“That idiot…!”
The scene I witnessed as soon as I arrived at the Ariente estate was absurd.
Sylvia charging alone against a legion of ants.
Is she staging a protest for me to see?
Is this some sort of demonstration, where she’s risking her life to make a point?
My blood pressure skyrocketed.
Perhaps I emitted a murderous aura without realizing it, as Count Ariente let out a gasp and started hiccuping.
“Ah, ah! Where are you going? Your knight is stalling for time, so there’s no need to rush out there…”
“Move aside. I need to save her.”
“Gack!”
Shoving aside the obstructing Count Ariente, I dived into the line of refugees and turned back against the tide.
How dare she use her own life as leverage against me?
Such antics are useless to me.
Useful people are to be used in any way possible.
I won’t just let them die.
That’s the strategy I’ve adopted to survive since the possession.
‘She said they’re ant monsters.’
Although they’ve mutated and grown large due to mana, they’re still just ants.
Their rank is still at the bug level.
So, skills like “Touch of Death” should work.
…They should work.
‘Damn it. I should have tried an experiment.’
Of course, this was assuming the skill description was reliable.
What if there are other variables?
What if there are exceptions?
Once you start doubting, there’s no end to it.
With Sylvia about to die, there’s no choice but to jump in.
If Sylvia dies, who will run Vermont Security?
Who will manage the already rough and tumble staff?
Who will guard the mansion?
Without Sylvia, Vermont would collapse by tomorrow.
‘Damn it. Mana exhaustion?’
The chill spreading from Sylvia’s fingertips stopped.
She wobbled and was unable to maintain her balance.
Had she exhausted all her mana?
She could have frozen them just enough and then escaped with the remaining mana.
What is she doing using up all her mana so foolishly?
Still, thanks to the cessation of the cold emission, I could now approach.
‘What a complete fool.’
I was beginning to understand the self-destructive act she had performed.
In a situation where countless lives are at stake, she probably didn’t have the option to “take a chance and leave some room to escape”.
She’s pouring all her energy into ensuring the survival of the refugees.
Other than that thought, her mind had nothing else.
The survival of complete strangers takes precedence over her own potential danger.
Watching her, it’s infuriating how frustratingly foolish she is.
It’s a miracle she hasn’t died on the battlefield with such a mindset. But if she keeps acting like this, she’ll be dead soon enough.
‘I need to watch her back.’
I’m the only one who can talk her down and protect her from behind.
I gritted my teeth and threw myself toward Sylvia, who was about to collapse.
“Why do you have that resigned expression? Wipe that look off your face.”
“M-Master!? What are you doing here…!”
“There are many things you need to do. I can’t tolerate you shirking responsibilities and avoiding punishments like this. So, put away any thoughts of dying for now.”
“No, it’s dangerous here! You need to escape immediately! Please, quickly! If those things unfreeze, we’ll both be dead!”
“Don’t worry. I’m not as reckless as you.”
“…?”
Sylvia looked up at me with a confused expression.
It was as if she was asking, “Weren’t you trying to die?”
Not everyone is as naïve and foolish as you.
Unlike you, I’m cautious and self-preserving, so taking care of myself is my top priority.
To prove that, I extended my hand forward and murmured quietly.
An incantation for a skill with uncertain effectiveness.
“Skill, Touch of Death.”
Ssshhh.
The air around us grew cool in an instant.
My hand trembled.
It has to work!
Please, let it work!
Facing the ant monsters charging at me with a momentum that could tear my body in half, I held my hand up and stood my ground without moving.
The ants’ mandibles gaped wide as they flew toward my hand.
“Ke? Kieek!?”
“Kkeek?”
Rumble.
The monsters collapsed in one blow, falling before me in a heap of bodies like discarded rag dolls.
Sylvia’s eyes widened in shock.
“Never think of dying in front of me again.”
“Ah…”
“You said you’d watch over me. To do that, you need to stay alive.”
“Ugh…”
“Why are you crying like a dog that needs to pee?”
Sylvia continued to whimper, wincing as if uncomfortable.
If she had mana exhaustion, she should just let herself be taken care of.
What’s the matter with her?
Her face was turning as red as a tomato.
“Th-that… It’s touching… Master’s hand is… On my chest…”
“You’re too heavy for me to hold and support properly. Forgive me.”
“…You’re being too rude for a lady.”
“A lady, you say?”
Someone who wears a sword at their waist and uses technique names like ‘Kaboom’, that even Charlotte wouldn’t use, isn’t exactly a lady.
I chuckled and tried to lift Sylvia up in front of me, but quickly gave up. She was too heavy.
