Gentle Hydrangea ⑥ – Dog Search.
My interest was piqued, so I decided to help search for the dog.
“My name is Wof.”
“I am Celeste. Thank you very much for your cooperation in the search today.”
Celeste-san spoke politely and bowed her head politely.
“No, it’s just that I was curious. Besides, searching in an unfamiliar town must be difficult.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve only just arrived, so I don’t know my left from my right yet.”
“About the dog, does it have any other distinguishing features?”
“It’s wearing a large, black collar.”
“That should make it stand out.”
“Yes. It should stand out, but I always have trouble finding it.”
Celeste-san kept bowing her head repeatedly.
Is she a very conscientious person? But what bothers me is…
“Why is the dog carrying a greatsword on its back?”
“That… I am truly sorry. I cannot tell you the reason.”
“No, if that’s the case, then that’s fine.”
“I am very sorry.”
“No, no, anyway, it should be conspicuous, so let’s ask around like you were doing, Celeste-san.”
“Yes. Thank you for your help!”
Celeste-san bowed deeply. Alright, let’s start asking from nearby.
I asked everyone I could find, but not a single person knew anything.
Some even got angry and yelled at me, saying “There’s no way a dog like that exists!”
Since I hadn’t actually seen it myself, I couldn’t argue back.
“Huh? Celeste-san?”
She, who had been diligently asking around nearby with me the whole time, was gone.
I looked around, and there she was. Uh…
She was heading towards an unpopulated area with some shady-looking men.
That narrow path leads to a back alley.
No way. I chased after them. And there it was!!!
A large dog with blue fur. Wearing a black collar and carrying a greatsword on its back!
It’s really carrying a greatsword… Amazing. This is fantasy.
It calmly walked on and turned the street corner. What should I do, chase it?
But Celeste-san! There’s no need to choose which one needs help more urgently.
I ran towards the narrow path. From there, I headed into the back alley.
“Celeste… san…?”
In a vacant space in the back alley, the corpses of men lay scattered.
Standing in the center was a woman covered in blood.
She casually held a blood-soaked curved sword, and despite the gruesome situation, I thought she looked beautiful.
When she saw me, she wiped the splattered blood from her cheek with her thumb as if flicking it away, and smiled.
A chill ran down my spine. It was because she looked ecstatic.
“Wof-san.”
“…Um, what is this?”
I didn’t need to ask to understand. Celeste-san had been led into the back alley.
Just knowing that, there was no need to even think about why these men were dead.
There were several headless corpses. Their heads were scattered here and there.
“I’m sorry. They said they saw the dog in the back alley, so I followed them, and they suddenly attacked me. When I offered light resistance, they drew their swords, so, I apologize, but I had them all die. I made sure to only sever their necks, so they should have died without suffering. I apologize, but this is the last mercy I can offer.”
She sheathed her sword and bowed her head.
While thinking what a bizarre scene this was, right, I had to tell her.
“Um, the dog. I found it.”
“Is that truly the truth?”
“Yes. It was walking around. However, I prioritized you, Celeste-san, and let it get away. I’m sorry.”
“No. It is I who should apologize for causing you trouble. So, which way did it go?”
“Um, towards the western street corner.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. It seems that won’t be necessary.”
“Eh…? Ah!?”
Startled, I turned around. The dog was there. Sitting.
A large dog with blue fur. It wore a black collar and carried a greatsword on its back.
I couldn’t tell the breed, of course, but if you called it a wolf, it might look like one, though she said it was a dog.
The greatsword on its back was about as long as the dog itself.
The black hilt wrapped in many layers of cloth and the silver, horizontally extending knuckle guard were striking.
The scabbard holding the greatsword looked metallic. It had patterns carved into it.
It’s impressive, but somehow, I don’t think this sword is an OOPArt.
If anything, the curved sword Celeste-san is holding is probably an OOPArt.
The dog was looking at me. Its eyes were gray.
I remembered from my past life that dogs supposedly see in black and white. I wonder if this dog is the same.
“Honestly, I was worried. Please don’t wander off on your own.”
Celeste-san spoke to the dog.
The dog looked at Celeste-san, stood up, turned on its heel, and started walking away.
“Wait. Wait, you’re really acting on your own. S-sorry. I’m sorry, Wof-san. Thank you very much for helping with the search today. I will definitely repay you for this. But for now, please excuse me.”
“O-okay. Take care.”
What a hassle, I thought nonchalantly… but leaving things like this would be bad, wouldn’t it?
So, I started cleaning up the corpses using 【Vanish】.
It was at that moment.
“That method is quite convenient.”
Suddenly being spoken to from behind, I jumped in surprise.
“W-who are you…? Eh?”
