Volume 8 Chapter 18 Sabotage
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It happened in the dead of night, while the city’s people were fast asleep.
”—It’s time.”
The mining city was bursting at the seams, overcapacity with residents. By day, its streets teemed with life, but at midnight, the town lay in a hush, almost ghostly.
A veil of twilight draped the world as gently as one would lull a newborn to sleep. Stars sparkled like a ceiling above. On cobblestone streets, refugees huddled together for warmth.
No warning preceded the calamity. Barreith’s peaceful night—shattered in an instant by the roar of an explosion.
”———!!!”
The sound was like a magical stone breaking, a destruction that resonated through the ground, echoing collapse.
Beasts howled, tearing through the darkness. Those who regained consciousness in time sprang up in alarm.
A primal sense stirred within them—the instinctive terror of a predator’s growl. Safe in their stone-walled sanctuary, the city reverberated with the creatures’ roars.
”Mo—Monsters?!!!”
A scream cut through the night, followed by more, rising in panicked waves. The previously silent streets flickered with lights as houses awakened.
Torches and lanterns spilled onto the roads. Another scream, and the clamor surged like a wave through the town.
”Monsters?! They’re in the streets!”
”Not good… the refugees—”
”Wake up, Klock.”
”Huh… ah?”
He was shaken awake, heavy limbs sluggish, mind foggy. With effort, he lifted his head.
”Klock, wake up. The enemy is attacking.”
”Uh… right… wait—what?”
He pushed himself upright, rubbing his eyes. Clothes rustled at his ears. Nearby, Cianie was changing quickly.
”…Did something happen?”
Suzette stumbled up from the sofa, eyes half-lidded, noticing Cianie.
”Magic fluctuations—detected suddenly across the streets. Likely an attack by the Demon Lord’s Army.”
”Wha—”
Klock rose swiftly, tossing the blanket aside. Despite his grogginess, he grabbed a change of clothes from his bag.
”What do you mean, magic fluctuations? What’s the situation?”
”Waves of magic came from many points across the town. It wasn’t a single source. Seems like magic use, but… teleportation, probably.”
”Teleportation? You mean the Demon Lord’s Army just… appeared?”
He slapped his cheeks, trying to wake himself fully. Clothes he’d discarded were neatly folded—Cianie had done her work thoroughly, a recognition of her diligence.
”Hero! Monsters outside!”
”…Monsters?”
”Yeah! There are tons! The streets are in chaos!”
Meina, already in her Nyan Law Corps battle attire, had evidently scouted ahead. Her voice, tense and serious, clashed with her usually catlike demeanor. The situation was clearly grave.
”How did Monsters get inside? These city walls aren’t that easy to breach.”
”Bad news. We need to help quickly. If monsters get in, the refugees sleeping outside are in danger.”
The team rushed from the inn, all belongings in tow, stored safely by Cianie in a magically warped travel bag provided by Princess Hermine. Portable homes, magical convenience—true gratitude to the great mage who gifted them.
They descended to the lower terrace. Ruri held a knife in one hand. Cianie naturally moved ahead, Meina behind, Suzette to the side—a formation honed from past missions to the thieves’ hideout. Facing monsters in this formation had never been expected.
”There—”
A lover vanished from sight, leaving Klock momentarily unsettled. Then, slashing sounds rang nearby. Something flew through the air—landing with a thunk. The severed head of a monster.
”That’s a demonic wolf. Normally forest dwellers, they avoid human settlements.”
”Controlled by the Demon Lord’s Army. They used them during a previous assault on the Imperial Capital.”
The memories of that assault, the landing in Alvenia, flashed. The first strike, the three-pronged landing strategy—only the capital resisted successfully.
”…Ah.”
”Sir Klock? Something wrong?”
”…I see. That explains it.”
The clanging of steel breaking bone echoed again. Wolves, alive moments ago, now lay neatly severed on cobblestones.
Suzette and Meina, skilled fighters, had no time to act. Monsters fell too fast for them to intervene. Eight demonic wolves soon lay dead in a line.
”…It’s a summoning, not teleportation,” Klock realized.
The four of them ran again, drawn naturally toward crowded areas. From the inn on the high terrace, the nearest populated zone was the Siena district.
”Cianie, watch the magic flows. There are probably more summoners out there.”
”Understood.”
”Suzette, look for allies.”
”—You mean…”
”Yes. Enemy spies, including demolition specialists, are still around.”
Refugees scattered as they ran, a shadow leaping from behind—another demonic wolf. Cianie grabbed its tail, spinning it into the ground. The monster’s body convulsed, lifeless.
