148 Episode 148 "" Cheat Skill "vs." Cheat Skill Seal "vs." Cheat Skill Seal Back "(with additional attacks)".txt (1/2)

'Okay, ...... I'll at least tell you why I have to be killed!

The Veil yelled as he pulled a dagger from under his dress.

I think I've cornered them, but they don't seem to be. As I recall, this Western-style house is protected by a ward and the surrounding forest is crawling with ghosts. ......

This is a guy who distributes magic items to the nobility. It's possible that he may be planting skills and items around the mansion that we don't know about. We're still trying to keep our distance from him from three different directions.

By the way, Fynn put it back in the Cutlass.

It'll put more pressure on him if he thinks we have a hidden force.

”As a riddance to the journey of the dead...

'I don't care about that. I just want to go home and get some sleep, so I'll be quick.

I...

Faces red with fear and anger, ”Vale” began to speak.

He spoke so fast that it was hard to hear, but to sum it up...

The Vale's job is to mediate magic items and cheat skills for the nobles.

Its purpose is to strengthen the power of the royal family and nobles. The nobles of this country are the descendants of those who founded the country with the first king, so they have a desire for heroism. If you stimulate them, they will fight demons and demon kings on their own.

As the manager of this region's base of operations, she is in charge of dealing with the nobility.

I'm sure you're not the only one who's interested in it.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it.

And who is this person?　Does he also work for the great League-Nadal royal family?

I asked. With a provocation.

He shrugged his shoulders and said, ”What's that guy?　Are you a lowly member of the royal family? I was like.

'That man is not a servant of the royal family!　That gentleman has items and skills that even the ...... royal family doesn't know about. What I'm dealing with is just a part of that power!

'Really?　That would be awesome!

'I don't serve a boring guild!

'I see. So that's why you have all these awesome items!

Say no!　I'm sorry for belittling my organization!

I'm sorry.

You're right. In the end, you noblemen and adventurers are nothing more than pawns in our guild!

So, who is 'He' and what is the guild and what is their purpose?

The guild's purpose is to ensure security through the perpetuation of the royal family's rule. He has brought a system for achieving this goal, and the Contract.

As he was about to say it, 'Vale' held his mouth.

Tsk.

I thought he was going to slip up because he's a slippery guy, but that's as far as it goes.

''I was ordered by the organization ...... to wear this mask on the side of Princess Claudia.

Vale touched the silver mask that covered half his face.

'This is the end of the ...... story, my dear. Stranger.

Yeah, all right. So, what's the mask?

That's Claudia's mask!　He has a certain saintly air about him that sometimes makes me want to play the villain as a reaction to his pretensions. This involves his personality and - and I'm going to record what I see and have that guy equipped to simulate - shut up!　Don't open your mouth again!

The Veil took off its mask and knocked it to the ground.

Black eyes and a bloodless face were revealed.

She bit her lip and clutched the dagger in her hand. Her mouth is light because Leticia's 'Dignity Suppression (Elegant Downer)' is working. That skill has the effect of suppressing the target's dignity - the attitude and reason that should be taken in front of people.

That's why it's unstoppable, but ”Vale” is biting its lip to the point of bleeding. It looks like he's definitely not going to talk anymore.

...... I guess I'll have to wait until I've incapacitated that guy for the rest of the information.

I confirmed the message of ”Consciousness Sharing (Mind Linkage), Revised”. Cecil and the others are getting closer. But they still have a few minutes to arrive. I didn't want to get close to the 'Vale' until then. If 'That One' is from the 'White Guild', she may have a cheat skill as well. It's better to neutralize her with a long-range attack.

I look around for Letitia and Cutlass.

They nod. And then...

Are you still going to resist?　You who vandalize the town and disturb the peace!

Suddenly, Letitia shouted.

She turned away her chest, raised her sword and stared at the 'Veil'.

You're going to have to use transference magic to kidnap a nobleman and sell him something suspicious ...... and kill him if he refuses. It's just a crime, what you're doing is a crime. You're not going to be able to get your hands on any of them.　'The Veil'!

He thinks he's just a 'power-hungry' kid.

'Vale' looked at Letitia's face and chuckled.

'They want to be heroes. When I say I'll give them power, they bow to people like me. They want to go get the magic sword, marry the prince, and so on and so forth. Do you think that noblemen are so noble?　You are.

You don't think so?

Letitia shrugged her shoulders.

''That's why──because other nobles are like that, I want to be a ...... 'real nobleman' to those who protect my people.

