27
Chapter 27
I ordered an attack on the village adjacent to the one we had previously purged, and the Barbarians followed without a word of complaint.
Unlike before, we didn't just rely on Rake's haphazard, brute-force method; I managed the troops more systematically.
The plan was for Kanto and the Warriors to attack the Worshippers and create chaos while Rake took the enemy leader's head.
Simple yet effective... wait. When I put it like that, it's exactly the same as last time, isn't it?
Still, there was no more efficient strategy than this for now.
- Don't kill it.
I was currently in the state of Divine Descent. I spoke to Rake, who was engaging a demon that looked like a beaver.
It wasn't just a beaver; it was a mutant with fur as sharp as needles and a tongue that could stretch three meters.
Rake, who had been about to drive her Curved Sword into the creature's neck, nodded and stepped back.
"Do you want me to capture it alive?"
- I intend to leave this demon's disposal to Chief Kanto and the Warriors.
It was time for the other warriors to start getting stronger.
Rake couldn't be the only one fighting Low-tier Demons forever.
They couldn't gain experience to grow stronger like the Holy Knights, but I figured they might improve slightly through various combat experiences.
"I'll just buy some time."
Rake sheathed her Curved Sword and clenched her fists. Was she planning to engage in hand-to-hand combat?
Thwack!
Rake's punch, powerful enough to crush boulders, slammed into the Beaver Demon's stomach.
Gagh...!
The creature retched, clearly in immense pain.
Rake blocked its retreat to prevent it from escaping and continued to press the attack.
Rake is just naturally strong as a human, so she can handle this easily even without a weapon.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
She dodged the beaver's attacks with ease, steadily pummeling its body.
It's not a Beaver Demon; it's a punching bag demon.
- Do you think you could handle a Mid-tier Demon?
"I've never fought one, but I think I could at least wound it. Assuming it's a one-on-one fight, of course."
Rake spoke clearly even in the middle of battle. She seemed completely relaxed.
She didn't say she'd lose. She's confident she can win.
Considering she's saying this after seeing the Cobra Demon that fought Abraham, her confidence probably isn't baseless.
If I had to compare her to a Holy Knight, what level would Rake be?
Maybe between 5 and 6? Based purely on physical ability without skills.
If I combine the various blessings I possess... would level 7 still be too much?
The image of a level 7 Holy Knight dying pointlessly comes to mind.
- ...
Both Rake and I needed to become stronger.
"Lord Mallak, we've dealt with all the demon worshippers!"
Kanto and the Warriors stormed into the Beaver Demon's mansion.
"By Lord Mallak's command. You lot finish this thing off."
"Lord Mallak did?! Understood."
Rake, who had been testing the beaver's hide, slowly stepped back as Kanto and the Warriors moved in.
Haa, haa.
The demon panted heavily, its eyes darting around frantically.
"Raaagh!"
The first to charge was Denjo, Kanto's right-hand man. He rushed the Beaver Demon, swinging his Iron Club.
The demon's long tongue lashed out toward Denjo's heart, but the veteran twisted his body at the last second to evade it.
"I've got no patience for that tongue!"
Dodo, the beefy youth, stepped in from behind and sliced the tongue clean off with his dagger. The combo wasn't over yet.
"Hyah!"
While the demon was focused on Denjo, Una, Kanto's lover(?), crept up and pierced the beaver's left foot with her Wooden Spear.
When did she even get there?
Roar!
The Beaver Demon screamed in agony and tried to pull back, but it was pinned in place by the spear driven deep into its foot.
"Tyah!"
Kanto brought his Double-edged Axe down on the creature's head. The blade sank deep, and green blood sprayed upward.
Gurgle, gurgle....!
Perhaps because it was a demon, even a Low-tier one, its life wouldn't end so easily.
It was still moving, despite its skull being split open by an axe.
Still, we had the upper hand; I thought we'd win as long as we stalled it...
"Everyone, stab it!"
"Waaaagh!"
Upon Kanto's command, the Barbarian Warriors surrounded the Beaver Demon and began stabbing it relentlessly with their blades!
It was a display of sheer, merciless mob violence!
Ack...
The Beaver Demon, which seemed like it might hold on a bit longer, was literally hacked to pieces and turned to ash.
Is this the power of numbers?
Well, even a strong, stubborn villain is bound to die when surrounded and pummeled by heroes of justice.
Haven't countless sentai shows proven this?
"Warriors! We've taken down the demon without a single scratch!"
