Chapter 50

The Demon of War

 

"...That was Japanese?"

Or maybe it was Korean? It didn't sound like Chinese... It sure isn't any mainland language I know. He must have been from that world, of that I have no doubt.

Although I recognized the language, I never learned to speak it, but that this... boy, spoke it, implied that he came from that world.

"I don't know Japanese, if you want to say something, let it be in the language of the East."

The boy just said more things in Japanese and then stared at me...

"You don't understand anything I say do you?"

Was he another fool like that wizard? Unable to communicate, he had a short life once he came to this world.

I looked to my left. One of my men was on the floor, who apparently crashed into the wall earlier. I assume that he was defeated by a heavy blow.

If he was able to withstand my presence in all its intensity, he should be able to beat an Acme soldier with sheer brute force. But if it turned out that he came from that world...

Paying no attention to the boy's babbling in Japanese, I approached him and with my left hand, I made a sign for him to attack me.

He seemed to get the message, which is a good thing, because if he couldn't understand even such an obvious gesture, he would simply be worthless as an opponent.

The boy lunged at me from my right, in one jump he used all his strength and weight to attack my flank and hopefully make me end up like the soldier lying there.

Seriously? Was that his entire battle plan?

It could still be a simple misunderstanding, after all, the same attack had worked well for him before. However, my image of him was deteriorating every second, as he was unable to estimate the strength of his opponent.

As an opportunity to gauge the extent of his strength, I met his attack with my right arm. After all, the boy was attacking with the sword sheathed, so there was no way for him to get through my armor… Really, he was just hoping to win from the force of his blow.

Big mistake.

As expected, his blow stopped short, as if it collided with an immovable object. And for a brief moment, his body remained frozen in midair. Of course, for others it would be an instant. For me, it was as if he stared at me for an eternity, helpless.

To make him understand what he was up against, I used two fingers of my left hand and gave him a light blow on the neck. In this way he would understand that lowering his guard meant exposing his life. And he wouldn't get off a second time.

After receiving the blow, he put his weight on the sword and propelled himself a few meters, using my arm as a fulcrum... That was not entirely bad, although if I had wanted to, the resistance of my arm would have ceased and he would have collapsed in the place.

His strength and speed seemed enough to beat the Acme soldiers. But I'm not sure about defeating a commander like Jemur, not the way he described his defeat. I still had expectations that he would demonstrate such ability.

As I analyzed my opponent, he decided to take out his sword from the sheath, while saying something out loud. So we already took it seriously.

That sword. It actually seemed to be capable of causing damage. In response, I wielded my own.

Like the first time I saw him, his face showed a level of intelligence typical of a child who still can't even stand up.

He almost didn't want to believe it. After making him see that he shouldn't let his guard down, he just stared like a fool. What kind of posture was that? Before the tryouts for the cadet academy, Iren's children are already standing better. The comparison from before was an insult to the children of the world.

It was as if he had held a sword for the first time just a few days ago...

Incompetent.

At that moment the expectations I had of a good fight disappeared. If he was going to be like that, I should have snapped his neck as soon as I touched him, instead of giving him a chance to fight seriously.

I felt stupid for showing such kindness. I thought that such mercy no longer remained in me, but the effect of that world had not yet disappeared from my system.

It was a world of wimps.

People so weak that they cried and broke down just because someone said something they didn't like, or even because they said it to someone else.

It was a world where it was preached that words could hurt as much as weapons.

Just remembering it makes me nauseous.

That boy in front of me, was not the warrior I expected. He was just another <<Player>> A worm surviving from a strength that was not its own.

Yeah, there's no way a weakling from that world could survive long here if he can't even understand a language.

I was sure, that strength that he showed, the ability to continue standing in my presence. None of it was really him. He was another leech, like that fool.

It was pointless

My desire to fight him had vanished, just as my presence ceased to exert pressure around me.

I had no idea what was going through his head at the time, but he seemed relieved...

A worthless life... Not even that.

