Chapter 221: The Guild of Assassins
“Wow, I didn’t expect you to actually serve me decent food.”
Elvirinos remarked unexpectedly as she devoured her dinner. The only orders currently given to Elvirinos were, “Do not act in ways that would disadvantage us” and “Do not leave the premises of the inn.” If there was anything I wanted her to do, I would simply tell her as needed.
“I appreciate my big sister’s kindness!” Phonia chimed in, snorting with her nose.
“Ha ha, thanks.”
Phonia’s sharp attitude was directed solely at Elvirinos, yet she remained blissfully unaware of the warm gazes directed at her, including Elvirinos’s.
“After we finish eating, shall we take a bath and prepare for tomorrow?”
“…Well, you should wash yourself in the river outside.”
Rio’s merciless words fell upon Elvirinos, seemingly contradicting Phonia’s earlier compliment.
“No, but the river has quite a strong current!”
Elvirinos pointed at Rio with wide eyes, pleading with Phonia for support.
“Just being able to wash your body is more than enough kindness!” Phonia retorted, showing no signs of sympathy. Considering her past as a slave, she likely had little opportunity to wash herself at all. Perhaps Rio’s comment was made with that in mind.
“Ugh… Well, if it’s what my master commands, I suppose I will comply.”
Despite being captured and fitted with a Collar of Subjugation, Elvirinos’s demeanor was surprisingly resilient. Perhaps it was a sign of her maturity; it was certainly better than being perpetually fearful and servile. After finishing her dinner, Elvirinos made her way through the garden and out to the river.
“Big sister, can I join you in the bath today?” Phonia asked, her eyes sparkling as she turned to Rio.
After dinner, it was bath time for us as well. Phonia attempted to charm Rio with her doe-eyed gaze but fell flat within a second.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Yay!”
“Have fun!”
Ivan waved lazily, yawning, and Phonia, looking pleased, grabbed my arm and headed toward the bath. Perhaps sensing the mood, Nil also followed us to the bathhouse.
“Oh, right. I’m joining too, huh?”
“Yep! Everyone together!”
It seemed Phonia wanted to bathe with everyone, including Ivan. Maybe next time, we could sneak into the large bathhouse when no one else is around.
After changing in the changing room and storing our clothes in the Dimensional Box, we walked to the washing area. Phonia clung to Rio, perhaps because she had just returned from washing herself.
Once we finished washing, we all stepped outside to the open-air bath, soaking in the warm water. The sky was slightly overcast, hiding the stars, but it was still a pleasant experience. Phonia seemed to relax, letting out a big yawn in the water.
Suddenly, I sensed four presences approaching from beyond the garden of the open-air bath.
At the same time, a prickling sensation assaulted the back of my mind. It seemed two more had entered from the entrance, prompting me to quickly cast a barrier around Ivan.
“Enemy attack!”
I shouted telepathically, springing up from the hot spring. The timing of the ambush was impeccable, catching us off guard while we were defenseless in the bath. I had planned to push the attack tomorrow, but this moment was clearly well thought out.
Nil also emerged from the hot spring, his fur heavy with water. As he shook off the excess moisture, the four intruders breached the garden area of the open-air bath. Simultaneously, the two who had entered through the entrance bypassed Ivan and kicked down the door to the bath.
Rio, who had been gathering her Magic Power, unleashed her spell around us. In an instant, all six intruders who had entered the bath collapsed to the ground. It seemed that her Gravity Magic had regained its potency.
“Phew…”
“Ah, oh no…”
Phonia, submerged in the water, held her head in distress. It appeared she could handle monsters just fine, but humans were another story.
“Phonia-chan, are you alright?”
Rio maintained her Gravity Magic while embracing Phonia. However, the prickling sensation in my mind had not subsided. I sensed more presences approaching, this time even denser than before. I wanted to neutralize those trapped in the Gravity Magic, but it seemed I wouldn’t be given the time.
“This isn’t over yet!”
As I warned, one person appeared at the entrance of the bath, while two more jumped in from outside. The moment they entered the Gravity Field, their speed slowed, but Nil dashed out, sending one of the intruders flying outside the field. It was unavoidable for Nil to escape the pull of gravity.
“Nil! Leave that one to me!”
I shouted as I drew the Ancient Red Dragon’s shield and katana from the Dimensional Box. Standing there, completely naked except for my weapons, was not ideal, but I had no choice. It was their fault for attacking us while we were bathing.
As I locked eyes with the two who had jumped in from outside—
“Vampires!?”
One of them was a female from the Vampire Clan, Elvirinos Jewels. Wasn’t she supposed to be washing herself in the river?
“Don’t move!”
Rio shouted, but Elvirinos did not stop. A twisted smile formed on her lips, revealing her fangs. The effects of the Collar of Subjugation had been evident until just moments ago, and it was still firmly fastened around Elvirinos’s neck.
“What the hell is going on!?”
Magic Power surged from Elvirinos and another figure, unleashing invisible blades of wind. The number was overwhelming, leaving no room to evade.