Ch.27Chapter 27. Expendables (2)

# 27. Consumables (2)

I ordered an attack on the village next to the one we had previously subjugated, and the barbarians followed without complaint.

Unlike last time, we didn’t proceed with Lakye’s brute force approach, but rather employed somewhat systematic troop deployment.

While Kanto and his warriors attacked the worshippers to create confusion, Lakye would behead the enemy leader.

Simple but definitely effective… wait. When I put it that way, it doesn’t sound any different from before.

But there was no more efficient strategy available at present.

– Don’t kill it.

I’m currently in divine possession state. I spoke to Lakye who was engaged in combat with a beaver-like demon.

Not just any beaver, but a mutant beaver with fur sharp as thorns and a tongue that could extend three meters.

Lakye, who was about to drive her curved blade into its neck, nodded and stepped back.

“Do you want it captured alive?”

– I intend to leave the disposal of this demon to Chief Kanto and his warriors.

It’s about time the other warriors started getting stronger too.

We can’t have Lakye handling all the lesser demons forever.

They probably can’t grow stronger by accumulating experience points like Paladins, but perhaps they’ll get a little stronger through diverse combat experiences.

“I’ll just stall for time.”

Lakye put away her curved blade and clenched her fist. Is she going for hand-to-hand combat?

Bang!

Lakye’s rock-crushing punch struck the beaver demon’s stomach.

Gwueck…!

It must have hurt a lot, as the creature started retching.

Lakye blocked the beaver demon’s escape route and continued to apply pressure.

I see that Lakye is naturally strong as a human, so she can handle it comfortably even without weapons.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

She dodged the beaver’s attacks while steadily pounding its body.

It’s not a beaver demon but a punching bag demon.

– Could you handle a mid-level demon?

“I’ve never faced one, but if I did, I’d probably sustain some injuries. That’s assuming a one-on-one fight, of course.”

Lakye speaks clearly even during combat. She looks very relaxed.

She doesn’t say she would lose. She must be confident she can win.

Considering she says this even after seeing the cobra demon that fought Abraham before, her confidence must not be unfounded.

In Paladin terms, what level would Lakye be?

Probably between 5 and 6, with pure physical ability alone, without skills.

With all the blessings I have… would level 7 still be difficult?

I recall the scene of a level 7 Paladin dying pathetically.

– …

Both I and Lakye needed to become stronger.

“Malak, we’ve dealt with all the demon worshippers!”

Kanto and his warriors invaded the beaver demon’s mansion.

“This is Malak’s command. You are to end this creature’s life.”

“Lord Malak?! Understood.”

Lakye, who had been testing the beaver’s flesh, slowly backed away as Kanto and his warriors moved in.

Heck, heck.

The demon breathed heavily and rolled its eyes around.

“Uooo!”

The first to charge was Denzo, Kanto’s right-hand man. He rushed at the beaver demon with an iron club.

The demon’s long tongue aimed for Denzo’s heart, but the old warrior twisted his body to avoid it at the critical moment.

“I don’t like that tongue!”

From behind, the milk-jug-built youth Dodo’s dagger cut off the tongue. The chain attack wasn’t over yet.

“Hiyat!”

While attention was focused on Denzo, Una, Kanto’s lover(?), who had been stealthily moving, pierced the beaver’s left foot with her wooden spear.

When did she get over there?

Uwowo!

The beaver demon screamed in pain and tried to pull back, but the deeply embedded wooden spear in its foot prevented it from moving.

“Yaaaap!”

Kanto brought his double-bladed axe down on the creature’s head. The axe sank in as green blood spurted up.

Kruk, kruruk…!

Perhaps because it was a demon, albeit a lesser one, its life thread hadn’t been cut yet.

It’s still moving even with its skull split open by an axe.

Still, they had gained the upper hand, so I thought they just needed to stall for time to win, but…

“Everyone, stab it repeatedly!”

“Uwaaaa!”

Following Kanto’s order, the barbarian warriors surrounded the beaver demon and began stabbing it wildly with their blades!

It was literally merciless mob violence!

Keck…

The beaver demon, which seemed like it might hold out a little longer, was literally butchered and turned to ash.

Is this the power of a group?

Well, even strong and tough villains tend to die when surrounded and beaten by justice warriors.

Hasn’t this been proven by countless hero team shows?

“Warriors! We defeated a demon without injuries!”

“Uoooo!”

