Episode 155: Operation Cease
It didn’t take long to eliminate all members of the Divine Rite Infiltration Unit.
We already had their exact positions, and I could infiltrate silently without making any sound.
“Wh-who are yo… gurk!”
The lackeys directly serving Hector were, unlike Resurrection Sect followers, ordinary humans in terms of awareness. Plus, they never imagined they would be ambushed.
It didn’t matter whether they were awake or asleep. I’d sneak up with my stealth skill, deliver a single blow of Vestark to the back of their necks, and most would float off to their lord smoothly.
“Honestly, it’s going as smoothly as could be.”
Of course. Even if the Disciples of Cassas try to fly or crawl, it’s currently under the Silence Spell enacted by the Seven Demon Lords.
I can’t sense their presence unless I see them with my own eyes. What can these fools possibly do? Unless you guys become one of the Seven Demon Lords.
… Wait. There actually was a Cavalier just now. I just came back after taking one out.
My thoughts seem to be turning into seeds. I need to be careful.
“Kkk… Uuuugh!”
As I was saying that, one of Cassas’s lackeys who had been struck by my dagger was thrashing around wildly.
Drat. I stabbed the chest instead of the neck. My aim was off. Daydreaming is this dangerous.
“Phew. This is annoying.”
Chrrrrek! I cast Shadow Chains on the guy flailing about on the bed. Dozens of chains emerged, wrapping around his limbs, and his neck as well.
Choked, the Disciple of Cassas thrashed around.
“Ku… Hk, Khk!”
Seeing him struggle too much, I decided to put him out of his misery quickly.
Swoosh. A chilling sound followed as the pristine white Espada moved horizontally. Following the white trail, his head flew off like a toy.
“…”
Come to think of it, when did it start?
Now, cutting off someone’s head feels no different than chopping Lego bricks. Though I’ve never even sliced chicken, my current impression is simply,
“Damn. It won’t come off if blood stains it.”
That’s all. It was what crossed my mind seeing the large amount of blood splattered on my upper garment.
Anyway, only after confirming his body completely slackened did I release the chains.
“Okay. That’s all done.”
“Mmm. Good job, Jung Yong…”
Elfride jumped down from where she’d been sitting on the table watching and began muttering a spell towards the dead Disciple of Cassas.
“Black Maiden. Devour it all.”
No. Looking closely now, it’s less of a spell and more like she’s addressing a real, living being.
True to her command, the usual pitch-black amorphous woman gathered from beneath the wooden floor and started gulping down the sprawled corpse.
Goooorrrr…
The Black Woman greedily devoured the corpse, leaving not a single drop of blood behind.
The monstrous black silhouette that left no trace of the corpse soon scattered back into the floor like when it first appeared, disappearing completely.
‘This way… there’s no worry about the corpse being manipulated.’
This was a precaution so Hector Cassas couldn’t play around with the corpse. On the Adequate side, I’d already instructed to pulverize the corpses following what was done in Kern.
Only then did Elfride nod in approval.
“This side is all done… Shall I lift the Silence Spell now…? It’s been kinda tough honestly…”
“Yeah.”
Looking closer, Elfride’s already-pale face had grown paler. She was drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.
It seems like maintaining the widespread Silence Spell was quite taxing, despite her not showing it.
I immediately nodded in agreement.
“Yes. Our part is done to the extent that Adequate has probably finished already. You can lift it.”
“Aha. Jung Yong really… evaluates the Wolf Brother highly, huh…”
Why don’t you try getting dismembered by that man? You’d be forced to give high praise too.
I smirked bitterly and nodded.
“Because it’s true.”
“Huhhehe. That’s right… The Wolf Brother is really… a remarkable person…”
Elfride was delighted as if she’d been complimented herself. Stretching her hand to the sky, she began pulling the dark energies back in.
Shhhhhoooh… The world was filled with sound once again. The chirps of insects and the sound of the wind from outside the window caressed our ears first.
“H… Phew.”
Elfride staggered and collapsed there and then. I caught her just before she hit the ground.
Elfride looked up at me with a tired smile.
“Si-sorry… I probably used too much mana… It’ll get better if I rest a bit…”
Indeed. She’s pushed herself too hard.
It’s too dangerous to leave her here, and we don’t have time to wait for her to regain her strength. I had no choice but to hoist her small body onto my back.
Eh, a gasp of shock escaped Elfride’s lips.
“Mr. Jung Yong…? This is… a little embarrassing…”
“We don’t have time. Please bear with it.”
“U-um… Okay.”
Elfride squirmed around briefly before gradually settling down to breathe steadily. Soon, she rested her head on my back.
A soft sigh came from her.
“Ah… As expected… you smell really good…”
And that was the start of it.
I began regretting helping her within just 10 minutes.
“Hak… Hak… Kik-kak-kak… Really tempting… Makes me want to lick… Umphak…! Mr. Jung Yong… Can I, perhaps, lick just a bit?”
