◈Episode 77 Don’t do this (2)
“We aim for the dragon first.”
“…are you saying we should abandon the demon knight?”
“Look at it realistically. “The knight is in the castle.”
Did he somehow succeed in hiding himself? Deathbringer tried to speak as coldly as possible, excluding emotions.
“And the castle is full of Vipurit and troops to guard it. Would it be easy to break through that and find Knight Nari? Even if you find it that way, what are you going to do after the knight Sari has been eaten by the devil?”
The effort had some effect. There was a lot of talk about abandoning someone.
“You know well the strength of the knight Sari. “It would be difficult to deal with just one knight, and I can’t deal with an additional group of demon followers.”
“There is no way a demon knight can be easily defeated by a demon. If it were him, he might even be resisting consciousness and enduring.”
“Who the fuck hasn’t thought of that?”
I came out drunk, but my hair was in tatters after saying that. My brain, which had barely calmed down, became hot again.
“The situation is the situation. You can’t risk your life in uncertainty over other alternatives. “Like you said, this is the middle of enemy territory!”
Deathbringer raised his hand and washed his face dry. The furious voice lowers itself again and begins to speak in a helpless attempt to persuade the other person.
“Whether Knight Nari was attacked by the devil or not, the infiltration plan failed. But that doesn’t mean you’re the type of person to retreat after leaving the knight.”
There are too many negative variables to go looking for a demon knight. How much more so if the person who rises through the stakes is a warrior.
“Look at reality straight ahead. “We failed and we can’t save the demon knight on our own.”
So you have to wait for the main unit. Only when the Archmage joins forces with the accompanying troops will there be a way to rescue the Demon Knight.
“…What you mean by aiming for the dragon…is this to prepare for when the main force joins?”
“Now it makes sense.”
The good news is that Wall Changho is not the type of person who gets stuck even in moments of crisis.
I don’t have much intention of admitting it, but… once you convince that Heretic Questioner, the conversation is pretty easy after that.
“That’s right, that’s why we’re aiming for it.”
There is one thing in common between dragons and demon knights. If left unattended, both entities can inflict enormous damage to the main force.
“If you kill the dragon, the damage can be reduced by half. If the demon knight overcomes the demon, it can be completely reduced.”
However, unlike the Demon Knight, who is located in a difficult place to target, the Dragon is said to be isolated on the outskirts of the city.
According to the words of the person brought in as a guide and informant, it seems that quarantine was not enough and they even detained him under the pretext of preventing riots.
There may be some people who will stand guard, but I think it will be better than a castle. If you are restrained, you might be able to kill him very easily.
At this level, it might be worth a gamble.
“I get it.”
“great. So let’s start by examining the route. “You planned it, right?”
“Don’t just plan it. Now all you have to do is decide.”
Deathbringer accepted the product that had been requested in advance. As a result of the four natives putting their heads together, the map shows where the dragon is expected to be located and several paths to get there.
“Hey thief.”
“…There are only five thieves here?”
He rebuked the Heretic Questioner for his tight-lipped words. It was in the very next moment that the displeasure disappeared.
“Is he really okay?”
well. Is he really okay? In a castle where no riots or disturbances have been heard since the torch was lit… Is it okay to hope for the knight’s safety?
“…I am a knight.”
The two turned their eyes away from the clearly visible truth. Twenty and twenty-one. It was too early to be skeptical and talk about the fall of the person you admired.
* * *
I checked the newly popped up window.
Fury. ‘Nullify all status ailments’ was very attractive, but the last line of the explanation was a bit disturbing.
The more you perform certain actions, the more your madness gauge fills up. What is that specific action and what happens when the gauge is full?
Above all, I don’t know why this condition suddenly appeared. If I’m just going to get a little angry, shouldn’t things like ‘despair’ or ‘frustration’ have come up already?
I don’t really know why magic power is flowing out even though I didn’t want it to. It was all the more strange because it was based on an arm where there was a devil.
“Give it to me. To me.”
But even if you don’t know why, you can still use it.
“Well…”
I checked the insanity gauge, which was still converging to 0, and then looked back at the people who were speechless and unable to ask a question.
