Chapter V: Inglis, Age 15—The Chiral Knights’ Academy (5)
The day for offerings to Highland had arrived.
The academy’s students would be deployed as guards in the vicinity of the area to assist the knights, whose forces were spread thin. However, Inglis and her friends had secured permission for a different activity agreed upon by the school: As requested by Fars, they would be directly guarding the Rambach Company during the group’s negotiations.
Inglis, along with Rafinha and Leone, met Fars first thing in the morning. Their rendezvous point was the harbor on Lake Bolt. A Flygear Port stood ready there, and the company’s goods were being loaded onto it.
When loading was complete, the large ornithopter took off. On board was the company’s leader, Fars; several other executives; and their guards, Inglis and friends.
“We’ve climbed quite a bit, haven’t we? We’re really high up!” Rafinha exclaimed loudly as she looked down over the railing of the Flygear Port. The blue expanse of Lake Bolt looked like a puddle, and the cityscape of the adjacent capital was pea-sized.
“Yep. We’ve made it up to the clouds. It’s incredible,” Inglis said. This was the first time she had been so high in the sky, and the indescribable feeling was novel. Even in her past life, it was something she’d never experienced.
“It’s a little scary, though...” Leone looked like her knees would give way.
“Then you’d better hurry up and get used to it,” Rafinha insisted. “C’mon! Lean out and take a look!”
“Eeek! Wait—stop, Rafinha! It’s scary!”
Inglis spoke up. “Well, we’re going to have to get used to it eventually. We might have to fight at this altitude someday.”
Fars’s eyes narrowed in a smile as he watched Inglis and her friends. “Ha ha ha. You’re dazzling even while waiting around today.”
Inglis had questions for him. “Fars, it seems there’s been no movement for a while, correct?”
Their ship was flanked by a number of other Flygear Ports carrying resources from the surface, but each was holding altitude rather than moving. The other Flygear Ports seemed to be loaded high with goods sourced from the kingdom itself. And Inglis had heard that the official in charge on the kingdom’s side of the delivery was Liselotte’s father, Chancellor Arcia. He was likely aboard one of the Flygear Ports. The Rambach Company’s participation in the delivery of goods from the kingdom to Highland was an exception; it was unusual for other parties to be present.
“Well, it’s not unusual for higher-ups to keep underlings waiting. If we wait a little bit, I’m sure Highland’s flying ship will show up,” Fars said as he rubbed the bandana covering his forehead.
He was right. After some time passed, a gigantic ship broke through the clouds and appeared. It was a battleship, with a reinforced ramming prow and gunports studding the hull, sailing through the air.
“Amazing...!” Inglis had never seen even an oceangoing ship so big. How many Flygears, even Flygear Ports, could it carry?
“Yeah, it really is. I wonder what it’s like inside,” Rafinha said.
“This will be a valuable learning opportunity,” Leone noted, studious. “Be sure to pay close attention.”
As the Highlander ship approached and hovered nearby, Flygear Port after Flygear Port carrying materials from the surface landed on its armored deck. Of course, the Flygear Port carrying Inglis was no exception.
A Highlander who seemed to be some kind of official approached and gave them orders. “We’ll handle the cargo. You wait inside.”
Flanking him were figures in full armor who seemed almost like statues. They were likely his guards. Several other Highlanders were on the deck, including other guards.
“All right, let’s go.” Fars began to lead the others below deck.
“Fars, did those guards in armor come from the surface?” Inglis asked quietly as they walked down a staircase.
“Yeah. They were originally people from the surface. Highlanders buy or kidnap slaves from the surface and turn them into pawns. There aren’t many Highlanders willing to fight on the front lines themselves.”
Inglis hesitated as she remembered something. “Rahl had someone like that with him.”
“It’s a sad, sad story—what the Highlanders won’t dirty their hands with themselves, they make people from the surface do.”
Rafinha and Leone frowned. It really was an upsetting topic.
“The reason the Highlanders are dealing with merchants like us is to procure things that’re difficult for the king to requisition—meaning, slaves. Our last boss was in that kind of business. His ‘achievements’ in the field were why he and Rahl were able to become Highlanders. But with me in charge, we’ve washed our hands of that business.”
Fars, talking with his shoulders slumped, seemed to have gotten himself worked up enough to lose his way. Turning a corner, he ran into something with a loud thump. It was a stocky, short, humanoid mass of dark iron—a Highland golem. He gasped, grumbling a “Shoot!”
