Chapter 1
A Disgusting Feast
1
This part of Priestella was called the Water Path District because many narrow canals descended here. In the middle was a square where a battle was just taking place, slowly coming to an end.
- Whoa! - shouted Batenkaitos as the water dragons leapt over Otto's head to rip him to pieces.
They were creatures with long, serpentine shapes, without limbs, each weighing as much as a small boat. The small figure of the Archbishop instantly disappeared under the cluster of writhing bodies.
- Water dragons are cruel to their victims," muttered Otto, watching the dramatic scene with unmoving eyes.
They're also aggressive creatures that are very difficult to tame. It's funny, by the way, that I was only able to get them so far by using the Authority of Wrath. I took advantage of the fact that this power still makes everyone in the city susceptible to agitation, and with the help of Soul Language, I set the dragons on Gluttony.
- The authority of Wrath is truly powerful. Not surprisingly, it also influences the most aggressive inhabitants of Priestella.
The water dragons sink their fangs into their prey and then start spinning around their axis to tear at their muscles. This little boy would have to deal with a whole herd of such monsters, Nothing will be left of him! Really gruesome. Even that giant Gaston looks terrified. But his mistress no longer...
Delighted, Felt ran up to Otto with a smile.
- Heeey! That's great! Did you do that?
- I merely channeled the wrath of the water dragons. It's the power of nature. Ow, ow, ow! - He groaned as she patted him on the back.
- Whoa! What are you saying! You looked like a wuss to me, but now I've changed my mind! - she announced, laughing out loud.
Kiritaka's mercenary commander, Dynas, also approached them.
- Thank you," he said. - But I am ashamed that someone had to do what belongs to me! I won't ask how you did it, but...
- It's a waste of time. We'd better think about Mr. Kiritaka!
- We will find him! - the man declared with conviction. There was such passion in his eyes that Otto became a little worried.
He too is influenced by the power of Wrath and Mr. Natsuki's words. It seems to have had the strongest effect on those who have a deep sense of mission. That is, all the mercenaries of the White Scales... Just look at them.
- If they screw around too much, they could easily die. Unnecessary," interjected Felt, who had guessed Otto's thoughts. She pressed her lips together and, clearly distressed, ruffled her beautiful golden hair. - I also heard the transmission. This kind of talk makes you really want to go into battle! But not everyone should throw themselves at the Archbishop right away.
- So you think you should calmly think about everything, assess the chances and only then start to act?
- Come on. Besides, everyone has the right to risk their lives for what they believe in. It's not worth dying for. Such a sacrifice should make sense.
The men in white coats, with Dynas in the lead, lowered their gazes.
But she told them... She can put a pin in a pin.
- I understand why the White Scales are here," said Otto, as rational as ever. - But what are you doing here? What about Mr. Heinkel?
- I left him with Camberley. And I'm on my way to the inn. There's something I need there.
- To the inn?
What could be so valuable that she must have it NOW, immediately? Although... I want to get to the Book of Wisdom, too, after all.
- Yeah. I left a secret weapon there from this one guy. Apparently, this metia is powerful as hell!
- Please stop talking! - he interrupted her.
Felt made an uncertain face, but immediately she too heard the sounds that had so disturbed Otto - chaotic squeaks coming from deep within the square. It was the water dragons roaring in pain. They didn't notice when the predators became prey.
- You give us more entertainment than we expected! But water lizards? That's it? What are we supposed to do with this? It's not even an appetizer!
- Lady Felt... Are you sure about this metia?
- Old Rom and Ezzo claim it's powerful... Supposedly so powerful that even Reinhard would have a problem with it. That's what they said.
- Cha, cha... Say no more, I understand... - Otto felt convinced. - We will stall, in the meantime you should run for the treasure.
- We're gonna beat this asshole anyway. Sure we can! You sure you can handle it?
- We'll do our best. The rest depends on how fast you run,
- I accept the challenge! - she smiled broadly. - Gaston!
The man didn't listen to their conversation. It was only when he was hit in the stomach with his fist that he noticed that Felt wanted to tell him something.
