Translator: Nox

Chapter 69

Episode 69

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The day of the attack.

Nirua disguised everyone again.

Dielo and I only changed our hair color and appearance, but Rick and his executors, who had to fight directly, became more like chubby middle-aged men than before.

"The attack is imminent!"

Of course, the bright smile never left Rick's face as he said that.

The Alloze attackers may not know it, but their location was quickly shared with us.

It was only natural since we were already waiting near the supply route.

And soon.

"The attack has begun."

The calm-faced mercenary informant reported.

"The swamp will freeze soon."

Dielo looked down at the vicinity.

The ground beneath our feet was also clumped with mud, but a quagmire that could swallow people whole was spread out a little further in.

"I'll melt the swamp when they get close enough."

Dielo held out his hand.

A flame flared up and disappeared from his fingertips.

And after some time, a chill began to be felt from afar.

—Crack!

The enemies froze the swamp earlier than expected.

"That's a bit fast, isn't it?"

"It seems they realized it was a trap."

Dielo said, looking embarrassed.

Well, they would have searched the Kin Merchant Guild's wagons to mess up our supply wagons.

And they would have realized that the contents of the wagons were cheap items that only took up space.

—Neigh!

Beyond the swamp, which had frozen solid as if by magic, the sound of horses' hooves began to be heard in disarray.

Those who subtly controlled the water to prevent slipping on the ice were getting closer.

"They're close, Dielo."

At my words, Dielo looked at me.

"Then."

Dielo bent down as if he were picking up something light.

But the flame that bloomed from his fingertips was not light.

—Whoosh!

The flame that soared high in an instant landed on the ice.

And.

—Whoosh!

The fire spread quickly as if it were on oil, not ice.

"……!"

I widened my eyes.

I knew he was hiding his abilities by pretending to be weak, but...

And I knew he was a strong head of the family, but he was really amazing.

I couldn't even imagine how big a flame he would freely use once the Pero Awakening was complete.

—Woosh!

The flame that had spread over the ice in an instant spread heat the next moment.

"……!"

The moment I thought my face would burn, he blocked me from turning my head.

With him, the white handkerchief in his hand unfolded.

Just having a piece of cloth made the heat much less intense.

"……I should have thought that Krua wasn't an Argenta. I'm sorry."

Dielo, who said that, slyly poked his face out next to the handkerchief.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. But……."

The heat passed quickly, and steam rose.

It was obviously a powerful force.

I couldn't speak for a moment.

Even though there were only informants and trustworthy people around.

Wasn't he trying to hide his abilities even from me?

'I'm not a strong head of the family. Trading with me won't stop Duke Alroze.'

He clearly said that when he first met me.

But from some point on.

—Whoosh!

Was it from when he skillfully burned the poison with the Purification Flame, or...

Before that, was it from when he pierced the monster on the battlefield?

I realized that he hadn't been hiding his abilities from me for longer than I thought.

"……Dielo."

I quietly called him. Dielo softly answered.

"Yes."

Dielo, who answered like that, was still the gentle person I had first seen.

Like the bright sunshine of spring, a warm person who was neither hot nor unpleasantly stuffy.

But.

"……The fire is, more than I thought... strong."

I knew it, but it was more than that.

Dielo paused at my words.

……Did he forget to hide it?

The moment I tried to raise my eyebrows, Dielo chuckled softly.

"I'm glad if Krua is satisfied."

His voice was the same as usual.

When the heat subsided, he removed the handkerchief.

However, screams seemed to be digging into my ears from afar.

The sound of people crying out to be saved.

"……."

It would be a lie if I said I wasn't instinctively scared by that sound.

But those are the ones who threatened Argenta.

Soon they will be 'taken care of.' I firmly closed my mouth in a straight line.

Since they targeted us, we must retaliate firmly.

As Argenta's Code says, either do it or don't.

Half-hearted revenge is worse than not doing it at all.

Even if I made up my mind, my body trembled slightly.

—Agh!

The sound of people struggling seemed to be heard more clearly.

Don't look away. Don't weaken in defeating the enemy.

