Episode 13 – The Knight and the Little Brother (6)

The Knight and the Little Brother (6)

From the crown of her head to the tips of her toes, a slender woman was covered in a fabric reminiscent of a dancer, concealing her entire body. The cloth was so transparent that the interior was entirely visible. Inside, a black gothic dress exudes her presence, shining ominously as if to signify that at any moment she could tear off my limbs and scatter my bone marrow in all directions.

Nerati, the Illusionary Princess, always ensured that the cloth covering her never got stained with blood.

If it were the precision she demonstrated while executing the wheel torture, she could certainly achieve that. I wonder how many innocents were sacrificed for her to perform the miracle of extracting a sinner’s limbs without spilling a single drop of blood.

“Hmm… interesting.”

“If you don’t want to die, get lost without making a fuss.”

“And if I don’t want to?”

I pointed the hilt of my sword at her and said in the most intimidating voice I could muster.

“Everyone who’s come at me has ended up dead. You’ll be no different.”

“…You talk big for someone who only did weird shit behind the Hero’s back. I should have pulled your head off first instead of just your arm.”

“If you’re so upset, kill me when the Hero’s not around. You talk a lot for someone who couldn’t finish the job.”

Cracks began to form on Nerati’s face. The faint smile that had lingered there started to fade away.

“This is a pointless delay. I would have killed you painlessly if you had just shut up… but if you prefer a painful death, I can accommodate that.”

Wasting time in front of a Demon King’s subordinate is utterly useless. There are hardly any who can stand against their power directly. There are only two things one can do in the face of a Demon King’s subordinate: submit or accept death. Either choice leads to the same end.

Even if you hold out until some strong ally comes, they can easily kill you.

As long as the Demon King lives, those who have accepted his power cannot die. They are immortal and cannot be killed. Therefore, even if you bring a strong ally, the fight is ultimately a losing battle.

Of course, this only applies as long as the Demon King is alive. If you eliminate the source of their power, the Demon King, first, the rest of his subordinates can be subdued with the power of this otherworld. Killing the Demon King is said to be difficult, but it was certainly possible for a Hero.

That’s why we targeted the Demon King’s head first.
In hindsight, that’s why the Hero died.

I began to release the power charged in the sword hilt. A blue aura started to swirl around the hilt, which was all there was to the sword, and soon a blade that seemed to capture the moonlight materialized out of thin air.

My trump card, number one.

“…The Holy Sword. No wonder I couldn’t find it, I searched every nook and cranny of the castle and saw no sign of it. You had it all along, didn’t you, Flan? Your sleight of hand is as good as ever.”

“You flatter me.”

The Holy Sword, a weapon known to be wieldable only by a Hero who has accepted the power of the goddess. To anyone else without the Hero’s qualifications, it would be nothing more than a hilt… but if one holds the hilt with a letter filled with the goddess’s power, the Holy Sword can be temporarily activated. It’s a true trump card, known to almost no one.

The hero’s power is but a remnant that fell from the goddess’s might.

She flinched for a moment. However, the agitation didn’t last long. Pulling a couple of skewers from between her fingers, she bit down on them and then propped herself up with her hands on the ground.

“Using that by someone who’s not even a hero? You’re really something, Flan, always so intense. You’re exactly my type…

…Not.”

In an instant, Nerati vanished from sight.

-Bang!

The holy sword swung a step too late, cleaving through the air and shattering the ceiling with a thunderous roar.

-Crack.

With an unpleasant sound, a skewer pierced through my shoulder. One in each shoulder, the projectiles aimed as if to target the joints, had enough force to incapacitate me.

Trying to catch myself from falling, I reached for the ground, but of course, Nerati was quicker to take position behind me. I ended up hanging like the last leaf on a branch, unable to correct my awkward stance.

“It was a cursed connection. I didn’t know you’d die so easily, but then again, farewell, Flan.”

Nerati aimed to drive a skewer into the back of my head, but this time my slick tongue was quicker.

“Considering our past, shouldn’t you at least hear my final words? For a high-ranking officer who’s so favored by the Demon King to act so petty…”

“…Spit it out.”

Nerati stopped and pressed a skewer to the top of my head. Ready to kill me at any moment if I tried any funny business, not allowing for any variables.
Does she realize that this very act is perfect for creating variables?
Of course, even if she’s aware, she wouldn’t kill me just like that. At worst, she’d knock me out and kidnap me. It’s a good thing I’ve taken care of my body so well in the past.

Nerati couldn’t see my face. Thinking about it made me want to laugh, but I didn’t bother to hold it back.

“Ha, it’s true what they say, virtues accumulated do come in handy someday, and thanks to that, I get to utter my final words, even if it’s just for a short while. The first thing you need to understand to understand my final words is that this otherworld is truly fucked up. I’ve lived for five years with no abilities, just getting by on tricks and scams. I did. And then I find out that the guy who was transferred with me turned out to be a hero? I went around with nothing, struggled like a dog, how could I not be jealous? Of course, I was fucking jealous. But it turns out, that guy had a pretty tough life too. Well, that’s not important. Before we get to the main point…”

“Are you joking?”

