Slime Reincarnation

The bandits who’d attacked Marquis Kirue’s carriage numbered fifty in total. Every last one of them was being beaten down and bound with mysterious ropes.

"Elincia! Priority capture on the mages! And keep the front line attackers away from the carriage!"

"Roger!"

Mounted on the massive Logan, Krelia swung her sasumata around, calling out instructions to her adjutant Elincia.

The sasumata was excellent for both jabbing and striking. Since it wasn’t a blade, it was hard to deal a lethal blow with a single strike, but that also meant there was no hesitation in swinging it at an opponent. Krelia, who’d always had confidence in her spear work, wielded the sasumata combined with Logan’s dizzying, all directional movements, leaving the attackers utterly unable to keep up with her, neutralized one after another.

Specifically, attackers who were struck down or pinned to the ground were then bound up by me.

"Slime Restraint Whip."

I extended slime tentacles from my palm, wrapping up the attackers who’d been beaten down or pinned against walls by Krelia’s sasumata, one after another. Once fully wrapped, I’d snap the tentacle off and roll them aside.

Since it was a whip, of course, any attacker foolish enough to charge straight at me before being wrapped up just got thoroughly beaten down by the tentacle instead.

"Hiiiii!"

And then, all wrapped up neatly.

"Wh, what kind of combat power is this...! We might actually be weaker than this than the royal knight order..."

While I continued the round up like this, Gracia Spelcio, commander of the knight order, arrived on the scene.

"There’s a saddle, but no reins. Instead there’s a handle built into the saddle. Moving at incredible speed while gripping the handle with one hand and wielding a long weapon with the other... is the wolf fang adjusting its movement to account for its rider’s burden? No, could it be the protection of a wind spirit as well?"

Commander Gracia analyzed Krelia’s movements as he watched.

"The wolf fang’s combat power is on another level entirely... I don’t think I’d stand a chance even in a proper cavalry clash on horseback."

"Lending out the wolf fangs as mounts is just for today. No need to worry."

"Is that so... you had me a little worried there."

Gracia looked genuinely relieved at my explanation.

"Did the commander deploy himself personally? I trust the royal family’s protection is secure?"

I asked, my tone taking on a slightly sharp edge.

"Yes, I left it in Deputy Commander Daimler’s hands. The royal family’s guard is our elite, so there’s no need to worry."

"Well, that’s good then."

Having neutralized the attackers, Krelia dismounted from Logan and called out to the carriage.

"Marquis Kirue. This is Krelia Spelcio, captain of the capital guard. I’m pleased to report that all the attackers have been captured."

The man serving as driver, who appeared to be a butler, opened the carriage door from outside. Stepping down from the carriage was a beautiful girl with gleaming, straight silver blue hair.

"Well done, Captain Krelia."

Her voice rang out light and clear, like a bell. She looked no older than fifteen or sixteen, but she was undeniably Sylvia von Kirue, head of the Kirue marquis household.

"Had it not been for your rescue, I might well have died here. Thank you."

"Your words are far too kind. I’m simply glad you’re unharmed. From here, the capital guard will escort you the rest of the way to your estate."

While Marquis Kirue and Krelia spoke, Elincia directed her subordinates in binding the attackers with restraint rope, retrieving my Slime Restraint Whip from each one as they were secured.

Marquis Kirue’s attention suddenly turned toward me.

"And who might that be?"

"Yes, that would be Sir Yabe, someone concerned about the chaos in the capital, the inventor of this sasumata, and also the master of these wolf fangs."

"Oh? Was that restraint rope his magic as well? A rather intriguing figure."

Marquis Kirue looked at me and spoke directly.

"What is your standing, might I ask?"

"Me? I’m currently being hosted as a guest of the Coluna Frontier Count’s household. I’m actually scheduled for an audience with the king the day after tomorrow, as it happens."

"My word! A guest of Lord Coluna’s household, and already granted an audience with the king. You must be quite the exceptional individual."

"I don’t think it’s really that impressive, honestly."

"Ha ha ha, too much modesty starts to sound like sarcasm, you know. So then, you’re currently under the Coluna Frontier Count’s care, but would you consider joining my marquis household instead?"

"I’m honored by the offer, but I don’t really need power or a noble title right now..."

"My, quite the man with little ambition, aren’t you."

"Ha."

"Turning down even Marquis Kirue’s invitation. What extravagance."

Commander Gracia joined the conversation.

"The knight order’s commander came to the field himself as well?"

"Sir Yabe here brought word that there were rumors of an attack against you, Marquis Kirue. It seems the enemy sought to throw the capital into chaos and target your life."

"How disgraceful of them."

"But the chaos in the capital has already settled down. Nothing to worry about."

Gracia reported this with a remarkably refreshing smile. Did you actually do anything, though?

"...By the way, is the royal family’s protection really secure? The knight order is mostly men, isn’t it? How’s protection handled for the women?"

"The queen has double the usual number of female knights assigned to her protection today. Just as you advised, we’ve made sure someone is always available to guard her at any given moment."

"What about Cassina?"

"Eh?"

"I said, what about Princess Cassina?"

"C... Princess Cassina..."

Gracia’s expression clearly showed he’d made a terrible mistake. A cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

"What about the protection for Cassina, who lives in the tower!?"

I found myself grabbing Gracia by the collar, pressing in close.

"Second Princess Cassina normally doesn’t have guards assigned at all times... since she rarely leaves the tower..."

"Then does that mean Cassina has no escort even right now!?"

"Ah, that’s right... none..."

"You idiot!!"

I shoved Gracia’s chest away, unable to hold back.

"Cassina’s in danger! Fly High!"

With a burst of wind, I shot into the sky at incredible speed.

"Damn it... to think I forgot to arrange additional protection for Princess Cassina, who never has a regular escort... a blunder I’ll regret for the rest of my life!"

"...Even so, that man. This was supposed to be his first audience with the king, wasn’t it...?"

Marquis Kirue asked Gracia, sounding genuinely puzzled.

"I believe so, yes..."

"Then why did that man refer to Princess Cassina without any honorific? And he spoke as though he clearly knew she was shut away in that tower?"

"...! Now that you mention it... just who is that man?"

Marquis Kirue, Commander Gracia, and Captain Krelia all found themselves unable to make sense of Yabe’s reaction.

I sent out a telepathic message.

"Chick Captain! Are you safe? Report the situation!"

"Boss! There’s someone suspicious in Princess Cassina’s room!"

"Damn it! I’m on my way! Protect Cassina no matter what!"

With that, I equipped a black robe and silver mask, transforming into that mysterious passerby hero, the Dark Knight, and rushed toward the tower where Cassina waited, at full speed.