Chapter 21
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Child Abandoned by God
Two swords had clashed massively in the east.
The death match between the eldest and second sons of Strange, the continent's greatest swordsmanship family.
The rumors said the bout ended with the eldest's victory, but I knew the true winner was someone else.
"This is the assassin who was after your neck."
Hysteria had brought in the culprit behind this incident.
A man with the exact face and build I remembered.
"Are you alright? I heard you fought Gunter."
"Oh? How'd you know that?"
"It came in the Imperial News this morning. They said it was a duel between those who'll become the next Sword Kings."
"Those guys... their information network is insane. Who'd think a fight from last night would spread by morning."
He clutched his forehead, wearing an incredulous expression.
A low chuckle escaped him, laced with killing intent.
As if he wouldn't let the one who spread the news get away with it.
"I've kept my promise."
"Yes, thank you."
"Your turn now, right?"
I smiled brightly and examined the bound assassin.
"Of course."
"So, what are you going to do about those two pieces of trash by Gunter's side? Because of them, the fight couldn't even finish properly this time."
"......"
"So, I'd appreciate it if you handled them quickly."
"I'll take care of it within the week."
"Good. But handling those two alone would be impossible for you, no?"
"Yes, so we'll do it together."
"Together?"
I turned my gaze to Rox, who was crouched in the corner of the room. Hysteria tilted his head at him, then asked me.
"With that guy?"
"Yes."
"...You're joking, right?"
"No way. He may look like that, but he's no ordinary—"
If Hysteria had normal thinking, he probably would've asked about Rox first through conversation.
But as expected, this guy created an unexpected situation.
Before I could even finish, he rushed at Rox.
Shiiik—!
He thrust his sword at Rox's solar plexus.
Clang, kaang!
The metallic clang echoed loudly.
"...Huh? What is this guy?"
The blade only tore his clothes; it couldn't pierce Rox's skin.
Instead, Hysteria's hand, which had delivered the thrust, trembled from the shock.
I don't know what would've happened with Aura, but based on this, his combat ability was certified.
Rox grabbed the blade with both hands, his face twisted.
"What are you?"
I rushed between them, struck Rox's throat to push him back.
Thud.
"Guh!"
I shoved Hysteria's sword back into its sheath.
Smack!
"Brother, this guy's essential for this operation."
"Operation?"
"Yes. He's a blacksmith from Ogre Fortress. He lost his mother to Gunter recently and harbors great rage."
"To Gunter?"
"That's right."
Rox panted heavily, assuming a stance to charge at Hysteria.
I extended my hand to block him and continued.
"As you just saw, his skills are the real deal."
"Interesting. That guy's not human, is he?"
"Correct."
Hysteria eyed Rox with interest.
Gripping and releasing his sword hilt repeatedly showed he was suppressing the urge to tear into him.
I stepped closer and continued.
"I'll prepare a good spot as soon as possible."
"...Okay, fine. But after you kill Gunter. I wanna spar with that guy too."
"We'll talk about that later."
Three days passed since Hysteria left. I kept replaying the meaningful words he'd said before exiting my room.
-You've got quite the guy with you.
I had no idea what basis he had for saying that, but his gaze had precisely fixed on Brunhilt.
The blue-furred cat currently licking her front paw by the window.
'Did that clown tell him?'
No, he couldn't have figured out Brunhilt's true nature.
"Hey!"
Rox thrust his face in front of mine and yelled. With a face full of dissatisfaction, he grabbed my collar and bared his teeth like an angry beast.
Grrrrr—
"I've done everything you told me to! But what the hell are you doing?!"
"Calm down."
"Calm down? Could you?! You said it yourself—if we don't hurry, my mom might die!"
"......"
"So why are you just sitting here? Do something! Or just tell me where that Gunter bastard is!"
I placed my finger on Rox's solar plexus and whispered softly.
Lightning (Aura-Mana Fusion)
[Shockwave impact]
Boom!
Rox flew back from the impact, tumbling across the floor. I approached the writhing boy and spoke gently.
"Tonight, Brother Gunter will come to the castle. Then we time it to rescue your mother."
"Urk... W-what?"
"We're going to fetch your mother soon. I already sent a letter to Brother Gunter ahead of time. Asking him to come to Strange Castle."
"......"
Saying the key assassin in this incident was locked in the castle's underground prison.
He has no choice but to come.
It was an issue that might even draw Father's personal involvement.
If the assassin pointed to Gunter as the mastermind, it wouldn't end simply.
