Chapter 158 Rescue

Chapter 158 Rescue

The caretaker, named Lakula, received the boy's treatment with a complex expression, looking as if she was struggling with whether or not she should apologize.

However, before the treatment was over, Chinbar shouted, "Lakulana, go back and protect the Holy Beast!"

"Know...

.knew..

Upon hearing Chinbar's instructions, the female swordsman, whose face showed a troubled expression, ran away as if fleeing, disappearing without a trace.

Okay, let her calm down. Hopefully, you'll thank her properly afterwards.

Rudius was pleased with his magnanimity.

Time was of the essence, so the group continued their pursuit, unknowingly leaving the village and entering the forest.

The magic-enhancing techniques his elder brother taught him played a crucial role at this moment; otherwise, he really wouldn't have been able to keep up with these orc warriors. Standing beside them, facing the attacking enemies, he became a machine that fired rock cannonballs.

Alice stood guard by his side, constantly watching out for any enemies that might approach. Any enemies who came near were defeated or killed by her ferocious attacks.

It made Rudyus feel incredibly safe.

Perhaps it's because there are so many scenes of him being "loyal and devoted" that he earned that title. Rudeus is a very good "master."

"That guy is the last one!"

When the last enemy realized he was being caught up by several people, he stopped, put down his luggage, and drew his sword.

The so-called luggage was a boy whose face was covered with a sack and whose hands were handcuffed behind his back. He was probably unconscious and his whole body was limp and powerless.

The last enemy knelt down... and pressed his sword against the boy's neck.

Are they to be taken hostage?

"roar.

"

Chinbar and his men maintained their distance from the prepared enemy, surrounding him while growling.

Orcs possess unique warcry magic, which can be used for surprise attacks. Rudeus and Alice suffered losses the first time they faced this move, but it was clear that the opponent knew this information and prevented the orc warriors from succeeding.

The bloodied neck of the child deterred the orc warriors from making any rash moves.

"Ugh... This is troublesome, 'Master.' I didn't expect you to be this strong. Tch, I shouldn't have come along."

'

'

Rudius was taken aback.

Wait, do I know this guy?

"Who are you people, and what are you doing here?"

"Well, there's no need to hide it anymore. My name is Giles. I originally planned to frame you for these things and then attack the village and kidnap the children while the warriors were out on the move."

"6

'

"By the time the warriors of Deludia discovered the village had been attacked, it was too late; after all, the rainy season was just around the corner, wasn't it?"

Rudius remained silent, knowing that the other man was right. This land had a rainy season, during which the people living here could hardly leave their villages. Giles was probably planning to strike during the rainy season to shake off his pursuers.

"Your methods are really roundabout; you even need external help to kidnap someone."

"Well, there's no way around it. Our organization isn't that united, so of course we have to make good use of the surrounding situation and, incidentally, sabotage the others."

It's really simple and straightforward: release the slaves captured by your accomplices, sell the slaves you've captured, and you can get a lot of money, but your companions won't get a penny.

Giles's status will then rise, while his companions' status will decline due to their defeat.

It is precisely because of using such roundabout methods that they were able to gain all the advantages.

"Did you know, 'Owner'? Children of the Deludia race can fetch a very high price. There are some perverted nobles in the Kingdom of Asura who have a particular fondness for beastmen; that race is willing to spend a fortune to buy these children."

...Hmm, Rudeus's memories were awakened, and he felt that he should know that family. Could it be Alice's family?

"So, let's cooperate, 'Owners'. You need money too, right? I admit your capabilities. Both you and that beast girl beside you are excellent partners. With such capable people working together, our business will expand several times over. Then, won't we still have trouble splitting the profits?"

The slave trade is an extremely profitable industry in any world; otherwise, so many people wouldn't be willing to take the risk.

So that's how it is. No wonder he was suddenly so willing to speak up; it was all to drag others into this mess.

Should he be happy? His strength has been noticed by this powerful guy... or better yet, he can't get along with people like that. Who knows when someone like that might stab him in the back?

