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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Wolf Hunt
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"Yuren!"
Irea's eyes sparkled like stars as she drew close enough for me to hear her breath. The shy woman who had been blushing just ten seconds ago was nowhere to be seen.
Goooo.
As Irea and I stood nearly touching, the paladins began to glare at me as if they wanted me dead, but I just shrugged and turned away from them.
"I heard that not only the low-level undead at the Northern Wall, but even that vile Dullahan carrying its own head, melted away before your single dagger."
"Its head…"
I knew her language got rough whenever undead or demons came up, but I was a little taken aback to hear the Saintess use a word for 'head' that even I rarely used.
In fact, this wasn't even her true self. She became an even more terrifying woman in battle against the undead.
"Ahem, Saintess. Do you truly believe such nonsense?"
Bairek, already accustomed to it, paid no mind to her crude language and focused only on the truth of the rumor.
This guy was something else.
"That's right. It's all a lie."
"Huh?"
As I agreed with him, Bairek stared at me with a dumbfounded expression.
"And humble, too…"
Despite Bairek's slander, the look in Irea's eyes as she gazed at me grew even deeper.
"At first, I thought it was just a rumor, but I had the chance to speak with a priest who fought alongside you. After hearing his story, I learned it was the truth."
"A priest…?"
"He said he was with you during the battle to retake the Northern Wall."
"Ah…"
The person Irea was talking about was the expressive priest who had been stationed with me at the East Gate.
"That priest said you were someone to be emulated, both in skill and character. That you were a considerate person with a spirit of self-sacrifice."
"Haha…"
It seemed her favorability toward me was so high, despite never having met me, because the priest had sung my praises to an uncomfortable degree.
And it seemed to be rising still.
[Name: Irea Alliance]
[Traits: Sacred Soul, Divine Adaptation lv3, Dark Immunity lv3, Hoian Martial Arts ]
[Favorability: 46 (Favorable) ]
[Current Mood: Wants to melt undead together.]
"Heh…"
"Yes?"
"It's nothing."
Her favorability jumped by more than 10 in an instant. It was rising at a bewildering rate.
With this level of favorability, she would probably tell me the truth about what happened in the Holy Kingdom that brought her here.
"About that Demonization you mentioned earlier…"
"Right. I should explain that first. Let's talk over there."
"Saintess?"
"Sir Bairek, please wait here for a moment."
"S-Saintess!"
She dismissed Bairek, who tried to follow, and led me to a corner of the village. The paladins' gazes boring into the back of my head grew even sharper.
"Yuren, do you know what this goddamned Demonization is?"
I don't know about 'goddamned Demonization,' but I know Demonization well.
"It's a phenomenon where the land is corrupted by darkness. In demonized land, undead or dark-attribute monsters appear, and their abilities are more than doubled."
"Of course! Yuren. I knew you would know."
I created it. How could I not know?
"Demonization is a phenomenon that occurs naturally on rare occasions. But this time is different. For it to happen in three different directions, and on the soil of our Holy Kingdom, it means some bastards are targeting us."
She was right. The Holy Kingdom's Demonization incident occurred because some bastards planted a Demon Tree, a tree from the demon world.
"Right now, we're using Holy Stones to block the Demonization in the southwest and southeast, but in the true south, it's still progressing."
"So that's why you came here to have the Holy Stones refined."
"That's right. For now, the priests and paladins are holding back the Demonization with their divine power."
This was strange.
The Holy Kingdom's Demonization was an event that was supposed to happen after about two more episodes. It was occurring much earlier than it was supposed to.
"I have to stop the Demonization spreading from the south. I need to block it with the Holy Stone and then find its source. It would be a great help if you, the so-called Undead Slayer, would assist me."
As she spoke, she pushed her fuller-than-expected chest toward me.
"Huh?"
But rather than Irea's chest or her beautiful face, my eyes were drawn to the silver orb dangling from her neck.
It looked so much like the item I was thinking of that I used the Creator's Eye.
[Holy Stone Necklace]
A necklace made of a meticulously refined Holy Stone to prevent the loss of divine power. It has exorcising properties, protecting against mind control, possession, and the approach of evil spirits, while also increasing the wearer's mental strength.