By the time I smile brightly, the magic power in my right arm burns even brighter in line with my intention. The atmosphere was more extreme than usual.
“no?”
In that state, I approached the person in the center of the three, Ponegeulja. He was about a span shorter than me, so when he got closer than 30cm, I had to lower my head a little to make eye contact.
Even that didn’t fit properly because the Pone letters were facing straight ahead, but whatever.
“You’re not answering?”
For a moment, I wondered if I could behave so recklessly, but I calmed down when I saw the children shivering.
It is now contemptible for civilians to be in a massacre factory like this, so how can they keep leaving children here? Let’s just push like a tyrant to the point of moving the kids somewhere else.
“What can stand in the way of Gretchen’s wishes? Please pick the things you want and take them with you.”
Ponegeulja calmly gave an answer. It seemed like it went through somehow. Even though it seems like if he continues like this, he will be stabbed in reverse, saying he is the great evil and all.
“Then only children.”
“Kids, I understand.”
“Move it. “I don’t like open spaces.”
“The dungeon in the castle is empty. “We will distribute it and move it to the prison.”
Write it. From my worldview, I don’t think prison facilities are good. It hurts my conscience to put my children in a place like that.
However, there is a high possibility of getting caught in an incident outside or elsewhere, so if you think about safety, it would be better there.
“You speak quite well.”
I deliberately used my right arm, which was overflowing with magical power, to hand over Ponegeulja’s long hair.
“…It is an honour.”
Only then did Pone letters meet his gaze. The black eyes that I looked at for the first time were wriggling with ambition and boldness that even a layman could easily read.
“Who are you?”
At that point I asked her name again.
This is because we believe that for an ambitious person, it is rare to feel as happy as having your name remembered in a positive light by superiors.
“I am Focalor, my wrath.”
“Focalor.”
And asking someone’s name when they know it is usually a clear way of saying, ‘I thought well of you, so I’ll remember you.’
As expected, Ponegeulja or Focalor’s eyes changed. My heart was so cold from the naked greed.
What on earth do you want? No, it’s obvious. If you go a little further with strength and power, there will be more reasons like eternal life.
And that’s none of my business. When Focalor became ambitious and traded people’s lives for her homeland, and when she created a place of madness to slaughter people, her ambition became something I couldn’t understand.
Who am I to say this? She will pay the price.
Just like the massacres in Earth’s history.
“Gretchen, I can guide you to something you will enjoy.”
On the other hand, those who did not know my thoughts shook their butts in a different way. In particular, Naberius and Biphrons, who were of the same rank as Focalor, were added.
It seemed as if appreciating the Great Evil was more important than fear.
“How about hero hunting? The hero is isolated within the city. “My colleagues are nothing but insignificant insects.”
However, while Naberius only excitedly did not open his mouth, Bifrons came out rather boldly.
You’re forcing me to hunt heroes for entertainment. It seemed like I really wanted to catch my eye.
“Hey.”
After confirming that the children were being led by the guards’ hands, I moved my tongue.
“Did you just ask me a question?”
Asking for intent is also a question. Bifrons’ face turned pale when he realized his mistake.
“That is….”
“Biffrons is the article chosen by ‘Stingy’. “Please stop being angry.”
But before I could break Bifrons’ neck, Naberius struck the bow. It’s a bonus that new information has arrived.
“You said you chose to be stingy?”
I thought quickly, looking down at Biffrons with a look of ‘this?’
I was already half-convinced about the seven deadly sins, so I skipped it and said it was ‘stingily chosen’.
good. Through this, I learned that the 72nd Knight may have been born through the selection of the Great Devil. Or that there is a power structure among the 72 knights.
Although I can’t use it right now, it’s information that wouldn’t hurt to know.
“That’s right.”
“Yes… That’s right…”
I muttered and slowly approached Bifrons. It’s a bonus that my steps began to revolve in a circle around her with her head down.
“But isn’t it a bit strange? What it means to be angry at ‘anger’.”
I circled around her, desperately contemplating whether or not to slit her throat. Cutting off the cancer’s neck could weaken the immediate power, but from my perspective, it was natural to consider what would happen afterward.
