Volume 3 Chapter 95 Rumors Of The Demon
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(That trick to change Sarah’s face was amazing.)
Kian thought, slowly moving through the reeds with Ninini.
The atmosphere of a gentle, graceful lady vanished completely just by removing the makeup and hood.
If things went wrong, even Kian might not have noticed her if they passed each other in street.
’That’s an exaggeration. In your case, you can break through it thanks to the smell of blood and magic power waves. It’s not a technique that changes the organization itself, unlike the transformation technique used by vampires.’
(I can’t change my face like that…)
’It’s a useless technique. The vampire’s transformation technique is overwhelmingly superior. Kian, you should probably start learning the technique to mutate a part of your body soon.’
Kian narrowed his eyes at the word ‘glasses’.
(Come to think of it, I haven’t been improving my vampire abilities lately. Teach me how to practice.)
’When you release Mist Form, you imagine your original hands, right? At that time, vividly imagine what you want to change. Hardness, taste, smell, texture… in detail. For example, if you want to turn your hand into a sword, implant the information of the sword into your brain so that you can visualize the sword even with your eyes closed.’
(I can easily imagine a sword.)
’Can you perfectly imagine the feeling when it gets wet with water, the texture after it’s heated, the sound of swinging it, and even the smell? Be obsessed with the sword, think about the sword all day long, as if you were going to bed with it. Only then will you succeed.’
(So, that level of image training is necessary…)
’Indeed. And after the sword, it’s a good idea to up the ante and practice mutating into more complex forms──vampire fangs, tentacles, you name it. Once you’re accustomed to mutating, you’ll be able to transform your face into someone else’s. Eventually, you’ll be able to alter your entire body, getting closer and closer to the original’s scent and thought patterns.’
(I see. Then I guess I’ll start by turning my hand into a sword and see how that goes. ──Wait, just a sec.)
Kian suddenly clutched his jaw.
The thought of transformation just sparked another idea.
For instance, if Kian mastered the art of transformation and could turn into Oswald, would he then be able to wield the ‘Holy Sword of the Sun’?──
If he can alter his tissue to mimic thoughts, it’s not inconceivable that he could trick someone into thinking he’s the weapon’s true master.
If possible, he could even steal the ‘Holy Sword of the Sun’, the ‘Parasol of the Night Queen’, and if he’s feeling particularly bold, the holy lances, axes, and bows of the Western Church’s Inquisitors──the protective Knights (Dominia).
(There’s a limit to how much I can train my body. But if I can take the power of the extraordinary from them, then I can become the strongest being in all times and dimensions.)
Kian imagines himself taking over as Oswald, becoming the master of the ‘Holy Sword of the Sun’.
──His soul trembles.
Oswald used to say it casually during chit-chat, but perhaps human desire is insatiable, relentless.
Lately, he has started to understand that.
The thirst for ultimate power.
The urge to collect holy swords, magic swords.
This feeling is like an all-consuming passion──.
’With 2 originals, someone would notice the weapon, right? If you were to kill the user or trap them away, you might just take their place and steal it… but I can’t guarantee it. If you turn into Oswald and get burned by the ‘Holy Sword of the Sun,’ this one won’t take any responsibility.’
”Huh, I see… I see…”
”Nya──what’s with the ‘I see’-nya?”
Ninini, sticking close behind, questioned curiously.
Kian turned around and smiled.
”I’ve been talking to myself too much lately… Guess it’s a habit now. Just ignore it, okay?”
”I see-nya. You’re a good guy, but you’re still a bit of a weird one-nya.”
”Alright. Looks like we’re at the end of the reed beds here. Beyond this is a river and──there’s another village.”
Kian pointed towards the other side of a small river, about 5 meters wide, parting the tall plants.
On the other side, there were about ten thatched-roof houses that had come into view again since leaving the forest.
They were built on either side of the town road that led to the ‘Storm Herd’ fortress.
