Chapter 199

Chapter 199

As they were both headed toward the same location, they decided to travel together. After all, there was no reason to journey separately when their destinations aligned.

However, despite being companions on the road, an oddly quiet mood hung between them.

“Like I said, I have a Tendency called Kleptomaniac that activates without me knowing, how am I supposed to...”

“......”

It was more than just oddly quiet. It was freezing.

They continued on horseback, the mood growing increasingly awkward with each passing moment.

- Awkward...

- I like this too!

- ???: I didn’t want to steal it, alright? And I’m not saying this just because I got caught!

However, what certainly didn’t help were Agony’s quips that it couldn’t stop itself from making.

[It’s been a while, woman!]

“Who...?”

Agony gave Filia a wide smile.

[Fufufufu... It is I... the fearsome Agony!]

“...So, who are you?”

[...Do you really not know who I am?]

“I don’t remember seeing you before...”

[I was scary-looking, like Kwargh!!! Do you not remember a sword like that?]

“Ah!”

[Do you... Do you remember me now?]

“I don’t know...”

[Th-think really hard, okay... I’m sure I scared you so much you covered yourself in bed with your blankets...]

“Sorry... I really don’t remember you.”

[...I hate humans.]

For some reason... it felt like Filia’s horse was further away than before.

“Haah...”

Seol let out a deep sigh, accepting the situation.

He had continuously failed to meet up with Yeo-myeong due to the ongoing battles, which not only delayed their encounters but also hindered timely communication through letters.

As the situation evolved with each passing second, Seol ultimately decided to head to Las Cabras’ headquarters, Parte, instead of pursuing him.

While on his way, Seol also decided to quickly help out each city he passed through.

Typically, this involved him swiftly dealing with the remaining cartel executives in the city.

“So you were Crow.”

“Crow?”

“People have been calling you Crow because you’ve been dealing the final blow to the remaining Las Cabras members in each city. I think it’s because crows are scavengers that eat corpses.”

“Haha...”

At first, Seol was shocked, thinking the nickname stemmed from people noticing his creations. Luckily, it wasn’t that.

“Isn’t that way too disrespectful, though? Someone like you shouldn’t be called something like that...”

“It’s fine, I wasn’t doing this for respect anyway.”

“Then why are you...”

"Because I’m busy. There’s somewhere I need to go, and I had to take care of them quickly to get there on time."

“Ah... okay...”

Filia and Seol completely dismantled the cartel in each city they visited on their way to Parte.

Rumors about them spread not only to Adeline’s knights, who were waging war against Las Cabras, but also to the other transferees.

“We’ll be arriving in Parte soon,” said Filia.

“We’re ahead of schedule too. I think we’re almost caught up to them...”

Filia nodded in response.

"The cartel's end is guaranteed now.”

“We've already inflicted enough damage,” said Seol. “It would be impossible for them to recover from this. However, I am surprised Kaio didn't flee from Parte."

Kaio Matos.

He was essentially the head of Las Cabras. In truth, Kaio was just one among many leaders and executives.

However, as their battle with the transferees and Adeline’s soldiers dragged on, all of the other key figures perished, leaving Kaio as the sole remaining authority.

“Who knows,” said Filia. “He could have a trick up his sleeve...”

“We should be careful then.”

“I don’t know if that word suits you, though.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve already seen how reckless you are...”

“Haha...”

- I always do my best! Even against elementary school kids! Because that’s my ninja way!

- I will destroy every last middle schooler on Earth!!!!

Filia smirked after seeing Seol’s awkward laugh.

Despite their exhausting schedule, it would soon come to an end once they arrived in Parte.

* * *

Parte, Las Cabras’ final bastion, and a large city located in the far west of Adeline.

“Kyaaaaaaaa!”

“Evacuate! Run away!”

“Run where?!”

“Anywhere! Just get out of the city!”

The citizens were in a panic as they ran off in all directions.

Las Cabras also didn't attempt to stop them, likely because they either gave up or considered it a waste of resources to allocate men to restrain them.

Neigh...

Clip clop...

The sound of horses echoed throughout the streets. It was a sign the cavalry had arrived.

“We’ve finally arrived at Parte.”

“Yes, Sir Bren!”

"I am sick of these criminals," continued Bren. "I wish to return to the royal palace quickly to rest."

Bren, a man with shoulder-length curly blonde hair and mysterious blue eyes, was also the leader of the Veregion Knights.

“Excuse me, uh... Sir Bren? I recommend you wear your helme—”

"I already know that, hmph. I only have it off right now because it’s stuffy. I'll put it back on when I enter the fray, so hold on for now."

“Yes, sir!”

Bren then glanced at the people charging ahead of him.

“Spread out!” shouted one of the people fighting. “Don’t let them hit all of us!”

“This way!”

