My motivation returned once my objective was clear. I moved with more Godspeed than usual.
The Dwarf mines expanded not just left and right, but also vertically. Rushing, I ignored efficiency and attacked the closest areas.
It was only when I took a breath and deactivated my Mind’s Eye that I noticed. Instead of the Sword of Light reflecting off the mine walls, my vision was stained crimson and black.
At first, I thought Naga blood spatters were filling the air, but then a slight cough made me feel sluggish. I’d assumed it was from overusing Godspeed and breathlessness in the cramped tunnels, but the dangerous atmosphere activated all my senses.
The decisive factor was a new Naga attack. Usually, I’d attack first with Godspeed, but this time it came when I was on the defensive.
The moment I saw the Naga open its mouth wide, it spat something like a blackish-red liquid. I initially thought it was a fire attack. In this world, powerful beings usually announce themselves by breathing fire.
I considered blocking with my shield, but it looked sticky, and I didn’t want to dirty my shield with its saliva, so I dodged with Godspeed.
The Naga’s spit, passing by my side, squeezed my chest, but instead of making me fall in love with the Naga, it brought intense pain throughout my body. Was this poison!?
I had forgotten. Even Naga are snakes, so possessing poison wouldn’t be strange. If it were a neurotoxin, I’d lose mobility instantly and be easily devoured.
“Gas Mask~!”
It was good I’d kept the Gas Mask I used before in my magic pouch. I had to call out its name in imitation, or it wouldn’t be fair to the blue robot.
This time, I put it on properly. Breathing became easier, but the pain in my body remained. Furthermore, it wasn’t for combat, so my vision was limited: “Koho.” Just two large holes in front of me, “Koho.” I could only see forward, “Koho.”
I rather liked this breathing sound, “Koho.” It looked bad, but it would surely intimidate my opponents, “Koho.”
I wasn’t slow enough to be hit by the Naga’s poisonous spit. The poor visibility was no problem with Mind’s Eye, and soon, five or six murder scenes were created in front of Mode Three.
The suspect, me, wandered through the caves searching for new victims. Like a slasher movie killer, my face hidden by a Gas Mask, a blood-stained Sword in hand, “Koho.”
Suppressing the feeling of heading in a bad direction, I decided to think of something enjoyable. If I kept wandering around the caves like this, I might actually become the protagonist of a slasher film.
Something enjoyable. Even as a Mercenary, there were enjoyable things. Of course, thinking about girls was good for my mental health, but when I considered the White Lily Corps…
Meals! Meals were the most enjoyable. With more people, eating and talking about various things was fun. It could even escalate from discussions about portion sizes to actual fights. And being fed with a spoon, saying “Aaahn,” only to have a Knife fly in from somewhere – that was also fun.
Sightseeing! Going to various places, seeing famous historical sites, temples and shrines, things not found in Japan – that was fun. And the destruction that followed. Like cherry blossoms scattering, was it a blizzard of petals or an explosion?
…As a Mercenary, I only need to think about fighting. Meals are scavenging leftovers, and water is drinking muddy water. Any sturdy building will do.
*Ugh*, this Gas Mask fogs up so easily, I can’t see through my tears. I want to wipe my eyes, blow my nose, and take off this Gas Mask when I noticed something. The filter inside the mask was stained red.
I was sure it was blue when I put it on… Was I mistaken? Misunderstanding? Blue filters indicate alkalinity, red indicates acidity, but it’s natural to see blue as safe and red as dangerous.
So, is this Gas Mask dangerous? Is it red because it’s reached its limit, or is it red because the outside is dangerous… I decided not to take it off.
My face was already a mess of tears and snot. If I sneezed now, it would be hay fever. I need to move, to a new place without pollen. Near the cave castle, where there’s no poison.
Before that, I’ll use Wide Area Mind’s Eye with all my might. The overlapping layers made me feel sick from seeing my own tears and snot. I still found several groups. I’ll take care of them on my way back.
I targeted a group near the cave castle. I moved with Godspeed. I wanted to strike from behind, but it would take too long, so I went from the front. I had to defeat them before they spat poison and secure a safe zone.
My Mode Four charge triggered a Naga massacre. I beheaded one with a glancing blow just before cutting off its head, but showed no mercy to the others.
I’ve turned into a mass murderer, but I thought maybe if I let one live, it would persuade the others to leave. I’d rather they go home. If they attack, I won’t hesitate to kill. It’s not because she’s female that I let her live; it’s because I wanted her to be a messenger. It’s not because I was distracted by the two mounds on her chest. It’s not because she was fairer than Christine and would have been a perfect match if not for her lower half. I made sure she was unconscious and took off my Gas Mask.
First, I’ll wipe my face. I have a towel in my magic pouch, and I always carry a little water, food, potions, dishes, a toothbrush, a razor, and an eye mask.
“Wake up!”
With the utmost care, I tapped the female Naga’s cheek with the non-cutting side of my Sword. The female Naga seemed surprised by the incredibly handsome boy in front of her. But when I ran my Sword along her neck, she seemed to grasp everything.
“Can you understand me?”
