CH 32

032: Attack from the Count Family

Translated by Dawn

032: Attack from the Count Family

Well, I’d engaged in numerous battles since starting this game, but I hadn’t faced human opponents very often.

Well, unless it was a duel, there weren’t many opportunities to fight against other players, so it was understandable.

My remaining experience in player versus player combat was when I attended Three Magic Swords’ lecture at Fauskatze’s dojo.

The assistant instructors there had incredibly high skills. That was why I had some expectations for the local players in this game, thinking that some of them might possess considerable power.

But…

“Hmm…”

As I gazed at the group that had gathered at the gate of the Lamberg estate, I squinted my eyes and let out a deep sigh.

“…Disappointing, huh?”

“What are you saying, you filthy outsider!”

“Moreover, it’s those same guys from before… Is this the standard? Well, never mind. Kirara Kurage.”

“Yes, understood.”

Ignoring the chattering of the bunch, I gave instructions to Kirara Kurage for video recording.

While I didn’t know if we could show this footage to other locals, having it might help gain allies among other outsiders.

The speed of information transmission among outsiders was incomparable to that of the locals.

It would spread rapidly among the majority of outsiders, turning the Count Family’s influence into hostility.

It was a minor act of harassment, but it had quite a significant scale.

Feeling relieved to have avoided expectations, I called out from inside the Lamberg estate.

“The Feib Count’s guards who fell while returning earlier. I was a bit surprised to see you all fall so clumsily in such an ordinary place… I hope you didn’t get hurt?”

“What!? You’re the one who…!”

“Oh, did I do something? As far as I recall, I just explained things calmly and politely with gestures. That’s all.”

“Kuhh…”

Well, in reality, I didn’t draw my sword or attack. From an outside perspective, it was just their own amusing dance.

Taunting them to provoke a reaction was fine, but I should assert our legitimacy a bit more.

“Well, I don’t know what you’re up to, but you seemed to be in a hurry, so falling isn’t surprising. Anyway, what brings you here?”

“It’s obvious! Hand over Lirina Lamberg to us!”

“Collecting armed soldiers to make that demand, huh? So, kidnapping is the goal.”

I narrowed my gaze at them.

I shifted my consciousness into a state of readiness, prepared to draw my sword at any moment, yet still maintaining a natural appearance, I addressed them.

“Speaking so confidently to us, who bear the Knight’s emblem, I’m impressed. Should I report this to the Commander?”

“Hmph, outsiders have such barbaric thinking. This is a request. From the Count Feib family, directed towards Lirina Lamberg. You wouldn’t dare refuse, would you?”

“Essentially, you are a representative of Count Feib, and your words represent the entire Count family – is that what you’re claiming?”

“Huh…?”

If the head of the Count family had come from the start, the two Lamberg women wouldn’t have been able to resist.

In essence, this was just the recklessness of Count Feib’s son.

Since it was not a legitimate request as a noble, Lirina and the others could refuse their demands.

Despite that, this man was claiming it was a ‘request from the Count family,’ which was impossible considering the situation.

Well, the details and reasons didn’t matter. Anyway, if this wasn’t Count Feib’s doing, there were plenty of openings to exploit.

“Shall I say it again? Count Feib used his private soldiers to oppose the Knights and capture one woman, Lirina Lamberg. Is that what you’re implying?”

“T-That’s…!”

Including the man who was speaking for them, everyone looked flustered.

I didn’t know this man’s position, but if he truly represented the Count family, he wouldn’t be sent to a place like this.

If such a person spoke on behalf of the Count, what would happen… I wonder?

“Give me your answer. Depending on the situation, we might need to report this to the Royal Family through the Knights.”

“Damn, this…!”

Well, at this point, I could probably coerce them into retreating… but I wanted them to be in a more disadvantageous situation.

There was a higher chance they might explode in a more dangerous direction, but that was fine. If things escalated, the Knights could intervene more easily.

With an obvious expression of disdain, I chuckled as I spoke.

“Such thoughtless fools. It’s pathetic that you think sheer numbers will work. Do you need so many people just to capture one woman? It makes you look like cowards without an ounce of courage.”

“Are you insulting Kreiss-sama!?”

“Well, maybe. Well, it’s no surprise with subordinates who can’t think straight, it’s no wonder he can’t grow. Quite pitiful.”

Since they reacted as expected, I transitioned to provoke them.

They were like foxes trying to act like tigers. It seemed their pride had swollen so much that they had a low tolerance for provocation.

As expected, my words made them all red-faced with anger.

“You… if you want to withdraw, now’s your chance.”

“You guys are terrible at this. If you’re just going to rely on your master’s prestige, at least come up with better lines. This verbal duel is getting boring, don’t you think?”

“Ugh… You’ll regret this!”

A verbal duel was a battle for gaining a psychological advantage.

After a splendid defeat, the man immediately drew his sword and attacked.

His awkward strike while running was far from skilled. If it were a sharp strike, I could’ve deflected and thrown him off, but this was just not enough to provoke a counterattack.

I sighed and evaded while sweeping his legs as he charged at me.

“Whaa—gufu!?”

“…How disappointing, are private soldiers of nobles supposed to be this weak?”

Seemingly due to gripping his sword too tightly, he stumbled and dropped it.

With a sigh at the sorry sight, I pressed down on the man’s back to restrain him.

