Chapter 39 /// Bell of Brainwashing ///

When Shion cut down the third son of the Demon trio, the morale of his allies rose greatly.

In stark contrast was the reaction of the Demon trio (now duo). The eldest son, Argyz, kept his mouth tightly shut, while the second son became violently upset.

“I didn’t hear that there were any Dark User over there……”

“Orton, this is no time for surprises. Fly!”

“Ha?”

Argyz quickly jumped up as arrows were fired from several of his soldiers. Orton, who was slow to react, turned his wings in front of his body to guard against them.

“Ow! Don’t you dare think you can hurt me and get away with it!”

A storm blew across the plaza. The wind pressure was greater than that of a typhoon, and the soldiers held on to their feet, but they were blown away one by one.

“Hahaha, humans are so weak that they can’t even move!”

Orton was proud of his victory, but his expression instantly turned grim. It was because a green fox was charging at him, defying the wind.

‘I’m good with wind too!’

“Aaaagh!!??”

As he pounced, Haku swung his claws and separated both of Orton’s wings together from his body.

“Gyaaaaaaaaagh!!”

Orton rolled around from the pain, then stood up and glared at Haku.

“I won’t forgive you, Fox! Absolutely unforgive—wha?”

His expression of anger changed as he sensed the danger looming over him. Two or three dozen rather large icicle-like objects were rapidly approaching Orton.

He let out a small scream and tried to run away, but the speed was too fast for him to make it in time, and so, his whole body was pierced one after another.

“Gah, gah, gagh—”

His arms and legs moved as if dancing from the impact of the thrust, but his head was already pierced and he was actually already dead.

It was, of course, the Water Hero who unleashed this ice magic.

“How about you stop making fun of human, hm?”

‘Sasuga Aria-san! We’re such a good team, aren’t we~?’

“Fufu, I guess so~. Let’s take care of the rest quickly”

Shion called out to Haku and the others who had plenty of time to spare.

“Don’t drop your guard yet Haku! Up there!”

‘Hm? Woooaah~’

Haku hurriedly ran away from the scene because a huge creature - the Ogre Frog - was falling from the sky.

There was a tremendous roar and a large radiating crack appeared on the cobblestone ground.

It’s called a crushing attack.

‘Hee—, fatty’s attack is actually scary~’

“Everyone! First of all, we’re all going to kill the Ogre Frog!”

Crail gave the order and the soldiers surrounded the Ogre Frog. The original idea was to keep an eye out for Argyz, but put they it off, since he had fled into the sky and were not coming down.

“Not going to come down? Then, I’ll fly with you”

When Shion called out to Argyz above him, the Demon gave him a bitter look.

I didn’t expect that there would be someone stronger than Crail. I never thought I’d have to use that thing. It’s really important to be prepared for anything… Thanks to the Hero of Brainwash, that is.

“Hero of Brainwash?”

“Oh, I promised not to talk about this one. Now, get ready, assholes, for the best sound you’ve ever heard!”

Pulling out a handbell from his pocket, Argyz began to play it.

The plaza echoed with the unpleasant sound of nails scratching glass, not a beautiful clear sound……

“What’s that sound?”

“Ugh… What’s this…? My head…”

“Ughhhh, my head hurts like it’s cracked……!”

Aria, Crail, and the soldiers all held their heads in agony at the same time. Merely playing an unpleasant sound would never cause a reaction like that.

The only ones who are safe are Shion and Haku.

“Shion-san! I think it’s a spirit-based magic tool!”

If that’s the case, then everyone’s reaction makes sense. Haku is a monster, and Shion is a Dark User and any kind of mental attack does not work on him, so he is safe.

“Aria, do you have any holy water left? If you have it, drink it now!”

Taking Shion’s advice, Aria immediately drank one of the two remaining bottles.

Aria’s [Holy Fresh Water], which cures abnormal conditions, also cures brainwashing. Thanks to the item, she was able to bring back her senses, but the others were not so lucky.

No one was complaining of pain anymore, but instead their eyes were fixed and eerily still.

At this, Argyz smiled broadly.

“It’s a sound that directly affects the human frontal lobe![1] This is a special version that only responds to the voices of Demons, and it’s expensive!”

“Did the Hero of Brainwash sold it to you?”

When Shion glared at him, Argyz shrugged his shoulder.

“Don’t be so mad. I’m just borrowing this from the top brass. I don’t have any contact with the guy”

“I see. Then, I’ll just break that tool”

Shion manifests his [Dark Wings]. In response, Argyz shouted impatiently.

“You’re no slouch after all! ——But it’s too late! Crail, and the rest of the army, kill that black-haired bastard right now!”

Clang, the sound of armors scraping each other.

True to Argyz’s orders, Crail and the others began to sprint.