Chapter 45: Lanhard The Hero

Asada_translation

It wasn't until after sunset that I saw the walls of Schwerm.

The devastation of Bachen was terrible, but Schwerm was also in terrible shape. The walls were crumbling all over the place, creating too many gaps in the wall for a siege.

I see, this is what's preventing the Mirarudia Alliance from attacking carelessly.

If I recall, the subordinates of Mao, a trader of Ryun Height, should have infiltrated this place. I have the ability to contact them, so I should be able to call and ask about the situation if I wanted to. But to be honest, I don't trust Mao.

Most of the wall has collapsed to the point where I can just investigate myself, as long as I'm in my human form.

Alright. I'll see for myself and then ask Mao for more information.

This way, even if Mao betrays us by giving false information, we'll know right away.

I returned to my human form and changed into the normal clothes I had prepared. Right after that, I quickly entered through a gap in the crumbling walls.

Unlike Bachen, Schwerm was steadily recovering. The walls are still under repair, but the city is lined with temporary huts and tents, with many soldiers moving in and out.

Looking at a large number of storehouses without roofs, is that a building material inside? I guess the full-scale restoration work is about to begin.

If I were the commander of the Alliance, I would consider retaking Bachen before the reconstruction of Schwerm. That way, I would be able to focus on Bachen and slowly reconstruct Schwelm in the rear.

However, a large number of citizens are participating in the allied forces. For those who were citizens of Schwerm, the reconstruction of their city will come first before Bachen.

It's just my impression, but it seems that things are being done for non-military reasons.

Like the Demon King Army, the Alliance Army also seems to have various internal circumstances.

Unexpectedly, there is a large number of soldiers in Shwerm at the moment. Since there are hardly any ordinary citizens, I can't help but stand out in my everyday attire.

Moreover, the loose clothing in the southern style is completely different from the airtight clothing of the north. I tried to choose clothes that matched as closely as possible, but due to the color and design, I was completely out of place.

I think it would be better to leave as soon as possible.

Since I didn't go too far into the center of the city, I was able to exit the wall through the same hole I entered in.

Well, I've failed as a spy.

Letting out a sigh of relief, I think about contacting Mao's subordinates once I return.

The next moment, I transformed and kicked the ground.

The sound of rushing wind can be heard almost at the same time.

I kicked the crumbling castle wall and flew, just as something sliced through the sleeves of my clothes.

"Are you a werewolf?"

It was three armed warriors who suddenly attacked me, along with a Sorcerer who seems to be further back.

Despite having the senses of a wolf, I'm unsure as to how they managed to catch me off guard.

I can only assume that he was hiding their presence with magic.

I hurried to observe the warriors while keeping my distance from them.

All three of them have a great amount of magical power, showing me that they weren't ordinary warriors.

The Sorcerer behind is not quite as powerful, but his control over his magic flow is well-developed. I can't help but remain cautious of his as well.

"Are you a hero?"

One of the warriors answered my question.

"I am Lanhard, the hero. We were immediately notified of your trespassing by the Holy Protection Law."

Apparently, magic was set up somewhere to alert against trespassers.

Usually, it lets out a sound signal similar to a ringing bell for Sorcerers, but I wasn't able to notice it at all. It must've been disguised very well.

The man who called himself Lanhard held up his sword.

"Perish, you unholy one."

"Unholy…"

Using those words as a signal, all three warriors attacked him at the same time.

Not good.

I immediately activate all of the enhanced magic in the ready state.

My body becomes lighter and the enemy's movements appear to be slightly slower.

My natural healing ability is accelerated, and my fur hardened with magical power.

"Slash!"

Head, shoulders, legs.

With precise movements, I evade the well-coordinated attacks by paper-thin margins.

If the hero was alone, he would have no chance of winning. But with two skilled warriors by his side, there was no way for me to defeat them.

I want to escape but can't find the opening to do so. The three of them work well together, forcing me to stay put.

