Chapter 69

"Damn it! Why! Why did it come to this!"

Descending to the first floor and peering down the stairs, Fernando was seen poking his head into each guest room, checking them one by one, and moving on to the next. Occasionally, he would throw a blade of fighting spirit at the soldier who peeked out from the entrance, but only to keep him at bay. The skill, Flying Leap Slash, was also used by Mercedes in the Forest of Twilight. Due to its ease of use, it was a common technique among swordsmen. It didn't have much power, but it was a handy attack that could be used from a mid-range distance.

However, it was quite a sight. Pointing at him as he was engrossed in searching for hostages, I deliberately did not enter a loop state to gain range and cast a spell.

"Air Bullet"

Just as he stuck his head into a room, the wind bullet flew in, and the door slammed shut.

"Ugh!?"

Fernando's scream echoed. Since his head was inside the room, it was natural that his face would be caught when the door closed. He retreated, holding his face, but did not let go of his sword.

"You, you guys!"

But it seemed to have the effect of drawing his attention. Recognizing our presence, he glared and shouted in a voice trembling with anger.

"S-so, it's you! You guys! You set a trap for me!"

...I don't understand. The trap is just the result of his own actions failing.

"...What is he talking about?"

Mercedes voiced her confusion without addressing anyone. I couldn't understand it either. I doubt King Melvin expected such a performance.

In any case, Fernando, harboring resentment, seemed to have set us as his target. He glared at us with bloodshot eyes. I readied my dragon staff, but Mercedes stepped forward and drew her sword from her waist.

"Sir Theodor. I would like to leave this to you. I have a score to settle with him."

"...Understood."

I could sense clear anger in Mercedes' words. I'll leave this to her this time.

After being taken hostage by a sneak attack and then being rescued, it seemed like a heartwarming story. She seemed to be controlling her emotions, but it wouldn't be surprising if she was seething inside.

"Mercedes! Damn it! I was watching you, and I was even letting you live!"

Fernando barked as Mercedes charged with her sword.

"Disgusting!"

Mercedes, riding the momentum of her charge, clashed swords with a forceful impact. The clash of blades formed a deadlock, but Mercedes, who was likely the weaker in strength, pushed Fernando back due to the momentum of her charge. Taking advantage of his off-balance state, Mercedes launched a forceful offensive, deliberately clashing swords in a rough and aggressive manner. Each clash of blades resonated with a metallic sound.

"Damn it!"

Fernando tried to shake her off with a forceful movement, but Mercedes, who had been pushed back, moved lightly. She closed the distance by kicking the wall, passing by Fernando's side, and leaping up to kick the ceiling, then striking down from above. Fernando, caught off guard by her three-dimensional movement, readied his sword with both hands and parried the blow by instinct. He was skilled enough to be considered for a position like Chester's.

Mercedes only showed this unconventional movement once. After that, she returned to the ground and continued to deliver rough and aggressive sword techniques.

The positions of the two, clashing with the sound of their swords, changed so rapidly that the soldiers who had caught up couldn't intervene. Among them was Chester, who had returned upon hearing the commotion.

"Fernando! You!"

Chester glared, but Fernando barked, seemingly misunderstanding something.

"Damn it! You're all cowards, ganging up on me!"

"Are you in a position to choose your opponents, you scoundrel!"

Mercedes, frowning, retorted. Indeed, a one-on-one duel with Mercedes was probably unexpected. Even if Chester had the skill to intervene, it was unlikely he would interfere in the fight.

If asked what was cowardly and what was wrong... perhaps it was the situation itself, which wouldn't improve even if he won.

"Here I come."

When the distance opened up, Mercedes readied her sword at her waist. The fighting spirit concentrated on her sword, glowing blue-white.

Fernando, also clenching his teeth, readied his sword similarly, concentrating fighting spirit on it. Mercedes, with a stern expression, stepped forward without hesitation.

In response, Fernando neither met her head-on nor defended, but instead leaped back and released a blade of fighting spirit. Perhaps he thought it was a good move, as a smile was plastered on his face.

But... it seemed Mercedes had anticipated this. She gritted her teeth and charged forward, knowing that a blade released while retreating wouldn't cause fatal damage if it hit her armor.

"Ugh, oh!?"

Perhaps he thought it would at least slow her down. Fernando hastily readied his sword to counter Mercedes' technique and swung it.

However, all of Mercedes' previous fighting style, her angry expression, and the ostentatious prelude to a grand move... were all part of her plan.

Mercedes suddenly stopped her charge and crouched. The fighting spirit that had enveloped her sword suddenly disappeared, and her shin glowed blue-white instead. Fernando's sword sliced through empty air... and in the next instant.

Using her entire body as a spring, Mercedes kicked off the floor and accelerated explosively. This was her real move. Distracted by the path of Mercedes' sword, Fernando was struck in the face by a direct knee kick.

"Agh!"

His nose and several front teeth shattered, and Fernando tumbled onto the carpet in the hallway.

The battle was decided. Lying on the floor and dropping his sword, Fernando pressed his hand to the blood gushing from his nose, raised his other hand in a plea for mercy, and screamed as he backed away to the wall.

Chester's expression grew increasingly dark as he watched.

"Stop! I'm sorry!"

His voice was muffled by the blood in his nose, but it was something to that effect.

"Please! I was just following orders from Gregg! Speak to the king on our behalf!"

"You... enough..."

Mercedes looked genuinely exasperated.

At that moment, perhaps because the sound of swords had stopped, a servant cautiously peeked out from a door in the hallway.

"Ah!"

Fernando's expression twisted with joy, and he lunged at the servant, even drawing a knife from his pocket.

"Too late."

Fernando's hand had plunged into the fire defense magic I had prepared—Flame Wall. Mercedes' sword deflected his extended hand, and Chester's spear, thrust from the side, pierced his calf and pinned him to the floor.

"Agh!"

In agony, Fernando could only thrash on the carpet, unable to roll over due to the spear through his leg. Mercedes, as usual, but Chester's decisive action was quite remarkable.

"...Enough. Take him away."

Mercedes' tired voice prompted the soldiers to move. Several of them pinned him to the floor, forced him to stand, and dragged him away. He continued to scream, but the content was unbearable to hear. Eventually, his voice faded away.

Well... Fernando is taken care of.

Chester, still scowling, massaged his head as if to ease a headache. After all, no matter how cornered he was, seeing a colleague in such a disgraceful state...

"Is your shoulder okay?"

"Yes. A technique launched with such a cowardly stance is nothing to worry about."

"Shall I cast a spell just in case?"

"...Thank you."

Mercedes smiled slightly. The cut on her armor was shallow, but my emergency healing magic should suffice.

While casting the healing spell, I said to Mercedes,

"...Actually, I have a favor to ask. Is that okay?"

"Of course. If it's something I can do."

"No, not from you, but a request to the interrogator."

Mercedes blinked.

"I want to find out the whereabouts of the adventurers Fernando took to the Forest of Twilight. Depending on the situation, it might be more important than uncovering the background of this incident."

"Understood. I'll pass it on immediately."

I wanted to ask Fernando a few questions based on the conversation between King Melvin and Fernando earlier. Specifically, the part about him getting burned from touching the sealed door. Our party also touched that door, but no one was harmed.

If it was just a change in the door, that would be fine. But if not...

However, if I tried to ask him here, he would likely try to negotiate, asking for help in exchange for information.

Besides, it doesn't matter whether I ask Jasper or Fernando. I don't trust his words, so it would be more reliable to have him questioned under magical interrogation.