Chapter 32

Well, since I started this game, I've engaged in battles numerous times, but the number of times I've fought against humans is quite few.

After all, unless it's a duel, there aren't many opportunities for players to fight each other, and that's understandable.

The only experience I have with PvP is from the lectures on the three magic swords I received at the Faustkatze dojo.

The instructors at that dojo were highly skilled.

That's why I have certain expectations for the locals in this game. Some of them must be highly skilled, I think.

But—

"Hmm..."

I squint as I look at the group that has gathered in front of the Ramburg estate's gate.

I place my hand on my chin and scrutinize them, but what comes out is a deep sigh.

"...Disappointing."

"What are you saying, you filthy foreigner!"

"Moreover, are they the same group as before... Is this the standard? Well, it doesn't matter, Mica Jellyfish."

"Ah, yes."

I ignore the group's mumbling and instruct Mica Jellyfish to start recording the video.

I don't know if the video we take here can be shown to other locals, but at least with this footage, it's possible to get other foreigners on our side.

After all, the speed at which information spreads among foreigners is incomparable to that of the locals.

It will quickly spread to the majority of foreigners, and this noble family will be seen as an enemy.

It's a bit of a large-scale prank, but it's a subtle one.

While swallowing my disappointment, I raise my voice without leaving the Ramburg estate's grounds.

"The private soldiers of the Feib family who stumbled and ran away just now. I was quite surprised to see them fall in such an empty place... Did they get hurt?"

"What!? That was because of you...!"

"Oh, did I do something? If my memory serves me right, I only explained things in detail with gestures and words."

"Gr...!"

Indeed, I didn't even draw my sword, let alone attack.

From an outsider's perspective, it looked like they were just doing a funny dance on their own.

When I indirectly mocked this, the group that had come earlier all turned red in the face.

It would be good to provoke them into losing their cool, but I also want to assert our righteousness a bit more.

"Well, I don't know what it is, but they seemed to be in a hurry. It's not surprising that they fell. Anyway, what is your business here?"

"It's obvious! Hand over Lirina Ramburg to us!"

"You gathered armed soldiers to make this demand. In other words, your purpose is kidnapping."

I narrow my eyes at them.

My mind shifts to a combat-ready state, ready to draw my sword at any moment, but I still maintain a natural posture as I tell them.

"To make such a statement against us, who hold the proof of the Knights' Order, is truly commendable. Should I report this to the Commander?"

"Hmph, foreigners are barbaric in their thinking. This is a request. From the Feib family to Lirina Ramburg. Surely you won't refuse?"

"In other words, you are the representative of the Feib family, and your words represent the will of the family—Is that what you're saying?"

"Huh?"

Fool, if the head of the Feib family had come from the beginning, the two women of the Ramburg family wouldn't have been able to resist.

In short, this is nothing but the reckless act of the noble's son.

It's not a legitimate request as a noble, which is why Lirina and the others could refuse their demand.

Despite this, this man claims it's a request from the Feib family. Given the situation, that's impossible.

Well, the details and reasons don't matter. If this isn't led by some Feib noble, there are plenty of opportunities to exploit.

"Let me repeat: The Feib family mobilized private soldiers to oppose the Knights' Order just to get one woman—Is that what you're saying?"

"That...!"

Everyone, including the man who was speaking, is shaken.

I don't know what position this man holds, but if he were a true representative, he wouldn't be sent to such a place.

If he's speaking on behalf of the noble without authorization—what will happen then?

"What is your response? Depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to report to the royal family."

"Gr, this...!"

Well, I could persuade them to retreat, but I want them to be in a more disadvantageous situation.

The risk of them escalating to a more dangerous situation increases, but that's a different matter. The larger the incident, the easier it is for the Knights' Order to intervene.

The risk of exposing Lirina to danger increases, but to settle things without any lingering issues, this is the better approach.

I make a mocking expression and laugh.

"Hah, what a lack of foresight. Thinking that numbers will solve everything is truly pitiful. To need others to subdue one woman makes you look like a complete failure."

"You, are you insulting Sir Creis!"

"Hm, that's right. Well, with such incompetent subordinates, it's no wonder the higher-ups can't grow. How pitiful."

They showed a clear reaction as I had guided them, so I shift to provoking the group in front of me.

They are like foxes borrowing the tiger's might, with inflated pride and very low resistance to provocation.

As expected, they all turned red with anger in response to my words.

"You... retract your words now!"

"You can't speak properly. If you can only rely on your master's authority, at least try to deliver your lines better. A verbal duel is boring enough as it is."

"Gr... You'll regret this!"

A verbal duel is a form of battle, a fight to gain psychological superiority.

The man who lost this battle immediately drew his sword and attacked me.

The clumsy strike, as if swung by an amateur, was far from impressive.

If it were a sharp blow, I would have deflected and thrown him, but this doesn't even make me want to counterattack.

I sigh and dodge, then sweep his feet out from under him.

"Wh—Fall!?"

"...I don't want to be too disappointed, but are the private soldiers of a noble family this weak?"

He must have been gripping his sword too tightly, because it slipped from his hand when he fell.

I sigh at this pathetic situation and step on the man's back to immobilize him.

If he had any combat experience, he would have drawn a dagger to target my legs, but it seems this man only has a long sword.

He looks like a civilian dressed up to look like a soldier.

"Well, criminal who entered the grounds without permission. What kind of treatment do you desire?"

"...! Get rid of these people!"

"What!? But—"

"Don't think too much! Get rid of these people, and take that girl away, and it will be over!"

