Arifureta Universe, Tortus, Heiligh Kingdom, Royal Capital.
After being summoned to the throne room, Jas and the other students of the Hero Party were asked to be seated in lavish chairs designated for the Hero party, with Kouki seated closest to the king and Jas seated furthest away.
However, not only the Royal Family was present for this eting with the Hoelscher Empire's envoy, but Ishtar, the Pope of the Holy Church was also present. And he glared at Jas as if he were his worst enemy as soon as he stepped into the room.
'Great, what is that old man doing here?' Jas asked internally. 'I'm already aware that the church is just a bunch of fanatical zealots. So, I really don't have an issue with killing them. But I really hope he doesn't force to kill him in front of all these people. Killing my way out of a kingdom is not my idea of a good ti.'
["Stop lying."] Ddraig shot back. ["You and I both know that you would love the opportunity to fight your way out of this kingdom. You just don't wanna beco a criminal because roaming around the kingdom would be much harder. Especially since you're not good at [Transformation Magic]."]
'Jeez, Ddraig, you don't have to expose every ti, do you?' Jas asked while smiling internally.
While everyone got seated, Jas and Ddraig continued to chat about one stupid topic after another. All the while, Jas completely ignored Ishtar, who seed to be trying to set him on fire with his gaze alone.
"Now entering, Lord Vesta, Envoy of the Hoelscher Empire and his entourage." An attendant standing near the throne rooms doors shouted, drawing everyone's attention to the doors.
A mont later, the throne room's doors were pushed open. And through the open doors, a small group of five n walked in. The two in the lead certainly looked the part of nobles while the three following closely behind appeared to be their guards.
Not long after entering the room, the group of five arrived at a respectful distance from the king's throne before stopping. Then, as one, the two nobles bowed with proper noble etiquette while the three guards stayed vigilant.
While most of the people on Heiligh's side only looked on with curiosity, there were two exceptions. Ishtar, after seeing one of the guards, twitched an eyebrow. Though, eh did not show much more than that.
And the other was Jas, who felt sothing was off about the sa guard that seed to catch Ishtar's attention.
'That guy… Mana is swirling around him in a weird way.' Jas thought to himself. 'And it all seems to be originating from his left ear.'
["he's probably wearing so kind of artifact that changes his appearance."] Ddraig replied. ["But what's more important than that, is why?"]
'No cluse.' Jas said while shaking his head internally. 'I'll just keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't do anything he'll regret.'
"Your Majesty, King Eliheid S.B. Heiligh, allow to thank you for eting us on such short notice." The leading noble, Vesta, a stout man with light blue hair and dark blue eyes, said after rising to his full height.
"Please, think nothing of it." Eliheid replied without changing his expression. "So, are We right to assu you have co to take asure of the Hero and his companions."
"You would be correct in your assumption." Vesta said with a nod. He then let his gaze roam over all the unfamiliar faces in the throne room. "And which of these strapping young people is the Hero?"
The veiled sarcasm added to the word "strapping" went right over most of the students' heads. However, the mbers of the Royal Family, with the exception of the prince, Lundel, who was too busy glaring at Haji, who had been taking up all of Kaori's attention. However, there were two students that did seem to notice the hidden mockery.
The first was Jas who, as soone who grew up among those of high society had been trained to see through things like this from an early age. And the second was Shizuku, who was usually very perceptive. And when Jas noticed the slight furrowing of her brow at the hidden insult, he smiled to himself internally.
'Maybe Tatsuo was right.' Jas thought to himself. 'Making Amanogawa miserable by taking his other childhood friend away wouldn't be so bad. And the fact that she's so sharp is a bonus. Plus, I have to admit, she's pretty easy on the eyes.'
While that thought was going through Jas' head, Shizuku felt the stare. So, she glanced in it's direction. And when she made eye contact with Jas , he nodded at her approvingly, letting her know that he noticed that she caught the true aning of Vesta's words.
"That would be ." Kouki said in response to Vesta's question while raising his hand like the student he was, having completely missed the exchange of glances between Jas and Shizuku.
