The Traitor Paladin Emerges
A deafening clash of steel and bone echoed from deep underground.
"Phew, lots of them today, huh?"
Huuuk...! Kwadddduk!!
As Yunet grumbled and swung her long spear, the skeletons charging toward her split in half and collapsed.
"They're still coming, Lady Yunet!"
"Everyone~ Reform the phalanx. I'll scatter the front lines, so hold steady. Can't have our subjugation team's reputation in tatters today, right?"
Even in the heat of life-or-death combat, her voice carried a playful lilt. But the knights moved with perfect discipline, raising their shields in unison.
"Alright then... Let's get started?"
Standing alone at the front of the phalanx, Yunet grinned and began swinging her spear. Whirrririk!!!
"How many hours of this today, I wonder?"
With her nonchalant quip, the sharp sound of air slicing filled the space around her. The oncoming skeletons shattered mercilessly, scattering as fragments—like they'd been pulverized in a blender. The knights, who'd seen it many times before, couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
"A few slipped behind. You'll handle the ones climbing the walls from the rear, right?"
Even as she toyed with her spear at the front, Yunet's voice remained utterly relaxed. No matter how vast the horde of skeletons, they were mere fodder before her spear. The paladins' morale surged, their shield wall growing ever more solid.
"Hm?"
A little time passed like that. Then something felt off about their movements. They weren't just mindlessly charging—they were turning their heads as if hearing a voice.
And then— Grrooooaaarrr—!!!!!
"...!?! Oh no... this one's gonna be tough."
Yunet's carefree expression hardened. Like someone shoving from behind with all their might, the bone soldiers tangled and surged forward in a frenzy. Tripping over each other, climbing, trampling—it was pure madness, not even bothering with swords but slamming forward with their bodies. Before long, they towered over head height, crashing toward them like a massive wave.
"Phew... hope Mari holds up."
She's the weakest one back home. Gotta worry about her extra.
Tsk-tsk, Yunet shook her head. She channeled Holy Power into her spear. Flames erupted at the tip, blazing fiercer as the enormous white wave closed in.
Kwaaaaang—!!!
"B-block it!!!"
"Snap out of it—!!! Shields up, no matter what!!!"
The frenzied skeleton horde collided with the shield wall, unleashing a thunderous shockwave. Yunet and the front-line paladins were instantly buried under skeletons, the shields ripping apart and washing away pathetically.
"Uwaaaah! No good! Retreat, everyone!!!"
As her spear strikes quickened, so did the urgency in her voice. Each swing melted and shattered bones, carving out a safe zone—but it was futile. If I could just land one big hit, this wouldn't be shit! Yunet lamented inwardly. I wonder if Mari's okay? Ludia?? Both so weak, it's worrying...
She struggled desperately not to get swept under the tide of bones.
That was when— Fwoooong... Kwaaaa!!!
A massive beam of light erupted beside her. Skeletons vanished in an instant. Like denying a filthy existence, only ash and dust swirled in the light's wake.
"Wha... whoa?"
Yunet blinked in astonishment. What the hell? Just pure Holy Power blasted out raw? Even Dad can't do that?? This much of it???
Her lips twitched at the unfamiliar sight.
"Sis!!"
"Lady Yunet—!!!"
Familiar voices called from behind. Ludia and Mari came rushing up, breathless.
"Oh my god! Kids! Did you see that?? The light whooshing out?!"
She should've asked if they were safe first. But curiosity burst out ahead of worry.
"Sigh... Sis, not now..."
"You saw it? Yeah? What was that? Did the Church lend you a sacred weapon or something? Never seen anything like it!"
Forget everything else—tell me, what was that just now?
The Yunet who'd been fretting over Mari and Ludia moments ago was gone, replaced by a slave to her curiosity, badgering for answers.
"That was... Master Huu, Sis."
"Master Huu? How??"
Ugh. (Wha... like this?)
Huu, standing behind Ludia with sword in hand, awkwardly mimicked the earlier scene. He'd focused hard in the heat of the moment, but now on the spot, embarrassment hit. Guess I'm no performer, he muttered to himself—but no one was listening.
But Yunet couldn't tear her eyes from him.
"W-wait... you think that makes Holy Power come out?"
"Sis! Clear these first and talk!! We need time to retreat!"
Uwoooo—!!!!
Mari pointed at another wave of skeletons surging from the front.
"No, this is more interesting..."
"Master Huu! Show us after we block them! Keep Sis focused!"
Mari yelled and stepped forward, gripping her greatsword with both hands—ready to hold the line.
Ugh.. (Can't even speak...)
"Ludia, aren't you curious too? How'd he do it?"
