Ch.13344. Strange Wonder.

A sheep-headed beastman of uncertain origin.

However, while it had the form of a beastman, at some point, it began to completely shed its human shape.

Its massive body swelled even larger, becoming the size of a house, with hands and feet sprouting and extending haphazardly, reminiscent of a rotting old tree stretching its branches in all directions.

“Ohhh! My master! Bestows power! Upon this lowly servant!”

Its fur, skin, and everything else turned pitch black.

“Gets beaten up and still acts up again.”

Venus hurled fierce mockery.

“Keeeeek!”

“How is this different from animals making themselves look bigger when threatened? With that level of intelligence, no wonder you’re always getting beaten up wherever you go.”

Her mockery was masterful.

The sheep-head’s exalted expression instantly crumpled as if it had just swallowed sewage.

“I can’t tolerate this anymore!”

“What are you tolerating when you’re the one getting beaten? I’m the one tolerating you. Can’t you even tell front from back anymore?”

It couldn’t win a single exchange.

“Haa.”

Before Cain could stop it, the sheep-head lunged forward, only to be repelled by an ice barrier. Watching this, he felt utter disillusionment.

‘This is why freeloaders are worthless.’

Just foolish thugs who get drunk on power given by their master and recklessly act as if that borrowed strength is their own.

“As I mentioned earlier, we are not the main culprits behind this situation.”

“Then who is?”

“…The master of that young sheep, and whoever conspired with it.”

Mines, who had been looking toward the palace earlier.

Considering her conjecture to some extent, Cain answered.

“Then what are you?”

“We’re looking for someone.”

“To devour?”

Unlike Cain, a completely different answer flowed from the sheep-head’s mouth.

“I think it would be better to focus elsewhere if you want to reduce casualties, rather than wasting time detaining us.”

“So what?”

However.

Unlike Mines, who showed some hesitation.

Venus remained confident and brazen from start to finish.

“I came here to pick a fight with you.”

What?

Though it didn’t escape his lips, the bewilderment was clearly visible on his face.

Venus’s statement was quite unexpected.

“While picking a fight, it would be nice if you were the culprits. Then I could legally exercise violence under the pretext of justice, so there’s nothing bad about that, right?”

“What…”

One thing was certain.

That man and woman didn’t seem to share the same objective.

Even that white woman was looking at the man with bewildered eyes.

“And if you’re not the culprits, you’re still connected, so there’s reason to interrogate you. If it becomes a problem later, whether I beat you or the real culprit, it’s all the same, isn’t it?”

“…That won’t solve the situation.”

“I’m not a problem solver.”

Venus had a face that questioned why she should care about such things.

Then, running her tongue along her gums, Venus said:

“I’m just someone who beats up annoying bastards who get in my way.”

“……”

There was no reasoning with her.

Matching her combat style, she possessed a mindset tinged with madness.

That much was clear.

With such types, unless subdued by force,

even the smallest conversation is impossible.

“A mad dog.”

Rabies—there’s no answer if bitten.

Occasionally, such mentally deranged types appear in the world.

And most of them, despite their mental issues, are also stubborn.

Though rare, each one emits such a strong presence that they’re impossible to forget.

…Such kinds.

From that perspective, his own captain had been exactly that type.

With that recklessness, always taking the lead, tearing down all the pretenses, illusions, and facades of this country, and briefly strutting around as a king despite coming from poverty.

“Sheep-head. Are you pretending to be angry? Or are you afraid of me? Aren’t you angry even after getting beaten?”

“Keek! Keeek! Keeeeee!”

Just when it seemed to be calming down, its reason crumbled at the first provocation, and it went berserk.

And that young swordsman who eagerly faced it was no better.

“Woman. You seem more rational—do you see any meaning in this situation?”

“Do you have any idea what I’m thinking right now?”

…What is she trying to say now?

“That if I give it my all, I might be able to suppress this commotion. That’s what I sense.”

“That’s…”

It’s not impossible.

If this woman truly inherited the legacy of the Demon King.

…Like his lord, she must be an overwhelming existence.

However, she lacked that overwhelming presence that his lord had possessed.

“But I worry that if I intervene incorrectly and things escalate, I might be misunderstood.”

Misunderstood?

“I don’t want to be blamed or falsely accused for a situation that has nothing to do with me.”

“……”

What’s with this woman?

If that’s the case, she should have stayed hidden. Why deliberately expose herself?

What was the point of coming forward?

“Is this thinking selfish or altruistic?”

“What are you talking about?”

I thought only the other side was crazy, but is this woman strange in a different way?

“Not wanting to be falsely accused is selfish. But can we define such selfishness as evil? Why talk about it as if it’s such a burden when it’s something anyone would naturally think?”

