Chapter 34

Following the lead of the Fairybird, I descended the fire dragon and sent Miralca to detain Jean Vinsbrouct. Then, I headed for Vinsbrouct's mansion.

I made the fire dragon descend at the edge of the district where the noble residences were clustered, and jumped off. In the spacious front garden of the mansion I had investigated beforehand, a heinous act was about to take place.

Kirsch and a few of her subordinates were seated with their arms bound behind their backs. Behind them stood a man holding an executioner's blade.

In front of Kirsch stood a bald old man in luxurious clothing. His eyes were as cold as ice, and a twisted smile played on his lips.

"You have conspired with the Velbekia army, threatened my Vinsbrouct family, and sought unjust gains. Kirsch, I thought you were Jean's loyal servant, but it seems you were a mere she-cat."

"Ugh...!"

"Whoa, don't move. If you do, I'll have to order your head to be cut off. Kirsch, I'll give you one last chance. My foolish son has already fled, but are you willing to serve me as a servant? If you swear your loyalty, I will pardon you."

"Wait, Lord Zebias! What about us... Gah!"

Kirsch's subordinate, who heard that only she would be pardoned, cried out but was kicked by one of Zebias's men and fell silent.

"When did I tell you to speak? I only keep those who have proven their worth. You are nothing but expendable."

"But... if I don't say that Captain Kirsch let the thief escape, you..."

"You would have been implicated in the escape as well. It's presumptuous to think that informants will be rewarded."

"Damn...!"

Kirsch was brought before Zebias by one of her subordinates who had betrayed her. I understood the situation—there was no need to see more.

I considered how to rescue Kirsch. It wasn't complicated, but among Zebias's men was a swordsman with an A-rank combat rating. If he targeted Kirsch, she could lose her life if I acted too late.

To ensure a perfect rescue, I had to reveal myself. I needed to draw the A-rank swordsman away, and then...

(Anything can happen. As long as that old man doesn't die from shock.)

The most effective way to protect Kirsch and her subordinates was to activate an enhancement spell.

Enhancement spells are typically cast on allies during combat, not on food, which is a method I developed later. I concealed my magic and enhanced Kirsch without anyone noticing. However, that alone wasn't enough. I needed to cast a spell on the enemy as well—thus, my preparations were complete.

The other spell I chose was one I had practiced and mastered. It was too crude to show in front of Miralca, but I had confirmed its practical effectiveness.

Kirsch was allowed to raise her head and look up at Zebias. She had resisted when she was captured, and her hair was undone, with blood seeping from her lips—she had been hit.

"I... I do not think I have done anything wrong! Zebias Vinsbrouct! What you have done will one day be exposed to the light of day! Even if I die here, someone will surely...!"

She was not broken. Indeed, there was no need for her to be broken.

Verlene said that Kirsch's pride in her choices was the reward the Silver Water Jug Inn sought.

The contract was fulfilled. We would achieve Kirsch's request by any means necessary.

Zebias was quiet, but he was infuriated by Kirsch's defiance. His response was predictable—order the executioner to do his job. To Zebias, Kirsch was valuable only for her beauty.

"... I will capture the criminals and cleanse the family's shame, even if it means executing them. Do you understand?"

"..."

Kirsch's eyes did not lose their light. Even as tears streamed down her cheeks, she refused to yield.

The executioner raised his gleaming sword high. As he was about to bring it down, I activated the 'Two Spells' simultaneously.

(—'Combat Power Lending'—and 'Combat Power Reduction'!)

"Ugh...!?"

The executioner stopped moving. He lost his grip on the sword and stumbled, falling over.

"Heavy... the sword suddenly...!"

"Hey, what are you doing! I said kill her! Damn it, if you won't do it, you do it, Grance!"

"—Execution is for the wicked to be judged. Don't you think so?"

I was already in motion—showing myself was the most efficient way. Before the A-rank swordsman could target the bound Kirsch and her subordinates, I drew my sword and attacked.

It had been a while since I had fought a human. But for me, this was not even a real fight.

"Are you wearing that mask, thinking you're a hero... What a joke!"

"I'm just doing my job. Just like you. You're Grance Baldo from the 'Purple Scorpion Inn,' right?"

"What does that matter... Die!"

A-rank—his combat rating was almost entirely based on his swordsmanship, and he was quite skilled.

However, for him to exchange blows with my sword, enhanced by 'Slash Power Enhancement,' was suicidal.

A dull sound rang out. My sword, hardened by magic, had cut through the steel blade of Grance's sword halfway.

"Impossible... A black iron sword by a mere steel sword..."

"Did you use a weapon supplied by Velbekia? This is a deep issue..."

"Ugh...!"

There was no need to attack an opponent who had lost his weapon. I kicked Grance, sending him flying. 'Kick Power Enhancement.' I didn't always need to use enhancement spells, but I often did because I didn't like holding back.

