Chapter 39
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"Ahh...... People are dying......"
Yuurai is using Spirit Sight to determine whether the soldiers are alive or dead.
While it's a relief that the army of Skeletons and Monsters is performing well, watching soldiers die one after another isn't a pleasant sight.
"Why are they attacking......? If they just left me alone, I'd stay quiet......"
Despite harboring bitter feelings, Yuurai doesn't stop her attacks. She doesn't want to die.
"......Ah, Aquell and his three companions? They're charging through, bypassing the Skeletons. Are they targeting only me? Well, defeating Skeletons doesn't mean much anyway."
Aquell's combat strength seems to be quite high. He's advancing without paying any attention to the Skeletons.
Even sending a Forest Wolf against Aquell proves meaningless. Despite being significantly enhanced through Magical Remodeling, it appears to be no match for holy attributes.
"They might reach here...... If that happens, I'll have no choice but to fight...... Claire, let's do our best."
"When that time comes. But, I wonder. Down there, Gilka is still around."
Yuurai doesn't know where Gilka, who is in Stealth mode, is located. Perhaps due to Gilka's high skill level, she doesn't appear in Spirit Sight or even through the Third Eye.
Eventually, Aquell and his group approach the vicinity of the castle gate.
"For now, shall I bring out my secret weapon?"
Using Marionette magic, she moves a single Werewolf that had been on standby below.
It was instantly defeated.
"Ugh, that was completely useless. Aquell is strong......"
Though she had prepared about ten more, Yuurai decided it was pointless and refrained from deploying them.
"As Claire said, that wasn't very effective."
"It can't be helped. Their skill proficiency wasn't high enough to face Aquell."
Just in case, she tries using Pain and Mental Corruption, but they have no effect. Whether it's due to the Saint's protection or Aquell's own resistance, she doesn't know.
"......Ah, but, Aquell has fallen. He's coughing up blood."
Aquell's advance halts, and he collapses on the spot.
The next moment, his head flies off.
Aquell's three companions scream in horror and rush to his already lifeless body.
"......That's Gilka's doing, right?"
"Yes."
"Is Gilka, by any chance, incredibly strong?"
"That Stealth skill is very troublesome. Moreover, Gilka herself possesses exceptional combat skills and a keen eye for spotting an opponent's weaknesses. Stopping Gilka is nearly impossible for someone who only focuses on Monster extermination."
"......I'm glad she's on our side."
"Truly."
* * *
(......A master of holy swordsmanship, huh. That was anticlimactic.)
Gilka, still in Stealth mode, gazes at Aquell's corpse.
Around Aquell, three women—likely his usual party members—have gathered. They are an archer, a spear wielder, and a mage, all around twenty years old. From their words, there's an atmosphere suggesting they aren't just party members.
"Aquell Aquell Aquell! Why, how, this is wrong, it's a lie, there's no way Aquell could die, right!?"
"Haha...... This is a lie...... A dream...... When I wake up, I'll see Aquell healthy again......"
"His head...... If we put his head back, it'll be fine...... It'll be okay...... Look, healing magic......? Aquell, is the pain subsiding......?"
(Were they lovers, or was it just unrequited love......? Well, Aquell was quite the charming man, so it's not strange for such relationships to form. So, should I kill these three as well?)
Using Stealth skills to exploit an opponent's vulnerabilities and strike—that's Gilka's style.
However, the sword called Issenki also plays a significant role in this method of killing. Five times a day, it can ignore magical defenses and strike.
While the hardness of materials can't be ignored, requiring considerable skill to use, Gilka possesses that skill. She can even cut through iron with her own technique alone.
(Killing them would be easy. They're not on guard at all. In fact, they've forgotten this is a battlefield. Truly, these girls are so naive.)
Gilka raises Issenki in her right hand. Killing them would be simple. However, it's also true that they are talents worth sparing.
(......If we use Yuurai-sama's Mental Manipulation, turning them into our pawns wouldn't be difficult. Even if the Saint's protection is strong, if Yuurai-sama touches them directly, she can break through that protection.)
Gilka takes out sleeping powder and sprinkles it over the three, who are in a state of utter confusion.
It would have been troublesome if they had used magic to resist status effects, but all three fell asleep easily.
(......Maybe for them, the real battle was still ahead. They probably hadn't experienced much combat against cunning humans. Or perhaps they only fought enemies they matched well against and got overconfident.)
While remaining vigilant of her surroundings, Gilka carries the sleeping trio into the town.
Since the castle gate is left wide open, entering is easy. Infiltration is simple as well, but destroying the gate would be problematic, so it's been decided to keep it open during this battle.
Though it seemed unnecessary to take Aquell's beheaded body, considering Yuurai could revive him as an Undead with her powers, Gilka secured it just in case.
(I've taken care of the most troublesome enemy for Yuurai-sama. Now, how will the other side respond?)