Chapter 23 - #23 Gifnora Forest (2/2)
”Hey!” The leader was shouting something at us while we were talking but we ignored most of it.
I turned back at them.
”Alright, I will say it in a more primitive way so you can understand it too. Move aside or die.” I said and narrowed my eyes.
”?...Hahaha” At first when they heard my words, they had dumbfounded expressions but after a few seconds, they started to laugh aloud.
”Young lord?” Ichika said and readied her daggers with cold eyes while glaring at the laughing men.
”No, there is no time to take care of them one by one. Leave this to me.” I replied and she just nodded while hiding her daggers.
”Surrendering without a fight after such strong words? I have said that we would let you go kid but you have-” The leader started saying his usual villains' sentences about how he is not going to let me go but I had no time to listen to this bullshit.
*BANG* A ”smaller” explosion resounded through the road leading in the middle of the forest, smoke raised and dirt together with debris started to fall down like rain.
[Energy: 625/655]
Most of the people disappeared without leaving any trace behind them but there were still a few wailing screams inside the smoke.
”Idiots...it's your own fault, curse yourselves. Let's go Ichika, we have no time to spare.” I said with a disinterested face while looking around the little crater created by the explosion.
”What about the remaining ones?” She followed right after me and asked.
”No need to care about them, either they will die or they will live with crippled limbs and burns. We have no time to care about them” I replied to her and we quickly went forward to our goal.
On the road, we were attacked a few more times but most of the time it was Danger beasts instead of humans.
Class: Assassin (Lv. 9; +13 Agi, +7 Int, +4 Str, + 2 Cha) 947/2560 XP
Special Class: Fire Monarch (Lv. 6; +12 Cha, +10 Int, +9 Const) 198/320 BXP
”Listen up kids, you will be lead into the middle of this forest and those who will be able to get out will get a privilege to obtain high ranking posts of the protectors of the Empire!” The bald man with a monocle over his left eye shouted while standing straight with his hands behind his back in front of the numerous kids who were either shaking from fear or simply had lost look in their eyes.
”Alright, men, lead the kids to the forest!” When the bald man run his eyes all over all kids in front of him, he ordered his man stationed behind him.
”Wait!” Another man with blond hair and green eyes who was sitting on the dead body of the big Danger beast lying near the bald man said.
”? What is it Gozuki?” The bald man frowned and asked the man named Gozuki with a confused expression.
”There is still someone missing. We have to wait for him since I promised someone to let that person participate.” Gozuki replied with a small smile.
”?! Why am I not aware of this matter?” The bald man asked with an angered expression.
”Calm down, it's not like- Hm? Looks like he is here.” Gozuki wanted to explain the situation but stopped once he noticed someone walking towards their camp.
All of the people looked towards the same direction as Gozuki and saw a woman with a slightly taller kid in a black military uniform leisurely walking towards them with his left hand in a pocket and his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
'...Are we waiting for that kid? You are kidding me, right? What the hell did you do, Gozuki?! But something is off about that kid...his entire expression represents boredom and that red hair and red eyes...He must be from Phoenix house. Now I understand why Gozuki had no option but to agree' The bald man thought while he was carefully observing Akashi.
------Back to Akashi's POV------
”Stop! Identify yourself, this is off-limits area!” The guard stopped me from entering the camp created near the Gifnora Forest.
”Stand aside soldier, we have already spent too much time with the other obstacles, I have no time neither a mood to deal with you.” I said with an authoritative voice while glaring into his eyes under his helmet with my vertical pupils.
”Y-you can't jus-” The guard wanted to say something with his shaky voice but was interrupted by a loud shout.
”Let him in!” The blond-haired guy who was sitting on the dead Danger beast shouted at the guard blocking my way.
”Y-yes!” He immediately made a way for me and Ichika.
That blondie must be Gozuki, former member of Rakshasa Demons who train their bodies in unbelievable ways, making it possible for them to suddenly extend their nails or use their hair as a sharp weapon and many other tricks.
”I am sorry for being late but there were some difficulties on the way. You must be mister Gozuki, right? It is nice to meet you in person, my name is Akashi.” When I arrived near Gozuki, I said with a small smile.
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'...I can tell that there were some difficulties. Your clothes reek of blood and burnt meat. I can't gauge this kid...his smile looks more like a smile of a demon rather than a kid. I wonder who killed all those obstacles...was it him or that woman next to him?' Gozuki thought while he was observing Akashi and Ichika.
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”No worries. It's nice to meet you too. I was waiting to meet the heir to the Phoenix house for some time, looks like your house can be extremely proud of themselves for raising a kid like you.” He said with a polite smile.
”You are exaggerating, heh. By the way, this is Ichika, my guardian.” I said while pointing at Ichika standing next to me who was completely silent. I noticed that most of the kids here were looking at me with curious expressions and some of them had the faces of awe...I guess they already got to see how powerful Gozuki is...at least partly which would be enough to scare the kids. They must be curious about how can I speak so casually with Gozuki.