Recognizing Fars as an intruder, it raised a beefy fist and gave chase with a groaning sound—only to stop dead in its tracks. Held back by Inglis’s pale, slender hands, the golem was completely immobilized.
“Stand back, Fars.”
“O-Of course! Sorry!”
As Inglis saw Fars back away, she released the iron golem—only for it to continue its attack as if it could not stop its attacks once it had begun.
“There might be trouble if we just destroy it. Can you get us approval?” she asked.
“Got it! Hold on a minute!”
“Chris, are you okay?!” Rafinha cried.
“I’m fine. This seems like a fun way to kill time. If you’re feeling frustrated, it’s nice to get a workout.” Inglis’s replies came casually while she parried the golem’s attacks. In the meantime, Fars called over a Highlander and received the approval they needed.
“Very well, then!” Inglis said, switching to the offensive.
Klaaaang!
Inglis’s fist struck the golem with a rumbling sound, and the iron cracked before crumbling away.
“Amazing! You’re so powerful!” Fars exclaimed.
“S-So when it’s not a magicite beast...” Leone muttered.
“It turns out like this...” Rafinha said.
Inglis grinned. “Yep. That was refreshing. Anyway, let’s go.”
With the golem taken care of, they continued without losing their way again to the cabin, where they were expected to wait.
“Is this the place?”
Armored soldiers from Highland and knights from Karelia stood at the entrance. A peek at the back of the room revealed an important figure guarded by proper knights. That must have been Liselotte’s father, Chancellor Arcia.
“This is the room for the chancellor and other important people. Ours is farther in.”
Rafinha held a finger to her lips wistfully. “So we’re split into separate cabins? That’s a shame. The food there looked delicious.”
“Ha ha ha. There’ll be some in our room too,” Fars said.
“Really? Then let’s go! Right, Chris?”
“Mm.”
Rafinha pulled Inglis by the hand into the inner cabin. It was more cramped than the previous one, and the waiting meals were not as elaborate.
“Quite the difference in treatment!” Rafinha noted.
“Yeah... But this will be tasty in its own right too,” Inglis said.
Even while complaining, the two of them were already making their move on the food.
“Well, those higher-ups probably have things to talk about that aren’t meant for the ears of lessers like us, so let’s grin and bear it,” Fars said. “Especially since I’ve heard rumors that there’s a pretty sketchy deal going down.”
“Sketchy, as in?” Leone probed Fars.
Fars paused. “Hey, you didn’t hear nothin’ from me, right? Plus, it’s just a rumor.”
“Of course. Inglis, Rafinha, you’re fine with that, right?”
“Veh! (Yeah!)” the two said.
“Sheesh, you don’t have to talk with your mouths full...” Leone chastised.
“Hey, they’re still growing. They must be hungry,” Fars said.
“Honestly, it’s not fair that they can eat that much and not get fat... Anyway, never mind that. Tell us more.”
Fars took a breath in. “Land. It’s land. I’ve heard they’re handing over control of the town of Shazer and its countryside.”
“Hiff, vaf...! (Chris, that’s...!)”
“Fm. Vaffut hafem veh Ahn vuh...! (Mm. That’s what happened where Rin was...!)”
“And Prince Wayne approved of that?” Leone asked.
“Well, why do you think this deal is happening now, when the capital is under a light guard? Because Prince Wayne, who opposes it, isn’t here. This is their chance. Since he’s gone, though, that also leaves security lax. There’ll be big trouble if someone like the Steelbloods target them.”
“So, put the other way, it’s a golden opportunity for the Steelbloods...” Such an occurrence would be fortuitous for Leone, Inglis knew. Leone was probably hoping Leon would show up, so she could deal with him herself.
“Probably, yeah. And beyond that, Highland’s Ambassador Muenthe, who’s in charge of the deal, has a very bad reputation. I can also see someone snapping, killing him, and blaming it on the Steelbloods. Meaning, we’re in a danger zone where nothing should surprise us.”
Rafinha took another bite. “Ah fee... (I see...)”
“We fan wehaw gawr vun— (We can’t let our guard down—)”
“Could you please swallow before you speak? You’re being very rude,” Leone scolded.
“Mm...” Inglis took a moment to finish the food she’d been chewing. “Meaning, this is probably gonna be fun.”
“Ahhh, it’s like you’re just waiting for something to happen,” Rafinha said, her mouth no longer full of food.