Leaving behind the excited Kanto and warriors, Lakye exited the mansion.

Outside, Paya and other non-combat personnel were removing livestock from the stables.

“These are obtained through Lord Malak’s blessing. Move them without injury.”

Paya, I didn’t bestow any blessings in this battle.

Once Muri creates the second mini-totem, or Totem #3, I might be able to participate in battles, but not yet.

By the way, I didn’t get a new blessing even though we defeated a demon.

Today’s goal was to obtain one more new blessing.

Since that’s the case, we need to catch another one.

– Could you handle one more subjugation?

“I don’t mind.”

Lakye answered confidently.

As for Kanto and the warriors… well, they should be fine, right?

***

While Lakye holds down the demon’s feet, Kanto and his warriors deal with the worshippers.

After killing them all, Kanto and his warriors enter the demon’s mansion to kill the demon Lakye has captured, and then Paya and the tribe members loot(?) the now-safe village.

We conquered the village using exactly the same method as before.

This demon resembled an ostrich, and it moved faster than the beaver, giving Kanto and his warriors trouble in killing it.

Still, no one was seriously injured.

“Victory! Warriors! We have defeated another demon! Twice in a row! All thanks to Lord Malak’s protection!”

“Malak! Malak! Malak!”

“Long live Malak!”

I’m pleased to see the warriors enthusiastically chanting my name.

Though in reality, I didn’t do anything.

[There is a blessing you can learn!]

Ah, this is what I’ve been waiting for.

[Berserker’s Energy: Slowly increases strength, speed, and stamina as battle continues. You can bestow this blessing on one follower, and it can only be used once.]

What? Berserker’s Energy? So berserkers really exist?

– Huh.

I can’t help but laugh in disbelief. Of course.

Barbarians without berserkers? That would be breaking the cliché.

No matter how stubborn the game is, they wouldn’t leave out such a skill.

The effect was similar to skills in other games, but it was unusual for a blessing.

It can only be used once. That means it’s a consumable.

All the blessings I’ve received so far were semi-permanent.

Who should I give it to?

“Is there a problem?”

Lakye tilts her head, having heard my laugh.

– No.

If it were any other blessing, I would have given it to Lakye without hesitation.

It’s common sense to develop your strongest unit first. But this blessing didn’t suit Lakye well.

Lakye’s physical abilities are already exceptional. How much better could they get from here?

It’s not like getting this one blessing would make her strong enough to destroy a building by herself.

If it made her that strong, the description would have used the word “greatly” instead of “slowly.”

– Hmm.

“…?”

Ignoring Lakye who was perking up her ears, I sank back into thought.

Hmm. What about giving this to Kanto?

He was the one who first made me think of the berserker concept, and as the second-in-command of my tribal alliance faction, I felt he should have something like this.

With Kanto’s tenacity, wouldn’t he use it well?

Good. I’ve decided.

– Tell Chief Kanto. When we return to the tribal alliance, I will bestow a blessing meant only for him.

Let me make a big show of it for now.

“A blessing only for Kanto? Hmm. I’m curious.”

Lakye seems displeased.

From her perspective, as someone particularly loyal to me, she might feel disappointed.

– It’s not valuable enough to give to you.

“…Is that so?”

– Lakye, you are my most powerful sword. When the time comes, I will bestow a blessing worthy of you.

“I see. I misunderstood. I’ll wait for that time.”

She’s in a better mood now. She really is a good person after all.

Being in divine possession state and being able to sense emotions is quite useful.

“M-Malak wants to give me? I knew it! You’ve been watching over me! I, Kanto, will live up to your expectations!”

He’s really excited. Lakye relayed my message to Kanto and went outside.

“Ah, Paya.”

Lakye approaches Paya, who is directing the barbarians moving the livestock.

“Chief Lakye, what is it?”

“About the demon that ruled this village, it looked like a bird.”

“…Why are you telling me this?”

“Maybe I should have told them not to kill it.”

“What?”

“You like birds, don’t you? You would have wanted to put it in your House of Feathers.”

“W-what nonsense!”

“Muri told me. You specialize in bird-related magic, right? That sturdy bird is your masterpiece, I hear. You’re always playing with it.”

“Chief Lakye! Stop bothering me and go over there!”

“So busy commanding and feeding birds. You’re quite the busy person, aren’t you?”

“And you’re always slacking off near Lord Malak!”

She’s bullying Paya again.

I take back what I said about her being a good person.