- You stay here. I want you to do what the white coats and the green pants tell you to do. And don't you go off on me while I'm gone!
- Felt, you...
- I'm not leaving you. Satisfied?
Felt was short and Gaston was huge. Still, the girl was able to look him in the eye with such force that he was unable to get a word out.
- Yes, sir," he said at last. - Hurry up, boss. Wait a minute! Is it me, or have you started to care about me?
- Ha! You got it! All right, I leave Gaston to you, take care of him! Let him serve you!
- Thank you, I will. Just please don't call me "the guy in the green pants"...
I'm glad he can make decisions so quickly. We really need that in this situation. She will make a good leader.
- Oh, dear. As for your plan, I don't recall us volunteering either," Dynas said.
Indeed, Otto hadn't asked their opinion, just assumed in advance that the White Scales would fight side by side with him and Gaston. However, a glance was enough to know that Dynas was teasing. His men already had weapons in hand. They were one step away from attacking.
At exactly the same moment that the strategy of action was set, the cries of the water dragons quieted down.
- What, ready? - cried the Archbishop mockingly.
It's terrible... I sent them to their deaths...
The blue scales of dragons and their blood covered the entire square. From between the tangled corpses, a short boy emerged.
- That's great! Keep it up! Bravado AND courage are not the same thing. There is a subtle difference between a desperate man and one who commits desperate acts out of stubbornness and courage. We can see by your faces that you now understand this. Perfectly! At last you are worthy to be on our table! - announced Batenkaitos. Apparently, he was not used to eating just anyone.
- I wouldn't be a tasty dish! I grew up on leftovers from the dumpster! - shouted Felt, then instantly pulled out a knife and threw it at the Archbishop. - Gaston! - she called out to her vassal.
The man knew exactly what to do.
- If I die, I will return as a wraith. You won't sleep a single night in peace," he shouted, then moved to attack.
Batenkaitos looked at the knife flying towards him and the running Gaston somewhat surprised, but certainly not frightened.
- Ha! Don't bother! - cried the boy.
Otto held his breath. Not only did the Archbishop manage to catch the blade in mid-flight, but he also managed to plunge it into Gaston's chest.
He's gonna die! Or... or not?
Batenkaitos was as astonished as Otto. Gaston was standing in front of him with a knife in his chest, but he didn't look like he was going to die at all. Also, strangely enough, he didn't even squirm. Not a drop of blood dripped.
- My bodyguard is tough! That's my shield! - exclaimed a proud Felt.
- Controlled mana flow technique! Not bad for such a puppet! - shouted the boy in fascination, annoying the brawler.
- Hey, who are you calling a puppet?!
Gaston, still with the dagger in his chest, swung to slash his opponent with his hand, but Batenkaitos dodged. He probably thought it better not to test the man's physical strength.
- I'll be right back! Just don't die on me! - screamed Felt.
The candidate for the crown took advantage of a few moments of her opponent's inattention to climb up one of the nearby buildings. Now she was scrambling across rooftops, where she didn't have to fear an encounter with chimeras.
- Watch yourself! - Otto shouted after her. He was impressed by the speed with which Felt ran.
She seemed convinced she was running fast, but I wasn't expecting something that impressive! Perfect. She should be back any minute!
- Huh? We get it! That's the plan you guys came up with.
- You better take care of yourself, because you just got surrounded! And now what? - cried Otto provocatively.
Indeed, the White Scales had managed to surround the boy unnoticed. The mercenaries moved with unprecedented skill, silently, as if gliding over cobblestones.
- Since that one is gone, Louis will get the three of you as a present," Batenkaitos said, hanging his gaze on Otto. His words brought to mind the smell of blood. He rolled up the sleeves of his worn robe and then it turned out that he was hiding knives tied to his wrists.
Is he getting ready for a real fight? Everything so far has just been a game?
- I've fought so much in the last year that I'm no longer a merchant... - Otto muttered. He felt goose bumps all over his body. He was pessimistic and exaggerated as usual.
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