Mobilizing outsiders in a brothers' fight was grounds for disownment from the family.
"You said that guy doesn't get along with you. But he'll come if you call?"
"He has to. So what you need to do now is open your mana."
"Mana?"
"Yeah."
Brunhilt hopped onto my shoulder, scanning Rox up and down. She twitched her mouth and whispered in my ear.
"This is the guy you meant?"
"Yes, please. Just open his mana for me. I'll handle the rest."
Hmm—
Brunhilt eyed Rox with narrowed eyes.
"It's not hard, but I'm too hungry to use my power—"
"I figured, so I prepared."
I pulled out premium tuna from the box Nanny Emma had prepared.
She'd been whining for tasty fish since yesterday, so I'd had Nanny airlift some.
Brunhilt approached the fish, sniffing it eagerly.
"Oh ho, this tuna's from northern Caspia Sea! Nice!"
Shiiiiiik.
Intense mana surged from behind. Turning, I saw blue liquid flowing from Rox's body like a carpet on the floor.
Crunch.
Brunhilt snatched the tuna in an instant and relocated to the windowsill.
I let out a hollow laugh watching her.
Ha—
Brunhilt's true form really is a cat, huh.
That must be why Siegfried called her not a 'magician' but a 'witch.'
A cat donning human skin, using demonic power to become a god.
-Yawwwn.
Siegfried, dozing on my head, mumbled.
"Mmm, Emma's panties today are red lace, nom nom."
Varied tastes.
Rox stared at me in bewilderment.
"W-what is this?"
"Mana."
"Mana?"
"Yeah. The power you'll need traveling with me from now on."
"Th-thanks."
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Someone knocked urgently on the door.
Probably a guardian knight sensing the mana.
"Young Master, are you alright?!"
I sat the flustered Rox in a chair, bound his hands, and opened the door.
"Stay put for a bit."
Creeeak—
"What's with all the commotion?"
Guardian Knight Captain Bess asked with a stiff expression.
"Young Master, sorry, but may I enter? Intense mana was detected nearby..."
"Mana? If it's mana, that guy's using it over there."
"?!"
Bess looked at Rox, bound tightly in the chair. The knights here knew his identity, so they weren't too shocked.
Just puzzled why he was here.
"Isn't this the kid who came looking for his mother recently?"
"Yeah, I'm interrogating him right now."
"Why?"
"To find the assassin's backer."
"Assassin's backer?"
"Yeah. You heard who's in the underground prison now, right? The eastern assassin Brother Hysteria caught."
"Yes."
"Seems connected to this one. I'm handling the interrogation myself."
"We could take care of that..."
I shook my head firmly.
"One of the guardian knights was surveilling me recently."
"Th-that's—"
"I know it's not your fault, Bess. So I'll handle this myself."
"......"
"Sister Valentine will come to punish him soon anyway. Just until then."
"...Understood."
Bess bowed politely. Almost like he was showing the knights beside him.
A single letter from Strange Castle arrived at Gunter's barracks.
"Berddin sent me a letter?"
Gunter, sitting in a large chair receiving treatment, tilted his head. His youngest brother, with whom he'd only exchanged pleasantries, had written.
What could this be about?
"Yes, Young Master Berddin insisted I deliver it personally."
The knight who brought it bowed deeply, glancing nervously.
Gunter took the letter impassively and began reading. Soon, he crumpled it and burned it.
Whoosh—!
"Damn it!"
The knight backed away in terror. Gunter drew his sword and faced him.
Splat!
Pierced the knight's heart.
"Gah!"
The Aura-clad blade pierced straight through the plate armor. The messenger died without a proper scream.
"Gerno! Giselle!"
Gerno, the massive horn-helmed brute waiting outside, and Giselle, gaunt but as tall as a large monster, entered.
"You called!"
"You called!"
"Assemble a mobile company immediately. We must hurry back to Strange Castle."
Giselle asked cautiously.
"To Strange Castle?"
"Yes. Hysteria handed the assassin to the castle. If we leave it, Valentine will learn everything."
"Hah!"
Gerno smacked his fist into his opposite palm with a thud, growling hoarsely.
"That crazy bastard! He wants to settle things with us after all, huh?"
"If Din hadn't sent the letter, we'd be in deep trouble."
"Din? The youngest young master?"
"Yeah. He wants to leave the assassin's interrogation to me. Says there are no trustworthy people in the castle."
"Indeed... Looks like the youngest has chosen his side."
Gunter grinned.
"Still, his fate is death."