Chapter 153
Chapter 153. Battle in the Dark Night
The butler's name was Siqueur.
His [Dagger] and [Martial Arts] skills were exceptionally high—in pure combat technique, he surpassed even me.
His level was 42, surpassing Klaus, and he had even mastered intermediate-level [Sword Dance].
Though a different type of powerhouse than Klaus, what demanded the most caution was his [Strange Attire].
[Strange Attire: Rock Iron Armor]
A rare skill that temporarily mutates the body.
Hardens the surface to repel all attacks but sacrifices flexibility.
This was the first time I'd heard of such a skill.
In terms of mutation, [Beast Transformation] was similar, but just how hard was it? While I observed the man, servants and soldiers oozed out from the corners and windows of the mansion.
Twenty-four in total.
Despite their numbers, every single one had disguised their presence flawlessly. Their [Stealth] ranks varied, but they wielded it masterfully. Moreover, for pure scouts, their combat prowess was unusually high.
These guys must be Baromat's assassination squad.
"Who are you, beastman?"
"Drop the question. It'd take too long to answer."
Responding to the butler, I began placing [Reference Points].
There were quite a few mages, too. The garden's dense foliage put me at a disadvantage.
I leaped backward, clearing the wall, and the glowing points moved in unison.
They immediately surrounded me as I landed on the street.
"Capture him."
At Siqueur's command, the nimble servants moved first.
They coated their knives and daggers with some liquid and lunged.
Paralysis poison—[Poison Resistance] might mitigate it somewhat, but testing that was risky.
I raised the sword I'd taken from Ranz.
"[Electrify]."
The moment I commanded, the blade sparked with white electricity.
Dodging thrusts from three directions, I slashed one servant. He flickered violently, face contorting in pain.
The sword's name was Raijin's Blade.
Beyond basic skills, it possessed unique abilities like [Electrify] and [Lightning Flash].
Not an outstanding magical tool, but hard to believe Ranz—a squire until a year ago—could've obtained it.
And… it felt familiar. Perhaps his father, the vice-captain, had passed it down.
I parried attacks, slashed back, dodged incoming [Magic Bolts], and severed [Shock Bolts] with Raijin's Blade.
Their coordination was impressive, but compared to Sopric's hordes, their numbers and poison were child's play.
Realizing their barrage was ineffective, the servants switched to harassment.
Erasing their presence entirely, they darted around, launching hit-and-run attacks.
But it was pointless.
No matter how they moved, they couldn't escape [Reference Points].
I focused only on approaching glows and incoming spells.
As I fended off their harassment, a distant light point surged toward me.
I dodged a soundless draw-cut and retaliated—but Raijin's Blade was effortlessly deflected.
Hard. So this was [Strange Attire: Rock Iron Armor].
Siqueur pressed with daggers and martial arts, relentless.
I countered with Raijin's Blade and my own techniques, but he toggled [Strange Attire] on and off, deflecting every strike.
His combat experience and training were formidable. He'd completely negated the flexibility loss.
Still, luck wasn't on his side this time.
Lightning couldn't be nullified. His stamina dwindled, and his butler attire began smoking.
Even if he focused on evasion, outpacing my speed was impossible.
When [Electrify] struck again, Siqueur grimaced and retreated.
"This strength… You're Braslad's hound, aren't you?"
"Who knows?"
I answered curtly, inwardly puzzled.
Was that a play on "beastman"?
Unclear, but it seemed Baron Braslad was their enemy—and had formidable forces.
"Abort capture. Kill him."
At Siqueur's order, the servants' auras shifted.
I scanned the surroundings, wondering their plan—when everything vanished into darkness.
The non-elemental intermediate spell [Darkness].
Only [Continual Light] or [Dispel Magic] could negate it, but it couldn't discriminate targets. Leaving its fixed area nullified it.
Yet the moment I tried to escape, my beastman hearing caught metallic clangs.
I dodged and deflected chains homing from all directions.
The sensation reminded me of that audacious halfling.
I'd meant to learn this skill but kept postponing it.
More whooshes followed, dodged in the dark.
So [Chain Bind] doubled as radar?
The caster could perceive which chains were touched or severed.
I gauged directions via light points and types via hearing, intercepting spells and projectiles.
A well-devised attack.
Staying put meant ranged assaults. Trying to endure and flee meant entanglement. Their [Stealth] made [Presence Detection] unreliable.
Without [Reference Points] and [Beast Transformation], I'd have struggled.
Guided by the lights, I retaliated with [Penetrate Gale].
It hit, but targets soon moved.
Naturally. I'd only specified approximate locations for tracking.
Plus, [Reference Points] displayed through obstacles, risking wasted spells.
"[Penetrate Gale]! Invisible magic!"
