Skeleton Knight, in Volume 1 - Ch 20

Translator: Silver Unedited

Assault on Dientos lord Part 1

The Diento territory is ruled by the feudal lord, in the fortress that was roughly at the territorys center, one man ran down the corridor that led to the lords bed room at great speed. While the castles interior was very quiet, the sound of the alarm bells could be faintly heard from behind the glass windows.

The double-doors of the feudal lords bedroom was luxuriously made with thick quality wood and ordained with gold.

Two sentries stood guard as the night witch and monitored for any suspicious individuals.

The panicked man run straight up to the door and started to violently bang on it, but no one could bla the sentries for this.

The man violently banging of the feudal lords bedroom door was Cyrus Dorman, Consul of Diento.

Triton-sama! Its Cyrus! There is a pressing matter that I have to inform you about!!

His usually pale and stoic face was slightly red and had nervous sweat striking down it tonight.

Cyrus, why are you here at such an hour? Open it.

Since the voice was muffled by the door, Triton doubtfully called to the speaker before ordering one of the maids inside the room to open the door.

Only the word Rudeness was heard as the man made his way inside the room.

Triton rose from his bed in the dimly lit room, and quickly dawned a gown so that he could et Cyrus at the door.

Triton-sama, the people in the room

While smoothing out his white mustache, Triton prompted the two maids to leave; after glancing at Cyrus the two obliged and left the room.

What is this urgent business you spoke of?

Fires have broken out in the city

When Triton heard that he grimaced and let out a large sigh in disappointnt.

While marquis Triton thought that there was no reason to barge into his bedroom for such a trivial matter, consul Cyrus continued to speak.

A fire spread to the major slave trading buildings, including our storehouse!

What!!!!

The startled Triton forcibly stood up and angrily approached the consul.

The delivery date for the Eastern Leburan Empire is closing in! What happened to the products that were being kept in the storehouse!?

Thats, the guards say that soone infiltrated the building before the fire broke out

Whatd they say!? The guards were supposed to stop intruders!! What on earth were those fools doing!!!

The marquis openly berated his foolish subordinates in his anger.

The front door was suddenly bolted shut, they could only hear screams from within. All sides of the building were covered to prevent any blind spots, the only possibility is that there was a traitor within

Fuck!! Send so of the castle soldiers out to make sure the fire is properly extinguished imdiately! Even if the top burned, the basent was made of stone so it wouldnt be easy to burn!!

It wouldnt look good to have the castle soldiers only appear there though If you do not dispatch them in the other three locations

Dont bring that up now; dispatch them in mass!!!

In response to Cyruss protest, the veins on Tritons head bulged as he yelled. Panicked by the threatening atmosphere, Cyrus tripped over himself as he quickly left the room to carry out the orders.

In order to quench his throat after raving so much, the short on breath Triton grabbed a pitcher of water next to his bed and started to gulp it down.

Fortunately the delivery date had been postponed. Worst case we will simply have to deliver what we have on hand to eastern Lebrun as a reimbursent for their order

Speaking those words in disgust, marquis Triton rubbed his forehead to suppress the headache he got from thinking up the later correspondence.

Arc POV

Many smoke pillars could be seen rising above Diento from the bank of the Rydell river, and I watched as they clouded the night sky.

Strange, the kidnappers base was in the red-light district close to the east gate. Id understand if the fire spread in that area, but why were there so many fires popping up around the city?

Ariane-dono, did your collaborators set the city on fire?

Its possible that mbers of Arianes group were using this as a cover for the rescue operation. However, with an unpleasant expression she denied the accusation.

I dont know. Only Danka and I should have been in the city. Those fires were caused by sothing else. In any case, its an unexpected event that perfectly covers our infiltration. We can also take advantage of this confusion to infiltrate the castle as well.

It didnt seem like she was telling a lie. And it is a good opportunity like she said. With fires sprouting up in so many places, a lot of people most have been dispatched from the castle to extinguish them.

No, if the underground organization I was connected to was threatened, the first thing I would do is dispatch my troops. With the castles lowered security, now would be the best ti to search it.