"I see." Vesta replied as he and the rest of his entourage scrutinized Kouki. "Word of you and your companions clearing the 65th Floor of the Orcus Great labyrinth has reached our Empire. But how are we to believe such claims by rumor alone?"
'*sigh* They're gonna ask to duel Amanogawa.' Jas thought to himself.
"Well, I can show you the map of the 66th Floor if you like." Kouki replied while scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
"Although that is a possible solution…" Vesta said after taking a quick glance at the king with a grin on his face. "I believe there is a better way to ascertain your strength."
Vesta then stepped to the side and gestured to the guard who got a reaction from Jas and Ishtar.
"Why not have a mock battle with one of my guards?" Vesta asked as his grin widened into a smile. "That way, we'll be able to best get a feel for your current level through a demonstration of your combat prowess."
'Called it.' Jas thought to himself.
Taken aback by the suggestion, Kouki turned to look at Eliheid. However, without giving Kouki a response, Eliheid turned to Ishtar.
'Seriously, this is your kingdom, Dude.' Jas thought to himself. 'Grow a damn pair, why don't you?'
In response to Eliheid's questioning gaze, Ishtar nodded his head. Then, after receiving permission, Eliheid returned his gaze to Vesta.
"If that's what it will take to assuage your misgivings, then I see no issue." Eliheid replied confidently, as if he did not just ask for soone else's permission on the matter.
"Very well." Vesta replied with a nod and a smile. "Then, may I ask you to prepare a venue?"
Arifureta Universe, Tortus, Haultina Sea of Trees, Verbergen.
At the sa ti in the Haultina Sea of Trees, a council eting of all the beastman elders was taking place in the beastman's capital city, Verbergen. However, instead of discussing matters to protect their people from human slavers or improve the people's quality of life, they were listening to the report from the captain of Verbergen's scouting team.
Kneeling in the center of a large conference room, a middle-aged man with lean, streamlined muscles, dark brown hair, green eyes, a pair of wolf ears on the top of his head, and a dark brown bushy wolf tail protruding from his back spoke to the six beastn, though it would be more appropriate to call them demi-humans, in the room.
"AS it turned out, Cam, the chief of the Haulia Tribe lied when he t Gil, the leader of the second guard squad." The wolf-eared man said while letting his gaze fall upon the five elders.
"Explain." A tall man with a burly build, a grey beard, brown hair, and a pair of bear ears on the top of his head demanded.
"As you wish, Elder Jin." The wolf-eared scout replied with a nod. "When Cam encountered Gil, he said that his daughter, Shea, had been captured by the soldiers of the Hoelscher Empire. However, while scouting the settlent they set up, which was already completed by the ti I arrived, I saw her with them, sparring with a pair of seemingly human won."
*Bang!*
"How dare he!?" the large, bear-eared man, Jin Vanton, the leader of the Vanton Tribe of bear beastn shouted as he brought his fist down on the conference table. "They don't deserve a place in the Sea of Trees for their treachery."
"Calm down, Jin." An elderly man with wrinkles that do nothing to hide his apparent age, long blond hair, blue eyes, and long, pointed ears said in a soothing tone. "More important than that, we need to know how they managed to hide Shea's and the humans' presences from the second guard squad."
The elderly man, an Elf, then turned his serene gaze to the wolf beastman.
"Now, tell ." The elderly man said calmly. "Do you have any idea who these humans are? Or how they could have possibly snuck into the Sea of Trees without being discovered?"
"Unfortunately, I do not, Chief Elder Ulfric." The wolf beastman said while shaking his head. "All that I know is there is one more human with them. Though, he and one of the girls slled different from any human I have co across before."
"Hmm…" The elderly man, Ulfric Heipyst, the Chief Elder of the Verbergen Elder Council, humd in contemplation while stroking his chin.
"what do you an?" A short, middle-aged man with long, shaggy, red hair and beard asked as his brows furrowed slightly.
"I wasn't able to get close enough to tell for sure, Elder Guze." The wolf beastman replied. "But from what I could tell, they were different than normal humans."
"How is it possible that you could not get close enough?" Jin asked in an irritated tone.
"There was a large magic circle set up around the settlent." The wolf beastman replied. "And because I did not know what it's function was, I chose not to get too close."
