Chapter 89
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: The Princess's Temptation (2)
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Wooddd-crack-.
The sight of the man's neck twisted at a right angle, accompanied by that spine-chilling sound, was grotesque enough to make one's skin crawl. I couldn't help but wonder just how his neck joint was put together.
And from within his robe, grayish smoke was billowing out. I had no idea what it was, but one thing was certain—it reeked of ill omen.
"...Who are you?"
I narrowed my eyes and drew my sword.
He'd ignored the chance to back off, and his behavior was suspicious. With Elena right there, I couldn't just stand by as her attendant.
If he meant any harm, I'd swing my sword without a second thought.
I only hoped it wouldn't come to that.
"I-I... I serve Him.... N-Necessary... sacrifice...."
Was it because his twisted neck was cutting off blood to his brain? His words came out in a stutter, his teeth clacking together with a clack-clack.
That "Him" he mentioned—did he mean the god from before?
Questions flooded my mind, but I had no intention of asking. No desire to, either.
This guy stank of trouble from a mile away. No way I wanted to get involved.
"Back off now. You're interrupting the Duchess's meal."
"M-Mea...."
He muttered in a low voice, then froze completely. His head slowly drooped forward, like a robot whose battery had just died.
That's when the abnormality struck.
Plip... plop-.
A strange sound drew my gaze downward, where dark, viscous droplets were splattering onto the ground.
When he lifted his head—still facing down—I spotted the source. Black ooze was streaming from his eyes, like tears.
'...A dead body would be less creepy than this.'
The thought flashed through my mind at that exact moment.
He kicked off the ground and lunged forward at an unbelievable speed for such a lanky guy.
And his first target? The carriage. More precisely, the coachman hiding behind it.
The coachman, peeking out, went wide-eyed.
'Not Elena, but him...?'
Normally, wouldn't the highest-value target go first? Attacking the coachman made no sense.
Either way, I couldn't let our precious coachman get offed.
If he died, I'd have to drive the carriage myself.
Thud-!
I kicked off with all my strength, dirt exploding behind me as I shot forward.
I caught up quickly and swung my sword viciously, but...
My neck-aimed strike had to settle for severing one arm. He'd dodged back too fast.
Thud-.
The severed arm hit the ground, followed by scraps of robe fluttering down belatedly.
'What the hell is this thing...?'
Catching up hadn't been hard—thanks to my aura. But his movements were far beyond human limits.
Though with a neck like that, normal was off the table anyway.
As long as he didn't shoot lasers from his mouth, I'd call it a win.
Hoo-.
I exhaled the questions cluttering my head. No need to dwell on him. If he threatened Elena, I'd end him here and now.
As I readjusted my grip, it happened.
From his severed arm stump—where blood-like ooze had been flowing—bubbles began to boil up. It thickened, clumped, and soon took shape.
An arm. The congealed liquid had formed a replacement.
As he flexed his fingers, the goo clung stickily, but it seemed to function just fine.
"Meal.... Sacrifice...."
Muttering unpleasantly, he charged me. Each step closed the distance in a blur.
His movements? Animalistic, not human. And a pretty dumb animal at that.
Reading his predictable charges was easy. I sidestepped lightly and swung.
The blade sliced through cloth and skin, muscle and bone. Entering at his waist, it cleaved him clean in two and exited the other side.
His bisected body tumbled across the ground several times before stopping.
I flicked my sword through the air, shaking off the black gunk.
Turning back, I saw his upper half still writhing.
His lower half lay inert a short distance away. Regeneration, yes—but no splitting, apparently.
'So the question is, how do I kill this thing...'
There had to be a way. Nothing lasted forever in this world.
Time to test the basics, one by one. I approached and casually lopped off his head. It rolled a couple times, stopping at my feet.
'Not that, huh...'
He blinked nonchalantly. I waited, but only signs of regeneration appeared.
That's when it happened.
"Try stabbing this thing's heart."
Had she finished eating already? Elena was right beside me.
I raised my sword toward the headless, legless torso as she suggested. The moment the blade pierced its heart—
Something squirmed beneath the skin and burst out.
Covered in black ooze, it resembled an insect—a centipede, specifically.
Instinct told me: this bug was why the man had turned monstrous.
I swung to kill it—but
"Luke, stop."
I halted instantly. The reason didn't matter. If Elena wished it, I obeyed.
Meanwhile, she traced a finger through the air. A magic circle formed at her fingertip, freezing the airborne insect in place.
"Luke, there should be a transparent glass vial in my bag. Could you grab it for me?"
"Yes, right away."
I bowed lightly and headed straight for the carriage.
Don't kill the bug. Fetch the vial. Her intent was clear: capture it alive. Why? No clue.
At the carriage, I rummaged through Elena's bag. A gift from her mentor, it looked small but had vast space inside.
Problem: I had zero idea how to use a magic bag.
Mages pulled out exactly what they wanted. Not me.
'Just empty it all out.'
I started pulling things indiscriminately: magic tools, a banquet dress...
And...
"... "
In my hand: Elena's undergarment, supporting certain... areas.
'Was this always this big? Feels like it could hold a melon...'
I shook my head to clear the thought. No way I'd think of my lady like that.
I finally found the vial—after pulling out her panties four times and bras three.
"Duchess, here it is."
"Thanks."
She took it and flicked her fingers again. The lid popped open; the floating bug zipped inside. The lid sealed, a magic circle etching over it.
The insect thrashed futilely against the magically sealed vial.
With the bug extracted, the man's body turned into a cold corpse. Incident over.
'What a mess...'
I pushed the thought aside and turned to Elena.
"Duchess, what should I do with the body?"
"I'll handle it."
"But I can't let you dirty your hands..."
"Wasn't planning to use my hands?"
She shrugged and wiggled her finger. The scattered remains burst into flames, gray smoke and a foul stench rising.
I bowed to her as she watched.
"My shortcomings forced you to act, Duchess. I'm sorry."
"I barely did anything. No need to apologize."
"You told me where the insect was hiding."
"Just a heads-up. Not stealing your credit."
She approached, pulling a handkerchief from her bosom. Gently, she wiped the corner of my mouth.
"Seriously, I told you to eat the sandwich slowly. You've got crumbs everywhere..."
"Thank you for your concern."
"Good. Let's clean up and get going."
She smiled and stepped toward the carriage.
How much did she know, and how far? How'd she even know about the bug in the heart?
Questions swirled, but they'd wait. Plenty of time till the capital. I could ask one whenever it got boring.
We learned the man's identity much later.
A priest guarding the capital's gates with the guards said,
"...You've encountered a heretic."
Seems they served something this world wanted nothing to do with.