Chapter 194

[TL’s note]

(青竜刀) Blue dragon sword -> DaoIt essentially means a Chinese sword with a wide blade, it describes as one-handed here so I’ll use Dao for now. (Liu Ye Dao to be exact, but I’ll use Dao or Dao sword for simplicity)

『Hey.』

『Hm, What?』

『Why don’t you try some of this grass.』

Arshella then offered me the grass.

『I heard you like it. There’s still plenty of it over there, so eat as much as you want.』

She pointed to a pile of grass rolls behind the shrine.

…..No way, is that all the manager’s mystery grass?

『It’s a gift from Dupont.』

『Dupont who?』

『The manager of the butcher store…..Minosland where you worked.』

Oh, The manager is called Dupont?!

It’s been a while since I’ve eaten that grass. Now I feel refreshed.

『Here, have some of this.』

『What’s this?』

『It’s a new smoothie from Minosland.』

Gulp, gulp, gulp. ……

So fresh, delicious! I’d love to add some of those honey ants’s amber to it!

–Then my eyes met Arshella’s.

For some reason, she was smiling at me with funny looks in her eyes.

I feel uneasy. She even had an evil-looking smirk on her face. It’s the kind of evil, devious smile you see on a Yankee’s face when they are trying to pull something.

『―――― So, First, the subhuman fortress… 88 right? I hope you can destroy it, We need you to get that place thoroughly squashed.』

『About that, I decided not to completely destroy 88, and go for a more robust approach.』

『…………Eh? what? why?』

Arshella, looking flustered and presses me.

『There’s a lot of things going on on my part.』

『No, but …… if we don’t take down that fort, we’ll have no reason to be here, no reason to make Zephyr wait to attack Titania, and no plan to settle things peacefully』

『I didn’t ask for it…….』

『oh, well whatever!』

She slapped me on the shoulder.

『Just go and use whatever power you’ve got and burn the 88 to the ground!』

『I can’t….. I made a promise to …… Abigail…….』

I reluctantly said.

The dragon’s eyes glare up at me.

『Abigail….. is that the rumored subhuman woman? What kind of relationship do you two have? She was your offering at Faymbaum right?』

『Yes, but we’ve become quite close.』

『You’re making friends with her?』

『Well…』

『Is she …… beautiful?』

『Huh? yes』

『Hmm』

With her mouth twitching, Arshella pierces me with her piercing glare.

In an effort to brush off such accusations, I tried to flatter her.

『That armor is so cool. It looks great on you.』

『–Hmm? Is it?』

Arshella looked down at her armor after being told.

『fufufu……I know right? You see, because of my request, I have my papa’s old armor adjusted…』

She acts like she’s not too happy about it. But her dragon tail is wagging and her wings are flapping. She’s so proud of it. Too easy.

As I was giving her a warm gaze, Arshella coughed and turned serious.

『Ugh….. geho! Anyway! If you don’t take down that fortress, I won’t be able to hold back Zephyr’s moves. So get angry and go rampage!!』

『But ……You see, I always keep my promises …….』

『That’s admirable…… but!!』

Kwah! and Arshella bared her fangs.

Titania and Ferris too, their argument are getting more heat before I knew it.

Titania, who is in a bad mood, starting to lose her temper.

There were crackles sounds coming out of her curly horns.

――wait, curly horn? that’s-

Her curled horns grew.

It is no longer curly. It is straight up, like the horns of a demon.

Those horns stretch and shrink. ……

A wind began to blow out of nowhere. Her dress was fluttering.

In addition, black flames were rising from her right hand and white flames were rising from her left hand. She is literally on fire.

–scary…

I’ve never seen an angry Titania before, but wow this is scary.

Isn’t Ferris scared?

I was concerned, but the Ferris in question is standing brazenly.

Then, Titania yelled about something and pointed.

The direction her finger was pointing was Tiriel. She looked sick, her face turning even paler, and she quickly looked away.

I had no other option but to watch the argument with a nervous feeling in my heart.

