Chapter 86. Let's Talk (1)
Due to the confined space, the demonic energy seeping from the enclosed cabin felt intensely nerve-wracking.
Beyond Yulian, a grotesquely contorted demon was visible.
Rinne, who hadn't encountered many demons, found this one particularly grotesque and horrid.
Adding to its menace were the two horns on its head.
'It's a bi-horned demon.'
This meant it was powerful enough to tear an ordinary person to shreds in an instant.
However, Rinne was not particularly afraid.
Although the incomplete 'Aura' was holding her back, there was a reliable ally right beside her.
"It's just a 'bi-horned' one."
Yulian's eyes, which had a gentle curve, sharpened even more.
Was he pleased to see the demon, or was it his confidence that such a creature couldn't faze him?
Swish.
With a short laugh of 'huhu', Yulian drew his sword.
The sword crafted from a gemstone called 'Moonstone' was revealed, and Rinne felt her sense of relief grow clearer.
A small trust blossomed, knowing that the expert demon hunter would somehow resolve this situation.
"A bi-horned demon surpasses ordinary ones in recovery and strength, making it a very dangerous adversary."
Though Yulian casually murmured that a 'bi-horned' demon was frightening while glancing at Rinne, she was aware.
This situation was not troublesome for him at all.
***
'Damn, it's a bi-horned demon.'
Faced with the demon, I clicked my tongue silently.
Though I used some tricks, I had the experience of having captured even a tri-horned demon.
Based on that experience, dealing with a bi-horned demon shouldn't have felt difficult.
'Given the location...'
Currently, we were inside a moving train.
Although it was an emergency that called for an immediate halt, the train could only decelerate when entering a station unless it was due to 'external forces'.
Of course, by 'external forces', I mean...
'If that thing causes a commotion, and the train derails.'
Growl──!
The demon let out a low growl, raised its head, and looked around. Soon, its gaze met mine.
Its swollen body was barely covered by the tattered uniform of the train staff.
It seems it used fake horns.
'One of the staff was a member of the Dawn Society.'
I swiftly analyzed the demon's identity and looked around the relatively spacious cabin.
An entire train car dedicated to VVIPs. In a corner, covered in blood, Eulsis was trembling.
Seeing that, a wave of troubling thoughts washed over me.
'... Ugh.'
Although I am a temporary hire.
- 'As the head of the royal guard, what on earth were you doing?'
The head secretary, Sedn, would chastise me and hold me accountable.
A separate disciplinary committee would be formed, and the Elder Council, which had been keen to oust me from the system due to my unwelcome presence, would seize this opportunity.
'Fuck, I'm doomed.'
Yet, all was not lost.
The prince was still alive.
To overcome the situation, I infused mana into the Moonstone Sword and took a step forward.
'I need to draw that thing's attention to me.'
Seeing the sword's beginning luminescence, the demon's focus shifted towards me.
'Good!'
With a brief groan and a tilt of its head, the demon turned away. I quickly dashed to close the distance.
"Yulian, that demon's blood and saliva contain poison!"
Damn!
You could have told me sooner.
Despite Eulsis's urgent shout, I was resolved to wrap things up quickly, stopping was not an option.
Closing the distance, I immediately slashed at the demon's left leg.
Given the demon's size, larger than the giant Felkhor, the sword could reach it easily.
Hiss──!
As the Moonlit Sword sliced through the demon's skin, blood spurted out.
One might dismiss it as just 'blood,' but the moment it splattered into the air, it transformed into vapor.
'This must be what Eulsis was talking about.'
It wasn't a conventional poison, but a type that oxidized when exposed to air.
Thus, being near the vapor would be dangerous.
In the small area where the air turned purple, I took a step back to strategize my next move.
'This kind of demon is the worst in confined spaces.'
Having encountered such creatures before, I wasn't flustered.
Although I had numerous tactics in mind, handling it would still be challenging.
Ordinarily, it would be advantageous to fight with the wind at your back, but here, not even a breeze stirred.
"That demon's blood seems to turn into poisonous mist upon contact with the air."
"It does appear so."
I am aware.
"What should we do? If we kill it like this, the corpse will continue to emit the poisonous mist."
As Rinne mentioned, even if the demon were killed, its corpse would fill the train car with toxic gas.
One could deal with it first and then move Eulsis, but...
Leaving the gas unattended is an invitation for disaster, as a small spark could trigger an explosion.
I pondered over a good solution until something flashed through my mind.
A scene from a TV show I had watched before occurred to me.
'If leaving it behind is dangerous, it should be detached.'
Fortunately, this train car was at the very end.
"Lady Rinne."
"Yes?"
