CH 69

Chapter 69

When Peaceful Times Cease To Exist : Secret Maneuvering, Part 4 — True Character

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

「Do you mind if I call you by your real name?」

「Of course. Me and you, Lifeless?」

「Then be my guest. Bloody Maria, can we leave Doom alone?」

「What does that mean?」

「What if Doom avenges Miliazar as he did? He must have a personal grudge against Miliazar.」

「Speaking of which, I have a grudge against you too, Lifeless.」

「…You’re absolutely right.」

Lifeless smiles to himself with a look that says he got the book. Bloody Maria looks at him with amusement, but she does not hide her anger toward him behind her eyes as she continues their talk.

「Certainly, this mistress’s goal is to be the best to head on Miliazar. But if she could manage Doom herself, Miliazar would not have lived for a thousand years. Miliazar would be the type of person who fights with her commanding ability and readiness rather than her fighting ability. Doom and his team are jumping into a situation where she was on her own home turf. Moreover, Miriazar is the worst match for Doom. There is no way to beat Doom. Well, it might give him quite a beating. I think the question is more about why Doom is the one to turn to,」

「Hmm… For one thing, Doom has little combat experience. He has probably never fought an enemy more capable than himself, so one would like him to gain some experience. It is also true that we want to have some idea of the current strength of the Arnelian religion. The one more thing, it’s because Doom possess — — —.」

「Hohoh… That’s an interesting fact. Was it your idea?」

「The idea was mine and Anomaly’s.」

「I see, I knew I should have left you in the corner. I guess I’ll have to settle up with you after Miliazar.」

「For my part, I don’t want to fight you, Bloody Maria. You’re too strong.」

Lifeless raises his hands in a pose of surrender. Bloody Maria smiles surreptitiously at him.

「You’re getting better at joking, Lifeless. What was it that you once defeated the Great Archfiend in single battle?」

「Same old story again… And if it’s a one-on-one fight,『Sister』would be the sole winner, right? I’d like to see if anyone could beat that person in single combat. Especially a mage like me is not a good match. She’s a mage, too, after all.」

「She is certainly too strong for a mere mortal, but she can’t be beaten, either. But she is not defeated, either.」

「…Well, that’s true.」

「This raccoon…」

They both giggled. At first glance, it may seem that they are on good terms, but in fact, they have been enemies in the past, and if they had not come together this time as acquaintances, they could have started killing each other immediately.

「But you have a point. I’ll have my men keep an eye on him. Ewain, are you there?」

「Yes, Mademoiselle.」

A man appears behind Bloody Maria. He is a beautiful man with blue hair that even Lifeless would not be able to resist. Lifeless suddenly remembered that Bloody Maria’s men were all composed of beautiful men. Of course, he know that’s not all.

「Infiltrate the Arnelian Church with Doom and keep watch. But don’t let him know you’re there, alright? I don’t know, but in the unlikely event that Doom prevails… and kill all of them. Your mistress will go to Arnelia and enjoy the view from a high place.」

「I understand」

And the man disappears without a sound.

「I’ve never seen that face before, but that’s your man. Is he strong enough to kill Doom?」

「They are butlers in the service of their mistress. It does not matter whether they are stronger than Doom or not. Well, I must say he’s quite a tricky one. But the important thing is whether he was willing to die for her mistress without hesitation. There are plenty of alternatives.」

「What a scary woman.」

「I don’t want to be told by someone who would use his friends as shields to ensure his own survival.」

「Unfortunately, I have never had a single companion in my entire life.」

「Fuh, you say. By the way, would you like to go see the battle with Doom? This mistress is interested over that too.」

「That goes for me as well. I don’t have any work to do, especially now, and the apology to Sister will have to wait until later. Shall we go then, Mademoiselle?」

「Fuh, you’re still a smooth talker.」

And so the two disappeared. Then the silencing and perception-inhibiting wards disappeared, and the surrounding villages and towns soon learned of the devastation of this forest, the cause of which, like Zea’s, remained a mystery.