At that moment….

『Is the negotiations failed?』

A voice I had never heard before reached my brain.

Just as I braced myself, the rolls of grass on the back of the cart exploded.

The shadows that had leaped out flew across the ground and rushed toward Titania like a wind swept across the land.

–I was only half right about my suspicion.

I had sensed that the female ninja Macomo was hiding in those grasses, but the small attacker who was now rushing at her was a different person.

However, I was wary of a surprise attack. I am ready for it.

I stomped on the ground and drew my butcher knife from my back.

A huge knife swung down with the monstrous strength of a butcher. Aimed at the brain of a figure that rushing toward Titania.

The thick mass of steel crushes the attacker – almost.

The attacker decides to change direction by kicking the ground.

The knife cut through the air and cleaved through the ground.

I then became immobile with the butcher knife still swung down.

A small shadow leaped into my arms.

–It was aimed at me from the start!

I was caught off guard.

Reflexively, I twist my body to evade.

There was a flash of light, and then a jolt. Immediately after, I felt a hot sensation spreading to my side.

–I was slashed.

Pain similar to numbness followed. But it was not a fatal wound. I could feel it. It was just a cut on the thick meat on my stomach. That was close.

I switched my position and faced the attacker once again.

What was standing there – a talisman girl?

How do I say it? She wore a very oriental and oversized outfit with a black color scheme. She was also wearing a cloak on top of it.

For some reason, she had a talisman pasted on her face, which made a strong visual impression, but underneath the talisman, her face was fair and well-defined. She is a beautiful girl. Her hair is tied in a ring on either side of her head.

She was holding a dao sword in her hand, the blade of which was wet with my blood. Surprisingly, the butcher’s blood color is red.

Her face had an earthy color to it, which I should have mentioned. Or should I mention that her clothes didn’t fit her at all? Or, should I mention the talisman? There are too many things to comment on.

『Yufan! What are you doing here!?』

Arshella shouted with her spear ready.

There was a stir among the crowd that was carrying the shrine.

『Professionals never miss a chance to kill!』

The talisman girl smiled ferociously.

–Her teeth are sharp like sharks’ teeth. Wow.

『Who is she?』

I ask, and Arshella answers.

『He wants you, Gevaudan! That Jiangshi woman is Yufan. She’s a member of the Highland Zephyr!』

So that’s the one. The elite alien fighting force. Greetings.

But what is Jiangshi woman?

Jiangshi …… an Asian zombie, right?

『Die, Butcher!』

As I was mentally processing the meaning of the word “Jiangshi” several metal chains were coming out of the spaces between Yufan’s loose-fitting clothes at a very high speed.

The glistening chains were coming at me from all directions. I felt a touch of fantasy in their erratic movements as if they had free will.

『We can’t help you, so you have to take care of it yourself!』

Hearing Arshella’s warning, I swung my butcher knife and struck the chain.

–This iron chain is heavier than it looks. It left a numbness in my hand comparable to when I felt when I was hit by a machine gun. I need to be more careful.

『Do your best Jibodan!』

『Fighto~!』

With Ferris and Tiriel cheering for me, I leap backward.

Then, the Kyongsi-woman followed suit and closed the distance with her dao sword at the ready. She is not afraid of the butcher at all.

I took two or three more steps backward with the Jianshi-woman closing in.

I am not running away.

I am trying to use my ability. I keep my distance from Titania and the others so that they don’t get involved. My power is very indiscriminate.

The chain is annoying.

From the hem of Yufan’s clothes, it constantly stretches toward me and attacks as she chases after me. It was like a swarm of silver snakes swimming through the air. It was difficult to handle them with a butcher knife, which is large and difficult to control.

–In the midst of these attacks, I didn’t miss a silvery-white circle creeping out of her clothes.

It sliced through the air, drawing a large curved path, and attacked from my blind spot.

I had no choice but to stop and use my knife to repel the circle.

