Chapter 431
Chapter 431. Tiger’s Eye
A pale-skinned man sits in the Void Garden, gazing up at the spherical sky.
Reflecting dully is the face of a young man with light brown hair—
Hero Alexander.
It seems he and his companions have stormed the residence of some outlaws. A town by the shores of Aulitos Lake. It didn’t appear to be a particularly large town, but still, it was alarming that outlaws were occupying ruins so close by. It wasn’t just poor security; the lord’s forces seemed to be entirely ineffective?
‘Interesting.’
The vision reflected in the celestial sphere is too vague, without any sound.
Yet, in such an environment, he is somehow trying to obtain as much information as possible.
Escape was long since abandoned. This ‘prison’ that confines him doesn’t seem breakable, no matter how much he struggles.
‘…………’
Especially with these translucent arms. The fact that he doesn’t even have a sword makes things even more hopeless, as the natural laws seem unlikely to favor him now.
He had hoped that perhaps the battle with the outlaws could destroy this ‘prison,’ but it seemed fate would not spin so favorably.
He knew it well: Hero Alexander was strong. And so were his current companions. The outlaws, weak as they were—mere scoundrels of the human race—were swept away without a fight.
‘Besides, even if I escaped in this situation…’
With heroes and mages all around him…
‘The chances of getting away are slim.’
He must consider the fact that he has become a detestable spirit. If he could just hide in shadows or crevices, that would be one thing, but who knows if he could remain safe from holy magic, and his speed as a spirit is still an unknown.
—But still.
‘I must…!’
Clenching his teeth, the man—Virosa—looked up at the sky again.
The landscape shifting, though blurry, is reflected in the celestial sphere.
The weather. The faces of companions, their lip movements, their races, their attire…
Picking up as much information as he can.
—What is most important to Virosa?
It is the prosperity of the Night Elf race and revenge against the Forest Elves.
His loyalty to the Demon Race, pride as a Sword Saint, and the dignity of an operative—all exist for that purpose.
No, they did.
He gazes up at the sky with dark eyes.
‘…This information must be conveyed at all costs.’
Suppression of anger and hatred that threatens to explode within him, through superhuman reason.
Always remain calm.
Although Virosa is often elevated as a Sword Saint who has mastered weaponry—before being a Sword Saint, he is an operative.
And the mission of an operative is—
—to bring back classified information, even in death.
‘Not yet… It’s not time yet.’
With a firm grip gathering strength in his incorporeal hand.
‘Zilbagias…!’
In the ephemeral soul prison.
A legendary operative lies in wait, with keen eyes, preparing for the right moment.
†††
Well then, Hero Alexander has returned to the town of Bacchus after finishing the bandit extermination.
Aside from one guy who got cut down trying to untie his ropes and escape, everything went smoothly on the way back. By the time we reached the town, it was already late at night, but a good number of townsfolk seemed to be waiting for us by the bonfire.
“Whooo! The extermination party is back!”
“They’ve got the bandits with them! We won!”
“Thank you! Thank you!”
Since the townsfolk had been in dire straits due to the bandits blocking the roads, they were extremely grateful.
“Alex! I’m so glad you’re okay!”
I was warmly welcomed by Leila, who looked like her skin was glowing.
“I’m home! Sorry to have worried you.”
No, Leila! Your skin is super smooth and plump…! Honestly, coming back from battle and being greeted like this is quite overwhelming…
‘This hot spring seems to be pretty good!’
Barbara communicated through thought. Really! It must have been a nice hot spring. Since I worked up a sweat, I’d like to take a dip later if I could.
“Alex, were you okay?”
“Yeah, nothing in particular happened—”
Just as I was about to nod and reply, images of the makeshift Dark Portal ruins flashed through my mind.
“…………”
“Is something wrong?”
“No, the bandits weren’t an issue.”
Even as I said that with my mouth, I reached for Leila’s neck to touch [Kizuna].
Compressing information about various scenes—
“—Whaaaat!? What is that!?!”
Leila’s face was more astounded than I had ever seen, her eyes wide. I understand how she feels. Of course, it’s shocking.
‘Even I was flabbergasted…’
If the ruins hadn’t been occupied, I think I would’ve simply overlooked it… Maybe I owe some thanks to the bandits in that sense.
“Damn it, because of these guys…!”
“My son was a soldier!”
“Because of you guys, supplies didn’t arrive, and my mom’s health has gone downhill!”
