Lord's Aura, Heroic Insignia, Sword Mastery, Household Creation.
[Blessing]
{The Chains of Yog-Sogoth}
Removes all links to mortality. All stats are boosted 100×
Effects: All Status ailments Negated, Added 10,000 points to all attribute values whenever the user evolves, All curses negated. Ability to Evolve targets.
-Cannot be ruled by any being-
[Blessing]
{Light of the Eclipse}
Received divine protection from the goddess of creation
Effects: All status will automatically set to 1000
Unexpectedly, Kyoushiro became a hero. Although he didn't intend to from the start, he actually gained the job class of [Black Hero] rather than some production class job.
Furthermore, it had the added class of (Demon Lord of Chains) even though there was no related skill to that class. Kyoushiro did tried to ask Lady Snow about it earlier but she didn't gave Kyoushiro any concrete answer. All she said was "I welcome you, new Demon Lord" before leaving with a smile like she was satisfied with something.
Kyoushiro wasn't really sure what she meant by that but surely, it wasn't anything good.
There was no use in talking to thousand year old women, they are as hard as steel and too blank to predict.
"*Splat* Suddenly, a tomato flew and hit Kyoushiro on the face as he walked with a blank expression.
" K-Kagami-sama!"
Princess Lydia immediately went to Kyoushiro as soon as she heard something behind her. Elyria, Katsuto and Koizumu looked around the streets and stood on guard around Kyoushiro. Edsel hid behind Kyoushiro and Dahlia worriedly glanced at the red colored face of Kyoushiro.
"Who threw that?! Answer me if you all do not want to be arrested!!"
Elyria pulled out her sword and shouted as such with a threatening tone. However, everyone in the streets was silent. Even though they were just a few meters away from the front gate of Pernicious' mansion, someone had the guts to throw a tomato at a hero.
It was a crime punishable by law. Even if Kyoushiro was a Demon-Spawn, as he was still Elfianna's guest, its a crime of besmirching the Queen's image.
All elven citizen remained silent as they glared at Kyoushiro.
"I demand that you all speak honestly! Where is the culprit!?"
"It's no use, no one would answer even if you force them"
Koizumi calmed Elyria down as he made a logical response. Even if they did found the culprit, it's not like it won't happen again. It'll be just a meaningless action against the normal populace that has deep rooted resentment towards Demon-Spawns.
Elyria sheathed her sword while showing a disgruntled face. It seems that her pride was hurt because she let her benefactor get shamed just like that.
"You alright there Kagami?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine. It's not like they're stupid enough to just admit it was their doing. Well, I'm used to being hated like this in this world anyway. What's more, I can just get rid of them if I want to"
"It really just doesn't matter" Kyoushiro added while wiping away the stain on his face with a cloth handed by Edsel.
Once everything was settled, Kyoushiro and everyone else entered Pernicious' manor albeit, worried about what Kyoushiro just said.
-
"Eh? Her majesty is not present?"
Elyria was currently talking with Durif, Elfianna's trusted general. Because of the completion of their mission, Elyria intended to report everything to Queen Elyria as soon as possible. However, when she entered Queen Elfianna's office room, she only met Durif, who was busy reading stacks of paper.
"Yes, I only came back from the delivery of the trade ships so I too only heard it. the rest of the voluntary army had already returned to the capital"
"But where has her majesty have gone?"
"According to the maids, she left with Pernicious-dono. I was told that they left around a day ago"
Around a day ago, Pernicious invited Queen Elfianna go visited a grave. No one know who owns that grave but Elfianna and Pernicious both know about it and left. Elfianna did not bring any guards along with her, even a small amount of soldiers would have sufficed but the two decided to go alone together.
As Durif merely come back just this morning from delivering the goods that came from Ambrosia, he didn't know what actually happened after the heroes split up in order to search for the missing princess.
Since someone has to take the ships and the cargo Kyoushiro handed to them as gifts back to the elf capital, he didn't have much choice but to leave the Queen alone.
Elyria showed a dark expression as she was lost for words after hearing this news.
"I don't know what's happening but.... Is thus report of yours has something to do with Lydia-sama?"
"Yes.... The truth is that, we have already rescued he Highness Lydia-sama. We have also encountered two Demon Lords along the way and.... a large army headed by Ernest Vern, a former mercenary"
"!?" Durif's widened in shock. He was surprised that two Demon Lords would appear and not only that, mercenaries were involved in the abduction of the princess.
Normally, there was a treaty preventing other countries would aid in criminal activities from ever happening inside the Elf country. Going against that meant that the other country was planning of attacking the Elf country.
But this treaty has loopholes that most human countries would take advantage of. One of those was the elves residing in their countries. Although they were elves, they were accepted as citizens of human countries. Therefore, be it slavery or not, the elf country won't be able to do anything about their brethren.
Durif put his hand under his chin as he tries and think about any method I'm looking for Queen Elfianna.
"This problem had blown into proportions...."
"Also...."
Elyria then narrate what Princess Lydia had told everyone about. As the two stood inside the office room of the missing Queen, time kept on flowing no matter how much they wait....
-
"Aaah.... finally after a long time, I got to take a bath"
Kyoushiro sighed at the pleasant feeling of his body getting cleaned after a long while. The search and the trip took too much time. Because neither did have any sort of bathing facilities there, it was quite hard to wipe off one sweat with only a cloth.
Inside Kyoushiro's room, he sat on his comfy bed that was so soothing to sleep on. He even missed sleeping in such bed after just a few days. It was unexpected but it as a good quality bed.
Kyoushiro breathe out as he slowly felt the cold air passing through the window...
"Haaaaaah.... this is one heck of a business trip"
The true purpose of Kyoushiro being here in this country was to just exchange products out of good will. Kyoushiro wasn't an ambassador but he did held some responsibility since he was already acknowledged as Ambrosia's king. Even though the true ruler was Arianne, the citizens of Ambrosia recognizes no one but Kyoushiro as the king.
One of the reasons for that was because he gave everyone comfortable homes and well paying jobs. Although circulation of money inside Ambrosia was a bit vague due to not having any sort of relations to other nearby kingdoms, it has much better coffers than any country.
Kyoushiro was also the reason for that. If it wasn't for him, expanding the territory of Ambrosia, it would be impossible to even make towns or cities outside Ambrosia.
The country of Ambrosia sits in the south west part of the gigantic continent that houses all human countries and other demi-human countries. Kyoushiro extended his railway project to the ocean which was on the southwest direction.
Golems work nonstop to import fresh seafood from the ocean back to Ambrosia. Along with workers that had experience in fishing and business. The current and only Port Town has yet to establish a good route for fishing thanks to sea monsters, but right now, it was possible to trade with Paracellumn through the sea.
But as long as the sea route was blocked with sea monster breeding grounds, Ambrosia would fully utilize its air delivery services.
"After this would be the dwarf kingdom right? Then there's the lion king I'd have to deal with"
Kyoushiro sighed once more as he was reminded of things he has to do during his trip. Kyoushiro didn't expect his ships would move first to Paracellumn capital. This was a problem since he had those magic artifacts inside the battleships.
The transfer gate that he made using the documents left inside the former Aurolius archive. They were ancient plans in order to connect the whole world together. But after the country itself went under, the plans was lost until Kyoushiro found it.
"That thing could have took me a day just to go back to Ambrosia. Now I'm stuck here until that Queen comes back"
It would have been best if he had installed one of his artifacts in Caladium as an insurance. Kyoushiro thought, as he let his body fall back on the bed.
"I guess there's no hel-"
"Black Hero, may I ask a little bit of your time?"
Just as Kyoushiro was about to close his eyes, he heard Elyria's voice coming from outside his room. He was taken aback since that elf Knight hates him to her very core. Kyoushiro wasn't sure if it was alright to answer but...
"This is urgent and I am in need of your help"
For some reason, her voicse sounded desperate....
-
"Don't you think Kyoushiro changed somewhat?"
"What do you mean?"
Quietly having a nice cup of coffee by the terrace, Koizumi and Minami were spending their time together in the mansion's guest room. Minami asked the question as she felt something changed about Kyoushiro. It wasn't Hus physical state that she noticed, but something inside him that seemed yo have undergo a change.
"It's like, he became someone else or something. Like all his rage and hate suddenly disappeared....."
"Then, isn't that a good thing? I mean, from what its worth, he needs the break"
Minami once saw Kyoushiro's expression back when he was being persecuted. His eyes exuded nothing but anger and hate. Everything that he had been taken that day, because of that, he was consumed by an aura of despair and utter madness.
For a Master Healer like Minami, she has a special skill that let's her see the heart of her target. Doing that, she can differentiate between good people and the bad.
The thing inside Kyoushiro at that time, was a pure and pitch black darkness. It had a shape of a raging flame, devouring everything in its wake; continuously burning without getting put out....
Minami took a sip of the coffee in her hand and answered Koizumi's a-matter-of-fact answer.
"It is a good thing but, this Kyoushiro is different...."
At that time, when Minami got a glimpse at what was inside Kyoushiro, she felt something terrifying. A black thing was wriggling around inside Kyoushiro, it was like it was trying to break out.
Minami didn't approached nor even got near Kyoushiro at that time. Because of the thing that was hiding inside Kyoushiro, Minami felt a sense of dread coming from him.
"I can't explain why but...."
"I see... Well, if Kyoushiro did decide to take the Demon Lords' side then we can't do anything"
Koizumi drank a bit of his coffee and closed his eyes, feeling the cold breeze blowing from the mountains to the mansion.
Koizumi knows that Kyoushiro changed somewhat. Although it was unnoticeable, it was definitely there. Kyoushiro's change was indefinite. His right eye changed color from black to red and two crest was on each side of his hand.
That was definitely not normal and out of everyone that was summoned, it was only Kyoushiro that had such crests.
"You'll believe me? Even without basis?"
"It's not reliable but even I can notice small changes. I did asked Kyoushiro about what happened but he said that he doesn't know anything"
It was short exchange they had this afternoon. It was short but Koizumi was able to see what kind of change Kyoushiro got. One red eye, skin as pale as a blank sheet yet waxy like a candle and dark greyish colored hair. It almost like he had changed into something else.
Koizumi did heard from Princess Lydia that Kyoushiro defeated mutated monsters on his own, Ernest Vern even as well as the Dark Lord Trause, a Demon Lord.
Although the fan-girling screech was a bit over the top, Koizumi did gained information from princess Lydia.
"In case Kyoushiro does switch sides, we only have to prepare for it" Koizumi added as he opened his eyes once more and looked inside the room.
-
"Its urgent huh?"
"Yes, it's about her majesty"
Kyoushiro and Elyria were both inside Kyoushiro's room. Earlier, Kyoushiro let Elyria inside his room so that he can talk to her more privately and because of that, he came to learn about what happened.
"She had gone missing a day ago. Lord Pernicious had taken her somewhere"
"Did you asked his wife about this? She should know something"
"I have tried however, the madam did not have anything to say. She merely ignored me"
"The butler guy?"
"He too knows nothing"
Elyria was sitting on the bed as she told what she went through after visiting Elfianna. Kyoushiro was already told that from the beginning so he didn't do anything and just rested until now.
But it was unbelievable that the Queen of the elves just went missing.
"I can see how things went through while we're away...." Kyoushiro thought as he recalled everything that Edsel said. The story of her life and how her husband was killed. Everything led to one person, it was Pernicious, the one who instigated a plan which took hundreds of years to completion.
If anything, Pernicious now holds the current Queen of the elves.
"Tsk, how bothersome" Kyoushiro clicked his teeth in disdain as he was being put to work once again. Though in this case right now, he has a choice of refusing.
Right, he can refuse now.
"Then? Are you expecting me to lend a hand?"
"Eh...?"
As if those words were unexpected, Elyria stared blankly at Kyoushiro.
"W-What do you-"
"Look, my job isn't to save people. I don't care any of the people around me expect for those I deemed important. Right now, you elves have nothing to do with me"
This world was too discriminate. Whether it was him or somebody else, as long as they are weak, they'd be looked down on. Kyoushiro had already has his own fair share of hate, extending a helping hand was just something Kyoushiro doesn't need to do.
It was true that he helped looking for Princess Lydia but that was just to earn the favor of Elfianna. Now, Princess Lydia was alive, even if Elfianna doesn't come back, as long as he got someone of the same status indebted to him, Kyoushiro can still control a portion of the elves.
He was the savior of the next Queen, it was without a doubt that Lydia would eventually give Kyoushiro what he wants.
Saving the current Queen, doesn't matter.
"Everyone hates me, so what's the point in helping those who treat me like shit?"
"B-But you are a hero!! How could-"
"As I've said back then, I'm no hero. Be it good or bad, everything is inconsequential. I'll tear down everyone who trues to hurt me and those important to me"
Whether it be earth or a different world, what matters most was his own hide.
Hearing such cruel and cold words, Elyria was reminded of how she had treated Kyoushiro. Like every Demon-Spawn she had slain under the guise of justice, like every Demon-Spawn seeking refuge and salvation, she denied them with all her might.
The disgusting dark color, it was something that is too detestable to be even recognized as an individual.....
"A-Ah.... I...."
All the expressions of every Demon-Spawn she sought and killed like animals, their begging, their sobs and cries, as well as the hatred seething in their eyes, all of them, came back to haunt Elyria.
Making her tremble in fear.
"Don't get the wrong idea, my job is just to act as an ambassador or whatnot. As long as people don't interfere with my work, I don't give a damn even if a swarm of monsters attack right now"
Kyoushiro turns back and went towards the door. Without even minding the terrified expression on Elyria's face, he opens the door as though saying 'If you don't have anything more to say, leave" without even sensing the dread Elyria was feeling.
"I.... see...." Elyria muttered before slowly standing up from the bed, while keeping her head down.
"I apologize for taking too much of your rest time, forgive me"
"It's fine. Just leave"
Just as cold as the breeze coming from outside, Kyoushiro closed the door shut and left the paled face elf knight outside his door.....
PART #2
Kings, they are beings that either rule a country or a continent. Depending on how much land such person occupies, their status change. But overall, the crown one someone else's head was still the same.
Kings are powerful beings depending on how people view them. They are protected and worshiped. No one dares to go against a king.
That's how every ruling system is in each and every world.
"And in the end, we kings are nothing if no one serves under us"
I, Pernicious Caladium, is the only king that would rule the elves. Only I can bring them up to their status as divine beings. Chosen by the very goddess herself as well as the spirits that governs the world.
In the past, elves were known as divine beings. Even other races like dwarves and beast folk worships them as such. The humans, who referred elves as God's children as well as the abundance of life almost anywhere in the world were referred to be one of the elves divine blessing.
Because elves are beautiful and majestic, they were always the subject of worship..
But one day, all that collapsed....
"It's because of your naivety that caused the elves' downfall hundreds of years ago"
I turned around and faced the unconscious elf Queen that caused the very downfall of the elves.....
"Elfianna"
-
Going back previously a day and a half ago, Elfianna and Pernicious was talking about the past they once lived. The past which, only elves were revered similar to like Deities, in front of an old mossy gravestone that has no mark or name.
"Do you still regret not being able to take the throne?"
"Why do you ask?"
Elfianna just finished offering a prayer to the gravestone when she asked such question to Pernicious, who was standing right next to her.
"I know what you've planned out Pernicious. You know what kind of skills I have"
"......."
As part of royal family of elves and one of those chosen elves to be high elves at a young age, both Elfianna and Pernicious have lived long lives. Both know the extent of their powers as well as their own set of skills.
After a long pause, Pernicious showed a smile....
"As expected, you've already seen through my whole plan since the beginning"
It was one simple skill yet very rare to obtain. A skill that can see the thoughts of those whom the skill targets. Pernicious knows all to well about the skill only Elfianna possessed.
"<Eye of Ancients> only those who have blood of the ancient elves can tale hold of such skill. It is said that it can read both the heart and mind of other people if they wanted to..... right?"
"Yes and it seems to me, you've been holding such grudge for nearly half a millennium"
"Heh, there's goes my good old stay away plan" Pernicious chuckles as he uttered such words in a whisper.
"Well, do you think that I can let you live after knowing that?"
As if taunting, Pernicious conjured blades of wind around him and Elfianna. The target however, did not move and merely stared at Pernicious. Elfianna spoke softly and slowly, in order to Pernicious to hear her clearly....
"It won't go as you've planned"
"Is that so? Are you going to rely on that spiteful Demon-Spawn that you call a hero?"
Whether it was past or present. Those who lived with darkness shall join darkness. The elves were the ones that made such rule. Every other races just followed suit.
Because black is ugly that they should be hated.
Because Black is disgusting that you should stay away from them.
Because Black is nothing but the color of something tainted that they are among those pure races.
Because black this and black that, everyone should destroy and kill every one of them....
The mindset of such elves were the ones that brought this world to it's disconnection of races. And the reason for such was the Queen of elves chose a Demon-Spawn as her king....
"Nefieria Crats Nocts, the person that gravestone was dedicated to. It's also the same Demon Lord that tried to kill you"
Nearly half a millennium ago, the you Elfianna met a mysterious man of pure darkness. Every part of him was black, from his hair down to his skin. Even his eyes were black. He was human being that possessed the very color of darkness.
The young Elfianna then got close that human until eventually, they both fell for each other. Nights were hot and dreamy, mornings were calm and peaceful, there were people trying to tear them apart nor were there any one that tried to oppose them.
But one day, something different happened.
"It was fine until a few years after. You saw something changed inside your lover right?"
Pernicious was one of few that was happy to see Elfianna and Crats together. He was genuinely happy for them. But he was also one of the people that saw the couple fell apart.
It was because....
""Nifieria Crats Nocts became a Demon Lord""
Pernicious and Elfianna both said the same thing at the same time. It was because the two of them knew of what happened that day. The day the newly born Demon Lord, Shadow King Crats, nearly wiped Paracellumn off from the face of the world.
Elfianna fought Demon King Crats herself and nearly killed him. The fight lasted for three days and two nights, causing most of the land be barren and burned.
However, after the fight was over, Shadow king Crats disappeared before the final blow was delivered. Or was it just that Elfianna hesitated that Shadow King Crats was able to get away.
For Pernicious, he knows the answer.
"As you've always been, you didn't got the guts to end the person you loved right?"
"........"
"Because of that, you seated yourself as the new Queen and therefore made everyone forget about what happened 450 years ago"
"It made sense doesn't it? How everyone hates the hero you've brought?" Pernicious added as he waved his hand and shot the blades of wind towards Elfianna, only to be deflected by a barrier around her.
"You should have just given me the crown"
"If I had done that, then the our race would have ceased to exist"
And so, a fight that left unfinished for 450 years was about to restart once more....
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "51308",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 2. Ch. 13 – Kings",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 2 – CH. 1 A sudden invitation…
PART # 1
Quite some time has passed and the few days had turned to weeks. The heroes Koizumi, Katsuto, Minami and Mikoto have enjoyed the time they had inside Ambrosia Capital. In a sense, it was like they were back on earth as the capital itself was full of advance objects and devices.
Not only there were hovercraft used to carry crates of materials, goods and ingredients, clothes and other necessities, there were also underground subways and underground farm houses. Honestly, the four heroes that were already from an advance world all though that Ambrosia were from another planet.
Giant holographic billboards, monorails, malls, phones, computers and even electricity, Ambrosia as a whole was very advance and technical than other countries. Unlike other countries like Trion, Paracelumn and Oceanus, Ambrosia exceeds those countries leaps and bounds.
However with the capital itself still being so small, Kyoushiro, the known “Black King” made it so that he could occupy the vast space around the capital. Using the underground railways system, Kyoushiro brought hundreds of miles closer and created a pathway to build more walls for the growing kingdom. Progress itself was not stopping yet. Kyoushiro even went as far as creating golems that would help the workers in their jobs for heavy lifting.
2 meter to 5 meter giant golems were made then were used to build and support walls as well as guarding the workers. Money wasn’t a problem as Kyoushiro was using underground mine shafts to increase the amount of gold Ambrosia possesses.
Arianne, the Queen of Ambrosia, didn’t saw these actions as a problem and had let Kyoushiro to his whims and build more infrastructures for Ambrosia.
In all honesty, Minami was at her wits end whenever she sees people riding flying flat-boards carrying large crates on their backs. It was like seeing some sort of sci-fi movie inside a fantasy movie. It was completely over the top.
Then, when Minami asked Kyoushiro was he as building such things, Kyoushiro responded “Isn’t it normal to make life more comfortable?” while making a face as if he was saying as a fact.
Well, unlike the other heroes that knows about fantasy genres due to them being young and all, Kyoushiro grew up from logic and pure hard work. It was obvious that there would be a difference from kids raised by loving parents and a child used by his relatives.
Lucinda and Mikoto don’t seem to have anything against Kyoushiro building advance objects inside a world of fantasy, in fact they were very welcoming about it. There was even a time when the two asked Kyoushiro if he could build this and that and ended up getting something more grandiose.
Koizumi was enjoying the casino part where most of the old underground gang bosses were spending most of what they earn in gambling. It seems that Koizumi realized that he has the skills to be a dealer when it comes to card games.
Katsuto was enjoying the coliseum games. Things like gladiator fights and raw combat that doesn’t involve death ended up getting inside Katsuto’s heart and gave him a whole lot of enjoyment. He was racking a whole lot as the new champion in the coliseum’s Grand Fight Games.
As for the Elf Queen Elfianna and the Elf General Durif, they were given simple blueprints for the magic particle cannon. As per agreement, Kyoushiro also handed 5000 boxes of recovery and MP potions each along with ten Air battleships that was just finished in about 3 weeks after waking up.
The amount Kyoushiro have given to the Elf side was enormous. It was like he was giving them everything like Santa on Christmas Eve. Presents were given and the magic airship Phirous was sent ahead back to the Elf kingdom.
The pale faces of the two gave Kyoushiro amusement as he felt proud of his own wares.
A month later, it was decided that Ambrosia would be exchanging goods with the Elf kingdom via magic airships. This was made in order to give Ambrosia more stocks in different kinds of merchandise and goods. Trading ships have already been prepared and in just a few days, the first trade will commence.
However, there was one problem…
“I… Have to come too?”
With a face saying that he doesn’t want to, Kyoushiro stared at Elfianna, who was sitting across of him inside the recreation room of the palace. Elfianna showed a wry smile as she watched Kyoushiro seemed so unconcerned of the invitation.
“Yes, you have to come as the representative. Arianne-sama is the Queen of Ambrosia”
Kyoushiro then looked on his right side with a questioning look at the said Queen that was purring like a cat on his right shoulder.
“Hmm?”
The said Queen seems comfortable as she leaned and sniffed Kyoushiro’s shoulder. Kyoushiro simply sighed at the Queen that shoulders the responsibility of being a ruler.
“Haaah… fine, I guess I can go”
“I-It feels like I am getting insulted!!”
“But I don’t mind it though!!” Arianne continued and buried her face on Kyoushiro’s arm. Elfianna too seemed concerned leaving Ambrosia to the hands of a woman who was purring like a cat on a man’s arm. Even though Elfianna was a Queen of a different country, such sight of a queen was very worrisome for the heart.
Elfianna seemed worried but she simply smiled and faced Kyoushiro.
“I thank you for your understanding”
“Don’t mind it, it is work after all”
Kyoushiro shrugged his shoulder and looked outside through the open window. The lush green grass growing outside and the trees standing out so healthily gave him ease as he was the one that rejuvenate a dying land, Kyoushiro felt proud of himself obtaining such beautiful treasures; just that the one he was looking was the two girls that decide to stay by his side.
Kyoushiro returned his attention to Elfianna.
“And then? Is that all you want me to do?”
“Ah yes, the Dwarf King of Dwvargo Kingdom wished to speak to you regarding the Wireless communication device that you sent as a gift and the Beast King Domant-dono wished have a bout with you. It seems that Domant-dono wished test your strength”
“I’ll visit the Dwarf king after but as for the guy that yelled at Lucinda… let’s just kill him”
Kyoushiro made an instant decision. However, unlike he was accepting the offer of the Dwarf King, his murderous intent towards Domant the Beast king seeped out. Kyoushiro was very serious in killing him as he heard how Domant yelled at Lucinda, who was just concerned about Kyoushiro. As for the rest that didn’t try and help, well it was just on “Meh, like I care about them” kind of feeling.
Elfianna smiled at such Kyoushiro…
“I do not mind you fighting Domant-dono, but please do not kill him”
“I’ll just break two or ten bones then?”
“Please don’t”
Kyoushiro was very blunt about physically hurting Domant. Though in the end, he calmed down when Elfianna showed a very serious face.
-
“How long will the visit last?”
“Only a few days a week at most”
After the talk with Elfianna, Kyoushiro was now pushing the wheelchair of the young Queen, Lucinda. Kyoushiro talked about the trip to Lucinda, since he would be gone for a short while, it had to be known that he would not be able to keep up the advancements in the kingdom. Though he still has yet to inform Kuro about this, Kyoushiro talked to Lucinda about everything he needs to.
As for Lucinda, she was smiling as she was having fun with how much time and care Kyoushiro was giving her. From the day that Kyoushiro woke up after the battle with the 9th Demon Lord, he had done nothing but spends time with Lucinda as much as possible and care for the child inside her.
In all honesty, there was not an ounce of sadness or worry inside Lucinda’s heart. She was very loved and cared by the person she holds dear, even though it was he that said that he might lean to other women for comfort.
Lucinda’s face was brimming with happiness; such expression was shared to the bitterly smiling young man right behind her.
“Then, isn’t just fine if you go? It’s only for a short time”
“Well, it isn’t like I don’t want to go. I am just worried about you… err well, that’s just how it is”
Embarrassed to express how he feels, Kyoushiro made a slight U-turn of words and held Lucinda’s shoulder with his right hand. Though it went without saying that Kyoushiro felt how lucky he was with Lucinda, the slight bitterness of leaving her behind caused him to show a slight resistance in going to some other country for an inspection.
For now the peace and tranquility the have was more than enough to ease each other’s feelings.
PART # 2
The next day after, Kyoushiro and the elf queen Elfianna were getting on board the Flying ship Phirous. Along the two were the Elf army and Durif as well as the other heroes; Koizumi, Katsuto and Minami. Since Mikoto would remain with Lucinda in Ambrosia for a while, it was decided that Mikoto would stand as Lucinda’s guard.
Arianne was willing to lend a hand but since she was the Queen of Ambrosia, her time with Mikoto and Lucinda was lessened due to her work. The redevelopment of Ambrosia was still continuing even without the help of Kyoushiro now.
Aboard the newly improve Phirous, Kyoushiro was waving goodbye to his family. As the view of the Ambrosian walls became distant, Kyoushiro turns around.
“What? First time on a very long trip?”
“It isn’t that long jackass. It’s only for a week”
As Kyoushiro turned, Koizumi teased Kyoushiro, who was just saying goodbye to his wife. Although it was obvious that Kyoushiro doesn’t want to leave Ambrosia at all, he was forced to do so since he was the only one that can teach both armament creation and advance potion compounding.
The snickering Koizumi received a harsh reply from Kyoushiro, who was displeased about being near one of the guys that threw him at that dungeon.
“Why don’t you lighten up then? It’s only for a week. What’s the worst thing that could happen on this trip?
“Nothing, besides that chance of being attack by wyverns”
Kyoushiro sighed. Knowing that he has the worst luck when it comes to air travel, Kyoushiro couldn’t help but be worried. There was that part of Kyoushiro that wants to clobber the guys that set those first wyverns into frenzy but that was just on the lower side.
The blue sky that bares the clouds moves steadfast in Kyoushiro’s eyes.
“Oh right, there was that old rumor huh?”
“It isn’t that good rumor to begin with Katsuto”
“What? Was “I” the one that unleashed those monsters in that rumor?”
Kyoushiro let out a sarcastic and irritated tone of voice as he felt truly annoyed at Katsuto’s and Koizumi’s exchange. Well, there was no harm done so Kyoushiro immediately let go of it. His eyes was then lead to the bow of the ship.
A slim elf woman knight was looking at him for some reason.
‘Why do I have the sudden urge to jump off the ship…?’ Kyoushiro sighed once more and stared at the sky.
-
As the ship flew, a few days passed. Kyoushiro, who had been enduring not to jump off from the ship, has been spending his time leisurely by doing practice swings and improving his skills.
For the past few days, Kyoushiro was keeping himself busy. Either it was compounding or thinking of new designs for his newest invention. The small room he decided to get was immediately filled with various stacks of papers and the stenches of potions were lingering within the room.
In hindsight, his living condition was horribly bad. Back in Ambrosia, there were maids always taking care of his needs. The cleaning and cooking were mostly left to them and tidying up Kyoushiro’s mess was left to them as well.
In any case, the flight towards the Elf nation was still going. While that was still going, the other heroes were already acquainted with ship’s crew members. Since everyone was friendly from the beginning, there weren’t much problem getting along in one ship.
The only one who was different was Kyoushiro…
“Haaaa…. My back hurts…”
Grumbling over the back pain he was experiencing, Kyoushiro yawned as he slouched forth as stare at the edge of the ship on the deck. The clouds were flowing freely and the soft breeze eases Kyoushiro’s woes.
“You sound like an old man dude”
“Get off my case, will you? I stayed up all night thinking of newer weapons and armors against demon lords. So be grateful that I haven’t shirked on work here”
Koizumi was with Kyoushiro at the moment. Although Koizumi has been spending a lot of time with Kyoushiro as of late, it wasn’t as though they were friends already. Katsuto was still hanged up with Arianne-business and while Minami was with the elf queen, there was nothing for the other two to do.
Well, Kyoushiro wasn’t really fond of having someone in his study space but since that beats being alone for hours long end while drowning in piles of papers, Kyoushiro didn’t mind the company.
“So? How long until we land? I hope it won’t be long now?”
Kyoushiro asked. Up until now, the distance between the Elf nation and Ambrosia was like Western Europe and East Asia. If one where to think of that distance and the slowness of the Elven magic airship Phirous, arriving to their destination would last for about a month. But since there was a certain someone that has begun tweaking with the ship’s main engine and boosting its output by lot, the trip should last for less than half a month.
Today was the start of the second week…
“If you didn’t touch the magic furnace then would be able to know. Didn’t you cut off the travel time by half?”
“Hey, I can’t help it if this ship is just too slow. I am not the type of person that goes around in long time trip; so how long?”
“A day after tomorrow I guess”
Koizumi shrugged his stiff shoulders. Then as Koizumi was going to stand and head out for a bit, a knock suddenly came from the door. Kyoushiro vigilantly opened his <Magic Seer> skill and scan the magic power of the person behind the door.
Koizumi then thought “You don’t have to be that cautious… right?” before going to the door and opening it.
“Oh Katsuto, what brings you here?”
The person who came was Katsuto Sairenji…
“Elfianna-sama wants us in the command room. She said it’s urgent”
Koizumi replied “Understood” before looking over his shoulder and gazed at Kyoushiro. Meeting such gaze, Kyoushiro stood up, feeling reluctant as he heaved a sigh while standing. Afterwards, he uttered “Looks like there’s no break for me” and left his room.
PART # 3
“It is good to see you in good health Kagami-dono”
As Kyoushiro, Koizumi and Katsuto arrived to the meeting place Elfianna had asked them to come; her first words of greeting were sent to Kyoushiro. The sight of a young man dressed with nothing but his trousers in front of a royalty no less, was something disrespectful but as Kyoushiro was similar to that of a state guest; her remarks were meant to be sarcastic.
Kyoushiro smiled wryly and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. Even he knew that staying in indoor clothes when visiting a Queen would be rude but as he didn’t do much of unpacking done when he rode in Phirous, the clothes he has on was the only clothes he could go out with even on ceremony.
Kyoushiro gave a short apology before going onto point.
“Sorry for my clothes. Anyways, why did you call us specifically? You even went through Sairenji after all”
Queen Elfianna could have made her servants call Kyoushiro and the other two but instead she had Katsuto call Kyoushiro and Koizumi. In this instance, it could be inferred that Queen Elfianna only want the three males heroes to come, which was terribly suspicious as Elfianna had no guard behind her or around her at all.
At Kyoushiro’s question Elfianna showed a piece of paper to the three. There, the paper had few cuts on its sides with smudges on the back. There were even traces of blood being on the paper which hinted that the paper wasn’t normal like it was washed up in some shore.
Elfianna immediately divulged the paper’s contents.
“This letter just came in today and it came with a very worrying asked for help”
“Your highness… that is”
“Yes, it is as you’ve guessed Sairenji-sama. This letter is an urgent matter”
Elfianna nodded at Katsuto’s worrying gaze.
Inside the letter, the words written were “Help me” and nothing else follows. It was written in blood which caused even more worry inside Elfianna’s heart. What’s more, she recognizes the handwriting itself and made her came to a conclusion that someone dear to her was in danger.
Elfianna’s eyes fell unto the figures of the three heroes in front of her.
“This handwriting is from my niece, Lydia Demius Flowerchild. She was supposed to head from Bloomsmeir Kingdom to Paracelumn but…”
“Something happened?”
“Yes…”
Elfianna’s expression slowly darkened. With someone of her blood being out in the wilderness like that, sending an SOS no less, would definitely give someone like Elfianna bad signals. Thinking that there was something that must be done, she immediately decided to make a short detour.
“Although the trip was meant for a week it lasted for two. I am very sorry for this, Kagami-dono. Me, taking your time when you have your own nation to worry about…”
“It’s fine now. I’ve already contacted Lucinda about this”
Kyoushiro had already told Lucinda that the trip might longer than what was agreed. Lucinda didn’t mind that and happily gave her support. Although there was part where her husband was supposed to be next to her right now, she happily let her husband go off on a long business trip.
Was Lucinda being considerate about her connection with other nations like a normal Queen? Or was she just that supportive? In any case, Lucinda didn’t rebuke Kyoushiro for prolonging his trip. Kyoushiro was happy that Lucinda wasn’t the kind of woman that would tie him down with her emotions.
Even now, Lucinda was practically supporting Kyoushiro behind the shadows.
“So? Will we stop by some town or something?”
“Yes, the nearest possible landing place here is a town called Caladium. It has landing port for airships such as Phirous”
|
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Vol. 2 Ch. 7 – Resuming the search
PART # 1
As soon as the hood fell off, silky dark hair and her long pointy ears was exposed. Her dark colored eyes shimmered with innocence as she looked at the people that were staring at her agape mouths. For the moment that seemed that gone forever, the first one to act as the one in front, a man that sat behind Kyoushiro with shaggy brown hair and sharp eyes pointed his finger at the little girl and freaked out.
“A-A Demon Spawn!!!”
The moment those words came and registered into everyone’s mind, every suddenly jumped back and pulled out their weapons; instantly, the whole pub was filled with armed men and some women.
“This looks bad” Kyoushiro thought as he stood right in front of Edsel and Dahlia, preventing anyone that could see them. Seeing as he done that in front of everyone else, the shaggy haired man glared at him and threatened to kill him if he were to stand in his way.
“This isn’t a good place to cause a fight, better put down those weapons or I’ll make everyone here shower in blood”
“You damn prick!? You’re siding with those cursed race!?”
“You’re human aren’t you?! Why side with them!?” Such complaints went flying everywhere as Kyoushiro stood to protect the mother and child.
Knowing the person protecting a cursed child was a human, it was natural for them to hesitate to kill him. Naturally, if they did kill him on the spot, no one would complain since he was protecting a Demon Spawn child and her mother. Of course they could do that but for whatever reason it was, they couldn’t move a single muscle after what Kyoushiro had said. Even the bartender who was kind enough to let him stay was frozen stiff from where he stood.
If things went as Kyoushiro said, everyone would be swimming in their pool of their own blood. Numbers has an advantage against an individual like Kyoushiro both none of them could make a move.
The reason was because of fear…
A dog would fight back if it has something to protect, the dog would definitely fight until it dies just to protect the thing it holds dear in his heart. That was normal for everyone else since everyone within the pub had their own dearest treasure. But the young man in front of them felt different.
It was like he would kill if he wants to even without protecting anyone. He would go around massacring everyone in the pub if it meant shutting them up. Something cold and sharp was like piercing through their hearts, telling them that the instant they move would mean their deaths.
Kyoushiro, who had a single sword on his waist, felt like sharper sword that could easily cut them down from where they stood.
Everyone gulped the moment they saw changes on Kyoushiro’s expression.
“This is bad but looks like I’d have the opportunity to get some good information around you guys”
Was being surrounded by about thirty or so people considered as something good? No one could make heads or tails of what Kyoushiro meant just now but they were sure that it wasn’t something good.
Kyoushiro took a step forward and grabbed the tip of the sword of the shaggy haired man.
“I’m looking for a princess elf… Well, I’ve overheard you guys talking about it so mind telling me more?”
Bright light suddenly burst from the held sword and came after were cracks appearing on the sword down to its handle, suddenly breaking after Kyoushiro let go. Seeing a full iron sword turned to shards like that made the shaggy haired man turn pale and lose strength on his knees.
Kyoushiro didn’t bother catching him and merely lowered his posture down to the same eye level as the man.
“You better give me what I want or you’ll be the one that’ll turn into dust”
With that one threat, the shaggy haired man told everything he knew to Kyoushiro. After that was down in a couple of minutes, there were only screams and shrieks coming from the pub.
-
After leaving the pub with enough money for the clean-up, Kyoushiro, Edsel and Dahlia went to their home. Kyoushiro had no interest in keeping the two but since they’ll prove useful once they head back to Caladium, Kyoushiro decided to keep them for now.
Edsel’s house was located at the edge of the settlement where there was a small farmland could be found and small village in it. However, despite being a farmland, the houses there weren’t occupied by farmers or villagers but rough looking thugs and bandits.
Kyoushiro’s <Appraisal> skill caught their job classes in a glimpse and decided to not bother with them since it would only take him too long before getting to the location where the shaggy haired man told him to go.
According to the man, the main base of their group was in an old abandoned elf fortress. There, the man said that the leader of the mercenary group was building his forces. The leader was Ernest Vern the Honest, a cold blooded mercenary that once stood beside Taiga Kurosawa, the current hero of Travestin Kingdom.
It seems that Ernest Vern was amassing a large army consisting of both monsters and other races. They plunder towns and villages in order to increase their supplies and sell the women they caught as sex slaves in the black market while keeping the healthy ones as seed bags for their monsters.
In this world, anything goes. That was how Kyoushiro thought about it after spending nearly half a year in this world. If one were to believe that eve monsters can breed with other races like humans and elves, they’d be too crazy to talk to.
If anything, the laws of nature in this world were as twisted as it inhabitants. Kyoushiro had no fetish in watching monsters and human women copulate and he doesn’t find it appealing to hear either. That was why, in order to lessen the amount of opponents to fight, Kyoushiro would go around the places where the breeding grounds were.
Edsel was once a toy of those men so using her as bait to those kinds of men would give Kyoushiro the opportunity to kidnap those men and interrogate them. Dahlia would be with Kyoushiro most of the time since her black hair stands out so if anything happens; Kyoushiro would be able to protect Dahlia.
Although the thought of using Edsel as live bait did crossed in his mind as something inhumane, but at this point, arguing about if he was still human enough to care about that doesn’t really matter. Using the connection Elfianna has as a Queen would give Kyoushiro hundreds of opportunity to exact his revenge on the other heroes while hiding it under the reason of “Charity”.
Sending the battle ships equipped with the newest magic artifact to other places would give Kyoushiro an access to different kinds of places all around the world. Of course, he couldn’t just send battle ships to any country he wants. That was why he needs to visit other countries in order to register the coordinates himself. Once that was done, he could sneak in the countries of other nations and take his revenge on the people that took everything from him.
Koizumi, Katsuto, Minami and Mikoto were ones that didn’t do much when Kyoushiro was being persecuted so he doesn’t feel much of an urge to kill them. That said the others as well were nothing but stragglers that received Kyoushiro’s equipment from the adviser so he would only beat them up for a while and take back what they stole.
Right now, his plans was hindered by some annoying mercenary group so Kyoushiro decided to crush them to the point that their own descendants won’t be born anymore.
In any case, the current situation called for drastic measures so Kyoushiro would go around crashing settlements and bases of the mercenary group that was led by Ernest Vern the Honest. If things go well, he could properly plant the magic artifact that Kyoushiro secretly developed back in Ambrosia in Paracellumn.
His revenge was slowly going as he had planned.
“Umm… this is our house; it’s not good but please make yourself comfortable”
Edsel had Kyoushiro sit down for now inside their thrashed house. Kyoushiro only nodded and sat down on a chair that had fallen down. Looking around, the entire house was disordered like a storm just came in. Probably the people that chased her down were the ones that thrashed her house. Some plates were thrown around since their pieces were scattered around, some clothes was here and there and some of the furniture were upside-down.
At first glance, one can only see this as a simple robbery but the whole house was definitely turned from the inside out.
“I guess they went looking for them when they disappeared” Kyoushiro thought as he sighed and leaned back.
Sometime later, Edsel came back carrying what she and her daughter and bring. There were bags filled with clothes and other necessities for the two of them near their feet and the both of them were already dressed properly.
Edsel went to Kyoushiro with Dahlia in her arms and asked if what she brought would be too much. Kyoushiro didn’t answer but he took the bags and kept them in the magic necklace that has a large storage capacity compared to the one he used back in the past. Right now, it was capable storing ten times its original capacity. It became more useful now compared back then.
“Well, since we would go around destroying bases after this, is there anything you want to do after all this?”
“Eh?”
Edsel was shock when Kyoushiro said about crushing bases.
“What?”
“N-No… It’s just that… w-will you take us along?”
Surely, bringing a kid and her mother in a battlefield would definitely endanger their lives. Obviously, Edsel was concerned for her daughter’s safety. Kyoushiro sighed as he took a quick glance at Edsel’s expression.
“It won’t do any good if we went back to Caladium. After knowing your past with that lord there, keeping you two with me is the safest strategy. Although I say that, I’ll be using you as bait to lure those bastards. I can’t do anything myself since I have limited moves due to a curse, so I’ll be using what I have”
Kyoushiro’s curse prevents him from potential grown, increase in stats and gaining combat skills. Because of that, he tried to research various methods of getting stronger. Things like human experimentation had crossed his mind before. Others like using weapons like guns and powerful advance weaponry like those on earth however; there was a problem even with those.
As this world revolve around the system called “Status” weapons like guns’ accuracy and power depends on the person’s attribute values. Kyoushiro had already made fully functional muskets back in Ambrosia. However, there were concerns in their users. All of them were inexperienced and neither had the sufficient level to fire a gun that can destroy a boulder.
According to what Kyoushiro had gathered, unless they had the job class of [Gunner] or [Artillery Master], the power and accuracy goes down significantly. Because of that, guns weren’t actualized and instead, Kyoushiro stuck to developing magic weapons and armor for every soldier in Ambrosia.
As for the battleships, as long as their destructive power comes from their main power source, there won’t be any difference. It was the same as the Magic Particle Cannon that Lucinda and Arianne used against the 9th Demon Lord.
That was the reason why that Kyoushiro hasn’t used any forms of guns or even powerful cannons himself.
“Unless you guys want a peaceful life after this, you better do what I want you to do”
“……….”
Refuse and stay in a place where they were most likely to die or go along with Kyoushiro’s orders and be saved from the harshness of the world? Both choices were too dangerous for the both mother and child. Nevertheless, what Kyoushiro was offering was far safer sounding than her first choice.
“Wait a minute… Just who are you Kyou-san? Just from how you talk and your planning is…”
“Oh right, come to think of it, I only told her my name” Kyoushiro thought as he forgot to explain who and what he was doing in this place. Kyoushiro then pulled back his sleeves on his left arm and showed the circuit like red lines running over his left arm.
“That is…?”
“It’s the mark of being a Hero. I am part of the guys that was dragged into this world for some ridiculous mission…”
Hearing those words coming from Kyoushiro’s mouth, Edsel’s face had lost all color. It was already obvious since Kyoushiro could kill people nearly in an instant and with how Kyoushiro confidently carry himself even in front of murder; it was already obvious who he was…
“A Hero…?”
“Congratulations, you’ve now met the 18th Hero, the weakest one of all, Kyoushiro Kagami”
|
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|
Vol. 2 CH. 18 — Epilogue: The new beginning
PART #1
The sky was ever so clear that day that it was questionable whether it would even rain. The wind blew passed the meadows softly, brushing across the wheat fields in the farm lands. Between the fences that carefully placed around the wheat fields, a fine road stretched out everywhere.
Houses lined up and villagers peacefully go on with their days with a smile.
The trace of a barren wasteland has already faded away, replaced by a wide green plain as wide as the eye can see. Rivers flowed from outside the walls of the Ambrosia's capital city.
There was only a quiet land filled with nice people there. There were no monsters.
"Hey, did you hear? The human princess gave birth to a princess! An heir was born!"
A farmer, joyously told such news with a wide smile. He held his sickle and chopped the stalk bundles of wheat he had once planted. His fellow farmers did so as well in zeal.
"Which one?"
"Is it Queen Arianne?"
The farmers spoke about the would be wives of their king, Kyoushiro Kagami, the person that saved and improved their lives. There were rumors that Kyoushiro brought a princess from outside Ambrosia. Although they did got a glimpse of the rumored princess, they did not know if she was pregnant or not.
Well, the Queen of Ambrosia herself was with the rumored princess so the rumors about an heir being born was probably true.
The farmer shook his head left and right.
"It was Princess Lucinda... the next Queen of Travestin! Their heir has been born! And a cute one at that!!"
"You're speaking as though you've seen the child"
"Yeah, don't tell me you've actually seen the kid?"
"No, of course not. But Lord Kuro said it himself when he announced the news the other day"
"Heh.... Lord Kuro huh? That guy that personally serves Kyoushiro-sama.... I guess it is true"
"Of course it is!!"
Kuro, the general that serves Kyoushiro Kagami as his sword and shield, had publicly announced the birth of a new princess. It was rather sudden and the news actually gave everyone a surprise. After all, they didn't expected that the child would be born early. Moreover, it wasn't from Queen Arianne but from Princess Lucinda of the Travestin Kingdom.
Even with that however, everyone accepted. It was after all, from a woman that helped protect their home.
"Well, we get that, but will the new born princess be an heir to this kingdom or the other?"
That was one of the problem. But would brooding over it would get their job done? The farmers resume their work, leaving the other farmer that came with good news, by himself.
"No.... I'm sure that child will go to Travestin. She is the daughter of it's next Queen"
—
"Hey, I didn't expected you to do this much. But was it alright?"
Back in Calladium, Kyoushiro and Koizumi both watched Pernicious get sentenced to death by beheading. They were watching the whole event, behind the large crowd at the center of the city. Princess Lydia was standing a few meters away from the guillotine where Pernicious was kneeling. Having no arms nor legs, he couldn't even struggle from his straps.
Today was Pernicious's execution. Granted and signed officially by Queen Elfianna herself. Kyoushiro, who was wearing his disguise, was looking at Pernicious's distorted frown from far away. But, even at that distance, he could still feel his rage.
It was Kyoushiro that promised to bring him back alive but he didn't say he would stop him from getting arrested for his crimes.
Kyoushiro made a shrug as Koizumi glanced at him worriedly.
"It's fine. I may have promised to bring him back alive, I didn't exactly promised that I'll stop Queen Elfianna from punishing Pernicious. I did what I was asked so there's no need for me to do anything anymore"
*Thwack!* The guillotine fell with a loud dull sound. Pernicious' wife screamed as she watched her husband get beheaded in front of her. Around her was their children but even them, couldn't show much emotion in this event.
Even Kyoushiro could sympathize with them but this is this and that is that.
As the event ends, the crowd dispersed. Slowly, the plaza became empty. Kyoushiro and Koizumi walked towards Pernicious's wife and children. Princess Lydia had properly gave her condolences so she already went back to her temporary estate. Tomorrow, she will depart to Yggdrasil later together with everybody else.
Minami and Katsuto were in charge of guarding her along the way so they weren't here anymore.
"Mother.... it is time, we need to put father's body to rest"
"......Yes"
Raflesia's son, Reaves, the eldest, helped his mother stand up. The basket that held the head of their dead father was wrapped in a tight embrace on Rafflesia's chest. Rafflesia answered feebly.
"We'll handle the rest here. I hope that you would let us do what we want with our father's corpse, Kagami-dono?"
"Yeah, do what you want"
Reaves quietly lowered his head and took his leave, passing by Kyoushiro's shoulder, albeit showing a very displeased face. Kyoushiro didn't showed an change in expression, his eyes looked straight. The rest of Reaves siblings followed after, leaving Rafflesia alone by the guillotine.
With three of them alone in the plaza, only a long pause permeates.
"I should have.... stopped him...."
While still kneeling, her head down, Rafflesia spoke sniffling.
"Even if you did, it wouldn't change. He chose this path. Even when knowing that he'll end up dead"
"Even so..... as his wife, I should have been..... I should have been the one that stopped him first!"
Rafflesia shouted. Because her husband was now dead, because all his sins had been passed down to his children, and because he chose a different ending, it was her fault for not changing his mind.
Rafflesia regretted for not being able to do anything.
"Before he was taken away.... He said that he didn't chose to get married... He... He said that I was just a convenient woman that he decided to marry because it was needed!! He didn't even say that he loved me.... he didn't say even until he was getting dragged to his death!!!"
After getting taken back to Calladium, Pernicious had a chance to talk with his family. However, despite having a heartfelt talk, Pernicious was stubborn. He rejected his family, scorned and threw them away. He thought nothing of them, just a convenient tool for his schemes.
Until the very end, he didn't utter a single word of love for his family. Only curses towards the one that captured him and foiled his plan.
Tears rolled down Rafflesia's eyes as she curls and held her body tightly. That small weak figure of hers was pitiful. Her cries and sobs made Koizumi want to lend her a shoulder. But this was not their role to do.
Because if they did, they would only make the widow suffer.
"Just..... Just why.... why did he have to go through with his revenge! We could have stayed as a family quietly in our home! We could have forget everything and just spend countless years together!"
"If he did that then it'll only prolonged the inevitable....."
"What....?"
Rafflesia's shoulder twitched as Kyoushiro spoke. His cold and blunt words caused her cries to stop momentarily, making her feel that there was but an autonomous monster behind her.
Kyoushiro won't stop. Even when Koizumi was glaring at him or even if someone pointed a sword to his throat.
"He'd be just escaping reality. In the end, even if he did acted like a normal husband, his anger and thirst for revenge would gnawed at him from the inside.....It'll just make him suffer"
Kyoushiro knows fully well what Pernicious wanted. Just like how Kyoushiro was so adamant in taking back everything his relatives took from him, just like how Pernicious suffered from the hands of the former queen and his mother..... The seething rage and never ending thirst to get back at those who wronged them was strong.
The only difference between Kyoushiro and Pernicious was their choice. Kyoushiro chose to get as strong as possible before exacting his revenge. He wouldn't drag innocent lives with his revenge and neither he would let anyone stop him.
If a hero did show up in front of him, Kyoushiro would undoubtedly murder him no questions asked. Unnecessary things should be dealt with before they turn into a complicated matter.
Unlike Pernicious, who despite having all the power in his hands, hesitated to murder his cousin, failed to use the full potential of Ernest Vern's mercenary and lost control of an allied Demon Lord.
No, Pernicious should have done this more earlier. No heroes, no monsters, no demon Lords. It would have been a success then if he had only done his plan years earlier.
"Elves has long lifespans. Unless they died from illnesses or murder, they'd live a long life. But that would only make it worse. Because there's no urgency, no time limit nor there was a chance of danger to his life, Pernicious became soft"
Pernicious was soft. As he lived longer and longer, he could stop himself from even thinking of settling down. He got married and had kids. Eventually, Hus family grew and his life became peaceful afterwards.
There was no rush, there was no enemy he needed to take care of immediately. Pernicious lost to his wavering heart. In the end, he chose wrongly.
"Because he knew heroes have been summoned and they were sent to Paracellumn. Pernicious got alarmed. He rushed things and lost control of everything. He may have used you to monitor our movements but didn't taken account of you turning on him"
"I didn't betray him!"
"So you say but in the end, Pernicious got what he wanted but still died. He could have done this more properly. If he didn't turn to love his family....."
"......."
Right, in the end, Pernicious turned to think about his family. Because he knew that he himself, he would die along with his crimes. There was no chance he would survive. That was why, before morning came, he asked Kyoushiro a favor.
Something that no one, not even the heroes or Queen Elfianna knows about.
He said "I'll have you pay for what you did to me. That's why, take care of my family, my wife....." With eyes filled with peace and fulfilment. It was as if he had achieved what he wanted for so long.
Kyoushiro has no idea as to why he asked him to tale care of Pernicious's family. But Kyoushiro realized that he thought greatly of his family. That's why, in the very end of his life, Pernicious played the villain.
"At the very end, he was a husband and a father....."
Either what Pernicious did was for himself or not, Kyoushiro had no idea. But as someone who would eventually meet the same end as him, Kyoushiro won't let his efforts go in vain.
Koizumi looked as though he understood what Kyoushiro have said. He closed his mouth and looked away. Rafflesia silently stood up. With her head lowered, she walked towards Kyoushiro and stopped at his chest.
Right after that, muffled sobs and moans could be heard.
"Right.... we're both of the same feather huh?" Kyoushiro thought, as he looked at the empty blue sky, with a soft breeze caressing the weeping widow; as if consoling her sadness....
PART #2
Queen Elfianna issued a renewal of Elder court elves. The old ones have perished when the [World Eater] went and wreck and everything in its path. The country itself suffered serious losses in terms of structural damage. There was also the countless deathcounts of the citizens thanks to event the other night.
Princess Lydia was asked to immediately ascend to the throne.
"No"
Kyoushiro's adamnt refuse echoed inside the large castle at the center of Yggdrasil, where the Spirit tree once stood. Kyoushiro, who actually made the whole thing, was invited to the ascendancy ceremony of Princess Lydia.
The reason for Kyoushiro's refusal was.....
"There is no way I'm going to be some king of this place"
With his arms crossed and his back turned, Kyoushiro refuses Princess Lydia's offer to make Kyoushiro the first human elf king. It was unprecedented and there are hundreds of complaints about this decision but Princess Lydia shot them all down.
Right now, Princess Lydia was not a high elf but a different kind of breed. It was Kyoushiro's skill that transformed her into an High Spirit Nymph.
"Eh? Why not?" Princess Lydia asked.
"Like hell I'd be one in the first place you idiot...."
There was no way a human can become a king of elves, much less someone that they three stones at. It would be a ridiculous situation. Even Kyoushiro was questioning Princess Lydia's decision.
"But no one object if you say that you're the one that saved everyone right?"
"You didn't see how they three stones at me didn't you? Even back in Calladium?"
Kyoushiro was hated. No because he did something but because he was something. Kyoushiro bare the colors of the Demon-Spawn. It was something that Kyoushiro had gotten used to but for someone that was born in the same race as the ones that hated people like him, Kyoushiro was rather take aback.
Is this girl an idiot?— Was what Kyoushiro's face was saying.
"You'll be the next Queen. All you have to do is make sure nothing bothers with my business here and we'll get along well. Why did you think I made thus whole place?"
"Eh? You were planning on living here?"
"No, I was thinking of making this place a terminal. A connection point between Yggdrasil and Ambrosia through my gate artifacts"
The whole castle was in a shape of a crown. It had crystal monoliths on top if its spires and a large space behind. Outside, right between the left and right walls was a large arch that had runes and circuit lines drawn on it.
It was the Entrance point of the [Gate] Kyoushiro made using the materials he requested from Elfianna. From there, Ambrosia will be able to send help easily.
"Heh~ That's amazing..... I didn't think you'd be able to make your artifacts since you're in a different country"
"We live in the same world.... there's bound to be some minerals that's like in Ambrosia's mines...."
Be it here or there, as long as Kyoushiro has the right materials, he could create the same things. The monolith crystals were created from condensed forms of crystal he rugged out from the large hole the [World Eater] left. Since the hole actually stretches down near the mantle itself, it had a great amount of minerals stored in it.
Kyoushiro had to reburied the hole itself using the soil around it but due to that a large crater appeared in the center of the city. Unreasonable as it was, Kyoushiro had to erase a hill just to plug it up.
"Well in any case, I won't become a king. It's too troublesome"
Kyoushiro was already treated like a king in Ambrosia. The treatment itself was very annoying since he was being called "Black King!" and "Heroic Black King!!" everywhere he goes.
He was recognized as a king in a wasteland but outside he was a criminal and Demon-Spawn. If he were to get one more title, it'd be just an addition to his embarrassing nicknames.
There was no way he would let people call him "Elf King!!" and "Heroic Elf king!!" or "Great Emperor!" like what Koizumi teased him with. Seriously, it was one embarrassing nicknames one after the other.
As a grown man, those things were really just too much.
"I think it suits you though?"
"Right, as someone who has one Queen, one next Queen and one hero, that title suits you well"
Koizumi and Katsuto entered the room. For the most part, Kyoushiro was inside one of the rooms inside the giant castle. It was practically maintained by magic so there's no need to clean anything.
They were inside a room where the city was overlooked. Princess Lydia and Kyoushiro was having a peaceful afternoon tea while talking with bunch of nonsense that even Kyoushiro was glad that it got interrupted.
The two who just entered the room, brought along stragglers.
"This room should have been hard to find with all the countless ones inside this place..."
"A new issue of guild cards came in with a search function. I registered you as a contact so it came in handy"
"Those guys used my designs without consulting me huh? Should I charge them for plagiarism and suck their wallets dry?"
"I think you should consult with Queen Elfianna with that....."
Kyoushiro's battleships contained different kinds of artifacts. Among those was a small handheld device that can connect one person to another. Its functions was similar to that of a phone but, it had a limited range. It locks in on those who were registered as contacts and use that to pinpoint their locations as a safety precaution in case the person was in danger or the artifact was stolen.
To think that his artifact could be copied just like that, Kyoushiro underestimated this world's craftsmen...
Koizumi, who felt like Kyoushiro was serious in what he said, let the person concerned in the plagiary of Kyoushiro's artifacts, talk to him. Queen Elfianna was one of the stragglers behind Koizumi and Katsuto.
She walked towards him, who was seated in front of Lydia.
"I'll have their earnings deducted and give you 45% percent of the shares...."
"75% or nothing. I can still storm in on those guys and destroy those cards you know?"
"I wish that you'd rather not.....But I'll shall have them comply"
Queen Elfianna showed a wry smile as she sat down besides Princess Lydia, who was gladly drinking her tea and eating sweets.
"Hey Kagami, since you went and made this castle, are you staying here?"
It was then Minami asked Kyoushiro about his castle. Since she wasn't there when Kyoushiro told Princess Lydia why he made the castle, she didn't knew the purpose of it.
Kyoushiro let out a grunted sigh as he crossed his arms once more.
"I'm not staying. This is just a station where the [Gate] artifact connects to Ambrosia. Once I get the right staff for the job, it'll be a terminal if exchange between this one and the other"
"Heh~ I didn't know that you can make an artifact like that?"
"It depends on the materials. It's fortunate that I got hold of good raw materials after that whole scuffle"
"Should we be worried that it might be used for war between races?" Queen Elfianna asked, worried about the gate's usage can be misused by the wrong person. Since it can be use to shorten the distance of such as Ambrosia and Paracellumn, the [Gate] artifact might get used for some other purpose like war.
Moreover, it was rather amazing that such artifact can be made by someone like Kyoushiro. Since the fundamental laws of physics on earth were different in this world that it cannot be used, it was surprising that a portal can be made.
"I didn't know you had such thing in the first place" Queen Elfianna added.
"I made it since I was told that there's monsters everywhere in this world. Aside from the wasteland, that was maintained by the citizens there, most of the places in this world is infested with monsters"
That's one of the problems of this world. It has too many monsters roaming around the place. The wasteland was infested once but because there was the people living there treating them like cattle, the numbers of monsters there thinned out neatly.
Kyoushiro experienced fighting monsters in the outskirts of Travestin's capital city, as well as on the way to Ambrosia. Surprisingly, the amount of times he had encountered monsters up to now was high. Either he was cursed with bad luck or trouble just seemed to find him rather easily, there seems no time when Kyoushiro had to fight monsters.
"Well, the Demon God is active for most the years but for some reason, she hasn't appeared yet. The last time we heard of him was when you were trapped in that place" Durif said, telling Kyoushiro about the reason why monsters are rampant everywhere.
In the past, after the new born demon lords came, monsters begun to reproduce rapidly. Probably it was due to the 9th Demon Lord's doing or it was the Demon God's doing. Either way, monsters seems to pop-up everywhere.
What's more, unmaintained dungeons can sometimes let monsters out from inside it. Monsters from dungeons tend to multiply rapidly compared to the ones outside. That's why, there are times when a flood of monsters occurs every once in a while.
"Wait, I didn't know that"
"You wouldn't since you weren't really active like everyone else right? Aside from you, all of us went from dungeon to dungeon to level up" Katsuto shrugged, making a point that Kyoushiro didn't experienced diving into dungeons and clearing them one after the other.
"The last time you were in a dungeon was when you rescued us right?"
"Yeah....."
That was Kyoushiro's first and last time entering the dungeon. Although bringing that up causes some unpleasant memories to come back, Kyoushiro merely signed as though saying "It's been that long huh?"
"In any case, this place we'll be transport point of trade goods. I'll have some elves work outside and have my side conduct some trade. If problems comes up, I'll have the princess deal with it"
Kyoushiro gave Princess Lydia a glance. The princess showed a happy smile, thinking that she might be helpful to Kyoushiro's work.
"I'll do my best!"
"You should though....."
Queen Elfianna looked exasperated for some reason. Did Princess Lydia do something that caused the Queen to sigh like that? She even looked troubled.....
Kyoushiro could only sympathize since he knows fully well how a handful was Princess Lydia.
"So? What are you guys doing here?" Kyoushiro now turned to Koizumi and the others.
"Me and Katsuto will be heading back to Oceanus.... But we'll stick around since walking from here to there will be impossible. Care to lend us a magic airship?"
"I'm heading there too anyway so just join us. I only made this [Gate] prior to my promise with Edsel"
Kyoushiro made a promise to Edsel that he'd take them to Ambrosia for the sake of their safety and livelihood. Since Ambrosia doesn't discriminate other races, they'll be able to live there peacefully.
Edsel was inside the room as well, Dahlia however, seemed to be playing outside with Pernicious' daughter. It seems that Dahlia grew found of them after being left to their care when Kyoushiro and the others came to Queen Elfianna's safety.
"Thank you very much, Kyou-san. I am truly in your debt, for saving my life and my daughter's"
"Don't worry about it. Once the gate is open, I'll have Arianne make some space for you guys in the castle. My place is much farther away so I can't have you guys live there...."
"Right, your house is the tallest tower there huh?" Minami remembered the ridiculous tall tower that Kyoushiro used as his home. It was a few kilometers away from the main castle and acts as the scout tower in case an invasion force comes.
Well, depending on the situation, it was meant to act as the last line of defense with it's mechanical magic guards hidden inside the forest around it.
Upon hearing that they'll be living in a castle along with it's queen, Edsel was surprised.
"I-In the castle?! B-But the royal there is..."
"It's just Arianne and some staffs. No one actually lives there besides them. Even Arianne prefers sleeping in one of my tower's rooms because the castle was too big for one person"
Kyoushiro doesn't know about the times when Arianne snucks in his room for some nightly service without his consent. The reason why Kyoushiro doesn't know was because he was often under a sleep spell, causing him to ignore Arianne's dirty deeds.
Her staying in the same tower was because Arianne wants to be close as possible to Kyoushiro so having no other choice, Kyoushiro had to make a portal from his tower to the main castle.
Well the staff there didn't mind and there wasn't much nobles that lives there anyway. So managing everything fell on both Arianne's and Kuro's hands.
"She won't mind, don't worry. She may be a bit screw loose but she isn't a horrible person"
"I can't believed that you just insulted a Queen like that....."
"It is Kagami after all so it doesn't matter"
Minami and Koizumi both shrugged their shoulders over Kyoushiro's indifferent words towards Arianne. Since both of the have grown to know what kind of person Kyoushiro was, they already know that Kyoushiro's rough words were meant to compliment someone.
If he truly hates someone, he wouldn't even bat an eye to their direction.
"Is it.... really alright? For me and my daughter to live there?"
"It's fine. There is a pair of twins there that sometimes gets on my nerves so Dahlia will have fun there"
"I am very worried about what you've just said...."
"Don't worry, they're good kids. The only problem is that they are very annoying"
The two fox maids that works under Kuro's jurisdiction. They are a pair of wild kids that are very competent in their skills as bodyguards. Kyoushiro had a hard time dealing with them when he was still training them so he doesn't like spending his time with them.
Of course, they meant no harm. They are still kids despite their skills in assassination being qualified as high class. Right, those two meant no harm.... Probably—was what Kyoushiro was hoping deep inside his heart.
Suddenly, a soothing sound of church bells rang. Hearing that, Kyoushiro stood up....
"Looks like the [Gate] is fully charge. The other side is opening the [Gate]"
In front everyone's worried expressions, Kyoushiro quickly lead everyone to the back of the castle....
—
The arc shined with its runes and circuit lines dazzling in brilliant colors of lights. As the light gathers at the center of the arc, a ripple of light suddenly change the blank white glow into a mirror of a different world.
No, it was the location where transport magic vehicles were kept in ready. A dark bearded dwarf suddenly stepped out of the gate.
"Looks like this ridiculous thing worked after all. I thought it wouldn't work since it was the Black Hero made it....." The dwarf exclaimed as he scanned the other side of the [Gate].
But...
"What's that about me again? Old man?"
Kyoushiro was standing in wait on the other side. Queen Elfianna, the three heroes, Edsel, Princess Lydia and Durif was standing behind him, with faces struck with awe.
The dwarf laughs nervously. He didn't think his boss would be there waiting on the other side.
"I-It was nothing! A-Anyways, since this place got connected, does that mean we'll officially do business in this place?"
"Yeah, something like that. There are still somethings I need to do before that but...."
Kyoushiro ignored the dwarf's desperate choice of words to change the flow of the talk. Kyoushiro then walked towards the portal and lead everyone in front of it.
"Something wrong boss?"
"No.... well, I didn't think that my golems would continue their functions. The whole place looks different from how I remembered"
Kyoushiro was standing in front of the gate like everyone. The other side showed a different look than how he remembered. The magic golems he made were ordered to prioritize the repairs for the whole ruins of Ambrosia. Just that, the grey metallic walls and the advance holographic billboards wasn't there when he left.
It may have been a short of a month or it might have been a month and a half but there was no trace of fantasy left in Ambrosia.
"Well, wasn't it you that programmed them that way?" The dwarf scoffed at Kyoushiro.
"I did but I didn't expected this. I'll have to fix their magic inscriptions later. I'll have them work here since they've reach phase 4's completion"
"Ah.... this place is really behind the times isn't it?"
Kyoushiro and the dwarf were talking to each other like it was only the two of them there. The people who were looking at the other side of the portal were all in awe with the advance machineries and towering buildings.
Aside from Koizumi, Katsuto and Minami, were all born from earth and experienced all it's great advancements, Queen Elfianna, Princess Lydia and Durif were taken aback by the sheer magnitude between their country and Ambrosia.
Just like what the dwarf said, they were behind the times. Too behind in terms of technological advancement.
Large wheelless trucks and cars, holographic signposts and even large metal structures. Compared to Yggdrasil, who just got wrecked by the [World Eater], Ambrosia was leaps and bounds away from them. It was like seeing a dream of a future.
Princess Lydia as well as Edsel, who haven't seen Ambrosia for themselves, were stunned by the amazing futuristic world before them.
"Amazing.... carriages are flying around...."
"Those tall structures.... they are so big, it's like they can't be felled by anything..."
"Yeah.... as expected, Kagami went all out huh? He actually recreated earth's technologies in this world like it's nothing...."
Koizumi couldn't seem to end his impressed words at the place Kyoushiro rebuilt from nothing. It was like seeing earth right before their eyes. Since he too have played in one of the casinos there, he just know that there's so much compared to other countries.
They even have their own protective barrier as well as long distance transportation such as [Gate] and Magic Trains.
Whether this was a good sign that Ambrosia became an impenetrable fortress or it was the start of a new era, Koizumi was sure that Kyoushiro will end up starting something.
Just as Koizumi came back to reality, a loud honk from a truck coming forward, caused them to step back.
It was a truck, wheelless at that. Moreover, the container behind it was long. It was more like earth's future than its current era that was recreated. The truck passed by everyone as the went slowly towards the open parking space.
"Looks like you've brought all the items just as planned?"
Koizumi heard something ominous over Kyoushiro's direction.
"Aye Boss! Just as you've ordered. All the necessary equipment to make a hospital, a market and a telecommunications buildings are packed inside the trucks. Will we use the golems for this?"
"That's right. This place is totally wrecked. To the point that my crash landing did nothing at all. Have the Alchemists in the research department to come here and take samples of the fauna and flora. I'll try and recreate this forest on our wasteland"
"Roger that boss! I'll have those damn skinny elves on our side work to the bone!" The dwarf replied energetically, ignoring the dreadful expressions the three heroes were making.
Nononononono! This guys is attempting to alter the world's natural order!— Was their pale faces were making.
On the outside, Kyoushiro was a horrid guy with an awful personality that would take advantage of a situation if he needs to. In the inside however, he was worst than that. Because he wants to make things more easier for him to live, he was forcing things to advance in a pace that was would most likely end in a way more horrible than he would think.
It was scary to think that someone like Kyoushiro, who didn't standout in their world could create such things without even thinking about the consequences.
If this was a new beginning please stop him— Such wish left unsaid as the three heroes quickly ran towards Kyoushiro and pinned him down.
"W-What the hell are you three doing!!?"
"You'll destroy this world at this rate!! Stop developing this world at a fast pace!!"
"You'll end up killing everyone with your technology stupid!!"
"T-There is no way I'll let you ruin the fantasy world that I like with your SciFi genre you demon lord!!"
With the sight of a hero/Demon Lord getting dog pilled like that, everyone was making faces as though they had seen something they were not supposed to. In the end, the three got on hit on their heads as punishment for dog piling on Kyoushiro.
Queen Elfianna asked that Kyoushiro should slow down with his advance technologies for now, Princess Lydia asked Kyoushiro whether or not it was possible for him to reach the stars if he wanted to but only to get scolded by Edsel saying "There is no need to go that far is there?" while making an exasperated face.
In the end, Kyoushiro would only build a medical camp for the injured civilians and would donate as much as relief good as possible. He promised not to tamper much with nature since it was within the elven law.
And, as the sun was about to set and Kyoushiro was about to take Edsel and Dahlia to Ambrosia, the dwarf told Kyoushiro something that greatly shook his being....
"Oh right, congrats on the kid boss! I heard the Queen gave birth!"
"Eh?"
It went to say that before Kyoushiro went back to Ambrosia, a loud thunder echoed around the center of the city....
The Black Hero's new beginning ended with something really shocking.....
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 2 CH. 18 — Epilogue: The new beginning",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 1 Ch. 6 - The promise of the past and the reason for the changed...
Part#1
It has been a month and a half since Kyoushiro was brought to the wastelands with Arianne, the last descendant of the former Kingdom of gold. The times when that happen wasn't know to the others, nor the time when Kyoushiro arrived in the wastelands. Neither the time when he was imprisoned then freed after several days, wasn't known to the heroes.
By the time they knew that Kyoushiro was gone was when Lucinda announced Kyoushiro's departure towards the wastelands. No one reacted at that time. In fact, they didn't bother to worriedly think about Kyoushiro's condition. They only cared about the strength they were gaining as the first month after they was summoned ended.
However, there was only two person that thought something of it. It was the best friends, Minami Todoroki and Mikoto Aizawa.
The only people that was worried about Kyoushiro's condition besides their teacher, Shizuka Inomiri.
The two of them were among the people that travels with and fights with Taiga Kurosawa's group. As Minami was a healer, she was the person that always being relied on by her team mates. Of course she too was proud of her strength but, it was also tiresome. Taiga always charge head-on, followed by her other classmates, they all ends up being injured in every battle.
Whenever they fight it was always like that. There were times when even Minami has to fight, and with that, fighting along with healing her team mates makes it twice harder to concentrate. But that is where Mikoto comes through. Together with her tamed beasts, she fights together with Minami, both defending and fighting for her teammates.. Since not only, she can boost the power of her tamed beasts, she can also influence the people who fights along with her tamed beast.
That is because of her special skill [All boost berserk].
A skill which increases the stats of those her familiars are fighting with. With such power, she supports the rear with Minami. Her eye sight was trained to judge those things properly even if by a far distance. It was because if training and being the captain of the archery club back in their world. Because she hold such inborn talent, she is able to command her tamed beasts properly.
However, such sight wasn't born true talent alone. It was for watching Kyoushiro from afar. The truth was that they had their fated encounter when they were just kids; before Kyoushiro's parents was alive. Unknown to Kyoushiro, they met once before he experience the death of his parents. It was an encounter when Mikoto got lost in the nearby park next to her school. It was then when Kyoushiro arrived and played with her till she felt safe and waited for her parents to come and find her. Eventually, her parents came and after that, Mikoto made a promise with Kyoushiro that once they met again, they'll be together side by side from now on. However, Kyoushiro thought nothing of it and just willfully agreed to it. With the innocent girl frivolous from the truth, her desire to meet prince again gave her the talent to see things clearly from afar, like an eagle stalking it's prey.
However, times passed and things have changed, by the time the two met again, Kyoushiro greatly changed. The cheerful child back them became dark and unsociable, his smiles all turn to from and the most painful of all was that he does not remember the promised back then.
"You've changed....."
Mikoto always mutter such words every time she passes by Kyoushiro. Of course, the lad was too broken to here such thing, Though the girl herself does not know such fact.
But, all changed when she was saved by her prince once again. Trapped inside a room where monster siege comes every six hours, enduring each lost of a comrade, Mikoto was in the verge of losing hope. But that was when her valiant prince saved the day.
Clad in bluish white light, wielding two swords in each hand that was different in size and appearance, the same person that saved her back then. The hero whose hair and eyes were dark as night, Kyoushiro Kagami.
That was why, she couldn't help but pounce on him and happily embrace him but......after those happy times, her beloved prince was falsely accused by some crime he obviously didn't do. At that time, she couldn't believe what she was hearing and became unable to act quickly.....and an instant, her prince disappeared just like that. Only to hear that she was deported to a far off place where the most dangerous beings lay, the wastelands......
"Like I've been telling you, it wasn't your fault"
"But.....but...."
"Look here, I know how deep your feelings for him but, don't you think killing yourself would solve the problem?"
"But.....If only I acted faster that day, he'd.....Kyoushiro-kun....would have...would have...."
Right now, Mikoto and Minami was back in the castle in Travestin. After hearing Lucinda's announcement about Kyoushiro, she ran back to her room, crying and attempting suicide. Who would have thought that a person so well behave like that. Only towards a person that doesn't even remember her. Her best friend Minami was kind of jealous towards such person. Still, right now, Minami was calming down the girl who was about to jump out the window in a height of ten story.
"Come on Miko-chan, Kagami-kun's disappearance those past few days was a shock for me too. Who would have thought he'd do something like killing us?"
"He wouldn't do such thing!!!"
"I-I know!!! I-It's just that we never interacted with him before so we're not sure whether his crimes were true or not"
"No, I believed that Kyoushiro-kun was framed!! We only have been here for a week after we first came here, so him making such elaborate plan is just ridiculous!!"
True, at was such thing that was easy to tell. Kyoushiro can't do such well- thought out plan a day after we were just summoned the first day. Even predicting the path they'll take in the labyrinth then coming back just to rescue them. It was a very unbelievable plan that only brainless people would believe.
Furthermore......
"For him to be tortured just by framing......"
It was then, that Lucinda personally spoke to Minami about it. The day Kyoushiro was first imprisoned, he was tortured everyday for a week. Minami can't even imagine how Kyoushiro was able to endure that..... Even for a human from earth, being tortured would surely break a man easily.
"I want to see Kyoushiro....."
"Unfortunately, Kagami-sama is in a far place. A place where his life depends on how strong his power is. It is such place all the demon-spawn were cast away, the wastelands"
"Luce-chan...."
"Lucinda-san...."
The person which currently occupies the seat of the queen, wearing a white dress perfect a queen, Lucinda intruded the open room of Minami and Mikoto.
"That place, please take me there!!!"
"Sadly, I can not. Even if I want to, it is impossible to go there immediately"
With eyes filled with regret and powerlessness, Lucinda replied to Mikoto's plea with a very hopeless fact. However, Mikoto didn't back down.
"Even so!! If it's a million miles, i'll walk through there just to see him!!"
"Miko-chan....."
"Mikoto-sama....."
The two were speechless from the girl's determination. Who knew that a person in love could go through such thing. But unfortunately for Mikoto, Lucinda has a way to contact him. That is why, Lucinda invoke a field which disables any means of eavesdropping. Mikoto and Minami could not understand why she did so, but they waited for to finish as they thought that it may be an important thing to do.
"There, no one is gonna hear anything in this room outside. Kyoushiro-sama would be mad if this things get out to the other heroes"
What?-- Both of Minami and Mikoto was painted with such expression. But, as Lucinda continued, Mikoto was the one was very shock in the end.
"Aah....for Kyoushiro-sama gave me such ring, i'm very delighted. At that time in his chambers as well. The he caress me as he lay on top of me.......Uuuu~ How I miss him so~"
"Wha?!"
". . . . ."
As Lucinda was taking of her earrings and ring that was made by Kyoushiro for communication purposes. She spouted vulgar things a princess nor a queen normally wouldn't say...
"Here, this ring and earrings were made by Kyoushiro-sama himself. It let's you communicate with only him, but the quality of his voice will depend on how much your magic power is"
"Eh? He made such thing?"
"Yes, he made this 'Lovers ring' as well. It so that I stay connected to him no matter how far the distance is"
Like a lover dazed in her delusions, Lucinda continued to speak dreamily as she was giving Mikoto the ring and earrings. Minami's thoughts were 'Uwaa!! I shouldn't have asked about it' when she looked at Mikoto's expression. It was like a Hanya that us about to take it's prey's life.
"Lucinda-san, when did he gave this things to you?"
"The morning after we made love under the bright shine of the moonlight"
"Hoh~ is that so?"
"Yes!!! It was after I confessed my love to him!! He pulled in with his arms"
*Pachi*
"Kissed me passionately with his lips"
*Pachi Pachi*
"And after that, we both.....Kyaaa~!!! I can't tell you anymore~ All I can say is that.....he was so amazing~!!"
*Guchi*
As the last vein from her forehead broke, Mikoto quickly wore the earring and ring then poured her magic power in it intensely. Then, as the line got through, Mikoto heared Kyoushiro's voice in the other side....
[Huh? Lucinda? why'd you c--]
"PERVERT!! HEARTBREAKER!!RAPIST!!!"
Mikoto poured all her might insulting Kyoushiro. The man on the other side was taken aback from such intense call, even his head was aching after hearing such ear shatter sound...
[Kuh.....Damn...my head hurts....Wait, who is this?]
"It's Mikoto Aizawa you damn pervert!! How can you do such thing to a girl?!!"
[What?!! Tsk, did Lucinda just nonchalantly told you such story?]
"Why? is because you don't want to take responsibility?"
[Wha?! Oi!! I intend to do such thing!! I'll take he with me after I found a way back home!! So don't just spouting nonsense just like that!!]
Mikoto's face cramped after hearing Kyoushiro say he'd take responsibility and what's more he was thinking of taking Lucinda with him back to earth. Her heart was aching. But, now was the time she'll give up. After all, this was the first time that they had a decent talk besides the one that happened in the labyrinth.
"Is that true?"
[Yes, i'm not some guys out there that'll leave things undone. I'll properly take responsibility and after this world had either been destroyed or saved, i'll take her with me]
"Then....does that mean...you love her..?"
[. . . . .]
"Why can't you answer?"
[Because for some reason or another, if I did you'd cry.....]
Kh...Mikoto clicked her tongue. For him to say that, even if he doesn't remember... Mikoto was happy. Her tears were falling already, Lucinda and Minami couldn't understand what they were talking about to make Mikoto cry like that.... But, one thing is for certain, Minami was sure it was about Lucinda's relation with Kyoushiro.
Minami thought of Kyoushirobas trash for hurting her best friend but, after seeing Mikoto was brightly smiling right now, she can't help but watch as Mikoto was solving her own love problem. She thinks of Kyoushiro as garbage though....
"Really....that trait of yours didn't changed after all these years"
[Huh? what do you mean by that?]
"You might not remember but, we've met back in the past. We were both kids back then, we even promised to be together when we grow up again didn't we? Oh, I guess you really don't remember huh?"
[. . . . . .]
"Kyoushiro-kun?"
[How can I forget.....]
"Eh?"
[That was the day when my parents died......so how can I forget]
After that encounter, an earthquake shook the country and the parking lot of the mall they wen't to collapse. Kyoushiro's parent's died after that. Since then, Kyoushiro couldn't forget that day.
Mikoto couldn't believe what she was hearing. The death of her prince's parents....was something unknown her, obviously it was like that...
[I lost everything that day so I can never forget.... The day when my relatives all stole my parent's money.....the day when they secretly tried to murder me..... I can never forget about it...No, I won't. That is why, when I return, i'll take them all back]
"Kyoushiro-kun.....then that means that you...."
[Whether I remember such trivial thing is up to me. I didn't even think that that cry baby was you]
"Wha?! I wasn't a cry baby!!"
[You were crying just a minute ago]
"I wasn't!!!"
What the hell is happening right now?----Minami was shock to see her best friend flirting after she was yelling earlier. The man known as Kyoushiro Kagami has talents in all the worst kinds if places... Who would have thought that he'd make a great giggolo despite his scary and nasty appearance....
"So, the promised we made.....do you remember it?"
With a red face, Mikoto was fidgeting as she was trying to confirm if Kyoushiro really remember the promise from 14 years ago....
[Like I said, it is up to me whether I remember such trivial thing right?]
"No, I want your answer now. Do you remember it or not? Depending on your answer, I might return this lovely earrings and ring you gave to Lucinda-san"
"Wha?! No!! I won't let you do that!!"
[. . . . . .]
Although the call was purely thought transmitted, why can I hear Lucinda's voice clearly from the other side? Kyoushiro was having bad premonitions as he was talking to Mikoto.
On the other hand, Lucinda and Mikoto were arguing about the owner of the accessories made by Kyoushiro.
"So? do you remember or not?"
"Kyoushiro-sama please say yes!! I need to get back those gifts from Mikoto-sama!!'
"Uh....isn't the call supposed to be thought transmitted?"
[. . . . . .]
No one bothered answering Minami's remark. On the other side was Kyoushiro with his face buried on his desk, thinking whether to answer or not.
[F-Fine!!! I remember that promise clearly. It was a promise will be together when we meet again right? So? give those earrings and Ring already. It'd be bad if something bad happen to Lucinda. She's informing about you guy's movements so I can't have her unable to communicate with me]
"Umu, that's fine with me. Then, when you return, i'll have you fulfill that promise alright?"
[What?!]
"We'll get married here or in the other. As long as you keep your promise, i'll give this back!!"
Uwah...... Since when Mikoto so daring? For her to lay such conditions like that, how much bravery does she have?
Lucinda was..... isn't not happy to hear that. She was beaming full of smiles after all. Minami has a bad feeling for this....
[W-Why do I......Tsk!! Fine, you win!! I'll do whatever you say just give it back.....I don't have time now i'm busy. That woman won't let me sleep if my work isn't finish]
After that, the line was cut. Mikoto returned the accessories to Lucinda while thanking her but.... Mikoto's expression was scary. It was like a yandere caught her husband cheating and was thinking whether to cut off either his balls or his thing.
Minami was having such scary imaginations but Mikoto's face was obviously thinking those things.
"So? What did he say?"
"It looks like he remembered our meeting.... But, it was also that day when Kyoushiro-kun lost his parents..."
"Wow....that's heavy....."
Minami couldn't imagine how fate can greatly change a person. Mikoto also told Minami about what happened afterwards that day and was really shock to know such past her classmate was hiding. Who knew that the reason Kyoushiro change was because of his relatives. There were so many mysteries in Kyoushiro's life. Who would've thought such past was included as well.
"For him to experience such thing....."
"Un, no wonder he never remembered me when we met again in our first year"
"Then, about what you made him promise?"
"He said he'd do it but I get the feeling the there too many rivals"
"I doubt that ahahah...."
"Really?"
"Uh....no, not really"
Minami could only avert her eyes from truth that Kyoushiro was already being surrounded by women by the day. Lucinda was obviously one of them and there was no saying that there was no one beside him right now. However, Minami couldn't say it in front of her best friend. It wasn't because Mikoto wouldnt be able to take the truth, it was because she was worried about Kyoushiro's life when they see him again. Minami could only imagine Mikoto stabbing Kyoushiro with a knife saying 'I'll kill you then myself'. It was such a horrible thought that Minami couldn't take it but just shoved it deep within her mind.
"So.....Lucinda-san is already.....with Kyoushiro-kun?"
Unexpectedly, Mikoto asked something outrageous to Lucinda herself. Minami was already screaming on her mind 'Why are you putting salt on your own wound for?!!!'. Obviously, Mikoto was doing such thing. Wouldn't it do any better in knowing something like that?
"Yes~!! I'm already bound to Kyoushiro-sama, heart and soul!!"
On the other hand, the overly honest Lucinda was twisting her body, truthfully telling Mikoto her truest feelings.
"Is that so....."
"Un!! That is why, since Mikoto-sama also loves Kyoushiro-sama, we both can be with him together, right?"
"So it comes to that?!!!"
What did that guy do to such lovely and proper lady like Lucinda, for her to easily accept it like that? Moreover, the way she was seeing him with affection filled with too much passion was really questionable. When Minami first met Lucinda, she didn't show any indecent behavior. She was the perfect queen that exudes an extreme aura of royalty. However, now that she confessed her feelings to Kyoushiro and even more so, slept with him, Lucinda drasticaly changes for the worst. It was like she was expecting Kyoushiro to just come back and slept with her.
For such simple reason called 'Love' to change a person, Minami ponders whether she should experience it or not....
"Lucinda-san doesn't mind that?"
"Of course!! I already received too much of Kyoushiro-sama's affection after all"
"Then, y-you wouldn't mind t-that I s-sleep with him?"
"Why not? Men like Kyoushiro-sama always have many wives right? I was even troubled when I heard Kyoushiro-sama was unpopular in your world"
"W-Well......Polygamy isn't practiced in our so...."
"Mu? Isn't that a horrible system that makes people like Kyoushiro-sama live alone? If I were to live there, i'll make sure he'd received lots of love"
"That's in poor taste and I doubt Kagami-san would like that"
Lucinda was planning such thing? Minami couldn't bare such thing. Why? The only reason was that the scene of Kyoushiro being surrounded by women as he was being attended by them. Unfortunately, that kind of thing, Kyoushiro would seriously ran away from that situation. After all, he isn't that type of guy.
"U-Umu.....I-I'll stay with Kyoushiro-kun as well...."
"That's great!! Let's do our best to service Kyoushiro-sama, Mikoto-sama!!"
"U-Un!! Let's do our best!!"
Watching her best friend degrade just by loving a single guy, Minami was having trouble processing the fact that Mikoto was slowly changing.....
Kyoushiro Kagami..... A frightening young man who was unaware of the women behind him, plotting things he wouldn't imagine in his shadows. Obviously, the young man himself wishes to avoid such thing..
(I need to be careful around that guy..... Even I.....back then...)
With her cheeks reddening slightly, Minami tries to forget about the past which her and her encounter with Kyoushiro changed her way of life.
As the sunset slowly sets in the horizon, Minami watched the two girls enjoying their conversation about Kyoushiro's traits that made them fall in love with him. There were times when they argue but in the end both agreed that it was a trait they love about him whether if it's the past of the present.
Minami gave up and slept earlier than them, since for a fact that her feelings too, was involve in it....
(Argh!!! Let me sleep already!!)
(EDITED) ?
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 1 Ch. 6 – The promise of the past and the reason for the changed…",
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|
Vol. 2 CH.11 – The skill <Evolution>
PART #1
Elyria left Kyoushiro to his own devices for now in order to rescue Lydia and the other elf knights that were probably taken away. Although the probability was low, Elyria still believed that her own squad was still alive.
After all, they were already like family.
“It is a good thing that he can be used as a distraction but somehow I feel bad leaving him back there”
Elyria was a bit anxious. Kyoushiro wasn’t really someone she could call a comrade but as a person, her own conscience was eating her away.
Was it truly fine to leave a lone man back there against an army of monsters without even back up? This world doesn’t have any powerful medium to send long distance messages to allies. In short, in this predicament, they were on their own.
Kyoushiro may be strong but his strength was limited in tools in his possession. Furthermore, his opponent was a giant of a former mercenary group commander. A lone man wouldn’t stand against a force like that.
“I’ll just make sure to take her highness out as soon as possible then get back. If the others are here and still alive, I hope they still have the strength to fight or run” Elyria thought as she passed through a passage way that could fit a human.
It was this was where Elyria could walk undetected. Moreover, it was underneath where Kyoushiro was fighting. Elyria discovered it when she snuck out behind enemy lines, searching for any signs of her comrades or any of the kidnapped people from other races were being held.
“This was the only sizable route that Ernest Vern’s army of monsters can’t possible go in.
“Ugh… What a foul smell…”
Elyria frowned from the awful odor coming from the end of the passageway. It was like rotten fish and swamp mud molded together. Elyria tried her best to remove the stench going to her nose using a bit of her wind magic.
Then, as she neared the end, she saw countless cages on top of each other reaching a ceiling far higher compared to the passage she just used.
There she saw countless bodies on the ground, placed on top of another with white viscous liquid over them.
“Urk-!?”
Elyria nearly vomits on site.
It was an expected reaction. Even from where the sounds of fighting right now were the place hills of corpses laid waste. Kyoushiro was currently having a fight to the death with Ernest Vern’s army there so those corpses would be already turned to squashed meat.
In any case, this place was not suited for storing captive women.
“Damn it, those men are really vile in nature… I wish the others are alright”
Elyria could only hope for the best after seeing such place. After looking around the whole cage heap, Elyria went upward. The ceiling was opened so it was easy for Elyria to climb up using the protruding rocks on the wall.
-
The ceiling lead Elyria to a more spacious room, the ceiling and the floor was too far apart from each other and a large stone thrown was built right next the hole Elyria climbed out.
The room was empty and there were no signs of any leftover monsters around. Ernest Vern might have thought that no one would even think of someone finding this place. He was that cocky after obtaining a power so mighty that he stood equal to a newly born demon lord.
But such arrogance gave Elyria the advantage of being able to sneak around Ernest Vern’s base.
“Wait… that’s “
Elyria looked above the throne, only to see a bird cage hanging on the high ceiling. Thinking that it was suspicious, Elyria jumped towards it with great haste, hoping that either princess Lydia was there or one of her comrades.
Then as Elyria finally got close enough to peer through the gaps of the cage a large cloth her eyes winded in shock.
“Lydia…..sama?”
“Ough…. Gh…. W-who is there…?”
Long white hair, compound eyes, insect-like exoskeleton allover her limbs and her chest became four. Lydia’s appearance had turned into an unimaginable monster that could make anyone turn away the moment they saw her.
Elyria was no different; she too unconsciously averted her gaze and did her best not to let out the contents of her stomach once more.
“Princess… that, you are…”
“Are you… the rescue that monster…? Spoke of?”
It seems that she Ernest Vern knew that Elyria and Kyoushiro was coming. It wasn’t a concern since Kyoushiro was doing most of the fighting right now to distract Ernest Vern and his group. Elyria took a deep breath first before unlocking the cage.
“Yes, I was sent here by her majesty Elfianna-sama. Please wait for a moment and I’ll-“
But just as Elyria was about to open the cage forcefully with her magic, Lydia stopped her. With trembling hands, Lydia grasped the bars of the cage…
“No… please take the others first….T-They are all behind that monster’s t-throne….”
“Lydia-sama?”
Elyria was puzzled because Lydia wanted to rescue the other captive first. It was an admirable thing to do but her situation was getting worse. On the back of her hand, the carapace of a cockroach was spreading.
“….. Understood…”
Although reluctant, Elyria decided to tend to the other captive women first. Then, just as Elyria was about to jump down, she heard a soft whisper from Lydia, giving her gratitude to her…
“Thank you….”
The shadow of the cage deepened as Elyria descended from the high hanging cage…
-
How long have I been fighting?
I don’t know how long since it began but the fight had dragged on for so long that I forgot how much the monster that died by my sword.
Covered in blood and intestines and other grounded flesh and skin of the monsters he felled, Kyoushiro breathe raggedly as he cut another set of insect monsters and were-bats. The ogres and orcs, as well as the cyclops and even snake men, all of them were ceaselessly jumping to their deaths.
Kyoushiro was in the center of all of that.
Sometimes it would rain of giant rocks, sometimes it was fire and then came acids. There was even poison gasses and paralysis type smoke that Ernest Vern’s troops used to get to Kyoushiro.
It was that harsh for a lone man to fight a horde of 1000 all by himself.
My mind is going blank… this cursed masked is eating away my sanity…. Not only that…
Kyoushiro kicked a beetle monster and jumped to the air, he took out a recovery potion and a magic potion. He drank the contents while in mid-air then used the sharpened ends of the black tendrils growing under his coat to cut down the webs that was flying towards him.
“….gh….”
Kyoushiro’s body wasn’t already on the verge of collapsing. The burden of the cursed masked and his inability to gain more experience points was giving him too much of a hard time. One was consuming his mind and the other was preventing him to level up just as fast and increase his attribute values…
But because the curse on his right arm, he was having a difficult time against a large number of enemies.
Kyoushiro thought that dragging the fight too long would be bad since the very area he was in was dangerous. He doesn’t know where the drug that could mutate anyone was so there was a danger in inhaling the remains of that drug.
I really can’t afford to use that sword but….
If push comes to shove, Kyoushiro might use that cursed sword just to clear the enemies before him. If it’s the ‘him’ of that time, that was nearly consumed, then firing that high powered attack would be possible. The attack that tore a dimensional hole to escape from that horrid place where the Demon God appeared before….
“It looks like you’re already at your limit mortal”
“Shut up you damn overgrown four-eyes!!”
Kyoushiro slashed and slashed, whenever he was attacked, he retaliated. Whenever he receives damage from magic attacks and poisons, Kyoushiro would take out potions from his magic storage.
That was how it was for a while now…
Kuh…!!? My body feels so heavy right now… And my heart is-!!?
It wasn’t good; Kyoushiro’s body was breaking down already. His coat that was magically enchanted had been torn here and there. His protective plates and caps were already beyond repair and he was taking physical damage.
The effects of his equipment had fallen to the point it could barely maintain itself. Even if it was strong equipment, if it as damaged to a degree that even the material couldn’t handle then the durability drops greatly.
Furthermore, something was happening inside his body. Like it was being heated from the inside, Kyoushiro was burning up like a flickering candle flame.
Until suddenly….
“------!?”
Kyoushiro vomited blood….
|
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|
Vol. 3 CH. 2 - Letters from Home
PART #1
The group lead by Lucinda had arrived grandly at the castle grounds. The limousine that had all the members of this trip was garnering quite the attention to the nobles.
Kuro, representing the Ambrosia kingdom was making a smug face. After all, the car they just rode in was received popularly by many.
Nero was standing guard by Lucinda with Rea and Lea. Niya was quietly standing behind Lucinda.
"Lucinda..... welcome home"
"Father, I am glad to be back. Are you doing well?"
"Yes... Is what I would like to say but the current situation of the kingdom is...."
King Verdik was just an acting ruler. While the queen was resting due to her illness, it would fall upon Lucinda's responsibility to properly take over the throne temporarily. However, as she chose to stay with Kyoushiro until he left to another country, she couldn't fulfill her duties as the next queen.
The father who Lucinda had last seen as healthy and calm looking now looked like he was at his wit's end. Dishevelled hair and bags under his eyes. His cheeks were shallow and his eyes were sunken.
It was evident that King Verdik was really stressed for a long time now.
"The situation worsened when you left Lucinda. We don't know how this all happened"
"I see.... I apologize for my long leave of absence father. For the moment, I would like to have my company to rest in the castle. I also wished to see mother, if possible"
"Alright"
Lucinda was back in her work mode. Pretty much like her mother, Lucinda was fast when acting on a job. Though her current appearance was that of a woman on a wheel chair, she still hadn't lost her touch as the next queen.
King Verdik nodded at Lucinda's request. Although there were nobles around them showing a dissatisfied expressions, no one voiced out any complaints.
They were just watching on the sidelines, biting down their tongues and watching as the everything proceeds.
"My! Welcome back, Lucinda-sama. I believed that you have received my letter?"
It was just then, at the top for the castle staircase, the royal adviser Welmner, appeared. He clapped his hands slowly as he descends down the staircase.
"Royal Adviser..... I believed the letter you have sent me is real? It reached the wasteland quite easily, even into my hands no less"
"I have a very helpful friend to lend me a hand"
Welmner smiled. Considering the fact that he was able to send a letter to Lucinda in a place filled with Demon Spawns, it felt odd that the letter itself reached her. One of the reason was that, the wasteland was full of strong monsters and secondly, there was no one in their right mind would come to a place where all the Demon Spawns were chased out to, stays.
Lucinda even though that Arianne might have written the letter herself but that didn't really sunk in Lucinda since Arianne has nothing against Lucinda.
For Welmner to say he had a friend help him, that person might have been a lunatic.
"Has my mother, the Queen been fairing well?"
"She had fainted a few times more even after waking up the first time. We had already the experts in the castle look into her sickness but there was no further findings"
Apparently, the queen had already woken up once. However, probably due to her sickness relapsing, it caused he to faint a few times over. In medical diagnosis, the Queen might be suffering in some kind of deadly illness or disease.
Lucinda's expression turned foul but she easily kept her calm and neutral face. With a smile on her face, Lucinda climbed up the stairs with her golem type wheelchair.
"I shall see my mother now"
"Right, I apologize for blocking the way, your Highness"
Welmner took a step back. Niya pushed the wheelchair forward quietly while ignoring the gazes of the guards. Rea and Lea followed with playful skips while Nero held his spear on his shoulder and keeping vigilant of the surroundings.
"Hmm? And you are?"
Kuro was the only one left outside. Not only that, the golem workers and the Magic Iron Knights were standing behind him as well. The Humvees were parked neatly on the side of the entrance while the trucks remained parked outside. The unit lead by Kuro were still inside them as well as the supplies they brought with them.
As soon as everyone left, Kuro remained along with the King and his associates.
"I am the right hand of the Black King and Hero, Kyoushiro Kagami, as well as the High Commander of the Ambrosia Black Army. I came as a guard for her Highness Lucinda"
"Heh, and what do i—We owe the pleasure of entertaining such commander of your caliber in our country? As you say, you are but a mere guard to our future queen"
Welmner acted haughtily. While King Verdik was trying to make sure to not to displeased the guests, the royal adviser was pushing his luck.
Kuro showed his sharp fangs and as he snickered.
"Welmner, do not be rude to our guest"
"Hmmm... my apologize your Majesty"
Welmner lowered his head to King Verdik as he apologize. Though it sounded more like he was insulting him than being sincere with his apology.
"Hmph, I have heard already of what you did to our king. While he has no plans of taking this kingdom under his rule, his Majesty has no intention of letting a single hair be plucked upon her Highness Lucinda's body. Should she be harms along with the heir, please know that we won't standby watching"
"This is no warning" Kuro added and snapped his finger. As he did the unit Kuro leads all jumped off their Humvees. One by one black armored knights of different races came lining up next to worker golems. Black haired elves, Black eared rabbitmen, cat-eared and even dwarves and dark elves. The unit had about 20 Knights. All of them wearing highly enchanted armors.
"We won't need any permission. Please leave the guard duty to me and my men"
"........"
King Verdik watched as the 20 armed Knights split into groups and went to different directions. The nobles as well as Welmner showed how such sight got under their skins. They were all irritated at the fact that some Demon Spawn, commander wannabe was making a fool out of them.
Not only that the Magic Iron Knights, flew into the sky and went back to Mordred. The worker golems then proceeded to march out of the castle gates along with the trucks filled with supplies.
This was quietly ordered from the captain of the battleship. Mordred.
"I shall take my leave now"
Done with showing off Ambrosia's might, Kuro went inside the castle. leaving behind a couple of nobles with faces red anger bursting faces.......
———
"How dare—How dare that damn monster insult me!!?"
Welmner returned to his office in the palace. After getting insulted by a mere Demon Spawn, Welmner's pride took a hit. He was the proud human of a powerful country, more so, a royal adviser. To think a mere dirtrag country like Ambrosia and that Demon Spawn Commander wannabe treat him like he was ranked lower than him.
Welmner was the royal adviser. In addition to being a former captain in the Knight Order of the kingdom, Welmner was a rank— no, he was at least ten ranks above Kuro.
"Damn him! Damn that Black Hero!"
Even though it was plainly obvious that the golems that Kuro brought, the limousine, the Humvees and the trucks were all by products of Kyoushiro's skills, Welmner still couldn't accept it. That despite being the weakest of all the heroes, it was Kyoushiro that was only highly capable.
The black hero he, Welmner, judged as a criminal, turned out to be a far better hero compared to the others. That while Taiga was the strongest, because of his arrogance, he had earned quite the infamy around the kingdom.
"We don't need any permission' he says.... that blasted Demon Spawn, I'll make sure you'll grovel at my feet...!!"
Welmner's face flared in anger. His castle was intruded like that and what's more, he was looked down upon by nothing more than a Demon spawn. How annoying, how aggravating!!
"Tsk. Those large carriages.... those seemed to be heading somewhere. I need to find out where and seize it's contents"
With his mind slowly calming down, Welmner thought of something. The trucks that left the castle, though he didn't know what's inside it, merely taking those would net him quite the money. In addition to that....
—There are no humans guarding those right?—
Since he didn't saw any Knight or even a mere servant among those golems, Welmner believed it would be no problem to take the trucks. The Humvees were impossible to take since they were parked near the castle entrance but those trucks were still possible to steal.
With no knowledge about the mechanism of a simple car, Welmner now try to think of a way to steal the trucks filled with supplies from those golems.
PART #2
Medicines and potions made by Kyoushiro are highly effective. To those that drank them personally, ten out of ten people would seriously get their wounds healed immediately after just one drink.
Kyoushiro's very own classmates, the ones that took and shared the potions he made after he was deemed a criminal, all agreed that the ones Kyoushiro made were very effective.
The only problem was that, after he was sent to the wastelands, no one ever got another one of his potions.
As for medicines, the ones that Kyoushiro learned making from under the supervision of the black haired elves and dark elves, they varied in effectiveness.
According to head of the Alchemical research laboratory back in Ambrosia, the medicines Kyoushiro made had aide effects that could affect the person taking his medicine.
The effects varied from having hallucinogenic effects to raising a persons's libido above normal. Whether it was a medicine he had concocted from following a recipe or just simply going through trial and errors, there were still some side effects.
However those side effects didn't affect of the internal organs of the takers. Instead, their senses were either dulled or heightened.
As for why such side effect occurs, the person himself have no idea. But according to the Elf alchemist, it seems that the effects were due to Kyoushiro's imaginations affecting his concoction.
There was a time when the Elf Alchemist asked Kyoushiro "What do you often think about while making medicines?" then Kyoushiro answered "Huh? The drugs in my world have that kind of effect. Many take them for self pleasure but I only heard of it's effects. But well, they are effective after all so I base my effects on those kinds of medicine"
Normally, one wouldn't go as far as using those dangerous drugs for himself. Kyoushiro only delivered and some rare instances, he sells them but never did he got any whiff of any of those drugs.
As for his usual medicines for when he catches cold, he would just bathe in cold water then drink plenty of fluids. So Kyoushiro didn't really have much experience in taking any medication.
Then being in this world, there's that recovery potions. Herbs can help ease the colds and other minor illness so it was easy to recover. There's also the effects of the status to the person. Even a person would a high vitality won't get sick in this world.
So Kyoushiro didn't care about the effects. But once the elf alchemist pointed out Kyoushiro's problem while making his own medicines, the those weird side effects disappeared. In its place, it was replace with a strong effectiveness in terms of recovery and eliminating the viruses quite easily.
Then once Kyoushiro had gotten his hands on a yellow flower with a weird black stem, along with the knowledge from the 500 old books he got in that weird place, Kyoushiro's potions and medicine could even cure any sort of diseases and illness. There was also a case where one of his potions could regrow severed limbs. Because of that, Kyoushiro shared his knowledge to the researchers in order to make such effective potions and medicines.
Then right in Lucinda's hands was a small vial of an eerie blood like medicine.
"This medicine.... will it truly help mother?"
"Yes. His majesty had them made in bulks in case something happens. The researchers in the Alchemist research lab had also authenticated it's effects. There is nothing to worry about"
Niya had answered Lucinda's worried question. It was natural, after all, none of the medicines nor potions inside Ambrosia were circulating outside the wastelands. The effects were only known by those who made them. Though there is a small label attached to the vial so that any person could use it without worry.
"......Alright"
Lucinda resolved herself. Her hands tightly holding the vial while her eyes were gazing at her weakened mother.
Then, as Lucinda slowly raised her mother, she then placed the mouth of vial into the gaps her mother's lips. As soon as she saw her mother's throat moving, Lucinda prayed for the medicine's success.
"Will she be alright?"
"I don't know father.... but I'm sure the medicines found in Ambrosia kingdom are very effective"
King Verdik was also inside the Queen's chambers. Aside from them, there was some maids as well as Rea and Lea who were watching behind Niya. Nero was standing close to the door with his attention to the important figures around the bed. In case something happens, Nero would immediately act.
And then.....
"Ugh...kuu...."
The Queen groaned. Her body slightly shined with glittery golden lights coming out of her body. Her thin frame slowly returned to it's former healthy state. The pale complexion disappeared and rosy cheeks returned to the Queen's face. Her dull hair grown shiny and the vestiges of gold silk like color came back.
The medicine had showed immediate effects. Seeing such effects as though rewinding time, the maids and King Verdik all gasp as they witnessed such miraculous phenomenon.
And so.....
"Nn.....? Dear? Lucinda?"
The Queen slowly woke up.
"Mother!!"
"Isabella!!"
Lucinda and King Verdik rushed to the Queen's side.Tears of joy and relief flowing from the corner of their eyes.
"Don't be too noisy. It's still..... morning? Right?"
Queen Isabella was confused for a moment. Her body felt better than before and she doesn't have that sluggish drowsy like feeling.
No, she felt better compared to before. It's like she didn't have any sickness at all and was ten years younger in terms of health.
"What happened? I thought I was...."
Even this feeling of refreshness felt odd. Queen Isabella still couldn't figure out why she felt healthy all of a sudden.
"You have been in and out of sleep. For the past few months now"
"Wait... what do you mean few months? How long was I asleep?"
"Isabella, you were in bed for at least nealr half a year already. You wake up in some days but you often sleep for weeks"
"I don't understand Verdik...... I only remember resting for a little while after feeling under the weather. I haven't woken up since then"
"Huh?"
Taken aback by what the Queen said, King Verdik let out a stupefied voice.
It was weird. How come she didn't remember waking up? Although she was sick, it wasn't like she was in a coma. She would wake up on irregular intervals which was the reason why there were maids standing by in her room everyday.
Even King Verdik had seen Queen Isabella awake from time to time and would converse with her about how the day went and what was happening in the kingdom. They even have a conversation.
Turning around, King Verdik glanced at the maids. Immediately, they shook their heads left and right as to deny whatever claims the king has.
The maids were the only people besides King Verdik and Lucinda that comes and goes inside the Queen's chamber. Aside from the regular consultation from the royal family's own physician, no one could enter this room.
"Mother? Are you alright now?"
"Why... yes I am. I am fit as a fiddle. Though I still don't understand how"
Lucinda was talking with her mother. Although she was only gone for a month, it felt so long since she had spoken with her mother.
A smile of relief and tears of joy. Lucinda had taken the mantle of Queen temporarily because of her mother's sickness. Now that the Queen was awake, there was no need for her to where the crown.
While watching the mother and daughter, King Verdik left there side for a moment.
"May I borrow a moment of your time?"
"........"
King Verdik asked Nero so. He was a lion type beastman like Kuro. Though unlike the impulsive commander, Nero was in his human form and only his ears and tail remained on his human appearance.
Nero took a silent nod after confirming that no one would come from anywhere inside the room. After that, he followed King Verdik, who had left the Queen's chamber.
"Is there something you want from me, your Majesty?"
"Yes.... though this may come as rude but, is there some way that potion that my daughter used, can alter one's memory?"
After hearing Queen Isabella having no recollection whatsoever about waking up from time to time, he was worried that it might have been an effect of the medicine she had been given.
However, Nero shook his head.
"No, there is no such effect"
"Is it possible to confirm that?"
"I, myself, am a living proof of that"
Nero answered honestly. He once took the same medicine as the Queen once. It was because he was poisoned horribly back then by a black King Cobra in the wasteland. It was thank to that amazing medicine that he didn't die from the strong poison of that Black King Cobra.
"I see.... but how..."
"I don't know why you're asking but there's no way that the medicine would have an side effect of altering memories. I mean, she just woke up with you watching by her side right?"
Nero was watching since the beginning and there was nothing out of place. In fact, if something did happened, he would have immediately went protect Lucinda regardless of the casualties. She was that important to the person that rebuild Ambrosia after all.
"Hmmm.... I see. Thank you for answering me honestly then. Also, please keep this conversation between us only. There is something I need to look into"
"? Alright. My job is just to protect princess Lucinda after all"
Nero went back inside. After the beastman left, King Verdik went back to his office.
From there, a shadow came out of one room and knelt right before King Verdik. A man dressed in a black from head to toe. His face covered with a clothe but one could see his strange purple eyes underneath.
"Your majesty, congratulations on the recovery of her Highness the Queen"
"Save your greetings, I have work for you"
"Understood"
King Verdik had this weird feeling that no matter what he tried to think about, he couldn't understand. Like a jumbled pieces of puzzles, he couldn't put them all together without a mark.
The sickness of the Queen. It was something that should have been cured by any medicine. That's what the head physician said. However, it took around 5 and half months before she perfectly recover.
But she doesn't recall waking up. It was odd. Because King Verdik relayed what transpired in the court of nobles to her whenever she wakes up.
"I'll have you look into the people that my wife met before she got sick"
"Is there something wrong with her Highness?"
"No.... but there's something I want to find out"
Queen Isabella was a fine ruler. She was just and fair. She had the charisma to make anyone like her regardless of her appearance. However, she too has her enemies.
There were at least two people King Verdik suspects. Either it was Welmner the Royal Adviser or the Head Minister of Audit, Earl Velázquez Aldus Ernst.
The elder brother of Queen Isabella.
"Understood. I shall do as you wish"
The man disappeared instantly. As King Verdik was left by his lonesome, he sighed deeply....
"Haaaah..... the supporters of the hero Taiga. How unpleasant"
———
The smell of smoke and dead bodies. Inside a dark land with withered trees and dark muddy soil. The large encampment that was currently stationed around a mountain range, received a messenger dove that came from the Capitol.
"Hmm.... it seems that mother have woken up"
A small girl with pink hair. She wore a light pink dress, quite unfit to the dreary surrounding area. However, the large tent she was in, was filled with things that matches her dress. It was like she was back at home.
"Tiara-sama, is something the matter?"
"No, Taiga-sama. I have just received word from the Earl that mother had been cured from her sickness"
"I see. That is good news, right?"
"Yes!"
The Hero Taiga Kurosawa. A tall handsome man with red eyes and hair. He was the hero that was currently engaged in a battle against the first Demon Lord Vlad. Wearing his pristine white and shiny armor, he knelt down to the same height as Princess Tiara, the youngest sister of Lucinda.
Many months have passed since the heroes were divided to serve different countries. Taiga was decided to stay in Travestin while the others were sent off to other places.
However, Taiga wasn't alone. He had his comrades with him.
"Taiga, the attacks of the Ghouls have stopped. Should we advance?"
Suddenly, a lovely female knight with golden ringlets and blue eyes came in to report what was currently happening in the Fortress of Ghouls.
"Leticia, you should at least say you're coming in"
"I've had enough saying that in bed with you. This is urgent. Should we proceed or not?"
Leticia Rembrandt. She was knight that was tasked to safeguard Princess Tiara however, because of the princess's wish, even she had slept with Taiga. It wasn't out of love, rather because she was ordered to.
"Ahahaha, right, you always squirt whenever I tease you"
"Kuh.... this is not the right time for that. Are we to advance or not?"
"Hmmm....."
The current situation of the battle was a stalemate. Taiga's camp had already raided towns and villages that houses, Harpies, Lamias and Arachnids. Because of that, there was a surplus of slaves to use to fight the enemies. The Fortress of Ghouls were used by the army under the Demon General of the first Demon King to keep Taiga's army at bay. Due to that their advances were halted.
"No need to get mad. For now, tell everyone to retreat"
"If we go back now, they might fortify their defenses"
"Or it might be a trap for us. From what we've gathered, Ghouls have poisons in their fluids, specifically in their saliva. Even their nails can be a threat to us"
"I know that"
"Yeah, you know. Everyone knows about it now. After all, we took many of their brethrens and tortured the answers out of them"
Taiga stood up then petted Princess Tiara's small head.
"We also haven't received our supplies yet. Tell the main force we'll return to the capital for now. We need to replenish our troops and supplies"
This march had started after the heroes were divided to different countries. Using the influence of the Royal Adviser and the Earl, they gathered soldiers, mercenaries and slaves.
Now, they were marching close to the Demon King's castle.
"Return you say.... we have been here for a near 6 months already. Do you think they'd welcome us without any report of success?"
"Tsk, are you saying that I haven't done anything that can be counted as an accomplishment?"
"....."
Suddenly, the air around Taiga changed.
"If that damn Demon General didn't ran away, I would have taken his head!"
"......."
There was the incident that nearly got Taiga killed. It was because he underestimated the enemy general and charged ahead. The numbers on the enemy side were overwhelming large while the ones Taiga lead were of small number. In the end, Taiga's men died and the mercenary lead by Ernest Vern, ran away.
The humiliating incident caused Taiga's reputation to tale a hit.
"Kh...!?"
Leticia groaned as Taiga let out a dense air of magic power out of his body.
"Damn it....!!"
"Taiga-sama, please calm down"
"......"
However, Princess Tiara didn't show any pained reaction as she reached out to Taiga's hand and held it within her arms.
"Fuuuh.... sorry about that, Tiara-sama"
"It is nothing. You are the hero after, it is only normal for you to be angered by such words"
"Heheh, yeah you're right"
Taiga calmed down as soon as Princess Tiara soothed his anger. Leticia sighs and apologized for what she said and immediately left to inform the troops.
When the two were alone.....
"Tiara-sama, my apologize"
"No, it is fine"
Taiga sighs. It's been a long time since they came to thus world. However, aside from a certain few that follows him, there were a lot that were now planning to abandon him. Because he hadn't killed a Demon Lord yet.
Because the weakest and the most incompetent one of all, killed one. Those were the rumors that was causing the mercenaries working under him to leave.
Currently, the soldiers that Taiga took were managing in this region. After taking everything from the villages that they passed by along the way, they managed to fill up their supplies. The army as well as the mercenaries liked the women that were collected along with the supplies. Due to that, the favor of everyone was still in him.
However, it won't last long.
That's why Taiga needed to kill a Demon Lord as fast as possible.
—That damn Kagami.... I thought he's dead already—
There were rumors about Kyoushiro coming from the soldiers that returns to the capital to report the progress of the battle. According to one of the soldiers that returned, it seemed that four heroes banded together to fight a Demon Lord in the wasteland. They took care the millions of minsters but were troubled when the Demon Lord came.
It was then that Kyoushiro's name pop up. Like a berserker, he went wild, chopping down the large tentacles of the Demon Lord. With his golden sword, he cut down the Demon Lord with a thousand arms by his lonesome.
There was more than that. Kyoushiro rebuild a nation of his own.
—Kyoushiro this, Kyoushiro that... The black hero... the criminal hero....!!—
Taiga was the hero of this story. He himself was the hero. His class says he was. He was a Paladin. One of the highest class of swordsman one could reach.
He had the power to slay monsters with one swing, he can heal the I'll with his light. He was the sword of the gods. He was the king.... He was the ruler....
He was....
"I am...."
Those words remained cut. He didn't continued to say more. His fist just clenched tightly then drew from his gauntlets cutting through the leather.
Today however, he had to return to the Capitol. He had no other choice, he himself was losing his grip.
———
The Magic Academy. Inomiri-sensei came here to learn and create magic artifacts in order to save the world. From the rampant attacks of monsters allover the place to the atrocious battles and attacks of the Demon Lords.
At first, she was supposed to be sent to the Oceanus empire. However, it was changed in a split second when Koizumi and Katsuto were chosen by the Empress Rizandra specifically.
The student that came with her was Yui Inada. Her class was a priestess, as such, she was chosen to enter to Seifield Holy Empire. As for Inomiri Shizuka, she was using the Magic Academy as a base.
With her class being a Scholar and all, her magic artifacts designs were then built and implemented by the Seifield Holy Empire. Carriages that doesn't shake, magical lighting, barrier stones that could last for five years and even special compounds of fertilizers for farming.
As a Scholar, Inomiri-sensei had even taught around the Magic Academy. Because of that, the magic academy itself was using science as the basis of their spells.
"Shizuka-sama!"
It was then, in one peaceful day, Prince Roderick, came to her personal office in the Magic Academy.
A tall blonde haired and blue eyed man with chiselled features and a firm masculine body; Prince Roderick came to visit Inomiri-sensei with a letter in his hand.
"Roderick-sama, is something the matter?"
Inomiri-sensei glanced at Prince Roderick. The guy seemed to have came to her office in a hurry, judging from how rough his breath was. Though she wasn't busy, Inomiri-sensei was still doing some work. Like making new magical artifacts that could help her students.
Having her concentration disrupted, Inomiri-sensei decided to humor the prince.
"I have received a letter from the capital. My mother has been cured from her sickness"
"The true Queen was.....?"
Inomiri-sensei already knew that Lucinda wasn't the Queen but rather, a proxy. Prince Roderick told Inomiri-sensei that this was needed at the time since they needed the figure of the Queen to welcome the heroes.
Moreover, the fact that this letter came to Prince Roderick at this kind of time, meant that they found a cure for the Queen's weird sickness.
Inomiri-sensei was glad for Prince Roderick that his mother was alright now.
"And so? will you return to Travestin?"
"Yes, the letter says that all siblings must return to the capital as this was requested by mother"
Prince Roderick handed the letter to Inomiri-sensei to let her read the contents.
Going "Hmmmm......" while reading, Inomiri-sensei stopped as she read that Princess Lucinda was back in Travestin and returned with a medicine from Ambrosia Kingdom that helped cure the Queen.
—A medicine that can cure that kind of sickness? What kind of medicine is that?—
Inomiri-sensei had been informed about the Queen's condition before but, she didn't have any idea what kind of cure she could make in order to save the Queen. Well, the life of the Queen wasn't in any mortal danger but she was slowly weakening by the day.
But after learning that a medicine can be made to cure such odd sickness, Inomiri-sensei was intrigued.
"Roderick-sama, do you know anything about the Ambrosia Kingdom? It was written in the letter"
"Oh yes, that...."
Prince Roderick explained how it was just a newly formed nation built from the ruins of an old kingdom. And that Kyoushiro was also involved in it's reconstruction.
"Kagami-kun.... so he was safe huh?"
Inomiri-sensei smiled bitterly. Because she couldn't save him when he was being trialed in to some crime that was obviously falsely made by someone. When the trial was over and the decision to send Kyoushiro to the wasteland as his punishment came, Inomiri-sensei came to intervene and tried to save her student. Fortunately enough, he was escorted safely to the wasteland.
Although, staying in the wasteland in itself was dangerous. After all, monsters of all kinds live in the wasteland.
"Shizuka-sama......"
"I'm fine your Highness. Still though, you are returning to Travestin, correct?"
"Yes"
"Then, may come along as well?"
"!?"
Prince Roderick's shoulders jumped as he heard Inomiri-sensei was coming with him. Red blush appeared on his face and the corner of his lips was twitching.
"O-Of course! Please come back with me to the kingdom! Mother would surely be happy to meet you!"
It seems that he had gotten the wrong idea. Inomiri-sensei sighed as she couldn't believe a 20 year old prince would show such innocent lovestruck face of a highschooler. It was funny but Inomiri-sensei didn't have any plans on meeting with the Queen.
—I wish to meet with Lucinda-sama. In any case, she knows Kagami-kun far more than me right now—
The safety of her student was her concern. As such, she would like to know whether he was doing fine or not wherever he may be. She was busy when Kyoushiro was in danger so at least, by this much, her conscience as his teacher would be satisfied.
—He may be the only one that changed a lot since coming to this world—
Those were the only thoughts that Inomiri-sensei could imagine as how harsh this world was to people with black hair and eyes....
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "131451",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 CH. 2 – Letters from Home",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 1 Ch. 8 - Demon Flood (Part 1)
Part #1
Distant from the new kingdom Ambrosia, a black flood was flowing in. A shadow of unknown creatures of all shapes and sizes. A flood of monsters of which strength and danger were known to be high, were slowly marching towards one country. Deep within the wastelands were small villages of various races. They neither discriminate nor welcome, in a neutral stance, they were just mere cowards. However, fates finds them to be the first ones to be annihilated by the flood of monsters.
Lack-luster skin demonic ogres, Demonic moths with size of 2 meters, Mantis with the size of a bulky bear and snakes that as long as the rive of Styx. Various small others as well like berserk gorilla and Black furred yetis along with demon goblins and blood seeker ghouls.
There were too many to count by hand and too large to contain in a land. In simple calculations, the numbers exceed 4 million and the rough estimation was about 3.5 million and counting. With large of a number, a simple nation wouldn't be able to fight back, much less defend themselves. And the one that controls this sea of monsters, was a being with three horns protruding on his skull of a head, green skin like moss and meaty arms like logs. A disproportionate body that was both skinny and muscular, it was a disgusting being that enjoys the taste of blood quenching down his dried up throat. A being with snake like snout and jaw of an alligator. The demon king whom which hold a thousand hands, Demon lord Kakal.
His festering limbs that were seemingly attached to each creatures' cerebral cords and each of them were connected to his consciousness. Obeying each and every rule, his puppets of a thousand monsters, destroy, devours, pillage whatever they see is living.
The king enjoys good entertainment as Romans would speak. Surely it was just that but, simple entertainment would not satisfy this lord's hunger for blood an gore. Kakal was the 9th demon lord that currently occupies the deepest parts of the wastelands. This indescribable being has much power to rule over a thousand by using the power of one thousand demonic beasts. As long as the beast is useful, it's worth controlling. Within his hands are one thousand demonic beasts with various skills and abilities that could turn the world's strongest heroes powerless. Right now, in his hands were those monsters and currently, the heroes were yet to be seen....
Part #2
It has been a month since the disappearance of Kyoushiro Kagami. The kingdom of the newly made Ambrosia was astir after they heard the news about the disapearance of the black hero they have loved and adored. Right after he was seen by a guard posted in the third outer wall of the castle, he went missing near the plaza where the town named after the hero, Kyoushiro Kagami.
It was said that he suddenly disappeared near the plaza where a certain tree grows. A tree which withstand the sands of time that both have seen the creation and the death of Aurolius. It's a historic site that many people gather for it's beautiful blooming yellow flowers. Remarkably, it was already there right before the first king had built the kingdom. Rather, it was direct order not to touch that certain tree.
The queen, Arianne, quickly ordered a thorough investigation of the place where Kyoushiro was last seen in. Sadly, the investigation turned up to be a failure as they never saw anything wrong about the place. There was no magic nor trap was used against him. Only that was the weird thing. It was suspected that he was abducted but neither blood nor hair was seen. There was also the fact that he could have ran away but, after what was seen within his tower, it was the least likely to have happened.
Right now, the queen, rather, Arianne was having a meeting with the 8 royal countries in a place where the site of the meeting was hidden in a secret place where neither the heroes or demon lords could find.
This was the second time that Arianne had joined the council since the first day that Ambrosia posed it's name to the public. 'I am a member of the royal family of Aurolius that once stood as the riches country in the world' was the words of the queen. The 8 royal countries gladly accepted her as member of the council and her inauguration as the queen of the newly named Aurolius, Ambrosia.
The first person who welcomed her was the queen of the elves, Elfiana Litre Parcelous. It was a meeting between both genders that has the same rule. Because there was a previous alliance with the former Aurolius, it made way for an alliance which was regained through the new ruler of that land. With the former kingdom's forgotten mine shafts and vast lands it would be a waste if it were not to be used. That was the thing that both queens agreed however, Kyoushiro both beat them.to the punch. It was because he ordered Arianne's men to mine the forgotten mine shaft and use them for the benefit of Ambrosia. Elfiana had seen the cunning side of the hero which was step ahead from her own plans. Arianne was no ordinary lass either. She too had seen the plans of the Elf queen so she allowed Kyoushiro to use whatever he needs within her domain. However, it seems that the Elf queen haven't traced that connection as of yet.
There was also the course with the Ocean Empress, Rizandra Ious Silphenm. The person herself was of the mermaid-people that lived in the oceans that regulates marine farming and trade routes of the 8 royal council. Seemingly harmless but terrifying woman that holds over ancient text of now forgotten spells and hexes. This country is where Koizumi Hayato and Katsuto Sairenji had been sent to couple of days ago. Personally, Rizandra held grudged against the former Aurolius but now that it was replaced by a new ruler, she hoped of a better connection between the two.
There was also the case of the Beast country which was ruled by a king named Domant Ferious Lyanthrope. This king whom has the appearance of a golden maned lion does not trust the new queen. Since she was employing demon-spawns as her subjects, she was being suspected as a demon-spawn herself. Because her hair was violet, it was easy to confuse it with black. However, because the color of her eyes were different, the other kings and queens did not quickly resort to false accusation. As expected, they all had one interest in a single hero. Kyoushiro Kagami.
The single hero whom fought with a hundred and fifty demonic ogres inside the trap room 'Wave room' and the killer of fifty flame wyvern in the skies, riding the flying elven ship 'Phirous'. They were also told that the fast re-development of Aurolius was also because of him. Even though his skills were not of that of normal hero nor dexterous craftsman, he both surpasses them with his own knowledge and skills. It was even reported that the swords that the hero Taiga Kurosawa uses was from the black hero as well.
The dark blade 'Dawn' and the pure white sword 'Dusk'. These two swords surpasses the legend grade treasures of all kingdoms. It was like a master of smiths made such blades. That was why, the 7 countries questioned the banishment of such talented individual to a remote region. However, the only answer the king of Travestin could give was 'It was for the safety of my people'. It was safe line but, no one bought it. Still, they trusted the person who once fought against a demon king himself. As of now, the only concern they only has was.....
"The appearance of the 9th demon king, Kakal"
He was last seen near the demon gorge and Devil ravine, leading an army of estimated 5 million demonic beasts, two days ago. Furthermore, the demon king had brought out the worst kinds of demonic beasts out of the wastelands. Not only that, there was a problem about the disappearance of Kyoushiro Kagami within the wastelands. Without him, the newly named kingdom will fall from the hands of the vile demon king.
Arianne knew of this all too well as such, the disappearance took too much of her to handle.
"Can I request the usage of your heroes? Although they have only been divided in respectable countries, mine will fall now that I have lost my only hero. I plead you accept this request"
This was the only thing she can do. Even if the heads of each countries declines, she could only bow her head to them.
"Arianne-sama, you do not need to lower your head like that"
"Elfiana-sama......?"
"That is right, you are now one of the 9 countries that leads this world against from it's demise"
"Rizandra-sama...."
Both the empress of the Elves and Mer-people, have expressed their thoughts. They are willing to let the heroes in their possession to fight to gain more experience and get stronger. Although there is the danger of them dying, the use of the magic item that Inomiri Shizuka, there would be no problem.
This device was made for her student to use. It was magic artifact that will transport it's wearer to a safer place if their life would come into danger. Each of her students received one except for Kyoushiro, who went missing before the magic item was distributed.
Arianne was thankful for the generosity of the queen and empress. The two desires to visit Ambrosia in the near future. As such, they wish not the destruction of the only place that has history on the strongest barrier they have known in history.
"I decline, I will not offer my heroes to fight for those beings which are related to the demon god"
"I decline as well"
"Me too"
"I will not allow it"
"I too, will not allow it"
The dwarf king, the holy empire's bishop, The beast king, and the other kings from distant lands did not go along with Arianne's request. Only the king of Travestin was left.
Arianne waited her his answer as he was still pondering about it. In truth, he wanted to help as much as he can but, the fact that the only hero in his possession is Taiga, it would be hard for him to help.
"Forgive me but I can not. Even if I wanted to, the burden would be too much for my country"
"That is alright, Travestin-sama. You only have one hero after all, I understand. Elfiana-sama and Rizandra-sama's help is very much thankful already"
"I'm very sorry"
Arianne knew that there was a rift between the hero of Travestin and Kyoushiro Kagami. It was from Kyoushiro whom always show a disgusted face whenever Taiga Kurosawa was mentioned. It was then that, Kyoushiro told the whole story about the real Taiga Kurosawa which Kyoushiro have warned her about.
"Do not meet him at any cost. He's too dangerous for you to trust"
Thus, Arianne heeded. She doesn't know the hero well to give her own judgement. The reports from the king of Travestin and other countries about Taiga were trusted as well. However, there were some reports about him that were too concerning as well.
Frequency in prostitute houses
Murder of innocent civilians
Robbery
Torture
Those were only some of the crimes that the spies have reported. There were also some that weren't. However, concerning what Kyoushiro have said, the hero can't be trusted at all.
Elfiana and Rizandra also know of this and that is why they were limiting what a the heroes in their country could do. They imposed some laws that lets them do as they please but only limited. They also placed some rumors through their own country's people about the hero Taiga and his dark side.
Anyway, as the council finished their decision, the meeting was adjourned and all of them stood from their seats but, before they could even react, the door flew open and a person with a beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes entered the room with a face that expressed her stressed in a certain matter.
