Chapter 51
A journey that would take five days on foot was completed in just two days using the power of Skeleton horses. On the morning of the third day after departure, they arrived at Yusef. Although the snow slightly hindered their path, it wasn't enough to lose their sense of direction, which was fortunate.
Additionally, while it required a constant consumption of Yuurai's magical energy, her reserves were so vast that it posed no problem at all.
"So that's Yusef......"
About two kiloters ahead, the town of Yusef ca into view. The town was surrounded by low walls and had a moat around it as well.
The population was originally around fifty thousand. Of those, about twenty thousand vanished, and several thousand more fled, drastically reducing the population. This has led to various issues, such as a shortage of workers and a decline in public safety.
(......Is this the aftermath of my mass slaughter? I don't feel much guilt, but I'm not entirely without remorse either.)
"Yuurai-sama. From this point on, could you use Concealnt magic?"
"Ah, sure."
Following Gilka's instructions, Yuurai cast a strong Concealnt spell over the entire group.
Although she intended to reveal herself eventually, the plan was to operate in hiding until they rescued Gilka's subordinates.
Thanks to the magic's effect, they could confirm each other's presence, but they beca imperceptible to outsiders.
However, there were still several ways to detect Yuurai and her group.
If using magic, thods like Concealnt Dispel or Magic Dispel could work.
If using skills, abilities like Presence Detection or Insight could uncover them.
One could also use a Magical Tool to create an Anti-Magic barrier. While it doesn't completely prevent the use of magic, it can forcibly dispel sothing like Concealnt magic.
Incidentally, Yuurai's Concealnt magic and Gilka's Stealth skill, while similar in effect, are slightly different.
Concealnt magic allows the user to freely choose the range of effect. It can be applied to just oneself or to multiple people. It's also possible to hide only magical energy, or just magic and weapons.
The Stealth skill, on the other hand, can only hide the user and the items they're carrying. It cannot hide parts selectively or extend to others.
Concealnt magic is more versatile. However, it is relatively easier to see through.
The Stealth skill cannot be countered by Magical Tools, and depending on the level, even Presence Detection might fail to detect it.
While magic is a type of skill, those listed in the status skill window are often more powerful.
By the way, there's also a skill called Presence Block. It can hide the presence of multiple people, but the effect wears off if they attempt to use magic or attack.
"I've cast the Concealnt magic. So, they said to bring my head to the town square, right?"
"It seems so."
"Got it. For now, let's go while staying hidden."
After a brief discussion, Yuurai and the others infiltrated the town. Thanks to the Concealnt magic, no one noticed them.
The town was quiet. Perhaps due to the fear of being attacked by thugs outside, there were hardly any people around. The few passersby they saw had tense, grim expressions. The atmosphere was gloomy, and it wasn't a place one would want to linger in.
(......The town itself isn't bad, but I'm not in the mood for sightseeing. Let's hurry.)
Controlling the Skeleton horses, the four of them headed to the square.
A crowd had gathered in the square, and at its center was a tal cage, the kind used to hold ferocious beasts.
Inside that cage were two young n in their twenties, Gilka's subordinates.
The two were nearly naked, their hands and feet bound with ropes, and their bodies bore marks of severe abuse. The fact that they hadn't lost any limbs might be the only rcy shown to them.
Since both were n, they likely didn't feel much resistance to being exposed. However, it was winter, and the cold was extre. There was a risk of frostbite or even freezing to death.
They were lying down, and for a mont, Yuurai thought they might be dead, but she could barely sense signs of breathing.
(......Ah, I've been through sothing like that too.)
Recalling those tis, a dark emotion seeped into Yuurai's heart.
At that mont, Lipia tightly hugged Yuurai's body.
Lipia's body was trembling slightly.
Yuurai realized that her emotional turmoil had disrupted the Concealnt magic, unintentionally frightening Lipia.
"Sorry, Lipia. I'm okay."
"Yeah......"
Yuurai cald herself and turned her gaze back to the crowd.
