Book 4: Chapter 55
Book 4: Chapter 55
** Underground City Entrance **
Why was Sarume in this place?
What is Sarume, who reigns at the top of the Underground City, who never takes a step out of the mansion of the Urume family which grows in proportion to the wealth accumulated from generation to generation, doing outside the Underground City?
The pretty boys who usually attend her had a grave expression, completely different from their usual selves.
(Something is different. But what is it?)
Sarume simply being outside the Underground city was already strange, but she felt like a completely different person.
「That thing is called Human Mimic… one of the eight giants that have lived in this world since ancient times. Only two have been subjugated so far. The dwarfs blew up their city to kill one, but they themselves perished in that fight. Another one was killed by the dark elves. But during that time, the other elf races were destroyed by other monsters.」
「I… I have never heard that story before…」
「Well, of course you wouldn’t know. Why would I tell you that? If you lose your spirit, who will keep the ruffians in the Underground city in check?」
The Marshal’s heart was beating violently.
This woman… Sarume, what the hell was she saying?
This was almost like–.
(Not only is she recognizing me as the marshal, but she was also deliberately thinking about me!?)
Sarume was absent-mindedly looking at Human Mimic. Its giant body looked like a human, but only its silhouette can be seen in the darkness of the night.
Human Mimic was grabbing early summer birds which were trying to escape and stuffed them into its mouth, as if a little child was grabbing a handful of candy and stuffing it in its mouth.
「I don’t know what a pureblood offering is. The last offering was made several hundred years ago… so there are no records even left. It’s nonsensical that I’m being told to offer it now.」
「…What …are you talking about?」
「I am the only woman remaining in the Urume family and still have the potential. Moreover, I can’t give birth to a child at this age… right?」
「What! What are you talking about!? Sarume-sama!?」
The Marshal heard snivels. It was coming from the guys who attended her.
「Marshal.」Sarume extended her left hand.「Give me the skill orb.」
The Marshal was startled. The only skill orb she could be talking about in this situation would be【Insane Blade】.
「Why are you looking surprised… Did you really think I wouldn’t know?」
「W-With all due respect, Sarume-sama, the Marshal–」
「Shut up, girl.」
The staff officer tried to interject from the side, but one glare from Sarume shut her down.
(Has she found out about everything? How?…Where did the information leak from?)
If the information has already leaked, the Marshal’s coup plan would not have been successful. Everything would have been futile.
The Marshal took out the skill orb from the pouch on his waist sluggishly.
「…The Hundredman chief is a distant relative of mine. He always regarded me as his older sister when we were still children.」Sarume said, while taking the skill orb.
「Wha!?」
「But don’t blame the Hundredman chief. He knew everything and was going to stop you at the very end.」
「W-What does that mean…」
The Marshal didn’t understand a thing.
(Did the Hundredman chief betray us? He leaked information to Sarume?)
As if adding more fuel to the Marshal’s confusion, Sarume absorbed the skill orb into her body. Without the slightest hesitation.
「T-That skill orb will…」
「I know. If you use it, you’ll lose your memory, right? Marshal, I leave the rest to you. –And you guys, stop the council elders if they make too much noise!」
Her attendants were bawling their eyes out.
After they nodded, Sarume started walking forth with a sad smile.
「Sa, Sarume-sama!?」
Sarume walked through the burning forest. At the end of her path was Human Mimic.
The number of early summer birds had already decreased. The flock had scattered.
As if it was still hungry, Human Mimic–
『——U, OOOOOOON』
Raised a howl.
The Marshal’s body froze when the slightly shining eyes of the dark silhouette turned towards him.
(No way… Is Sarume-sama going to fight that!? Why!? What is it? What the hell is going on!?)
He felt like an actor being thrust onto a stage where he was the only one who didn’t know the plot.
He felt like a clown.
「Your Excellency, Marshal, let’s go inside now.」
The attendants, whose eyes and nose were red from the crying, pulled the Marshal’s arm.
「But Sarume-sama has gone alone…」
「Sarume-sama has resolved herself. If we happen to lose you here, Sarume-sama won’t let us hear the end of it.」
「Will you tell me everything?」
「Of course. That is also… Sarume-sama’s last request.」
** Dark Elf Village **
Having scattered the early summer birds, Anastasia took a breather. However–
「…What was the sound just now?」
She heard an abnormal noise.
It was like giant footsteps.
「—KNOCK! OI, KNOCK!!」
The dark elves left behind by Knock finally caught up. They had grave expressions on their faces, however.
「IT’S COMING!!!」
The sorrowful screams awoke the village that had been resting for the time being.
「THE FOREST EATER IS HEADING OVER HERE!!」