The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 250

“Hup!”Izmilla flapped her wings, sending out shockwaves that tore apart the shadow tentacles binding her.”Holy Light!”A large halo of light appeared above Izmilla’s head, and from the center of the halo, a spear of fire materialized.As Izmilla took a throwing stance, the spear flew on its own, piercing the doppelganger caster who had just used shadow magic.And at that moment, as if performing a cremation, a pillar of fire shot up from the ground, instantly incinerating the doppelganger.With a terrible scream, one doppelganger was completely burned, and from the pillar of fire, small fire spears shot out again, hitting the shadow tentacles holding the investigation team.As the shadow tentacles burned and withered, the knights of the investigation team regained their senses.”Damn it!”Sensing things were going wrong, a doppelganger swelled its body to a massive size and charged, swinging a halberd like a poker.However, Izmilla’s ceramite longsword [a sword made of a special ceramic material] burst into flames, slicing through the doppelganger’s waist, and the light exploding from her wings simultaneously incinerated the severed upper and lower body.Like mice encountering their natural predator, the doppelgangers fell before Izmilla’s power without much resistance.The doppelgangers possessed overwhelming power and wicked magic that usually dominated ordinary humans, but all of it was useless against Izmilla’s holy power.”Y-yeah, as expected…””The power of a Celestial…”The investigators, already aware that Izmilla was a Celestial [a being of divine origin], were still in awe of her immense power and her sacred, holy appearance.This was the hope of the Knights.Everyone was inspired by Izmilla’s power and abilities, and it was at that moment.”That was an enjoyable performance!”Suddenly, arrows flew in from all directions.Surprisingly, the arrows that flew through the alleyways turned left, right, and straight, simultaneously targeting Izmilla from three directions.Without much thought, Izmilla used a holy shield spell to block the incoming arrows.A transparent barrier of power surrounded her, blocking the incoming arrows.So far, so good.But…’Huh? A talisman?’She saw talismans [a piece of paper or object with magical symbols] wrapped around the arrow shafts.The shield magic was transparent, allowing her to see the arrows.At that moment, the characters on the talismans glowed and then exploded simultaneously.”Kyaaak!”Blinding sparks engulfed Izmilla.Izmilla’s body possessed immense magic resistance, pushing the electric sparks away from her body. It was as if a transparent barrier of power was rejecting the magic itself. Nevertheless, lightning that pierced through the barrier struck Izmilla.Izmilla’s body staggered, momentarily losing balance.It was only for a brief moment, but she had lost consciousness.”Good!”While the investigators were panicking, a group jumped down from the market building.”Huh!?””Y-you guys are?””Could it be the Messenger Clan?!”The investigators were horrified by the sight of those wearing masks and holding bows.They had barely defeated the doppelgangers, and now suddenly the Messenger Clan?!Could it be that the doppelgangers and these people were in league?”The Messenger Clan…””Well, let’s just say that. We’ll be taking this young lady.”They mocked the helpless investigators and kidnapped Izmilla.A horse appeared from the alleyway.They mounted the prepared horses and spurred them on.”No!””Lady Izmilla!”The panicked investigators hurriedly chased after them. Those on horseback didn’t even look back, drawing their bows and firing.”Huh!?”An investigator was startled as he saw an arrow flying towards his face.’I could definitely deflect it with my sword, but why is the arrow so wobbly?’The investigator deflected the arrow with his sword. At that moment, the immense power contained in the arrow instead wrapped around his sword, aiming precisely for his throat.It wasn’t an arrow, but rather a living venomous snake.-Thud!But then, a hand emerged from behind the investigator and grabbed the arrow.Like a snake charmer’s hand subduing a venomous snake, the hand grabbed the wobbly arrow, killing its power and planting it into the ground.”Hmm.”It was Azadin, who had arrived late due to the crowd.Actually, he hadn’t arrived late.Azadin had been watching them from a suitable distance. He just had to prevent the investigators from dying.’I was going to let them get kidnapped, then track them using Araiel’s voice to find the enemy’s lair. But I can’t just let these guys die.”T-thank you.””But who are you?””I am Azadin, a Hospitaller-Errant [a knight who travels to provide aid]. I will save Lady Izmilla, so I ask that you confirm the doppelgangers are dead!”Azadin said that and ran forward.’Hmm. What should I do? Originally, it would be better to let them get kidnapped, then find out their intentions and track them…’However, among those who had just shot the arrows was Jan, the squad leader of the Northern Aragasa [a group of warriors], especially Prince Kalintz of the Northern Empire.’And I just met that Prince Kalintz. I wondered why they attacked the pilgrimage group and why the Knights were treating Lady Izmilla so specially, but there was a good reason.’To conserve his strength as much as possible, Azadin sent Araiel’s voice to track those who had kidnapped Lady Izmilla.’Using magic makes my body feel like it has a fever. I shouldn’t track them using magic, but should I track them steadily? I can also find out the enemy’s scale and hideout.’But then, Araiel’s voice, which Azadin had sent into the sky, detected smoke.Flames were rising from the Van Dyke Trading Company.’No way… What’s going on? What is this?’