It fell to the ground with a high-pitched metallic sound It was a round blade–a chakram. I had never encountered such an ancient weapon before.

You keep coming up with unusual weapons, are you a weapons enthusiast? I’m a firearms fanatic. We seem to get along well.

I knocked down the second chakram that flew at me.

Having stopped my footsteps like this, I can no longer shake off the chain. The distance between me and Yufan closes in.

–At that moment, I saw Titania about to make a move.

I send a waiting gesture toward her.

Perhaps I appear to be outmatched but I can handle this one on my own. Nevertheless, I should consider the possibility that there are others lurking around the corner and targeting us.

Now, I’m far enough. Let the counterattack begin.

I grip the butcher knife with both hands.

Yufan sees this and, with a grin on her face, charges directly into my range. She accelerates tremendously, leaving the gust of wind behind her.

I bit my teeth as I timed the moment.

Immediately, the surges forth. Most living creatures will be unable to move if exposed to it.

This should slow Yufan down.

If she stops, she is a fish on the chopping block. I could cook her any way I wanted.

However, my hopes were easily shattered.

Yufan came charging through the miasma, swinging her Dao sword. The momentum of her charge does not falter. Why?

Somewhat surprised that the miasma had no effect on her, I took the blow of the Dao sword with my butcher knife.

A violent metallic sound rises, and electric shocks run through my arms and shoulders.

–heavy!

It was like being hit with a rock. She was built like a normal girl, yet she hit me with an impact comparable to that of the giant centipede, No.5

Amidst the miasma, Yufan continued to strike freely with a series of blows with an indifferent expression on her face.

All of her attacks were heavy blows.

–It seemed that the miasma was having no effect on her.

I’ve never encountered anything like this before.

Is this the elite of the aliens?

Taking advantage of the split second of the barrage of sword strikes, I kicked the Jiangshi woman out of the way.

Then, I exhaled a from my mouth. I could see the marbled vapor enveloping her.

It’s open space, so it’s not going to kill her instantly, but it will do some damage. Or so I thought.

–But then.

Yufan ignored this and slashed at me with the Dao in one hand. It didn’t work at all.

Ehhh!?

In order not to let her know how shocked I was inside, I slashed at her while shouting.

We glared at each other while our blades collide.

『――Not bad, Butcher!!』

The talisman girl flashed her sharp teeth.

Her attack was heavy. It was like having a fistfight with a hydraulic excavator.

I kick the ground and push Yufan back with my whole body.

She did not resist but ducked and jumped backward. However, she does not retreat. She came forward again and tried to get into my chest.

–She must think that because of my size, close-quarters combat is advantageous.

Indeed, when I am forced to defend myself, I can’t swing my knife freely. It’s a masterful move that puts the opponent at a continual disadvantage and keeps the flow of the battle in your hands.

I see. This Jiangshi woman was physically strong. With a brave heart, she is adept at handling a wide variety of weapons and has the tactical knowledge and experience to execute them. She is a true professional.

I was a little bit skeptical at first because she looks so weak.

But you know what?

I’m a professional too!n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

For the third time, I pushed her back with my arm, and in the brief opening I created, I held my butcher knife high in the air.

It was a blatant pose of a hard-hitting attack.

Yufan’s eyes narrowed for a moment when she saw such an opening, but she immediately dropped to her haunches and raised her Dao sword above her head.

She was ready to take on the butcher’s wood-chopping strike.

Her eyes, half-hidden behind the talisman, showed no hesitation or fear. She must be very confident in her physical strength.

She looks a little like a cute Asian girl, but she’s a serious opponent for a butcher.

But my goal was to make her feel overconfident.

–She has been treating me like I’m inferior to her for a while now, and she keeps showing off her moves.

It would have been better to avoid such a big attack and counter, but she went out of her way to try to block it.

I guess her intention was to show off her power by crushing the butcher, an all muscle with no brain monster head-on.

Well, that’s not going to happen. I’ll make you regret it.

Seeing Yufan’s feet stop, I let go of the knife on top of my head.

