Chapter 395: Bring It On!
Chapter 395: Bring It On!
I was in the middle of sleeping, hugging Fay—who had seemed more troubled than usual today—like a body pillow.
I was jolted awake by the sound of someone sprinting down the hallway, screaming at the top of their lungs.
“It’s an ambush! Cultists and monsters are crossing the Black Iron Mountains! Warriors, take up your arms! Everyone else, assist the warriors!”
“…What the?”
My mind was still foggy from sleep, and I was trying to process what I had just heard.
Then, that same voice hammered the reality of the situation home.
“Lady Astrid has summoned the army of the Evil God!!”
“Goddammit.”
I told them I was leaving tomorrow, so of course they attack at dawn today.
I wished I had just misheard it in my sleep. I suppressed the irritation bubbling up from being forced awake so abruptly.
I’d vent this on the cultists and monsters later. For now, I had to get ready.
Looking around, I saw that everyone else was already up. Only Fay, who was mentally exhausted and the weakest of the group, was still squirming under the covers.
I lightly shook her awake as she tried to burrow deeper into my arms, whimpering.
“Senior Fay. Wake up.”
“Mmm… if you want to feel my breasts, go ahead… I’m sleeping….”
“I didn’t wake you up to tell you something that obvious. We have a problem.”
“Mine are bigger….”
“The army of the Evil God is attacking.”
“Good luck… if you need potions, take them from my bag….”
“They say it’s the group your stepmother brought.”
“…Huh?”
That seemed to shock her. Fay bolted upright and looked around frantically.
I watched the rest of the party already grabbing their gear—or rather, their weapons—and asked, “What does that even mean?!”
“I know, right? I have no idea what’s going on either.”
It was absurd. It was true that the Yarnshard territory was near the border, but it was still some distance from the actual front lines.
And yet, monsters that were supposedly being held back were suddenly pouring in? And the one leading them was the mistress of this very house?
That sounded as ridiculous as saying unicorns were real! Where would you even find a horse with a horn? It’s not like they’re platypuses!
But you know what? Rhinos are actually part of the order Perissodactyla, just like horses. So, strictly speaking, it gets complicated, but you could argue they’re basically horses with horns. Which means you could technically count them as unicorns!
“So, this sudden commotion might actually be the real deal.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I agree with you, Junior—this is definitely a disaster.”
“Exactly. It’s hard to believe Lady Astrid would lead them… but it’s certain that the army of the Evil God is closing in.”
I nodded and did a quick status check. My body felt a bit heavy from the lack of sleep, but there were no other issues.
I figured I could cover the fatigue with mana. As I began to circulate my power, Fay’s expression, which had been locked in deep thought, suddenly hardened.
“…No. If it’s her, she’s more than capable of doing this.”
“I take it you have an idea why.”
“Lady Astrid… I have no idea what she sees in a man like that, but she’s obsessed with my father.”
“What does that have to do with joining an Evil God?”
“She’s the kind of person who would do anything to be loved by him. And they say the Evil God preys on desperate hearts, don’t they?”
“Ah.”
Lokan was suffering from an unknown terminal illness and was on his deathbed. What if there was a way to save him?
“She’s exactly the type who would willingly hold hands with an Evil God.”
Fay sighed as she changed her clothes. She wouldn’t be standing on the front lines herself this time either, but a battlefield was a place where anything could happen.
She was already being ostracized by the territory, and she’d mentioned being targeted for assassination in the past. We had to be prepared.
Just as we finished our preparations and were about to head out to assess the situation—
“Excuse me!”
Bang!
The door flew open with enough force to nearly shatter it. Someone had barged in without permission, but now wasn’t the time to quibble over etiquette.
It was a familiar maid—the dwarf woman who was said to be Baru’s daughter. She panted as she spoke.
“It’s an ambush! Cultists are leading monsters over the Black Iron Mountains! They’ve already approached within visual range, so you must flee immediately! Please prepare to… oh, you’re already ready. Thank goodness.”
Seeing her sigh in relief, I let out a small smirk and asked, “Come to think of it, I never got your name. What should I call you?”
“It’s Lyu, Lyubvina.”
“Right, Lyubvina. Why did you only come to find us now?”
