Chapter 101

There was something Father had said once.

That a mysterious method of using mana called ‘body arts’ had been secretly developed.

Body arts, unlike magic engineering or pure magic, was a method of binding mana to the body to produce explosive power.

Just hearing about it made his heart race.

That humans could use mana entirely with only their bodies, without the help of the mental world, without magical systematization!

“Should we rest a bit?”

Ruki, who’d been caught in the past, flinched and returned to reality. His head turned to the right.

He could see the monster running alongside the horse.

Four hours.

For a whopping four hours, that monster had run at the same speed as the horse without getting tired.

No, it was clear he could run much faster than the horse.

Look at that leisurely appearance.

It was definitely a monster wearing human skin.

“W-we’ll prepare to camp.”

The sun was setting. The pursuit had lasted longer than expected, so they’d need to run for another half day to arrive at the territory.

The horses were also tired. Rather than forcing through the schedule, it was wiser to rest and move again tomorrow.

They found dry ground and spread waterproof cloth. Normally he would’ve rested while watching over his subordinates, but today he couldn’t do that.

Dipson had lost two fingers, Baion’s wrist was tattered, and Cyril and Daybun had the skin of their palms peeled off.

More than anything, he was afraid of standing around stupidly and getting scolded by the monster.

He was someone who not only crumpled steel with his hands but turned it into molten metal.

If caught by those hands again……

“Uaaah!”

Baion’s scream was heard. A subordinate with a fierce appearance but lots of fear.

“What’s going on?”

Ruki quickly turned his head to confirm the situation. Could the monster be trying to kill us all?

Unlike the resounding scream, the situation that entered his eyes was extremely ordinary. The monster was sprawled lying down, and beside him, a scarlet bonfire swayed gently.

The other subordinates also glared at the dumbfounded Baion.

Ruki approached Baion.

“What’s wrong?”

“Th-that fire……”

“What about that fire?”

It was when his gaze touched the bonfire. The bonfire shook greatly.

It was a sticky summer night without a single breeze. Why was the bonfire shaking like that?

“You must be tired, so lie down quickly. Don’t stand guard or anything.”

The bonfire slowly rose.

Ruki’s jaw also slowly lifted.

The bonfire—no, the fireball—that had risen about 3 meters split into four, then planted itself in the ground at regular intervals.

“A-are you a magician?”

“Magic arts? Is that different from magic?”^[1]

“I don’t know the details either, but those who use magic freehand are called magicians.”

“What’s freehand?”

“It’s using magic without scrolls or other magic tools. It’s also a very dangerous method.”

“I don’t know too much. But this isn’t magic, so you can lose interest.”

The monster closed his eyelids.

After exchanging glances with his subordinates, Ruki settled in a place away from the monster.

“What should we do?”

Dipson asked.

“Can you take him down?”

Ruki brought out a tense voice. Even Dipson, who had the best swordsmanship skills, hadn’t succeeded in a surprise attack and lost fingers.

The subordinates fell silent.

“Let’s not think about what we can’t do. Don’t do anything unnecessary. Understand?”

“Yes.”

Daybun brought his hand to the flame beside him.

“Young master.”

“Why?”

“This fire, it’s not hot.”

“What?”

Burning so brightly yet not hot. Ruki also extended his palm.

There really was no heat. Only light.

Ruki glanced at the sleeping monster, then took out a monocle from his bag. He looked at the bizarre flame through the single lens.

“Mana is faintly swirling.”

“Then isn’t it magic?”

“The density is too low to call it magic. Some other power……”

Ruki shook his head. It wasn’t something he could understand just by looking.

There were many extraordinary people in the world. Countless people who handled mana in special ways too.

“Dipson, Baion. You’re continuously pouring activators, right?”

“Yes. The pain has subsided quite a bit. But I think we’ll have to give up on the fingers.”

Dipson showed his severed fingers. Baion also said sensation was returning somewhat.

“Damn it.”

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

It was supposed to be an easy task—just catch the fleeing territory residents, dispose of the ringleaders, and bring back the subdued residents.

But his cherished subordinates’ hands were ruined, and it looked like he’d be returning with a monster.

Ruki looked at the seemingly sleeping monster.

“Escaping would be impossible too.”

“I watched continuously on the way here—he didn’t shed a single drop of sweat.”

“Shaking him off is impossible too. Maybe he’s even listening to our conversation……”

Ruki flinched. The monster raised his hand and shook it lightly left and right.

He was definitely listening to everything.

“I know you’re anxious. If I were you, my heart would be pounding so hard I couldn’t sleep. I know everything, but still, sleep. If you don’t sleep, only you guys will suffer.”

“May I ask one thing?”

“You can ask more.”

“Do we really just need to introduce you to Barara Tribe?”

“Why? Worried I’ll hold a grudge and kill you?”

“To be honest, yes. We showed an unseemly appearance, but I’m also a member of a family that governs a territory. I’m not afraid of dying, but if harm comes to the territory……”

“Bullshit. Now that you’ve rested a bit, your head’s working and you’re thinking about face? What territory. Just say you’re afraid of dying.”

The monster opened his eyes slightly.

“I don’t have a hobby of killing people. I’ll do it if necessary, but it doesn’t seem necessary right now. You understand what I mean, right?”

“Y-yes.”

“I’ve eaten leftovers since childhood, so I’m amazingly good at grasping emotions and reading the atmosphere. So give up any thought of lying while looking into my eyes.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’ll say this last thing. I have no intention of killing you, and since you missed the territory residents because of me, I have some mind to help. Don’t worry—I settled what you guys attacking me with making your hands useless and hearing about how the world works.”