Most of those surrounding the cage were likely ordinary citizens. So shouted curses, others glared in silence, and so threw stones...... Their reactions varied. Two soldiers, presumably guards, were also present, but they didn't seem to care much when citizens threw stones.
(......What an unpleasant sight. Those two haven't done anything, yet they're being used as scapegoats. If you're angry, direct it at ...... Well, I guess that's not possible. People want soone to vent their anger on, but they don't want to be retaliated against.)
Soone with a spear even tried to stab the two inside the cage, but the soldiers stopped them. It seed they intended to keep the hostages alive, at least for now.
(Depending on the situation, even ordinary citizens can harm unrelated people. I can understand their feelings to so extent. Maybe that's why I don't feel anger...... I don't feel like apologizing either, though.)
Yuurai, Lipia, and Claire stood silently near the crowd.
anwhile.
"I'm going over there for a bit. Please lift the Concealnt magic on ."
"Ah, okay."
Yuurai dispelled the Concealnt magic. Gilka, who had dismounted from the Skeleton horse, leaped over the citizens with her black hair and tail swaying, landing gracefully on top of the cage.
The gathered citizens and the two soldiers guarding the cage were visibly startled.
"Hey, you two. Still alive?"
Without imdiately rescuing them, Gilka smirked and spoke to the two inside.
"You! You're Gilka, the leader of the Black Phantom Wolves, aren't you!?"
"A minion of the Demon King!"
The two armored soldiers pointed their spears at Gilka. However, she didn't seem fazed in the slightest.
Even from Yuurai's perspective, it was clear that the two soldiers' skills were far inferior to Gilka's.
"......Boss."
"You ca for us......?"
The faint voices of the two reached Yuurai's ears. She wasn't sure if Claire or Lipia could hear them.
"Of course. I'm not heartless enough to abandon you guys."
"Thank you...... so much......"
"We're saved......"
"Well, it looks like a pretty tough situation, but it's still better than Yuurai-sama's thing, right?"
"Haha...... yeah, I guess......"
"This...... is just a little painful......"
(......By 'my thing,' do they an Pain Infliction (Pain) or ntal Corruption? Just how traumatic are those spells?)
"Shut up, minion of the Demon King!"
"Die!"
(Hey, hey, aren't we supposed to be in the middle of a deal? They're not even asking where the Dark Lich's head is before attacking?)
The two soldiers tried to stab Gilka on top of the cage with their spears. However, with a blur of her arm, Gilka severed the tips of their spears.
"You small fries aren't worth talking to. ......Alright, ti to get you out of there."
Gilka slashed through the cage with her sword. Though the cage was likely as sturdy as iron, she effortlessly destroyed the ceiling bars.
"Whoa, impressive."
Yuurai was in awe.
"......I could do that much too."
For so reason, Claire seed to be competing.
Anyway.
Gilka entered the cage, pulled out a recovery potion from her pouch, and gave it to the two n. Their bodies seed quite weakened, but they weren't in danger of dying.
"Murderer!"
Soone among the citizens shouted. Soon, many others began to yell as well.
"How many do you think have died!?"
"Give back my grandchild!"
"How could you do sothing so cruel!?"
And so on. They spoke as if Gilka herself were the Demon King responsible for the mass slaughter.
Gilka turned to face the citizens, first destroying the cage. Then, she flashed a fearless grin.
"I'm a murderer, a villain. And I'm soone who serves the murderous Demon King. I won't deny that. But that person didn't kill out of choice. You woke a sleeping dragon, angered it, and brought about your own destruction. You picked a fight with the wrong opponent. Curse your own foolishness."
The citizens began shouting various grievances and insults again.
Gilka bore it all alone.
"......Those words are ant for , not Gilka. Is she trying to shield in her own way?"
Thanks.
Though she knew Gilka couldn't hear her, Yuurai quietly expressed her gratitude. She decided to thank her properly later.
"But I can't let Gilka keep taking the brunt of this unpleasantness. ......Marionette."
As Yuurai invoked her magic, the citizens' shouts abruptly ceased.
Even with over a hundred targets, stopping their movents posed no difficulty at all.
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