“Well, why don’t you take a look, and tell me what you think?” Fars spoke quietly as he cast his eyes toward the door of the cabin, from which a person appeared. He was an extremely obese man with the forehead stigmata that was the mark of a Highlander. Behind him stood a large man with long white hair who appeared to be his guard, with no stigmata but a muscular physique and unusually sharp eyes. He had an extremely unique presence, suggesting considerable power. In Inglis’s eyes, it seemed that he, rather than the Highlander, stood out more.
“Oho hyo hyo. Excellent work, Fars.”
“Ha ha! I see you’re in a good mood, Lord Muenthe. I thank you for, yet again, accepting our meager offerings.”
“Mm-hm. Shady merchants are better at supplying shady goods. I’m but a simple man, so I hope you continue to serve me.”
“Ha ha.”
“And who might that be with you? Unfamiliar faces, certainly.”
“Guards I recently hired. Cadets at the knights’ academy.”
“Oho ho ho ho!” The Highlander Muenthe sidled toward Inglis. “Well, well, well! Such a beautiful girl, an absolute gem!” As he spoke, he reached out a hand toward Inglis’s hair.
Smack!
Inglis, of course, had slapped his hand away, but Muenthe was undeterred.
“And she smells so good. Ahh, I can’t resist!” He sniffed at Inglis like a dog.
“Ugh?!” Feeling uncomfortable, she stepped back.
“Nothing’s excited me like this in so long!” Next, he reached towards Inglis’s chest as if it were his natural prerogative.
“Eeek?!” Inglis let out a yelp of surprise, but under no inclination to allow him to touch her, grabbed his arm and twisted it upward.
“Aaagh! What are you doing?!”
“I should be the one asking you that!”
Then, the guard with long white hair grabbed Inglis’s hand to pry it free. He was strong, but Inglis didn’t let go. It was a simple test of strength; he wanted to remove her hand, and she didn’t want to let go.
“Hurry up and help me!” Muenthe pleaded.
“I...I am!” the man responded hesitantly.
“Is she stronger than you...?!”
“Hey, hey, wait! Muenthe, this isn’t a good idea!” Fars cut in. “C’mon, man. She’s one of my guards. These girls aren’t those kinds of escorts!” He turned to her next. “Let him go, Inglis!”
“Understood.” Inglis released her grip after a moment, as did the guard, leaving Muenthe to puff into his hand.
“Y-Your name is Inglis, is it? Is there something you desire? Money? Treasure? Food? Power? Anything at all? What can I give you to make you mine, hmm?”
“Ha ha ha... How about your life?”
At her malicious reply, Muenthe yelped and fled.
“Well, as you can see, that’s how he is. Now do you understand what I meant?” Fars shrugged after Muenthe had left.
“Yes. Quite well...”
“I can’t believe how much of a creep he is to women!” Rafinha groaned.
“If he’s always like that, I can see why people would want him dead,” Leone said.
“There are times when it makes my stomach turn, but business is business. Anyway, sorry to subject you to that unpleasantness.” Fars dipped his head apologetically.
“No, it was my choice to accept your offer,” Inglis said.
“But why is someone like that an ambassador for Highland?” Rafinha asked. “It’s not like there are no good Highlanders. We know that much.”
Fars shook his head. “The Highlanders I know are more or less that way. Maybe the one you know is a rare exception... Not to imply that any of them are innocent, but at least you can come to an understanding with Muenthe. He’s the one who removed the restriction on sending Flygears and Flygear Ports to the surface.”
Inglis nodded. “I get it... So he’s scum, but he’s useful scum?”
“Yeah, exactly.”
“But isn’t Prince Wayne, who’s against offering land to them, excited about Flygears?” Rafinha asked.
“Well, some would say that on the one hand he’s full of pretty words, but on the other hand he’s focused on what benefits him.”
“You seem to know quite a bit about this.”
Despite being unconnected to the upper classes, Fars was quite familiar with the politics of the capital.
“Well, it’s not something knights or nobles could say too loudly, you know? But if you spill it to an outsider, a merchant, it’s just gossip.”
“The kingdom’s leadership isn’t monolithic, you mean?”
“Yes. There is turbulence between His Majesty the King and Prince Wayne. Chancellor Arcia, as the current chancellor, sides with the king. As I said before, most of the prince’s men are not present in the capital at the moment.”
“Which if anything would make it unsurprising if they interfered,” Inglis said.
“But...Chris, Prince Wayne is friends with Rafael. I don’t think he’s the type of person to do such a thing,” Rafinha replied.
“I agree. Only the Steelbloods would resort to such foul tactics,” Leone added.