"Is it true that Kyoushiro-sama went missing?!!!"
It was Lucinda. The next queen if Travestin which she will inherit in about two weeks from now. However, she was different. Her stomach was somewhat rounded. From what the people from inside the room have seen, Lucinda was pregnant. It was obvious enough since it was already right in front of their eyes. Along with her was Mikoto Aizawa the Master Tamer and Minami Todorki, the Healing master. Both hero were under the rule of Elfiana. Since she have rejected Kouga and Yuuya's placement in her country after what they did to a certain village, she took the two best friends as well.
Mikoto was showing the same expression as Lucinda, whereas Minami simply followed the two since she was worried about both of her friends.
"Lucinda, what are you doing here? Return to your chambers and rest. It would only strain you if you move too much"
"Father!! Is it true that Kyoushiro-sama went missing? Please tell me father!!"
"Me as well, Elfiana-sama. Can I please know the situation of Kyoushiro-kun?"
Elfiana was taken aback by these two extremely beautiful women pleading to know about the situation of one man. Was Kyoushiro Kagami that popular with the women? Elfiana could not understand what happened between Kyoushiro and the other two. What she could only see is two women that was played by a single man. It was truly unappealing. As a woman herself, she would not show such shameless face.
"It is true, Mikoto-sama and Lucinda-sama. The hero, Kyoushiro Kagami went missing a month ago. His whereabouts are still unknown as well. Arianne-sama have already put some people to investigate in it, but it seems that it would not be easy since the demon lord of a thousand arms were slowly marching towards the kingdom of Ambrosia"
'Isn't that right? Arianne-sama?' is what Elfiana asked Arianne who was staring dumbfounded at the bulging belly of Lucinda.
"A-Ah? T-That's right. Kyoushiro left his tower the morning after his cold has gone down. It was then after that he went missing near noon"
"He had a cold?! W-Was he alright that time?"
"Y-Yes....After I made Kyoushirou some porridge, it seems his fever at that time.....gone down..."
Arianne's gaze was fix on Lucinda's stomach. Elfiania and Rizandra too had their eyes fixed on the same spot. Mikoto and Minami noticed that and they could only smile wryly since they can't explain and where to start as well..
"Excuse me, Lucinda-sama. Your stomach....why is there a small light of magical power there? No, it seems very obvious but, how did it ended up there?"
"Un, that is right. Lucinda-sama, can you please give an explanation on that part as well?"
Both Elfiana and Rizandra are both races that are sensitive about the essence of magic power. With that said, they were not sure whether if that part of lucinda was just fat but, when they peered inside of it, a tiny essence of magic power was residing inside of her belly. That is why, Elfiana and Rizandra were inquiring about the truth from the person herself.
"Eh? Ah, yes. This is um.....the result of the love me and Kyoushiro-sama made"
*Crack*
"Hm? did you heard something just cracked?"
"Eh? was there? I didn't hear anything? Must be your imagination, Lucinda-sama"
Was it? Elfiana felt Arianne's magic power go out of control earlier and due to that sudden out burst, one of the legs of a chair cracked. Though it did not break, it's right foreleg had been damaged.
Rizandra also saw that occurring. Which was why the two queens were silent about it behind Lucinda's back.
"This hero, Kyoushiro Kagami....."
"Yes, he is a despicable man indeed"
Elfiana and Rizandra both whispered as they watched Lucinda and Arianne exchange smiles. The other people left due to the pressure that was being emitted by Arianne.
Part #3
Night time. With her back against a rocking chair, the queen whose hair was bright as the sun and eyes that were like shimmering blue oceans was reading a book as she was bathing the light's of the moon. Lucinda was reading for the child she was bearing, since Mikoto and Minami had informed her that those who read books in their pregnancy will have a genius offspring.
Lucinda took the advice and had been fond of it ever since. She had also been taking care of her body by eating healthy foods as prescribed by the royal doctors of her country. It was a shock for the whole kingdom about the news of the future queen's pregnancy. Moreover, her father wasn't happy about such event.
The king never thought that her daughter would give her first to a criminal of his land but, Lucinda persisted about her love to him. He couldn't just ordered her to have the child aborted or it'll damage the spirit of her daughter. It was the first time Lucinda had desired something, and as a father he couldn't just ignore it. As it was, the king consented and have the news spread about Lucinda's pregnancy to the whole land, hoping that Kyoushiro would hear about it but, he went missing just before the information of Lucinda's child-bearing had spread.
Lucinda was informed about it from Mikoto and Minami through letters. When the news about Kyoushiro's disappearance had reached the ears of all the heads of the country, Lucinda, along with Mikoto and Minami, the three of then rushed to follow behind the King's carriage where they were led to the place where all the remaining royal families in the world would held their meeting.
That was when she over-heard everything what was said in the meeting room earlier. The news about Kyoushiro's disappearance and the appearance of a demon lord that was marching with 5 million demonic beasts. It was then where she met the elf queen and the sea empress personally.
But the only person that caught her attention was the queen of the newly named kingdom, Ambrosia. An extremely beautiful woman whose hair was violet, eyes that is gold amber and a body that can seduce any man she wants.
It broke heart knowing a person so beautiful as her was attending Kyoushiro. Any man fall definitely to her charms and that is why Lucinda was worried. Although Kyoushiro told her 'Wait for me' would she still wait after seeing the queen whom her beloved was staying with?
No--- That is why, Lucinda resolved herself about going to the kingdom of Ambrosia to search for her beloved. She also tried the communication device she was given, but the thought transmission couldn't get through. It was like something was blocking her. Lucinda was worried about Kyoushiro. That is why she couldn't bare the fact that he might be in some kind of danger.
Together with Mikoto and Minami, Lucinda will be going with them to the new kingdom along with the two others; Hayato Koizumi and Katsuto Sairenji.
Koizumi was the hero lancer that is already on par with the hero Taiga. While Katsuto was the hero that called the 'Guardian' or 'Protector'. His a holy knight bestowed with the skills that are similar to Taiga but only meant for protecting. Katsuto has no problem using any kind of weapon so his weapons always come in wide variety.
Katsuto Sairenji is a person with dark brown hair, muscle-bound body and the captain of karate club. Although he has experience in karate, the Sairenji family household is a matrial arts family that is trained to use any kinds of weapons they please whenever the situations needs to.
Koizumi and Katsuto both were sent to the sea kingdom of Rizandra the Empress of the ocean. There, they were trained under the strongest warrior the empress could give. The Merman Knight Rafeil.
There were news about their arrival in the next two days so the parties that were preparing for war was busy at the moment. Lucinda was just there seating on her rocking chair, reading a book for her child.
"Lucinda-chan, it's us. Can we come in?"
Suddenly, Minami and Mikoto were outside of Lucinda's room. Lucinda then replied with a 'yes' as she opened tge door her guests.
"Mikoto-san, Minami-san, what brings both of you here?"
"Nn~ Nothing much. We were just worried about your condition that's all"
"After the news about Kyoushiro-kun had gone missing, we thought you were having trouble sleeping so we came over"
"Thank you for your worries but i'm fine. Even though Kyoushiro-sama has been gone for a month, we can still use that to contact him, right?"
The thing that Lucinda was referring to was the magic communication device Kyoushiro gave to Lucinda before he left off. For a while now, Lucinda has been trying to contact Kyoushiro with the magic items but, the thought transmission couldn't connect. However, Lucinda never stopped pouring magic power in it in hopes to contact Kyoushiro someday.
Mikoto and Minami knew of this since they too were together with Lucinda till the last day they both stayed in Travestin. They were worried about their friends condition since she was trying to pour magic power in the magic items daily. That is why, after they heard the news about Kyoushiro's disappearance, the two, especially Mikoto, persistently came with the queen of elves. It was only a coincidence that three ran into each other this morning.
"What about you Mikoto-san? you too are worried aren't you?"
"Of course I am!!! But, your the one whose suffering you know? You're pregnant and on top of that, you've been trying to call Kyoushiro-kun right? Your health is diminishing as of late and now that I see it, I properly say that you have to stop for now"
Lucinda's appearance was never different from when she parted with Kyoushiro but, looking at her closely, her arms were thin, her cheeks were shallow and skin was looking pale. Mikoto could clearly see that Lucinda was pushing herself to much. That is why Mikoto told Lucinda that she needed to stop for now. But, Lucinda only shook her head meekly. It was pretty obvious that Lucinda was getting weaker by the day.
"No, I can't stop. Kyoushiro-sama might be in a predicament where his life depends on it that he can't answer my transmissions. That is why, until the last drop of my magic power, I will keep on attempting to contact him"
Saying so, Lucinda sat back on her rocking chair, leaning on it making rock back and forth.
"I understand what you're saying Luce-chan, but you have a baby now so doing that will only strain the baby you are carrying"
"But still, I can't stop"
"You need to. Do you think Kyoushiro-kun would like to see you overworking yourself? I'm sure he'd want to see his wife and child healthy right? Lucinda should understand this right?"
Would he really? In Minami's thoughts, Kyoushiro was the type of husband that drink booze all day and making a slave out off his wife while she works. Obvious enough, that was what would likely to happen but, after having to know past through Mikoto, it might have been understandable that Kyoushiro would work hard for his own family like he did so to himself.
"Even still..."
"Even if you don't want to think about it, you should think about your child. It's still small so it needs a lot of nutrients from it's mother. Seeing you in that state, the baby might be suffering right now"
Stress and over use of magic power. It was already self-evident that Lucinda was overworking herself. The fact that what Mikoto was saying true was simply hurting Lucinda. In truth she worries about her child but, her fears for the safety of her beloved Kyoushiro fills her mind with anxiety.
Who should she pick? The child that bore from their one-night-stand or the man that stole her heart from a mere first meeting? Both choices are important but only one should be choose. Lucinda know that yet.... It was impossible to choose between the husband and the child.
But.....
"I have to make sure this child grows healthy until he/she comes out. I'm sure that's what Kyoushiro-sama would like"
"Lucinda-san.....!!"
"Luce-chan....!!"
Mikoto and Minami both embraced Lucinda. It was definitely hard for her to choose but it was for the best. For Mikoto as well, it was hard to stay sane while knowing that something might have happen to Kyoushiro. For her, it was the sane torture like Lucinda. Till now, she hasn't had any decent sleep since the news about Kyoushiro reached her couple of days ago. That is why, waiting for now was the best option. Arianne is still taking care of that case it was best to leave it to an expert.
Still, it was still worrisome about the fact that Kyoushiro was staying with such beauty. When he comes back, it wouldn't be doubtful that he'd receive a flying kick to the face once he returns. He's got a lot of explaining to do is what her expression was saying.
Part #4
Then, two days passed, Koizumi Makoto and Katsuto Sairenji finally arrived in the secret palace that all remaining Royalties have used this past few days. The Aerial ship 'Phirous' have landed in the open courtyard of the palace. The few elven guards had exited the ship as well and the few of the attendants which were the two heroes left as well.
Elfiana and Rizandra both welcome the two heroes, as well as Arianne, the queen of the newly named Ambrosia kingdom. Koizumi was wearing a light armor that consist of reddish black full body suit, mounted with light armor pads on his chest, elbows and knees. On his hands was a 200 cm long spear with a slim pole that is very suited for throwing. However, that was only to fool the beholder. The long spear was a magic weapon that was created within the mermaid-people's legendary arsenal.
Katsuto was wearing light armor as well. However, his focused on both speed and defense. On his back was three kind of weapons in addition to the gauntlets in his hands. One was a thick great sword, the other was a long pole and the last one was a large ax. It extremely unfitted to bring 3 different kinds of weapons since it would only hinder the wearer. However, as Katsuto has much more stats in strength and agility, it suited him more than necessary.
"Welcome Makoto-sama, Sairenji-sama. I thank you for answering my desperate call for help. I am sincerely grateful to the both of you"
Saying that, Arianne elegantly bowed her head. Katsuto got his breath taken away with such simple actions. Koizumi saw that and only chuckled. It was the first time that he had seen the muscle headed Katsuto acted love struck like that. It would be best to leave it for later but, Katsuto was too love struck that he had been completely mesmerized by Arianne's beauty.
"Huhu.... Well, thank you for welcoming us Arianne-sama. We heard about the predicament your country is in and we immediately set out as per orders of her highness Rizandre-sama"
In order to not let the time be wasted by the love struck Katsuto, Koizumi took the initiative to reply to Arianne's words.
"I am extremely grateful"
"Makoto-dono, Sairenji-dono, please to meet you. I am the Elven queen, Elfiana Litre Parcelous. It is good to meet both of the heroes that my dear friend chose herself"
"Please to meet you as well your highness"
"Uh...ah? Ah!! I-I'm please to meet you as well!!"
Due to him being left out, Katsuto hurriedly replied to Elfiana. The elf queen smiled at him and greeted him as well. It wasn't that much of a problem since it was their first time meeting. Rizandra welcomed the two as well and had them enter the palace immediately to be brief in the current situation. The two consented and followed their queen to the interior of the secret palace.
"Oh? You were here Aizawa-san?"
"Koizumi-kun? and Katsuto-kun? Did you just arrived?"
In the hallway near the briefing room, Mikoto accidentally bumped into the queens' group while fetching some water fir Lucinda. Normally, a maid should be doing that there was something she needed to do. However, Koizumi saw her as she was on the way back pushing a cart with tea and snacks on it while books were prepared under it. Mikoto knew about the reason the other two heroes being there so she wasn't that surprised to meet them.
"Yup we just arrived. Were you here to fight as well?"
"Yeah, Minami is with me as well. She's with Lucinda right now, but since you're here wanna come with me?"
It seems that Mikoto wasn't able to notice the three beautiful queens behind the heroes. Both Koizumi and Katsuto were 180 cm tall so the the queens behind them were overshadowed. Especially the bulky bodied Katsuto whose in front of the queen
"Aizawa-sama, pardon me but we are on our way to the briefing room to have these heroes informed of the situation. I would like to postpone your invitation in a later date"
"Ah! Elfiana-sama, i'm sorry about that. I'll be going then, sorry to bothering you"
"It is fine. We will have you and Todoroki-sama join in later. Is that alright with you?"
"Un, understood. I'll tell Minami about it"
After that, Mikoto left pushing her cart and went left in the end of the hall. The queens proceeded to the briefing room where the other rulers were present as well.
-
""What?!! A demon lord has been sighted?!""
It was after Arianne explained everything to the two male heroes. Koizumi and Katsuto wasn't able to hide their astonishment about the news about Demon lord Kakal's march towards Ambrosia. To be honest, this was their first fight against a true demon lord. There was news about Taiga fighting a demon general but he ended up losing after a companion took on an attack for Taiga. However, in these two heroes case, who have never met even a demon general, it was the first time that they will fight a demon, even more so, a demon lord.
"What are you two surprise about? This is what you lot are summoned here for isn't it?"
The lion faced beast king sneered at the two heroes who were shocked about the news they have heard. Koizumi and Katsuto flinch by his remark and returned to their calm demeanor earlier.
"We know that, however an amount of 5 million against 4? Are you out of your minds?"
"Surely, numbers are indeed quite the difference but, in terns of power, you heroes have more than sufficient to annihilate several thousands. On top of that, Arianne-sama is prepared to have her own soldiers accompany you. There is the matter of the magic weapon that Kyoushiro Kagami had developed there before he disappeared so what is there to worry?"
Arianne had spared no expense for the army that will accompany Koizumi and Katsuto. Together with the experienced ones that Kyoushiro had personally taught along with an army of a thousand. Although half of it were mostly hired mercenaries, it was enough just to increase their numbers. There was also the production if Kyoushiro's Hp and Mp potions that were taught to non-fighting individuals that was endorsed by Kyoushiro himself. With that, healing injuries suffered in the fight will mostly be taken care of Hp potions. The same goes with Mp potions. Moreover, there was the magic weapon that Kyoushiro made in case of something happens. However, the problem was that the weapon itself was only half finished. Due to Kyoushiro taking over the reparations and redevelopment of the land, it was left undone for a couple if days.
Arianne presented it to the council as an extra-precautionary measure against a Demon lord, if one were to appear. Sadly, it seems that Kyoushiro's fear for the future was about to happen.
"Magic weapon that Kagami made? What kind of weapon is it?"
"He said that it was a cannon that can fire a particle beam, powerful enough to erase a mountain. But, he left it undone to tend to reformation of the land I rule"
"Then, isn't it useless to rely on such thing?"
"Sairenji-sama, we know what you are thinking as well. That is why, we had prepared a team of the best military weapons development researchers to have it examined"
"Then? what is the result?"
"Unfortunately...."
It seems that there was no one that was able to perfectly guess what kind of weapon it was. Instinctively, Crafters such as themselves has skills that can at least scan the interior of the objects they wish to appraise. The skill [Anima Scan] can make the caster view the interior of which type of object the caster wish to scan. However, it was different if the person himself was unable to understand what kind of object he/she was scanning. As such, the weapon which was created by an other worlder was far more advance than they have thought.
Elfiana, who have mostly heard the report herself was disheartened about the fact that even her best appraiser was rendered useless. Arianne was open to suggestion as to how to operate it since Kyoushiro didn't told her anything about the activation of the magic weapon. However, no one was able to give anything since it was a weapon which was made by a hero himself.
"So no one succeeded huh?"
"Then? Where is that Kagami now? Surely he is staying safe working on it right?"
Katsuto was wary of the fact that the developer himself has yet to appear. It seems that he didn't hear about what happened to Kyoushiro earlier. Because Koizumi and Katsuto was worried about the march of the Demon lord with 5 million monsters from the wastelands. Looking closely, it was fairly understandable that he wasn't able to hear clearly about Kyoushiro's situation.
"As we have told you earlier, Kyoushirou Kagami went missing a month ago. His whereabouts were yet to be known. That us why we are inquiring your help Hero-samas"
Rizandra was the one who spoke. Unlike Elfiana, Rizandra was person that doesn't take shortcomings on long ends. She was the type to get on to the point as well and doesn't hide what she think or feels. Rizandra was completely different from Elifiana whose cunningness was already part of her actions.
Hearing that, Koizumi' s face turned sour. It seems that he remembers what happened at that day when Kyoushiro dashed in to save them. However, it would seem that that Kyoushiro was manipulating behind the scenes so that the other heroes would end up dead in that labyrinth. Katsuto was the same, however, his expression was that of a soldier whose commander was discovered dealing with an enemy.
"So he switch sides huh?"
"Eh?"
"That might be the case Katsuto. If it's him, he might do it"
Arianne was dumbfounded by the conclusion the heroes ended up in. True, it was kind of suspicious that an army of a demon lord was marching towards a newly built kingdom after the disappearance of Kyoushiro. If one were to follow back what Kyoushiro have done, it was quite a possible turn. But, for Arianne, whom was a person that worked together with him, he had no biased views on those that trusts him. He'd do his best just to keep them safe. Although there was a kind of side that Kyoushiro has that seems to think that the heroes was his enemies. It was just from his previous experiences that led to him being like that.
"After what he almost did to us, it might be possible huh?"
"Yeah, can't be trusted at all. Maybe after seeing an opportunity, he jumped in to join the bandwagon"
The two heroes continued to doubt Kyoushiro. The surrounds where nodding as well as they concur with the ideas of Koizumi and Katsuto. In their eyes, Kyoushiro was a hero that has black hair and eyes like that of a demon-spawn in this world. Even though that was the case, to the kings that protects their own country, having that kind of hero stay along with the other heroes was way to dangerous. That is why they were led to assume that Kyoushiro left to join the Demon lord to destroy Ambrosia.
"That is not true!!!!"
Slam!!--- The door flew open as the sweet sounding voice of a woman came into the room with anger filled expression. Her hair was blonde and eyes were blue. The woman whom slept with Kyoushiro and now bare his child, the future queen of Travestin, Lucinda Aluferd Travestin.
(EDITED)
|
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Vol. 2 CH. 5 – The Shadow King
PART# 1
Back in the past there was traveler of unknown origins that came to Caladium. The traveler was a young man brimming with opportunity and vigor as he had only stepped out from his life as country boy.
At first, he was kind young man that helped others no matter how difficulty the task was; farming, hunting, feeding cattle and poultry, fetching water and bunch of things that would normally done by most people of their own.
The young man was truly kind.
But then one day, the young man got into a fight in one of the townsfolk of Caladium. Being a town of elves, almost everyone there were elves with long life span that had seen people come and go in their life. They were the kind of people that would prefer the old way of living, far away from impure thoughts and negativities.
However the young man was from a country that was only starting. With its people only numbering a few hundreds and towns only about ten or twenty, the young man traveled to different countries in order to gain more knowledge about the world.
This was a time about 300 years in the past. When most countries were just starting and most of the human countries were just but small tribes and villages.
The young traveler was none other than the Shadow king Crats, the famed 10th Demon Lord.
“I was a fool back then…. Filled with dreams and naivety, only seeing the bright side of things even though I already know that everything was a lie…”
Seated on his throne inside an ink dark space, where no light was present, yet everything glimmers in the dark, the Shadow King muttered in a very low voice as he saw a dream of a past that had long since he had forgotten. 300 years had passed since then and he had already crashed numerous cities with his own strength, obtained through rigorous experiences.
But in the end, he sought nothing but the peace that he had wished before. In the end, he won the peace and quiet yet lost the very thing that loved the most. That was the heart of a human being.
It has been 300 years since he became a Demon Lord. His human body lost its physical form and most of his humanity. His appearance now was a dark mass of smoke covered with nothing but a cloak. His eyes glowed red within the darkness and his soft breathing can be heard from his nonexistent mouth.
The 10th Demon Lord became a monster that far removed from any physical existence. He lives within the border of life and death, located within the Inverted world of light. It is also where souls of the dead gather and swirl within a cauldron of never-ending heat.
Limbo…
For two hundred and fifty years, Shadow King Crats had never left his domain. His minions, the Nightmares, had been his eyes to see the world of mortals. Back then, the world was quiet and there were less conflict due to small countries having small borders.
But after a few decades, the human community began to expand and make their own countries. His fellow demon lords causing trouble here and there were already causing much chaos in their wake but even so, the world was quiet back then.
However, now was different. Heroes were called forth from a different dimension in order to slay the Demon Lords. In total, there were about 13 Demon Lords, excluding himself and the Dark Lord Trause that decided to live apart from the world; the ones causing trouble were the 9th, 11th and 13th Demon Lords.
Aside from the 9th Demon Lord that had been slayed a month ago, the Flame Knight Esmeth and the Soul Eater Vraheim, were plotting something in their domains. Esmeth, who resides near the borders of the Dwarf Kingdom Dwvargon, where most of the active volcanoes reside, had already begun amassing his forces. The fire monsters that can burn most of everything in its path were quickly increasing in numbers.
Soul Eater Vraheim was collecting the souls of the dead in order to create an army of the undead in his domain. The 13th Demon Lord was a troublesome foe even for Crats since Vraheim uses the souls of the dead to make an army. Be it monster or humans, he can take it and transform them into monsters of his own. With the world filled with more living beings than before, his monsters were merely increasing.
Although Vraheim was an upstart Demon Lord, he had the most troublesome power of all…
“Hmm… I see good work”
Shadow King Crats cut off his thoughts as he had a report from one of his Nightmares. It said that a few minions of Vraheim had manipulated the minds of some humans near Caladium. Making them go mad with power and obscenity. Shadow King Crats cut off his communications from one of his minions and turned to look at the desolate throne room he was currently in.
Caladium, it was the place he once stayed in in order to gain knowledge of the world for the benefit of his people. It was a kind place that helped in in his time as a human but in the end…
“They were the ones that turned me into this….”
Shadow King Crat’s voice bellowed as he remembered the old fight he had with one of the Elf elders 300 250 years ago. The elder once belonged to one of the old Demon Lord’s cult was the one that turned him into a Shadow beast when he received a certain item from him.
At that time, Curse artifacts were but a fantasy that was why Shadow King Crats accepted the item in good faith. In the end, he was betrayed and was chased away from Caladium; away from the woman he had loved before.
“Elfianna… my old love, how I wish to be with you so…”
His sad words echoed to the empty space around him as he reminisced of the past long since forgotten… In the end, no one heard his sad cries that which only reside within the shadows…
-
Edsel Rose, she was once a famed elf mage that helped beautify the lands encompassing Paracellumn. Her role as the Queen’s advisor gave her the power to order people to protect nature around the kingdom, protecting them from monsters and the ever so nature consuming humans.; which was the reason why there were so many trees within the country of elves that the entirety of the country was a labyrinth itself.
At that time, the Queen removed Edsel from her post since Edsel had found a family of her own. But the surrounding elders didn’t took such retirement kindly and blamed Edsel for the overgrowth of the trees around their country.
Guilt stricken, Edsel decided to move away from the main capital and decided to live in some place far for politics, far from the duties of an advisor, she moved to Caladium.
Alongside her husband, a Demon-Spawn half elf and half human, they lived within the forest that acts as the borders between the human lands and the elves. During this time, their work was merely forestry and lumberjacks, the couple would cut trees and replant them then sell the lumber to human towns for money.
It was a quiet time for them but life became hard when the elf elders that worked under the Queen sent human mercenaries to their home. Her mother raped and killed by those humans, her father beheaded by the very elf elder that he served, her brother and sister given to the mercenaries as prize and her husband was…
“We escaped from them…fortunately”
During on their run, Edsel and her husband lived in a more secluded place. Near a river at the foot of a mountain, there they made a new home for their family. The life there was bit hard due to having no contact with the outside world but is better than being hunted down like animals.
They had to start from scratch, living inside caves and eating fruits. They built their house far away from any towns or villages so that they won’t be tracked down. But Edsel was a mage. Her magic power was higher and more potent than her husband. Because of that, many of the Spirit use elves were able to track them down.
Edsel fought for her and her husband but with the constant battle day after day, she too had become exhausted. She became sick and bedridden and when she was at death’s door, her husband came with a medicine. She was saved because of that but in the end that action his was the one that put them in danger.
“I didn’t think I was pregnant with Dahlia at that time… Because of that, I couldn’t fight”
Because elves don’t give birth much in their life, their reproductive abilities became weak. Each time a female elf would get pregnant, their body becomes weak and they won’t be able to move for most of her pregnancy.
In the end, her husband died. Burned at the center of some elf town, for being a Demon-Spawn, her husband drew his last breath under the hands of Pernicious Caladium.
“Dahlia was still inside my belly at that time so I didn’t know what truly happened. But after Dahlia was born, I immediately went to town to search for him. Only to find out what happened to him”
After finding out that her husband died, Edsel quickly ran back home to collect Dahlia. Because staying at their home now would be dangerous, she decided to live in one of the human settlements for now.
“But that too was a wrong decision”
Driven away far from home, Edsel chose to live in some human settlement and live as villager. She constantly hid the fact that she had a daughter in order to fool the humans in their settlement and to avoid having her daughter killed in the same way as her husband.
However, one day a human suddenly came inside Edsel’s house discovering Dahlia, a Demon-Spawn inside her home, and then suddenly demanded to give the girl to him. As a mother, she sprang into action and protected her daughter.
The man was a burglar and was attempting to rob her of her things after all. But once the man took a good look at her, the man changed his demands and wished to be serviced instead in exchange for being quiet.
Although she herself can’t bear the touch of any other man besides her husband, she gave in to his will and accepted the burglar’s demands.
For many months, Edsel became the toy of that burglar. Day and night, almost every day she was being forced to do the man’s bidding and offers her womanhood. But then Dahlia attacked the man, using the very same magic her husband was adept in, Dahlia killed the burglar using Dark magic spell… <Leech Life>.
“After that, we were chased by that man’s group up until the mountains. We were captured once but we escaped when I killed their leader but in the end, they used Dahlia against me and forced me to….”
“Don’t say anymore…”
Kyoushiro made Edsel stop telling her story as soon as he saw her expression darkened. One can tell how much she had gone through just to keep her daughter safe, the bags under her eyes proved it. Even more so, the lashes and burn marks he saw on her skin when he cleaned her were the proof of her struggles.
Kyoushiro pity the woman before her and sighed.
This is one horrible coincidence…. - Kyoushiro thought as he crossed his arms and recalled the very reason his trip had stopped here.
The first request of Elfianna was to visit Paracellumn for a sort of cultural exchange program. The trip was on its way when Elfianna received a distress call from the one that would inherit her throne. The ship stopped at Caladium where it was deduced that it was the place near where the princess sent her letter.
Because of that, all four of them heroes took separate paths to look for the missing princess. Koizumi chose the mountain, Katsuto to the west and Minami to a human settlement. Kyoushiro was asked to stay due to his famed reputation as a criminal and also a Demon-Spawn.
But because he felt anger from being treated horribly by some people he didn’t even knew despite acting tough, his curse mark nearly consumed him and almost took his mind. Still, he came across a scream from someplace near and decided to help even though his mind was still suffering from the corruption of the curse.
After that he rescued Edsel and Dahlia from the men that belonged in the same group as the burglar that raped her over and over again. Then it came to this situation…
As usual, this world is crazy… to think that even a guy like that would stoop so low…. - Kyoushiro bit his lower lip as he cursed this world for its cruel deeds. The fate of those that live in this kind of world were twisted, the good gets soiled while the horrible bad people would always stand on top.
This world needs to be destroyed, it needs to be purified and burned in order for everyone to survive. The people of this world need to be killed; they need to be put to judgement for their heinous crimes against rights of the people…
They need to be…. Slaughtered…
“!?”
As a surge of pain struck Kyoushiro’s head, he had realized that he had lost himself to his anger again and his curse mark was about to resurface again. The heat of the campfire lessened the cold air that passed over him for a bit and the scent of something burning came to Kyoushiro’s nose.
The fishes he had caught was on fire, Edsel took those fishes into the air using wind magic and put out the fire. The sad state of the good fish registered inside Kyoushiro’s eyes, making him laugh at himself for not paying much attention to his surroundings.
Kyoushiro gave Edsel the cooked ones he had saved for later. The ones that Edsel took were too burned to be consumed by someone. Edsel looked puzzled for a moment but as she took the properly cooked fish from Kyoushiro’s hand, she realized that this was an act of kindness out of the goodness of Kyoushiro’s heart.
Feeling such kindness after such a long time, Edsel burst into tears…
|
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Yo!! Vain here, i do apologize that it has taken me so long to update. As I thought, my time writing had decreased now my On-the-Job training is slowly drawing to a close.
Ah you're all wondering why I said "Internship" back then right? Yeah, turns out that I didn't make the cut so I will be continuing my OJT until around April. I still have a summer class by then but surely i'll be able to work on this story of mine more.
Yep. let's just end this boring kind of announcement and let you guys read the story...
I'm sorry if this one will make you guys hate my story but since I was too busy, this is what I can do for now. Please let me off with this for now alright?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vol. 2 CH. 3 – Caladium (2)
PART #1
Once the talk ended, Kyoushiro and the others were given their own rooms to stay in for a while. Elfianna was more of a state guest as she was the current Queen of elves so her room was prepared in a more lavish way. Koizumi and Katsuto decided to have room for them to share while Minami would be separated from the three guys due to her gender.
Obviously, everyone was treated as guest. Kyoushiro however, still received the cold shoulder from all the residents of the Caladium household. From the beautiful and exemplar wife of Pernicious to his two sons and one daughter, Kyoushiro couldn’t the amount of time they sneered at him.
The maids and guards were pretty much the same and refused to serve Kyoushiro. Judging from their personalities work, Kyoushiro guessed that enduring until everything was over was a good way to avoid get mixed up in some trouble.
In a sense, Kyoushiro as was looking out for those of the same hair and eye color as him in this world. But still, having people ignored you left and right was just too much handle. It’s not like Kyoushiro was trying to find a way to end the discrimination between the races and the Demon-Spawns but experiencing the full brunt of that discrimination was something that Kyoushiro find so exhausting.
It was like he came back to earth. Nothing much had changed except for being in another world- Kyoushiro thought as he gazed at the plain looking ceiling of his room.
The bed he was one was soft and big enough for five or six people to sleep on. The room was spacious and as ventilated enough for not one to feel uncomfortable with a ceiling fan or even an air-conditioner like he has back on earth and in Ambrosia.
Thinking so, it reminded Kyoushiro that this was far more primitive than he thought. Although bearings of carriage were already invented, there was no large machinery like locomotives or even printing machines in this world. Probably it was because magic was widely used in this world that technology itself didn’t advance but considering the prospect of disease and the like going rampant in the future, for Kyoushiro, this was world was way too lax.
Monsters exist but no one invested their time in researching artillery or high power weaponry like the ones he has in Ambrosia. Sure magic items were useful but their power is limited only on those that can wield them. Magic swords were specials cases since everyone can use them but items like legendary swords and cursed devices, were a different story.
Unlike the many magic items only chosen individuals were able to use legendary weapons and cursed devices. Taiga was one of those people that can use a legendary weapon, his weapon was a legendary sword itself and more so, it was Holy sword that the god of this world bestowed upon humanity. Kyoushiro has one or two cursed devices but even he was reluctant in using them as it consumes the mind of the user. In the end, Kyoushiro decided to make weapons that was fully enchanted to their very limits and granted them to his people. That way, the citizens of Ambrosia could defend themselves to some degree.
“I need to get some fresh air…” Kyoushiro thought as he stood up and exit his room.
-
The pleasant breeze caught on Kyoushiro’s skin. The sweet scent of flowers and fresh air made Kyoushiro show a smile he hasn’t shown for a while. Since the current situation was something that has no relation to, aside from being a state guest, he was somewhat forced to cooperate with the search and rescue mission for the Elf queen candidate known as Lydia Flowerchild Bloomsmeir.
Although this was supposed to be an information exchange between Ambrosia and Paracelumn, the situation changed when Elfianna received the letter from Lydia. A call for help made the Elf Queen took action almost immediately.
There, a tomato flew at Kyoushiro’s face, covering with sticky tomato juice.
“Damn Demon-Spawn!! Get out of this town!!”
An angered elf man roared so at Kyoushiro as he held another ripe tomato in his hand. To such action, Kyoushiro snapped back into reality. The itchy portion of the place where the tomato hit made Kyoushiro held it with his hand. Rather than surprised or shock, what Kyoushiro felt at that time was purely an absence of emotion. His dark eyes then turned to the person that threw the tomato.
However, another one flew in and hit his chest. This time, the one who threw was a lady in her thirties or mid-forties.
“You cursed race!! Don’t you dare plague this land with misfortune!!?”
As the crowd grew wilder and louder, Kyoushiro realized that he walked a far distance from the mansion. He didn’t notice that he already left the garden and unconsciously walked into the middle of the town.
All kinds of juice filled vegetables flew out, along with hard fruits; everything had reached Kyoushiro’s feet. Standing with sticky clothes, Kyoushiro breathe out a sigh.
“Was that all of you can muster? Throw and waste all this good food? Seriously, this world of yours is a joke. When there are people unable to eat, you guys just waste them on some petty lot like me”
“Hah I really can’t help but laugh” Kyoushiro scoffed as he walked forward.
Perhaps the residents of the town took Kyoushiro’s words as rude and demeaning; they kept their glares directed at Kyoushiro. With their grips on juicy fruits and squishy vegetables tightened, the bottleneck of their resentment blew up.
Once more, it was a rain of tomatoes and hard fruits. Rotten eggs flew about as well and the blood-stuck meat were hurling around Kyoushiro’s location.
But Kyoushiro did not mind it. After all, it was the teaching of this world to condemn those who possess the color of the Demon God. Religion itself had taken part in deepening the roots of hatred and discrimination but it was also the Demon-Spawns faults that the horrible treatment towards them continues.
In ages old past, those who possess dark hair and eyes were warmly welcomed by the world. As any other race had their one or two Demon-Spawns of their own, it was relatively normal to see people with black hair and eyes walking out on the streets both day and night.
However, once the Demon God descended and the Demon Lords appeared, all races began to persecute those with Black hair and eyes. Of course, it went without saying that the other side retaliated as well. That was normal but that merely made the rift between the colors of black and the other race.
Kyoushiro had even read once that there were once a group of people that possessed Black hair and eyes, going around killing people, pillaging villages and violating and disrupting order. It was even said that the 12th Demon Lord, Dark Lord Trause, was one of the Demon-Spawns and caused mayhem all throughout the continent.
The curse the elven folk were saying was the one that causes monsters to flood in one city and devour everything inside it.
“But as expected, this sort of treatment suits me…” Kyoushiro silently showed a sorrowful smile as he took on the rage of the townsfolk of Caladium. His hair and skin began to feel sticky as the smell of rotten eggs and bloody meats were already attracting flies to fly all over him.
In the eyes of other people, what Kyoushiro was doing was simply and utterly stupid. He was taking on a resentment that wasn’t him from the start and more so, he was taking them on while making himself look like the villain.
However, the treatment he was currently receiving wasn’t so far off from where he came from. The time when he was a child and stole goods from stores, steals purses and even tried to run around the dark neighborhood just to deliver specific and dangerous goods from leaders of organization that shouldn’t be named, was very similar right now.
Because all that action of his as a child caused people to hate him, treat him as trash and nothing more than a sewer rat that crawl up from a nearby creak. Although Kyoushiro was under the care of his relatives at that time, they never did take care of him and merely took the inheritance money his parents had left him.
Remembering those memories, made Kyoushiro think that what he was receiving was lighter than before.
Wearing but his sinister smile, he walked on with pride, while being showered with trash and not praise.
PART #2
Receiving the report that Kyoushiro left his room and went to the city alone, Elfianna, Queen of Paracelumn Kingdom, caressed her forehead as a surge of headaches was coming from here and there.
Although Kyoushiro knew how his kind was being treated, he was still walking around with his chest puffed out while wearing a suggestive grin that caused more people to get riled up as they see him.
Seeing from how he acts despite being a hero that fought against the 9th Demon Lord, Elfianna could not believe he was letting the people treat him like he was some sort of blight on some part of their bodies.
“Haah… He is a guest in this kingdom of ours yet our people treat him horribly. This sort of action deserves punishment but…”
Where all people were directing their unjust hatred, the hero who fought against a Demon Lord and was supposed to be a state guest, was being treated worse than a criminal in their country.
Demon Lords like 5th Demon Lord Ox King Gaul and the 8th Demon Lord, Armor King Delfigner, had attacked places around the Paracelumn Kingdom. Even the Dark Lord Trause has caused problems here and there when he attacked a few years back.
Even so, the people that mostly got affected by the after effects of their attacks were those Demon-Spawns that had Black hair and eyes as their traits. Elfianna herself understood the current standing of the Demon-Spawns all around the world but even she was totally powerless at the long aged hatred of all races against the Demon-Spawn.
As such, she couldn’t help but pity the young hero that merely got swept away from the ridiculous Hero Summoning.
“I should prepare some sort of apology for him when we arrive at the capital. But for now, I need to take care of Lydia’s situation”
Saying that, she resumed working through all the paper works that concerns the search party that was currently being made by Pernicious and the other three heroes.
-
The forest near Caladium was big. More so, it stretched all through all directions, keeping the whole area a labyrinth of sorts to those that were not from here. Although there were roads all around connecting city to city, they were unmaintained so some roads were highly covered with vegetation.
Elves themselves boast high navigational abilities when it comes to forests. The terrain itself was their home from the start of the first elf to live in the country. Because of that, elves don’t maintain much of the roads.
They exchange goods with humans by means of letters and exchanging goods at the entrance of forests. There were occasions where humans and other race would be able to step foot on one elf towns or two but those rarely happens since most carriage can’t pass through roads covered with overgrown grass.
Right now, groups of elves with Koizumi, Katsuto and Minami, were currently looking around the place with lanterns lighting up their path. The numbers of groups were around 4, whereas the other heroes were split into other groups. The first group is where Koizumi was right now, they were at the place where the magic ship had passed once.
The place was totally dense with leaves and trees. The footings were rough due to the uprooted roots and slippery stones, but nevertheless, Koizumi and the group of elves were easily passing through without any problems.
On the second group, Katsuto was following the scot elves to the northern part of the forest since there was a cave there that once used by bandits to hide from the authorities. They were taking a rough path through a mountain trail while keeping in mind the vastness of the forests itself. In order to not get lost, they were using a string to follow back their path.
As for Minami’s group, they were heading to a nearby human settlement nearby. It seems that place felt more suspicious than other since it was a cesspool of merchants and greedy slave traders. There was a high probability that Lydia was taken by them.
On the last group, it was led by the Female elf knight, Elyria Rosemary. Her group consists of nothing but elves and was leading a good enough force to take down a hideout of bandits in their hideouts. Numbering around a hundred and twenty elves with archers, mages and knights armed to the teeth, they were following the old path that led to once an old elven fortress.
Although each group was supposed to be scouting, the only group armed was Elyria’s. It was unknown as to why one group was armed enough to pose a threat to those that would see them. It was almost as if, the search party was intended to wage war against some sort of army.
-
The moans of women echoed through the thinned walls of a ruined fortress. The lack of torches illuminating the halls made one difficult for a person to see through it or even walk through them. But the loud echoes of women moaning were enough for a person to be led around through the darkness.
In one room, the countless forms of women being pounded through by many men were basked under the bright light of numerous torches. Beddings were prepared and the whole room was like a venue for a gathering of sex-maniac fiends.
Blood and white liquid ere covering most of the unconscious women and the foul stench were going around, fouling the place. There was no window and merely the open door was their ventilation.
With ragged breath, one man threw down the woman he had just finished doing in.
“Heh, looks like… we won’t be going out of entertainment for a… while huh?”
The man had rough features. Scarred body, stubble on his chin and dark colored features on his eyes and head; the tens of men around him were still going at it with the tens of women they had captured after raiding a small village. The elf villages were amongst one of their raid and now they were numerous dead eyed elven women around them.
But among the many village they raided, one elf stood out. The man’s eyes ran through that woman’s body.
“Isn’t that a place with a good view? Looks like you’ve been enjoying yourself”
“Ugh… vile men… your kind disgust me so!!”
Trapped inside a birdcage wearing nothing to cover her body, a small puddle of liquid was dripping out from her cage. Blonde hair, long ears and emerald jade eyes; with voluptuous proportions, she was an attractive sort that gives every men arousal.
However, despite her flushed cheeks, her glare was intensified by her own anger.
“Now-now, don’t be so angry. You’ll be able to reach heaven soon enough like everybody else”
The man was smiling. But the vulgarity of his words was enough to send chills down her spine. She, the princess Bloomsmeir kingdom, Lydia Flowerchild Bloomsmeir, shivered as she received such indecent glare.
“Despicable…”
“Hahaha!! I don’t mind you calling me like that! But soon enough you’ll be begging me to hold you down by the back!!”
The man laughed as he shook his body. The poor young girl he was straddling was already dead inside her own mind. Wearing nothing and being covered by unknown fluids, the young human girl was breathing haggardly…
Yet the man was still pushing himself unto the young girl who looked like she wasn’t even 13 yet. Lydia closed her eyes from the horrid state the young girl was in; denying the reality that she would end up in the same state sooner or later.
The man snickered.
“Well then, shall we increase the dosage?”
Almost as if replying to the man’s question, an old looking man with wrinkles all over his body nodded and poured over a pink liquid over a cauldron of burning coals. Thick pink smoke gushed out from the hot cauldron, covering the entire ceiling where Lydia was hanging…
“No… Not again!!” Lydia thought as she struggled to cover her face with her hands. However, the smoke was simply too thick to be blocked out just like that. Lydia coughed hard the moment she had inhaled a bit of that smoke…
“Kha…Kho… “
“Kukuku… deep breathe my dear. Deep breath”
Watching the poor elf girl gasping for air as she resists the effect of the smoke, the man smiled. Lydia, whose body slowly showing a flushed red color as he tips protruding and watering, her lower-half watering due to the excessive ecstasy her body was receiving, was letting out tears from the corner of her eyes.
It was painful. Her body was forcefully convulsing due to the immense feeling of euphoria that the thick pink smoke was making. Lydia was biting down her own lips as she resists the effects of the smoke…
“In time you’ll fall oh princess of the Bloomsmier kingdom. When that time comes, I’ll be the ruler of the elves…haha…hahaha….HAHAHAHAHA!!!!”
The man laughed maddeningly. His eyes bloodshot at the effects of the pink smoke that he had gotten off from a peddler some time ago, it was a powder that makes one lose their sense of reason until they are in heat.
That very powder was something he had stolen from a peddler from the southern region. He was glad that he had stolen such item. If not, he would not have an army of sex crazed men, that he uses to plunder villages and towns; stealing then raping their women and taking everything the villages and towns has.
He was the leader of a notorious mercenary group that once fought alongside the Hero Taiga Kurosawa. They fought with him as the hero challenged the first Demon Lord, but as the continuous loses piled up, his group decided to leave…
The name Ernest Vern the Honest, was now a mad man crazed by the sensual pleasure of flesh…
|
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|
Vol. 1 Ch. 12 – The Black king…
PART #1
After helping Elfianna fixed herself, the twin fox type demi-human, Rea and Lea brought Elfianna back to the command room and this time they did not run since there was a spare room inside the command room.
Then, with the three Queens seated in front of the revolving sphere that shows various scenes in the battlefield, Kuro finally explained the situation to the two of them.
“Elfianna-sama, Lucinda-sama and Arianne-sama, with how the battle has progressing it won’t be too long before the 9th Demon Lord, Kakal, arrive”
The 5 million army of demonic and magical beast have slowly being reduced to mere thousands, even the corpses on the battlefield have been piling up splendidly. However, because of such progress, the time when the Demon Lord would appear was closing in.
Even with how much preparations or rest the soldiers can do right now, it won’t be too long before everyone’s morale collapse. Kyoushiro has yet to appear as well, being that the case; they would be forced to rely on the four heroes that are currently in the battlefield right now.
Mikoto was taking control of stray monsters and having them support the allied army in order to lessen their burden. Minami was tending to the wounded soldiers that were rescued from the battlefield by the rescue squadron that was made up of the rat type demi-humans.
Everything was proceeding smoothly. However, it won’t be long till all of it collapse.
“This is not known by Arianne-sama but the potion stock that his majesty have save up for this kind of situation is about to ran out.”
The reason why no one in the Archer Division and in the Mage Division has yet to run out of MP was because they were being regulated by continuous flow of MP potions that came from Kyoushiro’s stocks. The HP potions or the recovery potions were given to the wounded soldiers of both the Dark army and Elf Relief army. Because of that, now one has died yet.
They weren’t such perfect army that wouldn’t get wounded. They all have their flaws and screw ups, it was obvious that a few gut opening attacks from the enemy would appear here and there by now.
They all have limited stamina as well, there would be appoint in time that they’d received some damaged as well.
“Why was I not informed of this?”
“It was his majesty’s job to restock but due to him working on other jobs like overseeing the reconstruction, making plots of lands to be planted with rice and vegetables, training the army, making the army of the army and building canal ways underground, there was no time for him to restock. Even with the his students present, no one could make potions as fast as him”
“Uuu…” Arianne felt that something caught in her throat as she listened to Kuro’s complaints. It was something that Arianne knew very well and was the cause of Kyoushiro’s cold.
The one who oversee everything in Ambrosia was Kyoushiro; everyone felt that Kyoushiro was the true ruler of Ambrosia than Arianne was since she was always away due to business.
Even Kuro felt sad due his master being over work by Arianne, a person that could be seen as the Queen of Ambrosia.
“W-Well, it couldn’t be help. There was various things happening before I had to leave it all to Kyoushiro”
“Haah… Please do treat his majesty with care your highness, even as his wife, you cannot be neglected with how you take care of him. His majesty was always complaining you know?”
“Somehow… the topic shifted” was Durif’s expression was saying at that time.
“W-Wait!! M-Me and Kyoushiro aren’t married yet!! He isn’t my husband; he is Lucinda-sama’s!!”
Hearing that, Kuro’s eyes widened in surprised. That was normal after all; he didn’t know any other woman besides Arianne that was near Kyoushiro. Also Kyoushiro almost never talked about his self almost now one in Ambrosia about the truth between Arianne and Kyoushiro.
Still though, was that “yet” really necessary? Elfianna and Durif both felt something menacing coming out of Lucinda’s shoulders. Even her smile seemed cold enough to turn the whole room in ice.
“It seems that something has happened while I, the one true wife, am not present with my husband?”
“A-Ah… F-Forgive me Lucinda-sama that was very wrong of me”
“Fufu~ It is fine after all I am not the only one that loves Kyoushiro-sama, there is Mikoto-sama and also well… Minami-sama”
“Then, was that even worth getting angry about?” Kuro was showing such face as he looked at Arianne, who was not included in the people that Lucinda mentioned as someone in love with Kyoushiro as well.
Rea seemed amused by such reaction so she tried to say something but Lea stopped her from doing so. Kuro was relieved that Lea has enough brain to stop her annoying twin sister from doing something unnecessary.
“Ahem… Well, moving on?”
“Ah, that’s right”
Elfianna took the initiative to switch topic as it wasn’t the right time to be goofing off.
“The barrier that was currently under his majesty’s jurisdiction can only function for about 50%. It can take some attacks but too much strain would eventually deactivate the barrier. Fortunately, the army of monsters has lessened to a considerable degree thanks to the help of the heroes, but if the Demon Lord were to attack, the barrier would fall immediately. I suggest immediate activation of the Magic Particle Cannon that Kyoushiro made on top of the Western spire of the third outer wall. I have already dispatched the engineers that helped his Majesty with its construction to have it fully function later"
The engineers that helped Kyoushiro in researching and building the Magic Particle Cannon were not high in numbers. They are probably be enough to be counted by hand. In terms of the cannon itself, they have a rough sketch of how it generally worked. But, as far as the internal parts goes, they still have no idea about it.
Right now, they working endlessly in order to make the Cannon function perfectly as intended. But it would take some time before they finished fixing the cannon.
Kuro stretched out his right hand towards the 3D projector Sphere and poured magic power into it.
Then, as he do so, the scenes of the battlefield where Katsuto was fighting parted and a new picture emerged.
"This is his Majesty's instruction manual in how to use the cannon. However, it is in a different language. I suggest to have the other heroes see it and decipher it"
It was a 3D projection of a the manual but was an actual representation of the Cannon itself. The large cannon that looked like large caliber pistol was showing Kyoushiro and how he operated the cannon. However, instead of a voice cover, there were dialogue boxes that tells bits of instruction.
Lucinda stared at the serious looking Kyoushiro on the projection as she tried to understand that it was not the real him. Arianne was confused as well but since it was Kyoushiro that was demonstrating, she did not mind. As for Elfianna, as it was the first time she had seen Kyoushiro, she could not comprehend what was going on with the scene.
"K-Kuro-sama, this is..."
"Forgive me but I too cannot explain what is happening there"
Kuro cannot explain what was Kyoushiro was saying. Not only that, the internal works of the cannon itself was so complex that Elfianna, Kuro, Durif, Arianne and Lucinda was lost during the first five seconds of the video.
"Since we don't understand this.... should we asked Aizawa-sama or Minami-sama?"
Elfianna proposed so.
"That would be a problem. They are currently maintaining the status quo on the battlefield"
Mikoto was maintaining the status quo of the battlefield by taming the strayed monsters from the 9th Demon Lord's army with her skills. Minami on the other hand was healing the injured soldiers. They were too busy with dealing with those things that was why Kuro rejected what Elfianna proposed so.
"Even if we do call back Koizumi-sama and Katsuto-sama, it'll be a problem if they were to leave the front lines"
Koizumi and Katsuto were the main weapon of the current defensive battle. They were making sure that less monsters attacks Ambrosia and making sure that the amount of injuries and deaths would be minimal.
Durif was contemplating with what the current matter was going through. If there was a spare amount of troops then the tides of the defensive battle would turn to their sides but they only have limited rescue. Furthermore, not all rulers from countries agreed on helping Ambrosia's army.
Still though, why would the Black hero make an instruction manual if no one would understand it except him and the heroes?
Actually, what Kyoushiro did was that he was going to translate the instructional video with the words of this world. He didn't planned on living the video as is. It was just the problem of timing that he wasn't able to do so.
"Kyoushiro-sama instructed that we can only used the cannon 3 times by means of pouring magic power in it. The last one would make the cannon itself useless"
"It would be a waste to just let it be destroyed in the end though?"
"Please don't mind it Kuro-sama, I will take responsibility for that"
Kuro was thinking about in case the 9th Demon Lord would succeed in destroying the barrier that Kyoushiro setup before. If ever the magic particle cannon were to ve destroyed when that possibility happened, there would be nothing that could defend Ambrosia. Of course, there are the four heroes but if they were somehow turned incapable of fighting back, Ambrosia would truly fall.
Kuro was simply worried about such future so he wished to at least take care the magic particle cannon.
Still, if Lucinda says that she would take responsibility for the destruction of the cannon that her husband had made himself.
"Very well, since we have reached such conclusion, all we could do now is wait"
Kuro said so while leaning his heavy body on the chair he was seating on as it creaked dangerously. He signal Rea and Lea to prepare tea and with that, he switched the view inside the 3D projector Sphere to the scene on the battlefield.
PART #2
The corpse have piled up on the battlefield, blood have drenched the dryed earth of the wasteland; turning it into a muddy red color.
The foot steps of the Dark army and the Elf Relief army and also the heroes Koizumi Makoto and Katsuto Sairenji have turned into prints that bore puddles of dirty water.
Flames from wyverns spew over, tail winds from gryphons created strong winds that gradually turned into tornadoes and Four-winged bats covering turned dark stormy sky.
"HAAAAAAAH!!! <Dragon Fist Barrage>!!!"
Katsuto leaped over hundreds of meters up in the air and struck down the flying Gryphons and Wyverns. Countless streaks of flashing high temperature flame met the bodies of the Gryphons and Wyverns, making a rain of blood pour below on the tired army.
Koizumi dashed as he used his skill <Gail Step> and strided off along with the wind with his [Spear of Longinus] and turned the large bodies of Rock-shelled tortoise, Blood hounds and Rock-Crocks into chunks of meats dying the battlefield more red.
Each time he killed, the more his body felt heavy.
"Haah....Haah.... Just how long do we have to go on like this...?"
Koizumi said so as she stabbed his spear on the ground and heaved a heavy breath.
The battle had gone long for about 5 hours now. Even with how much strength they were putting on the fight, their stamina have already plummeted way too much. The Dark army have long since retreated to the barrier, taking care of the bare minimum damage the barrier was receiving. The only people left on the battlefield was Koizumi and Katsuto.
Because they were heroes, they had enough stamina and also mana to fight in longer intervals. However, even they had their limits as well. Right now, they have reaches their limits.
"Damn it, the 5 million demonic and Magic beasts have already dwindled to a hundred. But with how much we can get through now, it's only a matter of time before we collapse as well"
Koizumi was huffing as he was loosely leaning on his spear. He was watching Katsuto doing his best killing the last few monsters in the battlefield.
With one last barrage of fist filled with his will power, Katsuto grinded the bodies of the remaining Wyverns and Gryphons. Katsuto then fell on the ground on all fours, tired after unleashing his one last shot against the monsters.
Covered in blood and scars as well as destroyed armour, Katsuto stood up and went to where Koizumi was.
"Yo"
"You look like a corpse"
"Hahaha, I wonder if Arianne-sama would love this look on me"
"This crazy bastard"
The two conversed as such while taking their own pace on taking a break. They were laughing as they finally got relieved from the dangers of the 5 million monsters.
"Let's rest for now...No, wanna go back and have Todoroki-chan heal us?"
"Yeah, I want to see Arianne-sama as well"
"You really liked that queen huh?"
"Well, she is my type after all"
Why were they having such conversation in a middle of a corpses filled environment? Although it has no significance whatsoever, the two still laughed like that and went shoulders to shoulders and went towards the waving Dark army soldiers and the Elf Relief army.
-Makoto-san!! Sairenji-san!
Suddenly, they heard Miami's voice over the communication attached to their ears.
"What is it?"
"What's up Todoroki?"
-Hurry up and rin!!
As Koizumi and Katsuto was bewildered by the sudden call from Minami, the two stopped their tracks. However, as they heard the last words of Minami, chills run down their spines.
Unconsciously, they turned their heads back to the empty battlefield.
"Shit...."
"You have got to be kidding me...."
Just a few meters away from them, behind the dispersing dust clouds and smoke, a figure was standing heinously. The shadow had a pair of horns on it's temples, a dot like red eyes and overpowering aura. That person, who's arms splits into a hundred then a thousands, was none other than 9th Demon Lord Kakal.
|
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|
Vol. 2 CH. 4 – The search… (1st half)
PART #1
The mountain air was cold. The blue sky and the clouds swimming across in it felt so near as Koizumi and the elven scouts tread over the rocky mountain.
Trees grew fewer in numbers as they slowly ascend through the mountain. The green leaves from below the mountain were slowly turning white the more close they got to the top of the mountains.
Snow was increasing and the temperature was going down as they went up.
With their breaths turned white as the coldness of the air blew in, Koizumi ascend the white shaded mountain with thick coats of fur over his body.
“This is harsh…”
Koizumi exclaimed as he breathe in the cold air. He felt a chill all over his skin as the temperature was well below zero degrees. Even though his clothes were thick enough to prevent the cold, it was not enough to prevent it all.
Even Koizumi hasn’t even acquired the <Ice resistance> skill.
Koizumi looked over his right shoulder and gazed at the ten elves following behind him. Three of them were female wearing white coats of fur while the seven elven men were wearing brown colored furs and ear muffs. On their backs were crossbows and bows as well as bags of supplies to last them for a month.
Koizumi was the only one carrying nothing but his spear [Longinus] on his back.
The reason why Koizumi was carrying nothing was due to the special item he had won in the casino back in Ambrosia. It was a magical item that can store about 500 items inside a small size bag. It was the famed rare magical item that no one can procure, produce or even sell; the [Magic Bag].
In this world, an item that can store a number of objects regardless of their weight was rare enough to call it legendary. Because the item requires materials that can only be obtained through slaying high level monsters, stones that can bend space and thread that can circulate magic power were nearly impossible to find, most collectors and craftsmen gave up in searching for them.
Yet Ambrosia had multitudes of them in bulk. They were even selling them like they can be found in some stores or even in some bazaars in other countries.
Koizumi won his through a poker game inside the casino in one of Ambrosia’s prided tourist spots. It was a day that really shocked Koizumi.
“Well, it is that guy after all” Koizumi thought as he walked on a snow pile and had his foot sunk in it, only to step on a Snow rabbit’s tail. The Snow rabbit that was white in fur and had ice blue eyes ran in panic as it had its small fluffy tail stepped on.
Koizumi smiled as he watched such scene…
Koizumi thought of Kyoushiro as someone beyond amazing. In spite of all the things that already happened to him, Kyoushiro still founded the newly rebuilt country of Ambrosia. He used the old ruin settlement of Demon-Spawns and made it his base.
Kyoushiro created advance machinery for the comforts of the people of Ambrosia. He further improved the living environments inside Ambrosia despite it being a barren wasteland before.
Kyoushiro made weapons and armors strong enough to be compared with the armors of heroes, he made potions so potent that effects could take immediately and he had taught those techniques to the people that believed in him.
What’s more, women had formed around him. Even more so, they were a future queen and a queen already. One of them was their classmate and a hero. Kyoushiro was truly a man that had gone against this world’s karma. Koizumi was truly impressed by that…
However…..
“As expected… he is hard to trust…”
Koizumi halted his steps as he entered a grove of trees. Sensing that there were presence of monsters nearby, Koizumi chose to stay low for now in order to avoid monsters of this mountain. Encountering monsters in a snowy mountain was very dangerous. A simple noise could result in an avalanche of snow.
The elf scouts stopped their advance as they saw Koizumi hide behind a tree. Likewise, they did so as well and hide their presence. Being experts in forests, the instincts of elves were sharper than normal human.
Koizumi signaled the elf scouts with his right hand once the presence of monsters have disappeared. They resumed their advance after…
Kyoushiro had said that he didn’t try to kill every one of his classmates back in that dungeon. He even got mad the moment Koizumi mentioned it back then. Even he was present in that Monster House when Kyoushiro rescued them and at that time Kyoushiro was prosecuted and branded as a Traitor amongst the heroes back in the palace.
But there was a part off Koizumi that feels that what Kyoushiro was showing felt off.
From the part where Kyoushiro mellowed out to the fact that he went out of his way to fight a Demon Lord; for Koizumi, that felt odd for someone like Kyoushiro, who bears a grudge against all the heroes and this world.
On top of getting a curse, he was betrayed and tortured. Not just that, he was seen as this part of this world’s Demon-Spawn. Because of his black hair and eyes, Kyoushiro received much of this world’s scorn; to the point that it wouldn’t be surprising if he suddenly end up exploding.
Inside Koizumi’s gut, Kyoushiro felt like he was hiding something. There was that terrible sensation eating him inside yet he can’t figure out what kind of feeling it was…
Koizumi clenched his fist unconsciously as he led the elf scouts forward. The bright sun and the white sheet land, felt so uncomfortable all of a sudden. Koizumi quietly held [Longinus] in his hands as he walked outside the frozen forest….
-
Katsuto’s group pursued a group of bandits that they had discovered dragging young elf girls to some cave. Being a hero as he was, Katsuto followed those bandits and rescued the young elf girls that had been obviously been bruised and raped.
Just from a glance, anyone could tell what happened to the young elf girls. Their shredded clothes, their dead pan eyes and the numerous lacerations and cuts on their bodies; followed by a foul odor, it as only natural to say that the girls were abused.
Katsuto chased the bandits, tied them up on a tree and interrogated them. One of the bandits was smiling at Katsuto as though ridiculing him…
“Hah!! Does being a hero give you that much authority to hound us down?! It’s funny to see a guy like you act like a hero!!”
The bandit laughed, ridiculing Katsuto for being a hero.
Katsuto has no idea why the man was laughing but there was no used in comprehending the words of an insane criminal that would stoop so low to abuse young girls like that.
Katsuto clenched his fist but resisted the urge to pummel the bandit, because if he did so, then there was no point in asking for information on the missing princess of Bloomsmeir Kingdom…
“Shut up, I don’t have any ears for some lowlife like you”
“Ah-AHAHAHA!? Low life?! Aren’t you guys the lowlifes!? It’s you guys fault that people like me lost their homes!!”
“……….”
Katsuto’s expression froze upon listening to the bandit’s words. His heart wavered at the fact that most of the heroes were troublemakers rather than the one solving them. One hero was invading the 1st Demon Lord’s land then ending up losing more troops, one hero goes around making a harem and many more.
Katsuto was not so different. Even he had given some trouble to the people of this world at some point, but he had grown from it. Instead of fighting monsters like crazy in one place, then making other monsters flee to a small village; killing people.
Katsuto had even accidentally brought an adventurer with a family to his death when Katsuto acted reckless against a wyvern.
Katsuto had many mistakes that had piled up and he expects more of it to come but he would always learn from it. No matter how tough it would be.
But the words the bandit had said cut deep inside Katsuto’s heart…
“Because of you guys… my wife and daughters… they….”
The bandit’s voice quivered as he spoke about his family. His wife and daughter stolen from him forcefully by Taiga’s group, a means to satisfy the army that Taiga was leading. After that, Taiga’s army would raze on an uncooperative town, killing the head and taking everything the town has.
From food to riches, from horses to women; everything that could be stolen would be taken and everything that can be used as quick sense of relief was used.
Many towns and villages had fallen for the sake of Taiga’s goal. The hometown of the bandit was one of them…
“That guy made me watch my own wife and daughters used as toys for their own amusement!! They made me watch until my wife broke and my daughters die!! It’s you guys fault that this world is in chaos!! You’re the lowlifes here not us!!”
The bandit spat as he loudly conveyed his rage. The hatred seethed deep inside his heart was blowing intensely as he shouts at Katsuto. The other bandits were glaring all the same. For whatever reason they have, all of them were of the same origin.
All of them were merely parts of a tragic play the gods had written… The protagonists were the heroes.
“Even I….” Katsuto thought as he brood over the words that the bandit has told him. The reality of their existence and the price of their goals, all of them had consequences that would harm those around them. Even Katsuto had considered all of them…
“[Wind, form into blades and shred my enemies] - <Wind Blade>”
*Swoosh!!* Strong gale of winds passed by Katsuto’s side and went towards the bandits. In a form of crescent blades, they cut through the bandits that were tied onto a tree.
Blood spurt and splattered, then a piece flew onto Katsuto’s cheek. The warm sensation of blood quickly made Katsuto realized what had unfolded. In front of his eyes were reflected, the fountains of blood gushing out and flesh being cut apart. The tree where the bandits were tied to was shred to pieces…
What remained was a blank silence and a large pool of blood as well as dismembered corpses.
“They have said enough. Hero-sama, please do not mind what they have said. Come, there is much more to do in order to search for the missing princess”
An elven male, someone with swept back blonde hair and brown eyes, wearing a simple green tunic with a bow on his back, took a step forward and asked Katsuto to leave for now.
The elf’s respecting bow and his calm words made Katsuto turn around. But compared to the paled young man, Katsuto, the elf male was calm and collected; even though most likely, it was him that killed the bandits.
“…….”
“It would do you no good if you keep listening to such banters. Please completely forget what they have said and let us continue the search”
“Ah… this world is just….” At the moment Katsuto thought those words, his frightened face distorted to a maddening grin. “Yes… that’s right” Katsuto replied as he slowly walked away from the pile of corpses that had formed behind him.
Just like how they had entered this world, everything was too sudden. They were forced to just accept the reality. That lives can be taken that easily and that the value of life amounts to nothing.
Truly, this world so chaotic, it is mad and is cruel… In its grasps, the heart of the noble young hero shattered…
-
Minami’s route took her and the elf knights to a human settlement. Compared to the rich land of elves, the human settlement for more like a grim dead wasteland; trees were cut and most of the river flowing out of it was so dark it couldn’t be seen as water anymore.
The settlement had smokes rising from its stacks of chimneys made out of bricks and stones, and the tall walls made of mud and stones made it feel that the human settlement as a fortress rather than a town or a village.
Minami through its rusted gates and entered the dreary land of humans.
“It stinks here…” Minami caught the wind of some dirty old socks nearby and covered her nose. The foul odor that was filling the air made the elven knights winced in displeasure. But still they continued, they went to the nearest most possible place to have any information, an old looking run down pub…
The pub was just a few ways around the gates of the settlement. Going from there, they had passed numerous pleasure houses that filled the surrounding with rough noises and women moans. There were such thin walls that it couldn’t prevent the noise of men living out their wildest dreams.
Minami ignored those and continued.
The few female elf knights behind here were getting vulgar attention from rough looking, burly men. The mere sight of a beautiful elven female knight was enough to send those kinds of men in heat. Easy enough to tell, the female camp on Minami’s side was looking uncomfortable.
Nevertheless, they had still some work to do. Minami entered the run down old pub…
“You have an unusual group there missy, care to have a drink?”
As Minami entered, human male wearing leather armor with three daggers kept safely on his waist suddenly came onto Minami and invited her for a drink. Minami rejected the offer by shaking her head left and right before showing an emblem stuck on her necklace.
“…. It truly seems like you’re in some business… I’ll tell the boss that you’re here for some goods”
The man suddenly turned meek and turned tail. It seems that the emblem of the royal family of Travestin had some effects in some country. The emblem had a shape of round shield with a dragon’s head carved on its center.
It was a priceless piece that only a chosen few was allowed to hold. Because it has a mechanism to instantly kill a person with its curse inside, there was no one that would go against someone that holds such emblem.
Minami was glad that she holds such emblem… She sighed as she passed through the people drinking in the pub…
An hour later after waiting, a man in thick fur vest and fur shorts came out from the door behind the counter. The man was around four heads taller than Minami and was wide enough to bear hug a cow.
Such man was making his way towards the young girl Minami…
“Little miss, seems to me you have something important to discuss, Mind following me for a bit?”
“No, sorry but I still have plans so let me off with just this. I don’t plan on staying here for too long so I’m going to cut to the chase”
Minami declined the man’s offer to move to another location. Her brisk action made the man raise his brow. For him, Minami was acting a bit too rude but he was not someone that would never mistake a person’s presence. Even he, who has been in the underworld business, knows that Minami was no ordinary girl…
The man snickered as he took a seat in front of Minami…
“As expected of one of the summoned heroes, your kind is one who doesn’t cut corners”
The man quickly changed his tone and changed his posture as he talked to Minami. Minami showed a mischievous grin towards the man as he had said the words that most of the world uses to refer to Minami’s group.
“My name is Grant, I worked for one of you guys before and if I must say… you’re one that takes the ticket”
“Grant huh? I guess Iori-kun didn’t give any lies when I contacted him through Elfianna-sama’s private network”
Shimizumi Iori, one of the heroes that were sent to another country in order to defend against the Demon Lords. Iori’s class was [Puppeteer] it was a job class that can control puppets and make anyone his puppets if he wants to.
Minami asked Elfianna’s personal relay networks to ask for Iori’s help for the search of the missing princess. Iori then used his connections to have one of his puppets to do his dirty work. Grant was one of those puppets that Iori was talking about.
Grant was referring to Iori when he said “I worked for one of you guys before”…
“Yes… Shimizumi-sama had already sent me the details. I was only waiting for you to come by”
“My, that guy sure works fast if you offer a reward to him. I guess using his love for me was the right thing… Oh, I’m just rambling aren’t I?”
Grant replied to Minami’s arrogant words “No, it is fine” while showing a tired smile all of a sudden. Minami then stopped beating around the bush and asked for what she came for…
“Do you have any information about an elf princess being captured or seen around these parts?”
“Yes, a few days ago. A guy named Ernest Vern came to town with a large haul of freshly kidnapped slaves… They stayed here for a few days so I got some info on the one you’re looking for”
A few days ago, a large band of mercenaries came by to the human settlement to resupply. They bought goods, booze, and slept in with one of the brothels within the settlement. One of Grant’s men saw one particular elf that was wearing high quality clothes and in contrast to the other slave girls, she looked untouched.
Grant quickly got hold on one of their guys and used any means to extract information from him. Turns out, Ernest Vern’s group was an old mercenary brigade that helped in the front lines alongside a hero. Only to get cast away and left unpaid due to the extreme expenditure the Hero’s army was leading.
Ernest Vern’s group made their way to the western regions in order to resupply and gather up new resources.
“The guy we interrogated is already dead so I can’t give you someone useful. But as for the location of their hideout…”
Grant took a piece of paper from his breast pocket and placed it on the table. There, it was drawn about an old abandoned fortress just on the north side of the mountain near Caladium. Minami took the paper and passed it over to an elf knight. The elf knight then nodded and went behind Minami.
“Looks like the map is true, I won’t hold it against you if you were lying-“
“But you would have this settlement destroyed if I did so right? Please spare me from losing one of my business trading routes; I don’t have the man power to even go against one of your kind”
Grant showed his surrender to Minami’s daring smile. Although Minami was often found cute and innocent, her true colors were just the opposite. She was cunning and scheming. Minami would always choose the path of victory no matter what kind of fight it was.
Using the love of a classmate for her personal gains… that was the kind of girl she was; different from the truly pure and innocent Aizawa Mikoto, her best friend.
“I got what I wanted, here’s for the troubles”
Minami placed a large bag of coins on the table. The bag was heavy enough to make a loud thud and the sounds of metals clashing inside the bag as audible enough for Grant to know that what was inside was money.
Grant took the bag, no questions asked, then stood up.
“Thank you for doing business with me. I’ll open sometime if you ever need my services again”
“I’m fine without it. Being in debt to one of your suitors isn’t good for someone like me”
“I see…” Grant let out a troubled sigh before adding “I shall deliver the message to Iori-sama then. He would be pleased to hear about you”
“Humph, do what you want”
Minami and the group of elven knights quickly left the human settlement after that.
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 2 CH. 4 – The search… (1st half)",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
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|
PART # 2
He had introduced himself as the 18th Hero, Kyoushiro Kagami. A young man whose very depiction of being a Demon-Spawn due to his black hair and eyes. Judging from ho he looks, Edsel could make out his age; probably between 16 or 19 years old.
On her side was her daughter Dahlia, the same as Kyoushiro, a Demon-Spawn. She bares the cursed color that is under the rule of the Demon God Afvritzed.
At first, they were running around for their lives, trying to get away from the chasers that tried to sully them. Edsel had already lost her dignity as a woman when she became a plaything of those bastards back then. That was why she couldn’t let the same thing happen to her daughter no matter what.
“This seems like a nice place. For no try staying hidden, I’ll lure some guys here so Edsel, I’m counting on you to distract them”
After leaving the settlement, Kyoushiro held the map in his hands and decided to stay at a place not far from the target location where it was said that there was a base of monsters and human breeding grounds here. According to Kyoushiro’s story, the new elf candidate had been kidnapped by some bandit group but as it turns out, she was captured by a former mercenary group led by a man named Ernest Vern the Honest.
Edsel had no knowledge for the past few years due to her and her husband running around the elven borders to get away from their pursuers. Edsel had already lost her husband once and if she loses her only daughter now, there was no way for Edsel to live anymore.
That was why, when Kyoushiro offered to shelter them for the time being, she immediately accepted. It was better than living inside a forest one more and starting from scratch again. Aiding Kyoushiro on his mission right now would be very beneficial for her and her daughter since Kyoushiro said that there is land he currently uses as his base where they can stay for as long as they want.
Because of that, Edsel agreed to be bait to some bandits that once belong to a mercenary group.
Kyoushiro pulled Dahlia and hid her under some bushes while Edsel was to wait by some tree and act like she was lost. Edsel had a vague idea of what would happen later so she trusts that Kyoushiro would immediately help.
“Alright, I’ll check the cave for now. You two stay here and when you see me running Edsel, proceed as plan”
“U-Understood”
Naturally, Edsel was nervous. She was being used as live bait for men that only think of their lower halves. Even though she had already gone through such experience once, as expected, there was no way she would want to go through it again.
Kyoushiro nodded as he confirmed Edsel’s confidence. Once he had done so, he pulled out a bow and a quiver filled with arrows then left. Edsel watched him disappear from the shadows of the trees and waited beside her daughter.
“Mama, why do you look scared?”
Dahlia glanced at her mother’s expression and saw Edsel’s rather pale complexion. Even though Dahlia was still a child, it seems that she was rather sensitive when it comes to a person’s emotion. In order to reassure Dahlia, Edsel took deep breaths before showing a smile to her daughter.
“I’m fine Lia-chan; mama is just a bit nervous is all”
“Nervous?”
“That’s right, because Lia-chan is with me right now”
Was it alright to bring a child along to a carnage battle? As a mother, this was something she would never do and if it was possible, she doesn’t Dahlia to see murder in broad day light. Thankfully, Kyoushiro just beat the rough thugs in the pub this morning so Dahlia didn’t see any bloodshed. Even when they were saved by Kyoushiro when they were ganged up upon by their pursuers, it seems that Dahlia lost consciousness due to shock.
It was a stroke of luck that Dahlia didn’t remember any of that even happened. Edsel caressed her daughter’s head to reassure her.
“Is papa going to leave again?”
“Lia-chan….”
Edsel showed a sad smile as Dahlia views Kyoushiro as her father. The other day when Dahlia woke up after the incident, she had caught a glimpse of Kyoushiro’s hair and eye color. Seeing that they were the same, Dahlia took Kyoushiro for her father as a mistake. Kyoushiro was doing his best not to Dahlia’s affection at all and makes sure to keep a safe distance away from her.
But it seems that Dahlia was still thinking about her father. Kyoushiro being there, she thought that Kyoushiro would leave her and her mother again. Edsel had already told Dahlia about her father but it seems that Dahlia still hoped that he was alive.
Edsel then wrapped her arms around her daughter and tightly embraced her.
“Don’t worry, when all this is over, we’ll head to a safer place. Kyou-san had already said that he would take us after all”
Although there were chances that Kyoushiro would turn against her, as long as Dahlia was safe then be it hell or fire, she would go along with Kyoushiro’s wishes.
“Shit!! Where the hell did that bastard go to?!”
Suddenly, voices appeared over the bushes.
“Stop talking and start looking!! If we let that a-hole escape, our plans would go south!!”
“Shit!!”
Over the bush where Edsel and Dahlia were hiding, there were two men with arrows stuck to their shoulders. It seems that Kyoushiro managed to lure them away from their hideout by taking their attention away from it. Edsel nodded and proceeded to leave the bush and act as planned.
“Bastard, there you are!!”
“N-No!! P-please wait!!”
“Huh?!”
The two men, who was about to jump at Edsel, suddenly stopped and held their weapons aloft, it seems that they were surprised that someone other than the guy that shot them with the arrows were hiding around.
“Who’re you?”
“U-Umm… I-I got lost you see? I’m not from a part from here”
“Huh? You seem young enough…. Hoh, looks like we’ve found ourselves some good seed bag here”
The eyes of the two men looked as though they were licking Edsel’s body. The sensual figure of a gorgeous elf could make any men lose their sense and attack her at any moment. Edsel was creeped out for a moment and took a step back but as it was going along the plan, she grits her teeth and faced the two rough looking old men.
“Well, I guess your right”
“Huh?”
“Eh?”
Kyoushiro appeared behind the two and they heard his voice, they turned their heads around. Only to be held down by Kyoushiro with his bare hands.
“<Electricity Manipulation> - [Stun gun]”
*ABABABABABABABA!!* The two men were knocked unconscious due to being stunned on the head by Kyoushiro’s skill. As the two dropped heavily on the ground, Kyoushiro smiled satisfactorily and took out a rope from somewhere.
“Umm….” Edsel tried to say something but seeing as Kyoushiro was busy, she couldn’t call out to him. But since Kyoushiro heard her voice, he glanced at her while tying the two with the rope he took out from his magic storage.
“It went along as planned. Don’t worry, you were only bait”
“S-So… I am not going to be…”
Although Edsel already resolved herself to be shamed in front of her daughter, it seems that Kyoushiro had a different kind of bait in mind. Kyoushiro saw the fidgeting figure of a gorgeous woman before him and sighed. After tying up the two, he pulled out the arrows lodged in their shoulders to wake them up.
“Ugh…”
“Kh…”
The two men groaned as they slowly woke up…
“Look, I got these two thanks to your help. Even if things go south, as long as you do your job, you won’t die. Didn’t I already promise to take you Ambrosia?”
Kyoushiro was indeed cold towards enemies but he wasn’t cruel enough to let a child watch her own mother get toyed with men right in front of her. Kyoushiro showed an uninterested expression to Edsel, who was bashfully holding her daughter’s hand.
“Y-You’re right…thank you”
“Alright let’s get started”
As the two captives were starting to regain their consciousness, Kyoushiro began his tor- interrogation…
|
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|
Vol. 1 Ch. 7 - The wastelands and the refugee filled with people like me.....
Part #1
Several days after the ship arrived from the wastelands, many things happened. After the ship landed, Arianne immediately seated herself as the new governor of the wasteland's former kingdom, Aurolius. However the thing surprised me wasn't the refugee camp, but the whole size of the former kingdom.
The ruined castle sat on top on a huge stoned mountain. The capital city were below it. It was a site where beautiful stoned ruins were placed, unoccupied towers with glorious height and the walls of the once good fort of Aurolius. The broken city was being used by the people who were cast off by their countries, due to their appearances.
Surprisingly, not all the humans with black hair and dark eyes were here. There were werewolves with the same color of fur and eyes there as well, Demi-humans with the same situation were living among them. Almost all of the race of this world were here with the same color they have as me.
The previous governor didn't actually left to some place but was killed due to the oppression he was doing to the refugees. I was told that many of the woman here were raped and killed by him so the guy that killed him were one of the family members that was killed by the previous governor. Thankfully, he was on Arianne's side. He didn't opposed Arianne's petition as the next governor since she has blood of the former royalty of the land.
The only condition was that the lives of the people here improve. They wished for stable homes, edible food and drinkable water, and safety of their lives. Since the wastelands house the most dangerous and deadly demonic beasts that this world has ever seen.
Naturally, Arianne accepted it but, the one who will be doing those things were me. Since I was their 'Hero', I am supposed to do all those things. I gave Arianne a hand chop to the head because of her unreasonableness, though because of it, I ended up listening to her cries.
The land was reformed immediately with my [Transmutation] skill but because it wasn't enough, [Magic Manipulation] came in handy. I asked Arianne about that skill before I started the land reformation. She said that it manipulates the magic power so that a person could use magic without any chanting. I was also told that only demonic beasts and magic beasts has it. I didn't know why I have it but, since it was practically useful, I ended up practicing it.
But, due to using it quite a bit to fix the barren soil, I gained new skills that were useful to the job...
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Kyoushiro Kagami
17 Yrs old
Male
Job class: - - - - -
Lvl: 45
STR: 105
AGI: 101
DEF: 105
MAG: 110
RES: 110
Skills: Language Acquisition, Appraisal, Transmutation, Metal Forging, Mineral Processing, Magic Infusion, Magic Manipulation, Magic Seer, Enchant, Earth Manipulation, Soil reforming, Soil conversion.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
[Earth Manipulation] skill made it easy to turn the dried up soil back to it's former glory. There was also a water vein under the earth so I made it so that it goes up and flows from the dried up river. After that, water wasn't a problem anymore. I cautioned them to boil it first to avoid getting sick due the bacteria and microbes it has after staying under ground for so long so, I had them wait until the water clears up it's color and get washed down to the ocean.
The city was.....well, I had to remodel almost all of it and made it is so that it was sturdy against earth quakes. I used my knowledge to create buildings sufficient enough to hold multiple families. Of course, the former buildings.... I remade them, about 30% of the former city has been rebuilt and what's left was the other men clearing out the debris from the last attack of demonic beasts back then.
Though, because of the clearing operations, there places where some of the demonic beasts were trapped when the city was under siege of the demonic beasts. I had to fight those things as well. I had to use [Magic Manipulation] skill to increase my Mp by turning the surrounding's magic power into mine. The fights were prolonged since none of the refugees here were experienced fighters. Most of them are dexterous race that has skills mainly at production and manufacturing purposes. Because of that, I had Arianne teach them about potion compounding and farming. Since the last one wasn't Arianne's nor my expertise, we had to find someone with a farming skill to teach them.
Then, few days passed again, and the second month was about to end, I was forced to fix the forts non-stop because of the storm that just hit us some days ago. The canals under the city needed repairs and clearing so most of the time, I spent it there with the men of the ruined city. I got sick of it so I just used [Transmutation] skill, [Magic Manipulation] and [Earth Manipulation] skills to instantly repaired the canals. But I ended up losing consciousness because of it.
Now, currently i'm bedridden due to a cold. I blame Arianne for working me like a slave these past two months. I haven't got a decent sleep nor rest because of it and my own potion production came to a stop because of it. I'm no pharmacist to make herbal medicines since I have no knowledge of it. I can only make potions from the recipes of this world. So right now, i'm enduring a really bad cold.
"Damn.....if only you stopped ordering me around like that....achoo!!"
"Really, i'm sorry for that...."
Right now i'm in bed making Arianne feel bad what she did to me this past few days. This room was one of the buildings I remade by means of [Transmutation] skill. It's a spacious room with a sky line view of the whole kingdom. Simply put, it's the tallest tower that had stayed intact after all this years. All I did was to increase the supports of the tower and made sure that magic and physical attacks won't damage it by carving a huge magic circle on the grounds that it stood.
I was given lands that was the top of the mountain for being a hero. There was also some guards and maids that were working here under the orders of the queen Arianne, the ruler of the former Aurolius now named Ambrosia. This was officiated the other day when I received a thought transmission from Lucinda, but actually was Mikoto Aizawa, a former classmate of mine.
There was a part of our conversation that was greatly absurd that I couldn't even believed it. It seems that I met Mikoto Aizawa 14 years ago before my parents died. I wasn't sure if that memory was true but after I heard from Aizawa herself, I completely remembered those times. But, it was also because of it that I recalled the accident that took away the lives if my parents.
After what happened, there was a promised made and I blacked out after that. It seems that I was already fatigued that day so my body gave out due to extreme exhaustion. Now, i'm in bed, making the queen herself, feel bad about what she did.
"Haah.....Really, i'm sorry for over working you. I was just caught up in the dealings with the matter involving my kingdom's inheritance. There was the matter of the letter of inaugurations for me other day so I visited the 8 royal council since i'll be restoring Aurolius in a new name"
"Like I care!! The deal was to help you not to work for you. I didn't say anything since I know you're busy, but because of you, my schedule backed up, my production ceased, and to top it all of, I got sick"
"E-Erm..... S-Sorry about all that....so please don't mad"
"I'm not mad, i'm just telling you"
Seriously, I helped too much and this is all I get? Damn....my head feels like it's about to explode....
Still, watching Arianne look all responsible for all this feels good, though my body feels so horrible....
"Fine, i'll take responsibility and take care of you alright?"
"Huh?"
What is this woman saying? I just want to grumble out the things that I wanted to say.....
"Isn't it because of me that you got sick? Then because of that, I have to take responsibility and take care of you till you better"
With a proud smile, Arianne puffed out her slovenly large chest. I don't know what she's planning but..... I have a really bad feeling about this....
After having such chill running down my spine, Arianne hastily ran to the kitchen along with some maids that takes care of my tower. Several minutes came after and she returned with a plate full of something...
It was..... something....I definitely cannot describe it's appearance. I kinda feel like i'm seeing a mosaic over it though....is it just my imagination or is it because of it's really disgusting appearance that even in real life something like a mosaic over a food is possible...
I glared at the very woman who made such monstrosity....
"Here, I made you a porridge"
With the plate full of something was presented to me, a very foul odor entered my nostrils.... It's..... Even it's smell is incomprehensible.... Is this even porridge? It's far than the one I know!!
"Like that's a damn porridge!!"
"Eh? But I made it alongside with the maids, so it isn't that bad you know?"
"If so, why is it that I can't seem to see what kind of porridge is it?!"
"That's just your imagination. Here!! Say ah~nnn"
"Gughffku!!!"
Without a second thought.... Arianne shove a spoon full of that something of that porridge in my mouth. I was left with no choice but to swallow it whole as the taste was simply unbearable..
Ugh....the taste....it's so convoluted...Spicy, sweet, sour....what kind of ingredients she used to make this dish?!! It's filled more malice than my face has when i'm mad at something.
"So? How is it taste?"
Eyes filled with expectations.... Sorry Arianne but I can't answer that...My eye were swirling as my condition became worse after eating that something porridge. Then, as I was swaying like a drunken old man, I fell back on the bed, knocked out from the poison she cooked up just for me....
Come to think of it, why didn't she just used a detox spell and cure me?.....Haah...never-mind....I feel sick....
"Terrible....please follow the proper recipe next time"
"Hmph!! Meanie!!"
"Haah...."
I couldn't reply anymore as I was already feeling tired. The porridge only made it worst after all so i'll just sleep it off for now. I glanced at Arianne's expression. Surprisingly, she wasn't irritated. In fact; she was looking at me with soft caring eyes..
Cast from the heaviness of my body, my eyelids fell and I felt my conscious drift away. Within the darkness of my dreams....
The faces of my parents appeared....
Black hair...... dark eyes..... sweet loving song.... a lullaby...
The face of my mother humming her favorite tune while carrying me in her arms. Smiles.... My father was with her and were both smiling while I was slowly falling asleep....
The scenery changed and turned into a bloody hell. Ceilings crumbled and crushed the car me and parents were riding... the faces they made as they pushed me away from falling debris that crushed their lives....
The dreams shifted and the faces of my relatives came to view. My childhood torment after I was left with them... The money my parent's left me... they spent it all in their vices. After the money was gone, I was forced to work in different places in with different job. Sometimes a robber, a dealer, and even worst was, they made me into a murderer.... My growth was the start of my independent lifestyle but, my relatives took the earnings I saved through various part-time jobs.... Even until I pushed myself too hard and got hospitalized...
Ah....that's right....
"This happened before.... didn't it?"
At that, I was hospitalized due to malnutrition and being anemic. I almost had my heart stopped that time. The beds were cold... the dextrose supplying your body with nutrients.... the fearful nights filled with those non-stop nightmares... I wasn't able to endure it...
"Those times.....really broke me..."
I had no remaining family members that supports me, neither the people I once helped didn't helped me... My trust in people fade because of that. The life I've lead made me distant to people my age, unable to fit in as a normal kid...
"It must be painful for you, no?"
How wouldn't it be painful? I received so much suffering just by living..... My heart has already numbed because of it...
"But, isn't there people that wishes to support you here in this world?"
Is there.......? No, come to think of it, Lina supports me whenever I do my experiments and material procurement back then.... Even if the labor was hard, she helped me through and through.... Lucinda was...... her love for me goes beyond affection. If a word describes it, it would be 'passionate'. Even though she only fell for me at first sight, Lucinda cherishes me too much... I'm thankful since she doesn't argue whenever I used her in scrupulous means, but I wished that she could take care of herself more....
"Then, do you still wish this world to be destroy?"
Should I stop and consider such path? Even though this world has some screw loose people, there are still people kind enough for me to protect.... Lucinda and Lina in particular, no, Arianne is there as well so I have to consider that...
"Then, will you decide?"
"Decide? No, I......uh? Huh? Did I fell asleep?"
With drowsy eyes and weak body, I sat my body up, supported by my arm. I looked to my side and saw Arianne sleeping next to me.... I must have fallen asleep after I ate that monstrosity of a porridge...
The time is.... this world doesn't have a clock so I tell time through how high the sun was. It's still dark out but I can make out some lights already rising up to the horizon.
I covered Arianne with a blanket and went out to have some fresh air. It's cool..... the breeze feels nice today. I went to the lower floors of my tower.
Since I had troubles in climbing in the past, I made an improvised pulley system, which was made through with the skills I currently have. It was a rough experience where it was hard to make a lubrication for the chains that pulls of the elevator through the elevator shaft. I also had the tower remodeled countless of times so that it won't get damage easily from either a physical attack or a magic attack.
After it was made, Arianne had fun going up and down like a child saying 'Can this thing fly?!'. I honestly told her that it wasn't possible and she became dejected after that. I told her about making a flying ship out of the same model from the ship we both board in a half a month ago, she regained her full-bloom smile after that.
The ship is still being planned and the power source wouldn't be a core but a natural engine. I'll have to make some hard steel before I could make out the blueprints out right. Of course, i'd like to make a non-emission type of engine so that this world's environment won't turn into something like mine.
The steel frames would definitely make it hard to fly due to weight distribution. I'll make it with aluminum and add some carbon alloy to increase heat resistance. Mechanical engines with the same principles as jet turbines and core engine to make all the parts work.
I'll be researching about this world's magic power as well. It seems that it's a phenomena that enables humans to use unscientific powers. I have to find out where it came from and how it came to be.
Ah, never-mind that. For now, I exited the tower and walked down the stairs that directly leads to the base of the castle where Arianne lives in. The impressive walls of the newly made ramparts that protects the castle was just finished the other day. It has four watch towers in the inner walls and another four that was placed in each opposite of the walls. Then, was a circumferential wall around the middle wall.
This was based in the previous designs of the old kingdom that uses a large magic circle barrier around the mountain to protect the castle and the capital. I looked over the previous blueprints back then and was profound from how it was systematically built. From how the underground canals curves and passes through one another was included in the construction plans. The stone obelisk had long ceased it's functions so it was being removed from where they once stood. I'm in the middle of the re-using it so that it'd be of use later.
"Oh?! Good morning, Kagami-sama. You are up early?"
As I was walking down the path that leads down to the third entrance gate, which was at the third wall. The guard saw ne walking and greeted me enthusiastically.
"Aah, Morning.... How's today's watch?"
"No problem sir!! There are no suspicious people roaming around this place"
"Good. The safety of the people in the castle depends on those who guards the entrances of the castle after all. Keep up the good work"
"Sir, thank you sir!!"
I waved my hand as I was walking away from the guard. For a morning person, he has some quite the energy. Leaving that aside, the sun has already risen and the view from where I am makes up a beautiful sight. After a minute of appreciating it's beauty, I hurried down from the path and went directly straight to the cityscape under the base of the mountain.
-
"O-Ou....this place changed considerably....."
Rather than an under construction site, the town was already finished and the people who were once lived in tents and improvised houses, were now inside sturdy apartment buildings with three story limit. There are some people building up store fronts now that goods can be cultivated near by after the river had sprung up from the underground water vein. Grass was also starting to grow on the wastelands and livestock can easily found nearby as some herbivore monsters in this world were starting to move in the almost grassy plains.
We set up a limit in how much livestock can be butchered since they were only small herds of them. Poultry are being cross-breed to make smaller breeds of birds. I initiated that project myself since I already made some devices for it. I also request Arianne to make a group of pharmacist to research in making various drugs that improves the health of the citizens, however that plan was still being processed since hardly anyone here has knowledge in potion making.
Still, the place was filled with vigor even though it's still morning. I guess everyone here are prepared in times of crisis back then so their already experienced in waking up early.
As I was walking down the streets, various vendors were already selling the cultivated vegetables and rice that was just harvested some days ago. The barren wastelands were far from the sea so there was hardly anyone selling marine goods. There was still the dangers concerning outside of the city since the demonic beasts are ridiculously strong. I just fought with a horde of demonic Coyotes the other day as well. Even when I used [Magic Infusion] on myself on top of the enchanted items I had equipped on, it was still a fight that was heavily prolonged due to my low level and stats.
Anyways, the town was already starting to get lively since morning already made it's appearance. I....I don't have my money on me so i'm kind of in a tight bind... I wore normal clothes today so i'm blending in quite normally. I have magic accessories on me for emergencies and a short iron sword attached to my waist in case the need arise.
Even though I have those prepared, I still forgot about my wallet. I really need to stop doing this actions.....i'm forgetting quite a lot lately....
"Haah...... I'm hungry..."
Whilst holding my empty stomach, as I was finding some place to rest. My knees are already weak as well and the sun will reach mid-noon soon. Has it been hours that I've walking? Impossible, I've only walked from my to--- never mind....
*Crack*
"N?"
A sound of something giving out due to excess weight resounded through my ears. I tried to look for it but, I wasn't able to see it.
*Crack*
There it is again.... However, this time, the pavement where I stood gave out and before I new it, I was already falling into the deep abyss.
"Ah? Uwaah?!!!!-------"
Part #2
*Drip*
A sound of dripping water can be heard. Within the darkness with no light, my ears caught a sound of water dripping on water.
*Drop*
Again..... the sound of water dripping.... My consciousness feels hazy from the drop. I took out an Hp potion(small) from my [Magic storage](small) and drank it directly from the vile. It seems that when I fell, a few of my bones broke along with a cerebral concussion that caused me to lose conscious.
As my fractures healed, I stood up from the cold earth and opened my eyes. However, it was too dark for me to see. The place where I fell seemed to be quite deep. It'll be trouble if I can't go back up. I'll have to search for a way out in the darkness as well. I don't have any fire magic skills on me so making a torch isn't possible.
For now, I activated [Magic Seer] skill along with [Magic Manipulation] skill to somehow make a filter on my eyes, making a pseudo night vision goggles. However, in my case, it's just like I can see in the dark so, I don't have green colored view.
But, to think that it'd work so well.....
That aside, finding the exit comes first so for now, i'll have to explore this place...
The place was...... an abandoned library it seems. Few of the shelves have fell down and pieces of paper have all scattered around. Water can be seen soaking the scattered books so those were already useless. There are mushrooms growing in this place but I've yet to see some living creatures.
I walked over the toppled shelves and reached a place where some book shelves remained standing. I took one from those out of curiosity and read its contents.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Atlach-Nacha, the spider god that weaves the threads of life and death with her silk made from the souls of the living and the dead. Known only as a demon god which was born from the mixing hell of human sins and spider spirits. With a upper torso of a lovely woman, she devours the males that were entranced by her beau---
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -
I stopped the reading after that scary paragraph sent chills down my spine. Although I can take much gore now because of the lifestyle of this world, i'm still not OK with scary stories. But still, the book seemed to be depicting some sort of spider god... I'll just keep it in my [Magic Storage] for now same as the some books with the same contents.
Some were containing good reference for something called [Elder seal] that helps the suppression of a curse or seal something into something. Some were depicting elder gods that were born first before the universe came to be.
I feel that most of it were only stories with interesting plots so, i'll be taking some with me as reading materials for passing time. I've also found something about Pandora's box being a cube that sucks in everything with limit and as the person destroy's the box, the same goes with those in the inside. There were some summoning circles in some books. I'll set aside the useful ones from the worthless since it'll make the [Magic Storage] considering how much it can only take.
After a few hours of choosing, I have already hit the storage limit of the [Magic Storage]. I left the place afterwards and walked down in a hallway and climb upped on stairs with crumbled and mossy walls. Minutes later, I've reached wide room where numerous pillars were laying on the ground. Looking at it closely, they must've fell when the surge of demonic beast attacked in the past.
Then, as I proceed further, I found an old looking throne with various ominous looking carvings on them... Most of them were faces filled with torment and despair. The faces which filled me with fear was making my right arm throb.
"Kuh.....!! W-What is this?!!"
I felt my right arm throb as if it was being teared of from my body. The pain made my knees weak, making me unable to stand properly and just fell on one knee while holding my right arm...
---You have returned---
This voice....it feels familiar....no, I've heard it from before!!
--Oh thy king, dyed in yellow--
It's from back then!!! This voice is only increasing the pain as it talks. The throbbing grew stronger as if it had a heart beat itself. Like a whisper through my ear, the mysterious voice continued....
--I beseech thee to be seated on thy throne---
It was directing it's throbbing to the throne with despaired faces carved on it....
--Thy king who have once been sealed in the tower of no doors--
No....
--Thy have returned to thy Kingdom of Yellow--
Part #3
The universe, a vast space of unilateral and uncontrollable laws and verses. An inky dark space which holds thousands of thousands stars containing millions of galaxies on their own. A shadowy depth that holds no boundaries whatsoever. Cold and airless vacuum only exits in such place. Black and murky, only that and thousands white dots only exits in such place.
Have this already had such an appearance? Nay. Before, it was place of pure light. A space only which no darkness can be seen. A place where impurities had their existence vanish as they tried and enter such realm. It was like that.... However, not all white never had any darkness within.
The first darkness was born out of the purity within the space. Like was shadow cast as if an object was obstructing such light. Time remained constant and motionless at that time but, who would've thought that the most tiniest of darkness could swallow a pure white light whole. Thus, the white space disappeared and what came after was pure darkness.
Not only that, beings of unimaginable, horrendous and vile figures and appearances started to appear. This was the beings called 'Elder Gods'. With bodies with the size of planets were occupying the space like kings and lords if their own domain. Then, as time passed, the pure white escaped from the darkness, causing a massive explosion that destroy all life. However, the pure white light scattered into billions of stars, creating their own systems and lives.
Though, the previous gods had been disintegrated, their spirits remained and spawned organisms of their own.
In a particular solar system was a king who had direct connections to those elder gods of ancient history. His name was Hastur, the king dyed in yellow robe. The unspeakable being, the one who shan't be named, that he he was. A king who once possess a kingdom far more rich than any empire or land that the other planets had. He had subordinates whom he placed his trust willingly and served him proudly as a king...
But, as that fateful day came, his people formed a coup d'etat, and sealed him in a tower that reached the ends of the universe, making him unable to return back...
As his raged and anger consumed his body, his humanoid body disappeared and was replaced by tens of thousands of worms which became his tentacled body afterwards. His yellow robed crumbled due to age, his golden crown rusted and his soul became corrupted. Seated in a throne made out of the people who dares to look up the darkened sky where the tower stood firmly, Hastur over watches the eons seated on his doom crested throne....
-
Such memories were being drilled into me....
Memories filled with hatred and despair. Betrayed by those he trusted, he was succumb by his anger for his enemies, ended up as a being of indistinguishable figure...
Argh!!!! My right arm feels like it's being chewed off!!! Who that hell is this guy?!!!
--It is thee--
You again?!!
--My master, my beloved king......--
A face comes to view as the voice was calling out to me with a soft female voice. Black hair, dark eyes.......No, it can't be....
--Hastur-sama--
"Gaaah?!!!!!!!"
My head received a wrenching pain like it was being crushed by a huge heavy boulder. The cursed arm throbbed along with the joyous sounding of the talking voice. My body crumbles and I was on the floor, clenching my teeth from the pain my body was enduring.
Who are you?!!
--I am thy servant, Demon god Avfritzed--
As voice finished it's sentence, a girl with pure long black hair slowly descending from the unknown ceiling. Her clothes was pure white, she wore golden ornaments on her body like she was a brimming statue of Hinduism...No, it's different from that... She...A girl with pure black hair and demon red eyes, that's right.... she was the same woman that appeared before me that day...
--It seems that you have remember me my king--
"No I haven't------Kuh!!!?"
--You are not the one i'm speaking to, swine. It is the being that resides in your right arm--
Her slender fingers pointed at the arm with black tentacles coiling around. It responded with a strong throb as if it likes what it was hearing. The girl's lip formed a smile, glad about the fact that she was being remembered by something... But who is it?
"I don't.....know...ngh!!?....what you're....talking abou---Gaha?!!"
--Worm, do not speak to me with such tone!!--
My body was being crushed by an intense gravity. The floor beneath me was starting to show cracks and tear marks because of the extreme weight being poured upon it.
Avfritzed's eyes glow bright red as she was pressing gravity on my body. However, she stopped. She must have rememberes about the thing inside my arm. A being she calls 'My king', Hastur.
"Damn.....!!!"
--Human, you are a bearer of my master's prison's key. It would be horrible of me to destroy my master's hope of being released in tha accursed tower--
The gravity ceased as she pulled off her stance. My body felt light so I immediately stood up, but the pain was making me unable to stand up properly. My vision was starting to get hazy and my breathe was ragged. My balance was off and to top it all of, I can't move my body properly. So even if I did escape, I won't be able to run quickly.
"What are you even.....talking about?"
--It is what I have said, you are a key that will release my master in that accursed tower--
"I don't.....!!?....... I don't understand....!!"
--Pity, it is such a waste that divine beings created such simpleton of a race. Thou beings was given intelligence yet you don't use it. Very well then, this one shall explain to the likes of you the role you can only take--
This woman..... If only I could move, I might have ran away by now but, even my Mp is being exhausted since i'm forcefully suppressing the pains. I can't reach my potions as well, moreover, the pains is already taking too much of my concentration to think.
--The hero that came from the other world. You who were born as a being that holds the only key which will unlock the seal on the tower where my master resides. If you die, the same thing will happen to the key which your existence holds. The mark on your right hand proves it. However, that wretched goddess tampered with it and made it so that it will never be of use. Fortunately, I was able to find a mere human that is able to hold the key. Although it was a mere coincidence, it was pure luck that you made it this far to reach my master's former throne--
Avfritzed turned her body and glanced at the despair filled throne. Her lips were delighted at the fact that luck played out well for her. Even for a god, it seems luck were a system that isn't in the realm of control by them.
However, the fact that this woman is the person that placed this thing on my arm makes my blood boil. She just chose me because I was convenient for and due to that, my life turned to hell after coming here.
This woman.....i'll kill her!!!
"You....stuck up bitch!!! It's because of you I have to suffer being an incompetent loser in this world!! I have to struggle so much just to get stronger!! If I ever get over this thing, i'll make sure I see you dead!!"
My eyes glared at Avfritzed. As the pain was slowly being suppressed by my Mp, the aching sensation in my head dissipates. Avfritzed's face was mutter 'Hoh~' as she was amazed the tenacity my body hold.
--Amazing, for a mere worm to be this tough. I'm impressed--
"Don't call me that!!"
I poured in Mp in my legs and left arm with [Magic Infusion] and charged at Avfritzed, who was standing still without doing anything. However, as my left fist was traveling a speed which surpassed sound, an invisible wall crashed with my hand.
It didn't pierced through, instead, it broke the wall but the momentum my fist had simply vanished. Avfritzed's face cramped after seeing such sight. However, she did not dodged and simply took the hit.
I thought that I have already got through, but my fist simply went through her transparent body. Did she not have a physical body in the first place? Unfazed, I delivered a kick to her chin right after I recovered my balance. But that too went through...
--Amazing, not even angels could break my barrier. However, for a simple worm.....no, a mere human to simply shatter it. My expectations of you were wrong human--
"I don't want your praise!! I wan't you dead!!"
--Fufufu~ I shall for that time. However, for now I must reward you for the amusement you gave me--
Avfritzed placed both of her hands on my cheeks and in an instant, I found her close to me. No, her lips locked mine. An unseeingly muscle like thing trespassed and invaded my mouth. Wrapping itself onto my tongue.
I tried pushing her away but my arms simply went through. How is able to hold me then?!! I struggled out but it was impossible. Then as minutes ticked by, Avfritzed finally lets go. A thin silver line connected our tongues as she separates from me.
--Truly unexpected, your lips were delectable than I thought--
"I don't care about that!! Just let go already!!"
--Very well--
Avfritzed let go of my face. As soon as she does that, I distanced myself from her. I wiped off my lips with my arm and glared at her. For a monster to do that thing to me..... I feel disgusted. I'll be brushing that off for a few days then...
--That is that then.... I have taken a considerable amount of time from you and it seems that my time her has been done as well. Hastur-sama will be freed eventually and in time I shall be taking that key from you, remember that--
As soon as she says that, her body disappeared like mist, living no trace of her behind... I'm glad that she disappeared already, since my body is about to lose conscious now. I'm already feeling hazy from the pain and i'm about to pass out now.
However, I still have something to do. It's something I've seen after [Magic Seer] skill was used. The throne of Hastur the yellow king. Has magic essence residing in it. From how it looks like, it has enough power to destroy this world.
A sinister bad idea popped up in my mind. I reached out my left on the throne and with that, I began my transmutation.
"I'll be taking this chair of yours your majesty"
*Throb-Throb*
The pain increased after I utter such phrase. However, I ignore that and continued my transmutation. Because of that, my concentration was being held back. But, I poured my all to complete my masterpiece. My means to make the being that reside in my arm insulted.
With [Metal Forging], [Mineral processing], [Soil conversion] and [Enchant] skill, I formed the throne into a eerily golden sword with a deep black pearl on it's star shape hilt. It's length was 180 cm long and 15 cm wide, a shape that resembles a bastard sword, such sword as created under the blindimg red light.... A sword named after the being that should not be named.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Elder-God-Blade of Hastur
Created under the power of the fiendish god that was sealed within the tower of stars that heights reaches the ends of the universe itself.
Effects: [Sea of thorn] skill, Invincibility, Eternal regeneration, Magnanimous Magic power, Darkness spirit, All stat boost 100x, Aura of despair, King's rule, Order of the king, Greater Elder Barrier, Demon God coercion, Madness invocation.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
"This sword will be the one that'll kill......you...."
My Mp emptied, I lost consciousness and fell down with a thud. The darkness slowly ate my existence, and with my body left defenseless, I have left for the eternal slumber that which will then take my life....
(EDITED)
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "10589",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 1 Ch. 7 – The wastelands and the refugee filled with people like me…..",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 2 CH. 15 - A Deal with a Demon Lord
PART #1
There was a married woman sitting before Kyoushiro with a very thin nightgown under his own top shirt he had just took off. She has long blonde hair and emerald jade colored eyes. Moreover, probably due to her being a mother of three daughters and two sons, she exudes a maturity and femininity that her look more attractive. Furthermore, she has long slender legs and a wide hip.
Surely enough, any man would jump at her the moment she entered his own room....
But Kyoushiro was different. Instead of sitting next to her like man who would take advantage of her weakness, Kyoushiro was standing up and leaning against the wall, four steps away from Raflesia.
He wasn't looking at Raflesia but rather, his eyes were looking straight outside the window. Kyoushiro was waiting for Raflesia to speak.
With his arms crossed, Kyoushiro waited patiently. Although he was tapping his right index finger on his arm, he was still patient.
"Hey, talk already"
But waiting for a whole hour now while the sense of drowsiness was kicking in since it was already late, Kyoushiro was losing his patience...
Hearing Kyoushiro's irritated voice, Raflesia's shoulders twitched. It seems that she was trembling the whole time and was scared to even say what she wanted to talk about.
It was only natural since she was begging a man, a Demon-Spawn, she naturally despise, to do a favor for her. If it were in a normal circumstances, then she wouldn't think of coming to his room.
But desperate times calls for desperate measures. She has no choice but to rely on Kyoushiro's power to help.
Raflesia then swallows her fears and raised her head.
"I wish for you to not kill my husband"
That was what she wanted to say. She, who was the wife of Pernicious Calladium, the person who kidnapped the Queen of Elves, was asking Kyoushiro to not kill her husband.
It was a foolish request to protect the life of the person she loves, but she would not just let anything happen to her beloved husband.
Kyoushiro's cheeks twitched as he heard that request.
"You were eavesdropping.....?"
"Yes.... I have to, in order to protect my husband"
"So you know where that bastard is?"
"........."
Raflesia nodded. Because she was helping her husband in his plans to make every elves a High Elf race, she knows well every but of Pernicious' plan.
Stating so meant that all this time, she was in contact with Pernicious the whole time.
"You...."
Kyoushiro grinds his teeth as he couldn't hide his anger at Raflesia.
"You were just making things harder for us.... Should I just drag you as you are now and toss you at the center of the town outside? Were you planning on turning this world into a dead planet?!"
"I didn't know what to do! My husband only said he would make things easier for us elves!!"
"And the price for that was the very world you guys live in...? Cut the crap!"
Even though Kyoushiro wasn't hell bent in saving Elfianna, this problem concerns Lucinda. Since she too lives in this world as well as their soon to be born child, letting the whole world die just for the sake of one race was too unreasonable.
For Lucinda and their child, Kyoushiro's anger was justified.
"You know what.... I wasn't really planning on helping but seeing you guys trying to better yourselves in the expense of other people's lives makes me sick"
A past memory came flashing back at Kyoushiro. It was when he was in middle school. During that time, he was doing a job that forced him distribute drugs from organizations to organizations. He was a lackey and his worth was only that off a dog.
Those men that hired him to do such job was no different from what Pernicious was doing. They were using others to better themselves and make their lives easier.
Remembering such thing gave a bad taste in Kyoushiro's mouth. But this time wasn't the right time to get angry. Because if he did so, he wouldn't be much different from those guys....
Damn it.... I just got boomeranged by myself... I feel stupid...
Kyoushiro collected himself as he shook of the unpleasant memories of his past.
"Haaaah..... damn it"
Kyoushiro spat out curses as he calms down.
"Alright"
"Eh?"
Raflesia let out a surprised "Eh?" as she suddenly heard Kyoushiro.
What did he just say?- Raflesia's reaction was just like that.....
"I won't kill Pernicious. I will recover the elf Queen and stop the Ascension of the elves but what comes after that is up to you guys"
Kyoushiro looked away with a face filled with annoyance. The fact that he was reminded that Lucinda and their soon-to-be-born child had to live in this world for a while made Kyoushiro accept, albeit reluctantly, the role being the hero once again.
Even though what Kyoushiro wanted was to stay out of this mess, it seems that seeing Raflesia, a wife and a mother, made Kyoushiro change his mind.
"T-Then....No, I'll do my best to help!"
"It doesn't matter whether you guys help or not. I still don't get why I haved to do it since I'm a Demon Lord, but I'll do my part regardless"
Kyoushiro just recalled that Shadow King Crats never did mentioned anything about why only a Demon Lord and destroy the spirit tree. Since the person himself was a Demon Lord, Kyoushiro doesn't understand as to why Shadow king Crats won't do it himself.
Was it due to having a relationship with Elfianna? No, the woman was already in danger since she was being held captive by Pernicious. He doesn't want to be the one that save her. Furthermore, he doesn't seem to want to appear before her as well.
There are still many questions left unanswered because of people that doesn't want to say anything.
Forcing the answers out was one way but in any case, this time force wasn't optional.
"Once this is all over, I'll have a nice long vacation with Lucinda. I'm to tired fixing someone else's mess"
Kyoushiro made a deep sigh as he gazed outside. Now that his mind was calm and his heart undisturbed, there was nothing that will change his choice...
"I see.... T-Then, as for the price of your s-service....."
"Hm?" When Kyoushiro heard Raflesia's flustered and nervous voice behind him, followed up by rustling noises near his bed, Kyoushiro mistakenly turned his head around.
"J-Just as Princess Lydia had stated.... Y-You will have me in exchange f-f-for your help...."
Laying on top of his bed was a naked elf woman. Her nightgown was neatly placed on a nearby dresser while she was alluringly inviting Kyoushiro with her wet emerald jade eyes.
Ralfesia was lying side ways, exposing her plump behind that had experience five births of children. Her upper half was being supported by her left arm on the bed with her right arm under her large breast, seemingly trying to emphasize and attract the frozen man before her.
Right, Kyoushiro was frozen stiff. Not his lower half but his whole body. His mouth left hanging open from shock and his cheeks twitching for some reason.
That's right, I forgot she listened to what we talked about earlier....
Again, Kyoushiro was reminded how absurd the people of this world...
-
It wasn't hard to chase away the horny elf away, the difficult part was sleeping right after seeing that. As a man, Kyoushiro got excited but even so, as he was a person that sticks to only the person he loves, witnessing and even getting invited by a gorgeous woman, there was no way he would just jump on the opportunity.
Rather, Kyoushiro spent a sleepless night after chasing away Raflesia.
It seems that after their loud discussion, one of Raflesia's daughters saw how Kyoushiro kicked Raflesia out of his room with only a blanket covering her.
Because of that, during breakfast, the hard and killing glare of Raflesia's Daughter, Rosemary Calladium, made it hard for Kyoushiro to eat breakfast.
He was even surprised at the fact Raflesia's family was joining them for breakfast even though there might come a time when they might kill each other.
Durif wasn't present as he was busy trying to get a ship that would take them to Paracellumn. Since every ship was sent to the elf capital two days ago, there was no available transportation except for horses.
Koizumi and Katsuto recommended to ride wyverns. Minami recommended land lizards but all were rejected. Both were quite a good form of transportation but since there was limited time, until midnight the next day according to Princess Lydia, it wasn't viable.
And so, currently in the afternoon, Kyoushiro was collecting as much as materials he could in the large space behind Pernicious' mansion. Ironically, the person himself was an enemy to the heroes.
"I know I said I'd help but I don't really need your help"
Kyoushiro was building a disposable airship. One that would be used for only one time and could be used as a weapon in case of emergency. A 3 meter long hull was standing behind Kyoushiro with bits and parts of magic engine furnace spread out around him.
Of course, Kyoushiro was doing everything by himself since no one can make a disposable airship right before tomorrow. But before him were a group of elven knights that was presenting to help.
"You guys are a bother so leave"
"Black Hero-sama!! Please me us help!! We promise to not bother you while you are working but please let us help!!"
"Can you guys set up a magic circuit diagram that let's the furnace output twice it's normal power to make the entire ship float? Can you guys make a anti-magic coating on the ship's exterior? Can you guys built a actuation device that systematically delivers data from one part to another?"
"No, of course not" Kyoushiro added grumpily. Because he was busy, he was still making parts from scratch, making him a bit annoyed by people trying to bother him.
Naturally, the magic ships that Kyoushiro built was on part with modern day airplanes. Since this world has magic and those things called "skills" it was possible for one to create anytime they want as long as they have the knowledge.
From what Kyoushiro gathered back in Ambrosia, it seems that there are even more rare materials in this world. Setting aside the ones found inside the world's crust and underground mineral deposits, a person with a creation type skill can make a better material themselves.
Kyoushiro being Kyoushiro, he made parts that resembles earth's industrial and commercial machines. If anything, what he makes are rarer than anything in this world.
Since skills and spells make it far easier to develop scientific devices in this world, Kyoushiro took advantage of that and created sophisticated magic artifacts that could even rival that of earth's advance technology.
Kyoushiro wasn't a genius but coming from someone who always does trial and error, Kyoushiro was just stubborn in making his life easier in this world.
"......."
The elf knight girls looked down, crestfallen. Because Kyoushiro doesn't want their help even though they were willing to do everything he says, they were still turn down.
And since they don't even have much experience in making a magic airship, they don't have any idea of what Kyoushiro just said.
Well in any world, what Kyoushiro mentioned doesn't exist. He only has it because he was the one that designed and developed it.
Kyoushiro returns to work once he finished talking to the elf knight girls.
But, just as Kyoushiro was returning to his work, he felt the space shift. The bright outside yard was suddenly replaced by a pitch black world. As though he just suddenly went from one place to another.
"You have come. As I have expected"
Kyoushiro heard someone's voice. Thinking that it sounded like he heard him before, he turned around and saw Shadow King Crafts, seated upon a throne, levitating in the dark space.
Kyoushiro squinted his eyes to look very closely at the Demon Lord of Shadows but due to the lack of light, there was barely even a shade of Hus face. Only his red eyes shined within the darkness.
"Where is this?"
"This is my world, Limbo. A place where souls of the dead stays until their memories of their lives is gone from their minds. An eternal dark world of madness"
As though presenting his very words, Kyoushiro's ears caught whispers around him. Curious, Kyoushiro used <Magic Seer> skill and peer into the darkness.
Although <Magic Seer> skill can only perceive magic energy from a being or an object, his eyes saw properly the things inside the dark space, Limbo. Just as Shadow King Crats have said, it was a pitstop for all souls.
Right now, each and every corner of the room, silhouettes of different kinds were hanging upside down. Their whispers were inaudible but their squirming showed the nightmares they were showing.
The souls might not have faces but for some reason, it felt like they were all wearing faces of despair and madness. They don't have eyes but Kyoushiro felt thousands of gazes were piercing through him.
Before Kyoushiro could succumbed into the dark influence of Limbo, he shut off his skill and glared at Shadow King Crats.
"You've got one nasty hobby"
"It is not I that wished to be here. My power to govern shadow is similar to what the Dark Lord could do. However, the only difference is that his darkness could not manipulate space. My power lead me here, not by choice but due to forces unknown"
Shadow King Crats waved his hand. In that moment, the pitched black space was turning into a cobbled castle. There were no lights and there were no windows. Only a large throne room where large black hole like drawing was widely spread on the floor.
At the center of that, was Kyoushiro.
"...... That's a nifty trick..."
Kyoushiro muttered as he looked around as much as he could but can only see so little due to the lack of lighting. Just like before, Shadow King Crats, sat on his throne with his red eyes glowing under the eternal darkness.
"As I have said, my power is different from the Dark Lord. We may have the skills under the same element but our abilities differs from one another"
Shadow King Crats can manipulate space while Dark Lord Trause could manipulate gravity. Just like how Trause tore off a large piece of land and had it rain down on the battlefield where Kyoushiro was fighting.
Kyoushiro recalls those incidents and couldn't believe that such thing was possible. Kyoushiro rarely checks his status nor he looks into his skills. Buy probably, there should a skill that can help manipulate gravity as well.
"I guess so. I mean, that guys actually just tore a plot of land and made a rock shower"
Kyoushiro spoke while maintaining his vigilance of his surroundings.
"So? Why am I here? You said you were expecting me right?"
"Yes. It's exactly as you've said. You've entered my world, young Demon Lord. As you've only been a Demon Lord for a four days, your power is still unstable"
"However, I am not here to give you a lecture" Shadow king Crats added while sounding a bit more serious than before.
"As I have told you. I am willing to give you anything you desire as long as you rescue Elfianna"
"Yeah and you also forgot to mention why only a Demon Lord could destroy an overgrown tree"
Kyoushiro made a sour face as he felt displeasure from being looked down by someone like Shadow king Crats. Although Kyoushiro thinks he could win against the Demon Lord of Shadows but inside a place where he can't see anything, the chances of winning was lower than 10%.
Aside from being able to see inside the darkness using <Magic Seer> skill, Kyoushiro wasn't sure if he could even deliver the decisive blow on Crats without losing a limb or two.
What's more, Kyoushiro was annoyed from the fact that Shadow king Crats withheld an information vital to the operation. Something like only a Demon Lord can destroy the spirit tree, was more important than getting a lecture on how to act more maturely.
Shadow king Crats' eyes narrowed. Kyoushiro suddenly felt a presence behind him.
"?!"
When Kyoushiro turns around, he said an alley he recognized so well he could even say how many times he have passed through there.
The cars that drive through the streets, the people walking idly by or to work and the sound of the bustling city.
It was there. The way back home.
Shadow king Crats showed him what he truly desired.
"You.... what is this...."
The thing you desired the most. A way back to your world"
"Ahhh..... it is...isn't it" Kyoushiro thought. It was that alley where Kyoushiro would pass through after working when he was still in middle school. Seeing the hand drawn graffiti and other trashlike names and signs, Kyoushiro couldn't deny that it was the very world he knows so well....
"How can you even do this......?"
"As I've said, my powers are similar to the Dark Lord but differs from his completely"
A power that can manipulate space and a power that can manipulate gravity. In this world, both skills are under the very same element, Darkness. But despite so, Shadow king Crats was exploiting his power so much that he could even up portals to other worlds.
Seeing such skill first hand, it couldn't believed that he hasn't even took over dimensions on his own. If he had done so, he would have been the strongest being in the world.
But...
"Thanks but no thanks"
"......."
Kyoushiro turned him down. It was the one thing that Kyoushiro wished so much in this world. Returning back to his world. But he has responsibilities in this world as the Black Hero and Lucinda and their child were still in this world. He couldn't leave them behind.
"Instead of that, I have proposition for you"
"A proposition... you say"
Instead of taking Shadow king Crats' offer, Kyoushiro turned him down and offered a deal to him. What that might be, Kyoushiro was showing a mad craze grin as he faced Shadow king Crats.
Seeing such thing, Shadow king Crats couldn't help but smile himself.
"Ahhh... this man is really the me of that world.....kukuku...." Shadow king Crats thought as he felt his body shiver with joy.
The two had similarities. Although the were born in different worlds in different times. Kyoushiro and Shadow king Crats were very much alike.
"Then, what is this proposition you speak of?"
In that moment as he said, Shadow king Crats' lips parted and showed white sharp fangs as he let out a wide grin.
Then Kyoushiro said in response.....
"I want----"
And so, as Kyoushiro made a deal with a Demon Lord, someone's fate was already sealed. From this point on, there was no need to hide in the shadows and hesitate. It was time for his plans to come into fruition....
PART #2
Paracellumn is the home for all elves. It's a large land filled with nature. Although housed were made of bricks, stones and sticks, the whole place was still surrounded by large trees. Some of those trees were hollow and were being used as buildings themselves.
In this place, the capital of Paracellumn, Yggdrasil, a large tree stood taller than all trees.
It was the Spirit tree.
"So this is the land of elves huh?"
"Yeah, its much more bigger than I thought"
"Isn't it supposed to be more majestic? I mean, it's the land of elves. There should be fairies and pixies you know?"
"This isn't a fairy tale Todoroki. Get your head out of the clouds"
At night. Under the pale glow of the full moon, Katsuto, Koizumi, Minami and Kyoushiro looks down from above.
They were currently on Kyoushiro's half-assed magic airship. A small fishing vessel size with a pair of fins on both sides of the hull. A special turbine was keeping the ship afloat, making it look like its sailing on top of clouds.
The four heroes looks down, ready to jump off.
"I did not expect Kagami-dono to make a magic airship this good in such a short time"
"It's disposable so it's only for one used. Once we enter the range, we'll go as planned"
Durif was along the passengers of the ship. Not only that, Elyria was with them as well as Edsel. Dahlia remained back in Calladium for this occasion. Although that part did caused a bit of a problem.
Equipped with high-end enchanted gears and weapons, the two elves, Elyria and Edsel walked on the deck of the ship.
They too came along this mission.
"I shall do my best to save her majesty"
"I'll help in anyway I can. You saved me after all, Kyou-san"
The two faced Kyoushiro, equipped with the gears Kyoushiro enchanted himself. [Valkyrie Armor - Brynhild] and [Robe of Ayleith - Mother's robe]. Both possed such names. The first one was the same armor that Elyria wears. However, it was enchanted to the point that it could even fight on the same level as a hero. It could even rival his own sword that Taiga stole [Demon Sword Lucifer - Dawn] which had the ability to destroy magic.
On the other side [Robe of Ayleith - Mother's robe] was more of a defensive gear. It was a pitch black tight body suit that shows Edsel's body line under its purple robe with a wing like insignia sewn behind it. It has the ability to amplify magic power, let it's user fly, deploy hundreds of barriers and heal it's user. It was even on part with his other sword in Taiga's possession [Angelic sword Ikaros - Dusk].
Since they were going all out this time, Kyoushiro made it so that the two would be safe even if the four heroes weren't around.
"I've thought this back then too but..... what's up with the things you make..."
Katsuto utters in disbelief. Even he was wearing something that Kyoushiro made. A full-plate magically enchanted armor. It has the defensive properties of a magic fortress that could repelled both physical and magic attacks. On both wrist of the gauntlets were two straps that was enchanted to store five types of weapons and five types of shield. Kyoushiro made it to suit Katsuto's class as a [Guardian].
[Magic Full Armor - Everest]
"Right, this chainmail and spear feels like it can put it's user into an enraged state...."
Koizumi smiled wryly as he flaunt the pitch black chainmail under his pure white vestment as well as the long Red lance on his hand.
The gear set that Koizumi was wearing had the same abilities as Katsuto's but this emphasize on speed and agility rather than strength and durability. It can increase one speed 10x its base stats and increases damage by 45% depending on how much the wearer wants it to increase. As for the lance, it was about 2 meters. It was a large lance used for jousting on horseback. However, this lance was far more stronger than the spear that Koizumi uses. It's name was [Blood Weaver Spear - Arachnea Lance], specialized in drinking the blood of its victims and used the blood like a thread and form strong and near indestructible thin wires than can slice anything it touch.
The spear enhances the user's accuracy, speed and power. It's even strong enough to destroy a large iron gate in on trust. Kyoushiro was very proud by it. By the way, the gear set that Koizumi was wearing was name [Fool's suit - Reaping joker] a sort of pun of a name intended to make fun of Koizumi. Though the one wearing it felt that the get set was not something to laugh at. He liked it after all.
"Right, this clothes are just something.... "
What Minami was wearing was the [Dark Saint garb - Defiler] magical set of dress similar to a nun's habit. However this clothes enhances healing skill's effectiveness and the wearer's healing ability. It can deploy magic shields in case of surprise attacks and sprouts dark wings that retaliates with poisonous feathers. It's name [Defiler] came from one of the 72 demon's of Solomon, Valak, to spite Minami. Kyoushiro was still hang up about the time she just ignored him and couldn't get inside Pernicious' mansion.
It went to say that when Minami heard the name, she hit Kyoushiro with her magic staff.
"While the ship is disposable as you say, what we'll be doing at this high up?"
Durif asked the most obvious question. The ship was around 15,000 ft above Yggdrasil. If they were planning on landing anytime soon, it won't be long before the Ascension of Elves spell were to activate.
At this time, Pernicious might be finishing the spell construction itself.
Kyoushiro then looks back the capital below and smiled.
"We'll just make a bit of distraction"
"Distraction? What do you-"
Durif's were cut when the ship suddenly tilted forward. Feeling that sudden shift, everyone suddenly leaned onto something for support.
Kyoushiro remained standing.
As Kyoushiro have said, the ship itself was disposable. Although the plan consist of four heroes, one knight, one mage and one guide, they didn't have to use the ship to travel in the sky and wait until the moon was up.
The ship was disposable per se but wouldn't it be better to cause a distraction first and flush out Pernicious? Raflesia lost contact with her husband and seeing as there were no news coming from the capita anyway, its already assumed that the capital was in some kind of state of emergency.
Wouldn't it be good to start a commotion first before rescuing the Queen? No, wouldn't be better to make some space before everything started?
Kyoushiro thought so and had the magic engine last only for a few hours.
Slowly, the ships began to descend....
"Y-Y-You bastard!! Are you trying to kill us!!!?"
Katsuto shouted as he firmly planted his feet on the floor.
"This time is no joke!! We'll die here Kagami!!"
"Kyaaaaaaa!!!!? I don't want to die yet!!!"
Koizumi and Minami both supported each other in panic. The little girl who held her cap down as the ship descends parabolically, screams as tears flew out from her eyes.
Kyoushiro ignores them. Behind him, Elyria was holding onto the railings with Durif, while Edsel was chanting in a very low voice.
-
The ship nears the capital in breakneck speed. Without much bright light around the capital, they couldn't see much. But tonight was a full moon. Although there were clouds here and there, with the light of the full moon. they can see what's in the sky...
The guards of the tall walls surrounding Yggdrasil were looking above. Because they don't know what kind of object was falling from the sky, they didn't know how to react.
That was until someone brought out a telescope.
Immediately after that, sounds panic rang as the emergency bell was sounded multiple times.....
-
Elfianna was held captive. Her hands were tied with chains and her ankles were lock on the wall.
The moon was beautifully shining above. The spirits were happily dancing under the moonlight like fireflies.
At the center of the top of the Spirit tree, a large beacon made of a pure magic crystal, stood highly at the center.
That was Spirit tree seed. The thing that was saved when Shadow king Crats destroyed Yggdrasil hundreds of years ago. The size were about 6 meters tall with a diameter of 3 meters.
It was a pillar shape beacon with an angled tip.
Pernicious, along side a couple if elder eves were standing behind the Spirit tree seed.
"Soon, we shall regain our honors true high elf beings!!" Pernicious grandly announced in front of his guest.
"Today we shall see the world atop of this tower the gods and goddesses have given us! The Spirit Tree shall be our husk as we evolved into our divine forms!!"
The elder elves smiled in expectancy as they couldn't wait to belong among the High elves. The elders, who's forms were only that of an ordinary elves, although aged, were brimming with vigor as they watch the events unfold.
Because only women can become a high elf, the males were left getting sidelined. The royalty were decided with only high elf blood inside them. The Moon dance ceremony was one of the ritual used to ascend as a high elf however, only females get to participate in such rituals.
It was unknown why only female elves can become high elves. Even if they date back to the first elf ever to be born, no elven men were recorded being a high elf.
Because of this, some thought that only elven women were loved by the gods and goddesses. Because the women of the elf race were all extremely beautiful and attractive, the men thought they were the ugly side of the elves.
Not anymore. Because with this, all elves will ascend equally as high elves. They would rule the races as divine beings that could control nature and elements. Becoming demigods of the world they live in.
