Chapter 505
Chapter 505: Amateurs and Experts
Let’s say you’re a knight.
And now, your lord is in imminent peril. You must urgently get him advanced treatment, and you’re racing towards the town with your horse-drawn carriage at full speed.
At such a moment, what if you stumble across a wandering Forest Elf who casually says, “I can also use high-level dispel magic”?
Would you and your companions unanimously trust that? Would you really stop the carriage and place your lord’s life in the hands of a passing Forest Elf, knowing the risk of it being too late?
…It might be rather difficult.
However, this time was a super rare case, with an elder Forest Elf (you hardly ever see elderly Forest Elves) effortlessly keeping pace with the galloping carriage, using both 【Fast Run】 and wind magic to demonstrate his prowess and credibility.
By the time we caught up, the carriage had stopped, and Orderju was already administering treatment.
“—Liliana! I can’t manage alone here, I need support!!”
With a grim expression, Orderju poked his head out of the carriage window and shouted.
“Got it!”
Zooming off, Liliana moved as gracefully as a wild animal, smoothly hopping into the carriage while still holding the (disguised) wooden staff that Odigos had taken on.
“More than support, I think it’s only possible if the esteemed Liliana is involved.”
Antendeixis said nonchalantly.
I thought so too. Normally, it probably would have been too late by now.
“Gugh… gAAAAAA!! GYAAA! GishAAAAAAA!!”
There was a voice from inside the carriage that clearly belonged to the patient, but it sounded like the type of scream that a human shouldn’t make…
“Lord Vals—stay composed!!”
From within the carriage, there was a chaotic scrambling sound and a man’s scream that sounded rather panicked. Must be his attendants.
“Hmm~~ I’ll have to use a secret technique! Please exit the carriage!”
“Hah!? What are you—”
“Excuse me!”
“Gah! What are you doing!?”
A knightly-looking young man was casually tossed out of the carriage by Orderju’s hand. He looked like a withered tree, but the magical body enhancement was intense; a regular human youth wouldn’t stand a chance against him.
“Oh, this means…”
Just as Antendeixis was figuring it out, pure light magic surged forth from the carriage like a flood.
Ah. That must be the power of the High Elf “Saint”—it seems like she has removed her transformation spell.
“What in the…”
The knights, along with the attendants who had been poised to attack, were momentarily stunned into silence by the overwhelming healing light.
I also benefited from this and was healed by the aftermath. I used to bathe in this light every day. I miss those days when I was pampered…
Now that I think about it, that was quite insane…
“Oh…!”
“Whoa…!”
“That’s a bit terrifying for me right now…”
Among the bones I concealed, the Vampire Hunters expressed a mixture of awe, while Arthur offered a slightly melancholic remark. From the stabbing sword at his waist came Barbara’s thoughts echoing, “This body really is frightening, isn’t it?”
“…Phew. It’s done.”
With a nonchalant expression, Liliana transformed back into a regular Forest Elf and popped her head out of the window with the ease of a carpenter finishing repairs.
“Is it really!?”
“Lord Vals!”
“Ah… it’s alright, everyone.”
Following Liliana, a tall, handsome young man with wavy, glossy black hair, penetrating eyes accented with a beauty mark, a straight nose, and a face tinged with a hint of sorrow appeared from the carriage. He had a bronzed, healthy complexion—a picture-perfect nobleman. So, this is Lord Vals.
He alighted from the carriage, squinting in the light, basking in the sun.
“Oh… God. Thank you… I can once again step into the sunlight…”
He knelt down right there and offered a prayer to the sun. Such a dignified presence.
“What? He was just making those ghastly sounds a moment ago…?”
…Stop, I almost burst out laughing!
“Thank you, beautiful Forest Lady.”
Still kneeling, the young noble turned to Liliana again.
“Had it not been for your miraculous work, I would have fallen into the state of a mindless beast of the night and returned to ash without fulfilling my duty as a noble, nor my mission.”
Indeed, this man is quite fortunate. With just Orderju, it seemed like a tough situation; if Liliana hadn’t happened to be here, he would likely have become a vampire by now.
“From my experience, once you reach a stage where one utters such inhuman cries, recovery becomes exceedingly difficult.”
In a voice that only I could hear, Bishop Lexar added.
“My mother had a bit more reason left, but even she couldn’t be healed…”
…When Bishop Lexar’s homeland was attacked. If only Liliana had been there, it might have been a different story…
“You are indeed my ‘Philidia’—my savior. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will never forget this debt.”
Taking Liliana’s hand, the nobleman kissed her knuckles.
“Philidia?”
Antendeixis tilted his head. Um, I believe that was in a Forest Elf epic about a Forest Elf sorceress named Philidia who helped an injured dwarf. It’s an episode that emphasizes the reconciliation between dwarves and Forest Elves, and it’s used among Forest Elves to refer to someone who is kind-hearted and helps those in need.
Being a noble, he seems well-versed in Forest Elf culture.
“I only did what I could.”
With a graceful smile, Liliana confidently accepted the nobleman’s gratitude. Knowing her usual playful demeanor, it was almost like a different person.
“It’s… um…”
“Oh, sorry for the late introduction. I am Valentius Ton Ferminidia Feretoria Ignotia Aro Pitara Margaria Sel Opsgardia.”
Wow, that’s long! It feels like the human nobility from the Northern Dwarf Alliance has truly reached its peak!
“Isn’t that way too long? I don’t even know what it means.”
When you break it down, it actually isn’t that complicated.
