Chapter 223: Money is money

TDADP chapter 223: Money is money

「Kahuu」

A whispering sound is heard as if the bones were crushed in a quiet forest. A little away from the source of the sound, Kiringirin´s party were checking the item pouch taken from Flavia.

「This――is this a timeless item pouch? What is the chance to see the legendary magic tool while being alive......」

「If we bring it to a big auction site, how much will it cost?」

「It won't cost anything. It’s something that even the royals of the five great powers don’t have」

Even the adventurers of 『Dragon's Fang』, who are familiar with expensive gems, magic tools and monster materials that are usually available in the labyrinth, etc., do not hide their excitement in front of the unknown item porch.

「I know a high-ranking alchemist, so before giving the unknown item pouch to the finance minister, how about analyzing the process and copying it?」

「If we can do that, we won't have a hard time」

「That's because no one has ever obtained the actual thing that no one knew before. Perhaps......the finance minister is thinking the same thing! And all the members of Nameless have an timeless item pouch, so it might be a good idea to hear from that cat girl. Well, Kiringirin, isn't it worth trying?」

A man who can't keep his excitement closes up at Kiringirin.

「No, our goal is not to mass-produce an timeless item pouch or even to make money」

Kiringirin was not interested in it in any way, even in the process of making an unfamiliar item pouch, mass production, or even the huge wealth that would be available if successful.

「I know that, but if you think about the future of 『Dragon's Fang』, isn't there anything better than money?」

「I agree with this. The finance minister is backing us in this case, but it should still require money, not just power, to bring in other clans」

「It's not just gold that we can get. Just having an item pouch no one knows, will let the name of 『Dragon's Fang』 reverberate throughout the Rem continent without anything? Then, it is not a story of one head more than the other four clans. It's the top!」

Even so, the men can't give up to cling to this idea.

「No, it’s no good. Would you be happy that the name of 『Dragon's Fang』spreads? That’s why it makes sense to make 『Dragon’s Fang』 the largest clan in the Udon Kingdom. What's wrong with that?」

Kiringirin talks to the man who did not join the circle alone while thinking what to do with the timeless item pouch

「That bastard....... Telling me to leave the rest to me, what I'm doing is just scolding a woman!」

In the eyes of the man, Dominik´s figure appeared who continued to beat the tattered Flavia.

「U......uuu......chii, i, item......m......pouch, give it back!」

「That is something that is unsuitable for dust like you. We'll make the most of it, so you're going to die with peace of mind」

Flavia´s lovely face is swollen about twice the size and her whole body squeeze the power and release the short sword technique 『Thorn Sword Strike』. Although it is a technique that is a thrusting with an emphasis on speed, the right arm, so she uses it with her left arm, and in the state where it is painful to find a decent part in the body by Dominic's fist, it is not sure to be able to activate the technique straight. The blow is so slow that I don't think it's a technique that bears the name of a flash and she is easily attacked by Dominik.

「Hahaa!! What's that? Even a goblin, it's appalling to give off a little better thrust!!」

Dominik evades and smashes his fist into Flavia's solar plexus.

「Uuuoooeeeeee......」

Flavia exhales gastric juice from her mouth along with vomiting blood. Flavia´s stomach was empty because she had been hit by Dominik's fists several times in her solar plexus and she vomited each time.

「Take this」

Dominic turns his scornful eyes to Flavia, who dares to hurt himself.

「You trashy bastard!! I will kill you!!」

The man who kept watching Dominik scolding Flavia goes beyond the limits of his patience and tries to kill him, but his companions grab the man's shoulder and stop him.

「Leave him alone. Dominik has been working with the toad for a long time before us, but he was impatient because he wasn't able to produce results. That's when he was annoyed because Kiringirin´s group intervened from the side」

「I don't care. That rookie has the guts and my arms are ready. That's not the case anymore. That's a perfect way of venting one's anger」

「I wonder if it's venting one's anger or not, but this is what those who belong to 『Dragon's Fang』 do! Hey Kiringirin! We're risking our lives to clans to do such a thing!」

「We´re going to kill her anyway. It's okay, isn't it?」

「Are you like that fucker?」

「Ah? Who’s a fucking guy!?」

「Yeah. What do we fight for?」

「Kiringirin, I don't like Dominik's way. That Flavia, was a beastman who was fighting with us without being afraid of us and not giving up until the end. Shouldn't we show respect even if we're enemies?You should keep your mind in one's mind, without delivering the final blow」

Despite Kiringirin who gave up in response to Flavia, Flavia's life was about to be gradually but surely lost.

