Volume 10 Chapter 8 Village Of Sanctuary
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
*Nokin’s Perspective
After stopping a coup in the Capital City, I returned to the national capital, Vildestia.
I heard from Bartram and Porcha that things were going well with the eastern restoration plan because of the new territory granted to me and the funding from the Kingdom defense contract with Kent Blackdagger of the South District Margrave.
But still, I was living a monotonous daily life, just continuing to forge.
Today, I was having a mock match in the garden with Geronimo, Repulus, and Terry.
”Haah! Hmph!”
My greatsword knocked Geronimo’s big hammer away.
I dashed in to attack, closing the distance to exploit Geronimo’s lost balance.
In that moment, I repositioned my greatsword, shifting into a thrusting stance.
As the tip of my sword approached Geronimo’s face, a round shield appeared and deflected my strike.
The deflection made me lose my balance just a bit.
Then, a sword came swinging down from above.
”Hah!!”
I jumped lightly to the side, avoiding the blade.
”Kuh, I thought I would hit you!”
Repulus looked disappointed.
The sharp blade was fast but not quick enough to catch me.
Yet, thanks to the time Repulus bought, Geronimo was back in position with his hammer.
”Sir Nokin, small tricks won’t hit me. I’ll do some not-so-small tricks!”
Geronimo approached Terry, who was watching the fight, and lifted her maid outfit skirt, revealing her underwear.
”Kyaaah! What are you doing, Mr. Geronimo?!”
Terry’s scream made my gaze fixate on her lower half.
She helped me with my daily needs and took care of me at night, but seeing her underwear shook my composure.
”Nice shot, Geronimo! Mr. Nokin!! I got you!!!”
Repulus noticed that my eyes were glued to Terry’s underwear, and he attacked with more force.
I felt a presence, so I quickly used the flat side of my greatsword to block.
Thud!
”No way! That reaction is impossible!”
”Sir Nokin! How long are you going to look at my underwear?!”
Terry got her skirt back from Geronimo and was angry at me.
”Uh, sorry, Terry. I really need more training.”
After winning the struggle against Repulus, I struck the empty space of his chest with the hilt of my greatsword.
”Guhhh!”
With his defenses broken, Repulus collapsed after taking the hilt to his stomach.
”Sir Nokin is too strong… I have to train harder to not lose.”
Geronimo stomped toward me with heavy footsteps, rushing in suddenly.
His mighty hammer swung past me.
If it hit me, my bones would probably break.
”But if it doesn’t hit, then it’s no problem.”
I dodged Geronimo’s attack and tried to trip him.
Focused on his rush, Geronimo tripped over my foot and fell.
Even while falling, he tried to get back up using his hammer like a staff.
I knocked the hammer away again, and this time he fell forward.
”Alright, I won! I was really worried this time. Especially with Repulus’s slashes, I could only stop them by instinct.”
”Ugh… Instinct is cheating…”
Repulus stood up, holding his chest.
It seems the Healer nearby helped him with healing magic, and his pain eased a bit.
”How can we beat Sir Nokin? Even when we try to distract, he blocks with instinct! Each day, it feels like we have less chance to win.”
Geronimo looks like he might cry, but to me, it shows how much they have grown.
I have to use almost all my strength against the two of them, or I will lose.
Before, I could relax a bit and let them score a point, but now, I can’t afford to be careless against them.
”Think of it as proof that you both are getting stronger. If you can score a point against me for real, I’ll give you a country.”
”I don’t want a country. I just want to score a point against the real Sir Nokin and I’ll be happy.”
”That’s true. Being a leader is a hassle. I find it hard to even manage the army… If Sir Nokin recognizes me as a warrior, that’s enough for me.”
Both of them are great warriors, but they don’t seem to care much about rising in rank.
I understand their feelings well since I had no intention of becoming king unless Alonsa told me to.
”That won’t do. Geronimo needs to train the guards as their captain, and Repulus must unite the Garuda Principality army.”
A voice called out from behind me.
It was Alonsa.