”We should split up,” Klock said. Cianie’s strength was formidable, but she could handle everything alone, leaving the others idle. Enemy numbers and objectives unknown, refugees in danger—action was urgent.
”Cianie, can you handle a solo team?”
”—Huh?”
”Monsters with me is inefficient. I want to maximize your speed and strength.”
”But—”
She looked skyward, reminded—the enemy wasn’t just monsters. Together, they scanned the heavens. A large star, wrapped as if in silk, floated above. No ominous red, no expected eyes. Viola’s presence was absent.
”Looks like she’s not watching—yet.”
”Since dusk, it has been hovering. The observation window seems shorter each day,” Cianie noted.
Apparently, Viola hadn’t been keeping watch through the night either.
In fact, over the past two or three days, the time she spent absent had noticeably increased. Perhaps she had given up, believing she wouldn’t be noticed. If that were the case, Klock thought, it would be a relief if she simply stopped entirely.
”Cianie, I’m fine. Meina’s here too.”
Cianie looked troubled by his words, clearly worried. She probably thought that once the battle started, they should stay together.
Yet, staying together might be impossible. After all, the sabotage meant—
”Most likely, enemy forces are closing in on this town. The reason they started destroying things right now is probably because their army is about to launch an attack.”
”Is that so?”
”They aim to create chaos and strike while we’re distracted. Or perhaps it’s a rehearsal. Right now, speed is crucial. Sweep out the monsters as much as possible before the army arrives to minimize chaos. If the army is detected, we’ll have to intercept them. Sorry for throwing so much on you, though.”
”Ah—no, it’s fine. I understand. Then… Suzette, Meina, Klock, please take care of it.”
”Understood.”
”You got it!”
Cianie forced a small smile, hiding her worry. Klock had pushed her to agree, and she complied gracefully, as expected from someone considerate.
She padded closer, pressed a quick kiss to his cheek, then leapt into motion. Wind rushed past them as she sprinted along the rooftops.
”—Counting on you, Hero.”
Sending a single woman into urgent danger felt like the act of a helpless man. Yet letting Cianie handle things alone would save more lives. Being a hero’s partner meant this: fragile in appearance but entrusted with everything, a sensation difficult to describe.
The three of them descended into the town center. Crowds had gathered, already aware of the unfolding chaos. People on the streets fidgeted nervously.
”Why are there monsters in the streets? Where are the soldiers?”
”I heard screams. When I went out, a wolf bigger than a human was right there.”
”My son’s hurt! I almost got eaten too!”
Residents streamed out of their homes, spreading awareness of the threat. The streets buzzed with the clamor of daylight, despite the midnight hour.
”Sir Klock, maybe we should move?”
”Too crowded to maneuver.”
The central streets were packed, making combat nearly impossible. Swinging weapons risked hitting civilians; dodging risked collisions. Clearly, this wasn’t the right place to fight. They needed to relocate.
Monsters were dangerous, but fundamentally large, aggressive animals. Ordinary citizens could handle them eventually, though casualties were inevitable.
”—Sir Klock!!”
Someone grabbed his sleeve as he pushed through the crowd. Suzette pointed toward another direction.
”—Found them. Demonkin.”
There they were. Klock patted her shoulder, impressed, and turned. She pointed east, toward the old town, while Cianie had gone northwest toward the mining area—perfect for a split search.
”Take them out fast, cut off the source. Monsters can wait.”
Not ideal, but the priority was the spies. Cianie had detected magic from all over town—there must be more than one.
”Let’s assign roles for confronting the agents.”
”…How should we do it?”
”If they’re alone, finish them off immediately. No time to capture them alive. If they summon monsters using a Skurool, I’ll take the agent. Ms. Meina, block the monsters’ attacks. Sir Klock, hunt the monsters.”
”Yes!”
”Understood. Give instructions if anything unexpected happens.”
Suzette, experienced and perceptive, took the lead. Klock lacked combat expertise; Meina focused purely on fighting. Suzette was the smartest choice for coordination.
They slipped through the crowded streets, moving into quieter alleys. Night still dominated, far from dawn.
Suzette led, followed by Klock and Meina. Meina stayed behind to capitalize on her keen senses and agility, essential for stealth against Beastkin.
”There! That house!!”
”Alright, charge and overwhelm them.”
”Ms. Meina, Water Style, please!!”
The cat-girl leapt ahead, jumping over Klock and Suzette. The stone-walled house likely held the enemy. Kicking open the door, she shouted,
”Immortal Technique, Water Style: Bath Principle!!”