(U, Uchi......I wonder if I will die....... Ki, King, ev.........everyone......)

There was no power left in Flavia to fight back. She is in a state of standing just barely defeated.

「Do you know how much small clans like you have bothered me? Thanks to Kiringirin´s group, the achievement was snatched away」

「......o......mae......uda......」

「An? What is it?」

Flavia spits on Dominik, who brings his face close to Flavia's mouth.

「I, Igiii....... Yo, You......I said you're incompetent......nyaa」

「Y, You fucking bitch!!」

Angry Dominik strikes Flavia's back with his fist. Even Flavia who grind her teeth to see if she could endure such severe pain, collapses on her knees, but Dominik does not allow it. He grabs Flavia's hair and forces her to stand up.

「What do you think? This technique is called 『Kidney Blow』. You can't make fun of martial arts, which are called martial arts, right? Your urine will turn red for a few days. Well, it doesn't matter to you who is going to die now」

「Uuuu......o......」

Cant her breathing stay the same? Flavia was no longer able to curse.

「Even so, she had a pretty face. There's no shadow of it to see now. Even parents don't even notice it when they look at your face」

Did you drop drunks in the wake of Flavia? A line of vermilion runs on Dominik's cheeks, which is uncomfortable when others see it.

「What are you doing!!」

「Don’t be shy. How far can you be shameful?」

It was Kiringirin who stopped Dominik's desperation. Despite having a spear in his hand, how did he reach the tip of Dominik even though the distance from Kiringirin to Dominik is 10 meters? Even those who had seen the early work in the surroundings could not see it.

「I'm not your party member. I don't remember being ordered by someone who isn't my leader!」

A large clan consists of multiple parties. Some clans are divided into one army or two armies depending on the level, and others are grouped according to roles. The same applies to 『Dragon's Fang』. The party of Dominik and Boris who used to come to Comer city was composed of people who were good at scouting and bare-handed fighting. On the other hand, Kiringirin´s group was made up of people who are good at fighting.

「Don't let me say the same thing again or will you kill me?」

「Kuu....... You......I'm not going to kill you」

Even Dominik, who specializes in bare-handed fighting, has no chance of winning if he fights Kiringirin. Dominik releases Flavia with regret, whether he is still unconvinced. After confirming that, Kiringirin throws the item pouch at Dominik, but Flavia who was lying on the ground extends her arm to the item pouch, but only cuts the sky.

「Your feet are faster and you will arrive in four days」

「What about her?」

「I will handle it....... Go quickly」

At the same time as Dominik disappears into the back of the thicket, the men throw odorous balls around. This was to prevent Koro, Marifa's follower, from tracking Dominik, as Dragon's Fang shaded Yuu in advance.

「I will make it quick」

「Uu......kuu......u」

Flavia tries to move her body that doesn't move, but her body doesn't listen to what she says. And Kiringirin expressed his apology, but it was clear that he was trying to kill her. At that time Kiringirin set up his spear and tried to release the tip towards Flavia――

「Kiringirin, dodge!」

Faster than one of his comrades shouted, Kiringirin was jumping away from the spot. An invisible wind blade left a deep scar on the ground where Kiringirin was standing before.

Agafon and the others emerged from the trees.

「He, Hey! Flavia, are you alright? Are you alive!? Answer me!!」

Akane rushes towards Flavia. It is a phrase that is too terrible for Flavia. Agafon confirms Flavia´s condition and when he notices that there is nothing, he grabs her chest and lifts her up.

「Agafon, no!」

Agafon asks Flavia, ignoring Monique's restraining voice.

「Hey, what happened to your item pouch?」

While killing his emotions, Agafon's voice contained uncontrollable anger.

「.........A. St......Stolen......ta......a. Stolen......it was......from them......」

Agafon's whole body hairs stand upside down. Peeling off his eyes and baring the teeth, he glares at Flavia.

「I want to kill you right now, but I can’t! Do you know why? That's because we're friends!!」

「So, Sorr......y....... Soorr......y, sorry......」

Tears dropped down to the ground from the swollen eyes of Flavia who had endured no matter how much as she was beaten by Dominik.

「Beibu, heal this idiot with your healing magic!」

Saying that, Agafon throws Flavia towards Beibu and Beibu rushes and catches her.

