Vol 2 Chapter 22 (1/2)

Volume 2, Chapter 22 【Rage】

Revised on 5/3.

I was somehow able to rescue Marita.

To tell you the truth… I was anxious…

For the strategy I formulated had Alba… san the Disaster (※ ‘san’ would be added henceforth since I was indebted to her) infiltrate the enemy’s hideout.

When an existence that could be called the enemy-of-all attacked, the choices of action one could take were limited.

Speaking in terms of my previous life, a ferocious tiger… no, a polar bear- nope, a dinosaur barged into the crime scene where the hostage was being held captive.

‘Hostage? What is it? is it tasty?’ Was the current situation.

The enemy immediately realized that there was no point in using Marita as a s.h.i.+eld.

Therefore, the criminal could either fight the dinosaur… or they could take the valuable hostage and escape, which they opted for.

If they chose the former, I planned on entrusting it to Alba-san. If I imprudently made a move, I would only be a hindrance. I of course described Marita’s features and asked for her not to be harmed. There was Logins-san, too; however, having her stop when he was unable to move if he resisted was all the help I was willing to offer him.

And to deal with the case wherein they opted the latter, I borrowed Luna the Griffon (※ authorized by Alba-san) and waited in the air.

Because a number of people had to be dispensed with for an opponent of Alba-san’s calibre, only a few people made a run for it.

From Eleanor-san, I had already heard that they were not large in number; a platoon.

Sending any more to a country, which could not be said to be on friendly terms, covertly would be difficult.

My role was to launch an aerial a.s.sault on those fleeing and secure Marita. For now, there was no need to take everyone out.

Once I lifted Marita up into the air, I would succeed.

While I was on standby, I had already confirmed their mounts. They had not a single mount capable of flight. Flying mounts were incredibly expensive. There was a reason why they were owned by the likes of royalty.

However, the moment Marita took an ‘irregular’ action, I was scared out of my wits. Even though I was unable to catch on their conversation, I could tell from the distance that the situation was all but normal.

‘I’m glad she jumped off…’ or not. At some point of time, she had inflicted an injury to herself with a short sword. I didn’t have the leisure to stay still anymore.

Thus, I was able to save her. Everything was OK.

Thereafter, I took Marita and escaped. Fortunately, no one present there could see my face. The scariest scenario would be the Souven guys escaping now and retaliating afterward.

Once I sent the signal to Alba-san, she would cease the annihilation. After we rendezvoused at the designated point, I would return Luna to her――correction: I would swap her for Rook. With this, everything would be over.

――Still.

Even though Marita’s safety had been guaranteed, I still had some regret.

Of Marita, whose graceful face was currently crumpled into tears, I gently enquired.

「Hey… is it true that he was helpless, as he was being threatened to obey them?」

I wanted to have a detailed account, but I didn’t have the leisure of taking my time. Since I a.s.sumed Logins-san to be an accomplice, I was like「Donation? To his arch-enemy? I don’t get it…」 If such was case, I had to change my approach.

「Logi… my… moth… er, but… still…」

「Sorry, I didn’t get it. What did you say?」

The words of Marita, who was sobbing convulsively, were incomprehensible to me who could even comprehend monsters’ words.

「I get it. Alright, you just have to nod. Logins-san――――Is still important to you?」

――Even though it was brief, Marita did *kokuri* nod.

「…N, that’s all I wanted to hear. Ah… right, I was asked to return this to you.」

I took a pendant with a spectral s.h.i.+ne out of my bag. The one with the white magic crystal.

「Logins-san asked me to give this back to you when you have returned to safety, so I am giving it to you now. From here on, I will be acting on my own. I don’t know how it will turn out, but Marita should rest a.s.sured.」

Saying so, I put the pendant on her neck and lightly patted her head. Her tiny body momentarily quivered. Albeit only just, her sobbing seemed to have subsided.

「…What? Don’t! I will fall off this fellow.」

After caressing Luna’s body, I who had dismounted *pon* clapped. Thereupon, it slowly took off into the air with Marita on its back.

As you would expect, it was different from if I were recognized as its master. I was even almost bitten when I met it earlier today.

Someday, I would tame such a monster… it would probably need Lv3… maybe Lv4.

While thinking so, I turned my gaze to the people who were running in.

Logins-san… followed by three men in black.

「Are you… the demon…?」

The voice of the man who enquired so of the hooded me, I remembered clearly. The man who inflicted violence on Lim when the mansion was invaded. Suspected to be their captain――Serdio, if I remember correctly.

Bingo.

I threw the robe off and greeted the man.

「Why thank you. You really are Serdio-san, huh? It’s been a while.」

「You… from back then…?!」

「S-Seiji-san… You?」

「Uwaa… Back then…」

「…You have fallen silent. So the mistake earlier was not light.」

Judging from their reactions… The other two men in black seemed to be the guys from back then. It would be even more convenient.

「You’re… not a demon. What connection do you have with the demon?」

「Huh? I don’t understand what you’re saying. Demon who? I came here to rescue Marita.」

「Don’t f.u.c.k with me! Like h.e.l.l there could be such a coincidence. You have a connection with the demon… filthy sc.u.m.」

「…Oh well. Shout all you want, but it won’t change the fact that you’ve lost. Marita has escaped into the sky. Neither magic nor arrows would reach there. Even if one did by any chance, that fellow would have all the time to dodge it.」

「That griffon! To have such a monster for a mount… Who the heck are you…?」

Not just questions, I wanted some answers, too.

「By the way, Logins-san. I may have misunderstood, but… everyone is safe back at the orphanage. So, you don’t have to obey them anymore.」

「R-Really? But how…」

…I’m glad. Logins san is still the Logins-san I know.