They believed that only at such level that males shall be allowed to have the equal love the female elves have from the gods and goddess.
But as Pernicious was giving his speech, a loud explosion rang behind them.
"What was that!?"
Pernicious yelled as he ran towards the edge and tried to find the source of the commotion. Then there, a few kilometers outside if the Spirit tree circle, around the first all, the commoners' area, a stream of smoke was flying up high.
Fires were starting to appear and spread. After that, a series of explosions came.
Hearing such things, Elfianna showed a smile.
"So they have come.... once again, this city will...." Elfianna thought as she gazed passed the elderly elves behind Pernicious and the edge of the spirit tree.
Because this has happened before in the past, destroying the Spirit tree comes at a great price. The whole land surrounding it will be barren for another hundred of years until a new Spirit tree comes sprouts.
There was no way the Spirit tree could survive this time. After all, Kyoushiro was with the heroes. If it was him then it was possible to burn down a Spirit tree in order to stop the spell from activating.
"Fufufu.... if only that man was here.... I...."
Elfianna's consciousness was flickering. Although she was fine, it seems that she was afflicted by some sort of spell that makes one unable to wake up or stay conscious.
Her memories of Shadow King Crats passed through her thoughts as she remembers the short yet happy times in her life. It was truly short for a human being, especially for Shadow King Crats of the past. But there some things that should be let go.
They parted with the thought of making each other unhappy as they lived a married life. One had a limited lifetime while the other could go on about a thousands years or so. It was one short lived love for an elf and a lifetime for a human.
But still....
"I could have handled this better in the past"
She regretted the fact that she intentionally let Pernicious do as he pleased. Although there have been obvious dissatisfaction among the elder elves as well, she merely turned a blind eye to it.
And so, in front of her eyes were the people who were wishing the absurd for their own selfish gains.
"Damn!! It is that bastard Demon-Spawn again!!"
Pernicious cursed as he watched countless explosions erupted within the confines of the first wall. Fires were eating every houses there was in the vicinity and the number of explosions increased the more the intruders comes near.
Furthermore, it was heading to the center of the capital city, The spirit tree.
"How much of a blunder did that idiot Demon Lord do!? Killing those heroes wouldn't even taken much time, just where us he?!"
No one knew that Dark Lord Trause have died. No one even knew of what kind of outcome happened when Dark Lord Trause blindly flee into the direction where the Black Hero and the other heroes were. Not even how Kyoushiro gained the power to evolved and have turned into a Demon Lord himself.
Truthfully, before all of these events happened, Pernicious made contact with Dark Lord Trause in the past. It was long ago, even before Dark Lord Trause destroyed Aurolius.
They made a deal back then. In order for one to rule the world, the other will helped them.
Such deal then lead to how Pernicious ended up becoming the lord of Calladium. Edsel's persecution, the great discrimination of races and ousting Elfianna using Lydia, their niece.
Everything lead to this day but Dark Lord Trause did not appear to hold his end of the deal.
That was to prevent anyone that would ruin this special occasion.
But right now, the Black Hero and his band of weaklings, were heading towards the Spirit tree. Another set of explosion erupted.
"Gaaaaah!!! Get every elf Knight out and kill those intruders! Use everything to kill them!!"
Pernicious ordered so, enraged, at the elder elves. Those old men then nodded and used a special kind of handheld magic artifact to contact the subordinates under them.
Of course, since there was about 13 elder elves there, the number of their minions were nothing short of a thousand or so each. With that, it would be possible to fend off the attacks caused by Kyoushiro and the others.
"Tsk! Since when did they have such artifacts?!" Pernicious clicked his tongue as he irritatedly looked at the elder elves used a handheld device, a rectangular object that has metallic gleam, in front of him.
There was no such thing ever created in this capital.
"Nevermind, I still need to complete the spell" Pernicious thought, forcing his hard beating heart to settle down.
The Spell, [Ascension of the Elves] is a grand spell that needs a large quantity of magic power drawn from the world. Using that, they could take every magic power in every parts of the world and directed them only at the Spirit tree.
However, there was something that the Spirit tree cannot absorb. It was the pure essence of miasma that only Demon Lords let's out to protect themselves.
Because miasma is the corrupted version of magic power, it is poison to the Spirit tree.
Shadow King Crats used the miasma inside his body to corrupt the land and the Spirit tree, making Yggdrasil uninhabitable for a hundred years. Because of that, the elves living in Yggdrasil before moved to other parts of Paracellumn along with their families.
But this time, there was no Demon Lord. There was no way the [Ascension of Elves] would fail once more. That's right, there was no failure this time.
With those thoughts in his mind, Pernicious stepped forward, in front of pillar crystal.
Then he muttered words in ancient elvish tongue. Slowly, light rose up from the bottom of the pillar.
"Finally, I'll be a god...."
With a bright wide crazy smile on his face, Pernicious spread his arms as though welcoming his new life as a god.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "56307",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 2 CH. 15 – A Deal with a Demon Lord",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 1 Ch. 1 - A new world, a cursed power and the cursed color.....
Part 1#
Ugh...... My body feels so heavy.... Like being fatigued too much that the body itself began to lose its strength. I remember the first time I felt this lethargic. I think it was around that time I got part-time jobs too much and completely collapsed due to over exertion and exhaustion. I also got admitted due to being anemic because of overworking. In the end I quit those jobs and focused on a single one instead.
Ah.... this is no time to think about those things.....
I opened my heavy eyelids and forced my lethargic body to sit up straight. Then, from my blurred vision, I saw things with my own eyes. Brick walls filled with moss, torches hanged on the wall illuminating the massive room me, no, and we were in. The ceiling was shaped like a dome with various markings carved on it. Those were....... the same things that appeared earlier in the classroom... I wonder what those are.....
"H-Heroes!! This world needs your help so pl---aaahh!!!? A d-demon spawn has entered!!!?"
Around to my right was a man in weird clothing, trying to beg for help but screamed when he saw me. Saying like I’m a demon spawn or something. Though I don't know what that is, he is extremely rude. Still, his face was dyed in fear. His screams were heard by men in knight armors and went and charged against me. Halberds were pointed against my throat. I felt chills run down my spine as if telling me that the situation was dangerous for me to move.
The other students that were dragged along to this unknown place all started to woke up due to the noise the knight armour -wearing men.
"O-Oi!!! What are you guys doing?!!! Where is this!!? Where am I?!!"
Oh? It seems that my classmate, Kazuki Makuro woke up as well. His disheveled orange blonde hair was swaying around as was panicking, trying move into a corner. The other students were waking up as well.... However it seems that they were in the same state as I was earlier. Am I this weird one since I’m still calm despite having sharp halberds pointed at me?
Later, the ones that woke up panicked as well and threw quite a fit that the soldiers were unable to do something to calm them down. But, my teacher calmed them down.
Shizuka Inomiri, she has black hair and wore glasses. A strict and well organized person as well. She's young compared to the other teachers back at school. Also, Inomiri-sensei is our new teacher since the previous one got fired due to having sexual relations with his students. The students of that time changed schools as well so the news about didn't quite spread much.
It was back at my first year in school as well so I hardly, even remember their faces.
Quite some time passed and those who fell asleep after their tantrum where taken straight to their rooms. The ones that were still fine after that was me, Inomiri-sensei, Todoroki-san and few of the classmates that didn't threw a fit. We were led through the large halls of the bricked walled building. If this were the medieval times, I think it'd be called 'castle's right?
I don't quite understand but the soldiers leading us to some place were very wary of me. Whenever I tried to do something, they always raised their weapons against me. Because of that I was really tired of not doing anything besides walking. Who would’ve thought that I’d that tired just by not moving?
I doesn't matter so I’ll leave it be for now.
"We have arrived"
Heh~ that some big door. There were guards standing beside it when we arrived. Further, the man leading us pushed the huge door with his thin arms. Eh? It didn't even touch so why did it move? Earlier, I felt some kind of wind when he pushed that door, I wonder what it is. I heard strange murmurs from my classmates in the back, saying "Ah!! It's wind magic!!" and magic exist in this world!!"
Hmm.... Magic huh? Kind of like those card tricks often shown on TV? I don't quite understand why they thought something incomprehensible such as magic exists. Isn't just quick hand gestures to create an illusion, fooling those who can't perceived the speed of hand tricks magicians do? Well, at any rate, it doesn't seem dangerous to me so I’ll leave it alone.
"His majesty, the king and her highness, queen Travestin, waits!!"
Uunn...... kind of medieval-like kind of feel. I don't read much fiction but even I can tell that their way of talking is quite old. And wait, Travestin? There isn't a royalty in earth having that sort of surname. I don't know if this is either England or Britain since the medieval like feel is there, but I’m thinking that my thoughts are on the wrong track. After all, from the incident back at the classroom and the thing that happened to me earlier as well as now.
Moreover, when we passed through the corridors I saw it through the open windows the outside. There were mountain range in front of this place, the city with tiled roofs and wooden and cement body structure, furthermore pigeon like things were flying through the morning sky.
That was earlier. I don't know where I am but I need to go back. This place is too unknown to me, even if I leave this place, I might just get lost.
"Rambeit!! What is a demon-spawn in the castle!!? Seize him at once!!!"
When the group walked towards the well-dressed old man, together with a very beautiful young woman, the old man suddenly got mad. The soldiers again surrounded me with their halberds. They were all glaring at me. I raised my hand as to say that I won't do anything and with that, the person who guide us, uh... Rambeit-san stood in front and explained the situation to the old man. Wait, he's the king right? So that explains the crown and throne.
"I see...... he is one of the summoned heroes huh?"
"Yes"
Approximately 30 minutes passed after Rambeit-san explained everything to the king, the tension subsided and the soldiers were ordered to stand down. Inomiri-sensei was surrounding as well but different from me, she was just surrounded by those men. There might've an ulterior motive in those people's eyes, so that must be why, Inomiri-sensei felt shivers down her spine. Well, I don't really care either way. What I need to do is that to find out a way to back. I'm already getting a bad feeling after seeing their reaction towards me. So really want to go back now.
"I apologized for my actions hero-dono. It is just that, black hair and eyes are features depicting the coming of the demon god Avfritzed. I hope you can forgive our disrespectful act towards you"
Black hair and eyes huh..... Certainly that is my features but, Inomiri-sensei has dark hair and blue eyes. I wonder if they have some sort of law against us people with dark hair and eyes.
"Demon god? This isn't earth?"
"Yes, this world is different from yours. In this world, there are multiple gods, along with it is the demon god Avfritzed. She has power to destroy the whole world with just the tip of her finger. Under her rule are those demon lords that try to take over our lands and murder our people. That is why we needed your help hero-samas"
The queen was the one that replied to me. Her young appearance doesn't match her aura surrounding her. That might be just the aura of royalty. It's heavy for me and seems like authority wise, I shouldn't go against her.
Anyway, their stories continued like this....
13 Demon lords were fighting among themselves to conquer lands for their domain. Because of that indiscriminate killing, various races were caught up and got killed. Some survived by just running away but, because demon armies were far more powerful, escaping to safe havens were practically impossible. Human countries were being conquered as well and as of now, around 12 countries out of 20 had already fallen in the hands of the demon lords. As it was already dire times, the senate of kingdoms made a decision demanding the use of summoned heroes. In order to fight for survival of their country, each kingdom would summon their own heroes but, unexpectedly, other than this kingdom, others failed in their summoning. Because no one knows the truth about why the other countries weren’t able to summon heroes from other worlds, they decided that when the hero would be summoned, the 8 kingdoms will help in strengthening that hero, but.....
"Having 18 heroes summoned altogether here is quite a surprise. Who would have thought that we would have such surplus of fighting forces?"
"Your majesty, I think it would best to divide the heroes and have those heroes sent to the remaining 8 kingdoms. This will turn into a diplomatic dispute if it were known that we successfully summoned heroes"
"Yes, you are right my queen. The kings of Reznal Empire, Mazral kingdom and Seifield holy empire won't take this matter lightly. Then, have messengers sent to all remaining kingdoms that the hero summoning was a success and we will be dividing them and sent to the respected lands of the remaining 8 kingdoms"
""""Yes!!""""
Just like that, the whole situation turned rather serious. After the king's order, the soldier began to move and execute the commands given to them. However, after hearing the separation of her students, Inomiri-sensei refused to cooperate.
"I can't let my students handle such dangerous tasks!!"
"Hero-sama, this is a matter to save this world, I would wish for your coo---"
"This is your world not ours!! Why would such young children have to face dangerous tasks like going to war? They are just kids!!"
For such a teacher to be so concerned about her students, this is quite a sight. Anyway, Inomiri-sensei protested that her students should not go to war and demanded to be returned immediately. The king and queen both glanced at each other and sighed deeply. Then, with a sorry filled look, the queen spoke....
"Sadly, we don't have the power to do so"
"What?! Why?! Surely you can bring us here but, can't you return us the same way?"
"We can't. As to why it is, it is not us that summoned you, it is the goddess Templehs that took you from your world and to this one. We merely opened our doors so that you can enter, but, without the goddess' will, we cannot opened the gate again"
Was that how it was? My mind was filled with hopelessness from being unable to return home. The same goes for the others that were present. All those who have heard that they can't return unless they fight all lost their strength began to whimper in fear. Despair rose and the grave truth of reality that will never let us return, all those unable to believe it, all fell on their knees.
"T-This is.....impossible...."
"Mama....papa...."
"No..... I...I want to back..."
Such were their cries, woeful and tormented. Not being able to return, being stranded in an unknown lands, normal students felt despair and grieved for such horror to end.
"We will fight!!!"
But.....
"If we can't return unless we fight, then we will fight!!"
Taiga Kurosawa.... A boy with fiery red head and strong willed crimson eyes stood in front and said such words.
"Everyone!! This people need our help, and we won't be able to go home if we can't help them. As long as we do our part, we can go home!! So don't get discourage, rise up and fight!!"
His speech filled with hope for his classmates, made them realized that there was still a way to go back to our country. With such words, the crest fallen students rose up and took stance with courage filled eyes.
We can go home.... Their thoughts were filled as such. One by one, the students were walking near Taiga, making their own decision with resolute hearts.
"I'm with you Taiga!!"
"Me as well!!"
"We can go home after this right? I'll be enjoying my time this world for now!!"
"Idiot!! What are you even trying to say?!"
"We'll fight together right Taiga?!"
"Ou!!! We are heroes chosen by the goddess of this world!! we will survive and go back home!!"
"OOOOOUUUUU!!!!!!!!"
The hall was resounded by the students’ shout of resolve. Every one of them didn't thought of anything but following Taiga's lead. Not one of them was thinking that to fight means to kill someone. I'm sure Inomiri-sensei was thinking this as well. Her face was pale as she was watching her students ending up to be murderers of this world. Taiga is...... well, in a word, a biased idiot. Filled with righteousness and thoughts of leading his classmates to safety, he doesn't think of the things he was about to do after declaring himself a hero.
Tsk..... I won't fall for such idiocy. But, if this world really has to fight wars against each other, I can't help it but, i need to get stronger to defend myself. Even if I do join their idiotic crusade, I might just die on the side.
"Are those your real thoughts, hero-dono?"
"Yes!! For us to go home, we shall fight to save this world"
"Fumu, what is your name brave hero?"
"Taiga kurosawa your majesty"
"Then Taiga-sama, I hope you and your fellow heroes this world from the graps of the demon god"
"We won't let you down!!"
This idiot..... Can't he see that sensei was trying to avoid this outcome? Can't be help, the only good thing about him is only his face after all. He has no brains to think things through...
After such exchanged, Inomiri-sensei walked to Taiga's side, and begged him to think of another way to go home...
"I'm sorry sensei, but this is the only way we can go back quickly"
"Don't you realize the danger all of your classmates have to face? Think this through Kurosawa-kun, the lives of your classmates rest within your hands"
"They chose to fight with me. I promise that I will make sure none of them will lose their lives"
This guy..... He didn't even try to think about it... Seriously, he is still trying to hide his real face from this situation? I know that he has ulterior motives. Because this is a different world, he can do what he wants whenever he wanted. With the title of being a hero, I bet he'll use it to get his ways in this world.
Back then, I accidentally saw him with a girl from a different school. It was already night and they were having the time of their life in a back alley. He has goons along with him as well that day. I don't know what happened to the girl afterwards since it was just a coincidence that I found them there.
Still, like I said earlier, I can't trust the people around me. All of them have ulterior motives. Just like...... what happened that day...
.
.
.
"Kagami-kun?"
"Eh?"
I flinched when my name was called. Inomiri-sensei was there standing in front of me, asking if I was alright. The eyes of my classmates were drawn to me. Like their seeing nothing but garbage, all of them were glaring at me.
"Are you alright? You look pale"
"No, I’m fine Inomiri-sensei. Just got scared is all"
After that, we were led for dinner after the talk with the king and queen. When we’re eating, the maids were scared to get near to me so I just served my own and let them serves the others. I know that my hair and eyes are black. Because of this world referring it as a cursed color, they are scared of it.
Unfortunately, I was the only one in the group with such hair. Wait, come to think of it were my classmates had such colorful hair even back in that world? Now that I thought about it, my classmates were really colorful.....in a literal sense.
I avoided the fact that there was no hair restrictions back in our school as well so that might be why I can't remember my classmates having black hair.
"U-Um...."
"?"
A girl with black hair came near me. Wearing the same clothes as the maids do, I suspect that this girl is obviously a maid as well. In her hands were a pitcher of water and glass on the other. Nervously trying to pour the transparent liquid on my glass, the girl stared at me.
Hm? Black?
"H-Here is y-your water, hero-sama"
"Un....thanks"
I guess that she is the same as me huh? Black hair and eyes, the queen noticed that I got my thoughts right just nod and smiled.
"It is as you think hero-sama"
"She's a demon-spawn like me, right?"
"That is correct"
Place a piece of meat in her mouth, the queen chewed slowly and swallowed silently. She then continued her talk, after she drank a glass of red wine.
"This world indeed, condemns those who possess such colors. From those who see the color black as a shadow of the demon god, all fear such color"
"Isn't it just baseless fear?"
"Is what you think but, this world has different culture than yours he-- forgive me but, saying 'hero-sama' in a single person is hard since there are 18 of you. Can I please hear your name?"
In a seductive like gaze, the queen pleaded to know my name. I looked at the king to see his approval, then after seeing him nod, I breathe in slightly and answered the queen's plea.
"It is Kyoushiro Kagami, your highness"
"Kagami-sama.... un, Kagami-sama. Then, continuing our talk---"
.
.
.
.
.
Haah...... I don't know how long we talked during dinner. Was the queen that curious about earth? She even asked my personal background.... Each time she asks a question, I always glance at the king. Unusually, he understood my thoughts and just looked at me saying like 'let her indulge for now' with his expressions.
The dinner even became lively when the king's sons and daughter came. Taiga, in particular went for the pink haired princess. Todoroki had the prince with blonde hair talked to her. Inomiri-sensei had men with handsome features flocking towards her. The other students were having fun as well. Of course, the merriment wasn't to my taste so I silently left the place and had a maid take me to my designated room.
I didn't quite care about the food or the hospitality they have shown us. It is the things I need to know about this world to survive. If I have to stay in this place, I’ll have to take the roughest path to return home. Even if I had to stay alone even in this world, I’ll have to.
Watching the full moon of this world inside the room I was given, I silently closed my eyes and slept soundly through the night.......
Part #2
The silent night filled the halls with cold air. Under the starry sky of the darkened night, a single room was being illuminated by light. Inside was an old man with visage of a king sat in a seat at the very end of the rectangular table. Beside him was a young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. In contrast to the old man, her clothes only consist of a night gown hidden under a purple mantle.
This was the king and queen that Kyoushiro had met earlier; ruling over the kingdom of Travestin, King Vardik Elladon Travestin and the queen, Lady Lucinda Aluferd Travestin.
However....
"My daughter, it seems that you had interest in that one hero. You had quite a smile at that time"
The truth was that Lucinda was merely pretending to be the queen. Actually, the real queen was ill and was bedridden for the whole day. Because the princess has the same appearance as the queen when she was younger, the princess acted as the queen's double. Well, it was only for today so it would be announced later when the queen returns to her usual self.
"It is not like that father. It is just that I found him quite a person"
"What do you mean?"
"I heard from the guards that accompanied them, Kagami-dono was the only person being well guarded with swords pointed at his neck. Also, when they were first summoned, unlike those who have panicked and fainted, he was the only person who stayed quite. Even earlier, when his fellow heroes decided to fight, only him remained silent with a face as if trying to figure out the situation himself"
It seems that the princess had seen through Kyoushiro's silent face. Although he was trying to hide the fact that he was somewhat frustrated about the outcome that Taiga had made, it seems that it was easily seen through by the princess.
"Hoh~ this is the first time I had seen such smile on your face, Lucinda"
"Eh? R-Really? Was I smiling the whole time? Did Kyoushiro-sama saw it?"
"'Kyoushiro-sama' huh? I thought you called him 'Kagami-sama'?"
With a tease from her father, Lucinda had her face bright red. Tried to hide it with the hem of her mantle but it was still obvious that he was happy because Lucinda was fidgeting all over.
The king sighed because of her daughter's pure innocence. But, by no means had he acknowledged the hero, Kagami Kyoushiro yet. Just like a normal father, the king was wary over the fact that a cursed person was mixed in the summoned heroes. Even though they were told that it was a normal appearance back in the heroes' world, he still worried that something bad may befall his country.
"Your majesty, I have brought Inomiri-sama and Kurosawa-sama as you requested. The magic instructor, Alfred-sama and the sword arts instructor, Gaius-sama are here as well"
A maid knocks and enters after she had announced that she had brought the people she was instructed to bring. First to the two summoned heroes, Shizuka Inomiri and Taiga Kurosawa both were bewildered about why they were called at such late hour.
Next were two men. The first one was a gentleman look and the other, a savage barbarian. The first one was Albert Myunella Rafon, Travestin kingdom's court magician. Raised by a noble within the capital, Albert became a young prodigy in magic since he was young. Later on, having graduated in the famous Academy in Lumbrant kingdom in north, Albert became the court magician after he was recruited as a court magician at the age of 19.
The last one was Gaius Kalbern Zeios. A person that outlived countless battlefields and the master of sword arts technique handed down to his family over the last few generations. His figure was a bulging lump of muscle with lime green hair and amber coloured eyes. Although it could not be seen through his thick clothing, he has numerous battle scars on his body, enough to view at as the curse of war.
Both entered after Inomiri and Taiga. Exchanging glances with each other, they proceed to greet the king in courteous manner.
""Good evening your majesty, your highness""
"Good evening, all of you may sit down. There is something we must discuss"
""""Yes"""""
.
.
.
.
.
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"You want me and Gaius to instruct them with sword arts and Magic arts?"
Now seated, Albert reconfirms what the king had wished for them to do.
"That is right. In three months’ time, the 18 heroes will be divided into pairs and sent to the remaining 8 royal families. Because of the numbers we unexpectedly received, each two heroes will fight and defend the country they will be sent to"
In this world where 8 royal families in the continent that survives from the previous twenty kingdoms., due to the 13 demon lords' constant attacks and wars against each other, many races have fallen and were sacrificed in the bloody war of the demon lords.
Among the 8 countries were the Elven country in west, the beast country in the east and the dwarves in the south. These countries have resources that needed to be preserve in order to survive. The elves provide magical items, the beastmen and demi-humans provide strength in war times and the dwarves maintain the sharpness and improve the weapons every race use. As of now, they are the races which are too important to let go. In order to not lose their trust, Travestin kingdom would deliver two heroes in each country after three months of training.
Specifically speaking, the heroes would fight to protect the kingdom they were placed in. That was why Albert and Gaius were needed, both specialized in their own field and the best instructors that the Travestin kingdom could offer.
However, hearing such plan, Inomiri disagreed.
"I can't agree with that. Without proper supervision, those kids might lose their lives. Even if we say they train, their mind-set is still to our former world. If it's murder, I doubt that they'll be able to walk up with their heads held high"
It is true since; after all, living a normal life on earth was already engraved in them. Saying they fight and they kill their enemies, they'll lose their spirits and could fall in utter despair due to taking a life. It'd be already hard to make them kill monsters with their own hands since there was no such thing back on earth.
Still, the king could not let the heroes fight unprepared. As such...
"Please don't worry Inomiri-sama. Your students have been given power but the goddess when they have entered this world"
"Power?"
"Yes, in each hero, there is a mark called 'Hero sign'. It is a mark that holds the power given to them by the goddess. In order to utilized their full potential, I have called for the best magic and sword instructor in my country"
Hearing such thing, Taiga lifts up his right sleeve up to his shoulder and there, was a mark where a sword was place. It painted silver and as light shines upon it, it glimmer as if it were lighting up on its own.
"This thing?"
"Yes, that is the mark. But, as expected of Taiga-dono, to be give such a brilliant mark, you truly are a hero chosen by the goddess"
Saying so, Albert stood up and took a piece of card from his front pocket. Its size is that of a new year's post cards so it was a little big. Then, Albert walked up to Taiga's side and placed the card on top of the mark and chanted something.
"------------Appraisal"
With that sole word, the card shone brightly. Then, with flickering lights as after effects, the light dims and disappear a short while after.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Taiga Kurosawa
17 yrs. old
Male --Human-- --Paladin-- --Level 10--
Skills: Language acquisition, Appraisal, Heaven might, Bright slash, Limit break, Light sword, Speed up, Heal, God strike, Angelic thrust, Boring thrust of light, roar of the hero, spirit light, Power linking.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
With such information written, Taiga was shock with his eyes wide opened. Albert just nodded as if the information written was natural. Same goes with Gaius' reaction as he was standing behind Taiga.
"This is......"
"That is the 'Status card' given to every adventurer that registers in a adventurer guild. It holds the needed information that is often presented to the identification office so that adventurers are able to enter towns, villages and cities without any problem"
Taiga was surprised. He wasn't even listening to Albert's explanation. He was only reading the information written in the status card.
Hero--- Although it was only in level 10, the stats written on it were all 100. Not were even below and as for his skills, all needed for a swordsman to use such techniques.
His grin was well hidden, not even Inomiri was able to notice. I am a hero. I will defeat the demon lords and rule this world. Kukuku.... Taiga was laughing internally. With such desire, he would make all women his and men bow down to him.
Such were the thoughts...... running through his mind....
.
.
.
.
.
Later, after Taiga receives his status card, he was now free to go back to his room. Inomiri was the one left with Albert, Gaius, the king and Lucinda.
Inomiri was an 'Arch Mage' in her status card. Making Albert smiled happily when he saw such information. Gaius sneered at Albert's ridiculous expression, which led to a quarrel that was similar to bickering of children.
The king have them leave due to making too much of a racket in the middle of the night so Inomiri, the king and Lucinda was the only one left in the room.
"Seriously, those two always fight like kids. Well, they are brought together like brothers so it's just sibling fight"
The king only sighed silly as he was massaging his head with his right hand.
"So, why do I have to stay your majesty?"
Inomiri inquired since she was obviously made to stay for some reason. The king of course, answered her inquisition with honesty without holding any ill intent. It is just that, Lucinda spoke first before her father could move his mouth.
"It is to let you decided who will go to which country, Inomiri-sama"
"Eh? Choose?"
"That's right; we wanted you to choose who will be going to which country since they are your students. Of course we will not pressure you to answer quickly since the matter will be discussed before the three months of training"
Choose huh....??---- Inomiri was thinking about it with a heavy heart. After all, they were the first class she held after she was accepted as a new teacher back in their world. Even if she was just a substitute for the arrested teacher that previously held that class, she still thought she needed to be serious about it.
But, choosing who goes where? As a teacher she couldn't do such thing. Would be wise to do to such thing?
"But...."
"I know what you wanted to say but, we don't have any choice but to rely on the power of your students. If we weren't in such situation, we would not be even doing the hero summoning"
If it not for the demon lords that wishes destruction all over the world, no one would even think of performing the hero summoning. But, as desperate time’s calls for desperate measures, it was unavoidable conclusion to use heroes from different world.
Still, this was for the good of his country as well. With those thoughts in mind, the king profusely begged for Inomiri's help.
"I understand. But, I want to make sure that someone would supervise them when they are to transfer to different countries. I don't want to see my students drenched in blood of their own"
"Very well.... I admire your spirit as their teacher Inomiri-dono; you care for your students. So please keep watching them as they grow as heroes that will save this world"
After that exchange, Inomiri-sensei left. All that was left was the king and his daughter. Though without them knowing a black haired lad was listening outside the door the whole time. Listening to their conversation; with eyes not holding its color of black, it dimmers and lost its colors.
It was Kyoushiro. After waking up due to a sudden urge for the bathroom, he roamed the dark halls light-less and got lost from his travels. After that was he stumbled upon the meeting with Taiga, Inomiri, the king and queen an Albert and Gaius. Hearing the talk about dividing them into groups, Kyoushiro took a bit of look inside. What he saw was Taiga with an evil grin on his face. When saw such face, Kyoushiro felt chills run down his spine. Then, as he waited, Albert and Gaius left along with Taiga.
That was when he saw Taiga halted his steps and uttered....
"I'm the hero.......and with that said, I’ll have this bowing their heads to this great me"
Watching such a person saying that with an evil grin plastered on his face Kyoushiro could only pretend as a plant on the wall, making no sounds whatsoever. Then, as he watches Taiga slowly left the area, Kyoushiro breathe out heavily with words coming out from him....
"This world......just literally brought on a monster......."
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "8989",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 1 Ch. 1 – A new world, a cursed power and the cursed colour…..",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 2 CH. 2 – Caladium
PART #1
Caladium, in a word, it’s beautiful. From the tall fruit bearing trees to the colorful flower fields spread across the land, everything was just breathtaking. The air is fresh and scent of flowers mixing in the breeze makes one want to lie down and rest.
Once the airship landed the first thing I saw were amazingly beautiful people. Almost all of the residents were elves but despite living in a forest, they look all flawless. Elfianna was one thing and the elves in the airship were good looking too but… are all elves this effortlessly gorgeous? I’m jealous; give me some of that beauty to damn it…
From what I’ve learned while talking to the annoying Koizumi is that elves were well-known in this world as “Near-Divine beings” it seems that because of their long lives and amazingly attractive features that they were related to holy beings. I don’t really get how that works but Koizumi said that elves were just looked upon like that.
Seriously, that guy knows too well about this world. Was he once a part of this world? Nah that reincarnation stuff are just for Egyptians, like old pharaohs buried in tombs underneath the sands of Egypt believing in the afterlife.
Moving on; once we landed, Elfianna lead all of us heroes to the house of Caladium’s governor or something. The name of elves bites the tongue when you pronounce it so I don’t remember the name. Anyways, Elfianna rode on a fancy carriage while we heroes rode on horses.
The knights followed behind us on foot. Since they wore leather armors, their pace were almost the same as ours. That’s really impressive; I think that I need to know what kind of training they go through everyday so that I can make my army run through them as well.
Hmm? Spartan like? I don’t care what you guys think but those guys just shouldn’t rely on the weapons and weapon I’ve given them.
“Hey… I’ve been getting the feeling that I’m not welcome in this place”
“Why do you say that?”
Koizumi you bastard… This guy is seriously not seeing the fact that I’m being glared at here? I’m already seeing for myself but the people of this world do hate the color black huh? The “Demon-Spawn” bit has already worn off from my own brain since I’ve spent too much time in Ambrosia. That place was the center of the black color community. Because of that I didn’t thought too much of how I look like on the outside.
Now that I’ve left that place, I guess all people of this world does hate people like me. The elven town folks have been glaring at me every time I pass through a crowded street. Although the entire town is being encircled by a large forest, it’s a place that looks normally like a town.
The common troupe of “Elves lives in trees” seems to be just a baseless rumor.
“Are your eyes rotten? Look, I’ve been receiving these glares ever since we left the ship. It’s funny that neither you nor the two up front doesn’t even noticed it”
“Ah… Now that you’ve mentioned it…”
Koizumi looked around. This guy liked to be considerate considering that he has a terrible gambling habit. I always thought that gamblers are really selfish and self-centered but it looks like Koizumi is different. Well, I still don’t trust him though. There are still parts of those guys that I don’t get but I guess I can stay quiet in peace behind these guys.
Sairenji is a muscle for brains and Todoroki is well… she still reeks of suspiciousness. Back then the face she always would put on was like an obvious blight that even I can see it but now, I can’t even tell what she is thinking. Her relationship with Lucinda and Aizawa makes me feel that her feelings are genuine when it comes to them but…
How do I say this…? I just can’t trust her yet. For now, I guess I’ll stay quiet. But at any rate, being hated in this world for having the color black on my body really just annoys me. I mean……. Just quit staring damn it!!
-
As we reached our destination, the carriage that Elfianna and Durif rode had stopped. The knights that were behind us four had dismounted their horses and followed Elfianna’s lead. Durif had the knights’ rest in a part of the mansion’s annex building.
Right, the place where we arrived at was a mansion. A western style mansion that looked like only Hollywood celebrities would live. Just how much does this race called “Elves” want to embellish the term “Beauty”?
There was a fountain a few steps outside the front door, a garden filled with colorful flowers at the back and fence full of thorns with red roses growing on it covers the entirety of the whole mansion. Todoroki admired the beautiful flowers while Sairenji and Koizumi went and followed Elfianna.
As for me, two elf guards were pointing their swords at me cautiously.
“Hey, the girl over there admiring flowers, mind telling these guys that I’m with you guys?”
“Why don’t you? I mean, you have that mouth right? Tell them yourself”
This little…!! I thought at first that Todoroki had changed but looks like she hasn’t!! Well, she isn’t hiding behind her cute-girl act but her stuck up personality is still there!!
Having myself got riled up for something so unimportant, I sighed and calmed my heart down. Todoroki entered the mansion before me without even saying anything. Ah, she just turned around and stuck her tongue out at me huh? That brat, I’ll make her pay for this later.
For now, I faced the two guards that were blocking my path.
“As you two just saw, I’m with that brat. Mind letting me in already?”
When I said that haughtily the swords got even nearer my neck; it looks like these guys doesn’t’ get what I’m saying huh? Is the <Language Comprehension> even working? I’m getting annoyed by this. I’ve already had enough of being hated for today.
“Move”
I put pressure out as I said that. Visibly, the guards were shaken. I added <Magic Infusion> and had my body leak out thick magic power. Compared to before, my magic power rose exponentially. Fighting and killing the 9th Demon Lord gave me tons of experience points, making me level up a few tens of levels high.
I continued to intimidate the two guards until I saw their complexions drop in color. How nice, they’re afraid of me now. I want to keep this up but…
“That’s enough of you terrorizing my kind, Black hero”
I felt something pointy near the back of my head…
“You two, this person, unfortunately are her majesty’s guest. Lower down your swords at once”
“But…”
“He is… a Demon-Spawn right?”
The two guards meekly answered. These guys… they do talk huh? I thought that they were mute but I guess I was wrong. Moreover, the person behind me is quite rude huh? To keep pointing her sword at me despite knowing that I’m Elfianna’s guest, her attitude really makes me tick.
I calmed myself down and let off the intimidation. The swords around neck decreases to one as the two guards returned their swords back to their sheaths. I then turned my sight over my shoulder and thanked the person that helped me.
“Thanks for vouching for me”
“I do not need the gratitude of a man that bares that cursed color. I merely did that in order to not displease the Queen”
I saw another elf woman; moreover, it was the elf knight that was glaring at me when I boarded the airship. Long blonde hair, long ears, emerald green eyes and a head shorter than me; she was an elf that elf that wore a plated armor over her torso and a skirt on her lower-half. Looks really unbalance but the elf Knight was standing upright.
The elf knight then pressed the tip of her sword on my cheek.
“Don’t you dare look at me with those disgusting colored eyes or shall be the one that will gouge them out”
“Haaah… really now”
I guess I shouldn’t expect a good reply from her. Bearing the color of “Black” in this world gets you this much of scorn, if not intensely. Although I’ve already felt this much hated from before, this woman’s hate is just intense.
To that, I shrugged my shoulders and entered the mansion. The elf knight followed behind and entered as well.
PART #2
“You’re Majesty; it is a great honor to have you in my home”
The town’s head, Pernicious Caladium, welcomed the Elf Queen Elfianna, with his head bowed. A man that has the natural color of elves wore a tunic like robe. Pernicious was graceful man, although his face seemed smooth and without a flaw, Elfianna had seen his entire guise in one glance.
“Your play of words is still pretty good it seems? How long has it been since we last men, Pern?”
“Humph, looks like you are the same as ever my cousin. Always the one who ruins the fun…”
Pernicious raised his face and smiled widely at Elfianna. The two who were cousins from their mother’s side had a bit of playfulness hidden behind their masks. They would sometimes play as mages and knights and sometimes as Queens and Kings with their other relatives. However, as time passed, their family slowly grew apart and after a few years, Elfianna and Pernicious would sometimes get together as a sort of family reunion.
Queen Elfianna had softened her stiff shoulders as she smiled kindly at the cousin that has still remained the same as before.
“It is good to see you El”
“You two Pern”
The exchanged a few short hugs before separating. Finally, Elfianna introduced the heroes to the Elf town head of Caladium.
“These are the heroes that came together with me on this trip”
“Ah… three of the great 17 heroes hmm… I must say that they are quite young”
From the right to the left there stood Koizumi, Katsuto and Minami. The three all wore bright smiling faces as they greet a relative of Queen Elfianna. Furthermore, the handsome elf caught the attention of the short heighted Minami Todoroki. Her eyes suddenly turned heart shaped as she caught a glimpse of her ideal man.
“Hayato Koizumi, it is a pleasure to meet you”
“Katsuto Sairenji pleased to meet your acquaintance!!”
“Mi-Minami Todoroki!! I-It’s nice to m-meet you!!”
Minami became flustered. Her cheeks turned rosy red and her eyes swimming around as though searching for more to say. Katsuto and Koizumi had turned their gaze at the small girl acting suspiciously in front of Pernicious. Katsuto looked like he didn’t understand as to why Minami was acting like that since he merely tilted his head as though saying “What’s up now?” with a clueless face.
Koizumi on the other hand immediately understood Minami’s reaction. A playful grin surfaced on his face as he switched his gaze from Minami to Pernicious.
“Pernicious-sama, it seems that my friend here looked like she had caught something along the way. Won’t you mind checking if she caught a cold?”
With a snap Minami had returned to reality. The words that Koizumi had uttered caused Minami’s cheeks to redden even more, making her feel more embarrassed as it is. Elfianna chuckled at the cute side of Minami while Pernicious just stood there smiling as though adoring his grandchild.
Then, as though playing along with Koizumi’s mischievousness Pernicious held up his right hand and placed it over Minami’s forehead.
“Hmm~ it does not seem serious. Why don’t you sit down and rest for now?”
“Hwawawawawawa….!!?”
Minami’s words became incomprehensible as she lost track of what was happening. Her head was indeed spinning and her heart was throbbing nonstop like crazy. Sweat began to gather on her skin as Minami stood frozen stiff in front of Pernicious. However, the heavy sound of the door pushed open caused her to wake up.
*BAM!!* The entrance door flew back and behind it was a female Elf knight. Behind her was Kyoushiro, with his usual knitted-brow faced, annoyed looking expression.
“You’re Majesty, Sir. Lord, we are sorry for the delay. The Black hero has obstructed from entering the mansion so I had to vouch for his identity first”
“You little… Don’t say it as if it’s my fault that those guys didn’t let me in. They were too discriminate!!”
“……….”
“Ignoring me again huh?! Why iota…”
The female Elf knight ignored Kyoushiro’s snarl and continued to walk to Elfianna’s side. She bent her knees and lowered her head as she apologized for being late. Elfianna sighed and gave the Female elf knight a pat to her shoulder before ordering her to stand.
“It is fine; you did a good job leading Kagami-dono here”
“Your words are wasted upon me”
As the Queen and Knight finished their side, it was Pernicious’s to be stunned. In front of him was a Demon-Span. A member of the cursed color of the Demon God Avfritzed; Pernicious’s shade turned from white to red as he lost control over his emotions. His hand automatically showed a flash of light then produced a bright hot flame and shot it towards Kyoushiro.
Before Elfianna or the heroes could react, the flame reached Kyoushiro. *FWOOOM!!* The fire engulfed Kyoushiro’s body instantly.
“El!! Why have you leaded a spawn of the Demon God here?! Have you lost your mind!?”
“E-Eh?! K-Kagami-dono!!?”
Burning behind the five visitors was a young man burning in flame due to Pernicious’s attack. Elfianna ignored Pernicious’s enraged shout and immediately rushed to Kyoushiro’s aid. Koizumi, Katsuto and Minami were at lost before snapping back to reality. Their heads were then shifted to the burning smell behind them and saw someone there, covered in fire.
However…..
“Slaps before a hand shake? Are the people of this world really that rude?”
The bright red flames disappeared with a *poof* comic like sound. The person who received such welcome wasn’t hurt. Neither his hair nor clothes his clothes were burned from the attack. In fact, the angry glare was the proof that he was alive.
“You bastard, should I peel off your skin and make you eat it? That wasn’t even a bit less amusing you cur”
But the part where he was joking like it was a minute ago was not.
-
I was nearly burned to a crisp. No, I was going to burn like one if I hadn’t worn my fire resistant coat. Made from a lava lizard skin, the coat prevents me from receiving any damage to fire related attack. Although the function of the coat was just to reduce the damage from a fire attack, I enchanted it to the point that I won’t even feel the heat against a fire attack.
My hair got a bit singed though. The bastard that just attacked me was standing right behind Elfianna.
“You bastard, should I peel off your skin and make you eat it? That wasn’t even a bit less amusing you cur”
I glared at the long haired elf standing right behind Elfianna. The sight of a guy so perfectly handsome somehow makes my blood boil; even more so when they hide behind a woman. They are a detestable bunch.
“Damn spawn of the God of Demons, I shall kill you where you stand!!”
Saying so with an angry face, the long haired elf began to chant. Elfianna rushed in between me and him in order to stop a fight from happening. Koizumi, Sairenji and Minami all held back the long haired elf while making sure that he didn’t get injured.
Koizumi held the long haired elf’s right shoulder while Sairenji was on the other. Minami was guarding Elfianna in case of an attack getting out from the long haired elf and the female elf knight stood in front of me with her sword’s pointed right at my throat.
A feeling of heat crawled on my skin; an unbearable itch was making me really uncomfortable. Unconsciously, I infused magic power into my body using <Magic Infusion> skill. A shroud of thin pale blue mist began to cover me.
“Get out of my way you lot. I’m going to make this guy kneel in front of me”
“K-Kagami-dono!! Please calm down!! You too Pernicious!! You are way too rude to our guest!!”
Elfianna stood there, trying to calm both me and the guy named Pernicious. Koizumi seemed to be whispering something to Pernicious as I saw the long haired rude elf glancing back and forth from me to Koizumi. Sairenji was glaring at my way, flapping his mouth like he was saying something.
“This guy is the lord of the town so calm down you idiot” was what he was saying to me. That little muscle-brain, how dare he call me an “idiot”?! Doesn’t he know that he is more of an idiot than me for acting like a jealous kid when he saw me and Arianne together? I’ll beat his damn head later with a cane at least.
Seeing as there was no attack coming, I released my <Magic Infusion> skill and returned to normal. Elfianna noticed the change behind her back and breath out a sigh of relief. The female elf knight though was still holding her sword against me.
“Calm the hell down pointy ears. I am not going to attack anymore”
“I will not believe the words coming from the spawn of the Demon God”
The female elf knight continued to glare. I sighed and ignored for a moment. Looking over the hot headed elf’s shoulder, I can see that Pernicious had already calmed down but he was still looking quite wary whenever he looks at me. Koizumi and the other two had already settled down and lent Elfianna a chair to sit on. It seems that Elfianna’s tension got eased up just now.
PART #3
“My sincerest apologies; I have done something rude to you Hero-dono. If there is something you ever need from me, please tell me”
Once the whole scuffle had been resolved Pernicious offered his head on the table as he apologized.
A few moments ago, Elfianna told Pernicious about Kyoushiro and why he was accompanying her in her trip back to Paracelumn. From how the 8 royal Council had decided to make a choice of whether saving Ambrosia from the attack of the 9th Demon Lord to the time when Kyoushiro arrived and killed the Demon Lord.
Elfianna did not spare any bits of information and told everything to Pernicious all about Kyoushiro Kagami and his struggles up until now.
Of course, Pernicious did not believe it at first. But when the three heroes, Koizumi, Katsuto and Minami, gave their each share of information, Pernicious could not help but give up. He then lowered his head and apologized sincerely to Kyoushiro.
On the other hand, the person who received the brunt of the literal warm welcome, Kyoushiro, was sitting across the table with his arms crossed and his eyebrows knitted together.
“Please accept my sincere apology”
“Tsk, just forget about it. I don’t care about that so let’s just get down to business”
Kyoushiro clicked his tongue as he asked the topic to proceed. Pernicious seemed to have taken that as a rude action and showed an irritated expression. However, seeing as Elfianna was looking at him with a gaze that says “Play nice now” while wearing a kind smile. A trickle of sweat dripped across Pernicious’s cheeks as he played ignorant of Elfianna’s gaze.
The topic at hand was about the letter Elfianna had received from her niece Lydia, which also meant that Lydia was Pernicious’s concern as well. The letter was passed by Elfianna herself as she took it out from her sleeve or somewhere she could store anything inside her dress. As she did so, Pernicious took the letter in his hands and read its contents.
The moment he saw the words “Help me!!” in red ink caused Pernicious’s calm eyes to enter a dark troubling glare.
“Since when did you receive this letter?”
“Just yesterday… It was sent by a spirit familiar of the wind spirits”
Yesterday, around the time when Elfianna was having her afternoon tea, the spirit familiar of the wind spirits came by with a letter tied to its legs. The familiar was a white owl with dark spots on its wings. They are the most common of all familiar spirits conjured by the help of the wind spirits. And since elves are probably the most closest to nature itself, the white owl spirits were easy to control.
Any ways, Elfianna got the letter around noon. Of course, she thought that it was impossible that the familiar itself knew where the recipient was when the sender was nowhere around Phirous. But that just goes to show that Lydia was probably nearby when the white owl delivered the letter. Because of that, Elfianna immediately called for the heroes to seek for their help.
“At first I was doubtful but the blood stains and the dirt on the poor quality paper made me very worried about who the sender was so…”
“You remembered about the person that would ascend to the High Elf rank in the Moon dance ceremony… As expected, the only person would that be was Lydia”
As Elfianna and Pernicious were close relatives, they tend send each other letters from time to time. That would go the same way for their other relatives that lived around the Green continent. Lydia’s popularity and the reason why she was chosen to ascend to the High Elf rank was due to her talent. The exceeding height of her power as an elf caused the masses to believe that she was the next Elf Queen to replace Elfianna in the near future.
However, it looks like there was trouble along the way.
“Wait a sec, for the whole talk you guys were having, I really don’t understand anything you’ve said. What moon dance ceremony? What High elf rank? It’s like I’m hearing things from story books you read to kids to sleep”
Kyoushiro voiced his concern on the matter. As Kyoushiro was the only person oblivious on how fantasy story works due to his rough childhood, he doesn’t have any clue on what the two elves were saying. It was like the whole talk was so important and he didn’t even knew what was going on. That was like having no idea why he was called for in the first place.
On the side, Koizumi, Katsuto and Minami were taking things easily. They were part of the kind of people that believed in Santa Clause when they were young so it was very easy for them to take in the part of elves and their mystic ceremony.
Kyoushiro on the other hand just recently accepted the fact that elves were young in appearance but old in terms of age and longevity of their lifespans. It was impossible for him to takin in all these in just one sitting.
“Kyoushiro… just where did you not get what they were saying?”
“Hey, I’m not the kind of guy who reads story books for his past time. I worked my whole life so spare me from taking this kind of story as normal people would”
Kyoushiro shrugged his shoulder at Koizumi for pointing out the obvious part of the talk Elfianna and Pernicious were talking about. Elfianna understood the fact that Kyoushiro has no knowledge about elves since he grew up differently than the other heroes. As such, she took it upon herself to explain the history of elves.
“Kagami-dono, we elves worship the Wind Goddess Tiamat and her servants, the wind spirits”
As people that lived closely to nature itself, the blessing of the wind goddess and her spirits were very abundant when it comes to the elves. It was even believed that the elves were the spawns of the wind spirits that managed to manifest their existence in the physical world. That became the reason why most elves were likened to divinity itself.
Their flawless beauty aside, their life spans were nearly that of immortals since most elves could even live pass a millennium. But depending on their circumstances, elves lives for about 400 – 700 years old if they were healthy enough.
“For us elves, the Moon Dance ceremony is our thanks to the Wind Goddess Tiamat-sama. That also adds our ceremony of ascension to a High Elf rank”
High elf ranks are a kind of title bestowed to an elf that has been acknowledged by the spirits to lead the elves in the future. Elfianna was also a High Elf and since she was the Queen of the elven race, there would also come a time when she has to pass down the crown to the next High Elf Queen.
“So you’re saying that elves live longer because the Wind Goddess had made them like that? And the Moon Dance ceremony thing determines who the new Queen becomes or not? Isn’t that kind of… well reeks of political usurpation or something? I mean, the occasion does match the urgency of the letter”
Kyoushiro gave his own thoughts on the matter of the elves after hearing the short summary of elven history from Elfianna. In short, elves were a race that lives long because a single god decided it so. For Kyoushiro, that was just like sentencing a race to remain almost perpetually young due to a mere whim. It was like a torture or even a punishment if one were to think about it.
A life that exceeds that of a normal living being… It was like a sentence of being an observer of the world for life.
Furthermore, if the Moon dance ceremony determines who the next queen becomes, then the person that was supposed to undergo through the ceremony would most probably be obstructed by some competitor that wished to ascend to the throne. Kyoushiro was thinking that if the candidate for the next Queen was kidnapped means that the person other than the candidate would be chosen next. The so called “Next-In-line for the throne”
“That would the correct thought for a normal human but elves that were chosen to be the next Queen doesn’t have no more than one candidate. As we elves live longer lives, after a few generations, a new Queen would ascend to the throne”
“We don’t compete in terms of politics like you humans do” was what Pernicious added to Elfianna’s reply.
Hearing all this, Kyoushiro began to ponder. If it weren’t someone that wants the crown for their own selfish desires, then what was the reason why such letter was sent to Elfianna? A letter written in red ink which was covered in dirt with the paper being poor in quality… Just what was the purpose of the sender thinking of sending such state of their letter and what’s more, it was written with a short “Help me!!” writing. It was like sender wanted the receiver to immediately understand what she was saying.
“Hmmm…?”
Kyoushiro looked intensely on the paper. At the sight of such poor quality paper, smeared in mud and written in red ink, Kyoushiro had a thought. If the letter came from a bird that flew above from someplace that the ship had passed by, wouldn’t that mean that the sender was along a highway or some forest?
The magic airship had passed over the wasteland before coming to a well-nourished land that was green allover. Weren’t there some highway that they passed through when they were flying weeks ago? Kyoushiro heaved a sigh and held his head.
“Kagami, something wrong?”
“You’ve gone quiet all of a sudden”
Katsuto and Minami stared at Kyoushiro’s face and worriedly asked about him. Since a while ago, the three heroes besides Kyoushiro had understood the contents of what Elfianna and Pernicious had been talking about. Because of that, they could easily digest what kind of trouble the queen candidate was going through.
However, Kyoushiro was showing more troubles in understanding the situation- Was what everyone in the room was thinking as they gazed at Kyoushiro’s expression.
Kyoushiro turned his head and leaned back on the backrest of the chair he was seated on.
“It’s nothing… I just think that the sender of the letter was probably just lost or something”
“Why do you think so?”
Minami asked while leaning in closer to the table.
“Well… the letter came by almost immediately and the Phirous was flying in about 300 miles per hour. If you think about the distance and time when the bird came, shouldn’t it been possible that the sender saw the ship from somewhere down below when we were coming?”
At the speed of a normal plane, there should be no bird capable of delivering such letter. Even if in this world where Phirous’s speed was the fastest, it still couldn’t be compared to the ones on earth. Regardless, the spirit familiar that brought the letter would never be able to catch up to Phirous unless it flew out from the front and landed on the ship safely.
If counting by numbers the spirit familiar caught up with the ship was slim but it wasn’t impossible. As this world was ruled upon by ridiculous things like magic power and skills, it was impossible to make a concrete conclusion.
In any case, Kyoushiro doesn’t believe that a simple bird would be able to catch up with Phirous as Kyoushiro was the one that modified the whole thing.
“The bird probably was flying up front. I don’t get how it pinpointed our location but there’s no way a simple bird like an owl would be able to fly in the same way a car would travel on land”
“Then are you saying that we were right above the place where Lydia was before sending the letter?”
Elfianna, wearing a doubtful expression, began to listen on in Kyoushiro’s words. For better or worse, Kyoushiro was someone that could be relied on in times where he is needed.
“Something like that, judging from the quality of paper, I guess she tore it from some notebook or a sketchpad and wrote what she needed to convey. She was also seemed to be in a hurry so the paper was a bit creased. And the red ink is without a doubt, blood”
Hearing Kyoushiro’s explanation Pernicious began to ponder with his chin rested on his right hand. Elfianna drew back with a pain expression as she could only helplessly admit that it as blood that was used to write on the poor quality paper. Koizumi, Katsuto and Minami were all wearing the same trouble face as they couldn’t really figure out what to do next in order to find Lydia Flowerchild Bloomsmeir.
In the end, the talk couldn’t proceed but for the time being, Pernicious launched a search party for a girl with Lydia’s description.
The two elves were hoping that their niece was alright for the time being.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "12450",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 2 CH. 2 – Caladium",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
PART #2
Walking through the grove of trees covered in filth, Kyoushiro breathed haggardly while holding onto his head with his right hand. Intense pain was scorching inside his skull as though he was burning. Droplets of sweat came down in rain drops from Kyoushiro's face down to his chin...
"Kh.... shut... up...."
"Kill them..." Where the words filling Kyoushiro's mind as he suffers from the curse on his left arm.
The voice he hears was the one that he heard back in that mysterious old ruin. The maddening tone and its persuasive words was something like the devil's whisper, telling Kyoushiro nothing but to murder.
"They are your enemies... kill them!!" The voice demands in a loud voice, causing more pain to be delivered to Kyoushiro. Feeling the grinding pain once more, Kyoushiro fell onto his knees as he held his head with both hands.
"AARGH......AAAAAAGHHHHHAAAA!!!!"
Kyoushiro howls in pain.
"Murder them...."
"Shut...up....!!"
"Slaughter them..."
"Shut....argh!!! Up!!"
"Torture them...!!"
"I said....SHUUUUUUUT UUUUUUUUP!!!!!"
As the fight between Kyoushiro and his curse was over, he fell on the ground like a puppet that got his strings cut. The insides of his head became quiet and the pain that was causing him to writhe in pain was gone.
"Hah.....hah,,,,"
On the ground, Kyoushiro was breathing heavily. He had no strength to stand up so he as still sprawled on the ground, smeared with mud on his face. It couldn't be helped. Because it was his own sweat and drool that made up the mud.
"Shit.... why the hell...."
Is it always me....- Kyoushiro cut off his words at that point and cursed fate for turning his life into a nightmare. Forcibly taking his parents in his childhood, taking away his freedom as a child, subjected to a never ending criticism and to make matters even worse, he was sent to another world with a curse and was persecuted as criminal.
Now he was a king of a rubble rebuilt from the ash of a former nation, governing a mixed race nation filled with the rejects of the world. From an outsider's perspective, Kyoushiro's life had improved compared to before.
He defeated a Demon Lord and got recognized, he has a wife and a child, someone in his class being in love with him and a failure of Queen too obsessed with him. Compared to his life from back then on earth to his life up until now, his life has changed for the better.
But it was still always the same....
"........."
The woman that bears his child was a faker. The child she has was not his... The rulers of other nations saw him as a convenient tool maker for the perfect world dominating weapon, the heroes sees him as criminal and world around him was treating him like trash.
It was the same wherever he went. Kyoushiro was rejected, tricked and used.....
That's why....
"No!! This is.... it isn't what i'm...!?"
Scenes began to appear in his mind as though a recorded tape playing. The face of Lucinda as blank, leaving only a wicked smile while saying "I love you...". The scene changed and the scene where he was being persecuted appeared. The eyes of condemnation, the words of disgust, hate and anger was thrown at him. His prized possessions stolen, his personal things torn and destroyed... Every people in that scene was pointing their fingers at Kyoushiro while laughing, shunning his existence and berating him for his crimes...
"I.... didn't do anything...."
Saying those words, Kyoushiro crumbled once more. But despite him having lost the strength to stand up, the scenes continue...
This time, the scene was inside the torture room. The days passing he had been rarely fed, rarely given any water and the countless beatings and healing to keep him alive had drove Kyoushiro into madness. His screams in pain, his insane laughter and his bellowing cries for help were unheard.
No one saved him... The soldiers kept on torturing him with smiles on their faces....
"Stop it....."
The scenes change once more and the days he worked to rebuilt Aurolius played back. Constantly fighting monsters, getting injured almost everyday, people with the same situation as him watching him get hurt while laughing.
"No...."
The scene changed once more and the faces of the beings inside the throne where the golden king once sat appeared before his face. Their sorrowful expressions, their fake smiles, their insane laughter, their greedy and slothful lives, their empty soulless eyes, their very screams of pain gave Kyoushiro a nightmare he would never forget...
"Please...No...more...I..."
The hand which the world had cursed him was slowly killing him and the left hand that wishes to save him transmuted a stone knife from the earth beneath him.
It was enough. There was already no used in staying alive....
It was better to be dead than suffering alive....
"Kyaaaaaa!! Someone help!!!"
"!?"
As someone's cry for help reached Kyoushiro's ears, the negative thoughts filling his mind dispersed as though nothing happened. Kyoushiro quickly threw away the knife that he was holding next to his throat and ran directly to where scream came from.
Disregarding his own safety for others, Kyoushiro should know himself well that this was something that he won't do in his life. Because he was never a hero. But still, he had the means to help so Kyoushiro chooses to help someone.
Kyoushiro's mind was filled with conflicting thoughts....
"This isn't the time for crying damn it!!'
Kyoushiro punched himself hard on the face as he passed through the shrubs and the trees blocking his way....
-
"Help!! Somebody!!"
"Mama!!"
"No one's gonna help ya!! HIAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
In some hidden parts of the forest, there was group of men dressed in high quality leather armor surrounding a pair of mother and daughter. The mother was being forced to strip by tearing off her clothes. The daughter was being held down by a foot of one of the men dressed in high quality leather armor, making her watch her mother getting played.
"Some-buuhm!?"
"Hahahaha!! Finally shut up ya old cunt!! I guess my thing is too big fer ya mouth ei!?"
HAHAHAHAHA!!- The men laughed in unison as the man holding the mother shoved his thing into her mouth. The mother, who was choking on it was crying and struggling to spit out the thing in her mouth. But the man moved his hips and forced the mother to quiet down.
"U-vhuumm...UEEh....hack..."
"Hey now, don't start dying on us now, we still have a lot for you get on ya know!?"
"NO!! S-Stop this plea- AAAAAAAHGHGHHHAAA!!?"
"Mama!! No!! Stop!!'
"Don't worry kid, you're next!!"
"Kyaaa!!"
The men were starting to get on with their fun. The mother being ganged upon by tens of men while the poor child was being toyed by a large man with no hair and disgusting odor reeking from his body.
The child was screaming for help but the man pushed the young girl down with his large arm and covered her mouth with his large hand.
"MMMMMMMMPPPMMM!!!"
"Hhahahah!! Struggle all ya want but don't thi-"
*Splat* The sound of meat getting crushed by a large object resounded and silent the rough breathing men. Red mushes of crushed up flesh and bones spew out and flew all around, sticking to the trees and bushes. A fountain of blood erupted from the crushed cranium of the large man sitting on top of the young girl...
"Bunch of disgusting rapists...."
Appearing between the trees, Kyoushiro held up a large bludgeon made from earth with blood stains all over it and some skin and flesh sticking to it. The corpse of the large man flew over to the guys that was ganging up on the mother of the young girl. The men that frozed from what they were doing were crushed by the weight of the large man....
"Just wh-"
"Shut up"
Kyoushiro crushed another man's head with his bludgeon...
"Hii!! S-Sav-"
"Shut up..." Another man flew through the trees with his body bent in odd angles all over, crushing over to the trees and eventually dying. Another one tried to run but due to his pants around his knees, he was unable to run and tripped on the ground.
*Splat!!* Body parts flew due to the force made by the large bludgeon that Kyoushiro was swinging with a single hand. Blood splattered over his face as well...
"R-Run!!"
"I-It's a Demon!!'
"I don't want to die!!"
One by one the men ran like flies. Scattering around, fleeing the giant swatter that was heading their way. But they were too slow, Kyoushiro was using <Magic Infusion> to further increase his speed and strength. He reached the first one who tried to get a hold of a weapon and crushed him over his head down to his feet.
Kyoushiro then kicked the ground and jumped on a tree before tossing his large and heavy bludgeon the a man that was about to escape.
"Gua-" The man's voice leaked out but air escaped from his lungs as the bludgeon crushed his torso down to his spine. His ribs flew out and the remains of what he ate stained the muddy ground.
"No..No please!!"
"Shut up"
"AAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHH!!!!!" That was the last scream ever to echoed inside the forest. The only thing that remained was a land painted red.....
-
I woke up from a dream... My mind became clear the moment I saw blood all over the place. It wasn't blood that came from a monster, it wad red and putrid. Limbs and internal organs were scattered around at my feet.
It wasn't mine... I was still alive....
"Ah....right, I killed them...."
That's right I remember now. After getting lost from the forest after getting tossed by trash by the people of Caladium, I left the town and made my way through the forest. But my head suddenly got struck by an headache. Voices began to resounded inside and kept saying to kill and kill and kill....
I took off my coat and looked at the curse mark on my right arm. From my shoulder to my wrist, the tendrils like markings were covering most of my arm. Just like before... No, the curse was already progressing again and the voice I heard earlier was from the curse mark...
I see... so it was eating me again.... how typical...
Looking around me, I saw a naked woman and her daughter (probably). Their clothes were torn apart and their bodies were covered in blood. I checked to see if they were dead or not but it seems that they just lost consciousness. I sighed in relief...
"Haaah... but how the hell should I carry these two?"
On top of being naked, they were one of those beautified elves. The woman was indeed an elf with her long ears and trademark blonde hair and crazy voluptuous body. What the hell is with this insane world.... making a race that is near perfect in appearance...
The woman was violated already and is unconscious. The little girl was sleeping too but compared to the blonde mother, the girl has pure black hair. Her clothes was torn but there was enough to cover certain parts of her body. I was saved from being called a pervert so I gave her my coat instead. I took out a blanket from my magic necklace and cover the mother.
The two had already been settled but the puddle of blood, crushed bodies and scattered limbs and internal organs were something that monsters like. They'll be attracted to the smell surely so I need to get these two out of here.
Thinking so, I used <Transmutation> to make a cart and placed the two there. I left the pool of blood as it is and set up traps all over before somewhere near a river. Some place with water is what I need since I don't even have <Water Manipulation> skill yet. I have both earth and wind manipulation skill but their out of the realms of making water.
For now, I followed the sound where water is flowing....
-
A while later, I found a suitable place to camp. There was lake nearby so I was able to catch some fish. I already cleaned up the mother and child so there were no bugs flying over them. I also made the tent bigger than it was usually so that the two can fit in perfectly.
Now that the campfire was roasting my catch, I sat by the log I cut up and threw some twigs in the fire....
"U-uuuuuhhh....huh? ah....where...?"
But before I could even reach out to my dinner the woman woke up. I saw her blinking a few times before touching her body all over. Probably worried why there was a blanket over her, she looked around the place finding me sitting by the fire.
Ughh....No good, those things were bigger than Lucin- agh.... The Lovers ring flared up...
"Y-You are...."
"Don't worry I came just in time before your girl got...."
"L-Luna! Where is...."
"She's next to you"
I pointed the small girl sleeping next to her, I smiled as I saw that the little girl was quietly sleeping. Seeing as her daughter was with her, the woman sighed in relief. I quickly tossed one of my shirts to her for temporary measures. Those things were dangerous after all...
"You saved us....thank you"
"For a woman who got raped, you seemed calm. I thought someone who experienced something like that would scream when they woke up"
Practically in my world, those kinds of women are usually broken inside rather than outside so I thought it was the same in this one. But looks like I was wrong. The woman was smiling wryly at me like nothing even happened to her.
"I thought.... it was all a dream..."
"I see...."
I don't want to pry on her situation but in this kind of place, it was weird just why she was walking around like that with her daughter. I heard that there were many bandits in this forest but.... No, there is still that princess that we need to find so accidentally meeting those guys were a life saver.
Though it would have been good if they were alive...
"Umm... May I please know your name? To properly thank you at least"
"I don't mind giving my name but aren't you going to runaway?"
"Eh? W-Why would I?"
Looks like this woman has bad eyes. Can't she see the black hair and eyes? I pointed those out so that it would be obvious for her... But...
"Ah... I see, so you are a Demon-Spawn"
She took it calmly and rather than hating it, she was looking at me as if remembering something.
"Not much of a hater or are you just an idiot?"
"N-No... I am.... My husband was..."
Ah.... so it was that huh? That explains the color of the girls hair....
The daughter was born out from a normal elf and a Demon-Spawn elf. Just from how the daughter looked like, it seems that they were either caught in some trouble or they were kidnapped while running away.
Caladium is a place where those dyed with the color black is hated. Even in some parts of the world, its the same but for some reason, the elves had a deep seething hate for Demon-Spawns.
Tch... This world is just as messed up as it was before....
"Ummm...."
"Oh right, my name... It's Kyoushiro Kagami..."
"Yoshiro?"
"Kyoushiro... It's Kyoushiro"
Are the characters of my name that difficult to say? Well, it is from a language of some other world so I get how she feels. It's confusing to hear a name if it's the first time you've heard of it.
I threw more dried branches and leaves into the fire...
"So? What about you guys?"
"I-I am... Edsel Rose and this is my daughter Dahlia"
Rose... Elven surname are all connected to flowers or trees huh? Is it because they are very close to nature like how they were in storybooks?
Hmmm.... Now I'm curious as to what kind names does dwarves has... Probably connected to earth and minerals or are they named Irish like or viking like?
Earth has many stories regarding dwarves but the ones here are probably different. I'm not sure since I wasn't that much of a fan of fairy tales...
Anyways, after hearing Edsel's and Dahlia's name, I stood up and gave Edsel some water. One roasted trout or salmon? It's hard to tell which was which but either way, I gave one to Edsel. She accepted the fish gratefully and thanked me for it...
"Thank you very much, Kyou..."
"Just call me Kyou if it's hard to say my name. Anyway why were you guys in this forest in the first place?"
As soon as I asked that, Edsel's face went dark. But the next words she said was even more darker...
I might have gotten myself into something that I won't be able to sleep from...
Just how it was for my curse, the life Edsel had gone through was horrible...
|
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|
Vol. 1 Ch. 10 - The return of the Black hero.....
Part #1
My body feels heavy. Like it's made of rock that is immovable in any pressure. My joints, muscles and even my tissues feels like stones. Blood is definitely flowing and that is a good sign that i'm still alive.
Still, my body is still unconscious. Although my body isn't moving, my subconscious is wide awake. My Mp is still full as well but the fact the Avfritzed almost crushed my body with a thousand pound gravity still lingers. I can't say that I don't have major injuries since my bones broke after that.
While my body is unconscious, i'm using [Magic Manipulation] to forcefully speed up my regeneration. With absolute concentration of my subconscious mind, I poured my Mp into my own cells to replace the damaged once quickly. It's effects are slow but, since I don't have a [Heal] skill, this the only thing I can do.
If I concentrate more, I might be able to control my own molecules as well. However, with my current Mp, it is still impossible. For now, pseudo-healing is the best I can do. Though I don't know if it'll go the way I wanted, I might resort to transmuting my own body. However, that skill is a problem in itself since my body is still unconscious.
[Kyoushiro-sama is not what you think he is!!!]
That was then, I heard Lucinda's voice dyed with anger.
[He is not like that!! He is not like that at all!!! Neither you nor then knows since you are all self-centered people!!! Kyoushiro is no traitor nor a murderer!!!]
Why? Who is she made at? Moreover, what is she talking about me? Now that I think about it, i'm still wearing the magic earrings and rings. The connection between the ones I gave her mine might have been established when I was concentrating on my [Magic manipulation] skill.
Ah.... this is..... I feel like my body is waking up...
"You.....of all people..... so noisy....ugh..."
[Kyoushiro....sama?]
What is she shock about? After hearing my voice, its like we haven't talked with each other for a long time now.
Well, for now I need to know what's the reason she's calling...
"Lucinda... why are you....?"
[U-Um.....Kyoushiro-sama... there is something going on and...may hand over our communication devices?]
What? Something seems weird about this. Did something happen while i'm out? Damn, who is she lending those earrings and ring to? I don't the strength to get mad at her so for now, I gave her permission to lend the magic earrings and ring to someone else.
Afterwards, the connection was cut then came back a while later. I moved my my body to stand up but, it still hurts. As if hundreds of needles were stabbing my whole body.
"Keho.....ugh...."
My throat hurts as well. I tasted my own blood for the first time in a while after I left Travestin a month ago. Back then, when I was constantly being tortured, I was made to throw up my own blood along with some digested lunch within my stomach. However, right now seems different. The demon god almost squashed my body on the ground, because of that, several of my internal organs ruptured.
My Hp potions is still inside the magic space. I can't even move my body right now so taking one out was impossible.
That was then, I heard three familiar voices. Arianne, Aizawa and especially, Lucinda. Although I spoke to her earlier, it kinda feels like we haven't spoken for a long time. I intended to only use her as a form of surveillance to the heroes, don't tell me that I missed her that much? I shouldn't have such feelings in the first place.
Haah, well anyway, i'll worry about that later. Right now, I need to focus on how to recover. My [Magic Manipulation] skill still hasn't very much healed my torn up muscles and organs. The multiplication of cells was slow that even with my [Transmutation] skill can't keep up with the reconstruction of my cells. I'm dividing my Mp to the two skill simultaneously so the process of reconstruction was slow. Even by staying conscious is taking toll on my strength. Honestly, i'm about to faint already and all their saying keeps passing through me like water.
Right now, someone named Elifiana Litre Parcelous is talking to me. About the demon lord with an army of 5 million demonic beasts in tow. Although the situation is urgent, the fact that I can't move is a major problem. It doesn't concern me whatever happens to the other heroes but, letting those monster destroy the place I rebuilt from scratch is something I won't let them. Furthermore, I think I just heared something ominous just now.
[Kyoushiro-kun, Lucinda is pregnant]
What?
[You're the father so don't say such horrible things like dying, you here]
F-Father!!!?? Like something like that is possible!!! We only did it once.....twice!!! Well, I do admit that I got carried too much at that time. I can't say that we did it without protection...no we didn't had protection at that time and did it raw.... aarrgghh!!! My head is spinning already, on top of my right arm feels like lead right now, this kind of thing happen.
Rather, right now that isn't important. I have to move now. My left arm has recovered already. I took out an Mp potion out of my [Magic space] and drank it. My mp rose from 10% to 80%. I sped my force multiplication and reconstruction process of my cells and regeneration.
Also, it seems that Makoto Koizumi was there as well. I figured that Todoroki is there since Aizawa is there as well, but I didn't thought that the situation was that dire. No, it is and I need to hurry. I cut off the connection when my Mp was about to drop at 40%. I can't afford to waste my Mp potion in this place. [Magic Seer] skill is currently active, [Magic manipulation] skill was turned off after my cells reached it's limit in multiplication. My body feels thin already so I had to stop the multiplication process.
Now that half of my usual strength had recovered, I am able to stand up now. The cold hard ground, was wet due to my blood that had flown out from an opened wound. I stood up with an unsteady posture, because of that, my foot hit something in the ground. Hard and metallic, with the size of five inch, I think I hit the pommel of a sword.....N? sword? Come to think of it, I remember transmuting a sword earlier....no, a month ago, whenever it was, from the sinister throne I saw.
I looked down on my right and saw a clear glowing yellow sword with a star shaped hilt guard. Covering it was a ominous dark aura that look like from the throne before. I can't feel my right arm right now so, without hesitation, I picked up the sword with my free left hand.
"Kuh!!"
Once my hand touched the sword, I felt something went inside me. Something maddening, dark and vengeful. Although power was mixed in, I felt that it was something I should use. Still....
"I need the power!!!!"
With a loud shout that made me brace myself, I strengthened my grip on the sword.
- Oh ye who had been sealed with the tower of stars... -
Words that seemed to be a chant starts to flow within my mind...
- Ye who have been cursed with eternal hatred from the blasphemy of the forever seething stars -
The cursed mark on my arm begins to crawl up and covered half of my face, the dark tentacles wrapped around my chest and my right arm turned pitch black. My left arm's hero mark circuit expanded and covered my entire left arm like paper-mache pasted on top of another.
- May all the power of the yellow God be your tool for revenge. Let ye fears and anxiety be burned and be fuel to your rage. Oh power that controls the world of eternal darkness, devour the light which once destroy the equilibrium of the universe -
"Elder-God-Blade of Hastur"
I still retained my consciousness. However, I can feel the hot throbbing sensation in my arm again. I have to endure this. I have to make it out alive, I have a family waiting for me!!!
"UUOOHHH!!!!"
With the golden blade raised high, I roared out the pain that which was eating my arm. I'll survive!! I'll return back to my world!!
At that moment, a ray of black mixed with white light had been fired from the sword. Sea of thorns as thick of tree trunks protruded out from my feet and with that, the world in front of my vision was dyed black.
Part #2
Under the ever blue sky, a dust cloud was seen moving north of the kingdom of Ambrosia. With the use of a scout skill called [Far vision] one can see something in a long distance that can't be perceive by the naked eye. It was then, a certain person was using it. She was standing on one of the spires that was created by the black hero when he rebuild certain parts of the ruined kingdom of the former kingdom Aurolius.
Her long dark purple hair sways with the blowing breeze and her amethyst colored eyes was looking in front of a viewing magic circle. It was queen Arianne. The person who spearhead the restoration of Aurolius and the only direct descendant of its long lost bloodline.
With a face that was dyed in anxiety, she views the black shadowy mass making its way to the newly built kingdom of Ambrosia.
"Kyoushiro....where are you"
Her worried voice said his name. The well known hero due to the unjust crimes, the man who was worthy of being standing by her side, man she holds a special place in her heart, Kyoushiro Kagami,the missing black hero.
Upon the day when Kyoushiro disappeared, she has been clad by anxiousness due to not seeing her king beside her. The morning he woke up was the time he was gone as well. Arianne searched high and low for him but it seems that, no matter what she did, Arianne did not find Kyoushiro. It was then that there were news about a massive black mass was approaching the newly built kingdom. That was when she realized that it was no ordinary black mass, it was an army of demons led by a demon lord with thousand of slithering arms.
Arianne immediately sought the help of the fellow country leaders. Among who help was the elven kingdom's queen, Elfianna and the Mer-queen Rizannia. With the help of four heroes they will counter those monsters and defeat the demon lord. However, something unexpected happen. Back in the meeting to save Ambrosia, a girl with perfectly blonde hair and blue eyes came and showed up. Later she knew that this person was carrying the fruit of the love between her and Arianne's dear king, Kyoushiro. It was a great shock to her to know that person occupying her heart already have a loving wife that carried his child.
That greatly shook Arianne's world. Although her love remained unchanged, it still wavered in some point.
"But, this isn't the time for that"
Due to the emergency that was about to happen, the safety of her people came first before her heart. She chose to believe in the heroes that will save her people. Still, her worries about the situation of the missing Kyoushiro still lingers in her heart.
Arianne adores him like that, no, it would be best to call it 'the love for one's king'. Arianne sees Kyoushiro as her king. As she will stay by his side, he too will do so. Like a pair that will forever be together, bounded by chains of royalty together.
"Haah... But Kyoushiro has chosen his queen. What is my standing in his eyes?"
Like what Lucinda was doing for him, Arianne was doing the same as well. There were times at night that she sneaks into Kyoushiro's room and secretly a nightly service with her longing lips. It wasn't a kiss anyone was thinking, it was a succubus devouring the strength of men. Even Kyoushiro does not know this. The juices of love she drinks from his body, it was like a sweet nectar, addicting to her body.
How much she yearns for the time he will come for her on his own. Arianne was jealous of Lucinda where she has taken the side of her beloved king. When Kyoushiro comes back, Arianne promises to service her king properly and when that time comes, she'll spent countless tiring nights with him.
Arianne could already see the way will Kyoushiro will pound her insides. Without knowing it Arianne was already showing a face of ecstasy as she walks down the stairs of the spires.
"Arianne-sama, how fares the situation we are having?"
The one that asked her this was none other than the next queen of Travestin and also the woman that Arianne’s beloved Kyoushiro chose as his woman, Lucinda Aluferd Travestin.
Arianne met Lucinda in one of the recent meetings of the Royal 8 ruler council; due to the recent events of having an army of demons and magic beast being discovered near the borders of Ambrosia, Lucinda was included in the meeting as the next Queen of Travestin. After discovering that Kyoushiro Kagami went missing for a month or two, Lucinda trespassed in the meeting and caused uproar that disturbed the meeting.
After that causing a scene there, Lucinda confessed her relationship with Kyoushiro, what’s more the fact that she was bearing the child of Kyoushiro himself inside her.
There was also the fact about the communication earring and ring that was given to her by the Arianne’s beloved Kyoushiro.
“Lucinda-sama, please take refuge with the citizens”
Lucinda’s state was hardly called ‘alright’. She was seated on a wheelchair made of sturdy wood and was enchanted with magic. Her body was thin and her cheeks were shallow. There were dark circles under her eyes and what’s more, there was a lump on her stomach. It was the proof her bearing Kyoushiro’s child.
“Fufu~ please do not underestimate me so much Arianne-sama. As the wife of the black hero, it would bring shame to his name if I were too, ran from a fight I know he could win”
Was that trust or was it just haughtiness? Lucinda showed great proud with his relation with Kyoushiro. Even if she were in such sorry state, Lucinda would still fight. As the wife of the known Black Hero who rebuilt an entire nation from scratch and also the savior of the heroes, she won’t retreat from a fight that Kyoushiro would never ran away from.
Still though, it was something that Arianne was worried about.
“Lucinda-sama, as the current state of the whole Ambrosia is…”
“Arianne-sama, I will not take refuge. I will stand and fight alongside the people that Kyoushiro-sama have helped”
Lucinda’s eyes showed melancholy as she uttered those words. Arianne stared at such Lucinda with her heart feeling heavy.
In the far reaches of the spire where the army of elves and Black soldiers of Ambrosia was currently standing, just distant from that was a giant dust cloud heading towards Ambrosia. Even though it was yet to be visible Arianna was sure that it was the army that the 9th Demon Lord, Thousand Hand Kakal, had formed in order to invade ambrosia.
There was no shroud of doubt that it was that army. Arianne glared at such sight with her hands gripped above her chest.
“It seems that they have arrived”
“That is so, Lucinda-sama”
The two Queens over looked that the impending doom that was slowly getting closed to their destination, the kingdom of Ambrosia.
|
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Vol.1 Ch. 11 – The Dark colored army…
PART #1
There was an army right in front of the Elves that was sent by the Queen of elves, Elfiana Litre Parcelous; they are known as the Dark army. They are a mixed of races, from elves to demi-humans, there was even some demon kind there as well.
Unlike the Elven army that was sent as part of the rescue army, the Dark army was made from the very people of Ambrosia. They are the people, whom the other races regarded as demon-spawns. Cursed with dark hair and eyes, with disregard of gender or races, as long as they bare such color, they are Demon-spawns; the shadow of the Demon God.
However, the elves could not believe the great difference between them. It wasn’t how people view them or how they are currently living their lives. It was the great difference with their power.
The Dark army was wearing leather armors died in black. Black long capes, bracers, boots, padding and shields; almost all what they were wearing were died in black. However, that wasn’t all. The weapons they were all holding were all high class. The Knights divisions in the forefront were holding long-swords enchanted with the best of the best’s magic circuits that increased its sharpness, toughness and slicing ability.
The Archers Division on towers was wielding crossbows and bows made from the best materials of wood and arrows made from the essence of magic itself. The most eye catching features of their bows and crossbows were that they are all magically enchanted. Each time they pulled the quiver, invisible arrows made up of all elements could be fired. That is how special their equipment was.
Lastly, the Magic Division that consists of both mages and healers, they were given wands and staffs that granted with the outmost great degree of special gems. Not only did it allow spells to be conjured in high accuracy and speed, the power of its spells is all in another level. It was as if, the Dark army as a whole was made to be the most powerful army of all.
Even though their number was merely below 500…
“I can’t believe that there is such army existing in this world”
One of the Elf captains of the Elf relief army exclaimed so above his white steed.
The reason why he said that was because out of all the army that he had seen, the Dark army was cut above the rest. Their equipment was way more powerful than any army and their levels were all on the 3-digit number line.
Even in the Elf country, the only people that had such high levels were the current heroes in their countries, Mikoto Aizawa and Minami Todoroki.
Right now, the highest level personnel in the Elf Relief Army was the High commander Durif Elca Dragonwood. Durif was the one that was currently overseeing the formation of the relief army of the elves and the dark army of Ambrosia.
He was positioned at the back in order to send various instructions to the army. Arianne provided them with the communication magic artifact that Kyoushiro made in case a war would suddenly appear out of nowhere. This was to ensure the security of the whole nation of Ambrosia with the strictness level of a military country.
The artifact was distributed to one member of each squad in order for the orders from Durif to reach them. It was an advantage greatly favored their army.
The heroes, Koizumi Makoto and Katsuto Sairenji was given a pair as well and was now currently in the front lines of the army. Fortunately though, the two was in their tip top shape, if not the army would fall immediately.
Mikoto and Minami were currently together in the rear. Because both of their skills were mainly for support only, they took the Durif’s orders to stay in the rear and support the Magic Division and Archer division in case some monsters were to slip into the gaps of the army. Luckily, there was barrier put up around the entire capital of Ambrosia.
It was the previous barrier that once stood as the shield of Aurolius in the past. Kyoushiro made temporary repairs on it in the past so now it was working. Still, the barrier would only last for a while and if too much strain were to put on the barrier, it would break. Because of that, half of the army was outside the barrier to reduce the influx of monsters to a bare minimum.
Though, it would still take too much toll on the army’s strength just to keep the other monsters at bay.
“They’re here…”
One of the Dark army’s soldier uttered so.
Just a few distances away from him, the figures of wasteland monsters can be seen rushing towards them. Poison Coyotes, Rock-scaled rattle snakes, Stone-armored Tortoise, Thick-scaled lizards, Gryphons, Manticores and many more were baring their fangs against the Dark army and the Elf Relief army.
But, instead of fearing those monsters, the Dark army all pulled out their weapons from their scabbard and yelled out their hearts.
“OOOUUUU!!!!” was the heartfelt shouts both the army yelled.
“Katsuto, this will be our first fight so make sure to stay on guard and don’t lose your cool”
Next to the large bodied Katsuto Sairenji was his friend Koizumi Makoto. The Lancer, Koizumi Makoto, is a good-looking young man with a natural light brown colored hair and brown eyes. He is one their class well desired male to be dated by the girls in their schools in their world. Still, despite how good-looking he was, he turned down all confession that was directed at him granting him the title “Love hunter” by his classmates.
On the other hand, Katsuto was a large built young man that was part of the Martial arts club in their school. His hair was naturally dark brown that he had inherited from his father while his blue eyes were inherited from his grandmother’s ancestors. It seems that his mother’s side had foreign blood from westerners before.
“Hmph, as if this would make me feel scared”
“Hahaha… I wish I have that attitude of yours…”
Katsuto merely puffed his chest out as he grinding his metal gauntlets at each other. The Mythic grade gauntlets [Meteor Fist – Great Bull] was one of the treasures found in Rizandra Ious Silphenm had gave out and since Katsuto can use almost all kinds of weapons thanks to his absurdly talent as a martial artist, Rizandra gave him the mythic grade gauntlets [Meteor Fist – Great Bull].
Koizumi’s weapon was a mythic grade weapon as well. Since his class was a “Lancer”, Rizandra presented him the [The spear Longinus] which could be said as a god-killing weapon in this world.
“Don’t act like that Makoto I know what you truly feel right now”
Katsuto smirked as he easily could tell the real expression under Koizumi’s poker face mask. To that, Koizumi sighed and simply grinned as he can’t help but accept that Katsuto was truly his best friend.
“You really know me well, Katsuto kukuku”
“As if that sadistic personality of yours will disappear just like that you bastard”
Katsuto lightly hit Koizumi’s shoulder.
“Fuu… That aside”
“What is it?”
“Arianne-sama is really beautiful”
Dumbfounded, Koizumi remained silent due to what Katsuto on the battlefield with a straight face.
PART #2
The battle begun as the monsters and the Dark army along with the Elf Relief Army clashed. Koizumi was flashily mowing down the demonic beasts and magic beast altogether with his [Spear of Longinus].
Large saber tooth tigers were being pierced one by one with Koizumi’s spear wielding skill <Rapid Thrust>, causing blood to rain on the battlefield and slowly dying the dried up wasteland red.
One 3 m long and large white viper suddenly lunged it’s fangs towards Koizumi, but Koizumi was able to dodged that attack by jumping up with the end of [Spear of Longinus]’s butt hitting the ground.
As he leaped, Koizumi pulled up the spear and unleashed <Thousand Needles> skill and turned the 3m long and large white viper into Swiss cheese. The earth below him turned into beehives as well but Koizumi ignored that and rushed to help lessen the 5 million demonic and magic beast army.
Koizumi then ran and met up with the first group of the Dark army. However, in contrast to what he had expected, they were not even struggling on fighting the monsters around them.
The six member group was calmly killing monsters and defending themselves. At the front were two bear demi-human with black fur. The two were using large axes as they were crushing Poison Coyotes and Rock-shelled Tortoise. Behind them was a dark haired elf woman, she was using a large bow while standing on top of a demon kind dark skinned ogre.
Each arrow of the black haired elf woman was piercing through the heads of monsters with an unbelievable accuracy. It was as if she had a cross-hair planted on her pupils.
What’s more, the arrows she was firing were all made off magic that came from the bow itself. Flame arrows turned her targets to ashes, Ice arrows froze her targets and Air made arrows accurately pierced through two or three monsters in one shot.
It was a one-sided fight so much that Koizumi doesn’t see the Dark army needing any help.
The other two behind the black skinned ogre and the black haired elf woman were a dark hair and eyed old man and black furred wolf type demi-human. The human male was suing sword skills to sever and cleave through the thick skin of Mad ogres and Chaos prime apes while the wolf-type demi-human was using his sinister looking gauntlets to cut through the vines of man-eating fly traps. The pair was doing combo moves that immediately mowed the monsters away from their party members.
Slowly, the space between them and the monsters enlarged. Koizumi could not move from where he stood as he watched the Dark army turned almost 50 monsters into grounded meat and mangled corpses.
Even how he compared the state of the Elves unable to kill saber tooth tigers with large numbers, the strength of each individual within the Dark army was too much to even measure.
Did Kyoushiro make all their equipment by himself? Just how strong the boosts do his equipment gives to the user?
Koizumi questioned the reality in front of him.
Actually, the effects on the equipment that the Dark army was wearing were not as great as Koizumi had thought. Even how the equipment was made with ordinary materials, no one knows the truth other than the creator himself.
Indeed, the equipment each soldier of the Dark army were magically imbued with great magic effects but the reason why the soldiers were so strong was because of their own skills and experiences. Each member of the Dark army were people exiled from the world, they were made to live in a place plagued with strong monsters and horrible rulers. Because of the numerous times they were attacked with dangerous monsters, because each of them was treated the same way as the others, they all have unity with each other.
It was a trait that made the elves weaker than the mixed raced army of Ambrosia.
Still though, the numbers of monsters were great. Even with Koizumi and Katsuto joined up with the fray, 5 million was too great of a number. The two heroes still needed to save up some strength just in case the demon lord appeared, due to that the time to kill each monsters were just getting longer.
But, just as Koizumi was about to rushed towards the front once again after witnessing something that made his spirit fall out of his body, another surged of monsters was charging towards them.
Katsuto was still helping the elves to kill the monsters so he was still occupied. Even with Koizumi being there, even with how strong his attacks were fighting a horde instantly was too much for him. He has a long ranged attack but that would require a large amount of MP to be used. His does have another long range skill but it could only be used on one monster each.
Seeing the horde of monsters that consists of earth dragons, Storm birds, Paralytic moths, 4 m hornets and Earth eaters, Koizumi’s cheeks cramped up.
However…
*Hyuu~!!*
A sound like some arrow was shot was heard throughout the battlefield coming from behind the front lines.
“W-What the!?”
But the thing that caught Koizumi’s attention wasn’t a single arrow, but a whole rain of it. A volley of multi colored arrows was fired over the horde of the upcoming monsters. The rain of arrows that was fired immediately fell directly on the monsters.
Did they predict them coming? Koizumi was thinking such thing.
Then, as the arrows fell one by one, a loud roaring sound echoed throughout the battlefield.
*Rododododododododododododododododododododododo!!!*
It was like the sound of a rapidly firing machine gun but the after effects were not streams of light but large explosions comparable to an Anti-tank grenade launcher. This made clouds of dusts formed where the monster horde was running earlier.
“Just what the hell is up with this army…?”
Was the only thing that Koizumi could say as he watched the dust clouds just a few meters away from him, disappearing and showed the effects of the fired volley of arrows.
PART #3
High Elf Commander, Durif Elca Dragonwood, was one of the most trusted aides of the Elf Queen Elfianna Litre Parcelous. Because of his long history of war achievements and also one of the long recorded commanders in the elven country, he was the most trusted commander in their kingdom.
Durif was born from a wealthy noble elf family. His grandfather was a well-known Elf knight and his grandmother was a famous elder in their community. Being the grandchild of two heroes like figures in their country, Durif swore to himself that he would be the strongest and wisest elven commander in their kingdom.
After growing up and witnessing countless wars between the elves and other races, Durif was sure that the Elves was one of the most powerful country in the world because they have the most advanced weapons in the world.
However, with what he has witnessed in this country of demon-spawns, Durif had sunk down on his chair as he has melted into it.
“Just what the hell is up with this country!?”
Durif yelled as he watched the battle unfolding in front of a 3D projection of the battlefield inside the command room.
The command room was just 40 sq. m size room but the inside was so wide that it could fit three class rooms altogether. At the very center of the room was a large round table and at the center of that table was a transparent sphere that was revolving in an axis.
There, the battle was unfolding. The site where the monsters were and the where the Archers fired their magic arrows, was playing live inside the sphere.
It was a machine that never in a million years existed inside the Elven country.
“Those weapons, that equipment, these machines… Just how powerful is this country!? Do they even need our help to begin with!?”
Besides the equipment the Dark army was using, just how was the 3D projector sphere was projecting the battlefield outside Ambrosia? The distance from the command center was well about 1000 kilometers away. Even by a magically enchanted scope would only reach 1/10th of that.
Durif was conflicted whether Ambrosia was truly in a need of help to begin with. After all, with how strong the Dark Army was and how advance their technology was, the aid from the Elven country would be unneeded.
In actuality, Kyoushiro made the hundreds of 5 cm drones that were connected with the 3D projector sphere. They were made with special materials that was created through <Mineral Processing> and <Metal Forging>. The drones were scattered through the sky and with the special battery that powers them, they are almost infinitely recording everything they see.
Even Arianne wasn’t told about its creation. It was something that could make the power balances of the world tilt towards one direction. Now, it was used against an army of demonic and magic beasts that us under the control of the 9th Demon Lord Kakal.
Durif could not believe how much applications such machine could give to the entire world.
And the one behind such machine was none other than the famed black hero, Kyoushiro Kagami.
-This is Archer group Alpha, the next wave has been annihilated-
The speaker underneath the 3D projector sphere echoed so.
-Mage Unit group Enigma, commencing healing allied soldiers-
-Sword Unit group Fauna, we have completely cleaned the up the first wave. Requesting material collection-
Such the words that came after; Durif was out of his wits of how all of those communication devices were working. It was without a doubt state of the art but how everything was moving far easier than expected, send chills down Durif’s spine.
“Durif-dono, the battle has been progressing finely”
Three seats away from Durif on his left side was Black maned lion and eyes, he wore a military garb but his large built made it look like the suit itself was on the verge of tearing. He was one the Demon-spawn that Kyoushiro appointed as one of his generals, Black lion; Black Wrath.
Back when Kyoushiro first arrived at Ambrosia, Wrath faced Kyoushiro in a duel to prove that he was the superior being that should rule in Ambrosia. Taking such challenge head on and without really caring about it that much, Kyoushiro accepted the fight and magnificently won.
It was a one strike duel that decided the fight.
Yet, compared to how large and strong Wrath was, Kyoushiro still one with one punch. It is a story worth telling but for now that would put aside till later.
“Y-Yes… That is so, Wrath-dono”
“It’s Kuro, Durif-dono”
Kuro corrected Durif about the way he was calling Kuro. Though it seemed rude to be called with a name that suit an animal, Durif surrendered and just followed what Kuro said.
By the way, Kuro’s real name was “Lyon Saber” but because of the rule of the demi-humans, those who lost from a duel he himself requested, he must be ready to be named by the one that defeated him.
The naming was forced, Kyoushiro felt awkward just too call Lyon “Kuro” as well since it felt like naming a dog rather than a lion.
“T-Then Kuro-dono, about the current progress…”
“Please be at ease, my master’s men won’t falter in such adversary”
Was that trust or just his pride talking? Durif wasn’t sure since Kuro’s face doesn’t change as much.
“The equipment given by master is the best among the rest. What’s more, all of the people here in Ambrosia are all experienced in battle. We’ve all been in this place ever since the noble that ran away disappeared”
The scene in the sphere changed. There, a group of Rabbit type demi-human was excellently killing large Desert hounds with one strike using their curved daggers smeared with poison. The poor Desert Hounds fell limply then convulsed before they died.
Another scene shifted and a group of Rat type demi-humans were aiding the rescue of the fallen Elves and skillfully avoiding attacks from both allies and monsters.
The skill to that degree of evading was astonishing; it was like those Rat type demi-humans don’t have any bones. Such scene was being played in the 3D projector sphere with such clarity.
“They were trained with the high most order of survival and rescue. They won’t be dying just like that”
“O-Ou… That seems so”
Durif could only agree with that with half-closed eyes.
“Now then, it seems that our guest have arrived”
Kuro stood from his seat and went to the door.
“Welcome Arianne-sama and Lucinda-sama, I welcome you to his majesty’s command room”
As Kuro opened the door with utmost elegance and also grace, the two Queens that has direct relations with Kyoushiro entered the command room with surprised eyes.
The reason why even Arianne was shocked was because this was the first time she had known about the command room inside the castle. Furthermore, due to her being away most of the time for a while now, she hardly returned home. With how things were busy for her, Kyoushiro took the liberty of training the Dark army, making surveillance equipment and also making the command room itself.
Kyoushiro took almost all control in Ambrosia’s recuperation. That was why almost all in Ambrosia see Kyoushiro as the king rather than a hero himself. The title suited him anyway and because of the people in Ambrosia enjoyed how Kyoushiro was annoyed being called “His Majesty” they stuck to calling him that.
Kuro liked to call Kyoushiro “His Majesty” so it became like a nickname to him.
“Eh? Lyon-san, where is this…?”
“It is Kuro, your highness”
Was that even necessary? Durif wanted to say that but the Queens of Ambrosia and Travestin were right in front of him. Being disrespectful towards the two might disrupt the current relationship between them and his Queen, Elfianna. That was why he chose to shut up and stayed quiet.
“Good work bringing them here, Aqua, Marine”
Kuro thanked the twin black haired and eyed maids behind Arianne and Lucinda. They were one of the fox type demi-human that was exiled from their homes. Right now, they were appointed as Kyoushiro’s personal assistants and also Kuro’s right and left hands. They were efficient in moving in the shadows; what’s more they both work well together. Kuro likes them for some odd reason he too don’t understand himself while Kyoushiro just sees them as something like a convenient tool to use.
However, the twin doesn’t know that.
“No, they are his majesty’s important people so it is only natural to abduct them”
“Yes”
“No-no-no, that isn’t natural” was how Kuro’s expression was showing.
“Ah, we have brought her highness Elfianna as well”
“Yes”
Appearing right behind the two was the beautiful elf queen of the Elf country. Her face was exasperated and her green tube gown was disheveled. It was like she ran all the way to the command room with how tired looking she was.
Kuro smiled bitterly at the twins.
“You two…”
“Ah… we carried Arianne-sama and Lucinda-sama. But because we can’t carry two people we just had her ran with us”
“…Yes”
It seems that even the Elf queen could not in from the high-speed running of the two girls of the fox tribe.
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol.1 Ch. 11 – The Dark colored army…",
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|
PART # 2
Back in Ambrosia, there was a time where Kyoushiro had to fight monsters without using any skill. Because of his curse, he couldn’t level up quickly and he can’t gain any skill that could help him in combat. Kyoushiro couldn’t use any sort of high level spells as he has only a meager amount of mana inside of him.
Because of that, Kyoushiro’s chances of victory during a battle were slim that it could be considered as a miracle that he was still alive.
Fighting monsters that could spew out flames shoot out spikes, spit out acid or poison, use the wind to form some sort of sight and many more. Kyoushiro fought using the strength of a human and not some hero like Taiga and the others.
A technique that was only available to him….
“No-skill Sword style 1st technique <Fragmented mirror slash>”
*GRAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!”
Just like an instant where a glass shatters, several strokes of slashes shredded Bulsvek’s arms. Because of that, Bulsvek retreated a few steps back and regenerated its arms on its back. The unbelievable sounds of bones creaking and flesh meshing, made Kyoushiro cringed all over, after all that was disgusting.
However, Kyoushiro dumped the idea of turning back and taking Edsel and Dahlia away, he pursued Bulsvek by taking two steps forward before unleashing another stroke of slashes. It was the second sword play of the No-Skill Sword technique…
“<Refracting blade>”
Kyoushiro’s cut through Bulsvek body like butter, severing him in half in just one stroke. Just like how light is refracted in water, Bulsvek’s body was cut in half. But despite such severe damaged dealt to his body, Bulsvek pushed his body together to stick both half once more with each other.
Kyoushiro immediately took a step back upon seeing such reaction from Bulsvek’s severed body. It seems that a normal cut won’t kill him.
Bulsvek spoke pained due to the damaged that he felt just now. With tear stained eyes, he faced Kyoushiro with a sad face as though implying mercy from his opponent.
“That hurt you sick bastard!! What would you do if I died?!”
“That was the point. You dying dumbass”
Kyoushiro replied uninterested with Bulsvek’s words. As he was the enemy, there was no reason to not kill him at all. Kyoushiro already got what he needed from the guys he interrogated before so there was no use for Bulsvek anymore. If anything, he being someone <Appraisal> skill couldn’t read was a threat. That was why Kyoushiro immediately thought of Bulsvek that needed to be put down no questions asked.
Although for a monster, Bulsvek was showing so many human expressions and emotions.
“You’re really cruel, you know that?! You already killed my wives and my brothers AND my children!! Why do you want to kill me too?!”
Bulsvek yelled with tears, snot and other sort of liquids squirting out of his body. Kyoushiro was totally grossed out seeing such grown man cry; more so, one with nothing on him to cover his body and a chuck full arms sticking out from his back.
That was truly out of the ordinary.
“We were just having fun and you flooded my lair!! I was this close to watch my 450th child’s birth!!”
“Uwaa… That’s a number only roaches could reach. And for what it’s worth, I don’t give a damn”
Kyoushiro pointed the tip of his sword at Bulsvek’s neck as he was taking a stance. Bulsvek however, merely stood there crying over the death of his family.
“You killed them… my family… you killed them….”
“Like I said, I don’t care. Anyways, before I kill you, I want to know where the other Generals like you are hiding. I don’t plan on searching for empty bases without getting information about Ernest Vern so do you know where he is too?”
“You killed them… you… huh? The others? They are at their own bases. There are only four of us so it’ll be easy to just go to each and every base. As for the Commander, he is at his usual fortress”
Amazingly, Bulsvek was honest. Kyoushiro hadn’t expected that but Bulsvek didn’t answer Kyoushiro’s question. In turn, Kyoushiro heaved a sigh and lowered his sword for a moment.
“Hey, can I ask one thing?”
“Huh? Oh sure, fire away”
“Looks like you were former human. In details with the drug you guys ingested, those arms on your back… Are those possibly...”
“These? Yeah…. They are my wives. One was a human, an elf, a dark elf, a demi-human, a goblin, a kobold, a wolf and… what were they again? Uh… huh? You!! You killed my family!!”
As Bulsvek was counting his wives by fingers and reciting their races on specie, Bulsvek was slowly reverting back to what he was earlier. It seems that the powdered scales of the 6th Demon Lord had side effects on a person’s brain. It was definitely narcotic, hallucinogen, and a sort of anti-depressant and also an aphrodisiac.
Kyoushiro wasn’t an expert in modern medicine but Kyoushiro had witnessed firsthand when a person gets hit by the side effects of the drugs they ingested.
Bulsvek was suffering from the draw back. Furthermore, each and every woman he had mated with had died and fused with him. If the effects of the powder were added to effects of each and every drug, then by now, Bulsvek was no longer sane.
Probably by now, Bulsvek’s mind has been resetting, forgetting parts of his memories and his self. Kyoushiro had seen a person consumed by the effects of a narcotic drug so he was sure that even Bulsvek won’t be able to survive the effects of the 6th Demon Lord’s scales.
However, this was a different world with different rules. Beings heightened and boosted by drugs has huge leaps of attribute values in their statutes. Regardless of damage, as long as there was someone that could make the counter-acting drug, then the person would be fine.
Even high level healing spells could nullify the effects of powerful drugs or even cure someone from a fatal disease or disorder.
That’s why, Bulsvek was no longer human. Kyoushiro concluded so and chose to destroy Bulsvek with everything in his power.
“Is that so… Well, I’ll kill you like I killed your family. That way, you’ll at least die as a human”
Kyoushiro once again raised his sword. He kicked the ground with all that he had and charged Bulsvek with the intent to kill. Even if severing his head or piercing through his heart won’t kill him, Bulsvek won’t be able to regenerate if he was in pieces.
Kyoushiro landed a few centimeters in front of Bulsvek, preparing to draw his sword. Then, using the full force of his body, his adrenaline rush gushed forth and fueled his body with pure human strength. Coupled with the effects of his weapons, clothes and accessories, his attack was able to cut through Bulsvek thick flesh.
No-Skill Sword style 4thplay….
“<Mirrored reflection- [Reflecting Sword]>
Within a single second, Kyoushiro’s slashes reflected one another as though mirrors had surrounded him and showed multiple reflections at the same time. The slashes were added then added until a single slash numbered a hundred. Changing his every angle, Kyoushiro slashed and slashed until every strike had cut Bulsvek into pieces.
Bulsvek didn’t show any reaction and stood there taking every slash Kyoushiro delivered. There was no counting how many times Bulsvek was cut into two, three, eight, ten and more pieces. In each and every time Bulsvek regenerated, Kyoushiro’s sword would cut through it and turned it into mere shredded pieces of flesh.
The outnumbering slash ended as Kyoushiro jumped back and retreated away from Bulsvek.
“Looks like cutting you to a thousand pieces worked”
What came about after the rain of slashes was Bulsvek’s body scattered all over the surrounding area. His blood was splattered everywhere and the chunk of his body was sent flying to trees, rocks, bushes and grasses; making a gruesome painting of a bloody forest, right in front of Kyoushiro, Edsel and Dahlia.
Kyoushiro returned the sword back to its scabbard and turned around.
“Edsel, burn the whole forest down”
“Eh?”
Probably still shock from what had transpired just now, Edsel let out a surprised voice. Dahlia was hiding behind Edsel, scared from witnessing the fight between Kyoushiro and Bulsvek.
“I said burn the whole forest down. Monsters will gather around here so it’ll be hard to run if those things chase us. Also, it’s to make sure that guy is dead. I don’t want a second where that guy would piece himself together and kill us from behind”
Kyoushiro pointed at the chunks of Bulsvek’s body scattered everywhere. Edsel took a moment to think about Kyoushiro’s orders and took actions afterwards. Even she knows how dangerous monsters are when they gather in large numbers; even more so for monsters that can heal or regenerate themselves.
Edsel then nodded at Kyoushiro and set the whole forest on fire using <Firestorm> spell. With that, the forest was easily burned and the fires scattered throughout the whole forest. Also with that, there won’t be troublesome monsters chasing them around and bandits that were probably hiding and watching the whole exchange between Kyoushiro and Bulsvek would get caught in the fire as well.
Easily, Kyoushiro had less monsters and enemies to deal with; having a mage with a high level of skill in terms of casting powerful spells indeed improve his survivability in this current situation.
As the fire continues to spread everywhere, Kyoushiro and the mother and child left, leaving behind a burning forest in their wake.
-
The flames that burned down the forest died down almost immediately after a rain passed over. Whether it was some kind of weather change or someone used a spell to change the weather in order to put out the fire, it saved the forest from being burned completely.
“Well, this is unexpected…”
“My, is that what you call a greeting, oh great hero-dono?”
Kyoushiro, Edsel and Dahlia had already left the forest and were now traversing a road that leads to the nearest bandit base. However, as they were walking under the heavy rain, a woman wearing a loose white kimono appeared before them.
The woman had pure white hair and crystal blue colored irises. Her white skin seemed like untainted snow and under the dull grey rain; the woman was standing out greatly. Kyoushiro became vigilant of the woman and hid Edsel and Dahlia behind him.
Although Kyoushiro wasn’t certain if the woman was hostile or not, there was no assurance that she was there waiting for Kyoushiro or not. Judging by how she addressed Kyoushiro, it seems that she knows who he was.
The woman smiled and held out a fan and covered her face.
“Sorry but I don’t know who you are. Mind getting out of the way?”
“My, such harsh reception I am merely here to introduce myself and talk to you about something”
Says the women as she took a step forward and waved her fan; in doing so, she made the droplets of rain disperse. Kyoushiro felt a great gust of wind assault him and groaned due to the forceful wind pushing him back.
Then as the rain disappeared, the woman resumed her talk.
“I am the 3rd Demon Lord, Lady Snow. Hero, what do you wish to accomplish by slaying the Demon Lords?”
“Huh?”
Shock and perhaps, bewildered by the woman who calls herself the “3rd Demon Lord”, Kyoushiro’s face twitched. However, Lady Snow did not mind such action from Kyoushiro and thus continued.
“What I wished to know, that is you. You have killed the annoying 9th Demon Lord already so? What is it that you trying to accomplish?”
“Are you trying to ask if I have some goal in mind?”
“Yes or an answer that differs from your goal. Whichever it is, I am fine hearing either”
The 3rd Demon Lord was demanding an answer. Although unusual, this sort of question was something that Kyoushiro has no idea to answer. Furthermore, the 3rd Demon Lord just suddenly out of nowhere asking such question out of the blue, due to that, the situation became a little complicated.
Of course, after leaving the burning forest, Kyoushiro’s next destination was supposed to be the nearest base of the 4 honest generals that was no less than one after Bulsvek has been killed. But the 3rd Demon Lord suddenly appearing out of nowhere blew all Kyoushiro’s thoughts out of the window.
“Just out of curiosity, why is a Demon Lord like you doing this kind of interaction to some meager person? Sure I killed the 9th Demon Lord but that is only because he attacked us first. I was only responding to his actions at that time”
If anything, Kyoushiro’s goal wasn’t to slay the Demon Lords. Rather, it was to take revenge on Taiga Kurosawa that took everything from him. There was nothing that Kyoushiro wanted beyond that. Being visited suddenly by one of the 12 remaining Demon Lords, is something very suspicious.
Lady Snow snickered as she fanned herself. Cold mist escaped from her skin as though snow was present on her body and easily drew the air colder than before. Due to the sudden drop of temperature, the puddles near Kyoushiro’s feet froze.
“Honestly, I am merely curious. The person that not only carries a curse but burdened by its effects can fight on par with a Demon Lord that have said to have great regenerative capabilities. It is not something a normal human would be able to do”
“Would it be fine if I said that it’s mere pure luck?”
“Luck has its limits. Even pure luck can be overturned by pure power of an individual known as a Demon Lord”
In this world, Demon Lords are near god like existence. Because they have powers that differ from the boundaries of normality, normal beings cannot even achieve to understand their limits. Even more so this kind of world where it was survival of the fittest and the strong devours the weak, a Demon Lord was enough to be feared like an evil god.
If push comes to shove, outnumbering a Demon Lord would be possible for the nations of this world to defeat but even with that would result in countless casualties. Luck would surely be overturned by pure utter strength of a single Demon Lord.
It was only pure luck that the 9th Demon Lord was defeated. If the army of monsters at that wasn’t reduced to significant numbers, then Ambrosia would have taken a large loss before could defeat the 8th Demon Lord.
“Furthermore, the other Demon Lords had taken an interest in you. Especially the 1st Demon Lord and the 10th Demon Lord”
Hearing two Demon Lords taken an interest in him, Kyoushiro was a bit taken aback. Kyoushiro didn’t expect this much to happen since he didn’t even consider the possibility of being pointed out by such beings.
Kyoushiro caught the sight of Lady Snow looking at the direction behind him. Curious as to why she was looking behind Edsel and Dahlia, Kyoushiro then saw a horsed covered in flickering dust like shadow.
“Hmmm…. It seems like the 10th Demon Lord has made his way and looked into you as well”
“…..”
“This is bad…” Kyoushiro thought as he didn’t sense the presence of a third party spying on him. If it was Kyoushiro, whose normal presence detection skill was well above average even for a normal person, he could have seen through someone watching him from the shadows.
It only meant that the third party was far above Kyoushiro’s level and so as the 3rd Demon Lord, Lady Snow, on front of him.
“So then, shall I hear an answer from you?”
Lady Snow smiled mischievously, like she had seen through Kyoushiro’s pale expression. Having such feeling, Kyoushiro could not help but withdraw.
“I’ve got nothing on the Demon Lords. I just kill whoever wants to kill me and take back what my enemy took from me”
“Hmmm…. Not the answer I was expecting but nevertheless, it is acceptable”
Lady Snow sighed as she covered her face with her black rimmed fan. Her clothes and aesthetics resemble that of Kyoushiro’s world’s country’s culture. Being so elegant and refined, like a lady of a noble house, Kyoushiro couldn’t help but admire Lady Snow’s gestures. As a man, even he couldn’t help it.
“Oh right, by the way, I’ll leave this thing here. You can use it as you see fit”
When Lady Snow was about to leave after hearing what she wanted to know, a veil of snow was hovering behind her back and brought out a single injured woman down on the ground. Kyoushiro immediately recognized the woman; it was Elyria Rosemary, the female elf knight that serves under Queen Elfianna of Paracellumn.
“I found her lying on the ground a few step back and thought that I should giver to the 10th Demon Lord’s servant, though it looks to me that it already changed its mind and left”
The strange black horse was already gone when Kyoushiro glanced over his shoulder. It seems that it didn’t stick around well long enough to listen to their conversation. Kyoushiro was glad that there was one less enemy to worry about but nevertheless, he couldn’t let his guard down.
Kyoushiro walked towards the unconscious Elyria and took out a vial of recovery potion from his magic storage necklace.
“Oh? You are saving her? Would she prove not useful enough to you in her state?”
“Rather her being dead, with these wounds, I’m sure she knows where the leader of the mercenary group I’m looking for. She’ll be useful that way”
“Were you not going to look for the other bases liked you planned?”
“If you were listening before, then you should’ve known that I don’t care about this world’s inhabitants”
Those were Kyoushiro’s true feelings. He feels no lingering attachment to this world or its people. If it’s for the people that care about him then he would protect them with all that he could. That was why, in order to end everything once and for all, he would get everything out of Elyria then toss her aside once she is useless.
Lady Snow showed a very delighted smile as she heard those words from Kyoushiro himself. Being that the case, then this would prove useful to her advantage.
“Fufufu~ very well then, shall I lend you my aid as well?”
In those words, was the start of something far larger than Kyoushiro would ever imagine. This was the very first time that someone had made a Demon Lord lend their help.
|
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|
Vol. 2 CH. 6 – The true pain of reality
PART #1
There have been corpses laid upon a field. Standing behind those corpses was a female elf knight that refused to stand down. Her left arm was wounded and blood dripped right from her wound. Furthermore, her armor and clothing were torn here and there.
She held her sword with her right hand, shaking from the weight of the sword and due to the excessive fatigue she had incurred.
It was hopeless; she could not win against such army. But how did such bandits gathered so many members in a mere short period of time? There have been no reports of bandits gathering so much in such small place.
Rather, the place where the bandits should have been was at the old elven fortress and not a field of grass and weeds. There were no traces of houses built here nor there any underground bases.
It was just a simple plain field with nothing in it besides grass, trees and bushes. Weak monsters can be seen watching from a far and strong looking monsters don’t seem to appearing.
It was weird…
But they have laid a trap.
The female elf knight, Elyria Rosemary, glared at the army of vile bandits that stood before her. Having fought twenty or so of those men, Elyria had reached her limit. Even if she were to use a strength enhancing skill or a magic item that boosts strength or speed, she doesn’t have the power to pull of one last attack.
Elyria was in a bind where she herself couldn’t do anything except surrender. However, to such men, Elyria would rather choose death than surrender.
“C-Captain!! Please flea from this place!! We shall hold them back for you!!”
One female elf knight shouted with her intense gaze fixed at the tens of men in front of her. Next to her were remaining comrades that were filled with wounds as well. They too were thinking the same sentiments as her.
Elyria bit her lower lip as she could not help but agree to their wishes.
“All of you… I am…”
Elyria has no choice. If no word were to reach the capital about the numbers of bandits reaching that of a whole army, the whole city of Caladium would fall into ruins. The heroes might defend against the attack but there was no saying that they would be able to fend off an attack against a large army.
In this place where her comrades had fallen, she chose to flea and return with knowledge. As for her comrades, it was plain to see just what will happen to them.
“I am very sorry, all of you…. May we meet once again, someday…”
“Yes… we too, captain Elyria-sama”
And so Elyria ran. Using most of what strength her legs have left, Elyria ran with all her might back to Caladium. Leaving behind the five comrades that stayed behind to give her some time to get away; no tears fell from her eyes but the blood dripping from her wounds splashed off and reflected the final end of her comrades…
As the blue sky was slowly filling itself with dark linen clouds, the clash of swords ended with blood raining from fallen corpses…
-
Rain fell had from the loud sky and onto the land below. Houses made with wood could only prevent water from entering inside the house and most of the tall buildings in the human settlement were either patched with woodwork so it was questionable whether or not it was enough to defend from the rain.
Kyoushiro had already entered the human settlement by bribing the gate guards with fake gold bars so he and the mother and daughter, Edsel and Dahlia, easily got in the human settlement.
The one power Kyoushiro could proudly use was the power of money. After all, making fake gold was easy with his skills and using such power on people that are on the darker side of the spectrum was soothing.
For Kyoushiro, it was but a simple revenge.
“Ah~… I forgot that it’s been a since I felt cold rain on my skin”
Kyoushiro was not in the mood for joyous talks but the cold air and the cold water drenching his skin was enough too cool his steaming heart down. Rain was quite an occurrence from when he worked in the past so it was very nostalgic.
Although the part where he would get beat up by some clients afterwards were not so good of a memory. Kyoushiro coughed out such feeling from his mind and cleared his throat.
In front of him was Edsel and Dahlia. They were wearing mantles to protect themselves from the rain; furthermore, they were huddling together because it was too cold for them. Kyoushiro didn’t see such thing so he was completely ignorant about it.
Edsel tightly embraced Dahlia in her arms to warm up her daughter.
“Muu… I want papa to hug me, mama”
“Lia-chan, he is not your papa…”
“Like I’ll be your father… I already have a child after all” Kyoushiro thought while ignoring the child extending her arms towards Kyoushiro.
For argument sake, Kyoushiro did not take off his magic glasses again. The striking similarities she had with the little girl was just too much so Kyoushiro chose to stay as the “gray haired and red eyed young man” in front of Dahlia.
It would be too troublesome if he would go and create some kind of misunderstanding and gain the favor of a little girl with a beautiful mother. Kyoushiro weren’t so fond of clichés so he chose to stay as some mysterious savor.
There were already too many problems going inside his head. Kyoushiro sighed while passing a dry towel to Edsel and Dahlia.
“Thank you”
“Papa…”
Kyoushiro ignored the little girl’s cries and turned forward. Edsel caught Kyoushiro’s red blush and let out a quiet laugh. It seems that Kyoushiro was not all resistant from being called “Papa” by a cute little girl that had mistaken him as her father.
Although they were different people, her husband and Kyoushiro was the same “Demon-Spawn”. It was no surprised if Dahlia were to make a mistake about that.
“Where we’ll be going now?”
“I’d like to at least get a guild card now and look for any information about the movements of the other heroes but with this rain, I think it’s best to look for shelter first”
Kyoushiro took a glance at the pouting young girl in the arms of her mother. There was no way Kyoushiro was cold hearted enough to let a young girl like Dahlia to sleep in the cold.
“Is there an Inn that we could stay in for a while?”
“There is one but it is more of a pub than an Inn…”
“As long as we get dry then its fine; one loud bunch is enough for me to endure not pulling their heads off”
“V-Very well then…” Edsel frightfully stuttered so as she lead Kyoushiro to a pub that was said to be the settlement’s proud bar. The fact that Kyoushiro was so easily keen on murder scared her for a while but being someone that was saved by such peculiarity, Edsel did not complained.
The pub that Edsel chose was a rundown one but the rowdy voices inside were enough for one to tell that it was a good place to stay. Kyoushiro took the lead and entered the pub, but once he had entered, silence roamed.
It seems that Kyoushiro entered in a bad way.
“Oi you stranger, what brings you to this kind of place with your family?”
“Ah… looks like bringing in these too was what made them curious huh?” Kyoushiro thought as he took off the hood covering his face. Once he had done that, the people inside the pub returned to their business. The person that welcomed Kyoushiro was the bartender behind the counter.
A weird frivolous looking man prepared two glasses of alcohol and warm milk for the little one that was with her mother.
“Looks like you’re not from around here… come from some town in the south?”
“Something like that. Mind letting me stay here with this two until the rain lets out? I’ll pay for the lodgings of course”
Kyoushiro placed copper coins on the counter. The coins scattered in front of the bartender, taking a glance, the bartender took the money and gave Kyoushiro a key. It seems that he had given Kyoushiro the permission.
The power of money is indeed amazing.
“You can use the room at the end of the hall upstairs. That one’s free”
“Thanks….ah also, here’s for something… to make some bugs leave us alone”
A gold coin shined on the palm of the bartender. Feeling such weight and the shininess of coin, the bartender immediately understood what Kyoushiro meant. The bartender took at the glance of the mother and child next to Kyoushiro and nodded.
One look at that breast, it was enough to know what Kyoushiro meant…
The bartender quickly hid the coin in his pocket and nodded. Afterwards, he advised Kyoushiro come down for dinner later. It seems that it was self-service when it comes to meals.
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind”
Saying so, Kyoushiro prompted the two ladies up the stairs and left the pub. Once Kyoushiro’s figure disappeared, the jolly cheers and jeers came to a stop. There seems to be a good prey that came into town… or so everyone thought…
-
Koizumi and Katsuto had met up at the foot of the northern mountain. After taking separate ways in order to widen the search area of the missing princess, the two heroes accidentally bumped into each other when they were returning to Caladium.
Koizumi with his band of elven female scouts and Katsuto with his exhausted elven knights; everyone looked so tired after a long days of search so when they caught a glimpsed of everyone’s faces, the two heroes decided to camp up for the day.
On their faces, it was very obvious that they were ridden with fatigue. Koizumi had spent a long day slaying monsters on the icy mountain while Katsuto spent all day capturing bandit hideouts.
Both fought but with completely different opponents. Koizumi fought monsters while Katsuto fought humans,
“You look tired Katsuto”
“Ha-ha… Is it really that obvious?”
Katsuto sighed at Koizumi’s words. Katsuto has dark circles under his eyes and his complexion was pale. It was very obvious that he gone through something horrible. Plastered on his face was a look of despair like no other, Katsuto let out a dry laugh…
“Did something happen?”
“No… well, I…”
Katsuto had troubled expressing what he had gone through the entire day. That he fought a group of bandit that had fought alongside the Taiga, a fellow hero and classmate, once? That he lost all sense and continued raiding bandit hideouts in order to search for an answer for the disappearance of a princess??
That he questioned his integrity as a hero? There was so much to say yet he couldn’t utter a single word that he would like to express…
“Something did happen huh?”
But Koizumi had seen through Katsuto’s woes. The burdened face of Katsuto was enough for Koizumi to realize that something happened when Katsuto was in the forest. For as long as the two were best friends, it was easy for Koizumi to see through Katsuto’s thick exterior.
Katsuto’s worried face crumbled into a self-depreciating smile and faced Koizumi as he gazed at the dimly lighted forest. The sun had already sunk a while ago.
“What… Just what is our role in this world…?”
“Role…? Aren’t we the heroes that will save this world?”
“Yes… there is that but what I mean is… our meaning in this world… At this moment, the only acting hero among us is Kagami right?”
“Ah… I guess you’re right huh?”’
There was no denying what Katsuto said; even Koizumi agrees that among all of the 18 heroes, Kyoushiro was more of a hero than most of them. In his opinion even if all of them were put together, there was no mistaken that Kyoushiro was a hero.
Taiga has been misusing his title as a hero as of late, the ones in the Holy Empire were causing problem using this world’s god’s name and the ones in the beast kingdom were inside slavery business. Inomiri, their teacher, was currently in the land of scholars in order to give enlightenment to this world’s advance technologies in terms of magic technology.
Indeed, what were their roles in this world? Were they heroes or villains? Koizumi was unsure what were their at this point…
“There was one bandit that I captured that came from the same mercenary group that left with Kurosawa… He said that it was our fault that he had fallen so much”
The face of the bandit that the elf knight killed in front of him was still fresh inside his mind. The hate filled and angry expression of that bandit has as he questioned Koizumi’s innocence and righteousness as a hero.
Katsuto could not help but tremble with fear as he remembers that face…
“We all became skilled in taking lives in this world, be it humans or not, we became masters of that technique”
“Ahh… It’s hard to admit but you’re right about that”
For nearly half a year, everyone that was sent in this world had gone through a horrific change. Because of this world’s expectations of them as heroes, they the very children of a different peaceful world learned how to wield a weapon.
They were given powers to achieve other people’s goals and such powers were the very ones that took the normality of their life and turned it into something despicable. Indeed they were heroes but neither did they even accomplish a feat that was comparable to being a hero yet.
All of them were just inexperienced kids that go around making trouble for others but this world changed them. Their minds became distorted due to the power they were given and became abusive to those that were weak in front of them.
Katsuto and Koizumi, they both know what kind of path they would take from here on out but even so, they still wished to return to those normal days where they only think about passing exams and going through college…
Not some fate of the world but the fate of their own life once they grow old.
Thinking deeply such things, Koizumi let out a quiet sigh. His breath became white as it escaped from his mouth; signs that the temperature had dropped just now.
It had gotten cold as the sun sunk. There was no mystery behind such phenomenon as they were near the northern mountain which had its peak covered in snow.
“Koizumi… can we really go back to being normal?”
“Well that… I don’t know”
Depending on what Katsuto meant as being “Normal” Koizumi would agree in going back. But in their class where every single one of them hides their true selves behind thick masks, it was hard to tell whether that as a normal life or not.
Koizumi himself had hidden behind an ever-smiling mask to hide the ugly personality he has deep inside his mind. The part that which Koizumi refers to as his ‘Other-self’ was something inexplicable as that part of him was cruel and evil; the very reason why his own parents left him alone with his grandmother in the countryside such side of him, Koizumi was afraid to let it out.
Katsuto too had a thing or two he doesn’t want others to know. He became an athletic person just to hide such side of him after all.
Because the true pain of reality lies upon the words of others, it was hard for them to express themselves to the world. In order to not be hurt by the condemning eyes of other people in society, everyone hide themselves behind a large wall.
Were they allowed to go back to their world where everything was normal? Where adults rule over the young one, ordering them to do this and that as they wished?
Truly, no answer would come out. Even if they try to wonder about it and do something about it, there was no use. They could only find the answer once they had arrived there.
At the time when they would be made to choose “Will I go back?” or “I will stay here for good” Koizumi and Katsuto could only believe in their selves that they would choose the right answer.
And so, as the night came and the stars came out, the two decided to sleep and tried to forget what they had experienced earlier this day…
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "20790",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 2 CH. 6 – The true pain of reality (1st Half)",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 4 CH. 8 — The figure of a hero (2)
PART #1
After arriving at the gates, Kyoushiro lead the three to the throne room. Accompanied by a single maid, the four people, Kyoushiro, Elyria, Corralia and Finnick made their way through the halls.
As expected to those that never seen the insides of the Ambrosian castle was struck by awe. Not one candle light can be seen lighting up the place. The chandeliers, the torches and the candleholders that used candles as a way of lighting wasn't present. Instead, the halls were decorated by beautiful crystal like light bulbs.
On top of that, there was a pleasant air blowing in the halls.
It wasn't like other castles where there were shadows in every corner of the halls and rooms.
Corralia in particular was impressed by such lighting.
"Amazing.... I have never seen such artifact before...."
Even in Oceanus, the lighting medium were magic stones that had been crafted into a light bulb. The light weren't bright and hardly can be used underwater. However, the lighting in this castle was bright enough to light up one section pleasantly.
"Say Nii-chan, do you really know the Queen of this country?"
On the side, Finnick was just curious about Kyoushiro. The person never did told him about who he was and what kind person was he since he know such high ranking person in land.
Kyoushiro didn't say anything. Elyria answered in his stead.
"Believe it or not Finnick-kun, this person is this country's Queen'shusband"
"Eh!? Seriously?! I didn't know you were a king too Nii-chan!!"
"Tsk" Kyoushiro clicked his tongue as he denied the role as king.
"I'm not. Don't give him any ideas of who I am"
"Hmph, you say that but you also have two other wives. One was another Queen of different country and the other is a hero"
"Seriously!? That's so cool nii-chan!!"
"......."
Finnick couldn't help but be impressed. The person before him was someone great enough to have two Queens on each arm and one hero on his back. There was not much people there that could have such luxury like him.
For Kyoushiro, the three wives were just pretenses he had just accepted because he gave up correcting people. Lucinda was indeed his wife and Mikoto was sort of his girlfriend? Kyoushiro was still wasn't sure how to name their relationship. As for Arianne, he just couldn't reject her after all the help she provided.
The maid, who has been walking behind Kyoushiro let out a chuckle. For her, this sort of topic had already been established and it was only Kyoushiro who was still mulling over it. Of course, everyone knows Arianne was more or less obsessed with Kyoushiro. How that happened was another story but it was worth mentioning considering the two helped each other established this country.
"His majesty is a bit sensitive around that topic so please be careful when talking about it"
Those were the words of the maids as she escorted the four to the throne room.
"This is enough, you can prepare some rooms for these guys for now. I'll talk with Arianne first"
"Are they staying for tonight?"
"Something like that. I don't want to hear from people that I don't accommodate guests where I live"
"Fufufu.... certainly"
The maid lowers her head after softly laughing at Kyoushiro's words. The person who she had only been serving for a few months was the kind of person who shows kindness to others who treat him properly and was extremely harsh if not.
Each and every maid hired to take care of the castle knows the Black Hero well enough to be comfortable enough to show such expressions to other people.
As soon as the maid left, Kyoushiro opens the door.
"Wow...."
Finnick exclaimed at the height of the ceiling with glass chandeliers shining down from the ceiling with mist like effect. Not only that, the guards stationed at every pillar of the walls showed such powerful air as if they can jumped at the enemy at any time.
"Amazing....."
Corralia lawed at the colorful glass panels that formed into a flower. There were even figures of people there as though telling a story.
"Oh? Welcome back Kyou-san. I see you brought some new wives I see"
"Just what do you people think of me......"
Edsel welcomed Kyoushiro and his guests. The elf mother of Dahlia, who looked more lively now than before, showed a soft smile as she laughs at Kyoushiro's remark. Finnick was taken aback by such beauty of an older woman that he instinctively ran towards Kyoushiro back and hide.
Elyria leered at the kid who didn't even showed the same expression when they first met while Corralia just muttered "Ara~Ara~"
"I never knew you had a son Kyou-san?"
"He's not mine. The kid's a straggler"
"Ah, I see. Another one of your rescue?"
"Nope, he was already fine when he woke up back on the other side. I don't know why he still stuck around"
Kyoushiro moved away suddenly, exposing Finnick. Instantly, the boy's face flare up as he saw the woman with a motherly figure look down on him with a smile. Elyria showed a disgusted face while watching Finnick and Corralia just watched in silence, enjoying the scene.
"Hey there, my name is Edsel. I'm a person who has been saved by the kindness of the Hero Kyou-san"
"F-F-Finnick......"
Finnick answered bashfully. His face was red and his eyes was darting from one place to another. Probably because the woman before him was kneeled down to his height, further emphasizing the two nuclear bombs on her chest.
Kyoushiro sighed as he caught Finnick glancing at him for help but the severe look of disgust on Elyria's face was enough to make Kyoushiro look away. Why did he avert his gaze there? Was it because he got scared? Kyoushiro had no idea why he just looked away from Elyria's gaze.
"Kyoushiro! Welcome back!!"
It was then that Arianne entered the room. Unbefitting of her stature, she leaped towards Kyoushiro and wrapped her arms around his back then burried her face on his chest.
"Did you come back after you finished making the [Gate]?"
"Yeah and I'm going to talk with the R&D guys. Queen Rizandra asked for a favor you see"
"Then are you staying for a while? I hope you would....."
