Chapter 51: Scarlets' Research 5 (5)

But if they stayed here, they were bound to be wiped out. If so, then they had to bet on whatever remaining chance they had. Even if it meant giving up his own life — that was what Cedric decided.

"A wonderful self-sacrificing nature. I give my compliments."

"Being sarcastic? Damn monster."

"No, I honestly. Think it is wonderful. You didn’t hesitate to sacrifice yourself in order to do your very best. It's a beautiful attitude. I would like to learn that as well."

The look on the monster's face was so gentle it was frightening. She was like a mother who watched her injured child get up from a fall, even though she was the one who pushed the child down. In other words, it was the gaze from an overwhelmingly superior person who loved to watch their subordinate toil away.

"Announcement. However, I'm not going to let even one of you escape. I'm not going to let a mass-produced golem claim the credit. ...I will complete the mission with my own hands."

Fem's figure trembled and then vanished. She moved without leaving any sound behind, going much faster than what A-ranked adventurers could follow with their eyes. Cedric thrusted his shield, wholly prepared to sacrifice himself. Please, hit the shield, and please, endure this one hit, he fervently prayed.

Just as he wished, Fem’s iron fist landed onto his dragon scale shield.

Though his wish was not fully granted and the shield did not hold up against the single blow.

It sounded as if a gong was sounded. At the same time, Cedric's body flew apart, exploding within. The exceedingly powerful punch had destroyed the frail human body hidden behind his shield and his armour. The dragon scales plating on the shield shattered, and the light of life that had been sucked out of its owner glimmered in the air. It might have been a merciful veil to hide the sight of grotesque destruction. But then the Gods must be fickle if this was the mercy they granted, because the disciple of God was not even given time to benefit from it.

"Ka, ha ...!? "

Ninon's neck was gripped by cold fingers. In the end, she was not given the time nor space to grieve for Cedric or to escape. Fem had captured the final member of the Scarlet Shield herself.

"All that is left is to neutralise you and the mission is complete. I confirm."

"Ah, guh!"

Ninon gasped as she was mercilessly strangled. Many thoughts went through her mind and then disappeared. The sadness of losing all the friends she had made over the years. The frustration of not being able to be of help to them. Anger and hatred towards the enemy in front of her. The fear of imminent death.

And the last thought that remained was.

"Who, exactly, are you, ...?"

It was a very simple question.

She was armed with unknown weapons, immune to sacred magic which was effective against all known monsters, and even the equipment made from the corpse of a dragon was no match for her. Ninon had never even heard of such a monster. If there was such a monster capable of this, then they must be the demon king from the legends or his kin.

"Are you… a high ranking demon…?"

"Please don’t say that. I ask of you."

At her comment, Fem's expression twisted and she increased the force from her hand.

"Gah...!?"

"I am outraged. You can’t be any further from the truth. You mean to tell me that you couldn’t even tell what I was? Even though we have been fighting all this while?"

"...!...!"

"That's enough. And here I thought I have completed a worthy objective… Stop trying to put a damper on this."

"......!"

"I sentence you to sleep like this. You don't even have the right to know who I am."

With her arteries compressed and the blood flow to her brain cut off, Ninon's consciousness sunk into deep darkness. Fem’s golden eyes continued coldly observing the situation.

Thus, the A-ranked adventurer party Scarlet Shield disappeared from the world.