Chapter 54
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Demons Unleashed Poison in the Dwarf Principality! (2)
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Strong races were plentiful beyond measure.
In comparison, we had always been relegated to the position of the weak. Back then, all we could do was change our appearances. Even that was met with discrimination and scorn, dismissed as suspicious.
But those who oppressed us at the time? Not a single one remained alive. We had killed them all ourselves. The ignorant call us traitors.
I have no intention of denying it.
However, we had no choice if we wanted to survive. Instead of pledging loyalty to the demons and becoming their slaves, we received power from them. Power enough to exact our revenge.
But that power fell short of being the strongest. I, as the chieftain, had at least acquired strength comparable to the demons. Even so, it was nothing more than what I had honed myself.
My fellow kin possessed intelligence and power barely above that of mere magical beasts. Still, that was fine. As long as we lived, there was a future. Life is the driving force that keeps us going.
We would do anything to survive.
And over time, with accumulated experience, that resolve grew ever more steadfast. First rule: if a potentially stronger being stands before you, don't fixate on fighting.
There are no invincible foes.
Every enemy has a weakness.
Once you identify it, dispatch them methodically. Acting on that principle, retreat was the choice here. The opponent was the captain of the Royal Knights. His power was immeasurable.
Even the assassination had failed. So, fall back and prepare the next move. No need to worry—a single failure wouldn't turn the tide. We had far too many preparations in place.
There were always those stronger than us.
Yet it was always we who survived.
And it would remain that way.
Why had he suddenly fled?
It remained a mystery.
I had no idea why he'd bolted like that. But from my perspective, this was a golden opportunity. I dashed straight to where my squad members were quartered.
Just as linking up is crucial in a melee, it was safer to regroup immediately rather than risk being picked off one by one.
Moreover, that demon's ability was disguise or doppelganger. Before it could impersonate one of my squad, I had to rendezvous quickly and protect them.
I moved with haste. Fortunately, I'd kept them nearby in preparation for something like this, so joining up wasn't difficult.
They must have sensed the attack. By the time I arrived, most had already armed themselves and were waiting in position. I shouted,
"Everyone's here, no one's missing, right?!"
"Our room's all accounted for!"
"Same with ours."
"Good, that's a relief. Everyone, form up!"
Not a single one had stepped out, so the mimic had no chance to slip in. Besides, Yuren or Cluna wouldn't have let it anyway.
We finished preparations swiftly and headed outside. The situation had already devolved into chaos. Our current lodging was in the dwarf principality's fortress city, Iron Bastion.
Not figuratively—this name came from literally cladding it in layers of iron. And now that Iron Bastion was under assault.
"They're coming out bolder than expected."
"From the demons' viewpoint, now's ideal—before the fatigue from the long journey wears off."
"But it's incomprehensible. Didn't they pour endless effort into seizing the dwarf principality?"
Valid point. They'd invested massively to invade it. To abandon those efforts so easily?
We'd been caught off guard as a result. With all their prior machinations, we'd assumed they wouldn't cause this ruckus on the first day...
Then again, how could anyone predict demon logic? Incomprehensible to each other, that's why they'd been clashing nonstop.
"They've got some ulterior motive. Focus on the task at hand."
"Yes, Captain!"
"I'll take point."
"Captain Yuren?"
Her black hair swayed dramatically. At the same time, the foot she stepped forward with shattered the ground. In that moment of confusion from the sudden boom,
I spotted it—crushed beneath her foot. It emitted a grayish glow, but it wasn't a human face. It was distinctly reptilian.
If anything, it closely resembled a chameleon's. I grimaced. These were likely doppelgangers, the magical beasts by that name.
"Doppelgangers, huh."
"So you knew."
"...I'm well-versed in magical beasts."
"Doppelganger? What's that?"
Clara tilted her head quizzically. Ruby and Helia looked equally clueless. In this game, doppelgangers had a slightly unique lore.
Originally mutants of lizardmen, they shared similar habits but possessed the special ability to transform into other forms.
Shunned by lizardmen for that power, they eventually allied with demons to survive. So, it was natural most wouldn't know.
Very few had ever seen a doppelganger's true form. Most probably didn't even know what they were.
"Their leader's probably the doppelganger chieftain."
"I've never seen the chieftain myself."
"Mom's never seen it?!"
Clara's surprise made sense. If even Cluna hadn't laid eyes on it, that meant they'd hidden meticulously.
I racked my brain quickly. Opponents were doppelgangers—shape-shifters. That meant we couldn't trust anyone around us...
For starters, was Rain Emerald originally a doppelganger? Was the real one even alive? There were too many urgent questions.
If the real Rain Emerald was already dead and they'd been scheming since before, then Ambassador Virald's plan was doomed.
He'd prepared everything with Rain Emerald. No way it'd work on a doppelganger impostor.
Now it clicked. Why the principality had fallen. There were voices of change from within, but doppelgangers quietly eliminated them.
Then filled the voids with more doppelgangers. Facing that, how could the dwarves resist?
"First, secure Ambassador Virald."
"Indeed, he's the only one still intact, it seems."
"Scatter and die, stick together and live. Move out—fast!"
"No need for that."
Cluna smiled and beckoned with her finger. A wind blew from somewhere—or so it seemed. But it wasn't mere wind. It was threads of wind.
Threads woven from wind stretched off into the distance. What the hell? I shot Cluna a questioning look, and she grinned at me.
"Just in case, right?"
"Protecting and securing VIPs is basic protocol."
Yuren nodded as if it were obvious. Really? I'd been clueless. Glancing around, most seemed in the know. Damn.
"Whew, excellent work. You just saved our hides."
"Thanks to you trusting me, Captain."
"What? You personally requested it, Captain?"
"Someone of the captain's caliber would've noticed ages ago. Going along without a word was tacit approval, wasn't it?"
Hmm, I see. Apparently, Hans from the parallel world was that impressive. Now I wanted to see the guy's face.
I ignored Clara's admiring gaze and followed Cluna's wind threads at a sprint. Soon, we reached the ambassador's lodgings.
Virald normally stayed at his mansion, but for safety, he'd opted for here instead. As I debated knocking,
Yuren suddenly kicked the door in. With a crunch, the iron door screamed and tore like paper.
"Looks like we hit the mark."
"DADE PALL TK5 MME1......"
"H-how did you know about this place...?!"
It was
"Fascinating. A language system I've never heard before. Is that all it can utter in this state?"
"Cluna, rein in your curiosity."
"DREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!"
"That's unequivocally a demon."
Demons. Monsters on another level from mere magical beasts. And this wasn't some lowly demon—it was one of the Blood Tide lineage. Unlike the despised lesser demons,
These were true abominations among abominations. It roared, spewing black tentacles. Tendrils erupted from the floor, lunging at us with terrifying speed.
But unfortunately for it, we weren't pushovers. Bayard and Clara sliced the incoming tentacles like vegetables.
At the same time, Ruby charged from behind, swinging her hammer to smash the doppelganger. That freed Ambassador Virald at last.
I'd just watched it all unfold.
Because I couldn't react.
Fuck, it's fast as hell.