NOVEL SIMPLE That blackmailing bastard made a desperate attempt, thinking I would be swayed, but he was mistaken.
The worst outcome would be if that guy survived with my help and continued being chief or became warchief. I might not know much about the Jatav tribe, but I knew Atarte was the kind of guy who’d set back the lives of his people by decades.
However, I couldn’t just ignore the children.
So, in the end, I played my last card.
“Hah, you came. I knew you wouldn’t be able to abandon the kids, huh?”
Leaving behind Akata—what the Archmage called the child—would have likely resulted in her being taken hostage, so I brought her along. Survival came first, no matter what brutal scenes would unfold before us.
However, even if Akata was safe, the other children were still at risk. The same applied to the child Atarte held in his hands at this very moment.
He used two of his six arms to lift the child onto his shoulders. Seeing the child’s crying face, it was abundantly clear they weren’t enjoying this at all.
“I’ll be in trouble if you use Arcane Power, after all.”
Ah. So, he was using the child as a meat shield to protect his head from my [Arcane Spear]?
“Also, I need to be wary of that priest on your side, right? I might not know much about this, but I can sense Arcane Power.”
Atarte pointed behind him as if to say he would kill the kids if we tried anything funny. I saw children tied up such that they were hanging at the height of an adult.
It seemed he had done this after he observed me taking care of the rebels.
It had been a while since I last encountered such an absolute bastard.
“So, are you going to help us now? They came here with a small elite force, taking advantage of our lack of priests, so they’re mostly using magic and even brought along the Jahukaya. However, there aren’t many of them. If we take care…”
Seeing this made a surge of furious heat rise to my eyes.
‘Aren’t you angry?’
Really.
‘Don’t you want to kill him?’
Irritating.
‘Don’t hold back.’
I’d never thought living like a pushover was wrong. The losses I’d suffered were mostly manageable, and sometimes, these losses even provided some with irreplaceable opportunities.
‘You don’t need to endure this anymore.’
But sometimes, seeing people trying to exploit my goodwill made me sick.
‘Let’s just kill them all.’
Did they think they could take advantage of me because I stayed quiet? I wasn’t that kind of easy person.
“Demon Knight?”
「Rage」
I recognized the depth and intensity of this boiling anger. It was so unbearable. With my stress level already incredibly high, I couldn’t handle any more of this disgusting situation.
“Demon Knight!”
「Nullifies all status conditions except Rage…」
But that didn’t matter.
「ig──@# further status4#^con7%$to$$^&[email protected]
#$*^[email protected]#[email protected]@#&*?????」
I already knew what would happen if my forcefully suppressed anger erupted and what results it could bring.
“Demon Knight, what are you trying to—!”
「Error!」
First, I focused my anger away from the children and civilians around me.
‘…How?’
It was different from when I was on the island.
Back then, I was furious at so many things: the enemies tormenting children and the gory sights they made me witness. Yet, I had to suppress my emotions. That only amplified my anger until I fell into [Rage].
But the situation was different now.
Now, I could release my anger before it could paralyze my mind. It was okay to do so.
‘How can you control your anger?’
If one could direct one’s anger in the right direction and act in a purposeful and rightful manner, then anger wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, either.
Releasing water before the dam broke wasn’t a sign of impatience but a wise action.
‘How?’
Thus, I focused on my target and concentrated the surging Arcane Power in my right arm into one point.
‘A mere human.’
“Demon Knight—!”
And when the Arcane Power was fully gathered into a single point, I unleashed all my anger and sorrow along with it.
My Arcane Power, which had been 2,941 points, instantly plummeted to 0 as I fired a pitch-black beam.
───!
With a thunderous roar too loud to even call a sound, a long, black, serpentine energy beam streaked across the sky.
Where this giant snake had passed, it looked as if a giant had taken a bite out of the forest, leaving nothing behind.
The sight was so overwhelming I couldn’t even let out a dry laugh. In a world where Arcane Power and swords were a common sight, this felt like it would become part of a myth.
“Try it.”
So come on, you bastard. Let’s reset the board.
“You will soon realize that the lives of these children are directly tied to your own.”
You're not the only one who can threaten others.
* * *
…I thought I could finally bring him down this time.
「Ah. Aaah…」
* * *
“…What?”
“What? Are you surprised by my unexpected reaction?”
Our surroundings grew silent. It was an eerie silence, quite incongruous for a battlefield where two tribes were fighting against each other.
“You thought I would fear carrying away the corpses of innocent children?”
However, considering what I had just done and how the resulting wind pressure had demolished several houses and sent people flying, it wasn’t really that surprising.
“Kill them! I have already murdered my own blood. What difference would the blood of these children make?!”
Even if he didn’t have the presence of mind to look away from me, he’d surely have noticed his surroundings after being thrown to the ground, especially when everyone around him was staring at the forest behind him. How could he not at least glance over his shoulder?
Finally, those who still had the guts to move after seeing that scene, well…
“However, remember this!”
