Chapter 227
Chapter 227
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 227
Chapter Title: Crusade Army
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"Darkie, cut the bullshit already. Sis, you gonna rein her in or what?"
"Why? She's full of energy—it's a nice sight."
"Sis, you're not exactly normal yourself."
Did my dance reach the heavens?
Sweat streamed down my forehead. I had no idea, but at least this should have honored the souls of the victims. It felt great to do some good deed for once... Was there salvation?
There definitely was.
"Elise. That's enough—take a break. I'll handle the rest."
"Haa... haa... No, I can keep going."
"It's fine. You went overboard, kid. Go sit down."
"...Understood. Then I'll rest for a bit."
Elise trudged over, mace pickled in fatigue, breathing raggedly. Despite her exhaustion, her face wore a fresh expression—one only someone utterly convinced of their righteousness could muster.
A bit violent, sure, but it was genuinely good work.
These bandit scum weren't content with killing and pillaging—they devoured human flesh too. Laying into scum like that was as righteous as Doctors Without Borders on a medical pilgrimage.
Torturing evildoers was something to boast about. Elise plopped down beside Winia, uncorked her canteen, and gulped down water.
I squatted next to a bandit reduced to half a rag, peering down at him.
"Hey. You eat people? You think that's something a human does?"
"...I was hungry... so hungry... Please, stop... just stop..."
He had hardly any teeth left, and he'd lost so much blood he was ghostly pale.
He pried his mouth open with effort.
"Bullshit."
No human can endure torture. Not even a lifelong elite spec-ops agent—proper torment turns them into sniveling brats.
It wasn't a matter of mental fortitude.
Just human limits.
"You're the type who'd eat human flesh for fun even if you weren't starving. Still making excuses? Guess my torture was a bit too gentle. Round two."
"Uwaaaah!!! No, stop!!! Please!!!"
"Shut up, asshole. Just kidding. Heh heh heh... Fun, right?"
"..."
"No answer?"
"F-Fun!"
"See?"
In this state, he'd answer anything honestly.
I mulled it over, then spoke.
"Why the face tattoo?"
"H-Hii... W-Well..."
"Why the tattoo?!"
"A b-blessing! To receive Lord Ezath's blessing..."
"Did you get it?"
"N-No, I didn't..."
"Oh? How many did?"
"D-Don't know the exact number... Just that a few did..."
"I see..."
Deathbed honesty—he spilled everything without hesitation. If he'd lived like that from the start, he wouldn't be dying like this.
Foolish bastard.
That was karma.
I invested a bit more time and violence, grilling him on everything I was curious about.
Soon, the utterly spent bandit tearfully begged.
"Please... enough... kill me..."
In the end, the interrogation yielded squat.
He barely knew anything worthwhile. All we got were horrific tales—like the brutal massacres in conquered villages, or their inhuman menu since yesterday's lunch.
Looks like they half-deserted, starving enough to raid people.
They got fed up waiting for blessings that never came, or some crap. Apparently, eating human flesh was one way to earn them.
Lunatics.
No wonder religious folk like Elise despised heretics. Twisted faith and vile practices dragged humanity into terror and despair.
They all needed exterminating.
"Fine. Live happily in hell."
"Hey, Katt. Gonna kill him now?"
Just as I was about to, Claudy approached.
"Yeah. What?"
"Mind if I do it?"
"Heh, come here."
"Thanks!"
She really loved this stuff.
"Sniff... M-Mommy..."
"Kekeke. Mommy my ass. A creep like you had a mom?"
"Sniff, sob...!"
Pathetic at the end, as expected.
No pity. Just disgust and an urge to mock. I taunted him with maximum contempt, sticking out my tongue and wagging it mockingly.
"A-Ah..."
Those were his last words.
If you value your life, value others' too.
Clang!
Claudi drew her curved sword with a provocative grin and lopped off the bandit's head in one stroke. Like a guillotine, the blade dropped, and the head rocketed up with absurd momentum.
Thwack!
Claudi booted the airborne head sky-high, then snatched it on the way down. "Lord Hell-Khan." She muttered softly, then neatly placed it with the others.
"Five heads make five silver? Hmm, better take 'em to Isvant? Don't turn 'em in yet—save 'em for max profit."
Claudi eyed the neatly arrayed heads with satisfaction. A hassle, but yeah, city prices were better.