Companions? That sounds nice, but his companions are being slaughtered by Mr. Ridge Rudd right now, and he doesn't seem worried at all.

Upon hearing the man say such a thing, Chinbar and the others all focused their attention on Rudius.

They seemed to understand human language, and they also had wary looks in their eyes.

After all, they were well aware of the complexity and greed of human beings, and faced with such great profits, it was hard to guarantee that a child like Rudius wouldn't change his mind and betray them at the last minute.

So although he was a little sad to see such an expression, he could understand.

"Excuse me, sir, the person who helped the child was 'Rigirude of the Spelud tribe,' and Rigirude would never let a villain who sells children as slaves get away with it."

"Tch! 'DeadEnd' thinks it's some kind of righteous person?"

"That's how we want to be seen by others."

Negotiations broke down, and Giles continued to hold the sword to the boy's neck before standing up.

He glanced at Chinbar and his men, who were trying to encircle them, and chuckled.

"Is that so... 'Owner,' you've made the wrong decision."

At this moment, Chimbal's two companions came up behind Giles, quietly lowering their center of gravity with cat-like movements.

"...Five people alone cannot defeat me."

The three of them jumped at Giles almost simultaneously.

Warrior A, led by Chinbar, swung his sword from the right rear, while Warrior B rushed out from the left rear to try to rescue the child.

As for Chinbar, he deliberately slowed down and attacked Giles head-on.

Giles' movements were slow, even compared to the three men who charged at him with animalistic agility.

First, he pushed the boy toward Chinbar.

Chinbar hugged the boy who was being pushed towards him, while Warrior B, who had lost his target, hesitated for a moment.

Taking advantage of the opening, Giles used the recoil from pushing the child to turn back and deal with Warrior A. He raised the seemingly ubiquitous longsword to block and deflect Warrior A's sword before piercing the man's chest.

Without hesitation, he drew his sword and charged at Warrior B, who was staggering from behind after missing his target, pressing close to his back.

Warrior B and Chinbal were positioned in a straight line with Giles. Chinbal was unable to move because he was holding the child. Taking advantage of this momentary opening, Giles plunged a short sword that had appeared in his left hand without warning into Warrior B.

His chest.

He then used Warrior B's body as a shield and charged towards Chinbar.

Chinbar, still holding the child under his arm, attempted to fight back.

However, it was too late. Giles thrust his sword between the human shield's feet, piercing through the orc warrior Chinbar's foot.

As Chinbar released the child, he collapsed, and Giles immediately slashed him in the chest.

Their lightning-fast movements left no time to offer assistance.

While Rudeus was still in a daze, the three orc swordsmen had all fallen, coughing up blood.

Is this true or not...

"So, do you understand now, owner? That so-called 'surrounding' is a joke to me. I'm Giles, the 'Cleaning Expert' of Northern Saints."

By the time Giles said these words, the hostages were back in his hands.

"The Kitakami-ryu style is actually quite interesting, because they even have methods for using hostages in battle. They'll use anything that can make them more advantageous."

Rudius's lips twitched.

His father, Paul, in the previous world would often harshly belittle Kitakami Ryu.

So that's how it is. Since there is such a school of thought, it's no wonder it aroused his disgust. Realistically speaking, it's really despicable, using only the lowest of the low, and they don't deserve to call themselves swordsmen at all.

"Alright, bring it on, 'Master,' or have you already gone weak in the knees because of what happened earlier and changed your mind to let me go?"

Damn, who do you think you are! He's been trained all along, and he also has the skills given to him by his older brother and his own lucky encounters. Do you really think he's weak in close combat?

That being said, he probably can't compare in terms of actual combat experience. I and Alice need to hold him off until Mr. Rigd and the others arrive.

Or, could you help Alice see if she can take down this guy?

It's not entirely impossible. After all, Rijrud himself said that Alice's strength had already reached the Saint level. Although she hadn't yet mastered the Sound Katana, the signature move of the Sword God School, her strength shouldn't be much weaker than this guy's. However, that guy's shameless moves...

