Chapter 4 Part 4

TL: Xean

ED: Shish

I see…… he’s probably a human supremacist.

The high official’s outburst caused a sudden buzz in the hall.

In this day and age, when there is no such thing as open discrimination against abominations, human supremacists who seek to exclude abominations are very rare to find.

They are the ones who have been left behind by the times, and commonly, ones with the loudest voices. I didn’t know there were ones hiding even among the highest levels of government.

The bespectacled official was getting a lot of cold stares but he didn’t mind the attention, thinking it was in support of him, thus he continued to abuse me as if he was singing.

“Look, Fordout! You don’t deserve to be here like this! If you still have some dignity left, then get the h**l out of my sight! You’re an eyesore!”

The bespectacled dignitary continued to say something, but I just let it pass his words over my ears. It’s not because I don’t care about the high official anymore. No. That’s not it. I sensed something coming and I turned my attention to it.

“– Message for His Majesty!”

At that time, he must have been guarding the night party, which had turned into a standing-room-only banquet hall.

A member of the《Paradise Garden》delivered the message in a flustered manner. He saluted himself in front of His Majesty Erabas and proceeded to speak.

“I have a matter I need to bring to Your Majesty’s attention immediately!”

“Speak.”

“Don’t mind them. You can proceed.”

“Ha! An 《Odd Numbered》demon species has appeared in the skies over the southwestern outskirts of the Imperial Capital!”

The report echoed throughout the hall and the night party became even more rowdy.

“So that’s it. What are the details on the demon? ”

“The odd numbered species has seven wings! It’s called 《Bomber》!”

There are demons with an even and odd number of wings.

Demons with an odd number of wings are born with unique abilities.

The reported seven-winged demon, 《Bomber》, is a vicious odd-numbered demon whose scales have the same properties as explosives, and is often seen dropping scales from the sky to burn down human settlements. If the reports are true, we can’t leave it alone.

“You’re already working on intercepting it, aren’t you? ”

“We are, but it’s still out of range of our snipers……”

“However, it must not have arrived within the inner rim of the Imperial City. The 《 Bomber》, must be stopped from entering the Imperial City, even if it is on the outer rim before it could drop bombs from the sky.

With the current situation, I made a suggestion for His Majesty, Erabas.

“Your Majesty, may I borrow your ultra-long-range sniper rifle?”

“Fordout, what do you think you’re playing at!”

“I don’t think this is the time for arguments, sir?”

“Guh…….”

The bespectacled official fell silent. And His Majesty slowly nodded.

“Very well. I’ll leave it to you. It may be difficult to operate, but I know you can handle it.”

A few moments later, an ultra-long-range sniper rifle was quickly put into my hands and I ran out of the hall.

“Don’t act like you can do anything.”

The bespectacled official threw a few words at my back, but I didn’t care and just left.

The ultra-long-range sniper rifle was designed to increase range at the expense of accuracy, so it would never be used by snipers positioned near the target, in this case, the outer rim of the Imperial City.

What they required to do is to have the accuracy to shoot down any target that comes within range, so they would never bother to use this weapon which has an inferior hit rate.

And since this time the focus of the sniper rifle is not good, I will shoot from the very back.

I ran up the outer stairs of the venue and aimed for the top, where there was no cover.

Then it happened. Someone lands in front of me. The door was opened from the inside and several men jumped out to block my path.

“ー we won’t let you do anything, you red-eye!”

“What are these guys…… human supremacists?”

Are they working for that high official?

Damn it…… you’d rather interfere with me than to prioritize the safety of the Imperial City!

“Don’t get in my way! This is no time for this!”

“Shut up abomination! You’ll sleep quietly here!”

I kicked one of them, who had interfered with my words and tried to beat me to the punch. One of them collided with the landing fence and collapsed, while the others shouted in surprise.

“D-damn it …… you’re supposed to be weak!”

“Prepare for a hard time, you guys. If you still want to interfere, be prepared for the consequences. ”

“You ……! Don’t get carried away!”

I then cleared away the rest of the men who were trying to stop me, and continued my run for the rooftop.

When I reached the rooftop, I took my sniper rifle and looked through the scope at a spot about three kilometers from here, over the southwestern outskirts of the Imperial City where the 《Bomber》 was said to have been sighted.

Shortly after, I felt a strange presence behind me and turned around.

A member of the 《Paladin’s Garden》 was standing there. While I was relieved that he hadn’t startled me…… I immediately wondered why he was here.

“What’s wrong?”

I asked, but he didn’t answer.

“Theo-kun! Don’t let your guard down!”

At that moment, the voice of the instructor suddenly rang out.

She had just come running up the stairs. Chasing after me for acting independently.

More importantly, she said to ‘Don’t let my guard down’.

Just what did she mean by that.

The instructor flipped up the hem of her black one-piece dress and pulled a small handgun from the belt around her thigh.

She aimed the gun at a member of the 《Paladin’s Garden》. Then pulled the trigger. A series of gunshots rang out, knocking him dead.

