< 79. Moving Strategy (3) >
#79
“Now Zaipa…!”
“what?”
The giant wyvern’s body was split in half. Blood poured out like an explosion soaking the sky. Were Tiger immediately turned around and began to fall wrapping Ronan and the woman around their necks at the same time.
“Gagging!”
There was no way to resist. Biting his tongue was all he could do to stay conscious. It felt like a steel python was strangling his neck.
“Fuck…fuck…let go!”
The fall was much faster than the rise. Ronan who had caught La Mancha in reverse attempted to stab her prisoner in the neck. The tail flew like a whip and wrapped around Ronan’s wrist.
“what…!”
Ronan who was stopped let out a curse. At that moment a shock that felt like the world was turning upside down hit my entire body. A loud noise rang out. In my flickering consciousness I heard someone’s voice.
“A warrior. “Didn’t you faint?”
It was a voice as deep and resonant as a mountain range. Ronan violently twisted her shoulder. Her loose bonds were removed and her body regained its freedom.
“Damn it!”
Ronan quickly pulled away and aimed his sword in the direction the voice came from. The surrounding scenery had suddenly changed from the sky to a forest. The divided vision merged into one and the image of the Were Tiger seen earlier appeared. Ronan’s mouth opened quietly.
“…Zaifa.”
I could tell without explaining it. The Imperial First Sword was in front of me. The appearance of a black tiger standing on two legs seemed to embody the concept of power itself.
The kind that feels like if you touch it even slightly it will explode and sweep away everything around it. The two eyes burning with amber color retained their primordial wildness.
A woman in robes was placed limply at his side. She was not dead as her back slowly swelled and fell repeatedly. Ronan said.
“That bitch has a prior engagement with me.”
Jaifa didn’t answer. Shoot ah – red hot liquid started pouring over his head. It was a heavy rain made of wyvern blood.
Then pieces of cut meat fell down. Even as blood soaked their entire bodies the two people stared at each other without moving. Finally putting her woman down Jaifa opened her mouth.
“Not you.”
“what?”
“Just say hello. “Take up your sword.”
For a moment Jaifa disappeared. Instinct not reason moved Ronan’s body. Grasping the hilt with both hands he spun around and swung his sword. As soon as the disappeared Zyfa appeared before my eyes the two blades clashed. Kwaaaaang! A bursting sound reminiscent of lightning shook the forest.
“Keuuk!”
Ronan’s body bounced. His shoulder blades seemed to be sticking through his flesh. Ronan balancing on his lot got into position. He couldn’t believe he was standing on his own two feet. A dizzying shock was still coursing through his body.
‘What power…!’
I realized it instinctively. He was an opponent he could never beat now. He was prepared to die but contrary to expectations the second attack did not come. Jaipa holding the scimitar shrugged his eyebrows.
“It’s a familiar technique. “Can I become that snake’s disciple?”
“What are we going to do now?”
“It’s a simple greeting. “One meeting is better than a hundred words to understand each other.”
Jaifa swung his scimitar and brushed the blood off his blade. He strode towards Ronan who was still on guard. Then he held out his hand covered in black fur and said:
“It’s Jaifa Turgeng.”
Ronan gritted his teeth. Aside from his seemingly insane behavior I couldn’t see any loopholes. Ronan glared at Jaifar for a long time.
“…”
Even during the awkward silence he did not withdraw his hand. The rain of his blood stopped. Eventually Ronan who had let go of his sword accepted the handshake.
“…Ronan.”
“Good to see that’s clear. “It’s a name fit for a warrior.”
Jaifa smiled slightly. It seemed like he had no intention of killing himself or tearing himself into pieces and eating him in a sandwich. Ronan finally let out a sigh of relief and opened his mouth.
“Okay give me that girl. “You probably saw that I caught almost everything.”
“I refuse.”
“Damn if you’re a swordsman you can steal someone else’s game? “If you’re from the North you would know how cowardly that is.”
“Do you know about an organization called Nebula Clazier?”
Ronan’s eyes widened at the unexpected answer. It was no wonder that after he imprisoned Edeon and Cirilla in Lodolan news spread throughout the empire. Ronan nodded his head slowly.
“…I know.”