With pleading eyes, Arianne waited for Kyoushiro to answer. Thinking in his mind "She really doesn't hold back huh...." as he sighed and patted Arianne's head.
"I will. There's something I need to do for now anyway"
"Really?! Then, shall I call Lucinda-sama and Clara-chan to visit during the festival?"
"Sure, I don't mind. It'll be fun with everyone in one place after all"
Kyoushiro thought that it might be good to spend some time with his daughter Clara. Since his childhood wasn't really that of a good story, having a happy memory won't hurt to much to have. Scars may stay but it'll eventually fade in time. Till then, Kyoushiro would just enjoy the happiness he has right now than completely ignore it.
I don't know how things will go between the three but I hope it won't be too bad— Kyoushiro thought so worriedly.
"Oh? You brought guests?"
"Ah, right"
Kyoushiro introduced the three that was waiting silently behind him. Though, the sight of Finnick couldn't stop fidgeting in front of Edsel while Corralia was just smiling kindly and Elyria simply exasperated, was something Kyoushiro didn't expect to see. He just smiled wryly and go on about what he plans to do in Ambrosia.
"I see.... then you will be staying in your workshop for a while?"
"Of course not, there's a festival going on right? Even I need sometime to breathe"
Working too hard would be taxing and seeing as everyone would be having fun during the festival, Kyoushiro would at least want to be part of it. After all, he hadn't gone to any kind of festivities on earth at all.
Well, if he count the ones he participated last year and the year before than on earth this might not be his first. But knowing that the festival those shady guys on earth knows about, this time would be his first in a normal festival.
"So with that, these three will be staying here in the palace. I'll leave them to the maids then"
"Understood, I shall have them accommodated as guests so please don't worry about leaving them here for now"
As soon as Arianne said that, the maid from before appeared on Kyoushiro's side.
"Everything has been prepared, I shall escort our dear guests to their rooms"
Seeing the made appeared so suddenly like that, Elyria was startled. Finnick flinched while Corralia had a soft reaction. There wasn't really that different from Oceanus's castle's servants after all.
"Hey Nii-chan, I'm going with you"
"Huh? Why would you do that? Play with some bugs or something"
"I think your perception of kids are quite skewed your majesty"
The maid remarked so. Kyoushiro clicked his tongue in annoyance but seeing that this kid was his responsibility, he couldn't just leave the poor kid alone in an unknown place. Having no other choice, Kyoushiro decided to take Finnick with him.
"Fine, just don't touch anything once we're there"
"Alright!!"
"Haaaah...."
Kyoushiro sighed once more.
"Um, would it be alright if I join you too?"
Corralia asked politely so.
"Hm? Why? I don't think you'd find anything interesting there?"
"It is merely a curiosity Kagami-sama. I just wished to see the other artifacts that only exists in Ambrosia"
That's it? Kyoushiro thought while glancing at Arianne. The Queen tilted her head, not knowing what Kyoushiro was thinking about. Asking for permission from Arianne, one of his supposed wives, Kyoushiro wanted to make sure that taking a woman to his place won't make any misunderstandings. Apparently however, Arianne didn't seem to realize that.
If Kyoushiro recalls, on earth, there are women that doesn't like seeing their partners with other women in their house or apartments. It wasn't from any TV dramas or the like, it was just how his aunt acted when his uncle slept with another woman in the past.
That much was a lesson for a kid to never take other women besides your lover to your place. Having a literal bloodbath wouldn't end well in this world with everyone having magic on hand like a loaded gun after all.
Edsel, who easily read what Kyoushiro was thinking just by looking a his face chuckled and says....
"It is fine Kyou-san, her Majesty won't mind"
".....That so huh?"
Still reluctant to quickly decided on the matter Kyoushiro just nodded. Elyria decided to stay in her room for a while and was granted permission to look around the place by herself.
Well even if Elyria did anything unscrupulous in the castle, the security would easily apprehend her. That's just how much strong the guards in Ambrosia was.
—
Using the [Gate] inside the palace that was connected directly to Kyoushiro's tower, the three arrives instantly inside Kyoushiro's own room. The place was wide with a 360° view outside. The furnitures weren't made of wood and were either black or white in color. At the ceiling was a flat round light source that lights up the whole place. If one were to compare it to a hotel suite, it might be one of the expensive ones on earth.
"Wow.... this whole thing is to yourself Nii-chan?"
"Yeah, I didn't get much room from where I came from after all"
Kyoushiro replied flatly then head towards the only door in the room. Finnick chase after and Corralia followed after while admiring the grand view of the city outside.
After getting on the elevator, Kyoushiro went down to his workshop. There, they saw a spacious room with some dwavers and elves working. Golem workers and Magic Iron Knights we're lined up in boxes while the Construction golems have been stopped temporarily since there was no need to further make new buildings in Ambrosia.
Large test tubes with colorful liquids were lined up against a wall on one side and tables lined with chemistry sets can be seen being used by some elves. The dark elves here were scarce compared to the elves.
But the most distinct part of everyone here was that, everyone had black hair and eyes.
"Amazing.... I have never once seen an elf and a dwarf work together before"
Corralia herself was surprised. In this world, there was this odd feud between elves and dwarves. It might have dated back since their ancestry but normally you wouldn't see an elf and a dwarf work so well together.
Kyoushiro experienced this first hand himself. An elf alchemist fought with a dwarven blacksmith. It was a fight that involves breaking glasses and breaking tools. At that time, Kyoushiro still haven't got the stats to stop such strong people but him kicking the two out and showing all kinds of crafting techniques to the others was torture to the two. Since then, the dwarves and elves in Kyoushiro's tower work in synergy without any sort of fights.
That, or it was Kuro's threatening roar that made them quietly obey Kyoushiro.
"There are disagreements sometimes but it's better if they work together right? That way, they work fast and efficient. Well, they do their own research here whenever they want so it really doesn't matter to me if they break their own stuff"
Descending from the flight of stairs, Kyoushiro was greeted by the blacksmiths, alchemist, Enchanters and Craftsmen. Kyoushiro greeted them back and gave them some souvenirs he kept his magic necklace.
Then, he went to speak with the leaders of blacksmiths, Alchemists, Enchanters and Craftsmen.
A dwarf, a female elf with glasses, a human and beaver beastman. Kyoushiro calls out to them, who, coincidentally, were on one spot.
"Yo, Jargen, Parsley, Will, Roanoke. Been a while"
"Oh! Boss, welcome back! Haven't seen you in a while too hahaha!!"
Jargen the dwarf heartily laugh and shook hands with Kyoushiro.
"Your majesty, welcome. You seemed more healthy compared to before"
Parsley, the female elf Alchemist smiles slyly as she welcomed Kyoushiro.
"Boss, how was the visit in Paracellumn? Can we go there now to get more materials?"
Will, the human Enchanter, smiles with his glasses leaning crookedly on his face.
"Yo Boss! Got other ideas for new buildings?! I can't wait to make more!!"
Roanoke, the beaver beastman, a small child sized girl, raised her hand enthusiastically. Kyoushiro introduced Corralia and Finnick to them before telling the four what he want.
"I see....."
"A kind of artifact that tells the age of an object..."
"Hmmm.... That'll be hard to do"
"Eh? Not my placed to say anything. I only make buildings"
Beside the three, Roanoke didn't stick long since this sort of thing wasn't her forte. Kyoushiro told her that he might need her help on Oceanus in making some buildings so she left quite happy.
"So? Anything you guys can suggest? I have an idea since there's something similar in my world but I'm no expert in that field"
"Well, after the things that you made in this world, there should be things boss can't make too after all. It's not something to be ashamed of. But even if you ask me, I can't say I have any idea.
Jargen thought that Kyoushiro was pushing himself into making something he can't do by looking at Kyoushiro's face but since he doesn't know anything about such things as well, even he didn't know how to help with.
"As for me, apologies, but I have yet to encounter a special concoction for such artifact. Will?"
"Well, even you ask me, all I could say is that we might need to make a new material for such artifact. I can probably think of a way to make use of the Appraisal stones we have on hand. But that's the only thing I could think of"
Not everyone was useless since what Kyoushiro asked them has yet to exist in this world. The appraisal skill might work but Kyoushiro already tried that but didn't see anything. So, he wanted to make a similar device on earth in this world to help identifying the mysterious item Rizandra was researching.
"Haaaah... Even I don't know where to start. Can't be helped. I'll do Trial and error for this. Magic isn't my forte so I might ask Edsel about the magic spells that could help with this"
"Hoh? That new lady boss brought back a while back? You have such repertoire of wives boss. A hero and two Queens. Even a high ranking mage.... Fumu, truly worthy of praise"
"I don't get what you're thinking about but me and Edsel aren't like that"
"Well, if it's boss....."
"Ohoh! As expected, Will understands huh? It is the boss after all!!"
It seems that Jargen and Will have some sort of weird understanding about Kyoushiro's personality. Parsley sighed saying "Haaaa.... men" before returning to her work.
Kyoushiro didn't bother correcting the two since it'll just make him look stupid. In any case, Kyoushiro grabbed whatever he needed in the storage before returning to his room.
But.....
"Hey Nii-chan, you have some weird friends huh?"
Finnick seemed to have gotten a weird understanding of Kyoushiro himself after watching what happened earlier.
PART #2
Dwvargo Kingdom of the dwarves. A country built near mineral deposits. It is a large city that runs on magic stones and other minerals inside the mountain ranges of Rogentule. The city is surrounded by a thick wall of stone, carved from the very mountains itself and serves as shield to protect it's citizens.
Here, the monsters who bear stones and minerals in their skins and flesh roams the land like wandering wolves in the prairies.
However, in this place the sounds of gunshots rang loudly.
"Yuuya, have the other groups ready the cannons. That Mineral Golem won't just fall with just bullets"
"Ok, Kouga"
Yuuya ran towards the otherside of the rampart and had the other group of dwarves ready the cannons. As soon as the blasting begun, Kouga ordered the rest of the dwarves to a wall of dirt to prevent debris flying towards them.
Right after that, the gunshots resumed.
For nearly five months now, Kouga and Yuuya have been fighting as heroes for the dwarves. The amount of monsters were high and were in need of immediate help. As such, when they were rejected by the Elf Queen Elfianna, Kouga and Yuuya opted to stay with the dwarves instead.
As for the reason, it was because the Dwarves we're naturally born Craftsmen. The weapons and armors they make are all top class and further more, their walls are tall and thick. In short, this was the safest in the world right now.
It was what they thought. But when the actually stayed here, everything was different. Aside from mineral golems and monsters there were Giants as well. The ones that are 10 foot tall or something like that. There are also trolls, Ogres and Orcs that made a base at the foot of some of the mountains around Dwvargo Kingdom.
Not only it was hard to access the city due to the harsh and steep roads, it was also to difficult to move in due to the monsters around.
Kouga and Yuuya had to make a request a change of nation they wished to defend to the king of the dwarves but was declined immediately as they were famous for letting out a flock of flame wyverns once in the elf country.
Because of that, the two had no other choice but to stay in this Kingdom.
"Haaaah..... just what did I do to deserve this....."
Kouga, the oldest in the siblings, sighed. He didn't wished to stay in a country full of muscle-bound old men that reek of sweat and oil. Kouga wanted to stay at a place where beautiful women with big bountiful breast reside. The elf Kingdom or the beast Kingdom would have sufficed but they were rejected.
Well, it's not like there aren't any beautiful women in Dwvargo Kingdom. There are some, even if they are a rarity even among the dwarves.
Unlike other races, the women in the dwarven race are small and stout. Women that are barrel shaped are the norm and are very well accepted by the male dwarf community. Not only dwarven women are good with making weapons, they are good with making alcohol as well. Making them well liked by the dwarven male.
Yes, only dwarven male.
Kouga, of course, wasn't to discriminate. He liked everyone of course since they were all niced and all but, liking sexy women and children size women are different. Kouga understands that this was another world but.... the young looking dwarves looks more like 12 year olds rather than 25 year olds.
Yes, that sort of difference between a regular woman and an ordinary dwarf woman was so wide that Kouga was left unable to decided whether to get a girlfriend or what.
There are other races in Dwvargo Kingdom but they are adventurers that comes and go. They don't stay long in the city, making it hard to find a proper partner in this city of muscle-bound old men.
As things stands, he might run away and leave Yuuya here just to experience what it's like to feel a real woman. The regular size one to be exact.
"Argh!! Just why do I have to stay here!! I already told them how to make matchlocks but that damn old dwarf still doesn't want me to leave!!"
Matchlock. They are the old guns that was used on earth during the first world war. Kouga had some knowledge with guns. At least, the airsoft ones but he didn't think it would be useful in this world.
Kouga likes FPS games so he likes guns and the like. As such, he looked into the history of guns and how they were made. Though he did gave up the moment he saw how wide the history of guns were.
But with trial and error, Kouga was able to make matchlocks in this world with the help of the dwarves. Thanks to that, not only golems but giants as well were felled by the cannons and the guns.
Yuuya helped with coordinating the army so there was a systematic shoot and reload sequence made for continuous barrage.
Anyways, Kouga had it with the Dwvargo Kingdom. He had enough of the muscle-bound old men that reeks of sweat and oil and their skinship. Kouga wanted out, if only he could change nation.
"Looks like you're complaining again huh? Lad?"
"Bestven.....I really just can't help it you know? I'm a normal teenage boy with needs. I need women with large racks not women that has more fat than breast!!"
It was one worthless and pathetic complaint Bestven have ever heard but coming from a human, it was very understandable. Kouga wasn't born in this world after all so there are things he himself find repulsive in other races.
Bestven, one of the few aids tasked to help the brothers around, can't help but sigh.
"That I can't help. But I'm sure you'll be happy once you've heard the news"
"News? What news?"
Kouga turns around and questions Bestven about what he meant. Around that time, Yuuya had returned after finishing his rounds. The cannon fire and gunshots just ceased, meaning that the monsters are gone now.
"Kouga, what's up?"
"Ah, Bestven here said something about a news from other countries"
Bestven then relayed to the two about what happened to the other countries while they were quietly fighting the monsters in Dwvargo Kingdom. About a Demon Lord dying and Kyoushiro and the other heroes working together to defeat it. About Travestin nearly fell after the attack of a Demon Lord but managed to survive with the help of Mikoto and Inomiri-sensei. Then the incident with the elves and now the establishment of Ambrosia, which is being recognized as the country with no monsters.
News about Ambrosia have spread as it opened it's doors to other countries. They used an artifact that makes the traveling easier and was now connected with Paracellumn and Travestin. Not only that, the news carried by the adventurers from Travestin to here in Dwvargo Kingdom says that Ambrosia was like another world. wheel-less carriages that moves around as it hovers, tall buildings and many more.
Kouga and Yuuya froze as they heard this.
"Apparently one the heroes that was sent in Ambrosia was the one responsible for it's sudden change. Well, I heard it was just a ruined Kingdom in the past so even I got surprised when his majesty said that a new nation was established in the wasteland"
In this world, many countries fell already. From wars of the past, the monsters and even Demon Lords. The caused of many nations falling was only normal in this world. However, the rare one's where a new nation is found are different.
There are hardly enough people in the world to occupy a land that was always riddled with monsters.
But that wasn't what made Kouga quiet. It was the hero that was sent to the wasteland that helped in making Ambrosia itself.
The only person he and the others know that was sent to the wasteland was Kyoushiro Kagami. The bastard that tried to kill them.
"Kouga....."
"I know. It's that guy huh? I didn't know he's still alive. To think he'd go so far as fooling other people of this world"
For Kouga, Kyoushiro was the reason why he nearly lost his brother's and his own life. What happened in that dungeon was because of Kyoushiro and with that, Kouga couldn't forgive him. They nearly died there after and what's more, most of the soldiers Kouga got acquainted with died in that dungeon. Kouga couldn't live with that.
"Tsk, if only we can go there. I'm sure those people are just being fooled by Kagami"
"Kouga, we already talked about this. We can't leave this place. These people need us"
"Oh shut up Yuuya. You only like it here because you don't mind the sleeping with the dwwrf girls here"
Kouga walked off displeased after Yuuya tried to remonstrate him. Unlike Kouga, Yuuya didn't mind staying in Dwvargo Kingdom. Not because of the women, but he has grown attached to the people that welcomed him here like one of their own.
Furthermore, Yuuya's class [Heavy Knight] fits how the dwarves fight. It was thanks to this that Yuuya got more friendly with the dwarves than Kouga.
"I'm sorry about my brother Bestven-san. I'm sure he didn't mean it"
"It's fine. The lad was just frustrated. Anyways, what about you? How are you holding up?"
"I'm just fine Bestven-san. Thanks to everyone, I'm starting to feel at home here in Dwvargo"
"I see, that's good to hear. It's nice to have a nice home to settle in after all. I just hope your brother warms up to us already. There are others that are complaining about him"
"I'm really sorry...."
"It's fine. It's nothing I can handle. Well then, let's head to the mess hall. Would you join me?"
"Of course!"
And so, the stark difference of the figure of a hero was seen between the brothers. A disatisfied and irritated hero and the kind and welcoming one. As the brothers begun to move two separate paths, another battle was about to begin....
|
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|
Vol. 1 CH. 13 - Defense battle (Part 1)
PART #1
Despair crawled over their backs as they saw the figure of the 9th Demon Lord in the 3D projector screen.
That being, which’s skin, was festering green with a skull of a goat for a head and octopi like limbs. His body, whose being coiled around by numerous slithering tentacles; His small dot of an eye inside that empty eye socket cause those who looked through it insanity.
The longer one look, the 9th Demon Lord looked like a green alien like being with thousands of tentacles. Even his two arms were a bundle of tentacles. A being that exude despair and madness, such was the 9th Demon Lord Kakal.
Arianne and Lucinda, as well as Elfianna, Kuro and Durif stared at the 3D projector sphere that was showing the hideous sight of the 9th Demon Lord Kakal.
That being was laughing heinously.
"It seems that, our target is here"
Kuro was the one that shattered the silence that occupied the command room. His black mane was standing up as he bare his fangs at the 9th Demon Lord that dared to threaten his home and his people. Even while he was crossing his arms above his chest, his fists were clenched so hard that it let out a cracking sound.
Durif felt the intensity of Kuro's glare with his body. The sense of fear driving one to run away from a predator assaulted his body like lightning. He was shivering on his seat.
Lucinda glared into the sphere as well. Likewise, Elfianna was looking at the Demon Lord with narrowed eyes.
The three major powered Queens and the black lion commander's magic power immediately rose up and clad the room with immense magic power that the legs of the chairs and windows cracked.
A storm of emotion driven magic power swells within the command room…
"This will be our last struggle its seems"
Durif muttered under the storm of magic power inside the command room. He then pressed the communication device on the desk in front of him in order to connect to the other squads inside Ambrosia.
"-This is high commander Durif, commence defense siege. Protect Ambrosia at all cost!-"
Durif yelled. On the other side that received the orders from Durif, they all yelled simultaneously "Ouu!!" with all their hearts as they pump themselves up with one last struggle to protect Ambrosia. Not only the Elf Relief Army, the Dark army shouted as well.
"-Archer Division, ready all arrows!! Set that thing ablaze!!-"
Upon Durif's order, the Archer Division that remained on the upper was and watched towers readied their bows simultaneously and targeted the 9th Demon Lord Kakal.
The ones on the third outer wall and on the watch towers let out colorful rain of arrows. The multitude of those that were shot parabolic to the 9th Demon Lord Kakal glimmered on the storm brewing sky.
The 3D projector sphere showed the Dark army and Elf relief army retreat as they saw the sudden rain of bright lights that came from their walls.
Katsuto's and also Koizumi's figure came be seen running back to the other Dark army soldiers and regrouped.
They were currently stationed just outside the barrier.
*Hyuu~ Hyuu~ DOGOOOOON!!!!*
As the arrows landed on their targets, each and every single arrow that assaulted Kakal simultaneously exploded and caused large chain explosions in the process.
Some of the earth was scorched and sum created crystalized ice shards everywhere. Some created a crater and some managed to cause the earth to turn muddy.
The spells that were imbued in each of those arrows varied in elemental attributes that Kakal should have at least damaged Kakal somewhat.
The Archer Division poured their all in those volleys. It was a power that even other countries couldn't achieve. The live feed in the 3D projector sphere showed the results of the first fire.
There, from where Kakal once stood, clouds of smoke were dispersing.
"-Scouts, what's the status?-"
It was Kuro's turn to communicate with his subordinate.
"-Negative sir! The visibility is too low; we can't see the Demon Lord at all-"
Said the subordinate that replied to Kuro's call…
"Kuro-dono"
"Ah, Arianne-sama, Lucinda-sama, please head to the spire where his majesty installed the cannon"
Elfianna got Kuro to proceed. Kuro then looked at Arianne and Lucinda and had them leave the command room and head to the third spire of the castle where the Magic Particle Cannon was installed.
The two then gave a nod and left immediately. They didn't voice so much of a complaint and immediately ran over to where the cannon was. Lucinda had her wheelchair casted with magic in order to lighten its weight and boost its speed.
It even went so fast that a tail wind was created when Lucinda immediately left.
However, such scene was ignored as Elfianna, Kuro and Durif focused their eyes on the place where Kakal once stood.
PART #2
"What a monster"
A man within the Dark army exclaimed as he watched the dust clouds dispersed and showed Kakal's unscathed figure.
The attacks didn't do much of damage; rather, there wasn't even dirt on Kakal's body.
“Pesky humans, how dare you destroy my army!!”
Kakal roared as it shot forth its log like slimy tentacles that coiled around his body to make it look like he had a large body. The boney face of Kakal was beyond disgusting as it spews green drool as he yelled.
The Dark army was thrown off from the ground then up to the air as Kakal’s tentacles swept across their legs.
The Archery Squadron shot multiple arrows of magic power, shining in different colors in the air as they were fired from individual quivers. But Kakal once again used his large tentacles to destroy the magic arrows in midair.
This was all recorded live through the magic 3D projector sphere that was stationed at the middle of the command room. Kuro, Durif, Elfianna and the twin black fox sisters were watching the fight with dire faces that showed the grim of the situation.
The 9th Demon Lord Kakal of the thousand hands were on a whole other level as expected. It would take thousands of armies to face him off in the battlefield. The Dark army that boasts high quality armor and weapons were no match against the sheer power of the Demon Lord.
Even the high powered Bows that were magically enchanted to the brim were useless against the 9th Demon Lord.
Durif immediately issued a retreat order. After having a glance at the 9th Demon Lord’s strength, the old long aged commander of the Elf nation obeyed his instincts in order to avoid major loss of troops against the 9th Demon Lord Kakal.
“Have the heroes face Kakal. In the meantime, Arianne-sama and Lucinda-sama will prepare the magic cannon”
Elfianna, the famous Elf queen of the Elf nation ordered Durif. In response, Durif nodded and immediately called out Koizumi, Katsuto, Minami and Mikoto from both the rear lines and the front lines.
“All heroes, we have already issued a retreat. Please face the 9th Demon Lord without discretion”
The voice of Durif resounded through the ears of the four heroes present in the war.
-
“Easier said than done”
Koizumi complained as he cut off a tentacle that was about to strike him at the front. Using his long spear [Longinus], tens of tentacles with the size of cedar trees were severed and rained down from the sky.
“That monster is on whole other level!! Just how many arms does he have?!”
Katsuto was there two. Unlike Koizumi that cuts off the tentacles, Katsuto was using his [Meteor Fist – Great Bull] magic gauntlets that was made by the oldest of craftsmen within the Oceanus kingdom the Rizandra rules against the large tentacles that were thrusting towards him.
Up, right then down and then left. Katsuto kept on punching the tentacles’ base then sending it large shockwaves of magic power to tear them off. Katsuto’s specialty was intended for any kind of weapons. As such, his precise manipulation of magic power to tear off the insides of organic objects became a deadly skill that only he can use.
Mikoto and Minami were still heading to this place on the monsters that Mikoto have tamed so they were still not present.
“Koizumi, let’s head to the front already!! Let’s leave this place, there’s a barrier around the city anyway!!”
Katsuto suggested while making another tentacle explode from the inside.
“Tsk!! We would have if it weren’t for this lot!!”
Koizumi too sliced multiple tentacles with his long spear [Longinus]. However, even with how much he cut and severed the tentacles just regrew back from its base. Koizumi was merely getting exhausted for nothing.
“Katsuto!! Take care of this part!!”
“Huh!?”
Without waiting for Katsuto’s response, Koizumi dove right into the sea of squirming tentacles that were attacking him like giant whips. Using those tentacles as footing, Koizumi slowly got near to Kakal’s location and managed to squeeze in a skill to attack the 9th Demon Lord Kakal.
“Strike the earth like a hammer!! <Meteor Lance>!!”
Koizumi brandished his [Longinus] spear as he activated a high level skill. The spear shined a dangerous red molten glow causing Kakal to take notice of Koizumi’s position. But, before Kakal could do any counter attack, Koizumi threw his spear at Kakal’s face.
*DOGOOOOOO-!!!*
Koizumi landed behind Kakal and immediately took distance. [Longinus] reappeared back in Koizumi’s hand.
“That should do it I suppose…”
While breathing erratically, Koizumi made sure to stay as vigilant as possible. While there were still thick clouds of dusts floating around due to the explosions there was a high chance that Kakal was still alive. With that in mind, Koizumi didn’t made unnecessary actions like charging in or turning his back.
“Impertinent apes…”
“!?”
Kakal’s voice echoed within the thick clouds of dusts. Koizumi’s shoulders jolted up as he felt a chill ran down his spine. Kakal’s figure appeared unscathed under the curtains of dusts around him.
“I did not think that this land once destroyed by the 10th Shadow King Crats is being occupied by heroes. It seems extermination is appropriate!!”
A loud explosion burst out after the 9th Demon Lord Kakal roared.
-
In the meantime while Koizumi and Katsuto were busy dealing with the 9th Demon Lord Kakal’s attacks Mikoto Aizawa and Minami Todoroki were rushing towards them riding a pure white furred Snow Wolf that Mikoto have somehow tamed throughout the battle. Although the fight was fierce, as one would expect from a tamer, Mikoto still managed to tame a number of high level monsters.
The battle earlier was hard even for Minami as well since she was a Healer. As the job that was given to her was to go around healing the whole army alone, her MP reserves as well as her stamina had long since drained. Thankfully, she was given Kyoushiro’s High grade potions and managed to recover whole her MP and stamina in one go. The potions that the Black hero made were surely potent in their effects.
“Mikoto…”
Minami called out to Mikoto, who was driving the Snow wolf. Mikoto then looked back worriedly at Minami since her hands that were holding Mikoto’s waists were shaking. It was either the wind pressure or the sheer cold breeze blowing in but Minami was surely trembling.
“What is it Minami-chan?”
“Do you think that we will be able to hold out until Kagami-san comes back?”
It seems that Minami was worried that they might not be able to hold back until Kyoushiro returns from who know where he was.
Since the one that was fighting them was the 9th Demon Lord, they weren’t even sure that they might be able to hold the fort down. Judging from the size of the army earlier as well as the power to rival heroes that the 9th Demon Lord was using, it was a fact that they were facing was someone on a whole different level of opponent.
Although Kyoushiro’s potions were distributed to everyone in the joint army, it feels as if that their battle strength was still lacking. The Dark Army was already equipped with outrageous magic armors and weapons yet it was still unable to harm the 9th Demon Lord even though they were highly effective against the monsters. Even now, the whole battlefield was filled with nothing but corpses no matter how you see it.
“The Demon Lord we are facing is strong foe. Even though there are four heroes here, we might not be able to protect everyone with how we are right now”
Certainly, they have leveled up due to facing large number of monsters now but their powers and experience were still lacking. Minami was just a Healer and not someone who was suited to fight in the front lines. Even though she knows a few barrier skills, it was unsure what will happen to her in the battlefield. The same goes for Mikoto who relies on the strength of the monster she tames.
Mikoto smiles as she daringly faces the road forward.
“Don’t you worry Kyoushiro-kun will definitely come back no matter what”
Mikoto fearlessly declared.
“I know that Kyoushiro-kun will come back. That much is certain”
Although none of them knows the exact location where Kyoushiro is right now, Mikoto was still sure that Kyoushiro will come back no matter what. Her trust in him will never wane as she made a promised with him back then. There was no way for him to forget that promise like he did many years ago.
“That is why; you don’t have to worry about anything Minami-chan”
This time Mikoto looks back and gave a reassuring smile. Seeing that, Minami somehow relaxed as she felt that her best friend’s words were true even though she too trusts Kyoushiro as much as Mikoto does.
‘Even I…’ Minami whispered so in her mind as a memory flashed back in her mind. The scene of a single boy’s back standing in front her made her recall the feelings she held back so many years ago.
‘Really… since when did I even fall for him’ Minami sighed as she pumped herself with resolve once more and faced the enemy. They were already getting near so the sounds of clashing and earth tremors can be heard more clearly now.
The place where the 9th Demon Lord Kakal exploded as they saw Koizumi’s figure throwing his shining spear at the 9th Demon Lord Kakal at the distance; it seems that Koizumi was trying damage the 9th Demon Lord Kakal as much as possible.
“Mikoto…”
“Yeah… Looks like those two are having a hard time fighting. Let’s hurry”
“Yes!!”
Like that, Mikoto along with her tamed monsters and Minami rushed towards Koizumi’s and Katsuto’s aide.
|
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I still remember the day that my parents died. Covered in blood, debris, and mud, I watch my parents die as they try and save me. Under the falling ceilings of a destroyed building, their body burst after a large slab of concrete flattened their injured bodies.
Blood.....
Thick red blood soaked my face.....
How.... how did this happen? It was supposed to be my fifth birthday and yet....
Thus, the memories long forgotten ended as such. Was I asleep this whole time? In the classroom which was emptied for how long I haven't noticed, it was already the end of today's class. The sun rays of the setting sun along with the soft comforting breeze entered the windows, cooling the room.
Chilling.....
It was a bit cold but it was bearable at somewhat. I stood from my seat, letting the chair exude a sound of a rattle, neither loud nor soft to hear.
Quiet.... As expected, everyone has gone home already. Pushing my chair under my desk, I took my bag and slowly left the room but....
A sharp sound suddenly pierced my ears. Like a heartbeat monitor gave the sign of life ceased of beating. Like that, I blocked my ears with my hand. With my dark eyes shifting left to right, trying to search where the sound was coming from, I saw a girl. Sitting on top of the teacher's desk with her right leg crossed on top of the other.
She wore weird clothing which was dark long gown with silver ornaments and gold decorations. Her hair was dark and unusually very long. I can't very well see her eyes since it was being block by her neatly trimmed bangs. However, I can see a faint red, shining under those bangs.
Furthermore her height was relatively short. Like a child on her grade school years, she was that short. Then, just like the sound earlier, her body vanished instantly. Neither her hair nor shadow was left from where she was seated but, the weirdest thing just happened was that.....
"Kagami, where do you think you're going?"
The teacher of the class I'm attending was there with her records in hand, behind her desk. In shock, I blinked my eyes. Seeing my teacher there was weird however, not enough when the setting sun was changed to noon and the empty classroom filled with the classmates I don't interact with, staring at me who was standing in the middle of classroom, with my bag on my shoulder.
W-What happened? Just a minute ago, the sun was about to set and now with was noon and was nearing today's lunch break.
I thought as such as I was returning back to my seat. My head hurts.... The eyes of my classmates were directed at me with weird gazes. Whispers of insults were mixed in with the teacher's lecture, until the bell rung and the teacher ended the lessons.
"H-Hey, Kyoushiro-kun, what was that about earlier?"
A concerned classmate of mine spoke to me nervously, asking the reason what I did earlier. I think her name was Minami Todoroki. Unlike the girls here in class, her height was short compared to them. She has bright color brown hair and was tied in a side tail with a red ribbon with two cherry decorations. She also has dark brown eyes and somewhat well-developed body.
Still, I cannot trust the people around me; especially this girl. Once, I overheard her and her friends that I wasn't needed in this place and I was just a stupid excess baggage around them. Often times I found her stuffing trash in my shoe locker, however, I always act like I know nothing about it.
It might be because now that I attracted the attention of the teacher earlier, that she acts all worried about me. All to suck up to those people that likes her personality.
Kuh..... Still, that thing happened earlier, right?
I was just sleeping earlier, woke up and tried to go home. Then a sharp sound began to pierce my ears and a little girl appeared out of nowhere then after that......
"All this happens......"
"Eh?"
My thoughts suddenly escaped from my mouth. Todoroki seemed startled by that. I scowled at her and stood up from my seat but..... My body was unable to move.
"W-What is this?!!"
"Arghh!!! I can't move!!"
"Waa!! Someone save me!!"
All students began to panic. I, as well were about to do the same thing but held back. Since I still don't understand what happened earlier. Did time rewind itself? No, that seems very impossible but, what are the chances of this thing in front of me?
Bright white lines were being drawn on the floor. It drew and arc, unknown symbols and a moon in the center which was surrounded by the sun's crown. My body trembled. Unable to move a finger, I failed to escape from the unknown fate which was about to change my whole life......
|
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Vol. 2 CH. 8 – The 4 Honest Generals…
PART # 1
As the two captives returned to their senses, they saw the figure of a man with deep black hair and eyes. He was wearing a white coat and held a longsword on his waist. The young man’s face was like that of a murderous beast yet still retained its human properties. Sweat ran down their bodies as they saw a long needles in between the young man’s fingers, it seems that they were caught by someone…
The last memories they had was that they were shot by someone using a bow and arrow. Although the wounds were shallow and could be patched up using bandages and stiches, the wound still stung like hell.
One of the captives tried to move but looked like they were bound down on a chair using a thick rope. There were no trees around and only walls made of dirt. Were they taken to someplace else? Was the young man in front of them was the culprit that shot those arrows? Who is he? Where is this place?
One of the captives tried to raise their voice but they could only groan. They were unable to speak due to some kind of spell or poison. Were they paralyzed? There were no damages except for the arrows lodged on their shoulders.
Just was what happening? Such questions came one after the other as they tried to grasp the situation around them. However, the young man before them gave them no answer…
“!!!?”
The young man just stabbed one of those 12 inch needles in his thigh. The force bore the needle through his muscles and pierced through his bone before exiting through the chair. Extreme pain rushed through his head as he began to thrash around. But there was still no voice, he could only groan…
“Uuugh…aahh…gah…!”
“Humph, looks like the special serum is working well. You can’t talk unless you can tell the truth so make sure to speak honestly alright?”
The young man uttered so with a smile. The needle was still in the man’s thigh and the young man was still holding the other end. Seeing that this was a no ordinary situation where he could bargain, the man nodded.
The young man, Kyoushiro Kagami, let go of the needle and took a step back.
“It’s good to honest. Well, I don’t really care whether you lie or not but you’ll die if you tell a lie so be careful”
Kyoushiro warned the man before him. The man weakly nodded at Kyoushiro’s terrifying warning. The one beside him was already panicking.
“Alright, first question…. What is inside that base of yours?”
Kyoushiro gave the first question. Knowing that lying would just end up killing them the man couldn’t give an answer that would mean his death. It was already too late to consider the wrath of his boss, Ernest Vern, right now the man value his own life over a base filled with sick freaks.
“I-It holds captive women that copulate with monsters and bandits all night and day… Increasing the amount of mix breed of monster-human race”
“Eh? I can talk?” The man was surprised that words were able to escape from his mouth. It seems that the serum prevents one from speaking unless questioned. If he lied, he would die. There was no point in thinking about of lying at all. There was no way in hell he would die in a place like this after all.
Kyoushiro nodded and prodded the other man the same question. But as the man showed foamed from his mouth and his whole body convulsed until the veins allover his body showed up and popped one by one, it seems that he lied.
Kyoushiro sighed and simply kicked the corpse and let it fall on the ground. As the body fell on the ground with a heavy impact, the corpse suddenly burst; staining both ceiling and floor with its blood and chunks.
The man who watched all that happening just a few inches away froze up in fear and shock. There was no doubt about it; he would definitely die if he didn’t answer correctly. The man he was with until just now was someone he just worked with. There was no need to care about him at all; there was only his life that he needed to protect.
That’s right; there was no need to lie at all…
“No then since you answered me honestly, I guess I can get all I want from you”
While uttering “Well that was a waste…” under his breath, Kyoushiro touched the pile of blood with his hands. As he did so, the blood begun to move closer to his hand as if it had life. But different from forming back into a human shape, what came after was a bright red flash. A huge pile of 12 inch needles were gathered right under Kyoushiro’s hand.
Kyoushiro continued to collect the needles and stored in from somewhere in his coat. Once that was done, Kyoushiro returned to the man he was interrogating.
“Next question, where is Ernest Vern?”
“I… I don’t know… I’ve heard he is some old fortress but I don’t know the exact location. I’m just a lackey here, they don’t tell me much”
“Heh~ that so? Then, care to tell what’s this pink powder is?”
Kyoushiro held out a bag filled with pink colored powder. As the man saw that, he immediately drew his head back as far as possible. Kyoushiro was surprised by the man’s reaction. The man instantly replied back with a loud shout.
“GET THAT AWAY FROM ME!! ONCE YOU GOT THAT INSIDE YOUR BODY, YOU’LL START TO LOSE YOURSELF AND YOU’LL TURN INTO A MONSTER!!”
“A monster huh….”
Kyoushiro stared at the bag of pink powder on his hands and used <Appraisal> on it. As he did so, Kyoushiro let out a tired smile yet felt more like ridiculing himself. The man was confused at what kind of expression Kyoushiro just showed him…
“I see… the [Crushed scales of the 6th Demon Lord] huh?”
Item: Crushed scales of the 6th Demon Lord
Has the power to turn anything into a wild horny beast. If taken heavily, the copulating partner would end fusing with the victim. It also induces hallucinations and intense urge of sexual arousal regardless of gender or specie.
Kyoushiro heaved a heavy sigh and stored the bag back into his coat pocket.
“Looks like you’re lucky. The 6th Demon Lord’s grounded scales wasn’t used on you”
If used, the powder itself was a deadly drug. Kyoushiro has no idea about the full extent of its effects yet but he was sure enough that such thig should not be used by any being at all. Using the powder itself would cause a mutation in wide variations. There was no telling what might happen if it was used on many people.
“Eh…? D-Demon Lord?”
It seems that the man couldn’t comprehend what Kyoushiro just said. In this world, the Demon Lords are beings that are nearly godly. Using the power they gained from the blessing of the Demon God, they created domains of their own and ruled inside them.
In this world, there are 12 Demon Lords left. Kyoushiro and the others have already taken care of the 9th Demon Lord Kakal back in Ambrosia so the numbers have decreased by one. The other Demon Lords were still hiding inside their domains so there was no telling whether they will come out or not.
Judging from how the man reacted, it seems that he had no clue on where and how the powder was procured. If he had known even though he acted like that, he would have died due to the serum inside his body.
“You didn’t know huh? Well, no matter. Next, tell me what’s inside the base you were guarding”
Once Kyoushiro lost interest in the man, who was trying his best to understand what he just heard, Kyoushiro resumed the interrogation. After a whole while of extracting information from the man, Kyoushiro left the underground room he created using Edsel’s skill in magic.
What happened to the man after that was a mystery…
-
“Looks like we’ll have to visit the other bases besides this one… What a pain”
Kyoushiro said so in a very irritated tone. The fact that there were other bases besides this one gave Kyoushiro a headache. Even though he already planned to crush the whole group under the man named Ernest Vern, it would be a pain dealing with minions that were exceeding hundreds.
Furthermore, there were four generals working under Ernest. The so called “4 Honest Generals” that the man under the ground had told Kyoushiro about weren’t a problem but the part where Ernest Vern was something that Kyoushiro didn’t know about.
On top of having a curse stuck on him, he lacks the strength to kill all those minions at once. Kyoushiro felt weaker than ever due to having no power to deal with herds of freaks on his own. Although Kyoushiro could use the power of the cursed artifacts he has on right now, that wouldn’t make any difference. He would just get a temporal strength and would probably lose his sanity eventually and go mad.
There were things that Kyoushiro is suited for. But wasn’t something like area-of-effect attacks.
“I’ve got the bases’ location. It’ll take too long so I’ll have you work for me Edsel”
Kyoushiro directed his attention to the woman with blonde hair and amazing beauty that could attract any male in a wide range. Edsel was taking care of her daughter, the black haired and eyed half-elf Dahlia, in her arms. It seems that the young girl had fallen asleep.
“Well that’ll take care of the nuisance later” Thought Kyoushiro as he made his way towards Edsel.
“I will help you as much as I can. As long as my daughter stays safe”
“She’ll be safe as long as she stays quiet and follow instructions. I’ll protect you two as much as my body could do it so don’t worry”
Kyoushiro sighed as he wasn’t sure how strong his opponents this time. But whatever happens, as long as he has that trump card, he’d survive. Though using a frail young girl as a bargaining chip wasn’t something a sane man would do, Kyoushiro has no heart to feel for something so insignificant. As long as he survives, anything doesn’t matter.
“Although I did save them, I didn’t exactly swear to my heart that I’ll keep them safe” Kyoushiro thought as he views his relationship with Edsel as a give and take relationship.
Kyoushiro proceeded to take advantage of the cards he has right no to resolve this current problem.
-
“Now then, flood the entrance of that underground hideout”
Kyoushiro ordered Edsel so as they both stood in front of the cave where Kyoushiro took the two guards before. Dahlia was half awake while Edsel was holding an ominous looking wooden staff with a red gem on its head.
Edsel nodded at Kyoushiro’s order, not minding the people inside the cave. Of course, Edsel also felt that flooding an entire cave filled with living people was inhumane but her and Dahlia’s safety rides on this operation. As long as she fulfills her part in this mission, Dahlia and her, would be able to live peacefully from now on.
Then, as the chant ends…
“<Raging Current>!!”
Large amounts of water gushed out from the tip of the staff that Edsel was using. Although the sudden gushed of water took Edsel by surprise, she still held her ground. The water entered the cave entrance, flooding its inside with water from the top floor.
Kyoushiro already confirmed the base layouts from the men he had interrogated so there were back entrances or secret holes that would need to be filled in. All that was left was to drown the rats inside the cave then sealed the entrance. That way, there was really nothing getting out from this hideout.
Be it monster or other, they’d be dead before they could resurface.
“I-Is this enough?”
“Yes so sealed the entrance by collapsing the ceiling in the entrance”
“Understood”
Edsel replied back at Kyoushiro with a worried face. However, as Edsel was about to use a spell to collapse the ceiling of the entrance of the cave, a huge shadow rushed out. The shadow then continued until it crushed onto a few trees to dampen its momentum.
Explosive noises came after the huge being settled down on one spot. Kyoushiro had Edsel and Dahlia take refuge for a moment while Kyoushiro checks the thing that just flew out of the cave. While a weary face, Kyoushiro drew his sword and held it in his right hand.
“NGuuu…. Damn it, who dared to fill my lair with water?!!”
The shadow… No, the being that shot out from the flooded cave was a large man with pink skin. He had arms growing out from his back with his private part shrunken to the size of a pebble, dangling from his pants-less lower-half.
Clearly, the being was a human but his appearance was that of a hideous monster. Kyoushiro strengthen the grip on his sword and sprang into action without any delay.
“I’ll end this before he noticed!!” Kyoushiro kicked the ground as he thought that. Using the leg strength he poured with mana on top of using <Boost> skill, Kyoushiro instantly close the distance between him and the monster.
With the sword on his shoulder, Kyoushiro swung the sword with a force equivalent to a wrestler’s punch. But, before the blade even got close the monster’s neck, the arms on its back extended and sent countless heavy blows towards Kyoushiro’s face.
Sensing the impending attack, Kyoushiro pulled back his face and used his legs to kick the fists that were heading his way.
“Kh!? His fists are damn heavy!!”
Kyoushiro exclaimed as he was sent flying back to the outside of the forest. Kyoushiro rolled over and over before coming to a stop and sent a hand signal to Edsel to hide themselves within the bushes.
Then, as he heard charging noises coming out from the broken path, Kyoushiro jumped away from the road. A huge ball of muscle crashed through the entrance and collapsed the ceiling there. Kyoushiro sighed in relief but the rumbling noises coming from the debris of the cave gave Kyoushiro chills.
That thing was still alive; Kyoushiro immediately used his <Appraisal> skill and looked into the monster’s status.
However……
“Ow!?”
Kyoushiro’s eyes suddenly felt hurt.
“Was my level too low to see that thing’s status? This is the first time that this happened…!”
Kyoushiro had never once encountered a monster that could not be appraised using <Appraisal> skill. Although he didn’t use the skill against the 9th Demon Lord during their fight, there was never a time that his <Appraisal> skill had failed before.
“I guess there’s no helping it. I’ll gather as much as information from this bastard then” Kyoushiro thought as he sheathed back his sword back to its scabbard.
“Hey, care to tell me who and what you are?”
“Humph! Me… you don’t know the 1st General of Commander Ernest!? The one and only Bulsvek Roger?!”
It seems that the Bulsvek was willing enough to announce his name and position in public. Though not as much as he was trying to hide his private part, he was quite honest when it comes to himself, that or he was just another simpleton that wishes to gain attention from the other party.
“The 1st huh? So where is the rest of your gang then?”
“Like I’ll answer that easily… You destroyed my lair didn’t you!?”
Bulsvek’s face burned in rage as he glanced at the closed up entrance of his base. The entirety of its branching corridors was mostly flooded by now and all of its hostages were already dead. Furthermore, there were no paths that could lead the water out of the cave so all of its commodities and freaks of nature were destroyed and trapped within the cave.
Indeed, there was nothing left of the former lair Bulsvek was talking about. Right now it was just a dark aquarium filled with corpses swimming around.
“Ah, there was no other way right? If I step inside that place, the pink powder would have worked on me as well. Like I’ll risk myself to a couple of people that holds information about that Ernest guy”
There were still many bases to destroy so there was no point in going inside of them each time they invade. It’s not like the men that governs those bases were nice enough to give out information about their commander freely.
That was why; there was no use in keeping a bunch of dead hostages alive. Kyoushiro already thought of them as one of the dead so he had Edsel flooded the entire cave. With that, the guy that has the highest position inside it would die alongside them as well.
It was a win-win situation both sides; for the captive women and their captors.
“Damn you!! I’ll kill you for killing my children!!”
Bulsvek attacked. Using the arms behind his back, he attacked Kyoushiro by stretching them like rubber and sent fists to Kyoushiro’s direction. Seeing such attack, Kyoushiro clicked his tongue in annoyance as that attack reminded Kyoushiro of the 9th Demon Lord.
“Tsk… I have enough of monsters with one too many hands”
Kyoushiro drew his sword. However, not using any skill that involves the usage of mana, Kyoushiro used the technique he polished during his time in Ambrosia when he was still rebuilding it from scratch. It was a technique that uses only the physical body and not of the skills of this world.
A special technique that was exclusive only to him…
“No-skill Sword style 1st technique <Fragmented mirror slash>”
In an instant, countless slashes flew about and shredded the arms that tried to reach Kyoushiro’s face. The world stood still at the first none skill related sword play that cut a monster’s skin with high level of density due to its attribute values.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "24126",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 2 CH. 8 – The 4 Honest Generals… (1st half)",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 4 CH. 6 - The lost Child
PART #1
"Run and don't look back"
That was the last words of his mother as she ran towards his father's side with swords and daggers in hand. He could remember it, the cruel side of the land.
"Hyahahahaha!! Damn boys! We got ourselves some mighty catch here!"
The voice he could hear as he ran for his life. The crooked voice of a man with a vulgar smile. They were bandits, no, to be more precise, they were soave hunters. They are well known people in the land where they go to small villages and tribes and capture every women and children they could find while killing the men.
Inside but a small village off the coast of some uninhabited land was the place where he lived with his family. Just him, his father and mother. They were a Demi-human that lived off from the ocean's blessings.
That's why, they were valuable, especially women.
He ran as far as he could, until the voices of the men disappear and all he could see we're his father's blood splashing out of his body and his mother, dragged to the ground with men pinning over her.
"......haaah.....Haaa...."
He could only watch as he ran. The kids running beside him all had tears in their eyes and terror in their hearts.
After that, he couldn't recall how he lived throughout the days he spent on land. He walked and walked until his feet touched the sea once more.
That was when he met Bruce and his gang. A large group of sea folk Demi-humans were fighting against a pirate ship who have taken some of the Demi-humans around some settlement near the sea.
He watched it all as it go down. Bruce fought against tens of men, his body got scarred and hurt but his fist burrowed through the bodies of his targets. Blood made the white sand turned red and before long, the sun had set.
Bodies of countless humans fell on the sand. Bruce's group then piled them up and burned them to avoid the bodies turning into undead.
"Sa....Save my....mommy!!"
He cried as he ran towards Bruce.
—
"Huh? Where is this.....?"
The young boy woke up. His unfocused eyes slowly turned clear as he rubbed his eyes with hands. Looking around, he saw white curtains in the room surrounding him. The ceiling was high and most of all, there was no water around.
"Oh? Looks like you're awake. How are you feeling?"
"Eh? Who?"
There was a woman there. Pink hair, mellow Jade green eyes and was wearing a pure white lab coat. She was a unusual kind looking lady as he could see that the woman was beautiful and overall attractive. Chest big as watermelon and waist as tight as our hourglass.
"I'm the royal palace's Head Physician Sedia Mollusk. You brought here by one of the heroes"
"H-Hero?! W-Was I sold?!"
"No, you were just brought to the palace since you were in need of a check-up but.... since the Black Hero-sama healed you already, all I had to do was wait for you to wake up"
"Black Hero....sama...?"
That was the first time he heard of such person. The only heroes he knew was Koizumi the Red Spearman and Katsuto the Protector. Although he was trying his best to recall what happened before he lost consciousness, all that he could remember was crawling through a hole inside a building.
"......."
Watching the young boy, Sedia smiled wryly. She turns around to call for a maid but the boy suddenly called out to her.
"U-Uh!!"
"Yes?"
"The black Hero-sama..... who is he? Where is he?"
"Oh....Hmm, I think he is in the palace right now and if you ask me who he is... I'm not sure"
Sedia had yet to meet Kyoushiro after all so she has no idea who that person is. All that she knows that Corallia brought the young boy Kyoushiro took from inside a brothel after healing him. Though they were gossips going around the palace saying that he was a rude person with a bad attitude.
"Well for the meantime wait here. I'm going call some maid to tell the Black Hero that you're awake"
"Y-Yes"
He replied nervously as Sedia showed a kind smile at her with such beauty. Then as Sedia left, he was left alone in the room wondering about who was that hero she had just mentioned.....
PART #2
"So? Satisfied?"
Kyoushiro asked with an irritated look.
"Ugh.... satisfied? You plans for this world is to make as many children as possible? You really are a despicable man, no, you're the worst"
Elyria listened to Kyoushiro's answer after she asked him to her about the plans Kyoushiro was making. Naturally, Kyoushiro had to lie about connecting all nations with Ambrosia in order to send troops faster in case of a Demon Lord attacks. Kyoushiro told Elyria that once he makes every nation bow to him, he would get every women in the world to serve him and create many children to leave his mark in this world.
Horribly enough, there were foolhardy people who made such conquest in the past so Elyria couldn't be more disgusted with Kyoushiro.
Kyoushiro however, didn't care about what Elyria thinks just that he doesn't want her to find out his objectives. Moreover, Kyoushiro still wasn't over the fact that she picked on him when they were in Calladium. That was enough to make Kyoushiro play with Elyria's mind.
"Can I go now?"
"Kh.....!! Damn you! Take this seriously!"
*Bam!* Elyria stomped her feet loudly on the floor. Kyoushiro eyed her down with a cold gaze. Elyria flinched and stepped back but her leg hit the couch she was sitting on and fell back into it. A drop of sweat slid down her face.
"Look, you're the one who wants to know. Why are you the one that got angry?"
"It's because you're not taking this seriously"
"Haaaah....."
Kyoushiro sighed. This annoying elf was irritating. So much so Kyoushiro wanted to just make her sleep for the next couple of years then wake her up once he leave this world. Not that he can't but doing that would just make him do more work.
"Right now, you're the strongest person in this world. You're a hero yet you're not taking the initiative to take down the Demon Lords! How can such person be a hero?!"
It came to that. Elyria witnessed Kyoushiro's battle. The army of mutated mercenaries that was led by Ernest Vern and even taking down Dark Lord Trause. He fought those beings till his body got battered so bad he was on his last legs. There was no way Kyoushiro could just say he plans on making women serve him like a king on a high throne.
Kyoushiro had already showed how much he rejected princess Lydia's advances and he wasn't even trying to get Corallia's attention when they first met. Elyria was tasked on seducing him but Kyoushiro was already on guard against her the moment the first met.
"If you have the power to fight Demon Lords, why can't you just end them and be done with? That's what I want to know"
Elyria heard Lady Snow proclaim the birth of a new Demon Lord, the Demon Lord of Chains. But even then, Kyoushiro didn't show any initiative to do anything. He did gained power yet he was just doing things no Hero would do. He did helped Paracellumn and all but all he did after was build his [Gate] artifact then went home. He rushed the moment he heard something happened back in Travestin but he just returned a few weeks after he was done doing whatever he wants.
Elyria wanted to know what Kyoushiro was planning to do with the power he had obtained after turning into a Demon Lord.
"......."
Kyoushiro was quiet. He closed his eyes and pinched his nose bridge. This was troublesome. Kyoushiro was being pressed for answers he doesn't want to know. He could just ignore it but Kyoushiro knows that Elyria will keep on pestering him. That's how annoying she was.
"Look, I do what I want not because I'm being hailed as hero or because I got suddenly strong. I do what I want because this world kidnapped me, forced me to fight monsters and Demon Lords I know nothing about and after treating me like shit, here I am trying helping others because someone asked me to. So? What do you think I want to do with my power?"
"......."
"I do whatever I want, whenever I want. I don't care what you guys think of me, I do things because I want to. Nobody orders me around and nobody stops me from doing whatever I want. End of story"
Kyoushiro knows how it is to be powerless. He stayed alive because he strived through his life like a proper human. Though he had experienced some worse things in the past, Kyoushiro still held on to the fact that he would do whatever he wants whenever he wants.
If a cat was about to get run over by a truck, Kyoushiro would just stay back and watch. If it was a boy crossing a street that needs help, Kyoushiro would save him. There was a difference in being an almighty hero that everyone expects to save them and a guy who knows which lives can be saved or not.
If back in the fight with Ernest Vern didn't involved saving a princess because a neighboring ruler of a country asked him so, Kyoushiro would've just ignored it and went his way to Paracellumn and not get involved with Dark Lord Trause.
Kyoushiro got his power because the circumstances forced him to. Now however, it was different. If Elyria were to be in danger, Kyoushiro would just shrug his shoulders and walk away. After all, the elf Knight can take care of herself. That's what the skills were for after all.
"If I want some girl to spread their legs then you don't have a say in it. Seriously, don't make me a hero like those other two. I only helped you guys out because Ambrosia's doesn't have any allies yet. It's give and take. You helped us once, I save you if you needed it. That fight back then was just me returning the favor so don't too much of it"
*Bam* Kyoushiro slams the door shut as he leaves. Elyria stayed silent in the room, thinking about what Kyoushiro had said. It was true that what he did was only for the sake of returning the favor. The airships he gave them as a gift we're all blown to bits after all so there was no other choice to return the favor in a different way.
But Elyria still couldn't believe Kyoushiro. She understood how he hates the people of this world since he was treated harshly but she doesn't get why he was arming Ambrosia. The current strength of Ambrosia was stronger than any of the countries currently fighting the Demon Lord's and the monsters.
Golems, infrastructure, equipment and even that special [Gate] he's built in Paracellumn. Those were things he made even before he got his power. That's why, Elyria doesn't get it. She doesn't get why Kyoushiro was still raising Ambrosia military strength on top of making friendly relations with other ruler's of the surviving countries.
"Haaaaah..... Just why is it me that has to seduce that man...."
Elyria couldn't help but sigh at the impossible work she was given by Her Majesty Queen Elfianna.
—
Lunch came. Kyoushiro was seated at the end of the long table with Koizumi and Katsuto on his right and Corallia and Elyria on his left. Rizandra was at the far end of the table.
"You know that this kind of table is too long for making conversation"
Kyoushiro said so as he crossed his arms while the maids quietly placed the meals on his plate. All of them were Oceanus cuisine. From the Jellyfish jelly to the Roasted chicken with a fish tail. Oysters were lined up beautifully a large clam with soup inside. And bottles of specially brewed Seawine made from the Puffergrapes harvested from the under water farms.
Kyoushiro a was someone who hardly ate seafood back on earth but he was sure that lobsters and crabs were usually the ones getting served. Of course, there are some on the table but he could see some butlers with a lobster tail and some with crab pincers. It just made it hard for Kyoushiro to eat seafood with those of the same kind as those butlers were on the table.
"This is fine. Have you not been given such reception back in Travestin?"
"Should I mention to her that I was locked up in a prison cell after getting welcomed like this?"
Kyoushiro whispered to Koizumi, who was had his usual smile on his face.
"Stop it. It's not like it'll be the same as before. Just enjoy the food"
"You guys just ate earlier right?"
"Hey man, I have enough space in my stomach to eat five times this amount"
Katsuto answered as he feast on the roasted chicken fish. Elyria and Corralia we're quietly eating as well so Kyoushiro just took a bite from the fish egg soup he was given. Delicious. Kyoushiro thought so but seeing as there's only seafood around, Kyoushiro couldn't enjoy much.
I'm not much of a picky eater but having only seafood feels like I'm to get a bad stomach ache— Kyoushiro thought so while eating.
"So, Kagami-dono, does my Palace find to your taste?"
"Huh?"
Kyoushiro paused his hands as Rizandra suddenly asked a weird question.
"I was wondering if you would spare my castle from your thuggish behavior like what you did in the lower city"
Rizandra's turned sharper as she directed such question to Kyoushiro. After all, the incident only happened before lunch and furthermore, there was a lot of witnesses. Kyoushiro didn't deny the fact that he went to far but seeing as it was one of the ways he could deal with thugs like back on earth, Kyoushiro's actions were justified. Well, to himself at least.
"If it was about that, I'm sorry. I did fixed it back up right? That's free of charge"
Kyoushiro fixed what he broke. Since it was the home of the citizens of the city, Kyoushiro wasn't cold enough to leave a broke wall of a house behind unfixed. There are still common courtesies that being a humble young man from a peaceful world that can't be erased.
"Anyways, I'd like to talk about the place I'd like to set up my [Gate] artifact. Is that alright?"
"Yes, is there something more you would like to request upon the matter? Corralia had already selected possible sites where you could build your artifact"
"Hm? When did she do that?"
"There are things that Kagami-sama does not need to mind"
Corralia answered on her behalf. Kyoushiro felt suspicious but with the place already settled, Kyoushiro didn't mind what method Corralia used.
"Alright, there's things I'd like to request but the site should at least big enough land to be turned into a port"
Settling a [Gate] would require some space since transport vehicles for bringing in goods from Ambrosia would arrive in Oceanus. Things like Warehouses and even buildings for the sake of market places and the like we're needed as well. Since right now, Ambrosia was exchanging goods from Paracellumn and Travestin through the means of [Gate] there should be a large amount of people coming in and going through the [Gate].
"A port you say?"
"It won't be anything big. It's enough for a place to exchange goods and especially technical knowledge. Ambrosia is a place with people I personally trained under me to make the things I want and I heard that Oceanus is pretty much the only place you could find the best magic items and artifacts, it'd be good to have an exchange between Ambrosia and Oceanus"
Oceanus was the only naturally grown place that has people that could make their own magic artifacts with ease. Since the underground mines and other resources are only accessible on their side, it would be good for Ambrosia if Oceanus were to open their doors for negotiation in letting Kyoushiro buy some raw ores and materials from them.
Ambrosia wasn't a perfect place like any place in this world but it has room for improvement.
"I see...."
Rizandra ponders to herself.
"Then, I'd like to propose a deal with you, Black Hero-sama"
"What deal?"
Kyoushiro's brow twitched as he was called by such embarrassing name again but ignored it for the goodness of his heart.
Rizandra then continues....
"I've heard that you are capable with your hands and since you have told me that you have personally trained people capable of creating things you request them, I would like to ask you to build something for me"
"Build something? Like what exactly?"
"The unknown item I was brought can't be further tested with what we have on hand. The magic devices that even I have created weren't enough to find out when the item was created"
"So you'd like me to make you a new equipment for your research?"
"Yes. If you were to agree, consider us even. You would not need to bring anymore gifts for us, instead, make me want I need"
It was a charming proposal. Kyoushiro didn't need to give away some airships and what's more, he could make his [Gate] in Oceanus for free. Something like a equipment for research would be interesting to make since Kyoushiro hasn't dabbled with such things. He only makes what he knows and what he wanted so Kyoushiro's choice of creations were limited.
Although, now that his stats have skyrocketed to the point that he might even reach Mars if he wanted to, Kyoushiro hasn't yet tried to use his skills again after a using them in the fight. He only did used the skills he always use but haven't yet make use of it to the full extent of his power.
After all, he has the blessing of the goddess of creation. It wasn't something to look down upon.
"Alright. Send me your designs and I'll have my men back at Ambrosia help me make it"
"I thank you for your cooperation"
Rizandra fixed her posture then lower her head.
"It's fine. It's just one of the few things I can anyway so no need for the grand gesture. You've already given me what I want so we're even"
For the first time in a while, Kyoushiro felt like he was talking to a real person. Not some guy who would looked at him as if he was garbage. Rizandra treated Kyoushiro as an equal and not a Demon-Spawn, that much was enough to make Kyoushiro respect Rizandra as a fair ruler.
As the deal was done, the lunch continued. The Koizumi and Katsuto had their fill and nearly emptied the table. Corralia and Elyria had more elegance in their way of eating but left nothing behind in their plate. Kyoushiro didn't ate much he was satisfied with the taste of the food he ate.
Sometime later while eating Sea salt slime dessert, a maid came in and told Kyoushiro that the kid he brought was awake.
"I see, I'll take a look at him them. Thanks"
The maid bows and quietly leaves.
Thinking about it, such action reminded Kyoushiro about the maid he hasn't seen in a while. Kyoushiro wanted to see Lina again since it has been a really long time since they last met. Kyoushiro hasn't repaid her kindness after taking care of him in the castle before everything happened.
I guess I'll try and look for her in my free time— Kyoushiro thought as he stood up from his seat.
"I'll go and visit the kid first. You guys can just do whatever you want while I'm gone"
"Well, we do live here after all"
"Right"
Koizumi and Katsuto nodded at Kyoushiro and stood up. Next was Corralia, who volunteered to accompany Kyoushiro to the infirmary where the kid was taken. As for Elyria, she just quietly joined Kyoushiro. She doesn't have much thoughts in sight seeing since she has a job of keeping an eye on Kyoushiro.
PART #3
He didn't expect it but the young boy was currently standing before the Black Hero. A young man, who has the features of a Demon-Spawn, was standing right in front of him.
"U-Uhmm.... Are you the person who helped me?"
"Yeah, something like that"
The Black Hero wasn't like the hero he had envisioned. He thought that the Black Hero was a kind person wearing a black armor. He was a hero after all, but the Black Hero before him was wearing ordinary looking clothes like any other people. Grey shirt and long dark green pants with black leather boots. On his neck was a necklace and he was wearing a white coat for some reason.
"? What? got something on my face? you're looking at me like some kind of rare animal at a zoo"
Zoo? What's that? The kid thought, trying to understand what Kyoushiro was saying.
"Anyways, looks like you're already fine. My potions always work like wonders after but with this, you should be able to get back to your place on your own right?"
"Eh?"
He's sending me away?— The kid suddenly felt perplexed by the actions of the hero.
Normally, a hero would escort a child back to his home or send to a good place where he could be taken care of properly but it looks like Kyoushiro didn't seem to have the same line of thought as the other Heroes like Koizumi and Katsuto.
"Y-You're not going to take me home yourself?"
"What do you think of me? Some kind of taxi? I'll have some guys here take you home after that you're on your own"
Kyoushiro answered as-a-matter-of-factly. For him, there was no need to take the kid home when he lives on this city all his life. He probably knows the ins and outs of the city like the back of his hand so there was no need to personally escort the kid back home.
"Hey now, don't you think, as a hero, you should at least take him home and greet his parents? I know you're cold but at least try to be kind to children"
Elyria remonstrated Kyoushiro for his words but being Kyoushiro, Kyoushiro, he wasn't someone who would show kindness twice.
"I already helped him, what more do you need from me?"
"It's your face as a hero at stake here you know? At least try and act like an adult. What's more, are you not also a king of two Kingdoms already? This sort of things you should be doing since you're both a king and hero"
The kid's and Corralia's eyes widened as they just heard something unexpected.
"Get off my back. What are you? My manager or something?"
"I don't know what you're talking about but your actions will also reflect on the elven royalty. After all, the next Queen of my country is favoring you more than any other suitors she has"
It was bomb after bomb. The two people who has no idea who Kyoushiro really was was shock to hear what kind of person Kyoushiro was. Being a hero aside, Kyoushiro was a king of two Kingdoms. It was like being on the same level as Rizandra, and Empress. What's more, the next ruler of Paracellumn favoring him more than the other suitors was akin to gaining another country under his rule.
Kyoushiro crossed his arms and told off Elyria for saying nonsense.
"Huh? Stop saying stupid things. Like hell I'd be king anyone's king and I only have one wife, it's Lucinda"
"But is Mikoto-sama not part of your wives?"
"Gh.... I-I'm still thinking about it that....."
Kyoushiro suddenly got tongue tied. He was still thinking about on how deal with Mikoto and Arianne's place after all. Lucinda didn't mind Kyoushiro accepting them but even now Kyoushiro was still trying to wrap his head in this worlds thing for polygamy. If he were to marry Arianne and Lucinda, that's like saying he owns Ambrosia and Travestin. Even if he was accepted as king in Ambrosia, it was more like a figure head since it was Arianne dealing with those kind of things.
"Heh.... would you look at that. You said you plan on having as much as children as you can but here you are acting all shy when it comes to your three wives"
"Kh!? Why you little...."
Kyoushiro was trying to wring in his temper. Since his stats was enough to blow mountains by now, a mere mistake would send this annoying elf back to Paracellumn like snail mail.
Still though, ignoring the two people arguing like a weird couple, Corralia still didn't know what to do while the kid on the other hand wanted to here more of Kyoushiro's life as a hero.
Though, it went without saying, Kyoushiro didn't say anything about his current relationship with his three wives.
|
{
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"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "226282",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 4 CH. 6 – The lost Child",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 4 CH. 4 - A different perspective
PART#1
After leaving their luggages in the rooms they were provided, Kyoushiro and the rest explored the beautiful city of Oceanus. Though, the only tourist here we're Kyoushiro and Elyria. Elyria had never travelled far beyond the ocean before. The only ship she had rode once was Phirous when Kyoushiro was being escorted. Elyria had travelled as Queen Elfianna's bodyguard before but never did she stepped off far beyond land.
In her eyes, this city that was gleaming with vigor and activities was like a different world.
As for Kyoushiro, the odd looks he was having as he watched fished headed people walk by, or giant muscle-bound sharks like body builders on earth, and those mermaids he looked at the shore transforming their tails into legs as they ascend from the surface was like a man seeing a freak show, wondering just how in the world those things work.
Well, in this world, magic and skills exist. Thus, such thing were indeed possible.
The most interesting part was the monk like man with a goldfish for a head that just passed him. Seeing such funny looking face, Kyoushiro couldn't help but be amused for a bit.
The kids running around were all kinds of sea folk Demi-humans. Some had turtle shell, some had a horn like a sword fish and some had eight legs like octopuses or squids. It was indeed refreshing to see.
All Kyoushiro have met were dwarve, elves and humans as well as beastmen in Ambrosia. Although in his case, Kyoushiro could only get used to in seeing them in the wasteland which was full of monsters.
"Say, what kind of food do you guys eat here? I don't see any trading ships around to exchange goods after all"
Kyoushiro asked as he glanced a restaurant serving raw seafood. There was even a clam like person eating an oyster, which was quite surreal if your think about it.
"Isn't it obvious? Seafood"
Katsuto answered blatantly, stating the obvious to Kyoushiro.
"That isn't what I meant. Like other things! Meat! vegetables or the like! Isn't seafood basically...."
"Fufufu, please don't worry. Even if we are people of the sea are pretty much the same once we eat, we don't see them as our kind with how different our appearance to them"
It was easy to say that orcs doesn't mind eating pig since their animals or sharks it smaller fish because it's food. Humans eat cattle and it's relatively normal on earth. There wasn't any difference between the two.
Kyoushiro acknowledge that but seeing a seal type Demi-human and shark type Demi-human standing close to each other wasn't a pretty sight. Ever seen sharks' half eaten seals?
"Well, I guess it is unusual to someone like you, Kagami-sama. Hayato-sama and Sairenji-sama didn't really mind when they first came here though"
"I'm different from those two. The only seafood I eat are fish and dried seaweed"
Being in a family where your relatives doesn't think of you so much and doesn't even treat you to a special meal was hard. A drunkard old uncle that liked to eat a large red crab in front of Kyoushiro when he was just as a child, while not even giving him an ounce of care wasn't a family Kyoushiro would see as great.
All Kyoushiro had ate we're dried fish and dried seaweed when he gets the chance. Even the Yakuza doesn't handout sushi that easily.
"Well, You'll get used to it"
Koizumi chuckled as they turned to a street. There, the group found a tall vertical building with a large hole going down.
"The hell is that?"
"It is the path that leads down to the rest of the city"
"Rest of the city? There's more underneath?"
Kyoushiro had read a story about underwater castle and that going there wouldn't do any good. Receiving a gift from some kind of princess for saving a turtle, only to turn you into an old man wasn't a fairytale but a horror story.
Kyoushiro and the others walked towards it. When Kyoushiro and Elyria peered down, they saw lights shining from underneath. It was needed a city.
But....
"Just so you guys know, I don't know how to swim"
"Hahaha, that's funny. Come on, let's go"
"Wai– hey!! I said I can't—!?"
*Splash!!* Kyoushiro was pushed by Katsuto, who laughed at Kyoushiro's words. Then without waiting for Kyoushiro to come back up, Katsuto and Koizumi follow suit. Elyria looked hesitant herself but jumped in as well. Lastly, Corralia jumped into the hole following the others.
Descending from the hole, Kyoushiro tried to swim but he kept on sinking. Though he quickly noticed that he was able to breath underwater.
–I can breathe? How the hell.....– Kyoushiro could only looked around in disbelief as he and the others descends.
"The underwater city has a special barrier around it that makes the land dwellers able to breathe underwater. The same with talking as well, you can converse here as much as you like"
Just as Corralia explained, Kyoushiro used his «Magic Seer» skill and saw a thin layer of magic power covering the entire city like a dome. Kyoushiro removed his hands from his mouth and as soon as he landed, Kyoushiro felt his weight back like standing on the surface.
Koizumi then landed behind Kyoushiro and said....
"Oceanus doesn't get much visitors from the outside but it is still a country. The other Kingdoms and cities come here to help defend Oceanus from time to time so they made the underwater city breathable for everyone"
Apparently, Oceanus was one of this places that was regularly attacked by monsters. Seeing as the ocean is a vast place to live, there were water type monsters that comes and attacks Oceanus.
Corralia, who just landed after everyone else further explains that there are other underwater cities in the ocean which was under the Rizandra's rule. Logically speaking, most of the ocean floor was pretty much under Rizandra's control and on a planet which has 75% of covering the entire world, Oceanus is largest ruling country there is.
"If this place is so big then why not help on land? It's not like you guys don't need water to live on land right?"
"No, we do not but choosing to live on land is different in living underwater. We sea dwellers avoid coming onto land unless we are banished. Since the land is an unknown place to us Sea dwellers. We do not have much knowledge about it"
Similar to how earth explores the deep oceans to discover it's secret, yet there are still parts unexplored due to it being so deep. Unknown places like the water where humans can't breathe are off limits due to how crushing the pressure is inside. Unless you have a good reason to be there, you wouldn't go there to begin with.
"Also, there are large Sea Serpent monsters attacking in the waters so, we defend ourselves as much as we could here"
"So monster attacks are even frequent in the sea as much on land huh?"
Just like on land, there are dungeons in the oceans as well. The unexplained regions with unknown dungeons would spew out the monsters that overflowed inside, which causes the monster in the ocean to multiply. It was just as dangerous on land where monster attacks are frequent.
The group walks down the streets of the underwater city. Just like any other places on land, the underwater city is filled with people walking around it. Just that, the difference in vehicles were different. Dolphins ended up being horses that pulls carriages and cart underwater. In their case, they pull large clam shells instead of a wooden create.
"There's light here despite being underwater. Are the lamps and such made from Glow stones?"
"Yes. There are some places where we could mine such minerals hear in the ocean floor so we have an abundance of them"
"Heh"
It was pretty impressive. Oceanus has rights to all underwater ore veins where the people can't reach. It was only normal for Oceanus to be the only advanced city in this world compared to others since they have the advantage of monopolizing the ore veins deep underwater.
Kyoushiro was truly impressed with how Oceanus could make use of their advantage.
"Hey, get out of my way two feet"
"?"
As Kyoushiro turned to a corner, an eighth legged Demi-human appeared right in front. It was a large, Scylla man with two beefy arms and thick tentacles for legs. Kyoushiro glared at the stranger for a moment and decided it wasn't worth it to pick a fight with a native in this place. Furthermore, getting inked wouldn't be a good thing, specially underwater.
"Hmph, that's more like it"
The Scylla man left after scoffing at Kyoushiro.
"I thought you'd get mad about that. He was looking down on you pretty much obviously"
"I'd like to avoid conflict as much as possible. Other than that, I don't want him to cover me in ink"
Kyoushiro ignored Katsuto's laughter over his shoulder and walked to the streets. This time, Koizumi tapped Kyoushiro's shoulder and lead him to a certain building.
"Hey.... where are you even taking me?"
"Come on, it's the place I want you to visit. Weren't we going here in the first place?"
"I was only looking for a place to set up the [Gate] artifact. It's that idiot that pushed me down in this place"
Kyoushiro snarled at Koizumi as he pulled his hand back from Koizumi.
"As I thought, men will always be men"
"Umm... I... I do not think this would be a good place to visit for such an early day"
Elyria looked at Kyoushiro coldly while Corralia fidget as she glanced back and forth at the certain building.
"Oh come on! It's only us guys that'll go here! Plus, it's been a while since we got to hangout Kagami!"
"We don't hangout. Not even on earth"
Kyoushiro sighs as he denies that he doesn't "hangout" with Katsuto and Koizumi.
"Well, there's a first for everything right?"
"Is this how you get girls Koizumi?"
Kyoushiro looked at Koizumi suspiciously. The pretty guy on earth is as much of a sleazeball in this world. Kyoushiro couldn't believe that he was right about his classmates. Well, not that he cared anyway.
"So what? We got two girls with us and you want me to go inside in this hostess bar?"
"Correction, it's a brothel"
"Not much of a difference there......"
Once more, Kyoushiro sighed.
The building was on the bright side of the street. Furthermore, despite being in broad daylight, there were sea folk Demi-humans women waving down at the three guys on the street. Most of them hardly had any covers on their tops and the only standing between nudity and public decency was the shell bikini top they were wearing.
The business seem bustling with some patrons coming and going.
"Hey there Mr. Hero!"
Suddenly someone from the window called out to Koizumi. Looking up, the group saw a woman with pink skin and deep blue compound eyes. Around her neck was a necklace made out of seashells.
"Oh! Shella! It's been a while, did you miss me?"
"Of Course Hayato-sama! Come on in and bring your friends with you"
The woman named Shella invited everyone inside. Katsuto seemed eager while Koizumi looked somewhat embarrassed.
"I didn't know you were into those kind of things....."
"W-Well.... We have our fetish right?"
"At least try and deny it you disgusting bastard....." Kyoushiro muttered so under his sigh.
Kyoushiro was already having a headache being in the same place as this Playboy, but was even more irritating that the idiot just entered the building. Does he think he's Elvis or something? Kyoushiro grumbled silently.
"So? Are we going in?"
Elyria asked so with a rather hesitant tone.
"If you guys know a better place than this let's go. Otherwise, I'd be stuck with this sort of thing"
Nevermind Elyria, Corrallia seemed to be reluctant to even enter the establishment. She was a woman born in this city but she wasn't so experience in this sort of business. Elyria had somewhat the idea of why the other two wanted to spend and early afternoon here but stayed silent and only waited for Kyoushiro to answer.
"If Kagami-sama wished to then I won't mind coming along inside"
"Alright. How about you pointy?"
"Pointy..... I have a name you know"
Elyria, ticked, stormed off inside the building with fumes puffing out of her head. Apparently, pointing out her ears was a no go. Kyoushiro shrugged his shoulders and just sighed.
"30 minutes and we're out. I want to finish what I came here for"
"Alright then! Let's go!"
For the first time, Kyoushiro saw Koizumi make a slovenly smile and it was disgusting. Looks like the pretty boy was more of a philanthropist than a Playboy. Once more, Kyoushiro let out a sigh.
–
The inside was like how Kyoushiro expected. Lots of tables and colorful lights. There were girls hanging up on the balcony of the staircase inside while others were serving customers. As someone who once did work in this sort of place before in middle school, Kyoushiro already know what type of service they provide.
The girls varied in all shapes and sizes. Mermaids, Scyllas, Lamias, and much more. There was even a lionfish Demi-human singing on stage. As one would expect from another world, the women are very beautiful and attractive despite having horns and such.
"Here's your order, enjoy"
A waitress, a mermaid, placed down the order of raw fish and seaweed combo. With the specialty of Sea anemone and Sea cucumber salad with sea horse toppings. All of them were raw.
"I'm not eating that"
"Hey, we're underwater what did you expect?"
Indeed, water doesn't burn underwater as such, there is no cook food in this place. Watching Koizumi Chow down on the Sea anemone and Sea cucumber salad with baby seahorse toppings made Kyoushiro's face turn green. Turning to the girl next him, Corralia was enjoying the salad and the seaweed specials. Elyria didn't seem hungry and merely drunk the mug of Seafoam beer.
"Ugh.... This is...."
"It's a bit too bitter than ordinary beer but it has a strong kick. But it doesn't give you hangovers so it's a great drink"
Koizumi seemed to have already enjoyed his time in Oceanus with all his knowledge about it's alcoholic beverages. Katsuto was talking to a beautiful green haired mermaid like it was the best time of his life. He wasn't drunk but he might as well be with him giggling with the mermaid. Kyoushiro grabbed the mug in front of him and had a sip but taken aback by the bitterness, he put it down immediately.
"Kagami-sama? You are not going to drink?"
"No, I'm underage like these two idiots but looks like they've long since past that"
Kyoushiro crossed his arms and just leaned his back on his seat. Corralia and Elyria were sitting on both of his side so some of the patrons' eyes were on him. But ignoring the sweet calls of the girls above his head, Kyoushiro closed his eyes and just asked about what happened when Koizumi and Katsuto first came into Oceanus.
"It seems that these people doesn't have much anything against Demon Spawns seeing as no one threw anything at me when we came. What happened when you guys came here?"
"It wasn't as different as before. At the start, the people here we're wary of me and Katsuto but they immediately warmed up after we took care of a swarm of sea monsters"
Back then, the amount of sea monsters attacking Oceanus was high. The frequency of attacks and casualties were so high that the imperial government did not allow it's citizens to travel out of the city. However, thanks to the coming of the heroes, Koizumi and Katsuto, the number dwindled and almost hardly any sea monsters approach the city.
The other cause for this was that Rizandra had created various magic artifacts that help the city repel it's monster attacks. The barrier was made for that purpose as well.
"On top of boosting magic, the city cast a wide range of restoration spells that helps the soldiers fight as much as they could to defend the city. We too were saved because of it"
According to Koizumi, the effects was able to produce about at least 10 high level priest Healing magic inside the city. It was enough to recover both fatigue and minor injuries.
The battle with the Sea Monster called Sea Drake was made easy thanks to the effects of the barrier when Koizumi and Katsuto fought it.
"Aside from that, the person who helped Rizandra-sama made this possible was Merman with dark hair and eyes, in other words, a Demon Spawn"
Because a Demon Spawn helped save the city using the power of the barrier, the citizens of Oceanus was grateful towards him and the hate for Demon Spawns lessened. It wasn't gone but most of the citizens in this city or in any regions under the sea, prefer not to think about how to accept the people with dark hair and eyes.
Corrallia, who had drunk her third mug, silently placed the mug down and continued the talk.
"If it were not for that person, this city would have fallen long ago. We only held up due to our ruler's power but we were in the brink of destruction if the heroes were not summoned"
By blessing in the skies, there were multiple heroes that summoned. Thanks to that, most of surviving royalties in the world were saved. The countries they governed were protected and their people were saved from death.
Though on Kyoushiro's point of view, this was a demerit for him. He didn't want to be summoned, much less discriminated and incarcerated. If it weren't for his curse disabling his growth, Kyoushiro would have been accepted as a hero. However, things have changed and days passed. Now, Kyoushiro obtained a power that stands on the same ground as Demon Lord while surpassing that of a hero.
An uncrowned King, A Hero then a Demon Lord. Those were outrageous titles that Kyoushiro gained for just doing what he think was right. Yet in the end, in this world, he was just one of those people that were spawns of the Demon God Avfritzed.
Thinking about it only made Kyoushiro sigh.
"So? Where is this person? I'd like to hire him for help when I install a [Gate] artifact here"
"He is currently in the palace helping her Majesty with researching the artifact you have brought"
Corrallia took one last bite of her salad and took one last sip of her beer. Though her cheeks were flushed, she was still sober.
"If you wished to meet him, I might be able to arranged it. However, it might take long since he is always busy"
"Well, I'll just do it alone then. Not like it's not possible to do the work alone"
Kyoushiro ordered something sweet to drink before standing up. Seeing this, the tipsy Koizumi and the drunk Katsuto stood up as well.
"Stay here, I'm just taking a piss. I won't take long"
"Hey, we go together! We...urp.... We're friends after...urp....all!!"
"It's only noon and you're dead drunk? Seriously, this guy is....."
Kyoushiro sighed and left the table. Leaving the four individuals eating and drinking. It was then that Shella finally came.
"Hey there Mr. Hero, sorry to keep you waiting"
"No, no it's fine. You're just right on time"
Koizumi helped the girl, Shella sit right next him behind the table. Elyria and Corralia, glanced at each other before gazing at the place Kyoushiro disappeared into. For them, it would have been better if they stayed with Kyoushiro instead of Koizumi and Katsuto.
PART#2
Kyoushiro forgot he was underwater. As such, what he let out just flew and mixed in everywhere. Annoyed because of the inconvenience caused by the surrounding, Kyoushiro used his skill to make a dome of ice that prevents the water from getting. Amazingly, Kyoushiro's clothes weren't wet despite being in the water.
"I really don't want to think about how these people go to no. 2......"
Kyoushiro sighed as he fixed his clothes. As the ice dome was removed, Kyoushiro moved to the mirror next to the sink. However, when he turned to a corner, he saw an unconscious little kid lying down.
"Is he one of the women's upstairs's kid? Talk about neglecting and child abuse. This kid has some bruises....."
Kyoushiro walked up to the kid and took out a bottle of healing potion from his necklace. He then gently placed his arm around the kid's shoulders and put the lid of the bottle onto the kid's lips and poured it's contents. Using his skills to not let the potion drift away in the water, the boy's small gulps resounded.
Kyoushiro sighed as the bruises and scars slowly shrinked away. Then as he stood up, he left the bathroom with the kid in his arms......
–
Shella had come and joined Koizumi in the table with the others. The woman who had clam shell stuck on her back sat right next to Koizumi. Koizumi passed a mug of Seafoam Beer to Shella and the girl gladly received then drank it.
"You were away for quite sometime, I thought something might have happened to you"
"Well, you know me. I'm pretty much invincible"
Koizumi wasn't as drunk as Katsuto. However, he was already smiling like a fool. Elyria and Corralia silently watched the two as they got cozy with each other. Katsuto on the other hand, was already asleep. Fortunately, there were only four empty mugs of Seafoam Beer right over his head.
"I've heard that another hero came. Where is he?"
"Just left for the bathroom. He just arrived here you know"
"Water got to his bladder?"
Shella chuckled at her own pun "Heheheh...." Then slowly combed Koizumi's hair with her pink soft fingers.
"Well Mr. Hero? Want to spend sometime up stairs for a bit?"
"Haha.... Sorry, not today. Maybe I'll come by tonight. I still have things to do after this"
"I see.... that's unfortunate then"
As Koizumi rejected Shella's offer, the girl stood up and left. Koizumi smiles wryly and turns his head back to the table. However, the moment he met Elyria's and Corralia's eyes, he immediately looked down.
"Men are such pigs"
"........."
Corralia didn't gave a comment. The silence roamed the table even when the songstress was on stage, singing a beautiful song. The people cheering around with women on both of their arms were merry and the room was just jolly like a small party happening.
But the song stops when the door slammed open.
*Thud—Thud*
Heavy stomps broke the merry songs and cheers. In their eyes were signs of both fear and subjugation. Standing in front of them was the boss of the infamous gang Hundred teeth. Bruce the Great White Shark.
"Hmmm..... I didn't know there was a party here. Why wasn't I invited?"
The girls scurry forth, back upstairs where they stay. The men ran off in fear after paying for their drinks and women. Bruce smiled with his pearly whites, razor sharp teeth glistening in the lights of the bar.
His eyes then moved to a peculiar spot where there were two women and two men sitting across each other.
"Been a while Mr. Hero. I heard you went and save some city"
"Hey Bruce, how's the gang doing? Still up to no good huh?"
"Well, unlike you, I don't get different women everyday and looks to me, you got yourself some quite fine dames"
The giant Shark Demi-human leaned closer to Corralia and Elyria. Corralia quietly drunk her beer while Elyria didn't even bother to look at Bruce. Koizumi showed a coy smile as he couldn't help but see Bruce's appearance as less threatening as it should be.
"Say ladies, want to play with me instead of little old two feet here?"
"You have legs too you know?"
While the girls ignored Bruce, Koizumi replied jokingly. Though, Bruce still showed a smile, seemingly trying to laugh at Koizumi's comeback.
This time however, Bruce stared straight into Koizumi's face and said threateningly....
"Then, want me to cut off yours Mr. Hero?"
Koizumi merely leaned back and drunk his beer and chewed on the seaweed salad. Bruce was no threat to him. For him at least, Bruce wouldn't even be able to hold Koizumi down even if Bruce wanted to.
So....
"So what did you came here for Bruce? I know you're not here to welcome me back"
The history between the two was deep. Enough to know that Bruce was not the welcoming type. The gang boss who ruled a part of the ocean with his men, killing monsters as a job for the Oceanus Empire. That and for the sake of the people living in the seas.
Bruce then pulled back and walked to chair and pulled it right next to Koizumi before sitting down. The size of the Shark was just as big as real adult shark that swam in the seas for hundreds of years. Added to that the compound eyes and deep scary voice, he was a monster like no other.
"You know what I came here for"
"It's about Shella-san right?"
"So you do know"
"It's a business between a customer and the employee. It was nothing but a job for her"
"Yes, for her but not for me"
*Clatter!*
The chairs fell down as Bruce pulled Koizumi off from his seat, raising the young man with one arm, staring right down at him.
Elyria quickly held her sword and Corralia stood up. Katsuto acted, jumping out from his seat and drawing a mace out of nowhere. However, before they knew it, there were people standing behind them with daggers and knives at their necks.
"You've touched my girl Mr. Hero now you gotta pay for that"
"Hey now, I've already paid her after we done it, no need to–"
Koizumi's words were cut short as a large boom came rumbling the entire building. The others didn't missed it with their enchanced dynamic vision, Koizumi was thrown down on the floor, breaking through the basement down below.
"Ain't what I was talkiyanout you pri–"
Another one came after, but this time Bruce disappeared. The people that Bruce brought with him were all stunned by the sudden disappearance of their large boss. Elyria, Corralia and Katsuto were taken aback by the scene as well.
Because they saw a leg come down on the floor as the dust was being pushed away by some current.
"How could you guys rough house like that. Seriously, it's only noon"
There was Kyoushiro standing with a displeased expression and a kid on his arm, carrying like some baggage.
"What? Got sobbered up now?"
It was those words that everyone saw a different perspective of what happened. A thug more ruthless than Bruce had come to town.....
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 4 CH. 4 – A different perspective",
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"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 2 CH. 16 – The secret of the tree
PART # 1
The loud explosion caused by the landing, made buildings burn and collapsed as the magic airship landed terribly from the sky. Kyoushiro, who landed on his feet, got out from the rubbles of the broken down building where his ship crash landed.
Standing from the ruins, his eyes caught the large towering tree at the center of the city.
"We landed a but farther than expected. Edsel probably manipulated the trajectory of the fall as planned"
Edsel held the staff which was far greater of a weapon the the current heroes uses, used a spell to alter the course of the crash landing. The elf woman however, was nowhere to be seen but hopefully, she was safe.
Moments later after thinking so. the rubble a few steps away from him parted. Edsel and Elyria emerged from that ruins unharmed. Their equipment saved their lives apparently.
"T-That took years of my life away....." Elyria nervously said, shaken from the previous sky dive from a height of 15,000 feet. No one would have survived that fall but thanks to the equipment loaned by Kyoushiro and Edsel manipulating the landing, no one died.
"That was indeed terrifying, to say the least"
But even Edsel couldn't help but show how shaken she was when the ship tilted suddenly.
Since the two of the were safe, Kyoushiro lead them to a safe place. Since standing in debris wasn't good, they had to get away from there. As they did however, Katsuto burst from under the debris with Koizumi, Minami and Durif beneath him.
It seems like the four protected each other from the fall. Though their equipment saved them as well, Durif was paler than a ghost since wasn't wearing anything grand.
"GRAAAAAH!! Kagami you bastard!! There are limits to your pranks you know that!!"
Katsuto roared as he made his way down the rubble. Koizumi and Minami followed suit with Durif recovering somehow thanks to Minami's skills however.
Kyoushiro shrugged at Katsuto's anger. Thinking that it didn't matter much since they were alright. Now that they have arrive, there was no need to get angry anyway.
"Don't ignore me!"
"Shut it. I don't have time to listen to you"
"Why you....!!"
Since Kyoushiro ignored Katsuto, the guy showing a demonic expression was about to send Kyoushiro flying. However, as he was about to do that intentionally, the ground suddenly quake and sharp root suddenly lunged at Kyoushiro's face.
"Tsk, so it really was alive huh?" Kyoushiro clicked his teeth as he caught the incoming root and crushed it. It wasn't long after another quake came and long 1 meter wide roots suddenly kept attacking him.
Everyone was surprised and taken aback. Immediately, however, they prepare for an attack coming for them. But none came and the roots ignored them as more of them came from the belowe the earth and attacked Kyoushiro.
Kyoushiro already know what the true form of the spirit tree. Shadow King Crats told him everything he need to know back in Limbo.
"But still.... that guys didn't say that it'd be this annoying"
Kyoushiro cursed as he cut down another set of root spears that attack him from behind. He took out a black broadsword from his magic necklace and cut down the roots from their base. But no matter how many he cuts down, they simply grew back from under the earth.
It was irritating for Kyoushiro since no one was helping him....
He then recalls his discussion with Shadow king Crats.
—
"In order to destroy the spirit tree, no the World eater tree, a demon lord must use their miasma to corrupt the tree"
Standing inside the dark space, Kyoushiro listened to Shadow king Crats' explanation quietly.
Since he would get something in return after this, Kyoushiro decided to help. Even if he just wished that he could send the heroes instead, it seems that Kyoushiro bad to fight personally.
Shadow king Crats then motioned his hand like summoning something from underneath. At the center of the blackhole beneath Kyoushiro's feet, a holographic projection appeared.
There, it showed the monster, [World Eater] a parasitic tree like monster.
"Woah.... I didn't imagine something like that as a tree...." Kyoushiro showed a repulsed expression when he saw the true for of the Spirit tree.
It's a monster with a form of a tree. However, it was upsidedown rather than standing up. Its large round mouth was underneath the earth with its tendrils for a tongue acting as roots. Its trunk had similar texture as bark, like a normal tree, but upon closer inspection, it had tiny microscopic hairs growing out if it. The branches the produced green leaves were its excretion, the end of those branches had small exits were the anus was, a round red fruit like object.
Rather than a normal tree, it was just a large worm in a form of a tree. It didn't had eyes but easy enough to guess, its feelers underground were enough to detect anything living.
Shadow king Crats then continued.
"It's name is [World Eater] a monster that came from the unknown reaches of the cosmos. It has the similarities to a demon lord but unlike us, it can't produce miasma as it eats the pure essence of magic of this world"
Moving his fingers, the projection changes from the [World Eater] to a third person perspective of the world. Unexpectedly, it was a complete globe form of this planet and showed continents that held similarities to earth. The elf nation was located around the wester side of Europe....
"There's even Japan's islands there...." Kyoushiro held his breathe while viewing the completed globe form of this planet. From where the [World eater] was, the projection showed how deep its feelers had reached underground.
"It's quite near to the core huh?"
"Yes, once it reaches deep enough, it will devour the world's core. Which then powers the Ascension of the elves spell"
The globe was suddenly cut in half. There, the feelers was reaching the mantle of the world's core. Probably because it was too hot to begin with, it hadn't touch its surface but the tips of those feelers was crawling around to search for a different entrance.
It truly held it's name as [World eater].
"I don't understand. If that came from space as you say, then isn't that an alien lifeform? I don't think that size can be considered as a monster, even by this world's standard"
"It is as you say but it's true size is just a mere worm. It had grown big by absorbing this world's magic power"
"Isn't this a world ending level of event? Why ask me?" Kyoushiro asked suspiciously. Since he was indifferent from being a hero from the start and neither did he wished to become a demon lord, there was no need to go out of his way to ask Kyoushiro for help.
Kyoushiro felt like something was happening behind the scenes. Something terrible was bound to happen in the future.
Shadow king Crats slowly nodded, it appeared so by the movement of his silhouette, then replied back to Kyoushiro's Inquisition.
"I asked of you, neither because you wished to be a hero or a demon lord. But because of the skill you have obtained"
"My skill.....? What? You mean «Evolution»?"
"Yes, it is a rare skill that only few monsters have. But you appeared to have gained it, a power that let's you become a better version of yourself at the expense of your levels"
"What?!"
Shock by this revelation, Kyoushiro checked his stats. It didn't looks anything suspicious but when Kyoushiro used «Appraisal» on his skill «Evolution» it seems that he had used it twice already; using the first 250 levels before taking 500 levels for his second evolution.
Kyoushiro didn't know but his original level before obtaining «Evolution» was 250 but as he took on the effects of the drug and his skills to reform his human body by devouring the corpses of monsters, Kyoushiro's level climbed up to level 2000 until his skill took a quarter before taking half.
"I didn't know it had that kind of effect. My stats haven't decreased though?"
"It's experience is what it eats. Similar to how the [World Eater] eats magic essence in order to live. It's current level is just 1"
"I see.... so that's how it is...." Kyoushiro nods as he learns that he got a very amazing skill. Rather than being impressed, he was scared at how much inhuman his body had become.
"Then, how do I completely destroy it? It survived when you attack right?"
Shadow king Crats already told Kyoushiro how he meant to destroy the spirit tree. He did however, but the monster itself somehow survived. Elfianna knows nothing about the spirit tree's real form so it didn't think much of it as a monster, much less a living organism.
That's probably why it had grown considerably back to its original size.
"I do not have any clue as to how that thing survived but during that time, the Ascension of the elf spell was our priority so I did not even consider its chance of survival. It probably bore a its child on a plant or something"
"Well that's kind of irresponsible....." Kyoushiro thought as he gazed at the holographic projection of the [World Eater]. At a level where the world itself could end, why must he have to be the one that will save it the world?
"Haaaaah....." Kyoushiro sighed. "I hate being the hero"
"Will you accept then? Destroying the spirit tree and rescue Elfianna?"
"......."
Saving Elfianna, his former lover, wasn't his top priority but saving the world was. For a demon lord, that goes differently from their usual world conquering nature. It was amazing to think a demon lord would even consider saving a world they were bound to destroy.
"Why save this world?" Kyoushiro asked, questioning Shadow king Crats' reason to destroy the [World Eater].
"You're a Demon Lord, there's no benefit in you saving this world"
"Hmmm...." Shadow king Crats' breathes out through his unseen nose "What reason there is to not save my own home? Would you like your world be destroyed just because you hate it?"
"Well...."
It's true that even if people wished the world's destruction in their worst days, it wasn't that they were willing to do it themselves. Shadow king Crats seemed have the same mind set, just that, it doesn't look like he was planning to destroy the world even as a Demon Lord.
"What about Queen Elfianna? Why save her?"
It was obvious that saving the world was important that Shadow king Crats placed his former lover as second. Was it truly just because he trust her or was it due to falling out of love?
Kyoushiro hadn't fallen in love until Lucinda came. Even at that point, he wasn't sure how to describe his relationship with her. But Shadow king Crats and Queen Elfianna were different. They had been lovers at some point in time. Surely, his wish to save Queen Elfianna was because he still held feelings for her.
Kyoushiro thought that, but Shadow king Crats seems to have thought differently.
"Her existence is important. If she were to perish, then the elven race would lose a good leader"
"That's all there is too it" Shadow king Crats said, sounding like he was serious.
—
"I guess with how much this world had screw up, there are some would choose solidarity instead"
Brandishing his sword, cutting nonstop at the roots that was attacking him, Kyoushiro spoke softly.
Thanks to his stats being on a higher plane, Kyoushiro could now properly defend himself. His former weakened self was now just a mere shadow of his past. Even if it only happened a few days ago, Kyoushiro felt he had gone through a long struggling adventure just to survive.
Now, Kyoushiro held the power to destroy his enemies with his might.
"Kagami!" Koizumi, Katsuto, Minami, Elyria, Edsel and then Durif tried to follow Kyoushiro, shouting his name worriedly. It seemed that they got worried due him getting swarmed by feelers that look like roots.
Kyoushiro then glanced at them, sweeping the roots surrounding him in one slash, he shouted.
"Get to the tree! Leave me here and go!!"
"What?!"
"Are you crazy?!"
"Kyou-san!!"
"H-Hero-dono!"
Koizumi, Katsuto, Edsel and Durif tried to call out to Kyoushiro. Looking at how much roots was attacking him while nothing was even trying to attack them, they were all confused as to what was happening.
Edsel casted a fire spell and burned the roots, saving Kyoushiro from getting swarmed once more. However, another set came and swarmed Kyoushiro once more.
Once more.... I can— Edsel said to herself, chanting the spell once more to save Kyoushiro. However, root came from under her feet and attacked her leg. But thanks to her equipment, it was deflected by an invisible barrier and instantly burned.
Nothing came after however, Kyoushiro once more was getting swarmed. It was like their target was only him.
But....
"Jus where is that monster!!" Katsuto yelled, looking around the street and rubble. Yet, he didn't see any Shadow nor form of an enemy.
"Shit...." Katsuto cursed, spitting the bitter taste in his mouth, unable to help Kyoushiro even when they received strong equipment from him.
Then, calm as he was when they landed, Kyoushiro spoke.
"Listen, I'll distract these things so make sure to go for the tree. Save the queen then get out. I'll take care of the rest"
Probably because some ordinary citizens were leaving their homes and checking the noise outside their houses, there were people gathering near Kyoushiro.
Thinking that it would be bad if he stayed there, Kyoushiro jumped onto a roof. Without saying anything after leaving those words to the rest of the heroes, Kyoushiro left.
The night sky however, was had 1 meter size bats flying around and was heading towards Kyoushiro. Those bats were a swarm that came from the [World eater], were following Kyoushiro's direction.
Everyone was left there, dumbfounded as they were left with nothing to do. For now, they decided to head to the Spirit tree.
"Halt! You intruders will pay for destroying our city!"
Just then, elven knights appearing droves as they heard the loud commotion and the falling airship. Seeing as they were somehow got recognized as intruders, Koizumi shrugged his shoulders.
"Haaaah.... Can't be help, we'll just deal with these guys first"
"Can't we just have Durif-san tell them about their queen getting kidnapped?"
Katsuto stated the obvious. Durif was standing behind them, albeit still sick, but was in a condition where he could orders swiftly. There was no reason to kill them.
But then, Durif shook his head.
"I'm sorry to say but.... it seems that they are not going to listen..."
"Looks like it huh?"
"I see.... they know what's happening.
Durif, Elyria and Edsel were all standing before the elven knights, with no mask or obscure hoods or mufflers. Their faces were laid bare, it was easy to recognized them like that.
However not one elf Knight was lowering their guards. More so when they already pulled out their swords from their scabbards.
Minami then said....
"I'll just heal them later so rough' em up!!" Eagerly, as if what she said was normal and not a hint of cruelty, Minami blow the elven knights away with her magic. Wind magic skill — «Air Blast».
Koizumi and Katsuto then glanced at each other then shrugged their shoulders as if saying "Well, it can't be help" and "Let's hurry since that guy will get mad" before readying their weapons and charged ahead.
On the side, Durif muttered while looking ghastly pale.
"Are all heroes like this?"
"I'm sure that it's only them" Elyria sighed while looking over her shoulder, gazing at the place a certain someone just left.
"Kyou-san's friends are..... wild?"
"Don't sugarcoat your words and just say their dangerous...."
Edsel tried to lighten the mood by praising the three heroes that was now wildly tossing and beating every elf Knight that was in their way. However, Elyria felt that calling that rampage "wild" was simply sugarcoating it.
The heroes were powerful by nature. It wouldn't be a joke if one of them every trued to take over their country. Like a certain hero who was willing to abandon them just because he doesn't feel like it.
"Wait, why am I even thinking about that monster? This is ridiculous" Elyria said to herself, drawing her sword then sent an incoming knight flying with one hit.
Again, Elyria sigh at the sight of her overwhelming boost that her equipment was granted. Kyoushiro was truly a monster, he could make such items with such amazing enchantments.
It was unbelievable but Elyria was grateful.
"Well, I'll properly do my part and fight!!"
Like that, the rest of them charge and proceeded to make their way towards the Spirit tree.... The [World Eater].
PART # 2
Like how cities with harbors were, the nearest Magic Airship harbor was as tall as a skyscraper. Around there were large hangers on top of tall large trees, that act as buildings to serve as harbors. All of them were located around the west side of the city.
"That tree is persistent"
Kyoushiro was running. However, behind him was a trail of tendrils that look like roots that was attacking him from underground. The streets were getting turned inside-out due to the large numbers of tendrils chasing after Kyoushiro.
There were elven people, young and old, all concerned about the commotion within their cities. Because of the loud noises the [World Tree] was making by wrecking houses and buildings, the streets and sidewalks, there were now people gathering everywhere.
It was annoying that Kyoushiro had to be concerned about the but he had no choice since they weren't even involved in Pernicious' thirst for power.
"I was planning to at least get in one of my ships and installed [Gate] on it, but looks like it'll take a while"
Kyoushiro was planning on using one of his battleship's [Gate] device. A magic artifact that connects Ambrosia to another location. Lessening the travel distance. Why would Kyoushiro used such device at this time? Simple, he was planning to visit his armoury back in Ambrosia in other take something.
A simple magic artifact that can level a whole country. A tactical bomb.....
"Who says that I had to kill a monster of that level using skills only? I'd rather not get near that thing"
Kyoushiro had seen what the [World Eater] looked like. In all honesty, there was no way he would touch such thing. Even if he had to use his miasma as a demon lord to destroy the [World Eater].
*Boom!!" Another building crumbles as large roots grew out from underground and tore through the tight buildings.
Kyoushiro used his construction skills to make the building sturdy enough to hold out for a few minutes to let the civilians escape. After that, Kyoushiro cut down the large root with his broadsword.
The root falls as it for severed from the base.
*Gagaaan......!!* The giant falls on an empty street, safely avoiding civilians. Kyoushiro sighed in relief but this time, he was attacked by human size bats.
*IIIIK!! IIIIIIKK!!!* Swarms of bats attack, blocking Kyoushiro's view. Holding his sword's hilt then taking a stance as if swinging his sword from the left side....
"Sword Skill revised — «Whirlwind Cut»!!"
Kyoushiro spun around and formed a whirlwind of sharp blades. The human size bats got sucked it from the pressure of the whirlwind that Kyoushiro generated, shredding almost of those bats in an instant.
"Now the—!?"
Just as Kyoushiro stopped his attack and was going to take one of his battleship, the hangers suddenly exploded and large roots grew our from underneath the trees, tearing them from the inside....
"Oh come on....."
His battleships were indeed strong but without people operating them, its shields wouldn't even activate to protect itself. As the large trees holding the hangars above was torn from the inside out, the hangars on top of them fell to the ground and exploded.
A majestic blast came one after the other, destroying the buildings beneath and mercilessly killing civilians.
Kyoushiro felt bad about them but felt even more horrible to watch his own creation get destroyed just like that.
*GRAAAUGAAAH!!* However, it did not end there. Coming from underground like moles, large dogs with know fur, with disgusting fleshy face and round gaping mouth with thin feelers wiggling around inside it came out.
There wasn't just one or two, they kept appearing until they covered the streets and the rooftops.
"KYAAAAAA!!!"
"H-HELP!!!"
It went to say that, the whole city became chaotic after that.
—
The crystal shined greatly before Pernicious. His plans to make the elves all high elves was nearing its completion. There was nothing more than he could he ever wished for. The elder elves that sided with him, all were waiting expectantly behind him.
"It's time!"
Pernicious raised both hands in grand gestures, as though welcoming a new era. His face, erratic and twisted. His maddening laughter as he was both to achieved his long standing dream to become not only a high elf but the ruler of the world.
It was only about time. The light contained within the tall monolith crystal shot up, beaming up to the sky. With the moon right above their heads, a gigantic magic circle slowly drawn itself in the sky.
"Finally!! I shall become the king of the world!!"
"Fern, you mad man! How could you do this! Our allies, the other races would not approve of this!"
Elfianna called out to Pernicious, reproaching him for his wrong doings. Pernicious was sacrificing the life of the other race. Only to provide him momentary pleasure. His dream won't last as a king, for everything would be destroyed first before he'd become king.
What's more, the humans, the beastmen, the demi-humans and the dwarves won't just stay quiet after doing this much destruction.
Distraught, Elfianna pulled her chains as she tries to stop Pernicious. However, Pernicious merely smirked.
"Oh silly cousin of mine.... I don't care about such meager beings! Once I become a high elf king, not even demon lords would defeat me!!"
"Have you gone mad!? Don't you remember how our land was destroyed by the Shadow King?! Do you not recall how he—"
"Became a Demon Lord for your sake? That senseless man was stupid! He could have ruled us but instead he just destroyed the spirit tree! He is not a Demon Lord, he is but a coward!"
Elfianna was surprised that Pernicious knows about Shadow king Crats' reason to become a Demon Lord. It was a secret, only the two of them know. However, Pernicious knows it, that only meant that he was there when it happened.
Pernicious twisted grin grew more as he condemned Elfianna for her actions in the past. For if it not for her, Paracellumn wouldn't have suffered greatly. They would have became high elves if it weren't for Elfianna's machinations.
In order for Shadow king Crats to become a Demon Lord, she handed the secret treasure of the elves. The rarest stone in the world, A Moonstone.
"If you didn't used that Moonstone in the first place, I would never even have to use this drastic measure! I would have achieved becoming a high elf!"
"There is no way a male elf would become a high elf! It is transcribed in our sacred text that only the female elves can become high elves! Because only they can become Fairy—"
"Silence!!"
Pernicious shot up an icicle towards Elfianna, grazing her cheeks as she moved her head away. Unfortunately, strands of her long beautiful golden hair were cut, fluttering as they dropped down.
Fairy Queen. An existence only available for female elves. Because all elves came from spirits and elements, it was said that the first elf ever created was crowned as Fairy Queen.
The discrimination between the elves; unless one was a woman, they won't be able to get much treatment as them. Male elves were treated fairly in their society but even so, male elves weren't accepted equally by female elves; most elf women are haughty and very prideful.
Elfianna was raised to be a queen so she did not grew up learning such attitude from others. But nearly half of the elven female population treated male elves lower than them.
Pernicious, angered beyond belief spat out his deepest and most heartfelt feelings.
"Because of these differences, my mother did not loved me! My father lived like a pig under that woman's cruelty! I followed her every order just to protect my father... but what do I get!?"
Pausing for a moment, Pernicious created multiple spheres of wind and water around him. Fully intending to hurt his cousin, he was preparing to use his spells against her.
"Nothing! I became a governor of my own hardworking but that woman just chuck it up as her own doing! Saying that it was not my hardwork that I reached this far but her own manipulative power! Aunt Hildegarde, was no different!! That whore merely used men as her play things!"
In the past, far beyond when Elfianna became a high elf, it was the time when Pernicious was young. Born from the family of high elves, his mother only wished to bore a daughter not son. Because she wished for a successor to take the royal crown as the queen of elves, she married Pernicious' father, a normal fruit vendor at that time.
Because of the differences in stature at that time, their married life was difficult, especially for Pernicious' father. His mother's family treated him horribly.
It was in fact, however, that his mother merely married his father because his mother already given up hope of marrying noble elven men because they pursue the love of the same gender. Disgusted, his mother didn't have much choice, picked some guy around the city and made love with him.
Successfully, she became pregnant. However, upon learning that what she gave birth to was a boy, she became mad.
The current Queen at that time, Queen Hildegarde, Elfianna's mother imprisoned Pernicious' father. Punishing him for driving the Queen's sister mad with grief. His father was tortured and played with until his sense as a living being disappeared.
Until the end of his father's life, the horrible sight of his father begging for pain to be pleasured, gave him nothing but nightmares.
"Because of you women loved to treat yourselves highly, we men became your playthings! You just don't know how many times your whore of a mother tried to break me.... those horrible experiences.... I'm truly happy that I killed that bitch!!"
During his time as student, the current Queen called upon him. She offered him to stay in the castle for a bit in order to be used as the Queen's doll. However, Pernicious refused because he wasn't fond of pain and much more so, he didn't like Queen Hildegarde as a partner even more.
But then, when he refused, Queen Hildegarde did the most horrific and twisted thing to him....
"She fed me to orcs..... high in aphrodisiacs.... and....and....!!!"
"Kyaaa!?" Elfianna's chest was hit by a wind sphere, tearing her clothes, making her scream in pain.
"I killed that woman.... the same way she tried to punished me! But yet....." Pernicious paused once more and threw the rest of the spheres towards Elfianna. Each it hit, her clothes would get torn and wet. Revealing her white smooth skin and grand mounds of a chest with pink tips.
Pernicious laugh, mad, as he recalls more of his torment. Having his attacks stopped momentarily, and spoke to Pernicious with voice aching with pain.
"You killed...... my mother..... because of that?"
"Just because of that?! I would have done even more!!"
"But.... I heard that my.... my father was....."
The story behind the Queen's death which lead Elfianna to become the heir to the throne. The king lost his life, because Pernicious' mother orchestrated everything in order to get the throne herself. However, as she was unable to become a high elf, she didn't got what she wished, but instead, died the same way the previous Queen lost her life.
"I'll become a high elf, I'll become the king of the world. I'll make all elves high elves, equal in standing.... No more discrimination! I'll be the ruler and this time, I will make sure to make everyone see how wrong it is for the goddess to choose women as the rulers of our race!!"
The earth rumbled as though sympathizing with Pernicious's woes. His cry was heard, his wished was granted, the magic circle above flashed, brightly lighting the night sky.
But, even when his body begun to change, even though power was entering his body...
"Wha—"
*Pishaa!* The monolith crystal broke.
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 2 CH. 16 – The secret of the tree",
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"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
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"Psychological",
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"tags": [
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"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
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"Demon Lord"
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|
Good evening to all that have read [The Cursed Black Hero]!!
Although it has only been a few weeks since i had uploaded this story, it has been in my PC for a longtime now. I am very well aware of the fact that there are many spots in each chapters that are a bit too loose and in accurate.
[The Cursed Black Hero] is a story I have made back when i was around in my first year college. It hasn't been long but that was the first time I even wrote something like a story. At first, i didn't know what I want to do with this story since i'm an amateur at this kind of thing. I was only a reader back then but... I guess it became something like "I want to make my own story" kind of sense.
I'm just a beginner of this but I still wish to have my story to be well liked by others. Thank you all for reading [The Cursed Black Hero] until the end of its first volume (Is what I want to share). Please continue reading it until I finish up the second part.
[The Cursed Black Hero] will be continuing on for a while longer until the whole story ends....
|
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"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "11600",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Not a Chapter!!",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
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"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
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}
|
Vol. 4 CH. 3 – Dangers of both ally and enemy.....
PART #1
Elyria Rosemary had watched the three heroes leave the carriage and was escorted inside the majestic Sea Palace. Though she had volunteered as an escort to keep Kyoushiro in line in case he did something in Oceanus, that was just wasn't her real mission.
Right after Kyoushiro left Paracellumn, Queen Elfianna had given Elyria a task. That was to make sure to keep Kyoushiro on their side as much as possible. Although, Kyoushiro turning his back against Paracellumn was far from coming true, it wasn't that it was impossible either.
Princess Lydia also know about Kyoushiro's usefulness as an ally. He has both the power and the means to overthrow any nation in this world. He has Ambrosia at his back, the place where his unbelievable creations are being used as an everyday object.
That's why, although shameless, Princess Lydia was throwing herself at Kyoushiro in order to keep Paracellumn safe. Even the ones that Kyoushiro saved had been told to make sure not to anger Kyoushiro at all. That and to have some people observe him as much as possible.
Elyria had proof that Kyoushiro might turn against the world. That was when she saw the 3rd Demon Lord accompanying them while they were about to rescue Princess Lydia and Elyria's comrades. She even witnessed Kyoushiro fight like a monster, turn into a Demon Lord and take down a Demon Lord.
That's why, in order to prevent Kyoushiro utilizing his skills against the world, they had to use their bodies to keep Kyoushiro in check. Though that said, Elyria wasn't keen on the idea of seducing Kyoushiro. Queen Elfianna had said to just observe him and report back if he were to do something but Elyria couldn't fail at this. She had already showed animosity towards Kyoushiro from the start back in Calladium so it was a must that she would be able to grab Kyoushiro's attention as much as possible.
Learning somethings from Minami or two helped but, it seemed that Kyoushiro still had no plans of becoming close with Elyria at all.
This is for the sake of Paracellumn.... but it is really annoying that such man has no class in women– Elyria grumbled in her mind as she watched the backs of three guys walking right before her following Corallia.
While Elyria was a beauty herself, her chest wasn't as great as Corallia. What's more, her hair wasn't as long and wavy like Corallia, instead, it was tied in a ponytail style that flows down straight once let down. Elves have been blessed with a natural beauty but mermaids are different. They have such sensual curves and voices so beautiful one could literally be swooned to sleep.
It was annoying that she was ignored when Elyria tried to appeal to Kyoushiro but it was more humiliating to not be seen as a woman right at her face.
"........"
Right now, Kyoushiro was talking at Koizumi and Katsuto. The two heroes were trying to convince Kyoushiro to join them to some fun time in the city once their job was done. Kyoushiro didn't seem to keen on the idea so he rejected the two.
"I got a wife and kid already. Plus two more girls that I still can't decided on what to do. Don't make my problems increase even more"
"Hey, come on now. Even a married husband sometime go to some places to have some good time"
"You might not notice but we're very famous here"
Katsuto seemed to be boasting about him and Koizumi being treated warmly in Oceanus. Kyoushiro clicked his tongue and replied.
"Don't care. Do I look like the type to play around?"
"......."
"Of course!!"
Katsuto just answered with a wide smile on his face. Kyoushiro sighed as he held his face.
"Uh.... may I ask you three a question?"
Corallia, who has been leading everyone in front slowed down her pace as tried to ask Kyoushiro, Koizumi and Katsuto about something.
"What is it?"
"This may come as being rude but.... you all are.. friends in your world yes?"
"Friends? Me and these two?"
"You are not?"
"Nope. Nada, impossible. I just sit at the back of the class while these guys have merry days with the rest. I don't come as the friendly type of guy"
"I see....."
Corallia glanced at Koizumi and Katsuto to see their expressions. However, the two had a bit of lonesome faces as Kyoushiro denied him being friends with them. Though in their case, they understood why Kyoushiro thinks like that. After what happened at Travestin, it was obvious that Kyoushiro hasn't forgiven any of them for believing such obvious lie. Even more so when they left him in a dungeon without even hearing him out.
Silence roamed as everyone walked in the quiet halls of the palace. Elyria, who had been quiet for a while now took her turn to ask a question.
"May I ask how were you all in your world? What you three were doing before the summoning?"
"Hm? What's this all of a sudden?"
"I am merely curious. Everyone seemed to have common knowledge about this world yet Kagami-sama doesn't. Did all of you not lived in the same country?"
Although it wasn't that important, Elyria was curious as to how the others have different reactions than Kyoushiro. When Mikoto and Minami first entered Paracellumn, their first impression were directed not to the inhabitants but to the structure and culture of the elves. They weren't estranged by the mystic culture of the elven kingdom and were able to easily adapt to the place.
Even Koizumi and Katsuto didn't seem like they lived difficulty in Oceanus either. Consider how warm they were welcomed when they came back.
"Why is it that Kagami-sama the only one that have yet to settle in with world?"
"I don't know? Why is that Kagami-kun?"
"Let's just say I grew up in a different environment compared to yours"
Kyoushiro answered with a slight tone of annoyance in his voice.
"The hell does that mean?"
"It means mind your own business. How I take in this world's common sense is my problem so don't be too nosy about why"
It wasn't a pleasant thing to revisit a past one wanted to forget for the time being. His subject of revenge wasn't in this world with him and the only person he can take down in this world was the bastard that framed to be a criminal.
What's more, it's annoying to Kyoushiro to remember how Shadow King Crats told him to stop being a child and grow up. The guy had the same face as him, which made it even more irritating to accept.
"Let's just meet with the Queen of this place so that I can set up a [Gate] and get back to Ambrosia. I don't want to get dragged into anymore problems when in other countries"
With Kyoushiro's words, no one said anything anymore. Instead, everyone just walked quietly until they reached the door to the audience room.....
–
"What did you just say?"
Somewhere within the underwater city, a group of larged bodied Demi-humans surrounded a young boy. Despite the city being covered with colorful lights above the roofs of the buildings, the alleyways has always been dark.
"T-The heroes Koizumi Hayato-sama and Katsuto Sairenji-sama....H-Have returned!! I just saw them this morning!"
The boy cried as the man threw him down.
"Boss, that bastard Koizumi will most likely....."
"Shut up! Don't dare say anything about my darling Shella!"
The boss the man called was Bruce Alodon. He was a Shark type Demi-human with a large bulky body with various scars on his back and abs. Bruce scowled at his subordinate, who tried to remind him about his lover Shella being taken away again by Koizumi.
"Tsk....! I won't let him do what he likes again in this city! I'll make sure to make him pay!"
"Well boss... technically, Shella-san's work involves in dealing with men.... So..."
"Are you saying my darling Shella is a jellyfish?"
"N-No boss! I don't mean that!! S-See, Shella-san works at a brothel so i-it's not like–"
*Bam!!*
A dull sound rang out as the subordinate suddenly flew back to the wall and crashed. Bruce, who had his fist up, slowly lowered his hand.
"Call the others, we'll trap that bastard in the city and make sure he won't get back up to the surface ever again"
"Roger that boss"
The group of sharks then dispersed, leaving only Bruce with the boy. Looking down, Bruce squeezed the brat for more information. However, the arrival of a third hero had taken him aback.
"A another hero huh.....?"
But it won't stop Bruce from ever laying a hand on Koizumi. In order to show that Bruce was better than Koizumi in front of Shella, Bruce needed to plan on how to drag Koizumi down into the sea.
PART #2
Experiencing something for the first often makes one nervous. However, for me, this whole thing just felt troublesome. The moment the large door of the audience room opened, a picturesque came to view. It was not like any other throne room I've seen.
Unlike that Western style Throne room in Travestin where it was just a large room with two thrones at the end or Paracellumn's majestic forest themed one, the one before me right now was like a bundle of beautiful Coral reefs that formed naturally.
Spiralling pillars with Coral branches, Sea anemone like flowers and a throne made from a giant white clam.
I can see why this place only has sea folk Demi-humans. If this was Earth, king Neptune would sitting there on the throne.
Though what I saw was different from a king. It was a small girl.
"Welcome, Black Hero, Kyoushiro Kagami-dono. I am Rizandra Ious Silphenm, the ruler of Oceanus Kingdom"
Seated on her throne like doll with no expression, she introduced herself. A little girl with long silver blue hair and serene light green eyes. She wore a dress that seemed to big for her to where yet somehow looked comfortable to her.
I've seen Lucinda act as the Queen before but I never did meet a kid being a Queen before.
"Please to meet you too, your Majesty"
I tried to be as courteous as possible and bowed my head. Koizumi and the Katsuto two bowed before standing straight up. I then took out the orb I was asked to give to Rizandra.
"Oh? Is that the orb my dear friend sent me?"
"Yeah, she said you'd be able to analyze it. My own Appraisal skill didn't even work on it"
"I see.... Very well. Corallia, please take the orb to research department. I shall head there Immediately once I'm done entertaining out guest"
"Certainly your Majesty"
Corallia left as soon as I gave her the orb. Somehow, this brat seemed bossy. Just what kind of parents taught her to act like that? At least come down from that throne you brat.
"So, I heard all about you from Elfianna. But it seems that you aren't like what I have thought"
That elf Queen talked to her before hand? Why didn't she told me this?
"What? Did she said I'm a ten foot tall gaint that with horns and stuff?"
"Not to that degree. However, a scum who plays with the hearts with women are not usually welcome in my palace"
What?! This brat, the hell did she just called me?!
"Look kid, I don't know where your parents are but it's best to let the adults do the talking"
"Hmph, what an insolent man. I am nearly as the same age as my dear friend Elfianna yet you call me a brat?"
"Heh, so you didn't age as well as she did huh? Loli-baba"
–
Loli-baba. In a word, it was like like calling an old woman childish. In this case, Kyoushiro was looking at an old woman passed her prime with a body of a little girl. Kyoushiro didn't understand why he was getting pissed but the face Rizandra was making was far from angry.
It was dead calm, like a waveless ocean before a tsunami hits. However the loyal subjects around her were trembling for whatever reason there was.
Kyoushiro hadn't experienced a warm welcome at all in any castle or palace he had visit. He was already used to it since it couldn't be helped.
"Fuu.... how childish"
"!?"
Kyoushiro's vein suddenly popped up on his head. Rizandra heaved a deep sigh, looking all disappointed at how the hero of a single nation would act.
"I would not be dragged by your insults. That will besmirched the title of the only ruler of the seas"
Rizandra stood up and walked down from her thrown and walked towards Kyoushiro, Koizumi and Katsuto. Extending her hand towards them, the first two then knelt down and kissed Rizandra's hand one by one.
Kyoushiro looked at them with an utterly disgusted face.
"..... Pedophile?"
"Wrong!'
"It's etiquette you dumbass!!"
Naturally, Koizumi and Katsuto reacted defensively. In this world, there were many monarchs. There was only a few left after the intense attacks of monsters as well as the effects of the battles of Demon Lords. Although minority, there are cities that aren't ruled by kings or Queens but representatives. But most of them are self-reliant on the adventures living inside their cities unlike the Kingdoms and Empires that are currently battling the never ending numbers of monsters.
Kyoushiro, unlike Koizumi and Katsuto, wasn't taught to perform etiquette wherever he goes. Because he was treated like a parasite or a bug that needed to be disposed of back in Travestin months ago, the opportunities of him acting like a proper hero was close to zero.
That's why, when Rizandra looks to Kyoushiro and extends her hand, all Kyoushiro did was shake hands.
"........"
"Don't look at me like that. There's no way I'm kissing the back of your hand like some Godfather mafia boss or something"
Kyoushiro spouted nonsense and let's go of Rizandra's hand. Not minding such thing, Rizandra returns to the throne.
"Heroes, Koizumi Hayato-sama, Katsuto Sairenji-sama and the Hero and King of Ambrosia, Kyoushiro Kagami-sama, I formally welcome you all to my Oceanus. You three have done this world a great service of taking down a Demon Lord, as a representative of the remaining heads of the countries in this world, I would like to present you all with rewards for your bravery"
While listening to Rizandra's speech, Kyoushiro whispered to Koizumi. "She doesn't know about the other Demon Lords that appeared before?"
"Apparently not. Unlike your place, most of the countries in this world doesn't have wireless communication devices. Elfianna-sama probably sent a letter beforehand to announce what happened in Ambrosia. Looks like the new ones haven't arrived yet"
Just as Koizumi had said, communication in this world was done by carrier birds. They flew hundreds of miles, flying towards their destination to send a letter from a sender. It was a slower way of sending mail and cases where there birds would dirft off course or gets eaten by monsters are most likely to happen so most latest news from other countries are delayed in countries that are secluded.
Though technically speaking, Oceanus is pretty much an advance city. It has researchers that can make new magic items that would help the world but in terms of technologically advanced, they were still far behind.
Well, in this world, they might be just the only advance country in this world if Kyoushiro hadn't upgraded Ambrosia.
"What about the thing that you guys used to contact me? Did that didn't work?"
"I don't have actual knowledge of how it's works really but we need some sort of medium to connect to the other side. So I guess Rizandra-sama doesn't have anything that can connect to Elfianna-sama yet"
While the two were whispering to each other, Rizandra had already ordered someone to bring out the rewards. Three Chamberlains walked from the door far behind the throne and lined up before the three heroes.
"For Katsuto Sairenji-sama, a Orihalcum shield made from the ores mined from the back of a 250 year old Sea turtle"
The first Chamberlain handed a plate side round shield to Katsuto. As he poured his magic power in it, the shield expands and changes form.
"Nice, thank you your majesty"
With the gift received, Katsuto bowed and took a step back.
"For Koizumi Hayato-sama, a brand new spear made from horns of the armored whale"
Koizumi received a new spear. It was a long spear with a drill like spearhead on top. It didn't have anything flashy attached but there were inscriptions carved at the shaft of the spear. Koizumi tried a few swings with it and was satisfied with how comfortable it was in his hands.
Like Katsuto, Koizumi bowed and took a step back.
Koizumi silently glanced at Kyoushiro before stepping back, implying that he should do the same. Nodding slightly, Kyoushiro faced forward and waited for his turn.
"Lastly, for the hero Kyoushiro Kagami-sama, a contract of trade between Ambrosia and Oceanus"
Kyoushiro received a document from the Chamberlain with the seal of the Oceanus royal family on it. However, Kyoushiro was confused about his reward.
"A contract?"
"Yes. I have heard from Queen Arianne that Ambrosia is currently standing on top of technological advancements. I wish to have an exchange of personnel between two nations in order to further grow our nation's magic technologies"
"Sure..... well, I'll take it. I'll deliver it to Arianne once I made a [Gate] artifact in this place. Would you allow me to do that, your majesty?"
"I shall grant you an island enough to become a port town if that is what you wish. I understand that land dwellers tend to ride ships to cross the ocean"
Kyoushiro stored the document in his magic necklace.
"Now that the formalities are over, you all may now rest. I believe lunch shall be serve in a few hours, will our esteemed guest be eating with us?"
Now that everything formal was done with, Rizandra asked whether Kyoushiro would stay and eat with them for lunch. Since Kyoushiro can be seen as an ambassador from Ambrosia, there was no way the ruler of Oceanus would send him away after giving him his gifts.
Koizumi and Katsuto currently stays in Oceanus so it was already obvious that they would be having lunch in the palace. As for Kyoushiro however.....
"Dunno, maybe? Once I made the [Gate] here, I'll travel back to Ambrosia to bring a magic ship"
"Then, I shall leave Corallia to aid you in your tasks until the time for lunch has come. Corallia, I leave him to you"
"Yes your Majesty"
As soon as she finish giving orders to her servants, Rizandra stood up from her throne and left. Kyoushiro, who had just realized that he was lead by the nose just to stop talking felt dissatisfied with how he was treated. Well, it was mainly his fault for spouting out nonsense and all that so he didn't mind but....
As the heroes were alone with just Corallia and Elyria, Corallia asked what were their plans for today.
"I'd like to set up the [Gate] artifact as soon as possible"
"Certainly, I shall have it arranged immediately. But it will still take some time before everything is prepared"
"It's fine. Let's just finished the [Gate] and leave as soon as possible. I don't to stay in a place where I'm surrounded in water"
Kyoushiro walked off sighing while looking around.
"Don't mind him, he's just not used to being welcomed warmly"
"Yes, understood, Hayato-sama"
With a wry smile on his face, Koizumi watched Kyoushiro disappear behind the door as he quickly leaves with Elyria running behind him.
With a deep sigh, Koizumi followed suit.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "211310",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 4 CH. 3 – Dangers of both ally and enemy…..",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
CH. 15 - Oddity....
PART #1
Inomiri-sensei and Mikoto we're running around the castle, taking down each and every monster that popped out. Occasionally, there were strong ones that needed to be dealt with young powerful skills and spells however most of the time, only skeleton soldiers appeared against them.
Inomiri-sensei and Mikoto fought the last horde of skeletons and managed to liberate 85% of the entire castle. Thankfully, there weren't those Lich Kings that attacked them once.
"Wait, Aizawa-san"
"Hmm? What's wrong Sensei?"
Inomiri-sensei had called out to Mikoto as they arrived in front of a certain room. The walls were broken down as if it was hit with a powerful impact. The edges of the broken bricks were burned as though an explosion broke the wall. Interesting enough, there were not even signs of a door being there at all.
"I haven't seen this room before"
"Yeah... come to think of it, we were allowed in every room in the castle expect for the one in the north east side of the castle"
The heroes were given a lot of privileges by King Verdik after they were summoned. They were given weapons, clothes, armor and the daily necessities they need everyday. They were paid while undergoing training and while it were restrictions, they were allowed in every part of the castle.
However, they were never allowed to go visit the northeast side of the castle.
