148 Episode 148 "" Cheat Skill "vs." Cheat Skill Seal "vs." Cheat Skill Seal Back "(with additional attacks)".txt

'Okay, ...... I'll at least tell you why I have to be killed!

The Veil yelled as he pulled a dagger from under his dress.

I think I've cornered them, but they don't seem to be. As I recall, this Western-style house is protected by a ward and the surrounding forest is crawling with ghosts. ......

This is a guy who distributes magic items to the nobility. It's possible that he may be planting skills and items around the mansion that we don't know about. We're still trying to keep our distance from him from three different directions.

By the way, Fynn put it back in the Cutlass.

It'll put more pressure on him if he thinks we have a hidden force.

"As a riddance to the journey of the dead...

'I don't care about that. I just want to go home and get some sleep, so I'll be quick.

I...

Faces red with fear and anger, "Vale" began to speak.

He spoke so fast that it was hard to hear, but to sum it up...

The Vale's job is to mediate magic items and cheat skills for the nobles.

Its purpose is to strengthen the power of the royal family and nobles. The nobles of this country are the descendants of those who founded the country with the first king, so they have a desire for heroism. If you stimulate them, they will fight demons and demon kings on their own.

As the manager of this region's base of operations, she is in charge of dealing with the nobility.

I'm sure you're not the only one who's interested in it.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it.

And who is this person?　Does he also work for the great League-Nadal royal family?

I asked. With a provocation.

He shrugged his shoulders and said, "What's that guy?　Are you a lowly member of the royal family? I was like.

'That man is not a servant of the royal family!　That gentleman has items and skills that even the ...... royal family doesn't know about. What I'm dealing with is just a part of that power!

'Really?　That would be awesome!

'I don't serve a boring guild!

'I see. So that's why you have all these awesome items!

Say no!　I'm sorry for belittling my organization!

I'm sorry.

You're right. In the end, you noblemen and adventurers are nothing more than pawns in our guild!

So, who is 'He' and what is the guild and what is their purpose?

The guild's purpose is to ensure security through the perpetuation of the royal family's rule. He has brought a system for achieving this goal, and the Contract.

As he was about to say it, 'Vale' held his mouth.

Tsk.

I thought he was going to slip up because he's a slippery guy, but that's as far as it goes.

''I was ordered by the organization ...... to wear this mask on the side of Princess Claudia.

Vale touched the silver mask that covered half his face.

'This is the end of the ...... story, my dear. Stranger.

Yeah, all right. So, what's the mask?

That's Claudia's mask!　He has a certain saintly air about him that sometimes makes me want to play the villain as a reaction to his pretensions. This involves his personality and - and I'm going to record what I see and have that guy equipped to simulate - shut up!　Don't open your mouth again!

The Veil took off its mask and knocked it to the ground.

Black eyes and a bloodless face were revealed.

She bit her lip and clutched the dagger in her hand. Her mouth is light because Leticia's 'Dignity Suppression (Elegant Downer)' is working. That skill has the effect of suppressing the target's dignity - the attitude and reason that should be taken in front of people.

That's why it's unstoppable, but "Vale" is biting its lip to the point of bleeding. It looks like he's definitely not going to talk anymore.

...... I guess I'll have to wait until I've incapacitated that guy for the rest of the information.

I confirmed the message of "Consciousness Sharing (Mind Linkage), Revised". Cecil and the others are getting closer. But they still have a few minutes to arrive. I didn't want to get close to the 'Vale' until then. If 'That One' is from the 'White Guild', she may have a cheat skill as well. It's better to neutralize her with a long-range attack.

I look around for Letitia and Cutlass.

They nod. And then...

Are you still going to resist?　You who vandalize the town and disturb the peace!

Suddenly, Letitia shouted.

She turned away her chest, raised her sword and stared at the 'Veil'.

You're going to have to use transference magic to kidnap a nobleman and sell him something suspicious ...... and kill him if he refuses. It's just a crime, what you're doing is a crime. You're not going to be able to get your hands on any of them.　'The Veil'!

He thinks he's just a 'power-hungry' kid.

'Vale' looked at Letitia's face and chuckled.