I'm lost!

Yeah, don't worry about it. It's all very self-satisfying of me.

After saying that, Leticia laughs softly.

''The other nobles just want to defeat the demons and become heroes. I just want to be a hero who protects my people without standing out. Aren't we the same?　I'm just self-satisfied and will continue to be an aristocrat of justice with my friends who help me. Really, that's all.

...... there is no such aristocracy.

'Vale' widened his eyes and spat out.

'...... I know exactly what a nobleman is like. I've been serving them since before I started this job, ....... I only use them as much as I can and discard them when I have no more use for them. My strategy - use only your wits ...... and return the favor as soon as I have the power. Aristocrats are like that, aren't they!

I don't know what kind of noblemen you used to serve. But I'm sure some of them didn't.

Shut up!　They'll flay you for your cover!　My, my power!

The Veil raises a dagger. And then - he thrust it into his palm.

I'm not going to be the only one who can do this.

I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results. There is no one to save...

...... It can't be helped. Mr. Nagi.

Letitia looked at me.

The 'Vale' turned its head this way, too.

''It's fine, as originally planned.

Okay. Thanks for your help, Letitia.

If you're going to shout with 'dignity suppression' applied, that's what 'Vale' really wants.

Leticia tried to persuade him to the end. But it seems to be impossible.

The Veil - you and I are incompatible. I've been given enough information. You can rest.

'────!　The 'ice sword'...!

The Veil chanted its magic while looking at me and Letitia in turn.

The body splashed with a thump.

The impact of Cutlass's ”shield” struck my back - the impact of Cutlass's ”shield” caused me to bend my body into a crooked shape.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find a way to get the best out of it. Activate──”Gou, Interruption Shield Charge 《Cancelling Shield Charge》

gou interrupting shield fire ”canceling shield charge

A single heavy shield strike delivers a huge impact to the enemy.

Enemies affected by this move are blown (cancelled) for a certain amount of time, and their turns are blown (cancelled).

The chanting stops midway through and the grabbed weapon cannot be brought down.

My role and Leticia's role is to distract ”The Veil”.

In the meantime, Cutlass was approaching from behind. In order to neutralize him with the 'Gou, Interrupted Shield Shoot'.

''Guhaha!''

The Vale's body rolled to the ground.

At the same time, an 'ice sword' was fired from the palm of his hand. The chanting was complete, so I couldn't stop it. Due to the fact that it was fired in a precarious state, my aim is off. Moreover, it's snatched the palm of my own hand.

Because of that, the blood is stuck to the 'ice sword' as red crystals.

He's heading towards Letitia, but... but it's okay. It's not very vigorous, and if you're down, it'll be easy to avoid...

”...... d*mn it. What the hell is going on? That woman in the veil!

There was a male voice. It came from behind Letitia.

Baroness Larambell bound her with a rope. But there was another man of nobility here. That guy who was unconscious is standing up behind Leticia. If Letitia dodges the ”ice sword” - bad, a direct hit course.

What?

I love it!

Leticia flicked the Ice Sword with her shortsword. The ice sword changed course and hit the wall and shattered. The man screamed and cowered. That was all there was to it──but.

''Hahahahahahahahahaha!　I've got it. Stupid!

I noticed that 'Vale' was smiling high.

Gakun, Leticia winced.

''It's ...... what's ...... this.''

Leticia's 'Shortsword' was covered by a red crystal body. It was attached to the ”Ice Sword”. It gradually spread out. From the blade to the hilt, from the hilt to Letitia's hand.

A red crystalline body - a block of ice that spreads at the touch of the sword.

The actuality that this is the cheat skill of the ”Vale”?

You got it. My skill... 'ability-sealing freeze'!

'The Veil' shouted.

'Look!　Anyone who touches the blood and ice that emanates from my hands will not only have their internal skills blocked, but their memories and emotions will also be gradually frozen!　Why do you think people never heard about me before?　Because I've blocked the skills and memories of those noblemen who didn't respond to business, now!

A skill contamination type skill?

The Veil was selling magic items to the nobility.

Of course, he at least had a countermeasure in place in case the person he sold it to cross him. I knew it was coming, too. That's why I used Cutlass' skills to block the movement. Even the last time 'Veil' used its magic, Leticia could have easily dodged it.

Unless the man who was falling behind her accidentally got up.

Unless the Veil's ice sword took a direct hit to the man's head.

And - unless Letitia is a righteous nobleman.

”Disgusting, you!　What a righteous aristocrat!

