Clarifications:
-"Person Talking"-
-(Person Thinking)-
-
[Skills or Magic]
(JC: Author's Notes)
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Let's start
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A big smile appeared on my face. -(It took a bit, but I was able to do it)-
There, before my eyes, rising from the very ground and splitting the earth as if it were sand, countless swords of all kinds stood tall.
Swords with fire edges, Swords of air, Swords with water edges, Swords of ice, Swords of pure steel, Swords of paralytic poison, and many others with different attributes and sizes.
-"I did it..."-
-
The origin of all those swords came from the new Extra Skill I created: [Sword Creation].
The inspiration was born from a Sacred Gear called Blade Blacksmith. According to Ddraig, that Sacred Gear is capable of forging numerous Holy Swords of different attributes depending on the will of its wielder.
My new Skill was similar... But also very different.
First, I couldn't create Holy Swords; only common swords. But everything changed when the Skill [Degenerate] came into play.
Simply put: with [Create] the swords are born, [Degenerate] takes care of combining their attributes, and [Great Sage] oversees that everything works perfectly.
That's how the ability to create any sword with magical or Skill attributes was born, except, of course, Unique Skills.
Honestly, I didn't know if it was more powerful than the original Sacred Gear or not.
-
-(Makes sense...)-
And this, obviously, wasn't everything. I had created another Skill with [Create], in addition to several obtained through combinations.
One of them was [Malleable Body of Magic Steel], formed by fusing [Malleable Body of Steel] using a fragment of Magic Steel as catalyst.
With this, I now possessed the ability to generate infinite Magic Steel.
Well… not so infinite. The Skill consumed enormous amounts of Magic Energy, so I had to use it with caution.
I also took the chance to train with my Mechanical Arm Prosthesis, specifically in its cannon mode. And it was there where I discovered a few things:
Magic Cannons were, at the same time, some of the most powerful… and most useless objects. The cannon could fire bullets of pure raw magic, something extremely difficult, but it consumed absurd amounts of Magic Energy if you didn't know how to control it.
-(What was going through the head of whoever created this?)-
I wasn't sure if they were a fool or a genius.
-
-(Funny...)-
The only way to use this weapon was through something that helped regulate the exact amount of Magic Energy one wanted to use. Or having a Skill that, with a bit of training, allowed you to master that control quickly.
That's when [Prodigy] and [Great Sage] did their part.
Thanks to them, I could perfectly regulate how much Magic Energy to use in the cannon: from harmless bullets that barely caused damage, to projectiles capable of piercing rocks.
-(Today was a good training day)-
I still had several Skill combinations I wanted to try, but for now it was enough.
I had increased both my offense and my defense, and upon leaving the cavern, I felt completely satisfied.
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Walking through the tunnel toward the exit I had memorized, I was thinking of ways to suppress the mystical aura I habitually exuded.
It was only a faint emission of Magic Energy and, although I could keep it low if I focused, for some reason it always ended up reappearing whenever I stopped paying attention. With all the energy I absorbed after defeating and consuming Ifrit, hiding it was becoming increasingly complicated.
On the way, I ran into another Giant Centipede, but it only gave me a quick glance before running away. The same was already happening with all the residents of this cave.
I was glad to have earned some "reputation", although, in reality, it was probably the aura's fault more than anything else.
The [Multilayer Barrier] worked wonders at concealing it, but even then my presence leaked out a bit. Or rather, the barrier itself seemed to exude a hint of force. It was better than letting my power spill out uncontrollably, but it didn't help as much as I had hoped.
-(If I could do something permanent about this aura, maybe I could pass unnoticed, but...)-
Then, an idea suddenly appeared.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a beautiful and striking mask: the Magic Resistance Mask, the only physical keepsake I had from Shizu.
I had absorbed the broken pieces with [Predator] and repaired it.
-(Maybe... could it block my aura?)-
It was a magic item, infused with four effects: Magic Resistance, Antidote, Respiratory Support, and Enhanced Senses. Quite valuable, without a doubt.
It was probably also the reason Shizu could breathe normally even when she summoned explosions of fire directly onto her own face. The Respiratory Support effect must have kept air in her lungs even when the flames consumed the oxygen around her.