However, Grance flew into a large tree, and the impact caused cracks in the trunk.

"Well, next is... Hmm, no one else is coming? Old man, your face is turning purplish."

"Ugh, incompetent fools... If I can just escape, if I can just escape..."

The face of the schemer who had manipulated his subordinates to seize control of the country was nowhere to be seen. His son had defected, and his last move had failed, leaving him with no hope. Zebias drew his sword and attacked me—his face was a mix of obsession with power and hatred for me.

"Ughhhhh!"

Losing his sanity, he roared like a beast and swung his sword—but I wasn't about to let him hit me.

I chose to conduct an 'experiment.' For me, this was never a real fight.

I had already deployed the 'Magic Array' while keeping it hidden.

I had always wondered if such a use was possible while watching Miralca.

No one else could use spatial deployment magic. Only I, who had observed her for a long time and could do a little of everything, could do this.

—'Limited Annihilation Type Sixty-Sixth Form: Particle Disruption Array'—

Zebias thrust his sword at me—it seemed to reach my body.

"How... I won't end here... Never..."

"No, it's over. And it will never begin again."

Zebias's sword crumbled into black, charcoal-like chunks. Weaponless, Zebias collapsed, looking at me with the eyes of a monster.

"You... You're a demon... A demon has infiltrated the capital to invade the country!"

"Don't underestimate demons. Zebias, I know demons with far more pride than you. No, you never had pride to begin with. A man who would sell his country doesn't deserve the word."

"... Gah, gah...!"

Zebias, unable to accept his defeat, foamed at the mouth and tried to say something, but it was incoherent. Overwhelmed with rage, he fainted. None of his remaining subordinates had the strength to fight. Those affected by 'Combat Power Reduction' were so weakened that they couldn't even hold a weapon.

"Tell your master to run. It would be cruel to ask you to do that. Just let yourselves be captured."

No one spoke or nodded, but they had no will to resist my words.

I freed Kirsch and her subordinates. The ropes had cut into Kirsch's wrists, and blood was seeping out, so I cast 'Healing Light' on all of them.

"This light... even healing magic..."

"I, I'm not evil! It was all Captain Kirsch... Gah!"

I struck the subordinate who had betrayed Kirsch with a backhand, knocking him unconscious as a form of punishment.

"Is there anyone else who betrayed her?"

"... No. If anyone else had such feelings, it was due to my lack of virtue."

"That's not true..."

"Captain Kirsch, I'm sorry... I thought you would become Lord Zebias's servant and abandon us..."

Kirsch's three male subordinates said apologetically. But Kirsch smiled and said,

"It's understandable to think that. I did consider it might save us... But in the end, I felt it was better to die than to submit to that old man. That's all."

"Captain..."

Kirsch was usually well-respected by her subordinates. The strained relationship was due to Jean and Zebias, who had ordered her to do dirty work and then discarded her.

Miralca had completed her mission successfully, and the Fairybird flew overhead, followed by the fire dragon she rode.

"Um... Sir in the mask. Why did you help us?"

Wearing a mask distorted my voice, so Kirsch didn't recognize me. She was waiting for my answer—I was more concerned about her torn clothes from the capture, so I took off my jacket and put it on her.

"Ah... I, I'm sorry, to trouble you with such a thing..."

"No, don't worry about it. It's the least I can do."

I turned to leave. I planned to call the capital's officials and leave the rest to Kirsch. She could explain the situation clearly—though if it got complicated, I might need to ask Cordy for help.

"Sir in the mask... Please, at least your name..."

"My name? I don't usually give it because it will be forgotten."

That was partly true and partly a lie. I never wanted my name to be known on the public stage—this time was an exception.

I either assisted the person directly or gave instructions to guild members. Otherwise, I was just a drunk in the bar, and there was no need to give my name.

There was no need, but that's why I wore a mask.

"I am the fifth member of the 'Masked Rescuers.' Remember that."

"Yes...! I will never forget this kindness... Thank you, 'Oblivion' Hero!"

"Wha...!?"

"Hero... That man?"

"Did you mean hero in the sense of saving us?"

Kirsch's subordinates accepted her interpretation, but I was somewhat shaken.

Could they have known?—No, they must have found out that the guild master of the Silver Water Jug Inn was Dick Silver. It was recorded officially, so it could be found out.

Kirsch had connected the Silver Water Jug Inn, Dick Silver, and the Masked Rescuers—though it would be unwise to make a fuss about it.

Kirsch would keep the secret. If she didn't, I would ask Verlene to add a condition to the success fee.

The Masked Rescuers are unrelated to our guild and are a group that protects the kingdom. If they rescue someone, it is an event in which our guild has no involvement—please emphasize this point.