To put it simply, it translates to “Valentius of the Opsgardia territory, belonging to the Kingdom of Ferminidia, the Kingdom of Feretoria, and the Kingdom of Ignotia, and in alliance with the Kingdom of Pitara and the Kingdom of Margaria.”
As I mentioned before, it’s common for humans and beastman communities living within the Dwarf Alliance to serve multiple Dwarf kingdoms… they inevitably have to introduce themselves like this to clarify their affiliations.
“You’re rather knowledgeable. They don’t teach it at the Demon Lord’s Castle, do they?”
In my previous life on the northern front, I obviously had dealings with noble commanders, so I had heard snippets of this situation.
“Forest lady, if you wouldn’t mind, could you share your names with us?”
“I’m Lily.”
“I’m Orderju.”
“Oh. Lady Lily, Lord Orderju. I express my gratitude once more…!”
Placing his hand on his chest, the nobleman—Valentius—bowed his head deeply. The surrounding knights also knelt down, teary-eyed, saying, “I am indebted…!” and “I express my gratitude!”
This should have settled the matter—
But just when I thought that.
“But why would someone like Lord Valentius end up as a vampire…?”
Orderju pressed on the most curious point. The bones seemed to vibrate as if to say “Exactly!”
“That is…”
Valentius grimaced painfully, directing a hateful gaze down the road where the carriage had been racing.
“There’s a small village a little further along this road, and we received reports of vampires appearing. In order to protect the people, we decided to mobilize, but upon entering the cave rumored to harbor the vampires… well, this unfortunate situation occurred.”
At Valentius’ words, Bishop Lexar groaned, “That’s absurd…”
“Did amateurs really charge into a vampire’s lair without any backup?!”
No matter how noble you are, it’s reckless behavior!
And as expected, injuries were sustained. Just being alive is a blessing, or rather, not being completely wiped out speaks volumes about their fighting capability…
Unfortunately, that village lacked a Holy Church or miracle worker. The silver lining was Valentius himself could wield light magic, allowing him to cast dispel magic on himself and buy time while heading to the nearest village where a Holy Church was located.
However, at that village, there was only an inexperienced priest, and the dispelling failed.
Despairing at the progress of his transformation, he had to return down the path he took, racing towards a city far away with a Holy Church…
And that’s where we crossed paths with him.
“Facing vampires without the aid of a hero or priest must have been exceedingly tough.”
I inadvertently chimed in, and all the knights turned their killing intent towards me.
Oh no, I forgot I was dealing with a noble!
“Preposterous! Do you think we didn’t consider such matters?”
“If we could do that, we wouldn’t have had to struggle in the first place!”
“…Of course we sought assistance from the Holy Church.”
Even Valentius responded, his face betraying his irritation.
“But…! The Demon Lord’s army is showing signs of aggression, and talented heroes and priests cannot leave the front lines. Nonetheless, since the people are suffering, we couldn’t just stand idly by. We fully understood the recklessness! If we don’t act, who will?!!”
With sturdy resolve, Valentius stated, causing the bones to tremble like never before.
…These noblemen and their followers were neither foolish nor overly confident.
They understood it was harsh and reckless, yet they had no choice but to act…
“And as for the Holy Church…”
Valentius turned his gaze away, bitterly.
“They promised to ‘dispatch skilled experts,’ but no matter how long we waited, they never arrived…”
Ah…
It felt like a blow to the head.
The bones that had been shaking stopped entirely.
A sudden summon—deployment to the northern front—
Ah…! Oh no!
“Ho ho ho. Looks like it’s quite the situation.”
Antendeixis mocked.
“Those experts… it seems they’ve been wiped out, hasn’t it?”
By me. I killed Bishop Lexar and the others…!
“—Gah!?”
Suddenly, an electric shock surged through me, causing me to convulse involuntarily.
““!?””
The knights looked at me with eyes screaming, “Who is this guy?” But the shocks wouldn’t stop!
Bishop Lexar…! I understand, I get it…!!
“――”
No, wait, that’s not it! This isn’t a scolding or pent-up frustration. My waist pouch…?
The pouch housing the relics belonging to Bishop Lexar. When I plunged my hand in, I felt a crinkly texture at my fingertips.
Is this—paper?
Pulling it out for a look—
“…………”
Ah.
Memories that felt ages away came flooding back.
“Alex-kun. What do you think? I’ve heard you’re on break… after that, would you like to become a Vampire Hunter?”
That was at Aulitos Lake.
“To be frank, I’m aching for your secret techniques.”
Bishop Lexar had once tried to recruit me.
“It doesn’t matter what your previous affiliations or history are. Even if your superior is the Pope, I can take you under my wing. …Of course, this is only if you wish for it…”
What do you think? The smiling Lexar, and me feeling apologetic as I turned him down.
“I expected as much. I thought you might say that.”
Shrugging, Bishop Lexar had then said.
“If by any chance you change your mind, do let me know anytime. You’re welcome to join.”
And with that, he handed me this paper—
“…………”
Silently, I passed the paper to a nearby knight, and upon looking at it, he gasped, “What!?”
“What happened?”
“Lord Vals, this—”
Valentius glanced at the paper skeptically, widening his eyes.
“—Holy Kingdom, Holy War Bureau, Demon Removal Division, Section 6, ‘Dawn Hunters’…? Could it be!!”
His eyes filled with shock and hope.
“Yes. That’s correct…”
Illuminating with the silver light of the holy attribute.
I replied, filled with the intent to vomit blood.
“I sincerely apologize for the delay. I am the Vampire Hunter…”
I am the Vampire Hunter (who became the instigator for the massacre of the Vampire Hunters, leading to a delay in the arrival of experts)…
