Aries Kingdom Arc - Chapter 31: Bloodlust (1)

I am Seven Clavery, and today, I'm having a meal with the first person to have helped me in this world. And I also just finished my whole bottle of milk so praise me! It's actually quite hard gulping down milk for me since I only drink milk not because I liked it but rather because it has alot of body benefits.

"Hey Seven, mind if I ask? How have you been these past few months?"

Thalia-san asked with an expression saying she was really worried about me. Am I really the type who can't handle myself? So far I've been doing so splendidly so I guess that's something worth mentioning.

"I've been fine Thalia-san. I'm having the best time of my life and my adventures were really memorable."

I started to entertain her with my own share of experiences as we ate the fried beef steaks we ordered along with the beer.

At that point I was also having quite alot of fun telling them to her in utmost detail, the thing about the Dark General Garek I even told her. Even though the guild master told us to keep it a secret.

"A dark general... In the Star Continent?"

Thalia-san looked utterly panicked, sweat running down her cheek. What should I do?! I accidentally did something bad!

I started panicking in my mind too.

"The heroes must be summoned quickly then, this is an omen saying the Dark Lord will soon rise. We can't let something like that let loose in a peaceful haven like the Star Continent."

For some reason, I wasn't mostly concerned about the Dark Lord right now. I was more concerned about how Thalia-san really sounds like she's not from here. Perhaps it's because she's spent too much time in the other continent she works at.

The atmosphere started turning silent as soon as we stepped on the topic about the Dark Lord, since I don't know much about that concept yet, I better ask.

"By the way, what is the Dark Lord?"

"Hmm, many tales have been told from the Dark Lord's evil deeds. From ravaging countries, setting fire to human lands and the worst part, annihilating half of the population of this world. Legends say he's the true hero of this world who keeps the balance of hierarchy and population as is."

Woah, so he's like this world's guardian deity who gets killed by the human heroes while trying to protect it? Sounds like... Should I just become a part of the Dark Lord's army at this point? He sounds like a good guy.

"There is even a religion wholely dedicated to the Dark Lord."

"What? There is?!"

I was taken aback by her continuance. So it does look like I'm not the only one who thinks he's a good guy.

"Indeed. They're a group of cultists who seek to revive the Dark Lord. They're not even afraid of dying, saying it's all for the sake of this world. Such samaritans."

That's so cool! Should I join their cult too? Just kidding, I have no intention to die specially when that Dark Lord whatever might be so powerful I'd die before even using my cheat, add to that I'm not a samaritan.

Thalia-san continued, looking amused at her own storytelling already.

"Since he comes back every 200 years, all the nations globally summon their own share of heroes to protect their territories. Whichever nation's hero loses to the Dark Lord must watch their people perish. Meanwhile there are countries who mobilize an alliance of heroes to fight against the Dark Lord and defeat him before anything even happens to their nation. They're mostly the ones that survive the most."

So this is this world's setting. To be honest, I feel bad for the Dark Lord. Who gives a damn about those humans? It's their fault for overpopulating. Although I can't really say that out loud since I'm also human in a way.

"Say, Thalia-san. What are your thoughts about the war against the Dark Lord."

"While what is right is truly right, us humans can't really just watch seeing the people we love die, do we?"

Thalia-san smiled bitterly and took a soft sip at her wine. While staring at her beautiful figure, a thought crossed my mind.

"Thalia-san, when you introduced yourself I don't think you mentioned your full name."

"I haven't?"

Thalia-san gaped in surprise of her own clumsiness and reintroduced herself.

"My full name is Thalia Ronacsof. I'm a mercenary from the Dragon Continent."

After she introduced herself, the last syllables caught my attention. She's from the Dragon Continent? Where the baddies are in? No no, what if she's one of them?! If I ask her that she might finish me!

"Hm? Are you surprised that I'm from the Dragon Continent?"

I'M BUSTED!

"N-No, ofcourse not... Ahaha..."

Thalia-san slowly leaned closer to me.

"Don't worry, I won't bite. I want to package you and sell your organs after this though."

"Eek!"

"Just joking. Come on, can't I joke around? Haha."

Phew, I knew she was teasing me but the atmosphere she was giving off was the one that really scared me.

"Seven, want to meet up tomorrow again?"

Being with her again? Why not?!

"Sure!"

At that moment, I feel like something hit my eardrums. A familiar voice echoed in my head and I remembered that One and I's senses are linked right now.

「Seven, where are you!? We've been looking all over for you! Come to the plaza now!」

「H-Hey, don't be so rough on One!」

That was Arlet's voice. She must have found One and figured out the situation all by herself.

But seriously, stop shaking One! I'm getting dizzy!

I can't communicate through One so I have to go there by myself right now before Arlet ends up beating the shit out of my beloved pet.

"Th-Thalia-san. I'll be going now, I found my companions and they're waiting for me at the plaza."

"O-Oh... I understand. Please do be careful on your way."

"Thanks~!"

Before leaving the bar, I paid the bartender two platinum coins and sprinted in a hurry.

"Miss! Your change!"

"Give it to the silver haired lady I was with!"

I descended the tower and left just like that. I hope Thalia-san had a good meal without me.

▪️▫️▪️▫️▪️

After what transpired, the four of us went home, first off dropping Minerva at her grandmother's place and returning to the manor. After our nightly sessions we ended up sleeping, but when morning came I was barraged with a ton of questions.

"Seven, what were you doing when you got lost. Why do you smell like another girl?"

"Just walking around. It must be your imagination."

I said nervously, Arlet's sense of smell is really dangerous. She kept sniffing me the whole night until morning.

"Why are you sniffing me too, Aria?!"

"She's right. You reek of another woman."