「Yes, I understand」

「Monique, I ask you to guard Beibu and Akane!」

「Even if you don't tell me, I know」

「Otope and Yam, our opponents are better than us. Don't let your guard down!!」

「I know」

「They, how dare they hurt Flavia!」

Agafon weighs a certain level of competence because of the other person's skill and lack of space. And that was the same for Kiringirin.

「Hey, what does this mean? What were the watchmen doing? No, they wouldn't have been killed」

「That's not. These guys seem to be able to do that......but that’s it」

「Is the wind blade that just flew away a magic sword?」

「That's not true. It is a beastman? Maybe it's that big sword´s skill」

「It's not the time to talk. Look at that. That half orc uses white magic and grant magic at the same time」

Although it wasn't just an expression, Kiringirin and others were not hiding their inner surprise. That half-orc, is recognized as an inferior species of an orc and it is not normal even if it only uses magic, but they are surprised because Beibu simultaneously uses white magic and grant magic, doing dual magic which would be impossible to say.

「Don't underestimate us!」

Like a beast, Agafon exposes his teeth and threatens. It was judged by Agafon that the opponents underestimates them, by the attitude and slack of Kiringirin. In fact, Kiringirin´s group weren't disappointed at all, even though they didn't know how Agafon´s party found this place surrounded by thickets, although they didn't show a chance. However, Kiringirin´s group were not vainly struck. While Agafon was strengthened by Beibu´s magic, Nina and Rena were carefully searching for Marifa, especially Yuu, somewhere.

「Agafon, can you follow the stolen item pouch with your nose?」

「No, it’s bad. A strong smell was scattered all over the area, and my nose became useless」

「If that is the case, we have to beat these people and find out from them」

When Otope understands that Agafon's olfactory sense is not good, he sets a habit without being disappointed. He looked like a demon who is specialized in battle.

「How dare you do terrible things to Flavia! I'll show you my fairy magic! Specially! Puripuripuuun, puririnpuririnporamoo, punpoopo」

Akane puts her hand on her waist and starts singing while fluffing her butt.

「It's fairy magic. Watch out because there are many effects that give bad status to the target」

「I understand!」

Akane uses the Rank 3 fairy magic 『Illusion Scales - Fairy Mischief』 and shining scales take Kiringirin's view.

「Take this」

A double-sword man activates Rank 1 spirit magic 『Gale』. A strong wind blows the scales away.

「If you blow it off, you're scared of scales――oo!?」

At the point where the field of sight opened, the double-swordsman Yam plunged into the man's head. Surely Yam´s slashing that struck the imaginary of the opponent was a blow that could injure a life if it was a normal opponent, but could inflict serious injury even if it was bad.

「Oops. It ’s dangerous」

「This guy......!」

The double-swordsman was surprised but only lightly attacked by Yam. The ability was enough to restore the composure to Yam who had his blood rise towards his head in anger.

「I'll kill you!」

「Yarayara! Haahaa! You won't do it as a improper rookie!」

It was Agafon that fought with a swordsman, but when it was seen that the opponent was not an equal opponent, he was brought to a close.

「Judgment and decision are not bad. As expected, for a beastman. It seems that I'm losing with my strength」

「You´re going to die on the tone as it is!!」

Agafon puts pressure on his opponent and slides his finger from the base of the sword to the tip. Then, one of the seven skills hidden in the Black Iron Sword, Seven Stars, will be activated.

「Tsk」

When the swordsman clicks his tongue, he takes a large distance from Agafon

「You put lightning on your sword. Your Obsidian iron sword, has two skills wind and lightning. Probably from the labyrinth, but I hate it because you have such a nasty weapon」

It was Agafon who wanted to make a tongue. For the first time, he was deceived by a slash after wearing a lightning that had never been removed. Even so, the opponent is intact. Also, Otope was engaged in a battle at a distance away.

「Haaa!!」

It was a standard swordsman-style man with a sword and a shield who has been painfully defeated by Otope's spear technique 『Three Stage Thrust』. However, there was no room for an expression, as he was pushed by Otope.

「Damn. This guy is exceptional」

「No problem. If we deal with him with three people, we can beat him easily」

「Well, that's right. I'm sorry, for fighting 3 vs 1 against a rookie」

When men with battle axes and spears enter the battle, conversely, Otope begins to be pushed back.