Siqueur's voice echoed in the dark.
Indistinguishable from [Wind Bolt], yet he'd identified it. Impressive, for such an obscure spell.
As I mused, I pondered my options.
Breaking the chains to escape would lead to repetition if they avoided close combat. Over half remained. Picking them off one by one would be tedious.
Dodging a [Fire Bolt], I sighed.
Enough.
I'd hidden my abilities to avoid trouble.
But this was trouble enough.
Mentally apologizing to my father, I eyed the surrounding lights.
Then cast [Fireball] with [Multiple Chant].
Flying orbs of flame.
A split second of overlapping warnings—drowned by detonations.
Replaced by countless screams.
Aim and obstacles didn't matter. Obliterating everything sufficed.
I swung my blade in the dark, confirming the [Chain Bind]'s destruction.
Emerging, I frowned.
The town was shrouded in mist.
Within it, burning servants and soldiers flickered faintly.
A mist spell?
Too vast for [Haze]. Likely intermediate [Haze Layer].
The purpose? Ah—countering [Penetrate Gale]. The mist revealed even invisible spells.
But they hadn't anticipated [Fireball] barrages.
Ignoring the scorched butler's glare, I surveyed the area.
Six lights remained standing. Some among the fallen still lived, but none moved to aid comrades.
Told me all I needed about their organization.
Now, the cleanup would be simple—but Siqueur was the issue.
[Strange Attire: Rock Iron Armor] had protected him. His clothes were charred, but his health was barely dented.
I could press with lightning, but—
"Let's test your limits."
I cast [Earth Bolt] with [Multiple Chant].
Ten stone spikes manifested. Siqueur's expression twisted in shock.
"As I thought—!"
Before he could finish, the spikes rained down.
He crossed his arms to block—but this wasn't a scatter shot. It was a concentrated assault.
The spikes homed in on his chest's light point, shattering in rapid succession.
When the noise ceased, Siqueur's left arm was cracked.
Blood seeped out. I felt almost let down.
"Already broken? Surprisingly brittle. Beginner spells might suffice."
But Siqueur moved faster than my follow-up.
A whistle—and a sharp stone spear shot forth.
The earth-attribute intermediate spell [Flake Spear].
I observed the unfamiliar projectile, leaning back to evade.
As I turned to counter, I noticed the mist thickening.
The whistle's signal?
Most spells required visibility—perhaps countering [Multiple Chant].
Pointless, with [Reference Points].
As if to confirm, Siqueur erected [Earth Wall], blocking line of sight.
I shattered it with an [Earth Wall] of my own, thrust upward.
Fragile.
His walls would've broken mine too. Experience aside, his talent surpassed mine.
But beyond the rubble—Siqueur was gone.
The light point already marked the mansion's grounds.
Other lights retreated from the battlefield.
The whistle meant retreat?
No—they wouldn't leave an intruder.
Meaning—he'd gone for reinforcements.
A few remained within [Penetrate Gale]'s range.
To thin their numbers, I used [Earth Wall] as a foothold, leaping skyward.
Clearing the mist, I took aim—when my beastman ears caught a conversation.
A child's voice. A woman's tremble.
From a nearby residence.
Glancing down, the plaza guards were panicked.
[Fireball] had spread—fences and crates burned.
I aborted the spell, landing swiftly.
I'd forgotten the plaza's proximity.
Fighting here risked involving my father.
Time to move to the main street.
I leaped onto a rooftop, sprinting across.
As the main street came into view, I dropped onto a shop's roof.
The light points had distanced, but they'd pursue soon.
Mid-air, I sensed a gaze.
A man peered from a second-floor window—the adventurer guild.
Herit, the branch head.
Our eyes met briefly. He observed me, then flung the window open.
After a pause, I used [Leaping Rabbit] to enter.
◇◇◇◇
Herit closed the window, wordlessly leading me down a dim hallway.
Murmurs blended with our footsteps—adventurers below were stirring.
In his office, he set a magic lantern (Fixed Light) on the table, gesturing for me to sit.
As I did, hurried steps approached. A clerk barged in mid-knock.
"Branch Head! Someone's fighting in town!"
"A mage running amok, it seems. Until we grasp the situation, staff are to stay indoors."
"Understood!"
The clerk left. Silence returned.
Herit studied me, then spoke.
"Your name?"
"You let me in without knowing?"
He showed no offense at my counter-question.
"None dare fight Baromat now. If adventurers brawled, the guild must mediate."
"And if not adventurers?"
"Soldiers wield blades. But magic users…"
He trailed off.
Other possibilities existed—nearby nobles, Braslad's agents, magic guild members.
Yet Herit seemed certain.
I briefly deactivated [Beast Transformation]. He exhaled sharply.