"Would you please move Prince Eulsis to the front cabin?"
"... Wouldn't it be better to find a way to defeat the demon together?"
"With skills that are only at that level?"
Grin.
The expression on my face was obvious, even without seeing it.
"I'll handle it; could you follow what I say?"
However, Rinne just stood there, staring at me, unlike usual.
Is this not enough?
As I thought of another way to persuade her,
"Alright."
To my surprise, Rinne agreed readily.
Once she dashed off toward Eulsis, the demon's eyes darted around before focusing on Rinne.
Sensing this, I swiftly extended my sword towards where the demon's core was and swung it down.
Of course, I didn't expect this to finish the demon off, but it raised its hands effortlessly to block the attack.
Thunk!
Even though it blocked, it couldn't avoid being inflicted with wound.
Sizzle──!
As the blood trickled from the indented scar onto the Moonstone Sword, it turned into vapor, causing a chemical reaction.
Ordinarily, it would have been enough to damage the blade, but the aura of the Moonlit Sword prevented that.
'... What a foul odor.'
If I incur more wounds, I'll have to breathe in the dense toxic gas.
"Yulian! It's done!"
At that moment, Rinne's shout echoed in my ears.
'Alright! From here...'
I focused mana on my right foot and kicked the demon away, almost as if I was shoving it.
An impossible combination of kicking power and aura.
Boom──!
Maybe thanks to that, the demon was pushed to the back of the train.
"Grr, grr."
Naturally, a kick from a bi-horned demon wasn't enough to knock it down, but it was sufficient.
"Move, lady Rinne."
"Yes, yes!?"
"To the next car, I mean!"
Rinne initially wore a perplexed expression, but as I charged forward, she quickly began following with the prince in tow.
"Graaaah──!"
Then, the demon, pushed back, let out a great roar and charged furiously toward us.
Thud, thud, thud.
Barreling through various objects, its persistent charge made it appear ferocious.
Once I saw the prince and Rinne passing through the train connection, I swung my sword at the demon again.
Thunk!
It blocked again with its arms and staggered back, but this time, it wasn't meant to wound.
It was only to buy time.
I swiftly took a few steps back and crossed over the car.
I could see the demon's ferocious face charging toward, seemingly determined to smash through the door.
"What's your plan, Sir Yulian!?"
Ignoring Rinne's urgent cry, I stabbed my drawn sword into the connection between the train cars.
Poke.
With the aura enveloping the sword, it penetrated easily, overcoming even substantial density.
Now it just needed to be severed.
"What are you doing right now?!"
"It seems a bit of sorting is needed."
"Are you thinking of detaching that car? That's impossible! The connection is magically treated steel, so..."
〈Remarkable Intuition〉
〈Foresight〉
Crunch──!
Contrary to Rinne's words, the steel-treated connection easily cracked.
Even with magical treatments, Yulian's keen eye and attributes allowed him to identify its weak points effortlessly.
"Ugh."
Yet, despite the crack appearing so smoothly, completely cutting through the connection was impossible.
"See? I told you it was tough to...huh?"
At last, I started to channel 'Sombra' into the Moonstone Sword.
'If it's lacking, just compensate for it.'
By utilizing the repulsive force of 'Sombra' and the sword, I could make up for the insufficient output.
Snap──!
With another shattering sound, the connector was entirely severed.
"Farewell,"
I thought as I watched the demon, which was pushed off to the train's end, attempt to jump toward us.
'What kind of long jump is that!'
Wham!
Upon my kick, the demon that had been tumbling to the ground now roared as it looked at us.
"Graaaaah──!"
Although it tried jumping again, as merely a demon, it couldn't keep up with the train's speed and eventually became just a dot in the distance.
Watching these series of actions, Rinne could only blankly look at me before turning to the separated VVIP car.
"... But what about that detached car? The Magic Tower might hold us accountable."
The Magic Tower was notorious for its demanding nature regarding this magically powered train, leaving Rinne worried.
"Oh, I suppose His Imperial Highness, the young sun of the Empire, prince Eulsis will handle that."
As for the Magic Tower, what will they do?
Right now, we have royalty behind us.
***
Upon arriving at our destination, the border city of Vernidn, signs of bustling activity within the station became apparent.
The arrival of the 4th Prince and the loss of a train car had likely summoned the officials.
"Prince Eulsis, are you alright!?"
"Look at these wounds! What was the Royal Guard doing!?"
Angered by the prince's injuries, the officials began to verbally assault me, using the prince's prestige as a shield.
It seemed they disregarded the implications of their actions on the future.
I am 'Yulian', after all.
"Enough, this was my doing."
"But Prince Eulsis..."