"Uoooogh!"
Leaving the excited Kanto and his warriors behind, Rake exited the mansion.
Outside, Paya and the other non-combatants were leading the livestock out of the pens.
"These were obtained through Lord Mallak's blessing. Move them carefully."
Paya, dear. I didn't cast a single blessing during this battle.
Once Muri creates the second mini-totem, Totem No. 3, I'll be able to join the battle, but not right now.
Anyway, I haven't gotten a new blessing despite killing a demon.
My goal for today was to obtain one more new blessing.
In that case, I'll have to take down one more.
- Can we purge just one more place?
"I don't mind."
Rake answered confidently.
Kanto and the Warriors... well, they'll be fine, right?
***
While Rake pinned the demon's feet, Kanto and the Warriors dealt with the worshippers.
After killing them all, Kanto and the Warriors entered the mansion to slay the demon Rake had captured, and Paya and the tribespeople looted (?) the now-safe village.
We conquered the village in the exact same way as before.
This demon was a creature resembling an ostrich; it moved faster than the beaver, so Kanto and the Warriors struggled to kill it.
Still, no one was seriously injured.
"We've won! Warriors! We've defeated another demon! Twice in a row! It's all thanks to Lord Mallak's protection!"
"Mallak! Mallak! Mallak!"
"Long live Mallak!"
It's satisfying to see the warriors shouting my name with such high spirits.
Even though I actually did nothing.
[A blessing is available to be learned!]
Ah, this is what I've been waiting for.
[Berserker's Aura: Gradually increases strength, speed, and stamina as the battle continues. This blessing can be granted to one believer and can only be used once.]
What? Berserker's Aura? There really was a Berserker?
- Ha.
I let out a hollow laugh in disbelief. Of course.
Barbarians without a Berserker? That would be breaking the cliché.
No matter how braindead the game is, there's no way they wouldn't include a skill like this.
The effect was similar to other game skills, but it was unusual for a blessing.
Only usable once. That means it's a consumable.
All the blessings I've received so far have been semi-permanent.
Who should I give it to?
"Is something the matter?"
Rake tilted her head, having heard my hollow laugh.
- No.
If it were any other blessing, I would have given it to Rake without hesitation.
Since it's common sense to develop the strongest unit first. However, this wasn't a blessing that suited Rake.
Rake's physical abilities are already outstanding. How much better could they actually get?
Getting this one blessing isn't going to make me strong enough to demolish a building alone.
If it were that powerful, the description would have said 'significantly' instead of 'gradually'.
- Hmm.
"...?"
Ignoring Rake, who perked up her ears, I sank back into thought.
Maybe I should give this to Kanto?
He was the one who first made me think of the concept of a Berserker, and as the second-in-command of the Tribe Alliance, I felt he deserved something like this.
Kanto's tenacity would make this very useful.
Alright, decided.
- Tell Chief Kanto that once we return to the Tribe Alliance, I shall bestow a blessing specifically for him.
Let's make a big deal out of it first.
"A blessing just for Kanto? Hmm. Now I'm curious."
Rake sounds displeased.
Given how loyal she is to me, she might feel a bit left out.
- It is not something valuable enough for you.
"...Is that so?"
- Rake, you are my strongest sword. When the time is right, I will grant you a blessing befitting that role.
"I see. I completely misunderstood. I'll be waiting for that day."
She's cheered up. See, she really is a good girl.
Being in the state of Divine Descent makes it incredibly useful to read emotions.
"M-Mallak is doing this for me? I knew it! He's been watching over me! I, Kanto, will live up to those expectations!"
He's absolutely thrilled. Rake delivered my message to Kanto and then stepped outside.
"Oh, Paya."
Rake approached Paya, who was directing the Barbarians as they moved the livestock.
"Chief Rake, what do you need?"
"That demon ruling this village... it looked like a bird."
"...And why is that?"
"Maybe I should have told them not to kill it."
"What?"
"You love birds. I bet you would've wanted to put it in the House of Feathers."
"W-what kind of nonsense is that!"
"I heard from Muri. You're an expert in bird-related spells, right? She said that bird, Tuntun-i, is your masterpiece. You're always playing with him."
"Chief Rake! Stop bothering me and go over there!"
"Leading the troops, feeding the birds... you're such a busy woman. Right?"
"And you just slack off around Lord Mallak all day!"
Teasing Paya again.
I take back what I said about her being a good girl.