Chapter 224: Kim Yoora
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 224: Kim Yoora
“Shit… Shit… What the hell is going on? You fucking knife-eared bitch, report the situation, now!”
“We are still gathering precise information, but it appears there are a total of six invaders, Master.”
“Damn it… Damn it… What happened to the castle? My father…”
Kimura Houtarou slapped the elf beside him for no reason. He saw her fall to the floor, her cheek flushed red, but he paid it no mind. Venting his anger was his priority. Just as his rage peaked and he considered running her through with his sword, the voice spoke again from behind.
“We have received reports that to the northwest, there is a green monster that paralyzes opponents with a strange shout, another that uses various kinds of magic, and one more carrying a strange doll.”
“Alright.”
“To the southeast, there is a large monster, a monster with long fangs, and… a human girl covered in tattoos.”
“A human?”
“Yes. She appears to be speaking the monsters’ language.”
He had no idea where they came from, but it was clear they weren't simple monsters; they were intelligent beings. He couldn't understand why a human was among them, but one thing was certain—they were attacking with the intent to slaughter every human in sight.
“Can you show me the situation?”
“It is impossible to see inside the castle, but I can show you the city.”
“Useful bitch.”
“Thank you.”
This was the reason Kimura Houtarou treated this elf differently. She possessed the unique ability to see distant places, and she was one of the princesses from the Elven Kingdom he had acquired after begging his father.
After a strange sensation washed over his mind, an image of the entire city appeared before him. Amidst the rampaging monsters, he could see a human girl riding a massive wolf.
“................!”
“......................!”
The girl was shouting something incomprehensible, and Kimura frowned. A moment later, her voice became clear. The quick-witted elven princess had cast a translation spell for him.
- Alright. No need to rush. This time, we wait for the enemy here.
- For Blood Dagger!
A human raised by monsters. It felt like he was watching some kind of anime. Just then, the members of the Yamato Clan, renowned for their skill within the city, came into view.
The battle began in an instant. As if on cue, monsters descended upon the Yamato Clan from all sides. Spells unlike any he or the elves used rained down, and weapon-wielding monsters systematically slaughtered the Yamato Summoners.
The one who stood out, of course, was the child leading the charge. She had a youthful face, looking fifteen at the absolute oldest, and her body was covered in red tattoos. With a dagger tattooed even on her face, it was difficult to imagine her true appearance.
What was astounding was her immense martial strength.
Every time she stomped her foot, weapons formed of red mana erupted from the ground. They were ephemeral, vanishing after a single swing of her spear or sword, but the faint sound they made as they dissipated was enough to make Kimura think the little brat was singing.
- Shields up! Advance!
The sight of her commanding the monsters from the front line was overwhelming. Her strength had to be among the best, even within the kingdom. Though hardly any time had passed, it was the members of the Yamato Clan who now lay bleeding on the ground.
“Impossible…”
Kimura muttered in spite of himself. The little brat with the red tattoos looked like a queen. He began to watch her more closely. The way she immediately repositioned after the battle was like that of a seasoned adventurer. She was methodically clearing out not only the streets but also the humans inside a large guild building. After the girl opened a door, a mother and her young child came into view, likely the family of a clan member.
- Sa…ve… Save me. P… Please, spare the child.
Recalling the gruesome scene from moments ago, Kimura swallowed hard. Then, he heard another voice.
- Yoora, anything there?
- No one. Let's go.
- Okay, Yoora.
It was strangely fascinating to see them spare humans who couldn't fight. But instead of feeling grateful for the tattooed brat's mercy, Kimura flashed a cruel smile.
“Aargh!”
Just then, a scream rang out. He turned to see the elven princess clutching her head, shrieking.
“What… What is it?”
“Pant… pant… It's nothing.”
Perhaps because she was an elf with slightly stronger mental fortitude, she occasionally had these seizures. He figured this was just another one. Turning to the elf still clutching her head, Kimura spoke again.
“Prepare the young elves and humans.”
“Yes, Master.”
He believed that capturing that brat could be the breakthrough he needed. She didn't seem mentally weak, but brainwashing magic worked by exploiting a target's vulnerabilities. It was how he had broken this princess, too. After he had systematically tortured her mother and younger sister, it became easy enough to worm his way into her mind, even with weak magic and mental power.
Besides, he was one of the city's recognized powerhouses. If he damaged her body and then exploited a real weakness, breaking her wouldn't be impossible.
Once he made the tattooed brat his own, he would use her to hunt the other monsters. They were hiding for now, but they would surely come for him eventually. It was better to make the first move.
