Chapter 5: Never Say Die. ④
“Well then, if you have any complaints, you should surpass me first.”
Her words were not directed solely at Klein. The members of her party, gathered in that place, understood the implication and turned pale.
These troublemakers had been led by Pulmy to a duel challenge. Klein, who had eagerly accepted the challenge, was now a mess, trembling at Pulmy’s murderous intent.
“There’s no response, huh? Then let’s continue.”
Pulmy’s killing intent was no mere act. Klein’s instincts sensed it. In truth, Pulmy had already decided that she wouldn’t mind if he died. He was a significant danger, and his death would serve as a warning to the remaining members.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry… I’ll do as you say… Please forgive me…!!”
Poor Klein had resorted to prostrating himself in apology.
“Ah, no,”
However, Pulmy looked up at the sky.
“That’s right.”
“Huh?”
“No need for an apology.”
“Huh?!”
Klein let out a squeaky voice, caught between pain and confusion.
“I was getting a bit impatient myself.”
Mana surged around Pulmy. The gathered personnel, despite their individual strengths, trembled as if they had forgotten how to speak in the face of her power.
“To raise everyone’s spirits, I’ve decided you’ll have an unfortunate accident. So you don’t need to apologize anymore.”
The Mana she wielded, known as Azure Flame, flickered in a brilliant blue. Some, driven by their survival instincts, attempted to flee the training grounds. Pulmy hurled a menacing warning at them.
“If you run, I will kill you. I will kill you no matter what. I will hunt you down and kill you. You will die. Anyone who still wants to run should not think they can sleep soundly from here on out.”
Her chilling threats caused some to kneel, while others screamed in terror.
“Klein, you were just saying something to me about Ambish, weren’t you?”
Klein desperately shook his head, tears streaming down his face. “N-no, that’s not it!”
“Was it ‘Are we making Ambish our enemy?’ Let me answer that question for you.”
Klein groaned, realizing he would receive a terrible answer. His prediction was spot on—
“With my Azure Flame, there will be nothing left of your bones.”
Azure Flame flickered in Pulmy’s left eye.
“If it becomes a hassle, I can just burn the entire Ambish clan to ashes. After all, if the representatives of the world are dragging us down, it would be better for everyone if such a family ceased to exist.”
“I-I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to—”
Klein envisioned his own death.
“No need to apologize. I will act. I will erase even the lowest branches of Ambish with my Azure Flame.”
Overwhelmed by fear, he felt his strength drain from his lower body. He noticed a warm sensation spreading, but more than that, memories of his long-abandoned mother, father, and sister flashed through his mind.
“Please, no…”
It was too late for regrets—
“Just kidding.”
Pulmy reined in her Mana and turned to the group with a smile.
“This is just a demonstration for the first person. After all, he sincerely apologized.”
A few members of the group sighed in relief.
“Relax, you over there.”
Pulmy pointed at a female Seeker.
“You’re next.”
The chosen female Seeker shouted, “Who do you think my father is?! Do you think this is something that can be forgiven?!”
Pulmy glanced at her without a care.
“Is that your way of greeting? Then I suppose I should return the favor.”
After a brief moment of grumbling, she called out to Klein.
“What was that one’s name again? Ah, Shizuku, right? Well then, Klein, bring her here.”
Klein bobbed his head up and down vigorously like a puppet on a massage chair, stammering, “Y-yes! Yes! Yes!”
With sword against sword and magic against magic, Pulmy demonstrated an overwhelming difference in strength to all the personnel entrusted to her in just a few hours. Among them, Klein, who had particularly caught her eye, was dragged out multiple times and treated like a rag doll.
Initially, they had been rebellious, but by noon, they had all become Pulmy’s friends. In other words, a strong bond had formed among them. This bond connected them, and they were now a team of companions.
They eagerly listened to her instructions, and above all, they made it their utmost priority to follow her commands. Among them, Klein had become her most devoted friend, willing to sacrifice his life for Pulmy.
After everyone had become close friends and taken a short break, a report came in. As expected, it was a report of a new saturated area of Fog, accompanied by a large-scale request for reinforcements.