Ch.475Episode 17 – The Blood-Drinking Tree

# A Mysterious Assailant Appears

A mysterious assailant appeared beneath the ceiling.

No. He was standing there.

From the beginning, the assailant had been there. As if watching us.

The only thing we could discern about this unidentifiable figure was his name.

“So you were there, Nathaniel.”

The moment that deep voice called the name, a look of bewilderment flashed across Veronica’s eyes.

The saint holding the revolver opened her mouth with a confused expression.

“…Angel of Circulation?”

Episode 17 – The Tree That Drinks Blood

The dim cavern was eerie and desolate. The flickering torchlight made shadows dance, and the flesh that lay split open like slaughtered meat dampened the atmosphere.

The corpse, as large as a house, was nauseating to even glance at. However, if one could ignore the grotesque fabric of flesh, it was quite bearable.

The fact that I could stand there unfazed with a dead demon behind me wasn’t just because of my strong stomach. A demon’s corpse was incomparably more disgusting than that of humans or animals. The reason I could remain composed was entirely due to the knight’s calm demeanor.

As we adjusted our weapons, the knight stopped us with a gesture and said:

“Put them away.”

“Is he your ally?”

“Yes.”

I looked back and forth between the knight and the stranger, asking what exactly their relationship was. The knight, stroking his helmet as if searching for the right word, spoke:

“An advisor.”

“An advisor?”

The helmet bobbed up and down as the knight nodded and continued.

“To put it metaphorically. Nathaniel is the wisest among us. Her wisdom always opened paths for us when fighting the forces of evil. When we sealed the demon here, it was she who discovered its weakness.”

The expression “the wisest one” seemed to refer to the stranger. The knight stepped forward and began greeting his comrade.

Each word created a solemn atmosphere, like a rock that had withstood flowing valley waters for ages. His sincere voice seemed calm yet subtly excited.

“I knew it was you. I felt the energy of circulation flowing.”

His voice conveyed joy and gladness, while his manner exuded a friendly atmosphere.

The knight greeted him as if meeting an old acquaintance. I had never seen him so delighted. This was the moment of a long-awaited reunion. His deep voice shone brighter than ever before.

However, there was no response.

Without reaction or acknowledgment, the stranger merely stood between the ceiling and pillar, looking down at us.

As the awkward silence continued, the air around us seemed to change. Tension began to flow through the air, sharpening our senses.

Amid the silent conversation of crossing gazes, the knight still couldn’t hide his delight.

“How long has it been! We meet again only after traveling such a long way back.”

“……”

“Sister, why do you say nothing? Are you not glad to see me?”

The structure connecting the pillars resembled both a bridge and a fortress. Standing high up where it met the ceiling, the stranger looked like an assassin surveying a battlefield from a castle, searching for the enemy commander.

A thin tunic contrasting with heavy armor. A light, soft cloak flowing from head and shoulders down to the ankles. Breastplate and shoulder guards protecting only vital points.

Unlike the knight encased in iron, the stranger embodied lightness and softness, from appearance to aura. It was a distinctly different atmosphere from the knight, who gave viewers a sense of confinement.

Perhaps taciturn by nature, the angel-like stranger who had remained silent for a while suddenly began to speak.

“I’ve been waiting.”

The slow voice resonated in my skull. It was quite different from the knight’s deep, heavy voice.

If compared to musical instruments, the knight’s voice could be likened to a horn that produces deep, profound sounds. Since he never raised his voice, I had thought his gender might be closer to male.

“It’s been a long time. Have you finally awakened from your sleep?”

“Yes! And it seems you awoke before me.”

“I did.”

“Where are the other comrades? If it’s Anael, Nathaniel, you would likely know. Can you tell me where Sister Anael is?”

“……”

In contrast, the stranger’s voice was high and clear like a woman’s, and remarkably ornate. Like a clarinet with a rich, beautiful tone.

“One piece of advice.”

But the atmosphere was completely opposite to the impression given by the voice.

“If you thought I would welcome you gladly, abandon such expectations.”

Nathaniel, the stranger standing on the pillar, responded to the knight’s friendly greeting with a cold voice. There was also a strangely wary, sharp reaction.

“I have no goodwill to offer you.”

The attitude was cold to the point of being frigid. Akande’s lips began to harden slightly, while the knight seemed bewildered, not understanding what was happening.

“…What do you mean?”

“I mean state your business briefly and disappear.”

Hostility rose from the barbed words. The atmosphere was ominous. Though Nathaniel was clearly the knight’s comrade, for some reason, they were hostile to each other.

Although it was Nathaniel’s one-sided hostility, the atmosphere was terrible from any perspective. A confused light seeped into Veronica’s face. Her complexion was not good.

I called to her in a small voice.

“Veronica? Are you alright?”

“…Ah, yes. Just… thinking…”

It was a strange answer. It was completely different from how she would normally not bat an eye even when a demon hurled insults, instead making jokes.

…Hmm. This doesn’t feel good.

The knight was still looking at his comrade with eyes that couldn’t understand why.

After a moment, his clenched gauntlet struck his armor. The knight exclaimed boldly.

“The tree of evil is trying to take root in this land again! We must cut it down before the seeds of greed sprout. I plan to gather our scattered comrades to uproot it. Nathaniel, fight with me once more!”

“……”

“Before your wisdom, any cunning is useless. If I could stand on the battlefield with you, it would be my greatest honor.”

Fighting against evil seemed to be quite a source of pride for the knight. And it also seemed natural.

The knight asked for help in a voice dripping with pride. With a certainty that his comrade would definitely fight alongside him.

But there are always unexpected variables in the world.

Nathaniel’s voice sank low.

“I refuse.”