Inglis nodded. “Yeah, I agree.”
“But it’s not just that, right? Highland isn’t monolithic either,” Fars said. “I’ve heard there are people up there who oppose Muenthe’s faction after Highland sent Flygears and Flygear Ports to the surface.”
“Dissidents from Highland, you’re saying,” Inglis said, following what he meant.
“Yes.”
“The Steelbloods, the prince’s men in the kingdom, Highland’s own dissidents, or someone with a personal grudge...” Inglis listed off the various parties one by one. “Such an extravagant menu of options here.”
Rafinha sighed. “It’s beginning to feel like there’s no chance of just nothing happening.”
“You saw my brother, so I think the Steelbloods will most likely make an appearance.”
“Yeah, but the more enemies the better.”
“I think that’s just you, Chris.” Just as Rafinha spoke—
Booooom!
The wall between them and the next cabin was blown away with a thunderous roar.
“Mm...! Is it already here?”
“Don’t look so happy about it, Chris! I see you smiling!”
“Anyway, what’s going on?!” Leone yelled. “Is Leon here?!”
In the cabin beyond the blown-out wall, they could see Chancellor Arcia, his knights around him, facing Muenthe and his guard. Someone had tried to attack Muenthe, and their missed assault had destroyed the wall.
“Oho hyo hyo ho! You ruffians! Will you not protect me?!” Muenthe called out. Several of Chancellor Arcia’s knights had broken off and tried to kill him.
Voices rang out. “Stop them!”
“Have you gone mad?!”
“Draw your swords!” Arcia commanded as he and the other knights tried to stop them.
The attacking knights refuted him. “Lord Chancellor! We can’t stand back and watch this pig’s violence!”
“Indeed! You must know how much oppression he’s brought forth!”
“This is for our kingdom’s sake! This is our loyalty!”
But Chancellor Arcia roared back at them. He was a slender man, seemingly without much physical might, but his dignity was enough to give him force. “Loyalty is following orders precisely! Our lives are not our own!”
“But, Lord Chancellor...!”
“No matter what we think is best personally, think of what will befall His Majesty and our country as a result of your selfish acts! Those who can’t do that are nothing but hotheads!”
“If I may speak, Lord Chancellor! No harm will befall them!” a knight insisted.
“What...?!” Arcia gasped.
“All we need to do is to blame it all on the Steelbloods! That explanation will stick! We’re up here in the sky, so it’s not like anyone will find out the truth!”
“And if we dispose of this pig, another ambassador will come soon!”
“Thanks to us taking precautions against the Steelbloods by meeting in the air, this is our best opportunity!”
Understanding flashed in Arcia’s eyes. “Th-That’s true—”
“That might be true! Is this our chance?”
Before long, the knights who were trying to stop the assassins had been swayed to the other side. Meaning, this was all their plan to assassinate Muenthe and blame the Steelbloods.
“Lord Chancellor! Order us to slay him!”
“Lord Chancellor!”
“We beg of you!”
But Chancellor Arcia did not nod. “The life we have been given is to ensure the flow of offerings and grants!”
“Ugh...! Then just watch!”
“Grr... Hey, they noticed us!”
Several of Highland’s armored soldiers, possibly drawn by the commotion, showed themselves at the door to the cabin.
Even the knights who had at first sought to stop the assassins now leaned toward the option of killing the ambassador. They stood in the way of the door, blocking the armored soldiers. “Leave this to us!”
“Hurry up and do it!”
“You guys...!”
“Thanks! We won’t let your valor be wasted!”
“Ugh...! Wait, you fools!” Chancellor Arcia yelled, but at this point, nothing he could say would stop them.
“Oho ho hyo?! Hey, Inglis, sweetheart! Save me!” Noticing her beyond the blown-out wall, Muenthe pleaded in a pitiful voice.
“I only came to guard Fars.”
“F-Fars!”
“Ah, ah, ah! I can’t hear! I can’t hear! I can’t hear anything!” Fars chanted loudly while plugging his ears, signaling his intent to stay out of this.
“Prepare yourselves!” The knights advanced on Muenthe, brandishing their Artifacts.
“Protect me! Show no mercy!” the ambassador ordered.
“Hee hee hee heeeeeee...” The white-haired guard stood unsteadily before Muenthe, speaking to the knights with an eerie voice. “Mana! Give me moooooore!” Runes appeared all over his body. Inglis recognized him as the Rune-Eater.
