This means the curse of weakening continues to increase.
After capturing the two, I slowly ascended into the sky. Now they are less than insects. All that's left is to exterminate them.
"The strength of vampires lies in their vast magical power. They are long-lived, but physically, apart from their magic, they are not much different from humans. In other words, if we seal their magic, there's nothing to fear."
"Hey!!?? These chains! I'm coming after you too!!?"
"..."
Just as someone is trying to look cool, this woman.
When I looked, the chains were indeed chasing Elna. Perhaps because I set them to automatically capture anyone who harbors hostility towards me.
Moreover, why aren't they being caught? Is this guy really human? I thought they would be caught completely by surprise.
"I'm sorry. I set the chains to capture anyone who harbors hostility towards me."
When I stopped the chains with a glance, Elna, panting heavily, glared at me with a fierce expression.
When I laughed at her, Elna's face turned bright red.
"You!! Trying to capture your ally with chains is just crazy!!"
"The chains don't react to those who consider me an ally. Basically, you just have too much hostility towards me. Besides, wouldn't it have been nothing to you if the chains were on someone uncool?"
"This! You're still holding a grudge from earlier!? You're so petty! I was worried about you and told you!!"
"Is that how you show concern? The people around you must have a hard time."
Elna's face turned completely red. It was obvious she was angry.
I found it amusing and wanted to tease her more, but I had other guests waiting.
"I'm sorry. I got caught up with the mischievous hero and put this off. Where were we? Ah, the part where sealing their magic makes vampires insignificant."
"You!! Insulting us like that!!"
"Break it! If you break this, I'll kill you!!"
"Break it yourself if you want. It's probably impossible, even if you spend your whole life trying. Now... it's time for confession. Is there anything you want to say?"
With that, I began to concentrate a large amount of magic in my hands.
I was about to use a spell that was different from the ones I've used so far.
Seeing this, Sam and Dean started to sweat.
"Wait...! You have no grudge against us! If you let us go, we'll show our gratitude!"
"Grudge... I do have one, actually?"
It was Dean who targeted Fiene earlier. Just thinking about that anger, I could kill these guys a thousand times over.
The fact that they targeted her. The fact that it was a close call. Even though Fiene wasn't actually injured, that alone makes them deserving of the death penalty.
"What did we do to you!? We're not here on a guild mission! It would be better to hunt us after accepting a guild mission!"
"Humans are complex. You never know when they'll hold a grudge. Besides, I'm an adventurer. That fact doesn't change no matter where I am. Whether or not there's a mission, I have the duty to protect the people of the entire continent from monsters."
"We are not monsters!"
"The guild has classified you as monsters, and your actions are no different from those of monsters. Look? Is there anything else you want to say? If you tell us who ordered you, the hero next to me might stop me."
As I spoke, my magic power continued to rise.
It was clear that I was preparing an overkill attack. They must have realized they were going to die for sure.
However, despite their faces twisted with fear, Sam and Dean didn't break.
Were they loyal, or were they that terrified? I don't think these guys have any sense of loyalty or emotion. It's probably the latter.
Someone who can make S-rank bounty hunters fear them must be the mastermind.
Who could it be?
"Spit it out quickly. If you don't, I'll kill you."
"We are proud vampires! We won't bow to humans!!"
"Alright. Let's end this then. I'm ready too."
I was most surprised by those words.
The vampires don't seem to realize, but if Elna is preparing, it can only be one thing.
"Elna von Amsberg!! Surely you're not going to summon the Holy Sword!?"
"So what if I am?"
"I can handle it alone! Are you planning to destroy the city!?"
"I'll adjust it, so it's fine. Thanks to a certain someone who unnecessarily restrained my opponent, I can summon it without any worries."
"O-oh...?"
"I am a member of the Amsberg family. It is my duty to defeat the enemies of the empire. I won't let you off!"
With that, Elna raised her right hand high into the sky.
And then.
"Listen to my voice and descend! O radiant sword of the star! The hero needs you now!!"
A white light fell from the sky.
It was grasped by Elna's hand and gradually transformed into a shining silver rapier.
Five hundred years ago, this legendary Holy Sword, Aurora, was used to defeat the Demon King. It is said to be made from a meteor and can cut through anything, allowing no evil to exist.
Due to its immense power, it was sealed by the first Amsberg Hero Duke, and only those with great talent can summon it.
The fact that Elna could summon it at just twelve years old is why she is called a prodigy.
"!?!"
As expected of a sword that defeated the Demon King, its mere existence exerts an overwhelming pressure.