It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get a good look at it.

This is the effect of Cutlass's ”Gou Suspended Shield Attack”.

Vale's turn is skipped for a while. I can't do anything. You can't do anything but move your mouth.

”Noblemen are sniveling, condescending people. ”A man like you makes me sick. Freeze your ass off and forget all those feelings.

Shut up.

............ hi!

The next thing I knew, I was grabbing the collar of The Veil and throwing it around.

I'm not much of a force. I'm not going to be able to get it right.

............ hi hi. Ahhhhh.

It's .......

Why do you look so scared?

...... Did I look so scary?　I don't know.

Cutlass, keep the Veil strapped in. Blindfold him, if you can. And, no offense, but that guy...

Yes, sir.

Cutlass nods upright and unmoving.

I'm sorry for the nobleman who just woke up, but I don't want to show him from here on out. It's a matter of privacy for me and──Letiticia's privacy.

''It's ......, it's fine .......

Leticia looked at me with a blue face and said.

The ice created by the Veil is sticking to Letitia's arm.

A line of ice extends from there and reaches her chest. It seems that it is trying to enter the Skill Crystal from there and contaminate it.

'Letitia, do you know the status of your skills?'

”...... 'Shield Scramble' doesn't seem to work anymore. You can't even take it out ....... And it's very cold ......

Cold?

I don't know. ...... It's like my mind is freezing over.

Okay. Okay, I'll take care of it.

I took Letitia's unfrozen hand in mine.

”So, for once. I want you to sign me up as a squire.

...... master-slave contract ...... I'm Nagi's slave?

This is the only time, 'Letia'

'...... Here, it would be foul to call me that name here!

A blush flashed across Letitia's cheeks.

'But since it's Nagi-san, it's necessary, isn't it?　It is.

Letitia looked me straight in the eye and nodded.

'You intervene in the skill by making me a temporary slave. To remove the effects of the 'Veil' skill, right?

'Yes. The terms of the master-slave contract are these. 'Letitia-Milfe will become Soma-Naghi's slave in exchange for having the skill contamination removed. The condition for terminating the contract is that Souma-Nagy gets information about the skill decontamination.

What?

Leticia nodded her head.

She didn't seem to understand.

'I mean. Letitia will become my slave in exchange for having the skill decontamination removed. I will unenslave Letitia in exchange for knowing how to decontaminate the skill. In other words, Letitia will only be my slave for the time it takes to remove the skill contamination.

The price of the contract is the removal of skill contamination.

The price of the contract is also the removal of skill contamination.

The quid pro quo is perfectly equal to the reward. This should be an exception to the rule, a temporary master-slave contract.

...... I get it.

Are you sure?

What kind of person doesn't trust their best friend?

Letitia chuckled as she held my hand.

''And even if ...... fails and I remain your slave, well, it can't be helped. But, since it's Nagi-san, the odds are good, right?

Letitia sniffed, huffing and puffing.

Even at a time like this. I'm not pessimistic at all. That's the good thing about Letitia, though.

When I said before that she should be the king of this country, I half meant it. Even if she doesn't become the king, I feel like this world would be a kinder place if Letitia became a prime minister or a minister or something like that.

I can't let her be a victim of these strange skills. Absolutely.

'We have a chance of winning. I'll take care of it.

I said.

So far, I've been able to break the seal on Raphilia's curse skill and the residual magic of the Heavenly Dragon.

Compared to that, this contamination skill is nothing compared to that. Maybe, though.

''Then, please.''

Saying that, Leticia held out the 'Medallion of Contract'.

We uttered the terms of the contract we'd decided on earlier and struck the medallion.

''The 'Contract (Contract)''

Shoo, the leather collar wrapped around Leticia's neck.

'...... It's kind of weird, isn't it?'

Restless?

It's more like ...... something ...... itchy.

Itchy?

It's as if something warm was flowing into Nagi's hand. It's not a bad feeling, but it's not ...... as if a warm feeling was flowing into my heart.

Tell me if you're having a hard time. I'll add to it.

Wow, okay, I get it: ......

I put my hands behind Letitia's back and unfasten the straps of her leather armor.

Letitia let out a small ”mmm” but she's doing what I'm doing to her. Underneath it was a thin piece of everyday clothing. I put my hand on its chest. Letitia's body is a bit cooler. Is it the effect of the contamination? We have to get it off as soon as possible.

'I've never had my ...... best friend touch my breasts before.

...... I've never touched my best friend's chest before either.

............

............

...... awkward.