"I wanted some private time with my thoughts. It was my misjudgment to dismiss the Royal Guard."
"Still, there should have been measures in place for such an attack!"
Step by step.
The noble, raising his voice, fell silent as I approached.
"In whose presence are you raising your voice?"
"No, I was merely..."
"Disrespectful. Your conduct contradicts the intent of Prince Eulsis...or rather the Imperial will."
Clatter──!
Slowly, I moved my hand towards my blade's hilt, causing the surrounding air to grow heavy.
Smiling executioner.
Even outside the capital, many know that name. They also know what happens when he mentions the 'Imperial' name.
"How about we halt this here, Sir Yulian?"
Before anything transpired, Eulsis mediated the situation. Naturally, I hadn't intended to draw my sword right there.
This was merely a performance for my benefit later on.
"Yes, apologies, Your Highness, prince Eulsis."
After offering a respectful bow, I glanced back at the noble who had raised his voice.
In the Adratan Empire, the seat of 'Emperor' depends on the noble blood in one's veins, irrespective of gender.
Thus, besides having three brothers, Eulsis also has four sisters, distancing him from the line of succession.
Nevertheless, his noble lineage remained untarnished.
If I were the original 'Yulian', I'd be joyful with the newfound motive, but.
'I'm not some lunatic.'
Indeed, I am definitely! Not.
Despite being injured, Eulsis remained steadfast on traveling to the Holy Kingdom.
Truth be told, it was for his own foundation.
It was no exaggeration to say it was a matter of life and death, so forfeiting wasn't an option.
"Sir Yulian, you've done well."
"Yes."
"The assailants who attacked the train have been apprehended."
While I was briefly surveying the station, members of the 'Blind Eyes' stationed in the border city approached.
Together with the border guards, they had detained members of the Dawn Society who assaulted the train.
"By any chance, was there a large, bald fellow among them?"
Among them, I specifically singled out Felkhor.
The Blind Eyes agent nodded, seemingly having an immediate recollection.
"Yes, there is."
"In that case, please release him."
"... Excuse me? Is something the matter?"
The agent seemed baffled by my request.
If I tell you to do it, just do it.
I assure you I have a reason.
***
Felkhor, once a member of the former Azure Lion Order, touched the scars from his previous encounter with Yulian, which still throbbed.
He knew well why these scars ached more than usual.
The very person responsible for these scars was walking right ahead.
'Grr...'
Felkhor glanced at his own arm.
There, handcuffs designed for capturing criminals shackled his wrists.
Having only ever used them himself, being the one cuffed caused nervous sweat to trickle down his back.
"Just how far are we going!?"
"Please remain quiet."
Despite voicing his complaints, Yulian merely told him to keep quiet without offering any other responses.
Running away wasn't an option, either.
His arms were restrained, and Yulian surpassed him in mana and physical ability.
Still alive due to Yulian's whims, crossing him could genuinely lead to losing his head.
"Hey, Yulian. It's not like I fully understand why Aiden gave such an order! Ever since Alphas died, my standing in the cult has been ambiguous..."
"Is that so?"
Even as Felkhor confided in him, akin to confessing in a confessional, Yulian showed no interest.
After a few more minutes passed, once they were far enough that the lights brightening the night in the border city of Vernidn no longer visible, Yulian murmured to himself.
"This spot will do."
Clink.
Yulian unshackled Felkhor's handcuffs.
'Huh?'
Staring blankly, Felkhor looked at Yulian.
'What's his game?'
He hesitantly probed, wondering if perhaps a favor had been bestowed upon him.
"Ah, I see! You intended to release me here! You didn't want to release me in the city with so many eyes around, right?"
"Hehe."
Instead of answering, Yulian let out a short chuckle.
"Indeed, for I possess much knowledge. It would be troublesome for you if I were caught! After all, with 'Blind Eyes' being directly affiliated with the Imperial family...huh?"
Thunk.
Cutting off Felkhor's rambles, Yulian handed him a stick.
In the darkness, devoid of any light, Felkhor couldn't discern its form well but upon closer inspection, its outline began to reveal itself.
It was...a shovel?
"Yulian! Why are you giving this to me?"
"Do you not know the purpose of a shovel?"
Although he smiled as usual, Felkhor felt slightly offended by his tone of equating him to a fool.
"To dig up or to...bury...something..."
Bury something.
The possibilities for what goes in that 'something' were endless.
"You're quite aware. Therefore, could you please dig? As wide and deep as possible."
Grin.
While Yulian smiled, Felkhor's face turned ashen.
'Digging my own grave...?'
Clacky's Corner:
Yep, now dig buddy.