In other words, when I kill Bifrons, there is a greater chance of saying, ‘There’s nothing I can do about it,’ but rather, ‘My teammate is crazy!’ Isn’t there a greater chance of it leading to ‘Kill me!’?
“Please have mercy.”
“To ask the devil for mercy.”
Of course, thanks to the nullification of status abnormalities, you can dispel the magical power surge and use the skill.
However, I was worried about the insanity gauge when I tried to believe it and try it.
From my experience of hundreds of fantasy works, I can infer that combat is the most likely trigger for the gauge to increase.
In addition, given the nuance of the word ‘madness’, it seems that when the gauge is full, it will lead to a runaway or rampage.
It doesn’t seem like this game only increases attack damage (attack power, critical hit probability, critical hit damage) for runaway or berserk attacks like other games.
It is also difficult to move carelessly.
“Gretchen, we have moved all the children.”
At that time, Focalor intervened. It was good timing for Biffrons. Not for me though.
“okay?”
Well, since I risked my children’s lives, I guess I’ll let it go for now. It was urgent so we only saved the children, but there are still many civilians left here.
The problem is their reaction when I try to eat them too.
Kwagwagwagwagwagwang!!
Suddenly, a huge explosion of sound hit my ears. It wasn’t deafening, but I felt a sense of distance.
At least it didn’t explode within the castle.
“what!”
The three surprised people gave various instructions to their surrounding subordinates. It was an instruction to understand the situation.
After hearing something from Naberius, Bifrons and Focalor looked at me and even left the hall. I didn’t catch it at all. I needed to know what happened.
Kaaaaaa!!!
But what is that roar that follows binge drinking? It was a very fierce and harsh sound, but it was clearly a sound made by a living creature.
“Could it be a dragon…?”
Naberius frowned near me. Only then did I see some pieces of the puzzle.
“Have you failed to take care of your pet?”
I was looking at the kids earlier and saying it was an offering to a dragon and all, but it looks like something happened to that dragon.
“It won’t be that big of a problem. Our defenses against dragons are thorough…”
“Holy power!”
Naberius’s excuses did not last until the end. Even though I couldn’t see the city because it was obscured by the castle, I could clearly see the pillar of light coming down from the other side of the sky.
“…Warrior?!”
How could there be a pillar of light made entirely of divine power in a city teeming with demons? In my view, there is only one answer.
My babies are alive and well! The corners of my mouth turned up with sincerity.
“Things have become quite… fun.”
If this happens, the situation will be a little different. I gave up worrying about the madness gauge and its implications.
There is no need for me to stay still as the Inquisitor has started a dragon raid.
“You there.”
“Yes yes!”
“Please stop slitting the prisoners’ necks.”
More precisely, you should not remain still.
In an arm raid, the rule is to block a Jjol when he tries to join. After that, I have to go help the Inquisitor.
“Yes yes? Ah, I wasn’t asking back! “I will follow you immediately!”
I secretly had the three 72nd knights, who seemed to be at the next level, stop collecting blood. He then approached Naberius, who was giving orders to the soldiers, and put his arm around his shoulder.
“let’s go.”
“…I am worried that I may have caused trouble by not caring enough.”
“You’re also quite perceptive.”
“I will carry your undeserved words with me for the rest of my life.”
If I kill them here, the guards might realize that I betrayed them and cut off people’s heads again, so I’ll just kill them on the way.
I followed the path taken by Focalor and Biphron, disrupting Naberius’ command.
And when we left the castle and reached the entrance to the wall leading into the city.
I loosened my shoulder strap and let Naberius go. Naberius caught up with Focalor and Biffrons without even knowing that I was falling behind.
They are having a conversation with the executives who sensed something strange and rushed over – the security captain or something like that.
“Focalor. “What was the situation?”
“Naberius? How could you not stay in the castle…”
And then, three steps away from them.
“It seems like Gretchen agreed—”
Suddenly!
“─Han?”
A massive and rougher slash than usual cut 30 meters in front of me.
The sky, which passed through the night and headed toward dawn, was black without even the moon, blocking even the gushing blood.
「Insanity Gauge 1%」
It was a pitch black night.