“If I fear that someone might be harmed because of me, is that selfishness or altruism?”

…I really don’t understand.

While it’s actually helpful that this woman is keeping me here, is this really the right approach?

“Whether it’s selfishness or altruism, why does that matter?”

“…It does matter.”

Because it’s a matter of survival and humanity.

For Mines to live as Mines,

that consciousness was more important than anything else.

It was a question of whether I would become a mere puppet wielding and being wielded by the Demon King’s power.

But what’s the point of explaining this in words?

So all I can do is act the part of a kind and fragile-hearted girl, a pure maiden, a demure woman.

Sometimes I’m surprised to find myself so immersed in the act that I truly feel weak and fragile…

“If I were to live selfishly, you wouldn’t be so safe right now, would you?”

Even if I’m not specifically out to save anyone.

Even if I kill someone just because I’m in a bad mood.

Even if it’s my whim, selfish and unreasonable.

Even if it feels like a bolt from the blue to the other person and terribly unfair.

…It doesn’t matter, does it?

‘Arrogance.’

This is the thinking of someone so arrogant they’re reckless.

The premise itself ignores whether something is possible or impossible, focusing only on whether to kill or spare.

As if either option is available if desired.

“……”

I’ve never encountered a being similar to her in my life.

I can’t claim to know the entire future, and it’s probably correct to say the future has completely changed.

Even so, as far as he knew, such a being didn’t exist.

Moreover, a being with the Demon King’s legacy.

…That’s someone you might encounter once in a lifetime, if at all.

“Our idle chat has gone on too long.”

Just as she said.

“I was worried your fighting spirit might have disappeared just because you got bigger and faster!”

“I’ll kill you! I’ll bite off your limbs one by one and make you scream!”

“Idiot. What’s with that way of talking? Are you reading a book? Well, I guess someone who’s only been beaten and never done the beating wouldn’t know.”

Keeeeek—!!

What would it sound like if dozens of different animals barked and cried out at once?

A normal human would have their mind go blank or fall into terror, and even if not, they would feel disgust, discomfort, and dizziness.

…If the woman possesses the Demon King’s legacy, then what unknown entity is this man?

‘That is chaos.’

Perhaps it’s not necessary to consider him an enemy.

Rather, if thrown at our enemies, wouldn’t he serve a purpose?

“Ah, right. I get it now.”

The man, who had stepped back further, adjusted his stance.

“So roughly…”

Keeeeek!

“Like this?”

Unlike before, he swung his sword with a simple motion.

For some reason, the sheep-head’s massive body, several times larger than himself, was cleanly split.

“Ah, I missed.”

Missed?

But that assessment seems strange.

The reason Cain thought so was because…

…while the swordsman swung his sword at a slightly off timing,

it was clearly the charging opponent’s fault for rushing into range.

By all normal standards, it wasn’t a miss but rather an effective strike.

Kueeeeng!

And the creature that was hit by the sword strike showed a reaction clearly different from before.

The angry howling changed to a cry mixed with shock and fear that shook the surroundings.

“What! What is he! This can’t be happening! Master! Masteeeeer!”

“Did the kid lose his mind after getting beaten?”

As Venus approached with leisurely steps, resting the sword on his shoulder,

the sheep-head panicked and crawled toward Cain, dragging its massive body.

“Looks like there’s a reaction?”

Venus curled up the corners of his mouth as if it exceeded expectations.

“To think I never knew about this good stuff until now. I’ll be so upset I won’t sleep for days.”

“Don’t come! Don’t come near me!”

“If you don’t want to get beaten, you should become the one who beats others.”

Venus answered the desperate plea with a laugh.

“This is why you should live with the upper hand. Otherwise, whether I like it or not, getting beaten is up to the beater’s mood, right? Only mentally ill people would put up with that.”

“……”

That person is hitting the core point.

But does he know?

That is a privilege only the strong can afford to think about.

The weak are those who must live with permission even to breathe.

“To display such a level with just technique and physical enhancement, regardless of mana. Impressive.”

“Why are you trying to look knowledgeable? Does it hurt less when you get beaten?”

“Are you not going to stop? This is your last chance.”

“Chance? Speak properly. By whose authority?”

“……”

Cain sighed silently and…

“I guess there’s no choice.”

Reluctantly steeled his resolve.

“Cain?”

As he silently moved his lips,

various animal-headed entities sprang from his shadow.

“Demon magician? Evil spirit magician? Which one?”

“You’ve figured out that much.”

Surprisingly, he hits the core point.

This isn’t just a reckless charge without knowledge.

Despite the woman behind watching with unusual interest,

the approaching man, swinging his sword with skill, had a fierce look in his eyes that contrasted with his unruly movements.

“Try to guess.”

