The next morning came around and Akira sat in his study as he read a book.
He flipped the page and then quickly shut it. After releasing an exasperated sigh, he pushed his chair back and stood up.
As he reached for his door handle, someone flung the door open. Masaki stood in the doorway, sweat covering his entire face.
"Masaki, you're starting to become more and more comfortable the longer I stay here," Akira said, his voice hinting at a slight feeling of irritation.
"Lord Akira...!" Masaki exclaimed.
"'Lord Akira?' You've never used that tone with me before. Hahaha! I like it," Akira said as his irritation faded away as quickly as it appeared.
"We have trouble! There are some... guests..." Masaki said as he began catching his breath.
Akira tilted his head and raised an eyebrow.
'That's why there was a strange surge of mana approaching the town. It doesn't seem to be too much for me to handle, but these weaklings are surely going to die if I don't do something...'
"Alright, calm down. You can tell me about it on the way there," Akira said as he pushed Masaki to the side and walked past him.
Masaki lost his balance but quickly gained it back. Then, he trailed behind Akira, who was nonchalantly walking downstairs without a single sign of concern in his body.
"So, who are our uninvited guests?" he inquired as he opened his front door and walked out.
"They're the minotaurs from a distant village. They are known all over the country for being bandits and we've been taking on the brunt of their thievery," replied Masaki.
"They've been coming here frequently, huh? How long has this been happening?"
"They've been returning once every 3 months for the last 2 years..."
"Mh..."
From Akira's grunting, Masaki knew that something was on his mind.
It was the fact that bandits kept pillaging from this very village for 2 years now and the kingdom of Kinoko has done nothing to assist them.
This was because of the status of the village in the hierarchy.
Since they lived in the South and are of a completely different race, the goblins were at the very bottom of their list of priorities.
What this meant was that the King of Kinoko probably found it meaningless to intervene whenever they were in trouble.
'As for these bandits attacking once every 3 months, it might be because this village isn't doing too good in terms of finances.
'Guess being poor helped them to some degree. But that ends today.'
Akira and Masaki quickly made their way towards the townsquare, the old goblin heaving as he caught his breath.
There were goblins everywhere, sweat etched on their faces as they witnessed the horror unfold right before their eyes.
A minotaur was squeezing a goblin female's head with a sinister smile on its face, while the others beat up the men and taunted the children.
Minatours weren't regular beast people.
They fell under the de-evolution race to which evolution only chose to grant the change and improvement of the torso and the lower body or vice versa.
With their toned muscles and raging arm length, the minatours wore a menacing demeanour.
Their bull-heads struck fear in the hearts of their enemies and their height of 7'7" made them even more threatening.
"What's wrong? You knew this was coming," the minotaur physically hurting the female goblin said, his voice deep and cutting through the girl's heart.
"I-I'm sorry...!" the female goblin pleaded, her face drenched in tears and sweat.
"Oh no. You're not getting off this easily..." the minotaur retorted as he wore a sinister smile.
He proceeded to pin the young female goblin on the ground and began squeezing her ample breasts, her cries now silent as the brute overpowered her.
While that happened, Vilgrat was thrown out of her store and she rolled on the ground.
"P-Please... Don't...!" she pleaded with a soft voice and tears in her eyes.
"You thought you could get away with hiding this much money from us?! You fucking hag! I'll kill you!" another minotaur shouted as walked out of the store, Frill subjected under his grip around her neck.
Vilgrat grunted as she sat up.
A few goblins approached her to assist, but another minotaur stood behind Vilgrat and proceeded to grab her by her collar and pick her up.
"Anyone else wanna hide their money?!" the minotaur queried, snorting smoke from his nose as he glared at the crowd.
There was silence as no one dared to speak against the minotaurs.
"Good. Noojar, hurry it up. I don't want to keep the boss waiting," the minotaur spoke to one of his comrades.