The structure of the castle was like a fortress. There was a large wall outside while there was a line of buildings surrounding another building inside. The central building of the castle had four towers protruding from the roofs of the castle while the body of the building were connected through long halls and bridges to the outer castle.
The throne room was situated at the central building while the place where the heroes were training were around the west side of the castle. Not to mention that underground dungeons and rooms underneath the castle. The whole Travestin royal castle was larger than Buckingham palace on Earth.
Walking through the rubble, Inomiri-sensei and Mikoto entered the room. Inomiri-sensei created a small fire on her hand light up the dark room.
Shockingly, as the darkness parted from the small light, the two found themselves surrounded by bookshelves, old paintings and dusty old chests. There books littered around and scrolls we're pushed inside in some corners.
The room must have been used as a storage room in the past.
Inomiri-sensei picked up one book and opened it.
"This is....."
"What? Did you see anything?"
"Well... these seems to be dated around the time of the 3rd to 5th generation royal family. These are old records of the kings in the past"
"Kings?"
"According to the history of Travestin Kingdom, only males succeeded the throne at first. It was only during the 13th or 14th generation of Kings that the ruler switched to Queens"
From the first king down to the 13th and 14th kings of Travestin, only male had succeeded the throne. The last king however, decided to give her beloved daughter the crown instead. The heroes were more or less taught about the history of the Travestin Kingdom before they set out. Although only a few of them remember, Inomiri-sensei, who was always fond of studying, still recalls what she learned months ago.
Mikoto scrunched up her brows then thought deeply and tried to recall the history of the kingdom. However, as someone who was more interested in a certain someone than a history of a kingdom who was forcing to the to fight, there was no recollection of it in her mind.
"Anyways, looks like this is just some old storage. The royal family was must have forbade others from going to this area because of these stuff"
Inomiri-sensei returns the book the shelf where she took it and walks towards to Mikoto as she decides to leave.
However, just as the two left the old storage room, a cloth that was covering a dusty old painting revealed an aged old picture of an old king bearing black hair and black eyes.....
—
Outside, the monster attacks still raged on. The hordes of undead creatures were making it hard for both the Travestin soldiers and the Black army to protect the evacuating civilians.
On one side, there were a group of Black army soldiers fighting against undead ogres and orcs and on the other, there were the Travestin soldiers protecting the lives of the civilians who were running towards the castle.
"Looks like the Magic Iron Knights have just finished killing the undead attacking the castle"
Nero mutters so as he glances at the peaceful sounding path towards the castle. Above the castle walls were the Magic Iron Knights, not daring to move an inch as though protecting the people inside.
"Captain! There's too much of these monsters! It's best if we retreat now when there's still few casualties on our side!"
A Black army soldiers ran towards Nero with sword in hand, advising a strategic retreat. Nero then replies with short pause before giving an affirmative nod.
"Alright. Take everyone back to the castle as fast as possible. Tell the others to watch out from attacks above the roofs. There's still undead harpies and gargoyles flying around"
"Understood!"
The soldier salutes before running back to inform his comrades. Now alone in front of broken pieces of undead corpses, Nero looks around everywhere until his eyes fell upon a single ruined building.
There were two scents coming from the inside of that house.
"I know you're there. Come out before I make you"
As Nero threatens the beings he sniffed out inside that ruined house, two individuals, dressed in cloaks. One was a tall man with crew cut red hair while the other was a average looking man with spiky green hair.
"Suspicious looking guys hiding in a place like this. It's obvious you two had a hand in this chaos"
"I guess it's really useless to hide from a beastman with keen sense of smell"
The bald man snickered, looking down on Nero who was glaring in front with his lion ears twitching and his tail standing still menacingly.
Nero then glares back and responds....
"Who are you two? Why were you doing this?"
"You don't need to know our names. In any case, this is just a job given to us and also, I'm sure you know we won't just blabber about who's our employer right?"
"Hmph, all mercenaries are the same after all. But in your case, you look more like someone from some secret organization"
*Tack* Nero taps down in his spear on the ground, seemingly ready to attack at anytime. Casper then scoffs...
"I'm not much of a fighter but...."
Then pulled out two short swords from the inside of his robe and took stance as he readied to fight the beastman before him.
Rhodes on the side pull out his wand from his pockets seemingly preparing to provide support to his comrade.
"You're not fighters but looks like you guys are more or less capable"
"Like I said, we're hired to this kind of job"
As Casper finishes his words, Nero lunges for an attack.
"Hrrrng!!"
Immediately responding, Casper dashed forward. As soon as his partner leaves, Rhodes quietly mutters the incantation to his spell, preparing it to attack Nero later.
Between the two who had just met the middle of the broken street, Nero thrust his spear forward. Casper then catches the spear from the shaft using the two short swords in his hands then pushes it upwards. Afterwards, Casper raised his speed using the skill «Sprint» a weak speed enhancing skill used by class of thieves and even assassins.
Nero pulls back the spear and uses the shaft to deflect the swords aiming at his chest and neck.
*Ktang-Tang!!*
Then he held the spear sideways and striked it horizontally towards Casper.
"Kh!?"
Casper was hit, however he was suddenly wrapped in a green glow. The impact of the attack became weak and Casper takes the chance to jump back.
"On time as always"
"Just shut up and focus on the fight"
The two gave a short exchange to one another. But Nero, not giving them anytime to breathe just tossed his spear straight to Rhodes.
"Shit!"
Rhodes dodges away immediately in panic. However Casper's voice, suddenly shouting at him from the front, causes him to flinched.
"Rhodes!!"
"Huh?"
Unable to noticed, a shadow appeared behind him. In Nero's hands, his spear then cuts Rhodes from above his shoulder then down to his left leg, bisecting him in half.
"I only need one of you to cough up what you guys know right? The standard way of getting information"
*Thud* Rhodes corpse fell down on the ground, spilling his blood on the dust filed with floor. Casper glares at Nero, a cold sweat dripping down his chin.
As expected, the guys from that Black army are strong— Casper came to a realization once again that the ones that killed all those monsters Casper used as undead were strong.
It wasn't just the soldiers, Nero, the captain was strong too. Facing a beastman and a high level spearman to booth, it was obvious that Casper and Rhodes stood no chance.
"Haaah...."
Casper sighs, storing his swords back into their scabbards.
Nero, seeing this narrows his eyes and asked Casper....
"What are you doing? Giving up?"
"I know full well how strong you are. Even after facing hundreds of those undead didn't even weaken you at all. There's no use for me to keep on fighting"
As a sign of giving up the fight, Casper then continues to tell Nero about the undead monsters and who his employer was as well as why they were doing this.
"Listen, where I come from, giving up means that we get to live another day. I don't care what happens to that guy anymore so I'll tell you what I know"
"......."
Still keeping his vigilance, Nero relaxed his stance.
"Depending on what you say my spear won't cut your neck"
"Hmph"
Casper smiles.
"The undead that's attacking are done by my group. We just took your left overs and used it against the city"
Upon hearing this, Nero recalls that the left over corpses we're supposed to be used as rations for the the entire city as well as the neighboring towns and villages that have been suffering from both the drought and monster attacks.
Mordred took most of the materials such as the magic stones, pelts and bones while the meat and other edible parts were left. But some corpses we're still brought back from the army's excursion when Kuro had ordered them to hunt down the monsters that invaded farmlands, towns and villages in the country.
Thinking that they should have stored the corpses in a more secure place, Nero tightly clenched his fists.
"Then? What about your employer? I don't get why stage this kind of attack. There's nothing even to steal here in this kingdom anyways"
Most of the reserves were taken by Taiga when he and the other half of the Travestin soldiers travelled to the 1st Demon Lord's domain. Nero remembers this as he heard King Verdik and Kuro talked about it once.
There was nothing left to steal from a castle robbed off his soldiers and money. What's more, the country was suffering from a series of dry days and monster attacks. Travestin was already in a pitiful state even when everyone arrived her weeks ago.
"My employer is an odd one. He hired us to keep the Queen a sleep at first but he suddenly ordered us to gather large amount of corpses from every places in the country"
"Corpses? What for?"
"I don't know. What I know is that my employer suddenly acted strange all of a sudden. The main plan was to stage a coup at first, inciting the people that suffered from the hero and his party's tyranny but...."
It all changed when the news of a Demon Lord suddenly dying in the wasteland. What's more, the news spread about the hero that killed it was none other than the Demon spawn that was thrown away in the wasteland.
"That was... a whole month ago"
Kyoushiro and the other four heroes banded together to fight the Demon Lord Kakal. Nero was there himself and he saw first hand how powerful a Demon Lord was even against four heroes altogether. It took the return of the Black king just kill him.
Somehow, this is getting weirder by the second.... I'm getting worried— Nero mumbles in his mind.
"Then? The employer? What's his name?"
Setting aside his worried thoughts, Nero inquired about the ring leader of this mess.
"Velasquez Aldus Ernst. From what I've heard from the leader of my group, he's a high ranking Noble in this place"
"Velas....!?"
Instantly, Nero remembered the words King Verdik said after Nero left him alone. He seemed to have been talking to someone after Nero went away but surely, King Verdik indeed mentioned that name.
I thought the King had that guy investigated along with that Royal Adviser.... No, the person the king hired never did showed his face again even after the hero came back. I wonder why...— Nero suddenly that something was happening right under their noses yet he still couldn't picture how everything was connected together.
After all, the Queen had been asleep for the past six months and only recently, a medicine was made in order to wake her up. Furthermore, the planning for a coup de' etat, was already happening way before the heroes, if according to what Casper just said.
"I don't know anymore since only my leader met with the employer. Right, even us are looking for our leader"
Casper further adds...
"If this information is useful to you, I'm sure you will now spare my life? I don't really care much about the others nor what happened here so will yo—"
Just before Casper finishes his words, a blade had pierced his forehead. As the braindead body fell on the ground, Nero retrieves the spear after merely stretching out his hand.
"I need to talk to that king right now"
Nero mutters, his teeth grinding in anger as he stares back at the castle. Was the King the perpetrator or was he an accomplice? Either way, all this mysteries will be solve when Nero gets the king to speak whatever secret he was hiding.
For now however, he still had some cleaning to finish.
PART #2
Back inside the castle, the silence continued inside the tower after Kuro left to set up the barrier. King Verdik and Queen Isabelle sat next to each other while Lucinda was seated right in from of them. Princess Aria remained quiet at the corner she curled up in while Rea and Lea were poking her curiously.
Niya on the other hand was serving tea and snacks to everyone. As every made back in Ambrosia had been given magic storage rings for their work, Niya had used the emergency rations stashed inside her magic storage ring. As a maid, all types of cleaning and serving equipment we're kept inside. Aside from her knives hidden under her skirt, most of her work equipment and clothing were pack inside her magic storage ring.
There have been a long silence in the room after Kuro left. That was because, everyone was tensed up since there were a bunch of undead monsters both inside and outside the castle.
Even just earlier, before the rest came, Princess Aria and Lucinda we're arguing. Sure enough, the sisters won't be talking to one another.
I wonder if Mikoto-sama is alright....— Niya wonders about Mikoto, who was still wandering around the castle.
Niya knows that Mikoto was strong but there was that hero locked up in the dungeon right now. Is somehow Taiga escapes during the whole turmoil, who knows what he will do to Lucinda and the Queen.
But just then, while everyone was waiting for an Kuro's return....
*Knock-Knock*
Someone knocked at the door.
—
Kuro finishing setting up the barrier. As the crystal lits up and created a transparent veil of blue light which then expanded into a sphere, Kuro had done his job. For now, there won't be any monsters coming into the central building of the castle.
"This should be enough temporarily. Until we know what's going on, a single day should be enough to keep the princess safe"
Kuro mutters as he stepped back from the crystal.
For the meantime, the barrier will hold up for one day. Until Kuro gets in touch with Nero outside, there should be no problem with keeping the barrier up until tomorrow.
The barrier keeps out anyone who's have any miasma coming from their bodies. While it protects everyone from the outside, the one's inside can't get out— Kuro cracked his neck as he stood up.
The barrier crystals were powerful but they while they repel anyone who has any negative energy, malice or any of the sort, the one's inside can't get out. While it was possible for anyone to come in so long as Kuro allows it, no one can't get out.
Anyways, it's been quiet for a while now.....—
Kuro looks around, inspecting every corner of the room.
It has been eeriely quiet. The explosions outside subsided and the screams outside seemed to have died already. It was weird considering the large amount of undead suddenly appearing in the castle.
"Nero is probably outside. I tried contacting him but it looks like he turned it off again..... Damn that lazy cat..."
Kuro sighs as recalls how many times Nero turns off his Comms Link just to avoid getting in contact with Kuro. While it was fine back then, right now it was annoying. He couldn't contact Nero in this crisis.
But if I think about the situation right now, it's all weird. Huge amount of undead suddenly appeared in the castle, then the castle walls were attacked.... Then those guys....—
Kuro remembers facing Clint and Darris. The two dead members of Taiga that was supposed to be in the dungeon. Earlier, when they fought, Kuro didn't thought too much about it but thinking about it now, it was odd facing them as an undead when they were still alive right before the attack.
It was certainly strange seeing that they appeared as undead when Kuro and Leticia faced them.
"Wait....."
Just then, Kuro recalled that Taiga and the rest of his party were sent to the lowest floor of the castle's underground dungeon. Taiga was at the deepest place while the others were just near the entrance but....
"They were.... certainly together right?"
Kuro suddenly felt a cold chill crawling down his spine.....
"Hoh? I didn't think you'd be the first one I'd see after leaving that dungeon"
"......"
A cold air blew over Kuro's body as the stranger who suddenly walked in the throne room appeared. Slowly, Kuro turned his body to see the face of the person who spoke with a condescending tone.
"You.... I knew you'd escape... but I didn't think you'd be alive unlike your comrades"
Standing at the corner, walking past a pillar, was Taiga. However, completely different from before, he was wearing an armor seemingly sculpted from the remains of humans. What's more, Kuro was picking up a horrible scent of decay coming from Taiga's direction. Not only that, there was this strong sense of death coming from him as well.
Taiga was currently stronger. No, he seemed far stronger than when they faced at Mordred's deck.
"You seemed different from before.... what happened?"
"Oh? You mean how I became strong in just a a few hours?"
Taiga laughs as he looks down of Kuro. The proud smile Taiga wore seemed more twisted than how Kuro first faced him.
It was like there was a completely different person standing in front of him.
What happened in just a few hours.....— Kuro asked himself as he took out his prided gauntlets from the storage ring and wore it in his hands. Not only that, Kuro's military uniform was switched into a black armor. His pants turned into armor as well leaving only his feet, head and arms exposed.
"Hmm? I didn't think you'd change clothes. What? Are you trying to become a power ranger?"
"I don't know what you're talking about brat but I sure will beat you down like how I did before"
Kuro then roused up his magic power, activating the effects of the armor he was wearing.
"Heh, don't be stupid. You'll die if you fight me. I'm way stronger than before"
*Vvoooong!!* A blast of pure magic power suddenly shots out from Taiga. The sheer magnitude of it was making the whole room shake, causing cracks to appear not only on the window but the pillars, floor and the ceiling as well.
And then, with Taiga's hand outstretched, black mist formed into a large sword with lumps of skulls forming at the base and long femurs and humerus forming the handle and the guards.
Seeing such sword, Kuro unconsciously took a step back. His senses as a beastman was triggered by the stench of death coming out of Taiga, which was strangely more powerful than before.
Taiga, however, noticed that Kuro retreated in fear. He smirked.
"Aah.... Really, discarding those swords and switching to this one is the greatest decision"
"........"
The sword in Taiga's hand was big. It was long like broadsword and was as big as a great sword. Unlike the two swords which Kuro collected, the one in Taiga's possession seemed to be more powerful. Even more so than the Holy sword he once used.
Kuro then growls....
"Grrrrrrr.....!! Stop being so proud of yourself when all you do is steal you petty thief!!"
And so, Kuro charges, with his fists flaming by the use of his skill.....
—
Meanwhile, while Kuro and Taiga faced off, Mikoto and In mind reached the west tower. From there, they checked to see the survivors if they were alright. However, after the barrier was set up, Inomiri-sensei felt that something just past through her body.
"? Is something wrong sensei?"
"It's nothing"
Inomiri-sensei shrugged the feeling off as she looks outside the small window of the tower and sees a transparent blue veil of light cover the central castle.
Was that a barrier?— Inomiri-sensei asked herself wondering how such thing was used just after the attack.
Anyways, the two reached the door of the west tower. As the two knocked, the door opens. But then, the foul stench of rotting corpse escapes and the two immediately covered their noses.
The first one to react was Inomiri-sensei.
"Urk?!"
Seeing less violence behind the bookshelves, Inomiri-sensei was used to seeing dead human corpses. She fought monsters, however, but human remains we're different.
*Thud* The weak willed the adult lost the strength of her knees and fell down, covering half of her face while forcefully trying not to vomit.
"Inomiri-sensei...."
Standing next to her HR teacher, Mikoto rubs Inomiri-sensei's back to ease her up. For Mikoto, who was always fighting with Kuro and her monsters, seeing the insides of a living beings body was something she was used to. After all, she and Minami were taught by the elves' that while their race doesn't eat meat, they still collect them in order to sell them to other cities.
Naturally, even the monsters that Mikoto tamed were ferocious beasts that murder their prey gruesomely so Mikoto was quite used to the sight.
Still though, no one could think why this happened.
Inside the room we're corpses of at least two dozen people. The bodies were mangled, ripped apart and were torn from the inside out. It was like an animal had done this.
Mikoto then shuts the door quietly, praying that whoever did this we're simply the same ones they already fought both around the castle and inside it.
"Hmm?"
But then, just as Mikoto was about to close the door, a presence was picked up walking up the stairs behind them.
When Mikoto looked back, she saw a female mage with revealing outfit walking up towards them. The only different thing from her revealing clothes was her ripped throat and empty eyesockets. Stains of blood flowing down her face like tears were still there but it didn't seem like the wound itself were old. They were still fresh.
Just then....
"?!"
Mikoto felt alarms ringing in her head, caused her to pull open the door and entered it in a hurry while pulling Inomiri-sensei with her hand.
After that, there was a loud explosion that rocked the west tower.....
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 3 CH. 15 – Oddity",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
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"Adventure",
"Drama",
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"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
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"Demon Lord"
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|
PART #2
“From this moment on, you’ll be staying here”
The voice of a woman echoes. In front of the child -Kyoushiro- gazed the inside of a house of his aunt; a young child, who had just lost his parents in an accident.
Bandages cover his arms and forehead, covering the wounds he had incurred after the incident happened…
The sight of the crumbling building was still fresh in his eyes and the scent of the blood that had covered him when the slab fell on top of his parents…
“Make sure to be useful for us from now on, alright?”
-
“AAAAAAARGHHH!!!”
Kyoushiro screamed as he forced himself to wake up from a memory he did not want to see. It was the time when he had just escaped from the hands of death…
“Looks like it took a while before it took effect”
“Gah…!! You…what did…. You do?!”
Standing in front of Kyoushiro was Ernest Vern, in a human form, wearing a cocky grin that made Kyoushiro’s blood shot up.
“I didn’t do anything. I wasn’t the one rampaging, killing everything on sight. Those mutated monsters have thick essence of that drug that makes you go insane after all. It’s no wonder you just dropped like that”
“Damn!!” Kyoushiro cursed as he resists the effects of the drug. The incense burned down to ash was the drug itself. Without knowing that, Kyoushiro had been drenched in blood of every mutated monster that had ingested that drug.
Even on opened wounds, the effects of the drug had deeply rooted inside Kyoushiro’s veins. The potency of such thing was terrifying.
“Even someone as strong as you can be put down by that drug”
“Just…kh… keep talking… d-damn…ngh..!? Four-eyes…”
Kyoushiro’s body convulsed. Every muscle in his body was pulsating as thought they had hearts of their own. The pain of his bones getting crushed, his organs getting mauled inside and his sense of pain went up so high that blood had dripped from every hole possible on his body.
His heart beat faster by the minute and as Ernest Vern, the giant that wielded two great battle-axes and the leader of the group of monsters, held one of his axes on one hand, a cold sweat dripped down Kyoushiro’s cheek.
“You bit off more than you can chew”
Ernest Vern held the battle-axe next to Kyoushiro’s neck.
“Now you’ll pay the price for trespassing in my domain”
“Hah…! This land doesn’t even belongs to you… monster”
A sarcastic remark left Kyoushiro’s quivering lips. His complexion had become pale due to the pain he was feeling right now. Hanging on the single thread of his consciousness, Kyoushiro taunted the giant before him.
It was a foolhardy move. Ernest Vern even thought so for himself.
“Humph, let’s see how that attitude of yours works in hell”
Ernest Vern raised his battle-axe above his head, attempting to cleave of Kyoushiro’s cranium from the center. A silent wind drafted about…
“A breeze, here?”
One of Ernest Vern’s giant henchmen reacted as they felt a wind pass under their legs.
“You look like crap there, Black hero”
“Nn?” Ernest Vern stopped his arm and turned his head around as he heard a voice of a woman coming from behind.
There, standing with elves with skins covered in barks, rocks, scales, viscous liquid as well as extra limbs, tails and eyes, had their hands directed behind Ernest Vern’s men.
Countless spears of light, wind, fire, earth and water had gathered there and ready to launch. A single elf woman, Elyria, was at the center, wearing a confident smile on her face; feeling as if she had won this battle…
“Idiot…. You could’ve… kh! Taken the shot…”
“Even though I went my way to save you out of the greatness of my Queen, you still act so arrogant. This is why men are….”
“JUST SHUT UP AND TAKE THE DAMN SHOT!!!”
Kyoushiro yelled, ignoring the needle pains stabbing in his throat. Elyria was too confident right now and was not considering that there were still many monsters around them.
Even though she managed to increase their numbers by rescuing a couple of knights that had worked with her, they couldn’t even match the great amount that Ernest Vern has in his army.
A couple of semi-mutated elves wouldn’t be able to kill every single monster in this cave with their fewness in numbers.
Elyria snapped out as she heard Kyoushiro’s shout. She immediately understood the predicament they were in and knew that wasting time talking would get them killed…
Thus…
“Don’t yell at me you damn Demon-Spawn!! Everyone fire!!!”
The great number of spears, varied in elements, was shot at high-speed.
*GGAGAGAGAGAGAGA!!!!!* *DOGOOON!!!* Loud explosions came about. Heated wind blew over and destructive forces was sent over Kyoushiro's direction. It was unbelievable. As dust clouds formed, the reaction after the explosion finally settled.
What came after was blood spewed all over the place. With broken off limbs, barks, eyes, tails, scales and many more were all scattered around. Elyria was shock. Not at what they did but with what Kyoushiro did.
"Guah....!? You....."
Ernest Vern was coughing out blood. But it wasn't just him, every henchmen beside him had their hearts gouged out from the back with an extremely dark and thin tendrils.
"I'm no idiot to not see how thick your skins are....."
Kyoushiro snickered at Ernest Vern. Because of how Ernest Vern underestimated Elyria's attack and how proud he was because he was a monster, Ernest Vern did not take into account that something might happened behind him.
Indeed, Kyoushiro was immobile due to the chain reactions of the thick essence of the drug that entered his body unknowingly. His body maybe unable to move due to sheer unbearable pain but his mind that was stronger than ever managed to control the power of Kakal's cursed skull piece.
And so, Ernest Vern made a blunder.
"Damn.... why can't.....I.....hea....l"
*Thud* Ernest Vern fell unconscious. Because of the blood lost and the blocked ventricles Ernest Vern's skill to regenerate any wound did not activate. Kyoushiro made his tendrils split into thin fibers of hair and entered each of Ernest Vern's veins. Blocking any possible means to transport oxygen to the brain and destroy everything inside the mad man's body.
The same went for everyone as well. All of then died from the inside out....
"Ugh.... Now to clean up..... the rest of them...."
Kyoushiro, who was hanging by a single thread of consciousness, was trying his best to manipulate the tendrils that were no a bundle of threads. Elyria, as well as the rest of mutated elves and princess, were breathing out sighs of relief now that Ernest Vern has died.
Surrounding everyone was the monster army that was left behind by their leader....
*Go..gogo...gogogogogogo!!!!!* However, the entire cave began to shake. The rest of the monster starts to panic as soon as they saw dusts for down from the ceiling. Elyria ordered her fellow elf knights to take cover. Immediately, the mutated princess used magic to turn the earth into sturdy pillars and supported the ceiling. Furthermore, she created rooftops that was enough to protect their heads.
Then, as the ceiling was starting to crack, a loud booming sound echoed. The cracks began to enlarge. Chunks of rocks from the ceiling starts to fall down, crush each monster below.
And then, just as the last rock was about to fall, it stops mid air. As if something was pulling it, the ceiling was, everything of it, was gouged out. Like that, a wide open sky was exposed....
"So, this is the human, the Black hero everybody is talking about"
A man wearing a jet black robe with gold and silver ornaments decorating his entire body appeared in the sky, holding up his hand as though doing something inexplicable.
His dark red irises was seething with amusement and death was only directed at one person, Kyoushiro.
"I don't know you"
"Of course you don't. I'm the Dark Lord, Trause"
"!?"
Kyoushiro felt a sudden chill down his fine as the Dark Lord Trause just pushed his hand towards him. Not long after, as if something was blocking the sky, something came down.
Dark Lord Trause grinned.
"Shit!? Get everyone out now!!"
Kyoushiro ordered Elyria to run. After seeing the large chunks of earth coming down from the sky, Elyria immediately pulled the elf princess away and ordered her fellow elf knights to take cover.
Kyoushiro himself felt his heart beat fast but the searing pain of his mutating body was making it difficult for him to move.
"DAMN IT ALL!!!"
Then in desperation, Kyoushiro pulled out the one thing he doesn't want to use.
"AAAAAAAAAAARRGGHHHH!!!!"
The Elder-God-Blade-Hastur...
PART #3
"What's that?"
Lady Snow felt the earth shook heavily once more. Edsel and Dahlia, who felt the shock immediately jumped into each others arms.
"Mommy!!"
"D-Don't worry now. Everyone was just fighting"
Edsel consoled her daughter's fears and tightened her embrace. Lady Snow, however, smiled as though she find something amusing. As a Demon Lord, she too was sensitive if there was another one of her kind.
There, she just felt someone like her just arrived.
"Fufu~ It seems that someone insane just arrived"
Saying that, she stands up and walked to the same way Kyoushiro and Elyria left, while wearing a bright smile on her face.
-
"A-AAAARGH!!! D-Damn it!!!"
Kyoushiro somehow pulled out from the mind breaking effects of his curse. Black lines of his curse have slowly covered the right side of his face. Even the skull piece was starting to turn black. It seems that even other cursed objects were no match for the curse on Kyoushiro's right arm.
Then while biting down his teeth, he swung the sword at the sky. The sword's base that was gold spewed out black and white light, creating a dense and sharp kind of blade that headed towards Dark Lord Trause.
"Do you think that you'll kill me with just that?!"
Dark Lord Trause dodged the blade lightly by merely changing his position. The dense blade then flew passed behind Dark Lord Lord Trause.
"I wasn't aiming for you dumbass"
Behind the Dark Lord, an explosion occurred. The large chunks of rocks that was supposed to land over Kyoushiro's heads was instantly obliterated by the sheer power of a condensed energy that came from a sword made from a throne of unknown material.
Even though the sword grants immense power, the price to pay just to use it was too high. On top of being cursed himself, Kyoushiro, who was losing his grip of his sanity was using such weapon.
Be that impressive or insane, either way, Kyoushiro was in the right star of mind to not get overcome by two curses....
Dark Lord Trause grinned once more and flew down.
"HAHA!! Now we're talking!!"
"!?"
Dark Lord Trause charged. With his intensive knowledge of magic spells, he conjured vortex of flames with his hands.
"Burn and die!! <Flare Vortex>!!"
Dark Lord Trause shot the flames in his hands towards Kyoushiro. Sensing the impending attack, Kyoushiro coiled the tendril strings allover his body and forced himself to move. Just how a marionette is controlled by a puppeteer, Kyoushiro forced himself to move.
*GOUUU!!* The flames met nothing and charged merely the earth.
"HAHAHAHA!! Fight Hero!! Fight!!"
"Kh-!?"
When Dark Lord Trause landed, he kicked the ground and reached Kyoushiro's chest. Kyoushiro groaned and tried to push the Dark Lord away with a kick but his face received a heavy blow from Dark Lord Trause's hard fist.
"Guagh!?"
Kyoushiro was flung away by Dark Lord Trause' heavy punch, spinning, and tumbling pve the ground before hitting his back on a large boulder.
"Kuagh...kaha!"
Kyoushiro spat blood as his internal organs got smashed. Unknowingly, Kyoushiro dropped his sword somewhere as he felt nothing on his hands. Dark Lord Trause was looking well amused at what he did. Slowly, he walked towards Kyoushiro dauntingly.
"Is this all you got? I was kind of expecting a good fight. Those Demon Lords did praise how impressive you are after all"
Stopping just a centimetre away from Kyoushiro, Dark Lord Trause put his foot on Kyoushiro chest.
"Kh...agh!!!?"
"What? Is my feet to heavy? Here, I'll lift it for you!!"
"Ka-aghak!!?" Kyoushiro coughed up more blood as his chest was pressed down by Dark Lord Trause. Cracking noise began to echo inside Kyoushiro's body as his bones couldn't withstand the pressure of Dark Lord Trause' foot on his chest. It was getting hard to breathe; Kyoushiro then held Dark Lord Trause' ankle and tried to push it away.
"The hell are you doing?! You're a damn hero!! This should be a cinch right!"
"Kogh-!!" The Dark Lord kicked Kyoushiro's face, where he punched Kyoushiro, and tossed him away once more. Kyoushiro, who was launched several feet away once more, was now barely clinging to his consciousness.
"Hah! Is this all that you got? I though you killed that worm Kakal yourself? This is really disappointing"
As Dark Lord Trause scoffed and insulted Kyoushiro while walking towards him, he sensed a familiar magic power from somewhere. There, he faced the direction where that magic power came from. Only to see, woman of pure snow, walking towards him.
An arrogant smile appeared on Dark Lord Trause' face.
"Hahaha!! I didn't think I'd see you here, Lady Snow"
"You are as vile and ruthless as ever, Dark Lord Trause. Haven't your savagery disappeared after all these years?"
"I just don't learn your Highness. I'm the very epitome of a genius so I've already learned everything that I know about this world"
"As arrogant as ever..." Lady Snow sighed behind her fan. She did not expected that a Demon Lord would come. Shadow King Crats merely sent scouts to see Kyoushiro for himself but he didn't came out personally.
Lady Snow was merely accompanying Kyoushiro because he seemed useful to Lady Snow. Killing him would be a waist and since Vlad had already taken a liking to the hero that killed a Demon Lord, Lady Snow was sure that even the 1st Demon Lord won't like it how Kyoushiro was killed.
Glancing over to the barely breathing young man, Lady Snow gave a scoff what she just witnessed.
"Hmph, quite a sorry state you have turned into, Black Hero"
"How heartless. I expected no less from the ice Queen"
Dark Lord Trause scoffed once more before turning his head to the mutated elves that was unconscious the whole time due to the loud explosions made by Dark Lord Trause. Elyria and the princess were keeping the other monsters at bay while Kyoushiro was facing Dark Lord Trause.
It was thanks to this that, no one have attacked Kyoushiro yet.
"Those girls are impressive. It'd be a waste if they died here"
"What? You were planning of sparing them? How ironic. Weren't they part of the reason why you became a Demon Lord?"
"Haha, that's right. But I made a deal with an elf guy so I'll just garb the princess. Well, that was the initial plan but...."
Dark Lord Trause' deal with Pernicious was to make Princess Lydia succeed Elfianna by force. That is to ensure that Pernicious would be able to manipulate the government behind the scenes. Most of Elven government officials have taken part of this plan, that's why, Dark Lord Trause, whom had a past with the elves in the past, made a deal with them.
It would be a greatest pleasure to watch the very same elf itself from the inside out. Despite being a near divine beings themselves, they too are too greedy for their own good.
"It's really fun see them kill each other off"
"You have one disgusting hobby. Any chance of turning to a new leaf?"
"At this point? And you're asking a Demon Lord no less?"
It wouldn't matter even if a Demon Lord change. Be they turn good or not, at the end, they were still monsters that everyone would fear. Then, what is there to change when everything have already been fixed? Dark Lord Trause was evil incarnate, there was no changing.
A Demon Lord would have fun being a Demon Lord. That was how Dark Lord Trause operates.
"Anyway..." Dark Lord Trause returned his gaze to Lady Snow "You've been stalling aren't you?"
"My, what ever do you mean?"
Lady Snow was smiling. It was a smile that was both playful and cynical. Her intentions were obvious, Dark Lord Trause noticed that she wasn't here to help nor came to rescue. All Demon Lords are enemies of one another, but from the 6th down to the 1st Demon Lords, none of them were battle junkies.
Suddenly, Dark Lord Trause felt a horrible chill down his spine. Something was coming, an ominous feel very similar to them Demon Lords. But,this one was different. It was deep and heavy, a shadowy living mass organisms like feeling. It was inexplicable....
There, he glanced at the fallen hero....
"What did you do to him?"
"I have done nothing of the sort. Have you seen me move from this spot?"
It was true. Dark Lord Trause have been watching Lady Snow ever since she arrived and not one bit she moved from the very same spot she stopped.
Did she truly do nothing? Then what am I feeling? This.... this is....- Those were the words streaming inside Dark Lord Trause' mind.
Then, as though something snapped, mass of black tendrils sudden sprouted from Kyoushiro's shadow and squirmed to every corpse and living monster that was inside the cave.
Lady Snow floated gently upward while laughing "Ufufufu~" as though enjoying this sort of event. Dark Lord Trause jumped and floated as well to take distance but even the tendrils were following him.
"Just what the hell is that guy....."
Dark Lord Trause was sweating profusely somehow. His heartbeat was unexpectedly fast and his dark complexion was looking pale. What kind of being was the Black hero to exude such unknown power within him?
Or was he ever human to begin with....?
"Dark Lord, you might want to get serious now. Your opponent have just obtained a power that even us Demon Lords would never have"
"?!"
Switching his gaze from Lady Snow to Kyoushiro, his eyes widened as he felt something welling up inside Kyoushiro. Something was wriggling inside him, as though wanting to break out and devour everything.
The sound of Dark Lord Trause' heartbeat echoed as this was the very first time he had felt "fear" from an enemy that was a mere human....
"I, Lady Snow Wight, hereby proclaim the rise of a new Demon Lord.... The Black hero, the Demon Lord of the Chains, Kyoushiro Kagami"
Lady Snow raised her voice, for everyone to hear the news of a new Demon Lord, rising from the very position of a Hero. Then, as if the world was celebrating, everything trembled as Kyoushiro spoke and let out a skill he just obtained....
"......<Evolution>......."
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 2 CH. 11 – The Skill (PART 2 & 3)",
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|
Vol. 1 Ch. 15 – The Black king returns…
PART # 1
Seeing the current situation of the battlefield, Arianne and Lucinda decided to shoot the large magic particle cannon that were made by Kyoushiro who was currently missing.
Grey smoke rose from the muzzle of the cannon and its pipes. Due to the unfinished mechanisms inside the cannon, many of its converter and output increasing devices were fried. Even though it was still strong enough to shoot a third beam, it was totally unusable now.
“I-I did not expect such firepower…”
Arianne was on the floor while covering her ears. It seems that no one expected the high performance output of the cannon. The feedback of its shots caused shock-waves that made the whole tower tremble. What’s more the after effect of the shots that were fired was too loud. Lucinda too covered her ears with her hands but despite that, their ears were still ringing.
“K-Kyoushiro-sama seemed to have overdone it…”
Even Lucinda, the one that supplied the first shot was taken aback by loud shock-waves and noise that made them kneel down. The cannon remained smoking while the two of them were idle.
“The cannon won’t function anymore it seems…”
“Lucinda-sama, let’s evacuate immediately. The 9th Demon Lord might attack this place once he recovers”
The dome shape light had already disappeared a minute ago. However the dust clouds and smoke that formed there still lingers. Since they were not sure of what happened to the 9th Demon Lord, Arianne proposed to vacate the tower and go back to the command room immediately.
Lucinda nodded her head in agreement. They weren’t in a situation where they could stay at one place calmly so she consented as well. Arianne then pushed Lucinda and they head back to the command room where the others were.
-
The heatwave ceased as merely cloud of dusts filled the entire are. Koizumi, Katsuto, Mikoto and Minami were doing their bests to blow away the dusts clouds that formed after the explosion made by the beam that came from the large magic particle cannon.
“Shit… we can’t see a damn thing…”
Katsuto cursed. Because there was no wind right now, the dust clouds won’t let out for a while. What’s more, the visibility right now was very low which made it more dangerous for them to stay.
“Is everyone alright?”
Koizumi worriedly asked…
“Yes… *cough* we’re fine”
“Yeah… the shock-wave just us made feel uncomfortable”
Mikoto and Minami were still shaken but nevertheless alright. Due to the blast earlier, all of them were blew a few meters away from the 9th Demon Lord Kakal. But thanks to Minami immediately erecting a barrier around all of them, they were safe from the intense shockwave of the blast.
Since everything already settled down and only the dusts covering the entire battlefield was covering their field of vision, they were unable to move from their spot. Even the barrier was still up just in case for an attack.
Strong wind blew from the direction of the Ambrosia.
“Looks like everyone is still doing their bests”
At the walls of Ambrosia, the Magic Division was casting wind magic in order to clear away the dusts that were falling. Even though they were already exhausted, they were still busy making sure that the heroes succeeds in their mission.
They were also waiting for the return of their king, Kyoushiro Kagami.
“Then there is no way for us stay like this”
“Yes!!”
“Let’s do this!!”
Katsuto encouraged everyone. With the current state of the situation, they were sure to win. The 9th Demon Lord just received heavy damage from the large magic particle cannon, twice at that. There was no way someone would survive from that even if that person was a Demon Lord.
The earth then slowly shook…
“Hmm?”
The quiet earthquake was picked up by Mikoto. However the slight and quiet quake was slowly increasing in intensity. Until it reached the point that the earthquake made all four of them kneel.
*GOGOGOGOGOGOGO-!!*
“Blasted worms!! You dare to shoot me like that!?”
The 9th Demon Lord Kakal sprung out from the debris of the earth. His large green festering tentacles swung out in a circular motion like a whirlpool on water. The wind blew away the clouds of dusts. After that, Kakal used two of his log size tentacles to thrust at the walls of Ambrosia. However, the walls were protected by a barrier around the whole city made it unable for Kakal to wreck the walls of the kingdom.
“Insignificant worms! How dare you defy my rights to kill you all!?”
Because he has been unable to do what he wants to for a while now due to the constant attacks of the humans, elves, demi-humans and heroes, the 9th the Demon Lord Kakal roared in anger; a surge of intense magical power gushed out from his body.
Loud earthquakes and heavy tremors made the walls of Ambrosia shake. Fortunately the barrier was still holding up and protecting the kingdom. The citizens that were unable to fight were evacuated to the underground shelter under the castle. The ones who were staying behind to defend the kingdom from the 9th Demon Lord were jumping off from the walls in a hurry.
The wounded were dragged out from the trembling walls and the ones that were handling the healing were moved to a different location. The sounds of the 9th Demon Lord hitting the walls were like cannons being fired one at a time.
The Archer Division and the Mage Division took up arms right below the walls and concentrated their firing there. Countless volleys of arrows and rain of spells of every element poured down on the massive tentacles of the 9th Demon Lord.
“Don’t falter!! Kill that Demon Lord!!”
One of the Captains from the Archer Division yelled so, further increasing the morale of every troop left in their division. The Mage Division did the same as well and concentrated all their spells only at the 9th Demon Lord Kakal.
No one retreated. No one was even afraid to die right now. Because their whole they were oppressed, the life given to them by Kyoushiro was way more important than anything, surrendering against the Demon Lord meant that they would accept their deaths and everyone that they were to protect.
That’s why no one will run. The cowards of the past are now the brave of tomorrow. They would lay down their lives just to protect the kingdom their king has built!!
And so, the loud explosion continues…
PART # 2
A cracked in the sky appeared. The mysterious phenomenon could not be seen by the soldiers or the heroes due to the continuous attacks of the 9th Demon Lord. Some kind of light spilled out. Like a liquid sipping out from a broken glass, the light spilled out.
It was dark yet there were light as well. Wriggling out from the cracks in the sky, then the cracked grew bigger. As if a heavy pressure was pouring out of it, the space bent and the cracks grew more until a large whole appeared.
Then *GOOOOUUUU!!!* A thick mass of beam was shot. The beam that was mixed with white and black strings was heading towards the place where the 9th Demon Lord was.
“What was…that?”
Elfianna Litre Parcelous, the elf Queen, uttered so as he witnessed some kind of phenomenon happening on the battlefield through the 3D magic projection. Kuro, Duriff and the queens that just returned, Arianne and Lucinda, looked at the 3D magic projection that was showing the contents of the battle.
They were looking at the place where the beam was shot but the crack already disappeared and was left was the vast open sky that was covered by thick clouds of a storm.
“……”
Lucinda was holding her hands on top her chest as she looked at the place where the beam landed. Arianne, Elfianna and Kuro looked at the said place as well and Kuro zoomed in on that sole location.
The heroes were not there, they were currently busy handling the 9th Demon Lord Kakal. The heroes were making sure that the 9th Demon Lord would keep less attention on the walls of Ambrosia. Not even they or the Demon Lord noticed that something just landed behind them.
As thick dust clouds were blew away by the wind, a fluttering deep black hair with whites at its tips appeared. Dressed in a blood stained sweater jacket, leather pants and boots, the person who came like a comet took a step forward to the place where the Demon Lord was.
His dark colored eyes were seething with rage as he walks towards his kingdom with a bright golden sword on his black colored right arm.
“No…way…”
Duriff was at disbelief as he watched the 3D projection. His eyes widened in shock as he witnessed a return of a being that was said to be the only person that made Ambrosia what it is today. It was return of the king. No, it was the return of the Black Hero…
“Kyoushiro-sama!!!”
Kyoushiro Kagami…
-
Ugh… my body hurts. The place where I landed wasn’t soft like I expected, rather it was so hard I thought my body would crushed.
The impact of my landing made a large crater where I land. I didn’t think that I’d escape from that place but looks like I’ve returned successfully.
At the distance, I can see a large green storm of unknown flesh. There were flashes of light there that meant that there were people currently fighting there.
The 9th Demon Lord and the 4 heroes…
Surely, that would be them since this fight was between them only. I got back…
I faced the direction where Aizawa and Todoroki was and kicked the ground strongly, launching myself like a rocket on a launch pad. A gale of wind wrapped around me as I flew towards the large green mass in a speed that would normally tear up my whole body.
“Wha-!?”
I saw the face of the 9th Demon Lord. With a surprised look, he faced me but the force of my kick was so strong that I didn’t land immediately. No, I couldn’t really stop could I?
“Ah”
*DOGAAN!!* I hit the wall!! Agh!! My head!! My head hurts!! Damn it!! At least stop me from flying or just attack me so that I can stop you damn demon lord! With the pain on my head so painful right now, I jumped off from the crack of the wall and landed in front of the 9th Demon Lord.
“Ahh… Geez, I got to work on my landing”
Whilst holding my aching head, I faced the 9th Demon Lord with a light attitude and pointed the tip of the Elder-God-Sword Hastur on the 9th Demon Lord’s face.
“Yo I’ve heard that you made a mess on the place I rebuilt from the scratch you bastard. I’ll turn you into octopus balls you damn squid”
I smile fearlessly at the 9th Demon Lord, who was wrapped in a thick mass of tentacles as he was facing Koizumi, Katsuto, Aizawa and Todoroki. Even the four who were supposed to be on my side were looked at me as though they have seen a ghost.
Well that can’t be help. After all they did say that I was gone for a month now. I’ll just see how much changed happened while I was away.
“Kyoushiro….kun?”
“It’s been a while Aizawa, sorry for cutting the call short back then”
I can see that Aizawa was looking at me as if she was about to cry. Todoroki was just staring at me with wide eyes as if she saw a ghost. Koizumi and Katsuto were rather indifferent and just scoffed at me when they looked at me.
These bastards… I’ll beat them up later.
“Dude what an entrance…”
“Yeah, it looks like you hit your head hard there”
“Shut up. I faced more one problem already so I’m really tired. Let’s get this over with sha-“
“Kyoushiro-kun!!!”
Uwaah!? Aizawa suddenly embraced me. Because she did it so suddenly, I was surprised and took a step back. Aizawa then pressed her face on my chest as she cries…
“Really… Why do you have to make me so worried…!”
“A-Ah… well, sorry about that…”
I-I didn’t really expect this kind of reunion. To think she’d embrace me for the second time. The first one was in that cave right? Ah… I’m getting pissed somehow. Looks like I still have my resentment in that place since it was the place where I was forced to go and die.
I patted Aizawa’s head and pushed her away slightly.
“Look, this isn’t the time for this alright? We still have this thing to kill after all”
I pointed at the green squid in front of me.
“B-But…”
“Hey… this isn’t really the time for this please……”
I can feel Lucinda’s aura from somewhere. She is definitely watching. I know she is since I made a wide security system for the whole Ambrosia. The 5 cm magic drone cameras flying in the sky should be recording this scene then projecting it in the command center.
I smiled wryly and held up my right hand up. This should suffice for the time being right? I won’t be killed after this right?
“You…”
“N?”
Suddenly, I heard the 9th Demon Lord speak. He unraveled his massive size tentacles and showed his figure to me. A thin frame with green colored skin and a skull like head huh? He is more of an alien than a monster. Kind of like the alien from the movie. What was it called again? I can’t really remember but his face was similar…
“That sword… I can feel a great power coming out of it…”
“Oh this…?”
It seems that the 9th Demon Lord was interested in the sword I was holding. His eyeless sockets were shining a red light as he stares at the Elder-God-Blade Hastur.
“I made this and this here sword is the thing that’ll kill you”
“Hoh? Quite the impressive words coming from a hairless ape”
Ape he says… A speaking squid is calling me Ape? Really, the nerve of some people…
“Ah… let’s just end this worthless chat and start the fight already. I still am bound to a curse and going berserk is the last thing I want to do”
Right now, I feel like the curse on my right arm just suddenly got stronger. It might be because I was holding Hastur or it was just because I was over exhausting myself but I feel that I lose focus, my sanity might sleep away from me.
I guess I have 5 minutes left to keep myself from going berserk.
“Well then…”
I took a step forward and placed Hastur on my shoulder. I then taunt the 9th Demon Lord with a wide grin on my face.
“Let’s restart the fight with me as your next opponent”
Like that, round 2 begun…
PART # 3
Kyoushiro returned. Lucinda, who saw Kyoushiro smiling at her through the 3D magic projector, had tears flowing down her eyes. She was relieved to see that her dearly beloved hero has returned to her side safe and sound. Lucinda couldn’t help but cry…
“Lucinda-sama…”
Arianne was the same as Lucinda. She too was very happy that Kyoushiro was able to return. Not only that, he was carrying a weapon on his shoulders as he faced the 9th Demon Lord in front of him.
“………”
Elfianna though, was silent. It was her first time seeing Kyoushiro. However, there was a tinge of fear in her heart that feels like something bad was about to happen. It wasn’t just a feeling but an omen like thought just appeared in her mind.
Kyoushiro Kagami had an appearance of jet black hair with white tips and dark eyes. His right arm was pure black up to his shoulders and tendril like tattoos was drawn on his chest up to his face.
It was almost as if that Kyoushiro was cursed or something…
‘Also… that sword’
Elfianna’s eyes were drawn to the yellow sword that Kyoushiro was wielding.
‘Not only that he can make this outrageous devices, he possesses a power that rivals that of a Demon Lord. If he was not a hero, I would have believed it immediately. But… I am truly glad that he is on our side’
Elves are naturally sensitive to certain energies that a body emits. Things like mana that is around one place or mana that lives inside everyone and everything else. Those are things that elves can sense naturally.
However, the sword Kyoushiro was holding was very different. Unlike all the swords that are made to be magically powerful, the golden sword Kyoushiro holds has a pure evil energy that is much more powerful than anything in this world. In her eyes, black strings were growing out from the handle of the sword coiling around Kyoushiro’s hands as it grows. Moreover, those black strings were like roots penetrating Kyoushiro’s hands.
The Elder-God-Blade Hastur was something that is not of this, Elfianna was relieved that Kyoushiro was not their enemy right now.
“It seems that his Majesty has returned. Duriff-dono please call a retreat”
Kuro, the General of the Black Army, asked Duriff to call a retreat now that Kyoushiro has returned to their side. As it stands, there was no more used for the Black Army or the Elf army to continue fighting. Duriff immediately nodded and used the communication function of the 3D magic projector that was at the center of the room.
After that, the whole army begun to retreat; as shown within the 3D magic Projector, the army was retreating behind the second outer wall.
-
Kyoushiro began his assault on the 9th Demon Lord Kakal. He swung the Elder-God-Blade Hastur vertically as he severed a large truck size tentacle the 9th Demon Lord. Minutely, the whole tentacle was cut into two.
After that, Kyoushiro kicked the ground and charged at the 9th Demon Lord then swung his sword once again. However this time, he imbued himself with magic using <Magic Infusion> skill and boosted all his stats in an instant.
“HAAAAAAAH!!!”
Blue light enveloped Kyoushiro’s body as he charged. His strength and speed increased twice as much as he infused himself with magic. Not only that, added with the effects of the Elder-God-Blade Hastur all his stats were on the 4 digit level.
In terms of power, he had exceeded the heroes. But he was still far below a Demon Lord.
“Burst of flames of Inferno, devour my enemy with the flames of my anger!! <Flare Burst>!!”
As a chant was heard, countless magic circles appeared around Kyoushiro; flames emerged and exploded as soon as Kyoushiro touched one magic circle. Then just like a chain effect, heavy and scorching explosions burned Kyoushiro’s body.
“Kyoushiro-kun!!”
Aizawa Mikoto yelled concernedly as she watched Kyoushiro getting burned to a crisp. Koizumi and Katsuto gritted their teeth as they watched Kyoushiro get wrapped around by hundreds of high level flame spell.
A trickle of sweat dropped from their foreheads as they watched the fight from the sidelines.
“There is no need to watch right?!”
This time Minami shouted. She raised her staff high and chanted a high level healing spell for Kyoushiro, who was wrapped in a scorching flame.
“Ye oh God of Light, blessed thy poor soul and heal his wounds!! <Miracle Healing>!!”
*SSHAAA~!!* The sonorous song of angels echoed as light poured down from the sky and dispelled the flames the 9th Demon Lord made and healed Kyoushiro’s body. However, the sight of an undamaged Kyoushiro appeared right behind the 9th Demon Lord Kakal. With his gold sword in hand, he sent a blue colored crescent light on Kakal’s back.
“Sword art revised!! <Aqua Crescent Slash>!!”
“GAH!!? H-How!?”
The 9th Demon Lord Kakal bellowed in pain. Thick green blood gushed out from his wound as Kyoushiro severed his right arm. Kyoushiro immediately jumped away from Kakal that started to grow back his lost limbs. A pained expression appeared on Kakal’s green alien like face.
“This sword is called Elder-God-Blade Hastur. It has the word “God” in its obvious that this sword is no ordinary sword!!”
Kyoushiro slashed at Kakal once more in order to direct the Demon Lord’s attention only to him. Kyoushiro purposely dodged the Healing spell Minami cast. Since what he was using was a curse and no ordinary skill, once a purifying effect had been cast on him, Kyoushiro would weaken.
Kyoushiro took a glance at the four heroes who were standing on the sidelines. His eyes met with Aizawa Mikoto and Todoroki Minami. The two girls’ eyes were in shock to see that he was alright after being hit by a high level flame spell.
“There’s no need for any of you two help. Just go back to the castle and recuperate there!!”
“Huh?!”
“What are you saying Kyoushiro-kun?!”
Todoroki Minami and Aizawa Mikoto had their eyes widened as they couldn’t believe what Kyoushiro was saying. That was because he was intending to fight a Demon Lord alone even four heroes with the Black army and the Elf army backing them up couldn’t beat.
However, even with this being the case, Kyoushiro still managed to evade most of Kakal’s attacks while having a conversation with Aizawa Mikoto and Todoroki Minami.
“This place isn’t safe! Just leave already!!”
Kyoushiro shouted as he jumped back as one of Kakal’s tentacles was thrust towards him. The ground burst as the large tentacle crushed the earth with only its sheer weight…
But Aizawa Mikoto was still stubborn.
“We can’t leave you behind!!”
“There’s nothing for any of you that can do here!! Just go- Damn it!! Stop attacking while I’m talking!!”
Kyoushiro gathered most of his magic power in to the Elder-God-Blade Hastur and slashed it diagonally then vertically a few times as he sent large slashes of light and cut off the large tentacles of the 9th Demon Lord Kakal.
“Graaah!! You damn hairless ape!!”
Kakal used a fire magic spell <Flame Arrow> at Kyoushiro. However, Kyoushiro cut through the rain of fire arrows using his sword.
“Like your one to talk, you walking squid!!”
Kyoushiro roared “HAAAA!!!” and further imbued the golden sword with his magic. The blue colored magic power that was pouring into the Elder-God-Blade Hastur suddenly turned black. Kyoushiro’s expression distorted and a trickle of sweat flew off from his cheeks as he attacked.
‘Shit!! This situation is bad!! I’m slowly getting consumed by the sword again!’ Kyoushiro thought while dodging the magic attacks of the Demon Lord Kakal.
“Looks like I really do need to finish this off!!”
Kyoushiro dashed towards Kakal, avoiding the rain of flames, rocks, lighting, and ice and wind blades. Kyoushiro also jumped from the thrusting tentacles and the ceaseless micro-size tendrils that were trying to touch the back of his head.
Most likely, that was how Kakal control monsters. Kyoushiro didn’t tried and doubt such baseless conclusion and kept on charging.
Kakal had his eyes bright red, gleaming inside his empty sockets. Having no idea of what was Kyoushiro going to do; he mistakenly opened up his defenses.
“HAHAHAHAHA!! Foolish hero!! You have come to be eaten by me and deliver that powerful sword!!”
“I wish you wouldn’t so try and kill me off right off the bat!!”
*KAAAAA!!!* Black and white light burst from the base of the Elder-God-Blade and blinded Kakal “GAAAAAAH?!!!” he screamed in panic. Using one eye opened and one eye closed, Kyoushiro leaped into the gap.
Kyoushiro then landed behind the blinded Demon Lord and immediately initiated his last attack using one of his revised skills.
“Sword art revised!! <Crescent Blade>!!”
A beautiful arc drew right in between Kakal’s head and torso. The head that had lost its base of connection flew into the air and plopped to the ground. Thick green blood spewed out from the neck of Kakal, raining down on Kyoushiro’s body. However, Kyoushiro didn’t let his heart be satisfied with just cutting off Kakal’s head.
“I’ll kill you more thoroughly!!”
Kyoushiro obliterated Kakal’s body using the power of the Elder-God-Blade. Black and white light burst off and converged, forming a storm of light and dark, devouring the body of the 9th Demon Lord. Kyoushiro went to the head and did the same thing.
Then, as soon as Kyoushiro heard the sharp electronic sound *Ping!!* Kyoushiro knew that Kakal was dead. Millions of experience points went inside him immediately and raised his levels. The other heroes received a part of those points as well and leveled up.
Kyoushiro then let go of the sword and threw it back inside his [Space Storage] ring. The black arm’s curse slowly receded back and the tendril like tattoo that grew from his chest up to his chin steadily disappeared.
“Ah-ah… This is one…heck of… a day…”
*Thud* Kyoushiro, after saying those flimsy last words, fainted and fell onto the ground heavily.
Just like that, the curtain drew a close to the return of the Black king……
|
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"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "11597",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 1 Ch. 15 – The Black king returns…",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 1 CH. 16 – The bright new day for the kingdom of flowers (Epilogue)
PART # 1
The kingdom of Ambrosia, revived from an old ancient kingdom called Aurolius, found itself in a predicament after the 9th Demon Lord appeared in order to conquer the reviving kingdom of Ambrosia. However, thanks to the joint efforts of the Elven nation’s ruler, her soldiers and the Black army of the Black king as well as the heroes’ brave stand, Ambrosia was spared from destruction from the hands of a Demon Lord.
The kingdom didn’t sustain much damaged from the battle. The exterior walls were only cracked and the barrier that the Black king erected before protected the whole kingdom. The buildings weren’t much damaged but the pillars that support them underneath were worn out due to the endless earthshaking that was due to the attacks of the 9th Demon Lord.
Fortunately, the shelters were spared. The citizens that were no fighters like the young and old, men and women, were immediately treated. The soldiers that fought and wounded were given special care in order to get back to their feet immediately. The soldiers that perished during the relentless attacks of the monsters were immediately buried and as for the ones of the elf army, their bodies were given a proper preservation process before taking them back to their home country.
Truthfully, the estimated damages and lost should have been higher. However, thanks to the help of the heroes and the potions the Black Army had provided everyone, the death toll was merely ten. 7 were from the elf army and 3 were from the black army.
No one actually believed that the amount of death could be counted in the fingers of a hand. With the appearance of the Demon Lord like Kakal, everyone had thought that there would be thousands of dead.
But reality wasn’t so pretty that it would give such false numbers, everyone accepted the amount of death with just exasperated words like “The heck just happened….” as if they just woke up from a nightmare.
And then, as the new day came after completing the menial tasks like repairs and burials, the Kingdom of Ambrosia welcomed the new day with bright smiles.
“GAAAAAAAH!!?”
But the ear piercing scream of the black king who was covered in bandages allover his body welcomed the new day with terror in his face.
“Geez!! Disappearing like that without saying a word, you really got me worried you know!!”
“AAAAAAHHH!!?”
“That’s so right!! You got us all worried you lunatic!!”
“S-Stop!! AAARGH!! M-My wounds still hurt!!!”
With two lovely girls sitting atop of his arms with their hands pressing in his chest, Kyoushiro, with tears in his eyes pleaded the two to get off of him. However, his protest fell on deaf ears as Lucinda and Mikoto were pressing their hands on his wounds.
Right after Kyoushiro vanquished the 9th Demon Lord, Kyoushiro’s unconscious body was taken back to the castle. His severe wounds reopened due to the fight and were bleeding out on the dessert. If no one got him back to the castle on time, he would have died by now.
Kyoushiro’s black arm also became an issue. Because it was due to a powerful curse, no one in the palace was able to remove it. It wasn’t due to lack of personnel that was adept in holy magic; it was because the curse itself had already latched itself on Kyoushiro’s arm.
But thanks to a certain Elven ruler that happened to be a High Elf Fairy Queen, the curse was purged and Kyoushiro’s arm returned back to its normal color albeit for a short time.
Then, after sleeping for two days straight, leaving all the jobs to his aide Kuro, Kyoushiro woke up with Lucinda sleeping on both of his side of the bed. The bed he has in his room was big enough to fit five people so three people sleeping on it, side by side, wasn’t a problem.
But the two woke up due to Kyoushiro’s surprised voice. Then just as natural as the wind, the next Queen of a Human country and another member of the 17 heroes brought their wrath upon the unfortunate king who was covered in bandages.
Kyoushiro held Lucinda’s and Mikoto’s arms as he sat up on the bed.
“Haaah… geez you two, are you planning to kill me?”
“Uuu…I am very sorry Kyoushiro-sama…”
“We were just… worried after all…”
‘I think I’m more worried about how I’ll survive in this kind of relationship…’ Kyoushiro exhaustedly thought as he let go of the two who were just concerned about his condition.
Just a month ago, Kyoushiro was abducted by Avfritzed, the Demon Goddess of this world. His body was nearly crushed by sheer pressure and his right arm was eaten by a curse. Not only that, he was corrupted by the Elder-God-Blade Hastur before he got out from that unknown place.
Because of that, it was very understandable that Lucinda and Mikoto to be worried. Kyoushiro recognize Lucinda as his wife so he was sweet with her and for Mikoto, it was just a promise he had to fulfil due to his negligence.
Although Kyoushiro had no plan on having a family in this world, in the end, he got one.
“Nah, I don’t really care anymore just don’t do it again”
Kyoushiro said so as he brushed the heads of the two girls that meaningfully fell in love with him. Though despite the fact that Kyoushiro sees Lucinda as his wife, he was very conflicted since Lucinda was allowing Mikoto to express her feeling to Kyoushiro; there seems to be a team forming with the two of them, Kyoushiro was very worried about this.
‘I don’t know why these two get along so well while I was away but it’s really freaky when the two of them agrees on the same thing. I’m scared that I might get pushed down by them one day…’
Even though usually there should be a feud between the two, they were both acting nice to each other. They even went to a point where they call themselves the “Wives of the Black Hero” there wasn’t any uproar just a tired sigh coming from Kyoushiro himself. Well, doubtful as it may be, Kyoushiro didn’t try to pursue the topic and just ended it there and then.
In the end, Kyoushiro just accepted what was in front of him and stayed quiet. Kyoushiro stood up from his bed and proceeded to dress himself.
After the battle with the 9th Demon Lord, every one of the Ambrosia kingdom was working hard in order to immediately restore the previous state of the kingdom. Although there wasn’t much damage, the corpses of the demons were still in the battlefield. It was feared that if those corpses were not collected, it would resort in a major catastrophe with a disease running amok.
Kuro, Kyoushiro’s trusted retainer, immediately issued the retrieval of the monster corpses. With there being a million of them, there was a whole lot to gather. Fortunately, the kingdom had survived eating monster meat in the past. There were no one getting caught some sort of illness by eating those monster meat, it became a norm in the wasteland to make food out of them.
Kyoushiro had already made a cultivation of crops on the eastward of the kingdom; there he had turned the barren soil into something more appropriate for cultivating using his skills. It took a while but the crops that were planted before were already good for harvesting.
There was no issue in terms of food supply because of that so in the end, the problem with dealing with the monster corpse would land on Kyoushiro’s hands once he wakes up. Kyoushiro doesn’t know that this has already been decided and was completely clueless at the amount of work he was about to face later on.
Kyoushiro then finishes fixing himself and turned around. But as he faced back, the smiling faces of two supposedly innocent girls were grinning with flushed faces. It seems that they had watched Kyoushiro changed the whole time.
“You two…”
“K-Kyoushiro-sama!! I-It is alright for me to see!! I am your wife after all!!”
Sensing that Kyoushiro probably got angry that he was being watched when he was changing his clothes; Lucinda fustily made an excuse to avoid getting flick on the forehead. Mikoto seemed to be daydreaming on the side as her expression depicted her unusual dream. A water stream flowed down on the corners of her lips.
Kyoushiro just scoffed “Humph…” and went back to where the two were. Since the morning won’t wait for them if they dilly-dally, Kyoushiro brought the two down from the tower then to the royal palace just in front of the tower.
PART # 2
“Kyoushiro!!”
Just as Kyoushiro, Lucinda and Mikoto entered audience room of the loud voice of Arianne echoed. Within the wide audience room, Arianne was sitting a high throne on top of a pedestal. Surrounding the perimeter of the audience room were the powerful experienced knights that have been in the old ruins before. All knights wore black luster armors with readied swords and lances on their sides.
They saluted as they saw Kyoushiro entered and quickly went back to their post. The ones inside the audience hall beside Arianne and the guards were the heroes, Elf Queen Elfianna and her aid General Durif.
As they saw Kyoushiro and the girls entered, they turned their way towards them.
“You’ve done good protecting the place while I was good Arianne”
“Geez!! Don’t say that as if you’ve been only gone for days!!”
The sight of the beautiful purple headed Queen rushing to the chest of the young Black Hero was like seeing a fairy tale coming to life. Arianne was young but her position was a Queen. If this sorry sight of a young girl obviously in love with the Black hero gets out, it would shame her position as Queen. But as the whole capital already knows just how infatuated the young Queen Arianne was with the Black Hero Kyoushiro Kagami.
That was why, even when the guards were trying their best not to laugh, no one would reprimand Arianne for her actions. But there was one person that had an expression painted in shock as he watched Arianne jump into Kyoushiro’s chest.
The troublesome friend beside him was enduring not to laugh at the sight of the dumbstruck Katsuto.
“You… were you this clingy in the past?”
“Of course not. I was only holding back but since you made me worried, I can’t help showing this side of me”
Although Kyoushiro somehow gets why Arianne was acting so reckless when it comes to hiding her real feelings, it still felt complicated for Kyoushiro to be surrounded by women that has absolutely no shame in showing their real selves to him.
It wasn’t really a bother just that, he was conflicted on how he was supposed to react right now. Whilst showing a troubled smile, he still let Arianne nuzzle her head on his chest. It was sort of a reward of not leaving the citizens of Ambrosia in faced against a Demon Lord.
“Are you alright now?”
“Feeling better than I expected. My curse seemed to have died down a bit but some muscle aches are still there”
Kyoushiro smiled and showed the bandaged right arm to Arianne.
“I guess it was the Elf Queen’s doing?”
“Yes, it was Elfianna-sama’s power that we were able to reduce your arm’s curse”
As Kyoushiro has some idea of who was able to minimize the extent of the curse of his right arm, his eyes went over to the beautiful blonde haired elf standing along with Katsuto, Koizumi and Aizawa. Arianne smiled and told Kyoushiro that it was indeed Elfianna that helped him.
Then as Kyoushiro’s eyes met with Elfianna’s, he lowered his head and thanked her.
“I am very grateful for the help you have given me”
“It is alright. You too have helped in the battle with the 9th Demon Lord”
Elfianna bowed elegantly as she greeted Kyoushiro with a smile. As the two were getting acquainted, there were two persons next to Koizumi that was silently watching Kyoushiro’s group with dead fish eyes.
Basically, Minami and Katsuto don’t like what they were seeing for some reason. Katsuto was eyeing the place where Arianne was resting her head onto as she leaned her body on Kyoushiro’s chest. Minami was somehow feeling left out as she was looking at Mikoto’s happy smile as she stand behind Kyoushiro. Lucinda was right next to Kyoushiro on her wheelchair wearing her usual loving smile.
Koizumi on the other hand was enduring not laugh at the two.
“Ah… Kyoushiro… I missed your smell…”
*Snap* at that those words filled with affection, something snapped inside Katsuto. In his line of sight was Arianne sniffing Kyoushiro’s chest and Kyoushiro getting creeped out and tearing her off of him. Looking at it closely, even Elfianna was looking at the two with shock eyes. It seems that she did not expect a respectable queen like Arianne to act so loosely.
“You!! Get off Arianne!! Lucinda and Aizawa are right here!!”
“Ufufu~ I won’t for a million years~”
“Kagami you bastard!!”
Unable to endure any longer, Katsuto lunged into action with tears spilling from the corner of his eyes. How embarrassing, Koizumi thought as he was already laughing at the sight of his best friend unable to endure his jealousy any longer.
Just as Katsuto’s loud voice echoed, the guards who were standing by the pillars instantly moved to protect the King and Arianne, who was supposedly the Queen of Ambrosia, and caught Katsuto’s body.
Even though there was a difference in attribute values, the knights easily caught Katsuto by holding him down by the waist, arms, neck and legs using their spears and hands. Then just like that, Katsuto stopped right in front of Kyoushiro and the girls.
“…What were you doing?”
“You! I don’t care how or why but why is it only you?!”
Confused as to why Katsuto was crying and yelling at him, Kyoushiro looked down on his chest and stared at the purple headed queen that as still clinging to him. Lucinda and Aizawa were tilting their heads as to why Kyoushiro was looking at them as well. Well, they were under the impression that Kyoushiro was merely admiring their beauty so they were smiling at him.
Still, as it was poor taste to leave the guy who helped saved Ambrosia be held down like that by the magically armed knights, Kyoushiro ordered them to stand down and return to their post.
The knights then silently let go of Katsuto and went back to the places they were standing before.
“Uuu…”
“Geh… Are you seriously crying? Those guys weren’t really rough on you right?”
“Damn it… That’s not it…!!”
Was Kyoushiro unable to see or was just oblivious? Or was he just pretending that he doesn’t see that Katsuto was obviously jealous of him with how Arianne was clinging to him? Koizumi, who already stopped laughing, was walking towards Kyoushiro and Katsuto along with Minami right by his side, who was smiling coldly at Kyoushiro.
“Are you really that dense or just playing?”
“I don’t get what you’re saying but can you take care of this guy? I can’t have him act like that right before I give everyone my thanks”
“Thanks huh? Are you in a position…? No, you are in the right position to give thanks huh?”
“I don’t get what you think of me but you’re right”
Setting aside the mumbling, broken hearted [Guardian], Koizumi was about to say that Kyoushiro doesn’t have any rights to give his thanks but as he remembered how everyone of the Ambrosia kingdom’s citizens and soldiers admire him and call him “His Majesty” Koizumi rethink and accepted Kyoushiro’s odd position as King.
Kyoushiro didn’t mind getting insulted as he was already used to it but since Koizumi switched how he thought of Kyoushiro himself, Kyoushiro didn’t bother saying anything. His eyes just silently said “Thanks for that” and exhaled.
“Haaa… Now then, since it’s still early and I doubt everyone here didn’t ate breakfast except for me and these two behind me, let’s have a light meal and talk about everyone’s rewards”
Although he was not the ruler of Ambrosia, he was still respected as the one who completely rebuilt the whole ruin. Even as Arianne as the Queen of Ambrosia, everyone recognizes Kyoushiro as the king. That was why; it well within his power to give something to the people that saved the place he rebuilt from scratch.
Durif, who stand right behind Elfianna the whole time, had his eyes wide when he heard about Kyoushiro giving rewards. His thought reached Elfianna somehow and was worried at what kind of reward the renowned Black hero would give them seeing as Ambrosia was currently the most advance city in the world.
Immediately after sorting things out with Katsuto, Kyoushiro lead everyone to a peaceful place that was hidden underneath the palace.
PART # 3
The place Kyoushiro lead everyone to was the secret underground garden. Here, the whole room around a complete 100 yards far was covered in greenery. The ceiling produces light that feeds the plants sunlight and a small canal system where water drawn from an underground vein was running through the whole room.
Not just plants like flowers, bushes and grass, there were even the trees here that touched the ceiling as they were taller than a few twenty meters. It was like they entered a different world, the deserted wasteland outside seemed nothing like a dead world compared to here.
“I didn’t know that something like this existed underneath the palace Kyoushiro”
With her eyes wandering around, Arianne was amazed as to how such vegetation was growing underneath the earth. The health of every plant as outstanding, it was as if they are just inside a small forest garden.
Kyoushiro made an accomplished smile as if he had done something god.
“Well, I made this whole place right before I rebuilt the palace. This place was once a Desert Ant monster house before so after clearing the whole place, I made used of it”
Instead of making a dungeon room to keep all criminals here, Kyoushiro made the whole thing to a beautiful garden. Kyoushiro truly hate the idea of staying inside or seeing a prison cell as he was once brought and tortured inside it. Making one would just make him remember what he experienced back when he was falsely accused.
“This has a lot of rooms so I made various arrangements myself. Things like water reservoir for emergencies of water shortage, a shelter house, a dummy treasure vault, a training arena and a testing room for my experiments. I usually stay here to sleep but I haven’t been here lately since I got caught up in some things”
Kyoushiro looked at the Queen that had left the tending of her kingdom to a hero. Arianne, who was sitting right next to Lucinda, was averting her eyes while sweating profusely. Arianne wasn’t good at lying to begin with so Kyoushiro didn’t think too much of it and just smiled.
In front of everyone was a lovely tea set and decorative sandwiches for a light lunch. Kyoushiro hasn’t eaten yet while Lucinda and Aizawa seemed to have eaten before. They both had early breakfast back in the tower right before Kyoushiro woke up.
As for the others, Elfianna, in particular, was admiring the nature around her. Her eyes wandered around the place as though curiously wanting to ask how such nature exist underground. Durif was of the same opinion as he sips his tea with a satisfied smile.
“You have been busy before the incident it seems. I apologize on behalf of Arianne as I was one of those that wished to see her in person and acknowledge her country”
“Its fine, I don’t mind it now since I’ve got some time to rest”
“It seems so”
Kyoushiro was already back to shape. Although most of his body was still covered in bandages, Kyoushiro’s complexion was already fine. His body had still a few spots where it still aches but overall it was fine.
Kyoushiro put down the cup he was holding next to his lips back on the saucer and begun what he wanted to do.
“Now then, since I’ve eaten how about you guys tell me what you guys want. I can only give what I can so please go easy on me”
Kyoushiro said that while shrugging his shoulders as though apologizing for being unable to give anything that what his guests wants.
“I want to be with Kyoushiro-sama”
“Me too!!”
“You two already got what you want so ask for something else”
Kyoushiro sighed at the two girls on both of his side as they already got what they wished for two days ago. Kyoushiro turned to Elfianna and Durif after Lucinda and Aizawa settled down.
“What about you two?”
“Hmm… If it is possible, could you please teach me how to build the large Magic party cannon?”
“Party? Do you mean Particle?”
“Oh yes… So that was how it called”
It seems that Elfianna had a hard time understanding the name of the Magic Particle Cannon that was used against the 9th Demon Lord Kakal recently. Elfianna wore an bitter smile when she fumbled on her words.
Kyoushiro put his right hand on his chin and contemplate.
“If possible the surveillance item you have. That would be useful for us elves when guarding our border”
Durif added the 3D Magic projector. Even though that was a separate device made in order to receive the signal from the 5cm magic drones hovering in the sky, it was still something that could help elevating the problem of surveying the borders where foreign beings could enter easily.
Elfianna’s cheeks twitched as she heard Durif’s demand. Although she knows that the device in the command room would be great addition in a nationwide protection, she still thinks it was quite rude to ask for far too many things. The magic cannon were already enough for the protection of the borders of her nation.
Hearing such wishes, Kyoushiro silently gave his decision.
“Hmmm… I don’t mind giving you both but there’s a problem with the materials. The 3D magic… No, the [God’s eye] machine aside, the magic particle cannon itself isn’t finish yet”
As Kyoushiro had said before when he was still trapped in that unknown room, the Magic particle cannon weren’t finished. But after successfully shooting twice at Kakal, the cannon had its circuits fried and its parts blown to bits. Although Kyoushiro only caught a glimpse of it on the way, Kyoushiro was able to tell that it was already useless.
There was no use repairing it so replacing it was the only option but with the shortage of materials, it was far from being replaced completely. Even Kyoushiro doesn’t know where he would be able to get the parts for it since most of it was from the monolith that was used as the barrier stone for the whole capital.
“If only teaching how to make the cannon, I’ll give my cooperation. As for the [God’s eye] machine, give up on that. I can’t make a replica since the material for it was already exhausted”
Kyoushiro then presented a different offer for Durif, who looked disappointed with his wish getting refused.
“Instead, I’ll give you the blueprints for the magic weapons and armor”
“Eh?! Those weapons and armor?!”
It seems that what Kyoushiro offered was way more generous than the [God’s eye] machine. Durif’s calm facial expression broke when Kyoushiro said he was willing to hand over the blueprints for the weapons and armor the Black army has.
“What? Not enough? I’ll thrown in the recipe for the potions as well if you want”
“E-Even the potions?!!”
The potions Kyoushiro had made were highly potent in healing and recovering not only magic but also stamina. The Recovery potion for healing wounds could even cure disease and other illnesses. Having been blessed to be given the recipe for those were enough to break the common sense of negotiations. Kyoushiro was being too nice for just rewarding another country’s leader and general.
It almost as if Kyoushiro was planning something. But Kyoushiro’s face was like saying “Eh? Isn’t recipes and blueprints fine?” while watching Durif panic.
“It’s fine. I mean, I can make potions easily anyway so I don’t mind. The stocks out so I’ll make a fresh batch in a few days. I don’t know if you’ll stay long but I’ll work as fast as I can to get them ready”
“That is… very generous of you but is it alright? You have just woken up after all”
“No, I’m fine already. What’s more I’m the type of guy who likes to work himself to the bone”
Kyoushiro showed a wry smile as he turned to his right and brushed Lucinda’s hair. Feeling the caress of her beloved, Lucinda smiled lovingly and rested her head on Kyoushiro’s shoulder.
“Plus, I need to give thanks to the guys that died in the fight. Their families might not be able to accept the fate of their loves in this place after all”
As someone who experienced losing his family, Kyoushiro showed sympathy to the bereaved families. If what he was doing was enough to atone for being late showing up, before the fight even started, no one would have died. Of course, Kyoushiro doesn’t blame himself for their deaths, just that, it would leave a bad after taste if he didn’t showed a least bit of gratitude to the family of the dead.
“I can attest that losing a family member is awful. I’ve been there before so I know how it feels. Well, with how it is now, I think I can live with the guilt for a while…”
Kyoushiro smiled but such smile hid the painful past. The death of his parents and the horrible treatment he received from his relatives, it was something he can’t forgive however with Lucinda and the child with him, Kyoushiro was somehow saved from carrying a hatred and guilt he could never let go.
“I’ll also give some support in terms of military might. The magic ships are still in development stage but if you want, I’ll give you 10 battleships once it is over?”
“The thought is enough. Such things, please just use it for your selves for now. What you are giving us is already enough, thank you”
Elfianna lowered her head in gratitude as Kyoushiro showed not only kindness but also sympathy for those who perished and their families. Not all people were willing enough to give more than what they have to strangers so Elfianna was quite glad to be offered many things by Kyoushiro.
Durif too lowered his head as thanks.
“Well, I’ll prepare what your demands later. Next is… you guys huh?”
Kyoushiro gazed at the three who remained silent until now. From the right, next to Arianne were Minami, Koizumi then Katsuto. They were all enjoying the light snacks happily.
“I want a mountain of sweets and also I want my best friend back”
“I can grant both but the last one doesn’t seem possible. You can take her away anytime you want though”
Kyoushiro smiled at the young high school girl on his side that was leaning against his left shoulder. Aizawa pouted for a moment but such expression instantly turned to a smile. It seems that she saw through Kyoushiro’s intention and did not intend to leave his side.
Minami smiled wryly at the sight of her best friend being so in love with the guy right next to her. Although it does give her a bit of bitter feeling, Minami sighed and just surrendered.
“Just give her as much love then that much is enough for me”
“Minami!!”
Aizawa stood up and went to Minami’s side and embraced her. The two have been together for a long time now so being apart for a long time would be very sad for the two. But ell, Aizawa would still be returning with Minami since she was part of the two-part deal of the Trion Kingdom.
Kyoushiro just sighed after feeling relieved that one of his burdens will lessen for a while once Aizawa leaves with Minami and the elves later.
“How about you two? I can repair your weapons and armor if you’d like”
“That’s fine but instead of that, I’d like to-“
“What I want is you let Arianne go you bastard!!”
When Kyoushiro turned to Koizumi and Katsuto, Koizumi wanted something different than having their weapons and armor repaired. But, just as Koizumi was speaking, Katsuto interjected with a shout. Not only Kyoushiro, everyone except for Katsuto and Koizumi were taken aback.
Koizumi was holding his head while muttering “Haah… Really now”
“Huh? The heck do you mean by that?”
“It’s exactly what I mean!! Don’t you already have Lucinda-sama and Aizawa with you?! You little dip shit!! At least leave some for us unpopular ones!!”
As if crying tears of blood, Katsuto cried in jealousy. It seems that in his eyes, Kyoushiro was hoarding all the attainable beauties in the world. Although that much was something Kyoushiro did not wished even in his lifetime but to Katsuto, that what was how it looked like.
Kyoushiro sighed and shoed a face showing that he was annoyed and turned to Koizumi instead.
“What’s the deal with your friend here? I am already being generous enough to give you guys’ gifts and he start dissing me. Should I have him kick out instead?”
“No, just ignore him…”
Once more, Koizumi sighed.
“Well anyways, what I want is the truth”
“Truth? What truth?”
Was he acting oblivious? Kyoushiro tilted his head in puzzlement. Although it may seem that he was pretending that he doesn’t know what Koizumi was saying, Kyoushiro probably and truly have forgotten about the time when Kurosaki framed him.
Koizumi felt insulted but he didn’t let his emotions show. Still he pursues the topic that which Kyoushiro was very sensitive to remember…
“Did you really plan on killing us before?”
“………”
Suddenly the air became tensed and Kyoushiro’s friendly smile and calm expression switched to something murderous and heinous. The sight of the sharp deadly glint inside Kyoushiro’s eyes made Koizumi flinched and jumps back. For Koizumi, it felt as though Kyoushiro as about to strangle him to death in an instant.
The dark ominous cloud was sending deadly chills to everyone.
Kyoushiro begun to speak with a tone as if he was angered dragon…
“Do you really think I would be able to do that? I, who didn’t have anyone to talk to around the palace, had the time to visit a faraway place like that dungeon? Bastard, don’t going framing guys like me for your own greedy sake”
Somebody gulped. The pressure Kyoushiro was releasing was already enough to make anyone shiver in fear. Elfianna, Durif, Aizawa, Arianne, Minami, Katsuto and Koizumi was trembling at the sight of Kyoushiro’s rage filled expression.
However, Lucinda was different. Her slender arms soothed Kyoushiro’s rage as she rubbed his throbbing chest. The erupting anger soon dissipated and Kyoushiro returned to his usual calm face.
“Don’t worry Kyoushiro-sama I will always be by your side”
“Lucinda… thanks for that”
Kyoushiro smiled at Lucinda and wrapped his arms around her after that he returned his gaze at Koizumi, who went back to his seat.
“Answering that question, I didn’t do anything. Wasn’t I inside the castle all the time while you guys trained inside the dungeon?”
“T-That is…”
“Calm down for now… ah the tea went cold”
Kyoushiro said so with a tired sigh and took out a fresh batch of tea leaves and placed in the pot. After that, he took out a portable magic stove and placed the kettle there, filled it with water and served the tea. It only took a few minutes so the talk immediately resumed.
“For the most part of what happened there, I was back in the palace when you guys were out training. I was busy raising my level out in the fields and testing my Compounding skills when you guys got trapped there for a few days”
“Wait, does that mean that Kurosaki-sama has lied? I have heard that you went tried to kill him in the audience room in the Trion Kingdom?”
That was the only truth Kyoushiro would admit. In a fit of rage, Kyoushiro tried to attack Kurosaki but ended up getting blow away by someone’s magic. After that, he got beat up and thrown into the dungeon. It was a horrible experience Kyoushiro doesn’t want to remember.
It only made his blood boil even more…
“I did but that was out of pure emotion. Try and see how it would feel when everything you made and own got taken away from you after getting framed and shamed in front of tens of people. If I was sane at that time, I doubt killing that bastard wouldn’t be enough”
The pure hostility in Kyoushiro’s words made Durif straightened his back. It seems that he didn’t think that Kyoushiro would show so much hate for one person. Elfianna sighed and apologized in behalf of her general.
“Forgive him; Durif has a bit of looseness in his tongue sometimes”
“Its fine, I don’t care either way”
Kyoushiro roughly replied.
“Is there anymore you want to say?”
“That is… well about what happened before… I’m sorry”
Koizumi has always doubt that incident back in the palace. For him, someone like Kyoushiro doesn’t have the power to hurt anyone else back then. It was impossible for him to come to a dungeon located just two towns outside the capital city. Koizumi had always doubted that but didn’t believe it.
“For what you’ve been through, I don’t think a sorry is enough. In exchange, do you want something from us? If it’s the ones we took from you… we can give back only a portion of it since the potions were all consumables”
“I don’t need anything. Just make sure that son of a gun Kurosaki is out of my sight before I kill him. I still need to sharpen the swords that’ll stab his damn heart out after all”
“Haha… although that sounds too realistic I’ll do what I can”
Even though there was something that would happen once Kyoushiro meets with Kurosaki, Koizumi kept it to his self and just laughed dryly. The talked lasted for about 25 minutes more before everyone went back to the surface.
PART # 4
Around the time when the 9th Demon Lord Kakal had lost his life, the Demon King of the Night, Vampire King Vlad, was sitting on his throne with the 3rd Demon Lord Lady Snow, was having a sort of meeting with him.
The dark gloomy room where the 1st Demon King was staying in was one of the few rooms that were left untouched by age. The cylindrical form with only windows and no doors was overlooking a vast dark sea of clouds.
This was the castle of Vlad the Vampire king located within the center of the Demon Continent.
“I see that you have been quite busy lately, Lady Snow”
“My, maybe not as busy as you for the past thousands of years”
Vlad, whose face was a handsome young man in his twenties with jet black hair and glowing red eye, was sipping tea right across the lady in pure white appearance.
The two gave sarcastic remarks to each other as though rebuking their own antiquity.
“Setting that aside, is it true that the 9th Demon Lord has been slain?”
Vlad made a quick glance at the pure white lady in front of him. The gaze held no interest at the ageless beauty before him but to the news that had reached his ears through Lady Snow, the 3rd Demon Lord.
Lady Snow scoffed at such gaze that was directed at her.
“Yes, it is seems that the one ho slayed him was none other than a hero”
“A hero… Was it the guy who has been barging in land for quite some time now?”
Vlad made a shock face as he learned that a hero killed Kakal. Although he could not careless about the 9th Demon Lord that only wishes for destruction, the part where a hero appeared intrigued him.
But Lady Snow nodded left and right to answer Vlad’s question.
“It was not Taiga Kurosawa. That young boy has no power whatsoever to even beat one of your Four Great Generals after all”
“Then who was it?”
The Four Great Generals of Vlad’s courts are demonic beings that have enough power to wreak havoc on a country and destroy them completely. Kurosawa attacking only one base at the border of Vlad’s land wasn’t that much of a problem. Even him facing one of the Four Great Generals weren’t even noteworthy as Kurosawa could not even beat one by himself.
Vlad also witnessed Kurosawa’s lost with his own eyes and could very well say that Kurosawa only has a strength equaling a Hero but has no power that could slay a Demon Lord. Only a ridiculous sight of that hero remained inside Vlad’s memories.
Then, judging from how Lady Snow told Vlad about the hero who beat Kakal, it seems that this hero wasn’t well-known in the world.
“I believe his name was… Kyoushiro Kagami… From the reports I got from my snow sprites, he is a young man with pure black hair and eyes. He even restored a ruin kingdom and further improved in in just a short span of 3 months”
Lady Snow sipped the cold tea that she held in her hands after telling Vlad about Kyoushiro. After that, she continued…
“Furthermore, he was exiled from a human country and branded as a traitor and scum. It seems he attempted to kill the other heroes in order to claim glory for himself”
“And? You believed such tale?”
“Who do you think I am? A hero who had neither the skills nor even power to enter a dungeon alone is impossible to commit such deeds. In this case, it is one of those famed human jealousy and greed”
Lady Snow let out a scoff as though presuming that she was not the kind of person that would immediately believe a tall tale. In any case, the part where heroes are weaker than demon lords were true, there were even certain types of Demon Lord that tend to be far stronger than any of the other demon lords. The first Demon Lord, Vlad, was one of those demon Lords and of course, Lady Snow as well…
“It was a hero… No, humans have called him “Demon-Spawn” like those of black hairs and eyes"
“Kyoushiro…? Hmm…”
Vlad made a pondering face after hearing the name of the hero that slayed the 9th Demon Lord. Although he has no recollection of the name whatsoever, it felt as though it was very familiar to him. Unusually so, it even became something that bothered Vlad…
Vlad touched his sharp chin as he ponders…
“I shall look into it then”
“Oh? This is a surprise… You looking into something is”
“Is that so? Well… I would not deny that”
As the meeting drawn to a close, the person that piqued the interest of the Vlad was slowly following a certain path of an unaged man. Having this meeting between two distinguished Demon Lords has not happened even a thousand years before. This was the very first meeting between the 1st Demon Lord and the 3rd Demon Lord.
The meeting itself was the warning signal for the second act…
|
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"lang": "en",
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"id": "11598",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 1 CH. 16 – The bright new day for the kingdom of flowers (Epilogue)",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
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"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 2 CH. 12 - A path untrodden
PART #1
I was inside a dark space. The pain allover my whole body, turning all my senses numb, have disappeared. Everything was dark and muffled. It was as if something was covering my ears. I couldn't feel anything. It was like I was suspended in midair. All that remained was my breathing going in and out of my body.
Then, as if shook me awake, my eyes automatically opened....
"Looks like you fell asleep Kyoushiro. Were you tired after playing with Daddy all day?"
I was surprised. In front of me was my mother. Always smiling and kind, my mother was caressing my head as I lay down on her lap.
"Kaa-san...."
"Yes, Okaa-san is right here Kyoushiro"
She was smiling, that face of hers, how long have I last seen her like that? I can't remember. This air of hers, her touch as she caressed my head and that warm feeling she always gives off. I've forgotten how long it's been since I felt such thing.
My mother Kyouka Kagami, was alive and well in front of me.
"Sorry honey, we played too didn't we?"
"No don't worry, Kyoushiro seems fine. He just woke up is all"
Father was there as well. We're inside our old car. Father was driving but I. an see him looking at the rear mirror in front of him. This voice of his.... it was really my father. It was always deep and rough but it was soothing and soft whenever he sings a lullaby.
I can still remember him singing songs for my mother back then. It was a fun time for the rest of us. Even though both were busy in their work, both took their time to take care of me.
I miss them.... I miss them but....
"Tou-san.... Kaa-san....why are you two here?"
"Err.... well, isn't it because we're on vacation? It's your birthday right?"
"What's wrong champ? Still tired from running around?"
"N-No I...."
I was.... I was where exactly? I can't remember why I passed out. It only feels like I just came from a fight to the death with some kind of monster. My heart, why is it beating so fast? Why am I....
"What's wrong dear? You look pale"
"A-Ah no.... I..."
I'm fine right? I'm still alive. My mother is right here beside me, father is driving and it's....
"It's my.... birthday?"
A cold sweat dripped down from my chin as I remembered today's date. November 13th.... This was the day it all started. My sufferings, my pain, my agony.... Everything that has happened to me for the past 10 years, it all started to this day.
And right now, we're inside our car heading towards the hotel we would be staying. It was the place where my parents will die.
"Stop...."
"Kyoushiro?"
"S-Stop the car!! Don't go to the hotel!! Let's just go home!!"
"Kyoushiro?! What's wrong!?"
As I raised my voice, Kaa-san and Tou-san were startled. Tou-san immediately pulled over an parked our car for a moment and looked at the back of his seat. From where I was, he looked huge. Kaa-san also, they were bigger than I remember. But that isn't important right now!!
Seeing my scared state, Kaa-san immediately tried to calm me down. Tou-san looked at Kaa-san as though they were thinking about something.
I don't care what they think of me but I need to stop them. If this continue, it'll all happen again. The earthquake, the explosion, the flames, the blood and the screams. I'll see them all again. Those things, I'll relieved them all again if this trip keeps up.
"Tou-san, Kaa-san, believe me for now... please. Let's just forget going to the hotel. Let's just go home, please"
"Kyoushiro...."
"Kaa-san, you may not believe me right now but something bad will happen so please. Just listen to me"
"But champ, we already made reservations. And we're in Osaka right now, we can't just go home immediately, are tickets is for a week you know?"
"Please Tou-san!! It's fine if we don't go home right now!! Just not that hotel, let's just go to a far more safe place than there!! L-Like a park or something!!"
Through my constant please, Tou-san and Kaa-san were wearing troubled faces. I know how much money they spend just have this vacation a success. But I can't afford to lose them again. Not now that I've seen them again...
Tou-san sighed as he looked to me. He caressed my head like he always do whenever he feels something wrong. Then, he turned to Kaa-san, as though saying "I guess it can't be helped" with his eyes. Kaa-san merely nodded silently and wrapped her arms around me and embraced me tightly.
Tou-san then returned to his seat and drove the car again. This time however, he drove to a different lane and drove passed the hotel that we were supposed to stay.
"I don't know what happened but if you don't want to go then it's fine. Let's just pass. our time at the nearest park. I'm getting hungry too anyway"
"Honey, you just ate a whole box of the lunch I made yourself you know?"
"Hahahah you're right" The two returned to their happy selves as we drove away from the cursed hotel where my parents would die.
-
It was two days after the earthquake. The magnitude 7.5 earthquake that hit Osaka already passed and thankfully, my parents were alive. After we went to the park, the earthquake happened. It was thanks to the wide open space that we were safe from having debris fall over our heads.
That earthquake made the news the very next day, causing a wide spread mayhem afterwards. Fortunately, the government immediately took care of the incident. There were a lot of buildings that were damaged and many lives were claimed that day.
But with this, my parents' fate was avoided and now, we were back at our house after that incident.
"Still, to think our boy would see what happened in the future.... is he psychic?"
"Oh come on now, he probably just had a nightmare. You're the leading researcher of the country's best technology institute, don't just go trusting the supernatural"
"Ahahaha..... as expected of my Software engineer wife. You're not someone that believes in superstition just like that huh?"
I watched my parents having lunch with each other in the dining room. The two were happy but the topic was a bit off since it was about me. I can't tell them that what happens that day really happened. I'm back to my old body as well, but the short height is really a problem.
I'm sure I'm 17 right now but..... why am I back as a 7 year old?
"Oh right, I've heard from police that they discovered bombs in our hotel room. It seems that they went off when the earthquake strikes"
"Eh? Just who would've done such a thing....?"
"Well, according to the staff and the security tapes.... It was..."
Their conversation began to quiet down right there. Because I know who the culprit was, I already know who they were talking about. Right now I can't say anything but in a few days, the culprit would caught then that person would appear in front of me once more....
-
My life after this went different than it was before. There were no self-centered aunts and uncles, no bullies, no crimes, no mafias and yakuzas, no drugs and no guns. Everything was normal for once in my life
"But why I am I still feeling something is wrong.....?"
For the past few years, I've felt something was wrong. It was like I left something unfinished and I need to go back. There were numerous times that I get this strong urge to wake up despite being awake but, they easily disappear as if they weren't there to begin with.
The culprit of the attempted bombing was arrested. My parents' families that colluded in order to plant the bombs were arrested an taken away. I can still remember their faces begging for forgiveness.
It was like a revenge fulfilled after a long time. I slept easily after that....
"Geez, you're talking to yourself again, Kyoushiro-sama"
"Lucinda.... don't say it like that. It's like I've got a few screw loose"
I was now 17 years old and a third year in highschool. Next to me was Lucinda Travestin, a foreigner that came from London. Her parents were pure English and were a fan of Japanese culture. Because of their interest, they decided to live in Japan a few years after Lucinda was born.
I just met her last year and we've been dating ever since.
"Really.... it's like this that you don't have much male friends"
Lucinda pouts as she drink the parfait she just ordered. We're currently inside a family restaurant. Because we just got out of school, we decided to go out and eat. We were already studying for our entrance exams but Lucinda would always request for dates and forces me to stay with her as long as she wants.
As Lucinda have said. I don't have many male friends. It wasn't because I wasn't friendly, it was because of the girls around me. The new nurse of the school, Arianne Ambrosia, Aizawa Mikoto, Lina Aikawa and also the school principal Elfianna Parcelous.
We've got a lot of foreigners here in school... No, that's not what this is about. It's about those girls and women that have been trying to get my attention. Aside from Mikoto that was my childhood friend, the rest were trying to get my attention. Arianne-sensei sometimes teases my by pushing me down on the clinic bed, Principal Elfianna would go leaps and bounds just to get my attention. Just the other day, she took me to this expensive restaurant that only movie stars go to. Lastly, there's the volunteer librarian, Lina Aikawa. She just confessed her feelings for me just the other day.
All of them were rather aggressive despite me already having a girlfriend of my own. I wonder why they keep chasing me though? Lucinda doesn't get mad if it was Lina or Mikoto but she was extremely wary of Arianne-sensei and Elfianna-sensei.
Was it woman's intuition? I don't know, even I don't understand why those girls would chase after me. I'm not even that good looking like Taiga.
"Mmm? Is something wrong Kyoushiro-sama?"
"......"
What is this. The feeling in my chest, it's like burning. I can't understand it, why am I so angry whenever I talk about Taiga. Even though he was a nice guy, I don't even get why I hate him so much...
Then, as I continued to contemplate, I felt my whole body ache.
"?!"
"Kyoushiro-sama!?"
I suddenly dropped from my seat. Lucinda worriedly tried to calm me down but because of the intense pain I was feeling, I was unable to talk. My body was on fire, my bones felt like they were breaking apart, my muscles was tearing itself from the inside and my organs were like melting.
I was in so much pain. Even though I don't understand why, all these pain feels so normal.... Its as if I've already endured this amount of pain for a long time that I've become immune against it.
People start to crowd me. I can see Lucinda's face, crying as she calls out my name...
Why....
Why are you still calling me like that?
You're calling me as if I'm someone great... it feels so distant.... just why...
"Hey, snap out it"
Then, standing in front of me was a me that was wearing weird clothing. He was glaring right at me, like I was some trash by the roadside. His eyes looks deep and scary, the right side of his face was covered by a skull piece. On his right hand was a ominous looking gold sword.
As I stare at it, more pain sears through me, granting me even more inexplicable and unbearable pain...
"Bastard, you've got to wake up. This ain't real"
What do you mean by not real?! All of this.... all of these are real!!
"Face the facts dumbass. Remember how much pain and suffering you've gone through. Ain't this one those? One of the trials of god people like to preach?"
The me who was dark and fatigued, was glaring at me. The tip of his sword was pointed at me. And all his words were burned inside my mind. It was like something was trying to come out of my body. Something monstrous and evil, something disgusting and vile.... It was wriggling about as though trying to crawl out of my brain.
"Remember. We've gone past the point of no return. This place you've made, this path that we couldn't take, all of this are all fake and you know it"
Then why.... why can't I remember?!
"You can't remember because you don't want to. You know yourself best. This way, it'd be easier to accept reality right? Like how your uncles forced you to work as drug mule?"
A hazy scene appeared in my mind. A twelve year old me, delivering bags filled with drugs that my uncle was trying to sell. I was being treated like some object. Their cigarettes burning my skin and the smoke their session was producing was making me go insane....
"The time you put poison in an old man's drink because he couldn't pay his debt?"
The scene changed and there I saw a 14 year old me standing in front of a chocking old man. His eyes that was filled with rage was looking straight at me. It was like he was trying to say "You'll pay for this.... you'll pay for this!!" as he drew his last breath.
"How you aunt sold you to old men with disgusting fetishes"
"A clear scene was happening before me. My own screams, my own shouts was echoing inside my ears. My cries as they hurt me, my attempt to struggle as they strangled me.... Everything was hell at that time. All that I can see were disgusting smiles of old men and the smell of their sweat and other fluids over me...
"And how Tou-san and Kaa-san died right in front us"
The smell of smoke, the unbearable cries for help, the shaking pillars and the cracking walls. The faces of my parents trapped under debris and the large chunk of the ceiling crashing their bodies and their blood splashing onto my face...
"Remember. You're Kyoushiro Kagami. You're no hero and neither a a villain. There's no right or wrong in your decisions. All you do is act. Until you find a way back home and kill your relatives..."
Memories were coming back to me as the me in front me knelt down and looked at my face. The tired looking expression, the signs of stress on his face and the skull piece covering his right eye....
Everything was flowing back. The world I was in, was breaking apart. As if they were nothing but pieces of glass to begin with.
Then before me a small girl with unusually long hair, wearing a strange ornamental clothes with various kinds of decorations appeared before me.
"You've endured well"
"You're that brat before I got sent to that horrid world right?"
The little girl nodded. Just like before I couldn't see her eyes but a faint red shine was seeping through the gaps of her hair strands. But I know for certain, she was not normal....
"The curse, the key that was supposed to be your right arm has no use anymore. There is no king that would resurrect neither there would be a curse that would devour your mind"
My right arm that was supposed to be jet black due to the curse returned to how it was before. The tendrils like tattoo covering my arm receded and turned into a small mark. A crown inside a cage of chains, with four diamonds at its corner, appeared at the back of my right hand.
On my left arm, the circuit like lines receded as well. Only a small mark appeared on the back of my left hand. It was a sun devouring a moon. An eclipse...
The girl turned towards the other me and pointed her small hand at him. The other me then quietly kneeled down.
"That sword is not useful any more, this is my gift to you. As payment for all the things you've gone through"
As the little girl said that, the others warped. His whole body shrunk and turned into dark particles of light. Then, on the little girl's hand a golden crown with black flames flickering above its teeth....
"With this, you're now an entity that surpasses all divinity and malice. You now hold the power to destroy and create everything....."
The crown disappears like a mirage and appears right above my head. The pain I was just feeling disappeared and black veins with roots was sprouting under my feet.
As I remember everything clearly, the space around me was contracting. But within that shrinking world, the figures of my parents appeared. Behind them was a pure white door that leads to somewhere else.
The little girl turns around and faced them.
"You still have choice despite receiving those things. But, know that once you go with them, you'll cease to exist"
"I know....."
I already knew even back then. That I can never see them again, that I could never be with them again. The parents that loved me as I love them, their smiling faces before me tells me enough that my place isn't with them anymore.
The grudge I've been carrying won't disappear until I get my revenge. Unless I kill my relatives, unless I right their wrongs and fix everything they've ruined, I won't be satisfied. There's also Taiga, the bastard that turned my world into a living shit hole In a different world.
I'll take back everything that was taken from me. That's why, I can't go with my parents right now....
"This might be the last time, Tou-san, Kaa-san... That's why, I'll tell you guys. I'm doing fine now. Just rest easy there and wait for me. It might take a while but I'll get there eventually...."
As I said that, my parents nodded. It was like they already understood from the very beginning. Then, as the world begun to hasten its contraction, the two bid farewell. But before they stepped inside that white door....
"Ah....."
I smiled as I took their words to heart. The little girl have already disappeared to somewhere again. I was the only one left in that shrinking world.
"Now then, it's time to clean up my mess"
As soon as I've said that, the space shrunk entirely.
PART #2
"What the..... what's happening...?"
The scene in front of her was like hell itself. Every corpses and living monsters were getting eaten by thread like tendrils. Everything was being consumed at an extremely fast rate that the cave itself was slowly getting cleaner.
The foul odour of rotting corpse and the heavy stench of the the group lead by Ernest Vern had dissipated almost immediately.
And at the center of it all was a black cocoon made out of those unknown tendrils. Above it was two Demon Lords. One was Lady Snow, who proclaimed the birth of a new Demon Lord and the Dark Lord Trause. The monster that easily toyed with Kyoushiro just a few moments ago.
When everything was settled and the monsters all tried to run away, Elyria was left with her group. She was helping everyone that was trying to escape the sea of darkness and avoid getting eaten.
Princess Lydia and everyone of Elyria's knight squad were huddled up on a small island that was elevated enough to avoid getting swallowed by the sea of tendrils.
Was what she thought but as she looked back behind her, everyone was covered by a black cocoon. Everyone except for her, who was unaffected by that drug....
"Black Hero.... just what are you...."
Saying those words in disdain and despair, Elyria merely watched everything unfold before her eyes. Then in that very moment, the black cocoon crack open....
-
No one knows what was happening but right before the Dark Lord was an immense power beyond imaginable. Even he, who was a new Demon Lord of a few hundred years, only has such power enough to destroy countries.
However, right before him was a power enough to destroy worlds. Droplets of sweat started to form allover his body as the terrifying pressure of the power before him was making him tremble.
And so, as he heard a loud cracking sound coming from the black cocoon where Kyoushiro was, a surge of power burst out. A wave hit Dark Lord Trause and Lady Snow as they were floating above the sea of wriggling darkness.
With their eyes fixed at the cocoon, they waited for the rebirth of a new being....
*GUOOOOOO!!!!!* A roar of some sort just escaped from the cracks forming on the cocoon. As if absorbing back the tendrils, the sea of darkness was receding back to the Black cocoon.
The black cocoon then swells up and contracts. Before it shattered like an egg from the inside out, spilling its contents. A half naked young man was there, his skin was wax like, as if blood had been drained from him, his eyes, one was red and the other remained black and above his head was a golden crown with black flames flickering about.
Silently, Kyoushiro stood up. With his untainted arms, and the crumbling skull piece on his face, he breathe in the new air of his rebirth. At this point on, Kyoushiro Kagami was not human, he had turned into something monstrous.
Kyoushiro Kagami [Blessed]
17 yrs. old
Male
Job class: [Black Hero] (Demon Lord of Chains)
Level: 1500
STR: 23567
AGI: 46890
DEF: 25436
MAG: 145999
RES: 56780
Skills: Language Acquisition, Appraisal, Compounding, Transmutation, Metal Forging, Mineral Processing, Magic Infusion, Magic Manipulation, Magic Seer, Enchant, Earth Manipulation, Soil reforming, Soil conversion, Wind Manipulation, Boost, Increase Strength, Mental resist, Magic Boost, Golem Creation, Alchemy, Synthesis, Potion Craft, Forging, Crafting, Magic Conversion, Electricity Manipulation, Construction Craft, Blueprint Creation, Blueprint Machination, Gravity resistance, Regeneration(Slow), Evolution I.
[Blessing]
{The Chains of Yog-Sogoth}
Removes all links to mortality. All stats are boosted 100×
Effects: All Status ailments Negated, Added 10,000 points to all attribute values whenever the user evolves, All curses negated. Ability to Evolve targets.
-Cannot be ruled by any being-
[Blessing]
{Light of the Eclipse}
Received divine protection from the goddess of creation
Effects: All status will automatically set to 1000
Lady Snow used her <Appraisal> skill on Kyoushiro. Her eyes showed a hint of surprise as she read through Kyoushiro's status screen. It was an unbelievable changed. Something that even they, the Demon Lords haven't achieved. What's more, unlike the Demon Lords that can only evolve once, Kyoushiro can do it as much as he likes.
Kyoushiro has transformed into a being far worse and greater than any Demon Lord, monster or divinity.
The Black Hero was now a god....
"Now then, let's see how you fair in this fight Dark Lord. I know you won't need my help but, I'll offer a bit of advice before you perish"
Lady Snow laughed amusingly at the perturb Dark Lord. Seeing the 3rd Demon Lord underestimate him like that, Dark Lord Trause glared at Lady Snow and growled.
"Graaa!! Don't you dare look down on me!! I don't need any petty advice from a Demon Lord that's satisfied with just living!!"
Dark Lord Trause went down on the ground and faced Kyoushiro, showing his fangs filled with confidence that proves that he could defeat a newly born Demon Lord. There, he chanted the spells he made and recreated, developed and improved.
He was no underdog. Dark Lord Trause was the supreme being. He was the smartest Demon Lord, the only being that has memorized every spells there is in the world.
It was he that stands on top. No one else, not even the other Demon Lords, it was Dark Lord Trause that was the greatest being of all.
"Don't get so full of your damn self Black Hero!! You're nothing but a newly born chick in this world!!"
Dark Lord Trause conjured giant orbs of flames resembling the sun. Stones the size of mountains and slithering water streams made with water magic. Different kinds of powerful spell activated. The tattoo lines on Dark Lord Trause's body was glowing immensely, as if that was his source of power.
His eyes glared at the young man standing before him with his head hanged low. Who's figure was like any other human, the young before the Dark Lord wasn't moving.
Don't underestimate me, the Dark Lord!! I am the greatest of all existence!! A petty creature like a Hero can never beat me!! I am-
*Woosh-* Something passed over Dark Lord Trause as he was screaming in his mind. Behind him, every spell he conjured disappeared. As if nothing was even there, everything had disappeared.
"<Evolution>"
*Zuuuuuu* Kyoushiro used his skill once more and transcended. A power beyond imaginable was laid bare before the eyes of the Demon Lords. Dark Lord Trause, who attained a power that makes him learn everything in seconds, couldn't comprehend what was happening.
Just what is that- Dark Lord Trause wondered as beads of sweat was being pushed away from his skin.
Kyoushiro's power was even visible to the naked eye. Even now, light was bursting out of him like he was producing an energy equal to that of a sun.
Then, just as Dark Lord Trause was about to conjure his spells once more, Kyoushiro disappeared.
"!?"
Only to reappear behind the Dark Lord.
"It's time to clean up my mess" Kyoushiro muttered. His eyes bared no light in them. Like it was a empty and deep. As if he sees nothing but a mere bug on the ground, squirming under his foot.
What is this.... what is this... WHAT IS THIS!!!!?--- Dark Lord Trause trembled at such being behind him.
"Die and never come back, Demon Lord"
"BASTARD!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!!"
Dark Lord Trause turned around. He swung his fist towards Kyoushiro's face. However, Kyoushiro didn't care about the impact of Dark Lord Trause' fist. Kyoushiro had already won.
Because Kyoushiro can manipulate the nature of magic rather than conjure them...
<Electricity Manipulation> [10,000,000 joules of Lightning]"
*SHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!* Crackling sounds was heard and a thunderous bang came after a bright purple light. Everything was burned and charred.
Then without a single word, the Dark Lord disappears from existence. Kyoushiro, who finally regained his senses, collapsed on the ground, feeling the numbness all over his body after the evolution.
Not only him, but the elven princess and knights elves into superior races. Elyria who was watching the whole fight between Dark Lord Trause and Kyoushiro, was left awestruck by what she had seen.
It was an overwhelming fight. For a human like Kyoushiro, he managed to upset the tides of battle to his favor by turning himself into a greater being. Although Elyria was utterly speechless, she was still stunned by the scene that just unfolded.
Lady Snow landed right next to Kyoushiro, who was writhing in pain. It was obvious. Using an unknown skill while being half conscious was a risky move even for Kyoushiro. The skill caused him his humanity. But in exchange, eh was given a power that stands even greater against the Demon Lords.
"You have done well, Black Hero"
"Ngh....haaah...."
"At least let me rest for a bit" Kyoushiro grumbled in his mind due to his throat aching, making him unable to speak.
"Papa!!"
"D-Dahlia!! Please don't run, it's dangerous!"
There were two girls that came. That was the mother and daughter pair, Edsel and Dahlia Rose. Dahlia rushed to Kyoushiro's side and jumped at him and gave him an embrace.
Edsel chased after her, seeing as the whole underground cave was clattered with sharp, large to small rocks, it was pretty dangerous for a child to run around there.
"......."
"Papa!! You're hurt!"
Kyoushiro didn't speak but he pat the little girl's head just to reassure her. But the little girl looked scared when she saw the wounds all over Kyoushiro's body. The wounds did closed for a moment but it wasn't perfect. The evolution merely mutated his body into something great but the wounds all over his body didn't healed. However, most of them have already dried up.
Edsel took the little girl away from Kyoushiro, who was still panting in pain.
"You seem to have over done it"
Kyoushiro replied by showing a thumbs up. Edsel sighed in relief seeing as Kyoushiro was still breathing despite looking pale.
"Are you the hero that rescued us?"
On the side, a princess in torn clothing came. She had emerald green hair and blue eyes. Her limbs were overed with a lush green colored grass of some sort and her body was a bit larger than any elves.
She was Princess Lydia, the person everyone was looking for.
Behind her were the Elf knights. Just like Princess Lydia, everyone had their own different evolutions. Some had transparent skin like glass, some even had signs of embers cracking from their skins. But despite that, everyone were still normal looking elves.
Although most of them were barely naked, they were still clothed enough to properly present themselves to Kyoushiro.
Watching from the sideline was Elyria. She couldn't walk up to Kyoushiro after witnessing everything that just happened. The Demon-Soawn she hates so much turned out to be a saviour that sacrifice everything just to rescue the captive elves.
Even though Elyria hasn't realized that Kyoushiro was expecting everyone to be dead from the very beginning, it was good to see that she was slowly accepting Kyoushiro with how he was.
Kyoushiro made a troubled expression when he thought that but seeing as no one noticed, he merely stayed quiet.
For the meantime, Kyoushiro received healing magic from Princess Lydia, who still retained her skills despite the evolution.
-
After a few hours of waiting, the rest of the heroes came. Just as how Lady Snow had said before, they went around every base in order to destroy the nesting grounds of Ernest Vern's mutated men.
According to the three heroes, they saw giant rocks falling from the sky so they rushed to where it was happening but since they were quite far, they didn't arrived early enough to help.
Koizumi and Katsuto were already rushing when they ran into Minami's group. But when they arrived and saw Lady Snow, the elf soldiers that came with the three pointed their weapons at him.
It went without saying that even Minami, Koizumi and Katsuto, were glad to see a Demon Lord alongside Kyoushiro.
"My, My, is this what the heroes of the races are so proud of? Aren't they quite young for this?"
Lady Snow was standing beside Kyoushiro, who was still recovering from the fight with the Dark Lord. Since he didn't have the energy to even argue with the other three, he just breathe out a sigh then drank another recovery potion.
"Oi Kagami, were you working with this Demon Lord? Even though you know she's an enemy?"
Katsuto glared at Kyoushiro as he point his halberd at Kyoushiro's neck.
"Are you a traitor all along? Answer me!!"
"Shut it. If you were here, you wouldn't be even pointing your swords at her. This Demon Lord you speak of, helped in recovering the missing princess. Turns out. everyone that was captive have already turned into monsters"
"Cut the crap!!"
"It's the truth though?"
Katsuto couldn't believe what he was hearing. No, even if it was the truth, he doesn't want to believe that a Demon Lord would help a hero. Katsuto kept his vigilance at Lady Snow as he threw harsh words at Kyoushiro.
Koizumi stepped in front of Katsuto to calm him down.
"Then? Is the princess alright?"
"She's with the elf Knight that hates me to the core. She's with a mother and child, you'll see them"
Just as Kyoushiro said that, a little girl ran towards him. Dahlia jumped into Kyoushiro's chest after running at full speed. He caught the little girl who seemed to have been playing with dirt since there were mud on her cheeks.
"Papa!"
"Yes yes...."
Kyoushiro held the Dahlia in his arms and carried him while looking as if he had given up in avoiding the little girl that kept calling him "papa" innocently.
"Dahlia! I told you that you shouldn't run in this place it's dangerous!!"
A beautiful elf mother came chasing the little girl's steps with a clean cloth in her hands. Behind her was Elyria, Princess Lydia and the rest of the captive elves.
"Dahlia-san seems energetic. I don't think I can keep up with her"
"Well, she is still a child so it's only normal"
Everyone looked well rested and fully cloth. Thanks to Kyoushiro handing out blankets and his clothing, everyone wasn't wearing any risqué worn out clothing.
Seeing that everyone was alright, the elven soldiers rushed to their comrades and aided them. Minami walked towards the elves and healed those who seemed injured.
Koizumi smiled wryly then pushed down Katsuto's halberd slowly, indicating that there was no need to even fight. Katsuto clams down and walked beside Koizumi, who was walking towards Lady Snow.
"I apologize for my friend's rudeness. Thank you for helping us recover Princess Lydia"
"Hmmm.... you seem more elegant than that barbarian behind you. Well, I wasn't here to help you anyway but it is still feels great to received gratitude from a smaal existence"
Lady Snow laughed behind her fan as she just insulted Koizumi, who was willing to shake hands with her. Katsuto couldn't help bursting into laughter when he saw Koizumi, a good looking guy, get insulted by a woman with a beauty so delicate like ice.
Koizumi snapped then toyed with his spear and hit the lower end of his spear on Katsuto's chin. Katsuto bit his tongue while laughing, causing him to fell down on the ground while holding his mouth.
"You two are made for each other"
"Should I hit you too?"
"I'll stay quiet for now"
Kyoushiro replied jokingly. Once everyone was well acquainted. Kyoushiro decided to tell everyone the most important matter. It was about what he hears from Lady Snow when she was talking with Dark Lord Trause.
"Koizumi, Katsuto, Minami. You guys should know that the mastermind to all this was that Pernicious guy. He was planning to use the elf princess there as a political puppet. Although his plans was derailed by his own army of monsters"
"Wait, is that true?"
"I'm not so sure but this Demon Lord here just told me what kind of conversation they were having when clocked out"
Kyoushiro was barely conscious when Lady Snow arrived. It didn't even registered to him that Lady Snow was even in the same place as him. Naturally, Kyoushiro doubted the information at first but since he couldn't make heads or tails of what was happening behind the scenes, he accepted the information until Princess Lydia confirmed it.
Koizumi and the others were still doubtful of this information as such, they waited until Princess Lydia stepped in front and supplemented what Kyoushiro had said.
"Heroes, my brethren, what Kagami-sama said is true"
"Princess.... this is your lord uncle you are talking about..."
One of the elven male soldiers carefully spoke.
"I know but his use of mercenaries with powers unimaginable goes beyond our connection as niece and uncle. I may be just a candidate for the Elven royal throne but I am still the successor to our Majesty the Queen Elfianna. I can't let this political war continue"
Princess Lydia declared so with a serious tone. Katsuto and Minami *gulped* as they felt the air of authority coming from Lydia. Koizumi showed a wry smile as he watched the princess, whose appearance was too different to be an elf anymore.
The elf soldiers nodded, although reluctant, they all obeyed the young princess's orders. Edsel, who was once a right hand of Elfianna was standing beside Kyoushiro with Dahlia in her hands, listening to everyone's conversation.
Today was a fine day. There were no dark clouds above nor there were strong winds blowing in. Only a gentle sunny day, perfect for a family picnic on some remote park. But the events that transpired this day, was by far no means gentle.
With that being said, the mission of securing the elf princess was complete. Everyone was now preparing to return back to Caladium.
|
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|
Vol. 2 CH. 10 –Monster battle spree
PART #1
Ernest Vern had finally obtained what he had wished, power.
Power beyond any could ever grasp and power that any man could ever beat. His body had transformed and not only that, his stats have increased 10 times that of a normal human. His body may be grotesque but it was a sacrifice worth taking.
Describing his figure, he was a 10 foot giant. Large arms that could crush boulders, powerful legs that could make the earth rumble and a body so robust that not even swords nor arrows could ever pierced. Ernest Vern had lost his human flesh, only to be replaced by a dark grey color that resembles steel. His teeth turned into large fangs and his eyes grew in numbers; four of them blinked as the dust from the ceiling fell down on his face.
Ernest Vern was human no more but a monster that could even rival that of a new Demon Lord.
A grin, showing his fangs, appeared on his maniacal face. He was happy, for the men he had trusted had followed him even to his own transformation. In front of him was an army of giants, half-spiders, ogres, green skinned orcs that nearly resembles men, half-snake creatures, bi-pedal bat that was around 1.5 meter tall, blobs, and even black skinned goblins.
His army was numerous, hiding under the old fortress that was once used to slay a Demon Lord, it was an army that more destructive than any monster army had ever existed.
“Kukuku… looks like rescue had come for you, elven princess”
Ernest Vern’s monstrous voice echoed within the underground cave as he mentioned the lady gasping for air inside a cage right next to his right shoulder.
“D-Damn you… I-I will never…ugh…”
The captive princess cursed Ernest Vern as she resists the powerful effects of the drug she had inhaled for days now.
It was a drug that was from the scales of an old Demon Lord, crushed and mixed with unknown herbs then turned into a drug that could mutate those who inhales it. That was the cause for most of Ernest Vern’s men, even the captive elf princess, Lydia Demius Flowerchild; the next elf queen that was supposed to undergo through the Moon Dance Ceremony.
Unlike her beautiful elf self, her flesh as convulsing with pinkish blush and her emerald green hair had lost its color and turned to pure white. Under the shadow of a curtain covering the cage, her face can’t be seen but her quivering voice echoes…
“Those silly elf knights are still holding off their mutation. It looks like all elves were made tough. Quite unexpected”
“Damn you monster!! We elves will never let ourselves be taken over by such disgusting side effects!!”
“Humph” Ernest Vern snorted through his nose.
“Your resilience is indeed commendable. If only you were to accept my offer as my queen, then you’ll suffer no more” Ernest Vern added, thinking that the elf princess’s tough hide was worthy of praise.
“I would rather marry to dirt than to be wed to you!! Argh…!! Ugh…No!!” But Lydia still showed a strong refusal on her side but as the pain of the mutation was making her bones break and her flesh tear, Lydia howled in pain.
Ernest Vern laughed haughtily as he heard the feeble scream of a mutating princess…
“HAHAHAHA!! How is it your highness?! The pain that makes your body turns from the inside out!”
“Just….Just DIE!!” Lydia cursed in defiance to Ernest Vern’s taunting shouts.
This had gone for days already and Lydia was nearing her limits. Was it even worth it to fight even though she has no chance of living?
No, surrendering to such pain, such adversary was something a proud elf noble could never do. A princess will never bow her head to a monster; she should only hold her chin up and look proud. Such was the elves.
That was why, no matter how much pain she goes through, unless she loses her life to such pain, Lydia will never surrender…
A bipedal bat that seemingly resembles a werewolf in appearance went flying down from the ceiling. The creature then knelt down in front of Ernest Vern as if treating him like a king.
“Boss… intruders have entered the fortress…”
“Hoh? Are people that stupid that they plunge themselves into a den of monsters?” Ernest Vern scoffed at the ridiculous bunch that would try and invade a fortress full of monsters. Only did the elven force have the stupidity to do such a thing.
It was unbelievable that a bunch of weak humans would even step foot in the fortress.
The Were-bat then continued while keeping his head low…
“Boss… they are not just ordinary humans… they are strong”
“What makes you say that?”
“Boss… they have completely massacred the minions in the fortress’ floors”
Hearing that for a moment made Ernest Vern quiet. It seems that these visitors were no ordinary adventurers, if they were some normal adventurers than those monsters upstairs wouldn’t be annihilated just like that.
“How interesting” Ernest Vern thought. The people that entered his castle may prove to be useful in gauging how strong he had become. If they were strong enough to fight those monsters upstairs then they were enough of a challenge for him.
Ernest Vern smiled with a wide grin…
“How interesting… Kukukuku!! They will be the first challengers to feel my new strength. I’ll make sure to show my might to those worms that try to enter my new castle!!”
As Ernest Vern shout in vigor the lot that was gathered before him cheered loudly as they can be.
-
“How unpleasant…”
“It can’t be help, just man up will you?”
In front of Kyoushiro was a cavern of half eaten corpses. The foul smell of decay was so bad when they reached the end of the stairs all of them instinctively retreated. The girls were in a bad shape because of it.
Kyoushiro and Elyria stepped in first in order to check the surroundings. Because of how bad the place was due to the mountains of rotting corpses, only the two of them had to actually venture inside.
Lady Snow chose to stay behind because she did not like the stench while Edsel and her daughter Dahlia didn’t have any choice but to stay back because it was potentially dangerous to their health. Especially Dahlia, who was just a child…
Kyoushiro complains as he stepped on some corpse that had its back eaten from the inside.
“This is probably the reason why there weren’t any monsters left after going down from the higher floors….”
“These are all… each one are of different races and gender. Some even are normal cattle are mixed here” Elyria said while surveying the land of the dead as she carefully used her wind magic to lessen the smell that reaches her nose.
Kyoushiro showed as slight annoyed face at Elyria’s attitude. She was only dispersing the smell on her side so Kyoushiro was actually breathing the whole thing. However, to an extent, Kyoushiro was able to neutralize the poison mixed within the thick air of decay.
It couldn’t be said the same to the bacteria and germs that could be harmful to his own immune system.
“I’ve taken care of corpses before but not to this extent” Kyoushiro grumbles while remembering an old job he had taken once he was a child. It was an experience he would not rather remember at a time like this but the sight was enough for those memories to resurface.
“Did your world have monsters like these ones? I thought the world you heroes was a peaceful one?”
“There are worse kinds…” Kyoushiro heaved a heavy sigh as he cast aside the bad memories of his past.
Earth may not have monsters but in society, it was a term you could place on any one that was involved in shady business. Having been in business with those kinds of people as a child, calling them “monsters” wasn’t an understatement.
“In any case, let’s just-!?”
Just as Kyoushiro was about to continue looking for another door or a hall, a spider web came out spinning towards him. Noticing quickly the incoming attack, Kyoushiro jumped to the side to avoid it but another string of web flew towards him.
Unable to dodge this time, Kyoushiro was caught…
“Kh…!! This thing… is made of steel fibers?!” Kyoushiro appraised the web that caught him. According to his <Appraisal> skill, it was a <Steel Web> that came from a spider monster.
“You’ve got good eyes… human” A voice from the shadows, a monster with an upper body of a human male and a lower half of a giant black spider with grey colored carapace over its legs, appeared and pulls Kyoushiro towards it.
Seeing the creature, Kyoushiro made a scowling face…
“Damn… mutation got the worse of you. What, fond of six legs?”
Kyoushiro then turned the steel web into steel chains using <Transmutation> and <Mineral processing> skills. Immediately, Kyoushiro was freed and turned the tables by turning the chain into a spear and threw it at the spider monster’s chest.
“Gagh!?” The monster got his chest pierced by a spear and cough up blood.
Not letting a chance of the monster to survive, Kyoushiro charged towards the spider monster’s chest and kicked the butt of the spear through the spider monster’s chest.
Not stopping there, after landing, Kyoushiro turned the entire spear into a thorny piece and let the thorns tore the body of the spider monster from the inside.
After the spider monster had his torso torn from the inside out, it fell onto its knees. Blood spew out like a river. Once the monster had ceased its breath, Kyoushiro turned back to the elf knight that he was talking to a minute ago.
He was worried when she was suddenly silent throughout the whole ordeal, so when he turned around, his eyes widened when he saw Elyria caught by a 50 foot snake man.
“Agh!?”
“Nufufufu!! Oh such a fine woman you are, it’s a waste to leave her behind you know?”
The upper half of the snake was a man with long hair. Probably due to the mutation, his skin turned into scales and his eyes were that of a snake. Even so, his voice was, clear as day, a human. He coils around Elyria and felt up her modest chest under her plated armor and her plump smooth thighs under her thin green skirt.
Elyria’s body trembles as shivers of disgust caused by the skin of the snake man and his tongue crawling over her fair white skin.
Her face clearly shows rejection and repulsed to the being that was feeling up her body…
“Unhand me!!”
“Like I’ll let this sweet opportunity g-“
Just as the snake man was about to slid his fingers in between Elyria’s thighs a blade stuck through his throat, piercing through from the back of his neck through his windpipe. The snake man, did not noticed the creeper that had slipped behind his large tail, gagged and gasped for air as the blade went even deeper.
Kyoushiro, who held a dagger in his right hand, whispered to the snake man’s ears….
“Talk too much”
Then moved the dagger sideways, cutting the neck of the snake man and severing his head. As the body lost its head, the tail that coiled around Elyria became lose, freeing her from the grasp of the snake man’s tail…
Kyoushiro caught Elyria who lost her strength after being deprived of air earlier…
“*cough-cough!!* I… I didn’t ask for your help..!” Elyria pushed Kyoushiro away but as she was in his arms that only made her fall on her bottom. A soft crunch resounded as she landed on the corpses beneath their feet.
“I saved you and that’s how you say “Thank you”?”
Kyoushiro couldn’t help but sigh at the girl’s stubborn personality. She hates Demon-Spawns to the core of her very being. Being touched by Kyoushiro must have been unpleasant but that wasn’t an attitude worthy of praise to show to someone that saved her life.
Kyoushiro merely grumbled but instantly after, his expression changed…
A large club made of stone was hurling towards them…
“Ah!! I hate this place!!” Kyoushiro cursed as he infused his body with magic power and used a circulation skill that efficiently increased Kyoushiro’s physical prowess. A soft blue veil covered Kyoushiro’s body- In a hurry; Kyoushiro ignored Elyria’s scowls and pulled her away from the trajectory of the flying club.
Almost the moment he leaped away with Elyria on his right shoulder, the heap of corpses there exploded. A 5 meter tall stone club was covered in blood and gore on where the two was previously standing.
“W-What was that…?”
“Looks like company… a lot of them”
Kyoushiro didn’t put down the girl on his shoulder but instead, held her tightly in order to avoid her from falling off. Because it wasn’t the time to even fool around like a couple of idiots, a rain of giant stone clubs was heading their way.
“I don’t think I’d survive this if I hold back even more…” Such thought ran through Kyoushiro’s mind as he threw away the idea of reserving strength for later. Quickly, he used <Boost> skill twice to aid him in dodging the rain of giant stones then added <Magic Boost> for a good amount of support.
It was indeed dangerous in holding back; Kyoushiro took out a certain item from his magic storage…
“Hold on!!”
“What?! Don’t tell me you’ll-“
“Shut up or you’ll bite your tongue”
Kyoushiro roughly replied to Elyria’s worried tone and prepared himself for a flight. Elyria shuts up and the moment the first stone club was about to land, Kyoushiro jumped. He jumped back far enough to dodge the first stone that landed.
Then he kicked the corpse heap and propelled himself upwards-towards the ceiling. It was an action where he had to use one of those stone clubs as stepping stones in order to reach his goal. The sharp stones there were enough to serve as an anchor for Kyoushiro since he could reshape them as he wished using his skills.
The two waited for the rain to stopped then-
“Hey… that is some mighty army…”
“Ugh… why is my head spinning….?”
Kyoushiro caught the sight of an unimaginable number of monsters below. Leading them behind was a giant of ten meters with two giant axes on his back. Elyria was caught dizzy due to the acrobatics Kyoushiro had to do in order to avoid the hale of stones and was nauseous.
Kyoushiro was still keeping her on his shoulders but her weight thanks to her armor was making his shoulder tire.
Furthermore, his legs were in a bad shape after jumping on those heavy moving stones from earlier. The force itself was enough to make his knees creak. Kyoushiro could only ignore such pain…
“You’ve survived that, I didn’t think someone was crazy enough to even jump to the ceiling”
The giant spoke loudly. Due to his body and largeness, his voice echoed as he spoke and gives of a vibration as it hits the body. Something like standing close to a large speaker in a big concert.
Kyoushiro made sure to hold the elf knight on his shoulders tight and jumped down. The height was clearly above ten meters yet Kyoushiro landed easily on both feet. The effects of one’s attribute values in this world works wonders- Kyoushiro sighed, impressed of how his body became sturdy just after resting for a short while…
“A rain of stones… No boulders right? I bet I’d die if I hadn’t sense your killing intent”
“You’re a cocky bastard aren’t ya? I didn’t even think you’d be brave enough to show those teeth at me”
The giant- Ernest Vern- took one of the large axes on his back and brandished it towards Kyoushiro, who was standing tens of meters away and grinned haughtily. The monsters that stood next to his large feet all roared as if declaring their dominance over the mere human before them.