'They want to be heroes. When I say I'll give them power, they bow to people like me. They want to go get the magic sword, marry the prince, and so on and so forth. Do you think that noblemen are so noble?　You are.

You don't think so?

Letitia shrugged her shoulders.

''That's why──because other nobles are like that, I want to be a ...... 'real nobleman' to those who protect my people.

I'm lost!

Yeah, don't worry about it. It's all very self-satisfying of me.

After saying that, Leticia laughs softly.

''The other nobles just want to defeat the demons and become heroes. I just want to be a hero who protects my people without standing out. Aren't we the same?　I'm just self-satisfied and will continue to be an aristocrat of justice with my friends who help me. Really, that's all.

...... there is no such aristocracy.

'Vale' widened his eyes and spat out.

'...... I know exactly what a nobleman is like. I've been serving them since before I started this job, ....... I only use them as much as I can and discard them when I have no more use for them. My strategy - use only your wits ...... and return the favor as soon as I have the power. Aristocrats are like that, aren't they!

I don't know what kind of noblemen you used to serve. But I'm sure some of them didn't.

Shut up!　They'll flay you for your cover!　My, my power!

The Veil raises a dagger. And then - he thrust it into his palm.

I'm not going to be the only one who can do this.

I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results. There is no one to save...

...... It can't be helped. Mr. Nagi.

Letitia looked at me.

The 'Vale' turned its head this way, too.

''It's fine, as originally planned.

Okay. Thanks for your help, Letitia.

If you're going to shout with 'dignity suppression' applied, that's what 'Vale' really wants.

Leticia tried to persuade him to the end. But it seems to be impossible.

The Veil - you and I are incompatible. I've been given enough information. You can rest.

'────!　The 'ice sword'...!

The Veil chanted its magic while looking at me and Letitia in turn.

The body splashed with a thump.

The impact of Cutlass's "shield" struck my back - the impact of Cutlass's "shield" caused me to bend my body into a crooked shape.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find a way to get the best out of it. Activate──"Gou, Interruption Shield Charge 《Cancelling Shield Charge》

gou interrupting shield fire "canceling shield charge

A single heavy shield strike delivers a huge impact to the enemy.

Enemies affected by this move are blown (cancelled) for a certain amount of time, and their turns are blown (cancelled).

The chanting stops midway through and the grabbed weapon cannot be brought down.

My role and Leticia's role is to distract "The Veil".

In the meantime, Cutlass was approaching from behind. In order to neutralize him with the 'Gou, Interrupted Shield Shoot'.

''Guhaha!''

The Vale's body rolled to the ground.

At the same time, an 'ice sword' was fired from the palm of his hand. The chanting was complete, so I couldn't stop it. Due to the fact that it was fired in a precarious state, my aim is off. Moreover, it's snatched the palm of my own hand.

Because of that, the blood is stuck to the 'ice sword' as red crystals.

He's heading towards Letitia, but... but it's okay. It's not very vigorous, and if you're down, it'll be easy to avoid...

"...... d*mn it. What the hell is going on? That woman in the veil!

There was a male voice. It came from behind Letitia.

Baroness Larambell bound her with a rope. But there was another man of nobility here. That guy who was unconscious is standing up behind Leticia. If Letitia dodges the "ice sword" - bad, a direct hit course.

What?

I love it!

Leticia flicked the Ice Sword with her shortsword. The ice sword changed course and hit the wall and shattered. The man screamed and cowered. That was all there was to it──but.

''Hahahahahahahahahaha!　I've got it. Stupid!

I noticed that 'Vale' was smiling high.

Gakun, Leticia winced.

''It's ...... what's ...... this.''

Leticia's 'Shortsword' was covered by a red crystal body. It was attached to the "Ice Sword". It gradually spread out. From the blade to the hilt, from the hilt to Letitia's hand.

A red crystalline body - a block of ice that spreads at the touch of the sword.

The actuality that this is the cheat skill of the "Vale"?

You got it. My skill... 'ability-sealing freeze'!

'The Veil' shouted.

'Look!　Anyone who touches the blood and ice that emanates from my hands will not only have their internal skills blocked, but their memories and emotions will also be gradually frozen!　Why do you think people never heard about me before?　Because I've blocked the skills and memories of those noblemen who didn't respond to business, now!

