— From Edora's Perspective
This is bad… such a pain… My magus is really running out. After using that full transformation earlier—turning completely into a white tiger—it already ate up most of my magus. And now this guy's gonna move in directly with his subordinates? Tch, I hate cowards like him, but I gotta admit… the aura this guy's giving off is way stronger than the ones before. [Edora]
"Kekeke, still not moving? Then I'll make the first move!"
They clashed for a while, exchanging several hits. It was enough for Edora to realize… this guy was trying to land a small cut. Since his blade was laced with poison, even the tiniest scratch would do the job.
"B-Boss!"
"What the hell?!"
One of the robed attackers shouted for Jerga, spotting Kraugel casually taking out one of their own with a solid strike that knocked the guy out cold.
— Back to Normal POV
"Ah, sorry, sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt your fight. Please, carry on."
"Y-You bastard! What are you all doing?! Kill that guy! What, you wanna take my place or something?!" – Jerga
Right after that, several of the black-robed men charged at Kraugel with their dual daggers. But then...
[ Slowness ]
[ Haste ]
Kraugel slowed down his enemies who were trying to surround him, then used Haste to boost his own speed by a good chunk.
One of them lunged toward him fast, dagger aimed straight for Kraugel's side, but—
If I'm not wrong, I studied this back in my previous life. A new martial art from the New Age... What was it called again... Ah right, [Umbre].
Kraugel caught the attacker's right arm—the one holding the dagger—then slipped his own arm past the attacker's shoulder and side, grabbing the neck. With a swift motion, he swept the guy's leg with his own and slammed the attacker's head and neck straight into the ground.
It all happened in front of the other attackers, Jerga, and Edora too...
"Khikk…"
The attacker was left in a miserable state—his skull completely crushed from the slam.
If I remember right, [Umbre] focuses on defense and counterattacks using grabs and throws.
"Fyuuhh... something like that."
Then he kept going, facing the rest.
"W-Who the hell is this bastard?! Don't tell me... you secretly hired another bodyguard?!" – Jerga
"What are you rambling about, loser? You lost, just accept it."
Jerga kept watching the fight. One of his guys tried to stab Kraugel again—fast—but Kraugel caught the attacker's arm, locked it with his left, grabbed the back of the attacker's neck with his right hand, and smashed him hard with his knee.
And yup—fight was over in under a minute.
Only Jerga was left now, exhausted just like Edora.
"D-Don't screw with me… I'm Jerga! The right hand of that man! The one who'll rule the world!"
[ Black Flash ]
Out of nowhere, Kraugel slashed Jerga down using a katana he pulled out in an instant. Black Flash was an extra skill he created by fusing a normal heavy slash with his [Black Lightning], producing a strike filled with crackling black electricity that paralyzed enemies in its range. Jerga dropped to his knees, stunned.
I… can't move. Damn it! Shit! Bastard! Why is someone this strong standing in my way?! Is he an S-Rank Adventurer or something?!... Ahh, this is bad. No wonder they said don't rush things. Please forgive my incompetence, Lord Tou—
Jerga died, bleeding out completely, paralyzed by the black lightning.
"All done?" – Edora
"Yeah, I think so." – Kraugel
"Sorry for taking your prey."
"Khahaha! No need for that. Honestly, I was probably gonna lose anyway since I was already running low on stamina. Anyway, mister, mind if I ask you something?" – Edora
"What? You do realize this isn't exactly the time for chatting, right? Shouldn't you be finishing your job first?"
"Ah, right! Damn, I almost forgot!"
Edora quickly dashed over to their carriage — or what's left of it, since the horse had run off who knows where. She grabbed something from inside. Meanwhile, as Kraugel was still surveying the area and watching Edora, suddenly—
Someone touched his foot.
"?"
"You're super strong, mister!"
Huh?
"Eh? Ah… yeah, thank you. Um, who are you?"
"Fhumu, I'm Elova! Elova La Feldray!"
"I see, little lady. Well, how about you go talk with my friend over there first?"
Kraugel pointed toward some nearby bushes, where Gumi popped her head out. The two maids were startled to see Gumi, and then Edora suddenly appeared behind Kraugel.
"Oi, savior, what's your name?"
"Kraugel. Why do you ask?"
"Nah, no reason. Just a heads-up. My king—who's also Princess Elova's father is coming to pick her up. And let me give you one tip. Us beastfolk? We really don't like owing favors." – Edora
Huh, what's that supposed to mean?
Suddenly, birds in the distance flew up in a panic like something big was coming…
What's this now?
A carriage—no, not pulled by horses this time, but by a six-headed lizard. Someone stepped out, followed by a dozen beastfolk guards in white armor.
"You've gotten better at keeping it balanced, Oboro."
Spoke a man with golden hair. He looked human, but had two sharp black lines stacked under each of his eyes.
This guy… no doubt about it. His strength… it's the REAL DEAL.
"Yo, Edora. Looks like you had a rough time, huh?"
"Forgive me, Your Majesty—Lord Elkin." – Edora
"Daaad!"
Elova ran over and hugged the man's leg, yelling with joy.
"Khahakaha! My cute little wild thing still has all her lives, huh? Yo! You over there—are you the one who saved my daughter?"
"E-Eh? Yeah… I guess, something like that."
"Haahh! A man shouldn't talk like that! A man should speak clearly and with confidence! One more time: are you the one who saved my daughter and her people?"
Crap, what is this? Some kind of psychological interview?!
"Yes. I did. Why do you ask?"
"Khahakahaha! Simple. I wanna give you something as a reward!" – Elkin
Ah… so that's what Edora's tip meant earlier.
"But before that, how about a quick spar?"
Elkin said with a slight grin.
"Eh? a duel?"
"Yeah! I need to see for myself if you're worthy of dealing with us khahahaha" – Elkin
"Wait, what do you mean by that?"
"Oh? I didn't tell you yet? I'm the commander of the Royal Beast Defense Unit, Jurrazia! And Jurrazia only accepts the strong!" – Edora
"Eh?"
Eh? Eeeeehhh~ This is bad. I haven't even finished my own trial yet! But looks like this beastman guy's not gonna let me go that easy…