Having reminded me of that world, was something that bothered me.

"Sword of Conquest".

With a slight interest in ending his miserable existence, I infused energy into my hand and released it with my sword.

The blast hit the worm in the belly, wounding it like an explosion, the shock wave caused some damaged ceilings and walls in the surroundings to end up falling down.

It was not the ideal type of attack to kill a single individual. But it was really effective in causing fear. The life of that larva was no longer valuable to me, so I decided that its death would set an example to the people watching.

"As easy as that, I can end all of your lives. I'll say it one last time, if you've seen a strange metal object, that doesn't look like it was made by human hands, say so."

"AAAAGGGGG!!" Screeched the rat as he squirmed.

The peculiar outfit he wore seemed to have significant defensive capabilities, better than the Acme soldiers' red armor at the very least. There are no tricks here, I did it without much effort, but that attack had at least the same force as the one used to break through the door in the wall. Surprisingly, it was barely burned.

Of course, the fact that it didn't go through him or tear him apart didn't prevent him from feeling the impact, the wounds and burns were all over his body, just like the blood that began to emanate from him.

To think that he had such good protection and yet he couldn't even stand up after that attack.

I guess at least he didn't try to run away... That's why, or maybe the memory of that world softened me for a moment, but I decided to end his suffering without causing more damage to his body.

"I'll give you a quick end. There will be enough of your body left for them to give you a ceremony... If I don't finish this town, of course."

Taking a few steps towards him, I could notice that not only blood emanated from his body. Tears streamed down his dying face, along with mucus from his nostrils.

Weakness... So grotesque.

After thinking it over, I decided to let him suffer a little more.

To tell the truth, I disliked the idea of his repulsive blood staining my sword.

"Search Report".

I didn't have to say more for one of the soldiers to stand up, walk over to me, and then prostrate again.

"Sir! Based on our own proximity to the north gate, and seeing as there have been no reports of incidents. The search should be within a kilometer of the south gate, a kilometer and a half from the east gate. Apparently still unsuccessful. Sir!"

In each unit there is at least one soldier with the knowledge to make such estimates. I took it upon myself to improve the teaching of such calculations and measurements. One of the few useful things I learned from that world.

There was no success yet... We were wasting time in that place. And the more I saw of him, the more aware I became of my time in that repulsive world.

He didn't deserve a clean death. If only he didn't have such good equipment, I would have let a soldier take down the worm slowly.

"Cut off his head and continue the search."

Without wasting a second, my men stood up, the one who answered my question earlier was closer, so he took it upon himself to execute that leech.

"I won't let you!"

As I was looking away, a boy stepped between the soldier and the worm.

In his hand, he had the shining sword that seemed capable of causing me harm. Oddly, he held it way better than the worm.

Seeing this, the soldier stopped and looked at me out of the corner of his eye, awaiting orders.

Normally this would not happen, since an order that was given must be followed. But the soldier did well to wait. It's what I like about those trained in the intellectual arts.

After all, after the fiasco earlier, this was something that caught my interest.

"It's been a while since my pressure on you guys ceased. However, the only one who dared to stand up and do something for that worm...was you boy."

Sensing my intentions, the soldier quickly backed away and continued to prostrate himself. The results of intellectual training have paid off, this soldier again realized my intentions.

I watched the boy carefully as I approached him.

"You are brave, ant."

The boy looked at me with great determination. He gave me the impression that he felt insulted. However, ants are different from worms. Among the things that I remember that caught my attention in that world, was a documentary about how there were ants that formed armies, destroying everything in their path.

Ants are not lazy, nor weak. They may not be physically strong due to their size, but they have the discipline and drive of an Acme legion. In my opinion it was the most appropriate compliment to the bravery of that child.

But he was right, there was something more appropriate than calling him an ant.

"I congratulate you. You have earned to die by my blade."

In a single movement, I stabbed my sword into the boy.

"AAGGH!!"