This lunatic started caressing my back while developing an obsession.
Chills ran down my spine so much that I started sprinting at full speed.
*
“… So. You’ve arrived.”
“Yes.”
We reached the mansion.
Adequate, along with Carhalas, Seseona, Knightrea, and Ruci were there to greet us. The miscellaneous sisters awaited us.
“Jung Yong. Remarkably, everything went exactly as you said. Baek Eun and Gold… recklessly aimed weapons at me.”
“… Well, it was the same for us.”
“Good work. And thank you.”
“The hard work was done by Mr. Adequate.”
As Adequate nodded gravely while patting my shoulder, he glanced at Elfride who I had thrown like a catapult.
The Adequate, who had maintained a scary expression, subtly smiled.
“Your magic made the job very smooth. Well done, Elfride.”
“Wha-?”
Elfride exclaimed in a daze. It seemed she couldn’t come to terms with the reality of being praised by Adequate.
Soon, she covered her face with both hands while twitching.
“Whaaat… Is this not a dream? I feel like I might pass out…”
She started writhing on the ground like she’s gone mad but soon actually collapsed, unconscious.
Of course, it wasn’t because of joy. She was at her physical limit from the start.
Watching this, Adequate and I exchanged wry smiles without exchanging words.
“Now, all that’s left is to prepare for the night raid.”
“… It seems so.”
“Jung Yong, do you know the time when Cassas’ disciples will attack?”
“… No, I don’t.”
Even as I shook my head, I clicked my tongue with regret. I deeply regretted not knowing the precise raid time from my past life.
But now’s not the time to dwell on it. Driving away these stray thoughts quickly, I directly questioned Adequate.
“Mr. Adequate. Is there any reason for them to capture Ruci, the Undying Demon King alive instead of killing her?”
This was a question that plagued me since my past life.
Why didn’t they kill Ruci outright?
Even if they didn’t know about the Guardian Contract, shouldn’t they eliminate the variable immediately?
“In my place, I would capture her if possible. Especially now that the Undying Demon King is weakened.”
Surprisingly, Adequate nodded as soon as he heard my question.
Of course, I tilted my head and immediately questioned further.
“Well, why?”
“Because she’ll resurrect eventually if you kill her, won’t she?”
“Ah.”
“If their goal is to balance the power between the Hero and the Demon King. It’s safer to capture and manage her directly rather than resort to an uncertain strategy.”
Reducing variables.
It’s something I’ve always done every time I’ve died and revived.
“Ultimately, they’re doing the same.”
Controlling the Undying Demon King, killing me, and eliminating the Witch Hunter. They’re reducing variables to achieve their goal of balancing the world.
I clenched my teeth once and cautiously asked Adequate.
“Receiving support from other Cavaliers… Is it impossible?”
“A Cavalier is, after all, a commander and politician. It’s a position that can’t easily move without justification. With nothing but your prediction as evidence, they won’t move.”
Of course, that would be the case. I frowned deeply.
Even the truth that I’ve experienced directly isn’t believed by anyone. Even the current Adequate doesn’t fully trust me. The frustrating constriction rose up to my throat once again.
“Is there any way to halt… stop the Divine Rite?”
“Stop?”
At my words, Adequate let out a wry smile. It was the kind of expression you’d have hearing something amusing while passing by.
Getting irritated by his reaction, I raised my voice a bit higher in challenge.
“First, stop the event and deal with the invaders completely! After that, restart the event. It’s not too late…!”
“Sorry, but I’m not a king, much less a dictator.”
As Adequate cut off my words with a dry laugh.
I opened my eyes wide and blurted out in astonishment.
“What do you mean…?”
“To stop the Divine Rite in an emergency, two-thirds or more of the Cavaliers need to approve it. Can you persuade 70 Cavaliers based solely on an organization that’s unknown to the public?”
“…”
“I’m not talented in politics. I’ve volunteered for provincial dispatch precisely because I hate politics. My usual behavior is sloppy, so I don’t have many allies among the Cavaliers either.”
True. I’ve seen firsthand how you act in the state conference; I know you’re not good at politics.
Adequate gave a wry laugh and passed by me who was standing stiff as a board.
“But, you never know.”
“Huh?”
“If your prediction turns out true and my mansion is turned into a sea of fire. And if… a Cavalier of my caliber dies, even the heavy-bottomed Cavaliers might halt the Divine Rite.”
“… That means…”
That’s a statement preparing for his own death. I stared at Adequate’s back with wide eyes.
Adequate avoided my gaze, glanced at the sky, and tossed out a line.
“There’ll be a tumultuous rain. Let’s pray for each other’s good fortune, future Witch Hunter.”
And when did I become a trainee hunter?
Following Adequate’s gaze skyward, it was indeed true. Unlike in my past life, the sky in this life wasn’t calm. The tightly packed clouds revealed flashes of lightning as they grumbled.
“… I pray for your good fortune.”
I muttered as Adequate walked away gracefully.