「The subordinates must be there. How can you so easily――」

「Aa, shall I show you the evidence?」

Shortly after I whistled-――Kuroko alighted on my shoulder.

「You must recognize this fellow, right? It seems to have taken a liking to me. Oh G.o.d, it was so embarra.s.sing. Its former master almost cried out loud.」

「Are you angry? Eeh, I have been angry, too, for quite some time. More angry than you… more than a thousand times――you a.s.shole!」

As to why I was deliberately waiting here, I had 『some』 regrets.

First was Logins-san, of course.

And the other was――

「――I repay all my debts with interest. I will drag your sorry a.s.ses to the lockup.」

I loosened the fist that I had been clenching tightly. After placing it on the hilt of my dear sword Noir, I clenched it back. The slightly curved blade produced a pleasant ‘shari’ sound as it slid out of its sheath. I thrust the blade, that had blent with the darkening surroundings, at the three in front of me.

Now that Marita had been rescued, I had the leisure to do whatever I wanted to. Just because she had been rescued to safety, I would quickly leave…? That was certainly one plan of action. However, there was one more: not letting even one criminal go… Repaying the debt, that is.

「Logins-san, you ARE going to help this time. Sorry, but I wouldn’t like to be had from behind a second time.」

「But I…」

「If it were Albert-san, even he would understand this time.」

While I was wondering at Logins-san’s vague words, Serdio uttered as if mocking.

「Fu… This guy is not as good as you think. The lord will understand this guy? Don’t you think it’s impossible… when this man is the one who killed his beloved wife?」

「…Wha? I didn’t get what you said.」

Does he intend to chip away at my strength when I lose composure? Or does he plan on buying some time to come up with a way of dealing with Luna…? Unfortunately, Luna wouldn’t bat an eye even if I died.

「You can say whatever you want to. I wouldn’t be swayed by such a bluff――」

――――Result: I was swayed, somewhat.

Eh… Is what he said true? D-Doesn’t what I’m imagining have an element of a soap opera?

No, only after I confirmed with Logins-san could I determine whether what Serdio said was true or not…

「That’s true, indeed. I’m most likely the one… who killed Phylia-sama.」

――From Logins san, I heard the complete account of the incident.

What do I do… it’s quite serious.

「In the end, you cannot protect anything. The man who could do nothing when it mattered the most… who had his hands stained is now guised under a clean mask. I highly appreciate your skills, though. After all, the one who trained me; the one who taught me this work… was you.」

「…Do you still have no intention of coming back to us? You are not meant to be a butler. If you cannot condone us using that girl, we can think of another way. But first, we have to take care of this guy――」

Sweet talker. Was he always this good at talking? This guy.

In case Logins-san sided with the enemy, it would be 1 vs. 4. It would be a bit impossible.

I didn’t want to say this… because I was troubled. I merely wanted to speak my mind.

「――Sorry to interrupt, but who are you exactly? ‘Cannot protect anything’… Hasn’t Logins-san been protecting someone who Phylia-san valued for more than ten years? I may sound sweet, but don’t you, too? The culprit behind this incident shouldn’t speak so proudly.」

Although what happened in the past would not be settled with this…

「I’m shocked at learning about Phylia-san, too, but it’s up to her family how they receive it. It’s not your place to b.u.t.t in. ‘Not meant to be a butler’? Logins-san’s style carves into the eye exactly as a butler’s, you a.s.shole.」

「To Marita――Logins-san is important even now. She herself said that, so you shut your mouth.」

「…Marita-sama…」

And those words of his were completely second hand. Although I was not entirely quoting her either… words spontaneously leaked out.

「If you intend to protect, Logins-san, you must persevere until you are satisfied with yourself. Taking responsibility, in my opinion, is your duty.」

Although it was somewhat embarra.s.sing, I believed what I said to not be wrong. It might be called immature to an extent, but――after a moment of silence, Logins-san opened his mouth.

「Seiji-san is a bit young… and quite honest. This head of mine, who doesn’t think what you said is entirely correct, must surely be stubborn.」

After saying so, he unsheathed a slender sword――and pointed it to Serdio.

「It has been a while since I last saw you with a sword. Shall I have you show me how much your skills have improved? Also… I should have taught you how to keep your tone from quickening when you lie.」

「…You, who retired――no, ran away… so proudly…」

Grinding his teeth, Serdio uttered swollen with anger, as he set his stance up.

To tell you the truth, the one whom I wanted to pay back the most was this guy――… However, when I turned my line of sight a bit, I caught Logins-san with an 「I will be taking on this man」 expression.

Although I was smacked right after those words last time, it seemed safe this time.

Logins-san and this guy seemed to be related. Logins-san must be livid at this incident, too. So I did not hesitate in leaving it to him.

I couldn’t view Serdio’s status; however, Logins-san’s skills—《Sword Arts Lv3》, 《Body Arts Lv3》 and 《Earth Magic Lv2》—were not inferior to any high ranked Adventurer’s. Although comparing him to Alba-san was excessive, he wouldn’t lose easily.

「…Got it. I will join up there, though, once I’m done here.」

――Then, are the remaining two my opponents?

「Wai… isn’t it bad? This sequence」

「Can’t be helped… If we don’t take care of this guy…」

The weapons taken out by the two, whom I was facing, were a whip and a sword. The man’s one seemed similar to the twin swords from last time. But why is there only one…? Aah, was the sword in marita’s hand this guy’s?

Well then… Let’s begin――shall we?!

I put strength into the foot I had firmed into the ground. Setting the sword up in line with my eyes so my body’s centre of gravity wouldn’t deviate, I darted off.