Usually, when something this dangerous happened, the priority was to evacuate important guests to safety. Especially since Fay, who carried the Yarl’s blood, was here.
“I’ve been treated like a VIP everywhere lately, so this kind of neglect feels almost refreshing.”
“That’s….”
Lyubvina flinched as if something had occurred to her. Well, it was obvious—they probably just didn't want to deal with Fay.
To think they’d maintain that attitude even when Astrid was leading an army of the Evil God. Maybe they hadn't tasted the spicy reality of cultists yet.
Just as I was sighing inwardly—
“I think it’s because everyone is terrified of you, Duke Yandel.”
“Ah.”
I guess I was the spicy one.
I was taken aback by the unexpected reason, but Lyubvina continued in a grave voice, as if there was no time to waste.
“Now is not the time for this. You must move with Lady Fay immediately.”
“Ahem. You’re right. Lead the way, Lyubvina.”
“Yes. Follow me, and we can head outside the territory through the basement—”
“No. To the fortress walls.”
“…Pardon?”
Lyubvina looked up at me, her eyes wide. She began to stutter, unable to comprehend what she had just heard.
“B-but the walls are dangerous. This isn't the time to spectate; you need to get to safety—”
“Have you not heard the rumors about me?”
“The… God Killer?”
“I wouldn't have earned a title like that by just running away.”
I gave a light shrug and turned my gaze to Fay.
“Is that okay with you, Senior Fay?”
“Huh? What is?”
“The people here. They’re the ones who ignored you and insulted you. I’m asking if you’re okay with fighting to protect them.”
Fay let out a hollow laugh, looking at me as if I were being ridiculous.
“Junior… what exactly do you think of me?”
“A gloomy, petite, busty, beautiful gearhead?”
“That’s too long! And that has nothing to do with the current situation! But thanks for calling me beautiful!”
After shouting at me, Fay let out a long sigh and nodded.
“Well, it’s true I have a lot of grievances… but I cut ties with all that yesterday. More importantly, whose lover do you think I am? I know how to separate personal feelings from duty. If it’s something that needs to be done, I’ll do it, Junior. I’ll help however I can.”
“You heard her, Lyubvina.”
Lyubvina, who had been standing dazed by Fay’s words, finally snapped out of it and bowed deeply.
“I will take you to the place with the best vantage point. …And, thank you.”
Lyubvina turned and led the way. We followed her at a brisk pace through the hallways.
When we stepped outside, the immediate area was deserted. However, once we moved past the estate, we saw countless dwarves moving busily. Everyone was scrambling to find their post.
As we passed through the chaotic streets, I could hear hushed whispers from all around.
“Lady Astrid…? Is it true?”
“I’m telling you, it is. It’s not just a rumor; she told us to open the gates and surrender quietly.”
“Is she insane?! With the Yarl being ill, what kind of madness is this…?”
Half of them were in shock, finding Astrid’s betrayal hard to believe, while the other half were cursing her name.
Listening to this, a question occurred to me, and I asked Lyubvina.
“By the way, what has Lady Astrid been doing that no one noticed anything until she showed up with a horde of monsters?”
“…Since the Yarl collapsed, she has been handling the Yarnshard family’s affairs. So, when Lady Fay arrived and she said she was taking Young Master Svid to handle proxy duties for a while, no one suspected a thing. At most, people just thought she didn't want to see Lady Fay.”
“She rushed off as soon as Fay arrived and brought back monsters… there’s definitely something there.”
Well, whatever Astrid’s circumstances were, it wasn't my concern.
The important thing was that she hadn't just paved the way for the cultists and monsters, but had even advised the people not to resist and to surrender quietly.
Whether she was a hidden cultist all along, a recent convert, or just a collaborator—it didn't matter. She was an enemy that needed to be killed.
If it was an Evil God active in the North, it was likely Reckless Roar.
Unlike Ugly Prosperity or Boiling Silence, this one didn't grant special abilities, but instead bestowed pure, raw strength and a sturdy physical body.
But for me, that made them an easier opponent. I wouldn't lose to anyone in a straightforward contest of power.
I climbed up onto the fortress wall, intending to drop a Punishment on them immediately, and surveyed the surroundings.
“Wait.”
What the hell?
Why are there so many of them?
Didn't you guys get half-annihilated by Solari a while back?