novelzi Chapter 87
Chapter 87
The Hunter Appears.
This situation holds significant meaning for me.
First, it meant that a very reliable ally had appeared.
I wasn’t sure how much stronger the Hunter had become, but given the speed of my growth, the current Hunter must be at least on par with White Mask. Depending on the circumstances, they might even be able to fight the Deputy Commander for a few rounds.
The community had explained that the Pure Hunter Route was difficult not because of its high difficulty, but because it had the best performance among all positions.
This meant that we no longer had to be pushed back by the Candles here.
But the problem was this.
The second meaning.
“...”
The Hunter was glaring at me with a fierce expression as I floated in the air.
That look—I had seen it once before in the underground prison.
Whenever he was deep in thought, he usually made that expression.
The second meaning was that the Hunter’s evaluation of me could drastically fall.
Because right now, I had accepted part of the Foreign Entities into my body.
No matter how much I intended to help Londan, from the perspective of the Hunter, who hated Foreign Entities, this must seem like an abominable situation.
I carefully watched the Hunter to see how he would act.
But soon, the Hunter’s eyes returned to their usual state, and without further hesitation, he moved toward the Candles.
...So, I passed for now?
If that’s the case, what was he thinking, leaving me in this state?
Even though he could sense Lia when I was in the holding cell, this must seem like an excessive act.
“Tanten! Assistance!”
At that moment, I heard the Deputy Commander’s strained voice as he barely managed to block six Candle swords with a single greatsword, grimacing.
I quickly flapped my wings and attacked the spot where the Deputy Commander stood, causing him to repel the Candles’ swords with the recoil and retreat far back.
Only the Candles were left in the path of my wind blade.
“Kraaaah!”
The Candles were flung in all directions, with some flying high into the air before crashing back down.
Yeah, focus.
My reputation isn’t important right now.
Although it’s a bit of a problem that the Hunter is the protagonist of this story... I’ll figure it out later.
The Hunter’s participation in the battle significantly improved the situation.
“Hunter.”
“How could such an honorable order of knights struggle against these wretches?”
“...You can say whatever you want about my mistakes. I’m grateful for your assistance.”
“Tch, boring.”
The Deputy Commander, having overcome his trauma, was no longer his old self—rigid and inflexible.
The Hunter clicked his tongue and ignored him as he passed by.
At his core, the Hunter didn’t hate people who were good.
As the Deputy Commander dismantled the Candle unit with his close combat skills, the Hunter took down the encircling enemies with his double-barreled shotgun.
On one side, Muyon was dancing a brutal axe dance, while White Mask sliced through the enemies with sword techniques infused with energy.
And I, wielding the power of the Dragon Slayer, cleared the path for them.
...I had expected victory, but things were going far too smoothly.
Had the threshold of difficulty risen from dealing with Foreign Entities to fighting humans?
Either way, it was clearly an advantage.
So.
I should work even harder.
“You fools! Are you going to lose to a trainee knight who has grafted Foreign Entity powers into his body to protect Londan? We must do something ourselves!”
“Well said, Captain!”
But I couldn’t read his expression, so I nervously swallowed.
The tension was palpable.
I didn’t know what the Hunter was going to say, so I prepared answers to every possible question.
“...Was this the reason?”
“...?”
“Was this why you were toying with the Foreign Entities, saving it all up for this moment?”
The Hunter’s words left me in shock.
What the hell?
Did he see me when I was captured by the Foreign Entities while reading the Record Keeper’s inscription?
And he didn’t say anything until now?
I looked at the Hunter.
Although his face was still expressionless, I could sense that his trust in me hadn’t completely vanished.
So that’s it.
The Hunter must still value the time we spent together in Agartha and the underground prison.
It seems he’s deliberately choosing to interpret the situation in a positive light.
“Hunter.”
“What are you standing there for? Let’s go back.”
The Hunter said this and lightly jabbed me in the stomach before turning away.
“Oof.”
Hey, if you’re going to joke around, at least know your limits!
For a second, I thought I was going to die from the shock.
Fortunately, everything had come to an end.
Now, I needed to retrieve my sword from Simtol and prepare to train under White Mask to grow even stronger.
But.
The joy of everything being over didn’t last long.
“Kuhahahaha! The Inquisitor has finally descended upon this land!”
A man shouted from a building equipped with a loudspeaker, his voice booming as a red mist poured out, filling the air with a sense of dread.
Inquisitor?
What the hell does that mean?
Weren’t the cultists all wiped out last time?
“Bow before the one who will overthrow the foolish humans and truly save this world! Revere him!”
With each word the man spoke, the red aura inside the building grew stronger.
“What is this...?”
“The Inquisitor.”
At that moment, I heard someone speak from behind me.
I turned and saw a saint entering Londan with about five regular knights.
“No way. Has he really grown strong enough to descend upon this land...?”
Even the saint, who had been fascinated by the Record Keeper, now wore a look of shock.
Before I knew it, the red mist had spread to cover all of Londan’s sky.
“Bear witness! The one who will...”
Just as the man, filled with madness, raised his arms toward the sky.
“...!”
“Hik...!”
Suddenly, the man collapsed to the ground, his neck having been slit without a sound.
“What...? His neck was cut... without anything touching it?”
The Deputy Commander’s voice, filled with disbelief, helped me make sense of what had happened.
Gritting my teeth, I realized we were facing a new nightmare.