At this moment, Rudeus noticed the fierce look in Alice's eyes as she looked at that guy. If she hadn't been given orders, she probably would have already made her move.

Never mind, I should be fine with myself around.

"Go, Alice, I'll provide backup!"

Before he could finish speaking, Alice, having received his consent, charged forward like a mad dog released from its reins.

Observing that Alice was not slow, but was still just a child, Giles revealed a cruel smile, intending to use the same trick again.

By throwing the child in his hand, whether the opponent chooses to dodge or attack, it is his opportunity. This is the style of the Northern God Flow, which uses anything available to make the situation develop in his favor.

We need to get rid of these two brats quickly, otherwise things will get bad once that Spelud guy who's been entangled with his "colleague" arrives.

He didn't think he was necessarily no match for that guy, but if these two brats were added to the mix, the situation would definitely tilt too much.

Moreover, he's quite interested in stifling geniuses.

Alice did not change her sword-wielding stance as the orc child flew towards her, because she had faith.

The next moment, a gust of wind struck the child in mid-air first, blowing him away between Alice and Giles.

It was Rudeus, who provided support from the rear.

Tch, so I guess I have to deal with the mage first...

As the blade came down, the man dodged to the side, preparing to catch the girl's sway. However, the girl's agility exceeded his expectations. Facing the blade coming from behind, she kicked his wrist with a backhand, the force of which almost made him drop the knife.

Is this girl really that strong?

Realizing he couldn't defeat the man head-on, he put one hand behind his back, intending to throw an item to create distance and find an opportunity to deal with the magician behind him.

But at this crucial moment—the song began.

It was a melody played on a flute. No one knew where it came from, but even he felt a slight tremor in his eyes and couldn't help but exclaim how beautiful the melody was.

Wait, why is there singing all of a sudden? What's going on?

However, the changes didn't stop there. Before he could react, something else came along with the song: flowers!

Countless petals drifted in the wind, instantly transforming the surrounding environment from a lush forest into a colorful sea of ​​flowers.

When the petals touched his body, Giles looked horrified, because he felt that his body was inexplicably unable to move, and on the sword in his hand, the flowers bloomed strangely, but the sword, like soil that had been drained of its nutrients, broke apart inch by inch.

What kind of sorcery is this?

Footsteps approached.

Rudius, Alice turned her head, Giles rolled his eyes.

A man walked by, playing a flute, and countless flower petals fluttered in the wind as he passed by.

As the petals fell on the injured beastmen around them, their injuries began to heal at a visible speed. The unconscious ones gradually regained consciousness, staring blankly at the scene unfolding before them.

"Brother Yue Ren!!??"

Rudius looked at the reliable man in front of him. Although he felt the man was putting on an act, he had to admit that he looked really cool on stage.

What method did he use to make that guy seem frozen in place?

"Hey, isn't this our dashing captain? How's your orc vacation going?"

"6

'

Oh no, my older brother is angry.

Rudius broke out in a cold sweat. He had never seen the Yue people speak in such a tone before, but it felt terrifying. The half-smile, the mocking tone, sent chills down his spine.

"It's not good at all. They locked us in a cell. Yue Ren, you're so slow."

...My goodness, say less! Don't you realize your brother is already very angry? Wait, Miss, your perception in this area is far too weak.

"Sorry, it's quite a distance from town, so I have to walk step by step, don't I?"

"Oh, okay, I forgive you. And thank you for coming to our rescue."

"You're welcome, we're teammates, aren't we?"

As he spoke, Yue Ren patted Alice's head, and she did not refuse.

"6

'

So, the older brother wasn't angry?

Rudius was about to say something, but a dangerous look from Yue Ren silenced him.

Rudius understood. It wasn't that he wasn't angry, but rather that he was targeting a specific person; in other words, he was only angry at him personally... Ah, so it turned out this way. He'd better apologize properly later.

The key point is that he also clearly understood that he had put everyone in a passive and dangerous situation, which made his elder brother unhappy.