The other effects, Antidote and Enhanced Senses, would be very useful for an average adventurer... though not so much for me.
The only truly important effect was Magic Resistance, which could dampen both enemy magic attacks and (hopefully) my own internal magic power.
I put on the mask.
It had an oddly calming effect and fit perfectly. And as soon as I placed it on my face, the aura spilling out of me dissipated instantly.
-(Good. I'll use this every time I go out into the outside world)-
With that, another annoying problem was solved.
Perfect. Now only one thing remained: a delicious, juicy piece of otherworldly meat roasting and waiting for me.
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My first meal not prepared by myself turned out to be an illusion.
As soon as I left the cave I could feel it: someone was fighting. The Magic Energy in the air was violently shaking, disturbing the surrounding atmosphere.
-(The meat would have to wait)- With a sigh I gave in and followed the surge of energy.
When I reached the other side…
I found nothing less than a battle to the death.
I heard screams as I approached the scene. It was Gobuta.
He was crossing swords with an elderly Ogre with white hair, but the difference between them was abysmal. Although his opponent had lost strength and agility over the years, his sword skill and flawless footwork showed he was no beginner. Gobuta, on the other hand, definitely was. One had to give him credit for still being alive. He managed to dodge the Ogre's attacks only by hurling himself wildly in any direction, but his incredible luck wouldn't save him forever.
A moment later, the elderly Ogre closed the distance and delivered a slash across Gobuta's chest, right in front of my eyes.
-"Gaaahhhh!!"- He screamed as he rolled on the ground. -"Oh, that hurts! I-I could die! I could perfectly die here!!"-
If he had the energy to complain like that, then he was fine. Besides, it didn't seem like his opponent was truly determined to kill him.
Noticing my presence, the wrinkled Ogre stopped the fight, certain Gobuta no longer posed any threat.
-"Calm down, you. The wound is shallow"-
-"Gah, Yukimaru-sama! Are you here because you were worried about me, my Lord?!"-
-"Yes"- I said. -"And I'm glad to see you're fine. You don't need a Recovery Potion or anything, I see"-
-"Whoa, I, um, please? I-I apologize if I haven't made it clear enough!"-
Yes, he was perfectly alive. His wild instincts must have thrown him to the ground just in time to avoid a worse wound. Even so, I tossed him a potion, more to shut him up than out of necessity. One bottle would be enough.
The old Ogre didn't move while I applied the treatment; instead, he watched me very closely. It was a bit uncomfortable.
Around us, several Hobgoblin warriors and Tempest Wolf Fang wolves lay unconscious. None of them seemed dead, which implied a remarkable skill from whoever had knocked them out without causing serious injuries. Maybe a magical spell.
Among them was also an injured Baku. Despite the multiple wounds he was still standing: his pride as a warrior didn't allow him to fall. I quickly tossed him a Recovery Potion.
Up ahead, I saw a purple-haired Ogress fighting against Rigur. That was also one-sided. The Ogress, wielding an iron mace that was basically a huge chunk of metal, seemed blessed with superhuman strength. Rigur's sword was already bending and his wooden shield had long been reduced to splinters. It wouldn't be long before he too was taken out of the fight.
Ranga, upon seeing me, jumped to my side. On his back was a Night, uninjured but exhausted.
-"Yukimaru-sama"- He said. -"My sincerest apologies. I was here and yet, look at this disaster..."-
I stopped him halfway. This wasn't Ranga's fault; they simply had the bad luck of running into the wrong opponent. They were Ogres, one of the highest-level races in the Jura Forest. No Hobgoblin could hope to last long against them.
-"Sheathe your weapons"-
I ordered Rigur and the other stragglers softly. He lowered his weapon instantly. The Ogress, instead of continuing her attack, observed me thoughtfully. She was big, muscular, but well-proportioned. Her chest made it clear she was a woman and, to my surprise, she had a more noble air than I expected.
-
I ignored the perverted Dragon.
I indicated to Ranga to carry the exhausted Rigur. The Ogres, although still cautious of me, didn't do anything to stop him.
