Volume 11 Chapter 12 Catching the Tail
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Even a Southern human beauty and a ninety-seven-year-old half-elf beauty were more than enough bait. Add in a stunning beastkin mother and daughter pair, and it became irresistible. The results were almost comical. Let them walk through the backstreets of town, and slavers with burlap sacks appeared within minutes. Chain them up and haul them toward the market, and somehow they even tried to snatch me along with them.
We spent several days returning the favor—counterattacks, interrogations, killing them slowly whenever possible. Busy work, but satisfying.
”Only small fry are taking the bait,” Lena said, swinging her longsword with a sharp hiss before sliding it back into its sheath. Three filthy adventurer-wannabes lay cut down at her feet. Even I had to admit her technique was impressive. She really had grown stronger.
”Well, I didn’t think it would be that easy,” I replied, finishing off the last straggler. “If we want the real prize, it won’t be the type looking for a quick payday.”
I glanced around. In the grimy alley, only Lena, Vera, and Georgia stood with me. Both girls had finished their work too, faces set with the righteous satisfaction of purging filth. To them, slavers were vermin that deserved no hesitation.
”So, what are you after, Master?” Georgia asked, tilting her head cutely.
I shifted my gaze to Vera. “Up until now we’ve just been spreading bait. Rumors of an adventurer with a half-elf hunting slave hunters.”
Vera accepted my look and nodded.
”The power in those tools is spirit power,” she said softly. “Only elves and half-elves can use it.”
Georgia made a flat little “ahh,” probably not following. Magic had never touched her life, after all. Still, our suspicion was clear: the enemy had a way to trap spirit power in magic tools. No ordinary human could do it, and no elf faithful to the spirits would help. That left only one option: elves or half-elves reduced to “materials.” The idea was sickening, but Lydia and I both saw it as likely.
”That’s why,” I continued, “we need to let them know we’ve got a usable half-elf.”
The only way to lure out the true enemy.
* * *
”Sun’s down. Let’s call it for today and head back. Ms. Mor has waited long enough.”
We gathered and started down the dimmest, emptiest lanes of Backstreet Town.
”Master,” Georgia whispered, ears flicking alert. Her eyes cut to me. Moments later, Vera gave a tiny nod, and Lena’s hand closed on her hilt.
”They’re here. Georgia—call Ms. Mor.”
Something flew from the shadows. Lena’s blade flashed, knocking it aside. Georgia threw back her head and howled, a long echoing call. Vera raised her hands and murmured, “Will-o’-the-wisp, please.” Light burst across the street, blinding in the gloom.
”Argh!” Three men in gray robes were exposed, squinting and shielding their eyes from the spirit’s sudden flare.
”Here we go,” I muttered. Positioned in front of Vera, I was untouched by the light. I loosed a set of throwing darts and drew my sword in the same motion. Georgia dashed in their wake, striking down one blinded foe after another. In seconds, two of the three were down.
The last man stumbled back, realized he was outmatched, and bolted. Exactly as planned.
”Good work, everyone. You each played your part,” I said, ruffling their hair in turn. Their eyes sparkled like dogs who’d been praised, and I couldn’t help but smile.
A presence stirred behind me—not hostile.
”My apologies for the delay, Master,” came Ms. Mor’s voice. She emerged from the shadows where she’d been waiting.
”Good timing. Sorry to ask right away, but can you track this?” I held out a dart, its tip laced with a rare island fragrance. No chance of confusing it with anything local.
”Of course,” she said, nose twitching adorably. “The scent’s strong enough—I’ll follow it without trouble.”
Her eyes shone with certainty, easing my worries.
”Sir Soyuz,” Lena asked, tilting her head, “why go through so much trouble? Wouldn’t asking Ms. Vera to lend her spirit power be more reliable, like with Georgia?”
I looked at her. Good—she was thinking for herself now, not just accepting my word.
”Because the enemy may be elves,” I said. “If they’re stronger than Vera, any spirit pursuit could give us away. Scent leaves fewer traces. Elves don’t exactly have beast noses.”
Paranoid? Maybe. But when elves might be involved, caution was survival.
Lena seemed to understand. She bowed slightly. “Thank you for the lesson.”
”Facing elves is always troublesome,” I said, gripping my sword tighter. “When it comes to them, use every tool. Leave nothing behind.”
My eyes drifted upward, memories pressing in. I saw again the sneer of my old master, the “Old Hag” who’d humiliated me endlessly. My chest burned. I shook my head and forced the thought away. Work first.
”Right,” I said. “Let’s move. Ms. Mor, lead the way.”
”Understood,” Ms. Mor said.
Guided by the lingering trace of a scent, she moved forward with steady, unerring steps. We surrounded her protectively as she led us on, until at last, at the edge of the town, the silhouette of an old mansion came into view.
”The smell drifts from that place,” Ms. Mor said, pointing toward the looming house.
”Yeah. Now that we’re this close, even I can tell,” I replied.
Georgia twitched her ears and sniffed eagerly, glancing up at me for approval. I rubbed her head with a fond “Good girl,” only to catch Lena and Vera staring with faintly sulky eyes. I laughed under my breath, patting their heads in turn before finally pulling Ms. Mor into an embrace and brushing a quick, birdlike kiss against her lips.
”All right. We’ll go pay that household a visit. Ms. Mor, you stay hidden here. If anything happens to us, don’t even think of helping—go straight to the guild in town and report everything. Got it? That’s an order.”
At my deliberately firm tone, Ms. Mor’s expression grew serene, as though resigned, and she bowed her head.
”Understood… May fortune favor you.”
”Thanks. Don’t worry—we’ll wrap this up fast and all come back safe. Tonight, we’ll feast.”
I hugged her once more before turning my gaze on the three girls.
”Time to work. And when it’s done, we’ll celebrate with a raucous party. Let’s earn it and come back hungry.”
”Yes!” Lena shouted.
”Yes, indeed,” Vera echoed.
”Woof!” barked Georgia.
I pulled all three into my arms at once, holding them close. Then, loosening my embrace, I rested a hand on the hilt of my longsword and fixed my eyes on the mansion.
Notes:
• Lena – Female. A young slave girl in her early teens. Her appearance is emaciated with brown skin, long black hair, and grotesque scars across her face, including one that blinds her left eye. She wears a black collar and tattered clothing. Her relationship to the protagonist is that of a rescued victim. She is silent and appears to have endured severe physical and emotional abuse.
• Lydia – Sara’s master, a gentle and commanding figure possessing both male and female traits.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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