90
My Villains Chapter 90
23. Mother's Warrior (4)
An elemental mage who can't use magic, a necromancer who can't control undead, and now a berserker who can't use berserk mode.
It's fortunate that they're serving Moon Sintri, where the importance of going berserk is relatively low...
Of course, it's possible that Utequais is lying about being able to go berserk. Just like Luke's case-
"Dinner's over. Follow me."
"...Follow you? Where?"
When I asked back with a stupid expression at the sudden statement, Utequais silently grabbed my neck and-
"What are you- ugh!"
"Kyaah, Phoenix!"
*Crash!*
-threw me out the window!
Breaking through the wooden window, I barely managed to control my body just before my head was about to hit the well in the backyard.
"*cough* This bastard,"
Utequais, who had followed me to the backyard, cracked his knuckles and said,
"You, me, duel."
"Duel? What nonsense are you suddenly spouting!"
"You, didn't use evil power. But was cowardly. I, have right to challenge."
What's cowardly... Ugh, fine. I was a bit cowardly.
Sensing a fight, I immediately circulated blood throughout my body. As my body heated up, my relaxed muscles instantly prepared for battle.
"Fine. Alright, challenge accepted."
"I, if win, leave."
"If I win?"
"Will accompany. You, command."
"From now on?"
"If you, keep winning, yes."
"'If I keep winning,' you say?"
I frowned at the ominous thought.
"...Don't tell me you're planning to keep challenging me until you win?"
At my question, the berserker showed his yellow teeth in a wide grin.
"Very correct,"
"Ictum!"
With a clear voice suddenly ringing out, followed by the sound of fierce wind,
*SMACK!*
"Thek?"
An invisible giant fist struck the back of Utequais's head!
"You filthy barbarian-" Ellen had somehow taken flight in the backyard's airspace along with the spirit of dance.
"Ugh, Kelanna?"
As Utequais groaned and lifted his head,
"...Well, some idiots just need to be beaten with a stick."
Ellen roughly brought down the sea wind she had caught.
*Whoosh, CRASH!*
"Keck!"
Utequais quickly crouched down under the wind fist pouring from the sky. Seems like he's planning to endure it...
"Ventus, exaudi me!"
Currently, Ellen's magic power is at 28. Just as Utequais's strength is top-tier for his level, Ellen's magic power is also top-tier for her level.
Moreover, with the wand that increases magic efficiency, she could probably fire over twenty enhanced wind fists.
*CRASH!*
And originally, the wind fist skill is impossible to dodge unless one is exceptionally agile.
"Kuh, kkeuk!"
Under the consecutive gusts of wind, Utequais finally ended up lying flat on the ground.
The sound of tearing wind continued for a while after that. Until Utequais passed out and Ellen's magic was depleted.
*Whoosh*
"Nothing special about him."
As the spirit of dance dispersed, Ellen landed gently in my arms.
When I stared at her blue eyes sparkling with triumph, she shrugged her shoulders and asked,
"Why are you looking at me like that? Like an idiot- ack!"
Somehow feeling proud, I pinched her cheek.
"Aw, you cute thing!"
"Eeee-"
I headed back into the inn while indulging Ellen's tantrum.
As for Utequais, well, he'll get up on his own. Several days had passed since the witch died.
Prince Ulkar was distributing all the food stored in the Salt Castle to help the citizens. Rumors filled the city that the siege would end if they could just hold out a little longer.
Looking at the scenario from the game, all that's left is the thieves' desperate final attack. Once that attack is repelled, Chapter 2 will be complete.
Knowing the pattern of the boss battle, I gave some advice to the prince through Lord Ariad.
I had fully recovered my condition and was able to acquire needed equipment from the Salt Castle's armory.
Nevertheless, I still couldn't be optimistic about the situation.
*Gulp, gulp*
"Phew, tastes bad."
Ellen wiped her mouth with her sleeve after drinking the sixth and final covenant potion.
I opened the window to let in sunlight and then plopped down at Ellen's feet. Then, while massaging her calf, I asked,
"How is it?"
"...Ugh, ticklish."
"Try moving your toes."
Maybe because she showed her bare feet? Ellen's cheeks turned slightly pink as she tightly closed her eyes. Then she shyly wiggled all ten of her small toes.
"Nngh."
It was so cute I almost burst out laughing, but I maintained a deliberately calm expression.
"How about your ankles?"