-"Yu-Yukimaru-sama... I-I cannot express my sorrow..."-
Rigur, covered in scratches, could barely form words between breaths. Against the purple-haired Ogress he stood no chance. His skills, on a good day, barely brushed rank B.
-"Don't worry"- I said as I handed him a potion. None of his wounds were serious, so he would recover soon. -"Just rest and leave this to me. Ranga, what happened to all these fallen fighters?"-
-"Ah, that-"
According to him, they had been taken down by a spell. A kind of sleep magic, and none managed to resist it in time. At least it wasn't confusion magic… That would have ended in tragedy.
-(Magic, then... Talk about drawing the short straw)-
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I took a moment to calmly assess the situation.
There were six of them, forming a rather strange group, one that completely contradicted everything I knew about Ogres. They were fully covered, dressed simply but neatly. I was expecting tiger-skin loincloths and not much else, but I was wrong. They were enormous, just as I imagined, each with an imposing build, but their well-crafted clothing was surprising.
If they were this well dressed. -(And using magic, for starters)- Then they had to be very intelligent. Possibly more dangerous than an equivalent group of Human Adventurers.
When you take two races with the same physical strength, the presence or absence of intelligence makes an enormous difference in threat level. And with a race as advanced as the Ogres, that difference doubled. These monsters, as they were, were B-rank or higher; well armed and working as a team, they might even be capable of hunting Ranga.
Their weapons also caught my attention. Having weapons wasn't unusual; if even Goblins could buy them from the Dwarves, any creature with a pulse could do the same. But wielding crude sticks was one thing, and carrying real swords was another. Eastern-style weapons were very different from the heavy Western weapons made by the Dwarves, which looked more like reinforced clubs.
The elderly Ogre who had knocked down Gobuta wielded a sword that could only be described as a Japanese katana. And by the way he handled it, he was undoubtedly an experienced swordsman. Combined with ogre strength and magic, this group became potentially lethal.
The magic, apparently, came from the pink-haired Ogre woman standing off to the side. She wore a surprisingly elaborate outfit, and her sweet yet firm face, along with the composure she held, suggested nobility within her race. Perhaps some kind of Demon Princess.
-"What kind of evil Monster is this?!"- Shouted the pink-haired one as I evaluated them. -"Everyone stay on guard!"-
Her fear was genuine, and with those eyes fixed on me… She was definitely talking about me.
-"Whoa, hold on a second. You think I'm evil?"-
-"Oh, pretending to play dumb, are you?"- The pink Ogre shot back. -"No Human of good heart could control such a horde of atrocious Monsters. You're trying to conceal your magic aura, but you fool no one! Did you think you could deceive us?"-
I snorted, annoyed. -"Who decided you have to be evil to lead Monsters?"-
-"You cannot fool the eyes of our Princess!"- Roared the black-haired Ogre. -"Show your true nature right now!"-
-"How convenient that the mastermind shows himself before us so early!"- Added the elderly Ogre. -"With their small numbers, we have every hope of victory!"-
They clearly weren't interested in listening to me. I tried to explain that everything was a misunderstanding, but it was pointless. To them, I was a sinister being, end of story.
And so...
-"Enough of this"- Growled the red-haired Ogre. -"If you insist on such poor excuses, we have ways to force the truth out of you. We know you're allied with those evil pigs who dared to attack our companions!"-
None of that made sense. But a battle was already inevitable. I could walk away and avoid the annoying conflict, yes… but there were still Hobgoblins and Tempest Fang Wolves asleep around me. I wasn't cruel enough to leave them vulnerable.
-"Yukimaru-sama"- Ranga spoke, still with Night on his head. -"What shall we do?"-
Even if Rigur, Gobuta, and Baku were already healed, they couldn't contribute much. Ranga, Night, and I were the only useful fighters. So I pointed at the pink-haired mage.
-"I want you and Night to go for the pink-haired Ogre woman. There's something more going on here, so I need to communicate with them. Meaning: Don't kill anyone, understood? I don't want more spells being thrown around, so just create a little interference for me. I can handle the rest."-
-"But Yukimaru-sama, you against five Ogres…?"-
-"Don't worry. I'm not going to lose."-
The Ogres who heard that grew tense, furious. I didn't care.
