Chapter 59

This is a work of fiction.

The characters, organizations, and names that appear are fictitious and have no relation to any real entities.

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057＿Treason

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I felt a tremor through the soles of my feet as an explosion sounded. Something bad must have happened.

The Valkan family immediately surrounded and protected the Duke, a move that could be called impressive. But the Footsickle family, who were also present, were no less impressive. They quickly flew to my side and began to guard the surroundings. While other nobles' knights and soldiers stood frozen in shock, their actions were truly remarkable.

When I asked Zeigen if he wasn't going to evacuate, he said that in such situations, it's best to stay put until the situation is clear. Then a soldier rushed in.

"Sir, magical creatures have appeared within the castle."

"Magical creatures? ...Someone must have released them inside the castle," the Duke growled, his face stern.

Magical creatures are the beings known as monsters inside dungeons. When you defeat a monster in a dungeon, it leaves behind items before disappearing, but magical creatures leave behind corpses. Of course, they don't drop items. Instead, you can effectively use the corpses by dissecting them for skin, meat, bones, and fangs.

Another soldier rushed in.

"Sir, Baron Venu has rebelled."

"Venu... repaying kindness with treachery," the Duke spat.

"Who is Baron Venu?" I asked Zeigen.

"He was a family that conspired with the Chaldean Thieves' Guild. We executed several members, including the head of the family, but allowed the family to continue by appointing a new head from a relative and lowering their title from viscount to baron. It seems this act of leniency has backfired. If we had exterminated everyone without mercy, this wouldn't have happened. It's a bitter regret," Zeigen said, his face twisted as if he had bitten into a bitter pill.

What, did he rebel out of spite? He was left alive and even retained his baronial status, yet he chose to resent instead of be grateful. Is he an idiot?

Looking at Zeigen's regretful face, it seemed he truly regretted it. If something like this happens, in the future, innocent people might be exterminated just because they are part of a family or clan. Venu is the worst.

However, the Duke's decision to execute only the head of the family and some members, rather than exterminating the entire clan, shows that he has a kind side. I thought he was a rather ruthless person, but this changes my view of him.

"Sir, the monsters are gargoyles. There are dozens of them, and they are causing significant damage to our allies."

Gargoyles can fly, so they must have flown over the castle walls.

"If it's gargoyles, regular soldiers can't handle them. Valkan, can you go?"

"Understood."

The Duke ordered Valkan to deal with the gargoyles. Something felt off. What is it...?

"Please wait."

"What is it, Baron Footsickle?"

I spoke without thinking. It was creepy even to me.

"The gargoyles should be handled by us. It's better for Lord Valkan to stay by the Duke's side."

Why did I say that? What is my brain thinking?

"I also believe it's best to leave it to Baron Footsickle."

Zeigen supported my suggestion.

"...Understood. The gargoyles will be handled by Baron Footsickle. Locke, assist him."

"Yes, sir."

Locke saluted and stood beside me.

"Captain Locke, can I borrow some weapons?"

"Of course. This way."

I obtained a sword and a spear from nearby knights and soldiers. The Duke's knights use good swords. I also borrowed a shield from Gandarban, which was pristine and unblemished. I hope the Duke will compensate for it.

There were few magic users, so I couldn't secure Annelise's and Solidea's staves, which would have been useful. Without staves, magic and sorcery can still be used, but they are more powerful with staves, which is a shame.

"Let's go."

We rushed to where the monsters were wreaking havoc. My current main job is Swordmaster, and my sub-job is Assassin.

I could see them. Gargoyles. Their level is 20, ours is 22, and theirs is 25. Higher than in the dungeon?

"The gargoyles seem stronger than dungeon monsters. Be careful."

I didn't explicitly mention the levels because Locke was there, but when I said they were strong, everyone nodded. They understood.

The situation was dire. About 20 knights and soldiers were lying motionless, and even more were injured and being carried to the rear by their comrades.

"Captain Locke, can you have the knights retreat? And Solidea will summon spirits. They are allies, so make sure no one attacks them."

"S-spirits?"

"I'll explain later. Make sure everyone knows."

"Understood."

Locke raised his voice, and the knights retreated. His loud voice, coming from his large frame, resonated well.

As the knights retreated,

"Gandarban, let's go."

"Yes, sir!"

I, Gandarban, Jojok, Rosalina, and Lin moved forward.

"Summon, High Ghosts."