Even while I'm boosted with magic, my hands were full just by focusing on defense.

And to make matters worse, the Sorcerer behind him starts to chant something

I don't know what kind of magic he's preparing, but whatever it might be, it'll be bad for me in this situation where I'm outnumbered. I had to stop that sorcerer, otherwise, I'll probably die.

I stop for a moment and release my demonic roar, "Soul Shaker."

The effect was dramatic. The magic around me turned into demonic mana and begins to flow towards me. The spell that the Sorcerer was trying to cast ends in failure.

All that's left is to withstand the attacks of the heroes. I've also cast a fast recovery spell, so as long as they don't defeat me in an instant, I'll be able to survive.

At least, that's what I was preparing for, but the heroes suddenly started acting strange. As I look around, I see that they've become stiff.

Their facial expressions were distorted by fear and agony.

That's impossible.

Were they unable to move due to the fear effect of my 'Soul Shaker?'

The opponent is a superhuman comparable to the Demon King!?

Despite my surprise, I launched an attack on reflex.

The werewolf's claws blew out in a black storm.

One man's neck was bent at an uncanny angle, another had half of his face blown off. The last one slowly collapsed, a large cut appearing across his throat.

It was a quick end.

What a lie!?

A single werewolf had defeated the hero's party.

"That's ridiculous…"

As I muttered this, I felt a sense of discomfort.

After looking closely, the flow of their magical power is different.

The Demon King has an infinite magic power that flows from within his body, but the magic power of these guys seems to emanate from their swords and armor.

Moreover, even after they died, their magical power did not disappear at all, as if they were still alive.

"So that's what this is about."

I muttered and picked up the sword lying on the ground.

I could feel the strong magic power. It was most likely a weapon made by an ancient Sorcerer.

"It's a fake hero. Isn't it?"

I smiled at the sorcerer, who was still stiff and shaking. I don't think the smile of a werewolf can be understood, but it doesn't matter either way.

"Huh…"

The voice of a young woman could be heard from under the hood.

As she staggered, her long hair and tight face were exposed.

She is the hero's companion and has a rather plain face, but she is quite a beautiful woman.

A yellow stain gradually spreads on the shivering pure white robe. It seems that she was incontinent due to fear.

When I took a step, she fell on her buttocks and cried.

"No, no… don't kill…me"

Nothing is more helpless than a Sorcerer who can't use magic. Especially for humans.

There is no way for her to survive by confronting the werewolf who killed three of her friends in an instant.

"Please, I'll do anything…"

Is this a sign of surrender?

You shouldn't lower your guard down against a Sorcerer, but I couldn't use magic at the moment. At least at this distance, no matter what she tries, I will always be able to attack first.

I decided it was safe and gave her a choice.

"If you don't want to die in battle with honor, you'll have to live in disgrace. Do you still want that?"

"Good, that's fine!! I'll do anything! Please don't kill me!"

As expected, I couldn't take the life of a girl who was shaking and even sniffling.

There were more uses by keeping her alive than killing her, and that's okay.

The first step is to interrogate her.

"Who are your employers?"

All the weapons and armor they were currently wearing are valuable items.

Magic equipment was hard to make, requiring advanced techniques and expensive materials to craft. Because they were so valuable, they are often under the ownership of organizations instead of individuals. This way, they can consistently maintain any scratches and spills on the equipment after use.

"I'm sure there are people who have provided you with all this equipment and made you into 'hero'. Tell me."

The female Sorcerer, quivering and finally answering.

"I-i-it's… the Senate! The Senate!"

"I see"

It all makes sense. The Senate, which can be called the government of Mirarudia, can gather this much equipment. There is also a reason for arranging the heroes.

"Propaganda."

"Pro…propaganda?"

"A propaganda unit to boost the morale of the allied forces?"

I rephrased, and the woman nodded repeatedly with frightened eyes.

If this is the case, it wasn't my place to step in… It would have boosted the morale of the second division if the division commander Tiberito had blown them up with one shot.