-"... Yes, my Lord!"-
Following my orders, Ranga and Night sprang into action. The Ogres reacted instantly, spreading out into formation.
I took a moment to decide how to handle this. I hadn't been lying earlier: I truly didn't think I could lose. After my experiments over the last two days, I knew I had gained far more than a simple boost in strength. Ifrit alone was far above A-rank, and now that he was part of me, I should be at least A-level myself.
According to Rigurd, Ogres hovered around B to B+. Considering these ones' majestic clothing, maybe they were A-, but stronger than Ifrit? I sincerely doubted it.
-(It would be easy to kill them)-
I thought, though the inability to communicate was worrying. If they had truly wanted to kill us, that would be another story, but they hadn't actually killed any of my allies. And even if they weren't willing to listen right now, I was sure they would if we could all calm down for a second.
So I moved, heading straight toward the dark-haired Ogre. The height difference didn't bother me, since [Magic Sense] gave me a 360-degree view of my surroundings.
He retreated in surprise at my sudden advance, but by the time he regained his footing, it was already too late.
-"Rest!"-
I shouted, extending my left palm toward him. A small opening formed, releasing a black mist directly into the Ogre's face. The [Paralyzing Breath], taken from the centipedes in the cave.
I had wondered if I could spit it out now, and apparently I was right. Imitating monster abilities whenever I needed them wasn't elegant, but it worked.
<
Not only did it work, it produced unexpected results.
I had wondered if, by using the traits of [Synthesis] and [Separation] from [Degenerate], I could recreate any specific aspect of a monster's abilities, only what I needed at that moment. Even though it was my first time testing it in combat, it worked quite well.
Now I could transform effortlessly, choosing exactly which part of each monster to use, even combining or discarding traits at will. Using a Tempest Wolf or a Black Serpent as a base would have made me look like a weird chimera, but it seemed I could maintain my normal form without issue.
The most important part of this ability: I could control all my Skills simultaneously with almost no limit. In other words, I had more freedom in my attacks
The dark-haired Ogre convulsed as the mist covered his body. He fell to his knees, stiff and unable to move. Facing the effect of a B+-level centipede transformation was more than enough to completely immobilize him.
But Ogres were not ordinary enemies. The moment the dark-haired one collapsed like a felled tree, two others were already upon me. The purple-haired Ogress raised a mace the size of a cannonball, about to crush me. The blue-haired Ogre lingered behind her shadow, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Impeccable teamwork… But with [Magic Sense], I could see them coming from miles away. Veldora had been right: no one would ever approach me stealthily again.
The Ogress, her noble face twisted with determination, shot me a fierce glare. I waited until the exact moment she lifted her weapon, then aimed my left hand at her, releasing a burst of [Sticky Steel Thread]. The flexible strands, reinforced through [Degenerate] to be even more durable—strong enough to restrain Ifrit—wrapped around the Ogress's body. No matter how much she struggled, she wouldn't escape.
While mentally congratulating myself for the training, a sword slid toward me from a blind spot. The blue-haired swordsman had aimed straight for my heart. But I didn't panic; [Magic Sense] had already warned me of his presence, so I was simply deciding how to respond.
I used my Mechanical Arm Prosthesis as a shield to deflect the strike. After a sharp clang of steel hitting Magic Steel, the sword snapped cleanly in two.
The Ogre's eyes widened just a second before I launched my counterattack.
-"[Canyon Mode]!"-
A Magic Bullet burst from the Magic Cannon at point-blank range, striking directly into his abdomen. It wouldn't kill him, but it would leave him writhing in pain, with burns he would remember for a long time.
That meant three Ogres were out of the fight. Only the pink-haired Ogress, the one Ranga and Night were dealing with; the arrogant-looking redhead; and the elderly Ogre were still standing, the last one carefully analyzing my every move.
-"Do you see how strong I am now? Are you willing to listen to me a little?"-
-"Silence! Now I am more convinced than ever: you are the one at the root of this calamity. It was your companions who guided those filthy pigs to destroy our home, wasn't it? A simple horde of Orcs could never defeat us normally. It was you! You, the Born of Magic who condemned us!"