A man with a single sword and an Elf knight that seems useless against a large number of enemies; for the army of monsters that Ernest Vern leads they were simple prey.
But despite the despairing disadvantage between them and Kyoushiro, the young man whose appearance was that of a grey haired and red eye, smiled bravely.
Was it bravery or was it just a fool’s courage? Either way, the human had no way of winning against a large army of monsters. Ernest Vern snickered, showing his large sharp teeth to the ones before him.
“Kill them”
With those short words, the army charged. They bared their fangs to the two measly beings that stood in their way. Their stomachs rumbles, the scent fresh meat and blood that comes from the two made everyone feel ecstasy.
This was the instinct of monsters- a hunger that could never be quenched!!
“Like I’d stand here and die!!”
Suddenly, a dark glow came from Kyoushiro. The light turned to smoke as though an ominous being was summoned forth. Kyoushiro held the right side of his face with his left hand, seemingly letting go of an item he had placed there.
A white ash colored piece, a piece of a skull that had soot and cracks all over. It was a cursed item made from the very bones of the 9th Demon Lord Kakal, the demon lord with a thousand arms….
“AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!”
A high pitched scream came from Kyoushiro who was immediately consumed by a dark colored smoke…
PART #2
The walls and the floor shook. Dust came down from the ceiling and a loud scream came from the broken end of a stairway…
Edsel, Dahlia and Lady Snow all felt the tremor and the heard the scream that came from the lower levels of the old fortress.
Edsel held her daughter close as Dahlia couldn’t help but jump due to the scary scream from down below…
“Mama!!” Cries the child…
“Don’t worry, that was nothing” Edsel reassured her.
However, different from the two, Lady Snow, the 3rd Demon Lord merely glanced at the direction where the scream came from.
“I see… so that young man did that to the 9th Demon Lord…”
Lady Snow, the ruler of ice demons, felt a surge of negative energy coming from underground. As she was someone that could use such power, Lady Snow recognizes the power itself.
Moreover, it was so similar to the dead demon lord that got arrogant enough to not use his full power against 5 heroes.
“Hehe… how interesting…” Lady Snow smiled ever so slightly yet the sense of pure adulterated ecstasy can be found in her tone. Kyoushiro was an interesting subject that a demon lord like her can’t help but be curious of…
The tremors continued and heated air was starting to flow from the underground floor….
-
“AAAAAARRRRGHHHH!!! THAT HURTS DANG IT!!”
A loom of dust clouds surrounded a young man with dark colored hair. His coat glimmers with red lines like lightning runs through them and his eyes, one red and one dark glowed dangerous under the dust clouds…
“Now then….”
Bathe within a cloud of darkness, tendrils grew from his shadow, wriggled as he glared at the giant and scoffed at the corpses of ogres and green skinned orcs sprawled around in front of him.
No one was spared; each and every corpse was cut up in pieces by a sharp blade. Kyoushiro left nothing alive of the attackers that tried to send him to the netherworld…
“I’ll have to end this quick”
Kyoushiro said that tauntingly….
“!?”
The mutated army of Ernest Vern had their eyes widened in shock. No one expected the meager flesh and bones like a human could ever withstand the force of ogres and orcs.
Kyoushiro ignores their overreaction and goes for the kill. The shadow tendrils that had tips like scalpels went through the thick skins of ogres and orcs, shredding them to pieces in an instant. The batmen with huge head of a bat and wings under their arms tried to use the high ceiling to attack Kyoushiro using spears and crossbows, however, Elyria managed to use wind magic and guarded Kyoushiro’s back.
The fight continues with bangs and booms and crushes and crashed; bones and flesh splattered and splat, and blood splashed until everything became gore.
More corpses piled up.
Yet the numbers of monsters attacking was still too much for the two. Thinking so, Kyoushiro grabbed fangs from severed heads and scales from spiders and centipedes. Utilizing the materials scattered around, Kyoushiro used his production skills and made two weapons.
A large single bladed sword with scales around the base, it lets out a bloody vein like colors as the scales had few cracks and distance in between them. It was a magic sword made solely for this occasion…
[Scaled Fang of Chimeras]
- Made from fangs of different monsters and scales of spiders and centipedes.
- +50% STR, AGI and VIT
- Extra skill [Mad fang shredder]
“<Mad fang shredder>!!!”
A wind of darkness swallowed every monster that had come in contact with it, shredding it from the inside and dying the dark sanded wind in a fearsome darkish red color.
Kyoushiro held the soft aloofly before charging towards Ernest Vern. Elyria, who was being caught up by the large swarm of insect mutated type mercenaries, tried her best to fight back as much as she could.
Making an endless swing of wind blades, shielding herself with a barrier made of light, then using sword skills to cut down as much as enemies as she could.
But she was slowly losing momentum. Of course, her attribute values increases that more she level up by slaying the mutated mercenaries but even so, fatigue was fatigue.
Sometime later, Elyria was bound to lose her strength once she reaches her limit.
“I have to save the princess and the others first!!” Elyria thought urgently as she cut down another rodent faced monster.
“Hey!! Distract them and I’ll-“
“Just get going!!”
Just as Kyoushiro was about to leave, Elyria tried to call out to him. But he responded as if he already knew what she was going to say. Kyoushiro was raising his voice as much as possible while garnering the attention of every monster there was around him.
Elyria couldn’t help but think that he was an idiot for doing things that was too much for him. However, she didn’t thought too deeply about it. Kyoushiro was a Demon-Spawn for her, even if he dies, no one would miss him.
That’s why she nodded and silently casted a silencing magic on herself while Kyoushiro would take every monsters’ attention.
That was what he was good at it seems.
Kyoushiro kicked the corpse filled floor and blasted off towards Ernest Vern. The giant that has four eyes and two axes on his back, confidently crossing his large arms on his chest, as if proclaiming he was unbeatable…
Elyria saw Kyoushiro’s figure disappearing in a sea of monsters….
=============================================================================================
I want to write as much as possible but i'm too busy with work right now. Sorry for the late updates?
Well, I added a pic for this time's part so I hope you'll leave me off with just that...hahaha??
|
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Vol. 2 CH. 9 – The unexpected help
PART # 1
It had been unexpected that something like this even happened. Standing right next to Kyoushiro was gorgeous woman that had delicate features and was like a woman of the snow; long white hair that stretches down to her thighs, eyes as pure as snowflakes and a figure that could be said as divine.
Edsel was stunned at the sight of the 3rd Demon Lord walking next to Kyoushiro.
As it was stated before, it seems that the Demon Lords have kept a close eye on Kyoushiro. That was after he defeated the 9th Demon Lord that was said to have a thousand arms and had a powerful skill that could control monsters.
Even Edsel know about the 9th Demon Lord Kakal that kept himself within the wastelands in order to increase his army of monsters.
Right now however, Kyoushiro was carrying an unconscious elf knight on his shoulder like he was carrying a sack of straws. Even Lady Snow had been taken aback by his action but it seems that Kyoushiro didn’t care about that.
“Say, since you’re a Demon Lord, mind telling me how to get rid of a powerful curse?”
Kyoushiro idly asked Lady Snow…
“Depending on the curse, there might be one. Though I say that, the one on you is something that can’t be cure by any means”
“So you guys even know about that huh? You Demon Lords have so much time in your hands”
“Oh my, we are just keeping tabs on someone that could potentially become a threat”
The talk between the two was quite friendly. Even though both of them were practically meant to kill each other, they were talking friendly enough to see that they are acquaintances.
Edsel was still wary of Lady Snow since she suddenly appeared out of nowhere, but worrying about that when Kyoushiro didn’t mind her accompanying them would just make Kyoushiro mad at her for unnecessary thoughts.
Dahlia was quietly sleeping in her arms as she walked two steps behind Kyoushiro and Lady Snow.
“Say, do you know any skill that could send heroes back to their home worlds?”
Kyoushiro asked while keeping his face straight. Lady Snow, who was on his left side, coughed a sigh as she covered her face with her fan.
“Haaaa…. If there is such convenient skill then e Demon Lords would have conquered other worlds besides this one. There is no such skill that can traverse to other worlds. Even simply talking about this is simply nonsense”
It seems that the Demon Lords weren’t omnipotent as anyone thought they would be.
“But there is a skill that could manipulate space right? Isn’t a magic bag a perfect example of a different dimension?”
Kyoushiro asked in return as he thought of a simple magic bag as an example. The reason that would be because magic bags are magical artifacts that could store nearly everything, it could not store living creatures such as animals and other living beings but it can store anything inside its limitless space.
Simply put, the inside of a magic bag was like a pocket dimension; in which case is related to the manipulation of space. Gravity spells are also magic skills that any mage could learn if they know how it works. Kyoushiro was wondering as to why has anyone in this world hasn’t even invented any advance technology to travel space or even cross dimension.
If this world had such convenient thing like “Skills” then simply building a device that could send anyone in different worlds would be possible.
“This world is filled with people obsessed with power so I thought there would be someone that would be able to take someone and send someone back to their world”
“A reverse summoning if you will” Kyoushiro added, ending his explanation with a small sigh.
“So you are thinking that maybe there is someone among the remaining demon lords has said skill then you can go back to your world?”
“Well, not immediately, I’m still going to settle a score with someone in this world. I don’t really feel the urge to go back to my world that badly right now but just in case, I would want to know if there is someone out there that could send me back to my world”
Aside from killing Taiga, Kyoushiro plans on returning to his home to take everything his relatives took from him. Since this world had already forsaken him, there was no point in staying. Kyoushiro would take Lucinda and Arianne back with him as well so that they would be excluded from this world’s mass genocide of Demon Lords and allied countries.
Truly, there was no point in remaining in a world that would collapse in another decade or so.
-
As Kyoushiro’s group finally reached their destination. It was another hideout of the generals that works under Ernest Vern, the mercenary group leader that kidnapped the next elf queen. It was located in a small flat plane where only grass grows around it. It was a peaceful looking tower but when Kyoushiro’s arrived at the scene, there were only rubbles spread around.
“What the… those guys lied to me?”
Kyoushiro was speechless at the sight of a torn down tower with its underground base torn from the inside out. Signs of charred ground can be seen around the tower and corpses were piled up and burned a few meters away from the tower.
There was nothing left of the hideout where the men that Kyoushiro tortured to get information from.
“Who the heck did this?”
Kyoushiro asked as he knelt down and dropped off the unconscious elf knight on the ground. Edsel and Dahlia gathered beside the elf knight and helped her while Lady Snow merely stood there watching Kyoushiro’s back.
Lady Snow then smiled at Kyoushiro’s confused expression.
“Mfufufu ~ it looks like the other heroes got here first”
“What?”
Kyoushiro turned around as he heard Lady Snow’s voice.
“I had my sprites move around the whole place before I came here. It seems that two heroes have been going around destroying possible hideouts of the mercenary leader you are looking for”
Kyoushiro was shock by the news given to him by Lady Snow. According to her, the groups led by Koizumi and Katsuto met up with Minami’s group while hunting down the trails left behind the missing princess. The trail then led the combine groups of the heroes to where Kyoushiro was headed and annihilated the target location where one of the hideouts of Ernest Vern’s men has located.
This all happened while Kyoushiro was busy torturing the guards he had kidnapped and gained information about the generals under Ernest Vern.
Kyoushiro made a sharp sigh as he scratched the back of his hand in dismay.
“I didn’t think that they’d manage to reach this far huh?” Kyoushiro thought as he looked at the rubble where a tower once stood. It looks like the other groups lead by the three heroes was on their way destroying hideouts themselves.
It actually saved Kyoushiro some trouble in going in each of the hideouts them destroying them himself.
“It’s a change of plan I guess”
Kyoushiro muttered in a small voice as he breathes out sharply once more.
“Ugh…. Nnn… What? Where…”
Just then, the elf knight Elyria Rosemary, woke up. Edsel quickly helped Elyria sit up while Dahlia was standing behind her mother. Elyria, probably still confused, looked around her surroundings and saw Kyoushiro and a familiar Demon Lord standing across each other.
“!?”
Seeing the famed Ice empress of the frozen wasteland up in the northern hemisphere, Elyria’s shoulder jumped. She then quickly took distance from the 3rd Demon Lord and stood alert with her hands holding down her aching muscles.
Edsel quickly tried to chase after her but Elyria snarled and glared at Lady Snow. However, as soon as she saw Kyoushiro’s figure not too far from Lady Snow, her face turned pale.
“To think that I’d see the day that you’ll stand on the side of the common enemy….”
“Hey now, try not to get yourself killed just after I saved your sorry ass. You’d probably been dead by now if that so called enemy of yours didn’t drag you here to where I was”
Kyoushiro replied in calm tone while emphasizing the fact that a Demon Lord saved her from death. Even the thought of a Demon Lord saving an elf from the races would never even cross Kyoushiro’s mind. After all, there has never been something like that ever happened before.
“That is right, you would do best not to try and rashly against your savior. Though I would not mind killing you right now if it were not only to curry a favor to that hero over there”
“Can you at least try and hide your true intentions?”
“Oh? Might that be of concern to you?”
“Haaa… never mind”
Kyoushiro gave up in talking to Lady Snow as it wouldn’t do him any good in sinking to her level of thinking. Still, while wearing an indifferent face, as though gave up in trying talking to Elyria as well, Kyoushiro walked towards her and threw a clean coat to Elyria.
After all right now, nearly 65% of Elyria’s skin was exposed. If it weren’t for her breastplate her top would have been bouncing right about now. Her skirt was torn but her underwear was still intact. Nevertheless, it wasn’t Kyoushiro’s principle to ogle at another woman’s attractive body while having a wife of his own.
“…….”
“You probably have no idea what happened while you’re asleep but once you finish covering up and cleaned up yourself, come talk to me. I’ll prepare camp for today”
Kyoushiro turned back as he yawned. Lady Snow followed him back after leaving a demeaning smile at Elyria. It seems that Lady Snow felt superiority since Kyoushiro chose to favor her than to warmly accept an ally. After that, Today’s march was put on hold until further notice.
PART # 2
Inside the mansion of the lord of Caladium, Pernicious Caladium was having a conversation with a visitor that had been out of contact until recently. The contents of their conversation seemed as though the safety of others were not among their concerns. In fact, what they were talking about was an alliance between a Demon Lord and an Elf noble.
“It seems that you have been busy lately Pernicious; employing heroes in this kind of time”
“This isn’t like what you are thinking. It is simply something that came up unexpected due to a nuisance doing things as he likes”
“If you are talking about Ernest, don’t worry about him. The powdered scales of the 6th Demon Lord are strong enough to mutate one person. He and all his men should be monsters right about now”
“That disgusting taste of yours hasn’t really deteriorated in the years, Dark Lord”
The 12th Demon Lord, Dark Lord Trause, one of the heinous Demon Lords known in the current era was smiling ear to ear as he take what Pernicious has told him as a compliment.
The Dark Lord had long unkempt hair, red beady eyes and sharp teeth. He also has grey skin with red lines that seemingly resembles tattoos of ethnic tribes. On top of that, he was wearing a dark purple robe that was furnished with skulls of all sorts of beings.
Trause leaned back against the couch as he placed his leg on top of the table in front of him. Pernicious wasn’t someone that can reprimand the Dark lord’s actions as he could even make a single town disappeared without trace if he wished to.
As much as he wanted to, Pernicious could not raise his voice against Trause.
“To think that you would even go that far in causing mayhem”
“I am a Demon Lord, what did you expect? This course of actions shouldn’t be too far from my very own nature”
“Yes… While I do approve of your methods to create chaos, it was very unaccountable since my niece got involve”
The fact that Pernicious’s niece got involve in his plan of taking over the main capital wasn’t his plan at all. After all, that said niece was an accomplice of his that knew of his plans.
However, if it weren’t for Ernest’s group, then that plan would have continued easily. Back of this sudden set back, Elfianna came to his land fully armed with guards and heroes.
Pernicious couldn’t help but blame Dark Lord Trause for his needless aid. Ernest’s mercenary group would have been enough against Pernicious’s enemies.
“In any case, there is nothing for you to do here anymore Dark Lord Trause, you can whenever you wish”
“Oh Come on Pern!! I’d like to enjoy some time alone with those heroes!! Especially the hero that restored the damn nation I personally destroyed!!”
Although Trause’s appearance was younger than his actual age, his personality was still stuck on that of a rowdy young boy. For him, fighting was normal and as a Dark Lord, his power grows immense whenever evil comes to play.
Furthermore, his sworn enemy or more like he declared him as his enemy, Kyoushiro Kagami, was his main target. Because it was Kyoushiro that rebuilt the country that Trause had destroyed personally back when he was just a new Demon Lord.
Right now, he was full of vigor to the point that it was clearly showing on his face.
A clear yet vicious grin was showing on his dull grey colored face…
“Ah… How long has it been since I’ve felt this way… The sense of overflowing wickedness, the emotion of pure hatred and the feeling of vengeance!! Black Hero, Kyoushiro… I’ll be the one that will kill you!!”
Although the heroes were quite far, the Demon Lord was near them. Unknown to what may happen in the future; the heroes were not prepared to face a new enemy.
At this very moment the rescue operation had reached a different conclusion. One that favors the plans of Pernicious….
-
“Damn it, I knew that we should have turned back… these monsters are a pain to deal with!!”
The hordes of mutated humans, elves, demi-humans and animals had chased Kyoushiro’s group all the way the lower part of an old abandoned fortress. Aside from three women that could use powerful spell to mow down a horde of beast, Kyoushiro was having trouble killing monsters one after the other.
The reason was that…
“Papa!! Save me!!”
“You have got to be kidding me?! Again!?”
Kyoushiro cut a human faced goat with three hind legs and a snake tail. Blood spew out and as Kyoushiro ran to take Dahlia back to her mother, a woman with a body of a snake came and attacked him.
“Tsk!”
Kyoushiro clicked his tongue and stopped for a moment in order to counter the incoming enemy. Infusing his muscles with magic, creating a pseudo-boost skill, he then hacked down the snake lady’s head like with was a log.
Once he had successfully killed the mutated woman, Kyoushiro tossed Dahlia to the side of her mother. Without even hesitating, Kyoushiro leaped up and stabbed a giant spider with a human man’s face with his sword.
“Damn it!! I told you to just bury them all didn’t I?!”
Kyoushiro directed his complaints to the elf knight that he chose to save, Elyria Rose. She too was busy cutting down enemies as they all run. Elyria then took a chance and replied back at Kyoushiro’s complaint.
“Like I said, the princess’s life is our top most priority!! I will not let you destroy this building whilst knowing that she is still inside!!”
After waking up and after hearing everything from Kyoushiro, Elyria had decided to come with him albeit reluctantly. Because she already the squad of elf knights that she brought with her, she had no choice but to rely on the person she sees as an enemy.
“My, you two are quite close aren’t you?”
Even a Demon Lord had chimed in their talk.
3rd Demon Lord, Lady Snow the Empress of ice. Her intentions were still unknown but for now she had decided to help Kyoushiro as a means to curry his favor. But despite acting all nice and amicable, it was obvious that she was up to something.
Kyoushiro didn’t really want to take her with him but as he was on the weaker side, driving away a Demon Lord on his own would require him to lose more than an arm. The cursed sword can be of use to him but if he to do that, the curse on his arm would rapidly spread again.
Because of that, Kyoushiro had no choice but to let her do what she wants even though Kyoushiro himself doesn’t like it.
“Kagami-san!! Please don’t throw my daughter like that!!”
“If you don’t want to, then keep an eye on her!! Just why you did even came here for!?”
Edsel and her daughter Dahlia came as well. As for the reason, it she seems that the mother and daughter decided to stay with Kyoushiro as much as possible in order to stay safe. Of course, Kyoushiro already asked them to leave when the Elyria wanted to attack the old fortress where Ernest Vern was hiding, but Edsel said “I’d rather stay with you than travel alone along with my daughter, that would be too dangerous” despite being a master magician in the past.
Even so “Would you bring your daughter in this kind of place even considered safe” Kyoushiro thought while grumbling.
For a long while since entering, Kyoushiro’s group has been pressured by both humans and the men under Ernest Vern. Of course, there were no more 4 Honest Generals and such so it was smooth sailing for most of the time but…
“How big is this place?”
The old fortress was huge. They were still around the entrance part and yet there were already mutated creatures here. Furthermore, they have been running around for 2 hours now. It was like they have just entered a large maze.
“This old fortress was used against the Shadow King once, so it is only normal that is huge”
“Then you should have had it torn down. It served its purpose already…”
Elyria and Kyoushiro were both the vanguards. Lady Snow and Edsel were on support. Even while running, Kyoushiro was rushing down and cleaving through the thick hordes of mutated creatures. Elyria was the same but her use of wind magic that turns into a sharp scythe was more of use than Kyoushiro just swinging his sword.
Kyoushiro sighed as he finally reached the lower floors…
“It’s a pain but since we’re here already, let’s just get this over with”
“For a hero like yourself, you complain a lot”
Kyoushiro would like to say “I’m not a hero though…” but at this point in time, it was already useless grumble. Kyoushiro led everyone down the stairs and proceeded to slay as much as mutated creatures as possible.
“This is weird…” Elyria wondered while following Kyoushiro’s lead. The stairs that lead to the lower floors were silent. There were no monsters, no mutated creatures nor there no human enemies.
It was quiet, almost as if, the creatures in the upper floors were just guard dogs. Elyria glanced over at Kyoushiro’s body…
“Despite not having any power to destroy large numbers of enemies, this guy is fast”
Throughout the fight in the upper floors, Kyoushiro had fought fairly for himself. Killing monsters with just a sword despite having not much strength, it was a feat that only he can do. Of course, he was aided by numerous enchanted equipment in order to boosts his stats.
But due to his curse, they were only on the bare minimum amount.
Finally, they arrived at a prison chamber.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "35745",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 2 CH. 9 – The unexpected help",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 1 Ch. 9 - Demon Flood (Part 2)
Part #1
Lucinda had entered the room after overhearing what Koizumi and Katsuto had said. Because she and Mikoto Aizawa along with Minami Todoroki, they entered the room that was in clear doubt of Kyoushiro's reason for disappearing.
It filled her rage as no one tried to defend him. Kyoushiro, the person whom which had saved the lives of the heroes despite being forced to do so only. The person that if he had refused he might have been killed for treason by her father's adviser, Welmner.
Lucinda went in as she stomped her feet violently as she went to Katsuto and with her right hand, she slapped his cheeks. Katsuto was dumbstruck as to why he was slap. Lucinda then spoke the reason as tears was forming in her oceanic blue eyes....
"Kyoushiro-sama is not what you think he is!!!"
"Lucinda-sama? what are you....."
"He is not like that!! He is not like that at all!!! Neither you nor then knows since you are all self-centered people!!! Kyoushiro is no traitor nor a murderer!!!"
The people inside the room fell silent from Lucinda's outburst. Tears were already falling down her cheeks as she was defending the man she loves. The elf queen, Elfianna, watched the future queen of Travestin with soft gaze as she was defending a person that has yet to appear due to a his sudden disappearance.
"What do you mean by that? The heroes are in the right you know? Their life as put in danger once because of the black hero you are defending. In addition, that person also was seen attacking one of the innocent heroes that was present in his trial that day. Surely you, a future ruler, have the right to defend your champion, but as a queen that rules over the life of her subjects, Kyoushiro Kagami is a dangerous person"
Rizandra just stated the obvious fact she thinks. There were in faults in Kyoushiro's actions. Although those were merely fabricated lies, to those that knows the truth herself, Lucinda was being criticized because of the child was bearing with her womb.
"You could only say that since you have feelings for that hero. As a queen, you should not biased those who has the right to defend themselves. A woman's feeling can not be used in this political argument. In fact, it is quite a frivolous act that doesn't even concern the safety of a country. Whether that person is innocent or not, as long as a witness stand to his crimes, Kyoushiro Kagami is doubtfully a criminal"
"You're wrong!! This does not concern the safety if the country, but my feelings for him as a woman!!"
"Like I have said, such act is--"
"That is enough Rizandra-sama"
Elfianna had stopped Rizandra from saying any further. It seems that Rizandra had forgotten about the fact that Lucinda was pregnant. She then breathe in deeply and looked Lucinda again. The person she was talking to was already a frail looking mother that has yet to birth the child.
Mikoto was calming Lucinda down as she was being seated by Minami. It look like she was being attended by the two but, the truth was that Mikoto and Minami are close friends of Lucinda.
"I have stepped out of my boundaries, I apologize Lucinda-sama"
"It's fine. I just don't want Kyoushiro-sama to be admonished just like that"
After Rizandra sincerely apologized to Lucinda, she then bows and seated herself in her respected chair. However, there was something that, caught her attention. It was then that when she finally seated, Rizandra saw Lucinda's tears flowing down. Rizandra was sure that she had not gone that far but, there was a name that Lucinda muttered....
"Kyoushiro.....sama?"
[You....of all people.....so noisy....ugh....]
It was Kyoushirou's voice from the magic transmission earrings and receiver ring. Hearing the voice of Kyoushirou, Lucinda reflexively flinched and turned back to Mikoto, whom was standing standing behind her. Receiving such look, Mikoto knew what made Lucinda act like that.
"Lucinda....Is it?"
"Un, it's him!!"
Arianne, Elfianna, Rizandra, Katsuto, Koizumi and the others that were present, looked at them inquisitively. What was happening? I was they thought as they watch Lucinda and Mikoto exchanging relieved gazes.
"What's the matter?"
"Minami-san, he responded!!"
"What?!!"
Clueless, Minami was more shocked than she thought she would be. For a guy who went missing suddenly, to appear again so suddenly, what kind of mood breaker is he? Minami thought as such as she was hastily questioning Lucinda. However, Elfianna beat her to it.
"Lucinda-sama, what have you been doing? It seems that it is quite serious for you to have such relieved face. Also, who is 'him'? Can he be someone you know that we don't even see?"
"E-Eh? U-Uh...."
"Lucinda I think it's fine if we tell them"
"But....!!"
"Ask him then, if its alright or not?"
Koizumi and Katsuto was also curious about the guy those three were talking about. Along with Arianne and Rizandra, and all if those present in the room began to encircle, Lucinda, Mikoto and Minami.
The three exchange glances and with that, Lucinda nodded. Of course, she asked permission to Kyoushiro first or he'll yell at her. Although it wasn't one of his threats, Lucinda knew of Kyoushirou's personality.
[Do....whatever....you like.....]
With a voice filled with pain and anguish, Kyoushiro gave his permission. For a while now, she was worried after hearing Kyoushirou's voice for the first tine after a month. However, clearing the misunderstanding comes first, that, is what she understand.
"It is Kyoushiro-sama"
"""What?"""
"Kyoushiro?! H-How?! Where is he?!"
For those who doesn't know of how Lucinda was able to know where Kyoushirou was, all of them had stupefied faces. Arianne was desperately asking Lucinda. However, Lucinda couldn't explain since most of the people inside the meeting room was around her.
"Hm? Those accessories of yours....."
"Un, these are what makes me able to communicate with Kyoushirou-sama. He just contacted me just now and it seems he is hurt in some way"
"What?!! If you had such item, you could have contacted him far more early!! What is this farce?! Tell me next human queen!!"
The beast king snapped and began roaring at Lucinda. Mikoto defended her with [Order of the king] skill and ordered the king silent. The skill was effective in those non-human type beasts. As such, the beast king doesn't fall under the category of being a human that the skill worked on him so well.
"Lucinda has been doing that for the past month!! Don't you see how much she lost after doing that everyday? She's been pouring magic power into that thing so that she can talk to Kyoushiro-kun!! Don't talk like you can understand such thing!!"
"Gunununu....."
"That is enough Domant-sama. It is as she says. If she could have contacted the black hero far more early, then she wouldn't have gone through all the trouble coming to this place"
Then, 'by the way, can I please borrow it?' is what the queen added as she directed a smile to Lucinda. Though she hesitated for a bit, Lucinda reluctantly handed over the earrings and rings. She added the know how of using it as well. Rizandra examined the accessories first and after she gave the 'okay' Elfianna wore it. Rizandra had taken out something from her rings and placed on the huge table that was used for the meeting. The good thing was that, they were on break so doing such thing was not a problem.
The thing that was taken out was a magic machine that had a large magic ball on the middle. Few cords of different colors were hooked on the magic ball and a vertical rectangle with a magic circle carved on it. It was a weird device that the other worlders had seen for the first time. Rizandra then added....
"This my country's newest research development, Image transmission device"
Oh, so it was some sort of phone then--- Is what the other worlders were thinking as they watched Elfiana placed the earrings on top of a metal plate that was connected to the magic image transmission device that Rizandra proudly presented.
"With this we can all here the black hero clearly"
After that was added, Elfianna poured her magic power onto the device, which glow in a pale bluish mixed with green light. The device activates with a mechanized sound 'Zzuunn' as the magic image transmission device was working.
[Keho...... ugh....]
It was then they heard Kyoushirou's voice loud and clear. However, it seems that Kyoushiro was in deep pain. The crystal ball did not display any image since the place where Kyoushirou was very dark.
"""Kyoushirou/-sama/-kun/!!!"""
Reflexively, the three girls, Lucinda, Arianne and Mikoto dashes in front of the device, calling out Kyoushiro's name. But, the other side didn't like such thing...
[You people are noisy..... my head feels ground meat right now so quiet....keho.....down...]
"Kyoushiro-sama, where are you right now?! Are you safe?!"
[Aah....hardly though.... I'm using my [Magic Seer] skill to see in the dark somewhat....but my body can't move for a while]
"Body can't move?! Did something happen to you?!"
[Can't say.....all I can remember is that I fell after a cave in happen back at the plaza....after that....]
"That....?"
[The demon god showed up......]
""""""""!!!!!""""""""
All people present in the room gasped. Did he just say, Demon god? No, that's impossible, such thing.......
Nobody can't put to words what they were thinking. That was why the elf queen took the initiative and introduced herself to Kyoushiro.
"Excuse me, Kyoushiro Kagami-sama was it? I'm Elfianna Litre Parcelous, i'm the elf queen that rules over the west part of the continent. Right now, we have put out a device that could help us here you clearly and see as well. But, right now that is impossible since the display is pitch dark"
[Elf queen....? Wait, where's Arianne right now, is she with you? Also, could you explain the 'we can hear an see you' part?]
"Gladly..."
After a few minutes of explanation, Kyoushiro finally understood the situation. Hearing about a demon lord with 5 million demonic beasts in tow and the situation that led Arianne to ask for help in the 9 royal council, Kyoushiro could not avoid feeling dissatisfied and worried. Hearing those things, Kyoushiro felt his face cramped a little.
"That is the situation"
[Understood, but make sure to return what you borrow to Lucinda after this. Ah, never mind.... For now all I cam say i'm still safe but I can't still move my body. After that damn demon god almost crushed my body, i'm a bit paralyzed right now. Furthermore, it seems that the curse mark on my right arm is violently acting up]
"Eh?! A-Are you alright Kyoushiro?!"
[Still fine. However, I doubt that I might not make it back till the fight against 5 million Demonic beast started. I might lose control if I leave this place so just to be safe....]
"No!!"
Lucinda was shocked and was unable to respond. Whereas, it was Arianne that tried to stop Kyoushiro's recklessness. They were not sure what to say but, they had knowledge about the curse that was inflicted on Kyoushiro after he was summoned together with the 17 chosen heroes.
"Don't say something like that Kyoushiro-sama!!! If, if that were to happen then I....."
[Don't worry Lucinda. It's only a 'what if' so, things goes smoothly, I might return back to the surface]
"You don't understand Kyoushiro-kun"
[N? Is this Aizawa? So you were there as well]
Was he just feigning ignorance? It was sure that Mikoto also called out his name earlier? Nevermind, that aside is what Mikoto was thinking. Kyoushiro is now available and the fact that he has been unreachable for sometime now, the connection might be lost later. That is why, Mikoto was about to take the opportunity and tell Kyoushiro that situation that.....
"Kyoushiro-kun, Lucinda is pregnant"
[. . . . . .]
"You're the father so don't say such horrible things like dying, you here"
Kyoushiro could not help but fell silent. Was Lucinda bearing such thing? But, it only has been for a several days since they parted from each other. Plus, it was only one time. No, it was twice in different time sections. Umu, that result is inevitably possible.
Kyoushiro felt he just have to accept it but, something felt out of place somehow...
[I'll properly take responsibility for that later. For now, tell me how many days I have been missing. Since from earlier after the elf queen explained everything to me, it felt that a long time passed since then....I, was gone only for a day right?]
"No, you have been gone for a complete month Kagami-dono"
[A month..... Avfritzed did definitely say she took a 'considerable amount of my time'......But I didn't think she meant this....]
"Then, the time you knew only that passed was...."
[Only a day]
Kyoushiro only experienced what he thought he did experienced. The place he was held was a special place that has different time axis from where he had been before. In there, only a day has passed, but out there one month already passed.
It was certainly and amount of time that a demon god could manipulate freely. Avfritzed did certainly took a considerably amount of time from Kyoushiro, he felt bitter to not noticed that.
[Thanks for the info. For now, have some people buy sometime until I can come back. If the heroes are usable, the use them. Add the magic particle beam cannon as well. It can only fire three shots since I haven't finish it, so be careful since the last shot may destroy the cannon completely. You can use it by pouring Mp in it so it's easy to use]
"You make sounds so easy you know Kagami"
[Hoh~ So you're there as well Makoto? Try and help out a bit. I'll pay you later so don't worry]
"I ain't a damn waiter so that you can order now and pay later you know"
[Don't care. Keep the monsters busy until I can get out from this place. I'm gaining the feelings of my limbs now so I can probably move sooner or later. I'll use whatever I have here so make sure to keep them at bay alright]
"Like I said 'Don't make it sounds so easy'"
[Hah.... I'm running low on Mp here so see ya later]
After that, the line was cut off. It sure meant that Kyoushiro was out of magic power. For now, Arianne, Lucinda, and Mikoto all heaved a really deep sigh. They were now relief about knowing that Kyoushiro was safe somehow.
On the other hand, the few leaders wore troubled faces. It was in fact about the demon god abducting one of the heroes. Although the intentions remained a mystery, it was the fact that the demon god was acting greatly involved in the current situation. Elfianna and Rizandra both stared at the device that was just used earlier.
In their minds were the troubling facts about the demon god and also the location of Kyoushiro. The device was made to be used as either a phone or a computer. For the beings of this world that doesn't know their device's function, the haven't thought such things yet. For now, they have confirmed Kyoushiro's safety however, the place were he was brought remained unknown. They have to find Kyoushiro but the 5 million demonic beasts won't just wait. They have to put that into priority first. After all, the present is what matters than what happens afterwards. Right now, Elfianna put priority in the march of demonic beasts. As such, she put the order of using the magic ship 'Phirous' once again to carry the heroes, Arianne, and herself to command some of her forces.
Rizandra would help as well but, the wastelands were far away from the sea. As such, those who were only can fight properly in land was taken. Rizandra won't come since she would be going back to her country later on. Domant and the other rulers went back to their respective rooms after the meeting.
Right now, Lucinda was with Mikoto and Minami. Inside Lucinda's room where the three of them were leisurely having tea. However, this was not the room within the secret palace where the former 8 royal council was using but inside the flying ship of the elves 'Phirous'.
Currently, the ship was flying fast towards the wastelands. Along with the previous three were Elfianna, Koizumi and Katsuto and lastly, Arianne. The flight was bumpy due to air current was rough due to some storm brewing on the western plains of the continent. Gryphons and other flying beasts were flying near as well and because of that, expecting smooth travel was impossible. After they heard about Kyoushirou' safety, the group headed towards the wastelands immediately. This was due to the Demon Lord kakal advancing. There was no time to waste after all but, due to the location of Ambrosia, the flight will be delayed by two more days. Elfianna ordered the dispatch of her Elven Knights after the contact with Kyoushirou. This was to ensure the safety of that land and the use of the magic armament that Kyoushiro made to use for the 5 million army.
"So then, now that we know that kyoushiro is safe, we're going there to find him huh?"
Next to Lucinda was Minami who was wearing long white robe that most of the healers in Travestin were wearing. It had a sublime design that makes it rather different from other robes that can be seen in Travestin. It was her own modified version that had a magic girl them to it.
She asked that since her and Mikoto will be joining Koizumi and Katsuto in the battle as supports. Though searching for Kyoushiro was fine, the war was definitely at hand. Making a search party would just hinder them uselessly.
"That is something i'd like to do first but......"
Mikoto was the same as Minami. The safety of thousands was on the line. Moreover, it was a demon lord that was leading them. In all honesty, she wishes to prioritize Kyoushiro's safety but the place where he built his base would be destroyed along with people in it. Mikoto was madly in love with kyoushiro like Lucinda so the making the choice was hard for her as well.
"I wish to search for Kyoushiro-sama as well, but I would like to put the safety of the kingdom, Ambrosia, a priority. It would be best to believe in Kyoushiro-sama so let us concentrate on keeping Ambrosia safe"
"Wait, you're fighting as well Luce-chan?"
"Yes, I would like to help the two of you after all"
"Well, it's not like i'm stopping you but, is it really fine? Your condition is just...."
It was plainly obvious that Lucinda was unfit for the battle. As expected, her friends, Minami and Mikoto were worried about their friend.
"N.... I know about that but I still want to help in anyway I can"
However, Lucinda was resolute in lending a hand in the approaching battle. Be it as a healer or anything, Lucinda was prepared to help her friends in any way she can.
"Are you sure? Kyoushiro-kun might not like it"
"If that's the case then he should just come to me and scold me hehe"
Lucinda was definitely expecting Kyoushiro to get mad but only shrugged it as a joke. Although Mikoto was seeing it in that way, Minami was seeing kyoushiro doing that in a different way. It would seem like the thought of Minami, seeing kyoushiro yelling at Lucinda angrily with a knock on her head seemed really possible.
"Lucinda-sama? Can I please enter your room?"
It was then that Elfianna, the elf queen knocked on the door. After the queen knocked, Lucinda replied with a 'yes' then proceeded to open the door. But, Mikoto stopped her from doing so by holding her down. Instead, she stood from her seat and opened the door herself.
"Mikoto-sama was here as well?"
"Yes, we were just talking about our plans after this"
While leading Elfianna to an open seat after closing the door, Mikoto explanined so while she returned to her seat.
"Is that so? Then, can I please join in as well?"
"N? Why? it isn't important though? We were just talking about things normal girls would talk"
It was just nonsensical things like 'girl talk' that high school girls would do. Even for girl like Elfianna, it was something a queen like her wouldn't like to hear. After all, as a queen of the elven race, doing such thing was just a waste of time....
"Fufufu~ Even though i'm a strict queen that rules over the continent's western forests, I too have whims to listen to such things"
"Erm...O-Okay then...."
Although weirded out, Mikoto explained what they were talking about since earlier. Elfianna was having eyes filled with expectations that only a child nurtured inside the walls would have as she listened to stories about Kyoushiro's life back in their world and in this one.
It was well written in both Lucinda's and Mikoto's faces the fondness of their stories about the man they love. Accompanied by Minami's tsukommi's it was a rather lively talk. Queen Elfianna was listening rather curiously, it was something that felt wrong when Minami and Mikoto, whose used to seeing the strict queen, now act like a curious child.
"Then? what happens after that?"
Seeing Elfianna like that, Minami couldn't help but ask.
"U-Um.... Elfianna-sama, i'm not trying to be rude but, can I ask what are you doing here?"
"Hm? Am I not welcome?"
"N-Nothing of the sort!! It's just that..... all their talking about is Kyoushiro so I thought you might be bored right now"
Certainly, it was like that. Mikoto and mostly Lucinda were happily praising Kyoushiro's facial expressions and clumsy acts back in their world. It was obvious enough that their feelings for Kyoushiro was weirdly strong. Strong enough to make Minami stay out of the room as the two were talking. But, it was normal for Minami to stay since she was Mikoto's best friend. However, for Elfianna, the queen of the elves, it was something so out of place that even Minami felt wrong about it....
"Hm.... Well, to be honest. I hardly have any time to talk leisurely like this. Though it is a dire time, I want experience things like this at least once"
"Then, couldn't you just talk to Rizandra-sama? You both seemed close after all"
"Haha, that may be true but, can you even imagine that oh-so-serious queen talk about something like the man she is interested in? Although she hasn't chosen her king yet, it would be hard to imagine her saying 'I like it when he smiles at me' with a smile on her face"
The scene were Rizandra, gossiping was truly something not worth seeing. It would be like seeing the most creepy doll smile. Well, although empress Rizandra is such a person, her beauty can be expected as god like level. Just like Elfianna, Rizandra too was a beauty to be hold. Though the only problem was that the person herself was an expressionless lass. Rizandra has light green wavy long hair. She has fins as the shape of her ears, crystalline like sparkle on her scales of a skin that seems like human skin. With her pearly white skin accompanied by a small nose and round blue eyes, and her small stature, it was like seeing the most beautiful doll in this world.
That may be the case but Rizandra was already over 200 years old. Despite such young beauty, her expressionless face was something that the men in her domain yearn for. Elfianna was her childhood friend it seems so she has such impression towards Rizandra.
"W-Well....It is true that Rizandra-sama is expressionless but she is still cute. If I were to here speak like that, it'd be like seeing a little girl admitting her feelings to her crush"
"Fufu~ that is so. I would like to such face as well"
With a small laugh, Elfianna imagines such reaction from Rizandra and considered something that would be cute. Disagreeing with Minami's interpretation. On the other side, unknown to the ladies, Rizandra sneezed which her servants gave her a towel to wipe her snot.
.
.
.
.
|
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"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 1 Ch. 9 – Demon Flood (Part 2)",
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|
Vol. 1 Ch. 14 – Defense Battle (2)
PART # 1
On top of the tower where the large caliber cannon was placed Arianne and Lucinda was watching the whole battle unfold using Arianne’s [Clairvoyance] spell.
They were looking at the place where the four heroes; Koizumi, Katsuto, Minami and Mikoto. At the tower, Kyoushiro’s large caliber magic particle cannon were placed there in order to have a clear shot at its target. There was even a small viewing platform with a telescope right next to it for the enjoyment of the city below it. However right now that was not important.
Lucinda was watching the battle unfold while sitting on her wheelchair with her fist clenched on her thighs. For her, this battle would decide the fate of Ambrosia, the kingdom that which Kyoushiro restored to his former glory using the advance technology of earth.
In this kingdom, the city was made of stones. However, if one were to look at its blueprints, they were reinforced with steel bars and magic enchantments. They were made by Kyoushiro’s ingenuity that won’t fall late against earth’s towering sky scrapers. The buildings here were weather resistant and vibration resistant. That means that even if a magnitude 9 or even 10 the city wont’ fall apart; even strong weather conditions or if the whole city was left deserted once more, the whole kingdom would still remain intact. That was how Kyoushiro remade Aurolius now named Ambrosia under Queen Arianne Aurolius Ambrosia’s reign.
Not only that, every house has its own indoor plumbing. There are pipes running down under the city where a underground water vein that was being pumped and purified by magic devices that Kyoushiro had invented himself. Although it can’t be seen but the pipes underground were surging with purified water.
The houses, buildings and other places where there are roofs and walls around it had their own electricity line. Each building had their own small size generators that converts the electrically atmosphere into magic power then produce electricity. With that all buildings that can be seen around the kingdom, they have their own lighting system. Even the streetlamps were of the same structure as well.
Ambrosia was a truly wondrous place. Unlike other countries that were still low tech, Ambrosia was currently the most advance nation in the world. However this was not known yet to other countries since these advance devices were not obvious to everyone else. Each advance devices has their own precognition inhibition effects so even if people from other countries were to come and visit they will only see a normal kingdom like any other.
Even right now, the most pinnacle of advance technologies found in Ambrosia that have made to public were the Magic particle cannon and the 3D magic projector inside the command room where Elfianna, Durif, and Kuro were staying at.
“Looks like the battle had just begun Lucinda-sama”
Arianne uttered so as she watched large numbers of explosions and dust clouds appear and disappear in the battlefield. Minami and Mikoto had just met up with Koizumi and Katsuto there.
“Yes, it seems so. We have to finish recharging the cannon before something bad happens”
Lucinda replied as she too was watching the battle with her own eyes.
“Our main purpose is to charge the cannon with magic power and fire it at the 9th Demon Lord. After two shots is done, will immediately evacuate this place as the third shot would break the cannon”
Lucinda added so whilst holding a palm size glass sphere in her hands. The glass sphere was connected to the cannon by a long and thick wire. Since it the cannon had hardly enough fuel for it to shoot a thick beam of super charged particle ions, both Arianne and Lucinda took the task of charging it. Lucinda and Arianne were taking turns in charging the cannon.
“Lucinda-sama please let me do this on my own now. You are in no condition to continue refueling the cannon with magic power”
Arianne worriedly pleaded Lucinda to stop recharging the cannon. Because Lucinda was currently pregnant and she was looking so weak right now, Arianne was worried that Lucinda might collapse due to magic power exhaustion. That would surely endanger the child that Lucinda was bearing right now.
However to Arianne’s worries Lucinda merely shook her head left and right.
“I am the wife of the Black Hero, Kyoushiro Kagami-sama. If I were to fall here, I am not worthy of bearing the name my husband bares…”
Kyoushiro was famous for being both a criminal and a hero. The feats he displayed a month and two weeks ago when he saved the heroes inside the Wave room were incomparable and even the news about him defending the Flying Ship Phirous from a swarm of flame wyverns have spread even across other countries.
Although the rumors of him being a criminal were still roaming around, Kyoushiro’s deeds as a hero were still being sung by minstrels across the world.
Even the rulers of other nations that heard of Ambrosia’s fast redevelopment knew that Kyoushiro was involved in it. A mere month was not enough to restore an old ruined kingdom after all, much less improve it.
Being that person’s wife meant that Lucinda have to be strong no matter what. This what she believes as the one bearing the child of the infamous Black Hero.
“I am Kyoushiro-sama’s wife; this much is not much compared to how my kingdom had done to him”
Lucinda still remembers how the king’s adviser incarcerated Kyoushiro. Even now Lucinda can’t forget how Kyoushiro looked after he got out from the underground prison beneath the palace of Trion Kingdom.
Lucinda bit her lower lip as she recalled Kyoushiro’s murderous expression that day.
“Lucinda-sama…”
Arianne too knows about Kyoushiro. Since Kyoushiro didn’t digressed when it comes to telling stories, there were times that Kyoushiro would end up slipping up when telling about his past.
The time when Kyoushiro was sent to the underground dungeon as well s being tortured, Kyoushiro accidentally told her all. It wasn’t that he got side tracked or anything, Kyoushiro simply trusted Arianne that much that he was loose when it comes to telling her his past.
Arianne held her hand above her well-proportioned chest as she recalled what kind of Kyoushiro showed when he told her about that.
‘Even I…’
Arianne could not say those words out loud in front of the woman that Kyoushiro had mated and slept with. For someone who bares the fate of her kingdom, Arianne could not show any shameless acts in front of the Black hero’s wife.
Despite how much Arianne wanted to scream to the heavens just how much she loves Kyoushiro, she could not do it as it would be rude and disrespectful towards the next Queen of Trion Kingdom.
Arianne faced the battlefield once more as she heard various explosions intensifies.
“Lucinda-sama it is time”
A sweat dropped from Arianne’s chin as she saw the current outcome of the battle between the four heroes and the 9th Demon Lord Kakal.
There were certainly various lights and explosions there earlier but now such noise and light effects ceased as if all tumult had died down. Through the [Clairvoyance] spell that was still in effect in Arianne’s and Lucinda’s eyes, they saw Koizumi, Katsuto, Mikoto and Minami hanged up in the air by the 9th Demon Lord’s green and festering tentacles.
PART # 2
The battle was yet to be settled but the current situation against the 9th Demon Lord had turned for the worst.
“Kugh…!”
Koizumi groaned as he tried to struggle out from the strong grip of the 9th Demon Lord Kakal’s tentacles that was tightly wrapped around his neck. Earlier, Koizumi was conducting synchronized attacks with Katsuto however the 9th Demon Lord Kakal’s numerous arms were getting in the way no matter where they attack.
The thickness and also the speed of the regenerations of Kakal’s arms were just too much even for the two of them. Even when Mikoto ordered her higher levelled tamed beasts to attack, they were still useless. In the end, they too were caught up in Kakal’s grasps.
“Unruly insects!! For the crimes of being an annoyance to this great 9th Demon Lord Kakal of thousand arms, you all deserve death!!”
The 9th Demon Lord Kakal was angered. It was to the point that his higher existence was being stepped on by mere insects that were meant to be killed and slaughtered. The four heroes that were tasked to keep the Demon Lord at bay were immediately defeated after just grouping up.
“[Kuro]!!”
*Graaawl!!* The level 125 Mystic Snow wolf that had been with Mikoto Aizawa growled as it received an order from Mikoto. Even while having her neck strangled, Mikoto still managed to squeeze her breath in order for her tamed beast to attack.
The Mystic Snow wolf, Kuro, breathe out its <Icy Veil> at Kakal’s thick tentacles. The cool below zero temperature breath immediately froze an entire arm of Kakal. However, only being one wasn’t enough. The 9th Demon Lord just used another arm and made Kuro fly towards the towers that were built just next to the palace.
Seeing that Kuro flew, Mikoto yelled in despair.
“KUROOO!!!”
‘Damn it!!’ Mikoto cursed as ordered all of her tamed beast to attack. But they ended up getting killed with one measly swing of Kakal’s arm.
The noose on her neck suddenly tightened.
“Gu-aagh!!?”
“Mikoto!!”
Minami called her best friend’s name worriedly. Unable to watch such scene, Katsuto and Koizumi used most of their strength just to removed Kakal’s gripped on their necks but, the sheer difference in strength they and Kakal has was just too much.
“Kaa-ugh!!”
“Bastard!!”
Even so, no matter how much they struggled they couldn’t get out.
-
The scene was being played out through the 3D magic projector that was installed inside the command room inside the palace. Through it, Elfianna the Elf queen was biting down her lower lip in vexation. She did not expect that the difference between heroes and demon lords were this much.
“It seems that our struggle has ended…”
The high elf commander Durif uttered so his shoulders drooped down. Even for him the situation has turned more grave than expected. Since the 9th Demon Lord was monster that possess great and incomparable strength and also had the power to manipulate the minds of monsters.
If the heroes were to be killed the countries of Greenwood Elf kingdom and Ambrosia kingdom would immediately fall. But the heroes won’t get manipulated and that would give the other countries reassurance. If the heroes were to be defeated and manipulated, then all hopes are lost. That would mean the end of Ambrosia before it could even flourish.
“Yes, in this situation the queens that went to the cannon’s site would hesitate in firing”
In contrast to how dim and grave Durif’s expression was Kuro was unexpectedly calm.
“You seem calm Kuro-dono”
“Is that so? I am relatively nervous though?”
Kuro was showing his canines as though he was having fun with this conversation.
“This kind of situation it put us on a very dangerous position isn’t it?”
“Yes it does”
“Then wouldn’t be boorish if we don’t face it fearlessly?”
In any case, their end was inevitable. That was already obvious and Kuro, the most trusted aide Kyoushiro has inside Ambrosia, knows that well. Even so, for someone that had lived in the wasteland for a very long time now this kind situation wasn’t really that different.
Warriors fall in the battlefield every time and even if not often the dead would rise back if not properly disposed of. This was that kind of world after all.
“Even if the heroes fall the citizens of Ambrosia will continue to until the bitter end. My king’s training had put them to the place where they will either risk their life for others or they’ll die as a coward by my king’s hand”
Kyoushiro’s rule over Ambrosia wasn’t oppression. He wasn’t that much of diplomat that there is democracy in kingdom. However, what he gave to the citizens wasn’t something that could be given lightly. Kyoushiro gave everyone new lives, possibility of living for more days to come, a shelter above their heads and a new reason to live.
For the citizens of Ambrosia, Kyoushiro was a king that stands above all. Because that person was not someone who would give up against powerful foes, they too had grown an intuition that prevents them from running away from the battlefield.
What they needed to protect, why they were given a new place to live in; Kyoushiro was the one that provided them all and that is why no one would ever think of running away.
“This is our home and no one would dare leave it behind”
Kuro rose from his seat and directed all his attention to the 3D magic projector at the center of the round table.
With a flutter, Kuro flapped his black mantle that draped over his back and raised his voice at the communication of the 3D magic projector.
“This is my order to all members of the Dark Army!! Do not let the heroes die!! Launch every possible means of attack at the 9th Demon Lord that dared to destroy our home!!”
At that moment, the whole situation changed. Outside where circumference of the tall walls held the members of the Dark Army, a loud cheer echoed around.
PART # 3
*OOOUUU!!!!* Loud cheers echoed at the front gate of the castle. Large numbers of Dark Army soldiers rushed out with weapons aimed only at the 9th Demon lord. Several magic spells were fired from the top of the walls along with that were the rain of multi-colored arrows.
9th Demon Lord Kakal’s attention was drawn to the army that was charging towards him.
“Pathetic beings”
9th Demon Lord Kakal scorned so. With a light feeling as though he was uninterested with anything, he swatted the Dark Army soldier that was charging at him, Countless bodies flew back as the large tentacles swept the battlefield.
“Such weak spells and magic!!”
Kakal made a shield out of his own arms and legs. Using his thick arms he made a large green shield to protect himself. The spells of the Mage division and the magic arrows of the Archer divisions exploded at the surface of the shield.
*GOGOGOGOGOGOGOOOOO!!!!*
“Kugh!! <Dragon Fang>!!”
Koizumi took the opportunity to execute a skill and severed the tentacles that were strangling him on the neck. Because Kakal’s attention was drawn to the army, there was no stopping him from moving as well.
“!?”
“Sever the ties that which bounds the earth!! <Dimension Cut>!!”
Koizumi cut the tentacles that were holding the others as well. After getting freed, they all took distance immediately.
“Damn pests! I’ll smash you to pieces!!”
Kakal roared as he swung his large tentacles and spun like a top, causing more damage to the suicidal charges of the Dark Army soldiers.
Even despite the difference in levels, they still charged forth. Without thinking of death, every soldier of the Dark Army fired their skills at the 9th Demon Lord Kakal.
Minami raised her cross staff up high and executed a wide area healing skill. Those that were severely injured rose back up and resumed their attacks once more.
“W-What are you all doing!?”
These actions caused Minami to be surprised. Koizumi clenched his fist as he watched the soldiers of the Dark Army do a suicide attack. Even right now, soldiers were flying from the thick torrent of tentacles that was grinding all flesh like a blender.
“I’m going t-“
“Stop Katsuto! You’ll die if you head there!!”
Just before Katsuto was about to join the fray, Koizumi stopped him. That was because it was too reckless to jump in the current fight against Kakal. Mikoto and Minami were of the same opinion.
“That’s right, it’s too dangerous”
“I can’t really bring you back to life if you died you know”
Katsuto’s face distorted in anger…
“Then what should we do?!”
“Calm down, there is sti-“
The Dark Army was retreating. They were running back carrying the wounded while the rear guards were keeping the 9th Demon Lord Kakal at bay. Then, at that time…
*GOUUUUUU!!!*
A thick beam of light was shot from one of the tall towers of the palace. The beam was about 15 meters in diameter that sought a color of pale dangerous glow and the place where the 9th Demon Lord was then enveloped by a dome of light; scorching heat reached the place where the four heroes were.
“Kyaaa!!”
“Kuh!!”
“It’s hot!!”
“That beam… it came from-!?”
Koizumi’s words were cut once more by the second wave of attack that came from the tower where Kyoushiro’s large magic particle cannon was placed.
|
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Vol. 1 Ch. 3 - The fight for survival and the hero's Punishment.....
Part#1
About three days has passed since the day that the heroes embarked on the journey to train inside the labyrinth in the eastern forest in the city of Palma. The news about them not returning to the inn they reserved for their training has been spread through the wives around the city with more or less nothing to do. Although only three days have only passed, many of the people were bothered by the fact that the heroes not returning after entering the labyrinth.
Currently, the matter was being investigated and the matters have taken precedence was issued. The safety of the heroes were being taken as a serious matter even by the public. Mainly because that the heroes were only recently summoned and they have yet to reach levels of higher stats.
So, many investigators were sent to investigate the labyrinth. Interrogation of witnesses and various other things were being held as well. Since the last place where the heroes disappeared was the labyrinth, they focused their investigation on that place.
Because of that, they have found the cause of the disappearance of the heroes. Inside the labyrinth was a path of four meters tall and three meters wide. There, was a trap laid with incredible high difficulty to detect. It was a trap that exist in the previous years before the war of the demon lords even began. At first glance it looks like a small magic circle with no significant use whatsoever but, once activated, an illusion-like or a mirage can be seen inside. There, once entered will be a wide room with no obstructions can be seen. Only a gigantic crystal that illuminates the dome shape room hanged on the tall ceiling.
It was called 'Wave room'. It is a type of space that spawn monsters in waves every 12 hours and each wave were stronger than the previous ones as times goes by. However, such trap has a weakness. It has a core within the room that can't be seen by the naked eye nut can be easily destroyed by anyone. Once it was discovered and destroyed, the wave room will disappear and the wave of monsters will stop. But, if you can't figure out where the core is and destroy it, the wave room will continue to spawn monsters.
Unlike normal rooms, the wave room was a peculiar room where it appears relatively in fixed locations throughout the dungeon. There are times when it will appear in floors far deeper and times when it appear in higher floors like in the 25th floor. Since it's appearance can't be predicted, there is hardly any information regarding such room. Still, it was an effective room for higher rank adventurers since the room will keep spawning monsters and with that, makes the individual raise their level. The room is also known as 'Farming room' for high level adventurers.
-
The king received such news. Inside the throne room where his throne lay, the king was sitting there as he was reading the report of the investigators sent to investigate the labyrinth. His face was painted with impatience and obviously enough, he was worried about the heroes.
"How are the attempts in taking them out from the outside?"
"For now it is impossible but the attempts were being tried non-stop. However, it is not advisable to continue since it might affect the exit of the heroes will use"
In fact, one adventurer tried it once and failed to save his companions. After that, that adventurers have entered it never seen again. Because of that, tampering of the magic circle that activates the trap have been banned heavily. Since it's cost are lives that entered it, the guild post a warning sign about it but was teared down eventually due to lack of proof. Still, the warnings have been spread even though there was no conclusive proof, in the end people just based it as an urban legend of some sort.
"Is it really impossible?"
"I'm afraid so....."
The king's face turned sullen as he was thinking up some more plans to help the trap heroes. Still, is there no other way than let those heroes find the core themselves? Moreover, wasn't Gaius informed about this beforehand?
"It seems that Taiga-sama had urged Gaius-sama to enter immediately and was unable to hear the information regarding the 'Wave room' trap"
That reckless brat!!--- The king held his infuriated thoughts inside to avoid letting out his anger openly due to the inconvenience the hero Taiga had brought. However, it can't be help that the king was seriously mad about that hero's rash decision. Still, as it can't be avoided anymore, the king set the problem about Taiga aside and focus on the rescue of the heroes and those that came with them.
"What about Inomiri-sama? Has the letter arrived to her yet?"
"Forgive us your majesty, but as Inomiri-sama was sent with Albert-sama to tend to the affected lands due to the war against the demon lords, the letter would arrived to them far later. I advise that waiting for her would be wasteful"
The day after the group was left for the labrynth, Inomiri, Albert and along a few guards were sent to tend to the lands that were gravely destroyed due the wars against the demon lords. Since the lands were big and previously abundant, letting rot and go to waste will be wasteful. So, as the king wished to reclaim those lands, he had set out Inomiri with Albert to greatly let her focused on her studies regarding this world. Furthermore, since the lands are far, sending a letter two days after they left was to optimistic. However the letters only travels by horse or by bird carriers in this so receiving the letter would not be possible in just short days. Teleportation circles are viable but, the place where Inomiri weren't cities or towns but villages and ruined lands so using the teleportation was useless.
So, that leaves only one option.....
"Send the the remaining hero to save them?"
That was the idea given to the king by his advisers. Using Kyoushiro, whose the only available hero, was the best option. However, the person himself has no hero title nor sword skills or even magic skills. He only has two skills which were useless in battle and only useful in manufacturing processes.
In conclusion, Kyoushiro is too useless in fights. He won't even last for a second in battles.
"Are you out your minds? Sending another hero is a stupid plan!!"
"But, he is only a free loader in the castle. Besides, even the other heroes doesn't see him as a part of their group"
"Even so, can't we send soldiers to them instead?"
"Unfortunately, we already did such plan but the soldiers were repelled by some kind of barrier"
At that time, the soldiers of fifty men tried to forced their way in but only to be repelled by a barrier. The soldiers weren't injured but entering by force wasn't also a good idea.
"If such thing was done, then doesn't that mean that having Kagami-dono enter it would be impossible as well?"
"No, after we have examined the trap further, only a hero can enter freely in such space. Furthermore, we are absolutely positive that the black hero can enter. Since not only he has no job-class, he is a demon-spawn as well. So, we have concluded that such judgement is correct"
With face as if saying 'It is obvious' the adviser smiled greatly. However, the plan stated was too ridiculously one-sided. It was plainly obvious that the plan was just to get rid of Kyoushiro. The king objects to their plan but, will he let 16 heroes go to waste and face 7 countries' wrath due to the deaths of 16 usable heroes? or let one of the 18 heroes die in order to save the other 16? It was a hard decision, but as the king that prioritize his people...... letting a single death wouldn't hurt....
With such thoughts, the king decided.....
"Very well, let the remaining hero......sent to save the other heroes..."
To let Kyoushiro die to save the others........
Part #2
Three days have passed and results of my everyday experiments have been improving greatly. Although only three days has passed, because I have Lina to help me out in my experiments, the compounding proceeded smoothly. In the end, I was able to make 15 crates of small healing potion, 12 crates of medium grade healing potions, 20 crates of Mp potions, 3 bags of energy supplements, and 2 small pots of cold medicine. After re-reading the recipe books and modifying them, I came up with various kinds of ideas I wished to use. But, because the ingredients was already used, I stopped the manufacturing.
Also, I practiced the skill 'Transmutation' and was able to create weapons made with the materials I currently have. In the beginning, I created mortar and pestle as test and successfully created such object. Next was sand that was changed to glass, carbon to carbon fiber, iron ore to iron swords and many more. Due to that, I gained skills called 'Metal forging' and 'Mineral processing'. The first one might have been due to numerous repair request that coming in from soldiers that wished their weapons and armor to be repaired. I have no idea as to how I gained 'Mineral processing' skill but it might have been due to constant use of transmutation to make glass, carbon fiber and kitchen utensils. The maids obviously loved the kitchen utensils so I had been making some for them. In return, they'll make me some food that i'll eat once my tasks were done.
Oh yes, I almost forgot. I leveled upped a few levels after hunting in the fields the other day. Because there are times when the materials were too poor to be used, I hunted some for myself along Lina and one bodyguard. I wasn't useless since I have seen how sword skills were used so I copied those and tried some few ideas I came up with.
When I hold a weapon or object, I infused it with magic power. Then, with a specific movement and stance, executing swords skills became possible. Though the problem was that the output wasn't comparable to the original sword skills but still better than nothing.
Due to that, I gained the skills 'Magic infusion', 'Enchant', 'Magic seer' and ' Magic manipulation'. Although I haven't tested the new skills yet, I hope that it'll be useful to me.
It took time but I already gained new skills and gone up a few levels...
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Kyoushiro Kagami
17 yrs. old
Male
Job class: ------
Level: 15
STR: 90
AGI: 93
DEF: 92
MAG: 95
RES: 90
Skills: Appraisal, Language Acquisition, Transmutation, Compounding, Metal forging, Metal processing, Magic Infusion, Enchant, Magic seer, Magic manipulation.
[Cursed arm of Hastur]
Disable's the person's potential growth.
Effects: Power down, Magic down, Fighting skill acquisition prevention, Mind devour, Magic resist down.
-Cannot be purified by any holy means-
°°°°°°°°°°°°
My stats rose up to 90 already so I guess you can calk that an improvement. Now, as I have stopped manufacturing potions and other medicines, i'm currently in the field where five goblin, two hobgoblins and one ogre were having a feast on a wild boar's corpse.....
Since the boar was big as well, the goblins, hobgoblins and ogres were having such tasty treat. But still, seeing such grotesque scene, I can't help but hold my breathe since the stench of blood is something i'm still not used to.
*Ugiii!!!??"
A goblin noticed me and alerted his companions. The group became aggressive and charged all together. Since i'm a single prey, it would take even long for them to kill me.
"Like that's gonna happen!!!"
I draw out my sword from it's scabbard, infuse magic power into it and on my body at the same time. I feel some sort of surge enter me, strengthen my physical abilities and my senses. With that, I lowered my half of my body, and prepared the stance I learned after watching Gaius the other day.
*Guruaaaa!!!!*
The ogre attacked first with his weapon raised over his head, preparing to smash my body. However, before the club had even reached half of it's angle to be swung down, I dashed directly under his chest and swung my sword in a single flash.
"[Sword Flash- revised]"
Although it wasn't a quick draw move, I severed the body of the two meter tall ogre in one slash. Blood gushed out and the lifeless body fell, motionelessly with it's body cut in half.
"Good, although weak, it's workable"
I commented on the skill I used which was through body means instead of skill. the mark on my right arm proves it. After I read a few books regarding 'Hero's mark' I accidentally, stumbled on a book that studies cursed marks that dark mages use on their enemies. There marks that caused people unable to wake up in an eternal sleep, a mark that is preventing one's regeneration, and some could turn the cursed person into a demonic beast.
Because of that, I feared that I may turned in to demonic beast. But, as I kept on reading, I discovered the very same mark on my right arm. The one on me was a cursed mark preventing one's growth in strength and in power. It seems to have included my stats and job a hero as well. It doesn't resists production skills so I can consider it lucky.
Then, after defeating the remaining monsters and took out the materials, I returned back to the castle, only to be shocked by the sudden summons of the king.......
Part #2
"You want me to...... go and save those heroes?"
I was faced with a problem, shoved to my face. After the adviser of the king told me the purpose of the king's summons, I have troubled believing such role pushed onto me.
"W-Wait!! I'm not a hero so why should I be the one that saves them?"
After the others went to the labyrinth, news about my role in this world spread widely and became known by every staff in the castle. It would be funny if it didn't spread to the populace yet.
"Certainly that is so, but only those who came with heroes can enter the 'Wave room' of the labyrinth"
What a convenient excuse.... It's obvious enough that they want to get rid of me. I'm not much of an idiot to see such truth considering that i'm freeloading in their castle. My anger was already blocking my throat. I endured my rage and looked at the king who was sitting high on his throne....
"This is a role you must take Kagami-dono. Not as a hero, but as their companion from the same world. If you do not wish to save them, then you will not live peacefully in this world"
The king looked down on me giving a glare along with a threat. His intimidating aura as a king was dominating the room. I see the soldiers listening trembling and making clattering noise with their armors. I noticed that the king was using some kind of skill since the surrounding was being coerce by some kind of filter. I can see it with my 'Magic seer' skill.
I can very well see that kind of outcome. But.....this people really care about those freaks. My blood is boiling just by thinking of saving them and letting me die in their stead.
But still..... I want to refuse. If I can wouldn't be in this place if I wasn't strong enough to leave. I need their assistance and they need mine.
"So, i'll die if I refuse and i'll die if I accept?"
"I hope that we will receive a favorable reply"
The king's adviser was looking down on me. His irritating grin was infuriating and making me want to crush his face with my fist. Still, I can't say no to them. In this condition of mine, I can't fight nor defend myself. I'll die if I disobey them. So for now, i'll be act like a loyal dog till I get strong enough to leave this place....
"......Fine, i'll do it. But, after that, you'll leave me alone"
After saying my conditions, I left the throne room and went back to the shed.
-
"Why did you accept such thing!!?! Kagami-sama?!!"
When I return, Lina was there and with a deep red face filled with anger. It seems that news spread faster than expected. Lina heard the news about the heroes through other maids and when she heard that, Lina ran straight to my shed fuming mad because of the dangerous role I was given.
"Even though you also have a life to live..... for the king to..."
Lina was on the verge of crying. Was she enduring all those discrimination against me all this time? Lina is a very nice girl but her tears are wasted on person like me. Just seeing such cute girl having a troubled face because of me, I can't call myself a man.
I calm her down with a pat on her silk like black hair. I sooth her while brushing her long hair and let out a worry filled smile I haven't made in a long time.
"Don't worry about it. If things go wrong i'll run away. Even if its impossible, i'll survive. I'll be returning back to my world after all"
"But still....."
"You don't have anything to worry about. I'll make sure that i'll return so wait for me ok?"
With a reluctant face, Lina was unable to say anything but nod. I pulled her close to me and embraced her. As the only person that cares for me, this the only thing I can do.
I head inside the shed and prepared the items I would need to survive. I took my hand-made magic bag that has been enchanted with magic and had been sewn with a magic circle of spatial manipulation magic. Since I have been both studying and working for three days straight, I have been creating items that involves the laws of this world.
The magic bag was something I conceptualized when I read about space augmentation spell in a book inside the library. Dimension stones and mithril spider silk what was used as needle and thread. I drew a magic circle in replace of the rare material all 'Dragon's eye' since dragon's in this world had grown scarce.
I infused it with magic power to increase the potency of effectiveness of the replaced part. So, in the end, I was able to make the magic bag.
Inside, I placed the crates of potions I made, along with magic infused stones and, magically enchanted rings and amulets. I also prepared food and other necessities in case of emergencies. As well as some light armors, boots and gauntlets. I have all necessary items and suited up myself with the best gear I could prepare. With that, I left the shed and went to the stables where the soldiers that will guide me are waiting.
A couple of minutes later, I arrived at the stables. I received a very strong glare from the soldiers when I arrived.
"You're slow!!! What will happen to the heroes if you arrive so late?!! This the only job you can do so at least be quick about it!!"
Along those lines were the whispers and laughter of the other soldiers around me. The head soldier was faking his anger and obviously enough, he was trying to embarrass me in front of the other soldiers.
Endure it..... Even if I can't help it, all I have to do is inform those heroes and come back alive. It'll be their problem afterwards.
I ignored their insults and rode the horse prepared for me. After that, we dashed all the way to the labyrinth without taking a break. Of course, I fed my horse energy supplements before we left so mine has energy to run back to the castle. The other were falling behind because of the weight their armors gave to the horse. Because of the weight a full grown man, on top of wearing a full body armor, the horses became too tired to even catch up with the speed of my horse.
I can only laugh on those losers.....kukukuku.....
"We have arrived"
Said the head soldier that guided me and fell on the horse before we even arrived. It's really laughable that he can stay upright when he had his leg broke when fell on the horse. Well, i'd rather used the potions I have than to give one to him.
The entrance of the labyrinth was 5 meters high and 3 meters wide. It was also letting out some eerily dark magic power..... I guess those are called...'Miasma' right? 'Magic seer' skill is really useful in times like this. I also used 'Appraisal' to know the complete information of the miasma if the labyrinth.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Labyrinth Miasma
Negative energy that comes from the core of the labyrinth. Creates demonic beast within the labyrinth and materials concentrated with magic power.
Gives negative effects to those that enter it
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
So it give such effect huh? Plus.... what's a labyrinth core? Is it the thing that controls the whole labyrinth? Anyways, I equipped my three enchanted rings of speed, strength and mind resists. Along with my amulet of magic power to temporarily increase my Mp. Magic resistant mantle, boots that increase speed, and gauntlet that increases damage. With all the boosts I equipped my stats all tripled in amount. I can stand against those heroes with this much but..... I can't be so sure about that.
Well, thanks to the mind resistant effects of my magic accessories, the amount if miasma affecting me weren't much but it looks like the other soldiers were having trouble because of the demon beasts that were attacking them while I was being ignored.
Does miasma affects the sight or smell of demonic beast? Hmm... I don't have enough information so I only guess.
A little while later, we arrived at the place where the heroes were last seen. Using 'Magic Seer' skill I traced the magic where it was activated and saw a small magic circle carved on the wall. It's a complicated circle filled with tangled magic threads with various effects. It'll be bad to tamper with it since the core wasn't inscribe in the magic circle. So, with the help of 'Magic seer' skill I followed the tracks and found the entrance.
As I touched a certain portion on the wall, a transparent film appeared before me. Like a bubble's surface, there was some multi-color effect on it. I looked back and saw the soldiers still fighting so I ignored them and went inside.
Enveloped by light, my vision turned blurry and on the moment I opened my eyes, there was a devastating scene that couldn't be ignored.
Part #3
Three days have passed and in that time span, the 'Wave room' have turned into hell. After the flood of skeletal warriors, the heroes all thought that the path would return but, contrary to their expectation, it never reappeared. Because of that, the group became anxious and began to desperately search for the path but, after six hours of searching, the same magic circle appeared and brought out an army of demon cats and black hounds. It became a battle of life and death against hundreds of demon cats and black hounds. That was what happened in the first day.
The second day, was the same as well but the opponents were stronger than before so it took longer to clear all the enemies at that time. Top with the fatigue, the injuries gained from the fights were problems as well. Some if the soldiers died and because of that, the moral of the group dropped greatly.
The third day came and but the heroes were prepared this time. With Gaius being the leader, he issued commands perfectly. Since all heroes have power upped in each battle, their strengths greatly affected the outcome of the fight. However, in terms of numbers, they lose completely against such force.
Although they have rested every time after the end of the battle, the fatigue after every lost was too much, even for them. As such, they were fighting with only survival in mind.
"Just a little more everyone!!'
"""""""""""OOOUUUUU!!!!!""""""""""""
With a word of encouragement from Gaius, the heroes all fought with all their power. However....
"W-What the!!?? Their strength doubled?!!"
"Gaahh!!!!"
"Uwaa!!!"
The strengths of the demonic beats doubled. Moreover, they have figures of those of ogres. Two meters in each heights and a meter wide in bodies. All of them were muscular and despite all that, their speed were out standing.
The heroes were being pushed back. Each time they stand up, they get attacked by ogres with double the strengths than those of heroes. Currently, the only fighting heroes were Taiga, Hayato Koizumi, Shintaro Kurume, Reigi Oga, Mikoto Aizawa and Todoroki Minami. With all of them tired fighting multitudes of ogres at a time, their body ached with pain and fatigue. That was then Kyoushiro Kagami entered the 'Wave room'.
"What the hell is going on....."
His face filled with both shock fear after seeing a scene of carnage in full view. There, the black skinned ogres turned their attention to the new comer and all attacked at once.
All heroes were dyed in bewilderment. After seeing Kyoushiro, the least person to come to their rescue, they couldn't help but be surprise because the weakest among them was the one that came to help.
However.....
"[Tornado Assault-Revised]!!!!"
As a roar was heard, meat and guts scatter through the air like they were chucked out from a grinder. Now, at least 1/4 of the ogres have been wiped out instantly. And the one that killed them was the weakest of them all, Kyoushiro Kagami.
Part #4
There was no time to think so I took out my most strengthen swords. A long thin black sword and a long white bastard sword. Both were strengthened with both magic and refining. Through 'Transmutation' skill and 'Metal Forging' I achieved the level of strength that a mere sword of normal materials could give. Added by 'Mineral Processing' ores were re-strengthened over and over until a certain metal was made.
Compatible with magic, Mithrill ore was created. Along that was the second strongest steel, orichalcum were made through numerous times of 'Mineral processing'. With both legendary metals used, making swords with it became possible. Both were the strongest sword I made through 'Transmutation', 'Metal Forging', and 'Mineral Processing'. My strongest product. Demon blade - Dawn and Angel blade 'Dusk'.
*GRAAAAAA!!!!!*
A new wave of black demonic ogres began to surge and attacked me. with clubs and axes in hands, the ogres charged relentlessly. However, I boosted my stats by infusing mp on myself, making a complete copy of the hero skill 'Limit Break'
With all the reinforcement I made, my stats rose greatly above 500 and 600 hundred. And each time I kill an ogre, my level goes up by one. I guess the amount of exp these ogres has are more than I have expected. Each time I raise a level, my stats gets added by 2 and after several more ogres, my level stopped at 29 with stats stopped at going up from 800.
"Damn....their too many...."
Grumbled, I utter under my breath. Seeing that there was still more than four hundred ogres, I felt an unreasonable cheating in the situation. I saw some of the heroes in the corner filled with wounds all over their bodies with broken down weapons and armor.
"Tsk!! Oi!! To get out of this alive, search for the core!! it'll end if someone can destroy it!!"
I said so with a loud voice. But, they were to far away and the roars of the ogres made my voice unable to reach them completely. So, in order to make sure the heroes do their job, I dashed towards them, evading every slash, smash and clobber by the demonic ogres. Until finally, I reached their stronghold.
I saw Todoroki busy with the healing, but because her magic power was running low, the efficacy of her healing magic dropped and was now useless against graved wounds.
"K-Kagami-san?!!"
"Sorry Todoroki-san, but this is no time to chat. Take this and make the others drink them. Take these Mp potions as well and replenish your Mp"
Saying so, I took out the 15 crates of healing potions(Small) and all the 10 crates of Mp potion(Medium) to Todoroki which, was surprised because it the items were taken out from a small bag. However, there was no time to stay idle. I left in a hurry once Todoroki received the potions. I activated 'Magic seer' skill and searched for the core but because of the huge amount of ogres blocking every path, it became impossible to pass through them. I took out a vile of mp potion(medium) and drank it. Because my mp was running low, I drank two to replenish 70% of my Mp.
"No time!! [Edge burst- Revised]!!!!"
As time was of the essence, I unleashed Gaius' signature skill [Edge Burst] skill and created a wave of bluish white light that teared down the ogres and gouged out the earth. As the explosion occurs, half of the ogre army disappeared. Using the time that was bought, I activated 'Magic Seer' skill and found where the core was placed.
About 1 kilometer away from my position in a straight path, the core was embedded on the ground 5 inches underground. I sprint to it with all my strength, and stabbed the ground where the core was directly placed, with my Demon blade 'Dawn'.
The sword pierced the earth and easily reached the base of the core and destroyed it. It sound like a glass shattering, the room warped and the disappeared, only to appear back in the previous cave I was in earlier.
Fuu.....I let out my breath and returned my swords back in the magic bag along with enchanted items I have equipped on me. My stats returned to normal afterwards and because of that, I drank an Hp potion(small) from the magic bag and drank it. The taste if refreshing watermelon spread through my tongue down to my throat. I returned the vile in the test tube and looked behind me.
There I saw the heroes catching their breaths. The others were already healed by Todoroki and some drank the hp potions(small) and got their wounds closed afterwards. I looked to where Gaius was sitting and saw him breathing but only with a single arm was dangling on the ground. It seems that the ogres got him huh? That was quite a number earlier after all. The wave room is gone now and the magic circle that activates the wave room has disappeared along with the wave room.
"Kh....So you came to our rescue, Kagami?"
"I was ordered to. If I refused, I wouldn't be alive right now"
When I walked towards Gaius, I was greeted with such phrase. I can see him smiling at me whilst having a huge scar across his face. With such scar, how can he smile like that? It can't be helped. I took a vile of Hp potion(Medium) from my magic bag and poured it on top of Gaius' head. He got mad afterwards but the scar disappeared along with his scars and bruises. Unfortunately, a severed arm won't regenerate from a single potion. Todoroki has a skill 'Regeneration(small)' right? i'll leave the arm problem to her afterwards.
"Gaha!! What was that about?!--- Huh? my wounds are...."
"It's a Hp potions(medium). Although it won't regenerate your arm completely, it'll heal all your cuts and bruises completely. Your deep wounds as well. So don't throw"
I left Gaius and confirmed the situation of the others. Taiga seems unharmed but, he was too tired to stand up. He was sitting in the corner beside the remaining soldiers. Huh? The bodies of some soldiers that died in the wave room didn't return? Come to think of it, not even the corpse of the demon ogres were present. I guess the wave room uses the corpse to reanimate them and again make them fight once some stupid person activated the trap again.
Haah.... This surely is a long day so I wanna go home. But, I will have to wait for the soldiers to come since the heroes and the one who were left of the guards, were exhausted. If I leave like this, demonic beast may come and attack them. I can fight decently now since my stats is already 150 due to that power up. Though, it's still less than those heroes can do.
"Kagami-kun!!"
" ?? "
I heard someone called my name. I turned my head to where the voice came from and was welcomed by a soft mound on my face. Eh? W-Who is this?!!!!
"Kagami-kun!! Thank you for saving us!!"
As I recovered my sight, I noticed that I was already on the ground with someone on top of me. Slightly red hair, dark chestnut eyes......this girl is....Mikoto Aizawa right? Why is she acting like this towards me? Usually, I always get the cold shoulder from them so this really uncomfortable to me...
"U-Um....Aiazawa-san? C-Can you move already? I think this kind of position will create misunderstandings in more ways the one"
I tried to tear her off of me but because of her hero strength was higher than me, I wasn't able to do anything. A while later, Aizawa finally lets go and thanked me properly. The soldiers came the moment after that so I left the heroes to their hands. I went outside and went to the horse I used and rode it back to the castle. Good thing that I gave it an energy supplement, it still as strong as it was before we left the castle.
With that, the life and death situation if the heroes cane to an end. Several days later, the heroes were all summoned to punished the one recklessly had the guards led to their deaths. Currently, we were all present in the throne room.
"In light of the incident within the Labyrinth, the hero responsible for the deaths of five guards will hereby be punished"
The adviser read through the scroll he was holding like a script. Is this even important? That incident was just an accident so having someone take responsibility for it is meaningless. Of course, the life of five guards can't be compensated, but that was their job. Their suppose to be prepared to die when they accepted the role if safe guarding the heroes. So why are we even listening to this thing?
Still, why do I feel like something is wrong about this? It's like from when I arrived here in this world. Something bad was about to happen.
"Evidence show that demonic beast within the labyrinth were not seeing the hero as a threat and let him passed through. Same goes with how easy he discovered the core of the 'Wave room' and destroyed it. It which this evidence show, the hero will be banished from this land because of this treachery. I here by proclaim that the hero is guilty!!"
T-Those are..... I knew it!! They were already onto me from the beginning!! The surrounding became noisy as the judgement was being said. The gazes of the heroes and soldiers present of that time were all directed.....
"I hereby judged the demon-spawn, Kyoushiro Kagami, as a traitor and a criminal for the attempted murder of the 16 heroes"
at me......
"W-What is the meaning of this?!!!! Didn't you told me to rescue the heroes?!!"
Why am I being blamed for something I obviously didn't do??!! I wasn't with them to begin with, so am I a criminal?!!
"We did, however it came to light the you were brought by the demon god to this land to kill the heroes!! Your actions in the cave that wasn't attacked by the demonic beasts and the fact that you knew where the core of the 'Wave room' was, are evidences that you tried to murder the heroes!! It is an obvious fact that your plans were overturned when the king announced your death once you disobeyed his order!! Now, come and tell the truth, you wicked demon-spawn!!"
The whispers turned to chatters, weapons and condemning eyes were all directed at me. I can feel the anger, suspicion, hatred all directed towards me. I looked to where Gaius was standing and even he was unable to comprehend the situation. Are eyes met and we both weren't able to understand the current situation. So, with that thought, Gaius took the initiative to defend me.
"Oi!! What kind of absurdity is this?!!! You are placing a crime on am innocent hero!! Those charges are falls!! I've seen it with my own eyes how Kagami rescued us from the wave of demonic ogres and desperately searched for the core himself!! So why are yo-----"
"However, we have a witness that say all those charges are all truth!! Are you saying that you are siding with the demon-spawn rather than your own kind?!! Tell me, have you been brainwashed after being drenched in the potion that the demon-spawn gave you?! Can your memories be trusted when you have been brainwashed by that demon-spawn?!!Answer me, Gaius Kalbern Zeios!!"
The adviser greatly pushed the accusations even further and included Gaius in it as an accomplice. I can't believe it.... brainwashing.... my potions doesn't have such an effect. If that's the case, the heroes that drank it were under suspicion as well.
Still, who the hell is that witness? How does he even know what happened inside the wave room when he saw how the demon beasts acted towards me?! Was he among those soldiers I saved? No, impossible!! I was seen when I entered the caved with 'Mind resist' effect by my accessories I wore that time. Gaah?!!! who... who is the one that accusing me?!!
"?!!"
D-Damn you!!!! Kurosawa....I should have known....!! He is smiling at me as he saw me being falsely accuse.
"KUROSAWA!!! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!!!!!"
I charged towards me preparing to punch his face, but I was unable to when I was attacked by a wind magic on my flank and got blown away a few meters.
"Guha!!"
I slid down on the floor. Guh... my ribs are..... I can feel a few of my ribs were broken. I coughed upped blood to clear my throat and drank an Hp potion kept under my leather gloves. My body heals, I stood up unsteadily when the guards all pointed their swords against me.
"See?! That thing is just a Demon in a hero's skin!! He attacked an innocent hero in desperation because he has been discovered!! Now everyone!! See how the beast is being push down by our brave knights!!"
"Gaah!!! St-Stop it!! I didn't do anything!! I'm innocent!! I'm just being fr--gaaha?!!"
Thud.... I fell down on my knees as someone had punched my solar plexus with the hilt of a sword. I....I can't breathe...
I was left defenseless. Condemned by people by something I didn't even do.... I've done my part yet.....why am I being treated like this....?!!
"Disgusting..."
"How vile, trying to kill the heroes....."
"I guess, he's been drowning in desire that he'll earn more when we're dead huh?"
"Bastard"
"Just die already"
Word for word... Every meaning of it were me being a cursed being drowned in greed. Their eyes.... no....don't....don't look at me like that!!! Why? Why? Why?!!!! Every time....even back in that world, those eyes.....those eyes....
Memories of me as a child being looked like that after my parents died..... A static occurred, and like a television show being changed, a different memory resurfaced..... It was in middle school..... I helped a girl from being raped only to get accused myself... after that....those eyes were directed at me again.... the memory changed and it now was from when I took several part-time jobs.....I help a fellow co-worker from being assaulted by my boss only to be blamed again on something I didn't do.......
Why.....why.....why do I always get treated like this....... Why do I have to suffer......?!!!!
*Throb*
The mark on my right arm throbbed. As if something was pulsing, I felt something block my consciousness. The cursed mark spread as if trying to devour my arm. I felt the burning sensation.....unbearable......on my skin... Guh....
I felt myself changing....but.....I need to suppress this....no...
--Do you wish to destroy all these people around you?----
A voice? who....who are you?
--Let your anger rage wildly against those who oppose you---
No!! Like i'm turning to something they think of me!!
--I'm your power!! Let me devour your enemies!!!!---
Like hell i'm letting something unknown do that with my own body!! Whoever you are, what ever you are, I won't let you do as you please!!!
"Gaha--haah--haah....."
It seems that I blacked out earlier.... I already had my breath steady but still laying on the floor.
"We have confiscated it's belongings. It seems that he has made something interesting even though he's just a demon"
I looked upped and saw the king's adviser with my swords 'Dawn' and 'Dusk'. His lips formed a smile of great pleasure after seeing as unbelievably powerful swords in my magic bag. Along those were my enchanted accessories and armors......
No....Those are mine!!!
"The swords will be presented to the hero, and what's left will be divided among the others. This court has adjourned. Take that beast to the dungeon and lock that thing there"
"Guh!!! No!! Those are mine!!! Give them back!!! You monsters!!! I made those with m---Kua?!! cough....cough.....those are......"
As I was hit behind the head and on the stomach, I drifted away unconscious.... My last memories were......I was being dragged.... After that, I blacked out again.......
(EDITED)
Special thanks to: Pyro5379
From: Demon Sword - Lucifer
To: Demon Sword - Dawn
From: Angelic Sword - Ikaros
To: Angelic Sword - Dusk
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "9142",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 1 Ch. 3 – The fight for survival and the hero’s Punishment…..",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 1 Ch. 2 - Level and various kinds of problems.......
Part #1
After that night, I went back to my room feeling heavy after Is saw Kurosawa having such demonic smile. I wasn't able to sleep much last night so I read almost half of my room's books in the bookshelves.
Waiting for the sun tp rise up, I wasn't able to sleep a wink. Because of that, I was able to learn some of this world's words and magic incantations. Though at first I was surprised that I was able to read this world's language perfectly considering it was the first time seeing such language. It looks like as one of the heroes summoned here, I am already able to read, speak this world's languages.
As of now, i've read the basics of alchemy of this world. Transmutations of material objects, the recipes of potions and how to make them, the system behind sword techniques and magic spells.
I'm still grasping the magic thing and sword techniques; though alchemy, transmutation, and compounding is pretty much similar to my world's sciences and chemistry. I was able to learn how to make magic circles as well since it was in a guidebook that it is needed to survive in the wild.
But.....well, who would have thought that monsters are real in this world; Dragons roam the skies, demonic beast walked the earth, sea beasts swim through the abyss of the oceans and freaks of nature like goblins and gremlins live amongst this world's ecosystem.
Ugh..... I wonder what time is it... I can see the sun up so high so it's probably noon.... No, that's impossible; I didn't slept so it's probably still morning.
My head hurts.... I want to sleep....
"Good morning, Hero-sama. The other heroes are being called in the dining hall for breakfast, please come immediately"
Before I was even trying to close my eyelids, a knock came and maid spoke from the outside. I heard her so I promptly washed my face in my room's bathroom sink and took a change of clothes. I guess breakfast is being served already huh?
.
.
.
.
I went to the dining hall as ordered. Along with a maid as guide I was led to the noisy halls filled with the people I came together with.
It seems that those who fainted yesterday were briefed by Inomiri-sensei and now arguing with Taiga. There were guards stopping them but, they were useless and Taiga and the other guys brought up to a fight. Amazingly, none of them were bruised nor scratched afterwards. I was told later that the whole castle has some sort of healing type of barrier so no one would get injured no matter how much they fight.
After breakfast, we were all lead to a wide field where there was enough space to be called a race track. Anyways, each of us was given a piece of card.....the same one sensei and Kurosawa received last night... and was told to place it on the mark we have on our body. Mine was on my left arm. It was like a circuitry that goes down to my wrist. I was even shock when I saw it last night but, I heard from the king's talk last night that it was given to us when we arrived in this world.
The guy named Albert chanted the appraisal spell he used last night on sensei and Taiga. Line brightly shone around us and came afterwards the card glowed pale-ish blue light. I looked on its surface and saw my 'Status' like the one that Albert-san told Sensei last night.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
---Kyoushiro Kagami----
----17 yrs. old----
----M----
---Level 10----
Job class: - - - - -
Skills: Appraisal, Language acquisition, Transmutation, Compounding.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
U-Un..... Although I’m no hero, my stats are pretty much normal huh? Only 50 were the normal stats huh? I don't have a job class but I have useful skills like 'Transmutation' and 'Compounding'.
Still..... What am I to this world if I’m not considered as a hero? A villager, maybe…
"Those who have seen their 'Status' please come to me if you have further questions"
Like have any..... Well, I’ll do some research on my own regarding this card. Anyways, Albert was crowded by female students obviously. He was being asked by countless students about their 'Status' cards.
°°°°°°°°°°°°
Minami Todoroki
16 yrs. old
Female
Job class: Master healer Level: 10
Skills: Heal, wide heal, fast heal, decay, Healing barrier, Regeneration (small), Magic power conversion. Focused heal. Holy reverence, God healing, Fatigue reliever.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Hayato Koizumi
17 yrs old
Male
Job class: Lancer
Skills: Spear edge, Magic spear thrust, Lancer spirit, limit break, Stance of heaven and earth reversal, Brionac, Javelin throw, Lance strike, Land mower, Light weight, Multi-layer crumble strike.
°°°°°°°°°°°
°°°°°°°°°°°
Mikoto Aizawa
17 yrs. old
Female
Job class: Monster tamer
Skill: Eye of coercion, Persuasion, Taming seal, Support ability boost up, Palm of submission, King of the wild; order of king, King's roar, Berserk, Absolute submission.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°
The skills and stats the others have are twice than mine. Mikoto Aizawa is Todoroki's best friend. She has slightly red hair and dark chestnut eyes. Aizawa was also the team captain of the archery club back in that world. I wonder why her job class is Monster tamer instead of Master archer or something. Does she like animals? I don't know her that well so i'm not sure.
Hayato Koizumi on the other hand has ikemen like features like Taiga. His hair was light brown that covers his dark eyes, same height as Taiga, 178cm and has popularity comparison to Todoroki's fan club.
They and the other two have the highest stats and distinct skills amongst us 18 heroes. No, I’m not even considered as one so I think I shouldn't think of me as one of them.
"Hey there kid"
"G-Gaius-san......"
I was leaning against a tree when Gaius, the swordsmen that is the one that will teach us how to fight with our skills, came behind me. Due to his amazingly tall height and huge body, it's relatively easy to mistake him as one of those horned bears said in the book I’ve read last night.
"What are you doing here? You should join them; they’re your classmates’ right?"
"Maybe..... But, I don't trust people who wear masks to cover their true self"
That's right. Many of those people are amongst the people I call my classmates. I've seen too much of their true side, even of by accident, I’ve seen their wicked side. Like the relatives that wished me dead.
"'Masks' huh....?"
"What is it?"
"It seems that you've been through quite a lot Kagami"
". . . . . ."
"Why fell silent?"
"Nothing I'll be in your care from now on Gaius-san"
Saying that, I left Gaius standing there behind the tree; I've noticed the gaze of my classmates on me when they saw Gaius talking to me. Because of that, I left immediately to avoid them from over thinking things.
Part #2
After the gathering in the training field, we moved on to magic training. Those who have magic skills are taught while those who haven't were left to themselves as self-study. Some were training with Gaius to obtain sword skills while others are being drilled for body strengthening.
Since I was left with nothing to do, I went to the castle's library to gather more information in this world. Accidentally, I run into the unusually young queen there. I merely greeted her with a bow and proceeded to the very corner of the library.
However…
"Hey Kagami-sama, what are you doing here?"
She persistently followed me inside. I tried to avoid her as much as possible but, she was too stubborn. So, as I surrendered to her stubbornness and persistence, I just silently let her do what she want.
"So you're reading stuff about our world?"
"Yes"
"Does our world interest you?"
"No"
"Are you going to fight to save this world?"
"I'm forced to"
"Do you like me?"
". . . . . . ."
From questions with logical answers to useless ones like what she asked earlier. I didn't answer that question of her to avoid problems in the near future. Because I didn't answer and kept on reading, the queen became bored and hummed a soothing tone. She swayed her body left to right then leaned on my shoulder, continuing to hum that soothing tone.
After a few hours later, she fell asleep on my shoulders so I moved her body to lay her upper body on the table and covered her with the coat I was wearing.
-----There are 13 demon lords in this world. The ones were first reported were the ancient demon lords before the war had started. From the first 8 demon lords are the ones that are called:
The 1st demon lord, the vampire king of the underworld; lord Vlad.
The 2nd Demon Lord: Urn king, Akuzdtu the Poison King.
The 3rd Demon Lord: Lady Snow of the Iceland.
The 4th, Demon Lord: Hydra king Ruxtorth
The 5th Demon Lord: Ox king Gaul.
The 6th Demon Lord: Serpent empress Yulka.
The 7th Demon Lord: Titan king Erbernd
The 8th, Demon Lord: Armour king Delfigner.
These first eight are the long lived demon lords that have stayed neutral in their respective lands; But came along the five newest demon lords with desires of greed wanting to take over the world. These newest lords are known as:
The 9th demon lord: thousand hand lord Kakal.
The 10th demon lord: Shadow king Crats.
The 11th demon lord: Flame knight Esmeth.
The 12th demon lord: Dark lord Trause.
The 13th demon lord: soul eater Vraheim.
With powers equalling to the ancient ones, they waged war to them, conquering lands and devour the lives of the innocents. Blood has spilled and corpse became mountains, not knowing what lies before those who have survived, hope was lost and the fate of the world was left to those that wished to fight----
The book ends with such premise. So in short, only five were new and were trying to take over the world. The first eight are considered neutral for now but, I can't say that one of them may defect to the new ones and help them conquer the world. Still, why were there 8 demon lords in the first place? If I were one of this world’s, I’d try to first fight the weaker ones and end the life of all demon lords but.... nothing in the records have said that anyone fighting against the ancient demon lords nor were stories about heroes summoned before us to fight them. Were they really in neutral stand? Or was the people in this world did not consider them as a threat? Moreover, the existence of the newly added 5 weren't recorded. It was as if they weren't a threat to begin with.
Damn...... why is the information regarding the demon lords so small? This doesn't make sense.... Was there a tampering in the records? No, books may get replace but the story differs from each author. So even if the information here in this library were changed, similar information should still exist. The problems are that how to find those.....
Argh!!! Why is it that I have to be summoned here in the first place!!!
"Uuuunn.....Ka...gami-sama? Did I fell asleep?"
N? The queen woke up huh? I guess it's already time for lunch. I placed down the book I was reading and breathe in slightly.
"Yes, your highness. I request you to head over to your chambers if you are tired"
Ugh..... Speaking formally really doesn't suit me.....
"No, I’m fine. Better yet, let us eat lunch together, Kagami-sama"
"Un, alright. I am hungry as well"
"Yay!! Let's go!! Let's go!!"
I wonder why she's happy. She's the queen so shouldn't she have lunch with her husband? I really don't understand this world.....
.
.
.
.
.
After my lunch with the queen, all heroes except me, left and went to the labyrinth. It was for to make them stronger. In this world, strength is based on stats on a card. I doesn't base on the very individual's inner potential. In my case, my stats are normal level. It isn’t so high to be called a cheat or too low to be called incompetent. Just normal, just like that.....
Currently, I’m spending my time in the castle harden reading a book about the mark on my right arm. It's like an octopus tentacle wrapped around my arm down to my shoulder blade. Although it is a cool design, it's still black, ominous even. That is why I researched about the 'Hero mark' but found nothing about the mark on my right arm.
"U-Um.....H-Hero-sama.....?"
"???"
As I was reading, the black haired maid from last night was standing behind a tree. She looked shy obviously, so I just waited for her to walk towards me. Now that I got a good look at her, she indeed has braided black hair and dark eyes; Short but cute. Her height is about a middle school student. Still, she was nervously walking towards me with her face hidden by her bangs.
"Is something wrong?"
"A-Ah no, there is not......"
". . . . .?"
I wonder why she's acting like this. Her face was being dyed red. Does she have some fever or something?
"W-Well.... there is something I wish to ask you, Hero-sama"
Being called hero feels itchy for some reason... I'm not even regarded as one....
"S-Sure.... but, please just call me 'Kyoushiro' or 'Kagami'. It feels sort of weird to be called a Hero"
And it really isn't my type of thing....
"I-I-I cannot!! You are a hero, Hero-sama!! So addressing you by your name is just...!”
"No, no..... I really don't mind. Plus, my status card didn't even had a 'Job class' for me in this world so, saying I’m one is somewhat wrong"
I still don't get the qualifications as a hero but, if I have to live as a normal person here, i'd do it. Still, the fact that I’m still being treated as a hero is a real problem. Whenever I go and do something myself, various people always insult me behind my back. I hardly see any merit in being a hero so I’m thankful but.... being used like one is still troublesome...
"I-I-I understand!! I-I'll call hero-sama, Kagami-sama then!!"
Please drop the honorifics though......
"So? is there something I can do for you?"
"No, the compounding set you requested has already arrived. It was delivered in your room earlier but, the alchemist master recommended placing it in a different room to avoid accidents. So it was moved to an unused room that has ventilation. Please confirm the items, Kagami-sama"
"Un, alright"
Oh yeah, I did request it this morning. That reason for that is my 'Compounding' skill. Since I have such useful skill, I’ll try to make the things they called 'potions' in this world. I found a book of recipes for it last night so I hope that I could try it for myself. Further, the 'Transmutation' skill can be used for blacksmithing and crafting it seems. I had Albert-san read my 'Status Card' which in turn, he gave me a scowl. Though, he did answer my questions, his expression this morning was really irritated.
"Then please take me there"
"Understood"
Thus, I was led by the maid to the unused building, separated from the castle.
.
.
.
.
.
After I arrived at the site, I was really surprised to see the building....no, shed in front of me. It was mainly made of wood and was already run down. Tears on walls were everywhere and the roof was about to fall due to its old age... The area was......well, pretty much sanitary.
Uuu....Though I think this is fine, I wish they should at least give me something useable even if it’s old. In this case, this shed is too old. If I did conduct some experiment, if a failure may occur, this place will seriously blow up with me....
Haah....I guess I shouldn't be picky now since I’m the one that requested it. I already have the recipe book and all that's left are the ingredients. The maid said.....ah, I think she called herself Lina.... that I need to procure the ingredients myself since collecting materials means that I have to collect monster materials as well....
My level is ten and my stats are mainly 50 in all stats. My MP or magic power in this world is limited as well. 'Transmutation' skill lets me transmute material as long as I have MP. I don't know how it works so I’ll have to test it later.
For now, I need to sort out the tools I’ll be using for the compounding of potions. I'm somewhat experienced in chemistry already so I already know the basics.
Anyway, I’ll fix this place for now and test my skills later. I'll be busy for the past few days so I better get to this quickly...
..................................
Different place yet the same time as Kyoushiro, who was repairing the broken down shed, a place was darkness was present; a murky and dense atmosphere was a group of young girls and boys holding weapons unfit to their appearance. Although young, they were all clad in basic light armour, shield and equipment.
One by one, each beast of unknown figures perished after they were mowed down by bright lights from swords and skills from the young lads and gals. Some commanded familiar spirits, some wield bows and daggers. There were also those who safe guards those young boys and girls.
In a narrow chasm, the young warriors were being assaulted by gigantic rats, called 'Giganto Rats'. With size comparable to a four wheel truck, its gigantic size was causing the road to be block. But, with only a swing of the red haired hero's sword, the giant rat was severed in two and dropped on the floor, lifeless without a twitch.
Thick red blood flowed down and the group of young warriors proceeded while showering the red haired hero with praise....
"As expected of Kurosawa"
"That was amazing Taiga-kun!!"
"That was a splendid attack Hero-sama!!"
"You're so cool Taiga-kun!!"
Such were the praise that made Taiga Kurosawa so proud of himself.
"Hahaha, it was not that much. I only used [Sword flash] since the opponent was too big"
[Sword Flash] is a skill that focuses on a single strike that utilizes the speed the sword is drawn out from its sheath. It's only a one-strike skill that depends on how large or fast the opponent is. Though, its weakness is that once it's been seen through, it's accuracy drops and fails in multiple attempts.
Anyway, in an expert swordsman's point of view, it was just a useless skill that relies on luck. It's like the sword stance 'Iai' of Japanese sword techniques. Though, it depends on the sword wielder on how fast he can execute the skill.
"But still, is it really fine to leave Kagami back at the castle?"
It was Mikoto Aizawa. Beside her was her tamed beast, 'Blue wolf'. It's a type pf magical beast that lives in icy and cold lands. The beast also has the power of ice to freeze enemies and hinder them immobile.
Taiga heard her question, but only shrugged his shoulder is as if he does not care, no, in actuality, Taiga really has no room to mind other people's problems.
"It's fine right? He has no Job class and has no sword skills. So what's the point in taking such a burden with us?"
Taiga saw the information that Kyoushiro's status card possessed when Kyoushiro was talking with Albert. It was only a glance but, it was obvious enough that Kyoushiro was no hero; both on skills and in class.
"No, he is still our classmate you know? Whether he has one or not, shouldn't we all get strong together to find a way back to our world together?"
"What are you saying? He will be just a burden to us. Moreover, is he even one of us? Everyone knows here that Kagami was never one of us. Even back in our world, Kagami never participated in any of our conversation or invitations. He's just a burden on top of being am incompetent loser. How can we even trust our backs to someone we don't know anything about?"
". . . . . ."
It was the truth. Kyoushiro always kept to himself and never participated in amy events any of his classmate's invitation. Whenever he was invited to something, Kyoushiro always turn them down. Aside from him sitting on the back of the class while listening music with his headphones, nothing comes to Mikoto's mind whenever she was being asked if Kyoushiro was a social person.
Although his looks were not bad, people always stay away from him because of his eyes. It was always dark and emotionless. Like a water with no life in it. Neither ripples forming nor light was passing. Kyoushiro was always alone with a distinct aura of bad luck always hovering around him. Though, Mikoto Aizawa was the only one that noticed it.
When the conversation stopped, the group entered a wide room. There was nothing inside besides a gigantic crystals lighting up the wide room. The room was dome shape with no path inside. It was a spacious empty room without anything in it.
"Is this the end? Kind of bit anti-climactic I would say....."
"Can't be..... This labyrinth should be a hundred floors deep and we only went around 25 floors or so...."
"Is the information just wrong?"
"Impossible, if that were the case, the one who reported the labyrinth was 100 floors, would be in jail by now. The adventurers that go in and out of this place also said that the labyrinth has 100 floors when they arrived at the 50th floor"
Gaius and Taiga was confused of the place they arrived in. Gaius was shock about a wide room wasn't reported before. Before they entered the labyrinth, Gaius bought a well written map with full information regarding about the paths one should take in the labyrinth. Of course, Gaius and the group followed the map to the letter, and saw that there were no such room before. Because of that, to make sure that the room was no trap, Gaius ordered the soldiers to survey the room. After a while later, no traps was found and the whole group was able to rest for a while.
But that's where 'that' happened.
"T-The exit disappeared?!!!"
Someone exclaimed with great shock, which caused the whole group to turn astir. Nervously looking around, Mikoto anxiously looked around and saw that the exit indeed disappeared. The group became alert. With weapons armed and ready for battle, Taiga and the other level upped heroes were much more nervous about the disappearance if the path.
Without a single moment wasted the earth shook violently. A bright violet and black streak of light formed on the ground a few meters away from the group.
*Kaka...kaka....kaka*
Then appeared were those skeleton soldiers. Undead equipped with armours and swords, numbering almost one hundred and counting.
"W-Wha!! Those are skeletons?!!"
"T-There's so many of them!!"
"Find the exit!!Hurry!!"
"Someone, help me!!!"
The group of young warriors started to panicked. Reaching the wall were the path previously laid bare, the students began banging their hands and weapons on it.
"Calm down everyone!!! These are just normal skeleton soldiers!! Their weak with blunt attacks and magic so focused on the enemy and not on that wall!!"
Gaius said so with a stern face. Since it was already obvious that the skeleton soldiers has weakness, Gaius instructed the students to keep attack and preserve the defence line and avoid any casualties.
Thus the whole group of students and army guards began the fight against the flood of unlimited undead warriors. Little that they knew, that it was such thing, Taiga gave them an incredibly idiotic encouragement.
"Defeat them and earn exp!! We all can get stronger by a short time with this numbers!!"
"Taiga!!"
Then, with a sudden dash, accompanied by a sword skill, Taiga charged against the flood of monsters recklessly. Gaius tried to stop Taiga's mindless strategy but, Taiga was just too fast for him. The other students that heard Taiga's remark all gave a smile filled with confidence with their strengths and followed along behind Taiga's assault.
"[Arrow Squall]!!"
An arrow was fired and came after the rain of multiple water arrows against the horde if undead soldiers. Since water too, has pure attribute, it became effective against undead monsters.
"[Brionac]!!!"
Hayato unleashed a ray of light against the horde and mowed them down and turned them all to cinders. With the numbers reduced, the students began their retaliation.
"[Heaven Smite]!!!"
Came along was Taiga's light sword skill that easily teared all the enemies apart with holy light attributed skill [Heaven smite] against the horde of uncountable undead soldiers.
"[Heal Barrier]!!!"
Todoroki activated her skill and exude a wide barrier that heals her companions but destroys the enemies. Since [Heal barrier] is made with Holy attribute magic, it was effective against monster such us undead soldiers and made their bones slowly disintegrating.
"Kuro, [Icicle Rain]!!"
"Woof!!"
With An order from Mikoto, her wolf partner roared an intense freezing gail against her enemies. Sealing away their movements with ice, the skeletons were immobile in their tracks. At the same time was a rain with sharp spear-like icicles that rained down against the flowed of undead soldiers.
Many of the undead has been defeated and hardly any of the students were exhausted yet. Later in time, the horde decreased exponentially and the students were left satisfied of their sudden rise in levels.
"Taiga, you idiot!!! No the situations more before you act recklessly!!"
With a hammer-hand chop on Taiga's head, Gaius scolded Taiga due to his reckless actions that could have led the entire group to their deaths.
"Luckily, those were only skeleton soldiers. If those were high level monsters like 'Mad ogres', 'Demonic wolf' or 'Chaos prime ape' we would have been done for!!"
Thonk!! Gaius again, lunge his knuckle on Taiga's head.
"But, they weren't right?"
"Idiot!! At least regret a little!! You almost led the whole group to their deaths!!"
"Well, we did grew a little after the fight"
It was already obvious that Taiga was not repenting. His stubbornness that always want him to be 'right' was a demerit in Taiga's hero attitude. Even though his statements were true, Taiga doesn't want to acknowledge the fact that he was rash in his decisions. Thinking things like 'I'm a hero so I won't die' and 'I just level upped a few levels so I’m getting strong'. Gaius sighed after lecturing Taiga and had ordered a soldier to search for another exit but.....
"There is no exit?"
That's right. The path didn't appear again after it disappeared before. Gaius was suspecting that the room was made to hold captives and let them fight monsters continuously inside the wide room. Since there was nothing like this in the report it might have been that their group was the first one to trigger the trap. Unlucky as it may be, Gaius was more worried about their supplies going down before they even leave this room. Since they only pack enough for three days, it was likely that they'll starve first before escaping room.
"This is seriously a problem......"
Thus, this was the start of the first life and death experiences the 16 heroes that were trapped within the labyrinth. Unknown as to where be the other were, it was for certain that the heroes were deep into a struggle inside the labyrinth.
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "8991",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 1 Ch. 2 – Level and various kinds of problems…….",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
Vol. 1 Ch. 5 - Flocks of flying lizards.....
Part #1
The flight towards the wastelands was a five day trip to the western lands within the dark continent's frontier. It's was a barren land with almost no safety whatsoever. Demonic beasts roams the barren land, preying on the weak beasts that lives within the dried up soil of the earthen waste.
This place was also the very first land that the war first broke out when the demon lord, Dark lord Trause, first laid siege to the kingdom of gold, Aurolius.
Aurolius was the only country that has the only knowledge about the seal that controls the Demon lords. It was an old ancient seal that prevents them from acting up against the other races weaker than the demon lords. Mainly because, the hero of the past was the one that made such seal.
With power greater than those demon lords, the hero of the past over threw the first 8 demon lords and sealed their powers inside a towering obelisk that was inscribed with incantations, making use of the power of the demon lords to generate a barrier around Aurolius.
However, one of the newly seated demon lords, Dark lord Trause, killed the hero and destroyed the obelisk generating the barrier along with Aurolius. Demonic beasts stormed in and devour the inhabitants that lived within the kingdom of gold.
Many years later, the kingdom was deserted. Only the cast away that lived here. The ruins left by the destroyed kingdom had turned into refugee houses by the black haired people.
Still, it was still in a very far place. Right now, i'm inside my cabin where I was talking with Lucinda through the transmission rings and reception earrings. Due to my Mp being low, the quality of her voice was scratchy. I was coping up with such situation since I know all too well the amount of Mp I hold.
I have also asked about the place where I was going to, to Lucinda through our telepathic calls. Who knew that it hold such story huh? For such country where the previous hero protected met it's demise, how cruel can fate be?
Either way, it really isn't my problem. I'll be going there since i'm a threat to Travestin and other countries after all. They might be thinking that I could just die along with the people there if ever an attack from a demon lord would occur. I won't let them do as they please, so to get more information, I was consulting Lucinda. I don't know where Lina is right now so I hope that she is still safe. Knowing those heroes, there is not a good thing that could happen if she ends up meeting them.
"Thanks for the information, i'll be cutting the line now so don't let anyone caught you contacting me"
[Understood!! uh....I...hyaa....Aah...Kyoushiro-sama!!Hyaaa~]
Uh.... I don't know what she's doing but i'm here sounds of water running so I think she's taking a bath but.... let's just forget about it....
I cut the magic power connection and drank a pre-made Mp potion I stashed when I went to the shed this morning. Good thing that there was ingredients left to make a 5 Hp potion(Small) and 10 Mp potion(Small). The shed was in ruins when I went there but it seems that before Lina was fired, she stored away some few ingredients along with some magic stones and special ores for me.
I really am grateful to that girl. Lina is the only person that helped me through my troubles when I was first got here in this world. Come to think of it, i'm already here for a month now huh? We were supposed to be divided in the third month so, i'm the the one being deported first; though the only difference is my destination.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Strength Ring
Increases the wearer's strength two fold.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Light weight ring
Decreases the weight of the wearer.
Increases speed two fold.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Necklace of wisdom
Increases the intelligence of the wearer.
Special effect: Parallel thinking, Magic resistance boost up.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Synergist Gloves
Increases the accuracy of [Transmutation] skill.
Special effect:Magic up.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Cursed arm of Hastur
Disable's the person's potential growth.
Effects: Power down, Magic down, Fighting skill acquisition prevention, Mind devour, Magic resist down.
-Cannot be purified by any holy means-
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
I then used [Appraisal] skill on the items I have and my right arm as well. Although I have enchanted items that boosts some of my stats, my curse arm still repels it. Even I do try and and keep boosting my stats through increasing the items I have, it'll still be too limited. The swords I made at that time increased my power many fold. Even if my equipment at that time surpassed what this world could make, all it could do is increase my stats in a certain fixed amount.
"Haah....This arm is so disgusting, I hope I won't have this when I return back to my world..."
Puff-- I let my body fell on the soft bed provided by the elves. I was surprised by the hospitality they gave when I boarded the ship. They even gave me this spacious room for me to sleep in. But, I can't just trust them just because they gave me such things.
-It's better to trust the enemy than to trust those who gave you gifts. Since a mask can be worn and taken off when the need arise--
Such proverb. I've read and lived through it. My trust has been thrown away after what happened to my parents. At that time, I could only watch as the ceiling fell down and crushed their bodies...
"Kh....Better not think of it anymore"
After all, my right arm throbs whenever my anger gets out of control. Like at that time, my arm throbbed and felt like it was being burnt.
--Don't you wish to destroy all these people around you?----
A voice? who....who are you?
--Let your anger rage wildly against those who oppose you---
No!! Like i'm turning to something they think of me!!
--I'm your power!! Let me devour your enemies!!!!---
Those were the things I heard that time. After that was when I blacked out and was thrown to the underground prison then after that is..... my time with Lucinda and here I am.
Haah.....A month huh.... A month full of events that has been ruining my life one after the other but....
Lucinda's face flashed within my eyes as she was happily accepting me.... Lina came to mind as well.. Her timid and caring side makes me feel comfortable whenever i'm with her.
Although my time with them were short, I can say that I at least had some people that believes in me. But still.....can I trust this world? I have been through hell back on earth and I had the worse experience here in this world.
Hah No use in thinking of it, i'll just have to do my best until I can return back to my world.
Part #2
The next day, I woke up normally and went to the bow of the ship. It had a glass ceiling that lets you view the sky above. From the right end to the left, was a spacious 10 meters. There were some elf guards patrolling around while people with short size and bearded face works here to there with some guys and girls with animal-like features like cat and dog ears and faces.
It really feels weird whenever I see something new in this world. After all, I grew up in a normal world where this creatures doesn't exist. Well, those bearded child-size look similar to humans but, they might still be different.
"Black Hero, it seems that you have awaken"
"Ou.... I just felt like walking around so...."
"Don't be so vigilant around us, Black hero-sama. We're on a ship in the air so no one is stupid enough to let a hero rampage"
The person that was talking to me was a elf guard. Like the one that I met before I rode this ship, this guy has blonde hair and blue eyes. Though that one had his hair long enough to reached his lower back, this one had a hair style like a child. Also, his height is half of mine.....Is this kid really a guard?
"Uhh....."
"Just call me 'Luver' Black hero-sama!!"
With a salute and a child expression like he was exited for some reason, the child elf happily called me 'Black hero'.
Honestly, I don't want to be called like that but I guess this world has customs like that. When in Rome, do what the Romans do huh.......? It feels wrong just by thinking that.....
"T-Then....Luver what is a child like you doing here?"
"Eh? Child? Me?"
"Your the only person I could see that is younger than the people here...."
"Eh? Does Black hero-sama not know?"
"Know what?"
"Uun....I'll tell you about what kind of race the Elves are then!!"
Seriously, this guy is really a kid huh? Throwing his arms like that, he really is childish....I wonder if I got a little brother, do I want someone like Luver? wait...that way of thinking is wrong in all the wrong places
"Listen up, we elves are long lived race that are regarded as divine beings in some countries. Be that so, our age doesn't match appearance since we don't grow old, we stay young even if we reach the age of 2000 years. So calling me a child is completely wrong Black hero-sama, please keep that in mind"
Huh? Eh? Wait..... 2000 years? Doesn't grow old? Stay young? What is this kid saying?!!! Like hell some race could destroy the laws of Nature!!! Something like a race doesn't reach such age in normal cases!!! What's up with that scary race living like vampires staying in this world?!
"You look surprise Black hero-sama"
"Like I can keep a poker face after hearing such story!! Something like a long live race doesn't exist!!"
"Hahaha, unlike the other heroes. You seem to have more normal reaction than them"
"Don't just laugh it off!!"
What is this kid saying?!! Like something like that exist. If there is such a race then, wouldn't they fit as a record guarding race? With lives like that, recording the events in this world would definitely fit them. Why are these elves living like soldiers?!
"By the way, i'm already 350 yrs old so i'm not a child anymore"
There is a freaking age gap for some damn reason!! Don't go breaking common sense like it's a glass of mirrors!!
"Ugh....I feel like I shouldn't have called you a child earlier. Sorry about that"
"No, it's fine. You and the other heroes came from a world where our race is considered as an imaginary creatures right?"
"Yep.....wait, where did you here this? Have the heroes been at your country?"
It's only a month and they've been exploring already... While I was left there being tortured, they spent merry making here and there....what a bunch of worthless trash!!
But when Luver was about explain, his expression darkened as if something bad happened.
"That is....."
"Don't worry, if it's those heroes, I know very well what their capable of you don't have to hide their crimes"
They left me for dead after all... Knowing their crimes and using them against them would be productive. Even if i'm in a far away place, I can still move some things if ever time lets it.
Luver told me the story like this:
Several days after I was sentenced to temporary imprisonment, the other heroes took a request in an adventurer guild and went to the elven land to conquer a labyrinth. After that was....
"Are you really sure that a dragon sleeps in here?"
"Yep, according to that Elf girl, there is one. It was reported in the adventurer guild as well so it's probably true"
"If that's the case then say that sooner Kouga!!"
"Hah? I already told you Yuuya, why are you even blaming me?"
It was the group of Kouga Misumi and Yuuya Mizushima. Their both from the same father father but different mothers. But, even though they have different mothers, they inherit their father's hair color of light brown. Their eyes is what makes them different. One had black and the other amber colored.
Anyways, as to why they were in the elven land was because they got interested in the area an planned to make it their base.
I guess that they were brought by the elves because of the appearance an elf us. Especially an elven woman. Their figures and beauty are godlike that almost enamored various races. Because of that, many half elves were born due to cross-breeding of race.
Although it does mean like that, calling it cross-breeding is a bit..... Anyways, Kouga and Yuuya both decided to be the first ones to stay in the elven country.
"Oh!! Look Yuuya, that elf chick is so hot ain't she?!"
"Uh....yeah but, let's not talk to them. They seems to be scared of us"
"Nonsense!! we're heroes of this world so they being scared is nothing but a lie!! Let's just go!!"
". . . . ."
After Kouga talked to the elf girl, Yuuya was made to wait due to Kouga's flirting. It was a couple of minuted that the conversation end with Kouga unable to get the girl's number.
Well it's normal since you can't just trust a person saying good things. Kouga must have at least knew that right?.
"You alright?"
"Uugh....I just scared her off"
"Why don't we just.....continue our job and go back to the inn. We can't let Yukari and the others wait you know"
"Yeah..sure...sniff...uuu..."
"Don't cry, there must be girl out there for you eventually"
Saying that, Kouga and Yuuya went ahead towards the labyrinth's entrance. After they paid the entrance fee, they went to challenge the labyrinth and easily conquered the upper levels but, as they continued till the 50th floor, they've encounter a problem.
"I-It really is here....."
"A dragon......"
Well not actually, dragons stand on all fours and has larger physique than wyverns. In short this four meter dragon is not a dragon but a flame wing wyvern.
However, that wasn't the problem. But...
"H-Hey, Yuuya, aren't they t-too many?"
"I-I think s-so too, K-Kouga...."
When the was about to leave, Kouga accidentally stepped on a bone, which woke up the uncountable numbers of flame winged Wyverns.
*GUURRRUUUAAAAA!!!!!*
The wyvern chief roared and started spewing flames from it's mouth. Kouga and Yuuya has high levels but was weak to panic attacks. They just ran from the wyverns and left it like that. After that, the town was attacked by wyverns and because of that many of the elves living in that place died. The wyverns flew off to somewhere and the Heroes were gone before the other elven villagers could even ask for their help.
Among those deaths were.......
"Rufa, my wife and my daughter, Rifa both died.....I was told that our house were the first one that....."
Luver was on.the verge of crying but, he held it in saying....
"I won't ever forgive them for what they did.... If only they stayed and protected the village, none of my family members should have died.... I....I will make sure to find them and make them end this war of the demon lords..."
That huh.... I can understand his pain. But, only making them fight is useless. If you go for revenge, then murder them but, I can't say that. For this' guy sake as well. He'll turn into something he don't want to become and i'm sure that he'll treasure the things that his family wants him to do.
"Luver, you don't have to suppress it. If it hurts like hell then let it all out. Even if others will see as someone weird, then don't mind them. It's your life. What you do is what you choose. Is not up to them whether how to live your life or not"
"Black hero-sama......"
"Don't call me that. I hate being called something i'm not. Call me 'Kyoushiro' or 'Kagami', it'll be easy that way"
"Yes! Understood, Kagami-sama!!"
Kuh!! Why do people always add '-sama' to my surname. It sounds wrong. Well, i'll leave it be. I don't want to cause any ruckus in this place. After my meeting with Luver, he left after he was called by his fellow guards. Also, because of the false crime I had on my name, the other races besides Luver was wary of me.
I sighed as I walked to the hull of the ship but.....
*GURRRUUUUUAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!*
A loud roars shook the ship.
"Wyvern's are atttacking!!!!!"
It was a flock of flying lizards it seems......
Part #3
After the whole ship was turn astir, the bridge was caught on fire. It seems after that roar, a fire breath was fired and broke the ceiling. Strong winds was entering that breach and because of that, we have to lower the altitude of the ship.
However, we were then been attacked by the wyverns with magma like appearance. When I tried and used [Appraisal] skill, I learned that they were the same wyverns that attacked Luver's village.
Luver was the first one that charged ahead saying he'll avenge his family but other elven knights stopped him. The other workers were putting out the fire with water magic but due to the winds blowing in, the flames were only growing stronger.
But......I really want to punch those when I met them. If only they did their job, I wouldn't be having this whole wyvern problem.
"Kagami-dono!! Please stay under the ship!!! It is dangerous out here in the bridge!!"
I was being told by a small size man. Appraisal said he's a dwarf. I really don't get why their different from humans since there is an illness called 'Dwarfism'. It causes the growth of a human to be delayed in their height growth. Well anyways, this world has their own biology so who am I to judge?
Well, for now i'll start helping clear out the wyverns. I had my STR and AGI stats raised with my rings along with the necklace that raise my Int stats. I'll boost myself with [Magic Infusion] skill and raise my stats. I have a skill called [Magic Manipulation] but I don't know how it works so i'll have to research about it.
Anyway, I don't have a sword so i'll just use whatever I can see....
"Ah! There's a sword there"
I saw a Bastard sword with a size of a great sword across where I was standing. It had a red gem at the hilt and on the base with three different colors. Using [Appraisal] skill, it seems that its a sword called [Blade of Arts] It says that it can control three elements; darkness, fire and Light. Which is why there was three gems on the base of the sword. But what's with the gem on the hilt? There was no information on it even in [Appraisal].
Well, no matter. I'll pour in Mp using [Magic Infusion] skill anyway so it'll be of use even if I don't use it's special effects.
*Guruuuu......*
Oh, it seems that a wyvern noticed me. I better end this quickly or this ship will sink.....crash....or whatever...
"Then, let's start!!"
I further infused my Mp on the sword and on myself. Boosting my stats even further. With a kick on the floor, I charged head on to the Flame wing wyvern. The sword was easily bisected it's neck when I went under it and pushed the edge of the sword upward cutting off it's hands along with it's neck. Since the sword had a very sharp edge and slim end, it easily went through the wyvern's scaly neck.
Blood flows out and the wyvern's body fell down with a thud. The other wyvern's took noticed and began to focus their attention towards me. I took out an Mp potion(small) from.my pocket and drank it. I infused Mp again to myself and sword then attacked using my revised skills.
"[Tornado Assault-Revised]!!"
A whirlwind of sharp blades began dismembering the Wyvern's body, turning the whirlwind in to a blood colored storm. Blood scatters on the floor. I had myself covered in blood as well since I was in the center of it. Because of my actions, the other wyvern's became vigilant.
Tsk..... My Mp went down too much. I took another Mp potion and drank it. Again, I infused Mp to myself and on the sword. Using the 200 Agi stats I have, I dodged each and every fire breaths that was fired towards me. I intercept those that seems that were directed at dangerous spots and deflected them back to the wyverns.
That was then, black flames began to envelop the sword...
"Huh? What's with this sword?"
Mix in red and black flames, the white colored sword turned reddish black, giving off an ominous color. It began raising my stats five times my enchanted equipment could to 500. I smiled satisfied with the power the sword was giving me. Because if the sudden boost, I was able to clear out the wyverns that entered.
"I have to fix this as well huh?"
The altitude was already dropping but, wind magic users were preventing the ship from falling by surrounding the underside of the ship with a foothold of thick wind barrier.
I took another Mp potion(small) and drank it. I used [Transmutation] skill to repair the broken parts of the ship. Mainly the glass ceiling, the floor boards and the walls of the ship.
Placing my hand on the floor, I began to transmute the whole ship. Bright red light began to shine as I was using [Transmutation] skill and each broken parts of the ship was slowly being repaired.
Hm? This is..... the core of the ship? And it seems that it was too weak to fully control the functions of the ship. There was a barrier function, Auto-fix and camouflage system but the core's internal magic circuitry can't cope up with the functions altogether and seems to be focusing on a single system and it was the flight function of the ship.
Let's modify it....
I took two more Mp potions(small) and drank it. I felt my Mp coming back. I pour more magic power and began my modification. I tried to manipulate the flow and changed the route of the magic power to a different line, then I began to reorganized the circuitry.
After a few minutes, the red lights subsided. I found the ship steadily raising back up again.
"Phew..... It took a while to add that last function"
Because of me reorganizing the ship's magical circuit, I was able to make space enough for one more function for the ship. I added a circulation of magic power within the circuitry and with that installed, the magic power circulation around the ship became sufficient and efficient. It also absorbs the surrounding's magical power so that it can stay afloat for a few more hours. Now that has been done, the Auto-fix function began doing it's job and repaired the broken parts of the ship.
"Haah.....I feel tired....I ended up using the emergency rations huh?"
My Mp potions dropped to four viles left. I'd have to make more before anything happens but for now, i'll make do with sleeping.
"Hero-dono!!"
"Hero-sama!!"
"Black hero-sama!!"
"Cursed Hero!!"
Aah?!! Who said that last one?!! I admit that i'm cursed but don't mix it with the title 'Hero'!!! It feels disgusting just by hearing that!!
"Hero-sama, you saved us!!'
"Hero-dono, Thank you for repelling the wyverns!!"
"Black hero-sama!! I thank you for helping my daughter!!"
"Cursed hero-sama!! Thank you for sav---auuh!!!"
"STOP CALLING ME 'HERO'!!!!!"
I hand chopped the last person that called me 'Cursed hero'. The others began laughing after that.
"W-W-What did you do that for!!!?"
With her hands on her hand fuming mad with red cheeks, the girl, whose hair was violet and was tied in a twin-tails style, with eyes as yellow as gold, angrily replied to my chop.
Huh? Who's this girl?
"Ah? Who are you?"
"Don't pretend like you didn't hit me!!"
No, i'm not pretending so.... sit down and don't lower your upper body like that.....She was wearing some kind of Goth-Lolita outfit even though her perfect figure doesn't allow it to. Her breast was spilling out of her tight clothes already so I was pulling away from my position.
Huh? Why is the 'Lovers ring' feels hot?
"At least say sorry!!"
"Fine!! Fine!! I'm sorry just don't come near me!!"
"Wha?! Aren't you rude!!!??"
"That's not it just move away quickly!!!!"
Our exchange was making the whole ship lively for some reason. The girl gave me a slap to the cheek after she noticed what I was talking about and called a 'pervert' of all names.
Damn it.....!! I'll really gave those two a beating when I see them!!!!
Part #4
The third day came and various things happened after that.
"Mou!! Don't you dare ignore me!!"
It was because the girl from before kept bugging me for some reason. After the incident with the wyverns, I was barraged with questions and gratitude by those who were boarding the ship. It wasn't a passenger ship but how come there were many people on board?
The elves questioned me about the ship's repairs so I told them about my skill. I also added the things I modified when I was transmuting the ship which was the worst thing I did. Because of my modifications. The captain of the ship and the ship's architect, made free time and invited me to a dinner last night. I was forced to answer their questions about the modifications but due to the meal given to me, I was unable to refuse them.
It was delicious so I can't help it....
Next, morning came and when I came to breakfast, the girl that I hand chopped to the head, came running and interrupt me in my breakfast. So, I quickly finished my meal and left the dining hall.
However, she came after me when I left. I tried to ignore her but....
"Hey!!!! I said don't ignore me!!!!"
She was being too loud....!!!!
"Shut up!! Don't you think that you're being too noisy?! There are other people here!!"
"E-Err....well, you were ignoring me so...."
"Isn't it obvious why i'm ignoring you?"