A skill contamination type skill?

The Veil was selling magic items to the nobility.

Of course, he at least had a countermeasure in place in case the person he sold it to cross him. I knew it was coming, too. That's why I used Cutlass' skills to block the movement. Even the last time 'Veil' used its magic, Leticia could have easily dodged it.

Unless the man who was falling behind her accidentally got up.

Unless the Veil's ice sword took a direct hit to the man's head.

And - unless Letitia is a righteous nobleman.

"Disgusting, you!　What a righteous aristocrat!

It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get a good look at it.

This is the effect of Cutlass's "Gou Suspended Shield Attack".

Vale's turn is skipped for a while. I can't do anything. You can't do anything but move your mouth.

"Noblemen are sniveling, condescending people. "A man like you makes me sick. Freeze your ass off and forget all those feelings.

Shut up.

............ hi!

The next thing I knew, I was grabbing the collar of The Veil and throwing it around.

I'm not much of a force. I'm not going to be able to get it right.

............ hi hi. Ahhhhh.

It's .......

Why do you look so scared?

...... Did I look so scary?　I don't know.

Cutlass, keep the Veil strapped in. Blindfold him, if you can. And, no offense, but that guy...

Yes, sir.

Cutlass nods upright and unmoving.

I'm sorry for the nobleman who just woke up, but I don't want to show him from here on out. It's a matter of privacy for me and──Letiticia's privacy.

''It's ......, it's fine .......

Leticia looked at me with a blue face and said.

The ice created by the Veil is sticking to Letitia's arm.

A line of ice extends from there and reaches her chest. It seems that it is trying to enter the Skill Crystal from there and contaminate it.

'Letitia, do you know the status of your skills?'

"...... 'Shield Scramble' doesn't seem to work anymore. You can't even take it out ....... And it's very cold ......

Cold?

I don't know. ...... It's like my mind is freezing over.

Okay. Okay, I'll take care of it.

I took Letitia's unfrozen hand in mine.

"So, for once. I want you to sign me up as a squire.

...... master-slave contract ...... I'm Nagi's slave?

This is the only time, 'Letia'

'...... Here, it would be foul to call me that name here!

A blush flashed across Letitia's cheeks.

'But since it's Nagi-san, it's necessary, isn't it?　It is.

Letitia looked me straight in the eye and nodded.

'You intervene in the skill by making me a temporary slave. To remove the effects of the 'Veil' skill, right?

'Yes. The terms of the master-slave contract are these. 'Letitia-Milfe will become Soma-Naghi's slave in exchange for having the skill contamination removed. The condition for terminating the contract is that Souma-Nagy gets information about the skill decontamination.

What?

Leticia nodded her head.

She didn't seem to understand.

'I mean. Letitia will become my slave in exchange for having the skill decontamination removed. I will unenslave Letitia in exchange for knowing how to decontaminate the skill. In other words, Letitia will only be my slave for the time it takes to remove the skill contamination.

The price of the contract is the removal of skill contamination.

The price of the contract is also the removal of skill contamination.

The quid pro quo is perfectly equal to the reward. This should be an exception to the rule, a temporary master-slave contract.

...... I get it.

Are you sure?

What kind of person doesn't trust their best friend?

Letitia chuckled as she held my hand.

''And even if ...... fails and I remain your slave, well, it can't be helped. But, since it's Nagi-san, the odds are good, right?

Letitia sniffed, huffing and puffing.

Even at a time like this. I'm not pessimistic at all. That's the good thing about Letitia, though.

When I said before that she should be the king of this country, I half meant it. Even if she doesn't become the king, I feel like this world would be a kinder place if Letitia became a prime minister or a minister or something like that.

I can't let her be a victim of these strange skills. Absolutely.

'We have a chance of winning. I'll take care of it.

I said.

So far, I've been able to break the seal on Raphilia's curse skill and the residual magic of the Heavenly Dragon.

Compared to that, this contamination skill is nothing compared to that. Maybe, though.

''Then, please.''

Saying that, Leticia held out the 'Medallion of Contract'.

