Chapter 479
Chapter 479
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 479
Chapter Title: Killing Demons
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"Ooh! Thank you!"
The brass-colored dagger gleamed with a luster that screamed high-end craftsmanship, forged with deadly precision. Its blade was sturdy and razor-sharp.
Religious artifacts typically inflicted bonus damage on evil entities. For a dagger wielded by paladins, nothing could be better.
What a stroke of luck.
Religious folk were fundamentally good people at heart. Unlike the barbaric extremes of other isekai natives, they embodied true justice and honor. They'd rewarded me fittingly for rolling up my sleeves on their behalf.
Do good, and good follows.
"It's only right. Nothing would please us more than if you use it to slay demons. This holy relic carries Verde's blessing, so it should be lethal to them."
The pastor uncle beamed, delighted by my satisfaction. Utterly gratifying.
"Of course! I'll dye this brass blade with demon blood!"
"Haha. Looking at you, you seem to have the makings of a paladin. If you're interested in our Brass Celestial Society, I'll give you a copy of our scriptures."
"Heh heh heh. Proselytizing?"
"Proselytizing."
I sure got proselytized a lot these days.
Paladin, huh. Come to think of it, the greaves I wore were also something Claudy had traded for at church during a festival and passed to me.
Keep collecting gear like this, and I might assemble a full paladin set.
"Sadly, I've got my own ethnic faith. Appreciate the offer, though."
"Hmm, a pity. But when it comes to righteous deeds, religion makes no difference. May your path be filled with blessings."
"You too, pastor!"
I bid him a cheerful farewell and stepped outside.
With two vials of holy water and the Brass Celestial Society's custom dagger, even run-of-the-mill demons would be bawling for their mommies, begging for mercy.
Of course, I had no intention of forgiving those dogshit bastards.
"Blacky scored something good, huh?"
"Heh heh heh, you said it."
Suddenly, I had an extra backup weapon. Between Karin's dagger and this one, weapons were the least of my worries.
"Nice dagger. Fatal to demons... perfect."
Claudi tapped the dagger appraisingly. She was a weapon expert too and recognized its value right away.
"Can't wait for the moment I soak this blade in demon blood!"
"Heh heh heh, that eager to see it?"
I strapped the dagger to my belt and headed home.
Once there, with some time to kill, I tidied up the house and maintained my gear. To be blunt, the equipment I'd seized from those adventurers at the mansion last time was subpar at best.
Breastplate, pauldrons, and quilted armor.
Fine for temporary use, but if I made some coin this time, they'd be the first to go. Until then, I gave them a thorough cleanup to ward off rust.
"Hmm... gotta buy new boots too."
Shoes were consumables, after all.
The pricey combat boots from last time were teetering on the edge of worn-out. Time to replace them soon.
As I busied myself, Karin returned.
"Sis is back. Huh? What's this? Working from home now?"
She spotted me polishing gear.
She could tell at a glance, as always.
"Heading out tomorrow-ish. But it's near the city, so no overnights probably."
"Good to hear. Anyway, catch."
She tossed me what looked like a sword. I snatched it midair—it was indeed a hefty two-hander.
"Huh? This?"
"New sword. Told you I'd hook you up last time."
"Oh! Ooooh!! Kaaaaarin!!!"
Karin had promised me one of her swords once my sword aura training showed progress. This looked like the one tucked away from when she'd let me pick that black iron longsword ages ago.
Meaning it was a damn fine blade!
"Kyahaha, love it that much? It's not some legendary thing, but it feels similar to the one my hubby snagged last time. I used it plenty too. Treat it right. Don't shatter it—or if you do, back it up with results."
"Thanks, Karin!!!"
I lunged at her, rubbing my face against her belly. She ruffled my hair and said,
"Wanna spar with sis using your new toy?"
"Hell yeah!"
I grabbed the sword, and we headed to the backyard.
"Karin sis is back?"
"Winia been good?"
"Good times with Blacky."
"Damn, jealous. Hubby, hurry over! Exclusive sis time starts now!"
"Yup."
Out in the backyard, I gripped the new sword. It looked weathered, but meticulous care left not a single flaw.
A very crude blade.
Yet the instant I held it, I knew. Perfect weight, impeccable balance. Nothing lacking. Crude meant practical. The thick edge screamed it was made for someone of Karin's caliber.
Crafted for a mana-boosted powerhouse.
Length matched my black iron longsword, but heavier.
"Great sword, right? Better durability too."
"Whoa... this is the real deal. Incredible."
"Like hubby's dick?"
"Who said that!"
"Kyahaha. Anyway, come at me. You're heading out tomorrow—gotta check if all that home training dulled your edge. I'll go easy."
Looks like a rough session today.
Gonna sweat buckets.
—Swish.
I stripped off my shirt and draped it over a chair.
"Kyaa."
Karin grinned wickedly.
"Every damn time, you're so pretty I could die."
"Heh heh heh. Same to you, sis."
