We returned back to the main street.
I could see lots of lanterns illuminating in front of me.
A crowd have been gathering around.
Seras came to a stop.
[I wonder what happened?]
[…I’ll check it out for a bit.]
I spontaneously participated into the circle of people so that I won’t stand out.
I weaved my way through the sea of people as I slowly came forward.
Thereupon, “that thing” suddenly leapt in front of my eyes.
The crowd was gathering in front of a house.
Only this house is different when compared with the neighboring houses.
The strange thing though is the outer wall.
A strange pattern is drawn on it.
The pattern is transcribed with something black.
I ask the woman standing next to me.
[What happened?]
The woman became excited.
It’s like she’s itching to talk with someone.
As expected, the woman started speaking immediately.
[It’s the Ashinto who did this.]
[Ah, that group of sorcerers…]
[Last night, there was a man who had a dispute with the Ashinto group in the tavern. He had caught the eyes of the other people in the tavern and he should have been cautious with them.]
[Is this the house of that cautious guy?]
[That’s right.]
[Is he home?]
[He’s in the clinic right now after he was beaten up by those Ashinto fellows.]
Clinic.
A place that functions like a hospital huh…
The woman shook her head.
[His dad who had been living with him were also brought to the clinic with him.]
[Don’t tell me… His father was beaten up too?]
[No, but it seems that he was cursed by them. It was said that a terrible curse on the father as punishment for baring his fangs on the Curse Guardians.]
The woman looks toward the opposite side of the road.
[Just a short while ago, the Ashinto were triumphantly making their speech in this place.]
So, that’s why the crowd gathered here huh…
[That pattern on the wall is a symbol of those who were guilty of going against Muaji and the Curse Guardians. It seems that the father at home have under the curse of this pattern.]
[Did he really got cursed?]
[The father is scratching his throat as he came out of the house and collapsed while bubbles froth out of his mouth. However, I don’t think he was assaulted at all… I’m sure, that must be the curse. Ah, scary…]
A curse huh…
[That story about them killing the Five Dragon Warriors might be real. No matter how strong you are, you can’t win after you’re cursed… Well, the Duke-sama would surely keep an eye on them now…]
[That Duke who would keep an eye on them… Are you talking about Duke Zuan?]
[It may just be a rumor, but it’s been said that it’s actually the Magister King who wanted them to get ahold of them.]
Suddenly, a man who was listening nearby intruded in the conversation.
The man who intruded our conversation looks quite jittery.
The woman looked annoyed.
It might be because she suddenly interrupted our conversation.
For me though, it kind of helps that there were more people who want to talk.
[The collapse of the Black Dragon Knights was a rather good news for the people of Urza. It could be said that we are under the protection of the goddess, but the people of Urza is still afraid of Bakuos who suddenly invaded Neia. It was said that even the combined forces of the Magic Knights and the Dragonslayer couldn’t defeat the “Humanity’s Strongest”, the core member of the Five Dragon Knights.]
[From Urza’s perspective, the Black Dragonslayers were heroes.]
The man vigorously nodded.
I remembered the Ashinto’s words.
Didn’t they say they’re Urza’s saviours?
[Our king would want the heroes-sama into his reign. Probably, as a war potential against other countries.]
So, the countries were keeping each other in check in this era huh?
Even though the Great Demon Emperor’s army have started to move.
However, this is quite an interesting information.
This means that the goddess has no control to all of the countries.
That’s what I think this information could be interpreted.
[…………..]
Under the command of the Magister King, the duke swiftly employed these people.
It seems that they’re trying to consider the other countries.
In case of an emergency, they could talk his way out of trouble…
He would just say that Duke Zuan employed them of his own accord.
The royal family wasn’t involved in this.
The royal family didn’t know of this.
They could use such explanations.
On the other hand though, they still want to acquire that group.
He wants to avoid regretting it when they were suddenly employed by other countries.
I guess the Urza’s king is thinking something like that.
The woman sighs.
[It seems that the powerful curse that killed the Five Dragon Warriors is somewhat real… Looking at that family in that house, if that rumor about them being employed by Duke Zuan were true… Is there anyone who’d ever go against the Ashinto? Anyone who’d do that wouldn’t even be able to leave the royal capital…]
The man grumbles.
[I hope those guys would quickly leave the royal capital already.]
[Shhh! If those people from Ashinto were to hear you, you’ll be cursed!]
[Oops, I forgot.]
The man quickly peeked around the surroundings.
I showed a frightened expression on my face.
[Ashinto is quite a terrifying group huh…]
The man puts his hand over my shoulder.
[Hahaha. Well, sonny should really be careful or you’ll get cursed! Well, sonny don’t look like you’re the type who’d stupidly go against powerful opponents, so you’ll be fine!]
I thanked the man who’s still laughing and left the place.
I met up with Seras who’s standing just outside the crowd.
Together with her, we proceeded in going back in the inn.
I also said the information I received towards Seras.
[I wonder when will Ashinto’s lies be revealed?]
[It would be enough as long as it’s not before we enter the Demon Zone.]
Seras looks back.
[Nevertheless, I’m a bit annoyed because of their arrogance.]
[It seems that the members really think that they’re the ones who killed the Five Dragon Warriors…]
The other day, I asked about it towards Seras.