Power began to surge into Nerati’s hand. The skewer that had lingered near my crown started to dig into my hair, reaching my scalp. I ignored the sensation of blood trickling near my head and kept talking.

“Joking? That’s a bit harsh. Complain too much about me buying some time, and you’ll die sooner.”

“What? What the fuck are you…”

And then my face was smashed into the ground.
The signal has been sent; they should come now.

“Just like this.”

At that moment, light enveloped the world. My ears were filled with a ringing noise as if a tunnel was collapsing. Amidst the faint smell of blood, a slightly stinging scent wafted through.

“──────.”

“──!, ──────. ───.”

“───.”

Fortunately, my eyes were spared from the flash. If you don’t look directly at a nuclear explosion, you can protect your eyes. Of course, that means the rest of the body might burn a bit.
When I raised my head, what caught my eye was someone’s back. Seeing the bandages soaked with blood, I was certain it was Lumen. If it weren’t for Lumen, what would be in front of me wouldn’t be a back but rather a fiercely glowing hot skwer.

“You managed to find the signal and come.”

“───────.”

“…No point in talking since I can’t hear anyway, so don’t bother answering.”

“Tha─? ─t’s─.”

“I said don’t bother.”

Nerati had already stepped back from Lumen. The cloth that had been covering her was half-burned and scattered on the ground in pieces.

“…─ot dead──. Should’ve killed you at the start.”

Nerati’s voice was sharp. However, there was nothing she could do. I had never seen her take the upper hand in a direct confrontation, not in a melee or by surprise.

“Reveal your identity. You strange creature.”

Lumen spoke firmly. A tremor was conveyed over her shoulder. Even with the Blood Tribe’s unique rapid healing ability, she was seriously injured; she looked fine on the outside, but continuing the fight would be too much.
Even if Nerati had been pushed back once by surprise, it was just the result of a sneak attack. If they were to clash again, the chances of Lumen winning were slim.

Moreover, it would take time for the holy sword, meant for support, to be reused. It’s a natural inconvenience that a normal person without the power of a hero must endure when using it.

Of course, Nerati, unaware of these circumstances, would be contemplating how to deal with Lumen and the holy sword, both of whom are contending for the top positions in the north.

Nerati was visibly agitated.

“…Ha, why Flan is here. Really, since that time…, no.”

Her words were filled with a bitter sneer. The glimpse of her face that I caught was quite a sight.

“If I knew this would happen, I would have called for a lot more reinforcements. It was a mistake to come with only the Blood Tribe.”

“You should have come when I wasn’t here.”

-Crack.

Lumen caught the metal skwer flying towards my eyes with her left hand, the one that had been holding the letter.

“Next time, I’ll kill you on the spot.”

So look forward to our next meeting. Flan.

Was that a death sentence? If there is a next time, I would have already returned to my original world.
Though if I’m unlucky, I might be here a bit longer.

Nerati stuck the skewers into the ground and began to create a magic circle. Lumen raised her greatsword as if to interfere, but I grabbed her shoulder to stop her.

Soon, Nerati was pulled into the magic circle and disappeared. Not long after, the spikes she had created also lost their form, turning into dust and scattering.

“Has she gone back?”

“It seems she’s gone for now. More importantly, later we should request reinforcements from the order, as it seems the remnants of the Demon King’s army are in cahoots with the Blood Tribe. Those crazy cult bastards will probably come running with the guillotine.”

“I see, but do you know that woman?”

Know her? Well, if you’ve talked to the criminal, an acquaintance, right?
Even a bad relationship is a relationship, after all.

“Let’s leave it at that. How’s your body holding up?”

“Fairly well,” Lumen said as she swung her sword. The static electricity that sparked each time the sword cut through the air seemed to be enough to melt the snow.

My body felt slightly uncomfortable, but that’s something I had to endure.

Blood dripped down from both shoulders. Still, I could move, so it wasn’t the worst situation.
Going down the ash heap would be too much, but Lumen would help me when the time came.

“Then let’s head back. I might need to lean on your shoulder on the way.”

“I don’t mind giving you a piggyback ride.”

“That would look rather undignified, wouldn’t it?”

“Is that so…”

Lumen pointed her greatsword at the entrance of the tunnel filled with snow. I had often seen her emit thunder and lightning from her body, but it was always a marvel to see her release lightning.

“Then cover your eyes and ears. It’s going to be a bit noisy.”

Right now, it felt like I could sleep comfortably even on that hard bed. If I hugged a blanket that felt like burlap, I might even dream sweet dreams. The cold wind piercing through the wounds didn’t matter.

Of course, before that, I’d have to open that damned letter.