Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: 12. Survival Competition (10)
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I waited.
That was the plan, but in the end, there was no time to wait. We'd flipped the lab on the mountainside and taken down the gem dragon, the biggest threat. That much was true.
But where were the weapons and strategic assets we'd originally come looking for?
The answer, as expected, came from underground.
Beneath the wrecked lab. A secret passage revealed only after it was smashed apart.
And from there, lesser demons armed with human iron weapons began pouring out.
"Including Dras, evacuate for now!"
I signaled to the nameless puppydog, scooped up Dras, and bolted as far away as possible. After wasting a full day trudging through mud, he deserved a spot to rest easy. Then I sprinted back to my original position.
What I saw when I returned was that what I'd called a secret passage earlier wasn't a passage at all.
It was a two-story structure designed so the entire floor could open up.
They'd come running at the commotion, no doubt, but Yura had stepped away briefly to report to the emperor.
A handful of lesser demons? I could drop them easy. The problem was any I missed might cause collateral damage around us.
To minimize that, we needed more bodies. Pure manpower.
"Damn it. Even my arms aren't fully intact."
My right arm, still cracked and split, oozing golden blood, throbbed with agony at the slightest movement. No helping it. I ripped off my overcoat in one long strip, using it as a makeshift bandage. Clutching the cloth—now stained with golden blood—along with my sword, I threw myself into the fray.
Dual-wield technique is simple. Defensive, but ready to strike anywhere, anytime.
No shield means no relying on one to push forward. Use the off-hand sword as a shield—defensive, but erratic, whittling them down.
But smack in the middle of a horde like this? It meant I could swing like a madman.
I mercilessly carved through the demons crawling out with dazed eyes, as if their minds were puppeted.
Back in Lebedev, if these had shown up, I'd have saved and healed them to find the cause. But high chance the cause was Demon God cultists, and there was no spare time to stop and treat.
Slash. Aim precisely for instant kills, as painless as possible.
"I'm joining the fight!"
"Me too!"
Front? Back? In the blood-soaked blur, directions were hazy. As long as I held the front line, their job was finishing off any I missed, clean and sure.
The cloth, soaked in golden blood and glowing gold, ironically repelled the occasional evil demon magic flung my way.
A sneer escaped my lips.
Holy sword in left hand. Holy cannon in right.
Before, right sword was main, left sub. Now reversed.
And in this chaos and frenzy, damn status window blared a warning.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Story Progress]
"Story... progress? This crap?"
For killing the gem dragon? Defending Dwarf Mountain? Or saving that golden pup? No clue. Shoved it out of sight and focused on the fight.
Hesitated a beat because of the status window, maybe.
The demon surge suddenly swelled.
No choice then. Push harder, once more.
Dropped the right sword, gripped the holy sword two-handed.
Unwrapped the sodden, gold-glowing rag, let the dripping golden blood soak into the blade.
If they used the same kind of power, they'd resonate, right?
My hunch hit. A hum rose as the blade glowed gold, power I'd not fed swirling from the sword.
Simultaneously, a sharp disgust flooded my mind. Someone trying to manipulate it. And the result? Told me exactly how to wield the 'holy sword'.
Damn goddess.
Direct intervention now? Or only possible because holy sword and holy blood resonated for the first time?
I raised the sword as the knowledge directed, slashed down two-handed at empty air.
Golden light extended from the tip, hit the ground—and from there, a devastating conical wave of light erupted.
Not huge physical force—no ground shredded—but every demon in the light's range withered like mummies, rolling on the earth.
"Ugh... ah."
Problem: unleashing it brought crushing fatigue crashing through my body. First time it felt like nothing was drained, but now? Every ounce of strength and moisture sucked out—parched, miserable.
The massive flash kept everyone back, but as expected, Mina was first to reach me.
"...Water."
"Yeah. Water."
She pulled out a canteen, popped the lid, held it to my lips—I gulped it down. Body swayed, she gave me her lap.
Ah. Mina.
"...Just a bit of rest."
"Yeah. Rest."
**
"That just now... hmm. What to say. Impressive."
"But now he's like this. First time seeing him totally wiped."
"As the emperor's Imperial Guard Captain, I do have words for Sir Yulius displaying such prowess... but they'll wait. Rest easy."
"Yeah. Thanks."
Yura couldn't imagine what that elf—clearly smitten—might do if she butted in here.
Not widely known, but the Pallan Empire had long ties with southern elves, good and bad.
Naturally, constant clashes led to... eyes meeting.
And elves supposedly pick one lifelong partner, loving them with near-obsessive devotion... or so they say.
Why the vagueness? Yura was pure capital defense forces—never even dispatched south.
"His Majesty seems inclined too."
Truthfully, the emperor's interest was good for emperor faction humans. Get it official via imperial decree, pressure the ducal house diplomatically to restore her registry, marry as Imir Kingdom duke—solidify the alliance.
And this workaholic who'd never marry otherwise had one guy he actually liked. Unless major flaws, instinct screamed tie him down now.
But elf. Judging by her ornaments, high-status from a renowned tribe. Same guy in her sights.
"Haaaaah."
Won't end easy. Can't have imperial decree making emperor take a second wife either.
Whatever. Haven't married myself.
Yura closed her internal romance debate.
"What a mess. But the job's done solid, right?"
"Ah, Your Majesty. As instructed, all revealed threats neutralized."
"Any unrevealed possibilities?"
"Slight, but manageable."
"Report."
"...Currently: dragon presumed enemy decisive battle summon slain. While tracking 'weapons,' demon horde emerged from under lab—eliminated. Issue: unconfirmed if more hordes, or what's below the corpse-blocked path."
"Good. Our side's status?"
"You may have seen: Sir Yulius's intense flash technique wiped the horde in one go. Side effect drained him; he's asleep now."
"What?"
Shocked, the emperor hurried over, saw the lap pillow, returned with a kicked-puppy face.
His Majesty could be cute too.
"...Talk later."
"Just squeeze in between."
"You want me dead?"
Yura recalled the elf Mina's performance fighting alongside.
Hmm. No easy win. Whole unit might not lose, maybe.
In the end, emperor and guards set camp beside the blood-and-corpse-covered lab, waiting for him to wake.
"Oh, hello."
"Ah, Dras, right? And that's..."
"The kid who worked hard this time. Where's the shopkeeper, if I may?"
"Resting, they say. Come by later."
"No, I have no business, but this one..."
"Hm?"
Looked like a normal mutt at a glance, but those subtly intelligent eyes and poised, dignified sit screamed unusual.
Whatever the situation, gold as goddess color? Probably related.
"...What do you want?"
"Woof."
Taking it as permission, the pup padded to Yulius. Ignoring Mina's fluster, it stretched long and wide, covering his body.
And simultaneously, with a soft glow, his obviously wound-riddled right arm began visibly healing.