There wouldn’t be any, at least not until I finished talking, right?
“If you kill those children, I will rip your flesh, crush your bones, and shred your insides before scattering them over the graves of those innocent souls in vengeance!”
So, let’s do this—this game of chicken.
Whether he went all out and killed everyone here or if he couldn’t do anything, enabling me to save all the children as I intended. Whoever blinked first would lose.
“Then make your choice!”
However, I could assure him of one thing: while I might not come out as the ultimate winner, he would definitely be the loser.
“Will you take these children as your companions to the afterlife, or will you choose to quietly mind your own damn business.”
Either way, he was going to die.
“Wh-What…?” ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
For the first time in quite a long while, my character and true self were united as one to let out this genuine rage straight away. I felt the heat coming from my cheeks, the warmth of anger.
But was that a bad thing? Not really.
Even though this situation was utterly shit, I felt strangely refreshed inside. Honestly, this was the first time I could express my anger without worrying about the consequences.
Back in Montata, I… well, given the circumstances, I had to be cautious even when I wanted to get seriously angry.
“Ch-Children…”
Snap.
As I thought, this bastard was seriously flustered.
I intentionally brought up my past that was part of the setting to give my words more power, and it seemed to have worked.
After all, it was hard to believe someone who’d killed one’s very kin would get swayed by the deaths of some unrelated people. That was precisely what I was aiming for.
Suppressing the urge to lash out at him, I stabbed my Zweih?nder into the ground beside me. A surge of Arcane Power flowed out of my hand, causing dark energy to emanate along the blade.
This was a clear threat.
“I told you to make your choice.”
At last, Atarte, who’d been pathetically yelling at the children, finally shut up.
Perhaps because he didn’t want to hasten his end, he didn’t lay a finger on them. It was so absurd that I couldn’t even laugh.
* * *
* * *
【What just… happened…】
【A black thunder… came out of the stranger’s hand.】
【Was that a snake… flying through the sky?】
Meanwhile, those around us were muttering among themselves. Neither the invaders nor those defending had the courage to continue fighting, so they just stood there dumbfounded.
【Run away!】
At that moment, a boy around fifteen started running, holding a child. One of the Jatav warriors reflexively drew his spear against that boy.
Slash!
But I couldn’t let that happen. I swung my hand to shoot out an [Arcane Spear], clearly showing that I was the one who did it.
One could think of it as me throwing the Arcane Power gathered on my fingertips like a knife or a card.
It was far more efficient than manifesting it midair, requiring less Arcane Power. The spear quickly flew forward and severed the Jatav warrior’s spear.
His expression turned to shock, and the child hurriedly ran away.
“How dare you?”
What a joke. Did they think I wasn’t siding with the Vigabol and threatening Atarte because I sympathized with those invaders?
“My refusal to side with that scum doesn’t justify your aggression. So go ahead, try running wild. The moment you target even one person who is unarmed or unwilling to fight, I will personally take your heads.”
I stared at the Jatav warrior with fierce, unyielding eyes. I’d heard that unwavering eyes were often described as those of a killer, so I made extra sure to keep my gaze motionless as if it were nailed to them.
Whether it was effective or not, the warrior began to sweat profusely and stepped back.
【…To the warriors of Jatav, I shall relay to you this message. We are guests of the Vigabol tribe and have no intention of intervening in this conflict… so long as you do not attack those who are unarmed or unwilling to fight.】
Ah, right. They didn’t understand my language, right? But that didn’t matter. It seemed like the Archmage was translating for me.
【I ask of you, please leave the civilians who flee or surrender alone if you don’t want us to intervene.】
Of course, this kind of made me feel like I’d become some international organization like the UN… but who cares? The strength I’d shown could save lives, and that was all that mattered.
【We can’t trust the words of outsiders!】
【So what if you can’t? What will you do then? Be warned, the one beside me won’t treat you as politely as I do.】
【…!!】
【I repeat, you have no other choice. Please don’t force us to make the worst decision here.】
Fortunately, the Jatav stopped directing their swords toward the civilians, perhaps understanding the Archmage’s translation.
【Damn it. Ultimately, that means you’re siding with the Jatav under the guise of neutrality! You are our guests, yet you plan to stand by and watch our tribe get annihilated!】
【It seems to me that the chief crossed the line first. Furthermore, it appears the one pushing the Vigabol over the edge isn’t us.】
【Have you no pity for us?!】
I watched as the children and elderly gathered behind me before glaring at Atarte again. Even though I couldn’t understand what he was saying, his shameless expression suggested he wasn’t saying anything worthwhile.
Atarte, who had been whining to the Archmage, finally flinched.
【It was you, Chief Atarte, who threatened to kill the children if we didn’t intervene! And you dare speak of pity?!!】
The Archmage’s shout echoed in all directions. I was kind of curious about what that bastard said to him.
