Searching for the Diablo Slayer (3)
The capital of the Liberia Elf Kingdom, Maherith, was a remarkably peculiar city. Unlike other cities that had developed along rivers, Maherith stood isolated on dry land. Though its development lagged far behind other great metropolises, after the death of the first High Priestess, the high elf nobles who seized power designated it as the new central hub, transforming it into the current capital. Over the passage of time, what began as a rural backwater gained authority as a city fulfilling political roles.
"Don't stick your head out the window. It's dangerous."
"Got it, sis."
A carriage emblazoned with the Valencia family crest crossed the main avenue leading into Maherith's urban district. But its pace was agonizingly slow. While carriages from other high elf families sped through regardless of pedestrians, the Valencia carriage crawled like a tortoise through the streets, all because of Ardena Valencia's stubborn insistence.
*Maybe it'll go faster if I hold down Shift,* Yushin Gilliard muttered from his seat inside.
"It's been a while, so how about paella for lunch? I heard from a friend there's a famous paella spot in Maherith."
"You don't have friends."
"Shut up, Master."
Alonne Valencia was in high spirits. Yushin Gilliard's planned return to the Valua Kingdom had fallen through, and that was reason enough for joy. The heartbroken trembling she'd shown at the thought of parting had vanished entirely; now she hummed a cheerful tune, savoring the breeze blowing through the window.
"A capital surrounded by trees. Being the elves' country really defies common sense, huh?" Yushin remarked.
Maherith was enveloped in greenery. A city coexisting with forests, perhaps. Save for the grand central avenue, nearly every direction brimmed with lush green plants. Towering trees cast welcoming shade, shielding from the harsh sun. Sunlight filtered intermittently through the branches, ensuring no shortage of light. Warm rays, cool winds, the scent of verdant flora—it was so masterfully designed that Yushin wanted to applaud the architect who had laid its foundations.
"Though its history isn't long, Maherith represents the Liberia Elf Kingdom. It may lag in economic might compared to other cities, but it's renowned for its wealth of landmarks symbolic of the elf nation," Ardena explained to Yushin, who gazed at the scenery in wonder.
No sooner had she finished than Alonne piped up. "Can I tour Maherith with Master after we're done with business?"
Yushin had come to Maherith at the summons of the Yetzirah Council. They had called in the Another Ones. Having heard tales of the Holy Empire's Diablo Slayer at the Warrior Captains' conference, Ardena presumed that was why Yushin had been beckoned to Maherith Palace. It was only natural he'd be singled out—an Another One who had felled the third and fourth Warrior Captains. He was the closest match to the Diablo Slayer.
"I didn't know there were other Another Ones in the Liberia Elf Kingdom. How many are there?"
"Six including you. But three were excluded from selection. They lack any combat prowess or battle records. Obviously, they can't be the Diablo Slayer."
That left three in total. Three Another Ones were gathering at the palace in Maherith. According to Ardena, the other two en route were cooperative with the elf kingdom. One had even married an elf and fathered three sons and a daughter. Wed to a member of the beauty-renowned elves and with kids to boot... As a fellow man, Yushin couldn't help but envy such a life.
"The Valua Kingdom had Another Ones too. Unlike our insular elf kingdom, Valua's open atmosphere hosted around ten. Most were non-combatants with no ties to fighting, of course."
A modern human from a peaceful Earth life wouldn't suddenly go on a rampage just because they received godlike cheats. Most were civilians. Granted semi-noble status in exchange for loyalty to the kingdom, they contributed to national power using their abilities. The notion that divine stigmata made one invincible was a grave misconception. Often, they were weaker than regular knights. Unlike knights trained rigorously from youth, these isekai humans from Earth were frail by comparison.
"But you're strong, Master."
"I've got a combat ability."
Yushin revealed his power without hesitation, as if there were no reason to hide it—or perhaps he'd decided it was time to share. Before Ardena could speak, he told Alonne first.
Sword Focus. Yushin's ability was straightforward: it granted sword talent. That was it. Yet it was far from trivial. Considering Yushin Gilliard's might and renown as a stigmatic, no one could dismiss its power lightly.
"Why do only you have it when other Another Ones don't?" Alonne asked.
Yushin shrugged. "Beats me."
It remained a mystery. Why had only he received a combat-specialized gift? There might be others with fighting abilities among the Another Ones, but Yushin hadn't met a single one yet.