Bren shot a contemptuous look at the men desperately fighting in front of him.

“Transferee trash...” muttered Bren.

Bren did not particularly like transferees.

In fact, it would be much more apt to say he despised them. He didn’t despise just the cartel members either, he even hated the transferees fighting on his side.

Obviously, he wasn’t so foolish as to make it obvious to others or to make back-handed comments here and there. After all, only low-class people would engage in such behavior.

In the end, associating with trash only meant that you were trash yourself.

Bren simply ignored the transferees.

Neigh...

His horse was beginning to become excited by the sound of clashing steel and screams.

“Calm down, Richel. You can get excited later,” said Bren before turning to the woman by his side. “Lalsa.”

“Yes, sir?”

Lalsa struggled to keep up with the sudden speed and began to heave like she was going to throw up.

Bwrgh...

Fwip!

Bren leaped up, reaching the top with one last quick step.

“Did you think this abomination could stop me, the great Bren?!”

“Oh no... The stupid knight reached the top...” mocked one of the cartel members.

Clench...

Kaio cracked his neck before taking a stance as more transferees entered the fray.

As more and more transferees reached the top floor, Kaio gave an order once more.

“Fire.”

Baam!

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!

“Urgh...”

“Argh!”

The guns in Pandea were muskets at best, so the shower of bullets ended soon.

Nonetheless, that quick bombardment was more than enough to bring the transferees to the floor.

Surprisingly enough, Lalsa and Bren weren’t hit by any of the bullets. This was something Kaio did intentionally.

“Do you understand the situation now?” asked Kaio.

“...Lalsa, how strong is he?”

“...He has roughly 10 million points.”

“And next to him?”

“8.7 million...”

“And the other guy?”

“9.1 million...”

“...So it was a trap.”

Las Cabras had been pretending to retreat while gathering their forces at Parte.

“Lalsa, how strong am I?”

“8-8 million.”

“......”

“Hey, what are you guys having so much fun talking about?” asked Kaio, laughing at them.

“Sir Kaio, let us have a talk. If you continue to indiscriminately murder innocent civilians like this, Adeline will officially–”

BAAAAAM!

A bullet whizzed past Bren’s ear.

“What the hell is this dude saying?”

“He must have lost his mind.”

“Should we shoot him with the cannon?”

“That could be fun too!”

Creaaaak...

A cartel member turned the cannon and aimed it toward Bren.

But then...

Ffft!

“Khrrrgh...”

The cannoneer quickly grabbed his neck before falling to the ground.

The man who killed the cannoneer then stopped in front of Bren.

“Sir Bren, are you alright?”

“H-Haunted Swordsman.”

“It’s time, Kaio,” said Yeo-myeong, turning to Kaio. “The other cartel members are all dead. It’s time for you to join them in hell.”

Baam!

A sudden shot.

However, Yeo-myeong was faster.

Unsheathe!

Ting!

“Khrgh...”

No one could believe what they just saw.

Not only did Yeo-myeong manage to deflect the bullet with his sword, but he also managed to make it hit another cannoneer.

“Hah, look at him...”

Though they were taken aback by his skill, the cartel members weren’t scared of Yeo-myeong at all.

“Still... There’s nothing you can do on your own.”

“When did I say that I was alone?”

“Hmph. Stupid transferees are always...”

Yeo-myeong then turned around, facing the empty space.

"She’s here. Like I said," said Yeo-myeong before turning back to Kaio. "It’s time."

“What? Who—”

BOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The entire building shuddered under the weight of the mysterious woman who landed on the roof.

It was Karen.

“...Who the hell is this now?”

Bren was utterly shocked by Karen’s sudden appearance.

‘She’s strong... Incredibly strong!’

He could tell even without the goggles, just from the energy that radiated off her.

“I-It is nice to meet you. A-Are you perhaps here to help me...” asked Bren.

“Huh? Who are you?”

Karen turned around, revealing her red hair, causing Bren to gasp.

“A-An elf...?!”

“This is the first time I’ve seen your face, though?”

Bren then turned to Lalsa, asking her a question.

“Lalsa, h-how strong is...”

“18 million...”

“...What? Are you sure that thing isn’t brok—No, an elf shouldn’t be a transferee, so... She definitely came here to help me!”

However, someone else joined them on the rooftop as well.

Step...

“Is this our final stop?” asked the man.

“Yeah!” answered Karen. “Yeo-myeong’s here as well.”

“Hyung!”

The man leisurely stepped up, as if he was out here on a jog.

Bren then nudged Lalsa’s side with his elbow.

“......”

“Lalsa?”

“......”

Lalsa simply took off the goggles and tossed it to the side.

“What are you doing?” asked Bren.

"Sir Bren," Lalsa replied assuredly, "I am certain the goggles broke from the impact just now."