Published: September 9, 2025
This is Satou. Just like a dammed-up river remains calm until it reaches its limit and suddenly causes a flash flood, there are many moments when things stay quiet right up until they hit their breaking point. But looking back, I realize there were always signs and warnings beforehand.
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I overtook Mr. Jureberg and stepped forward to face Rudaman, the former king of bandits who had now become the captain of the Twelfth Knight Squadron.
“Hey, Rudaman. A career change from the criminal slave squad, huh?”
“Tch, the 'uninjured' Pendragon, huh? So you were a candidate for the Eight Swords of Shiga too... No wonder there’s no sign of injured people in this disaster.”
Though I spoke casually, Rudaman clicked his tongue and twisted his face in displeasure.
By the way, the reason we didn’t see injured people was that among the servants there were some who could use healing magic, and magic potions were distributed as well.
As Rudaman scratched his head, I casually raised my hand and pushed him forward onto the ground.
At the same time, the Twelfth Knight Squadron readied for combat.
Men carrying great shields formed a wall, and from between them, long-handled fiery spears shot out “Fireballs.”
Behind them, the chanting of spells could be heard.
Rudaman lowered his posture and tried to dash past me, but I tripped him with my foot.
However, with a forward roll, Rudaman deftly got back up and swung his axe at the unarmed Mr. Jureberg.
Jureberg tried to dodge, but due to the lingering weakening effects of the demonic sword, his movements were sluggish and far from his usual agility.
But that wild strike never connected.
Liza, wielding a red demon blade spear, intervened.
I tracked the movement of her spear just by the light blip on my radar and tossed rubble beneath my feet to explode incoming fireballs one after another.
Judging by the trajectory of the fireballs, it seemed they were aimed at sealing Jizon’s mouth.
Perhaps they wanted to take out the paladins who had removed their armor for healing and the samurai from the Eight Swords of Shiga who weren’t at full strength due to the influence of Jizon’s demonic sword.
“...■■■ ‘Lightbody’s Blessing (Light Boost)’”
Jeryl, an explorer who had finished chanting a light magic body enhancement spell, sprinted in with a demonic sword to finish off the bandits.
He seemed to know Rudaman from the Labyrinth City, and had already started chanting as soon as Liza reported Rudaman’s presence.
Jeryl leapt over the shield bearers in front and crushed the staff bearers wielding Flame Staffs.
At the same time, the spell chanting behind the bandits stopped. It seemed the two from the Eight Swords of Shiga had ambushed from behind, pursuing the escaped tamed demons’ controllers.
Thanks to the efforts of these three high-level swordsmen, the bandits disguised as the Twelfth Knight Squadron were swiftly eliminated.
Of course, Rudaman was captured with his limbs pierced by Liza’s demon blade spear.
It seemed difficult to hold back with a demon blade spear, as one of Rudaman’s arms looked nearly torn off.
“No way... last time we were evenly matched...”
“That’s the result of Master’s guidance and training,” Liza replied matter-of-factly, without pride.
At that moment, suspicious light blips appeared on the radar.
At the far end of the garden, near the boundary with the neighboring mansion.
It looked like about five members of the criminal guild were lying in wait, probably ready to assassinate by taking advantage of the chaos.
Since our fight ended so quickly, they missed their chance to act.
Let’s leave dealing with them to someone else.
Looking around, Ryuona from the Eight Swords of Shiga, known for her “weeding,” looked idle, so I decided to assign her.
“Lady Ryuona, I need to inform you of something—”
I told her about the suspicious presence near the boundary with the neighboring house, and she accepted the investigation with a ferocious smile and without hesitation.
Interrogations of the captured bandits were being led by Mr. Jureberg and Mr. Heim of the Eight Swords of Shiga.