"As I suspected…"
"That obvious?"
"No, I wasn't certain. But that sword—I wondered…"
I tilted my head, eyeing Raijin's Blade.
"That belonged to the late knight commander, Conrad—bestowed by Forth-sama."
"My grandfather…?"
Now that he mentioned it, I recalled Conrad wearing it at ceremonies.
That's why it felt familiar.
But Conrad should've passed it to Roland, the current commander. That Ranz had it meant—he'd stolen it.
"Adventurers or soldiers wouldn't infiltrate the mansion. Nor would affiliated individuals accept invitations."
"Hence me. You knew the sword's owner."
"Information trickles in. Speaking of—when did you return?"
"Shortly before sunset."
Herit nodded.
Offering tea, he continued quietly.
It began with missing adventurers.
Not unusual, given the lingering Great Frost's impact on Leknod Forest.
Initially assumed delayed or failed quests—until hunters like Nerio reported disappearances.
Unlike adventurers, hunters weren't reckless.
The staff suspected monster incursions, reporting to Herit.
But adventurers volunteered to investigate—and never returned.
Instead, Baromat's army arrived.
The rest supplemented Nord's account.
Ex-squires let Baromat soldiers in. Simultaneously, the mansion was assaulted—possibly by the same traitors.
Conrad and other retired knights' families were found dead—pre-executed, judging by the bodies. Including the ex-squires' parents.
Suppressing fury, I listened silently.
Now I understood.
The ones I'd fought had killed the adventurers and hunters.
Conrad's group too—likely their handiwork. Ranz's faction lacked the strength—unless via ambush. Especially against family.
I recalled my journey here.
Another Great Frost aftermath?
Herit's account suggested Leknod Forest was impassable until recently.
Baromat exploited the information blackout, preparing their invasion.
They'd struck the moment travel resumed.
"Roland was lured out…"
Roland had guild and hunter connections. He might've noticed anomalies.
Even delayed, he could've rallied against Ranz's chaos, held out for reinforcements.
Meeting Herit's gaze, I found him bowing.
"I must apologize. The knight commander was slain by an adventurer. A-rank—Jarid the Half-body."
The name stunned me.
"Is he… still here?"
"Unknown. Jarid rarely takes guild-posted quests. Without reporting, we rely on hearsay. But the fighting's over. He likely didn't linger."
My fists clenched unconsciously.
His eastward trek—had Reedwald been his goal?
I should've killed him then, at any cost.
Yet regret morphed into doubt.
My attacks hadn't grazed him. Even at full power with [Multiple Chant], would they have reached?
The gap in strength, experience, and gear was insurmountable. I couldn't have killed Jarid.
"Leave town."
Herit interjected.
"Baron Braslad is the Reedwald's liege lord. He'll aid you."
I remained silent. Hesitantly, Herit added:
"But—if you wish to retake the town, I'll assist however I can. The ex-squires' orders disrupted the chain of command. Many soldiers remain unharmed. The townsfolk would rise if called. The guild is neutral, but contracts pose no issue. Even if 'coincidentally' skilled adventurers gather."
He nodded firmly.
But I couldn't answer immediately.
Reconquest hadn't crossed my mind.
I'd fought those men to confirm the ex-squires' betrayal—and punish them if true.
Herit continued:
"Forgive my bluntness, but proof of identity may be necessary. Three years have passed. Many may not recognize you."
"Status disclosure?"
"If you'd permit it."
Disclosure wasn't an issue.
I could mask sensitive details with [Status Disguise]—
My thoughts froze.
Strength drained. A laugh escaped at my own stupidity.
Why hadn't I realized? Reconquest was impossible.
I wasn't human anymore.
Soldiers and townsfolk might be fooled.
But Baron Braslad? The imperial capital?
[Status Disguise] wasn't infallible. If a [Appraisal] user saw through it—
Everyone would turn enemy.
A monster impersonating nobility—a takeover attempt.
Worse, the Reedwalds might be labeled a monster bloodline.
No—they undoubtedly would be.
Baromat and Reedwald detractors would spread rumors.
"Heroism from monstrosity." "Invaded for being monsters."
Who'd follow such tales?
Pressing a hand to Herit's puzzled face, I deliberated.
If reconquering—it must be before exposure.
Without relying on Braslad or the capital—retaking it alone.
Then, declaring no succession would negate scrutiny.
The issue was force.
If Jarid remained, I'd have to handle him—rendering me combat-ineffective.
Siqueur's group outmatched regular soldiers. I'd need to rely on Herit's adventurers. Townsfolk support was essential.
But then—a doubt surfaced.
Would the townsfolk truly rise?
Wolber's conflict had been horrific, yet Reedwald was eerily quiet.