We uttered the terms of the contract we'd decided on earlier and struck the medallion.

''The 'Contract (Contract)''

Shoo, the leather collar wrapped around Leticia's neck.

'...... It's kind of weird, isn't it?'

Restless?

It's more like ...... something ...... itchy.

Itchy?

It's as if something warm was flowing into Nagi's hand. It's not a bad feeling, but it's not ...... as if a warm feeling was flowing into my heart.

Tell me if you're having a hard time. I'll add to it.

Wow, okay, I get it: ......

I put my hands behind Letitia's back and unfasten the straps of her leather armor.

Letitia let out a small "mmm" but she's doing what I'm doing to her. Underneath it was a thin piece of everyday clothing. I put my hand on its chest. Letitia's body is a bit cooler. Is it the effect of the contamination? We have to get it off as soon as possible.

'I've never had my ...... best friend touch my breasts before.

...... I've never touched my best friend's chest before either.

............

............

...... awkward.

And Letitia is looking straight at me. Even I'm uncomfortable, because what I'm about to do is like therapy, and I don't always feel the same way. Letitia is only going to be my slave for the next few minutes. Telling myself that, I disclose Letitia's skills.

'Rotating Shield-Shooting [Shield Scramble], LV 1'

'Shield' - 'Ice' to 'Stir' - 'Enemy' - 'Ice' with 'Shield' - 'Ice' - 'Ice' skill

There's a lot of ice stuck between your concepts.

Is this what you mean by contaminating your skills? The ice between the concepts is interfering with the person's magical power and communication. So it's blocking the skill itself and interfering with his mental activities.

If that's the case, it's easy to deal with.

Basically, you can't 'rebuild' a skill once it has been 'rebuilt'. But you can shift the "concept" or calm it down.

I wrapped the 'magic thread' around the 'concept' of the skill so that it wouldn't touch the 'ice'.

'A little stimulation is going, Leticia.

Heh, it's nothing. Do you know who I am? ──────

Bikun.

Leticia's back trembled loudly as she shed her magic power.

''Oh, it's a hot ....... This .......

It's pouring my magic into you now. If it's hot, it's just right. Let's see if this can melt the ice: ......

"Shieldslayer Lv 1.

The "ice" skill to "stir" "enemies" and "ice" with "shield" and "ice".

Okay. The ice strings attached to the concept have been removed.

Now all we need to do is shift the concept a little bit...

Rotating shield fire Lv 1.

You can use your shield and ice skills to churn your enemies' ice.

Hmmm... ────────

Squeak...... poof.

Leticia lifted her legs - her toes, squeezed, curled up - and just like that, she broke free.

'Are you okay?　Should we slow down a bit more: ......?

But he says it's all right!

Letitia looked at me, with tears in her eyes.

'Anyway, ...... anyway!　Get it over with: ......

All right. I know what to do, so I'll just go with speed, okay?

When I said that, Letitia turned bright red and nodded her head.

'............ please do so ...... or else ...... I ...... As it is: ............

?

It's nothing.

Letitia scowled at me enviously.

I agree with you that it should be over quickly. And I don't know how much longer this ice is going to stay put.

I know what to do about it.

When we're connected and I pour my magic into it, everyone in the master-slave contract feels the heat. That will melt the ice. If you shift The Concept, the ice will lose its support and come off. So...

It's over.

Hi, I'm ....... Hmmm... ──────!

Letitia's body trembled and itched.

I poured my full strength into the Revolving Shield Attack and shifted the concept.

And then...

"Shieldslayer Lv 1.

The skill to use the shield to stir the enemy.

↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

"Ice." "Ice." "Ice." "Ice.

'The ice is falling!　Now!

'Hey, hey ...... Nagi!　You can't touch ──── right now...!

Thump, thump.

I slapped Leticia on the back as I poured my magic power into her, at the same time.

''Hn──────!

Leticia cleared her throat and raised her voice.

From the center of her chest, the ice that had gotten inside her popped out.

It was because the skill was no longer able to parasitize her. There was no way the ice could exist permanently with just the magic power of the 'Veil'. That's why that ice is probably eating the host's magic power and using it as energy. In order to maintain its own existence and further serve the role of pollution.