With twenty young elves and about ten human children, Kimura moved his forces stealthily. The perfect spot was just where the monsters came into faint view.
Setting the trap was simple. He would strap mana bombs to the children and then push them into the monsters' arms.
Since they had already been lightly brainwashed, he was sure they would put on a convincing performance.
“My prince, the elves are one thing… but the children…”
“It's a worthy sacrifice. The kingdom is on the brink of ruin; we have no time to worry about such things.”
“I… I understand.”
Fools…
There is no victory without sacrifice. Kimura cursed inwardly and refocused. They were at a perfect distance—not too close, not too far. With their presence completely suppressed and concealed by elven magic, he was confident they wouldn't be discovered.
He saw the young elves and human children approaching the group of monsters.
“P… Please save us, big sister.”
“S… Please save us.”
The monsters probably couldn't understand them, but for now, they didn't seem hostile. They weren't firing arrows or swinging swords, merely holding their shields and keeping their distance. Thanks to the princess's translation spell, he could monitor the situation perfectly and retreat immediately if things went wrong. It was a risk-free operation. Kimura smiled faintly.
“Y… Yoora… W… What should we do?”
“...................................................”
She's hesitating. Kimura cheered inwardly. There's a chance! A moment later, the voice of the tattooed human brat came through.
“The Chieftain told us to spare the elves. If they stay here, they'll get caught in the fighting and die.”
“Now?”
“No, moving them to a safe place comes first.”
“What about the human kids?”
“We'll move the human kids with them. The Chieftain would have done the same.”
“Ah… hehe, that's our Yoora, right?”
Success. The brat named Yoora chose to accept the children. Just as he predicted. He couldn't let her die in the blast, so he would detonate them all at once with just enough force to incapacitate her.
When the body is damaged, the mind weakens as well.
“Shields up. I think it's best we move the children first.”
“Okay, Yoora.”
He had expected this, but they had fallen for it perfectly. Kimura quickly turned to the magician in charge of the mana bombs.
“Detonate them.”
“Y-Y-Yes, sir!”
After the magician finished his chant and gave the signal, a tremendous roar echoed through the air. The young elves and humans, held in the arms of the tattooed girl and the green monsters, began to explode.
BOOOOOM!
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
He worried the blast might have been a bit too powerful, but he was certain she wouldn't die from it. A few of the monsters behind her might be dead, but that didn't matter.
“Move out.”
“Y-Yes! Understood.”
He had to subdue her quickly to begin the brainwashing, so Kimura charged forward while chanting a spell. The shield-bearing knights also rushed ahead, as there might be other survivors.
“Ughhh… ugh…”
Hearing the groans, he knew the attack had been a success.
“Puhahahaha! You stupid bitch.”
He couldn't help but laugh. As the smoke slowly began to clear, he saw the monsters on the ground, coughing up blood. It seemed strange that their wounds didn't look too severe, but he dismissed it. In any case, they were no longer able to fight.
“Sh… Shields up!”
Seeing them struggle back to their feet was almost worthy of applause. Kimura kept laughing as his magicians continued to rain down spells.
BOOOOM!
Another explosion roared, and the smoke cleared again. He expected to see them completely wiped out, but instead, there was a hazy barrier, like a magical shield. Then, an immense wave of mana erupted from somewhere. A green monster holding a massive sword appeared. It opened its mouth, and the translated words reached him clearly.
“Ah… Mister… Ugh…”
“Kim Yoora. You are combat-ineffective. Return to the castle at once with the Goff Clan Ogre. The Chieftain and Hark will be waiting.”
“I'm… I'm sorr…”
“Not bad, but you were inexperienced.”
Kimura's hands began to tremble uncontrollably.
He's on a different level.
The sword-wielding monster's bulging muscles, the mana pouring from its body, its seemingly unbreakable will—everything about it was perfect. Kimura naturally came to one conclusion.
He's the leader.
They had superior numbers, but if they stayed here, they would all be annihilated. He was certain of it.
“I-It's the monsters' leader.”
“Retch…”
A subordinate behind him muttered the words, and Kimura swallowed hard. He could see one man vomiting, unable to withstand the pressure of the mana, and another who had wet himself. The sheer killing intent made his own body tremble. As he stood frozen, unable to decide whether to fight or flee, the monster's mouth slowly opened.
“I am Hazaku, an elite Orc swordsman of the Blood Dagger Clan.”
F… Fuck…
He's not the leader.
Unable to comprehend the situation, Kimura felt his legs begin to shake uncontrollably.