I saw her big eyes shining from behind the talisman contorted in surprise for a moment.

I take that opportunity to grab her.

My plan was to strike her down with a kumite.

I’m going to break your joints!

I had set up a double trap, Yufan would probably jump backward and escape, and then I would attack her with my claws and chop her.

But Yufan did not run away. To my surprise, she also let go of her Dao sword and reached out with both hands.

『――Fu grrr!!』

Both of us dropped our weapons and put our hands together. We are in a position in which our foreheads are pressed together in a contest of strength.

Yufan, with blue veins popping on her face, challenges my strength head-on.

It’s frustrating, but it’s the correct response. If she had chosen to use a weapon, she would have been torn to shreds by my claws.

But once we pair up, the game is mine now. Let’s use Butcher’s arm strength and my Ground techniques to hold her down and publicly violate her.

And just when I was licking my lips in anticipation.

The view suddenly turned upside down.

『――Do~seeeeeei!!』

A hovering sensation hit me in my flowing field of vision.

Immediately, I felt a shock on my back.

I think I had slipped on the ground, breaking trees, and my face was smeared with mud.

seriously……..

I tried to crush Yufan with the monstrous strength of a butcher, but I got thrown backward.

I can’t believe it. My pride was hurt. Even a butcher has self-respect. even if it’s an abysmal amount.

『Aww too bad!! I have a stronger arm than you!!』

I lifted my head at the sound of her voice.

What I saw was Yufan, swinging a huge hammer and leaping at me with glee.

–What is that? Where did you get that from!?

In the nick of time, I jumped to the side to avoid the hammer’s downward swing. Right after that, there was an earthquake, the ground exploded, and mud splattered all over the place.

It was obviously a big hammer, bigger than Yufan’s body, and it looked like it weighed 100 tons. Where on earth did she keep it? I didn’t feel any sense that someone had handed it to her either.

I grabbed a log lying nearby and threw it at her.

However, she did not even avoid it, but instead swung a hammer head-on, smashed through the log, and rushed toward me in a straight line, along with the wood chips.

I could not avoid the next hammer blow.

The hammer struck me horizontally, and a devastating force of blow went through my body.

The butcher’s huge body was easily blown away and rolled on the ground.

I immediately tried to stand up, but I felt stiff all over my body and couldn’t move properly.

When I stuck my hands out and raised up, a large number of chains were already wrapped around my entire body.

I looked at the source of the chains and saw Yufan with a proud look on her face.

『I caught you, smart butcher.』

I’ve never been beaten so badly by an alien since I became a Butcher. It hurts and it’s frustrating …….

I suppressed the Butcher’s ferocity that was rising up with frustration.

I get up and engage Yufan in a tug-of-war situation with the chain. Amazingly, she didn’t even flinch when I pulled with all my might.

『Jiangshi is one of the strongest in Miforsis in terms of arm strength alone! Be on your guard! And most of the debuffs won’t work on her because her body is dead! Fight with your skills!』

Arshella’s too-late advice rang out. Alongside Ferris and the others, she formed a megaphone with her hands and went into audience mode.

–How awesome is that, A body that is already dead? So she’s a zombie then? She got some serious arms for a zombie.

『Jiangshi has no magic skills! They are all melee! You just have to be patient while you deal with it! Beat up that rotten woman Jibodan!』

『Why do you tell him!?』

Jiangshi woman glared at them accusingly.

『Damn it …… I’ll remember this!! Wait until when we get back!!』

She pulled the chain with all her might, and my big body was dragged away. My heels were pulling up dirt, but Yufan didn’t care and kept on pulling.

–I’m not going to let her get the better of me.

But it is impossible to subdue her by going easy on her.

What a ridiculous power.

I should just kill her.

Yufan is still on guard as she turns her attention to Ferris and the others. The beast’s killing intent slammed into her.

The next moment, I suddenly felt a small pleasant response that suddenly scratched my soul.

–I see.

So this one works.

I chuckled to myself.