If someone of Elna's caliber wields it, they are invincible. This is also why the Amsberg family is feared by other countries. If the Holy Sword of this world is summoned, even an army could be annihilated in one strike. Although there have been only a few instances in history where it was summoned against an army.
In the first place, it is rarely summoned. Elna is probably the only one who would summon it out of frustration.
"Now... be prepared."
"Fine... I'll leave that one to you."
"Hmph! It was originally my prey! I'll share it with you!"
"Let's just leave it at that."
Taking a step back, I began to chant.
I haven't used chanting so far, but to ensure they are completely eliminated, it's best to use the maximum power of magic with chanting.
"I am the Usurper, who stole black from the depths of the Underworld. This black is darker than darkness itself. This black is deeper than the night. The primordial darkness, the ultimate black. All things are born from this black and all things return to this black—Infinity Darkness."
A massive black sphere floated above my head.
To counter the all-consuming black, a huge white light stretched from Elna's raised Holy Sword, reaching towards the sky.
Black and white. Darkness and light.
Two attacks that can never coexist. However, the outcome for those who are hit is the same.
We adjusted the direction of our attacks. It would be easier to blow away the monsters.
Leo and the others were just preparing for a second charge after breaking through the crowd of monsters.
At a glance, there didn't seem to be any humans in the crowd of monsters.
But just in case, we called out.
"Anyone in the crowd of monsters, run away immediately!"
"I can't guarantee I won't hit you!"
We called out to each other.
Realizing the danger, Leo and the others quickly distanced themselves from the monsters, and the guards on the walls started to flee.
On the other hand, the targeted monsters just stared up at the sky in a daze.
There are probably some monsters that have never harmed humans and have lived quietly. But forgive me. Even though they were used, they attacked humans and cannot be forgiven.
Just like they attack humans to protect their own, we must fight to protect humans.
That is the only apology in my heart.
There is no apology for the two in front of me.
"Now... grit your teeth."
"Repent!"
"Ahhhhhhhh!?"
"Aaaaaaaaahh!!?"
The black sphere swallowed Dean and then the crowd of monsters.
Elna's Holy Sword swallowed Sam and then the crowd of monsters.
Both attacks competed to erase everything, and eventually, nothing was left.
There was no victory cry. A glance at the emperor showed him looking at me with a bored expression. He probably thinks I went overboard.
Well, only Elna will be scolded, so it's fine.
Oh, right, right.
"Your Majesty! This time I acted on my own... but if you learn from this, it would be best not to treat the guild with contempt in the future."
"Hmm... I understand. I appreciate your help, Silver."
This way, the guild's face is saved, and they won't pick on the empire over this matter.
I bowed to the emperor and prepared to use a transfer spell.
Elna called out to me amidst this.
"Silver"
"What is it? Do you still have complaints?"
"Yes, I have a lot. But I won't say them now. Thank you this time. Especially for helping Fiene. She is... my childhood friend."
"Is the childhood friend the dried-up prince?"
"You... After seeing what happened to the vampire who said that, you still have the nerve to say it? Take it back. My childhood friend is the best prince. I won't allow you to mock him in front of me!"
With that, Elna pointed her Holy Sword at me.
Her eyes were serious.
She seemed genuinely ready to fight the SS-rank adventurer for my honor.
I smiled wryly and corrected myself.
"I apologize. If I made you say that, then calling him a dried-up prince was indeed rude. However, he is also pitiful. Having a childhood friend like you must be quite a challenge for him."
"What!?"
"Then, I'll take my leave."
With that, I transferred before Elna could say anything more.
I arrived in the room where Sebastian was waiting, and with a tired body, I took off my mask and robe.
"You have worked hard. I have prepared tea for you."
"Thank you... I'm sorry..."
"You have worked hard."
"Yes... indeed..."
With the repeated use of transfer spells, healing barriers, curse chains, and the final attack spell, I have used a considerable amount of magic. Honestly, my magic is almost depleted, and my physical strength is the same.
"I'm tired... sleepy..."
"Leave the rest to me."
After drinking a little tea, I started to doze off in the chair. I wanted to try to get to the bed, but my body wouldn't move.
Sebastian's gentle voice reached my ears.
"You have truly worked hard. You did a great job, Arnold."
"Is that so... then I won't be punished for resting..."
How long has it been since Sebastian praised me?
Thinking about that, I let go of my consciousness in a comfortable daze.
Thus, we have reached a turning point!
If you think Arnold did a good job! If you think the author worked hard to update twice a day! If you found it interesting!