16
Chapter 16
I got a new vassal.
It happened so suddenly that my past self, who had seriously agonized over how to create vassals, seemed like a complete idiot.
Kanto couldn't become one, so why was Rake able to?
"I am Muri, daughter of Dokin and Muta, and High Priest of the Brown Rock Tribe. It is a great honor to meet the Loa in person before this old woman passes."
While I was spacing out, Muri approached and knelt beside Rake.
"I shall serve Lord Mallak just as I served Lord Rakan."
[Muri has become a vassal.]
Huh?
Another vassal, just like that? Hmm... let me think about this calmly.
Paya and Muri are High Priests, and Rake is a Loa hybrid.
The common thread is that they are all connected to the Loa and possess spiritual powers.
Maybe Kanto and the others couldn't become my vassals because they lacked that special power?
That makes sense. I should assume only High Priests or those related to the Loa can be my vassals.
- Rake and Muri. Welcome as my vassals.
"We are yours alone."
"It is an honor."
Rake and Muri bowed their heads and answered in unison.
I sent Kanto and Paya to attend to Muri, who was exhausted from the long journey, and the newly joined barbarians, leaving me alone with Rake.
Rake sat back in her chair, her eyes still fixed on me.
- Hmm.
This is awkward.
Even as I thought that, my body was still recalling the sensation of Rake's touch from earlier.
Perhaps it was because the warmth of another human was such a shock after so long.
I clenched and unclenched the hands of my virtual body, savoring this sensation that was both familiar and strange.
My virtual body was originally modeled after Paya. In other words, I looked like her at first.
Not wanting to look like a young girl while being so close to one, I manipulated my form with my mind and shifted it into my old self—the convenience store worker.
I don't know how it works. I just kept imagining my image, and the body changed.
Maybe because it's a virtual space, imagining a keyboard made one appear instantly. Thanks to that, I could browse the community in comfort.
Why was Rake the only one who could have physical contact with me?
Since she's a hybrid, perhaps it's because we are technically the same race? That would be a plausible setting.
"It's a shame. If my spiritual powers were stronger, I could have seen your true form. I'm sure you possess a gallant and magnificent appearance."
Rake let out a sigh as she stared intently at my handsome totem body.
No, don't do that. You'd only be disappointed if you saw me as just a convenience store worker.
I told her that I would keep Not a Netkama bound until the final decision on the punishment was made.
"It was just a small gift I prepared for Lord Mallak, so I don't mind. I'll leave everything up to you."
I appreciate that.
I explained the plan following her joining to Rake. I also added explanations about my blessings and abilities.
Since she had become my strongest asset, I had to share this information.
I'm not entirely sure what kind of person she is yet, but it's not a bad thing that she seems loyal to me.
"So you mean we'll attack the village near the mountain. That's the only way to strengthen Lord Mallak's blessing."
- That's correct.
"I see. ...Could you grant me a blessing? I wonder if Lord Mallak can be one with me."
Be one with me? That's a bit of a strange way to put it.
- I will.
I bestowed the Divine Descent blessing upon Rake's body.
I felt my senses expand drastically. The world as Rake perceived it flowed into me.
The rustling of insects near the altar. I could hear everything, from falling leaves to the singing of birds.
Is this the world as a superhuman perceives it?
"Lord Mallak, I heard you can take control of another's body. Would you like to try?"
- Sure.
Where should I start? The lips, obviously.
I want to see her flustered when a man's voice, one she's never heard before, comes out of her mouth.
Now, let's take over her lips... Wait, why isn't it working?
Unlike Paya, taking over Rake's lips was incredibly difficult. Despite my focus, I couldn't seize control.
It felt as if something was blocking my consciousness.
"It seems I am capable of resisting. My apologies."
The thing blocking my consciousness vanished, and I was finally able to take over Rake's lips.
"Hmm. Confirmed."
I released the Divine Descent immediately after confirming I could take control. It's no fun since I was the one who got flustered first.
I've simply learned that Loa hybrids can resist my consciousness.
"Now then, shall we go hunt a demon?"
- What?
An automatic question escaped me at such a bombshell statement.
"Shouldn't you be seeking a new blessing?"
That's true, but... so soon?
"Don't worry. I'll show Lord Mallak something impressive."
Rake grinned. It was a far more aggressive smile than before.
***
Rustle—
Rake's feet were almost invisible as she tore through the brush. She was practically a cheetah or a leopard.
Even at that speed, it's impressive how she weaves through the Devil's Sight—those round, one-eyed floating creatures.
They weren't visible during the previous Infected purge. It seems Kanto was telling the truth when he said they had gone somewhere the Devil's Sight couldn't reach.
