Chapter 30: Enemies in Robes

"Big Sis, are you okay?" The valiant man, no— it was Vaissien—asked her.

"V-Vaissien, thanks!" She slowly stood up.

"I-Impossible. How did you come there? Is it teleportation? No, I didn't sense you casting magic arts. That means—" The magic artist panicked a little.

"Idiot, I was using my feet. Anyhow, before, I thought I'd forgive you with your pranks, but you tried to hurt someone important to me. For that, I'm gonna kill you all."

The Vaissien that Belle knew suddenly changed. His eyes, though blue as ever, looked dead serious. He also gritted his death in anger and displeasure.

"Y-Your bluffing. It's still three against one. Everyone, prepare for—" "Ahhhh." One of his companions fell to the ground in a blink of an eye.

"S-Stop it. Ahhhh." Then followed by the other.

Before he could complete his orders to his two accomplices, they were already taken down and fell to the ground.

"What happened to you—" He tried to ask the two, but he was stopped by a very sharp sword pointed on his neck from behind.

"It took you so long, brother." Vaissien asked blandly.

"I'm sorry. I was just doing some indispensable stuff. So, now, what shall I do with this scumbag. I'd want to kill him, but I don't want to be called a cold-blooded murderer. Oh, don't move. If you move even a little, you're done." Cimmerian kneeled the enemy down, rendering him immobile.

"So, now, who are you, guys? What do you want from our village? Cimmerian asked further.

"Ha-ha-ha. Both of you kids are strong, but you can't do anything. For the benefit of our ambition, we're gonna win." The magic artist spoke in a relaxed manner.

"I'm gonna ask again, what do you want in this village? Is it the kidnapping of children and young women? What do you want with them?" Cimmerian, now annoyed, asked the second time, while his short yet luminously sharp blade was already touching the man's throat.

"Ha-ha-ha. Goodbye."

After saying that, his body and the other four's began to glow and then—

"Everyone, run—"

Vaissien immediately carried Belle, and run as fast as he could, while Rayha, who was standing from afar, was fetched by Cimmerian. Just as they reached a safe distance, five huge explosions devoured the vicinity—including their house.

A few seconds later.

The four were panting in exhaustion due to the physical impacts of explosions. In fact, Vaissien's back was burned a little.

"That was close."

"You're right. By the way, Vaissien, thanks a lot!"

"No problem." Vaissien pondered for a while and then, out of nowhere, asked, "have you seen Furrengarde? Maybe he's…"

"Don't tell me, he's still inside—" Rayha became worried, but…

"Let's cut everything on hold now. I sent Furrengarde somewhere. Anyway, look—" Cimmerian pointed at some parts of the village that were burning.

"No way. Those scumbags! Brother, let's assist—."

"No. Vaissien, escort Rayha and Big Sis to the evacuation site. Protect them and the people there at all cost. As for me, I'll assist the evacuation and exterminate the enemy." Vaissien suggested to help, but stopped by Cimmerian.

"I-I-Is that so? It's fine by me."

"Also, remember that the enemies' target are children and young maidens." "Got it. Let's go."

"Cimmy, be careful." Belle admonished.

"You, as well."

They went on their respective destination. Cimmerian went to the most crowded or congested part of the village. He saw Mado and Alfredo helping the evacuation using the few carriages owned by the village. However, as they were about to reach the main road leading to the evacuation site, they were obstructed by four enemies.

(This is troublesome. I think I should help—)

As he started to jump from the roof he was standing in, three knives flickering in the shadows were thrown at him. He dispelled each of them easily using his sword, though. Then, in front of him, appeared another cladded enemy.

"Oh my, oh my. You are the kid my companions told me about, huh? They said you're good. Come, let's play." A mature woman's voluptuous voice rang out from her plain black mask.

"…"

Cimmerian wasn't listening to anything the enemy had said at all. He advanced directly at her with his raven black sword, attempting to erase the enemy's existence. For that, she responded with a long sword of her own. Cimmerian had the upper hand in skills and speed. She tried different tactics, but didn't work. So, she had decided to put some distance.

"Oh, boy, you're superb. You're also handsome. Let me give you my love. Hwa-ha-ha-ha!" The woman spoke in a seductive and playful behavior, as if everything that had been happening was some kind of play.

Generic Magic: Lightning Fang!

When this was said, a blue lightning enveloped her blade.

"Now, come at me again, Love. Hwa-ha-ha-ha" The woman called him out while swinging his lightning-cloaked blade in the air to tease him.

"Don't call me like that. I don't know you, old hag." He rushed at her again.

"Old hag? Hwa-ha-ha-ha. Don't be so cold. I've begun to like you." She replied while defending his first attack.

He stroked his sword in full force. However, on the second slash, he was shocked. His beloved sword just broke in front of her eyes. Then, in a split second, as the lightning slash was about to reach his chest, he easily withdrew. He wasn't hurt badly, but both his hands were numb from the conduction every time their swords clashed.

"Oh, your sword. It's already broken. How unfortunate." Suddenly, she stopped the magic and unsheathed her sword. Her enthusiasm faded as well. "This is so boring. I'll let you off the hook for now, since we're leaving, as well. See you, Love."

When she withdrew, other enemies from different parts of the village did the same. In spite of that, the damages taken by the village continued to rise up as the fire enveloping some houses continued to scatter and decimate.

"Tsk. How can I explain this to Chief Feldor? He entrusted me with this sword, but I broke it." He felt a bit sad as he looked at the once magnificent sword now turned into half. "Anyway, I better help for the evacuation."