To my surprise, the worm from earlier got in the way, perhaps trying to return the favor to the boy.

Of course, my sword pierced through without resistance and plunged into the boy's chest. It was not a spear and due to its shape, the wound caused is extremely bloody and fatal. Even for the boy, in who the tip was only buried a couple of centimeters.

With another move, I withdrew my sword from their bodies, letting the blood spurt out.

"A futile effort. But I suppose you have earned death, I will end your pain, out of respect for the ant."

KABOOOM!!

Unexpectedly, there was a huge explosion. I know it was so, since in the distance you could see smoke.

"To be heard from here... A magical assault?"

I watched the worm for a moment. He wasn't breathing.

"Everyone to the attack zone."

Was there a magical assault team in that city? The soldiers did not report anything.

Had they arrived at that time? For what reason?

How could they have come from the south? There should be no settlements or outposts between Canaar and that city.

Lots of questions to ask the prisoners. But before that...

"They dare to provoke me."

It didn't take long for me to leave the soldiers from the northern area behind.

When I had the soldiers in charge of the southern area in view, I could see the damage from the attack in greater detail.

A fire had broken out and my men were working to put it out.

"Why are you bothering to put out the fire? Where are the mages responsible for this attack?"

"Sir! General. The area was apparently uninhabited, no locals were present to put out the fire, and there was no trace of those responsible. Because of this we had to handle the fire ourselves to search for them. Sir!"

"Inform me".

"Sir! Due to the damage done at the point of impact, we believe the first attack was a joint assault, causing massive damage. Several smaller explosions followed, all around the area of the first explosion. We reported 9 casualties and at least 14 wounded. We still do not know of another 7 soldiers who were searching the area, but those who were in the radius of the first attack died instantly. Sir!"

Such damage... even capable of killing Acme Soldiers in an instant, despite their armor resistant to fire magic.

Why would there be such an elite force in this place?

What nation would put them at risk just to kill a few Acme soldiers?

Did they really think they would get out of there alive?

...No.

I could think of only one reason to risk a group of elite mages so suicidally.

"THOSE BASTARDS, THEY HAVE IT!"

I didn't know how, but somehow some enemy force had discovered what I was looking for. Possibly they found it and then took it upon themselves to cover the trail... They dared to take it right under my nose.

"All soldiers give up the search for the piece of metal and go after the mages responsible for the attack! I WILL TWIST THEIR SPINES WITH MY OWN HANDS!"

 

◆◇◆◇

 

It worked!

Maybe too good. The speed with which the general left surprised me. But if he thought someone else found it, I can understand his haste.

Well, my contingency plan wasn't the only thing that worked.

Although I didn't want to use it at first since I have very few, I decided to use an elixir to save Ryuuji. After all, it's too valuable a resource to lose.

Fortunately, I had already proven the effectiveness of TLO's potions in this world. I had my doubts about that (after all, it's hard to believe in a concoction that can heal any disease and close any wound), but it was a calculated gamble.

"W-What? What happened?...Am I okay?"

"Fortunately, it seems that the Elixir of TLO works even in this world. I pulled you out of death's path with one."

“Y-You saved me… Thank you, Argent-san.”

"I couldn't let you die."

"ALBERT!!"

Selia's scream reminded us of the other person standing on the threshold of the afterlife.

Without pausing to think that a moment ago he was about to leave the world of the living, Ryuuji ran to his knees in front of the injured boy.

"Argent-san! There's nothing you can do!?"

"While you were unconscious, I gave Selia a high quality potion to administer. It kept him alive, but it doesn't seem to have completely healed him."

After all, the effect of potions is simply to restore health, it's not like they cure disease or close wounds, fuck, it doesn't remove the effects of poisoning. I bet an Elixir would, because it's basically a 'Restore All', according to TLO. But I wasn't going to spend one on the kid.

I could tell what Ryuuji was thinking, he was about to ask me if I had another Elixir for Albert. It's a scarce resource, but if you're up for it...