"Hmm, wait a moment..."
Small wrinkles formed between her brows as her entire foot started twitching.
By the time her white feet, without a single callus, completed a small circle, Ellen's forehead was drenched in sweat.
"It's definitely getting better."
"Phew, yeah."
Following the priest's advice, I gave Ellen one bottle of covenant potion daily. After drinking all six bottles, her sensation was almost back to normal and movement was slowly returning, albeit weakly.
Compared to a few days ago when she couldn't even feel her feet, let alone move them, this was incredible progress.
As her condition improved, there were changes in her character sheet too - her agility, which had been reduced by 6 points, recovered 2 points, and her strength, which had been reduced by 3 points, recovered 1 point.
"Let's try to get more covenant potions from the church later. They seem too busy to make any right now."
"Okay."
I lowered her rolled-up pants and helped her put on linen socks (Ellen thinks I made them, but actually Daria made them).
Linen wrinkles easily but breathes well, making it quite good for socks. Unlike modern elastic materials, it needed to be secured with strings, but Ellen quite liked these custom socks.
As I quietly tied the sock strings, I suddenly spoke up.
"Ellen."
"I'm sorry."
"...Sorry? What are you suddenly talking about?"
I put leather shoes on over the neatly tied socks.
"This situation. It's because of me."
"Why bring up something that's already over?"
Despite my irritated tone, Ellen's eyes were filled with concern. She's a good kid.
I carefully chose my words. What did I want to say?
I acted like I knew everything about Ellen and this world, but actually I knew nothing.
I acted like the flow of events was in the palm of my hand, but that wasn't true at all.
I hadn't predicted anything - the city's situation, Ellen's feelings, Luke's betrayal. That's why Ellen got hurt.
I couldn't predict what would happen next either.
So I was anxious. Afraid of putting Ellen in danger again.
I slowly tied the leather shoe strings on her small feet. No need to tie them too tight. Ellen still couldn't walk anyway.
"A few days ago."
"Yes?"
"You asked what kind of relationship we have, right?"
"...And?"
Tying off my tangled thoughts along with the knot, I spoke with a small resolution.
"You're not Ji-won."
"...What random thing are you saying? What's a 'Ji-won'?"
"But, even so, you are-"
Expressing emotions that even I don't fully understand to others is truly difficult.
"-You're precious to me."
"...Wh-what did you say?"
Ellen's eyes went wide as she let out a high-pitched sound.
"You're very precious to me. Someone precious that I never want to lose."
After checking the carefully tied ribbon, I looked directly into Ellen's eyes.
"I'm not sure what kind of relationship we have. But no matter what happens, I'm on your side."
"So... I hope we won't waver anymore."
"Wh-what are you suddenly saying, you idiot..."
Ellen's face was already burning red as her voice trailed off.
"Whatever comes our way from now on, let's get through it together, trusting each other. Without wavering."
I carefully took hold of her hands that were gripping her clothes. The small hands flinched but continued trembling in my rough embrace.
Ellen, red up to her ears, lowered her head deeply.
"Understand?"
"...Y-yes."
Ellen nodded while answering in a very small voice, perhaps even a tearful one.
It felt like something was welling up in my chest.
Unlike usual when she would complain about being uncomfortable, Ellen put on the leather vest without any complaints.
Two days ago? I secretly added a forged iron plate over the heart area, but she hadn't noticed. Well, no need to mention it first.
After getting armed and going downstairs to the first floor, a familiar large figure was seated at one table.
"Good morning."
"Yeah."
Utequais, who had just finished eating, put down his bowl and let out a loud burp. Then he looked at Ellen curiously.
"Strange day today. Kitten-like girl, quiet."
"...If you're done eating, how about shutting up and getting lost?"
Utequais nodded at Ellen's sharp response.
"I, wrong. Not strange day today."
"Are you picking a fight? Seems like you need another beating?"
Ignoring Ellen's words, Utequais quickly got up and headed to the backyard.
Perhaps because of the lesson he received a few days ago, Utequais seemed to be subtly avoiding Ellen. You'd think he might try to get revenge, but he didn't. Maybe he was reminded of his daughter back home?
Although his character sheet appeared, I still couldn't trust Utequais.
That's why we used separate rooms, and I always maintained vigilance when with him.
However, regardless of my wariness, I had to train with Utequais and sweat together every day. It was an annoying situation, but somewhat rewarding.