"Aw, but that's no fun," Noojar replied as he snuck his large hand beneath the young goblin's shirt and squeezed her breast. "I want to have a little more fun with her~"
"You can. Just take her with you. I don't want any more delays," Kurtis said as he tossed Vilgrat onto the ground.
"You're so kind, Vice-captain. Now, let's see how the boys will feel about today's meal," Noojar said as he licked his hostage's face.
Suddenly, his head fell to the ground, followed by his body. The goblin watched as the minotour's body fell still, blood dropping from the neck and flowing out of his body.
The same crimson essence splashed her face and stained her clothes, making her eyes widen and her heart freeze.
Suddenly, the two other minotaurs turned in horror, their eyes staring at the blasphemy before them.
Kurtis's eyebrows twitched as he watched his comrade's lifeless body lie on the ground.
Then, Akira stepped up with his hands in his pocket, a distasteful expression on his face. His brows were furrowed and his lips were curled, showing how livid he was.
"A human? No, a demon," Grarat said as he dropped Frill's body and stood beside Kurtis. "Vice-captain..."
"I know. It seems we've walked into a predicament," Kurtis replied.
Akira carried Vilgrat in his arms and whispered, "Old lady, are you okay?"
"Young demon...?" Vilgrat whispered back, her voice strained and heart broken.
"Masaki, tend to her!" Akira said as he handed Vilgrat over to one of the more muscular goblins.
"These insects don't know that they've just stained my property. I'm willing to take payments," Akira said as he turned his gaze towards the minotaurs.
"... How much do you want?"
"All the gallons of blood that your body has. I want all of them," Akira retorted.
"What?" Kurtis and Grarat lifted their eyebrows.
"You damaged my goods, ransacked my home, stole from my people, harrassed them, and you expect money to be enough compensation?"
Within a split second, Kurtis backed away and ran towards the gate while Grarat pulled out his sword and defended him.
Without hesitating, Akira cut through the air and sliced off Grarat's head in seconds.
Kurtis knew what had happened, but he didn't turn back to avenge his fallen comrades. He would regroup with the others and hopefully, strategize on the next plan of action.
By the time Grarat's head fell, Kurtis had long since passed the gates of the town.
'That was no regular demon! His mana levels were off the charts! I'd say he might even be stronger than the captain!' he said to himself as he ran out the gates and fled.
"He escaped..." Masaki said.
"I let him leave. I prefer handling my weeds all at once. I just can't stand a hassle," Akira said as he cracked his neck and clicked his tongue. "I thought I told you to take care of Vilgrat. The hell's the matter with you?"
Suddenly, the silent villagers were no longer silent as they began cheering loudly, which slightly spooked Akira.
They surrounded him with beaming smiles and bright smiles on their faces.
The children jumped up and down while the elders wiped the tears in their eyes.
Akira was having mixed emotions, but one thing was evident; he was confused.
Not once has a crowd showered him with so much... adoration.
"Get away from me," Akira retorted in a distasteful tone.
But, the villagers didn't listen and only drew themselves closer to him.
With a simple glare, they all felt their hearts beat and slowly backed away, giving Akira his breathing space.
"Honestly, you mortals are so frivolous," he said as he walked past them. 'They're complete idiots. I killed your kind and now you decide to be grateful when another man threatens to do so?'
Akira couldn't understand their gleeful emotions, but he knew that it would benefit him in the end, since that was the main reason why he intervened.
"Lord Akira didn't abandon us..." one of the goblins said, her smile bright.
"He saved us. Once again, he proves to be more useful than the previous chief," another added with a cheeky smile.
"Huh?! I thought I was doing a good job?!" Masaki exclaimed, voicing out his shock.
Akira ceased walking and stood perfectly still. His mind had taken him to a place he hasn't had thought of visiting.
With a sinister smile, he turned his head and looked at Masaki.
"Ma-sa-ki... My study, immediately," he ordered.
"Whoa oh..." Masaki said as he knew what was about to come.
Like a child waiting to receive his scolding, Masaki followed Akira reluctantly back to his home, hoping that he'll listen to what he has to say.