「Beibu, isn't Flavia´s treatment over yet!」

「I can't easily heal such serious injuries」

Knowing that Monique is also trying to force Beibu, as Agafon and the others are overwhelmed by the enemy in front of them. He immediately wants to go to support them.

「Monique!」

「I know!!」

At the same time as Akane screams, a man swings his Damascus battle axe to the side. Along with the roar, a large scale is knocked against the Obsidian tower shield that Monique sets up. The blow was as if Monique's arms with the tower shield had been cut by a thousand. The tower shield, which was actually made of sturdy obsidian iron, flexed greatly and was deformed into a strain just after a single blow.

「Hou. Did you catch my blow you improper woman? And you used the shield technique 『Stone Wall』 without chanting」

「You're not a big deal for a shitty man」

「Guhaha. What did you say」

Contrary to her words, Monique cant afford it. If it is not possible to compete with the power of an individual, they correspond by cooperation. That's how Agafon´s party fights, but the opponent don't allow any coordination. On the other hand, Agafon´s party was divided by the other party's cooperation and their physical strength was gradually reduced. On the contrary, it is amazing that they have been fighting without dying yet.

-------------------------------

「Haa, Haa. Heehe. Look at that! It's like this if 『Dragon's Fang』 makes a serious effort. Hahahaha. After that, if I rush to the capital, the request is complete」

Dominik rushing through the thicket was heading towards Comer city's North Gate. Dominik was confident that he could get away from the gate if he went out of the gate while hiding in the crowd.

「Okay. I can see the exit――gaaa!!?」

Suddenly, there was severe pain in his legs. Dominik falls flashy. When he looked at his aching feet, black spines were tangled around Dominik's feet.

「A......aa......a. Y, You!!? Gyaaaaaaa!!!」

When Russ put his magic into them, the black spines deeply creep into Dominik's feet. Dominik's pants are blood-stained and red due to the spines reaching from the meat to the bones.

「Worm, be careful with your words. Do you think you can talk Master without permission?」

「Russ, stop」

「Understood」

Due to the enormous and fierce magic power emanating from Russ, Dominik was unable to suppress the trembling of his whole body from fear. Why does such a monster hear what a human boy says, even though he is Rank B? Dominik couldn't understand it.

「O, O......I......what do you want from me!」

「Don't be afraid. Dominik of 『Dragon's Fang』......is it?」

Cold sweat erupted from Dominik's whole body. He met Yuu only once. Both the name and the clan was given by himself, but why is he here? How far is it known? Various thoughts run through Dominik's mind.

「Stand up」

「Guaaa......」

He was forced to stand as the black thorns lifted Dominik up.

「Is it Rainart Helter's order?」

「Rainart? Who is that? Heehe. I know a lot of female names」

「Have you been asked by the Finance Minister?」

「I don't know what you´re talking about! I'm going to break the thorns sooner than that――」

In the lower abdomen, Dominik clearly heard something collapsed.

「Ka......ha......!!?」

「Sorry I hurt you. I guess I just crushed one」

The pain was so severe that Dominic couldn't even shout. The lower abdomen spreads the pants with various liquids.

「It's good, isn't it? If Flavia had died, I would go so easy on you. Russ, solve the restraints」

「Haa」

Untied by the black thorns, Dominik can't stand and hits the ground.

「Do you want to rest?」

「......!!? Gu, Guuu......yo, you bastard!」

In front of Dominik were five Hellhounds summoned by Russ. Hellhounds, who smells the rotting, were eagerly awaiting Russ´s ruthless order to see when they could attack Dominik.

「I......I'm.....not saying......any......thing!!」

「I'm not interested in the information that dust like you knows. I'll give you a chance」

「Cha......chance?」

「Yes. Now I will give you this Hellhound. If you escape to the hideout of 『Dragon's Fang』 in the capital, you will win. If you are killed on the way, you will lose」

「Dra, Dragon's......fang, I don't know them」

「Aso. It's better to run away faster. These guys are told to eat you if you don't run away. If you take a rest or show a gesture to recover your wound with a potion. It will be your end」

「Y, You bas......bastard!!」

「Go quickly. Or do you want to die here?」

「Guuu......!!? Guaa!! I will remember this!!!」

Even if he moves his body a little, incredible pain hits Dominik. Still Dominik stood up. He couldn't die here. This is because it was his mission to deliver that timeless item pouch to the capital. After seeing Dominik run away, the Hellhounds chased after him lightly.