Why does she have this?
"I'm sorry, but I have important business of my own. Besides, if the Saintess and the Order of Paladins take action, shouldn't you be able to handle it easily?"
I continued, pretending to know nothing.
"Normally, when Demonization occurs, low-level undead appear, and if it continues, stronger undead show up. But this time, not long after the Demonization began, severed heads started appearing."
"Severed heads? You mean Dullahans?"
"Yes. Three of them, no less."
In the episode I created, Dullahans do appear. But only two, and they were the final bosses guarding the Demon Tree.
Not only has the episode's timeline been accelerated, but the difficulty has also increased.
I think I need to investigate how the event has changed.
Besides, the reward for defeating the Demon Tree is quite useful.
I have to get my hands on it.
"Hmm…"
I would have to go there even if Irea didn't ask, but I thought I might be able to get something extra, so I wracked my brain a little.
"Haaah…"
"What's wrong?"
When I let out a sigh that sounded like the world was ending, Irea looked at me with concern.
"If it's that serious, I truly want to help. But…"
"Is something the matter?"
"Since you've told me everything, Lady Irea, I'll tell you my situation as well."
"Yes."
She nodded, her ears perking up.
"A child I know is being tormented by a possessing spirit. Calling a priest only helps temporarily, so the child continues to suffer. In fact, the reason I came here was to craft a weapon to eliminate or drive out that spirit."
"Ah! So that's…"
Hearing my words, Irea's expression grew even more wistful.
"That damn spirit…"
But from that wistful face came a spectacular curse.
"Ahem, I hear it's a particularly nasty one. Hard to get rid of."
"I'll go there myself and that sewer… Ah! No. I'll give you this."
"This is…"
Irea took off the Holy Stone necklace dangling from her neck and handed it to me.
"This necklace contains a small Holy Stone. It protects the owner's soul and prevents the approach of evil spirits or beings of darkness. It should also be effective for someone who is already possessed."
Of course, I knew that very well. This was the necklace I was planning to get for him.
"A Holy Stone… that's an incredibly precious item."
"It's not that big of a Holy Stone. Besides, my resistance to darkness is strong, and I have an abundance of divine power. I came upon it by chance, but it's not something I desperately need."
"But…"
"It's really alright."
As I feigned hesitation while holding the necklace, Irea gave me a goddess-like smile.
"The necklace will be happy, too, if it goes to someone who truly needs it."
"I don't know how to thank you."
"It's nothing. I just hope it works for the child you're worried about."
"I'll be sure to let you know if it's resolved."
Actually, what I told her wasn't a complete lie.
There was Pomera, the cute little skeleton tormented by the evil spirit Isaac.
However, if Irea ever found out her necklace went to a lich, Pomera's skull might be completely shattered.
"Since you've done so much for me, I can't just walk away. I'll help you with your investigation, Saintess."
"Really? Thank you!"
"I'm the one who should be thanking you."
I had to go for the investigation and the reward anyway, and now I've even received an extra gift. I should go with a happy heart.
"Benefactor!"
Just as Irea and I were smiling at each other, Testein's gruff voice came from behind.
"It seems the smithy's repairs are finished. I should go."
"Yes…"
When I stood up to leave, Irea lowered her head, and her voice became timid again.
Now that the talk of Demonization was over, it seemed she had reverted to her usual shy self.
"The smithy's restoration is complete. We will begin work immediately."
"The sun has set. Wouldn't it be better to start tomorrow?"
"Haha, I can't wait. I want to start right now."
Testein seemed so excited to forge a weapon from the God-Slaying Beast's fang that he was fidgeting and flexing his hands.
"The other smithies are also being repaired now. As soon as they're fixed, we will proceed with refining the Holy Stone."
"Thank you."
Irea bowed gracefully at Testein's words.
"Then, let's get to work…"
"Chieftain."
"Yes?"
"I have a favor to ask."
"What is it?"
"Giranox!"
I called over to Giranox, who was carrying luggage while sweating profusely.
"You called?"