“Then the explanation will be quick. “It’s my job to catch those idiots.”
“A mission?”
“okay. “It is a new task entrusted to me by the emperor.”
Jaifa was tapping his tail on the floor as if he was completely annoyed. Suddenly the words I had said passed through his mind with butterflies. It was said that a new organization to deal with the denomination was about to be established. I never thought Zaipa was involved. Suddenly a question raised its head.
“How did you know she was Nebula Clazie?”
It was an important issue. As far as he knew interrogation using taboo was no longer effective. It was the moment when Jaifa was about to say something. A loud cry rang out from beyond the forest.
“Captain-!!!”
Ronan shrugged his shoulders without realizing it. He was of a size that could not be produced by human vocal cords. As he turned his head he saw shadows leaping up and approaching the forest. It didn’t take long to realize that they were all beasts like Jaipa.
Eventually one of them landed in front of Ronan. It was a female were lion whose entire body was covered in golden fur. Although she had no mane her grandeur was no less than that of Professor Varen. She looked back and forth between Ronan and her woman before opening her mouth.
“I saw it from afar. “I guess it’s these two.”
“Only women. “Not a boy.”
“yes? Then why are you here…are you even a civilian?”
“I will take care of it so don’t worry. How is the follow-up going?”
“Ah I confirmed that the monsters’ rampage has ended. “All objects that could pose a threat have been removed and seven people including Sergeant Tutu are on standby on each road.”
“Good job.”
The lioness saluted. Soon other beastmen landed one by one. Were Tiger Were Lion Were Bear…all beastmen based on large beasts of prey were all wearing the uniforms of the imperial army.
Ronan’s appearance surrounded by huge furry creatures was like a poisonous mushroom growing without notice in the gap between giant trees. The beastmen who noticed Ronan’s presence murmured.
“Adjutant. “What is this little guy?”
“Hahaha isn’t this the lunch box someone packed?”
“It’s small in size but its eyes are fierce. “It’s the eyes of an eagle.”
Ronan glanced at them in silence. His hand tightened as he gripped the hilt of his sword. Although he did not dare to compare to Jai Fa he could see at a glance that all of them were quite strong. In particular the spirit of the lioness who was called the lieutenant was unusual. Suddenly Jaipa clicked his tongue as if pitiful.
“Stop laughing you big idiots. “The boy stood on his feet even after receiving my greeting.”
“…yes? “Are you kidding me?”
“When in doubt cross swords.”
The faces of the prisoners stiffened. They looked at Ronan like a dragon breaking out of an egg.
“Isn’t this your first time with someone other than your lieutenant?”
“That’s ridiculous. You’re human. “He’s still young.”
“The Sentai Sword Saint was also human. Of course I believe it is a polymorph dragon.”
“…I want to join you sometime.”
A murmur followed with a very different atmosphere from before. However no one expressed only pure admiration. Low growls were coming from everywhere.
Ronan laughed when he saw the beastmen openly showing their desire to win. This is why they are beasts. While I was considering whether I should capture one person and demonstrate my skills I heard a familiar voice from somewhere.
“Hey! Please save me! “Don’t eat me!”
“I said it’s okay kid. It’s okay just calm down.”
“what?”
The atmosphere was relaxed by the sudden commotion. Ronan turned his head. A boy with bright red hair was struggling while being held by a huge werebear. Deep wrinkles appeared between Ronan’s eyebrows.
“Aser?”
“Ro Ronan? “You’re alive!”
Asher’s expression brightened for a moment. However when other prisoners popped their heads in to take a look they began to let out girlish screams again. Werebear who was scratching his head in embarrassment held out Asher to Jaifa.
“I am back now. It looks like a civilian…but I brought it with me just in case. “Can you please take a look?”
“no. Release me.”
Zaipa glanced at Asher and spoke firmly. The werebear put him down gently. Asher stumbled towards Ronan as if his legs had given out and he was drunk. Tears were continuously flowing from his large eyes.
“Yes I was looking for you because you didn’t come down but then suddenly…!”
Asher said that while he was wandering around looking for Ronan he was captured. He said that even though he hurriedly lifted his body into the air he was unable to escape. Ronan suddenly remembered the interrupted conversation and called out to Jaifa.