One of the houses──a large one at the center of the cluster──was billowing thick white smoke.
It was likely a blacksmith or an inn serving food.
Since there was no sound of a hammer striking an anvil, it’s probably the latter.
”Nnya. I can’t really probe from this distance… Is there anything we can do about it-nya?”
”If it’s hard to understand the fortress structure, there’s not much more we can assist with. We’ll have to rely on Sarah and Serena’s skills.”
”Damn it. It’s so frustrating-nya!”
Ninini stomped angrily on the muddy ground in exasperation.
After a brief pause, Kian suggested to her,
”While we wait for the two to return, I think I’ll take on another job. With support practically impossible now, we have to switch gears and do what we can.”
”Nya? What about keeping an eye on the fortress-nya?”
”I’m sending out bats.”
Kian raised his hand to point at the sky.
Squeaking and flapping, a dozen black shadows flew towards the fortress.
He can’t approach too closely; if the Wolfmen notice him, it’ll be trouble.
But if he hides in the reeds, he can act swiftly when Sarah and Serena make their move.
If he stays here too long, they might catch on. Knowing Serena’s keen instincts, he knows better than to underestimate the Wolfmen. He should keep a safe distance.
”If anything happens, they’ll let us know. I could sit here like a turtle for 3 hours, but I think I’ll tackle another Quest while I wait.”
”Another Quest?”
”Yeah, I’m scouting the area around Ramsey. I’ll check the villages hit by monsters, and if I can, I’ll catch a sample of any undead risen by those creatures──there are people in need of it.”
Maribel also told him to gather intel on the Owl army, but he won’t be able to do that without stepping into Margrave territory.
For now, he’ll focus on what he can do.
Ninini nodded once.
”I see… then I’ll help too-nya!”
”Aren’t you supposed to rest? You should save your strength for when it really counts.”
”I get that, but once we protect Rean and Vest, I’ve got to get back to my original Quest. I need to take down the Bloodsucking Kind in Ramsey. If I don’t gather information, I’ll let down my leader.”
Kian frowned.
”Wait, going back to the Quest? You all must be running low on strength.”
”Please, once my life’s intact, I’ll be back on my feet in a few days-nya. As soon as Rean’s health is up, we’ll return to battle-nya. There’s no way we’re letting the Lower-rank Adventurers do all the work while us advanced-ranks slack off-nya!”
(Such a sense of duty. This is what it means to be a ‘Lion’s Companion.’)
They’re not just strong and skilled.
They become shields and swords to protect people from monsters.
Pride and responsibility.
An unwavering resolve to never give up until the end.
That’s why they clawed their way to the top, becoming Rank 1 Adventurers, every single one of them.
Ninini gestured towards the village across the river with her chin.
”So, we’re actually going to that village-nya?”
”That’s the plan.”
”You’re not going in looking like *that*-nya! I’m not saying take it off, but at least throw on a robe or something-nya.”
”Already on it.”
Kian reached into wraith’s pouch and pulled out a thick, hooded robe he’d bought in advance.
He had made the wraith to keep it warm after taking off ‘Silver Ice’.
It was big enough to completely cover Kian.
Pulling up the hood would make it hard to recognize her face at a glance.
”Weird trick-nya. How’d you even *get* the robe out?”
”A secret.”
”Oi, you’re acting even weirder now-nya…”
”I’ll wing it with acting and a little bit of luck. ──There’s a bridge upstream, right? I’d rather not swim, so let’s go around.”
”And it’s not just the gear-nya. You’ve changed, you know? Feels like a whole different person-nya. What the heck happened while we were gone on that expedition-nya?”
Ninini gave Kian a suspicious once-over, then pulled a traveler’s robe from her own pack and tossed it over her shoulders.
The same brown as Kian’s.
”Oh, matching outfits, huh?”
”H-Hey, stop that-nya! Gah! Goosebumps! That’s creepy-nya!”
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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