Published: July 8, 2025
Suzu and Robert Pirlo found themselves in a vast space lined with thousands of golems... or rather, what looked like their outer armor.
After Robert Pirlo incinerated the golems present and Suzu froze the vampire that tried to come out from deeper inside, something else was approaching from further in.
“This is incredibly suffocating.”
“I can feel it... a tremendous mass of magical power is coming this way.”
Once Suzu and Robert Pirlo exchanged information...
A single vampire appeared.
“What is this...”
“It’s the real deal, isn’t it? The presence is completely different from the others.”
Both Suzu and Robert Pirlo understood.
“It’s the vampire grand duke, Zoltan…”
Suzu couldn't help but murmur.
The moment he murmured that...
Clang!
The sound of a fierce sword fight echoed.
The clash between Suzu's Murakumo and Zoltan's Bloody Sword rang out.
Suzu had struck suddenly.
“Outside, a fire attribute mage suddenly attacked too... Do people just attack without talking?”
“After all, you’re the one who abducted Harg-san in the first place!”
“It was originally something we created. I merely reclaimed it.”
“That’s not the real Harg-san. The only thing you’re allowed to reclaim is Harg-san’s ancestors.”
“They’re probably no longer here, right?”
“If that’s the case, the right to reclaim it is lost forever.”
“That would be troublesome.”
Suzu stated clearly, causing Zoltan to smile wryly.
“By the way, that fire attribute mage you mentioned, he must be some kind of explosive flames wielder, right? Don’t lump me together with such a barbarian!”
“The actions are the same, aren’t they?”
“The aspirations are different!”
“Huh?”
“That guy is doing it for work; I do it for friendship.”
“I see…”
“I will not forgive you, Zoltan.”
Suzu directed an angry gaze at Zoltan.
“Seems that’s the case.”
Zoltan laughed.
“I will speak plainly. Return Harg-san to me.”
“Wasn’t he left outside?”
“That’s not the real thing.”
Suzu asserted.
“Oh? Why do you think that?”
“I figured it out from the sonar reflection. It’s hollow inside. It was made from Harg-san’s hair or something.”
“Impressive. You figured it out well.”
Zoltan opened his eyes wide in surprise.
Then, he took a quick glance at someone behind Suzu.
“Ah, the old man in the back... that was the former king Capitone, wasn’t it? He must have seen through it at a glance when he fought outside.”
“Of course.”
Robert Pirlo nodded.
At the same time, he continued speaking.
“Lord Rondo, should I help as well?”
“No, your majesty. Please allow me to handle this alone.”
Suzu replied immediately.
“I see. Well then, I truly wanted to see Lord Rondo go all out.”
Robert Pirlo smiled and stepped back, chanting.
“[Barrier] There, that should do. Don’t worry about me; fight with all your might.”
“Thank you very much.”
Suzu expressed his gratitude.
Zoltan, who overheard their conversation, nodded in satisfaction for some reason.
“What’s with that expression?”
“I’ve also wanted to fight you.”
“Yeah?”
“Did you say Lord Rondo? I am the grand duke; my status is higher.”
“That’s just self-proclaimed. You’re also a duke equal to me. Duke Roznyark Zoltan. Oh, wait, I’m the first duke of Naitorei Kingdom. I’m higher than you, just a duke Zoltan.”
“What did you say?”
Zoltan’s face slightly flushed with anger from Suzu's provocative words.
However, he didn’t explode easily.
It seemed there was something he wanted to ask.
“You’re the one who created those small golems outside, Lord Rondo.”
“What if I said no?”
“That would mean Zack was lying.”
“Mr. Zack... Yes, I created number four.”
“Ah, that’s the name.”
Suzu answered honestly, not wanting to call Zack a liar, and Zoltan nodded.
In fact, at that moment, the clone of Zoltan that had been facing number four had vanished.
It merged back into his main body, but... Suzu and Robert Pirlo were unaware of this.
“The technique that the small golem you created unleashed was impressive. That’s why I became interested in you, the creator.”