Giranox approached me, still holding the hammers he was moving. He seemed to have no idea why I had called him.
"Would you be willing to use this one as well?"
"Hmm."
"Eh? G-Grand Prince! I'm still…"
"If his skills are truly lacking, you can dismiss him. But if you don't mind, I would like you to forge my weapon with him."
"Ugh! I'll just… hek!"
I grabbed the scruff of Giranox's neck as he tried to flee and didn't let go.
"Hmph…"
Testein stroked his beard, glaring at Giranox with sharp eyes.
Giranox has an incredible trait that even other dwarves don't possess: Magic Weapon Creation. If that trait is activated, the hidden weapons might gain additional options.
"Very well. But if I'm not satisfied…"
"You can kick him out at any time."
"G-Grand Prince…"
Even though it was about him, Giranox couldn't say a word as he was dragged away by Testein.
If I'm lucky, Gwiwangsal will get another option thanks to Giranox. Even if I'm unlucky and nothing is added, Giranox will still learn something from Testein's hammering. No matter how it turns out, there's no loss for me.
"Giranox! Make one mistake and you're out!"
"Yes, sir!"
Giranox, knowing this was a golden opportunity, gritted his teeth and began to assist Testein.
Whoooosh!
"Pump it faster! The temperature is too low!"
"Understood."
I watched Giranox and Testein begin to fire up the furnace before heading outside.
Ugh.
Just as I was looking up at the night sky, feeling elated that things were going as planned, I heard a faint groan from outside the village.
"They're insane."
"Pardon?"
Irea, who had approached me at some point, must have heard me muttering to myself.
"I'm sorry, but may I ask a favor?"
"If there's anything I can do to help…"
"Someone might try to invade this place."
"Invade?"
"Yes. So please protect the dwarves."
"Ah, I understand."
"And don't let anyone go outside."
Leaving the bewildered Irea behind, I climbed over the wall and went outside.
"To send scouts in a situation like this…"
I went to where I heard the groan and searched through the bushes.
It was dark in the mountains, the sun having already set, but I found a round bloodstain on a fallen leaf.
It was blood from the sole of the one who stepped on my trap.
"Those crazy bastards."
They must have seen the paladins enter the dwarven village, yet they still sent scouts this far. Beil's wolves were truly insane.
"But it won't just be reconnaissance."
If I was right, they would attack the dwarven village tonight.
I enhanced my hearing with Onslaught's Watchtower and followed the blood trail. Before long, I heard faint conversation and silenced my footsteps.
"The paladins will likely be in the dwarven village for a while."
"Yuren Lox was there as well."
As I quietly approached the source of the sound, I began to see their figures. About twenty people dressed in black clothes and masks were hiding in the dense bushes.
"Hmph."
The man in the center, who seemed to be the leader, was receiving reports from the wolves.
Shhk.
Just as the leader was about to speak, another masked figure appeared before them.
"Dar says to proceed as planned."
"…Alright. Everyone, prepare."
So Dar was here too.
I thought he would have been disposed of by Beil, but it seems he survived. He was probably getting ready to snipe at the village from a distance.
The reason Dar and the wolves were planning to attack the village despite seeing the paladins arrive was simple.
For them, under Beil's orders, there was no choice but to attack.
Watching their movements, I transformed Agnes into a sleek, long-range throwing knife.
"Hoo…"
I exhaled all the air from my lungs and gripped the knife tightly.
"Number 8?"
The man next to the leader suddenly collapsed. He was the one who had stepped on my trap and been poisoned.
This was the perfect chance.
Shwiik,
The soundless knife flew like the wind.
Thud!
Right in the center of his head.
The knife embedded itself in the head of the leader who was checking on Number 8.
"W-What!"
"A dagger!"
"It's Yuren Lox!"
"E-Everyone, scatter!"
Watching the wolves scatter, I steadied my slightly trembling right wrist with my left hand.
"Haaah…"
My first kill, but I didn't feel as sick as I thought I would.
This was a world where you kill or be killed.
The thought that a moment of hesitation on my part could cost the dwarves or Giranox their lives slowly stilled the slight tremor in my right hand.
The wolf hunt begins.