"Ryuuji, don't you have an Elixir in your inventory? I remember in TLO high level players used to carry one for emergencies."

Ryuuji's face was damp from tears. Apparently he didn't have any Elixir, and my words made him think that I didn't have another one. Do not ask me for something that you are not willing to spend yourself.

"There's no way I'd have such an expensive consumable item."

So an expensive <<Consumable Item>> isn't something Ryuuji would buy?

There are people who can think like that. If it's not going to be useful more than once, it's not worth spending a lot on something.

That's a way of thinking, and it's not that it's wrong. Ironically though, people who tend to think like this still spend huge amounts on small pleasures. At least in TLO, it was common to see them in fancy outfits, which were nothing more than aesthetic, just because they were almost permanent.

As I pondered people's variable consumer attitudes, little Albert's health had once again dropped to critical amounts. Even if I was willing to use another Elixir now, everyone would start to wonder why I didn't do it sooner. That's the thing about these kinds of decisions. Once taken, you must keep them.

"Give him this, it should help him for now."

A fortitude extract causes a mild healing effect over a long period of time. It should at least keep him alive longer than a potion that just restores your health once.

As his health declines, the extract restores it. Since it is just a child with low VP, this type of potion is more effective.

"Bandage it fast, he will die if it continues to bleed out."

My words made Selia react, who was looking at her brother hoping for a miracle. Seeing that what I gave her wasn't a magical solution like with Ryuuji, Selia tore her dress to improvise a bandage for the child, but it was a senseless act. Ryuuji took out some bandages from his inventory...an inexpensive consumable item. At the very least, better than a dirty rag from kneeling on the floor.

If the extract keeps him alive long enough for the bleeding to stop, he may live. Although that will depend on whether he has damage in his internals.

"As soon as it's ready, we must get out of here. Or we could suffer the General's wrath."

I bought us some time, the best thing was not to waste it.

When we were ready, we leaved immediately. After finishing bandaging Albert, the others noticed that the people around us had disappeared. Naturally they escaped.

Who in their right mind would stick around to treat two guys who were obviously dead?

Damn, the monocle even showed <<Death in 15 seconds>> as a status on Ryuuji. He had already stopped breathing by the time I got closer to him.

We started moving in the opposite direction from the General and his Acme soldiers. No matter what, we should get away from them as soon as possible. With some luck, the north gate would be abandoned.

We didn't get very far before we ran into Ruthen and the remnants of the resistance, along with a few other townspeople who seemed to support them. Although seeing the recent incidents, what person would not seek to leave the city? They could slow us down, but I figured they'd be useful for later.

Along the way, I used the monocle to spot and dodge Iren's soldiers. something that worked fine, but revealed a problem.

They're not just at the north gate, they're scattered around the wall as well. Although the distance between them is not short, there is a chance that they will see us as we  walk across.

I had originally planned an escape through the wall of the ruined area of the city. Not just because the security was bad, but because of how sloppy it was. Due to the flow of underground water that feeds the city, the wall in that area sank a bit under its weight, making it possible to use the roof of some of the leaning houses to jump over the wall.

Although that plan is not possible now due to the soldiers, there was still a possibility.

"Follow me, I already know how we can get out of here."

Perhaps the plan to jump from the roof onto the sunken part of the wall failed. Wasted time. But maybe another plan put on hold can be used now.

I didn't expect to use it now, but those soldiers owe me a favor.

"Stop there. The city is closed... Are you the one from this morning?"

After the soldier we approached called out to us, the two closest ones came upon seeing the crowd that we are.

It's sink or swim now. Obviously, I'm not going to be able to convince them to let us go just because I helped them before, but just like with Jemur, the fact that keeping their honor depends on doing what I ask is a very useful tool of persuasion. I just have to add something to it that actually benefits them.

"Those peoples coming with you... Some of them were in the ambush today."