Perhaps because it was originally created with magical power, the ice is terribly light - flying a long distance - and

The person who created the ice - the person who created the ice - stuck to the body of "Vale".

''Ah.''

Gah────────!!!

Scream.

The ice, which contaminates skills and destroys even memories and emotions, doesn't hesitate to enter The Veil.

What happened after that is hard to tell from ...... outside.

The only thing that happened was that the Veil looked at us through blurry eyes and then fainted.

...... What do I do?

...... No, I don't think I can do anything about it.

Let's leave the rest to the regular soldiers of Ilgafa.

Yes.

But there is, isn't there?

'The Veil' and Baroness Larambell had conspired to send gargoyles into the town.

No one died, they say, but there were people injured, and stalls and houses destroyed. That's reason enough for the regular soldiers of Ilgafa to arrest them. I'll share what we learn with you through Iris.

The Veil probably won't be able to use his skills anymore. Maybe it's blocked his memory.

I'm not sure what happens when the skill-blocking skill is returned: ...... I'll be careful too.

I'm not sure what to do with that, by the way, Arujidono, what are you going to do with that?

What's that?

I looked over and saw Cutlass pointing to a magic circle in the center of the room.

A piece of ice was buzzing above it.

'...... You still have some left?'

A piece of ice was nearly melted when I took it out of Letitia.

Some of it had broken off and ended up in the middle of the room.

It's not just a matter of time before you get your hands on it, it's also a matter of when. I'm sure it will disappear in time ...... so let's find another use for it.

I'm not sure what to do with it. I'm not sure if that magic circle is still connected to that weird demon-like creature?

It's connected. Arujidor.

As I asked, Fynn, in her nightgown, appeared above Cutlass' head.

'I'm just pausing the transporter as you instructed, sir.

Do you have any idea what it's like over there?

"Yes,

Fynn held up an amulet with a crystal on it - a 'Sacred Relic (Artifact)'.

''This is something that transitions to a place where you have set up a magic circle in advance. That's why it has the ability to confirm whether the transfer destination is safe or not. According to that, that demon god is located ...... in the direction of the commercial city Metekal. It's a sealed space. It's probably a hidden room in the basement.''

Are there people around?

He's not here.

So, will it bother anyone?

You won't be doing this, will you?

Me and Fynn looked at each other and grinned.

It's getting kind of fun.

I'm with the guy who tried to poison my best friend. Can't blame him for a little payback.

"Finn. If that space is connected to this place just one more time and the Demon God appears, you have 15 seconds to disarm it. After that, make sure you can't transfer to the new location. Can you do that?

Of course.

"Lord. Am I good?

Suddenly, a figure-sized Leggy appeared at my back with a pop.

To tell you the truth, there's an acid slime waiting for you on the other side of this room's door.

Acid slime?

"Acid Slime

A red slime with a strong acid.

They have a habit of eating metal by melting it.

It doesn't eat humans, but if you touch it, the acid will melt your skin and flesh, making it quite dangerous.

It is sometimes used as a trap by stuffing it into treasure chests and jars.'

It's a good thing that the slime bringer has a reaction to my slime domination skill: Solution Creature Control. I had planned to sneak in through the doorway and attack the "Veil" from behind: ...... The slimes were not fast enough for me.

But how could it be?

"They say you were locked in a jar outside the door.

...... trap.

"Perhaps.

If we broke a jar or something, an angry acid slime was going to attack us.

Is there anything else outside the door?

There were two soldiers who touched the doorknob and froze their hands and feet. The impact of their fall must have broken the jar.

...... for being a meticulous trap.

If you touched the door, you were supposed to activate the "Skill Pollution Skill" of "The Veil"....

It really was a good decision to break through the ...... wall to get in.

'Well, it's fine. It's fine if you're on our side. Call me.

"Mm. He's locked in a jar with no questions asked and is very angry. He says he wants to go wild. He also says he wants to go far away so no one can catch him.

With that, the figure-sized Leggy raised his arms on my shoulders with a "teya".

After a while, a bright red slime comes in through the doorway. There are two of them. At Leggy's direction, I move to the magic circle on the floor. Yup. I guess we're ready now.