”That’s true. I heard Geronimo’s guards will have a selection test. They say some from Capital City will join. Do you think they’ll be good?”
”Don’t expect too much. There are many martial arts masters in Capital City, but the real warriors are hiding in the wild. Under Gwain’s rule, if you stand out, you get labeled as a troublemaker.”
Alonsa didn’t think highly of the warriors recruited from Capital City.
Since Gwain had ruled for nearly ten years, it became common for those who made connections with the military to be hired as high-ranking martial arts masters instead of those who trained hard.
Because of this, truly skilled warriors ended up buried in various places.
”I see… the talent is hidden in the ground… By the way, it seems that Kent Blackdagger is going to marry the High Priestess Elkisa. I hear he built a huge temple in the South District.”
Alonsa frowned when Kent’s name came up.
She felt a sense of danger from a message about the High Priestess Elkisa marrying Kent, sent by Talia Goberg, a cousin and childhood friend who now goes by Talia Orancrest.
”Talia plans to make the High Priestess Elkisa Kent Blackdagger’s wife and control the Garuda Clan. That sly fox never does anything for anyone else.”
”That’s too much thinking. The Garuda Clan Leader recognizes me, doesn’t he?”
”We’re talking about the next generation. If Elkisa and Kent have a child, Talia will make that child the Garuda Clan Leader. She can control the child as a powerful figure in the Beast King Temple and gather all the Garuda Clans across the Demon Continent easily. That’s exactly what that sly fox would think.”
Alonsa looked rare and angry, showing her emotions clearly.
In her mind, making our child the next Garuda Clan Leader was the top priority, and she seemed ready to remove anything that got in her way.
”Well, Kent seems to have weak seeds, so maybe we don’t need to worry? Even with so many wives, he only has 2 real children. Plus, the High Priestess Elkisa has been asking for this to be accepted.”
Alonsa frowned in disgust but then showed a face of resignation.
”…There’s nothing we can do. It looks like we have to choose the second-best plan. Nokin will have to work hard again.”
”Yeah, I will follow Alonsa’s instructions.”
”Then, at the Beast King Martial Arts Festival in Westferm, you will defeat the ten best of Garuda to truly become the Garuda Clan Leader. This way, we can weaken the High Priestess Elkisa’s power, and Nokin will gain respect too.”
I’d heard about the Beast King Tournament from Alonsa, but never thought I could join. I couldn’t help but grin.
”R-really?”
”O-Ode’s joining too.”
”Geronimo and Terry will come. It’s a small group, but South District is safe. We won’t get attacked.”
Bartram and Repulus told me I used to live in South District.
Maybe meeting old friends there would bring back my lost memories.
So while joining the tournament, I planned to ask Repulus about my old hideout.
”Then let’s hurry. We’ll prepare now. Alonsa, you already sent a messenger to Kent, right?”
Alonsa answers with a smile.
”Of course. Dragonewts will carry us to Nolans. Porcha’s intel says Gwain and Yaalan might fight, so we can watch. Kingdom’s Aldo might move too, but it’s just the Liberation Front──no need to activate our defense pact.”
”The battlefield’s tempting, but the tournament matters more. Even if Gwain attacks us, Repulus can hold them off unless it’s a sneak attack. That’ll buy time until I return.”
”Don’t worry. No one can sneak attack us while I’m here.”
”True. Alonsa would never allow that. Then I’ll just focus on crushing the Garuda Ten.”
”Yes, leave the kingdom to me.”
”Alright. Terry, Geronimo──let’s go.”
After changing clothes, I boarded a carriage that same day, heading for Nolans──the gateway to South District’s Margrave territory.
* * *
*Aldo’s Perspective
”My lord… Lord Yaalan tricked General Mild and led him away from Gwain, took Iluska Fortress, then moved to Footland, Esche, and Helstahl, forcing Daracallia to surrender. Because of this, Gwain is gathering troops at the northern fortress. Lynthia, Lyla, and Rhea are already leading soldiers north. I think now is the time to crush the Kingdom Retro Brigade.”
I was a bit surprised that Poplar, who is a free man, was reporting the situation so seriously.
