Chapter 368 – Shout of the Burning Knight

I brandished Baldok as if to break the silence created by Destruction Lance Gladopalus. The chunks of meat sticking to its red spear scatter in all directions.

Then I shoulder Baldok, and check my surroundings with Grasping Perception. And then I grab Holker’s wood splinter and expose it to the air with a tadah.

The splinter shook from the forest’s wind stirring it, but it trembled like a vibrator, showing reactions to all around. Kisara, who was on the receiving end of the play using this, was raptured to the extent of crying… I reflect on having used the splinter for something inappropriate, and quickly put it back into my pocket.

At that moment, Helme returns gallantly.

“Your Excellency, it looks like Gladopalus has become more powerful from using it in combination with <Water Pierce>.”

“You’re right…”

I feel from the sensation and feedback how the speed and combat range have been going up little by little, so…you can definitely say that <Darkness Drill – Destruction Lance Gladopalus> is growing.

On top of that, the evolution of Magic Halberd Baldok which has been created by Zaga and Bon out of the Evil Dragon King’s materials.

Is it growth as a technique? Or is it my ability?

“I’m happy about your growth, Your Excellency. But, I don’t want to get anywhere close to the effective range of Gladopalus. Judging from what I’ve witnessed with my eyes, I think its range has changed again, but you mustn’t think of using it in combination with <Spirit Ball Conception>. If my water gets dragged into that, I feel like it’d get pulled into another dimension like a magic hole, darkness, the realm of the dead, the deepest underground, the Spirit World, or the boundary between the dimensions of the veil…”

Helme is obviously scared. It appears she’s experiencing the same dread towards the effective range of Gladopalus as the Rollo’s flames. But, for me it’s a praise.

While maintaining a dignified pose of throwing out her voluptuous chest…the bluish-black and blue leaves composing her skin are waving. Of course that causes a certain event to occur.

Yep, her boobs. They’re wobbling repeatedly like pudding. Her fantastic tits would excite every man on this planet, I’m sure.

But enough of that. I instantly switch my thinking away from that playful, perverted mindset.

“…That’s true. I sucked up Schmihazar’s blood and mana, and I believe I got a huge experience boost through the battle against Iglued.”

“You’ve talked a bit about it before. You mentioned that your sight was taken…”

“Yeah. To be honest, that battle surprised me. I was saved by my Master’s voice. I also learned that some things are impossible to deal with even as Lucival. I can’t tell whether it was Iglued’s memories or spiritual world, but…I won’t be able to forget the swarm of trees resembling the roots of banyans.”

You could call it an attack exceeding my regeneration, or an mental and space-based attack completely outside the concept of regeneration, I guess?

“If I had been with you…”

“Don’t worry about it. Battles depend on the time.”

“Yes, of course! Your Excellency, the corpse of a huge wolf is over there though…” Helme points a finger.

The corpse of a huge wolf is connected to the aquatic monster as its squid tentacles serve as a collar. The wolf has fallen prostrate in a patch of grass like a broken doll. There are traces of it being dragged along after having fallen into the grass, but…the tentacle collar, which seems to be the cause for the dragging, has been apparently swallowed up by Gladopalus as it’s gone midway.

“It looks like the wolf escaped the fate of getting swallowed up by your Gladopalus, Your Excellency.”

“Seems so.”

The effective range of Gladopalus has created a depression as if the ground has been scooped out with a gigantic spoon…

Just as Helme says…the wolf’s corpse would have likely disappeared if it had entered that area.

At that point, Higlia’s brethren kick up a fuss.

“An amazing lance who manages a divine beast!”

“His violet magic spear is glowing red!”

“Did you see the other spear blade?”

“Of course I did… It had two ecliptic moons, didn’t it?”

“Is he connected with the Twin Moon Gods? But leaving that aside…he defeated the enemy so easily!”

“True, he killed that formidable enemy――”

“”That Demonic Tree Necromancer!!””

The ancient wolfmen shout with voices full of profound fighting spirit.

“Hehe, that’s my Shuuya for you. He’s worthy of being my important male!” Even Higlia joins the shouting.

“――The Demonic Tree Necromancer was taken down!”

The boss-level monster I killed last seems to be called Demonic Tree Necromancer. Though it might also be its class or rank, and not its name.

Come to think of it, the huge deer monster also mentioned something along the lines of 『Tree of Wonders Battle Spear Gijyedeah』.

Among all the clamoring wolfmen, only one tall wolfman remains dumbfounded. With a stride as if being giddy, he feebly walks several steps while faintly whispering, “…T-That’s..n-no way…”

He runs up to the fallen huge wolf. His deep black tail is long.

“Is that Daon-sama?”