*********Blood mage Bernard, who had gone to the Van Dyke Trading Company, was in charge of negotiations with the company.It seemed that the person who would actually use the items should be the one to negotiate for more details.Fractional distillation equipment made of fragile glass. A precise bellows that could finely control the temperature. Equipment that would not explode even when grinding gunpowder, or equipment that would save lives even if it did explode, was being traded at exorbitant prices.But…”Vermilion Fortress, you say. Is the fortress commander there perhaps a man named Azadin from the Messenger Clan?”A young woman, who appeared to be the manager of the Van Dyke Trading Company, approached with her guards, showing interest in Azadin.”Yes, he is our commander.””I see. A Messenger Clan member becoming a knight, the Knights of Salvation must be truly unbiased and fair. Or did he offer something special?””No, that’s not it. I only know that he has contributed to the Knights in many ways, and the Knights recognized him. More importantly, when can we receive the goods?””If we place an order with the dwarves, we will have to wait at least two weeks. We have to be careful with the delivery so that it doesn’t break.””Then please deliver it in two weeks. I will pay when the goods arrive safely.””We need a deposit to place an order with the dwarves.””Here it is.”Without any haggling, Bernard gave the deposit as requested. Camilla was surprised by Bernard’s attitude of paying so readily.”What are you doing? It’s quite expensive, and you’re not even haggling? Are you enjoying the feeling of being rich with public funds?””Let’s get out of here for now.”Bernard gave his companions a look and tried to leave the company building.However, the company’s gatekeepers cleared their throats and blocked the door.”Customer. We need something from you…””Hit them. Kuntachi.””Huh? Sis?””Hit them!”At Camilla’s command, Kuntachi, without hesitation, grabbed brass knuckles in both fists and punched a gatekeeper.-Thwack!With a terrifying sound, the gatekeeper’s head was smashed.Or so it seemed.The gatekeeper’s body slipped, and his body flashed silver.The other gatekeepers, who had not been hit by Kuntachi’s fist, also shone silver in their eyes and grabbed clubs.”We need your forms.”The doppelgangers revealed their true colors.As the company’s guards swung their clubs, Kuntachi immediately countered with his brass knuckles.”Wow! As expected of a half-orc. Your strength is amazing.”A doppelganger dropped his club and was flustered.At that moment, Camilla stepped on a wall display case, jumped over the doppelganger, and stabbed him in the back with her sword.The doppelganger’s body twisted, avoiding her sword, but Kuntachi threw a big hook, and the doppelganger was unable to dodge it and was hit.The two siblings simultaneously struck the doppelganger with a sword and a fist from the front and back, ending the doppelganger’s life.But…-Thud!A chain fell to the floor with a dull sound.An arrow was embedded in Kuntachi’s body.Kuntachi was wearing chainmail, and the chain broke, with the rings falling to the floor and rolling away.”Okay, everyone, stop. Do you want to die?”The female manager was holding a Messenger Clan bow, aiming an arrow at them.”Kuntachi!””Ugh… S-sis. It hurts!””You’ve heard the rumors, right? No, you’re Azadin’s subordinates, so it’s not a matter of rumors. Our Aragasa arrows never miss their target. I was about to pierce your heads, but I need you alive, so I spared you.””Ugh…””Now, then…”The female manager, confident in her victory, gestured with her chin to her subordinates.Then the doppelgangers approached.”We’re sending the doppelgangers who stole your forms to Azadin. We’ll monitor him, and if necessary, capture him and make him pay the price for betraying our clan! Don’t worry. We don’t want anything more than your forms.”But…”Hmm. The Messenger Clan’s arrows are always accurate, you say. Then how about this?”Bernard snapped his fingers, and the lights inside the building began to go out. The company building was completely sealed off from the outside light, and it became dark in an instant.”This guy!?”The female manager was flustered and shot an arrow at Bernard. It was suddenly dark, and she couldn’t see her surroundings, but she shot an arrow towards where Bernard had been.However, Bernard had also anticipated such an attack. Silver liquid extended around him, blocking the arrow.It was the blood of the doppelgangers that Kuntachi and Camilla had just cut down. He was controlling the doppelgangers’ blood and flesh to block the arrows flying at him.”Let’s get out of here. Cough…”Bernard’s voice echoed from several places. He was using magic to make sounds from various locations so that they wouldn’t be able to guess his location from his voice.’Damn it. This guy is a considerable mage? Why is there such a guy in this backwater?’The female manager was flustered by the unexpected turn of events and was about to cast a spell to light up the area.However, if she lit up the area now, Bernard’s magic might fly at her at that moment.’The doppelgangers can see through the darkness, but…’She couldn’t fully trust her subordinates, the doppelgangers.