Dark, murky beasts howled and threw themselves forward.

“Hehehe! You’re finished now! Done for!”

The sheep-head taunted like a child.

And indeed, in just a few seconds, the tide seemed to have turned.

“Just playing around.”

Venus, however, threw himself forward with the same momentum, as if to show off.

To an outside observer, it would look like a suicidal act, so reckless was his charge.

But their crude clash was interrupted by a frost storm that instantly froze the surroundings.

Venus was the one who immediately became angry.

“What are you doing?”

Mines, who had intervened, looked at Venus, Cain, and the mysterious beasts Cain had summoned, and said:

“Any more rampaging and the surrounding damage will be severe.”

“What are you saying?”

Venus also looked around at her words.

“Are you stopping the fight because of building damage? For no other reason?”

“……”

The impoverished citizens who had already fallen into madness, and those caught up in it, had long been neutralized.

Even that was carefully handled by Mines to prevent the damage from spreading.

“You’re really pathetic too.”

You’re twisted in such a miserable way.

“It might not matter to you, but it does to them.”

“……”

Ironically, it was Cain who was impressed by those words.

Venus still seemed to think it was nonsense and picked at his ear, but

Mines turned her gaze to Cain and warned:

“What you’re handling has already gone beyond the realm of misunderstanding.”

“I never denied being involved, only that I’m not the main culprit.”

“See? This is their characteristic—give them an inch, and they become this shameless. Didn’t you see them using civilians as shields earlier?”

“I neutralized them all without harm, so it’s fine.”

“…Have you been following him around so much that even your way of thinking has been infected?”

Venus was starting to get irritated.

Interfering with killing someone who needed to be killed? What was she trying to do?

“I’m not saying I’ll stop you unconditionally. Do I seem that narrow-minded to you?”

“Weren’t you?”

This is news to me.

From the moment Somern tried to draw his sword, and she ambiguously discouraged it,

Venus had been quite annoyed by this woman’s brazen attitude.

“…Fine. If you want to rampage so badly, I’ll arrange a place for you.”

And.

Mines was just as uncomfortable with Venus.

For her, burdened with the constraint of being selfish yet altruistic,

she couldn’t understand someone who was the epitome of self-centeredness.

Yet she couldn’t call him selfish either, which made it more confusing.

By now, she had simply accepted that this person had strong stubbornness beyond mere pride.

“But you’ll have to accept that you won’t get to see his skills that you were so eager to witness.”

“What, what? Is that bastard involved too?”

That bastard?

“Of course? Did you think he would just watch this situation as if it had nothing to do with him?”

“When we were coming and going until exhaustion, was his hiding meant to imply he’d stay out of it? That bastard is unexpectedly cunning.”

“…That’s not the reason.”

Though he didn’t understand what they were talking about, Cain detected extreme signs of unease in their conversation.

Whatever it was, when referring to someone, both of them displayed an emotional state that suggested worry and anxiety were meaningless.

“So what? Where can I go to see him?”

“……”

Seeing Venus’s attention shift away from him, the beasts swarming around Cain and his shadow began to hesitate, as if they had lost their prey.

“Follow the energy and you’ll know.”

“…He doesn’t use mana or anything, so what energy?”

“There are other things besides that.”

As Mines glanced toward Cain, Venus briefly exclaimed:

“Right. Since they’re that type, we can find someone connected to them.”

“If you’re not trying to commit suicide, you should reconsider heading to the center.”

“Are you worried about me now? Who gave you permission to worry about whom? By whose authority? But your attitude is becoming more desirable now. It’s good to see. When you were dragging out your words, I seriously wanted to kill you. If you had been like this from the start, we wouldn’t have had this unnecessary fight, right?”

“……”

This is exasperating.

He expresses approval when treated rudely? Does he extremely hate pretense, courtesy, and formality?

Moreover, who does he think started the fight?

He swung his sword first, yet blames my attitude?

“I’ll give you a choice. Will you stop what you were doing and guide us to this center or whatever, or will you be beaten and dragged there like a dog?”

“Your character is truly beyond imagination.”

“Is that a compliment or an insult? Can’t you speak clearly?”

Finally, Cain raised his hands in surrender.

“Fine. If you’re so eager to die, who am I to refuse?”

“You better get your head straight. I’ll leave what’s there to your imagination.”

Just as this brief, far-from-pleasant companionship was about to begin,

from a distance, an unknown eerie cry shook the entire city, and simultaneously,

a massive flash cut through the darkness.

Yet despite its intensity, this flash was darker and blacker than anything else.

Somehow, even the faded night sky seemed to be captured by that darkness.

A black flash.

What other expression could describe it?

The faint streak that rose up instantly crossed the star-studded night sky.

It was truly a strange marvel.