Ch.3737. Rabies (2)

“The gray wolf’s condition is certainly strange.”

“That is……”

At my words, Sione nodded.

Her eyes narrowed, fixed on the gray wolf.

Then her narrowed eyes opened wide, and her suspicious expression changed as if she had realized something.

“Could it be… Magia?”

I couldn’t help but be surprised at Sione’s muttering.

Of all people, I never expected Sione, who had lived in a secluded world cut off from the outside, to recognize Magia.

I truly never imagined this.

I thought the only things Sione could identify on sight were types of snacks and flowers.

I became curious about how much Sione knew about Magia.

Besides, it would seem strange that someone like me, a former slave, would know about Magia.

So I pretended to know nothing about Magia and asked:

“What is Magia?”

“…It’s a malevolent energy wielded by demons. It’s known to have the power to turn humans into Demonkin and make monsters go berserk.”

“So you’re saying this gray wolf has been contaminated by Magia.”

“Yes.”

Sione’s blue eyes regarded the gray wolves more coldly than ever before.

I could sense the gravity of the situation from her rigid face.

I didn’t know Sione could make such an expression, following Ainel and Siabel.

Putting aside the thought that I seemed to be seeing many new sides of Sione today.

I listened to Sione’s words flowing quietly without fluctuation in tone.

“The bloodshot eyes, the fur turning black, and the malevolent energy emanating from it. Everything points to the influence of Magia.”

“You can even sense the energy of Magia?”

“Who am I?”

“You are Lady Sione Sianella.”

“Then the answer should be obvious.”

Instead of getting to the point, she delayed her explanation to gauge my reaction.

When I tilted my head and looked at her, urging her to speak quickly, Sione finally opened her mouth again.

“The blood of the Sianella family carries the power of demon slaying, inherited from our ancestor who was awarded the title of Count for vanquishing demons in the past.”

“The power of demon slaying…you say?”

“Yes, although the power has been quite diluted over time… it seems it hasn’t weakened entirely.”

After saying this, Sione walked toward Siabel, who had also hardened her expression.

Following behind Sione, I read the status window that had appeared again after just one day.

[You have discovered the power held by the County of Sianella, 【Demon Slaying】!]

[Quests related to the power 【Demon Slaying】 have been added to the types of quests that can be generated!]

[Through quests related to 【Demon Slaying】, you can help awaken the demon slaying power possessed by Sione Sianella and Siabel Sianella!]

I quietly nodded.

After all, I was already familiar with the power of demon slaying.

I recall that this very power of demon slaying was possessed by a Hunter ranked within the top 50 of the world Hunter rankings…

I remember that person was someone who, wielding the power of demon slaying, excelled in dungeons filled with demons, clearing them at an unprecedented speed.

An ability that makes one stronger than anyone else specifically against demons.

A power desperately needed in a world doomed by demons.

It’s certainly a power beyond the current Sione Sianella’s capacity.

But thinking of Siabel and Ainel, I finally began to see hope.

Ah, but if they had the power of demon slaying… why didn’t they notice anything about those demon worshippers before?

People who worship demons often carry Magia, though not as much as that gray wolf.

While lost in these thoughts.

Sione, who had now reached Siabel, spoke.

“Sister, it seems that…”

“Judging by your expression, you’ve noticed it too.”

Siabel drew the sword at her waist.

The sharp blade gleamed beautifully in the sunlight, like her silver-white hair.

“I never expected to find monsters tainted by Magia in the Beltrin Mountains. Let’s cut their throats and search the area thoroughly.”

“…Understood.”

The soldiers and Siabel rushed at the gray wolves, weapons at the ready.

The gray wolves also lunged at the soldiers, drooling and with crazed eyes.

“Whoa, this is…!”

“Grrrr…woof!!!”

The soldiers were taken aback as the gray wolves continued to bite madly even with swords embedded in their bodies.

The reason Magia-infected monsters are troublesome:

They don’t stop attacking until their last breath, no matter how mangled their bodies become.

Since the gray wolves charged recklessly without regard for danger, the soldiers gritted their teeth and aimed for their necks or hearts.

The problem was that there were more than ten of these creatures.

Perhaps due to their numbers, the wolves that hadn’t been caught in the attack began to drool while staring at Sione and me.