Looking over, the captured bandits surrounded by angry townsfolk were visibly agitated.
“If they’re lake pirates, they should be hanged!”
“Hanging is too mild! Let’s burn them alive!”
“Bring firewood!!”
Whoa, things are getting dangerous! I get how they feel, but!!
“To those who surrender peacefully, I’ll spare your lives!” Arthur’s call to the bandits led them to look at us as if to say, “That’s not what we agreed!”
“Now, now, everyone, please listen for a moment!”
I stepped in amidst the townsfolk.
“The mastermind behind these guys, the leader of the bandits, is—exactly as I said, a Sword Saint!”
““Ohhh””
“Moreover, he was not just any Sword Saint… he even had a fancy magical protection charm!”
““What!?””
“A ruthless and unparalleled villain who has slain innocent people! I am sure many of you here have lost family or friends! All of this wickedness was the doing of this evil Sword Saint! Impeccable swordsmanship and resistance to magic—truly a formidable foe!”
““Yep, yep””
“When we stormed the bandits’ hideout, he appeared leisurely, declaring he had no intention of repenting! And while we wasted no time in retaliating with magic at our end! Light and flames surged, enveloping him… but when the flames cleared, he stood there unscathed!”
““Ohhh…””
“But! We couldn’t be outdone! Despite being a Sword Saint, his bold act of attacking innocents was unforgivable! No, it must not have been forgiven! That’s where an elderly gentleman here, filled with righteous fury, came in!”
I dramatically pointed toward the Old Man.
“With all his might, he unleashed an enormous fireball! And what do you know? He broke the magical protection of the so-called invincible Sword Saint!”
““Ohhh…!!””
As the townsfolk gazed at him with admiration, the Old Man nodded in agreement and shot a fireball into the sky.
Boom! The fireball illuminated the night sky. A murmur erupted from the crowd. Wow, that’s beautiful. This is usually used as an indicator in battle, but seeing it here in peaceful circumstances made it feel entirely different.
“Once the only protection he relied on was shattered, he stood no chance! A torrent of light and fire surged anew! The villainous Sword Saint, believing he was invincible, let out a pathetic scream and was burned black without a chance to escape! Ultimately, he was shattered into pieces with a scream of despair, becoming nothing more than scorched remains in the ruins!”
“Haha!”
“Serves him right!”
“Go to hell!”
The townsfolk cheered and celebrated.
“And once the boss was dealt with, the spineless lackeys, who had merely been riding on the coattails of the villain, had no way to fight back! They pissed themselves and cried, begging for their lives! We debated whether to kill them or let them live on the spot, but these guys were so diligently shouting, ‘We’ll repent with our lives!’ and ‘We’ll make it up to the townsfolk!’…”
“So, what about you guys!?”
As I looked at them, the bandits, who had fallen to the ground begging, shouted, “That’s right! We mean it!” “We’re truly sorry!”
“A few of the defiant bandits were taken care of by us, so don’t worry! These are just pathetic guys without a backbone; it’s ridiculous to use firewood on such a bunch. We’ll stockpile it for winter, and make these guys work forced labor in the mines—let them at least contribute to this town!”
As I reassured them, the townsfolk seemed to take his words to heart, relieved to know the actual culprits had met a gruesome end. They were starting to calm down a bit.
“Yeah, that makes sense. Burning these guys would just stink.”
“Since the boss is dead, let’s call it good.”
“Yeah! You all better work hard!”
Though they were being pelted with pebbles and spit at, it’s better than being burned alive. The bandits were continually begging for forgiveness.
‘These guys would’ve been better off just being burned without me giving them a lifeline… I could’ve even committed the taboo of violating my oath as a hero.’
Antedeixis said, sounding dissatisfied.
No… Honestly, even if they were burned alive, they brought it upon themselves, and I thought, “Well, it can’t be helped.”
‘Then you’d just be of no significant help.’
To be honest, if the townsfolk hadn’t calmed down and were still on a path of vigilante justice, I would’ve just watched without interfering. However, it is also a fact that I told them I’d spare them if they surrendered, so I felt I had a minimum obligation to uphold.
“Get serious about it!”
““Yes…!””
As I called out on my way out, the bandits being led away by the guards bowed deeply.
Alright, that settles this matter!
It’s already past midnight, but should I go soak in a hot spring!?
――――――――――――――
The first part of the story arc about righting the wrongs is nearing its conclusion…
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