It was when I met Ashinto for the first time at that tavern.
She said that those guys weren’t lying at all.
They really believe that they have killed the Five Dragon Warriors.
Perhaps, they have heard this from one of them and they firmly believed it.
They believe that it is the complete “truth”.
In cases such as this, it seems that Seras’ power can’t judge whether a lie.
[…………….]
It’s probably their boss Muaji who told them as such.
Is he the guy who spread out such an information and was firmly believed by their members?
If that’s the case, he’s quite a splendid swindler…
[Well, we can’t afford to do anything to Ashinto at the moment. We should pack up our luggage at the inn and leave this place tonight.]
[You’re right… It’s quite regrettable though.]
It was at that moment when we came near the inn.
Hmm?
[P- Please stop it!]
A familiar group came into my eyes.
The man who’s leading the group is holding the arm of the woman.
That woman must have been a commoner huh…
[You’re coming with us. You should feel honored. You have been chosen by us. After all, it should really be an honor for the likes of you. Now then, obediently come along with us.]
Ashinto.
Those guys were drinking alcohol…
I can easily understand when someone is under the influence of alcohol.
It’s thanks to my real parents who drank alcohol often.
[P- Please… Let go of me…]
[What a rude woman!]
[Kyyaahhh!?]
The man in the lead slapped her cheek.
[This can’t do! I’ll be taking you to Muaji-sama later and ask for his blessing so that this woman could be converted!]
[Uuuuuwu…]
Are they drunk and found some fault with that woman?
They really are no good at all…
The woman whose arm is grabbed is in tears.
I could see a person watching over the situation in a window.
However, there’s no sign that he’d go and help her.
He’s probably afraid of Ashinto.
The other members of Ashinto is looking at her with grins on their faces.
Seras already had her hand over her sword.
However, she hasn’t stepped out.
Frustrated, Seras could only bite her lip.
[Kuuhh…]
Seras understand it herself.
It’s bad to make a fuss in this place.
Currently, we can’t afford to cause any trouble.
It would be dangerous if we thoughtlessly caught everyone’s attention.
At worst, we may not be able to get out of the royal capital.
It would be troubling if that happens.
[Though I say that, as for whoever and wherever those people who killed the Five Dragon Warriors are… Sigh… You could say that it’s my responsibility that these fellows had grown arrogant.]
[Milord…?]
[Don’t do anything.]
[Y- Yes.]
Keeping my body hidden, I approached them for a bit.
While hidden, I stuck out my hand towards them.
My target is the man who’s in the rear end of the group.
Within this distance— There would be no problem.
[<Berserk>]
In the next moment…
[GAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!]
The man standing in the rear end in the group of Ashinto began rampaging.
That guy leapt at his friend closest to him.
[Uwwaaahhhh!? What is wrong with you!? What are you—]
Glomp
The berserked man bit his friend’s arm.
[Higgyyaaaahhhh!?]
[F*ck off! W- Why are you suddenly doing this!?]
One of his friends tried to pull him away from behind.
However, the berserked man punch that guy right into his face.
[Guuaahhhh!?]
[<Dark>]
I invoked Darkness towards the punched guy.
[Guhh… H- Huh? I can’t see…? It’s pitch black… My eyes can’t see! I- It’s surely because you f*cking punch me! Waaaahhhhhhh—-!]
I could see the woman who they caught quickly running away.
Seeing that the woman has left…
[<Berserk>]
I invoked Berserk to the other members of Ashinto.
[Guuggaaaaahhhhh!]
[Uwwaaahhhh!? W- What the heck is wrong with you!? Gyaaaahhhh!]
[Kuuuhhh!? Have you all drank so much!? You’re too drunk already that you’ve lost all of your f*cking reasons! H- Hold them down!]
[Gaaaaahhhhh!]
[Kuhh!? C- Calm down! You b…]
[…………]
Should I add another one?
[<Berserk>]
[Gaaaahhhhhhh!]
[Uuwaaahhh!? E- Even you!? What the f*ck is happening!?]
In the end…
[Oi, what’s happening there!?]
[What are you doing!?]
Some soldiers arrived.
They’re probably sentinels who patrols around the area.
The road has suddenly went into a bit of an uproar.
However, we’re “unrelated” with that uproar.
It seems that some of the members of Ashinto suddenly went into a rampage.
That is all that we have seen.
That is why “we” haven’t caught their attention.
[Well, it’s the truth that they’re trying to bite each other.]
I was also able to sufficiently test out my skill.
The existence of test subjects that I could freely use is quite valuable.
The members of Ashinto was still in a terrible state of chaos.
[Kukuku.]
Involuntarily, wicked thoughts floated over my mind.
[That’s quite a great dance, Black Dragonslayers.]
However, it would be too much if I were to kill them here.
Afterall, they still have to dance so that they could cover me…
[There’s no reason for me to kill them here.]
Facing towards the direction of the inn…
[Let’s go.]
[Y- Yes.]
With a bit of liveliness in her voice, Seras followed me with a trot.
==================================================================
<Author’s Notes>
And with that, we finally reached 100 chapters.
Thanks to the people who have been reading this, it seems that I’ve been able to continue writing so far.
I don’t know if I can keep on writing this, but I want to continue writing this novel as long as I can.
For today and here on out, I’ll be in your care.
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