“Instructor, what are you doing?”

“Theo-kun, take a closer look!”

With that sharp voice, I looked over again at the member. Then his body began to change shape, as if he were untransforming, and before long he transformed into a demon. When I saw the dead body that had been shot by the instructor, my eyes widened.

“…… Is this a 《mimic》?”

“Yes, an odd numbered demon with mimicking abilities. It seems that apart from the human supremacists, this one has also infiltrated. Maybe he’s the one who’s going to ensure the 《Bomber》attack is a success.”

“How did you……find out?”

“It’s because I have more experience than Theo-kun.”

The instructor said without hesitation, but by no means is it a small feat to be able to see through the mimicry of a 《Mimic》. I had to admit that I was impressed.

“Let’s go, Theo-kun, it’s your job from here, okay? You’ll have to defeat it splendidly.”

“I-I understand.”

I was still so impressed with her, but then I shifted gears. I looked through the scope once more, and focused on the sky over the southwestern outskirts of the Imperial City. Then I saw the 《Bomber》, and shot it immediately.

I instantly calculated the point of impact based on the combination of wind speed, wind direction, gravity, angle, and other factors. So when I saw the head of the《Bomber》 head hit by the bullet and fell to his death, I could only think, “Well, it’s over”.

“Yeah, splendid work.”

“Thank you very much.”

Then we started to move back. Later, as we walked back to the venue, one of the gentlemen came up to us and clapped his hands in admiration.

We were greeted by His Majesty Erabas.

“Right now, I’ve just heard that a signal flare has been fired from the site, and that the castle soldiers have confirmed it. It seems that you have done well.”

“Yes, it was somehow a success.”

“As expected. You’re still one of the best musketeers these years.”

His Majesty Erabas’ words were followed by a round of applause from the guests. I just did what I had to do, but it didn’t feel bad about being praised for it.

“And I’m sorry about my subordinate earlier.”

“Aah…… it’s okay, I don’t care as much as that,” and honestly, it’s not worth caring about.

“He’s going to jail. If he shows no remorse, he will be disciplined.”

“I-I see.”

“I’m not a fan of human supremacy. That’s why I’m trying to eradicate them, but I haven’t been able to destroy them all yet. There will always be those who hate the Abomination. Especially at night, when the guards can’t see them is when the human supremacist groups start walking around.”

“I know, Your Highness.”

“I’m sure you’re fine, but your acquaintances must also be careful. Since you’ll never know when they’ll attempt to harm them, understand?”

After saying these words of concern, His Majesty said that he had business to attend to and left with his men.

Despite the unexpected event, no damage was done and the party continued without a hitch.

I sat at the counter and enjoyed the food again with the instructor. I was eating a hearty meal, while the instructor was filling his stomach mainly with sweets.

Then someone I don’t like arrives, and the place gets a little noisy.

“Ah, it’s you, Theo-boy. I heard you did a great job earlier, didn’t cha? ”

And then a woman in a lab coat sat down on the chair next to me.

“Ugh……”

The woman in the white coat was of average height, but her b*****s stood out as being somewhat large.

She has pale blonde hair that is almost beige and blue eyes that are smiling behind those round-rimmed glasses. She’s barely in her teens. From my memory, she’s a person who I have a hard time dealing with.

“…… Rumina-san.”

What’s with the feeling that some troublesome person has found you?

“You’re happy to see me, aren’t cha?”

“No, I’m not happy.”

Rumina Popplewell.

She belongs to one of the 《five most prestigious》 noble families in the Empire.

She’s the daughter of the Earl of Popplewell.

She’s not a musketeer, but she’s known as a leading expert in demonology. So it’s no surprise to see her here in this event.

“What do you mean you’re not happy? I’m extremely happy to see you, Thea-boy.”

After smiling like a mischievous goddess, she then turned to the instructor sitting across me.

“It’s been a while, Ms. Miya. I’ve heard about the circumstances between you and Theo-boy. I’m glad to hear that you and Theo-boy are doing well. Also, I hear you’re providing for him now? ”

“That’s right.”

“Please deny it! S-she’s just supporting me!”

I am not a gigolo. That’s the last thing I wanted to be misunderstood as.

“Hoho. Theo-boy, you’re lucky to have such a beautiful woman feeding you, aren’t you? ”

“I told you it’s not like that!”

“Would you like to come to my laboratory? I’ve got a lot of research to do, and I could really use some help.”

“I’m not going. You’re just gonna bring me there and dissect me, aren’t you? ”

“Just a tiny, little dissection, that’s all.”

“That’s why I won’t go.”

This person wants to dissect me for real. She’s been telling me ever since long ago that she wants to examine me, the strongest abomination of all. That’s why I’m not good at dealing with her.

“What the, you don’t have to be so stingy with the dissection.”

“Stingy……. For me, dissection is a process that will involve a lot of blood loss.”

“Oh, you know. Then do it for me?”

“No, I’m not doing it! At least without some payment.”