Chapter 70: The Great Feud (Part 4)

A/N: I'm back.

Hope you enjoy this new round of chapters I'm about to drop.

On another note the second cour of Danmachi season four starts in a few weeks and I have t osay I can't wait. Especially since we're finally about to see the Astraea familia and one of the best arcs of the entire Danmachi story in my opinion.

If those of you who haven't ready light novel 14 I recommend you do before the second part begins. Trust me, it won't disappoint.

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Moving through the streets of Orario I had Echidna, Ryner, and William with me.

After breakfast Kaguya left to return home.

As she did so I decided to leave with today's patrol group.

While the others remained back at the Owl House with Athena. Not only to do a bit of inventory but also to make sure Athena and our home weren't left unguarded. Since I know those Evilus bastards aren't above using a tactic like that.

The four of us observed our surroundings as we walked, in doing so we noticed hardly any vendors set up on the streets, and those that were carried makeshift weapons with them. Looking ready to jump at a moment's notice.

"Man, the tension is so thick I can barely breath." William murmured.

"I have to agree with you on that." I said.

"Me as well." Ryner added.

"The same." Echidna said. A serious expression on her face.

That's how bad things are, since usually our resident greedy witch has a mischievous or playful smile.

But right now she is not smiling at all.

Which actually makes her even more terrifying than usual.

As we continued our patrol Echidna suddenly spoke up.

"Over there!" She shouted, pointing Gloom to an ally located on our left.

The moment she spoke the rest of us turned our heads in that direction.

Immediately after we did so we saw a cloaked figure being pulled back into the ally after they had just taken a step out of it.

"Agh!"

Then a moment later we heard a cry of pain, and blood splattered onto the ground.

Seeing this nothing needed to be said.

We moved toward the ally without wasting any time.

Arriving in a moment we saw three big and burly men working to tie own a cloaked figure. Who is struggling with all their might to escape.

"Stop struggling you bitch!" One of the men shouted.

He then smacked a fist across the cloaked figures face, sending drops of blood flying.

"Hey, what the hell do you think you're doing?" I asked the men in a cold voice. Releasing killing intent in their direction as I did so.

The moment they felt my presence they all froze up. Then they turned their heads in our direction.

One of them moved to speak, but before he could I raised up my left palm.

"Ah, no need to explain. I understand the situation perfectly. William." I said.

As soon as I did so I residence archer shoot the three arrows he had notched in his bow as the men, hitting them all in vital points.

Ignoring their cries of pain I rushed forward and used the blunt side of Vortex Vanquisher to knock them all out in an instant.

Once I did so I focused on the cloaked figure they had been assaulting.

As they stood up their cloak fell off, allowing us to get a good look at their person.

The person under the cloak is indeed a female, and not only that but she is a dark-elf as well.

And I won't lie, she's beautiful.

Clear skin, deep purple hair, bright golden-colored eyes, and her chest is quite generous as well. She also has curves in all the right places.

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No matter how I look at her I can't help but think of her as beautiful.

And I'm not the only one entranced by her beautiful appearance. Out of the corner of my eye I can see the others are speechless as well.

Not that I can blame them.

The four of us snapped out of our trance however when the woman spoke.

"Am, thank you." She said.

"It's no problem." I told her. "So, these guys were trying to kidnap you correct."

"Yes." The woman said, getting a furious look on her face. "And for that they shall pay in blood." She spoke.

The woman then unsheathed the blade situated on her left hip and turned to one of the men lying on the ground.

Then without any hesitation she swung her blade down and removed his left arm.

She then went and did the same thing to the others, before sheathing her weapon.

Which none of us have any problem with. She didn't kill them after all and she deserved a pound of flesh after what they attempted to do to her. So as far as we're concerned this is just part of the assailants punishment.

After their limbs were removed the three of them woke up and starred crying out in pain. But not wanting to hear it I used the but of Vortex Vanquisher to once again knock them all out.