Well, the number guards will be insufficient if the soldiers from the castle were dispatched. Assuming we take this opportunity to slip inside the lords castle

That mont Ariane licked her sexy full lips and gave a fearless laugh, before she laid her sight on the earnest expression sporting Danka.

Danka, could you keep an eye on the kids. If Im not mistaken, the nearest village is a day away if we go upstream and enter the large forest right?

Thats about right. At the the upper reach of the river, there is a fulcrum with the Riburuto river. I will wait for you there.

Please do. Arc, start removing the magic eating collars.

Yes

While Ariane encouraged the elven girls to stand in front of her, I approached one of them and slowly placed my hand of the collar, so that I didnt frighten her.

Anti-curse

When the magic formation ford and sunk into the collar, it made the sa clear snipping sound as last ti before opening and falling off.

Although the other girls were surprised, they ca over to be with looks of expectation.

Nodding, I use Anti-curseon each of the girls and destroy the remaining collars. After each of the collars were destroyed, the girls offered

their words of gratitude.

He really is capable of curse removal magic

Danka also quietly voiced his surprise.

Lets quickly head to the feudal lords castle!

I feel a gentle tap on the shoulder of my armor, as she vehently yelled and stared in the direction of Dientos lords castle. That was the signal to transfer to the castle.

When I give a small nod, Ponta who was around my neck let out a cry that said she was ready to go.

I first moved to the other side of the river using Dinsional step. The sound of the alarm bells beca louder after we moved closer to the city.

Since the the south side of the wall faced the river there were no hos built within the outer wall, aning that there were no witnesses to what was happening.

Since it was so late at night, there werent many guards on top of the outer wall either, only a few sentries were sparsely place along the wall.

In a matter of seconds, I used Dinsional stepto transfer to the top of the outer wall and then to the inner wall that was visible from there.

Unlike the the outer wall, that separates the wilderness from the city, there were no sentries placed on the inner wall. Was the purpose of this wall to defend the city in case of siege warfare?

Still, to be safe I crouch down and observable the situation in town through one of gaps in the walls railing.

Smoke was coming from all over the city, there were maybe four points of origin? The four fires most have gone off simultaneously as it would be impossible for them to have been set off leisurely given the timing.

After concealing her dark elf body with her gray cloak, Ariane glared at

with her golden eyes, insisting that I transfer to the next location.

Since her lilac skin was covered by her cloak that lted into the darkness, only her golden eyes could be seen from within, it was like she was so conductor of so kind of galactic express. Though the body on the inside is a dynamite one though

I look at the raised castle of the feudal lord that stood at the center from the gap in the railing. The castle, which was dimly lit by moonlight, was a great distance away from here. The foot of the castle was rested within its own large shadow, and the outskirts of the building were swallowed by darkness.

Ariane was still glaring at

from behind, but it was not like I was staring out at the city without a propose. It seed that I wont be able to rely transfer near the castle.

I first thought that the feudal lords castle was built with a chanism that obstructed magic, but really it was just a matter of finding a suitable transfer destination. This magic doesnt seem to be usable in utter darkness.

Since the castles roof was illuminated by the moonlight I set the transfer location there and invoke Dinsional Stepwithout a hitch.

The city was built atop a hill and the castle was placed at the highest point of the city; there was nothing obscuring the view of the area up here. It was a great view. I would like to experience this view during the day if possible.

Ariane was surprised when we suddenly transferred to the roof, and she late out a small yelp as she tried to regain her balance.

Ya! Hey dont suddenly transfer to the roof without warning?! If youre going to move to an unstable foothold say so before hand.

Ah, I did sothing foolish.

Ponta, suddenly moved to the top of my helt and let out a growl in protest of my treatnt, causing Ariane to apologize. Since Ponta settled the matter, Ill buy her so grapes when this is over.

As expected, we were able to watch all the activity of the castle from the roof, without anyone being aware of us.

The feudal lords castle wasnt very elegant in appearance; looking more like a fort than anything else. In addition to the two walls that surrounded the castle, there was as a moat, making it hard to invade.

In between the walls and the castle, there was a large garden in the front, and the rest of the space was filled with a large barracks and an empty training field.

