Episode 181. A doll’s dream.
Alfredo fell as gunfire filled the coast.
Snowballs falling between bare tree branches with a rustling sound created traces of battle here and there.
This is so that those who are considered enemies can reveal their goals and threaten us at the same time.
Taang!
The person hiding in the snow continued shooting even though his position was discovered.
This clearly shows their determination to end the situation by ending the battle early on.
Alfredo told me to watch until the situation was resolved, but with things like this, I couldn’t leave them alone.
‘I guess I’ll have to deal with that guy first.’
I slowly scanned the surroundings to determine the number and location of the enemies, then swung my sword at the sniper who had targeted Alfredo first.
Sigh-!
At this distance, there was no need for me to go looking for it. Just using the sword wind to threaten them is enough to neutralize them.
At the same time as the tip of the sword finished moving from left to right, a sharp burst sound spread out, splitting the gaze.
“… ?!”
The monster sniper hiding in the snow was startled, and was unable to dodge the approaching sword wind and instead hit it head-on.
Coo!
At the same time as he collapsed from shock, the snow pile above his head fell like a landslide and covered his body. The entire world was shining white to the extent that I couldn’t even determine his location, let alone confirm whether he was alive or dead. I didn’t care about the fallen person and turned my sword towards the next enemy. I aimed.
‘The warning ends here.’
From now on, I will treat those who come at me with all my heart.
There is no forgiveness or mercy for those who treat me as an enemy.
Even if this is not my territory now.
“Gmaaaaan!”
It was then.
Alfredo, who had fallen after being hit by an enemy bullet, jumped up from his seat.
He just scratched his head with a bright smile, as if there was nothing wrong with the enemy’s surprise attack. No matter how strong his body was, his skin wouldn’t be able to withstand the power of a gun unless it was at Rox’s level.
‘Was Alfredo that hard?’
Before the question could be asked, one of the snow monsters came running and stood in front of Alfredo.
The person he thought was human looked like a monster, just like Rox said.
The white fur covering its entire body resembled that of a bear, and although its face reminded me of a gorilla, it was a species that felt closer to a human.
“Meeting Alfredo.”
The monster spoke human language.
Everyone looking at them was surprised.
Just by looking at its appearance, I thought it would naturally communicate in the demon language, but I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed when it suddenly started using human language.
Alfredo smiled brightly at the person who approached him, and then responded by lightly stroking his head.
“How have you been?”
“Yes, matriarch.”
“I’ve been away for so long that I thought you guys had forgotten about me.”
“How could that be!”
The monster, whose entire body was covered in white fur, put one knee on the ground, then pulled the skin around its neck and flipped it back as if taking off a mask.
As I was looking at him, my mouth fell open. Until a little while ago, I thought he was a human, but after hearing Rox’s words, I thought he was a monster. Now that I saw them, I was once again convinced that their true identity was human.
A young woman with black hair that was revealed when the skin around her neck was removed and pulled back. Her face was flushed, and she smiled as she wiped her sweaty forehead.
“If it weren’t for the matriarch, we wouldn’t be here either.”
“Hehe – those guys are the ones shooting at me?”
“I was trying to find out if he was the real head of the family or not. “If it’s fake, it won’t be able to withstand a bullet, but if it’s real, it’s something that can be easily laughed off.”
“Well, someone as skilled as me won’t die from something like a gun.”
“also… . “The matriarch is different.”
As I listened to their story, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Her reaction was as if she was praising a great warrior, and Alfredo was speaking in an aristocratic tone that was completely different from the way I knew him.
‘It’s like looking at a benevolent lord of a prosperous country.’
Cynthia, who had been quietly listening to the two’s conversation, approached Alfredo’s side.
“Stop talking nonsense. “If you know him, tell him to open the way. If not, tell him to keep pushing.”
The black-haired woman glanced at her and frowned with an unpleasant expression.
“Who are you, giving orders to Alfredo?”
“If I tell you, will you know who I am?”
“If you are strong, I will know.”
“Then you know. “I am stronger than all of you combined.”
“what?”
“If you don’t believe it, it’s okay to give it a try.”
Cynthia exuded confidence. I mean she has no chance of losing if she comes out like that.
What did Cynthia really feel to make such a judgment?
‘These guys are not ordinary.’
They all knew how to use Aurors, and each of them had a mysterious Bae Hu-ryeong on their backs.
That means that he has a higher level of skill than our Strange knights.
I don’t know how many there are, but one thing is certain.
‘however.’
Cynthia was confident that she could win even if everyone attacked them.
Alfredo waved his hand between the two with an embarrassed expression.
“S-stop it, Toby. These are the precious guests I brought from the south. Miss Cynthia, please stop. “These kids are just being wary because we are from outside.”
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
Cynthia lifted her chin and looked down at Alfredo.
“Why are you speaking like that all of a sudden?”
“What do you mean?”
“Speak as usual.”
“This is my usual way of speaking.”
Alfredo shrugged his eyebrows three or four times and then winked as a signal. Although Cynthia knew what he meant, she seemed annoyed and cursed softly and returned to my side.
‘Good job.’
I thought Cynthia’s actions were a good decision.
