Chapter 16

When they were attacked by the Holy Knight, the higher-ranking demons, such as the Imp King and the High Boar Demon, were desperately trying to hold them back.

However, the Holy Knight was someone who could easily slaughter even the higher ranks.

One by one, their comrades were killed, and they were gradually being cornered.

The Imp King, who always reported to Shu, was desperately trying to hold back the Holy Knight, despite his inner anxiety. He was using his Imps, High Imps, and Mid-level Imps as cannon fodder, continuously throwing them at the Holy Knight while waiting.

For their boss, Shu Arclight.

"There are too many of them."

"What should we do, Zamis?"

"There's no choice but to take them down one by one."

Zamis Shrift, the Holy Knight who took on the role of leader for this investigation, was swinging his halberd and slaying the monsters one after another. Among the Holy Knights of Ildana, Zamis was known as the most experienced and reliable man.

Not only was his combat strength formidable, but he was also an excellent commander, earning the trust of many.

"We'll take down that Imp King first."

Zamis had realized that the extermination wasn't going well because the Imp King had been giving orders. Therefore, he decided that they should start by eliminating the individual who was leading the monsters.

While swinging his halberd, Zamis gave instructions to his fellow Holy Knight.

"I'll create a barrier. You take down the Imp King with magic. A fifth-tier wind spell should be enough."

"Understood. I'll begin the incantation."

The fellow Holy Knight extended his right hand and began the incantation. A blue-white magic circle appeared and gradually became more complex and larger. During this time, Zamis swung his halberd like a storm, blowing away the monsters.

Zamis's halberd was not a magic-enhanced weapon but a regular one, so he couldn't infuse much magic power into it. Wrapping a physical object with magic power was inefficient and difficult.

However, it didn't matter even if it was a regular weapon.

Zamis firmly defended until his companion completed the magic.

"Zamis, I'm ready!"

"Good, go for it!"

"Fifth-tier Wind Magic: Wind Blade!"

A mass of compressed air was launched at the Imp King. This spell cut through the target by colliding with a thin mass of wind. Cutting is a phenomenon caused by molecular destruction due to pressure, and it is not impossible even with a gas.

The Wind Blade, controlled by magic, had enough power to split a living being in two.

However, the Imps formed a wall to protect the Imp King. While a single weak Imp wouldn't serve as a meat shield, dozens of them could diminish the Wind Blade's power.

The Imp King was protected by sacrificing his subordinates.

"You're smarter than I thought."

"What do you mean, Zamis?"

"Probably, there's a higher-ranking existence above this one. There's data suggesting that monsters gain a certain level of intelligence when led by a powerful higher species."

"I see."

It had been predicted from the beginning that a strong monster would be born. Even if it wasn't a 'King,' it was natural to expect a powerful individual.

"Let's take this one down quickly. If the leader escapes, it'll be troublesome."

"Understood. This time, I'll use an area-of-effect spell."

Again, while Zamis was mowing down the Imps, High Imps, and Mid-level Imps with his halberd, his companion began the magic incantation.

The Imp King, understanding the danger of magic, desperately sent his subordinates to charge. However, these monsters couldn't break through Zamis's defense.

"Ready to fire again!"

"Good, go for it!"

"Fourth-tier Fire Magic—gah!?"

"!? What happened!?"

Just before the magic was cast, the companion screamed, and Zamis turned around. There was a large amount of blood splattered, and pieces of what seemed to be the Holy Knight's body were scattered.

At the same time, he saw Shu standing there.

"Who are you!?"

"I'm your enemy."

Shu activated weight, acceleration, and movement magic in quick succession. He stood in front of Zamis in an instant and took advantage of his moment of shock.

He delivered a powerful blow with his right hand, enhanced by vibration magic to amplify the impact and sound.

Zamis burst from the inside.

"Good..."

Indeed, a Holy Knight could be defeated if caught off guard. He confirmed that his attack power was sufficient.

However, Shu felt something odd about Zamis's scattered body.

(Blood is transparent... no, water?)

A cold sensation ran down his back, and he immediately moved away. Using acceleration magic, he slid across the ground at high speed and escaped to the Imp King's location.

A small whirlpool of water appeared where Shu had been a moment ago, spinning at high pressure, shattering the debris it caught.

The whirlpool quickly weakened and formed the shape of a human in a white Holy Knight uniform, which then colored and transformed into Zamis, who was supposed to have burst.

"Is there such a magic-enhanced weapon...?"

"I was surprised by your sudden attack. Are you human? Why are you with the monsters?"

Zamis, unaware that Shu was a spirit-type monster, asked the question.

However, Shu was almost about to curse because he couldn't take down Zamis with one hit.

(Transformation-type magic-enhanced weapon. I've heard that borrowing the form and power of animals is common, but I didn't expect one that can transform into an inorganic object.)

Zamis's magic-enhanced weapon was definitely a transformation type. However, the ability to transform his body into water was something Shu had never heard of. Of course, it might just be a lack of knowledge, but either way, it was troublesome.