The castle was composed of six outer towers, connected to the central structure by small corridors.

From atop one the six towers that we were standing on, it was possible to view over the entire city.

The only way for enemies to spot us is if they randomly decided to look up, but there was no way to search for the elves.

The tower we were on right now was a lookout tower, that can act as a grain storage or various other uses if the f0rt was ever under siege. There seems to be facilities for accommodating captives and criminals underground, now where would I place high-end elven slaves?

Araine-dono. I hesitate to ask, but what type of treatnt do elven slaves receive?

is that question really relevant now?

She glared at

with her golden eyes from the depth of her cloak with an openly displeased expression.

The kind of treatnt they receive, I think will make it easier to Identify their location

Upon hearing my intentions, she replied with disgust after a while.

In the case of the woman, they often beco playthings, the n are made to to fornicate with noble won to produce children.

When I looked over the sells contracts, why was the cost of the males higher? Does it have sothing to do with them fornicating with noble won?

When a mixed raced child is born, it will inherit the race of of its mother right?

Mixed raced children took after their mothers, thats another thing I didnt know, but I chi in to prompt her to make her point.

A human child is thereby born with the high magical power that is the characteristic of the elves The human nobles have many people with high magical aptitude, that were taken from elves in the days of old. Ah, those human still arent able use spirit magic though

I see, in order to survive in this world overrun with monsters, the humans had to beco better at handling magic, so they forcibly took the power from the elves.

Then its the nobles that are mostly capable of magic Only financial and military might hold power in this world. Why would those of this country allow the beings called elves run free when they can strengthen their own military might?

This world is built upon feudalism, so its unlikely that human rights are respected.

So with the mindset of a man in power, the whereabouts of the missing elves should be decided by that.

If I was connected to the to the captives sexually I would not keep them in the regular prisons, so we should probably check around were the feudal lord sleeps?

There were a few soldiers routinely patrolling the the grounds. Whether or not this minimal amount was the result of the fires that broke out in town is unknown, but Im still grateful for this situation.

Im about to transfer to the main building of the castle.

When Ariana placed her hand on my shoulder and gave an affirmative, I transferred us from the top of the tower to a bush next to the main residence.

Glass was fitted into the window fra, and you were able to see inside the residence. I confirm that there were no human shadows in the corridor before I transfer inside it. The view from this side is not the sa from the outside of the window.

The corridor was wider along the side of the residence it was connected to, and it was filled with various furnishings.

Ariane silently walks up to one of the corridors doors, and quickly checked the room behind it.

She give

the Follow

gesture before entering the room. The room had a parquet wooden floor, a polished wooden table surrounded by chairs, and at the back hung a large tapestry. Based on the rooms atmosphere it was probably a waiting room. The interior was dimly light, and outlook was bleak.

Directly across from us was another door, which Ariane opened and scouted out the area beyond it.

When I saw the building from the roof of the tower it dont look anything impressive, but it seed rather large from the inside. Was there an underground dungeon here after all?

Ariane calmly opened the door the rest of the way and then left. I followed her out of the waiting room.

This corridor was only half the width of the previous one, doors lined both sides, and there were small pictures between each door.

Farther down, the corridor curves to the left making it impossible to see beyond the turn. I transfer to the edge of it and peek around.

At so point the hallway ca to a dead end, with a barred wooden door at the center of the wall, and a guard dozing off in his chair in front of it. Unlike the the previous ones, the barred door was gave off a strange vibe.

When I transfer to the side of the sleeping guards side I grab his head and twist it. A sickening sound rings throughout the L shape hall as I kept the now limp body from hitting the floor.

I ripped the key from the dead guards waist and slide it into the doors keyhole.

When I hear the sound of the shutters turning I slowly open the door; the room was perfectly square that wasnt too wide, and there as a staircase leading underground.

We were on the first floor of the building and the stairs led to the basent. Since there was a guard I was able to find a clue.

I called out to Ariane, who had been searching the the other rooms till now.

Araine-dono

In spite the quietness of my voice, Ariane appeared in an instant, proving the excellence of the elves hearing.