I was doubly surprised by the person standing there.
Gently flowing, shining golden hair.
A gallant, beautiful, and sharp face with piercing black eyes.
There was a beauty mark under his right eye.
He exuded an atmosphere that felt almost mystical.
Standing there was a handsome young man who looked like he could have been sculpted by a master sculptor as their greatest masterpiece.
He wore a red cape over pure white armor that looked both artistic and practical.
Just him standing there turned the entire background into a masterpiece painting.
He was that kind of man.
“W-who might you be…?”
No matter how you looked at it, he was nobility or royalty. A handsome prince who looked like he belonged on a white horse from some country.
Why is someone like him here…?
“I am Alveld von Rootbelt.”
“A surname… Are you nobility?”
“Something like that, but it holds no meaning. You are Wof, correct?”
“Y-yes.”
“The Witch’s disciple.”
“Y-yes.”
“The Witch’s disciple… I bear you no grudge. Nor do we have any prior connection. This is a request. 【Impact】.”
“—!?”
I instantly leaped back.
“Hoh. You noticed?”
“W-what was that?!”
What did this person just try to do?
He didn’t move a single step, but he tried to do something.
That’s how I felt. What is it? What’s going on? Who is this person?
A chill ran down my spine. I trembled.
I felt like I was looking up at an impossibly terrifying and steep mountain.
“Do not worry. I will not kill you. The request is to render you unconscious and take you away.”
“Me? Where? For what reason? Who asked you to do this?”
“Unfortunately, I cannot answer those questions.”
“That’s kidnapping, isn’t it? It’s a crime! There’s no way such a request exists!”
“It’s a designated request.”
Alveld said in a flat tone.
I drew the dagger I had just received and activated 【Vanish】.
Even seeing me in a combat stance, Alveld didn’t move an inch.
He just watched silently. Running away was an option, but turning my back on him felt like the end.
I had no choice but to face him.
I unleashed a full-power 【Vanish】 towards Alveld.
“【Crash】.”
That single word he uttered. With just that one word, my 【Vanish】 disappeared.
Surprised, I frantically swung the dagger at Alveld.
“【Crash】.”
The dagger shattered. Shaken, I used [The Silent One].
“Curious.”
“…What is?”
“Why do you give it form? You just need to see and call it.”
“Call what?”
“It should be the same type of Relic.”
I didn’t understand what he meant.
Realizing I would definitely lose if I held back, I transformed into [Generous].
My hair and eyes turned purple. I glared at Alveld.
“Hoh.”
Alveld’s eyes widened.
Now! Without pause, I activated it.
“—【Phantasmagoria】—“
Countless 【Vanish】 attacks assaulted Alveld.
Since 【Vanish】 is invisible, he shouldn’t be able to see them.
He would be completely erased in an instant.
But I would stop just before that. His armor would be pulverized, but his body wouldn’t be touched.
He might be a kidnapper, but there was no need to kill him. Besides, there were things I wanted to ask.
But Alveld calmly chanted.
“—【Crash Rumble】—“
Eh…? My 【Phantasmagoria】 violently shook, and one after another, the attacks vanished.
No way.
Can he see them? Even if he could, what did he do!?
It’s definitely a Relic… but the proficiency level is different. He’s overwhelmingly… strong.
While I stood there dumbfounded, Alveld appeared right before my eyes.
Reflexively, I slashed at him with the double-bladed knife.
“【Crash】.”
The double-bladed knife shattered, but regardless, I swung up the Arm of the Void.
“【Buster】.”
As I was forcefully repelled, the ‘Gauntlet of Still Saint’ was simultaneously smashed to pieces.
Everything—everything of mine was being destroyed.
“Kuh!”
“【Rumble Impact】.”
GOFF!! Suddenly, a heavy blow and impact resonated in my abdomen, and I collapsed, vomiting blood.
“…Gah… haah… haaaah…!? “
My body wouldn’t move due to the intense pain. The ache in my stomach spread throughout my entire body.
Glaring up fiercely, I saw a single scratch on Alveld’s cheek.
He touched the scratch with two fingers.
“Impressive. How many years has it been since I was last wounded? I see. So that’s why. But I wasn’t told about this, Narcissus.”
M-my body… the pain… I can’t even move… a finger. My consciousness is gradually fading.
No good. My vision is darkening.
Ah, did I lose? I lost. A complete defeat. Ah, I lost.
Kh… Alveld von Rootbelt…!
I glared up at him with all the killing intent I could muster.
It was the first time in my life. This anger. This hatred. This frustration.
Alveld stared intently at me and said.
“Sleep. [ Impact ].”
The impact sent convulsions through my entire body, and I lost consciousness.