She defied the concept of a bath, claws slashing as if striking a nonexistent tub. Water sprayed from empty air, hitting the intruders.
”—What?!”
A torrent of water smashed through the house, like a furious cat kicking a bathtub.
The once-normal home was flooded and collapsing. Stone walls gave way; rubble fell atop the spy inside.
”The reading’s gone. They’re dead.”
”Good. Next.”
A swift, decisive outcome. The spy probably never realized Suzette was a demonic agent on the human side. Her presence was a hidden advantage.
”—Found them.”
”Fast. They were nearby.”
”Yes. They noticed us.”
From across the street, a figure emerged. Too close. Klock saw them draw something from their cloak— a Skurool. Half-reflexively, he clicked his tongue.
”They’ve summoned.”
”Monsters Skurool, as expected.”
Beasts poured forth, nearly twenty in number, dog-sized and unidentified.
”These are Magic Rabbits (Alaraj). They use horns to channel unique magic, causing terrifying hallucinations.”
”Illusions… what do we do?”
”Take them down before they act. Ms. Meina, Fire Style. The stone houses can handle it.”
With a determined “Nya!”, Meina leapt forward. Thrilled to be relied upon, she unleashed her full power—unrestrained, unstoppable.
”Fire Style: Cat Fire Chariot!!”
Meina inhaled deeply, cheeks puffing out, and exhaled a torrent of fire.
The street glowed red with scorching heat. Flames twisted in circular wheels, rolling forward like a fiery cat-drawn chariot. The spinning rings of fire swept through the summoned Magic Rabbits, incinerating them in blazing infernos.
”Whoa, that’s incredible.”
”Hehe~”
Klock’s praise made the cat-girl genuinely beam. Even amid battle, seeing her smile brought warmth to the moment.
Back in Beast Country, only cat-girls of equal strength—Elna, Lona, or the inn’s proprietress—could praise her. Here on this continent, Klock often stroked her, and each time, her joy remained unchanged.
Cat-girls must be cherished. She had endured hardships, and after working hard, indulgence was well-deserved.
”—Stay alert!!”
Suzette touched Klock. In an instant, his body shimmered with pale blue light—a supportive enhancement magic, boosting physical abilities.
Then, a heavy, dull thud sounded ahead.
”Massive!! A magic boar?!”
”The herd’s leader.”
A colossal monster emerged—a boar as large as a house.
”This is bad—”
Meina and Suzette surged forward, likely spotting a fleeing spy behind the beast. Suzette ran past, Meina leapt at the boar, while Klock paused, momentarily holding back.
”Buuooo—!!!”
The summoned boar, confused, shook its head violently at the attackers.
The boar’s eyes caught the descending Golden Cat-girl. Klock read the moment and swung his black knife through the air.
”—?!”
Blood spurted from the boar’s massive leg. Startled, it staggered back, and Suzette seized the opening.
”Zora di Terra!”
”Wind Style: Raging Blade Wave!!”
The boar’s leg was suddenly immobilized. The cobblestone street rose, trapping the giant limb. Wind blades slashed down, blood spraying the street from the boar’s thick neck.
”Even against a giant beast, easy work.”
Within seconds, the boar fell. Meina’s firepower and Suzette’s precision were remarkable. Klock briefly questioned his own utility but set the thought aside.
The fallen giant blocked the street ahead—an obstacle. One couldn’t help but pity the future city workers tasked with cleanup.
Though monsters were reportedly inedible, Klock’s mind briefly wandered to survival logistics—if only the boar could be used as food…
”Pursue them—!”
”Hey!!”
As he mused, enhanced Suzette leapt, vaulting over the boar to continue the chase. She aimed to capture the spy before they escaped.
”Hey, one person isn’t enough!! Meina!! Support Suzette!!”
”Got it!! But… Sir Klock?”
”I’ll follow right after!!”
Meina’s speed, even magically enhanced Klock couldn’t match. Letting her go first was faster than both pursuing together.
”If you get lost, regroup at the Adventurers’ Guild over there!!”
”Understood!!”
With the crowd dense, it was easy to lose one another.
”…Or I could just stay put?”
Watching them run, Klock felt a surge of laziness. Chasing and panting, only to have the maid scold him later—it seemed tedious. Better to conserve energy.
”—Gru, Mooo…”
The boar stirred, blood gushing as it struggled upright.
”Wild… tough as nails.”
Monsters were rarely confirmed finished—most were decapitated without further inspection. Yet a beast this large demanded a proper check.
”Sorry for summoning you into this mess. If you hold a grudge, blame the other Demonkin, not my maid.”