During the coup in the Capital City, the Kingdom Retro Brigade attacked, and they took over the area where the anti-Gwain group, Kingdom Liberation Front, was growing near the Kingdom’s land.
It seemed this made Poplar very motivated, as he was busy preparing for a counterattack.
Plus, his outfit now made him look like a slim young officer, so different from when he stayed at my house.
His voice was the same, but if he stood silently, I would think he was a completely different person.
”So, the counterattack plan Poplar prepared doesn’t use the Kingdom’s regular army, right? Lord Arbalest has a strong hold on Kingdom nobles, so the regular army can hardly move.”
”Don’t worry. That’s part of the plan. The troops for this counterattack will be those expelled by Lord Arbalest. They are already useless to him, and even if they suffer some damage, it won’t matter much. Instead of leaving them in Capital City as disgruntled people, it’s safer to have them fight as volunteers in the Kingdom Liberation Front with a promise to return to the army if they prove themselves.”
Poplar said he would use the Kingdom Liberation Front as a place for the Kingdom nobles who were losing power due to Arbalest’s military reforms.
I worry if those labeled as useless can really become useful.
”Can an army made of such scoundrels even work? If they r*pe and pillage, the Kingdom’s reputation will be ruined.”
”I will personally enforce discipline. Anyone who breaks the Kingdom Liberation Front’s rules will pay with their life.”
”Fine. If Poplar insists, I’ll leave it to you. You can pick a few more from my retainers too.”
”I’ll strive to meet your expectations, young master.”
Poplar, dressed as a young officer, bowed deeply to me.
”By the way, are Scarlet and Nioh doing well? They’ve been too busy to return to my estate.”
”Scarlet said she’s ashamed to face you after her recent humiliating defeat. Nioh stayed behind to continue her massage training.”
”Then tell them both to visit me after this counterattack succeeds. I need Nioh’s massage to relax, and without Scarlet, I might get captured again like during the coup. Don’t forget.”
”Understood. We *will* succeed and return.”
With that, Poplar vanished from sight.
”Old man, prepare a girl for Kent. Poplar’s group will likely bring back Austronesia from the Kingdom Retro Brigade as a prisoner soon.”
”Very well.”
The silent old butler opened the office door and left.
Still shaken from failing to protect me during the coup, his murderous aura now leaked uncontrollably, needlessly tensing the room.
Thanks to that, Kingdom officials who entered often wet themselves in terror.
Even now, remembering my captivity during the coup made my guts twist with rage.
”Gifting Austronesia should cheer Kent up. I can’t have him hating me for dragging him into the coup──I want us to get along.”
Alone in the office, I muttered to myself.
* * *
*Clayd’s POV
”Fuuuushuuuuuuuuuuh!!”
I healed from the wounds Gertroud gave me, and while rehabilitating my connected hand, I entered the depths of the Southern Region, continuing my life of hunting monsters day and night.
Fabulanova kept sticking nails into me to make sure I stayed close, but after my overwhelming defeat by Gertroud, the trauma made me even more determined to get stronger.
She also had her sights set on the throne with our second child in her womb, so somehow she managed to send me off.
Until the second child was conceived, I was demanded so much sex I thought my body would break; I’m not exaggerating when I say that outside of politics, I spent all my time in bed with Fabulanova.
”Hmph, still not enough. If that bastard Gertroud hadn’t been killed by Kent, I would’ve challenged him to a rematch… Damn it, my legend as the strongest in the True Demon Kingdom… Since that fight, everyone suspects there’s a lie in my title. If I don’t beat Kent’s guy, I can’t just call myself the strongest in the True Demon Kingdom.”
I’ve entered the depths of the Southern Region and defeated hundreds of monsters, and to effectively use [Red], I’ve even acquired some additional jobs that I didn’t have before.
My abilities have improved compared to when I fought Gertroud, but among them, the job I’m mainly cultivating now, [Battle Master], has incredible abilities.
What’s amazing about [Battle Master] is that due to its job traits, the magic consumption is halved, and the natural recovery rate of Physical Strength is boosted by 150%.