—Whoosh!
I swung the sword a few times to get the feel. Heavier than my usual, but no problem. Excellent balance—it fit my palm like it was made for me.
"Here I go."
"Bring it."
—Dash!
I lunged at Karin, thrusting. The swing felt flawless. Packed with this power, demons were dog chow.
—Clang!
Karin effortlessly raised her blade, wrapping mine in a fluid parry that blended defense and counter seamlessly. Breaking through her guard was beyond my current level.
I focused on defense while hounding her with relentless attacks.
"Good, good. Growing steadily. I can feel you sharpening with every clash. Polish it a tad more, and I might even call you knight-grade."
Her words, blocking everything, were pure praise. She was too strong for me to gauge my exact progress.
"For real?"
"Sis ever bullshit about swordplay?"
"Never!"
For about thirty minutes, I sparred fiercely under her feedback. Less a spar and more one-on-one coaching, with her perfectly matching my pace.
—Haa.
I was drenched head to toe, but Karin looked untouched. As we wrapped up, she sauntered over and groped me all over.
"Augh... what am I gonna do with this body? Hm? Keep making sis horny?"
"Hey, what'd I do? Your body's just as tempting."
"Hng... right here then?"
"Give the neighbors a show?"
She laughed it off as a joke and sheathed her sword.
"Now, let's check your sword aura."
"Eyes on it."
I assumed position and focused. Mana churned within, surging up the blade. Days of training had honed the knack.
—Crackle.
It formed noticeably faster than before.
I slashed the air a few times, then dispersed it. Felt like it'd burned about seventy percent of my mana.
"Whoa, speed's definitely up. Put in time, and it'll drop more. You're killing it. But real fights? Get sis's okay first."
Praise laced with advice from Karin.
"Sword aura users always bleed out chasing that finishing blow. Sis's hard-earned wisdom—I've killed plenty who tried."
Holy shit.
Too scary.
"Don't fixate on it. Save it for mastery. Half-baked techniques are a gamble."
"Got it. Sis knows best on this."
Her advice rang true—she outclassed me in every way.
"Heh heh heh. Soon I'll catch up, though?"
"Catch? Nah, surpass. Big hopes pinned on you."
"Expectantly waiting."
By then, Lisha had returned.
"Sparring with Karin?"
"Yeah. Lisha just back?"
I gave her butt a gentle pat. She kissed my neck, showering affection.
"Hee hee, arrived moments ago. Oh, and... that succubus we repelled before—she's back, right?"
"Yup."
After parting with Hildegaard, I'd told my wives. They were intrigued—no real worry, save Winia. They'd heard the succubus's power level from me already.
At Claudy, Karin, or Lisha's tier? That succubus was toast.
"This talisman repels demons. Carry it, and next encounter, you can drive her off."
She handed me an odd charm with two bells dangling.
"Ooh! Thanks, Lisha!"
With this, zero worries!
"But demon hunt tomorrow. Won't they bolt before I spot 'em?"
"Tomorrow already? No fret. Must show it directly for full effect."
Like flashing a cross at a vampire? Anyway, I kneaded Lisha's butt in gratitude.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I woke at dawn, geared up, and timed my exit to match Karin and Lisha's work hours. Said goodbyes en route, then hit the Adventurer's Guild. Bounty from Matellis should've cleared by now—worth a check.
Time to confirm.
"D-rank adventurer Katt here. Any bounties come in under my name?"
"Bounty? Uh, one sec. I'll check upstairs."
I told the clerk, who headed up to the second floor. No way the City Guard skimmed my payout, right? Anxious wait later, he returned.
"Yup. City Guard dropped it off days ago. Verify and sign."
"Ooh, thanks."
Exactly fifteen silver in the pouch. Asked, and they said it'd count toward achievements too.
Stood up in high spirits.
Live righteously, live well.
"Claudi. Winia. Spirit mage bounty cleared."
"Huh, yeah. Over a month now."
Perfect for rations.
Out of the guild, swung by the general store for sausages, jerky, cheese, dried fruit—packed my bag and beelined for the gates.
—Bustle bustle.
Morning rush crammed the gates. Paladins and Lord Isvant's soldiers streamed through. Demons nearby had everyone mobilizing.
The crowd spilled outside.
Adventurers, soldiers, paladins, merchants—all mixed. Felt like the zombie festival all over again.
They chattered busily as they hustled.
This turnout screamed real trouble.
"Hmm, big crowd? Gotta go far?"
"Looks that way."
"Blacky. This thing really finds demons? With soldiers and paladins everywhere, shouldn't they be wiped already?"
Worrisome if true.
Said forces were thin, but this seemed ample. Could exterminate every last demon.
I unfolded my map to plot a route when someone approached.
"Excuse me. Aren't you..."
"Yes? You know me?"
It was a priest. He lit up at my face.
"Ah, matches the description. You're the Saint of the Crusade Army, aren't you?"
Recognized again.