Ordinary beasts might deserve sympathy, but monsters were enemies of all humanity, fundamentally different despite their animal forms. Their actions were not for survival.
Thus, hesitation was unnecessary. Klock steadied his knife.
”Kyaaa—!!!”
Cianie’s knife could handle even massive injured monsters. But irregularities could change the battle in an instant.
Ahead, near the rising boar, a girl sat frozen in fright—likely a nearby resident. The boar turned toward her, not Klock.
”Oi, you idiot—”
”Ah, th-thank you…!!”
The magic boar finally collapsed, staining the cobblestones with blood, belly exposed to the sky.
”That was close. Seriously, I thought I was done for.”
”S-sorry… truly, thank you. You saved me.”
She had hidden nearby, watching cautiously until the threat passed, then ran to Klock. She was small, her voice clear, young, almost familiar.
”Thank you. You are my lifesaver!!”
”Yeah, be grateful. And seriously, just run away, don’t dawdle.”
”I-I’m sorry… I just… couldn’t help staring…”
She stepped closer, tripping slightly. Klock caught her in time, cradling her.
”Ah…”
”Hmm? You’re… from before—”
Petite, adorable, dressed in a simple dress. Jasmine scent wafted faintly.
”To meet again…”
Her amethyst eyes, endless and deep, locked with Klock’s. She clutched his clothing as if fate had brought them together.
”—Alright. This area should be safe. Head toward Siena. I’ve got some matters to handle.”
He gently moved her back. Her sparkling gaze held him in place; Klock stepped away slightly.
They had barely spoken, and this was only their second encounter. Yet she felt like a type that made things… complicated.
”Wait, don’t leave me!! I’m scared alone…”
”Hmm?”
”Please… I’ll do anything to thank you, I beg for your mercy…”
As she tried to step back, the girl grabbed his arm. She pressed her small body tightly against his, clinging as if her life depended on it. Her eyes, wide and pleading like a small animal’s, stared up at him.
A stranger. A beautiful young girl. Her slightly tearful expression struck Klock as unexpectedly cute. No—too cute. Every movement seemed deliberate, as if she knew exactly how he would perceive her.
”Alright, alright, I get it. You want me to help, right?”
”Ah… thank you. I’m so glad. You’re so kind, it really helps…♡”
She held on, not letting go, joy and embarrassment mingling in her demeanor. She didn’t behave like this toward just anyone—there was a subtle suggestion of affection, unmistakable in its implication.
This girl was clearly aware of her charm. The kind of troublesome type that made men fawn over her only to be cast aside later—the type often found in certain shops, he thought wryly.
From experience, Klock could sense her intentions. A sigh escaped him inwardly. When a girl was this overt, it was difficult to play along convincingly.
”Um, if it’s not too forward, may I ask your name…?”
”Huh? …Klock.”
He gave it plainly, seeing no need for a false name. Lies, if discovered later, always caused complications. A brief glance showed her shy reaction—natural, unfeigned.
”…Sir Klock, then. Such a wonderful, cool name.”
”Is that so?”
”Yes♡ Um, if you’d like, could you remember my name as well?”
”Sure. What is it?”
”Yes. I am…”
A brief pause. Perhaps she hesitated, taking a small breath.
”Kispe, my name is. My favorite flower… pink jasmine. I’ve never been in a relationship with a man. My age is a secret. Hobbies… none yet♡ But when I meet my destined one, I plan to share the same hobbies…♡”
A soft, charming giggle followed. Klock scratched his cheek, struck by the mixture of shyness and subtle intent in her smile.
Notes:
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Meina – She is a golden-haired catgirl employee of the beastman (Larana the cat woman) Inn, appeared performing fellatio, desperate and tear-streaked, with an inexperienced yet earnest approach to her work.
• Hermine – Daughter of the Emperor of the Second Empire of Dusselhelm. A companion and friend of Anna. The mage. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
• Alvenia – The imperial capital, located at the continent’s northernmost point, is a grand city that becomes the next target of the Demon Lord’s fleet. It is a powerful empire ruled by Magdous Augusk Vilnessa.
• Clea – younger dog beastkin sister who also serviced Klock previously.
• Elna – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with white hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked.
• Lona – Female. A young apprentice mage. Her appearance is that of a child with black hair reaching her shoulders. She wears a black hooded mantle with strange patterns. Her relationship is as an apprentice to Hermine, the Great Mage. Her power involves advanced magic, including spatial teleportation. Her combat style is magical, and she is described as childish and easily provoked. Elna’s sister; a black cat Beastkin who’s relatively normally developed physically compared to Elna.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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