“That’s right I have to say what I said earlier. How do you identify Nebula Clazier that bitch and this little boy?”
“It’s a intuition.”
“What?”
“How to identify Nebula Clazier. “People who are steeped in illusions have a disgusting smell.”
There was no additional explanation. Ronan who was pondering the meaning of the words laughed. What a intuition. I was wondering whether this should even be called a method.
“So you’re just going to catch someone who appears to be a culprit?”
“First of all.”
“I guess it’s no different from saying you’re just punishing people you don’t like.”
“None of those I killed or captured were innocent.”
His voice was full of confidence. Ronan didn’t ask any more questions. After explaining Zaipa spoke to his adjutant.
“Did you understand the purpose?”
“yes. Although it is not clear at this time it is believed that the rampage of monsters nearby was likely a simple trick. Judging by the intelligence that we observed the disintegration of a group of wyverns heading towards the Lomira Mountains it seems that the target was probably there.”
“I see. Then let’s go to Romaira. “I told them to lift the blockade in the current area…”
“hmm? “Why are you doing this?”
Suddenly Zaifa trailed off his horse. There was no answer to the deputy’s questions. Ronan and Jaifar turned their heads at the same time. All their eyes were directed towards the northern sky. Asher asked in a voice full of anxiety.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Fuck you.”
Suddenly Ronan looked back at the woman lying face down. The once-white robe was completely soaked with blood and stained red. Ronan walked past her grabbed her by the hair and roughly lifted her up. A creepy laugh rang out.
“Haha…Ahahaha…!”
“shit. “You have to do things right.”
Ronan sighed. Her messed up face was distorted with madness. The eyes of those around me widened. Only then did the prisoners’ eyes turn to the North after noticing the strange incident.
“That’s…!”
Something black was stirring in the northern sky. I could tell right away that it was not a migratory bird or anything. The sound of giant wings tearing the air was resounding. There seemed to be well over a hundred dark-colored wyverns.
“Ahaha! Yes that’s right Jaipa. “I should have done things right!”
The woman burst into laughter again. The wyverns were flying in the direction of the Lomaira Mountains. Ronan realizing their intention twisted her lips. The crime that the Winter Witch would commit in the near future was the neutralization of the Romaira Mountain Road.
“You damn bitch.”
“I lost the most useful child but it doesn’t matter. “Just try to stop it!”
puck! Ronan struck the woman in the back of the neck with the hilt of her sword. Even though her unconscious body lay limp the Wyverns did not stop.
‘Usually the spell is lifted when the caster is incapacitated… but should I kill him at all?’
As she was contemplating such things Jaifa’s foot fell on her woman’s head. Quick! A red flower bloomed with a sound like her bug bursting. Jaipa glanced at the northern sky and said calmly.
“hmm. Even if you kill them they won’t stop.”
“…I guess there are more sorcerers. “It’s probably among those wyverns.”
“I see. “It is a reasonable inference.”
“What are we going to do now?”
Ronan asked wiping the splatter of her brain fluid from her face. Despite the national crisis there was no sign of tension on the faces of Jaifa and her prisoners. After being silent for a moment he let out a light sigh.
“Is there anything I can do? “I have to kill them all.”
My clothes are dirty so I guess I should throw them away even though it’s a shame. It was a tone that exuded just that level of regret. the adjutant asked.
“Are you going alone?”
“okay. “They might use Aurors so evacuate the civilians.”
“All right. Everyone to location!”
The prisoners who received the order scattered in perfect order. Zaipa who took the scimitar by turning it around crouched down. His hind legs expanded to twice their size ready to launch his body. Jaipa suddenly felt his tail become heavier and turned his head.
“What are you doing?”
“Shut up and leave.”
Ronan was gripping Zyfar’s tail tightly with his right hand. Asher who was completely white was held tightly to his left side. Asher was flopping around like a fish on a chopping block denying the future that was about to come.
“Ro Ronan? What are you going to do now? That’s not what I think is it? right?”
Ronan didn’t answer. Jaipa laughed and looked straight ahead again. It was the moment when Asher who had reached his limit let out a scream.
Paaang! Jaipa’s body unfolded like a spring. The sky swallowed them up.
