Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: "I've Picked Up Something Wonderful!"
Greetings. I am Violia Nico Fortesia.
I am currently in a back alley of Elsemarin... facing off against a small lightning-using mage.
And behind her, seven men are filing out. All of them have weapons in their hands. It seems they have come with a strategy of superior numbers.
This... looks like it will be enjoyable!
"I shall ask just in case, but what is your objective?"
"I'm under no obligation to answer."
The opposing mage said that and immediately fired a bolt of lightning.
But her aim was poor.
"I expected you to come!"
Yes.
Ever since we started selling Mystic Ruby, I thought she would appear sooner or later.
After all, the opponent is an organization clearly trying to oppose us. If we were earning conspicuously, they would naturally be displeased, and I also thought they would try to steal Mystic Ruby from us and sell it themselves!
...And so, I scattered a bunch of Mystic Ruby vials all at once.
"What—"
It must have been because it was an unexpected move. An opening appeared in the opponent.
And for good reason. I scattered about thirty vials of Mystic Ruby in total. In short, it was no different from scattering thirty gold coins.
The lightning ended up racing between the Mystic Ruby vials scattered in the air, and I successfully bypassed the lightning.
...And I immediately cast off my robe and drew my 'staff.'
"A sword-cane!?"
The enemy seemed to notice, but it was already too late.
Yes. The staff I always carried when I went out as a Mystic Ruby dealer. It is a sword-cane. If you pull it from the middle of the staff, a sword comes out from within.
...And as for me.
I am better with a sword than a bow.
"The first one! How trivial!"
I slashed the man who was closest first. That makes one.
"Now then, who is the next one who wishes to become my prey!?"
"You...!"
Two fools fell for my cheap provocation. However, I can handle up to two people.
I hooked my toe on the robe I had cast off and dropped on the ground, kicked it up as it was, and used it as a blindfold.
And in the meantime, I pierced through the robe dancing in the air with my sword, taking out another one.
When I slashed away the robe, I also slashed the third person who was on the other side of it.
"I have taken out the second and third ones as well! Now, the next is... whoops."
There came the lightning. I lowered my body to let it pass. By doing so, the two small fry I had just stabbed became lightning rods.
"Oh, you are doing quite well!"
And as I lowered my body, the fourth, fifth, and sixth ones charged at me all at once. ...Simultaneously facing three people at this distance is quite difficult.
In that case, this is the time to use my trump card. I shall not do something as foolish as losing by holding back.
"Now!"
As I shouted loudly and pulled a string... a bucket fell from the roof.
The liquid that had been in the bucket successfully splashed onto me and the three who had attacked me!
There was a nasty sizzling sound for a moment. The screams of the men echoed.
And for good reason. This liquid is a deadly poison. It is a mixture of Green Slime mucus and several types of poison.
Slime mucus is sticky and hard to remove, and it has the property of dissolving prey. Green Slime, in particular, has a stronger power than normal slimes.
...And then, the poison is hammered into the dissolved skin! It is a luxurious three-course meal of mineral poison, plant poison, and poison taken from the fangs of a poison snake! It is a poison that is unbearable for an ordinary human! Well! It doesn't work on me, though! Ohohohohohoho!
"Now then, there is only one small fry left!"
"Uwah, don't come here!"
And I, in a state of being thoroughly covered in poison, tackled the last remaining lackey! Then I grappled him!
If I, covered in poison from head to toe, grapple him like this, the last one will naturally fall victim to the poison as well! By smearing plenty of slime mucus on him, I have successfully created four frantic small fry, including the three who were splashed with poison first! Ohohohohoho!
Once the seven small fry were dealt with, the lightning-user finally played her trump card.
...Perhaps the seven men until now were intended as a distraction from the start.
Above the lightning-user's head, a ball of lightning crackled and popped. Illuminated by its strong glow, the midnight back alley was colored with light and deep shadows.
I can tell. I can do nothing about that.
I likely cannot avoid it with petty tricks, and my magical power is far too insufficient to face it head-on. Most of my magical power has gone into my blood.
"Well now. That was over in a flash."
Therefore, I shall offer a greeting here.
"I shall make you just like the rest of the small fry immediately! Ohohohohoho!"
Now then.
Only the lightning-user remains. Just like at the beginning, we stared each other down firmly... and then!
"...Or would you prefer a different way of being defeated?"
Just before the lightning-user could fire her great lightning magic at me, Doran appeared from behind her.
"What—"
The lightning-user, who was focused only on me, was successfully punched by Doran and collapsed on the spot.
"We did it! It is our victory!"
"Yeah. I've dealt with the ones who were stationed around the perimeter as well."
Doran was clearly stained with blood spray. It seems there weren't only seven small fry. But well, once they are dealt with, it is nothing!
"Yo, good work."
Next, Giovan showed his face from the roof. Ah, about that bucket earlier, naturally, the string I pulled was a bluff. Giovan just threw the bucket.
"Giovan! Water, please!"
"I know, I know. Here."
This time, a bucket of water came down slowly on a rope from above. I caught it and poured it over my head.
By the way, this water has a bit of wine vinegar mixed in. Vinegar is effective against slime stains.
...And so, my cleaning was successfully finished. If I do not do this, the damage to the surroundings would be immense.
"What about the poison on the ground?"
"As for the plant and snake poisons... they will circulate and dissipate if left alone. One night should be enough. And as for the mineral poison, I couldn't care less. It will be washed away by the rain eventually."
"I see. Then let's head back early. It wouldn't be strange if the guards came soon."
Just so you know, there are guards who protect the public order of Elsemarin. Separately from the soldiers dispatched from the castle.
...However, brawls in the back alleys are basically a daily occurrence. The guards don't even bother coming anymore. For the most part, guards who want to earn points seriously would be stationed in the noble district or the port town of Elsemarin.
But even those guard fellows occasionally work. It would be better to leave this place quickly.
"What shall we do with this?"
"The poison... it'll take effect if left alone. What about the one you stabbed?"
"He has been dead for a long time."
Yes. The seven small fry are either at their last breath or already dead.
"And... this lightning-user only fainted, huh."
That is right. She is the only one remaining.
"Then I'll just snap it."
Doran said that nonchalantly and put his hand on the lightning-user's neck. Eh, snap? You mean like that?
Doran's large hand gripped the slender neck and head... and at that moment.
The lightning-user's hood fell off.
"...Oh."
Seeing the face that appeared, I was surprised.
Because she has such a lovely face!
I thought she was a beautiful girl even with just a glance, but looking at her properly, she truly is a beauty!
Her silky black hair, like silk thread, is shoulder-length and very glossy. The luster forms a ring along the roundness of her head, like a black apple.
Her translucent white skin is smooth, and poking her cheek makes one enchanted by the touch.
And since she is unconscious, her eyes are closed, but her eyelashes are long and thick, making me want to see her eyes when they are open.
...Her body is small for a man, but not that small for a girl. Is she a little taller than me? About the same?
Ah, by the way, she has absolutely no curves. She is flat and straight. But perhaps if I take off her robe, there might be something!