“Probably…”

“What a shame…”

Some of the ancient wolfmen express their pity. That huge wolf wasn’t a monster of the Tree King of Wonders, but a captured ancient wolfman? He doesn’t look like a wolfman, but like a regular wolf, though…

Maybe Higlia can also transform into a huge wolf? But, I haven’t seen her do that.

Thereupon, Higlia orders a pretty wolfwoman with a stern look, “…I’m bothered about Daon. But, Ryokline, please continue with your report for now. The troops led by the Demonic Tree Necromancer had a fairly big size, but what’s going on back at our homeland?”

Ryokline is a beauty with eyes like Helme and a fine-boned nose. Her chin is long and slender, and her upper lip is just slightly bigger than Higlia’s. Unlike the other wolfmen, she’s got light black and brown fur, conspicuous enough to stand out. She’s similar to a human.

“Princess, the Tree King of Wonders…the turf that got attacked by Zacksel…”

Zacksel is the ancient wolfman the vampire Yuo killed, isn’t he? Higlia avenged him.

“I mentioned it earlier, but I’ve already taken revenge for Zacksel, but…is it because of that? Did our clan’s combat forces decrease because you formed a unit to chase after me?”

Higlis seems to feel at fault here.

“No, I don’t think it’d have made a difference even if you had been present, Princess. Moreover, the underlings of an ancient god invaded the turf Wolf Commander Bidoln. On top of that, it turned into a chaotic fight as some of the enemies slipped among our allies, resulting in many casualties…”

Ancient gods appear to be strong as far as I hear.

“Additionally, a young, excellent soldier was killed after trespassing into the territory of the Death Butterfly people… There’s also troubles in the turfs of other wolf commanders as orcs and goblins are invading. Humans have been laying waste to our turfs, too.”

“…Again? Also, I’d say it’s the eternal prison that remains unchanged even with me being present.”

Higlia’s expression becomes gloomy after hearing Ryokline’s report. Or rather than gloomy, she’s different from the usual Higlia. It’s not her expression when she’s jealous about me, but more like an awe-inspiring princess conducted with style.

I suppose that means even the jealousy she’s turning at me is a kind of enjoyable fun for her. Well, it’s clearly proven by her continuing to stay here without going back home.

“…With the situation being so grave, the vampires took the slightest opportunities to attack.”

“The vampires are a problem too, but…” Higlia looks my way with eyes full of respect.

“But, as expected of you, Princess! It’s amazing for you to have killed a leader of the vampires! Your fame will rise a lot higher than challenging the hundred labyrinths of the dead! Moreover, for it to have been one of the 12 family’s Valmask family! It’s going to boost your right to speak at the Great Chief Wolf Council! The power granted to you by God Wolf Hurley-sama will drastically increase as well!” Ryokline raves on while furiously swinging her tail.

It’s pretty obvious that she likes Higlia.

“…Me having been able to get rid of Vampire Hoffmann’s <Servant Leader> was thanks to a female vampire hunter and Shuuya. You can tell Shuuya’s strength without me having to explain anything, right?”

“Yes. The level of command ability to crush the military forces of the Tree King of Wonders and the moves to rescue us. Furthermore, he possesses a predominant individual combat ability that allowed him to slaughter the Demonic Tree Necromancer all by himself. The very definition of a hero. He looks like a black-haired human, but…hihi.”

Just now she looked into my eyes and blushed. Ryokline-san sure is a nice catch too. I love pretty women.

“…Ryokline, you better stop with that look. But, since your little sister was directly saved by Shuuya’s technique…I feel like I can understand.” Higlia’s cheeks turn red while she boasts proudly. “But, it’s still a no! I won’t let you have Shuuya! Shuuya is a powerful male who has employed a great divine beast. And he’s the man I personally told my name to. He’s also the male whom I promised to cross fist with for glory on the Idol Plaza.”

Higlia-san is getting carried away as usual. Her eyes are obviously teeming with lust.

“Princess――you exchanged an engagement with a male of another race!?”

“W-W-What a scandal…”

“Don’t tell me, the Kagura ritual…”

“Ugh, no, not yet…but, that’s okay. After all, I’ve decided to follow Shuuya, even if I might become a ・・・・ fragment of a grass blade.”

“Princess…”

Ryokline scowls at me, implicitly asking me with her eyes, 『You were the one who deceived Princess?』. But, what’s the point in asking me with such a look?

The wolfwoman I’ve rescued by entangling my <Chain> around her is behind the ancient wolfmen such as Ryokline. It looks like she’s Ryokline’s little sister, but seeing how she smiles sweetly once our eyes meet, she’s a cute wolfwoman.

When I smile back at her, Higlia starts to make a racket, but…she naturally quiets down once she goes to talk about the future with Quiche. I think it’s heading into the direction of an alliance between Cydale and the ancient wolfmen.