"Because.......you were trying to pretend you don't see me after seeing my breast?"
What kind of brain does this woman have?!!! I'm not such of a low of a person to lust at someone like that. I ain't a freaking dog in heat!!
"Did my chop rocked your brains out? Or do you want me to open that head of yours?"
"Eh?!! No!! I don't want to!!"
"Then be quite and ignore me like the day before yesterday"
Seriously, after Luver, now this woman. I'm really getting confuse about the racial differences of this world. Moreover, women are too vulgar in this world. I received a thought transmission last night from Lucinda. I thought it was an important call but, I kept hearing her ragged breathing with her voice seductively calling my name. Because of that, I wasn't able to get much sleep. I took off the ring and earring before I went to sleep. Due to that, i'm a bit cranky today.
Still, this woman is getting on my nerves. I don't want to be called a pervert on top of the crimes I didn't do. I this ship might not make it to it's destination.
"So? what do you want from me?"
"Uh....I just want to thank you properly that's all"
"Then you've done what you came for. Leave already"
"Aren't you being mean?!"
When I was about to leave, the girl jumped on my back, preventing me from leaving the halls.
I felt the soft mounds pressing against my back. And each time she tightens her grip, those soft cushions were pressing hard against me.
"Get off!!!"
"No!!"
"Why?!!!"
"You'll run away from me!!"
Damn, she saw through me.
"F-Fine!! Just get off!!"
"Really? you won't run?"
"Yes, yes!! Just hurry and get off!!"
"Hnn~ good!! ah, what is this hard thing?"
"DON'T TOUCH THAT!!!"
-
After our comical exchange was over, we both moved to the bow of the ship. Currently, we are above the plains of Feron Mercenary State. Because of the modifications I made, there was no need to change the magic power trans-juicer for the ship. The ship's blueprints were interesting but what makes it float is so superfluous. I checked out the thing needed to change due to the captain's request and because I was paid after, I somehow felt that I wouldn't mind some more modifications.
Anyways, me and the violet haired woman both stood in front of each other, away from onlookers. I tried to make sure there was distance so I am currently 2 meters away from her.
"So? Now that we're alone, talk"
"Haaah.....Understood..."
"What are you dissatisfied about?"
"Nothing!!"
What is wrong with this woman?
"Anyway, i'm Kyouhiro Kagami. I don't want to be called 'Hero-sama' or anything that comes from the word 'Hero'"
"Eh? Why is that?"
"I don't want to answer. Tell me your name before I leave"
"Eeh??! Stingy...."
"Shut it"
With things finally calmed down, the woman finally named herself.
"I'm an imperial court magician that is meant to escort you to the wasteland's former country of Aurolius, Arianne Ruva Aurolius"
Huh?
"You...."
"Yes, i'm what's left of the former prosperous kingdom of gold"
"So your a surviving royalty? Are you going back to reclaim it?"
"That's......"
"Don't answer if you don't want to"
"No, it's fine..... The reason i'll be coming back is to reclaim the land and make it prosper again. The one governs it is currently a different noble from a different country. I hid my Identity just to reclaim it one day. But....."
"But?"
"The threat of a demon lord marching there became high so the current lord of that land ran away to some country. So right now, no one is seated as the ruler"
So they really did plan on having me killed by a demon lord... Those freaks, i'll definitely make them pay for this...
"So you're planning to rule that land filled with rejects of the world?"
"T-That's...."
Arianne lowered her head, hiding away the pained expression she had on her face. I sighed as I was watching her like that. Waiting for her to continue.....
"T-That's right.... A kingdom cannot be a kingdom if there is no people to live in it. Same goes to the ruler without his subjects cannot be a king"
"Hoh~ you're think far more better ruler than the one I know"
That one is trash. After leaving me to be tortured, he never helped me even once. Even though he was the one who ordered me to save those bastards, he didn't even act as my witness. I'll make him pay along with those that tormented me back in that country.
"I thank you for that"
"It's not something to thank me for. I just what I thought"
"Still, i'm thank you for saying so"
"So noisy....."
I saw Arianne chuckled with a slight blush on her cheeks, but suddenly her expression turned serious. Then, as the howling winds loudly blowing against the walls of the bow, Arianne spoke as if I was in front if a true royalty.
"Hero-sama---No, Kyoushiro Kagami-sama, as the only direct descended of the once flourishing kingdom of Gold, I request you to please aid me in my struggles to reclaim the kingdom I've lost. For the sake of the people oppressed by the races due to their color of hair and eyes, I beg for your assistance oh dear hero brought to us by the goddess"
Arianne got to one knee and as she was saying those lines. She was revering me like a saint as she wholeheartedly asked for my assistance. But hearing her called a hero brought by that stinking goddess, makes my faced turn foul.
I hate being called a hero and that is because of the cruel thing that I experienced after acting like one. This world changed me greatly and because of that, i'm gonna let this world turned to ashes.
But.... Looking at this girl wholeheartedly trying to ask for my help, I can't help but think otherwise. Lucinda and Lina are the same. Their goodwill is what keeps me intact. If I were to lose them, i'd broke into million pieces. I keep those I held important close then ignore those who makes an enemy out of me.
That's why.....
"I'll accept"
"Eh?"
I'll need the assistance of a royalty to help me grow stronger. I can't fight without using all of my Mp at once. That is why, I need the money to buy the materials I need to get stronger. Even if people see that as leeching to people's money, I don't care. As long as I get stronger, I don't care what the people think of me. As long as I have those believe in me, i'll take what ever this world throws at me.
That is why, i'll help Arianne reclaim the land she owns. It is a kingdom that once prosper, the lands can be fix and caves can be mined. I'll do everything to get stronger and show this world that I can fight even with this curse burdening my body.
"So do you mean...."
"Aah, I'll do what you say. I'll help you take back what's yours. In return, help me take back what's mine"
"That's.....Kyoushiro-sama....I..."
"I as I've said, don't thank me since i'm only speaking what I think"
"Still.....I am...very thankful. I promise that I will never betray your trust, Kyoushiro-sama. To those that have made you into a criminal, I will help you with everything I can"
"Hmph, it's a deal then"
With the two of us backing each other, I will give her my strength, she'll give me the power I need. Hahaha.... This thing just got more interesting.....
(EDITED: sort of)
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "8984",
"id": "10094",
"q": 0.6763636363636364,
"title": "The Cursed Black Hero - Vol. 1 Ch. 5 – Flocks of flying lizards…..",
"author": "Vain_1997",
"chapters": 80,
"rating": 3.5,
"rating_ct": 44,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Harem",
"Horror",
"Isekai",
"Psychological",
"Romance"
],
"tags": [
"Adventurers",
"Alternate World",
"Antihero Protagonist",
"Curses",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Demon Lord"
]
}
|
The night sky seemed to stare back at Axel as he stood there in silence. He took a moment to recollect himself and went to the request board to check if he had really fell unconscious and was automatically revived in the nearest town.
In the original Mabinogi, players that lost all their health points in a fight with monster had two basic options for revival. One was to revive in the nearest town away. The other option was to use a 'phoenix feather', which was a revival item that Milletians could restore their consciousness on the spot. Milletians were essentially immortal following these two options for revival.
Axel assumed that all players were Milletians and by logic in this world Axel should be immortal as well. When he peered over at the request board, he noticed that the two requests he had taken were indeed gone, and when he went into his inventory bag, he found that the request papers were still there.
This was mind boggling for Axel. He thought to himself, "So I auto revive in the nearest town if my health points hit zero, and so far there is no information about there being phoenix feathers existing or not in this world."
Seeing that it was already nighttime, Axel went back to the Dunbarton Church where the alluring young nun awaited him.
As he opened the twin door to the Church, he saw Kristell lighting the candles to illuminate the inside of the cathedral. He walked over and greeted the nun,
"Good evening Ms. Kristell."
"Good evening Axel." replied Kristell as she finished lighting up the last candle by the organ.
"Zero haul for today." said Axel as he opened up his arms and shrugged.
"Don't let a few setbacks get to you. I pray that you will have a bountiful harvest in your adventures tomorrow!" Kristell giggled.
Her mellow smile could captivate any normal male to submit to her. It was as if Axel was never slain by the White Spider and all his worries was purified in the holy aura of this seductive nun in front of him.
"....Thanks, I sure hope so!" said Axel with a shy voice.
Kristell waved goodbye and Axel went to the nearest church bench to lie down for the night. His eyes seemed to weigh upon him and he drifted off into the dream world.
In his dreams, Axel was running a few Shadow Missions solo in the original Mabinogi. He would always run 'Defeat the Shadow Wizard' as it had a lot of mobs and netted a good amount of experience points for leveling purposes. As he hit the orb inside the Shadow Realm, walls went up and a new wave of monsters were summoned. With a sudden burst of energy, he then pulled out a set of swords and used 'Final Hit'.
'Final Hit' was a Human-only secret skill that could decimate enemies in a torrent like fashion. One would dual wield swords and hack at their enemies and be able to teleport to the next monster to keep on attacking. The time limit for 'Final Hit' was 40 seconds, and this was more than enough time for Axel to destroy the 5 waves of mobs that appeared upon hitting the orb.
When Axel was done eliminating the last monster in the 5th wave, he noticed that the walls didn't come down as usual which was alarming. Soon after, a black ball of energy electrified in the space, and a Dark Knight with a large two-handed sword appeared out of the warp gate.
Axel had just finished using 'Final Hit' and this secret skill was now on cooldown for 240 seconds. With his trump card sealed, Axel could only use 'Bash', which was a condensed strength attack that dealt the equivalent of one blow used in Final Hit, at the cost of lessened attack speed.
As the Dark Knight zoomed in on Axel, it seemed to prepare a stance for combat. Axel took the initiative and used 'Bash' on the Dark Knight. As the blow was about to hit the Dark Knight's armor, a dark energy circulated around the Dark Knight's armor and bounced off Axel's attack.
"I can't believe this! This monster must be a special mini-boss or something." Right as Axel backed up and took a defensive stance, the Dark Knight swung his large two-handed sword towards Axel's kneecaps.
Axel couldn't block in time, and had evade the attack by jumping back. Just when he thought he had dodged the attack, Axel felt a dark energy ball hitting his chestplate. The next thing he saw was his vision blurring and the Dark Knight taking steps near him.
...
The morning bell in the Dunbarton Church gonged on time, and Axel woke up in a startle. He was sweating heavily and got up to get some fresh air outside. As he left the church, he moved towards the main plaza where the people were gathering around the request board.
While slowly glancing over the request board, Axel thought to himself, "I'd better do a request that's a bit easier this time, and not as far away from town."
After staring at the board for awhile, he saw one request that seemed to fit his current status as a newbie adventurer.
"Defeat 3 Brown Foxes and collect their pelt. Location: Outside of the North Dunbarton Gate. Reward: 250 gold."
Brown Foxes were the easiest monsters to defeat in Mabinogi. While this world was different from the original game, Axel thought that he did not want to die again from the White Spider to just collect a few cobwebs.
He quickly tore off the request and headed towards the North Dunbarton Gate. Upon passing the North Dunbarton Gate, he saw two infantry soldiers standing guard as usual. He traversed onwards a bit further and soon after he saw a few brown foxes loitering around the plains.
Like last time, Axel hid behind the tall grass, but this time he did not have to wait to collect materials. In a single motion, Axel took out his wooden stick and ambushed a brown fox that was idling next to the grass.
What happened in that collision almost made Axel want to shed tears of blood. The wooden stick snapped in half as if it was made out of scraps. This made the brown fox quite agitated and Axel had to take a step back in a hurry.
"Sh*t!", cursed Axel as he threw the broken wooden stick aside. With no options left but to engage in hand to hand combat. Axel took a boxing stance that he remember from watching a YouTube video, and did a charging strike at the brown fox.
"Whish!" A jab missed the brown fox, as it ducked away, but Axel followed up with a strong right and it luckily slammed into the lower abdomen of the fox.
The brown fox was down, and it seemed to be gasping for breath, as if its life was trickling away like quicksand. Axel saw this moment of weakness, and jumped on the fox's body and knelt down.
"BAM! BAAM! BAAAAT!" Blow after blow landed on the fox as Axel's fists were glazed with hot steamy blood. After a few more attacks, the fox stopped moving as if it had become a puppet.
"Phew!", yelled Axel as he took a deep breath and tried to gather all the air into his lungs. This had been a tiring fight for Axel who had the lowest stats while being only Level 1. Then he looked at the sun which was hanging high in the sky, which was slowly drying the blood on Axel's hands. Then he smiled widely as he examined his first kill,
"Well it's a first step to making something of myself in this awful world."
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "12126",
"id": "12721",
"q": 0.82,
"title": "Axel in Mabiland - Chapter 3: Box to Win!",
"author": "azuraisi",
"chapters": 7,
"rating": 4.5,
"rating_ct": 2,
"genre": [
"Adventure",
"Fanfiction",
"Isekai",
"LitRPG"
],
"tags": [
"My webnovel is based on the fantasy life MMORPG, Mabinogi",
"Adventurers",
"Based on a Video Game",
"Fantasy World",
"Incubus",
"MMORPG",
"Reincarnated into Another World",
"Secret Identity"
]
}
|
Vol. 1 Ch. 4 - The accursed black hero......
Part #1
After that day, I don't know how long I was in this place. Cold hard steel bars, Both hands cuffed with a device that prevents the use of skills, no light except the torches hanged on the wall and stench of the dead rats in room fills the air.
I don't know why i'm in here in the first place...... They took everything from me. My weapons, my creations, my clothes, and my freedom. Nothing is left on me except the thin old clothes I was provided. I was given food and water to keep me alive. Although it was horribly tasteless, I didn't have choice but to eat it to survive.
I live through the days like that.....
Under the unlighted prison, my life was turned to nothing but trash. Being forced to showered with cold water of a water spell. Being made to sleep by forced by earth magic, Earth bullet.
Everyday was hell... Every night being shown nightmares through mind magic 'Black illusions'. My cries didn't help and as time goes by, I left unfeeling. Cold as ice and soulless as a mannequin. Then, as the hellish days end, I was finally set free in an unknown date.
"It is good to see you again, hero"
The king addresses me with his usual face filled with dignity and pride. That eyes of his.....irritates me... My blood boils every time i'm being looked down while being pushed down.. But I have to resist it, I still have my hands cuffed. I can't kill him with my hands like this.
". . . . . . ."
"Respond to the king when you are speaking to him!!"
Whack... My face was hit. With a hand equipped with a metal gauntlet, the blow broke my cheek bone. Blood the
"Tsk...."
"That is not an answer!!"
*Whack!!* again, I was punched. But, I retaliated with a headbutt to the nose. Blood gushed out and the knight fell down due to being out balance. I took that opportunity and began to crush his whole face with the sole of my foot. Breaking his nose and teeth then crushing his eyes. Other soldiers began suppressing me but was unable to.
However, as I was attacked by magic again like that time... I was blown off to a corner and was beaten up by the soldiers that tried to suppressed me. I was then presented to the king, being forced to kneel. I glared at the king who was looking down on me.
"You have gone wild after a few weeks in prison"
"Tell that to yourself, you made me like this"
Nightmares every night, being beaten up like a dog in the day. How hellish was that place if it can't make a single person turn into something he isn't proud to?
". . . . ."
"Gone silent? Can't refute the truth huh?"
You monsters took everything I have in this world. So i'll have you all pay for it. After that, i'll go back to my world. I'll leave this place and forget about it all and never come back.
"That might be true but your crimes are----"
"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!!!"
Again, i'm being accused....... My anger is surging and was being shown from my face. The king could only sigh as he see such sight and continued as if nothing ever happened.
"Well then, that aside. I have you stay in the border of this world. The council of the remaining 8 royalties have all agreed to this punishment"
That punishment huh? The thing about the banishment from this land? So the news spread even in the eight countries? News travels fast whenever if its a crime in this world huh? So does that mean that I can't enter any of those lands because i'm a criminal? These bastards...... have nerve to that after what they did to me.... One day....i'll have you regret this someday....
"So that's it huh?"
"You'll be taken there immediately, tomorrow morning will be your departure"
"Fast, aren't you getting to hasty just to get rid of me?"
"You are a threat in this lands so you'll be place there. The Elven kingdom provided the fastest ship to take you there so rest assured"
Ship? So it goes beyond the seas huh? He did say its a wasteland.
"Fine. I'll accept that. But if ever i'd get attack, i'll retaliate"
"Don't worry, your safety is assured. Inomiri-dono and the other royalties have made an agreement in regards to your safety"
Sensei.... I guess even she couldn't do anything. This world revolves in power. As long as you have power, you'll rule over the world. Even I can attest to that common sense.
"Are you fine now after hearing about your safety?"
"Aah... As long as my life is preserved, I don't care about anything"
With that talk over, I was set free and sent to my room to gather my belongings but, when I arrived at that room, all my things was turned upside down.
Those assholes.....they literally took everything. Even my notes of this world. My plans where to travel, even the stones I needed to use when making stones were all gone. Many papers were scattered around... my uniform...all turned to shreds..
"Damn it..... they'll pay for this.......After what they've done to me... I'll never forget this!!"
Bam!! My hand hit the stone wall. I was grinding my teeth and blood was dripping from my hands. After making my vow, I prepared the remaining things that was still intact and slept on the shredded bed without minding my smell. Under the cover of my arm, I tear drop dripped down on the bed.
Part #2
After Kyoushiro was led to his room, the king, along with Lucinda his daughter, was left whispering together. The face of the king relaxed after the throne room was emptied when Lucinda had them leave in the guise of a private talk with her father. The king consented, and ordered the guards to leave for now. Right now, only the two of them was inside the throne room.
"Father, the person I adore has......"
"Sadly, the incident couldn't be avoided. And it seems my adviser, Welmner-dono, pulled some strings to torture Kagami-dono"
Adviser, Ricardo Alium Welmner, was the man that sent Kyoushiro to prison and had paid the guards to torture him everyday. Unknown to the king, Taiga Kurosawa had became the core of the incident. He went to the people that greatly opposed the continued stay of Kyoushiro in the castle. It was because, Taiga thought that Kyoushiro was a threat to his plans. After seeing the power Kyoushiro could wield he felt that Kyoushiro would take the glory of being a hero instead of him. So, in order for his plans not be foiled, he made use of the fact that Kyoushiro was being hated in this world for having black hair and dark eyes.. With that thought, Taiga secretly met with Welmner and talked about his plans with him. After that, they ransacked Kyoushiro's shed and room to steal all of his belongings. Destroying his things were just a bonus. Then, after that was the execution of the plan, the swords were given to Taiga and the useless bunch were given to the other heroes.
The king was not informed of such truth, not even the princess knew. Because of that, they were having a discussion about finding the truth about what really happened that day.
However.....
"Taiga-dono is more powerful than the other heroes. If he were to leave our side....."
It'd be more catastrophic since such will be like letting the enemies attack his country. They can't just have the most strongest hero disappeared from his side, the populace will question the mind of the royalties. Because there would consequences in blaming Taiga, there was no choice but to let Kyoushiro shoulder the burden.
"But, he was treated way too horrible!!! The person I once knew, the Kagami-sama I spent my time with.....never showed such murderous eyes. This world changed him father..... I can't bare to see him like that....my heart just can't"
"Lucinda....."
The king knew all too well the feelings his daughter bare for Kyoushiro. It was not born out of pity, but pure coincidental when the two first met each other. In other words, it was love at first sight. The princess confessed her feelings to her father after the trial of that day was conducted. Who would have thought that Lucinda could cry so much for a mere stranger....
"So please father...... let me be with him...."
However, that is something the king, as a father, could not allow. Kyoushiro has now become too dangerous. It was proven earlier when he completely crushed the face of the knight with his foot. Anyone can imagine Kyoushiro hurting Lucinda, just the mere thought of it makes the king tremble in anger
"I won't allow it. It is to dangerous"
"But.....!!"
"Even so, the answer is 'No'. Who knows what he can do to you without my supervision. You could very well be killed if you get near him!!"
"I love him!! So I can take any punch or any blows he can give me!!"
"Don't be stupid!! Just let me take of it. He won't be hurt no matter what. I've let him be tortured too much, I won't allow it any further"
After what he had seen, the king have already taken measures to prevent him being hurt by any parliament. That is the reason Kyoushiro was being sent to the border of the world, the wastelands.
The talk ended and the princess left unsatisfied. It was obvious that she'll head to where Kyoushiro was. The king could only sigh on how easily this world destroy such young man..
Part #3
I left father alone and walked through the empty halls, alone with face showing the melancholy I was feeling.
Clack.....clack.....the extravagant shoe I was wearing makes such noise every step I make... The sound.... bounced of the walls of the empty halls causing the to echo loudly, the memory of my beloved......Kagami-sama being in such state....Pains my heart...
I am Lucinda Aluferd Travestin. The 1st daugther and heiress apparent to the throne. As my mother,Queen Isabelle Quintos Aluferd Travestin, has been bedridden, due to certain illness, I took up the position of the queen temporarily.
This country is a matrilineal lineage that has a queen that rules. Furthermore, i'm in the first seat that will one day be the queen of Travestin. As i'm the heiress apparent, I oversee the works of the current to learn how to act and stand as the next queen of Travestin.
Because of that, I am forbidden to choose whom I should marry. The duty of the queen is to marry a noble lineage with great ancestry and heritage. Love and such wasn't allowed, even just talking to a commoner was forbidden. My grandmother had gone through it and my mother as well. Although I do wish that I am free to love who ever I choose, it is impossible as I am the descendant of the lineage of queens.
For now, my father oversees the duty of the queen as the king of Travestin. I know that it is a difficult task so I often help out as future reference as the next queen.
"Summoning heroes?"
I was with my mother when she told me about the hero that came from a different world. Stories of heroic deeds fighting against the forces of demonic beasts as a hero of light, saving lives and ending wars. Hearing that, I can't believe that such powerful person once saved this world.
After hearing that story, I had a dream of marrying the hero. Being saved and saving each other. Spending our lives together and watching the future together as husband and wife. However, such stories remained stories. The war of the demon lords spread across the continent. Cities, towns and villages destroyed, lives were lost and fear enveloped the whole land.
My dream crumbled. As the reality was a harsh thing, I wasn't able to do anything but watch the world I knew fall in utter destruction. But......
"There is still one last hope....."
I had my father approved of the 'Hero' plan. As my father has knowledge about such legend, he immediately accepted it. We made plans and had them executed with great haste as time was not favorable. We opened up the ancient tomb of summoning. That is where the hero was suppose to appear. Clad in bright white and golden light, the hero descends from the doorsteps of the goddess.
However, what came was 17 young man and girls along with an older woman. It was a miracle. For those who hoped for a single hero, the goddess gave this country, 18 heroes. Which the other nations were unable to do.
That was then...... I met him. With guards pointing the edges of their halberds around his neck, a young man with an unkempt black hair and dark eyes, a person which fate caused me meet. A demon spawn..... A cursed one that has been revered as the spawn of the demon god. A black haired and eyed young lad, whom which set my heart aflutter when his night-like eyes met mine.
The hero.....Kyoushiro Kagami.....
The feelings that I tried to suppressed for all of my life have been pulled out, with only a glimpse of his dark solitude eyes. Was my face been blushing the whole time? Did he saw it? I can't help but feel the embarrassment whenever I saw such beauty in his eyes.
That was why, I took the opportunity and talked to him. Surprisingly, he was talkative. Whenever I asked about something about himself, he honestly gives me an honest answer. Without concerning our standings, he interacted as such....
Then, as three days passed, he was called out to rescue the trap heroes. Due to a misgiving information, the heroes where trapped in within the labyrinth's traps. It was a type of room that imprisons it's captives and made them fight in an endless surge of monsters. And each time the battle ends, a new horde of monsters attack with strengths doubled than the first ones.
Undeniably; it was a race against time. 16 heroes were trapped and if they were lost, the chances of freeing this world from the demon god would drop. All life will be lost because of one mistake.... A mistake, that the king, my father, doesn't want to happen.
As the adviser, Welmner-sama gave father reasons after reasons just make Kagami-sama fight. It was detestable. I truly loathe his greed and lust for power. However, his statement were hard to disapprove. With that, father was left no choice but to use Kagami-sama's power.
In the end, Kagami-sama succeeded. Oh, how much joy it brought me just to see him safe. I was told stories about what happened with the labyrinth by Minami-sama and Mikoto-sama. How Kagami-sama rescued them like a true hero. With strength that surpassed the heroes, he brought down the army of demonic ogres that the other heroes and Gaius-sama had troubled in defeating.
Hearing such stories only made my heart yearn for him even more. Before long, I have completely fallen for him. I follow him with my gaze every time we passed in the halls, spoke to him whenever we meet and watching his serious, yet delicate expression flustered whenever I teased him.
I can't help but to admit that I have totally fell for his charms. Though Kagami-sama seems scary, he has a heart that easily opens up to people. The childishness he has whenever he was fiddling with his potions.... those charms.... only made me madly in love with him...
But......such days ended when that certain day came....
"I hereby judged the demon-spawn, Kyoushiro Kagami, as a traitor and a criminal for the attempted murder of the 16 heroes"
It was the day when Kagami-sama was falsely accused by the adviser, Welmner-dono. He condemned and gave false statements about Kagami-sama's heroic deeds, turning them fabricated lies which made the people watching, accepted those lies like they were true.
But, I was unable to do anything. I could only watch Kagami-sama made as a criminal from lies that came from the mouth of the unknown witness. A sudden ache strike my heart. As if a needle went through it, it was burning like it was bleeding. My beloved was treated like an animal.
When I saw him charged towards Taiga-sama, I was shocked. He was suddenly blown away by magic. He coughed blood. I saw it, blood dripped from his lips, and he was having trouble standing up. I was about to run to him but, my father forbid me. He too was showing a face that was filled with dissatisfaction. Seeing a single man being drawn to crimes he did not commit, as a king, he can't bare such sight. But, as the king of the country as well, he must view his judgement as a ruler of a kingdom.
Because of that...... Kagami-sama was sent to the dungeon. Tortured day to night, every time I tried to visit him but the guards did not allowed me. Welmner knew about the affection I hold for the hero, so in order to not let Kagami-sama free and see a single person, I was threatened to not try and visit Kagami-sama again.
Then, several days later..... earlier, after a half a month has passed, I was finally able to meet my beloved again. However, Kagami-sama wasn't the same as before. His eyes that were shining despite it being dark, was now hollow. Holding no emotion whatsoever. Only hardheartedness and stone cold gazes to people he hates.
I.....I....can't bare seeing him like this!!! If only.....if only I was by his side, he wouldn't be so broken now. That is why.... I am now going to see him. Even if he were to be sleeping now, I want to see him. Even if push me away, i'll be by his side no matter what.
Now.....with resolute heart, I stand before the door, were my unrequited feelings, was directing their attention to. The room where Kagami-sama resides.....
Part #4
Ugh...... my head feels heavy.... After going through hell after those days in the dungeon, my body automatically wakes up whenever night comes. Those endless nightmares broke my mind and now I can't even take a decent sleep.
"Haah..... What do I do now?"
After I was imprisoned, I was left filled with hatred towards this world and to Kurosawa. I was dragged into that hell hole because of him and the things he stole from me are long gone now. At first, I tried to explain my side of the story to the guards of that dungeon but they didn't believed me. All they did was laughed. Looked at me with those disgusted eyes and tortured me non-stop.
I won't forgive them.... Even if I have to turn against them, i'll do it..
But, can it be done? My level is already behind those damn heroes. On top of my things stolen, I don't even have a single protective armor with me. My strength doesn't rely on my 'Status' but on literal physical objects. Because of the curse I was bounded to, obtaining [Sword skills] and [Magic arts] were impossible.
My Mp doesn't compare to sensei but it isn't worst than those low leveled punks. For now, I need to get stronger. Finding materials would be the best thing to do after all. Even if I lost my potions, I can still remake them as long as I have the right ingredients for it.
I have concerns for Lina's safety after that I was imprisoned. I tried to look for her after I got out but, it seems that she was sent back to her home town after she was an accomplice the crimes I did. I felt my heart ache after hearing that. Lina was in fact the only one that cared for me. Even when I was falsely accuse, I heard she pleaded to the king that I was innocent. Only to get fired and get deported back to her home town.
For now, i'll search for her and after that, i'll do what I want. I don't want to be in debt in this world, but for Lina, the only person I worked with in this world, i'll thank her. Even of it's impossible, i'll do so in order to repay back the kindness she has given me.
After I collect the scattered pieces of paper on the ground, I sat on the shredded bed and sighed deeply. I looked around the place once more and was reminded of the trash like state my room was when I entered it yesterday. Right now it's night and currently, I was rearranging the things that were thrown around the place; searching for something useful I could use.
But....
"They really did a number on me......"
My things stolen, and my room got trashed. All of the things I worked hard on to researched for three days without sleep was wasted. My swords, 'Dawn' and 'Dusk' were stolen by Kurosawa and my items were distributed to the others. Like a hierarchy where Kurosawa stood on top, the relation to the others were just simple slaves.
I can't help but regret suppressing the anger I felt that time. The murderous feeling I held towards Kurosawa, the maddening rage my heart was feeling against the people that pushed me down and looked at me with gazes filled with disgust and scorn. If only I had let it all out and all those people....I wouldn't have experienced that damned days...
Kuh!! I'm getting angry just by thinking of it....
*Knock Knock*
As I was clenching my fist till blood drew out, a sudden knock came from the door.... Right now is late at night. There is no people supposed be awake at this hour. Who could it be?
"Kagami-sama.....It is I...."
That voice...... what is the queen doing here in this late of an hour? Silently, I went over to the door. To check if whether the queen was alone or not, I used [Magic Seer] skill that I haven't used for a long time.
I focused my vision and saw only one translucent pale blue aura outside my room. It was definitely the queen. With such density, it was very easy to tell how much magic power she has in her possession.
After making sure she was alone, I slowly opened the door and peered outside where I saw the queen with a melancholic expression....
"Can I please enter?"
I gave a nod as response and let her in. I transmuted a small blade from a piece of needle I found earlier under my bed. A faint light glows behind me as I transmuted the needle into a finger sized small blade.
"Your highness, what are you doing in this late hour?"
I questioned her as she was facing the window, showing her defenseless back towards me. I was then surprised, when she suddenly turned her body and ran towards me. I thought I was going to be attacked, but it was only to embraced by the girl in front of me.
"Kagami-sama....I....I...I'm sorry!!! I wasn't able to come to you.... If only I had the courage... the strength at that time....I...You..."
Her face was buried on my chest. Crying as if her crimes were so heavy, pleading to be forgiven.
Astonished, I softly pushed her away and with that action, I was somehow faced with a crying girl in front of me. The queen smiled at me when she saw my reaction.
"Your highness......?"
I tried to call out to her but she only shook her head in response. She then looked up to me, with tears still falling from her blushing cheeks, and with eyes saying 'I'm happy' she again embraced me with all her might.
I let her be and do as she pleases for now and waited for a couple of minutes till she calmed down. Then, as I no longer her her crying, I let her seat on the shredded bed.
"Your highness, what are y--"
"Lucinda...."
"Yes?"
"Please call me 'Lucinda' Kagami-sama"
With a nod, I say her name.... Wait, is it alright to call her first name? Nah, this world is garbage, who cares about aesthetics like that...
"Lucinda-sama"
"Just 'Lucinda' Kyoushiro-sama"
Why change what you call me then?
"Then, Lucinda--"
"Kyoushiro-sama!!"
Again, I was embraced. Though this time, she pounced on me. Because of her actions, we both fell on the floor, making a loud thud and clattering noises.
"Kyoushiro-sama, oh how I waited for you to call me by my name...."
"What?"
"Oh, the hero that make my heart so, please let me be by your side till the ends of time...."
Don't go spouting cheesy lines like those princes in story books now lady.... Anyway, I can't seem to understand the situation so for now, let's let her do what she wants for now. I don't have the energy to play with her after all.
Then, after another couple if minutes, Lucinda finally calms down with her face as red as a tomato. I guess she was going out of control without her knowing huh?
"So? why are you here?"
"I--"
"Please answer this time alright?"
"I-I know!!"
I don't want such play again after all....
"I just want to see you.....Kyoushiro-sama...."
"'See me?' why?"
I can't understand her reason. She shouldn't be wanting something so ridiculous. Her position is the queen of this country, I can't say that I feel happy, but I feel an extreme hate towards this world and it's inhabitants. With her speaking to me, the woman who didn't do anything to save me when I was being accused, I feel my guts churning that I want to vomit.
"It.....It is because....because I....I...."
With a reddened face hidden behind her golden hair, Lucinda spoke stuttering and nervously unable to continue. So, for her sake, I waited for her to finish.
"It's because I love Kyoushiro-sama!!"
The surrounding went silent. The candle which was the only light source was flickering due to the whistling wind blowing inside.
Wait....huh? what did she say? I'm left completely dumbfounded right now, unable to comprehend what Lucinda just say.
"I have been in love you from the first time we met"
Again with that.....I can see her face softening. Her hands were laid above her chest, pressing her gigantic breast with her hands as she faced me with loving gaze. I froze up from, trying to understand the reason why Lucinda confessed her feelings to me.
U-Un.... she said it was love at first sight....but, why me? Aren't my appearance considered as a horrible thing in this world? When I answered that, she had her face turned away from me. Showing such vulnerable and fragile expression.
"I...As the next queen, I was not allowed to love"
Eh? Next queen? What is she saying?
"Kyoushiro-sama, I know that you confused right now so please listen to what I have to say...."
"Un..."
"This country, Travestin, is a matrilineal country. Where a queen is the who governs this entire land. My father currently is the one leading the country since my mother has been bedridden due to a strong disease. Because of that, i'm currently filling up the seat as the queen of Travestin"
There was such a backstory huh? But this country is a monarchy rather that patriarch one that a king usually rule over it. In other words, the king has no absolute power, whereas Lucinda, the heiress, has the higher position.
That somehow angers me.... why didn't she do anything when I was being judged like a criminal?! Kuh.....as I thought, I can't trust anybody even in this world...
"I know Kyoushiro-sama have grown to hate this world but...."
"You bet I do..... I was always getting insulted behind my back, always being scorned for something I don't even I did something or not... so why do I have like this place when all I receive is the bad end of the stick?! Cut the crap!!"
Luckily, I installed an anti-eavesdropping device in this room before I was convicted so there was no sounding going out of this room. Even if I yell or murder Lucinda, no sounds can be heard from the outside...
"This world....no, whether if it's mine or this one, it's all the same!! I'm always treated like this!! Being blamed for something I didn't do..... being treated like garbage by society.... always... it's always like this...."
That's right. Even back in that world, all I do is suffer. Always pushed around by someone stronger than me... even after my parents died....nobody respected me as a person, all i'm living for is my own life but.... even in this world, it's all the same.
I glared angrily at Lucinda. My curse, my false crime..... this world gave me twice the despair I was given than in my world. My anger..no!! my hatred won't disappear just like that!!
"Kyoushiro-sama...?"
"You're just like them huh.....? After this you'll just treat me like trash after you get what you want right?"
"No!! I....!!"
Lucinda stood up, trying to reason with me, who was being dyed by anger. I took out the small blade from behind me, and with a shine from the moonlight outside, the blade glimmer slightly like mirror.
Lucinda's eyes widened after seeing that. It was normal reaction.... you had been shown a weapon that could kill a person.
"I'll kill you and after that....this world is next...."
" !! "
I took a step forward, brandishing the small sized blade in my hand. But Lucinda didn't moved from where she was standing.
"What are you doing?"
I questioned why she was spreading her arms wide, letting her body open to attacks. If I charged now, she'll be dead already.
"If you have to, then please. If that will ease your anger, i'll give you my life. As I've said before 'I love you' and with that reason only, I am prepared to give you my life. Destroy this world afterwards if you must, but I won't let anyone be the first one you kill other than me"
With face filled with determination, Lucinda bravely let out her true feelings. I'm filled with chaotic thoughts... Conflicting whether to do what I want or do I don't want to.
Lucinda, the next queen, was willing to let her life be taken by me. Even more so, she wouldn't mind this world be destroyed. How brave is she? For her not to be afraid of death... are convictions that strong? No, is her feelings so strong that she'll let a freak like me do as he pleases?
"So please.....Kyoushiro-sama... Just don't hate me..."
Hate.... Why does she look so pained when thinking that I would hate her? Are her feelings really true?
"Kyoushiro.....sama?"
Aah...... What was I about to do.... This girl is just so pure that she was prepared to die for me.. Honestly....I really can't understand this place.
"Eh?"
With face dyed in surprised, Lucinda's face turned bright red. Why? because I pulled her towards me. I already threw away the blade so she's no longer in danger.
Although i'm still not sure whether what she say is true or not but, I can tell that, because of her, I can still go on in this world. Even if this or that world pushed me away, as long as I have Lina or Lucinda believing in me, i'd be fine....
"Kyoushiro-sama.......do you....accept me?"
"Aah....for now at least. So don't betray me now alright?"
"How can I do something like that?!! I won't betray Kyoushiro-sama ever!! I'll will stay loyal to him no matter what!!"
"Haha.... don't go saying things like that. There might come a time when I would lean on other women for strength"
"I would no mind. As long I am allowed to be by your side, i'm already fine with it"
We both stared lovingly in each other's eyes. So closed to each other, our breathes were mixing together. A strong wind blew in and put out the light of the candle, letting the darkness envelopes the two of us, with only the seeping light from the moon illuminated the room.
Slowly....our lips met. With her arms wrapped around my neck, I pulled her close to me. Locking lips, entwining the lavishing muscles within our mouths. Breaths mixed and liquid lining was shown as we separated from our intercourse of kisses.
My hands savoring the softness of her body, pressing each warm cushions with my palms. Her thin clothes stripped, and what appeared were the proud jewel that this country was treasuring. Lucinda pulled me down, causing our bodies to fall on the shredded bed, laying on each others bodies...
Seductive moans resounded through my ears......Teasing gestures like nibbling my ear lobes, caressing my hair as the kiss were lasting for so long.
Our minds blank, the scene of lovers making love can be seen within the unlighted room. Her voice saying my name, with such lovely voice, had my heart beat like crazy. Wildly, like intense waves crushing to one another, like bees collecting the nectar from the flower, water works came after.
Ragged breathe and along with the sweet scent of nectar, seducing me.... Inviting me again to another round of savory experiences.
With such night..... the two of us slept within the arms if one another. But, within my mind, was a plan. Making use of the purity of her affections towards me, i'll gather information regarding Kurosawa and the other heroes. And by then......I'll make sure he'll pay back what he owe me...
Part #5
Morning came, and what came after I woke up was a blonde beauty sleeping on my arm. I can still remember what happened last night so I am sure that there wasn't any use of either skill or spell.
Damn..... I can still feel that sensation....Well, anyways. I'll use Lucinda for now and have her give me information regarding the heroes, especially Kurosawa, after I leave. I'll make her a personal communication device that is only connected to me so that i'll have monopoly of the information going around the world.
"Nn~? Kyoushiro-sama, good morning"
"Aah, good morning"
Lucinda wakes up and muzzled up against me. Her face was smiling happily. There was still innocence remained on her personality after what happened last night. I kissed her forehead and pulled her towards me, giving her an embrace so tight her body was pressing against mine.
"Kyoushiro-sama is so sweet today~"
"Am I?"
"Yes, especially this part"
That....kuh....innocence my ass. But, well, her feelings for me are strong so i'll give love as much as she wants. Though, for now there isn't time for that but....
She isn't letting go so i'll spare some more time for her. After all, today is when i'll leave and be brought to the wastelands.
-
After I was separated from Lucinda from her and her affection, I hurriedly transmuted a communication stone for her. It was carved with a transmission and Reception magic circle with inscribed incantations inside. It was so that the wearer would be able to used to only communicate to me. In addition, I also made it into a ring so that it wouldn't be conspicuous. Lucinda was also happy about it so I didn't mind. There was also a spare earrings made for the reception in case trouble comes. I don't want her to get in danger time arise.
The materials for it were provided by Lucinda of course. It was stones given to her as a gift whenever some guys tried and court her. I don't understand the meaning if the rock but, they have useful effects so I took some with me.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Communication Ring/Earrings
Made by Kyoushiro Kagami
Let's communication possible through one way route to the other wielder. Can be use by pouring magic power directly into it. Quality of communications depends on the wearer.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Regeneration Ring (Small)
Boosts healing process of the wearer.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Mana Boosts Ring (Medium)
Increases Magic power to a certain amount.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Storage Bracelet
Magic storage with limited space.
Free space: 500/500
Used space: 000/500
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Lovers Rings
Rings that connects the your lover to you. As long you wear this you are bounded to your lover wherever he/she goes.
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
There three products that has useful use while the last one was no use at all. I used the best materials given to me by Lucinda. Although I was able to make new enchanted items, it was still below the quality I used to make before. But, since I have no choice, I willfully wore the accessories. Lucinda requested the Lovers rings so I gave her the other one. Whereas I was made to wear the other. It has useless effect but, if it makes Lucinda happy, I won't mind.
Then, as time flew by, our time together came to an end....
"We are the elven guards ordered to take you to the wastelands as requested by your king and our queen, Elfiana Litre Parcelous"
When I arrived in the training grounds, where I was instructed to come earlier, I was met up with a tall blonde guy with pointed ears and green armor with golden ornaments. Lucinda told me about their race and was shocked when they weren't the ones I knew back in that world.
They weren't short like Santa's working elves so it really hard to believe. But come to think of it, this guy has extremely good looks. If he were brought to earth, he'd make an instant celebrity.
"If you have nothing else to bring, board the ship immediately"
Ah, that's right. The most unbelievable thing I saw was a small ship brought on land. It was only that of a fishing boat size so it was slightly big as well. The interior and exterior was mainly made of wood, sails weren't present but a roof instead. It has fish like fins on the rear ends of it and an elegant design of yellow and green.
But......no, I better not question it anymore, this is a different world after all so, it must be normal.
"Kyoushiro-sama!!!"
As I was about board the ship brought by the human like elves, I heard Lucinda's voice calling out to me from the entrance of the training ground.
I looked over and saw Lucinda bring block by soldiers, with halberds being used to obstruct the path.
I walk towards her, and slowly the soldiers became vigilant. The king was standing behind Lucinda huh? Perfect, I can use this...
"Kyoushiro-sama.....we have to part ways....I can't bare such thing...."
Caressing her cheeks, I listened to her crying words. I didn't order her to do such thing this is a great opportunity to have her safety secured. I'll do something if things get dangerous around Lucinda. I can't have my informant die before she do her job.
"Lucinda, don't worry i'll be back. I'll get stronger by then and if that time comes, i'll take you with me"
"Kyoushiro-sama......"
"So wait for me alright?"
"Yes!!"
I pulled her close and kissed her forehead. She looked at me with longing eyes, reluctant to see me off. I ignored that and faced the king. This threat ought to do something....
"King, make sure that Lucinda is still safe when I come back. If ever a single hair has been damaged to her body, i'll kill you along with the people you rule"
The guards were shaken when I glared at them. The king had no expression to that whatsoever but, if this would make him protect his daughter properly, making insurances wouldn't be a bad thing.
"Oh right, tell this to that adviser of yours 'I'll come for your head first if you ever try to harm my queen'"
Lucinda's face blushed at that phrase. I somehow don't want to see that expression of hers since I might get delayed any longer. I caress Lucinda's cheeks one last time before I walked back to the ship. Ah, I forgot to say something.....
"King!!!! Tell Kurosawa that i'll take back what he stole from me, i'll take it all of it back when I return"
Right, this whole thing wouldn't even happen when if that bastard weren't so greedy. I take back everything he and the others took from me. Whether it'd be by force or not, i'll take it. This world won't stop my anger. I'll take Lina and Lucinda with me when I return to my world. I don't care if this world crumbles to dust. As long as I have those with me, I don't care if this world dies along with those heroes.
Continuing my steps, the closed my mouth and boarded the ship. As it made a mechanical sound as if an engine was turned on, the 10 meter ship flew up in the air and rode the winds as it travels the blue sky of this world.
I take back what was stolen from me.....I etched such vow deep within my mind as the ship flew through the sunrise of the new morn.
(EDITED)
|
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After his first kill, Axel was on a roll where he went and assaulted a few more brown foxes. Every time he tried to keep the fight 1 on 1, which allowed him to grasp a close victory. He continued until he could hear the gong of the Church Bell sound in the distance, signaling that it was 6:00PM. The sun was setting in accordance, and he quickly gathered the last brown fox pelt which he had skinned off skillfully.
As Axel moved towards the North Dunbarton Gate, he saw that the two infantry guards stationed there had switched off with two new guards. He nodded as he went in through the gate, and headed towards the main plaza to turn in the materials for his quest.
Eaven was standing tall and strong at the front desk, as if she was an immobile statue that belonged behind the counter desk. Axel went up and brought out the pelts from his inventory bag,
"I'd like to turn in these pelts for the rewards."
"Please wait a moment!" exclaimed Eaven as she took the pelts and counted them carefully.
"1 pelts, 2 pelts, 3, 4 pelts! I've received 4 brown fox pelts in total! Since there is an extra pelt included, you will get an additional 100 gold for your hard earned efforts!"
Axel almost jumped with elation when he heard this. If it was anything, he was in dire need of gold to fund his leveling as well as acquiring new equipment.
"Now place your hand on the Elemental Orb to assess your adventurer rank progress." asked Eaven.
In a single motion, Axel put his bloody paws on the orb and a faint green glow shined out.
"Congratulations! You have advanced to Level 3 and bronze 2-Star rank! Just a few more quests and you'll be able to level and rank up accordingly." Eaven gleefully said.
Axel was bit surprised by the result. He had fought that many brown foxes and it only brought up up a meager 2 levels. He sighed and then asked,
"Do you know how many more Star ranks until I can move up to the next adventurer rank?"
"You will need to reach bronze 10-Star rank in order to rank up to Iron rank, which is the minamum requirement to enter low level dungeons, which I recommend that you always do in a party of more than 3 people." replied Eaven.
"Thanks for the tip!" said Axel as he collected the gold reward and headed off into the main plaza.
The brightness in the sky seemed to dim ever so slightly as night fell upon Dunbarton. Then Axel heard a loud grumbling noise. He looked down to see his flat belly, which had digested the stale loaf of bread that came along with his wooden stick and beginner overalls.
"Time to grab some grub for supper!" he yelled. Now that he had finally made some gold, he was able to buy food to sustain his hunger.
Axel quickly ran towards the the food stall in the main plaza which was opened by Glenis, a middle-aged woman in a traditional long dress.
Sensing that a new customer had arrived, she yelled,
"Welcome to our small stall! Please take a look at any food that you may need!"
Eyeing the stalls that contained bread, bacon, rice, and cheese, he decided to take 2 loafs of bread for 50 gold each as it was the cheapest supper that he could afford for the time being. He passed 100 gold to Glenis and went his way back to the Church.
Axel quickly wolfed down one loaf of bread on the way and felt a small sense of sastifacation.
"Wow, I must have been starving after fighting those brown foxes." he thought.
When he entered the Church, he went straight onto the church bench and fell asleep. It had indeed been a long day and he didn't even bother to wipe off the blood off his hands and arms.
...
The morning bell sounded right on time and woke Axel up with a startle. This time, he didn't have a weird dream like getting completely overpowered by that Dark Knight in the Shadow Realm. He sniffed and suddenly wished that he had all his godly stats and equipment in his possessions as he came over to this world.
Axel went about his usual routine, arriving at the request board to see any jobs that he could take on. Upon glancing through, he saw a rather difficult request that required a minamum of bronze 2-Star rank:
"Defeat 1 Gray Wolf and collect its pelt. Location: The grasslands in Tir Chonaill. Reward: 600 gold."
Although it was only 1 Gray Wolf, the beast was several folds stronger than a brown fox or even the white spider. It could use basic combat skills such as 'Smash', 'Counterattack', and 'Defense'.
All of these skills could prove to be fatal if one did not tactifully fight. 'Smash' was a condensed strength attack that could one hit KO any normal human if one was unguarded. Even the 'Defense' skill could not block 'Smash'. The only way to block a smash was to use 'Counterattack' which would reflect the damage dealt to the existing target.
Another way to deal with 'Smash' was to time the moment before a 'Smash' could be dealt and hit the other party with a normal attack to stop the 'Smash' skill from being executed.
With a hint of bravado, he took off the request from the board and headed towards the Dunbarton Moongate. Those similar ranked Bronze adventurers who saw Axel storm off in that direction thought he must be crazy to challenge a Gray Wolf at his level. Even most other Level 10 adventurers would hestitate to fight a Gray Wolf, much less a Level 3 adventurer like Axel.
By the time Axel reached the Dunbarton Moongate, he had just remembered that this Mabinogi world went by the old system, where the Moongate only operated during night time.
"Oh well, how about I finish up that other request to collect cobwebs while I wait for the night time to come." Axel pondered.
He certainly did not want to walk on foot from Dunbarton to Tir Chonaill. Considering that it took 20 minutes to walk from the main plaza to the Dunbarton Moongate, the time it would take to travel between two towns would be astronomically high.
Once again, Axel went to the nearby plains and hid behind the tall grass. He saw a group of White Spiders spinning cobwebs in one place. As if a devil had taken over his mind, he charged forward in a boxing stance and did a low sweeping kick.
"Spoolsh!" The wide ranged kick managed to knock off 2 of the 8 legs of the spider. The arachnid growled furiously as it clumsily crawled over to attack the human before him.
Unfortunately, with only 6 of its 8 legs functional, it lagged behind in speed and Axel was able to kill it with a strong jab to its seemingly soft shell. Green juices splurted out of the fresh corpse, which almost made Axel vomit out the bread he had consumed last night.
"Aaaaaccckkk!!!!" Axel trembled as he tried to get the bug juices off his shirt.
"Ugh, what a waste of energy to kill these." Axel thought as spider corpses would not profit him in any way. He decided to just continue staying in the grasses to collect cobwebs until night arrived in time for him to warp to Tir Chonaill using the Moongate.
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The growling of the black wolf minion seemed to close in on Axel, spelling the doom upon him. His breathing was so erratic that the lungs were so wet on the inside that he almost suffocated. He had been running for over 3 minutes at a rate of 30 miles per hour. This was faster than any world ranked 100 meter sprinter back on earth, and he had been pushing himself past his human limits. He knew that his stamina would not last a few more seconds, and he was prepared to be defeated in battle if the worst scenario came. This was a pack of black wolves, and each of them individually could overpower him like stepping on an ant.
As he raced near to the spot where Deian had tended his sheep, he finally stopped and took a defensive stance with his wooden club. Axel was extremely nervous, and felt like acid was churning in his stomach. What came next was quite surprising. The black wolves stopped after he stopped running as well. All they did was stare at him closely and circle him, as if waiting an order from the Giant Black Wolf.
Seeing that it was not a good idea to just stay there motionless, Axel took up his arms and swung the wooden club at the closest black wolf beside him. Of course, the evasion speed of the black wolf was astonishing, and only an afterimage of it moving could be seen. Immediately, the black wolf that had been attacked, jumped up towards Axel's face and Axel responded accordingly by letting the bite sink into the wooden club.
The bite had struck at the last of the lifeline of the wooden club, and seeing this made Axel desperate about the situation. Axel could not shake off the wolf's teeth, and his only choice was to wait for the borrowed weapon to be shredded to pieces after.
Just as the wooden club started to show cracks in the top part of the wood, Axel tried to pushed the black wolf back, as if he had entered into a wrestling match. Obviously, Axel was not on par with the wolf's combat strength and was slowly getting push backed himself.
Right before Axel was about to fall on his knees, a thin gray vapor appeared in the air and headed towards his direction.
"Sssshhhhiiiiiiii!!!!"
The air pressure sound seemed like a propane tank leaking gas. Except Axel knew that this was not Earth. As if he knew the lethality of the unknown vapor, he quickly discarded the wooden club and ran as if his depended on it in the opposite direction of where the gray smoke was heading.
"DOOOOOONNNNNNNMMMMM!!!!!"
An explosion comparable to a grenade wiped the entire field where the black wolves had been. It was so loud that Axel who was running back almost went deaf as his eardrums slightly ripped.
When the smoke from the explosion cleared, there were dozens of piles of black wolf corpses, and all of the sudden the pasture had become an eerie graveyard. Axel knew immediately what the gray vapor was when he had seen and heard it. This was a medium tier magic spell in Mabinogi, Fireball. The fire spell consisted of gathering large amounts of mana from within, and storing it into a flame ball like shape. When the magic caster released the fireball, it was equivalent to releasing a cannonball, and defeated large numbers of monsters in the radius of 800 meters. The caster could release the spell as far away as 2000 meters.
Axel was still running away for a few minutes until he saw the magic caster. It was a pink-haired girl with twin tails hair, and wore a black magic robe that covered her entire body. In her hand was the most basic fire wand, which was required to cast fire type spells. As Axel stopped a few steps before her, she asked,
"Are you okay, little newbie?"
"I'm fine, you really saved my a*s out there." Axel gasped.
He was so exhausted from blocking the attack from the one black wolf and on top of running away suddenly he feel on his knees and looked up once again.
"Weird, how can a newbie like you know when to run away when a rare spell like Fireball is being fired?" questioned the mage girl.
Axel averted his eyes away and thought, "Is it that rare in this world to use magic? I'd better keep my knowledge of the previous Mabinogi a secret for the time being."
"I don't know, I was just really at my limits from the fight with the wolves, and kind of ran off at the last second. I guess I was lucky not to be hit by such a powerful magic attack. Forgot to say my name! I'm Axel, and um, may I ask what your name is?"
"I'm Isabel, but you can call me Bel for short! Let's get out of here before the Field Boss comes to chase us down!" said Bel.
Right when Axel got up, he saw two other people behind Bel. He had been so focused on running that he failed to see the other people besides the mage girl in front of him. On one side was a young knight donned in silver plate armor with medium brown hair and a stern look about him. On the other side, was a slightly older man, with a heavy goatee with short black hair and covered in leather armor and a bow behind his back.
"Oh, these are my party members, Max and Kaiser, Max is the warrior in our party while Kasier is our archer." Bel responded when she saw the confusion in Axel's eyes.
Axel nodded and they went their way back to Tir Chonaill. Max and Kaiser lent their shoulder to Axel the whole way as he was in no condition to walk anymore.
...
Back at Tir Chonaill, the four of them headed to the healer's house in the north part of town. As they walked past the bridge that was between another segment of the river, they reached a cemetery. The entire place had a bit more than a few dozen tombstones, possibly the deceased of the townspeople's family members or ancestors. After transversing through the cemetery and found a small cottage ahead, they quickened their pace and opened the door suddenly and yelled,
"Ms. Dilys, we have a gravely wounded newbie here!" Bel shouted.
Soon after, a slim and beautiful woman in her 30s appeared from the curtains in her clinic. Her short round hair and pristine skin made Axel feel a sense of comfort after a long day at the pastures. Max and Kaiser slowly led Axel onto one of the beds in the clinic and stepped away.
As Dilys the healer slowly examined Axel's wounds she said,
"You have several strained tendons in your legs and arms. I will bandage parts that are bleeding, and concoct a low-grade healing potion to help you slowly recover."
As Axel heard those soothing words, he finally couldn't keep his consciousness in check and drifted off in a deep slumber.
|
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It was a rainy afternoon where you could hear the raindrops slapping onto the window of a flimsy apartment building that seemed to take up too much space in this modern neighborhood in the college district of the Union. The Union was one of the largest federations in the world, taking up the old United States, along with Mexico and Canada. This was the year 2177, almost 100 years after World War 3 had ended. The devastation of the fighting between United States and China had ripped apart the continent of North America, and only certain parts of the land could be habitable. Axel was a very normal college student that lived in a region that was once called California, which was renamed as Area 7 after Union was established. Axel looked at the clock, and it displayed, "3:21 P.M."
He had been up all night spamming shadow missions in the world famous online MMORPG, Mabinogi. He was preparing to upgrade one of his new weapons, the Soluna Blade, into a Step 7 weapon, which was the last upgrade you could do to a weapon in the game. Not to mention, the Soluna Blade was an ultra rare two-handed sword you could only get from clearing the hardest dungeon in the game, Rabbie Phantasm a good several hundred times to get the materials to make it. And the blacksmiths that were skilled enough to make the Soluna Blade could only be counted with the number of fingers one had.
He had just slept over a college class, one that he didn't need to show up for as it was a philosophy class where a professor just lectured on and on until he lullabied everyone to sleep. Axel zipped out of bed like batman and did a quick rinse of water in his mouse before heading out the door. He put on his rain jacket and rain boots and closed the door behind him to head to the nearest 7 Eleven to get some beef tacos for dinner.
Upon entering the 7 Eleven, he quickly told the attendant to bring out 3 beef tacos to go. He gave him a bill of 5 Unis, which was the new currency for the Union Federation. The inflation in currencies hadn't changed much since the 21st century. You could buy 3 small tacos with 5 Unis, or 5 dollars back in the days when the United States was a single country. Now that United States, Canada, and Mexico had combined into one country, it had truly become a melting pot of different people and cultures. English wasn't the only official language anymore, and every new child that enrolled in public school had to learn English, Spanish, and French, as they were the major languages that most people spoke in the Union.
"Come again", waved the attendant, as Axel went out the automatic door. As he walked towards the direction of his house, he heard a thunderbolt jolt in the distance. Luckily, it wasn't near where he was. He thought to himself, "When I get home, I'm gonna pulverize those weak guild leaders and newbies to show them who's boss again, hahahaha!!"
Axel was one of the most renowned solo players in Mabinogi. He had completed every single difficult dungeon and shadow mission one could complete, and completed nearly the best gear in the game, with the exception with the Soluna Blade. It had been stuck at Step 6 upgrade sequence for more than 4 months, and he was ready to take his demon-like power to the next level. He couldn't wait to show the guild leaders that often teamed up on him with their guilds to steal his hunting grounds in dungeons. Although he could defeat the guild leaders of major guilds easily, it was a different story if they brought their entire guild to combat Axel. In his mind, Axel thought, "F**k those guild peeps, using their numbers like a cheat."
He was going to get revenge after his Soluna Blade completed the Step 7 upgrade. As he finished his thoughts, he took another step and felt his body slide forward like a rocket. It was only then he realized there was a soda can where he had taken his step, and what happened next was horrific.
Axel not only slide and rolled forward, but after rolling, there was a telephone pole right next to where he was going to fall supposedly right into the floor if there was nothing there.
"Gong!"
Axel felt the world revolving around him, and he couldn't keep his consciousness in check. Next thing he knew, stars were appearing in his line of vision, and his entire world went black.
This blackness persisted for a while, and he thought he had fainted, but it was weird how his consciousness was still there, as if his spirit had escaped his body.
"What the hell is happening here?" Axel thought. He was going crazy. He thought he had most likely died most slipping on the soda can and then crashing into the telephone pole.
"Whoosh!"
Suddenly the world around his consciousness became white, and he saw the sky. It was nighttime and he could see the constellations above. Then he looked down and he gasped. In front of him, was a familiar view that he thought he saw everyday while logging onto his favorite MMORPG.
"Is this....real?" Axel thought to himself. He saw the old Market Board, which was used for selling and buying things before the Auction System was released. He saw the town office, where the pretty blond Eaven worked to support new players. He saw Walter, who was in charge of the General Store. Then he did a 360 degree check up on his surroundings. He saw all the things that belonged to one town in Mabinogi, Dunbarton.
Axel exclaimed, "WHAT IS HAPPENING!!!!!!!!!! WHY AM I IN DUNBARTON!!!!!!!!!"
What he really wanted to yell was why he was even in Mabinogi as his character in the first place, and he couldn't believe the next thing he saw.
Axel was wearing the most basic beginning t-shirt and jeans, along with a wooden stick in his hand, which was the starter weapon that all beginners got. He saw that he also no absolutely no gold and nothing else except a bread in his inventory.
No words could describe the pain in his chest. He almost spat out blood.
"I CAN"T BELIEVE ALL MY MONEY IS GONE!!!!!!!!! NOT TO MENTION I'M ONLY LEVEL 1!!!!!!!"
Axel thought to himself afterwards, "How I am supposed to survive with this shitty gear and low level?"
He wasn't too surprised about being summoned to another world, but now his problem was he only had a bread to his name, and this was the start of his journey into his favorite MMORPG, Mabinogi.
|
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Seeing that it was nighttime, Axel moved towards the Dunbarton Church, which was up ahead upon walking a few stairways from the main plaza. He knew that this was not the same Mabinogi he had known in his MMO days, as he could feel the cold air penetrating into his skin like sharp icicles. Here he was, at the lowest level, a wooden stick, and only a bread in his inventory bag.
He then opened the large twin doors to the Dunbarton Church, and called out,
"Is anyone there?"
At first there was no response, and soon after a shadow appeared in the distance near the organ that was placed near the front of the cathedral. Quiet footsteps tapped in the dark under the candles that flickered in the latter half of the cathedral.
A slender but also curvy young woman in a nun's clothing appeared aways from Axel. Her short pink hair and gentle red eyes seemed to be from another world, and her beauty seemed to glimmer under the dim lights of the candles.
"Welcome to the Dunbarton Church!" she said with a hint of curiosity.
Axel gulped down some saliva and regulated himself once more and asked,
"Can I stay here for the evening? I've come a ways from Tir Chonaill for some business in Dunbarton."
The nun grimaced a bit and then nodded, "Of course, we welcome all lost lambs in search of shelter".
Axel took a sigh of relief, as he had crafted a feasible lie at the last second to not invite any suspicion about his origins. He walked over a few feet near where the nun was and said,
"I don't think I've introduced myself yet. I'm Axel, an adventurer hailing from Tir Chonaill. As you can see a newbie one at that, but I hope to settle in this town long term for work."
"Nice to meet you Axel. I'm Kristell, and I am a priestess at this Dunbarton Church. You can ask me for anything while you're here for the night."
"Thanks a lot. I'll be catching some sleep on this bench until the first morning bell". said Axel as he swooped onto the church bench to his right and fell asleep in a matter of seconds.
"Sweet dreams." whispered Kristell as she walked back into the darkness in the cathedral.
...
The church's copper bell sounded as the sun rose over the horizon. Back in the game Mabinogi, this would signal for 6:00AM in the morning. Axel awoke and slid his legs off the bench. He stretched his arms and yawned loudly.
He thought to himself, "Everything seems to follow the settings in the game so far, except for the fact I had to whip up the false fact about being an adventurer. It seems like besides other dwellers of Erinn, there are also other residents in this world, and being in the Adventurer's Guild is a normal thing here."
Axel walked out the church doors and headed for the main plaza. As he walked near the market board where most players would buy and sell things from, he noticed that the board was covered with papers of requests from residents in Dunbarton. Many other adventurers were browsing over the board in order to pick a job for the day. It was completely different from the game, and he was unsure of what to do next.
Then he looked above to see Eaven in the counter desk. She was a regular dweller of Erinn with long blond hair in Mabinogi that dealt with matters of settling in new players in the game. Axel thought it was a good idea to talk to her, and went up and asked,
"May I register here as a new adventurer?"
"Of course, just complete this registration paper and turn it in afterwards to get your guild card." replied Eaven.
Axel took the registration paper from her along with a quill pen to fill out the necessary information over the counter desk. When he was done, Axel went over and said,
"Here's my registration paper ready."
"Thank you! Please put your hand on the Elemental Orb for it to collect your personal information such as your level and stats." said Eaven.
Axel was dumbfounded. "What the f**k is an Elemental Orb? We definitely didn't have this in the original Mabinogi game."
He slowly put his hand over the colorless white orb the size of a human head and a faint glow turned up in response. Then Eaven pulled out an small iron plate and smiled,
"Congratulations on becoming a new adventurer! You will start at the lowest rank, which is bronze as your current level is only 1 and all your stats are still at the lowest as well."
Axel sighed, and thought, "Figured that would be the case. This is going to be painful hunting monsters in the beginning."
Axel waved goodbye at Eaven and went back to the adventurer's request board. On the board he saw many bronze level requests that were material gathering quests such as,
"Gather 10 base herbs South of Dunbarton. Reward: 100 gold."
Then he saw another bronze level request below the herb gathering one,
"Gather 5 cobwebs droppings from White Spiders outside near the West Dunbarton Gate. Reward: 200 gold."
Axel thought with his current level and garbage low stats, he could only take these two requests, as fighting monsters was an act of suicide at his current stage.
He quickly ripped off the two requests, and he headed towards the West Dunbarton Gate.
At the West Dunbarton Gate, he saw two infantry soldier stationed at each side of the gate, which surprised Axel at first. There were usually no guards in the game Mabinogi, and this showed that this world Axel had stepped into was indeed different from the game that he had once played.
Upon hiking a good 20 minutes outside of Dunbarton, he finally saw the Dunbarton Moongate which was surprisingly not active at the moment. Axel gasped,
"Jesus, it takes 20 minutes to get from the West Gate to the Moongate? If I had a mount, I can fly here in a second or two. Not only that it follows the old system where it only operates during the night?"
The Moongate was a magic warp device created using the leftover mana stone weapons left by the Fomors during the Second Great War of Mag Tuireadh. The ancient wizards through great efforts invented the technology of Moongates to be able to move between any town in the continent of Uladh at any given instance between nightfall and sunrise.
Axel made it a goal to get a mount first thing after securing a weapon for normal hunting purposes. A horse would be sufficient for travel purposes like today.
As he moved a bit more west after passing the Moongate, Axel hid behind the tall grass in the plains. He had spotted a White Spider, which was the size of a normal human. He waited for the White Spider to excrete cobweb droppings.
After waiting for about an hour, the spider started spinning out the cobwebs. One cobwebs, two cobwebs, and more came out the spider's back abdomen. Axel thought to myself, "This is my chance!!" and took baby steps to collect the cobwebs.
As he was delighted with himself while putting the cobwebs in his inventory bag, he suddenly felt something closing in on him and when he looked up to see, it was the White Spider towering over him with four of its legs ready to attack Axel. Unfortunately, Axel could not react to the quick attack speed of the White Spider, and was slain in one hit.
Again, Axel's consciousness floated in the darkness as he wondered, "Did I die again? First a soda can kills me, and now the weakest mob White Spider can one hit KO me like I was a marshmallow."
The next thing he noticed, the surroundings became clear again, and he could see the night sky again. As he looked down, he realized he was back in the main plaza of Dunbarton.
|
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The night descended as Axel finished up collecting cobwebs for one of the previous requests where he was knocked unconscious by the White Spider. He once again wondered if the people of this world knew about Milletians and their ability to auto-revive upon being slain in battle.
The world of Mabinogi that he was currently transferred to upon his death in Earth was in some ways vastly different from the MMO that he had once played. Instead of there being guilds created by "players", there was an adventurer's guild that was stratified in ranks of ability. The Elemental Orb served as a magical tool that could measure the levels and ranks of an adventurer. The market board was used not as a way to trade between "players', but was a means of work by completing requests posted on there.
All of the sudden, Axel felt strangely curious about what lies ahead for him in this unknown world. It would be completely different from the entire process in which he had leveled up and acquired equipment in the game. As he reflected on these thoughts, he saw that the Dunbarton Moongate had opened up, and he walked over the glowing portal where the chained up mana stone was floating high up in the air.
In an instant, he subconsciously imagined Tir Chonaill in his mind, and the next second, he appeared in a grass field extending endlessly in front of him.
The green landscape seemed to ease the anxiety in heart upon arriving in this new world. If Axel had not previously been a top ranked player in the original Mabinogi game, he would have felt fearful and unable to accept the reality in front of him.
Slowly, he took a few brisk steps in the grass field and heard some familiar animal sounds in the distance.
"Baaaaaaaaaaa!!! Baaaaaaaaaa!!!"
When he peered over to his left, he saw a herd of sheep nawing away at the grass. At this moment, he knew that this scene in front of him led him to confirm that he was indeed in the pastures of Tir Chonaill now.
Seeing that it was quite dark now, he headed off to the nearest inn in town. After walking a distance, he saw a wooden bridge that was built between the river and crossed it successfully. Afterwards, he climbed uphill, and crossed another bridge that was also built alongside the other parts of the segmental river.
Right after crossing the second bridge, he saw a small inn that was shaped in a old fashion cottage that was made from bricks and wood. Upon coming closer to the inn, he saw an amiable young lady with honey-blond hair in a traditional skirt. The lady seemed to notice an incoming customer and yelled,
"Do you need lodging for tonight? Let me lead you inside the inn!"
Axel nodded and followed her inside.
Inside the inn, various candles light up the brick like structure. By the counter there was a clean shaven, middle aged man in medium length navy blue hair. He looked over at the young lady and asked,
"Nora, is this a new customer we have here?"
"Sure is, Uncle Piaras." replied Nora.
"Welcome to the Tir Chonaill Inn! My name is Piaras and I am the Innkeeper of the only inn in town." Piaras chirped.
It seemed that he was excited that a customer had come, seeing that Tir Chonaill was a small town way out in the sticks. The townspeople were mostly self sufficient through agriculture practices and raising cattle.
"I would like to reserve a room here for 2 days." said Axel.
"Is that all? That will be 200 gold. Thank you for your patronage!" replied Piaras as he handed an antique looking key to Axel.
Axel handed him the gold and took the key which had a carving of "202" on it and went upstairs to the corresponding room.
Upon unlocking the door and going inside, he slid on the bed and fell asleep right away. Although that he was Level 3 now, fighting a White Spider and spending an entire afternoon of gathering cobwebs had drained him of his stamina. Soon after he entered into a dream realm, but something was amiss.
Inside the dream, Axel could see a beautiful young woman, or rather angel in a petite one piece overall standing in a colosseum like platform. The spotlight shone on her as if she was a godly existance to be worshipped. Her black angel wings seemed to contradict the whiteness of her robe, and her pale marble like shoulders seemed to blind whoever had laid sight on her.
"Can you hear me?--Oh, you can hear my voice--I have a rather difficult request, please come to Tir Na Nog--the world is in danger." the angel's voice trembled.
The next thing he knew, Axel disconnected from the dream as if it was planned beforehand. It was morning in Tir Chonaill, and he could hear the birds chirping outside of his window in the room.
To Axel who had played the original Mabinogi game, this dream was not a coincidence. The angel, or rather goddess that reached out to him was Goddess Morrighan. She was one of the many goddesses in the game Mabinogi and her call for help was the start of Generation 1, the first storyline in game for new players. Even the line of dialogue was similar from the original game, which spooked Axel a bit.
Eventually, the Milletian or Axel in this case would have to go to Tir Na Nog to defeat an ancient monster called Glas Ghaibhleann which was summoned from another realm to destroy the world of Erinn, which is the realm in which all the races and Milletians resided in.
As if trying to forget the event of the Goddess' calling, he got up and went out of the inn.
...
Axel took a third of his bread and sasiated his hunger. Then he thought to himself, "I really need a weapon or else I don't have a chance of beating a Gray Wolf."
At the moment, he had zero weapons and zero skills, which was detrimental to his combat ability. Sure, he could kill a few White Spiders and Brown Foxes if he used his boxing, but being Level 3 did not essentially give him an guaranteed victory in battle every time.
He thought that he would invest some time in life skills, other known as crafting skills previously in the game. He crossed the two bridges back to the grass fields, and turned left towards the blacksmith shop in Tir Chonaill. Soon he saw a middle-aged man with a tan, muscled complexion, and had a scruffy beard that distinguished him as a seasoned blacksmith. He was leaning on the wall of his shop and chewing on some raw grass.
"Good Morning Sir, I'd like to be apprenticed in the ways of forging." said Axel.
The blacksmith looked up. He stopped his chewing and replied,
"The name's Ferghus, I'm not taking any students at the moment, but there is something you could do for me, and I'll promise you a hefty reward at the end."
"What is the request?" asked Axel.
"I'd like you to procure 5 Gray Fox pelts which I need to make a decoration on a lightmail for a job I've taken on. Upon completion, I'll give you one of my handmade daggers, how's that?"
The weight of his words seemed to sink Axel's sense of reality into a corner. A dagger would easily fetch a good 1500 gold in any blacksmith shop, and Ferghus offered one for only 5 Gray Fox pelts. Gray foxes were only slightly stronger than a brown fox. If a brown fox was the one of the weakest monsters in this world, about 2 brown foxes would equal the combat strength of 1 Gray Fox. In this sense, it was a lot less dangerous than fighting a Gray Wolf bare-fisted, which he could imagine leading to his utter defeat.
"Deal." replied Axel as he set off for the north region of the grass fields. His luck was turning for the better and thought this would be his chance to rise up to an Iron rank adventurer in a short amount of time.
|
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The sun was gradually rising up over the horizon as Axel moved towards the north grass fields. The pasture there was home to many fox species, including the Red and Gray Foxes. Beyond the pasture further in the east was a thicket of evergreen trees that seemed to endlessly expand in the distance.
Axel did not dare to enter that forest. Monsters several folds stronger than a Gray Wolf wandered about, and there would be sometimes a stray goblin that would escape from the seals in the dungeon.
Just as he was about to enter the area where the Gray Foxes were, a tanned boy wearing a tail cap yelled out,
"HEYA, WHERE ARE YOU GOING OFF TO?????!!!!!!!!!!"
Axel thought that he was speaking through an electronic speaker, which obviously didn't exist in this world. He then went up and replied,
"Uh, I'm about to hunt some Gray Foxes in the pastures up ahead."
"WOAH, ARE YOU INSANE!!!! YOU LOOK LIKE YOU ONLY HAVE SOME YARN WOVEN CLOTHING ON AND NO WEAPON!!!!! HOW ARE YOU GOING TO BEAT THE FOXES BARE-HANDED?????!!!!! HAAAAHAAAAAHAAAA!!!!!" the boy's voice boomed like thunder.
Axel could not help but shake his head. Apparently this boy either had a hearing disability or his voice was just naturally loud. Then he cheerfully replied,
"I've got no choice but to go with my bare-fists, my only weapon which was a wooden stick snapped in half when fighting a White Spider a few days ago."
"HAAAAHAAAAHAAAAA!!!!!!!!! YOU MUST BE A NEWBIE WARRIOR OR SOMETHING. BY THE WAY, THE NAME'S DEIAN, I'M A SHEPARD AT THIS TIR CHONAILL PASTURE. TELL YOU WHAT, I'LL LEND YOU MY WOODEN CLUB!!!!! AT LEAST YOU WON'T GO OFF WITHOUT ANYTHING TO DEFEND YOURSELF WITH!!!!!!!"
Axel took the wooden club from Deian, and looked at the scratches and dents on the surface. Apparently, this was a wooden club very low on durability, and could break anytime. No wonder this guy lent it to him so willingly. It was as if he didn't want it back in the first place. Then he thought it was better than going off to hunt without any weapons. Moreover, a wooden club with max durability points would cost about 600 gold at any weapon store. This had been a great harvest for Axel.
"Thanks Deian! I'll be sure to repay this favor sometime!" Axel shouted as he went east to where the Gray Foxes where.
Upon reaching the middle area of the pasture where the Gray Foxes resided, he saw a rather large boulder the size of two humans high and hid behind the rock. He peered over the side of the boulder and saw dozens of gray foxes out in the open. He thought of a strategy that he rarely used in the original Mabinogi game.
"I could use Rock-Throwing Action to lure the gray foxes to set a 1 on 1 fight with each of them." Axel thought.
Rock-Throwing was a useful action skill that did not require any stat prerequisites. In the game, the player would pick up a rock, and use it to throw it at an enemy, in hopes of getting its attention. It can also be used to hit dungeon switches. The range was the same as any elementary magic bolt spell and could reach a target from 1200 meters away.
This was perfect for Axel, who did not have any powerful combat skills at the moment. If he was able to aggro the Gray Foxes one by one, and fight them individually, it would decrease the chances of him being in danger.
Like a ninja, Axel with a rock in hand took baby steps towards a Gray Fox nearest to him upon walking out the boulder. In a single motion, he took a pitcher's stance in baseball, and slugged the rock at the fox's back.
"RRrrrrrr!!!!" the gray fox growled as he turned his attention towards Axel. It observed the human from far away him and thought he was a weakling that had dared to provoke it.
At this moment, Axel took the club in both hands and got into a swinging stance in baseball. He thought if he wanted this fight to end quick, he would have to utilize a full body power stance from baseball that could exert the great amount of force when an attack was executed.
The gray fox started to come over and began to circle around Axel, attempting to find the perfect timing to attack Axel. It's hind legs were uprooted up above the ground, maintaining a power stance that could jump at Axel anytime.
Before the fox could leap and kick Axel, the wooden club blocked the movements of the agile beast. Axel swung the weapon like a bat, but stopped midway to block. He was experimenting with his reaction speed with a weapon, and still playing it safe for now. If he had follow through with the wooden club and did a full strike, his body would be unguarded after for a few seconds. Axel wasn't going to take any chances if that happened.
The bout with the fox leaping and Axel blocking lasted for a few moves, and then Axel slowly adapted to the timing of his blocks. In the next mid strike, he started another attack that seemed up swing all the way but he pulled it back at last second. The fox was not able to see through this feint attack, and was already in motion to attack. Seeing this chance, Axel swung his wooden club swiftly at the fox's forehead. Seeing that it had been tricked, the fox was fuming and tried to get back on its feet after taking the hit head on.
If it was anything, Axel did not dare waste this golden opportunity to put in the finishing blow. He bashed the fox repeatedly as if a watermelon had split apart, and the dark red juices splattered all over his face and t-shirt.
"Haaaaahhhh!!!!" Alex exclaimed as he took a large breath. It was quite exhausting to keep blocking with the wooden club and the entire fight had lasted about 5 minutes. Although the duration of the battle was short, he realized that his stamina and strength seemed to be only a bit better than his original body on Earth. It was maybe a good time to do some fitness training like jogging and push-ups.
After resting for a good half hour, he went to lure another gray fox again. He continued this block and feint attack strategy to fight the gray foxes and took breaks between each fox defeated accordingly.
By the time he had defeated enough gray foxes to deliver pelts to for Ferghus' deal, it was already late afternoon. As Axel tidied up his face by wiping his t-shirt over it, he noticed the sky suddenly turning gloomy and sinister. Several black clouds gathered in the distance and black mists were gathering in the middle of the group of gray foxes up ahead.
"Sh*t!" Axel cursed. This was really his unlucky day. In the origanal Mabinogi game, the weather changing and black clouds gathering could only mean one thing. A Field Boss was about to be summoned onto the pastures!
Not long after, a Giant Black Wolf appeared from the black mist and howled,
"Awooooooooooo!!!!!!!"
This intense howl gathered all of the black wolves from deep within the forests farther east of the pasture. To Axel who wast still only Level 3, this was a terrifying scene that almost made him shudder. At the same time he was also relieved, as he was still resting behind the large boulder that seperated him from where the Field Boss was summoned.
Anyone who had played Mabinogi in the early stages would know that this Giant Black Wolf was a existence that rivaled most dungeon bosses. Those who were brave enough to challenge Field Bosses reaped rewards that would advance their level and equipment by leaps and bounds.
"I'd better skedaddle out of here!" Axel thought as he would be in a world of pain if the Giant Black Wolf detected his presence.
As soon as he took one baby step in the directions of the town, he felt a dominating aura pressuring him from behind. When he went to look behind, the Giant Black Wolf was staring at him intensely, and the normal Black Wolves were already dispatched to chase him relentlessly.
Axel was dashing as fast as he could while shedding tears endlessly. The black wolves were about to catch up to him, and he would have zero chance of surviving if he was forced into close quarter combat with them.
|
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"Subject H-11 has been summoned successfully, and MK-01 has reached Level 10. The failure DK-07 has noticed, but reaction indicated a 57.338% chance of suicidal thoughts" said a dull lifeless voice, but had hints of femininity
"What are the chances that Stagnation will remain in the world after the death of Demon King Malotuum?" said a voice of a elderly, but hidden within the voice was feelings of near endless Hatred, but at the same time Boundless love
"With the death of DK-07 the following war would kill a estimated 28.207% of the civilian population of Demons, while a estimated 30.945% civilian population for the Human alliance, with these estimates the total population of sapient races on Tarus would be 8.7 Million. With MK-01 attacking soon after the war, and H-11 personality taken in count they would keep prisoners unless something would warp there personality greatly-" said the dull lifeless voice talking about the death of countless as if it was just numbers but was stopped
"Stop! ... Haah.... (Sighing) I hope that more live, but seeing how the world is walking on the road of destruction from Earth's careless Gods not keeping in check Humanity's technology... what has happened to the other worlds my younger brothers and sister are in charge of?" said the Elderly voice, filled with a rage that tears the heavens around him but compassion healed said tears.
"Five worlds have gone Extinct, seven worlds have died, and fourteen have done similar actions to us." said the lifeless voice, but hidden deep within it was fear.
"FIVE!? EXTINCT!?" said the Elderly voice, filled with Killing intent towards Earth
"Yes lord Torin" said the dull lifeless voice, once again showing fear.
[You have been given a Ticket for the Throne Game!]
This message appeared before the strongest 1000 people in the world, no matter there Race, Gender, Creed. on the Ticket, there where requirements, if met them you could go to the Tower that appeared in the middle of the Kish at the same moment the message appeared
[1: Hold onto the Ticket for 1 Year]
[2: Have 10 or more Subjects/Followers above Level 50]
[3: Reach Level 100]
[4: Have One or more Stats reach 100+]
[5: Have Three or more Skills Reach X]
This short message caused a uproar on a global scale, but a certain Goblin did not know of such events till much later, that Goblin was to busy killing Bandits, Adventures, Monsters, and everything he saw.
"Boss! a Gobo us't pear'd an kill'd our men! I b'rely tots 'way (Boss! a Goblin just appeared and killed our men! I barely got away)" said a panting man with wooden teeth, and wearing a rotting fur cloak.
"What!? that's the third one today! Gods so help me if I see that Gobli-" as the Bandit Chief was talking, two hands grabbed his neck and snapped it, the bandit who ran away looked in horror as a Goblin wearing a Hob-Goblin's Skull, in Leather Armor snapped there Level 19 Chief. The Goblin was seen smiling as the jaw of the Hob-Goblin was missing.
"You thought you escaped, but I let you go... to lead me here!" said the Goblin Enjoying the slaughter.
"No! 'top! I w'ana l'ive! no- (No! stop! I wanna live! no-)" Said the panting bandit before a Mana-imbued hand stabbed into his chest, grabbing his entrails and strangling him and another nearby bandit who awoke from the yelling.
This is the end of Chapter 4!
Cheer ClayFish!
|
{
"subset": "scribblehub",
"lang": "en",
"series": "12179",
"id": "13878",
"q": 0.6809090909090909,
"title": "Monster King - Throne Game",
"author": "ClayFish",
"chapters": 4,
"rating": 3.7,
"rating_ct": 9,
"genre": [
"Action",
"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Isekai",
"LitRPG",
"Martial Arts"
],
"tags": [
"Cheats",
"Demon Lord",
"Evil Protagonist",
"Evolution",
"Game Elements",
"Goblins",
"Herbalist",
"Heroes",
"Monsters"
]
}
|
A Dream...
This is a dream.
The same old dream of the same old scenes that haunts my nights.
She is there with me. We are laughing together.
But then she begins to change.
Her skin starts to rot away. Bit by bit.
Until her life ends.
The illness is a curse from the Devil, they say.
And the Devil has taken away her soul.
There was nothing I can do to save her...
But every time in this dream when I turn around.
The face of her rotten corpse will meet my eyes.
And it always says to me.
Take me back...
...
“Father?”
The old man woke up from his slumber to the small voice of a child, his daughter.
“Yes... what is it? Child?”
He answered as he looked around. The small hut they lived together in barely had anything of note in it aside from the random materials, all piled up on the shabby handmade desk the old man was sleeping by.
“The food supplies are running low, father. I think we should go to the beach and look for anything that we can cook.”
"I see... then that’s good. You should go do that, Child.”
The old man said to her without any energy in his voice. His figure looked thin and bony with an overgrown beard and long messy hair, made worse by the fact that he hasn’t eaten much in the last few months and has sleep even less.
“You should eat more father. At this rate, you wouldn’t survive.”
The daughter said worriedly, her eyes filled with love and gentleness.
“I will be fine... child. We will leave this place soon enough.”
The old man then turned to look at the materials on his desk and continued to study them intently, completely ignoring his daughter’s concern.
“I believe you... father.”
The daughter peeked at the back of the old man from the door before leaving, but the old man did not look back at her. She closed the door behind and start walking toward the beach.
As the sunrise from the distant horizon, the now familiar view of the vast blue ocean is reflected in her eyes.
Six weeks now...
Six weeks they have been stranded here on this island that has nothing on it.
The daughter and the old man were traveling by boat to the north when they’re met with an unforeseen raging storm in the middle of the sea.
Their ship wrecked, and they were only barely able survived from the unfortunate incident because the old man had used his sorcery to help them find the nearest land.
And now they’re living here alone; on a deserted island far away from civilization.
But the daughter still has faith in the old man, she believed that he will somehow find a way to get them off this place in one piece.
Eventually...
But now she has to be patient and wait for the old man to finish his work. She had to stay put and continued to survive out here.
Soon enough, she reached the beach. The pure white sands and emerald blue waves crashing the shoreline, the scene of nature could almost be described as beautiful if not for the scary sharp rocks sticking out of the water surface a little away.
The daughter began to look around for anything that has washed up on the beach, picking up seashells and rocks, trying to find anything at all that they could use.
She walked along the shoreline until noon without managing to find anything to show for her effort.
She sighed and thought to herself that today as well she has failed to be of any use to her father.
As she was about to walk back to the hut after searching around the shoreline of the whole island, she noticed something among the sharp rocks in the distant.
A shipwrecked!
The wooden ship that came ashore was already falling apart, there are several holes in the hulls and the sails were completely missing, there also didn't seem to be anybody inside. But judging from the relatively large size of the ship, the daughter thought there might be some supplies left on it.
She quickly made her way to it and found a way to get inside, but after she has taken a look around the inside of the wrecked, she was only met with disappointment.
The ship was thoroughly abandoned with nothing inside the rooms. There were no supplies on the deck, there was nothing in the cargo, and there was nothing on the crow’s nest. By the end, she began to wonder how the ship even got out at sea seeing that there’s completely no signs that anyone had ever been onboard.
But then a creaking sound rang out from behind her.
When she started to look around for the source of that sound, she realized that the ship is beginning to fall apart.
In her panic, she quickly ran out of the captain’s quarter she was in, only for one of her foot to broke through the wooden floor of the ship and get stuck in it.
She tried to yank out her foot but unfortunately, her forceful actions seemed to only speed up the breaking of the ship. The creaking sounds grew louder and louder and she knew she needed to hurry and get out! She took a deep breath then mustered up all the strength in her body to pull out her foot!
She succeeded in getting her foot unstuck but she was still too late! For when she managed to break free and look up, a falling plank of wood was right on top of her!
And that was the only thing she could see with her eyes before her vision fell into complete darkness.
...
“So, are you finally awake?”
An unfamiliar voice caused the daughter to wake up.
She recalled what happened before she passed out. The strange shipwrecked, the broken wooden floor and the falling plank.
As she slowly came to understand her situation her eyes landed on a figure sitting a little away from her. The one that was the source of the voice that pulled her back from her unconsciousness.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me, I can guarantee you that I'm... uh, mostly harmless.”
Before the stranger could even finish, the daughter has already moved to the nearby tree, peaking at the stranger from behind it.
The stranger was an odd-looking man, he has short white-haired and wore plain clothes. But his neat and clean look created far too great of a juxtaposition to anything else the daughter had seen on the island to not find him out of place.
“W-who, are you?”
The daughter's voice trembled slightly but her curiosity was stronger than her fear, instead of running away, she asked the stranger.
“Not anyone suspicious if that’s what you’re wondering. My ship crashed landed here on this island and now I’m stranded here too.”
The stranger’s word made her remember the strangely empty ship.
“That ship, it was yours?”
“Yes, now it’s only just a wrecked though...”
The daughter also found that her head has been tightly wrapped around in bandages.
“You don’t have to thank me. I'm just a good person who likes to help others.”
When she looked back at the stranger, she found that he was smiling brightly. A strange expression for a person who had just realized that he has recently been stranded on a deserted island with no way to get off.
“Thank you...”
Despite his peculiarity, the daughter seemed to believe that the stranger is a good person for helping her and decided to trust him.
“So, you’re stranded here too? Mind sharing your story with me then?” the stranger asked with the same smile on his face.
The daughter nodded and walk to sit by the stranger’s side. After her wariness for him wore off, she began to recount her past to the stranger.
…
I’m stranded here with my father after our ship wrecked in the middle of the sea.
We’ve been here for Six weeks now...
We built a small hut by the cliffside a little bit north of here and lived there. Only able to survive this long by relying on the food supplies that were still on the wrecked with a little bit of help from father’s sorcery.
My father was once a great sorcerer.
Yes, the greatest in the land. Only rivaled by the Archmagis of old and he was among the most trusted subordinate of the king.
But then something happened...
His beloved wife was lost to an illness.
That was 6 years ago.
The illness? It was the Devil’s curse.
The victim would start to slowly lose their sanity and growl like beasts as their skin rot away while they’re still alive.
The soul has left the body, they said. Without a soul, the body and the mind will not be able to support themselves and the victim’s life will end soon after.
He was grief ridden by the loss, and that soon led him into a life of isolation.
No no no, his wife wasn’t my mother.
I was taken in, waay after all this has happened to him. Father picked me up off the streets and begin to take care of me. He gave me food, clothes, and shelter and saved me from the brink of death like you just did.
I’m grateful to him; I have faith in him.
He will eventually get the two of us off this damn island, I'm sure of it.
Ah! You can come with us too if you like. My father would definitely not abandon you here.
Because he’s kind and gentle. And while he’s now but an old man he was once very powerful.
But what about you?
Who are you?
How did you get here? When I checked on the ship you said was yours, I only found that it was strangely empty.
How did you get out at sea like that?
Do have any extra supplies that you could share with us?
No? Well, that’s fine...
For the first time in six weeks, I have a chance to talk to another human being other than my father, so I guess I was expecting too much from you. It's fine... really. It just that I thought you might have something with you considering how clean you look.
Well, it’s getting late now and the sun is starting to set. I should go back to the hut and find my father.
You can come with me then I can introduce you to him.
I'm sure he’ll be delighted to see another person in such a long time.
Hahaha, you’re very funny. How could he have known that you’re coming to this island? No matter how powerful he was as a sorcerer he couldn’t have predicted the future.
Everyone knows you, then everyone forgets you?
You’re saying pretty weird things.
You’re a very strange man, stranger...
...
When the daughter finally led the stranger back to the hut, she found that her father, the old man, was no longer there.
“He probably went out to collect material for his works in the island. I don’t know what he is doing but he usually comes back in the early morning.”
The daughter said a little dejectedly as the stranger started to walk around and inspect the hut, appearing to have taken great interest in the materials that were collected on the wooden desk.
“Interesting... did you father ever told you anything about what he was working on?”
The daughter was surprised by the unexpected question but she answered honestly anyway.
“No, I never asked him about it because he never taught me any sorcery. I didn’t have any talent for it, he said.”
The stranger paused to look around the hut again with a contemplative expression on his face.
“And your father, has he been working on this for very long?”
“Yes, ever since we came to this island maybe from the very first day...”
“Hmm...”
The stranger picked up the materials on the desk and study them. Eventually, he just jumped up to sit on the desk, much to the panic of the daughter.
“Don’t do that! He never even allowed me to touch anything on his desk let alone sitting on it!”
But the stranger simply ignored the daughter’s protest and continued to throw questions at her.
“This old man, what was he like before coming to this island? Did he have any friends? Close associates, that he interacted with?”
“No, we lived in seclusion. A little outside of the town...”
“But then what does he do for a living? What are his daily routines? Is there something he usually does that were out of the ordinary?”
The daughter was about to say ‘No’ but then something that has always been bothering her about the old man came to her mind.
“Well, sometimes... he goes out and doesn’t return for weeks. But that’s was probably just something he does for work. Though I don’t know what his work is exactly.”
“How many weeks does he usually gone that for? And how many times has he done that since he took you in?”
“He.... he usually goes out every Six months and be gone for Six weeks, he also seems to be doing it since before he took me in. But he never said anything about it to me at all.”
“And you don’t find that strange?”
“It probably a coincidence.... is it not? It has to be...”
“Sigh...”
The stranger got off the wooden desk he was sitting on and throw something that looked like a black glass orb he took from among all the materials at the daughter, who awkwardly caught it with her hands.
“You said that your father was once a great sorcerer, correct? Then there is something strange about your story. Tell me this, how did your ship even get caught in a storm in the middle of the sea in the first place?”
“Did you expect him to clear away the storm with his sorcery? That’s ridiculous! He is an old man already so of course, he wouldn’t be as powerful as he once was before!”
The daughter started to become increasingly frustrated by the stranger’s barrage of questions. But the stranger wasn’t yet satisfied.
“A sorcerer, and by your account a court sorcerer at that. Would have at some point in his career learned a branch of divination. Predicting the future might still be an extremely difficult task but knowing the weather is as simple as a snap of a finger.”
“Why are you doubting my father? What do you even know about him?!”
“More than you do, apparently. Take a look at that orb you’re holding carefully. And listen to what they say.”
The daughter was confused by the stranger’s words but she still did as she was told and hold the black orb to inspect it closely. The orb showed a reflection of her face on its surface.
Nothing happened at first, but then...
“Take me back!”
The daughter jolted in surprise, dropping the black orb from her hands only for it to be caught by the stranger before hitting the ground.
“Be careful with that, you don’t want to torment them more than the old man already has.”
“W-what do you mean by that?”
Instead of answering the panicking daughter’s question. The stranger simply put the black orb in front of her face.
“If you listen carefully; then you can hear them scream.”
The black orb flickered with a dim ethereal light. And then she heard it.
“TAKE ME BACK!!! I DON’T WANT TO BE HERE! PLEASE TAKE ME BACK!!!”
“...!”
The daughter jerked back, almost stumbled to the floor as the horrifying screech rang out from the black orb. The cries of despair and the sounds of tortured spirits were heard from the glass ball.
She covered both her ears, refusing to listen to any more of the terrible scream. And with a paled, horrified face she asked the stranger.
“What is that thing?!”
The daughter’s voice trembled in fear, the stranger simply looked at her with a calm expression on his face. As if the strangeness of the ongoing situation doesn’t concern him at all.
He took the black orb back and placed it on the wooden desk before saying to the trembling and scared daughter.
“Have you heard of the tale of the Crying Man? It's one of those old stories that elders use to scare children with whenever they’re causing trouble. In the story, the Crying man’s voice of despair calls forth a monster from the abyss and the Crying man's sadness was taken away from him. But it wasn’t all well, for he was then unable to feel pain or sorrow ever again. It was supposed to be a tale to scare the children who cry loudly at night.”
“How does that have anything to do with this?”
“It does have everything to do with it. You just have to consider what it means.”
“And what does it mean?”
“It means that your father, the old man, is trying to kill you.”
“Huh...!?”
The daughter’s shocked voice came out of her mouth as she looked at the stranger in disbelief.
“There’s another interpretation for the story of the Crying Man. One where it was thought that monster from the abyss, was the Devil himself.”
The corner of the stranger’s lips curled up into a smile.
“If you think about it from that perspective, the story becomes like this. The Crying Man’s cries of suffering summons the Devil from the abyss. And the Devil granted him a wish that he has to pay the equivalent price for.”
The stranger’s smile sent chills down the daughter's spine. She found it incredibly unsettling.
“It seems you still haven’t gotten it yet. Well, let me provide you with a little more context. There’s a belief that the sounds of tormented souls could be used as a part of a summoning ritual that would call forth a being from the abyss. But that belief doesn’t have anything to do with the practice of sorcery.”
The stranger picked the black orb once again and look at the dim ethereal light that glowed in the reflection.
“No, this is not sorcery. This, is Necromancy. Your old man has been practicing the art of soul manipulation. And judging from this, he has been doing it for a while now.”
“That’s... impossible.”
“But can’t you hear them scream? Just think about how many souls he has trapped inside this thing. All of them that keep saying TAKE ME BACK! It is a part of the ritual the capture the tormented souls when their owners are at the absolute peak of despair.”
The stranger walked slowly toward the daughter as he continued to say, the daughter unconsciously took a step back from him.
“That’s how you’ve got yourself stranded on this island. It was the old man’s doing. He takes unsuspecting children like you and set you up for a stage play of false tragedy. He intentionally wrecked the ship as he leads you to this place. Then he will wait and watch as you slowly starve, as you slowly begin to lose hope. And when you cry out in the peak of despair, he will come to take your soul and trap it inside that thing. Just like what he did before to all the others.”
When the daughter realized that she had backed away to the wall of the hut, the stranger was right in front of her.
“Think about it. Why did the old man take you in?”
In the daughter’s mind flashed the kind, smiling face of her father.
“Why did he have to leave you? Every 6 months, for 6 weeks, in the last 6 years? Isn't it obvious what he’s trying to do?”
Then the face in her mind began to distort. Eventually, his face was turned into that of a terrifying demon.
“NO, YOU’RE LYING!”
The daughter screamed. She can’t accept what the stranger had said no matter what. The old man was her benefactor, her savior. She had absolute faith in him for having saved her from the cold and lonely streets.
“THERE’S NO WAY THAT’S TRUE!”
The stranger backed away this time.
“Well, your strong faith in him was the reason you have survived for this long. So, I didn’t expect you to believe me that easily.”
The stranger then walked to the door of the hut once again.
“There is a storm cloud gathering outside so I’m going to have a look around the island. The old man would come back at dawn, correct? Then you should be safe to stay here until then. Oh, and if you meet him again, just stay calm and pretend like you don’t know anything. That usually works. Remember that he wouldn’t kill you if you don’t reach the peak of despair...”
As the stranger’s voice slowly faded away into the distance the daughter chased after him outside the hut only to find no trace of the stranger anywhere, he had completely disappeared from the area as if was never there.
…
“It has to be a lie...”
Sure enough, just like the stranger had predicted the outside began to rain and the rain soon turned into a raging storm.
As the sounds of thunders and lightning came down from the sky. The daughter found herself curling up in a corner of the hut, using a piece of rag the cover her trembling body.
“There’s no way...”
The sun had already set, the stranger was nowhere to be seen and the daughter was all alone, muttering to herself in the dark.
Should she trust what the stranger said?
If they were true then what would happen to her?
All sort of thoughts filled the stream of her consciousness and along with them, torrents of conflicting emotions attack her psyche. Fear, anxiety, and anger raged in her mind as strongly as the outside storm.
She remembered the days when something like this was common. Hustling up against the alley’s wall as the cold of the night and rain descend upon her. She somehow felt as if she was back to her past, to the cold and lonely streets that were once her home.
Maybe this was enough?
Perhaps the life that was saved by the old man was never really all that important in the first place, and maybe it's time for her to pay back the old man kindness however true it had been.
If only there was a way to determine the old man’s intent.
The daughter turned to look at the black orb on the desk. To her relief, she can’t hear the screams coming from it anymore.
But the daughter’s relief didn’t last for very long, because she then heard sounds of footsteps among the falling raindrops from outside the hut.
Soon, a figure revealed himself walking through the door.
“Why do you look so scared? Child?”
It was the old man. He asked her with a kind smile on his face.
“Ah... it was nothing, father. The rain outside simply made it too cold.”
The daughter responded weakly, the old man nodded then walked to sit on his usual desk.
“The rainstorm outside is quite strong. So, I decided that I should put back my work for today.”
Fears encroached on the daughter’s heart once again while various thoughts raced through her mind.
Should she pretend to not know anything until the very end?
Or should she just outright question him for the truth?
In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to lie to the old man. She decided to tell him about the stranger.
“Father, today I found another shipwreck on this island. And another survivor, just like us.”
But the old man’s reaction to her words wasn’t anything like she had expected. It wasn’t delight or anxiousness. The old man simply paused-
“So, he is here... at last.”
-And muttered while turning to look at the daughter with a gaze as blank and as pitiless as a corpse.
“...!”
The daughter shuddered at the cold gaze.
“So, you can see him... and you can remember him. “
The old man stood up from his chair and walked toward the daughter.
“Child, call him out, for me.”
“I don’t know where he went! He said he would have a look around the Island and left... and he also said strange things about you, father. He said that you’re a necromancer. And that you lured me here to torment me and trap my soul.”
“So, he knows this too?”
“That can’t true, right? He was lying to me, right? Father?”
“I’m sorry, child.”
The old man only apologized and said nothing else.
“But why, father...?”
As the truth was becoming clearer in front of her, the daughter could only accept it.
“The Devil has taken her away from me... and to take her back I have to become the Devil. I've gone too far down this path, child. The only way for me now is to finish it.”
“So, you will take my soul as well? Father?”
“I’m sorry, child.”
The daughter took a deep breath and many thoughts passed through her mind. Her times in the streets, her rescue from it, her memories with the old man, everything that happened in her life.
“Then take it, father.”
The daughter looked at the old man and said with resolution. Her life was never worth anything. If giving with it up would mean someone’s else happiness, then she would do it.
“My life was yours ever since that day. I was happy for the times I spent with you, as your daughter. I believe It was more than I deserved.”
Her face was full of determination, and before the old man could say something in return.
“You shouldn’t give up so easily. It doesn’t work like that.”
A voice that came from behind her. Then a black orb flew past her head!
The old man simply raised his hand to stop the flying orb in mid-air before it hit him. And the daughter felt her hand being held by someone.
It was the stranger!
“Run.”
He simply said to the daughter and pulled her to swiftly run passed the old man, through the door and into the outside rain.
...
The storm continued to rage on, turning the tin soil into mud and puddle.
“Let me go!”
The wet and soaked daughter said to the equally wet and soaked stranger who was leading her by the hand through the rain.
“I said-”
“No!”
The stranger simply cut her off, then turned to look at the daughter with furious eyes.
“Every single freaking time I see you people doing things like that it irritates me to death. Throwing your life away like it was nothing. Treating it as if it doesn’t have any worth.”
The rain continued to fall on them.
“But my life... Isn’t really any worth.”
“YES! I know! That's why it irritates me so much! Instead of trying to change that worthless life of yours into something, you just gave up without even trying to fight.”
The daughter looked away from the stranger’s gaze in shame.
“But the old man is trying to bring his wife back. And he needs me.”
“But YOU don’t actually know that, do you?”
The daughter's eyes widened in surprise.
“But you said-”
“Yeah, yeah, I did say that. But don’t you see that there’s another obvious problem. That summoning thing he was doing. It’s not like it would actually work. And by giving away your life the only thing you would accomplish is fueling his madness.”
“And how do you know that...?”
“Because knowing things is my job. The old man has taken too many lives for nothing and will continue to do so if someone doesn’t stop him. I know you think that you owe him something for saving your life, but he owes so many other lives so much more and the price of that has to be paid first. I want you to understand that.”
“GRAAHAAA!!!”
The two of them were interrupted by the growling noise that came from behind them and as they look back, they saw a terrifying rotten figure walking toward them.
“...!”
“It’s an Undead, I believe he sent them after you to take you back. And to scare you.”
But soon they realized that there weren’t just one. As many more Undeads began to appear in their view.
““GRAAHAAA!!!””
“Hi, hello to you too. I think they’re sending me a greeting, what do you think?”
“We’re surrounded, I think we should run.”
The daughter was quite terrified of the walking corpses. While the stranger just acted like it was another Tuesday.
“Well, they won’t attack me anyway so you only have to worry about yourself. Now, stop asking questions and do “Exactly” as I tell you.”
“Huh? Got it...”
The daughter had more questions but she knew this wasn't a good time to ask them. Without wasting any more time, the stranger gave accurate instruction to the daughter and guide her.
“Move to the right by 6 o’clock then twists your ankle to your left”
As the daughter followed his words without thinking, she dodged an attack of a charging Undead.
“Now run to the nearby tree and kick on it with all your strength”
The daughter did, a thick broken branch from the tree fell on top of one of another Undead, knocking it down to the ground. After a few more guidance from the stranger, the daughter managed to make a path out of the encirclement and ran away.
...
A while later...
“Ha, Haa, where is this place?”
Panting, the daughter asked the stranger about their current location as she appeared to have reached the cliff and the storming ocean came to view.
“Exactly where I want you to be, Child.”
But the response she got wasn’t from the stranger but from a familiar voice of the old man.
The daughter was shocked, she had simply followed the stranger instruction and was led here. Why did the stranger lead her here? A question flashed in her mind
“So, where is he then? Call him out, child.”
But as she turned to look at the old man, she saw that the stranger was right next to him. Yet the old man seems to not be able to notice the stranger.
“He is here, is he not? COME OUT! I OFFERED YOU SACRIFICES! HEED MY CALLING AND COME OUT!”
“Yeah, this old man is definitely too far gone. he has to be stopped.”
The stranger said, but the old man still didn’t react to his word. Almost as if he was unable to hear the stranger. The daughter was confused by this.
“Can’t you see him? He is right next to you, father?”
The old man looked around but still can't seem to notice the stranger’s presence.
“There is no one...! Could it be!?”
The old man exclaimed in surprise before looking at the daughter with wide eyes.
“No, no, no, no, this can’t be happening. This can’t be. Why? WHY!?”
The old man’s expression turned into that of intense rage as he stomped toward the daughter.
“I’ve done everything! And I have prepared all of this! ONLY FOR HIM TO CHOOSE YOU!?”
The old man charged at the daughter who was too frightened to even think. But then the stranger's voice resounded in her ears.
“Moved away to the right.”
The daughter reflectively did as she was told and dodged the old man’s charge. The old man missed her and almost went off the cliff. But before the old man could properly recover, the stranger appeared and grabbed him by the shoulders.
“Why... Can’t I move?”
“The weight of your sins is pinning you down, old man. Time to pay up.”
The stranger said with a smile while pulling the old man closer and closer to the edge of the cliff. And then the stranger jumped off, taking the old man with him.
“ARGHHHHHH!”
“FATHER!”
The daughter quickly went to the cliff's edge but the old man and the stranger were gone. Swallowed by the crashing waves and sharp rocks at the bottom of the cliff.
...
A dream...
This is the same dream of the same old scenes.
But this will probably be the last time.
I’m sorry I can’t take you back.
“It was never possible in the first place. Not with the way you decided to do it.”
That voice. It's you.
I remember now. You were there with us. We were laughing together.
You could have saved her, back then.
“It would have been meaningless, you wouldn’t understand.”
Her life might have been meaningless to you. But to me. She meant everything.
Why didn’t you choose me?
Why didn’t you come out, in the end?
Why didn’t you grant my wish?
“Simply because there is an equivalent price to be paid for everything. So, I will make sure to grant your wish. Next time.”
Next time?
Hahaha, I see... Is that how it is?
Next time.
Okay.
I will wait. For next time.
...
Dawn came to the island, and the storm cleared away...
The daughter now sat alone by the beach staring into the distant horizon.
“What should I do now?” She muttered to herself, realizing once again that she was now alone. The old man was gone and the stranger had also disappeared as well.
“I’m still here, you know?”
The daughter turned to look behind her to find the stranger standing there unscathed.
"Does that mean...?"
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but the old man is dead. He has paid his price. And if there’s any saving grace, next time will probably turn out better for him. I’ve also free the souls he trapped inside that orb.”
The daughter looked down in sadness. She knew that what the old man did was unforgivable but somewhere inside she still wished to forgive him.
As for the stranger’s appearance and peculiarity, she concluded that it was because he wasn’t a normal human. If he even was human.
“So, what should I do now?” The daughter asked again.
“With my help, you could be off this island by today’s evening...”
“And then what? Go back to live on the streets?”
No words were spoken for a while after that. Eventually, the stranger spoke up with a sigh.
“This isn’t even in my job’s description... but I supposed I couldn’t just kill your father and then disappear, could I?”
“I would prefer if you don’t.”
The daughter stated flatly while the stranger showed a look of being troubled for the first time.
“I guess I could stay with you and help guide you.”
“...For how long?”
“Until the day you die?”
They both looked at each other in silence.
“And you would do anything I want you to?” The daughter asked curiously.
“To a certain extent, yes I would.” The stranger answered her.
“If I do something to piss you off, would you take away my soul?”
The daughter asked and the stranger gave her a strange look.
“As if I could do that in the first place.”
“So, you won’t?”
“No, I won’t.”
The stranger sat down next to the daughter, then they both looked at the rising sun.
“Then I think we’ve made a deal.”
Ehao_Truth
So, uh, Hi! I don't know how to do this yet. But I'm figuring it out. This is my first piece of writing ever and if you notice an error or something. Feel free to tell me down below... now that I've said that I'm suddenly very nervous. Also, the author's notice doesn't add to the word count, right?
|
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"title": "White Shadow - White Shadow",
"author": "Ehao_Truth",
"chapters": 1,
"rating": 4.5,
"rating_ct": 4,
"genre": [
"Fantasy",
"Mystery",
"Supernatural"
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"SSSC II",
"Death of Loved Ones",
"Multiple POV",
"Mysterious Illness",
"Oneshot",
"Zombies"
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|
[you have Leveled up! 9>10]
[You have gained 1 Stat Point!]
[Evolution has begun]
[.... .... ....]
[You have Evolved into a Greater Goblin!]
As Edward woke up, he saw a tied up female corpse, she quickly taught him how to use Mana. The adventurer party that gave him so much trouble was low ranking, the mage was the highest at Level 14, while the other two people where both at level 10. The Hob-Goblin chieftain was around level 20, even with the level difference the group the chieftain was stupid, even among goblins, and only got to be chief through strength. though I only killed him when he was asleep.
"Status"
[Level: 10 | Name: Edward | Race: Greater Goblin | Job: Pugilist]
[Titles: Tribe Smasher, Kin Killer]
[STR: 39 | DEX: 34 | CON: 37 | INT: 31 | WIS: 30 | CHR: 27 | LCK: 34]
[Stat Points: 5]
[Skills: Sneak I, Mana Circuit I, Death-Seer II, Provoke II, Find Weakness II,Fearful Aura III Muscle Strengthening III, Calm Mind IV, Anatomy IV, Meditation VI, Unarmed X, Mixology XI, Index XI, Job Changer XI]
Looking at his Status, Edward chuckled, because of 'Status Upgrade' his Stats where raised greatly. Stat wise, he was at level 15~, his skills where growing faster then they should, most likely 'Status Upgrade' doing something. The best skill he had wasn't the cheat skill he chose, but 'Death-Seer' when he was messing around and jumped back then dodge the arrow, a fireball landed where he was, a full force fireball causing actions that would lead to his death, but the skill sent him back in time, or maybe peered into the future? and took him to a safe point.
"Have they not comeback from scouting?, its been four days since Hawk's Moon's new recruited members have gone on there first mission alone." said a female accountant at the Adventurer's Guild.
...
"Have you found my Daughter yet? If she's dead, gods so help me...." said a Noble looking man, but even hidden, couldn't hide a vast amount of mana.
"My lord! we found out she was last seen in the village 'Korth'!" said a soilder kneeling, but was gasping for air.
"Good, good! good! doesn't Charlotte know that its dangerous outside?" sighed the Nobleman as he looked at the large river you couldn't even see the other side of.
"Welcome Hero Shinji Kuroki, you have been summoned right before you died! I am the Saint Lizabeth, please call me Liz, I will help you kill the Demon King, and the Great Evils" said a young girl who appeared to not even be 10, but was in fact 800 years old and the holder of the title 'Strongest Human'.
"What!? I was just going to the interview! I'll be lat- wait.... IM DEAD!?" shouted a Young man in his early twenties
...
"Fates have changed, that Old Brat summoned a hero but.... a Man who wished to be a Monster became what he desired, he even killed the Traitor's Daughter...." Said a Sleepy Voice, but that voice held so much mana it rivaled that of the whole population of Tarus.
Did A little bit more after thinking about what I want in this story
Cheers ClayFish
|
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"title": "Monster King - Evolution and Introductions",
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"Drama",
"Fantasy",
"Isekai",
"LitRPG",
"Martial Arts"
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"Evil Protagonist",
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|
Eight hundred years ago, a beast stampede happened near a small village.
When the stampede happened there was a couple who throw their own child toward the mouth of beast in order to delay time and save their own life.
The child being thrown away by his parent toward a flock of beast was in despair and furious.
"l swear if l get out of this alive l will make the both of you suffer eternal damnation!!!" said the child bitterly and with strong killing intent in his tone.
---------------------
Five hundred years ago someone reached transcendent using a dao that was never seen before.
This dao was different from any other dao, because this dao have an ability to destroy that was far stronger than dao of extinction but at the same it also have the ability to create that was far stronger that dao of chaos, as such this dao was considered as enigma and contradiction with the ability that the dao possess.
------------------
Three hundred years ago a famous ascender who cultivated the dao of hell known as true devil yin shang was killed and his corpse was impalled in the sky by a mysterious transcender.
Later own many people arrived at the place where yin shang die and gained an enlightment from the attack that impalled and also killed yin shang, as more and more people arrived and tried to gain enlightment eventually it become a sect, the sect was known as sky impaller sect or commonly known as devil killer sect.
|
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"rating": 5,
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"genre": [
"Action",
"Adventure",
"Comedy",
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"Absent Parents",
"Carefree Protagonist",
"Clingy Lover",
"Devoted Love Interests",
"Doting Parents",
"Love Interest Falls in Love First",
"Low-key Protagonist",
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|
"Edward Tucker Washington, you are found guilty for the murders of countless people..." said the judge
Edward looked around his cage, he thought where this all started, during high-school he was in class, when a student took out a gun. When the student took out the gun Edward quickly stabbed the student in the eye with a pen, his first murder. his second murder was in a spar with his Martial Arts teacher, a punch of his broke a rib piercing the heart, killing him moments latter. the third murder was a Russian non-combatant during the start of WWIII. Seeing so many people die during the whole war, he couldn't sleep without thinking about it, and once day, he woke up with one of his friend's dead body beside himself after a party. During the night, his Friend committed suicide, OD-ed on Pain killers, the friend suffered PTSD from the war.
"Do you have any last words?" said a African Woman in her 30s, she looked at him in disgust.
"Hahaha, I think I'm bad luck, during my life i was in the worst battles of the war, killed Civilians my mistake, that is what broke me, why not kill more I thought, I know I'm a evil man. I has no reason to kill, I just did... so my final words? Do what your born to do, and I was born to be a Monster." said Edward in calm but tired voice
on that day, the worst Serial Killer in the history of mankind, died at the age of 68.
"Where am I?" said a White Blob as it wiggled about.
"Edward T. Washington, you have died but your powerful soul allows your mind to continue. We wish to revive you as a Monster to fix the Power Balance and Stagnation of the world Tarus, you will be given 'Cheat' powers based on how much EXP you earned on Earth" said a dull, lifeless voice coming from nowhere but everywhere around the room
"You want me to become a Monster to fix a world? What if I say no?" said Edward in a weary, but excited voice.
"Your Soul will be scraped and we will find another Person to fill in your place, but your Affinity with Monsters is the highest recorded since the creation of this system to prevent Stagnation" said the Voice, now sounding slightly Feminine hearing it again.
"Ok, I'll become the Monster you need, but about EXP, how much do I have?" Said Edward in a slightly giddy voice.
As Edward said that a See Through Board appeared before him, on it was a number, which kept rising till it stopped at 51, once it stopped rising a sound of a bell ringing was heard. As soon as the Bell ringed a massive wall of text appeared, with different 'Cheats' on it. But before he could do anything, more text appeared before him.
[Achievement of the highest grade: You have gone pass Level 50 in a Mana-less world! Status upgraded!]
[Achievement of the highest grade: You have killed over 500 people in a Mana-less world! Death-Seer Ability is Granted!]
[Achievement of the high grade: You have mastered unarmed combat in a Mana-less world! Muscle Strengthening is Granted!]
[Achievement of the medium grade: You have become the most hated man on planet Earth! Fearful Aura is Granted!]
[Achievement of the medium grade: You have memorized the anatomy of the Human body! Find Weakness is Granted!]
[Achievement of the low grade: You have laughed right before you died! Calm Mind is Granted!]
[Achievement of the lowest grade: You have provoked your killer before your death! Provoke is Granted!]
Edward was shocked at the wall of text before him, he had gotten Achievements, he somehow knew that Achievements where rare, not to mention Highest Grade. Shocked he looked at the 'Cheats' on the Status board he could get, he saw the prices and knew what he wanted, High Grade Mixology, Medium Grade Index, and finally Medium Grade Job Changer. Mixology would let him create potions to heal, and even potions that could permanently increase his stats, Index would let him look up things he knows, and once knew for free, and pay Mana for what he didn't know, though depending on what he wanted to know he would have to pay more mana. And finally Job Changer, if Tarus you can get a job depending on your actions, but you need a priest to change the job for you, if you get a banned job they won't change it, and as a Monster no priest would change his job for him.
Edward, after choosing his 'Cheats' felt as if his body was being crushed and rebuilt over and over again. When he looked around he was in a small cave, he knew what he was when he looked at the monsters around him, he was a Goblin. Edward felt sleepy and fell asleep moments later. Waking up half a day later Edward's body was growing fast, using Index, he found out that a Goblin's body development is fast, and there life span is 20 years at most, he also found out that depending of how they act till there body if fully grown, there growth can be effected greatly. Using his knowledge of anatomy, and Find Weakness, he found out that a adult Goblin's Anatomy is almost the same a adult human, using Index to compare the two, came to 99.7% similarity. Using Index once again, he found the best training method he could do without any tools.When Edward wasn't training he was mediating, and when he was hungry, he stole from the other Goblins without getting caught.
"Status" Edward said after almost two months in the cave, his body had reached adulthood after a month and a half. The other goblins avoided him because he didn't hunt, after the second week he was attacked by some older goblins but he beat them up, not killing them yet as he thought gain EXP would ruin his training, after that incident the goblins gave him offerings so he no longer stole food.
[Level: 1 | Name: Edward | Race: Goblin | Job: ]
[Titles: ]
[STR: 34 | DEX: 27 | CON: 30 | INT: 26 | WIS: 25 | CHR: 23 | LCK: 30]
[Skills: Death-Seer I, Provoke I, Fearful Aura I, Find Weakness II, Muscle Strengthening II, Calm Mind III, Anatomy IV, Meditation VI, Unarmed X, Mixology XI, Index XI, Job Changer XI]
As Edward looked at his Status, he noticed his stats where high, the average stat number for a Adult Goblin was 9 at Level 1, he though that Index was underplaying how important training was on a child Goblin. he also saw his skills, he knew 10 was the highest a skill could go, he checked with Index, but the Cheat Skills he got where all 11, he also noticed that the skills where ordered least to highest. Now that he was done training he now need EXP, which there was a whole Goblin Tribe worth of EXP in front of him.
Hello this is my First Work, I've never written before, and this was just a Tester, depending on how this is received i might do more or may just leave this as it is!
Cheers Clayfish
|
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|
As Edward looked around the cave he saw two goblins heading to a room by themselves, they where most likely going to mate. Seeing it as a good time to kill those two, he hid until they did that act. As the Goblin put his Member inside, his Lower Jaw and Upper Jaw where grasped and torn off, killing it seconds later. Edward then took the lower Jaw and smashed it into the female Goblin skull repeatedly.
[You have Leveled up! 1>2]
[You gained 1 Stat Point!]
[Skill 'Sneak' has been gained!]
Edward then sneaked out of the room and looked for sleeping goblins, he saw three goblins huddling together while they sleep. He then slowly walked to the closest one and snapped its neck, the other two where still asleep, but the farthest one away seemed to be a light sleeper. Edward covered the middle goblin's mouth and snapped its neck. The Light sleeper seemed to noticed the noise and slowly opened its eyes, just for a small rock to hit it in the head, breaking it skull and having its brain matter spill out.
'That was too close...' Edward thought as he caught the body before it fell on the ground.
[Job 'Assassin' gained!]
[You have Leveled up! 2>3]
"Gigigikaaah!" screamed a goblin but it was quickly killed
"Come at me you stupid Green skins!" said a Male adventurer in a hoarse voice, but clearly board
"This is strange, Goblins have been avoiding this area, even when you use [Provoke III] they barely come here." said a Female in long robes.
"A strong Monster most likely moved to this area, why do we even need to accepted this quest..." said a Thuggish looking man with a Bow
'Idiots... the Goblins are acting unnatural and are avoiding this area, but still leave offerings. this is similar behavior to what happens when Demons and Monsters meet, a regular monster would just eat Goblins, but the goblins are still alive. Oh gods I hope that it isn't demons, there land is on the other side of the Kish river.'
"Stop!" said the man with the Thuggish looks, for in front of them was a Goblin giving off a Aura that gave dread to the party. The goblin was wearing Basic Armor that was made to fit it well, something a goblin couldn't do due to there intelligence being low. On the goblin's head was a Hob-Goblin's Skull seeing how it fit on the Goblin's head and how it had small horns. It didn't have even a Dagger on its body.
"Hello human Adventures! I am the Goblin Edward, oh a Magus in your party? I will keep you alive for now." said a Goblin, in a fluently smart voice. Monsters where stupid, even the smartest Monsters only had Tribal Villages, but this Goblin spoke Perfectly, it was Bizarre.
'Humans! Humans! and a Mage at that! I stalked them till i had the perfect ambush location, the area was wooded, but had a small opening. I had Goblins lead them there, the Adventures seemed strong for me. It would be a tough fight for the group but they where only as strong as the Hob-Goblin Chief i killed.' Thought Edward as he stalked the party of adventures.
"Hello human Adventures! I am the Goblin Edward, oh a Magus in your party? I will keep you alive for now." said Edward faking surprise.
Edward quickly rushed towards the Party Leader who had the hoarse voice, The man quickly grabbed his Axe and swigged his axe towards Edward's arm, dodging it barely he jumped back to have a arrow at the location where he jumped.
'Crap' thought Edward has he rolled to the side then for the first time Death-Seer activated, he was right in front of the Axe once again, he quickly grabbed the Axe's handle toss the Man and strangling him.
*SNAP*
the mans neck broke and with him gone the Archer and Mage where next, the Mage freaked out, and shot a fireball at me, being more cautious of the mage then before, I dodged the fireball barely. and charged towards the Archer who pulled out a knife but I easily grabbed his wrist and crushed it and punched him repeatedly in the face, breaking his skull and seeing brain matter goop out.
"kaaahhhh!" screamed the Mage as I walk towards her, and a Fireball appeared, but much slower and I dodged.
"You almost killed me, I really am a fool.... I've never dealt with a Mage before, but the Shaman was similar, but she was sleeping with the chief... well before I killed her... Well your lucky i'm just going to destroy you Mana Circuit."
Part 2 Ends here! I got a comment that said I should continue, so I think I am!
Cheers ClayFish!
|
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|
Near mount qing there was a little village called rock village, these village was just like any other village they survived through farming and hunting.
Inside the village there was a couple of husband and wife who just given birt into their fourth child, the couple name was yan and meili they both don't have a surname because they are a villager with a low status. Out of the four child they have the one they love the most is of course the youngest, and secondly their second child who was a girl, and thirdly was their eldest son, and the last was their third child or second son.
In this world there was a cultivator, and in order to become they have to awaken their martial spirit at the age of five.
One day when the couple eldest son turned five he awakened a sword type martial spirit, because of this the parent sent their eldest into the nearby sect in hope that he can become a cultivator.
A year later it was the turn for their second child to awaken her martial spirit, and she awakened a slightly rare dual elemental type martial spirit called ice vine an ice and wood elemental type.
Their second child awakening make the couple very proud and without hesitation also sending her to the nearby sect for her to cultivate.
Three years later a few day before the couple third child awakening ceremony a beast stampede happened and destroyed the entire village.
-------------------------
One morning yan and meili was farming along with their second son ling and their third son meng, ling was helping his parent while meng who was two year younger than ling was sitting in the cottage.
Suddenly a loud roar came from the direction of the village, the four of them.looked toward the village direction and was shocked to find that all kind of beast came charging and destroyed the village before going to their direction.
"RUN!!!" yan howled as he took meng and run away, followed by meili and ling.
They ran and ran until only a panther type beast called night panther was hot on their tail, faced with the night panther on their back and coupled with the fatigue from running they felt it was their doom, especially for ling who's not even five running as hard as he can behind his parent.
When yan and meili feel that they can't keep this up they looked at each other and nodded as the both of them looked at ling who run behind them, yan passed meng into meili as he slowed his run until beside ling and lift him up.
Lift who was on the verge of exhaustion suddenly feeling someone lift him and he found that it was his father, he thought 'l knew it blood is thicker than water, even thought l was always ignor- huh?'.
Ling never expected that his father who he thought would brought him away suddenly throw him toward the night leopard, ling watched his parent back dumbfoundedly as they run faster without even looking back as they throw him to the mouth of a beast.
At that time something broke inside ling and he knew what hatred and madness is.
Ling watched as his parent become farther and farther away.
"l swear if l get out of this l will make the both of you suffer eternal damnation!!!" ling howled with a thick killing intent and hatred toward the direction of his parent as he grew nearer and nearer toward the mouth of the night panther.
The night panther watched ling flying toward it direction unhesitatingly opened it mouth, as ling almost arrived at it mouth it suddenly died.
When the night panther almost eaten ling a strand of qi suddenly put a hole on it head and killed it instantly, and the owner of the qi arrived beside it corpse and caught ling.
Ling feel his death was near so he closed his when suddenly he feel someone caught him, he opened his eyes and was meet with a smiling face of a woman, the woman face was neither beautiful or glamourous and in fact it can be considered alright but when ling saw the face he knew it was this woman who saved him from his death and he swore to protect this woman for the rest of his live.
The woman looked at the shocked ling and said " don't worry child you are save now and with me here you will never be betrayed and abandoned again"
"really?"
"yes"
"ok" ling nodded and fainted.
----------------
A few day later a top the cloud peak ling along with the woman who saved him who now become his adoptive mother arrived at the hall of awakening, a place where the child of disciple or teacher of cloud peak undergo their awakening ceremony.
Ling looked toward his adoptive mother and called "mom will you not abandon me if l awaken a trash martial spirit"
The woman was shocked hearing ling question but then she smiled and answered " you're my son now, my yin sheng son so even if you can't cultivate l will never abandon you, so never ask this kinda question again okay"
"mmh, mom from now on l want to change my name into yun sheng" ling nodded as he declared his new name.
Hearing yun sheng the woman was and happy because he know the reason behind his new name.
Not long later it was yun sheng turn to awaken his martial, he walked slowly toward the center of the array as the array let out a blinding light and when the light dissipated a crystallike warhammer with pick at the back appeared in front of yun sheng, but what they don't notice was a small furball like creature in yun sheng pocket.
Yun sheng was aware of the furball because he awakened a twin martial spirit and he knew that the furball was something amazing because after it appear it took the initiative to hide in yun sheng pocket.
All the elder looked toward the crystal like warhammer and activated the appraisal array, the array then started to give out light at first the light was dim but then it become bright before suddenly changed into blue, then green, then red, then bronze, then silver, and then golden before it stopped.
Looking at the color the array given all the elder was shocked as the muttered under their breath beforw laughing out loud "gold colored it was gold colored hahaha we have another candidate for transcender hahaha"
Yin sheng was shocked when she found her adoptive son have a gold colored martial spirit.
Yun sheng stood on his place wothout moving as he don't understand a thing and only later own when yin sheng told him did he understand and was overjoyed.
|
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|
Ships on the Horizon
Herbergja
A lone ship sailed down the Mihtea into the delta where the river met the sea. Ahead, the city of Herbergja could be seen. Before that, the defences built by the besieging army. Chains stretched across the roaring stream to prevent vessels from passing while also protecting a primitive bridge. On both riverbanks, soldiers of Alcázar kept watch.
At the prow and above the sail, the ship flew banners with the head of a horse, signalling the intention to seek negotiations. Although a Mearcian symbol, the mercenaries knew it and kept their arrows in the quiver. Instead, they hailed the ship and gestured for it to make anchor.
Besides the crew, all looking nervous, twenty kingthanes stood scattered across the deck, staring at the southerners, who returned the glares. Lastly, four women also appeared from below, dressed in rich clothes.
The kingthanes leapt ashore and placed boards to bridge the gap between ship and land, helping the women to disembark. As the mercenaries gathered in a semicircle, keeping them hemmed in, a lieutenant stepped forward from their ranks.
"You come under the flag of truce," he spoke, nodding to the banner on the ship. "Who are you?"
"I am Lady Arndis of Adal, sister to the high king of Adalmearc," came the reply. "I am here on his behalf to seek terms with your commander. I ask that you bring me to him without delay and cease hostilities until our negotiations are at an end."
~~~~
An hour later, the prince Saif received his guests in his great tent. "Lady Arndis," he spoke, giving a bow as the lady entered. His expression froze as he saw her companion. "Jana," he added hoarsely.
"Already useful," Arndis whispered to Jana before she bowed. "My lord prince, I am grateful to be received by you. You know the lady Jana, of course."
"I was not told you would be here," Saif remarked.
"Your men would not recognise her, I suppose, and I did not reveal it. Why spoil the surprise?" Arndis smiled.
"Is this a gift meant to soften my father?" asked the prince.
"I have come as I know both sides in this conflict," Jana replied, "hoping to bring conciliation."
"A vain hope, given your very presence is a reminder of the insult paid to Alcázar by your disappearance, "Saif retorted.
"Yet I am told you are a reasonable man and a wise leader," Arndis interjected. "I have my brother's authority to offer you peace on fair terms."
Saif crossed his arms. "Very well. Let us hear them."
"In exchange for your immediate withdrawal of all troops from Adalmearc, he will seek no recompense. Trade and relations may resume as before the war," Arndis explained.
"Meagre terms considering I have seen only victories and the city of Portesur is in my hands," Saif replied.
"Because you have yet to meet resistance. If the king must march here with his armies and inflict defeats upon you, he will not offer such lenient terms afterwards."
"Bold words. If only such were enough to win a war."
"You may take your time to deliberate your answer, of course," Arndis offered.
"My lady, I need only a moment to tell you that your proposal is rejected. Yet I am not ungracious, and I will offer you terms that you may bring to Herbergja."
Arndis placed her hands behind her back. "I am listening."