"Maybe 'cause you did lots of good deeds?"
"Hearing you say that tells me it's definitely not."
He pinched Alonne's cheek. She wailed, stretching it out like taffy.
"Owiiie!"
By then, the Valencia carriage had passed through the city streets and reached the palace entrance. They disembarked. The Valencia group, who had ridden deliberately to admire Maherith's sights, now followed the guards' lead into the palace.
"Warrior Captain Seat Four, Ardena Valencia. We'll escort you to the palace now. However..."
The guards' eyes turned to Yushin. Even summoned to the palace, bringing a human slave inside required procedures. Unlike the Valencia ladies with their free pass, Yushin faced scrutiny—like airport security. A thorough body search and identity check later, he finally stepped inside.
* * *
Kadaz Biscaya, dubbed a great noble of the north, had returned to his domain after the meeting only to come back to the palace. He wasn't alone. A silver-haired man shadowed him like a bodyguard.
The man was human—and like Yushin, wore a choker collar. The choker marked him as Kadaz's slave.
"Yushin Gilliard. Do you know him?" Kadaz asked.
The human shook his head. "Only heard the name. I know he was one of Valua's Kingdom's Seven Swords. Nothing more—I've cut ties with the human world since my lord took me in."
"To think there's another Another One like you... And one who bested Ardena and even Bariteon Trident. What a world."
Sudden change grated on traditionalists clinging to the old ways. Factions wary of the new winds blowing through the elf kingdom existed. Kadaz Biscaya, rival to Wallace Valencia and leader of the traditionalists, was a prime example.
To fell the Raging Flames Demon King, a Diablo Slayer was needed. Kadaz knew this, so he hadn't opposed the High Priestess's plan.
*The young High Priestess is increasingly overstepping the Yetzirah Council's authority. Governing the elf kingdom is our nobles' role. After the second High Priestess's untimely death, when that mere child of thirteen became the third, we have led the nation ever since. She can't treat us like obsolete relics now that she's grown...!*
Kadaz disliked Wallace's constant meddling, but the third High Priestess was an even bigger thorn—threatening his position, challenging vested interests. The high elf nobles were the living history of the Liberia Elf Kingdom. They'd followed the first, supported the second, and guided the third in her youth. Now this fledgling sought independence, imperiling their seats. Naturally, it rankled.
"You're one of the continent's top powerhouses yourself. Couldn't you subdue the Raging Flames Demon King, Sabnack?"
"...It's impossible. Fighting a Demon King is beyond risking one's life. Battles with great demons bearing a Demon King's dignity can't be won by resolve alone."
"That dire, is it?"
"If my lord commands, I'd gladly lay down my life."
Kadaz shook his head. "Your death would rob me of my sharpest blade."
The southern front grew urgent, but Kadaz had no intention of deploying his sword there yet. The Demon King Army's advance intensified daily, but it remained within expectations. The twelve Warrior Captains held the line staunchly. Only in catastrophe would he send his blade—and it wasn't that dire yet.
"Wh-what is this?!"
"Aaaah! Blood! It's blood!!"
Walking the palace corridors, Kadaz heard shrill screams echoing from outside. Servants scurrying about froze in shock. His silver-haired guard rushed to a window. Crimson blood splattered down. Then a dark mass plummeted, shattering the glass and tumbling into the hall.
"Urk!"
Kadaz cried out. It was an elf's head, soaked in gore. Eyes bulging blue in a scream-frozen death.
Now he understood the guards' and servants' screams. More heads rained from the sky—severed, torn forcibly. Elves slain in war, dumped mercilessly onto the palace.
"Gahk!"
A guard struck by a falling head groaned in agony. Servants fled in panic. A blood-soaked spectacle unfolded above the palace, scattering them in terror.
*Wyverns?*
The silver-haired man looked up. Dark silhouettes swarmed the sky. Wyverns ridden by the Demon King Army. The beasts flapped mightily over Maherith, demons atop untying heavy sacks to hurl bloodied elf heads below.
"Only one fiend would pull this stunt... Sabnack! That vile Demon King!!"
The Raging Flames Demon King had defiled the Liberia Elf Kingdom's pride. Collecting heads of slain elves from the war, he'd flung them upon Maherith. Screams of the city's citizens rang in Kadaz's ears. For the insult to the nation he'd built over half a lifetime, Kadaz burned with genuine fury.