“I knew it! That’s the murderer from before!” she said. “This time he’s showing his face and hiding his Runes, but—!” The man she had fought had possessed a similar presence, and the similarity had momentarily crossed Inglis’s mind before. However, she’d cleaved him in two, so how could he be alive?!
“Oho hyo! Eat, eat! They’re your new food!” Muenthe called out to the Rune-Eater from behind.
“Don’t fool around with us!” The knights rushed in.
“Look out! It’s dangerous!” Inglis tried to stop the knights. But it was already too late—as they clashed, the monster’s blades of ice sliced through the knights’ windpipes.
“Wha—?! In an instant?!”
“You guys...!” The knights fighting the soldiers shouted in shock.
“Them too! Go ahead—devour them!”
“Give me moooooore!” The monster overran them in an instant, slashing at them. Then he began to devour the Runes from their corpses. “Taaaasty!”
The parts eaten by the monster turned into something like black coal and were swallowed into his body. And the number of Runes floating on his form increased equally with the number of corpses devoured. It really was a Rune-Eater.
Rafinha and Leone trembled. “What’s going on?! Is it—?!”
“It’s eating their Runes?!”
“Oho hyo hyo hyo! Good boy, good boy! I’m so glad I created you, and my theory about this behavior was correct! My mind terrifies even myself.” Muenthe clapped his hands in glee.
At this point, the knights’ hope that they could take down Muenthe was completely lost. Not a single knight present was standing, leaving Chancellor Arcia alone.
“Can I ask you something?” Inglis asked Muenthe as she strode into the next room.
“Ho hyo? So you’ve reconsidered, and you’ll be mine? I have a big heart, so my offer still stands, of course.”
“No thanks, I’ll pass. I’m more concerned about how your guard’s the murderer who was terrorizing the capital. Were you the one who sent him out to attack Rune-holders? I’d like an explanation.”
Muenthe had been present ostensibly as Highland’s ambassador under friendly relations. If he was involved in several murders, that would be of great concern.
“What?! I’d heard of the murderer, but—!” Chancellor Arcia was reeling. “Are you saying it was him?!”
“There’s no mistaking it,” Inglis replied. “I defeated him. Honestly, I’m shocked he’s still alive.”
“I’d heard the attacks had stopped recently, but...”
“Oho hyo. So you were the one who defeated my creation. Seeing your strength up close, I can believe it. Yes, I was the one who released my work into the city. To make them stronger.”
“‘Them’?”
“I’m a cautious man, so I made sure to have a spare!”
“I see. As I thought, he couldn’t have survived.”
Inglis fully understood: There had been two Rune-Eaters from the beginning.
The chancellor raised his voice. “That’s a big problem! No matter your faults, you’re the ambassador of Highland. Our kingdom has a relationship with yours, and yet—!”
“Oho hyo? And? You would never have known if you weren’t told. Think of them as being killed by magicite beasts. It happens day after day anyway.”
“Defending my country is my duty, whether it’s from magicite beasts or other threats! What sort of threats matters not!”
“Oho hyo. You’re so hardheaded, chancellor. Your men also just tried to kill me, didn’t they? Isn’t that a problem as well?”
“Of course that’s an issue. It needn’t be debated.”
“So we’re even. Let it be water under the bridge. After all, it seems your men were out of control.”
“Then I must be punished, and you must atone.”
Inglis got the impression that Chancellor Arcia was an earnest man and a stickler for the rules. That was why he was trustworthy. He was respectable, worthy of his position.
“Oho hyo. Pardon me. There’s no reason to quibble over the lives of surface dwellers. You’d die without our Artifacts. You should be grateful that you were able to be the cornerstone of my research.”
“I pray that the ambassador who succeeds you has a different view.”
“Oho hyo hyo! How annoying! Go ahead, devour him if you’d like!”
“Hya ha ha ha ha!” The Rune-Eater sprang forth.
“You there!” Chancellor Arcia turned to Inglis and the others. “You’re cadets at the academy, right? That makes you the knights’ reserves! I urgently order you to assume guard duty! You’re to protect—”
“Yes, sir!”
Before the chancellor could finish his sentence, Inglis had activated Aether Shell and leaped behind the Rune-Eater. She plunged a high kick into his back.
“Gwahhhhh?!”
Smassssh!
The incredible force of the blow sent the monster slamming through an exterior wall with portholes. The shock of the impact sent him flying all the way into the air.
As Arcia finished his sentence, his voice trailed off. “...me?”
“Oho ho hyo hyo hyo!”