"Exactly, please forgive me for not introducing them one by one, but these people are the innocents who were tricked into attacking you, and their families. Because of this, if the incident is found out now that the city is under inspection, they could be punished or even executed for taking part. Do you remember what I asked of you in exchange for saving your honor and your lives?"

"... Clemency for the innocents involved, and that their involvement in the whole affair be kept secret."

"Right now, the only way to do that, is by letting us to get out of town."

"Unfortunately we can't do that. The General's orders..."

"They are looking for a metallic object, unlike any other that has been seen. We heard him, his voice echoed throughout the city."

"Then you know there is no way to let thy go, even if we owe a debt of honor, we would never disobey the general."

"But at what point did he say anything about not letting anyone go? Did he tell you guys? Because he didn't when he spoke to the whole city."

"Well... Technically he didn't, but."

"So if the search is over, there would be no reason to hold us, right?"

The soldiers looked at each other, a little confused. They are not the brightest lights in the chandelier.

"The other reason I came to you, was to deliver precisely that metal object your General is looking for."

The faces of the soldiers reacted immediately and their gazes were fixed on me.

"It may surprise you. After what happened this morning, I went to the square to see the big auction, and there I saw the last item, I mean the most special of the whole event. And it turns out it was this piece of a particular metal inside this container".

In unison, their eyes moved from me, to the item on my hand.

"I've certainly never seen anything like it, even through the container, it looks so smooth, like it's always been that way. There's no trace of a blacksmith's hammer."

"If you say so, it must be true, you were assigned to the armory for a long time."

"I don't need an experienced eye to see that it's special."

Wasting no time, they meticulously observed the contents of the container. They didn't know what it was, but it certainly looked like what they were supposed to be looking for.

"I was buying it from a merchant at the end of the auction, although just then the man was killed by one of his slaves, possibly out of revenge. Isn't that right?"

The members of my group, who witnessed what happened, nodded naturally. They looked a little pale... It's not that they didn't trust me, but it took them by surprise that I called out them in the middle of the negotiation. The people who came with Ruthen no doubt seemed about to pass out from nerves.

"Since I think you already found what you were looking for, there should be no problem letting us go. Rather, they should reward you for good work."

" W-Well, I think you're right, after all, a bunch of foreigners that we already know are simple citizens without ability are of no concern."

When I saw the gleam of greed in their eyes, I knew I had won. The fact that Ryuuji defeated them didn't even cross their minds. Perhaps they subconsciously wanted to blame the poison for it. However, it's not like Ryuuji is in plain sight either to remind them of that, I made him walk to the center of the crowd.

"Ah, please don't forget the favor I asked of you. Don't mention anything about us, it was just by chance that we got that item to begin with. I'm sure some law enforcement officer or another of the many people who were at the auction will confirm what I told you about the vendor and his murder. There is no reason to get us involved and break our agreement."

This is important, because if they have doubts later, they might open their mouths, but as long as they think we are not related with the issue, we should be safe. This is precisely the best time to appeal to their debt of honor.

"Sounds good to me, what do you guys say?"

"Well, if it happened as they say, thy involvement is irrelevant. It was the dead vendor that mattered."

"As long as we confirm it, I see no reason to break the promise and tarnish our honor."

What foolish people are there in this world.

The soldiers could not open the door for us, as it would implicate others who were not beholden to me, but they could give me free access to the declining area. Thanks to which we escaped following my original plan. In the end it wasn't a waste of time after all.

Already being outside, when we had barely walked a few minutes from the wall. A sensation that we already knew ran through our bodies, while the earth trembled and thunderous sounds were heard in the distance.

By now the soldiers must have found someone to confirm what I said, so I shouldn't worry... Still, it was a sight we were thankful we didn't get to see. For the tremors and sounds did not stop immediately like before. But they continued as we walked away.

And so, accompanied by my Argent guard, Galatea's rescued slaves, and less than a hundred of Garush's inhabitants, I turned my back on the city, which still contained thousands of people. A city that saw its end that day, at the hands of the Demon of War.