After filling my stomach and going to the backyard, Utequais was waiting for me.
After a brief warm-up, we charged at each other without needing to decide who would go first.
"Uwooh!"
In response to his shouting charge, I quickly stepped to the side.
Utequais challenged me every morning. It was to defeat me and honorably gain his freedom.
If he really wanted freedom, he could just run away, but he didn't because of 'Mother's will' or something.
Well, while I still didn't trust him, I had decided to travel together for now. It was natural to want this berserker's help since the journey would clearly get tougher.
Therefore, I had no choice but to accept Utequais's challenges.
Hmph!
A heavy hand brushed past my hair. Moving behind Utequais's back, I swallowed my breath and delivered a kick.
"Kuk,"
While he was momentarily stiff, I quickly created distance. Utequais's hand sliced through the air again.
Utequais, who had invested heavily in strength, was far behind me in agility. Thanks to that, when I focused on evasion, he could never catch me.
If he had been using weapons, things might have been different.
The stone club Utequais uses is almost as tall as Ellen. With that kind of reach combined with decent weapon skills, it could have somewhat made up for his low agility.
But Utequais insisted on fighting bare-handed. Well, lucky for me.
"Aqun, Orrendae!"
Utequais shouted something while taking a stance.
Is he trying to provoke me?
"What are you babbling about? *huff* Stop talking and fight with your fists, you bastard."
"Uwooh!"
After crouching briefly, he exploded forward with all his muscles. It was an incredibly fast charge, but,
"Ucha,"
I quickly launched myself off the well frame and jumped right over Utequais.
Having barely managed to stop, he roared fiercely, probably thinking he was being toyed with.
To an outsider, it might really look like I was toying with him. But I'm actually extremely tense right now.
The moment any part of me - wrist or shoulder - gets caught in Utequais's grip, my chances of winning would obviously plummet below 10%.
It wasn't just because of the difference in physique and strength, but more because of the traditional martial art he practiced. It's called 'Nabuk', something that seems like a mix of wrestling and ssireum.
So if it came to grappling, someone like me who only knows Taekwondo couldn't possibly handle it. Unless luck was on my side like last time, but that was just a fluke.
In the end, all I could do was hit, dodge, and stall for time as much as possible. If I did that...
"*huff* *huff* Fidhos!"
Utequais, drenched in sweat, muttered something roughly before finally collapsing. It's over.
"Whew, shit. *gasp* I'm dying here."
Wearing heavy armor and having to move much faster and more than him, I was about to collapse too.
Still, I had to tease him.
"Hey, are you done?"
"You, *huff* *huff* fox-like bastard!"
"Fox or whatever, you want to continue?"
After snorting a few times, Utequais finally flopped onto his back.
"Heh, idiot. Is this your fourth loss?"
"Not loss, draw!"
"Fine, then three draws and one loss. Good job, you."
He lets out an unintelligible roar.
Snickering, I drew some well water to roughly wipe off my sweat, then splashed a full bucket of water on Utequais.
*Splash!*
"Kuhek! You, son of a-!"
"Challenge is over, bastard. Watch your mouth."
Saying that, I approached him and wiggled my fingers.
"Come on, get up. Time for round 2."
Round 2 is my training time. Time to learn Nabuk from Utequais.
I'm not sure if wrestling or ssireum would be effective in actual combat with blades, but maybe it'll come in handy somewhere?
And Phoenix's body has such good athletic sense that it quickly picks up unfamiliar martial arts. The biggest advantage of improving quickly is that learning becomes enjoyable.
"Heh, good."
Utequais let out a fierce laugh as he got up, dusting off the dirt.
The giant figure approaching 200kg was making a menacing expression as if to teach me a lesson, but I wasn't particularly intimidated.
"You were whining just now, but look at you grinning. Something got you in a good mood?"
An agitated Utequais shouted and came in with a low tackle.
As my left leg was caught, I quickly jumped up with my right foot as if riding on him.
"Not a chance!"
*Thud*
I was slammed to the ground before I could even try to choke him with my arms, but the hot blood flowing through my body showed no signs of cooling down.
After sweating for almost the entire morning and taking a brief rest, Lord Ariad personally visited the inn.
"A pirate fleet is approaching."
"Pirates?"
"Yes. And the movement in the reed fields is concerning as well."
"The bandits too, then..."
"Let's go. Our lord is waiting."
Finally, the final battle for South Harbor had begun.