-(Um? The Born of Magic what now?)- This was turning into a serious misunderstanding. -(And when he said "pigs," was he talking about the Orcs? Rigur and his group had mentioned disturbances in the forest territory…)-
-"Wait, you've got the wrong idea–"-
I tried to explain myself, but a sudden premonition behind me cut my words short. I turned around: the old man was no longer there.
-(The other one was lecturing me just to distract me?!)-
Panicking, I spun fully around, blocking a strike from behind with Kuroma already drawn. It was shocking to feel someone so close, someone who had slipped past even my [Magic Perception]. Fortunately, the Unique Skills [Great Sage] and [Strategist] accelerated my thought processes a thousandfold. The old man had unsheathed his sword with impossible speed, and I barely managed to stop him in time.
-(This old man really knows how to use a sword…)-
-"Hmm… I must be getting senile. I was certain I had decapitated you just now…"-
-(Senile, yeah sure)- His physical strength wasn't as notable as that of his companions, but his speed was insane. That man was lethal.
-"Yukimaru-sama?!"-
-"Stay back! I'm fine!"-
I shouted, ordering Ranga and Night not to intervene. The old man was far too dangerous for them. They hesitated for a moment, but eventually focused again on the pink-haired Ogress, trusting me.
-"I will not fail next time"-
Said the old man as he sheathed his sword once more, preparing for another strike.
I raised Kuroma as well, adrenaline bubbling inside me. And yet, I couldn't help but smile.
-(It's been so long since I've had a sword fight…)-
The moment I finished that thought, our blades clashed violently.
And that was only the beginning.
Clash after clash. Spark after spark. The old man and I exchanged blows in a deadly dance that not even the highest elite would be capable of replicating.
I had to admit it: that old man was incredible. His style was made of refined, elegant, lightning-fast movements, yet each one strong and perfectly lethal. It was like a beautiful dance… but deadly.
No matter how much I dodged, each slash came accompanied by several more, each faster than the last. He had already marked me with several cuts across different parts of my body.
I was entirely sure it was thanks to the [Prodigy] Skill that I was able to keep up with him.
But even so, this fight was so… So…
-(Exciting!)-
I didn't know whether it was my swordsman instinct or something else, but I felt incredible. Never, in all my years of life, had I had such an exhilarating sword duel.
Also, thanks to Pain Resistance, I didn't need to worry about the cuts, and [Regenerate] closed them instantly -(Though, honestly, I wish it were faster)-
<
-(Ah, well, one less problem. Now only the cuts rema-)-
<
-"...…."-
-(Honestly, I'm not even surprised…)-
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-"Uhm?"-
Suddenly, the old man looked at me in a strange way before stepping back. -(Had he noticed my change?)-
-"Interesting..."- He murmured. -"It's been a long time since anyone managed to keep up with me."-
-(Was it really that surprising?)- I could see the other Ogres just as terrified, trembling to the core. -(Is this old man the best swordsman of their tribe?)- I wondered, only to immediately brush the thought aside. -(Well, that doesn't matter now)-
It was time to get serious.
I removed the mask and stored it in a pocket. The Ogres, already frightened, went completely stiff at what they saw underneath. As I released my magic aura fully, my hair began to float from the pressure of the power. They must have sensed the danger instinctively
-"Monster!"- Shouted the red-haired Ogre. -"I'll kill you with everything I have! [Ogre Flame]!"-
I suppose fire was his trump card. Immediately, I was swallowed by an inferno that easily surpassed two thousand degrees.
-"That little flame? That won't work!"-
Anyone else would have been vaporized, but with Thermal Fluctuation Nullification EX, it wouldn't even singe my hair.
The redhead's final technique failed so spectacularly that, for the first time, I saw him fall into clear panic. Even so, he held his ground, clinging to his resolve. I had to give him that. And since I didn't want to kill him, I hoped he would accept defeat soon.
This was my best chance.
The Ogres tensed, watching every movement I made carefully. -(Good… Let's pull out something huge to break all of them at once)-
If it didn't work… If they still refused to listen… I would have no choice but to finish this.