【And the same goes for those who support the chief! Are you just standing idly by because those taken as hostages are the children of rebels?!】
Wow, the Archmage was seriously furious.
I felt my own anger subside for some reason. As before, seeing the usually kind-hearted Archmage so enraged somehow made my own heart shrink in fear.
If not for my character setting, I likely would have put my hands together and laid my head on the ground.
【How foolish! If those children die, it’s obvious who the next hostages will be!】
【…! What do you mean?!】
【Wait, what are you saying?!】
【One last thing, Chief. You haven’t just gambled with the lives of these children here. You’ve staked the lives of all the children in this village.】
Not knowing why he was so angry made it even scarier.
【Chief…?】
【That’s a lie. Don’t get swayed! The enemy is right in front of us!】
【…】
However, it seemed their morale was fluttering quite a bit.
【It’s true!!】
At that moment, the child behind me, Akata, shouted loudly.
【That man told me to kill this person, too!! Just because he said that he didn’t want to help!!】
Hey, why was she pointing at me as she spoke…
【…Akata?】
【Whatever, you said that it was highly likely yesterday, right?】
【But if you do this…】
【My whole family is dead, so what’s the point of this tribe surviving, anyway? I’d rather see this damn tribe burn if it means I can watch Atarte die.】
Hey…
【Ch-Chief, is that true?】
【Don’t be swayed! Are you going to believe the words of a rebel’s child with the enemy right in front of us?! You should already know that the rebels colluded with the Jatav!!】
【That bastard doesn’t care about the tribe’s fate! He said if we were going to be defeated anyway, we’d all be dead, so he took all the children hostage!】
In the midst of this chaos, I found myself feeling despondent. Despite my giving these guys a way out, they left me out of their talk… Hmph.
Slice!
At that moment, Atarte drew his sword. No, more accurately, he swung it since he’d already drawn it.
In any case, the fact remained that he’d just beheaded someone. It was the person who’d been muttering the most fervently to him.
Atarte’s face, seething with rage, surveyed the surroundings with a cold glare.
【I am your chief. If there are those among you who would be swayed by the words of an outsider and a rebel’s child, you’d be better off throwing down your weapons and joining them.】
Did he have any… charisma?
I couldn’t really tell. After all, to me, he was nothing more than a domestic abuser and scumbag who held children hostage, or, in other words: ‘a waste of oxygen and a piece of trash that couldn’t even be recycled’. Even if he had charisma, I would absolutely say he didn’t.
However, that was just my opinion. The people around us were quick to comply. Despite someone having just died, they chose submission over opposition.
He wasn’t chief for nothing, I guess. Still a scumbag, though.
【They can’t attack civilians! Use that to your advantage!】
【…Yes!】
It seemed Atarte was somewhat capable. Despite significant losses, he still managed to regroup his forces, making them hold their ground.
Considering he couldn’t even call for help and lacked priests, it was quite impressive. Still a scumbag, though.
【Damn bastards…】
Regardless of the Vigabol tribe’s fate, I certainly hoped the Jatav would at least kill Atarte.
I continued glaring at the bastard holding the children hostage. Naturally, I was waiting for the moment he released the hostage so I could kill him. It was hard to hope for his defeat like this, considering the children might get caught in the crossfire.
That bastard surviving, let alone winning? Those kids would have to live their lives under the rule of this bastard who’d taken them hostage.
Ah, how infuriating.
‘Please. Kill him.’
Couldn’t I just deal with him somehow?
‘Kill everything that annoys you!’
Seriously, if only I could deal with just that guy…
“Mister.”
Was it just my imagination? I felt like I heard a voice I shouldn’t be hearing…
“Mister Knight.”
“…!”
I turned my eyes toward the voice I’d heard amidst that ringing in my ears. There, between the houses, I caught a glimpse of a green pair of ears and a tail. Behind him, a muscular fighter was peeking out, not entirely hidden.
“Erm, well. Is there anything we can help with?”
“Berserk wants to fight.”
These guys were truly funny. When did they get here? And why were they hiding like that? Half of Bers’ body was sticking out…
Wait a second.
I looked toward Deb and Bers again.
If this went well… couldn’t we actually save the children?
“Wizard.”
“…? What is it.”
This wasn’t something I could handle alone. I called out to the person with the highest intelligence stat here. It was time to come up with a plan.
【Damn it, their resistance is too strong!】 fгeewebnovёl.com
【Damn. They said not to worry, that even if the rebellion failed, it would still weaken their forces…! This is why you can’t trust people from other tribes!】
【Commander, the Jahukaya have taken heavy damage! What are your orders?!】
【Use that device! Damn it, I didn’t want to rely on that outsider’s item, but we have no other choice. Throw it!】
Just when I decided to come up with a plan…
【Throw it!】
Amid the fierce battle, a small vat was thrown into the middle of the village.
【Huh?】
【A-Aaaaaah!】
【Uwaaaargh!!!】
“…It’s the curse!!”
Disaster began to spread around us.