Svartá POV
"What was that sound?"
A figure cloaked in jet-black robes muttered softly. At that whisper, Svartá Macul turned toward the stairs leading back up… to the third floor.
Until just moments ago, an unusual noise had echoed from the lower floor. Some wanted to investigate, but the teacher stopped them, warning it might be dangerous.
"Teacher, the noise has stopped! Can I go check?"
A small figure asked the person leading the group, the teacher, with a sense of urgency and desperation.
This small figure was Solon Sheba, a lionman of the Leone tribe, now 20 years old.
"No, we can't. Right now, our top priority is escaping Orario as quickly as possible."
But the teacher dismissed the request with a calm tone. Solon tried to argue, but his words faltered.
Currently, it was the animals who had followed Solon out of loyalty that were holding off the adventurers on the third floor. To him, they were like family.
"Svartá, please take care of Solon."
Those words from the cat spirit before the mission echoed in Svartá's mind. Solon and Malar had spent a long time together, Svartá had heard. As far as Svartá could tell, they were always inseparable. Despite an ordinary cat's lifespan averaging 10 years, and rarely living past 16, Malar had lived 20 years through sheer willpower and the 'Blessing' that transformed her into a nekomata. Her conviction commanded Svartá's respect.
Now, under the teacher's orders, she and all the animals loyal to Solon were acting as bait to hold the enemy at bay.
Survival was bleak. The pursuers were likely high-level adventurers. Even if the"Queen Killer Ant" was among them, a frontal battle would only end when one side died. Malar and the others had accepted their role as decoys, prepared to pay that price.
"There's no time. Hurry, "
A sharp whoosh cut through the air. Svartá instinctively drew a dagger and slashed at the incoming object. The flying projectile vanished with a splash.
"Svartá, what was that?"
"It was a dagger made of water. The pursuers must have thrown it."
The dagger came from behind, the direction they had just come from. What that meant was... Malar and the others had lost.
"No way…"
Solon was speechless. But there was no time to console him, the pursuers were closing in fast.
Svartá raised their spear. At the signal, thirteen comrades and eighteen clones drew their weapons.
Among the approaching adventurers was a familiar face.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
Toki POV
The moment enhanced vision locked on the black robes, a right hand moved and sent out a dagger. Unlike usual, this wasn't a shadow dagger but one made of water.
This was a side effect of Spirit Regression. While this spell was active, neither Infinite Abyss, the Endless Depths nor the god-slaying abilities could be used.
Those god-slaying powers originally came from my ancestral spirit who had fallen for unknown reasons, gaining those abilities during the fall. But now, 'purified' in this form, I couldn't use them.
If fighting someone blessed like that, it'd be better to have god-slaying power. Still, Toki smiled.
He closed in on the robed group already prepared for battle.
"...Toki, what is that form?"
A voice trembled from someone at the back of the robed group. Toki grinned proudly.
"The 'Rebel Spirit,' my true form."
Normally, revealing such information to the enemy is a mistake. But not this time.
"...True form? Don't be ridiculous! The black power is your true essence. That, "
"But the fact is, I can transform into this form now. I'm not the same as when I was with you!"
Finn issued his final warning to the trembling figure, Svartá.
"Put your weapons away. I don't want to be rough if I don't have to."
"Refuse. If we're caught, who knows what they'll do."
Negotiations broke down. It had been expected.
"Svartá, buy time. I'll escape meanwhile. We'll leave some clones behind as well."
"...Understood."
The figure turned and several others followed.
"Toki, what about Malar and the others!?"
A scream-like voice rang out from one of the robed figures, just by that voice, the leader was clear.
"I haven't confirmed properly, but I think they're safe."
"Good…"
A sigh of relief escaped. Really, this assassin just doesn't fit him.
"Toki, chase after Svartá. We'll handle things here. Riveria, you too."
"...Sorry, Finn."
"Thank you."
They slipped past Svartá and the others. Five tried to block them.
Molding magic at his feet, water serpents formed and bit at their throats. Revealing the figures under the robes, they had faces exactly like mine.
Frowning, I had the serpents rip their throats apart. As if nothing happened, Riveria and I chased after Svartá.
"That was easy, wasn't it?"
Finn asked, spear raised. A robed figure with a spear answered.
"It's impossible to stop all of you. Better to let some through and hold the rest."
"I see."
They glared at each other but spoke naturally.
"I have a proposal."
"What is it?"
"Why don't we have a one-on-one duel? 'Hero Braver.'"
The suggestion caused a brief silence.
"If I win, you let us go. If you win, we surrender. Not a bad deal, right?"
It was indeed a reasonable offer. Finn was level 6, the opponent level 1. Even with special powers like Toki's, the gap was impossible to overcome.
"What's your real goal?"
Finn suspected the too-good-to-be-true offer.
"I want to be free from that man."
The reply was a monologue.
"I'm wearing a collar I can't escape from. So I want to fight and break free from this bondage."
The meaning wasn't clear, but from years of experience, Finn didn't think she was lying.
"I'll make sure my conditions are honored. I swear it."
Finn's eyes widened. With that one sentence, he believed her.
"Everyone, don't interfere."
"Leader!?"
"Hey!?"
"Please."
He pleaded seriously to the protesting members, who reluctantly backed off.
"Thank you."
Finn stepped forward.
"You too, don't interfere."
"But Svartá...!?"
"It's okay."
A figure stepped forward, removing their robe.
It was a Pallum woman of the dwarf race with flaxen hair. Holding a spear, her form reminded Finn of a goddess he deeply admired.
"This might sound presumptuous, but is it okay?"
"What is it?"
"If I lose, please treat those kids kindly."
"I'll do my best, I swear."
Svartá's eyes widened. She smiled softly, then tensed and raised her spear.
"Temporary member of the Rakia Kingdom, Svartá Macul."
Finn mirrored her pose.
"Leader of the Loki Familia, Hero Braver, Finn Deimne."
A moment of silence. Then,
The two Pallum dwarves clashed.
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