-(Please, let this be enough)- I prayed, preparing my final move. -"You want to see what real fire looks like? Then watch this!"-
I let the [Dark Flame] swirl around my left arm. It was excessive, I knew, but I had to do it if I wanted to shatter their resolve.
-"M-My brother!"- Screamed the pink-haired Ogre as she struggled against Ranga and Night, terrified. -"That flame… Your Illusory Arts are nothing compared to it!"-
Of course she was shocked. Her brother's [Ogre Flame] was a Mystic Art that converted aura into fire. Mine, on the other hand, was an innate Skill. That had to have shaken her to her core.
-"Hehehe, you're right! But that's not all!"-
-(Let's do it, Ddraig!)-
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-"[Boost! Transfer!]"-
With the appearance of the Boost Gear, a single boost was enough. The [Dark Flame] doubled in size and doubled in power. Its mere presence incinerated the nearby trees.
The Ogres' eyes widened, a pure mixture of shock and terror. The pink-haired Ogre fell to her knees, unable to look away from the gigantic spinning blaze.
-"But I have something even more fun than that!"-
It was time for the [Black Lightning] in my right hand. It had to be the decisive blow, the one that would finally break them. There was no need to hold back too much, but I also couldn't waste all my magic.
I adjusted the output to about a third of its usual strength and let the electrical particles begin to gather.
-"Behold, my true power!"-
I shouted as I fired a beam of [Black Thunder] at a nearby rock. It evaporated instantly, and a moment later an explosion echoed through the entire area. Not even soot remained. It was just as devastating as in my first test… Maybe even stronger.
-(Damn it, this thing is insane! I didn't even give it a boost!)-
I definitely had to hold back. [Great Sage] had poured in less Magic Energy than last time, which made no sense: it should have been a third as strong, enough to fire several bolts in a row if I wanted.
<
I hadn't asked anything, but [Great Sage] still jumped in to explain. Basically, [Black Thunder] was stronger because it concentrated all its energy for a single strike in a limited range, which drastically reduced magic consumption. That's why it did more damage with fewer particles.
I was starting to think [Black Thunder] was far more unique than I had imagined. Just like [Dark Fire], it was hard to decide when to use it… and yet it made my heart race just feeling it run through my hand.
-(Good thing I didn't test it on myself)-
There was no way to trust the [Multilayer Barrier] to block something like that.
-(So… how will the Ogres react?)-
-"... Tremendous. It pains me to say it, but your powers are in a class far above ours. However, as next in line for leadership, I was raised to feel pride for my race. How could a leader allow his fallen comrades to remain without revenge? Whether I fail or not, I must at least land one strike in return!"-
-"... Young master, allow me to join you!"-
Great. Exactly the opposite of what I wanted. Now the red-haired one and the white-haired one were playing tragic Heroes, their faces filled with ridiculous determination. They were willing to die against me. Not the outcome I wanted, but with that attitude, holding them back without killing them would be difficult.
-(So there's no other way?)-
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Wrong or not, I couldn't let them run loose. It would only cause bigger problems later. It annoyed me to admit it, but I was starting to understand that it was their own damn fault for being so stubborn.
At that moment, the Ogre Princess yelled:
-"Please, wait!"-
The pink-haired Ogre stepped in front of her red-haired brother, spreading her arms to stop him.
-"Brother, think clearly. A Magic-Born this powerful using mind tricks to send those pigs to our land? It's absurd. He himself is strong enough to wipe us out with one hand. He's unique, without a doubt… But I'm no longer sure he has anything to do with the horde that attacked us"-
-"What?!"- The red-haired one looked at me, confused. -"But… maybe…"-
-"I'm telling you you're wrong about me! Are you finally ready to listen?"-
There was still steam rising from where the rock had been vaporized. More than enough to support the Princess's words.
The red-haired one looked at his sister, then at me, and finally fell to his knees.
-"My apologies. Perhaps I was led to a wrong conclusion about you. I hope you will accept my deepest regrets"-
At last he accepted the possibility of being wrong. And honestly, it was a relief.
-"Well, there's no point in continuing this conversation here. How about we go back to the village? You all come too. I'll be glad to feed you, at least"-
And so, the conflict that had begun for unknown reasons finally reached a peaceful conclusion.