'Then Fynn, please.'

Copy that. Portal open!

Fynn, while floating in the air, pinched the hem of her nightgown and bowed.

And then──in the magic circle, a light flashed.

The space wavered.

With a faint vibration, something huge is about to emerge from the magic circle.

Olocanal Monoyo.

A black arm with claws emerged from the magic circle.

Becha.

The ice contaminating the skill stuck to the black arm.

''Waggaaruzinoteki ......te. Gah──────!''

Furthermore, the two 'acid slimes' on top of the magic circle disappeared.

They seemed to have shifted to the other side.

''Ah!　What are you doing?　Nandeslime Gako ni?　No, no!　I'm scared to death...!　Uh, no!　I'm not going to let this item go to waste, I'm not going to let it go to waste!

That's enough, Fynn.

Copy that. Portal closed. Destination removed from amulet!

Sloppy.

The black arm retracted.

The light disappeared from the magic circle that had been drawn on the floor.

That was it.

...... Really, you're relentless, Nagi-san.

I turned around and Letitia was looking at me like she was gasping.

'It's the least I could do.'

Really?

'You tried to destroy my best friend's (Letia) skills and memories.

............ Hmmm.

For some reason, Letitia puffed out her cheeks and turned her head to the side.

The collar that adorned her white neck has disappeared neatly. It looks like the contract was terminated because I fulfilled my wish of 'knowing how to decontaminate'.

It better be. Thanks to Letitia's help, I've learned how to counter the skill contamination. If someone uses a similar skill again, I can easily cut through it. That's more than enough of an accomplishment to break the contract.

'You know what, Nagi-san?'

But Letitia looked at me, nudging her neck.

I'm wondering if you'll keep this to yourself and Aine and the others.

Yeah. Okay.

That was easy.

'Letitia is a nobleman too, you know. I know you don't want people to know that you're someone's slave, even if it's only temporarily.

Don't get me wrong, sir!

...... Huh?

Why is Letitia angry?　How is it that you have your hands on your hips and your chest turned away, glaring at me?

Wow, I'm your best friend!　I don't care about being my best friend's slave in an emergency!　What I'm concerned about is ...... that ...... I'm not sure if I'm going to be allowed to remain a slave or not... ...

Come to think of it, Letitia, you said it.

That if you fail to remove the skill contamination, you can't help it, even if you remain a slave.

'I see, so what Letitia cares about is that you tried to accept that you remain a slave.

...... That's right, ...... because he's so warm and ...... gentle. ............ its ......

Letitia held her chest and then looked up at me...

It was nothing, sir!　Anyway, it's a secret!　That's great!

All right. It's a secret between me and 'Letia'.

When I said that, Leticia's face turned a blah, blah, blazing red.

''So, it would be foul to call me a nickname here!

Sorry.

I hurriedly reiterate.

And there were different numbers. So it's me, Letia, Cutlass, Fihn and Reggie's secret.

Surprisingly, there's a gallery...

Leticia, she's got her head in her hands.

I look at Cutlass, Fynn, and Reggie, who had appeared before I knew it, and I put my finger to my lips and murmur, "Naisho"; the three of them pause in the same pose and say, "Naisho-suite", "Naisho, ne", and "Naisho not". They all looked at me strangely kindly.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa... ──────── n!

Suddenly I heard a wolfish howl from across the forest.

'It's Rita. You're pretty close.

I know because I've been in contact with Cecil and the others in 'Consciousness Sharing and Reforming' all along.

Rita changed into her beast form in Full Beast Transformation (Beast Mode) and was the first to rush over.

I send a message to Cecil and Iris, "This one is taken care of. I'm going to send them a message to tell them that it's okay.

The rest is .......

"Let's search the house before Rita and the others arrive.

I said.

Letitia, Cutlass, Fynn, and Reggie raised their hands to 「「「「 Sansei 」」」」.

I'm going to have to hand over the Vale and Baroness Lalambert to Ilgafa's regular soldiers ...... We'll also look for any clues related to the White Guild in this Western-style house.

However, we won't touch anything dangerous.

You won't open any drawers or break any jars like in an RPG.

It's an adventure until you get home. Safety is the first priority.