Act 2-43 - Childick's Plans

Chapter 43 : Childick’s Plans

I kept chasing after the runaway Childick.

Both Childick’s level and fighting spirit were higher than mine.

He should be faster too, but the distance between me and him stayed about the same due to his awkward running form, which was most likely caused by his injured left leg.

Mani who threw her hammer using 《Ogre Fighting Spirit》 managed to wound Childick’s waist.

And that damage turned out to be more disturbing than he expected.

I mean, without that wound, someone at Childick’s level could easily have escaped from my pursuit.

Childick was glaring at me from over his shoulder.

「Persistent brat….」

「《Trick Dove》!」

I pinted the tip of 《Demon Eater Sword; Beelzera》 toward Childick, and used 《Trick Dove》 which I stole from 《Mineral’s Demon; Solus》 on him.

One tulpa dove flying through the center of the deployed magic circle, and went toward Childick.

The tulpa dove was circling around Childick, and rushing toward the latter from the front.

「Guh… This is…!」

Childick’s face was clouded for a moment.

Using that moment of distraction, I closed in toward Childick.

And slashing at him with my sword.

High level adventurers were more tenacious in dodging the attack than battle rats.

Because a moment of carelessness could turn the tide of the battle.

My mana almost hit the rock bottom.

Thus, I made the full use of the momentary opening to land a blow on him.

「YOU FU*CKING 2ND RATE ADVENTURER..!」

Childick pulled his enchanted sword while facing toward me, stabbing the tulpa dove in his blind spot.

I raised 《Beelzera》 overhead, and swung it down as if to strike with everything I got.

Childick raised his enchanted sword in a hurry to block my sword’s blade.

「Urgh…」

Now, will I make it in time?

Right now, I cast away my advantage and put on a little act.

「I WON!」

Childick pushed me back as he yelled.

Just like that, he jumped in the air with his short body, and sent a roundhouse kick toward my abdomen.

I turned my left arm to guard my side, and strengthened it with 《Transcendent Toughness》.

The impact of that kick was transmitted to my bones by 《Transcendent Toughness》.

Childick leaped back by using the recoil from his roundhouse kick.

… Is that really the movement of an environmentalist who can also use attack magic?

Though I did hear before that Childick was an all-rounder adventurer, no matter how you look at it, he was way too powerful.

I thought that I had a chance against an adventurer who used attack magic in close combat even if that person’s level was higher than me.

And yet, the reality came crashing at me as I realized that Childick’s close combat’s skill was higher than mine.

「From the very beginning, I’m was not running away from you. I was just pulling you away from them to finish you off.」

Childick readied his enchanted sword.

I recalled Childick’s nimble movement from before.

Every single movement of him was simply too fast for me.

I couldn’t think of any weakness that I could make use against Childick who was faster, tougher, and has more experience than me.

Though I might be able to change the tide of battle with battle art or magic that I didn’t use in the previous battle… honestly, I was too exhausted after my battle against bishop Ornoa.

Honestly, this mission was truly akin to a suicide mission but, we somehow managed to triumph against the grey cult, and were just one step away from saving the hostages.

Are you telling me that… all of those who are suffering are going to end up dead?

「Why Childick!? How much money did you get from the army for betraying us!? Do you really think that the army won’t silence you after you betray us!?」

Hearing my barrage of questions, Childick’s lips formed a sneer as he looked at me.

「As if a brat like you could understand that. This world is all about level and power. And the army provided both of them. It’s enough reason for me to take this gamble. Doing a favor to the merchant? bah, as if I will trust those guys who’re going to abandon us once we serve our purpose. I’ve been waiting for this moment. I’ve already built my own connection with the upper management of Romburgh’s army to prevent them from silencing me. This is the world of adults, shitty brat.」

… There’s many strong adventurers who were joining the army.

Basically, the higher your position in the army, the more favorable the treatment you got, though there’s a rumor that it was a place to crush the talented adventurer with an overwhelming job, those who rose to the rank of magus officer were backed up with real skill.

Though I wasn’t privy with the inside information of the army, some magus officers in Romburgh might be used to being an adventurer.

Maybe that’s the connection Childick is referring to.

「Everything that happened here was already under the control of influential people even before it began. You can’t do anything nor can you go against it, you’re just a mere ant trying to go against a giant stream. The death of all of you along with the members of the grey cult had long since been decided by them even before I gathered all you guys.」

「That’s bullshi*t. You’re just a bastard who sold out his fellow warrior who tried to save the hostages! Shame on you!」

Childick squinting his eyes, glaring daggers at me.

「I guess I’m talking too much huh. Anyhow, this is the end for you, shitty brat. What are you waiting for? well since you’re not going to attack… you think I’m gonna wai for you?」

Childick swung his sword in order to provoke me.

… He was right, I’ve been waiting for him to make the first attack, and aiming for the gap that will be created after his attack passing through my body which was liquified by the effect of 《Moon Reflection》.

Childick’s lips formed a wicked sneer.

Such a scene sent a chill running down my spine.

He suddenly leaped back, and raised his enchanted sword.

He might’ve decided to use attack magic from a safe distance seeing that I refused to make the first move.

Seeing him jumping back, I hurriedly stepped forward to chase him.

This distance should be barely enough for me to close in on him and prevent him from using attack magic.

『DEAN STOP! THAT’S A TRAP!』

Suddenly, Beelzebub warned me via telepathy.

But, it was too late.

「An opening.」

Childick who should be jumping back, suddenly closed in right in front of me.

Childick used my vigilance against his attack magic to force me to go after him, while at the same creating an opening for him to finish me off.

Childick fixed his stance in less than a moment while raising his sword.