Can I talk to a snake? Her upper body is human, so she should have intelligence, and if she has vocal cords, conversation should be possible. If possible, I’d like to resolve this through talking, perhaps even expressing love.
“…I, I understand.”
If she can speak, maybe I can even pick her up. I felt like hitting a ball thrown into my strike zone, but her lower half is a snake.
“You Naga are attacking the Dwarves, but you’ve failed. As long as I’m here, I won’t let you come a single step closer to the cave castle! Do you understand?!”
I applied a little more pressure to the Sword along her neck, digging it in just enough that it wouldn’t leave a scratch. Magic Sword Zebra, protruding between strands of her hair, didn’t even cut a single strand.
“I, I understand…”
Still, this is no good… She needs to take better care of her hair. There’s no cuticle, and it looks split. I admire the ponytail, but her nape isn’t cleanly shaved. It’s a waste given her good base. Her lower half is a snake, though.
“Tell your superiors. If you don’t withdraw immediately, Mikael Sin, the Captain of the White Lily Corps, will massacre you all. Do you understand!?”
“I, I will. I’ll tell them, so please spare me.”
If I kill the messenger, there would be no message. Using a corpse as a message is an option, but I don’t want to commit any more needless slaughter. Especially, I don’t want to kill girls.
“Tell them! Tell them to withdraw! Go! No, wait a moment. Who ordered this attack?”
“…The chieftain.”
If she had answered “Demon Army” here, I might have killed her. The chieftain might be connected to the Demon Army, but I can’t investigate that.
“Go! Don’t ever come back. Next time, I’ll kill you!”
The female Naga dragged herself away and disappeared. It’s natural for her to drag herself since she’s a snake.
“Wait!”
I called out to the female Naga before she vanished into the darkness. The Naga, flinching, looked back at me, and I stood beside her, having approached with Godspeed.
“Take better care of your hair. It’s a waste for a girl like you.”
The Naga nodded with a blank expression. Did I say something strange? Grooming is important. Especially on a first meeting, you’re judged by your appearance. It’s a waste given her good appearance.
Damn it!? I forgot to ask the female Naga, who disappeared into the darkness, “Why are you fighting topless…?”
Returning to the cave castle, I used Wide Area Mind’s Eye, and the number of Naga heading towards us decreased. By the time I reached the castle, they seemed to have retreated beyond my range of vision.
“Hm? Rose, are you alone? Were you waiting for me?”
I had five people, led by Rose, on standby, but only Rose was waiting. A lonely number to welcome the hero’s return.
“Sorry, Captain. I sent the others to the Castle Gate. It was tough over here too.”
Thanks to being in the dark caves, I lost track of time. How long had I been fighting alone?
“The Castle Gate? What about Priscilla?”
“I don’t know, but since there’s no contact, she’s probably fine. I haven’t moved the guys at the first siege battery.”
With our second siege battery lost, the first siege battery is our only hope. I don’t think the second siege battery was destroyed by Harpies, and considering the possibility of a spy, guarding the first siege battery is essential.
“I’m going to see Priscilla. Rose, please head to the first siege battery.”
“Is it there?”
“King Shidenzach will surely bring the cannonballs. Let’s hope so.”
As I headed towards the Castle Gate, I saw many injured Dwarves and those tending to them. The battle was fiercer than I expected, as evidenced by the broken Castle Gate and the holes in the Castle Wall.
“Priscilla, you’re bleeding! Let’s get you treated quickly.”
It had been a while since I’d seen her, the beautiful golden Lycanthrope standing in the twilight. She was looking intently in the direction of the Demon Army from atop the Castle Wall. There were sword cuts on her armor here and there, dyeing her golden fur red in places.
“It’s just splattered blood. I’m not injured…”
If anyone had put even a single scratch on Priscilla’s skin, I would have slaughtered their entire family and relatives. I was about to charge into the Demon Army alone right now.
“I’m glad you’re not injured. What about Rufina and the White Lily Corps?”
“Rufina disappeared midway. The White Lily Corps also has many injured. However, no one has died.”
That’s a relief. I pictured the faces of everyone in the White Lily Corps. The injured need to be properly healed. Even if there were no lasting scars, I’d ask Sophia to heal them, making them smooth and soft like a baby’s Behind.
“Is Rufina okay!?”
“Long time no see, Mikael. The Master is resting.”
If Rossa is here, Rufina should be fine. I won’t comment on the greeting anymore. Just, in the twilight-shrouded cave castle, let’s avoid skeletons. It might cause heart attacks and deaths.
“Good work. Rossa, please stay with Rufina. Next time, if the Dwarves start something, you can deal with them, but don’t kill them.”
“Understood. Excuse me.”
Rossa was also a skeleton, so she must have fought very seriously. I fought well too. I was afflicted by poison and had a tough time. Maybe I should stain my clothes a little more.
“We won’t last until tomorrow. If you’re going to run, do it while it’s still dark.”
Priscilla said that and descended the Castle Wall. I guess I need to make plans to escape. I wish I could have held out for two more days. Without being able to fire the Magic Cannon, this is the limit.
I headed to Ria’s office. To report my accomplishments and recommend withdrawal.