…They wouldn’t retreat just from an arrow or two.

How should we handle this?

I nocked an arrow and said:

“Lady Sione, please step back.”

“I’ll help too.”

“Arrows to the body won’t be enough to stop them.”

“Then I’ll use a sword. Though I haven’t wielded one for long… I am a sword user after all.”

I shook my head at Sione’s words.

“…Unlike the sword you wielded before, the one you have now is a single-edged blade with a shorter blade. I’m concerned you might get hurt.”

“Don’t worry. I can handle gray wolves just fine.”

She’s really determined to put herself in danger even when she could just watch from behind.

“Please be careful.”

“Hehe, I told you not to worry.”

Still, Sione is a sword user who has reached the entry level of mastery, not just someone who has newly awakened to mana.

Even though I’ve seen her act clueless many times, she should know what she’s doing.

I kept track of Sione’s position as she drew her sword and marked one wolf.

If she seems to struggle even slightly, I’ll pull her back immediately.

Despite everything, I find it hard to trust Sione based on what I’ve seen of her so far.

I took my eyes off Sione.

“Grrrr!!”

Right now, I should focus on the wolf that’s lunging at me with its jaws wide open.

I immediately shot an arrow.

Thwack!

“Damn.”

“…Woof!!”

I aimed for its head, but the wolf suddenly twisted its body, causing the arrow to hit its leg.

That rabid beast didn’t seem to feel any pain in its leg, as it charged at me without even flinching.

Since the distance was too close to nock another arrow…

Shing—

I drew my sword.

Feeling the cold grip wrapped in leather, I heightened my tension.

Even if I cut it once, it would obviously come at me again multiple times.

If I’m careless and get bitten by a mere gray wolf, I’d lose face.

“Grrrr!!”

Since there was distance from the other wolves and the soldiers were diligently drawing their aggression…

I focused solely on the one gray wolf.

The beast approached right in front of me and lunged.

As I dodged to the side and aimed my blade at its ribs, intending to stab it…

“…Huh?”

Someone wrapped their arms around my waist.

Turning my head to see who would do such a thing in this situation…

“What are you doing, putting yourself in danger like this?”

I saw Siabel, her lips curled into a smirk, glaring at the gray wolf I was about to take down.

I stared at her, wondering how she had gotten here from where she was fighting earlier.

She swiftly spun her body.

Being firmly held in her left arm, I was inevitably caught in her movement.

“You’re so reckless.”

As she rotated her body, Siabel brought down her sword without hesitation.

Following the trajectory of her sword, which gleamed with a blue light, a long line appeared on the wolf’s neck.

The wolf’s agile and fierce body collapsed pathetically.

After cleanly cutting down the wolf, Siabel’s gaze finally turned to me.

“You know how to handle a sword?”

Her gaze shifted to the sword in my hand.

I didn’t expect her to ask such a leisurely question in this situation.

Thinking that she might keep holding onto me if I didn’t answer, I promptly replied:

“…I have enough skill to take down a wolf.”

At my words, Siabel’s smile deepened.

“Bow, magic, and now a sword.”

Siabel chuckled to herself, finding something amusing, and released her left arm from around my waist.

Finally freed from Siabel, I distanced myself from her and looked for Sione.

“……”

Her leather armor was stained with blood, suggesting she had fought a fierce battle, and a wolf lay collapsed limply.

She was holding her sword, dripping with crimson blood, in a slack grip.

Her cold eyes were directed at me.

Shiver—

Perhaps the fight against the wolf had been difficult for her.

I felt a deep sense of dissonance from Sione’s demeanor, which was different from usual.

Averting my gaze from Sione, I said to Siabel:

“…Let’s quickly take care of all the wolves. If possible, would you move together with Lady Sione?”

“Alright, but in return.”

Siabel held up her sword.

“It might be good to meet separately sometime and cross swords. Would that be acceptable?”

“If Lady Sione permits it, I shall do so.”

At my words, Siabel, with an expectant expression, turned away.

As I watched Siabel heading toward Sione and reached for another arrow to take down more wolves…

I turned my head, still feeling a cold gaze on my skin.

“…?”

I couldn’t understand why she was acting this way.

Sione, who had joined Siabel, was occasionally shifting her gaze between me and her sister.