No clashes, no screams—unnaturally so, even four days post-capture.
Herit confirmed looting was strictly forbidden.
If Baromat's commander maintained discipline thus, he was competent.
Oppression might spark resistance, but intact livelihoods discouraged recklessness.
Motivation required another angle.
Searching my memories, I recalled past events.
The Reedwalds had been beloved, I thought.
No ill rumors during my incognito strolls.
But was that true?
In this world, I'd been born noble.
Had I truly lived among the townsfolk—ah, the townsfolk.
"I need to see Oze of the Battle Axe of Destruction. Where is he?"
Oze would know their sentiments.
I could confide in him.
But Herit's expression hardened.
"Oze is dead. The hunters' contract went to Azure, his newly formed party. Post-battle, adventurers found them in Leknod Forest. Only partial remains were recovered. Come to think of it—"
He rose, retrieving a cloth-wrapped bundle from his desk.
"I'd forgotten. Unrelated to Azure, but this belongs to you."
Inside was a ring studded with blue-purple stones.
Roland's…
"An adventurer spotted it for sale. I purchased it."
"They stole it?"
Herit paled, shaking his head.
"N-no! A stall was selling it."
"A stall…"
My mind blanked.
Perhaps Baromat soldiers looted it.
Or a townsfolk unknowingly picked it off the battlefield.
But the truth didn't matter.
My family, Roland, Oze—all dead.
Everything that had befallen me.
Each accumulated weight collapsed under the ring's presence.
Finally, I muttered:
"I'll leave town."
"Understood. I'll arrange a northbound merchant caravan. Blending in will ease your exit—"
"Unnecessary. But—where's Roland?"
"Outside town. The knight commander, other knights, retirees, and battle casualties were buried together."
"I see. Thank you."
Avoiding Herit's bow, I exited.
Leaping from a hallway window, I headed for Nord's home.
◇◇◇◇
Nord rushed over as I appeared.
Noticing my chin wound, the elderly couple panicked until I assured them I'd depart town.
Their worry melted into relief.
After minor requests, I bid farewell at midnight.
Pulling Nord's provided cart through the sleeping town, I neared the plaza.
Parking it, I observed from shadows.
The guards remained unchanged. My family was unharmed.
Returning to the cart, I cast [Earth Spirit Summon: Merlock] and [Fire Spirit Summon: Salker].
Six tiny armadillos and fire snakes materialized. After relaying instructions, one Merlock burrowed into an alley.
The others followed, Salker included.
I waited, watching the mansion stir.
Lanterns scurried. Black smoke pillars rose.
"Put it out properly. That's my birthplace."
I murmured, eyeing the plaza.
The night's commotion had guards agitated.
They held position but huddled in discussion.
Approaching with the cart, they brandished spears.
"Halt, beastman! At this hour—"
[Penetrate Gale] felled them instantly.
No reinforcements came—likely uncertain which disturbance was the diversion.
The mansion housed Baromat's commander. Guards couldn't abandon him, and sending few would be futile.
Alone in the plaza, I gazed at my family.
Father—slashed from behind. Mother—from the front. Clean cuts.
Likely those men—but intuition pointed to Ranz.
Then my brother—
"You fought valiantly, Brother."
Lucius's body was riddled with wounds.
The bookish, gentle brother.
He'd fought to the end.
Paying respects, I freed them one by one.
Wrapping them in large sacks, I loaded them onto the cart.
As I finished, the mansion finally reacted.
Dozens of soldiers approached—replacements for Siqueur's group?
I hid the cart in an alley, stacking snow with [Pure Water] and [Operate Water] via [Multiple Chant].
Soldiers rushed past, their presence fading.
Repeating the process, I reached the outer wall uneventfully.
Using [Physical Up] and [Leaping Rabbit], I transported my family outside.
Finally, carrying the cart's plank, I too escaped.
"It'll be bumpy. Forgive me."
Addressing my family, I tugged the rope tied to the plank.
The clamor faded as I trekked, leaving only wind.
Veering off the road, I navigated the night-cloaked grassland by scent and memory.
Soon, a familiar stench hit me—the same upon arriving in town.
"There you are, Roland."
Guided by the odor, I pressed on.
It intensified until a patch of earth-toned darkness sprawled before me.
Simultaneously, scorched rot assaulted my nostrils.
Deactivating [Beast Transformation], I cast [Operate Soil].
First emerged charred fragments.
They multiplied, unveiling the full horror.
How many were there?
Mostly soldiers, but some were unrecognizable.
Roland was here. So were steward Graham, former commander Conrad, other knights, and resisting servants.
Sitting at the edge, I studied each.
Moonlight pierced the clouds. Stars wheeled. The eastern horizon paled.
By dawn, my head hung low.