She nodded when I inclined my head towards the square room and followed behind shortly after. After checking the stairs in the room, she proceeds to descend them.

As if she were a ninja, she soundlessly decided the stairs despite them being made of wood. I used transfer to follow behind her Indian martial arts movents. My tal armor made it impossible to imitate her stealthy movents.

Gufu!! Ga!

I heard the groans of a man from the basent, before sothing hit the floor and things went quiet. A guard probably had been stationed below.

Various lamps around the camber acted as the only source of light in this basent, and three iron reinforced doors lined the stone wall to the right. Since the doors were windowless, we could not tell what was on the other side of them.

My na is Ariane Glenys Maple. Are any of my brethren here?!

When Ariane pounded on the door and announced herself, there was an imdiate answer from the other side.

A warrior from Maple?! Help has co!!

Thank goodness! Id like to leave as soon as possible !! Please!

It seems that warriors from Maple were synonymous with the best among the elves. Relief and delight could be heard from the voice on the other side of the door.

In order to free them, Ariana searched the body of the fallen guard but didnt seem to find anything.

The key isnt here! Where is it!?

Irritation was mixed into her voice, and all of a sudden the answer ca from the other side of the door.

The feudal lord has the key. Thanks to the magic eating collars we cant use spirit magic to break down the door.

I see, it is not necessary for the guard to have a key to the cells. There would be no need for the key of the door could easily be broken down with spirit magic.

Step back from the door.

Pausing for a mont after saying so, once I was sure that the person moved away, I delivered a powerful kick to the iron reinforced door.

Bakiin!When I heard that loud sound, the door remarkably fought off its hinges. With my current strength, bending the cell bars to escape might even be possible.

On the other side of the door was a slender fair-skinned woman with a exasperated expression on her face. She had the blonde hair, green eyes and long ears of the elves; though only a thin piece of cloth covered her delicate fra. Gazing a little lower, I caught sight of the modest bud of her chest. Dropping my view even farther, I noticed that her wrist were bound with simple wooden shackles.

It was probably done to discourage them from trying to escape. Since the elves bodies werent built with a lot of muscle, this would still be effective enough.

Leaving the shackles to Ariane I open the other door in the sa way, and a similar looking won appeared beyond the fra. However, the won from before had long hair while this womans hair was cut short.

Whos that person over there in the knight armor?

The short haired won asked Ariane that question while looking in my direction. The elves must not have people that are equipped in full body armor. Suspicious looks were passed my way.

Hes a helper that I employed for this rescue mission. It maybe hard to believe, but you dont need to worry because he is a reliable person.//Silver: In other words hes done enough shit to be taken down with us if were caught.//

She gave a wryly smile as she said that and asked

to remove the magic eating collars from the two people.

I lightly nod before casting Anti-curseon the two, and with the familiar snapping sound the collars fall to the floor.

Surprising To commission soone capable of removing curses without a chant

The long haired woman said the sa thing Danka muttered, while she rubbed her neck to verify that this was real.

Thats my general purpose. After we escape from here and join with the others, will the plan be complete?

In the middle of proposing our next action, a objection was given by the two forr captives.

Wait! Im sorry for causing you trouble after freeing us, but that pig of a feudal lord and the people of Rhoden need to be taught a lesson!

Yeah! Ive been imprisoned here for four years! My mind will never be at ease if I dont dispose of that pig with my own hands!

The two state their claims in Arianes direction, and plead with their eyes for our next action. She looks to have thought it over a little before she turned and replied to the won.

Okay. To prevent future sorrows, its wise to end the feudal lord whose the root of this evil now. Where is the lord?

Urged on by the fact that the assassination of the lord was accepted, the two hopped over the fallen body as they made their way to the stairs. Despite the two only wearing thin over shirts, they quickly ran up to the first floor, with Ariane following close behind.

The lords assassination seems to have imdiately put into action. While I wanted to avoid drawing attention to myself with flashy actions, I couldnt simply ignore the intentions of the requester in this situation.

Since it was ostensibly the elves retribution, in order not to be conspicuous its better to take part in this criminal act.