The monster moved his fingers. After making an incomprehensible finger shape, he blew softly.

The non-hot fire divided into four masses suddenly grew larger.

Not satisfied with illuminating the surrounding area, it had the momentum to light up the world.

His eyes were so dazzled he couldn’t even open them properly.

The fireballs that had been emitting intense light became small again.

Ruki broke out in cold sweat. He could tell intuitively. If the monster wanted, those fireballs would transform into demonic fire that would turn humans to ash.

Demon.

The word that suddenly came to mind filled Ruki’s head completely.

“Ruki.”

“Yes.”

“Use your head well. If I’d tried to kill you, I would’ve done it the moment you put a sword to my back. Going to find your territory? I’d find it if I wandered around roughly. But I’m obediently following you and moving along. I also said I’d save your face. Even so, if you’re suspicious, we’ll have no choice but to move toward a slightly uncomfortable relationship.”

It was true.

A tireless body and amazing magic, magic arts. If a monster beyond common sense put his mind to it, stirring up the territory would be nothing.

He had to deal with this wisely.

That’s why Ruki approached before the monster and carefully bowed his head.

“From now on, I won’t have any other thoughts whatsoever. I’ll guide you properly to the family estate. I’ll also do my best to introduce Barara Tribe. So please withdraw your anger.”

“I was never angry. My life is too bumpy to get angry over something like this. Let’s just not do bothersome things to each other. I don’t like using my head either.”

The monster waved his hand as if telling him to go rest.

“Your name……”

“Quilbion.”

“I’ll call you Lord Quilbion.”

“Do that. If it’s cumbersome to say, call me Quil.”

He’d thought meeting this person was misfortune, but thinking about it again, it seemed like rare good fortune.

He approached his subordinates.

“I’m sorry to you guys, but we need to serve that person. That’s our way to survive, and it’ll be an opportunity for us.”

“We’ll follow.”

“If that person lends us strength, we’ll be able to do very many things.”

The moment he spoke with slight hope, the monster opened his mouth.

“If you want to ask for something, calculate precisely. I’m sick and tired of people stabbing me in the back. I’ll say this in advance—I believe in human malice. There are wonderful people who approach with goodwill, but most have other schemes. So it’s my habit to mess people up if they do stupid things. I clearly said it. So you guys handle it.”

Ruki swallowed dry saliva and nodded.

After telling his subordinates to rest, he entered his sleeping bag. He closed his eyes, but sleep didn’t come.

He fell asleep briefly and woke up, then fell asleep again.

By the time he knew it, the sun had risen.

His body was tired, but his mind was clear.

It must be due to tension.

He organized his spot and approached the monster.

“Ready to depart?”

The monster showed a composed complexion that seemed to know nothing of fatigue.

“We plan to depart after a meal. About half a day remains to the territory.”

“Alright.”

“What about your meal……”

“I can eat this.”

The monster pulled out a small bundle.

“Won’t that be insufficient?”

“I don’t need to eat, but I’m eating considering the sentiment. I appreciate this kind of goodwill. It’s probably thanks to this kind of favor that I could stay somewhat less crazy.”

There was no need to offer twice. After finishing the meal with his subordinates, Ruki mounted his horse.

The monster who came beside him spoke.

“I’ll change my speech. I said I’d save your face. Let’s both use polite speech.”

“You can be comfortable.”

“I can’t do that. I also need to adapt to this place now. Anyway, I’ll be in your care for the time being.”

“I’m the one who should ask you to look favorably on me.”

Ruki looked at the monster’s face anew.

He was definitely a similar age. Early twenties. But if you kept looking, strangely, an old man’s appearance could be seen.

A state where youth and old age seemed to overlap. It was strange.

Hair that changed depending on the light, appearing silver or gray, was also one of the factors making it hard to gauge his age.

“Excuse me.”

“Let’s say I’m twenty.”

He felt caught reading his mind.

“Or do you need to know my age?”

“I’m personally curious, but if it’s difficult to say, you don’t have to.”

“I could be a teenage brat, or a human who’s lived over 170 years, or perhaps a monster who’s wandered for thousands of years. Choose what you want and believe that. Because all of them are me.”

How could a human live over 170 years?

But it was certain that what was before his eyes wasn’t human. Though he spoke the common language and had a human appearance, what was inside was definitely a terrifying monster.

So he had to treat him all the more politely.

“Since you look my age, I’ll believe you’re twenty-one.”

“Belief is important. Yes, from now on I should also reveal I’m twenty-one when wandering around here.”

The monster smiled faintly.

It was somehow a melancholic-looking smile.

“May I ask where you came from?”

“A place that isn’t here. Ah, do you think goblins exist?”

“You mean goblins?”

“Fortunately you seem to know what goblins are.”

“I know somewhat. Will-o’-the-wisp, jack-o’-lantern, goblins. Mystical beings that appear in fairy tales and legends.”

“Mystical beings. Well, that’s true.”

The monster looked up at the sky.

“I came from beyond there.”

He pointed at the sky with his finger.

Did he not want to tell, or did he really come from beyond the sky?

Whatever it was, it didn’t seem good to pry further.

“Understood.”

“What do you understand? Even I don’t know.”

“……”

A difficult monster.

Ruki flicked the reins while anticipating the events that would unfold ahead.