A personal guard had to always stay alert. No matter the care she’d put into her use of Aether Shell, both Chancellor Arcia and Muenthe were stock-still in awe.
“Chancellor, my lord,” Inglis called out.
Arcia was speechless.
“Chancellor, my lord. May I ask you something?”
“Yes, yes, sorry. You’re, err—”
“Inglis Eucus. First-year squire cadet.”
“A squire?! With that power?”
“That’s not important now. What would you like me to do with him? Capture him? Or punish him?”
“Capture him. His Majesty must pass judgment.”
“Are you sure he’ll receive a proper punishment?”
“Of course. I swear on my honor.”
“Understood.” Inglis advanced toward Muenthe.
“Ho hyo hyo hyo hyo! I won’t let that happen, Inglis!”
Vwoom!
The air in front of Muenthe appeared to twist. From a rift, the Rune-Eater reemerged.
“He’s back?” She could feel a strong flow of mana.
“Ha ha! Teleportation! I know he doesn’t look it, but he’s a loyal one!”
“Then I’ll need to find another way to defeat him.”
Inglis converted some of the aether swirling around her to mana and used that to make an ice sword. Normal weapons couldn’t stand the strain of being wreathed with active aether and would be destroyed in the process. This ice shaped into a blade was no exception and had shattered after a single blow before. But that just meant that she could get a single sword blow in even with Aether Shell. Unlike normal weapons, this one didn’t cost money, so she could get practical use out of it without hurting her pockets.
“Rani, take care of the chancellor. Leone, stay with Fars.”
“Got it, Inglis!” Leone said.
“Yeah! You beat him before, you’ll be fine!” Rafinha cheered.
“Yep. I’ll be fine.” Inglis raised her sword and advanced on the Rune-Eater.
“Oho hyo! Don’t you realize why it was quiet for a while after you killed the last one? It’s because I was making him better—stronger! Get her!” Muenthe snapped his fingers.
“Gwaaaaah!” The Runes on the creature’s body began to glow blood-red. He clutched his head as if in pain, but the mana only intensified.
“Oho hyo hyo hyo! This is a monster who, rather than getting nutrition from food, takes mana from others! By increasing his mana metabolism, he grows hungry sooner, but his power increases! Hurry and devour them, or you’ll starve to death! Devour all of them but Inglis! If you do, you’ll become stronger and win!”
“Graaawr?! Give...mana...” The Rune-Eater kicked off the ground and tried to dive past Inglis to Rafinha.
“He’s coming straight for us!” the chancellor cried.
“Leave it to me,” Rafinha said.
However, Inglis stepped into the Rune-Eater’s path, grabbing his arm and throwing him into the wall. Once again, the wall was destroyed, sending the Rune-Eater falling away.
“Oho hyo?! Isn’t it getting through to you?”
Vwoom!
The air in front of Muenthe warped again.
“Gaaah!” The Rune-Eater was back again.
“Oho hyo! Go further! Raise your metabolism to the limit!”
The Runes shined an even deeper red. “Abyaaahhhh!” The Rune-Eater kicked off the floor, flying around at high speed while bouncing off the ceiling and walls. His speed had kicked up a notch. It was impressive—but not untraceable.
“Not yet. You’ll still never lay a finger on Rani like that.”
Smassssh!
Next, the monster went for Leone, only to be kicked from the ship again.
“Are you at your limit? Then, next time I’ll finish you off.”
Inglis had no mercy for anyone who threatened Rafinha. Muenthe was guilty, but if he was to be captured to have judgment passed upon him, she would obey; she would not harm him.
“Ugh...! Oho hyo hyo hyo! Go! Surpass your limits!” Muenthe howled at the Rune-Eater, who was back yet again.
“Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!” The Rune-Eater let loose a half-crazed shout—and, seeing Muenthe’s back before him, plunged a karate chop through his chest.
“Oho hyo?! That’s not right—why are you devouring me?” Muenthe cried. His body turned to something resembling black coal, and his own creation devoured him.
“Tasty!” the creature said.
“Beyond his limits, he can no longer tell friend from foe. Pitiful,” Inglis remarked. “I don’t sympathize.”
But if Muenthe had kept his mouth shut, he’d probably still be alive.
“Give me more!” The Rune-Eater, even stronger now, charged toward Inglis.
“Anyway, all that effort is for nothing, you know?”
She had completely read his movement and slashed through him in a flash. This time, the Rune-Eater was cleaved in half through the waist, and fell to the ground.
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