This fool has even forgotten that we are foreigners. Trying to silence us is a meaningless act.

With a sigh mixed with a wry smile, I lightly kick the fallen man's jaw.

I've provoked him enough, and there's nothing more I want from him. Further commotion would only be a hindrance, so I make him unconscious.

The soldiers, hearing his words, draw their weapons and cautiously approach. There are nine of them left.

Mica Jellyfish and Aji prepare to draw their weapons, but I stop them with a hand.

"Quon!?"

"No problem, stand back and watch. I want to keep this as self-defense... Well, with opponents like this, I can handle them without drawing my sword."

The private soldiers' expressions change at my mocking words.

In reality, I wouldn't struggle even against ten times their number if I drew my sword.

But they seem to take it as mere provocation and rush at me with changed expressions.

Footwork—Shukuchi.

I approach the man at the front with a sliding step.

I grab the hilt of his sword just as he raises it, push him back, and sweep his heel.

In an instant, he spins around like a joke and hits the ground, unconscious.

The man on the left side, startled by the dramatic fall, stops moving—then I immediately move to his side.

"Don't stop, fool."

"Wh, what!?"

Strike—Shinshin.

I strike his side with the palm of my hand, driving the impact inward.

If I hit with full force, I could crush his internal organs, but it would be unwise to kill him.

I hold back appropriately to incapacitate him and move on to the next opponent.

The closest one is a slightly smaller female soldier.

"Ah!? D, don't come!"

Of course, I won't stop just because of her words.

I kick the pommel of her sword, which she held awkwardly, and knock it out of her hand.

Approaching the woman, who stopped moving with her empty hand, I grab her neck with my right hand.

I'm not gripping it hard enough to stop her blood or breathing.

"C, c... s, stop."

"Hmm, alright."

I smile at the woman, who pleads while gripping my wrist, and lift her higher.

Then I slam her back to the ground.

The air is knocked out of her lungs, and she lies motionless from the impact.

I kick her away and glare at the remaining private soldiers.

"Well... are you still going to fight?"

"Ah!?"

There are six left. I could take them out if I wanted to, but it wouldn't add anything to the situation.

If they were a bit more challenging, I might be motivated to fight, but with these opponents, it would just be unsatisfying.

I glare at them with a mix of frustration and killing intent, and they retreat, just like the last time.

I've done what I needed to do. These people are no longer of any use.

"If you want to fight, come. But from now on, I will treat this as dealing with criminals."

I rattle the scabbard and lower my center of gravity into a stance.

This is just a bluff; I don't intend to actually cut them.

But it's effective. In the tense atmosphere, the intimidated private soldiers slowly back away, and the moment a certain distance is opened, they all flee.

I don't chase after them, release my stance, and sigh as I look at the four soldiers lying around.

"Well, I did need a few to hand over to the Knights' Order... but to not even show any intention of helping is disappointing."

"Eh? You're going to hand them over to the Knights' Order?"

"Unlawful entry and attempted kidnapping. There's no reason not to hand them over. It will also be a blow to the Feib family."

If they can be formally charged, it will become a scandal for the Feib family.

Even if not, the noble's son will not escape punishment.

To create a situation where the son is punished without any lingering issues would be ideal, but with the current hand I have, it's difficult.

I don't think the provoked group will stop at this level.

"Aji, go get Elsa."

"...Why?"

"I need some rope or something to tie them up. Even if we disarm them, leaving them here is too risky."

"...Okay, got it."

Aji, with her usual blank expression, nods and heads back into the house.

As she leaves, Mica Jellyfish asks me a question.

"At least, we managed to repel the attack, but what do we do now?"

"There are a few options, but first, we need to hand these people over to the Knights' Order. Once they're restrained, we'll go inside and keep watch."

"You mean call the Knights' Order. Should I send a message to Rino?"

"Yes, that would be better."

It's too risky to take these people to the Knights' Order.

We might be attacked on the way, and the protection for Lirina would be weakened.

If they come here, it will be easier to handle.

"Then I'll let Rino know."

"Thanks."

Well, what will happen next?

It's unlikely that the Feib family will remain quiet.

If their private soldiers are charged, it will be even more unlikely.

To protect themselves from the charges, they might take defensive measures or resort to more aggressive actions—

"—Maybe it will be a bit more fun."

I mutter this quietly so Mica Jellyfish can't hear.

■Avatar Name: Quon

■Gender: Male

■Race: Human

■Level: 13

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 16

VIT: 14

INT: 16

MND: 14

AGI: 12

DEX: 12

■Skills

Weapon Skill: 《Sword: Lv.13》

Magic Skill: 《Enhancement Magic: Lv.10》

Set Skill: 《Dead Point Strike: Lv.11》

《MP Auto Recovery: Lv.6》

《Plundering Sword: Lv.8》

《Identification: Lv.10》

《Sword of Life: Lv.9》

《Sword of Demon Slaying: Lv.4》

《Tame: Lv.3》

《HP Auto Recovery: Lv.5》

Sub Skill: 《Mining: Lv.1》

Title Skill: 《Blessing of the Fairy》

■Current SP: 8

■Monster Name: Lumina

■Gender: Female

■Race: Fairy

■Level: 7

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 0)

STR: 4

VIT: 7

INT: 22

MND: 16

AGI: 14

DEX: 9

■Skills

Weapon Skill: None

Magic Skill: 《Light Magic》

Skill: 《Light Attribute Enhancement》

《Flight》

《Magic Resistance: Medium》

《MP Auto Recovery》

Title Skill: 《Fairy Queen's Servant》