"Mm... yeah. Let's do that. First, loot the spoils. These guys have more than expected."
"Got it."
Monster-like, but human at core. Killers and thieves hoarded plenty.
Elise and I rifled through corpses and dragged out everything from the tents.
Jewelry, gear, and cash from the bodies—decent haul. Bandits like these carried their whole fortune on them.
Nothing to trust in this world but yourself.
Proof: valuables from bodies, garbage elsewhere.
"Heh heh heh. Heretic hunting pays, huh."
Weapons and bling alone? Jackpot.
Claiming loot stolen from innocents? Food chain truth.
Five kills netted about ten silver sans heads.
Treasure goblins.
"Quite right. Just recompense for our service, holy spoils."
"Yeah. Holier than holy."
Split four ways, still profitable. We scraped every scrap into backpacks, stuffed heads into our sack.
Selected wearable clothes, rolled tight. Shoes too trashed. Weapons strapped atop: two axes, three swords.
War raging—easy sales.
"Darkie, done?"
"Yeah. Oh, Winia—this necklace yours?"
"Trash design. Pass. Sell it."
Cheap trinkets, but metal value in town. Shouldered packs, grabbed sack. Time to head back.
Today's haul was plenty.
"Katt. Heavy? Gimme the sack."
"Nah. I got it. How heavy can it be?"
"Hee hee. So manly."
"Spec-ops manly."
Spec-ops never let their woman carry loads.
"Saint. Even so, sharing the burden... I'll take the pack."
"I said it's fine."
Like full battle rattle, but enhanced body laughed at it. Left the slaughterhouse camp, climbed the hill.
Moving now, we'd hit town by night.
Gate might balk, but guards stood firm—they'd open.
"Winia. Straight route."
"Duh."
No scouting this time—direct path, quicker. Winia navigated sans map, memorized it all.
Mage INT stat OP.
I recalled bits, but dense autumn forest blurred memories. Mage life.
"Memorized the whole route?"
"Duh. Couldn't you, darkie?"
"How the hell?"
"'Cause you're dumb."
"Nah, you're the smart one."
"Anyone's smart next to you."
"Fuck."
A few barbs lifted her mood—she beamed, striding vigorously. Inscrutable girl.
"Saint. Leaving you to carry alone irks me. The sack at least?"
"No, really. Part of macho training."
"Still..."
"Yeah, Elise cares—can't argue. Thanks."
Elise took the sack.
Truth: she was stronger. Arm-wrestle? I'd lose. Winia too, with strength spells. Claudy? Forget it.
But she'd probably smile and let me win.
"Hm hm~ Hm hm~."
Claudi hummed happily. Blood high after ages.
"Claudi. Feeling good?"
"Yeah. Refreshed. Got too comfy lately. Warriors gotta feed their blades."
"Hell-Khan vibes."
"Hee hee. Wanna convert, Katt?"
"I'll worship you."
"Eek, embarrassing."
Two hours in, we met the scouts. Morning crew? Their leader greeted us.
"Adventurers, eh? Good haul?"
"Yep. Smashed a heretic camp."
Elise opened the sack, showing heads.
"Ooh! Excellent! Take 'em to the hall—they'll pay! Thanks! Heading back? Join us—we're returning too!"
"Mind company?"
"Not at all!"
We tagged behind to town. Same route anyway.
"Darkie. Decent earnings today. Stick around? Or move on?"
"Hm... What's best? Your take?"
"Staying seems good."
"Then that's the plan."
Sunset by arrival. Scout leader thanked us, pointed to hall. We knew—holding for Isvant. Five heads? Ten silver.
Stay days, farm heretics, then city if satisfied. Short? Cash heads, hit next village.
Ride the main force if they advance—not bad.
Early bed for tomorrow.
"You three go ahead. I'll swap loot for cash."
"Solo, darkie?"
"What're you doubting?"
"Fine. Sis, bath time. Nun girl, c'mon."
Winia nudged Claudy's waist, calling Elise.
Elise shook her head.
"Leaving the Saint burdened alone sits wrong. I'll go too."
"...Fine."
"Katt. See ya."
"Yup yup."
Claudi grabbed the head sack, waved. She and Winia entered; Elise and I remained.
"Won't take long. Go on in."
"I can't."
"Then... we'll sell together."
Off to vend the gear.