A person with knowledge of combat would have taken out a dagger and aimed for my leg, but it seemed this man had no other weapon besides his longsword.

It was like a commoner trying to look like a soldier.

“Now, you intruders. What kind of treatment do you desire?”

“….! You guys, take care of them now!”

“What!? B-But…”

“Don’t overthink it! Deal with them and take that girl away!”

This fool seemed to have forgotten that we were outsiders. Silencing us wouldn’t serve any purpose at all.

While exhaling a mix of wry smiles and sighs, I lightly kicked the fallen man’s jaw.

I’d already provoked him enough; there was nothing else I wanted him to do. He’d only be a nuisance if he kept making a fuss, so I decided it was best for him to lose consciousness quickly.

Upon hearing the man’s words, the soldiers each drew their weapons and hesitantly closed in. Nine of them remained.

As they approached, Kirara Kurage and Azami prepared their weapons, but I restrained them with my hand.

“Kuon-san!?”

“Don’t worry, stay back and watch. I want to keep this as legitimate self-defense… Well, against opponents like these, I can easily handle them without drawing my Katana.”

With a mocking tone, I uttered the words, and the expressions of the private soldiers changed.

To be honest, I felt confident I could handle even ten times their numbers if I were to draw my Katana.

However, it seemed they took it as mere provocation and their faces turned serious as they rushed towards us.

Step Technique – Shukuchi.

I approached the man in the front with stealthy footsteps.

At the exact moment, he swung his sword up, I grabbed the hilt and pushed it back, tripping him with a sweep to his heel.

In an instant, the man spun around comically and knocked himself unconscious by landing on the back of his head.

The spectacle of his spectacular fall seemed to unsettle the man on his left side, and I immediately moved to his side.

“Don’t stop, fools.”

“Wha-!?”

Striking Technique – Quake Strike.

I struck my palm against their side, directing the impact inward.

If I were serious, I could probably crush their internal organs, but killing them would be too crude.

With moderate restraint to render them unable to move, I moved on to the next opponent.

The closest one to me was a slightly smaller female soldier.

“Hii!? Do-Don’t come any closer!”

Of course, I wouldn’t stop for such words.

I kicked away the hilt of the sword she held timidly and knocked the sword out of her hand.

As she stood there helplessly, I grabbed her by the neck with my right hand and lift her up.

Well, I was not squeezing too hard to stop blood flow or breathing.

“Kahh… St, op.”

“Hmm, alright.”

I grinned at the woman who plead while gripping my wrist and lifted her even higher.

Then, without hesitation, I slammed her back-first into the ground.

The impact knocked the air out of her lungs, leaving her incapacitated. I kicked her away, and now I glared at the remaining private soldiers.

“Well… anyone else up for it?”

“Hii!?”

There were six left. I could take them down if I wanted, but there was no point in defeating them; they wouldn’t add anything to my accomplishments.

Feeling annoyed mixed with killing intent, I stared at them, and just like the last time they confronted me, they were overwhelmed and took a step back.

I’d done what needed to be done. These guys were of no further use.

“If you’re going to do something, come at me. But from now on, I’m going to treat you like criminals.”

I snapped my scabbard shut and lower my center of gravity, getting ready.

Well, this was just a threat; I didn’t actually intend to cut them seriously.

Nevertheless, the effect was overwhelming. In the tense atmosphere, the intimidated private soldiers started retreating, and the moment they created some distance, they all flee at once.

I released my stance without pursuing them and sighed as I looked at the four soldiers lying around.

“Well, I needed a few of them to hand over to the Knights… but they didn’t even try to help.”

“Huh? Hand them over to the Knights?”

“They’re caught in the act of illegal trespassing and attempted kidnapping. There’s no reason not to hand them over. It’ll also be a blow to Count’s reputation.”

If they could be properly charged with crimes, it would become a scandal for the Count’s family.

Even if that didn’t happen, the penalty for that son or whatever he was wouldn’t be avoided.

To have a situation without any complications, I would like to bring them to a point where that son was punished, but with just the current hand, it would be difficult.

Well, I didn’t think these guys would stop at this point once they’d lost control.

“Azami, go get Elsa.”

“Why?”

“I need some ropes or something to tie these guys up. Even if they’re disarmed, leaving them as they are is too risky.”

“I see… Understood.”

Azami nodded with her usual absent-minded expression and headed back inside the mansion.

Watching her go, Kirara Kurage asked me a question.

“So, we managed to repel the attack, but what do we do now?”

“There are a few options, but first, we need to hand these guys over to the Knights. Once they’re restrained, we’ll bring them inside the house and keep them under surveillance.”

“So, we should call the Knights. Should I go to Rin and inform her?”

“Yeah, that would be best.”

It would be too risky to bring these guys all the way to the Knights. We might get attacked along the way, and it would weaken the protection for Lirina.

Having them come to us would be a more manageable solution.

“Alright, I’ll let Rin know.”

“Thanks.”

Now, what comes next?

It was hard to believe that the Count’s family would remain quiet after this.

If the private soldiers were charged with crimes, things might get even more complicated.

Would they try to protect themselves to avoid punishment, or would they resort to more aggressive measures?

I murmured softly, almost inaudible to Kirara Kurage.

“――At least it might be a little enjoyable.”