Because this is such a world. Because that's the only way to survive.

As I thought that, Dielo gently covered my ears.

"Don't bother listening to sounds you don't want to hear."

At those words, I widened my eyes. When our eyes met, Dielo smiled.

"You don't have to volunteer for pain. I know how much the mistress of this family, Krua, cares about Argenta."

If there are those who don't realize it, I will punish them, so don't listen to harsh words.

I think I heard those words too.

While listening to his song-like words, the swamp beyond, where the steam had soon flown away, became quiet.

"We need to recover the artifacts."

The enemy is trapped in the swamp and can't do anything about it now.

No matter how much they are Alloze, it was impossible to perfectly control the water in a place where such thick mud was mixed with water.

But.

—Whoosh!

I unleashed my power. This time it was my turn to handle the water.

I will make the surface solid so that people can walk on the water.

Enough to keep people from falling into the swamp.

Of course, it would be impossible to maintain it for a long time because of the wide range, but it was okay.

As expected, Rick and his executors would soon bring the artifacts.

I felt the water moving according to my will.

"You can go."

At my words, Dielo nodded to Rick.

Even in the swamp, which seemed unchanged, Rick strode forward without hesitation.

—Splash.

There was a watery sound, but he didn't fall into the swamp.

Rick, who widened his eyes as if he was amazed, soon ran forward quickly.

Meanwhile, Dielo's hand covered my ears again.

And not long after.

"……!"

The commotion beyond the forest seemed to be scattered outside of Dielo's hand.

After a little time, Rick and the executors appeared.

"The artifacts have been recovered and there are no survivors."

Rick said lightly.

Rick's clothes were splattered with blood, as if he had just had a refreshing workout.

But the artifacts had been carefully wiped in advance, so there wasn't a single drop of mud or blood on them.

"Krua, can I ask you again?"

Dielo asked, handing over the artifacts. Fortunately, the artifacts had a button-type structure that was easy to use.

"Of course."

I gripped the artifacts tightly.

Don't regret it once you start.

For the people who treat me with respect, for my people.

Argenta, who gave us the message that we were okay, must be waiting for death.

But I will give him herbs instead of death.

I can't give death to someone who trusted the head of the family and the mistress.

"Then."

The swamp is also a place where a lot of water exists.

With confidence, I pressed the artifacts and reached out towards the swamp.

As the artifacts absorbed my Magical Power, a blue light began to ripple.

A cool sensation wrapped around my body, and I released the power of Alloze.

—Crack!

Following the blue light created by my hand, the water in the swamp quickly froze.

"……!"

Rick and the executors widened their eyes as if they were surprised by the sight.

And Nirua also turned around to look at me, as if surprised.

"……This ability is."

In particular, Nirua was in a state of losing Water Manipulation, but she seemed to feel it more sensitively because she had it.

"How is it compared to Pentas Alroze?"

I asked.

At my question, Dielo turned to me and then to Nirua.

Nirua couldn't speak for a moment.

Then she slowly opened her mouth.

"……It is definitely a powerful force. Enough to be compared to Pentas Alroze, no, Pentas Alroze."

"Enough to be compared."

I narrowed my eyes at those words.

As expected, it was true that Krua's abilities had dramatically increased as I possessed her.

But it seemed that I still couldn't surpass Pentas Alroze.

"It's still good."

If Duke Alroze and Pentas Alroze are taken care of as planned, it means that I have the next most powerful qualities.

If I take the power of Alloze, I won't be threatened by Alloze anymore.

I turned to Dielo with a refreshed heart.

"Argenta will be safe too."

Dielo smiled at my words.

"Yes, thanks to Krua."

Argenta seems to be lucky, Krua.

I thought I could hear his voice saying that.

—Neigh!

"Excuse me!"

And soon, a few informants on horseback quickly passed by us.

They were carrying the herbs that Argenta in the northwest was eagerly waiting for.

"Now we can clean up the supply route."

Dielo said with a bright face.

We walked side by side and passed through the frozen swamp.

Until then, we thought that things would end so neatly.