「Are you sure?」

「What?」

「Without taking back the item pouch」

「Yes. In a sense, it may be on schedule. It’s just a little different from the plan」

It was Russ who seemed unsatisfactory, but if Yuu said so, he would not mention the item pouch any further.

「Now we will help those flies?」

「Flies, you mean....... Anyway. If we don't help, they won't win――no, I'll go home」

「It's okay, right? I don't know if they can find any chance of winning」

「It's a seed they sow themselves. If they die here, that’s about it」

Russ stares at Yuu. Whether Agafon´s party die or live, to be honest, it doesn't matter to Russ. However, Yuu who is his master is different. If anything, Russ connects his consciousness with the undead demons around him.

「I see......」

「What, I see」

When Russ looked up at the sky, he saw a girl falling down wearing lightning. There are also two beasts running through the woods and a hated dark elf.

「No, nothing」

「You're lying. You've been really sassy lately」

「Master, please stop」

Yuu hits Russ´s butt with a knee kick.

「That’s why you don’t have to follow Grafira」

The wolf woman Grafira, one of the slave maids hiding behind the trees and Lesser Demon Ekaterina, were not surprised that they had been noticed, but appeared in front of Yuu and whispered to him.

「My clothes are dirty, so don't ask for it all at once. If Marifa says something to you, tell her my name」

Yuu's words are absolute. It can't be countered even by Marifa's command. Grafira had no choice but to whisper silently.

「Zee......zeezee, damn it. Monique, are you alive?」

「Haahaaa. I......I´m alive」

Monique who is full of wounds answers Agafon's call. If she looks around, everyone is hurt, from Otope, Yam and Flavia who has recovered from her wounds. However, only the avant-gardes Beibu and Akane were unhurt. This is because everyone started protecting Monique.

「These guys can still move?」

「It's a lot of work. I don't want to kill those rookies」

「Absolutely. Its what is requested from us」

Kiringirin glares at the man who was about to slip his mouth. Another man in a hurry blames the man who slid his mouth.

「Hey, don't say anything extra!」

Among the fights with Agafon´s party, only Kiringirin did not participate in the battle. This may have been due to the fact that Kiringirin had some sort of crisis detection ability. He was always on the lookout and alert. However, when he was also melancholy, when he tried to move――

Thunder fell from heaven――no. It has fallen.

「Wh, What!?」

「Thunder. Thunder has fallen!」

「Idiot. Look up――」

If you look up at the sky, it's sunny.

「......That!」

It was Lena who was there where the dust cloud cleared up.

「Lena-san!」

Lena's figure is visible to Agafon´s party who were prepared to die.

「Not good. She is a Nameless executive」

「......Executive? I'm so shy」

It was a coincidence that Lena appeared here. It happened that Lena, who was flying in the sky, found Agafon´s party and fell down with thunder. However, Lena's embarrassed look is strengthened by the painful appearance of Agafon and the others.

「......I can't laugh」

Magic power runs through Lena's whole body as if responding to her anger.

「That woman uses high-level magic contrary to her appearance. Kiringirin, you might want to think about withdrawal」

「It’s not like we´re going to lose because they’ve just increased by one person」

「I'm not terrified. We've achieved our request. We don't have to make a sacrifice」

Kiringirin was in favor of his comrade's proposal. The timeless item pouch was stolen at the request of the Finance Minister. After that, if Agafon´s party were killed and the evidence and traces of them were erased, no one would have suspected the involvement of 『Dragon's Fang』. But Lena appeared now. Kiringirin and others naturally know by collecting information that Lena mastered high-level magic and she won one-on-one battles against B rank adventurers belonging to 『Red Meteor』. If they fight, they won't lose, but they know there will be a sacrifice. The worst is that someone is caught alive. Kiringirin, who is proud of not being alone, such as a person who breaks his fellow with torture, is a different story if magic and medicine are used.

「I agree with the opinion of running away, but it doesn't seem to be so easy」

「Now! What is this fog in the meantime......」

Even Kiringirin was covered by a dense fog in the forest without even noticing.

「You think you can run away after doing that to our friends」

What seemed to be a thick fog was a cloud made of magic power created by the unique skill of Ran, 『Sea of clouds』. Marifa and Koro appear from the clouds.

「No one will overlook you, so you won't be able to escape」

Speaking of that, Marifa grabs the edge of her skirt with both hands and greets Kiringirin´s group with courtesy. Originally the greeting should be friendly, but Marifa's appearance was full of hostility.