She can smell it too?!

"A-About that..."

"Quit fidgeting around and tell us."

Aria commanded with eyes that looked like she'd chop me to pieces if I don't speak now.

Because of that, I was forced to tell them everything in detail. They didn't allow me to leave a single thing out.

"So you thought she was beautiful?"

Aria repeated while holding a long stick, her eyes bloodshot.

"I-Isn't that normal? And where did you even get that stick?!"

"Oh. Arlet brought it from outside last night."

"Are you a dog?!"

Arlet lunged at me and bit my neck as response then began shouting.

"Punish the unfaithful!"

After that, I was constantly hit by a stick while being bitten by a maddened cat pretending to be a dog.

"Hey guys, good morning and I'm back- oof."

To everyone's surprise, our room's door was abruptly opened and Alric's voice came out from behind us in a shallow greeting.

It was bad because all three of us had nightly plays last night so we were naked, thank god Aria reacted fast and threw the stick she was holding at Alric.

Alric was hit at the forehead and dropped dramatically at the floor.

"Is he dead?"

Arlet asked while approaching him, we immediately dressed up after seeing him.

"He probably is, let's go order a coffin."

"I'm not dead yet!"

I kicked him at the guts after confirming he was awake. So he was conscious this whole time, this bastard!

"I-I swear I didn't look!"

"Whatever, let's just go eat breakfast Aria and Arlet."

"Yep."

"Sure, my dear wife."

After all three of us gave Alric some physical abuse, we left the room and descended the stairs to head to the dining hall.

As I was busy pondering of what food we'd have for today, a familiar looking person with a black mustache appeared from view.

"Ryan-sama?"

Aria herself spoke out that person's name.

At the middle of the first floor main building of the manor where the dining hall resided, the Libra Guild's Guild Master, Ryan Bang was sitting at the furthest seat of the long table reading something like a newspaper.

"By the way, I didn't get to inform you but I brought my dad along. He insisted it himself so I couldn't stop him."

From the stairs emerged a well-bruised Alric, his nose bleeding.

"Uncannily for you guys, my dad wanted to check up on the place."

He said afterwards and the Guild Master bolted up from his seat and approached us. No, more accurately it was just Arlet.

"How have you been, Hunter?"

He spoke in a nice and gentle tone towards Arlet who was besides me.

"I'm doing fine, Uncle Ryan."

Arlet answered in a happy tone accompanied by a bright smile.

"I hope you would not mind my stay. I have reasons as to why I have brought myself to this city. I'm looking for someone."

All of us became interested straight away. And as to appease it, the Guild Master showed to us a picture photo of a silver haired girl with yellow eyes, her beauty rather enthralling.

Hold on, isn't that... Thalia-san?

She's looking for Thalia-san? I should tell him about her then.

"This is Natalia Gliese. She is a murderer responsible for 34 noblemen's deaths during the Era Of Greed."

Nevermind!

"She is also responsible for my wive's death. She is a deadly assassin. Inform me straight away if you catch a glimpse of her."

Everyone's dumbfounded reactions were somewhat predicted. On the other hand, I acted like I was surprised as well so that I wouldn't look suspicious.

After we had enough of staring at Thalia-san's picture, he tucked it inside one of his trouser's pockets.

"Ryan-sama, it's just you looking for her?"

"I've dispatched 30 agents in the whole area. They are all over the capital city right now disguised as citizens."

Thalia-san and I agreed to meet at the Clocktower again later night to have some idle talk. So I know exactly when to meet up and where I could find her.

At this moment I'm confused of who to help... The victim... Or the culprit who treated me nicely. My debt to Thalia-san is a lifelong one since that's how I repay favors.

"I wish you the best in luck delivering justice to this woman, Ryan-sama."

The three of us gave our regards.

For now, I should just watch and see... Natalia Gliese is her real name, huh...

I don't know if I could be considered a bad guy for not telling Ryan Bang-sama about this, but I'm only sticking to my own principles. I'm not going to rat her out.

I'm sorry.

After night fell, I went outside once again with the purpose of meeting up with Thalia-san. The Guild Master stayed in one of the guestrooms of the manor and I set out after making sure that everyone was asleep. Making use of the flight magic that Alric forcefully taught me, I managed to stealthily sneak out.

The skies were colder than I expected, altitudes of 1,600 feet felt icy cold at a night. Nevertheless the view it came with was unobjectionably aesthetic. Looking at the sky from here seemed like I was surrounded by numerous milky galaxies. A lonely, cold, yet captivating spectacle.

There are two ways to use the magic formula Alric gave me. I could either apply the flight magic on myself, or to something, and by something, I would ofcourse apply it to my swords. The sword I was riding was just as big as myself, I'm too scared of falling off so I made some precautions. Especially when this is my first time flying.

From up here, the entirety of the merchant's district looked like tiny flickering lights of spring's fireflies.

It was not hard to differentiate the buildings and locate the clocktower, I spotted it straight away with how tall it was and flew downwards.

"Slowly, don't fall, slowly, don't fall... WOAH!"

At this point, I was so scared. BECAUSE THE SWORD ALMOST FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. I could have died if that happened!

I breathed in and out, I have to calm down. I'm in mid-air and I'm terribly stuck since I'm afraid of falling.

And out of pure nervousness, the me who was standing on the sword, suddenly sat instead. It feels safer this way.

After I gathered enough courage, I pulled it off and the sword slowly descended downwards. I was in so much of a rush to get out of the sky already that I jumped off the moment 10 feet to the rooftop of the clocktower was within reach.

Thalia-san was sitting at one of the tables, obviously waiting for my company. It seems like she arrived 10 minutes earlier than planned.