Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Relocation Operation (3)
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“Come on, Zaifa...!”
“What?”
The massive wyvern's body split in half. Blood erupted like an explosion, staining the sky. The were-tiger, spinning around immediately, wrapped around Ronan and the woman's necks at the same time as it began to fall.
“Kuhk!”
There was no time to resist. Biting his tongue to stay conscious was all he could manage. It felt like a steel serpent strangling his throat.
“Da...mn... let... go!”
The descent was far faster than the ascent. Ronan, gripping Ramancha in a reverse hold, tried to stab the beastkin's neck. A whip-like tail shot out and coiled around his wrist.
“What the...!”
Ronan spat curses as he was flung aside. In that instant, a shock like the world flipping upside down slammed into his entire body. A deafening roar echoed. Amid his flickering consciousness, a voice rang out.
“A warrior, eh. Haven't passed out yet.”
It was a deep, resonant voice like a mountain range. Ronan wrenched his shoulders violently. The loosened restraints fell away, freeing his body.
“Damn it all!”
Ronan quickly pulled back and pointed his sword toward the source of the voice. The scenery around him had changed from sky to forest in an instant. His split vision merged into one, revealing the were-tiger from before. Ronan's mouth fell open slightly.
“...Zaifa.”
He didn't need an explanation. The Empire's Greatest Swordsman stood before him. The black tiger standing on two legs embodied the very concept of power.
The kind that would explode at the slightest touch, sweeping everything away. His two amber eyes burned with primal ferocity from ancient times.
Tucked under his side was the robed woman, slumped limply. Her back rose and fell slowly, so she wasn't dead. Ronan spoke.
“I've got prior claim on that woman.”
Zaifa didn't respond. Whoosh—a hot, red liquid began pouring down from above. It was a downpour of wyvern blood.
Chunks of mangled flesh followed. Even as blood soaked them head to toe, the two men stared at each other without flinching. Finally, Zaifa set the woman down and spoke.
“You're not one of them.”
“What?”
“No need for introductions. Draw your sword.”
In an instant, Zaifa vanished. Instinct, not reason, moved Ronan's body. Gripping the hilt with both hands, he spun and swung. Zaifa reappeared right in front of him, and their blades clashed. Boom! A thunderous explosion shook the forest.
“Kuhk!”
Ronan's body flew back. It felt like his shoulder bones were piercing through his flesh. He flipped like a swallow, regained his balance, and steadied himself. He couldn't believe he was still standing on his own two feet. The dizzying shock still lingered inside him.
What kind of power...!
He realized it instinctively. This was an opponent he absolutely couldn't beat right now. He'd braced for death, but unexpectedly, no second attack came. Zaifa, holding his glaive upright, raised an eyebrow.
“Familiar technique. Disciple of that snake, are you?”
“What the hell are you playing at?”
“Just a simple greeting. One clash reveals more than a hundred words.”
Zaifa swung his glaive to shake off the blood on the blade. He strode toward Ronan, who still hadn't lowered his guard, and extended a hand covered in pitch-black fur.
“Zaifa Tergeun.”
Ronan gritted his teeth. Putting aside the mad behavior, there were no openings. He glared at Zaifa for a long moment.
“......”
An awkward silence flowed, but he didn't withdraw his hand. The blood rain stopped. Finally, Ronan released the hilt and shook it.
“...Ronan.”
“Clear and concise. Suits a warrior.”
Zaifa smiled faintly. He didn't seem intent on killing or shredding Ronan into a sandwich. Ronan let out a sigh of relief at last.
“Fine, now hand over that woman. You saw I almost had her.”
“Refused.”
“Damn it, does being a Sword Saint mean you can steal someone else's prey? Coming from the north, you should know how cowardly that is.”
“Know of the Nebula Klazie organization?”
The unexpected response widened Ronan's eyes. It wasn't strange—news had spread across the empire after he'd thrown Edwon and Syrila into Lodolan. Ronan nodded slowly.
“...Yeah.”
“Then this'll be quick. Capturing those fools is my mission.”
“Mission?”
“Yes. A new task from the Emperor.”
Zaifa thumped his tail against the ground like it was a huge annoyance. Suddenly, Naviroje's words flashed in Ronan's mind. A new organization to counter the cult was about to be formed. Who'd have thought Zaifa was involved. A sudden question arose.
“How'd you know that woman was Nebula Klazie?”
It was crucial. As far as he knew, interrogation with seals no longer worked. Just as Zaifa opened his mouth, a booming shout echoed from the forest beyond.
“Captain—!!!”
Ronan flinched involuntarily. No human vocal cords could produce that volume. Turning his head, he saw shadows bounding over the treetops. It didn't take long to realize they were all beastkin like Zaifa.
Soon, one landed in front of Ronan. A were-lioness covered head to toe in golden fur. No mane, but her majesty rivaled Professor Baren's. She glanced between Ronan and the woman before speaking.
“Saw from afar. These two, right?”
“Just the woman. The boy's not.”
“Pardon? Then why's he here... A civilian?”
“I'll handle it. Don't worry. Status on follow-up?”
“Ah, confirmed the monsters' rampage is over. All threats eliminated. Tutu and six others are holding positions at each road.”
“Good work.”
The lioness saluted. The other beastkin landed one by one. Were-tigers, were-lions, were-bears... All based on massive beasts, uniformed in imperial military garb.
Ronan, surrounded by the hulking furballs, looked like a poison mushroom sprouting foolishly amid ancient trees. The beastkin noticed him and murmured.