It’s not that my strength is lacking; it’s that Sylvia is heavy.
After struggling with all my might, I finally succeeded in carrying Sylvia.
“At least you know some modesty. I thought you were someone who wouldn’t feel embarrassed after walking out with a fork stuck in your hair last time…”
“Th-that’s impossible! I would never be so unruly…”
“Try to cling to me more tightly. Your position is awkward and it’s hard to carry you.”
“This is as close as I can get…”
“…”
It felt entirely different compared to carrying Yulia or Charlotte.
The source of this discomfort turned out to be something large, heavy, and soft that was blocking the space between Sylvia and my back.
This wasn’t something that could be resolved by simply losing weight.
Feeling increasingly awkward, an uncomfortable silence lingered between Sylvia and me.
.
.
.
“Wh-what is that…!”
Swoosh.
The sight of monsters that had been surrounding and attacking Count Vermont collapsing instantly was shocking.
Yuri, who was watching this from the castle wall, was quite shocked.
Is that even possible?
To kill enemies you haven’t even touched, as if they’re falling asleep?
It seemed like there were invisible orbs around Count Vermont, as any monster that entered this range was killed without exception.
Then, the monsters began to move in a circular pattern, avoiding the area around Count Vermont.
It was an almost unbelievable sight.
This kind of magic was unheard of.
Therefore, it must be, or rather, it certainly is.
“Black magic…!”
It must be the black magic that Vermont has studied for so long.
If it’s not black magic, then what could it be?
The bugs were so disgusted by Aslan Vermont that even getting close was a source of agony, but the hypothesis that they died because they were essentially bugs didn’t make sense.
Yeah. Even though Aslan is very unpleasant, that’s not the reason.
Yuri nodded, completely rejecting the possibility that was almost certainly correct.
‘I need to get Charlotte and Julia out as soon as possible…!’
Didn’t he catch Aslan Vermont’s eye?
After making an appeal, he thought he was being noticed.
So why isn’t he using him yet…?
He wanted to rise to an important position in the Vermont family as soon as possible, so he can freely contact Charlotte and Julia.
For that, he needed to show his capabilities.
And to be capable, he needed power.
Power. More power is needed.
This level is not enough.
Being stuck with just a few ant monsters is not acceptable.
He can’t even compete with the black magic that takes down dozens or hundreds with a snap of the fingers…!
Yuri clenched his fists.
He resolved once again to become stronger.
“This is impossible! The monsters are climbing the battlements!”
“Damn it! Fire arrows! Throw stones, pour boiling water! Use any means necessary, drive them off!!!”
Rumble.
The monsters, having reached the battlements, began to climb up.
Despite having killed many, the number of monsters clinging to the battlements had already increased to an uncountable amount.
Could Aslan Vermont stop them?
No, even he can’t do it.
That black magic has too narrow a range and is insufficient to deal with the monsters surrounding the vast battlements.
“Ah! We’re out of arrows!”
“Stones! Bring stones quickly! Hurry!”
Although arrows, stones, and boiling water were running low.
The momentum of the climbing monsters did not decrease in the slightest.
The monsters continued to climb relentlessly and had already reached the edge of the battlements.
Mana gathered at Yuri’s fingertips.
It was a moment when despair was reflected in the faces of the people.
“Charlotte! Julia! It’s your turn!”
“…!”
The moment Count Vermont called out familiar names.
Rumble!
The ground began to make ominous sounds and roared.
Count Ariente, seemingly traumatized, hunched over and covered his head.
“Julia…?”
Yuri turned his head to see Julia standing in the field with an emotionless face, dressed in the kind of neat clothes a noble might wear.
A bizarre, harsh sound, almost like a malevolent god’s language, flowed from Julia’s mouth.
[Kyaaaa!!!]
“…!?”
With a chilling roar, a gigantic monster appeared.
In the pitch-black darkness, only its two eyes were clearly visible.
Its silhouette was so large it far exceeded the height of the battlements.
Is, is that an evil god…!
Has Julia made a contract with an evil god!
Yuri’s face quickly became a picture of despair.
“Ah! My lord descends!”
“Charlotte…?”
Next came Charlotte, fully armored.
What in the world is that horrible, terrifying black sword Charlotte is holding!?
Moreover, every swing of the sword sends out a foul, blinding flash!
That’s clearly a demon sword!
Has Charlotte been corrupted by that demon sword!?
That’s why she’s speaking in such a strange manner!
“Ah…”
Unable to endure the agony, Yuri crumpled to his knees.
Seeing his friends so changed, it felt like he might cry blood.