"Are you feeling motion sick?"
Rake asked as she descended the mountain at an incredible velocity.
I didn't answer, because I felt like I was about to throw up.
Although I am experiencing everything exactly as she does, she is a superhuman and I am just an ordinary convenience store worker.
It's only natural to be shell-shocked after feeling a speed that transcends human limits.
Then again, I don't even have a stomach to vomit from, yet I still want to. Maybe it's because my brain is sending the "I want to puke" signal.
"Lord Mallak? You are still with me, right?"
- Yes.
Ah, if I had known this would happen, I should have told her to slow down first.
I should have agreed when Kanto tried to stop Rake during that brief meeting.
'Wait, are you saying you'll fight an entire village alone right now? Chief Rake, no matter how confident you are in your skills, this is arrogance.'
'Arrogance? It's called confidence. I'll handle the demon, so you just clean up the mess.'
Rake had shot back with such coldness. I was quite surprised since it was a complete contrast to how she treated me.
'Chief Rake! Lord Mallak might find this uncomfortable too!'
'Lord Mallak, is Kanto correct?'
- As long as I can obtain blessings quickly, I don't mind.
Ah, I should have said no then. I overdid it just because I wanted to get strong quickly.
'You heard him? It's a waste of time to stand around. Just follow behind me with the warriors.'
As soon as I granted the Divine Descent, Rake departed coolly.
We only met today, but I could tell that the position of Chief did not suit this woman.
She is definitely not the leader type.
"We're almost there. I'll increase my speed. Newly awakened one, please let me know if it becomes too much to bear."
As if I'd tell her. How embarrassing.
Rake, her Holy Knight cloak fluttering as she sprinted, came to a halt in front of the village.
Unlike a typical village occupied by demons in a ruined world, the buildings were kept surprisingly clean.
It's all just a facade. Once we enter, it'll be crawling with worshippers.
"Entering now."
With that, she leaped over the wall like a rabbit, propelled by immense leg strength.
Given that Rake sees things like this all the time, most blockbuster movies would probably seem boring to her.
Succeeding in entering the village without witnesses, Rake quickly hid herself in a back alley.
Through Rake's eyes, I can see the villagers. Looking at them like this, they seem like ordinary people... but they're probably demon worshippers.
"As I mentioned before, I will prioritize killing the low-tier demons first."
Rake said it would be inefficient to take on the worshippers since it would take too long.
That's probably why she decided to leave the worshippers to Kanto and the warriors following behind.
"I'll speak softly from now on, so they won't hear us."
Rake whispered and moved with feline agility.
Her sharp and expansive senses picked up the worshippers nearby. As she steered herself toward the least populated areas while hunting for the demon's lair, she looked like a seasoned assassin.
"Low-tier demons usually make the village chief's house their base. It makes sense, as it's the largest and most spacious building."
The house Rake pointed out looked exactly like the place where the wealthiest person would live.
"There's a worshipper on the way; I'll kill them quickly and then proceed."
While avoiding the worshippers, Rake came across a child in a secluded spot.
It was a young girl with pale skin.
"Mommy...?"
The girl looked at Rake while rubbing her eyes, as if she had just woken up. She was clutching a small teddy bear in one hand.
"Mommy? I've never even met a man, let alone gotten married."
Rake gave a small smirk then quickly approached the girl and snapped her neck.
Crack!
The girl's body twisted with a horrific sound.
Before the girl could even scream, Rake crushed her head with her foot.
Squish!
Green blood splattered across the ground.
- Hmm...
I closed my eyes instinctively.
Even if they were worshippers, it was too brutal a sight.
"Lord Mallak, you mentioned you'd never seen a worshipper in person."
Rake spoke in a soft tone, having clearly heard my groan. She was a perceptive woman.
- ...That's right.
"These are not humans. They are mere toys, empty shells whose consciousnesses were stolen by demons. The words she just said to me were simply repetitions of things she said in life to lure me into letting my guard down. Killing them is the only true mercy."
- I know.
I knew that, but I hadn't expected them to look so much like ordinary people.
- I was just surprised for a moment, so don't worry about it. You did what had to be done.
"I'm glad you say so. I was worried you might start hating me."
...To be honest, you are a little scary.
Then again, this is a world ruined by demons. A world where children play by throwing axes.
There's no avoiding the fact that some gruesome things must be done.
Rake, who protects me and earns me points, is a reliable ally, not someone for me to loathe.
"We've arrived."
Rake carefully drew the weapon she had on her back.
It was a curved sword, sized somewhere between a longsword and a dagger.