“Adjutant. What's with the runt?”
“Hahaha, someone's packed lunch?”
“Small, but sharp eyes. Eagle eyes.”
Ronan silently scanned them. His grip tightened on the hilt. They weren't Zaifa-level, but all were formidable. Especially the lioness adjutant—her presence was extraordinary. Suddenly, Zaifa tsked pityingly.
“Stop laughing, you oversized idiots. That boy took my greeting and stayed on his feet.”
“...Pardon? You're joking?”
“Doubt it? Cross blades yourself.”
The beastkin's faces hardened. They stared at Ronan like a dragon hatching from an egg.
“First besides the adjutant, huh?”
“Impossible. He's human. And a kid.”
“Previous Sword Saint was human too. Though I believe he was a polymorphed dragon.”
“...Wanna spar sometime.”
The murmurs shifted tone sharply. But none were purely admiring. Low growls leaked from here and there.
Ronan smirked at the beastkin openly showing their competitive spirit. Animals, always like this. He considered grabbing one for a show of strength when a familiar voice rang out.
“Eek! S-save me! Don't eat me!”
“Kid, it's fine. Calm down.”
“What?”
The sudden commotion eased the tension. Ronan turned. A red-haired boy thrashed in the grip of a massive were-bear. Deep wrinkles formed on Ronan's brow.
“Asel?”
“Ro, Ronan? You're alive!”
Asel's face brightened briefly. But as other beastkin crowded to gawk, he screamed like a girl again. The were-bear, scratching his head awkwardly, offered Asel to Zaifa.
“Just returned, sir. Uh, seems like a civilian... Brought him just in case. A quick look?”
“No. Let him go.”
Zaifa said firmly after glancing at Asel. The were-bear set him down gently. Asel's legs buckled; he staggered like a drunk toward Ronan. Tears streamed nonstop from his big eyes.
“Y-you didn't come down, so I was searching... Then suddenly...!”
Asel said he'd been caught while looking for Ronan. Even launching into the air hastily, he couldn't escape. Recalling their interrupted talk, Ronan called to Zaifa.
“Right, finish what you were saying. That woman, this kid—how do you spot Nebula Klazie?”
“Instinct.”
“What?”
“How to spot Nebula Klazie. They reek of sickly green from their delusions.”
No further explanation. Ronan chuckled dryly as he mulled it over. Instinct. Questionable if that even counted as a method.
“So you just nab anyone who seems suspicious?”
“Primarily.”
“Sounds no different from roughing up anyone you don't like.”
“No innocents among those I've killed or captured.”
His voice brimmed with certainty. Ronan asked no more. Zaifa turned to the adjutant.
“Objective grasped?”
“Yes. Unclear now, but the nearby monster rampage was likely a diversion. Intel spotted wyvern flock to Romaira disintegrating. Main goal probably there.”
“Got it. Head to Romaira. Relay to lift local blockade...”
“Hm? What is it?”
Zaifa trailed off suddenly. No answer to the adjutant's question. Ronan and Zaifa turned simultaneously. Their gazes fixed on the northern sky. Asel asked anxiously.
“Wh-what's wrong?”
“Fuck.”
Ronan glanced at the prone woman. Her once-white robe was soaked red in blood. He stomped over, grabbed her hair, and yanked her head up roughly. A chilling laugh echoed.
“Ahaha... hahaha...!”
“Damn it. You gotta do the job right.”
Ronan sighed heavily. Her face twisted in madness. The bystanders' eyes widened. Only then did the beastkin notice the anomaly, turning north.
“That’s...!”
Something black writhed in the northern sky. No mere bird flock—massive wings tore through the air with thunderous flaps. Dull-colored wyverns numbered over a hundred.
“Ahaha! Right, Zaifa. Should've done the job right!”
The woman cackled again. The wyverns headed toward Romaira Mountains. Realizing their scheme, Ronan twisted his lips. Soon, the Winter Witch would neutralize the criminal blockade on Romaira mountain roads.
“You damn bitch.”
“Lost my best one, but no matter. Try stopping them!”
Thwack! Ronan smashed her nape with the hilt. Even as her body slumped unconscious, the wyverns didn't stop.
Usually, spells break when the caster's neutralized... Kill her outright?
As he pondered, Zaifa's foot crushed her head. Crunch! Red bloomed like a flower. Zaifa glanced north and said flatly.
“Hm. Doesn't stop even dead.”
“...Multiple casters. Probably among those wyverns.”
“Logical.”
“Now what?”
Ronan wiped brain matter from his face. Despite the national crisis, Zaifa and the beastkin showed no tension. After a pause, he sighed lightly.
“What else? Kill 'em all.”
Like regretting dirty clothes. The adjutant asked.
“Alone?”
“Yes. Might use aura—evac civilians.”
“Understood. To positions!”
The beastkin scattered efficiently. Zaifa spun his glaive and crouched. His hind legs swelled nearly double, ready to launch. Suddenly feeling his tail heavy, he turned.
“What're you doing?”
“Shut up and go.”
Ronan clutched Zaifa's tail with his right hand. Pale-faced Asel clung to his left side. Asel flopped like a fish on a cutting board, denying the imminent future.
“Ro, Ronan? What're you doing? Not what I think, right? Right?”
Ronan didn't answer. Zaifa chuckled dryly and faced forward. As Asel hit his limit and screamed—
Bang! Zaifa's body sprang like a spring. The sky swallowed them.