"If the city surrenders before this time tomorrow, there shall be no looting. They will be required to provide provisions, but nothing more," Saif declared.
"I shall take your terms to the marshal," Arndis agreed. "You shall have your answer soon."
"Adherbal, ensure suitable transportation for the ladies to enter the city."
"Yes, sidi."
Arndis bowed her head and left. Jana kept Saif's gaze for a moment. "Farewell, Brother."
Once alone, the prince turned towards his advisor. "What are the chances that the city surrenders?"
"Close to none," Adherbal admitted. "Our assaults have had little effect. They have no reason to fear us yet."
"Not until the ships return," Saif mumbled.
"Sidi, what of your sister?" The advisor hesitated briefly. "To have her returned will reflect well on you, both to your father and the soldiers. The mamluks especially feel wounded that a member of the Kabir's family was stolen from under their noses."
"She is under the protection of their king, a member of his delegation," the prince considered. "If I take her by force, it will hurt the possibility to negotiate peace later. Once the city is in our hands."
"Very well, sidi."
~~~~
The women remained silent as they rode to Herbergja, surrounded by both kingthanes and mercenaries as their escort. Once they reached the gate, the southerners turned back along with the horses they had lent the Mearcians. On foot, the delegation crossed the drawbridge to enter the beleaguered city.
Their progress through the streets drew stares, as could be expected; the sight of twenty thanes wearing the surcoat of the high king encouraged speculation. From windows and doorways, the inhabitants muttered and wondered. They had no trouble making their way to the Order castle, as the roads were mostly empty. None lingered outside; the people only braved the streets for errands, hurrying to their destinations.
Once they reached the fortress, servants quickly offered them seats and drink, which the four ladies accepted with gratitude. It did not take long for the marshal to join them. "I am Sir Asger," he introduced himself, giving a bow. The noblewomen rose to reciprocate the courtesy, though Gwen did so with a grumbling face.
"My admiration, sir marshal, for your defence of the city," replied the king's sister. "I am Lady Arndis of Adal."
The knight looked from her to Jana. "I had been told that Adalbrand Arnarson had been made high king, but I found it hard to believe."
"You may believe it," Arndis told him curtly.
"I do. After all, I see his companion before me as the king's envoy," Asger said.
Jana gave a faint smile. "A pleasure to meet you again, though the circumstances are grim."
"They are," the marshal admitted, "but if an exile can become king, perhaps the gods have good intentions for the rest of us too."
"I am sure," Arndis interjected. "We have spoken to the captain of the southern armies. They demand your immediate surrender, which obviously is unacceptable."
"Obviously," Asger reiterated. "Yet while I appreciate your attempts to find terms with our enemy, I had hoped the high king would send soldiers, not only envoys."
"A relief army is on the march," Arndis reassured him. "We travelled faster, but they should arrive before long."
"How strong?"
"About ten thousand, I believe, and more will come," she explained.
"That will not discourage them from attacking," the marshal claimed with dismay. "They have three times that number. I would suggest you leave, Lady Arndis, with your entourage. Once they attack, I cannot guarantee your safety."
"We got time," Gwen suddenly said. "They're not planning an attack right now."
"How do you know?" asked Asger with a frown.
"When we arrived, they were building defences to the east. Against the relief army that's coming," she explained. "If they expected to take the city in a day or two, they wouldn't bother with extensive preparations to defend their camp."
"Curious," the marshal considered, stroking his full beard. "They have yet to attack the harbour, which is our weak point. If they do not plan to attack soon, the explanation must be their ships are busy in transport."
"What fortune," Eleanor exclaimed, looking relieved.
"Still, if that is the case, we should expect an assault as soon as they are ready. Again, you should consider leaving the city," Asger impressed upon them.
"Not yet. I am here to buy every day we can," Arndis declared. "We will stay for now."
"Oh dear," Eleanor spoke softly, and Jana squeezed her hand.
"As you wish. For now, tell me all you saw at their camp," the marshal bade them.
The ladies looked at each other and began relating everything.
~~~~
The next day, the Mearcians sent a brief reply rejecting the terms offered by Alcázar. Already expected, this changed little. The besiegers continued to build their defences in anticipation of the relief army, while the garrison repaired their walls as best they could, dreading the appearance of sails on the horizon.
It took another two days before hope was rewarded one side and dashed on the other. Sailing down the Mihtea in every vessel they could gather, an army under the duke of Belvoir appeared. They landed several miles east of the blockade made by the mercenaries, avoiding any skirmish. Swiftly, they began setting up their own camp and defences in preparation of assisting the beleaguered city.
|
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Home
Maleth
A year ago, Maleth had been a town of fishermen and smugglers, the latter braving the Teeth to trade with the northern realms on their own terms. Located south of the Langstan, Adalmearc had no interest in the city as such; the kabirs of Alcázar, always greedy for territory, had long claimed lordship over the town. They appointed magistrates, charged with upholding the law and collect taxes. Though during times of turmoil in Alcázar, that could often slide for years.
The town's sleepy state changed last summer, first by the arrival of mamluks. While the locals eyed them with apprehension, they showed no interest in the magistrate's rule nor the smugglers. Instead, they set about expanding the port.
The reason soon became obvious once the first ships arrived. Large crafts built for war, they outclassed the small vessels used by the locals, and they dominated the piers. More ships and more soldiers arrived throughout the months until finally, the fleet set sail under the leadership of Prince Saif.
This did not return Maleth to its former state. A continuous stream of soldiers followed, quartering in the town or camped outside. Every now and then, ships would return from the north-west to collect the troops and sail back, bringing them to war.
When the ships arrived from Adalmearc, they usually brought only wounded soldiers with them. An exception arose when a lady disembarked from a galley, followed by five soldiers. Her presence alone drew attention, as none would have guessed a woman to travel aboard a ship of war, and the speculations only grew considering her retinue.
While she appeared to be a lady of Alcázar, she had one guardian of northern origin, wearing unknown colours. In contrast, her other followers were mamluks, and as guards, they seemed more like wardens than protectors. Their eyes were as much on her as on others.
A letter sealed by Prince Saif told the magistrate to provide her quarters until a ship would happen to sail to Alcázar, bringing her along. While a modest house, only his home had anything resembling guest chambers, and so one was provided for the lady; her northern sentinel slept outside her room, and the mamluks kept watch at the entrances. In this manner, as a guest under guard, Jana waited for when she might complete her journey.
~~~~
Jana's time as the magistrate's guest turned out to be prolonged. All ships of war saw use in the invasion, and if they returned to Maleth, it was only to transport soldiers and provisions back to Adalmearc. Vessels of trade had no cause to sail this far north from Alcázar; the few goods that travelled between the great city and the town did so on roads, not the sea. A messenger was eventually dispatched south on foot, requesting a transport worthy of the lady to bring her home.
Until then, Jana passed the days walking around the town, always with her thane and mamluks in tow. The only thing of note was the harbour, and the occasional arrival or departure of the graceful vessels built by the skilled shipwrights of Alcázar. The lady could spend long hours watching the sea, gazing towards the north or the south.
Curiously, she also visited an old fisherman, who had been presumed lost at sea last winter. He had returned with a strange tale of imprisonment by northern savages who sailed the storms with laughter. His neighbours assumed that sunstroke had made him imagine things, and they wondered why a nobleborn lady would lend credence to his fables by listening to them.
These diversions only worked for so long. Eventually, Jana spent more and more of her time in the chamber given to her. With paper and a quill, she wrote down poems by al-Tayir from memory; other times, she wrote long letters that she folded together and packed away.
~~~~
Weeks after her arrival, commotion in the magistrate's house interrupted Jana's writings. She opened her door to find her thane sitting outside with tea in his hand. "I'll admit, after forcing myself to drink this long enough, it's growing on me."
"Perhaps you will find Alcázar to your liking after all," Jana considered. "Sandar, is something going on? I hear loud conversation and people running around."
"I'll find the old servant who speaks a bit of the king's tongue," the thane promised, setting aside the tea. As he disappeared down the stairs, Jana returned to her room. She sat down by the small writing desk provided to her, but she did not pick up the quill again. Wringing her hands together, she waited until Sandar returned.
Sticking his head past the door, he cleared his throat. "From what I gather, a ship arrived, and the magistrate has gone to the harbour. Some kind of argument. I couldn't quite follow the old fellow."
"I see."
The thane hesitated. "I did understand that the ship had come for you, milady."
Jana folded her hands together, keeping them still. "I suspected as much."
"I'll see if I can find out more. When – if we are leaving."
"Thank you, Sandar."
As he disappeared, she turned back to look at her desk and the papers on it. Her hands shook slightly as she picked up her latest piece of writing, folding it. Taking a comb, she began brushing her hair, her hand still unsteady.
The sound of heavy boots leaping up the stairs sent a start through her, and she dropped the comb. As the door was pushed open, she turned in her seat to look. A man appeared in the doorway, so tall he seemed even thinner than his hollow cheeks suggested. A furrowed brow belied his age and spoke of heavy concerns while his eyes possessed a feverish shine. He wore the blue and gold of Adal on his tunic, but he was no kingthane.
Taking a step across the threshold, Brand extended one hand. "Jana," he managed to say.
She rose so swiftly, her chair fell back. Closing the distance between them, she threw herself into his arms, which he wrapped tightly around her.
"I love you," he spoke hoarsely, leaning his head against her hair.
Pulling back, she looked up at him. "Good," she replied and pressed her lips against his.
~~~~
In the harbour lay a northern longship, the fastest in Thusund. A strange assortment of people had assembled around it. The crew of islanders along with a handful of kingthanes stood opposite mamluks and mercenaries, with the aide to Prince Saif and the Kabir's magistrate in between.
Leading Jana through the town, Brand and his few accompanying guards soon reached the pier. Stepping away from the crowd, Adherbal nodded towards them. "While it took quite a while to explain the situation, you are free to leave." He rubbed the prince's signet ring on his finger. "On behalf of my master, I am pleased to reaffirm the bond between the House of Adal and House al-Saqr." He gave a pointed look at Jana before he bowed before the king.
Brand nodded in response. "Tell your master I am satisfied. All my promises to him shall be upheld. He may send his envoy to Middanhal to discuss our arrangements."
"I shall, Your Majesty. Safe journey."
The mercenaries parted to let Brand and his followers board the ship. Moments after, they unmoored and turned the vessel north, to sail the king and his bride home.
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The Payment for Time
Herbergja
Smoke signals on the foothills of the Weolcans brought the message to Herbergja that the relief army had arrived. The same day, Arndis found the marshal in his chambers. "It is time to offer a truce again," she spoke. "With the relief army, our argument is strengthened."
"Every day you may buy is precious," Asger agreed, "though I am unsure if they will listen. They will know Belvoir is greatly outnumbered and in no position to end the siege."
"Nonetheless, I intend to try. How much time would you ask for, within reason?"
The marshal scratched his beard. "With two weeks, we might have luck to slip past their ships and bring stone back from the quarries. Another two weeks to use it on the harbour walls."
"I shall endeavour to give you that much."
"Anything less will still be a blessing. I will have a carriage and horses readied for you and your retinue," Asger told her. "If you are able to spot any signs of their ships, that will be valuable to know."
"I will keep an eye out," she promised. "I shall tell my guards to do the same."
He inclined his head. "Very well, my lady. I know the people of the city are grateful for your efforts."
She gave a magnanimous smile. "It is my duty, after all."
~~~~
"The northerners have sent their envoy again, sidi," Adherbal said as he entered the prince's tent. "They must be aware of the army's arrival."
"The smoke we saw in the hills," Saif considered.
"Shall I allow them entry?"
"Not yet," the prince bade him. "Is there anything gained by negotiating with them? With the new threat on our flank, they will surely not be more inclined to surrender."
"Indeed, sidi, that cannot be why they have come." The advisor folded his hands in front of him. "They might hope we are inclined to accept peace, but given this relief army is not strong enough to engage us, they must know we are not inclined either."
"What then? A simple attempt to spy on our camp?"
"In their position, I would seek to buy time, sidi," Adherbal considered. "Have some excuse to cease hostilities for the time being."
The prince sent his counsellor a doubtful look. "Why would I ever agree to such? Are they fools to think I would sit idle while they strengthen their defences?"
"Certainly, as time passes, they gather more troops. But our latest news from their capital says the northern king has gone east with his veterans," Adherbal replied. "It will be months before he can reach us, and this peasant rabble is of little threat."
"So? We gain nothing by waiting."
"Not necessarily, sidi. With a truce, we might greatly strengthen our defences to the east. And our fleet will have time to make another trip, gathering our final troops still awaiting arrival."
Saif frowned. "It feels like playing into their hands, giving them time. We cannot wait forever. If the northern king arrives with his full army, we will be destroyed."
"There is another threat to consider," Adherbal countered.
"Which is?"
"The island fleet."
"I remember the news. The queen has taken her brother captive. Surely that should only encourage us to hurry our assault?" Saif considered.
"Or we should take advantage of this truce to sail our last troops north before the islander ships raid our lines and winter storms keep our fleet trapped in harbour," Adherbal pointed out. "If we do not transport those troops now, we may not get another chance."
"What if the islander ships prevent us from assaulting the harbour?" Saif countered. "If we wait, we might lose our only opportunity to take the city."
"That is the risk," Adherbal admitted. "Against this must be weighed that the city must also be held once we take it. Another ten thousand mercenaries could determine whether we succeed or fail."
The prince let out his breath. "Delay or act? What would you advise me to do?"
The advisor chewed on his lip. "Sooner or later, the northern king will march on us. I think once he does, Your Highness will want every soldier at his side."
"I see."
"Shall I permit the envoy inside?"
"Not yet. Go and speak with her of idle matters. Give me time to think."
"Yes, sidi."
~~~~
At length, Arndis was led into the prince's tent. He greeted her politely and gestured for a servant to offer a drink and a seat.
"My thanks," she replied, accepting both. "I appreciate your hospitality."
"Our last meeting was curt, I admit," Saif responded, taking a seat himself while Adherbal moved to stand behind him. "Even in war, courtesy is important."
"Perhaps especially so."
The prince gave a brief smile. "True. But you have come to discuss greater matters, I surmise."
"I have. I seek to reach a peace settlement with you, honoured prince, and end this war."
"I fear your journey is wasted," Saif responded. "Unless the city surrenders, we have nothing further to discuss."
"I see." Arndis took a moment to think. "If not lasting peace, might we agree upon a truce?"
"Why should such a thing take place?"
"The hostilities have kept us from celebrating summer solstice," Arndis explained. Adherbal's face twitched briefly. "A respite would also let us both bury our dead and treat our wounded without fear of renewed fighting."
"We are perfectly capable of doing that," Saif replied. "And your customs are not our issue."
"In exchange for a truce of six weeks, I will offer you something otherwise beyond your reach."
"You would be fortunate to get three weeks," the prince declared. "What is your offer?"
"Your sister."
~~~~
Some hours after her departure, Arndis returned to the Order castle in Herbergja. She was met in the courtyard by the marshal and her companions, looking at her with various degrees of apprehension.
"What did they say?" asked Asger.
Dismounting, Arndis let her eyes glance from the knight to the other women. "They agreed to a month under two conditions."
"Which are?"
"They will not allow any to enter or leave the city during the truce. Any attempts to do so will be blocked and considered a breach," Arndis explained.
"To be expected. They would never let us bring troops or supplies in," Asger considered. "But a few small boats at night to the quarries... and the other?"
The noblewoman looked at Jana. "They demand that the Kabir's daughter is returned to them to mend the slight done to Alcázar."
"Madness," exclaimed Eleanor. "Surely you rejected this outright?"
"I agreed to consider it, if nothing else to make another day pass," Arndis replied.
Meanwhile, Jana's face had gone pale. "Pardon me," she mumbled and turned around to hurry inside the castle.
"Oh dear," Eleanor said.
"I will speak with her," Arndis declared, giving the marshal a reassuring look.
She followed in Jana's footsteps, walking inside. She went up the winding stairs to reach the chambers that the noblewomen shared. Cautiously pushing the door open to an inner room, she found Jana sitting on her bed.
"I am sorry," Arndis claimed. "This cannot be easy for you."
"I do not wish to go back," Jana breathed.
The other woman sat down next to her. "I understand. Nobody here wants you to leave. But I had to bring back the terms they offered."
"What will happen if I do not leave?"
"They will attack. They will take the city, most likely. It cannot hold."
"But the relief army arrived," Jana argued.
"It is not strong enough," Arndis explained. "More troops are needed, including those from Thusund. That will take time, which we cannot get any other way."
"I do not know what my father will do if I go back." Jana looked away, hiding her face.
"It is a heavy burden to place on you." Arndis took a deep breath. "But if those mercenaries enter the city, sacking and looting..."
"How long until Brand might arrive?"
"He would only have entered the Reach by now. Even if he turned back and hurried here, he would be months away," Arndis explained. "You are the only hope for this city." She placed one hand on Jana's shoulder.
"They require an answer tomorrow?"
"Yes."
Jana steadied her breathing. "I will do it. Tomorrow. Let me have until then."
"Of course." Arndis rose. "I shall tell the marshal of your courage." Squeezing, Jana's shoulder, she rose and left the room.
Left alone, the lady of Alcázar sat for a while as if paralysed. Finally, she rose and entered another room. It had a writing desk with supplies, allowing the ladies to write letters. Sitting down, blinking her tears away, Jana took the quill and began writing.
~~~~
The next day, several horses stood saddled in the courtyard of the Order castle. Several kingthanes waited by them, and much of the garrison had gathered as well to watch the departure. Finally, the four noblewomen came from the keep, escorted by the marshal.
"You once came to warn us of danger," Asger spoke to Jana, "and now you leave to keep us safe. It shall not be forgotten." He bowed his head low.
"Thank you, sir knight," the lady replied hoarsely.
"I will miss you," Eleanor sniffed, giving the other woman a hug.
"Likewise." Taking a deep breath, Jana walked over the horse that awaited her.
"With your leave, milady, I'd like to stay with you," said the kingthane holding the reins of her steed.
"That is not needed, Sandar, but thank you."
"If it's the same to you, I'll do it even so. If the king was here, it's what he'd want." Looking into the ground, the thane shifted his weight from leg to leg. "It doesn't feel right leaving you all alone."
"If that is how you feel, I will not dissuade you." Taking an offered hand from her protector, Jana mounted the horse. As the garrison gave a salute, placing their fists on their chests, the small procession rode out.
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A Council of Kings
Middanhal
A diminished army marched into Middanhal. Some troops had been left to man the Langstan, others in Vidrevi, Herbergja, or Ealond; only about ten thousand returned. Regardless, their entry proved a triumph. The entire city lined up along the Arnsweg to watch the victorious soldiers return from ending another war. The citizens from high to low cried out in jubilation, holding nothing back. Civil war, foreign invasion, siege – all threats had been defeated.
At the head of the column rode the king, who seemed relieved as well; his countenance was no longer dour, and he found occasion to smile. By his side rode the princess of Alcázar, whose union with the king would ensure lasting peace with the South Cities. The details had been lost to rumours, but all knew that she had saved Herbergja through sacrifice, even if none could agree how. Regardless, the drakonians bid her welcome as a mirror of the affection they witnessed their king show her.
Even as the troops passed by on their march to the Citadel, the excitement did not end. The return of the army would only be the beginning of festivities. No less than a threefold celebration lay ahead. Soon, the city would mark the end of war, the coronation of the high king, and a royal wedding. With this knowledge, the citizens of Middanhal flooded the streets, giving in to unbridled exuberance.
~~~~
Every tavern in Lowtown was crowded on this eve, but none so more than where the king's companions gathered. The rooms were so packed, trouble seemed brewing constantly; thankfully, the aforementioned and well-armed companions knew how to keep the peace. Many came simply to gawk at the warriors, who came from across the Seven Realms. Highlanders and heathmen mingled with drakonians and others.
"Haki!" shouted Geberic, waving an islander towards their table. Pushing through the packed room, the housecarl made his way to him. "Did you come alone?"
Haki stepped aside to reveal the stocky Glaukos behind him, who had followed in his footsteps. "This is your mead hall?" The islander cast a doubtful glance around the room.
"One of the lads is married to the owner's daughter," Geberic explained, "so we drink at half price, hah!" He emptied his tankard. "You didn't bring Alaric?"
Glaukos fell into a chair. "Busy at the castle."
"His loss." Geberic turned towards Haki, who had also taken a seat. "What's your queen think of our city? Quite a sight compared to Dvaros, isn't it?"
"Too many mountains, not enough sea," the islander replied flatly. "We'll be glad once the coronation is done and we can go home."
Ellen appeared, deftly placing full mugs of ale on the table before disappearing. "You're a treasure and too good for Nicholas!" Geberic shouted after her.
Leaning back, Glaukos grabbed his drink. "Two, three years ago, I worked as a guard in a tavern like this. Now I am the king's champion."
"What's your point?" asked Geberic.
"No matter how my fortunes change, I am stuck with the same company."
Haki raised his tankard. "I'll drink to that!"
~~~~
Over the next days, the remaining kings and queens of Adalmearc arrived at Middanhal for the coronation. A banquet was held to bid them welcome; the Citadel had not hosted so many guests of prominence since the ascension of the last high king many decades prior. All the banners of the Seven Realms hung on the walls, with a table for each ruler and their attendants. The servants could barely move through the hall given the number of kingthanes, Queen's Blades, housecarls, gallóglaigh, and other guards present.
At the high table, the king sat where expected. To his right hand, he had Lady Jana of Alcázar; his dragonlord, the jarl of Theodstan, took the left seat. In a good mood, the king spoke easily with his companions, even exchanging jests; some of the deep lines in his brow were gone. Behind the table, Geberic filled his master's cup while Glaukos stood guard along with Sandar. Further down the table, the king's sister had been placed.
Once the meal had been served and cups filled, the king's favourite minstrel was given full attention. With sweeping bows in every direction, Troy began performing his most recent work.
"From beyond the wall they came
Death and conquest as their aim
Thralls they'd make of men once free
From the heath to western sea
Called by malice or by fate
Host of spears before the gate
Garments made with crimson thread
And they dyed the Valmark red."
~~~~
The next day, the king received his lord marshal in his chamber. "The latest troop movements have been confirmed, my king," William said. "All the southerners are gone, replaced by your soldiers. From Hareik to the Langstan, the Order safeguards the realms. Yet, if I may..."
"Speak."
"Trouble already brewed in the Reach when we left. Sooner or later, the Dwarves will turn to Adalmearc for help. Or the outlanders will demand we prevent more settlers from arriving," William considered. "What shall we do?"
"For now, we send what remains of our soldiers to the Langstan. Whatever happens, we will not be taken unaware. Perhaps I can send an envoy to negotiate a settlement between the feuding parties. I do have one in mind," Brand spoke with a sardonic smile as he leaned back in his seat. "At present, what matters are the troops in Hareik and Fontaine."
"Both marshals have written to me, declaring all is well," William replied.
"Good. Have you considered your choice for knight marshal?"
"Sir Athelstan seems the most apt selection with your leave, my king."
Brand nodded. "I have no objections. He did well against the outlanders."
"Very well."
The king rose. "I have other matters to attend. We will speak later."
"Yes, my king."
~~~~
A kingthane led Folkmar of Vidrevi and his guards through the Citadel, finally stopping to open the door into a chamber. The warrior gestured for the king to enter alone, which he did, encountering Brand already present.
"I was told this would be a meeting between all the crowns," Folkmar said, casting a wary look towards Brand.
"It will be. I desired to speak with you alone first." The drakonian king stood by the window, gazing out at the city beyond the castle. "Come, look at the city with me."
The forester king approached. "Is this where you push me to my death?"
A sly smile crossed Brand's face. "I would never be so crude. I simply wanted you to take in the size of the city. I imagine more people live here than all of Vidrevi."
Folkmar gave Middanhal a dismissive look. "Doubtful. More people live in the wide forests than you may think, among the trees. Which is our strength."
"Let me list your weaknesses. You need iron from Adalrik, tin from Heohlond, and salt from Hæthiod, not to mention the ships of Thusund to sail your timber and furs to market," Brand said.
"Trinkets. Nothing of value compared to our freedom. That is what you fear," Folkmar claimed. "My people can live in the forests year after year, never requiring anything from you. You cannot strangle us as you might the other realms."
"With Order soldiers controlling Hareik and Trehaf, one might question if any part of Vidrevi that matters could resist," Brand countered. "But I have no interest in pursuing the issue with brute force. Tomorrow at my coronation, I expect Vidrevi to bow willingly."
"You shy away from war because your strength is spent," Folkmar retorted. "And the other realms know it. Once they see Vidrevi does not fear you, they will know your iron glove is hollow."
"Let us examine that. Follow," Brand commanded. "The others should be ready." He turned and left the room with the forester king in tow.
They went down the corridor to reach the council chamber of the Citadel. Five people, the other crowned heads of Adalmearc, had already gathered. Once Brand entered and took his seat at the end of the table, they followed suit.
"My lord kings, my lady queens. Folkmar of Vidrevi has cast doubt on the strength of the Alliance of Adalmearc. He questions Adalrik's leadership," Brand related. "Let us find out if others agree. What does Hæthiod think?"
All eyes looked at Queen Theodora, whose realm had been freed from the outlanders by the Order army, led by none other than the drakonian king. "Hæthiod is loyal to the Alliance," she declared with a strong voice.
"Let us hear our other queen. Svana Konungr, tell us of Thusund."
The queen, whose largest city had been liberated by the Order only months before, smiled. "Thusund believes strongly in the Alliance under Adalrik."
"What of Heohlond and the rí ruirech?"
The aged King Brión, whose realm conducted all its trade through Adalrik, nodded slowly. "Heohlond values its place in the Alliance under its wise leader."
"Ealond?"
King Rainier, who depended on the Order to keep his disloyal vassals from dethroning him, licked his lips. "Ealond is loyal."
"Korndale?"
King Adelard, who seemed mostly bewildered by the conversation, glanced around. "Korndale is obviously part of Adalmearc."
Brand looked at Folkmar. "Tell us of Vidrevi. Do you no longer trust in the Alliance?"
The forester king looked around the room, but he found no sympathetic eyes. "Vidrevi is loyal," he mumbled with reluctance.
Brand rose with a smile on his lips. "Excellent. I look forward to seeing this affirmed tomorrow." As swiftly as that, the council was at an end.
|
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"title": "The Eagle’s Flight - 244. A Council of Kings",
"author": "Quill",
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"Knights",
"Medieval",
"Military",
"Multiple POV",
"Multiple Protagonists",
"Nobles",
"Politics",
"Power Struggle",
"Romantic Subplot",
"Soldiers",
"Strategic Battles",
"Wars"
]
}
|
The Brothers Swordsmen
Middanhal
Barely past dawn, the soldiers of Adalmearc prepared across the city. From Lowtown to the Citadel, they gathered on the Arnsweg. In the castle itself, both the northern and southern courtyards were completely packed. All farewells had to be made inside before the noblemen, knights, and soldiers walked outside to take their place in formation. From the windows, their families watched them march out, not knowing if they would return.
~~~~
Once the armies of Adalmearc had left the city, an anxious mood descended upon those staying behind. The streets appeared nearly empty as most people stayed indoors. An ill wind seemed in the air with battle on the horizon; few had any appetite for work or trade.
As an exception, the alderman of the guilds trudged his way to the Citadel, accompanied by some guards. Summoned to meet the jarl of Vale, he passed through the gate, crossed the now empty courtyard, and entered the castle. He encountered only servants and the occasional courtier until he reached the jarl's wing, where a handful of thanes stood guard; the rest had been sent to fight.
As the alderman entered Valerian's study, he found the royal treasurer sat behind his desk, but the usual stacks of books and ledgers had been cleared away. Only a single piece of paper lay in on it, filled with numbers. The jarl looked up and gestured for his visitor to take a seat.
Licking his lips, Edwin sat down opposite Valerian. "What did you need to see me for, milord?"
"I have concluded my investigations into the guilds."
"I see."
"It has taken me weeks to compare list after list, ledger after ledger," the jarl declared. "All the profits made by the members of every single guild, compared to the taxes paid."
"A monumental achievement, milord."
"According to my figures, since you became alderman, the guilds have underpaid their taxes to a sum of four thousand, three hundred and fifty-seven golden crowns, thirty-two silver eagles, and three copper petties."
"Three coppers, even. What an exact number."
The jarl smiled. "I have been thorough. Trust me on that."
"I do not doubt that."
"Furthermore, the guilds have claimed to pay the wages of the mercenary company, The Unbroken Shields. Yet no more than half that company is presently in the city, as the other half is claimed to be away protecting trade caravans. Of course, with most of the trade at a standstill, that seems a dubious claim. Which makes me consider whether that is simply a ploy, and to save coin, you have dismissed the mercenaries rather than pay their wages."
"Is that a question, milord? Did you summon me here to ask that?"
Valerian's smile broadened. "Truthfully, I simply wanted to tell you the news in person. You may expect all your personal belongings to be seized and the guilds to be punitively taxed as recompense. While theft is not usually punished by execution, even theft from the Crown, an exception may be made given the severity of the crime." The jarl exhaled a sigh. "Gods, the satisfaction of unravelling all of this. Finally laying all the cards on the table. You have been a worthy adversary, master alderman, but you could not fool me."
Edwin fiddled with the ring on his finger. "Amusing that in the end, it would be you of all people to see through me. I admit, the masquerade has been most tiresome."
Valerian leaned back in his seat with a smug expression. "Never underestimate the importance of good bookkeeping."
"Bowing and scraping to lesser men, simply because the chance of birth placed them in high positions." The alderman scraped his tongue against his teeth. "While I was born on the streets of Middanhal and had to claw my way through the world!"
The jarl looked at him, taken aback. "Hear now, no need to shout. You tried to cheat, and you lost. Time to face the consequences, my good alderman. Guards!"
"No position was ever simply given to me." A sneer ran across Edwin's face. "I killed my master to take his place. I killed the guild master to take his. I killed the alderman to take his. I have killed kings and princes, and I am not done."
"Good gods, you sound positively deranged. Guards!"
Edwin removed the gemstone on his ring, revealing the needle underneath. "You wondered where I kept those mercenaries? My dear Valerian, I brought them with me."
From the hallway, noise could be heard. Frowning, the jarl stood up and quickly crossed the room. He opened the door. Screams and sounds of battle spilled into the chamber. Outside, his few thanes were desperately fighting several men wearing the emblem of The Unbroken Shields.
"I'm glad you summoned me," came the voice behind him. "You see, I also wanted to do this in person."
Valerian turned around to see Edwin's raised hand coming at him. The poisoned needle on his ring glistened in the pale sunlight from the window.
Stepping back, the jarl evaded the alderman's hand. "Slapping a jarl? Are you insane, man!"
Edwin tried again, but Valerian dodged the blow as before. Quickly, the jarl turned around and fled down the hallway.
"Help! Brigands! Bandits! Impertinent bastards!"
He ran past the fighters, avoiding errant sword blows. Crossing from the courtside to the Order side of the castle, the jarl continued his cries of alarm; behind him, the increasing noise of battle reinforced his message.
He burst into Theobald's study. The captain looked up from his map of the city, detailing the sparse garrison left behind. "What is it?"
"Enemies," Valerian gasped, catching his breath. "Here!"
"In the city?" exclaimed the captain, rising to his feet. "Where?"
"Castle! Courtside! We are betrayed," the jarl stuttered through rapid breathing. "Mercenaries and Ingmond's men."
Theobald drew his sword and reached for a shield hanging on the wall. "Run to the Temple," he told the jarl. "Tell the Templars we need help! Go through the northern gate!"
"Yes," Valerian assented, "just – one moment. Going – going now." As the captain rushed out of the room, the jarl followed at his own pace.
~~~~
With the gate open and barely any garrison, the attackers faced little opposition. They swept through the Citadel, butchering the few Order soldiers guarding the southern side of the castle. As servants and courtiers alike hid in fear, locking themselves in, the fighting spread across the fortress. In the northern side, where the Order had living quarters, many wounded and recovering soldiers could be found; despite their injuries, they had to arm themselves and join the frantic defence.
Descending from the jarl's chambers, Edwin passed through the corridors painted with blood. He stepped around the bodies to make his way towards the throne room. He walked past two dead kingthanes, each of them surrounded by several fallen mercenaries. Inside the large hall itself, several servants lay dead along with more warriors of the various colours. The alderman moved around these as well until at last, he stood before the throne.
He walked up the steps, his shoes leaving a trail of blood. With a sigh of satisfaction, he turned around to sit down upon the throne.
He sat in silence, gazing upon the corpses in the hall, until one of the smaller doors opened. Ten mercenaries walked in, pushing a prisoner with them. It was the captain of the Citadel, bleeding from many wounds.
"There are some pockets of resistance," one of the soldiers told the alderman. "A few kingthanes have barricaded the royal wing, and the Order closed the northern gate before we could get in. We have to take the rest of the castle going through the hallways."
"Not an issue, I take it," Edwin said.
"Hardly, milord. It'll just take time."
"You despicable traitor!" Theobald rushed forward, but the haft of a spear tripped him, making the mercenaries laugh.
"My dear captain, how you always looked down on me. I rather enjoy this reversal." Edwin smirked from his seat as Theobald lay in the dust and blood on the ground before him. "But I must say – you seem to have made a miraculous recovery. For a cripple, you move rather fast."
"Doesn't fight like one either," a mercenary admitted. "Bastard killed eight of us before we got him. Taking him alive didn't make it easier on us either. There better be compensation for that."
"Yes, yes, gold is the least of our concerns. After all, I do have plenty of it," the alderman smiled. "I've kept you alive, captain, that you might tell your brethren to surrender their arms. End the pointless bloodshed."
Pushing himself up, Theobald tried to stand. A soldier slapped a hand on his shoulder, keeping him on his knees. "Master alderman," he spat, "you will face the same fate as every other tyrant. If the gods are kind, I will be there to watch."
"Predictable," Edwin sighed. "All you knights and thanes are the same. Look at the soldiers around you!" He gestured to the mercenaries. "Your honour will get you killed, while my gold will make them rich. Only a fool would choose as you did."
"As grating as I find your voice and words, you will have to use steel to kill me," Theobald retorted.
"But you are not as simple a fool as these others, are you, captain," the alderman continued. "All the years I have known you, you've limped. Quite conspicuously. Perhaps more than was warranted? But what could be the reason for that?"
Theobald did not deign to reply. His breathing had become ragged, and blood continued to trickle from the worst of his injuries.
"Did you grow tired of war, my good captain? Always being sent away on campaigns. A man with a bad leg can't ride a horse into battle," Edwin speculated. "Did you pretend all these years, just to have a safe, comfortable position here in the Citadel? Well, for the first time, I may have found respect for you, Captain Theobald." He spoke the title with a smile. In the distance, the sounds of battle grew louder.
"I never had any for you. Hoarding your gold to have others fight your battles for you."
"Hardly," Edwin suddenly sneered. "I was eight when I killed for the first time, captain. I had found half a loaf of bread – a treasure to an orphan like me. Another boy tried to steal it, and I bashed his skull in with a rock. I found three copper coins on him, captain, and I have never felt so rich as I did that day. More than that, do you know what I learned?"
"Spare me."
"There was no punishment. I had killed him, taken what had been his, like he tried to take what was mine. I was rewarded. So you see, captain, while you practised with wooden swords and ate every night till your belly was full, I survived on scraps, fighting for every morsel!"
"You are nothing but a coward." Disgust filled Theobald's voice. "Like a toothless viper, striking only when your enemy is defenceless."
Shrill laughter came from the throne. "You don't see? It was not grief that killed the old king. It was not highlanders that killed his son. It was not brigands who killed his grandson. For twenty years, I have steered this kingdom to ruin, preparing for this moment. I have earned this throne."
Theobald's eyes narrowed, becoming full of hate. "You lie. You could not have done all that."
"I had some help," the alderman admitted. "I found an ally who gave me many gifts. Even now, his armies have drawn out all defenders, leaving the city in my hands."
"Gods, I hope your death is painful."
"The feeling is mutual, captain, and unlike you, I have the power to see my hopes come true." The alderman turned to look at the nearest mercenary. "If he will not help us, we have no need of him alive." The hired blade grinned and raised his sword.
One of the smaller doors into the hall burst open. A soldier wearing Ingmond's livery stumbled backwards and fell to the ground. After him followed a Templar in all his fury.
"Kill him!" The mercenaries lowered spears and formed ranks, holding the knight back.
Behind them, Theobald glanced up. One soldier had stayed by the prisoner, but his attention remained on the Templar like the others. Leaping into action, the captain thrust his head into the mercenary's stomach. The rings on his chain shirt tore into Theobald's face, but he fell upon his enemy, grabbing the knife from his belt to stab him in his throat.
Blood pouring down his brow to nearly blind him, Theobald rose with the dagger in his hand.
"Help!" squealed Edwin, his voice lost in the din of the fighting. "Mercy!"
Staggering up the steps, the captain approached the alderman. "No."
"Please! I'll pay you anything!" Edwin begged.
"All your gold cannot buy my honour," Theobald exhaled. He plunged the dagger into the pretender's chest before grabbing his tunic to pull him down from his seat. Edwin tumbled down to land by the foot of the throne, bleeding to death. His strength expired, the captain fell to the ground, dying next to alderman.
~~~~
In the Temple, the departure of forty-nine Templars had left a fearful mood. Many of the priests and priestesses could be found in frantic prayer, whether in the Hall of Holies or their own cells. Others gathered in small circles, wondering and speculating at what had happened, though few had any idea; even the blackrobes seemed taken by surprise.
Sitting by the basin in the gardens, the highfather had no attendants except the sole remaining Templar, standing guard. Surrounded by frantic whispers across the great courtyard, he appeared almost serene in his quietude.
This lasted until a blackrobe hastened across the open space to approach Septimus. The silver patterns on his clothing proclaimed him the leader of Rihimil's priesthood. "What news, Eadric?" asked the highfather.
"Still fighting at the Citadel, but the soldiers on the northern walls have joined in the fight. Between our Templars and the remaining Order troops, we should prevail. Yet there is another matter."
"What?"
"Only some of the mercenaries have attacked the Citadel. Others, a few hundred at least, hold the Arnsbridge. Furthermore, this morning, one of our brothers in Lowtown saw soldiers scattered around the district, bearing the insignia of Ingmond. After the army had moved out."
"It makes sense to control the bridge, I suppose, but surely they will surrender once their assault on the Citadel has failed?"
"But Jarl Vale told us half the mercenary company quartered in Lowtown. A thousand men," Eadric pointed out. "Why would these traitors concentrate so many troops south of the river when the hardest battle would be the Citadel? Something is amiss."
"The walls!" exclaimed the Templar.
The highfather looked over his shoulder and up at the knight behind him. "Explain."
"They have enough men to take the southern walls. The garrison will not expect to be attacked from within. After that, the traitors can close the gates. If our army needs to retreat from the battle..."
"They will be caught against the walls and slaughtered," Eadric muttered.
"And worse than that," the knight continued, "even a small force of say, one thousand men, moving out to attack our army in the back at the height of the battle? Our lines would break. Our forces would be annihilated."
"What can be done?" asked Septimus. "Would these soldiers stand aside if the highfather of the Temple bade them?"
"The mercenaries are southrons," Eadric pointed out, shaking his head. "We must fight them."
"All our soldiers are fighting at the Citadel. They will never reach it in time," the Templar argued.
Eadric looked around. "We will have to fight." Seeing the other two staring at him, he continued. "There are sanctified weapons at the Temple, or tools that may serve. The whiterobes have their hammers. The greenrobes have bows. Even a dagger will have to do."
"Against experienced soldiers in armour? It will be a slaughter!" argued the knight.
"Eadric is right. At least some of our brothers and sisters can fight. All those who can, must," Septimus declared. He looked up at the Templar. "You must lead them, Sir Tancred."
"I stayed behind to ensure you would be protected, Holy One," the knight protested.
"My survival is irrelevant. If I would be any use, I would fight as well. Go, sir knight, and fight on my behalf. Save our city."
Looking from the highfather to the blackrobe, the Templar clenched his jaw and finally nodded. "Tell every man or woman to grab a weapon if they can wield one. We have to leave at once."
~~~~
While robes of different colours left the Temple in great numbers, a wanderer came the other way. He entered the courtyard, looking around with a confused expression. Noticing Septimus, sitting alone, he approached the highfather.
"What has happened?" asked Godfrey. "I return to find fighting in the Citadel, and the Temple looks deserted."
"Traitors in the city," Septimus explained. "They attacked the Citadel, and I sent the Templars to aid. But now we learn that they hold Lowtown and the Arnsbridge. They will lock the gate against our army outside the city, or attack them in the rear."
Shock took hold of Godfrey's face. "That's madness! The city will fall!"
"I sent all my brethren to fight – all those that can. I pray they can stop the traitors, but I fear – I fear they will be slaughtered." The old priest's voice shivered, and his eyes began to glisten. "Everything is lost, Godfrey. In one day. All our efforts made in vain."
"No," muttered the wanderer. "I will not accept this."
He turned away and cast his gaze in every direction until he found his prey. Striding across the yard, he approached one corner where two men sat against the wall, covered by cloak and hood.
"You are needed," Godfrey told them. "There's fighting in the city."
One of the men cast down his hood. He rose to reveal his full height, greater than the man who spoke to him. Removing his blindfold to reveal even-coloured eyes, the beggar Ælfwine turned himself into Alfmod of old. "We came as you bid to defend the Tree. Do not ask more of us."
"You must! Our enemy is outside the city, but his servants are already within. They will pave the way for him. He must be stopped!"
"I feel the battle already," muttered the Elf's companion. He did as Alfmod had, removing his trappings to reveal himself as Alfbrand. "Death stalks this city and beyond. It suffocates the mind. This land is dead, Godfrey, and every moment spent is a thorn in my flesh. Yet we came. Now you would have us drive those thorns into our eyes?"
"Let the sons of Men drive our enemy back," Alfmod added. "We will fight if they fail."
"They will fail! The Godking has proven more cunning than we fought. Our defenders are betrayed," Godfrey impressed upon them.
"Every life taken is another stain," Alfmod continued. "You know what it is that you ask."
"I do, and I ask it nonetheless."
"I have not drawn my sword in a thousand years," Alfbrand muttered. "I had hoped for another thousand years to pass."
"You will have to fight today," Godfrey told them. "If you do not seek the enemy now, he will find you soon. The only difference is that if you strike first, you may save countless lives."
The two Elves looked at each other. "If we return from this, the burden upon us will be heavy," Alfbrand said.
"If we do not return, the burden will be yours," Alfmod added, glancing at Godfrey.
"Such is my lot."
With deep breaths, the Elves opened their bags and began to arm themselves.
~~~~
Scores of bodies lay on the Arnsbridge, dressed in different colours. Black, green, yellow, blue, and white. On the southern end, mercenaries stood in a shield wall with spears aimed at the slender passage. To the north, those same colours could be found on priests and priestesses still alive. They wielded a strange assortment of weapons, such as tools for harvest or smithing. Many had injuries; those with the most grievous wounds had already been carried back to the Temple.
Standing out from his companions, Sir Tancred stood at the edge of the bridge, gazing across its span to the host of spears waiting. Although wearing armour, he bled from gashes here and there; even armed with a great sword, he had not been able to lead his ragged band of would-be warriors to break through the enemy line.
"We must attack again," demanded Caradoc Whitesark, whose bright robe had stains of red. Having followed the king from Heohlond to the Reach, he enjoyed pre-eminence among not only his brothers, but most of the clergy. A great hammer rested in his hands, familiar with crushing skulls in many places. Yet even the respect afforded him did not seem to lend his words any stirring effect; exhausted and fearful, the other robes did not meet his eyes.
"Perhaps if we place archers in those buildings," the Templar considered, pointing at the nearest structures that nonetheless stood some distance from the bridge.
"Our arrows will be hard pressed to reach that far," admitted a greenrobe. She held a shortbow in her hands, meant for hunting small game or birds. "We can try, but in that case, it would be best to lure them out onto the bridge, closer."
"We could use the spears as javelins," suggested a silrobe, wielding such a weapon.
"They are meant for fishing, not throwing," Tancred argued. "They will not hit well."
"I'll go first," roared Caradoc. "I'll smash some heads, and you can follow!"
"You will die before that. It has to be me," the knight claimed. "I am the only one in armour."
As they discussed, two warriors pushed through the crowd of robes. Tall and armed in shining steel, they drew every gaze; at the sight of their single-coloured eyes, the stares shied away. Reaching the knight, their appearance made the discussion fall to silence.
"We will open a gap in their line," declared Alfmod. "You must take advantage of it quickly before they can reform their ranks."
The Templar stared. "Are you gods or Hel-spawn?"
Alfmod exhaled. "Allies." He glanced briefly at Tancred. "Remember! Move swiftly, or the advantage is lost."
Stepping onto the bridge, the two Elves grasped shield and blade. For the first time since the Great War and the battle of Valmark, the pair known as the Brothers Swordsmen drew their weapons together. The sea-steel shone in the daylight; the sun seemed to grow brighter. They moved forward.
Ahead waited fifty spears, six feet long. A wall of iron and death, impossible to penetrate without being impaled. The cousins continued their march; fifty paces became forty, thirty, and twenty.
They shared a look and a nod; no words needed to be exchanged. They began to run. Twenty turned to fifteen, ten, eight, and as the spears loomed before them, the greatest warriors to walk the lands sprang into action.
Alfmod fell to the ground, rolling and sliding forward. His shield pushed the lowest spears up, giving him passage underneath to slash his sword into unprotected ankles.
Alfbrand leapt onto the parapet of the bridge, using it as a steppingstone to jump over the wall of iron. As his shield and sword deflected the spears raised hastily against him, he crashed down among the mercenaries, pushing them to the ground.
At once, both Elves were on their feet, standing back to back. Recovering from the surprise, the mercenaries found their spears unwieldy in the close combat. Several of them fell to quick sword strokes before they could draw their own blades. A circle of corpses grew, causing further disruption. Finally, the soldiers began to strike from all sides, forcing the Elves to defend and deflect, unable to retaliate.
A two-handed sword clove a helmet. A great hammer crushed another. Arrows flew. Like a wedge driven into the opening made by the cousins, the robes drove into the ranks of their enemy. With the pressure relieved, the Elves could move offensively once more. Their swords cut again and again, felling a foe each time. The gap widened, the wedge drove further, until the defensive lines began to fall apart.
~~~~
Once they no longer could hold the Arnsbridge, the mercenaries made a swift retreat. In pursuit, Sir Tancred led the priests and priestesses to the southern walls, where the soldiers of Ingmond had massacred the remaining garrison. This completed, they had assembled before the gate, ready to sally out when the fleeing mercenaries reached them. Already, many of the drakonian soldiers seemed shaken by the command to attack the garrison, questioning the jarl and his allies. Seeing a horde of priests and priestesses descend upon them broke their spirits. They threw their weapons aside, unwilling to slaughter men and women of the clergy, and fled into Lowtown.
Defiant, the jarl once known as Raymond the Pious demanded his thanes and loyal warriors to fight. A dreadful battle ensued. Wearing no armour other than leather, the servants of the Temple fell in great numbers to terrible sacrilege. The robes were outmatched.
A hundred horses came riding down the Arnsweg. The highfather had sent word to the Citadel of this second danger; with the enemy driven from the castle, Templars and Order soldiers arrived on every steed they had been able to find. Some were old warhorses, no longer deemed fit for battle; others were draught horses, taken from merchants, or mares meant to bear young noblewomen rather than fully armoured soldiers. Regardless, they served the purpose; the remaining resistance fell apart. As one of the last still fighting, Ingmond turned his sword on himself.
~~~~
Alfbrand and Alfmod did not follow the others to the gate at first; instead, they stayed at the bridge and tended to their injuries. As they saw the reinforcements from the Citadel rode past them, making their involvement unnecessary, they finally continued in the same direction at a calm pace, reaching the edge of the city. They walked past corpses to ascend the wall. From here, they gazed southwards upon the battle being fought on the slopes of Valmark.
|
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|
Desperate Act
Middanhal
The outlanders changed strategy. The first assault had been strategic; a lack of troops forced an attack with limited equipment at the greatest vulnerabilities. On the fourth day of the siege, such limitations were gone. Numerous siege towers greeted the defenders, moving up the gentle slope towards Middanhal. Elsewhere, screens and catapults rolled out, preparing the way for contingents to follow carrying storm ladders. Not all the towers could reach the fortifications, as the outlanders had not been able to remove all obstacles in their individual paths, but the defenders did not know this. Thus, every location on the walls waved their banners, signalling for reinforcements.
Stone throwers on the turrets released their charge. With frantic movements, the engineers adjusted the aim as best the cumbersome machines allowed, dispatching another round of rocks. A few hit as best could be hoped for, smashing into the approaching siege towers to render them useless. Despite this and the difficult terrain, three of the great engines reached their destination. The drawbridge on top fell down to reach the wall, and the Anausa leapt into the fray.
~~~~
Fifteen hundred men filled the fortifications around the gate, all of them wearing a red hawk as their emblem. The gatehouse itself along with the nearest turrets had scores of archers from Vidrevi; every forester who had entered Jarl Isarn's service now fought for the king.
They watched as outlanders swarmed towards them in spread-out formation. Defending catapults unloaded their shots in response, raining heavy stones down upon the attackers. Next to Rostam, a rock struck a soldier on the head. His helmet became crushed against the skull, and blood seeped out.
Arrows flew in both directions. With inferior numbers of archers, fewer came from the turrets, but their vantage point meant they often struck true. Reversely, the outlanders had difficulty hitting the defenders behind the crenellations, but they sent volleys in such numbers, it darkened the skies.
"Ladders!" shouted a lieutenant of the Red Hawks.
Nearby, Jorund gripped his spear, keeping his eyes trained on the gap between the crenellations.
Next to him, Gawad raised his shield. From above, arrows came in repeated showers. "I envy you your stature, my short friend!"
"Just keep that shield up and keep your yapping to yourself!" the Dwarf replied. "Here they come!"
The top piece of the ladder fell down to hook itself against the stonework of the wall. The face of a red-robed soldier peered over the edge, climbing the ladder. Jorund rushed forward, impaling the attacker.
With a death rattle barely audible over the noise of the fighting, his opponent fell away while Jorund pulled his spear back. Yet already, another attacker appeared, moving swifter. He jumped up, raising his shield just as Jorund struck again, hitting only metal. With another leap, the outlander was past the crenellations. Behind him, another came.
Sneering, Jorund dropped his spear, drew his short sword, and stepped forward.
~~~~
The fighting continued for half a day before the outlanders blew their horns, signalling a retreat. Victorious, the defenders hacked the siege equipment to pieces; in the case of the rolling towers, oil and torch made for a merry fire. Wounded were carried to the healers, working in lean-tos by the walls or buildings requisitioned for the purpose around Lowtown. Reinforcements took over to man the walls, keeping watch. As for the dead, they were stripped of weapons and burnt in great pyres; too many had fallen to make burial practical. To the families left behind, nothing but ash was given to grieve by.
~~~~
Retreating to their camp, the mood among the outlanders was as could be expected. Attacking across a wide front, they had sustained heavier losses than on their first assault. Looking from the ground up, the double walls of Middanhal seemed invincible. Their retreat did not allow them to retrieve their dead either; countless corpses lay strewn across the field, coloured red not only by their garments, but also spilled blood.
Yet uplifting news awaited them as the day waned. The vanguard of further reinforcements reached them. An endless ocean of crimson tents rose, as their camp expanded once again. The Godking had commanded his lands to empty, gathering all his forces to end this war; now, nearly a hundred thousand soldiers stood ready to crush his enemies.
~~~~
Arman stirred a small pot, simmering over a faint fire. "Did you hear someone tried to kill the Godking?"
"What possessed the fool to try that?" asked Dariush, cleaning his equipment.
The other blackboot looked around, keeping his voice low. They were outside the main camp on the western side of the Mihtea, keeping up constant scouting of the area. In the dark, only the embers of their cooking fire could be seen; they appeared to be alone. "He had his reasons, didn't he."
Dariush glanced up. "There are more fravashi surrounding that tent than fleas on a dog. Not even Javed could get through."
"Desperate people take desperate actions."
"Get ready." Kamran's voice reached them before he stepped in from the shadows, appearing at the edge of the frail light. The other two reached for weapons with quick movements, only relaxing once they saw their companion.
"What for?"
"There will be an assault tonight. We are to scout the defences ahead of the army," Kamran explained. "Hurry. We leave soon."
Arman stared with dismay at his pot while Dariush buckled his belt around him. "The drylanders are unaware," the latter said. "With fravashi in the night? They will be slaughtered."
"We are expected," Kamran pointed out. "If any of us does not show, he will be branded a deserter."
Dariush stuck his knife into its scabbard. "So be it."
"Do not be foolish," Arman interjected. "We do not know when Javed will be at the meeting point. He might not appear until tomorrow! You'll throw your life away for nothing."
"If this war is lost, the morrow will never come." The blackboot looked at his brethren. "Farewell, my brothers." The other men gave him a quick embrace; they did not have time for more.
|
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|
Let Them Come
Middanhal
Weeks after the battle in Ingmond, patrols from Middanhal caught sight of the outlander vanguard. They moved swiftly up the Kingsroad, plundering the area for food on their march. Their speed suggested good knowledge of the land, whether through maps or spies set in advance.
Rather than risk a skirmish, the Order patrols kept their distance. Experienced troops were few in Middanhal compared to the need, and the lord marshal had given strict orders to avoid fighting. Instead, the soldiers of the Star simply shadowed their red-robed counterparts, retreating before them back to the city, bearing the news. The enemy had arrived.
~~~~
The tidings had been expected, yet they still sent waves of panic through the city. Until then, some had held out hope that the rumours were exaggerated, or perhaps the outlanders would turn another way. To others, it had seemed an intangible threat, vague in comparison to the relief that the civil war had ended without further bloodshed. Now, such thoughts proved to be folly.
To the leaders, little had changed. They continued training soldiers, both levies from the fiefdoms of Adalrik and new conscripts to the Order. All the food that could be salvaged from southern Adalrik had already been brought inside the walls. On the towers, engineers from Fontaine laboured to build stone throwers and other defences.
Buildings were cleared throughout Lowtown, either to create passageways for reinforcements to reach the walls from their lodgings, or to lessen the risk of fires being set by flaming projectiles. Weapon stores were distributed throughout the fortifications, above all large quantities of arrows in every tower; barely a bird had any feathers left in the city with every fletcher working all waking hours.
These and many other preparations continued, day after day and sometimes into the night; time was running out.
~~~~
The king walked along the southern fortifications with Sir Richard of Alwood by his side; besides strong armour made of Nordsteel, ten kingthanes provided protection. Other than that, only the occasional sentinel could be found, keeping sharp eyes towards the south.
"This will be your tower," Brand explained. He pointed at the nearest turret. "It may serve as your command post. You will be furthest from reinforcement, so your garrison will be larger than the other towers."
"Excellent." Richard’s voice and smile gave no impression that the responsibility weighed on him.
"You must expect hard fighting. The outlanders have spies, and they may well be aware that this stretch of wall is more vulnerable."
"Let them come!"
"They have certainly been aware of our other plans," Brand muttered darkly. He stopped to stand between crenellations, placing his hands on the stonework as he gazed south. "They knew to advance swiftly before we were ready. Had I been king one month earlier, I could have led our armies to Ingmond and held the Sureste. Thirty days, and we would not be under threat of siege."
"You should have been king years ago," Richard argued. "I told those bastards as much, but they would not listen. Too busy squabbling among themselves."
Brand gave a vague smile. "You were always fearless, Sir Richard, whether on the battlefield or in marbled halls."
"Truth be told, I am too simple-minded to be afraid."
His words elicited laughter from the king. "You have done for more this kingdom than most lords I know, however cunning they might be."
"Not a hard measure to reach."
Brand turned to look at the knight. "You gave me my first command. I will never forget that."
"And now my king returns the favour." Richard grinned. "Do not worry, sire. We will be ready for those scum when they get here."
"Tell the men. They will need your courage in the coming days."
~~~~
Three days later, sentinels atop the towers could spot the outlanders in the distance. They did not approach, but began making their own preparations. All trees had been felled in the vicinity, and they brought their own timber from afar to build small watch posts as the first priority. Immediately manning them to keep a sharp eye on the gate of Middanhal, the remaining outlanders set aside spears to wield shovels, digging ditches. In this manner, soon several thousand of the Anausa occupied themselves.
As the remainder of their first army arrived, they set up camp southwest of the city, near the Mihtea. Given their numbers, especially with the second army expected, only a river like that could supply enough freshwater for them all. More timber was brought to build palisades, and more trenches were dug, turning their camp into a primitive fortress. As for their engineers, they began constructing siege engines.
~~~~
Atop the gatehouse, the lord marshal stood with Athelstan. They gazed into the distance, trying to discern what they might concerning the outlanders. "Too soon for a sortie," Athelstan considered. "Nothing of value to destroy."
"At least we have the numbers for it when the time comes. What siege machinery do you expect them to use?" asked William.
"I suspect ladders," the other knight replied. "If they breach the gate with a ram, we can defend it with ease given our strong garrison. They would have to breach the walls in several locations, which would take weeks. Their best way to take this city is to gain a foothold on the walls and flood their soldiers in."
William glanced at the catapult positioned next to them, placing a hand on the wooden frame. "I suppose this will be less useful against storm ladders as compared to rams, but better to have and not need."
Meanwhile, Athelstan had walked to the edge of the parapet. He narrowed his eyes, using one hand to shield them from the sun. "Is there something strange about how they are digging?"
The lord marshal joined him, likewise straining his sight. "They are not making trenches anymore, at least not for defensive purposes. They are moving closer towards the city."
Athelstan’s eyes opened wide. "They are making the ground even."
"What for?"
The older knight gestured towards the area beyond the walls. "The land has been made rough to make it harder for siege machinery on wheels. You can get rams through, perhaps, but not siege towers. Unless you are willing to spend countless hours, risking your men’s lives, to make it even."
"But we are uphill," William argued. "Moving siege towers to the walls seems a near preposterous task. They would need draught animals, which causes a new host of difficulties for them."
"It does," Athelstan conceded, "but I can see no other explanation." He took a deep breath. "It will not be ladders. It will be towers." He glanced over his shoulder at the catapult. "We are going to need those stone throwers after all."
|
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|
The Path Not Taken
Middanhal
It was barely dawn when a thane entered Brand's bedchamber. "Forgive me, my king, for waking you, but you gave command to know the moment your spy returned."
The king blinked a few times. "I did. Tell him to wait in the parlour. And have some ale brought for us both."
"Yes, my king."
Getting out of bed, Brand moved to stand in front of a large mirror. He inspected a few scratches from the recent fight, which all seemed to be healing. He let a tunic of cotton fall down over his head and walked to the other room, where Godfrey waited for him.
"Any news?"
"None since last. But I'll leave the city soon, just in case more intelligence appears. I simply returned to let you know there is no sign the outlanders will attack today. They are still licking their wounds after the other night." Godfrey smiled before drinking deeply.
"They will return once they have made new siege engines. But you have answered my most pressing question already. At least we have today."
"You do. And the day after that?"
"We shall see. I am assembling a council to determine our next course of action. Tell me, what do you estimate our enemy's fighting force to be? After their latest losses."
"Close to eighty thousand men in fighting condition. And another four thousand riders."
Brand sat down finally, picking at a loaf of bread. "And the dark warriors, those men of shadow," he continued. "You say they guard the Godking? Rather than fight on the field for him."
"Indeed. What of them?"
"I imagine if desperate, he might throw them into the fray nonetheless."
"That seems likely. If he thought the siege might be lost otherwise."
Brand's fingers moved to his waist where his sword would usually sit on his belt. "And my sword – the blade given to me – can hurt them like no other weapon can. Is that not true?"
"It is." Godfrey cleared his throat. "Why do you ask?"
"Just considering my duty. Thank you for your answers."
The wanderer emptied his cup and rose. "Yours are not the only shoulders to carry the burden of this war, Brand. The Godking is powerful, true, but despite his name and desire to portray himself as such, he is no god. He can die, and the same goes for his fell creations."
"Good. I trust you will return immediately, should you hear anything of importance."
"Of course." Godfrey inclined his head and left.
~~~~
In the Citadel, a room stood containing nothing but a large table with high-backed chairs. Its only purpose was to serve as a council chamber for the king and his advisors, as need arose. Some hours after dawn, the commanders in his service began to arrive. Theobald, captain of the city guard, appeared as the first. Soon after, he was joined by William, the lord marshal, and Athelstan, the Order's most capable captain. They greeted each other briefly before the latter two resumed their conversation regarding the turret that had burned during the nightly assault. Alois, duke of Belvoir and commanding a significant force in the city, arrived next, taking a seat quietly in the corner. Richard of Alwood, still wearing a few bandages after his heroic defence on the walls some days prior, strode in as the last man summoned.
They waited a little while longer before the king finally arrived, carrying a scroll in his hand. Every man hurried to stand, though Brand gestured for them to be at ease. "Decorum is the last thing on my mind," he told them, taking his own seat at the end of the table and placing his scroll on it. "You may have guessed why I have bid you come."
"To discuss strategy," Athelstan suggested.
"Indeed. I have given the matter great thought, as I am sure you have as well. I believe I know the best course of action, but I should hear all counsel and arguments from you, given the weight of the decision."
"You shall have it, my king," William declared, to which the other men murmured in assent.
"We may continue with the siege as now. That would be the careful choice. While I have never been accused of caution, I see the merit of this approach, given the very survival of our realms depend on it," Brand explained. "Yet I fear the caution may be deceptive in its promise of slow victory. Our losses during the assaults far exceed what was expected. Our walls do not protect us as well as they should against the evils that our enemy unleashes upon us."
"Bastards," Richard muttered.
"While we cannot be encircled, the northern lands will scarcely provide for us. Especially as Vidrevi cannot be relied upon. Grain from southern Adalrik, cattle from Korndale, salt from Hæthiod, none of these things from Ealond nor reinforcements... We will starve come winter, and I fear our forces will be whittled down faster than those of the enemy, who meanwhile has free reins to plunder the lands I spoke of."
The severity of the situation did not seem lost on any of the grave faces that met the king. "We may have taken losses, but surely not as much as them?" asked Theobald. "With the arrival of the highlanders, our garrison is strong."
"You have the numbers," Brand pointed out. "Inform us."
"Ten thousand highlanders. Same number of Order troops. Five and half thousand rivermen." The captain glanced at Belvoir, who bowed his head. "Two thousand mercenaries, and about seven thousand levies. Though this includes many hundreds of men, whose wounds are still healing, and they may not be much use in a fight for days to come."
"How many knights?"
"Three thousand or so."
"Little over thirty thousand footmen," Brand said in summary. "Our enemy has eighty. And more horsemen."
Shock appeared on their faces. "How does my king know this?" asked Athelstan.
"You may rely on my intelligence being accurate. It has proven itself in the past." None could dispute that. "If we take further losses as we have, it will be a toss of the dice whether our garrison breaks before their forces do. And winter cannot be expected to provide respite, given we would face starvation," Brand continued. "For that reason, I am considering to meet them on the field."
The commanders exchanged looks. "If we are truly outnumbered, abandoning our walls seems... foolhardy at best," Theobald remarked.
"But unlike now, where our enemy chooses when and where to engage us, we would have the initiative," Brand pointed out. "Their spies have proven their worth several times. We are always under attack where our garrison is hardest pressed to defend."
"The terrain slopes downwards from the city towards them. It would favour us," Athelstan assented.
"By the gods, a magnificent idea!" Richard struck his fist against the table.
"If we can scatter their forces, they have many miles they must retreat," William considered. "Their supply lines are overextended, and they shall find no safe refuge between here and Lakon."
"But they are more than twice our numbers," Theobald argued. "We might expect to take such losses that we will not have the forces to defend the city! Setting aside the likely risk of defeat, if the battle becomes a stalemate, if we achieve anything less than overwhelming victory – any further defence of the city is untenable."
"I understand the risks involved," Brand remarked. "What does the duke of Belvoir think?"
The young nobleman ran one hand through his bright hair. "Given that Belvoir may soon be threatened by this scourge, I would support any attempt to drive them back."
"How?" asked Theobald. "If we can barely keep them at bay behind our walls, how are we to crush them in open battle?"
Brand took the scroll lying in front of him, which he had brought along to the meeting. Unfurling it, it revealed a rudimentary drawing of the area beyond the southern walls. "I intend the following strategy..."
~~~~
In his study, the jarl of Vale sat surrounded by ledgers, books, lists, and parchments containing various scribbles. It took him a moment to register a knock on the door. "Huh? Come in!"
One of his thanes stepped inside. "A clerk from the merchants' guild left these for his lordship." In his hands, he held yet another ledger, which he stepped forward to give the jarl.
"Good, good." Valerian received the book with glee. "Wait a moment."
"Yes, milord."
The jarl opened the book, flipping through pages. Reaching the latest entries, marked under recent dates, his eyes slid over the figures. A smile appeared on his face. "Send a message to the guilds. Tell the alderman to meet me in my study tomorrow."
"Yes, milord."
Still smiling, the jarl grabbed a quill and began copying numbers from the newly arrived ledger.
~~~~
"You asked to see me?" Jana stepped into the king's chamber, and her eyes fell upon Brand, seated by a table set with food. The smell of spiced meat and vegetables filled the air between them.
"I do not have the mental fortitude to dine with the court tonight," Brand explained, "but nor do I wish to eat alone. Would you join me?"
"Gladly, my king." She spoke the title with a wry smile, taking a seat opposite him.
"You may leave us," Brand told his servant once the latter had filled wine in Jana's cup. "I asked for a meal that might reminds us both of Alcázar, but with the siege and short notice, even my power met its limit. This will have to do instead."
"After the desert, I find that I am much less picky with my meals," Jana admitted. "I would have eaten an olive straight from the branch back then."
He laughed a little. "I did that once. One of my first days in Alcázar, in your father's gardens. I was hungry and had no knowledge of olives, so I picked one and threw it in my mouth. It was so bitter, I thought I had been poisoned!"
Her own laughter mirrored his, echoing through the room. "I remember that story! It was one of the first things you told me. Gods, I have not thought about that in ages."
"Nor me." He began carving his meat. "I wondered at something."
"Yes?" She took a sip of her wine.
"Do you remember on the boat when we left Fortönn. We thought we might reach Herbergja in secrecy. That we would be free to choose our own path."
"I remember."
"I suggested that we might stay hidden rather than return to all of this. Leave for the forests of Vidrevi." Brand raised his eyes from his plate to look at her. "What would you have chosen?"
"Does it matter? We will never have that decision again."
"It matters to me."
Jana ran her fingers down her cheek. "I would have chosen the forest."
"Truly?"
"Another thing the desert taught me. If you have water, food, shelter, and you are not alone, you need nothing else. All of this," she continued, touching the ring in her ear while her other hand gestured at their lavish surroundings. "They are simply decorations." She let out a deep breath. "What would you have chosen?"
His eyes lingered before he reached out to take his cup. "The same."
~~~~
The royal wing had living quarters for the kingthanes, keeping them close to their royal charges. The king's captain and his champion sat by one table, oiling weapons and armour in preparation of battle. Glaukos still had a bandage on his arm from a wound sustained in the last fight, but it did not seem to hinder his movements.
"How many of us will take the field?"
"Seventy," Alaric replied.
"That does not leave many at the castle."
"The king will not be at the castle," the captain pointed out. "Nor will the fighting be there."
"I suppose."
"And with luck, we will not be fighting either. If I know our king, the battle will be won without our involvement."
Glaukos scratched his cheek. "I have followed our good king even longer than you, Alaric. Whether fate or his own will, he is always in the thick of it."
"Better make sure your sword is sharpened, in that case."
"Sharper than yours, and faster, I wager."
~~~~
The sun had waned in the sky as Brand moved through the Citadel, accompanied only by one guard. He moved to the Order's side of the castle, encountering a few servants and the occasional soldier. Looking surprised at seeing the king, they hurried out of his way.
He continued until he reached a small room with a shrine to Rihimil. Years ago, he had spent the night in vigil at this place, preparing to take the knight's oath. Gesturing for the kingthane to remain outside, Brand entered alone, shutting the door behind him.
He crossed the room to kneel before the altar and statue. Leaning forward until his brow touched the feet of the god, he began to pray. "Lord of the divines, great Rihimil, protector and keeper of my life. You have been my shield through countless dangers. I pray that tomorrow, your will shall be done. Bless every soldier who fights to protect this city."
He paused and swallowed before he continued his whisper. "I believe you have kept your hand over me that I might serve you, and I will. I shall wield my sword in your service, even to the end of my life. But I ask you, if I have served you well and found favour with you, let me see the day after tomorrow. Let me witness peace, the prosperity of my people. Let me have long days with those who dwell in my heart. As your faithful servant, I pray not only for victory, but also peace."
A few moments passed in silence. Opening his eyes, the king straightened his back and rose from the floor. With a final look at the altar, he turned around and left the shrine.
|
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Sea and Stone
Herbergja
Portesur had fallen swifter than any expected. The southerners' siege craft had broken the walls, allowing the mercenaries to storm the defences. Once inside, they had looted the city as part of their payment. Now, it served as the bridgehead for Alcázar's invasion on the mainland. Its provisions had been added to those of the army, and its port provided anchorage for the fleet.
Despite the swift conquest, the victorious commander did not grow complacent. By now, the army had reached a size of several tens of thousands, too many for the fleet to transport at once. Instead, a few days after the fall of Portesur, they began their march north. They followed the coastline, allowing ships to resupply them in addition to provisions plundered from the surroundings.
It took them several weeks, but finally, their destination came into sight. Herbergja, the busiest port in Adalmearc and the economic heart of the Seven Realms. They immediately began preparations for the siege. In Adalrik, by a twist of fate, the same took place; just as the southerners had reached Herbergja, so did the outlanders begin their ill-fated siege of Middanhal.
~~~~
From the walls of Herbergja, Sir Asger watched the arrival of the enemy. Their tents seemed to fill the horizon with countless banners in many colours, each denoting a different company of hired swords. In contrast, the black standard with the white star of the Order flew from the city towers, next to the raven flag of Thusund.
Soldiers in black surcoats filled the towers along with archers from the isles, ready for defence. As the seat of the Order in Thusund, the defence of the city was entrusted to them. Besides the stone fortifications and warriors of the Star, it also had the Mihtea for protection. The great river flowed to envelop Herbergja as a moat on every side before reaching the sea. The danger to the city did not come from land. Turning his gaze west, the marshal looked towards the harbour.
~~~~
East of the city, Prince Saif rode with his advisors and guards to the riverbank. The area had already been searched by his troops, and one company had forded the river to control the other side. All Mearcian troops were either inside the city or far away.
Once the group reached the Mihtea, they dismounted and approached the river. The waters flowed swiftly past. In times of peace, scores of vessels would be moving in either direction, transporting goods to and from Herbergja. Now, it lay empty.
"At least freshwater will not be an issue," remarked Adherbal, the prince's closest advisor.
Saif walked up to the bank while the guards spread out, sending watchful gazes in all directions. "What do you think?" he asked.
The engineer glanced around with a sceptical demeanour. "Not easy, Your Highness. The river flows fast and wide at this point, so close to the sea. Tributaries from the mountains." He pointed at the Weolcans that lay to the north. "Not many places to dig, especially not in safe distance from the city."
"How long?"
Chewing on his lip, the engineer looked west towards the sea. "Even with thousands digging, it would take many months to divert the river. If we are unfortunate and winter is harsh, it will freeze the ground, delaying work even further."
"That is too late," Saif muttered to himself. "I want the city taken before the winter storms."
"Fortunately, we have other means," Adherbal added.
"We do. Let us return to camp."
~~~~
Herbergja's wealth lay not only in the Mihtea, providing swift trade with the inlands of Adalmearc. Where the river met the sea, a large bay formed a good, natural harbour, enhanced through centuries by further works. Stone walls lay like arms extending into the blue, protecting ships in the port from storms. The deep waters allowed all vessels to make anchor, including those meant for the long journeys to the South Cities. Trade from all the known world met in Herbergja; for this reason, the city was coveted by the kings of Ealond and kabirs of Alcázar alike.
The harbour also gave the city its weakness. The entrance lay too wide for effective defence as in Dvaros and could not be easily blocked. The stone arms that reached into the sea ran long, but not tall. Easy to scale and requiring many men to defend properly.
"How much stone do we have?" asked the marshal. He walked along the piers, inspecting the fortifications.
"Enough for the most pressing repairs, I suppose," replied the mason accompanying him. He glanced out into the water at the extended walls. It had been decades if not longer since Herbergja had been under threat from the sea; the ships of Thusund usually guarded the waters of the Eylonde Sea. For that reason, the walls had been allowed to fall into disrepair. "Any chance the quarries in the north can send more?"
"I doubt the southrons will allow any ships to reach us," Asger admitted. "You have what you have."
"I'll make do," the mason claimed, though his face held little confidence.
"Get to work immediately." The marshal turned around, walking back to the Order castle that lay nearby, watching over the harbour. Behind him, the craftsmen did as instructed while workers began hauling stone.
~~~~
Among the first things, the southerners set up defences facing Herbergja. They placed them far closer to the city than typical, with a distance of less than half a mile. From the walls, the defenders watched with concern. Besides palisades to guard against attack, the engineers of the besieging army were busy. Soldiers hauled large amounts of timber along with complicated bits of machinery. Curiously, those with sharpest eyes noticed that a woman directed the works, acting as the engineer in charge.
It took several days for the construction to finish. Safe behind a stockade, rising above the wooden defences, three trebuchets rose into the air. Once ready, the southerners began their bombardment.
|
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|
Coming to Terms
Herbergja
It was a pleasant summer's day. Gentle winds blew from the sea, bringing the taste of salt in the air. While the constant barrage from the stone throwers served as a permanent reminder of the siege elsewhere, matters were quiet on the harbour of Herbergja. In normal times, it would be bustling with activity and ships filling the port. Now, only soldiers moved around, and the piers lay nearly empty after most vessels had been sacrificed to defend the harbour.
A cry of alarm broke the quiet. Sails in the distance. As they equipped themselves for battle, soldiers streamed from the castle to fill the harbour. Spear and stone throwers were prepared and lamp oil placed in the remaining vessels, ready to be set aflame. Row after row of black-clad soldiers stood on the walls, grasping weapons. As ship after ship appeared on the horizon, nobody spoke except muttered prayers.
Suddenly, the quiet pleas became replaced by rising murmur. The approaching ships were not galleys, but long and slender according to northern custom. Finally, the wind caught the banner on the leading ship, unfurling it to reveal a golden dragon.
A clamour erupted in excitement. Soldiers broke down, falling to the ground in tears. Others ran through the streets, shouting the news. The fleet of Thusund had come, bearing the army of the high king to save the city.
~~~~
Ship after ship entered the harbour. Crowds had gathered to see the sight for themselves. As the first vessel moored, a score of kingthanes disembarked to create a barrier. All eyes turned to the tall, gaunt figure that appeared next. He wore no crown, nor armour or weapons. His tunic was entirely black; his cloak had same colour and insignia as worn by his thane. Walking from ship to pier, he looked grim in his countenance, paying no heed to the throng of people calling to him.
"My king," spoke Sir Asger outside the ring of kingthanes.
"Let him approach," Brand commanded, and the protectors stood aside to let the knight pass. He stepped forward only to kneel. "You may rise. Time is more important than gestures."
The marshal did so. "A strange twist of fate to meet again under these circumstances," he declared, "but most joyous."
"Yes. Is my sister and her companions at the castle?"
"They are, my king. I have prepared horses and an escort." Asger pointed towards a score of horses and twice the number of Order soldiers, keeping the crowd at bay.
"Good." Brand and a number of thanes walked over to the horses, followed by the marshal. Behind them, the ships continued to enter the harbour, disgorging regiment after regiment of Order soldiers.
~~~~
Soon after arrival, the king and his followers rode into the castle. Quickly dismounting, they were led by the marshal inside to the entrance hall, where three women stood waiting. With swift steps, Arndis closed the distance to embrace her brother.
"We are so happy to see you," she exclaimed as she pulled back. "I never doubted you would reach us in time."
"I did," Brand admitted. "Gwen. Lady Eleanor."
"Cousin."
"Your Majesty."
He glanced around. "Where is Jana?"
The women exchanged looks. "She is not here," his sister said. "She left."
"Alone? Where to? Middanhal?"
Arndis took a deep breath. "She went to the siege camp."
Confusion ran across Brand's face before anger replaced it. "What? Why?"
"Brother, how do you think we bought a month's truce?"
He stared with eyes that grew narrow. "You bartered her away like a slave?"
"It was her decision," Arndis argued. "And she saved us all. The city was hanging by a thread!"
"Convenient," he sneered.
"We needed time for reinforcements, or they would have overwhelmed us!" she continued.
"It is true," the marshal admitted. "The lady might very well have saved the city."
"You sold her to save your skin," Brand spoke through gritted teeth, aimed at his sister.
"Do not levy such accusations at me! I stayed despite the danger, seeking to negotiate another truce, buy more time, save your subjects!" Arndis retorted.
"She left this letter for you," Gwen interjected, pulling out an envelope to extend it towards Brand, who quickly grabbed it.
"You had this the whole time and never mentioned it?" Arndis asked pointedly.
Gwen shrugged. "She made me swear I'd place it in his hands."
Arndis began to speak again, but Brand raised one hand to silence his sister while he still stared at the letter in his hand. "Sir Asger, send a signal from the highest point in the city. Duke Belvoir will be waiting to hear of our arrival."
"Yes, my king."
"Show me to my chamber."
The marshal gestured for a servant to approach, who gave a nervous bow and led the king away. Ascending stairs, they soon reached a chamber of modest luxury; the castle was meant for soldiers, not nobility. Dismissing the servant and his thanes, Brand opened the envelope to unfold the letter within.
Brand,
Do not be angry with me. I did what all daughters of kings must do, buying peace by leaving their home. At least I was allowed to do this for your sake, of my own volition, rather than as my father's pawn. The thought of this provides me solace even as I dread my departure from these shores. Despite all the dangers we faced in these lands, I always drew strength from your presence, and that gave me more courage than I ever thought I might possess. I shall need that courage now, and I pray the thought of you will provide it. Last we separated, it took many years before we met again. Maybe it will be so again, but I am sure we shall find each other, in this life or the next.
Always yours,
Jana al-Saqr
Brand sat down on the nearest surface, which turned out to be a table. With deep breaths, he began reading the letter once more, letting his eyes run over the words again and again.
~~~~
The next morning, Prince Saif woke as his aide came bursting into the tent. "Your Highness!"
"What?" he mumbled.
"The northerners are marching out of the city. They are preparing for battle."
Jumping out of bed, the prince tied his sword belt around him and grabbed a cloak. "The northern riverbank?"
"No, sidi, follow!" Adherbal led his master out of the tent. "They come from the southern gate. They are taking up formation outside the city, though they have yet to attack," he explained as they hastened through the camp.
"Madness," Saif replied. "Their garrison is not one tenth of our forces. We will crush them."
"There is more," his aide told him as they reached the defences of the camp. "We know where their ships went. To Vidrevi and back."
"What does that mean?" asked the prince as they ran up the earthworks to stand on the rampart.
Before their eyes, a host of black-clad soldiers spread out with hundreds of knights on the flanks. Numerous banners of the Star flew in the air, and in front could be seen yet another standard. Adherbal gestured towards it as it showed a golden dragon. "Adalrik has come."
~~~~
The southerners filled their ramparts, ready to defend. Still, the Mearcians showed no signs of attacking. From the Order army, three horses rode forward. One rider held the banner of the high king; another had a flag with the head of a horse.
From the ramparts, the prince emerged along with his aide and three mamluks, all on horseback. Both groups rode forward until they came close enough to speak.
"This is His Royal Highness, Prince Saif of the House al-Saqr, firstborn son to the Kabir of Alcázar, whose rule enlightens the world," Adherbal declared loudly that his voice would traverse the gap between them.
"This is King Adalbrand. Dragon of Adalrik," Geberic replied, sounding less sure of himself. "He's of the House of Adal, and, high king of Adalmearc." He cleared his throat. "He's come to negotiate terms with you."
"Let us hear them," Saif responded.
Brand dismounted and stepped forward. Glaukos quickly followed suit, making a small gesture for Geberic to remain where he was. "Let us approach each other," Brand suggested, "rather than shout."
After a moment's hesitation, the prince mirrored the king, leaving his horse behind; his aide did the same. "What is your proposal?" Saif asked.
"I offer peace. You shall immediately withdraw all your forces from Mearcian soil. In return, I will seek no recompense. I will give certain trade concessions, and the peace between Adalmearc and Alcázar shall be sealed through a royal marriage," Brand explained.
"Those are even terms," the prince replied, "yet your fortresses and cities are in my hands. My army on this battlefield outnumbers yours. You present yourself as the magnanimous victor, but you have yet to achieve any victory."
"Do you know my reputation, Prince Saif? The battles I have won?"
"I have heard exaggerated rumours. Yet I see you do not come clad for war. You seem ill prepared." His eyes ran over Brand's appearance. The king did not wear armour or weapons, nor a helmet. He had a cotton tunic suitable for a leisurely day, but hardly offering protection in battle.
"Let me explain who I am that you might judge me better," Brand offered, switching to fluent Suthspeech. He rolled up one sleeve and ran a finger across a scar on his arm. "I received this last year in your father's dungeon."
Doubt filled Saif's face. "What is this?"
Repeating his gesture with the other sleeve, Brand pointed out another scar. "And this." He ran his hand across his chest, tracing lines underneath the fabric. "And many more. Do you not recognise me, Prince Saif? Your father ordered your brother to interrogate me."
"Impossible!"
"Yet true. Last year, I awaited execution upon the maswar in Alcázar. Now, I stand before you with the strongest armies in the world at my command. The gods favour me, Prince Saif. That is who I am." Brand pulled his sleeves down. "I have come prepared, Prince Saif. As we speak, another army marches to threaten your camp from the east. Meanwhile, my island fleet is ready to disembark soldiers south of your defences. You will be overrun from all sides."
"Kind of you to reveal your strategy beforehand," Saif replied.
"I say this so you will understand. If you seek battle, I will destroy you. Your previous victories are of no consequence. Your conquest ends today, either with peace or defeat."
"Forgive me if I do not take your word for it," the prince retorted. "I have not come this far only to turn back at mere threats."
"Because if you do so, your father will cast you aside," Brand remarked, still speaking the southern tongue. "Yes, I know your position. I understand why you feel that you must refuse."
"Then you also understand that unless you offer me better terms, there will be no peace."
"I do. My offer is this. Take your army, sail home, and replace your father."
Saif widened his eyes. "Are you mad?"
"Your men know the situation as well as you do. They will owe their lives to you. Once you take your father's place, his treasury will pay the gold they in turn are owed," Brand pointed out. "Both the Council of Ten and the Hundred Houses will support you when you return with trade concessions."
"You speak of betraying my father!"
"Thereby saving your city. At best, this war incurs ruinous debts that Alcázar cannot pay given your impending defeat and lack of trade as a result. At worst, I march my armies south," Brand threatened. "The choice is between death or kingship. I cannot make it simpler for you."
Adherbal leaned forward to whisper into his master's ear. Saif parted his lips, hesitating before he spoke. "You will support me as the new Kabir?"
Brand gave a measured nod. "I will. In addition, the union between our houses will give you prestige and pre-eminence throughout the Inner Sea."
Saif exhaled. "I accept."
"I have one condition that must be met," Brand added.
"Which is?"
"The union must be with Lady Jana, who will be released to me at once."
"I cannot," the prince replied, "but I have plenty of other sisters."
The king narrowed his eyes. "It will be her, or there shall be no peace."
"But it is not possible, Your Majesty," Saif began to argue.
"Take heed." Switching to Nordspeech, Brand's voice became threatening. "If you keep her from me, I will not only annihilate this army. I will destroy Alcázar, tearing stone from stone until not a trace remains. Do you understand?"
"But she is gone," Saif hurried to explain. "I sent her with the ships to Maleth. She will be waiting for a ship to bring her to Alcázar. She may already have arrived there."
Brand stared at the prince. "How will your father treat her?"
"She has brought shame upon him," Saif admitted. "If he is inclined to mercy, he may marry her to a lowly courtier and dispatch them to some remote place, hiding the shame. If not... Your Majesty, I cannot promise her to you. But that should not stand in the way of making peace."
For a moment, Brand looked towards the west. Beyond the coast, the sea met the horizon. As all watched, waiting, he finally turned towards Saif again. "I will require your signet ring. And your aide." He looked at Adherbal, who responded with a bewildered expression. "In exchange for peace on the stated terms. Do we have an agreement?" Brand extended his hand.
The prince cast a look over his shoulder at his aide before he stepped forward, grasping the king's arm. "We are agreed."
|
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"title": "The Eagle’s Flight - 242. Coming to Terms",
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|
Once More to Part
Middanhal
The battle against the outlanders had left its mark on the commanders assembled for council. Theobald and Richard had perished; Athelstan remained with the army, leading it in the king's absence. Alois, the duke of Belvoir, and William, lord marshal, remained as the only revenants. Two new faces met the king instead as he arrived. Ewind, newly made marshal of Hæthiod, who had been guarding the walls at the last meeting. The other man was Fionn.
Disbelief coloured Brand's face, and he advanced quickly to clasp the knight's arm. "I was told of your demise."
"An exaggeration," the highlander knight laughed. "Those red-robed bastards took me prisoner after the fight at Lake Myr. My chains were unfastened last night in the confusion after the battle, and I slipped away."
"Fortunate. I have need of a new captain for the city guard."
Fionn bowed his head. "I serve at my king's pleasure."
"For now, be seated." Brand took his place, and the other men followed suit. "Although the imminent danger has passed, we remain at war. On two fronts." The assembled captains watched him with anticipation. Taking a deep breath, gathering one hand within the other, the king continued. "While the outlanders are in flight, they are not defeated. I intend to lead our armies in person and ensure they are broken, never to rise against us again."
"My men fought to defend Middanhal in order to see Ealond liberated," the duke of Belvoir spoke slowly. "If all your troops march east, our lands will lie undefended."
Brand raised one hand in a disarming gesture. "Not all. I will not forget the danger on our left hand. A missive will be sent to Fontaine today, giving the marshal of Ealond my full authority to raise all levies of the realm. Furthermore, they shall be placed under your command, my lord duke, and you may lead the defence of Ealond as you see fit."
Alois sat with an indeterminable expression. "There are fewer troops in Ealond than I should like, given our recent strife, but I will not discard this gift."
"We also have forces in Korndale no longer separated from us," Brand added. "While the Order troops shall join us for our campaign, their levies will be sent to you. That should keep Alcázar at bay if nothing else until our return."
"That may take years," William cautioned. "To defeat the Reach, of which we know so little, could take many lengthy sieges."
"It might," Brand admitted, "but I will not leave this enemy to regain his strength and strike back. Adalmearc has never faced such danger as it did only yesterday. Relief at our victory should not overshadow this fact."
"I am only envious," Fionn said, "for if I am captain of the Citadel, I suspect I will be left behind."
"I should leave immediately," Ewind interjected. "There are troops to gather in Hæthiod, and the outlanders still hold Lakon. That must be our first target."
"Do so. Sir William, send missives to the marshals of Ealond and Korndale," the king bade him. He looked at each of the commanders. "We gather our full strength, and we finish this. In victory."
"Victory!"
~~~~
Returning to his chambers, he found Godfrey waiting under the watchful gaze of a kingthane. With a nod, Brand dismissed the guard and turned to his visitor. "You have your wish. I will lead the Order myself to defeat this Sikandar."
Godfrey exhaled, and a smile spread across his face as he stood up. "Most excellent. I will let the dvalinn know that your promise is kept, and you may rely on his aid. As for the key I promised you."
"Yes?"
"We should leave tomorrow morning before dawn. If we make haste, we will return in the eve the following day."
Brand shot him a look. "You understand how strange this sounds?"
Godfrey laughed. "Believe me, the truth is wilder than your current speculations. But have I ever led you astray?"
"Constantly, I feel," the king grumbled, "but I have not forgotten your help either. As I have already decided to pursue this, I will trust you for another mile."
"See you tomorrow, before dawn."
~~~~
The king's decision quickly spread through the castle. Even with most of the army already outside the city, countless preparations were needed. Shadowing the outlanders until the Langstan required little planning; with summer approaching, provisions would be available throughout the Mearcian lands for their armies. Invading the Reach, however, required supply lines to be set up that could stretch into enemy territory. Beyond that, the knowledge that the king would lead the invasion in person provided ample material for conversation among the courtiers; his absence in the coming months, if not years, gave grounds for rampant speculation that many were eager to feed.
~~~~
"I have heard you intend a return to the Reach," Arndis said. "Most assumed you would turn your attention to Alcázar with the outlanders in flight."
Seated in his study, Brand looked up from the lists of soldiers in front of him. "I will not allow them to remain a threat. Does it matter? The war will no longer touch Adalrik either way."
"I only come bearing a proposal, dear brother."
"Which is?"
"While you lead your armies east, let me negotiate with Alcázar and their Prince Saif. With the outlanders broken, our position is stronger. A truce may be reached, sparing us further bloodshed."
Brand leaned back in his seat, scratching his face. "They will know our armies are divided if their spies have any worth. I doubt they will be keen to discuss peace."
"Even so, just the mere act of negotiation could win us days. If I have learned anything from this recent siege, it is the importance of time."
"You may have a point. Certainly, nothing can be lost," Brand conceded. "But why you? I would not have thought you wishing to travel for weeks towards war-torn lands."
"I am your sister. Short of the king himself, you may send no higher envoy. Anyone of lower standing might be dismissed or denied audience," Arndis argued.
"Very well. I assume they will respect you as my emissary, but I will send twenty kingthanes for your protection. When would you leave?"
"Tomorrow morning," she declared. "All our intelligence from Ealond is delayed by weeks of travel. The sooner I arrive to get the lay of the land, the sooner I can begin to stall and buy time."
Brand sent her a scrutinising look. "I appreciate this thought, Sister. I am not ungrateful that you would undertake this journey for my sake."
She inclined her head with a wry smile. "We all serve how we can."
"While I cannot abide any peace treaty that gives Alcázar one inch of land, I am not opposed to ending the war through payments of coin. And if they insist on fighting, any day you might gain will be useful." Brand took an empty piece of parchment and his quill. "You shall have a letter bearing my seal and authority to aid you in this endeavour. I will send it to your chambers once it is ready."
"Good. If I do not see you before my departure tomorrow, I pray that all the gods bless you with fortune in your war."
He gave her a weary smile. "Thank you. Safe travels, Sister. These negotiations are not worth the loss of you."
"Do not worry about me." She mirrored his expression and left.
~~~~
Godfrey crossed the north-western district of Middanhal, moving past the workshops supplying both Citadel and city. Closer to the centre, both Men and Dwarves worked the anvils, tanneries, and other crafts; going further west, only the latter could be found. Godfrey continued until he stood before the home of the dvalinn and knocked on the door.
"Yes?" The servant gave Godfrey a glance. "Oh, it's you." He stepped aside to let the traveller enter.
"Much obliged."
"I'll tell the dvalinn you wish to see him."
As the servant disappeared, Godfrey sat down in a chair. His eyes wandered idly over the runed carvings that ornamented the parlour, suggesting either familiarity or indifference to the craftsmanship and the stories they told.
"He will see you."
Godfrey gave a quick nod, rose, and made his way to the dvalinn's chambers. He found the Dwarf eating a meal of bread and vegetables. "I wondered when you might appear on my doorstep. My people have buried their dead. Now they wonder at the promises made to them."
"They can cease wondering. The king will march his armies to the Reach."
Ivaldi stopped eating and folded his hands in front of him. Finally, he looked at Godfrey. "Truly?"
"Yes. Dvarheim of old awaits."
The Dwarf-lord exhaled. "I did not believe it in earnest."
"Time is scarce. The king marches soon, and this campaign will not be long."
"The others will not have time to join us, you mean. House Starkstone must carry the burden."
Godfrey conceded this by bowing his head. "The choice is yours."
"No," Ivaldi muttered, "it is no choice at all. Not to my people, and though I may be their dvalinn, even I must bow to their will. The halls of Dvarheim await."
~~~~
The last rays of the sun struggled to illuminate the orchard in the Citadel. As the evening cold crept in, it drove most courtiers inside. A pair of noblewomen proved an exception, braving the chill. As they strolled around the garden, they attracted the attention of the few others present, but none interrupted their conversation, given they enjoyed the king's favour and high standing at court.
"Thank you for attending me," Arndis said. "I know the cold does not suit you."
"I have grown accustomed," Jana replied. "I am surprised that Eleanor has not joined us."
"I had something to discuss with you alone," the other woman admitted. "I require your advice."
"How may I help?"
"Tomorrow morning, I travel to Ealond to discuss peace terms with Prince Saif. He is your brother, I take it?"
"Half-brother, yes."
"I would appreciate any insight you might offer. While I have done my share of negotiations with drakonian merchants, a prince of Alcázar is another matter."
"I knew him best when we were children," Jana related. "He is much different now. You must understand, he has spent his life in competition with his brothers to prove himself the worthiest heir. He will not be inclined to peace unless it grants some manner of victory. If he returns with anything less, our father will disown him."
"That is exactly what is useful to know," Arndis smiled, taking the other woman's arm as they walked around the orchard. "I will be sure to tell everyone how you have helped me. That should allay some of the rumours working their way around the Citadel."
The silence lasted a few moments before Jana finally asked. "Rumours?"
"I suppose that is not the best word for it. You see, my brother received word that Alcázar has invaded to avenge the scorn done to them when their king's daughter was stolen and brought here."
"The Kabir," Jana said in correction. "But I went willingly."
"Of course you did. It is a mere pretext for war. I have told as much to everyone who would listen. Your father's armies plunder our lands seeking conquest, not some wayward daughter." Arndis allowed a brief laughter to surface. "Alas, the theft of a princess is the more alluring tale. And since I will leave tomorrow, I shall not be present to dispel this notion any further."
"Do people blame Brand?" Jana asked with concern.
"Not directly. His stay in Alcázar is not common knowledge. To most courtiers, he was simply in exile until his return. I think they assume you have been given refuge by a gracious king, though eventually, the truth may be revealed," Arndis considered. "Several of his followers know that he fled the city with you. Too many that it can be kept a secret."
"How will they react, do you think?"
"Some will use it to blame my brother, if they have not already done so. Accuse him of causing war with Alcázar by shielding you here, even if they do not know the truth of his involvement. They will not say so openly, of course, not while his victory is fresh in memory. There will be whispers in corners and quiet talks around tables," Arndis explained. "A king will always have enemies, and they will exploit every possible vulnerability to weaken him. But he is strong. I do not fear those who will accuse him." She gave Jana's arm a light squeeze.
"But they will blame me for this war."
"I have done my best to combat this notion, but I fear so. With Brand on campaign and me in Ealond, you may find the halls of this court colder than the orchard."
"So be it," Jana spoke softly. "I do not fear solitude."
"You are brave, as befits your high birth," Arndis told her. "Though I have just had a thought! Something may be done."
"What would that be?"
Arndis stopped walking to look at the lady of Alcázar. "Come with me! Eleanor is coming as well, and Gwen. You can advise me as you have done today. If nothing else, your presence is sure to rattle Prince Saif and his men, proving that you are here of your own volition."
"I am unsure." Jana's voice expressed the doubt written on her face. "I have never participated in such negotiations before."
"The burden is on me, do not worry. Besides, if you are gone from court, there will be little attention upon you. Once we are back, I can tell everyone of the aid you lent me and thereby the king, working towards peace. None can fault you for anything once I tell that story upon our return."
"I do see the merit of your proposal," Jana admitted. "I suppose with Brand gone, I have little reason to stay at court."
"Indeed." Arndis smiled, took the other woman's arm once more, and resumed walking.
"I will have to tell him. I am his guest, after all, I cannot simply leave. And if this journey is intended to be on his behalf, he should sanction it."
"I suppose. I leave that part to you. I doubt he could refuse you anything."
~~~~
Three blackboots sat inside a cave underneath Valmark. Some miles south, the Mihtea flowed west towards the sea. The outlanders kept to the opening, where sunlight waned; behind them, darkness stretched into the depths of the mountain.
As Godfrey appeared from within the cave itself, he cleared his throat to make his presence known. Arman, who had kept watch by the entrance, turned and quickly roused the others. "Javed is back."
Blinking and rubbing their eyes, Kamran and Dariush rose with yawns. "What news?"
"The drylanders will help," Godfrey told them, eliciting sighs of relief. "An army shall march all the way to the sacred mountain."
"Good," Kamran exclaimed. "What do you require of us?"
"Dariush will travel with me and the drylanders," the wanderer declared. "You are still a deserter in the eyes of your own." He turned his eyes towards the other two blackboots. "If you return to the army now, will your excuses be accepted?"
"I believe so," Kamran replied while Arman nodded. "We simply say we were scouting on the day of the battle, and enemy patrols slowed our return. Given the defeat, that is believable."
"Good. Sikandar still has a sizeable force at his disposal, and more troops might await him at home. The drylanders will need all help," Godfrey considered.
"We leave at once," Kamran decided, looking at his compatriot. "Best we move through the night anyway until we reach our own." They clasped hands with Godfrey and Dariush. "Till the morrow comes," he spoke, "for all our people."
~~~~
"A moment of your time?"
Brand looked out the window of his study. The sun had already set. "Of course, though I will sleep soon. I must wake early tomorrow."
"I shall be swift." Despite her stated intention, Jana hesitated before she spoke again. "I know your sister travels to negotiate peace with Alcázar."
"Buying time, at least." One hand supporting his chin, he gave her a pensive look. "What of it?"
"I wish to join her."
He blinked, sitting up straight. "Why? Nothing but war awaits you in Ealond."
"I know Saif, my father, and what they want. How they think. I believe my advice will help Arndis."
Suspicion crept over his face. "Is this her idea? The two of you must have spoken since you know of her errand." When she gave no immediate reply, he sighed. "I cannot say why she would suggest this, but my sister keeps her own counsel. She does not desire your advice."
"I suspect she fears I may become a liability at court. That blame for the war against Alcázar will fall upon me and thereby you, undermining your support. Removing me from sight would make people less inclined to talk of me."
"That explains her motive, but not yours. Why would you care? You are under my protection."
"Which has its limits," Jana argued, looking pained. "What transpired in the city while you fought on the field is clear proof of that. I may very well become the burden that Arndis fears. But if I can help negotiate peace, perhaps your people will not think so ill of me."
He rose to stand, glancing out the window. "I do not like this. Finally, we are safe, and you would leave me." He turned his head back to look at her. "It seems an ill omen."
She gave half a smile. "You are also leaving, not to forget. I will return long before you." Her expression grew serious. "I must do this, Brand. I cannot sit for months while you are gone, wondering if every discreet glance or whisper sent my way is hostile. If nothing else, it may tie a bond between your sister and me, giving me another ally in your absence."
He approached her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "You leave tomorrow morning, and I will be gone even earlier. There shall be no time to bid each other farewell. It seems so sudden."
She inclined her head to look up at him. "We shall still meet again once you return. That has not changed." She stepped forward to enter his embrace, placing her own arms around him. "We will meet again before you know it."
He placed his cheek against her hair. "I shall hold you to that."
|
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|
Another Storm
Herbergja
The walls of Herbergja were study. Built by Dwarven masons in ages past and reinforced by engineers from Fontaine. As the trebuchets began launching their projectiles, the walls held against strike after strike. For weeks, boulders flew through the air from the besieging stone throwers, smashing against the fortifications. The precision was not always exact. At times, they fell short, landing in the moat or even further back. Some flew too far, crashing into the city beyond the walls to destroy roofs and houses, even causing death. Yet most hit their target.
At night, working by torchlight, the defenders repaired as best they could. Stone was hewn into smaller pieces and carried away, replaced by new pieces. This work carried its own risk. One night, the southerners made their way through the dark to send a barrage of arrows against the walls under repair, killing several masons. After that night, the defenders shot fire arrows onto the ground, allowing them to watch out for other sneak attacks.
Regardless, repairing was slower work than destroying. Even as the defenders expended their dwindling stores of stone, they had to watch as their fortifications crumbled faster than they could restore them. Three weeks after the siege began, the south-western wall was breached.
~~~~
As the stonework collapsed, leaving a large gap, the mercenaries stood ready. They hastened forward, pushing great wicker screens ahead of them to defend against the arrows raining down from the towers. With them, they carried floating bridges, rolls of timber tied together, which they threw into the moat. With that last obstacle out of the way, they stormed into the city.
They were greeted by a host of spearmen. Approaching the walls under a hail of arrows and crossing the floating bridge left the mercenaries disorganised, in contrast with the disciplined Order soldiers awaiting them. Again and again, the attackers threw themselves against the garrison, but they simply could not break the shield wall. All the while, the stones broken over the weeks had been saved, and now the defenders pelted the southerners with them, throwing them from the walls. Every helmet struck this way caved in, leaving more bodies to fill the path and hinder progress.
As several hundred lay dead, the mercenaries admitted defeat. The horn blew, signalling to retreat. Victorious for now, the garrison rejoiced, harassing the enemy with arrows while possible. The first skirmish had been won, decisively, and the defenders breathed a sigh of relief.
Safely within his own defensive structures, the prince watched the retreat. "It is too easy for them to defend," he muttered. "They know where we will strike. They have had all this time to prepare for incursion."
"What do you wish done, sidi?" asked Adherbal by his side.
Saif exhaled. "We need a feint."
~~~~
Two days later, on the morning, the southerners made another attack. They charged against the breach, using screens as before to guard against arrows. Unlike the first time, they did not rush; on the contrary, they seemed to move almost at a slow pace. Meanwhile, defenders gathered to repel the assault as before.
Once there had been ample time for the garrison to send reinforcements towards the gap, there appeared another force, hitherto hiding behind the camp defences. They hurried forward on horses to close the distance between palisade and moat; behind them came several thousand footmen in quick march.
Their goal was not the breach, but the southwestern gate and its drawbridge. They carried not only floating rafts, but also storm ladders with them, bent on a surprise assault to seize the entry point and end the siege.
While the handful of archers on the towers did their best to impede the assault, the southerners launched the timber bridges into the water. The ladders went up, striking against the wall. Shields on their back, the mercenaries climbed, defying projectiles from the defenders to scale the fortifications.
At last, they reached the top and crossed the stonework. As they leapt onto the wall, they stood face to face with all the knights still in Herbergja. Excelling in close combat and with all the advantages on their side, the Mearcians slaughtered every southerner that reached the top. The marshal, who had guessed the feint, directed the fight from atop the gatehouse and watched with satisfaction as the mercenaries broke into a rout once again.
~~~~
Saif slowly exhaled through his nose, watching across the distance where his soldiers retreated. "I suppose that would have been too easy."
By his side, his aide cautiously spoke. "Your command, sidi?"
Running his hand across his face, the prince spent a moment in contemplation. "When may we expect our ships to return?"
"They should arrive with provisions within the week, if the wind is favourable."
"So be it. We must take the city from the sea."
"Very well, sidi."
"Any news from the islands?"
"They still fight, according to our latest intelligence. We need not fear their fleet will interfere before our ships return," Adherbal explained. "Though there is another matter."
"What is it?"
The aide hesitated. "A messenger arrived earlier today. I did not wish to bring you the news until the battle had been decided."
"Hurry on and tell me," Saif declared with an irritated look.
"Our allies in Adalrik have been defeated."
The prince stared at him. "You mean their assault upon the city failed?"
Adherbal swallowed. "More than that. Their army is in flight. The siege is lifted."
Saif gave a despondent look across the open field towards the city, filled with his retreating soldiers. "Are you saying that all the armies of Adalmearc are marching against us?"
"Not all, sidi. Some pursue the Godking's forces as they flee. But certainly we must expect reinforcements to be sent against us."
"How old is this intelligence?"
"Difficult to say, sidi, the details were sparse. More than a week old. But it would take any army weeks to march from Middanhal to here," Adherbal replied.
"They may travel down the river at great speed," Sidi pointed out. "Very well. If we are to make no assaults for the time being, that leaves the men free to fortify our camp towards the east. Otherwise, pray that our ships arrive first."
"It shall be done, sidi."
|
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|
Seeking the Morrow
Middanhal
Regardless of Athelstan’s predictions, no siege towers rose against the horizon in the early days of the siege. First, the outlanders completed their defensive structures, protecting themselves against sorties and hiding their labours from eyes on the city walls. It took three days before the outlanders revealed their work, pushing and rolling past their palisades. Stone throwers and wicker screens, the former to attack and the latter to protect.
Appearing in large numbers with cavalry to protect their flanks, the outlanders moved out from their wooden defences to attack those of stone. In response, the Order soldiers raised the alarm, waving the banners atop their towers. While the red-robed Anausa approached, levies from the fiefdoms of Adalrik joined the men of the Star on the double walls of Middanhal to fill the gaps in the ranks.
The first engagement of the siege began. Employing the same methods as when they took Tothmor, the catapults launched their first volleys. Some used simple rocks as munitions, hoping to hit defenders on the walls with enough force to cause injuries. Others used the severed heads from the fallen in the battle of Ingmond, where the outlanders had painstakingly decapitated the corpses and carried the grisly trophies with them.
The Order soldiers raised their large infantry shields, shielding them from the rain of missiles. The hardened veterans showed little emotion, even when heads sometimes still wearing helmets rolled around their feet. The new conscripts and levies reacted with greater force, vomiting or crying out; some even abandoned their post, though they were swiftly beaten for this and sent back. The gruesome munition was meant to weaken morale, laying the groundwork for later assaults; the leaders of the Order used both encouragement and punishment to prevent this. Meanwhile, their own stone throwers responded, seeking to destroy the enemy’s siege engines on the ground.
As their next weapon, outlanders advanced behind wicker screens, protecting them against the longbowmen on the towers. With oil and alchemy, their own archers set fire to their arrows and shot them across the walls.
"Fire arrows!" came the warning call. They struck like flaming serpents with varying effect. Some landed harmlessly on the paved street; others hit rooftops, starting a blaze.
"We need water!" Pulling the nearest levies from the walls, the knights in charge established human chains. Barrels and buckets of water were transported from prepared locations, dousing the flames.
While some of the defenders attended to this threat, the remainder stayed at their posts, manning the double walls. They stood, unflinching, gazing at the morass of wicker screens, archers, catapults, and countless soldiers in red beyond.
The outlanders revealed their final ploy for the day. Suddenly, scores of them ran forward with a shield in one hand, the other empty. Within easy range of the defending archers, they protected themselves as best they could while digging out little clay pots from a pouch. With a powerful throw, they flung them at the walls.
Some of the throws failed, and the pots struck below the parapet to no effect. But others reached their destination, hurled over the walls to crack open at the feet of the soldiers. Alchemical fire burst out, causing panicked outbursts and frantic attempts to quell the flames. Swiftly, the alchemy throwers retreated even as arrows from the turrets harried them, leaving chaos on the walls in their wake.
It could have been an opportune moment to attack, but the outlanders had brought no machinery for scaling the walls; instead, they continued their pelting the defenders until their munition, whether of one nature or another, ran out. Only then did they retreat, dragging their catapults and screens with them.
Meanwhile, the commanders of the Order assessed their losses and damage inflicted. Neither seemed heavy, but this had only been the first day of the siege; many more were to come.
~~~~
The first day of assault might have ended, but the outlanders still had work to do. Siege machinery had to be hauled back to be kept in defensive locations under heavy watch. The dead were retrieved, stripped of their weapons and equipment. The injured received treatment. Finally, the earthworks and palisades were strengthened where possible in anticipation of retaliation.
Once these tasks had been completed, night had fallen. Small specks of light could be seen across the siege camp otherwise engulfed in darkness. The largest stood in the middle, where the Servant of the Flame made sacrifices to the Godking; the remainder were cooking fires, providing the cold soldiers with heat, tea, and warm meals.
"I’ve seen some strange things in the dry lands," one soldier remarked, swinging his mug around, "but imagine being so cowardly, you need two walls to hide behind!" Scattered laughter could be heard.
"It’s clever though," another argued, rubbing his hands together and holding them close to the fire. "We spend all our efforts getting onto the first wall, and they’ll be standing on the one behind, throwing rocks and shooting arrows at us. I don’t envy the first soldiers to go up."
"That’s why we have the fire pots," came a third voice. "Did you see them dance some merry steps once we started hurling them up?" More laughter ensued.
"When the Godking arrives, it doesn’t matter how many walls they got, they’ll all crumble!"
"I’d like to see the drylanders fight just one fravashi!"
"You boys don’t know your stories." An aged voice cut through the noise. Its owner sat on a crate with his robe and cloak huddled around him; scars adorned his face, which showed no mirth. "Fighting on those walls will be nothing like you imagine. You got no idea what’s waiting."
"Oh, spare us, old man."
"What stories?"
"Just the tales of old women to frighten children."
"Stories of dreadful warriors whose eyes have only one colour," continued the veteran. "Faster with a sword than any man, and near impossible to kill."
"Hah, just wait until the fravashi arrive! They’ll take care of the drylanders and their monsters."
At the mention of the shadow warriors, some soldiers displayed excitement, others dread.
"Yeah, nothing can kill a fravashi!"
"Except a Blade of Ruin," argued the old soldier. "Wrath, rage, storm, and song."
"They don’t exist, and neither do your monsters with strange eyes!"
"We took the city they call Tothmor after weeks of siege. Not one fravashi, but two in the garrison. Yet the drylanders took it back in a day, and no fravashi returned to camp." The veteran took out some leaves from a pouch and began chewing them.
His words and demeanour had a subduing effect on the gathering. The soldiers returned to their tea and food; soon after, they sought sleep.
~~~~
The quartermaster of the Order sat surrounded by clerks, writing desks, and long shelves filled with ledgers. Constantly, missives arrived with information to be added to lists, keeping track of all things related to warfare. Soldiers, weapons, equipment, provisions, and everything else needed to wage war. The jarl of Vale looked around with approval at the many quills, busy writing down.
"I would speak with you," Valerian said, approaching the quartermaster.
The old man raised his head, finishing the sentence on his parchment without looking. "My lord jarl. What is it?"
"As you are no doubt aware, the king has placed me in charge of the treasury," Valerian said with a hint of a smile. "I am going through the guild taxes, and they have withheld some taxes in order to pay for the king’s mercenaries."
"I have no records nor knowledge concerning the guilds," the quartermaster replied dismissively.
"But you do record the mercenary companies under contract with the Crown," the jarl remarked. "I know this, as they were formerly in my employ, and I turned them over."
"And what is your interest in this matter?"
Valerian waved around a stack of documents in his hand. "I wish to compare my lists concerning taxes and payments with your records, to ensure the guilds are actually paying for troops as they claim."
The old clerk gave a small sigh. "I suppose your diligence is admirable." He rose from his seat with difficulty and walked over to a shelf. With his eyes just a handful of inches away from the ledgers, he read through the titles on their spines. "Here we are." He pulled one book from its brethren and returned to his desk. "Normally, we do not allow our ledgers to leave this room, but given the jarl’s reputation, I assume it will be returned in good order."
"No need to remove it," Valerian declared. "I will probably require other books. That is why I brought my lists with me," he explained with a cunning smile. "I will take that seat." He nodded towards an empty desk and did as he had claimed.
"If you must," the quartermaster replied, returning to his work.
~~~~
As he had done after previous battles, Sikandar gathered his lieutenants in his tents to determine what lessons to learn. Unlike at Ingmond, where a crude map had been drawn to depict the battlefield, the captain had a detailed illustration of Middanhal showing the walls, towers, defensive equipment, and estimates of the garrison.
"They have stone throwers on this, this, and this tower," Arash reported, pointing at the locations on the map.
"And here and here," Rostam added, using the same gesture.
"Along with the other reports, that leaves three openings for our siege towers. One of which remains impassable," Sikandar considered.
"Will two suffice?" asked Rostam.
"They will have to," the captain replied. "What effect did the fire arrows have?"
"Not enough, in my opinion," Arash said. "Enough remained on the walls to give us trouble. Their garrison is perhaps even stronger than we were told."
Rostam nodded. "The fire pots worked better, causing disruption. Only briefly, of course, but used at the right time, it should provide an opening to take the walls."
"Agreed." Sikandar nodded slightly. "That should not be difficult to organise."
"Even so, if I may speak," Rostam said hesitantly. With no objection from the captain, he continued. "Their numbers are strong, and they are prepared. Taking the city by storm will inflict great losses."
"It would," Sikandar conceded, "but the Godking expects that we take the city sooner rather than later. Our soldiers are expected to give their all."
"All for the Godking," Rostam hurried to say, with Arash joining in.
"When does he arrive?" asked the latter.
"In about three days’ time, along with enough reinforcements to end this war," Sikandar declared. "We best have our preparations made before that. To that end, I will keep you no longer."
His lieutenants bowed their heads and left.
~~~~
"The spy is here to see you, my king."
Brand looked up at his thane. "You know not to detain him."
"He is not alone." The warrior clenched his jaw. "He has a Dwarf with him."
"In that case, send them both in."
Godfrey entered first, followed by the dvalinn of the Dwarves in Middanhal. The two visitors could scarcely be more different; the former wore plain clothing, undyed and of cheap make, whereas the latter had woven garments with rich embroidering. Godfrey had coarse stubbles and an unkempt appearance; the dvalinn’s beard was neatly braided with silver rings.
"My king, this is Lord Ivaldi, dvalinn of House Starkstone. All the Dwarves of Adalrik heed his words," Godfrey spoke.
Brand rose, giving the Dwarf a curt nod, which was reciprocated in the same manner. "Be seated." He gestured to a chair opposite his desk and took his own seat. "Pour ale for my guests," he added, directed at a servant in the corner, who swiftly carried out the command. Once both Godfrey and Ivaldi sat down, the king spoke again. "What brings you to my chambers?"
"My lord king has conscripted soldiers for the Order," the dvalinn spoke, "yet no Dwarves fight in your ranks. They are not allowed."
"If they were, would any join? It is not my understanding that your people would fight under our banners. Even if your homes are as much under threat as any."
"We are not inclined to do so, no. But we might raise our own banner and fight alongside yours," Ivaldi suggested.
"In what numbers?"
"Two thousand strong. Armed and armoured."
"Warriors or craftsmen?"
The Dwarf crossed his arms. "Whether against an enemy or an anvil, my men know how to swing a hammer."
Brand gave a polite smile, drinking from his cup of ale. "And what price do your two thousand hammers demand?"
Ivaldi locked eyes with the king. "We want the rights afforded to any who dwell in Adalrik."
Brand nodded a little. "I can understand that. If you shed blood the same as others, you should enjoy the same rights. I see no reason to deny it. Provided your warriors acquit themselves well."
"They will, my lord king, and you can trust that as strong as stone. But there is another thing."
Brand leaned back in his seat. "More demands? You take me for a desperate man."
The dvalinn shook his head. "This affects us all. We want the outlanders defeated for good."
"By which you mean?"
"Once the siege has been lifted, you must invade the Reach and retake Dvarheim."
Brand glanced at Godfrey, who spoke a single word. "Niðheim."
"An invasion of the Reach is not a simple proposition," the king declared. "Half the realms are under invasion. We are at war both east and west."
"If you leave this enemy to retreat and recover, they will return," Ivaldi claimed. "You will fight them again and again, as you have done for centuries. The time to destroy them is now! Reclaim Dvarheim for my people, and we will fight by your side every step of the way."
"Those are bold words, my lord dvalinn, but simple. A blind invasion into the Reach, of which we know nothing, and a lengthy siege that could drag on for years, while the forces of Alcázar ravage the western lands," Brand considered. "You ask a steep price."
"I expected bold action to suit the king who once crossed the Weolcan mountains," Ivaldi retorted.
"You would not be blind," Godfrey interjected. "You would have allies and detailed knowledge of the enemy. It is not as difficult a proposition as it might seem at first glance."
Brand stroked his chin. "I will consider it. I shall let you know of my decision, Lord Ivaldi." The Dwarf made a gruff sound and rose from his seat. "Stay a moment, Godfrey."
"As you wish." The wanderer gave a small nod to the dvalinn, who left.
"Any news?"
Godfrey shook his head. "I go beyond the walls tonight. Ask me again tomorrow."
"Fine." Brand hesitated briefly before he spoke again. "This dvalinn must know his demands are ludicrous. I cannot commit to a full invasion while fighting on two fronts! He may consider me on my knees, pressing his luck in this way, but he cannot honestly think I will commit to years of war in foreign lands for the sake of mere two thousand men."
"The Dwarven folk have been disappointed before," the wanderer said. "They remember the old wars and broken promises. They are loath to trust your people, Brand. You do not know the risk taken by the dvalinn to make this offer."
"That does not change the situation," Brand retorted. "The duke of Belvoir has come to my aid with six thousand men, and he expects, quite reasonably so, that I will liberate Ealond once Adalrik is free. Am I to make a mockery of one ally to placate another?"
Godfrey exhaled before his words slowly came. "I think the next days will determine everything, and you need every soldier you can get. If promises must be made only to be broken later, whether to one ally or another, such is the king’s lot."
Brand drummed his fingers against the table. "I will send a message tomorrow. Best to let the dvalinn think the decision required long deliberations."
"And I have a meeting to attend. With your leave." Godfrey bowed his head quickly and departed.
~~~~
Rostam walked through the siege camp, his meeting with the other commanders at an end. As he passed one group of soldiers after another, huddled around their cooking fires, he received many a greeting, nodding in return.
In the darkness, few would have noticed the blackboot that slid up next to Rostam. "I seek the morrow," Dariush spoke quietly. "Keep walking."
The lieutenant did so, casting a brief glance at his companion. "You serve him?"
"We share the same goal. What can you tell me?"
"Two siege towers. One past the third turret west, counted from the gate. One past the fifth turret to the east. That is all I know at present."
"Good." As discreetly as he had approached, the blackboot left Rostam’s side.
Dariush moved to a part of the camp that resembled any other; the same tents stood erected in the same formation. Yet none of the Anausa could be seen; the few men around the fire wore the same dark garbs as Dariush.
Seeing him appear, Kamran rose. "Did you learn anything?"
The other blackboot gave a slight nod. "I did. I’ll go tonight to pass it on."
"Be careful. There are patrols everywhere."
"I doubt they will interfere with the business of a sāyag. I am more concerned how he will reach me and get back, unseen."
Kamran gave a shrug. "He is Javed." He spoke again with a touch of concern. "Be safe, my brother."
Dariush touched him on the arm in a quick gesture of affection before he left, disappearing into the black of the night.
|
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Sigvard's Might
Niðheim
For the next weeks, the Order army harassed the outlanders to prevent an orderly retreat, separating their forces east and south. Besides this, many also surrendered and were welcomed into Rostam's growing numbers. The power of the Godking, new or old, had been shattered. Defeat after defeat with losses, desertions, and defections had left Sikandar with only a remnant of the great armies that had invaded Adalmearc.
Yet as the Order army approached Niðheim, it became clear the new Godking did not require more than that to defend his capital. The mountain rose indomitably into the sky. Walls and towers fortified the steep cliffs, impossible to assault. Inside the hollow peak lay provisions and deep wells, allowing a siege to be resisted for years.
The great gate provided the only entry inside, and it appeared impregnable as well. Made with steel and great cunning, it would scorn attacks by rams and any other siege machinery. As the Mearcians stared at the foreboding mountain, dread crept into their camp. With the enormous gate unassailable, the only way in seemed to be scaling the daunting cliffsides, which seemed near impossible as well. The alternative would be a siege that could drag on for years, all the while Sikandar regained his strength and called for aid from the rest of the Reach.
~~~~
Egil sat with crossed legs in his tent. He had a tray in his lap, acting as a hard surface, on which lay pieces of paper full of scribbles. With a few strokes of the pen, he added the current date and some notes concerning the army's progress and arrival at Niðheim.
The opening was flung aside to let Kate enter. "Jorund is busy," she said. "He and the other Dwarves are preparing to fight."
"I didn't think they'd have any way in."
"I asked the same. They think they can find a way, or they'll try to scale the cliffs."
"That's mad." Egil stared in the direction of the mount, hidden by the fabric of the tent. "It's a damn mountain. They'll get themselves killed."
"I told Jorund to stay back, but he just laughed." Kate shrugged, but her casual gesture was contradicted by her expression as she bit her lip.
"I'm sure he'll be fine." Egil's voice did not hold much conviction.
"Do you think Godfrey knows something? Maybe there's a secret way in."
"We could ask. He went to meet the king. We can go find him."
"I'm not meeting the king," Kate protested. "I'd die of embarrassment! But they won't even let us into his tent, I bet."
"I meant, we wait outside until their meeting is done," Egil explained with an overbearing tone.
"Oh, right. You don't have to say it like that. Let's go."
The young man and woman left the tent, making their way through the camp. It bustled with activity, as the army had only just arrived and would be preparing for a siege. Above all, defences needed to be erected, including watchtowers for sentinels.
Approaching the king's tent, the youths arrived just to see Godfrey leave. As they called out to him, he looked at them with slight irritation. "I don't have time," he said, brushing them off, and he began walking away.
"We'll go with you," Kate said self-assured.
The wanderer stopped abruptly. He looked over his shoulder at the pair, and his expression softened. "You do as I say. Without hesitation or objection."
"We promise," Kate told him while Egil nodded vigorously.
"Come along, then." Godfrey resumed walking.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"To see an old friend."
~~~~
They walked for hours, going north. Nothing lay ahead except the flat plains; if Godfrey steered towards anything, it was not visible to his companions. Despite their questions, he gave no answers as to their destination.
The day had turned into evening before he finally stopped. He gazed back at the camp that lay in the far distance. Nothing surrounded them. All the Order soldiers were occupied preparing for the siege or establishing control around the mountain. "As good a place as any," Godfrey mumbled. He held his hand to his pocket, and a sparrow leapt out to land on his palm. He threw his hand up into the air, giving the bird momentum to fly away.
"What was that?" asked Kate.
"Just a messenger. Now we wait."
"For what?"
"You'll see." Godfrey lay down, closing his eyes. "Wake me when you feel it."
"Feel what?" she asked. A light snore was her only reply.
"I guess we'll see," Egil considered.
Kate looked around. "There's nothing here." She kicked a rock on the ground.
"Godfrey doesn't do things without reason." The young scribe began walking around, scouting in every direction.
"That doesn't mean his reasons are any good. Maybe he just wanted somewhere quiet to sleep." Kate did the same as him, but darkness concealed the horizon. Even Niðheim could barely be seen anymore, except for watchfires upon its towers. Similarly, the camp of the Order army was hidden from their sight besides flashes of light.
Growing weary after a while, the youths eventually sat down opposite each other, heads in their hands. "How long do you think we'll be here?" asked Kate.
"Until Godfrey wakes up, I guess."
"I mean in the Reach."
"Oh. No idea."
"I miss the library." She sighed.
"Me too. Not the cold, though. It's warm here."
"Not at night." Kate shivered slightly, placing her arms around herself.
"The breeze is picking up." Just as Egil spoke, a gust of wind made both of them shake.
"Weird. It's noisy. And it comes and goes."
"What is that sound?"
They stood up, looking around. The wind came again and again like a giant bellow, making a noise akin to it as well. A shadow passed over the moon, and they both glanced up.
Kate grabbed Egil's hand. "What's happening?"
"He is here." Godfrey opened his eyes and stood up. "Watch. But don't move."
The moonlight illuminated the shape of a great, dark figure. Staring with open mouths, the young pair watched as it descended.
With brown scales nearly invisible in the night, Earthwing landed before the great gate. The ground broke asunder bearing the weight and impact of the great wyrm. He opened his jaws. Primordial fire burst from his maw, illuminating the darkness for a moment. The great gate, which could withstand all the devices made by Men, Dwarves, and Elves, twisted and melted under the onslaught.
Advancing quickly, Earthwing placed his claws around the damaged gate and tore it apart, leaving it in the dust. Extending his wings, the drake flew into the air, disappearing as swiftly as he had arrived.
~~~~
The great flash in the night caused a predictable disturbance. In the camp, the soldiers seized weapons and assembled under their banners, ready to fight. Scouts crept out into the dark towards the mountain, searching for enemies.
While the Order soldiers waited to receive commands, the Dwarves saw no reason for hesitation. All of their warriors gathered and began marching towards Niðheim. Thus, they noticed the destroyed gate before others and wasted no time in advancing.
They met a garrison in disarray. Most of the outlanders manned the towers, feeling secure atop the cliffs; none of them expected an attack, least of all through the indomitable gate. The halls resounded of Dwarven battle cries as the red-clad soldiers tried to mount a desperate defence. The rune-marked warriors swept the first resistance aside, and as Order soldiers began to arrive, the battle only grew more one-sided.
The Anausa were already demoralised from past defeats and a long march on retreat. The enemy suddenly appearing within their very halls only served to further break their spirits. Many cast their weapons aside and ran, hiding. Of the few that fought, the attackers easily proved stronger, if nothing else through numbers.
In the throne room, Sikandar had taken the Godking's seat. He wore the mask on his face and silken robes. Beyond the great doors to the hall, the sounds of battle resonated. They grew louder and louder with all that implied. In his hand, the new Godking had a tight grip on a small vial. As the doors finally burst open and fighting spilled beyond, he tore his mask away and emptied the flask into his mouth. As his royal guards died between the tall pillars stretching endlessly upwards, Sikandar drew his last breath.
~~~~
Jorund swung his axe yet again, renewing the red colour on the edge. Followed by other Dwarves, he fought his way through the hallways and guard rooms that spread like a spider's web, all to protect the entrance hall and the gate. All in vain. The fury of their onslaught made it seem more like a massacre, and blood covered their faces.
Finally, as the Dwarf kicked another door open, he found no opposition. He stood in a forge, meant for supplying and repairing arms. In a corner sat the smith, crouched together with his legs under his chin. His skin had the brown colour of the earth, but his beard was much longer than what the outlanders wore. He looked up at Jorund.
"Brother, if the overseer catches you with weapons, he will flog you," he whispered.
Jorund approached him and lay his axe aside on the anvil. He extended one hand to help the other Dwarf to stand. "There are no overseers left, friend."
The smith stared at his visitor. He traced his finger along Jorund's sleeve where a blade had torn it open, revealing the skin underneath. Runes in blue and red could be seen. The smith ran his fingers against the markings. "Yours stay," he said, making large eyes. He showed his own wrist, which likewise had a rune. With the other hand, he rubbed the skin until it became a smudge. "I make them so they disappear. So I don't get caught."
"Brother," Jorund mumbled, "you'll never have to worry about that again."
~~~~
"Wait here." Godfrey gestured for his young companions to remain behind.
"But –"
"No arguments." He began walking away. It was still night; sunrise would not happen for several hours. This far from the mountain, they could not see what took place at Niðheim.
A sparrow flew down to land in Godfrey's hand as he moved. He fed it a few crumbs and placed it inside his pocket. Soon, gusts of wind followed, growing in intensity, and he grabbed his hat to keep it from blowing away. As the wanderer stopped, he glanced up at the sky.
Causing cracks to spread along the ground, Earthwing landed before him. Godfrey staggered backwards from the impact before composing himself, looking at the great drake. In turn, Earthwing bowed his head so low, he almost touched the dirt.
"I greet you, my lord."
"Well met, Kalessin."
"When the sparrow came, I knew of your presence. But I should have guessed all along your hand was behind the son of Sigvard."
Godfrey bowed his head in acknowledgement. "We all play our part."
"Why send him, my lord? If you had simply appeared and bade me come, I would."
"Precisely for that reason. You would have taken it as command, and it had to be your choice. Who else to ask you this favour than the blood of Sigvard?"
The dragon exhaled, blowing Godfrey's hair about. "I did as he wished. I opened the way. No blood stains my claws, yet blood has been spilt. Tell me, my lord, am I to blame?"
The wanderer looked down quickly at his own hands before meeting the wyrm's gaze once more. "Only you can decide that. But you see now why it had to be your choice, and yours alone."
"I understand, my lord. Ah, to spread my wings once more. I had forgotten the taste of flight, as I forgot the scent of grass or touch of rain. Yet I think it is time I retire to my sleep."
"It is well deserved, my old friend."
"What of you, my lord? Is your travail at an end?"
Now it was Godfrey's turn to exhale, though the effect was less marked. "I have a few loose ends. Who knows? Perhaps I will return. But I do believe I have earned going home."
"Undoubtedly. I bid you farewell, my lord."
"Fare you well," Godfrey replied. With a quick beating of his wings, the drake rose into the air and flew away.
The wanderer stood, watching the great shape disappear into the darkness of the night before he turned to walk back. He had not come far before a pair of excited voices greeted him.
"What did you talk about?"
"What did he say?"
"That is between him and me," Godfrey declared sternly. "Be quiet and follow me. We should get back to camp. You have a long journey home, and I expect it will begin soon, if not already tomorrow."
"Really? We're going home?" asked Kate.
"The king is eager to return. Especially as he has received news good and bad."
"What news?" asked Egil.
"The war in Thusund is at an end, and Queen Svana has placed her fleet at the king's disposal. Yet the southerners have begun the siege of Herbergja, with mercenaries pouring in from the South. I do believe a forced march lies ahead of you, to save the western realms of Adalmearc."
~~~~
The battle for Niðheim ended before the sun rose. By then, all of the garrison had died, surrendered, or hid themselves deeper inside the city complex. The Dwarves set about releasing all the thralls they could find and laying claim to every area of importance.
Rostam and his followers arrived during the day, seeking the safety of the craftsmen and others of their people inside the mountain. Quarrel soon arose between him and the Dwarves, leaving Godfrey to act as mediator between the two parties.
As for the Mearcians, the wanderer's prediction came true. The Order soldiers quickly retreated once it became clear opposition was broken, returning outside to dismantle their camp. With the new Godking dead and his priesthood decimated, the king of Adalmearc left the war in the Reach in the hands of Rostam and his rebels. Instead, he turned his army north in a hurried march back to his own lands.
|
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"title": "The Eagle’s Flight - 234. Sigvard’s Might",
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}
|
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