Solidea summoned three High Ghosts, which are spirit-type creatures.

"Familiar Synthesis!"

The skill Familiar Synthesis, which I learned at Necromancer level 20, allows me to combine multiple familiars into a more powerful one. Currently, I can combine three familiars, but their strength doesn't triple, which is disappointing.

The High Ghosts, which are about one meter tall with short limbs, combined into a two-meter-tall entity. The short limbs remained, but it gained eyes and a mouth, giving it a look as if it were laughing "Ketaketa," though no sound was heard.

The combined familiar, now called High Ghost Over, is level 35, higher than the original High Ghosts due to the synthesis.

"High Ghost Over, freezing cold!"

"..."

Swinging its short arms up and down, a gust of wind blew, freezing the gargoyles. The flying gargoyles froze and fell to the ground.

"Firestorm"

Annelise's spell activated, engulfing several gargoyles in flames. The gargoyles that fell to the ground were quickly dispatched by us.

We repeated this process and defeated 30 gargoyles.

"Ah... my gargoyles. Who are you!?"

Is this Baron Venu? A thin-faced, nervous-looking man in his 30s. It's hard to believe he would rebel against the Duke. He doesn't seem to have the decisiveness for such a move.

"What am I doing here? Ah, Goddess, protect me."

Goddess? What is he talking about?

"Goddess, Goddess, Goddess, Goddess, Goddess, ah, Goddess—"

He's completely out of his mind. His head is a mess.

Using Detailed Appraisal, I saw that he was possessed by a demon. His muscles bulged and grew, tearing through his clothes.

"This guy is possessed by a demon!?"

Locke was shocked. He doesn't need to yell; I already know.

"Gandarban, it's a low-level demon, Jamil, level 35."

I whispered to Gandarban, making sure Locke and the others couldn't hear.

"Understood."

This low-level demon, Jamil, is higher in level than the low-level demon Patis we fought last time, but it's still a low-level demon.

By the way, why is a demon-possessed person calling for a goddess? Was the demon pretending to be a goddess? Even demons have a tough time with missionary work, I guess.

"Captain Locke, please evacuate everyone. We can't fight while protecting them."

"Y-yes, understood."

This is good. Sometimes a lie is necessary. I gave Lin a nod. She can use holy attribute attacks effective against demons. After all, Lin is a Holy Spear.

The low-level demon Jamil, like the low-level demon Patis, has a sheep's head, a gorilla's body, a tail, and bat wings. It's disappointing that they look so similar.

"Kneel before me, you wretches."

"Shut up."

If you're afraid, you can't fight.

I slashed at its legs with my sword. It's not the best sword, but it's better than nothing. I can't help but compare it to the mithril greatsword.

But it's not a problem. This demon is large and high-level, but we've also leveled up. It's not an unbeatable demon.

"Show yourselves, humans."

"You're just a big wooden puppet."

I taunted it and slashed at its legs.

"Anger Lock"

When Gandarban fixed the enemy's attention, Annelise's spell immediately activated, engulfing it in flames.

"Argh, I will punish you, you wretches!"

Is a demon talking about divine punishment? Is his head okay?

A magic circle appeared around the low-level demon Jamil, and magical creatures were born. They looked like gargoyles but were different. They were humanoid, robotic-looking creatures, about the same size as the low-level demon Jamil, made of rock. Their levels ranged from 25 to 30. Ten of them were created and attacked us.

"Shut up."

I dodged the golem's punch and ran up its arm.

I jumped and swung my sword at the golem's head. The effect of the Helmet Splitter passive skill I learned at Swordmaster level 20 doubled my ATK value, shattering the golem's head.

I cut it with a sword, but it shattered (laughs).

The golem's DEF value is high, but the Swordmaster's ATK value is higher, and the Helmet Splitter effect doubles it.

"Triple Thrust"

Lin's skill, Triple Thrust, was used on the golem, which was trying to regenerate its head. The attack prevented regeneration, and the golem's HP dropped to zero, causing it to collapse.

Like gargoyles, magical creatures that appear on the ground leave corpses. I'm the only one who thinks the stone gargoyles and rock golems left behind are just in the way?

We defeated the golems one after another, but during that time, the low-level demon Jamil flew deeper into the castle.

"Gandarban, take Lin with you. I'll leave the rest to you."

"Leave it to me!"

I left the golems to Gandarban and the others and chased after the low-level demon Jamil with Lin.

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