Just as I make Baldok and Ganghis disappear, the cawing of a crow reaches my ears.

“――Shuuya-sama, I’ve performed a simple reconnaissance, but I couldn’t sense all that many monster magic sources.”

Several black crows are fluttering around Kisara. Are they her familiars who are capable of doing simple scouting work?

Suddenly the crows, whom she’d sent out to scout, went back into the bulging rosary mark on her wrist. Let’s simply ask her.

“I got it. Are those crows your familiars?”

“It’s slightly different. “Hundred Ogre Path” is a kind of Ogre Princess Armament――”

I don’t understand the part about Hundred Ogre Path. But, it sounds like it’s going to become long-winded if I ask her for an explanation, including the grimoire. Let’s leave it at that for now.

She’s apparently wise enough to have perceived that I won’t try to probe further. Silently she makes the mana blades extending from the daggers in her hands contract back into the hilt with a whoosh. The instant the daggers became regular knives again, they reverted back into two black crows. The two crows flap their wings, cawing as if divining a fortune. They’re different from the crows that went back into her wrist.

Just as evident from them turning into weapons, I doubt they’re crows, despite looking like ones. Their tail is as long as that of a long-tailed fowl. Moreover, it’s identical to what had been attached to the daggers’ pommel. Their tails have a color similar to a silver chain. A decoration designed like a cross strap is visible at the tips of their tails.

In other words, the daggers were Lulodis-type of weapons? Though it didn’t feel like the mana blades carried a light attribute.

Kisara faces the special, magic crows, and the instant she reveals a bewitching smile, the crows are sucked into the rosary emblem on her wrist. She kinda looks like a magician who uses doves.

The rosary emblem has been sticking out like a barcode printing. Furthermore, the grimoire bound to her waist belt by a silver chain and metal fixtures shines as well.

I don’t know whether the grimoire is made out of human skin, but the leather it uses for its binding is eerie. Although the grimoire’s pages have been flipped automatically, it’s currently closed. Maybe it’s linking up with the rosary emblem instantly.

“…That’s also Hundred Ogre Path?”

“Yes, it is just as you have guessed. Well then, Shuuya-sama, Spirit-sama, wolfmen, I am going to join up with Rotalz to personally scout from the sky――” Kisara flashes a smile at me, but only spares a sharp look for the ancient wolfmen.

Then she turns around in a way that makes me feel the depth of her skill, and flies up into the sky in no time. Her tight waist and her footwork of dancing through the sky like a celestial nymph are elegant. Truly the epitome of 『A sight for sore eyes』.

Kisara lowers her bum on Rotalz’s forehead, and seductively crosses her legs. And then she even winks and throws a kiss at me…before starting to circle in the sky together with Rotalz.

“…Shuuya, do you like Kisara?” Quiche asks, apparently feeling uneasy about me gazing at Kisara.

She deliberately asks me something she should be fully aware of. She’s stopped her important conversation with Higlia in the middle, but is that okay?

Still, since I’ve got no intention to hide my feelings about Kisara, I answer honestly, “…Yes. I didn’t feel like that in the beginning when I met her for the first time.”

Because Quiche knows that I’ve slept with Kisara, I frankly tell her my feelings. Quiche lifts an eyebrow, and for an instant her nostrils swell up.

“…I see. I’m concerned about the children in the village, our comrades, and the discussion with Higlia.”

“The children are at the meeting place, right?”

“Yep. I’m immediately going back to pick them up. Spirit-sama, see you later as well――”

“Okay.”

Quiche recovers her smile after shaking her head, and turns on her heels, climbing the slope in the direction of my house.

The ghosts’ hymn is still reverberating from the direction where Quiche is probably headed.

At that point, the Burning Knights appear while bringing Alray and Hueremy along. They step up in front of me while matching strides.

Zemetas and Adomost perform a Spirit World-styled salutation. Rollodeen reacts to that. As if tempted by the Burning Knights’ greeting, she licks their skulls.

“Rollo-sama!”

After Zemetas’s skull, Rollodeen continues with Adomos’s.

“That’s where the fire eyeballs are dwelliiiiing!”

Does it feel pleasant to his eyeballs? I don’t really know, but Adomos makes smoke billow up in excitement. His red smoke covers Rollo’s head.

My partner sneezes. It looks like she’s breathed in some of the smoke through her nose. She grandly showers Adomos with her nasal mucus which is tinged red.

The red smoke shrouding Adomos’s skull is blown away. And the red mucus from the sneeze is stickily clinging to his breastplate. But, Adomos doesn’t really mind. After a simmering sound, new puff-puff smoke rises up again.

“Adomos, let us use the opportunity to show it to His Excellency and Rollo-sama.”

“Oh, you’re right! We’ll exhibit our will to not lose to Catiza-dono!”

——————– End of Part 1 ——————–