To be honest, I also don’t trust Alfredo, but if we act like this, we’ll be able to show those people wearing the skin of monsters that we’re not easy.
A woman called Toby stood close to Alfredo and whispered.
“Are you going to let them live?”
She thought we couldn’t hear, but we could hear it all through Rox’s caterpillar that she had secretly attached to Alfredo.
“They are strong. Just like that blue-haired woman said a moment ago, even if we all attack, we won’t be able to win.”
“Was that true?”
“Okay, so please lead the way to the castle quietly. “Then I will finish work and return as quickly as possible.”
“… I knew.”
Toby answered Alfredo’s request, but he looked disapproving.
As she put her gun back and raised her fist above her head, the other monsters also disarmed and began to gather one by one.
Their number is approximately twenty.
There was more than what was visible, and less than what was felt.
‘Hide the numbers.’
It’s hard to think of him as an ally.
After finishing the conversation, Alfredo returned to us and spoke to me with a bright smile.
“Let’s move to my castle first. “I will personally introduce you to our tribe.”
* * *
At the location where Alfredo and his companions moved, a castle that was better than expected was waiting for them.
Although it could not be compared to Strange, it was still very luxurious and grand for a lord of the frontier.
However, the appearance of the building was too extravagant and sturdy for it to have been built in a cold area with strong winds 365 days a year.
‘yes.’
From what I learned through books, the residents of the North build buildings as uncomplicatedly as possible so that no matter what work they do, it can be completed with the minimum amount of manpower.
Just looking at the patterns carved on the wall, it was more colorful than anywhere else on the continent.
“Open the door.”
Alfredo lowered his voice to a whisper, and the guards wearing monster fur checked his face and opened the castle gate.
Kuuuuung-
All the residents within our reach were covered in monster skin.
I don’t know if it was for combat, just like knights are armed with iron armor, or simply to beat the cold weather, but one thing was certain.
‘Those who don’t know their identity will be scared just by looking at them.’
Because they look like that and their skills are also unusual, if you face them on the battlefield, you can’t help but feel like they are real monsters.
As I arrived at the small room following Alfredo’s guidance, a woman called Toby looked up at me.
“Lord Verdin of House Strange, I am sorry, but please wait here for a moment until we prepare dinner.”
“There is no need for a meal. “We’re just going to have a quick chat here and then leave.”
“Conversation?”
“Yes, there is a person in the north whom I am urgently pursuing right now. “I came because they said it would be better to get help from here to find him.”
“… No matter how urgent it is, can’t you give us just enough time to say hello to the matriarch?”
“It’s possible, but I hope it’s short.”
“I will finish it as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, then please.”
We didn’t like each other, but we talked as politely as possible.
‘of course.’
Everyone here knows each other’s feelings, so Alfredo’s insides must already be rotting.
You will feel anxious as if the wick of a cannonball is on fire and you don’t know when it will explode.
“Then I will talk to Toby for a moment and then come back. “I’ll just say hello and come back, so please wait.”
Alfredo looked at me and left the room. I lightly closed my eyes and gestured to him.
“Don’t forget what we came here for.”
This was enough of a conversation between him and me. Even if I just said this, he would have understood.
Alfredo nodded slightly and left the room with Toby.
* * *
Alfredo arrived at a dark secret place somewhere in the castle, took off his armor made of thick fur and iron, and answered.
Cooung.
“Thank you for your hard work, my warrior Toby.”
As Alfredo lightly rolled his shoulders and relaxed, a woman called Toby knelt on one knee and responded.
“The hard work was done by the head of the family.”
“Is things progressing properly?”
“Yes, we have dealt with all the people you mentioned. “We will soon be able to find out the whereabouts of the Timeless you contacted us earlier.”
“already? “They say the lower part of the world tree is as big as several countries combined.”
“Well, the places where people can stay are limited.”
“Oh oh… . Okay, keep this story a secret from others. “If I finish this job well, I may have a chance to swallow Strange in the future.”
“All right. “Anyway, why are you letting those guys live?”
“Why are you sparing me?”
“Yes, if we attack them while they are off guard, we will be able to deal with them in an instant.”
“… … .”
“I don’t understand why you show mercy to them.”
Toby asked questioningly. Alfredo looked away and answered.
“… “I guess you could say it’s the duty of the strong.”
“As expected, Alfredo, you are merciful to the weak.”
“… That’s right, solving problems only with violence is a story from the past. “Isn’t this a time when you can get two by giving one?”
“also! “Today, I am learning about the matriarch’s wise judgment and wise actions.”
Alfredo looked into the distance and nodded slightly in agreement.
“Anyway, did you hear the news of Clark’s death?”
“Yes, he said he was caught by the enemy while he and Alfredo were making up a story together.”
“… That’s right, I fell into the Timeless guy’s trap. But he has walked the path of a great warrior, so don’t feel sorry for him.”
Toby answered, closing his eyes tightly.
“Yes, matriarch. “But what is that bug on your hat?”
“bug?”
“Yes, it has been squirming since a while ago.”
Alfredo slowly took off his hat, looked at the caterpillar that was wriggling on his head, and made an arrogant face.
“… ah.”
fantasy,