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The Hobgoblins began to wake up, probably because the Princess had released the spell on them. It must have been a pretty strong charm, considering that all the noise I made with my magic didn't affect them in the slightest.
For my part, I released the [Sticky Steel Thread] that had trapped the purple-haired one, and over the unconscious blue-haired Ogre, I took the chance to test another Skill I had created, inspired by a Sacred Gear.
[Aura Curativa], a Skill that allowed me to generate a healing aura equal to a High-Level Recovery Potion, without needing Hipokte Herbs or rare ingredients. It only consumed Magic Energy.
I had needed the Skills [Great Sage], [Create], and [Degenerate], as well as a High-Level Recovery Potion, to create something so useful and incredible. This Skill reminded me a lot of an old friend… A person who possessed a similar power, one that I once considered a true miracle granted by God.
I didn't know exactly what to do with the black-haired Ogre, but it turned out that [Degenerate] was more than enough to separate the paralysis from his body. Normally you'd need magic or medicine to deal with something like that. I had used [Paralyzing Breath] without thinking much about the consequences, and that made me regret it a little. I'd have to make sure to prepare an easier method to reverse it next time.
Since no one had suffered serious injuries, we headed to the village. And, just as they had promised before I left, a magnificent meal awaited us. That was so Rigurd of him: the ultimate bureaucrat. His organizational skills were absurd.
Technically I wasn't hungry… But I had been waiting for this since morning. It had been a physically demanding day.
And then it came. That first bite of meat.
-(It's so goooood!)-
For a moment I thought I was going to cry because of how delicious it was… And also because of the pride I felt.
I used to worry about the flavor, but they had taken the juice of several fruits to prepare a sauce. Also, the upgrade to Hobgoblin status must have improved their palates, because now they were experimenting with all kinds of recipes.
This Magic Beast was a Vacacordero, right? Well cooked, it was delicious even without spices, but adding that mix of fruits gave it a totally different feeling and much more appealing to my taste buds. It worked wonders at softening the strong flavor and finishing everything with a perfect touch.
That's how Lilina, the Lady Goblin in charge of the food reserves, and Haruna, the proud cook, explained it to me. As I cleaned my plate, I gave them some suggestions and advice based on my experience.
Speaking of which, they almost fainted with joy when I handed them the salt I had collected. They knew what it was, but had given up on obtaining it due to its extremely high price.
I suppose that for a Goblin race primarily focused on survival, the pursuit of new flavors hadn't been a priority. They got the necessary salt from the meat and blood of their prey, and beyond that, they didn't think much about the matter.
I advised them not to overuse salt, just in case. I wasn't entirely sure if Monsters could suffer from high blood pressure, but it never hurt to say it.
The pink-haired Ogre also made a surprising contribution. She knew a lot about herbs and flavorings, and brought several wild plants that could be used to hide the stronger odors of meat.
-"I hope this atones a bit for our rudeness"-
She said as she helped gather ingredients. Being a high-level creature, she worked with an energy that put the newly evolved Hobgoblins to shame.
Meanwhile, the other Ogre, the purple-haired one, simply ate along with the others. Maybe in Ogre society women weren't automatically relegated to the kitchen. And honestly… If the food was this good, it wouldn't be something that bothered me.
It didn't take long before the pink-haired one got along with the rest of the Goblinas. They seemed eager to learn everything they could from her. It was nice to have another positive influence in the village.
-(All's well that ends well, I suppose)-
The long-awaited roasted meat feast went by without problems, and our new companions enjoyed the evening with us throughout the night.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!
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Author's Notes
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Please note that this story is mostly centered around Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken and another novel that you may recognize. Please also note that Rimuru is completely replaced by my own character (Yukimaru). You are warned.
Disclaimers:
The character or story mentioned from an anime, or novel, does not belong to me. Instead, it belongs to Ichiei Ishibumi (High School DxD), Fuse, Mitz Vah (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken) and Patora Fuyuhara (Isekai wa Smartphone to Tomo ni)
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Upcoming chapters (Spoilers):
Chapter 21- Evolutions and Clashes
Chapter 22- The Calm Before the Storm
Chapter 23-The Envoy