It’s got some incredible traits.
I’ve got Skills like [[Type] Equipment Level Up] that raises the basic attack power of equipment, [Divine Evasion] that can nullify critical hits from enemies, and even a battle technique like [Wargod’s Divine Slash] that combines magic and physical attack properties.
The enhancement of my individual combat abilities is expected.
”Being a Battle Master at level 20 is not enough. If I master this, I can become the strongest man in the True Demon Kingdom… no, the strongest in the Demon Continent!”
Suddenly, a big tiger monster jumps at me, trying to stab me with its claws.
I barely dodge its claws and stab my magic sword into its side.
The tiger monster lets out a scream as I cut into its belly.
”Weak! Weak! Too weak!”
I quickly close the distance and try out a new magic I found in Estfort in the South District.
It’s a fire magic called Shine Flare, which can heal a bit and also attack with bright flames.
”Gathered mana! Shine like fire and burn the enemy! Shine Flare!!”
A glowing ball of light bursts in front of the monster, filling the area with bright light.
When the light fades, the blackened monster lies on the ground.
”Wow, this magic is amazing! It’s stronger than Intermediate-level! I heard Kent found some lost magic in the Capital City, and it seems to be true. Next time I go to town, I should buy that magic I couldn’t get before.”
While hunting monsters in the Southern Region, I gather materials, so I plan to stop by Estfort regularly to get food.
With the money from selling materials, I learn new magic.
I also sneak to meet Dee while avoiding Kent’s watchful eyes.
I’m tired of hearing Kent’s lovey-dovey stories, but at least Dee seems to be doing well.
”I still have enough food, so I think I’ll move a bit closer to the Abyss Gate.”
I decided to move my Hunting Ground to the south of the Abyss Gate, the biggest distortion of time and space in the Demon Continent.
In the southern region’s backcountry, buildings and facilities thought to be from ancient civilizations are scattered everywhere.
Inside these buildings, there are many relics of the ancient civilization called Magic Tools.
People who specialize in exploring these ruins for Monster Hunting are called Treasure Hunters.
But I’m not interested in those Magic Tools, so I took off with my Flying Wings to my destination.
After flying for a few hours, as I approached the Abyss Gate, a ‘monster from another world’──a silver eagle──attacked me from above.
If I carelessly shot it down and scattered the fluids of ‘another world monsters’ around, more would gather, so I decided to flee from the Abyss Gate at full speed.
The area around the Abyss Gate, the greatest distortion of time and space in the Demon Continent, has a high density of ‘another world monsters’.
Even with my strong fighting power, I can’t compete against a group, so I hunt from a distance.
”Phew, managed to get away… still, there are more ‘another world monsters’ than before… Kent said he defeated a lot during the Ghost Clan rebellion, but the density is still high.”
After shaking off the silver eagle, I landed in a deep forest area.
The surroundings were filled with giant trees that had grown over many years, and the sun’s light didn’t reach the ground, creating a dense and gloomy atmosphere.
As soon as I landed, I felt someone’s presence behind me.
”Who’s there?! It doesn’t feel like a killing intent, so it’s not an ‘another world monster’, but why would a person be in such a remote place?”
I turned towards the presence and saw a figure in the branches of the giant tree.
”Who are you! Even if you’re a treasure hunter, being this close to the Abyss Gate means you’ll be attacked by ‘another world monsters’!”
The shadow I questioned seemed startled.
”What are you doing here? This is a Sanctuary made by Lady Arsella Dorman. We cannot let you go for entering without permission!”
Looking closely, the shadow had small horns, showing it was from the Rakshasa Clan.
In that moment, I felt several new presences of danger rising around me.
The sudden threat made me react instinctively and prepare for battle.
I quickly used Body Enhancement Magic to boost my physical abilities and began to track the sources of the danger.
It took less than a breath to do this.
”Four of them… They seem quite skilled from their presence.”
The leader seemed to be the first Rakshasa I spotted, but the others that appeared later had fur like the Garuda Clan, yet they looked like a completely unknown species.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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