"S-Sis, we can talk later..."
"Wait, I think I read about this in a book once. Back in the hero's era..."
"....."
Ah... she's totally nuts. Been feeling off since earlier—was this why?
Ludia tried calming Yunet, but she wouldn't listen. Mari, as if expecting it, sighed and tightened her grip on her sword.
Skeletons charging right now, and she's lost it... right? ...Guess it's unavoidable?
Huu sighed deeply and raised his hand.
Chuu.
"Huh? Master Huu, why kiss the ring all of a sudden? Then swing the sword?"
Tok.
"Eek? Why tap my forehead? You did it earlier too?"
Packing urgency, aiming for concise and dignified. Something tells me this works on her. Mari said speak, so I did?
("You chewy bitch!! Shut up and swing that spear!!! Before I spank your ass red!!!!!")
"...Hic!"
Perfect effect.
A top-notch blender blade was one before. But now? Three of 'em.
Kwagagak—!!!
"Whoa. First time doing this. Kinda fun?"
"Sis, focus. Ludia's behind us—no letting any through."
Me, Yunet, and Mari lined up at the front, swinging away. The enemies sliced clean through. Even a blender couldn't match this.
"Master Huu. You'll really show us after, right?"
("Kuhahahaha! You damn wench! Fine! I'll show you plenty! Come to my bedroom after!!")
Yunet swung her spear fiercely yet leisurely. Her prowess seemed the strongest of anyone I'd seen.
"Ooh! Feels like my power's surging!"
"Haa..."
And her mentality too. Ludia and Mari go dazed or blush at my words. But she gets energized.
...Definitely not normal. Now I get why she'd thrive in hell.
"Enemy numbers are nearly depleted!!!"
Our front-line slashing worked wonders. The subjugation team regained morale, reforming instead of retreating. They even handled situational awareness we couldn't.
"But Master Huu, where'd you learn swordsmanship? No wasted moves."
"Sis, please."
The one spacing out mid-battle... probably just her.
"...Hm?"
"??"
"Whoa! Master Huu! The skeletons are hesitating!!"
We'd been swinging casually for a while when Ludia pointed it out—but I'd noticed too. The undying horde halted their deathless charge, twitching. Then they split into two, hugging the cavern walls.
"Sis, what is that?"
"Dunno? First time for me too."
"It's like... they're waiting for someone..."
(Hmm... their boss coming out?)
Kuung.
The dungeon shook with a massive boom.
Kuung. Kuung.
Slow, rhythmic tremors followed. Something enormous approached us.
"...!?! Sis!"
"Wha??! W-what's that??!!"
From the pitch-black depths, a shadowy figure emerged. Towering frame. Faded platinum armor encasing its body. And... grotesque graffiti covering it. Over holy symbols on the armor, crimson blood and black runes were etched.
"A h-heretic!!"
"What?! Why's a heretic walking alive?!"
"Beats me. Lots of weird stuff today."
Kuung!!
As we panicked, the heretic knight—called that now—closed in. He slammed the massive greatsword from his back into the ground, cratering the floor with a resonant thud.
"Greetings, you mongrels of the loathsome Church."
"...Rough first words."
"Sigh. Skeletons earlier, heretic now. Bad luck today."
"It's weird... that Holy Power feels like..."
"I am he once called Luzadio by your kind."
"???!!!!"
His deep, steady voice boomed, silencing all three at once. Even Yunet, who lost her cool in any situation, snapped to attention.
Luzadio? Rings a bell. Wait...
(What's a Luzadio?! Why's he growling like that in front of me?!)
"The Paladin of... Absolute Defense..."
Ludia answered my inner question in a daze, her face disbelieving despite her eyes.
Ugh. (Ah. Right.)
The invincible paladin who blocked all attacks with his greatsword. A legend across the continent until Amelia's rise. A man among men, overcoming immigrant prejudice to rise proudly!
No wonder they shut up.
Ughhh.. (Fuck...)
We're screwed. Why's he here? Even the hero and Amelia together couldn't beat him in the story.
Now I joined their silence.
"Straight to the point."
Luzadio, not yet battle-ready, exhaled heavily from his helm and pointed a finger.
"Hand over that one. The one I've awaited long. In return, I'll show you mercy."
"??!!"
His finger pointed at one of us. Saintess candidate Ludia? Too far forward. Yunet, questionable sanity? Too far right. Mari? Too left.
...Wait... no way.
Ugh? (Me?)
Nod.
"......."
That damn giant was pointing at me. I darted side to side—his finger followed.
"M-Master Huu..."
"...."
Aw, hell. I don't swing that way.