"That surprise attack... It doesn't seem to be an accident. I don't know why a human is helping the monsters, but since you've killed my comrades, I can't let you go. I'll capture you first."

"Try it."

Shu aimed at Zamis with the "Void Cutting Domain," but it seemed that using the domain's disintegration magic on a water body was ineffective.

Zamis seemed to realize something had been done but was only tilting his head, showing no effect.

"Did you do something to me?"

"...It's a troublesome ability."

If his body could transform into water, it meant he had no vital points.

Honestly, Shu had no strategy to deal with this.

(...I'll hold him off. You, Imp King, run.)

(But, Shu...)

(Just go.)

Shu ordered the Imp King telepathically. Initially hesitant, the Imp King eventually led his subordinates away... or so it seemed, but he stayed behind, apparently determined to stay.

Seeing this, Zamis narrowed his eyes.

"What's wrong? Were you abandoned by the monsters except for him?"

"Maybe."

"...You let them escape. Well, it doesn't matter. The order is just reversed. I'll capture you first. The sin of siding with evil monsters is heavy."

There was a moment of silence, and then both disappeared from the spot.

Shu used acceleration and movement magic, while Zamis used body enhancement, engaging in a battle that blurred to the naked eye.

◆◆◆

Aris Silverblade, participating in the operation as a Holy Knight, was exterminating the fleeing monsters at the edge of the monster village.

"Third-tier Wind Magic: Thunder Cannon!"

A bolt of lightning shot from the magic circle constructed at the tip of her right hand, scorching a fleeing Boar Demon. Aris, who had already advanced to A-rank, could cast high-powered spells even at the third tier.

She had blackened and killed a Mid-level Orc.

"Great job, Aris."

"Thank you, senior. It's only possible with your support."

Aris was paired with a senior female Holy Knight for the extermination. The monster village extermination was carried out by twenty Holy Knights in pairs or trios. To handle unforeseen events, they never let anyone operate alone.

They were paired based on the compatibility of their abilities, sometimes forming trios.

Aris was a rear guard who used magic.

It was appropriate to pair her with a Holy Knight who served as the front line. This senior Holy Knight had a tendency to charge recklessly, ignoring her own injuries. Therefore, Aris, who could use healing light magic, was the right fit.

"Senior, let me heal you."

"Thank you."

Aris used healing on the senior Holy Knight.

Incidentally, light magic only existed in two forms: healing and barriers. There were no ranks because the effectiveness varied depending on the user.

The wish for healing formed a complex magic circle through the magic power, healing the senior Holy Knight.

"The extermination in this area is complete. It seems the other areas are also wrapping up."

"I can barely sense any magic power. I think the signal flare will go up soon."

While casting the healing spell, Aris said this. A small fireball exploded in the sky a short distance away, a signal flare created by fire magic.

The signals were determined by attribute, and fire meant to gather.

"The signal just went up."

"It seems they've taken down the leader of the village. Let's go."

"Yes."

Aris and the senior Holy Knight nodded to each other and headed toward the signal flare using body enhancement. They ignored the burning monster homes they passed, as Holy Knights considered monsters absolute enemies and felt no pain in such mass killings.

They had been taught from a young age that this was normal.

Most of the demon and boar demon types were of the杂种级, with fewer numbers as the ranks increased. However, it was rare for such a large number to form a village, and it was speculated that the leader was a powerful monster.

The signal flare indicated that it had been taken down.

Aris was curious about what kind of monster had led the village.

(I've never seen a Calamity-level monster. I'm a bit excited.)

It was insensitive, but she couldn't help but think so.

It was common for monsters to evolve from the杂种级 to the低位级, and there were a considerable number of中位级. High-level monsters were discovered more than once a year.

However, Calamity-level monsters were truly rare.

One reason was that Holy Knights quickly eliminated the danger, but they were also rarely seen. Some might never encounter one in their lifetime.

That's why Aris was looking forward to it out of curiosity.

"Hm? Aris?"

"Oh, Aris is safe too?"

"Seniors! Yes, I'm safe."

"Hey, I'm here too. Why are you only greeting Aris?"

They met another senior knight pair on the way and ran to the destination in a group of four.

Aris, who was cute and could use light magic, was popular among the Holy Knights, especially the senior knights, who often took an interest in her. Many cast lecherous and lustful glances, but she wasn't particularly happy about it.

In any case, they ran through the destroyed village, where monster corpses lay scattered and fires burned in various places, and arrived at a slightly open area.

This was where the signal flare had gone up, and in the center, Zamis, the leader of the operation, was standing.

Zamis was impaling the Imp King with his right-hand halberd and holding a human-like figure, whose body had been transformed into water, with his left hand.

"Hm? You're here."

When Zamis turned around, the captive, who had been hidden behind his body, became clearly visible.

To Aris, it was a familiar face.

"...Shu?"

"......Aris."

Shu called Aris's name in a weak voice.