Just after I did so the dark-elf woman bowed in our direction.

"Once again, thank you. Now then I'll be on my way." She said.

The woman then turned and tried to walk away.

Key word being tried, because she didn't even get 10 steps before we all heard a popping sound.

Which I'm pretty sure originated from the woman's left leg.

Falling to the ground, she grit her teeth and tried to stand back up. But that only caused her to cry out in pain every time she did so.

"Stop." I told her. Moving closer. "You're obviously not going anywhere on your own. So please stop causing your body even more damage than necessary." I said.

When I did so the dark-elf turned to look at me. She then nodded her head.

"Thank you." I said. "So, do you mind if I take a look at your leg?" I asked. "If you don't want to me that's fine as well."

Since I want to respect the elven custom of not touching without permission. Even in this situation.

The only reason I will violate that rule is if an elf's life is in danger or certain other circumstances take place. But this is not one of them.

"Sure, go ahead." The woman spoke.

Nodding I moved my hands to her leg and stared examining it.

Meanwhile the others rounded up the attackers as well as their limbs.

"Yep, it's definitely broken." I said after a few moments of touching the woman's leg. "You aren't going to be able to go anywhere on your own with your leg in its current state."

"Then what am I supposed to do?" The woman asked.

"Well, you could come back to our home and we could treat you there." Echidna suggested.

"Yes, I think that's for the best." I said.

"I don't know." The woman mused.

"It's understandable. We are just strangers after all. So if you want us to take you to the local hospital we will." I said.

The woman didn't speak for several seconds. A contemplative look on her face.

"Actually, I've decided to go with you." She said.

"Alright then. William." I said.

"Right." He said.

William then came over and allowed the woman to lean on her.

I figure she'd be more comfortable with physical contact since he is part elf.

"Echidna, head back to the Owl House with William and, sorry do you mind if we have your name?"

"Ariane Maple." The woman stated.

"Thank you." I said. "So as I was saying, William and Echidna please take Ariane back to the Owl House and get her immediate treatment. Ryner and I will transport the assailants to the proper authorities."

The others nodded at my instructions, and then we went about our ways.

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Dragging the assailants behind us Ryner and I arrived at the Ganesha familia home.

Once we did so we were met by guards, who took the scum off our hands and took a detailed report of their crimes and how we apprehended them.

Leaving out the part about Ariane cutting off their arms.

We simply said we did that when they threatened to harm Ariane. There's no reason to get her in trouble over something like this after all.

Overall everything took 20 minutes.

Then once it was over Ryner and I prepared to leave.

Only for Ardi and Shakti to appear.

"Ryner, Morax, wait a moment." Shakti said. "There is something I would like to ask of you two?"

"Yes Shakti, what is it?" I questioned.

"Tomorrow we are planning to raid a confirmed Evilus base, and I would like your familia's assistance in doing so."

"I don't have any issue with that and I'm sure Athena won't either." I explained. "So you can count us in."

"Thank you." Shakti said.

"If you really want to thank me then how about a kiss." I said, giving her a grin.

When I did so Shakti simply gave me a flat look. "See you tomorrow Morax." She spoke.

Shakti then walked away.

While Ardi came over and gently gave me a pat on the back. "There, there Morax. My sister will answer your advances one day." She spoke.

"Shut up Ardi." I said, throwing her arm off me.

But she simply responded with one of her trademark grins.

Ryner has a similar grin on his face.

"Whatever." I said to the two of them.

I then started making my way home, Ryner walking right beside him. His grin never leaving his face.

'Yeah, yeah laugh it up now. But I'll be the one who's laughing when Shakti is mine.' I thought.

And she will be.

One of these days.

My stubbornness will outlast hers in this matter.

I guarantee it.

But more importantly, tomorrow I might come face to face with the woman known as the Incarnation of Talent.

And I'm certain that will not be a boring meeting.

Not by a longshot.

I can't wait.