They rode the horse for half a day. Though they departed at dawn, the sun had sunk down already.
「This is the last village attacked?」
While moving his hand to Risty’s waist, Yuuto looked around the area.
It’s a farm village. It had that sort of atmosphere, Yuuto remembered a strange sense.
(There’s no sign of people…)
Remains of the people who lived in the other day are left everywhere in the village. However, there’s no existence of any crucial villager anywhere.
There’s a possibility of them secluding in a house, looked at the window of the open private house.
「I know it already but, they’re wiped out. There’s no trace of blood nor mess from eating. …Get down, Yuuto. Asuka too」
Looking at the state of Risutei village, she spoke indifferently. Yuuto and the tandem noticed the change of tone, Yuuto and Asuka kept silent.
「There’s no monster. Is it a demon?1 or a demonic being2? Either way, it’s intelligent」
Risty steps cautiously on the village ground. Without delay, she tiptoes as if warming up.
「Yuuto. You too, apply that properly」
「I know」
Asuka stares at the necklace on the neck of Yuuto. Asuka confirms the existence on the tip of her chest then she pulled out her Scarlet sword from the sheath.
「Demonic being? …Since it’s a bloodsucker」
「That’s true」
Asuka and Yuuto recalled the fight with the beautiful count several months ago. Certainly he introduced himself as a noble in the Makai.
「That guy was strong, but how is it this time」
「It’s okay. There’s captain too」
Risty began to investigate the village, Yuuto and Asuka followed her. Different from Risty walking naturally, the two had their hearts beating hard. The tension is different so far.
It drifted.
Asuka remembers the fight with the vampire and fixed her feelings. Able to control his own blood, a powerful enemy who uses a blade. Though it was knocked in one blow, it was only possible because Asuka’s defense was perfect. Without Yuuto’s armor, she’ll never be able to win.
A rank. Confirming the strength of the opponent she defeated, Asuka inhaled deeply. She never expected that she would be thankful to that masked count, Asuka laughed a little.
「The three people who faced it before, were useless as expected?」
Watching as she throw out the farming tool, Yuuto asked Risty. Risty said that the tables were turned, but that’s a guess when the communication was stopped. There’s a possibility that they’re alive, that’s uncertain.
Yuuto had a faint hope, Risty slightly frowned.
「Well, they’re probably wiped out. There’s also the possibility of it being draw. Thinking of that three man cell team, it’s better to give up your hope」
Risty said that it’s better not to think that they’re safe. However, Risty calmly anlyzed the situation, so Yuuto shut his mouth. Asuka closed her eyes to pray for a moment.
「…N? Don’t. Be careful」
The moment Asuka gripped her scarlet sword tightly, Risty in front of her muttered. The startled Asuka looked up, Yuuto opened and shut his right hand.
Yuuto expanded his 『16 floating war maidens Rossweisse』at that moment. In an instant, Yuuto had the blades.
「ーーー!?」
Asuka reacted in surprise. Each and every blade appeared on the opponents with incomprehensive speed.
But, Asuka had seen it.
It’s the three figures dressed as a hero.
「Wha!?」
Why? Asuka’s body hardened when she’s about to shout. There’s no time to think, Asuka closed her fighting spirit momentarily.
「Idiot!」
A word. Risty’s words reached Asuka’s ears. At the same time, the three heroes neck and limbs burst out and flew to Asuka.
Asuka and Yuuto’s eyes chased the flying arm and neck.
*Dochari*3, The three’s bodies fell on the ground. Still, the body swing while clattering.
The two with blue mantle, and the girl wearing a red muffler. The head only girl opened her eyes wide and approached Asuka little by little.
Her spine froze in disgust, Asuka bowed to Risty.
「T-thank you very muー」
「Don’t thank. The user must be near. Necromancer. No, Marionette. It’s the type that operates by a thread using magic」
While drawing Asuka’s attention, Risty traced air with her sword. A thread was cut off literally, the body clattering and moving up until now has stopped.
「…Uu」
Yuuto held his mouth as he saw the body of the three. It’s natural, it was his first time seeing a person’s neck fly. Looking at the eye of the girl, Yuuto managed to hold down his nausea.
Seeing something unbelievable, Yuuto looked at Risty. Even though they’re manipulated, Even though they’re already dead, how can she be so calm?
「Kuku. …I see. He’s the kind that mocks the dead. Very well. I don’t have to become attached」