"And that was a wise decision." Ulfric said while nodding his head. "Now, continue with your report."
"Yes, Sir." The wolf beastman replied. "From what I could tell, while the anomaly sparred with the two won, the man was training the rest of the Haulia Tribe. Also, I'm fairly certain that he noticed my presence."
"What makes you say that?" The short, red-haired man, Guze, a Dwarf, asked curiously.
*Bang!*
"Does that even matter?" Jin asked while once again pounding his fist on the conference table. "There shouldn't even be any humans in the Sea of Trees."
"Jin, let him finish." A middle-aged man with long white hair, slit eyes, white fox ears with red tips and a tail with the sa coloration said. "We will be here all day if you keep interrupting.
"Lua is right." A muscular man with dark blond hair, golden eyes, black stripe-like marking son his face, and tiger ears and a tail added. "I'll have to have a long talk with Gil after this is over, though. I can't believe he let so many people sneak in under his watch."
"Continue with your report, Fenris." The only woman in the group, a young woman, despite having the title of elder, with boysenberry-colored hair, green eyes, feather wings growing in place of her arms, and talons in place of feet, said.
"Yes." The wolf beastman, Fenris, replied while ignoring Jin's snort of indignation. "The reason I say that I'm sure the man noticed is because, while sparring with the entirety of the Haulia tribe, who seed to be trying to kill him, he glanced in my direction, making eye contact for a brief mont. Then, he raised his right hand, showing off a ring with a circular design that had a cross engraved in the middle and mouthed the words, 'Tell your elders about this. I'm sure they'll decide to leave us alone.' All while avoiding what would have been lethal strikes from the Haulia Tribe."
*Bang!*
"Such audacity!" Jin shouted while once again slamming his fist on the conference table.
"Wait…! Is the pattern you described true?" Ulfric asked while staring at Fenris intensely.
"Ulfric, is there sothing about that pattern?" The man with fox hears, Lua, asked curiously.
Instead of replying imdiately, Ulfric continued to stare at Fenris, waiting for his answer.
"I'm certain, Sir." Fenris replied.
Hearing that, Ulfric sighed while leaning back in his seat.
"Elder Ulfric, what's the deal with that ring?" The harpy woman, Mao, asked curiously.
"I doubt any of you, other than Guze are old enough to rember." Ulfric said while looking up towards the conference room's ceiling. "But that ring is a mark of the Liberators. A proof that one has completed one of the Great labyrinths."
"Indeed." Guze replied. "And according to ancient customs, we are to support anyone who has one of those proofs with all we have, provided they don't wish harm upon the Beastman Nation of Verbergen."
"Hmph!" Jin snorted disdainfully. "Of course they wish harm upon our nation. They're humans and all humans are the sa."
"If that were true, then why are they training the Haulia Tribe?" The tiger beastman, Zel, asked. "And why did they set up the settlent so close to the Great Tree?"
"The answer to the second question is obvious." Ulfric replied. "They wish to explore the Haultina Great Labyrinth. As for the forr, I'm not sure. But I think I'll take a trip to that settlent to find out."
With that, Ulfric stood from his seat and gestured for Fenris to follow him out of the conference room while ignoring Jin's protests. anwhile, the other four elders exchanged glances with a mixture of curiosity and concern in their eyes.
Arifureta Universe, Tortus, Heiligh Kingdom, Royal Capital.
Back in Heiligh's Royal Capital, all those who were present in the throne room had relocated to the knight's training ground. The sa place where the students from Earth were trained when they first arrived on Tortus.
While most of the group were standing outside of the sparring area, Kouki and the guard from Hoelscher stood opposite each other with wooden weapons in hand.
And while most of his classmates were expecting Kouki to win this spar, Jas looked at the too combatants with a slightly furrowed brow.
"What's wrong, Alaverus?" Shizuku asked curiously after noticing Jas' frown.
"Sothing about that guy seems off to ." Jas replied. "I think he's wearing a disguise. I an, look at him. His face is just too plain. So plain, in fact, if I look away, I kinda forget what he looks like."
Shizuku had actually noticed that too. But she just figured he had a totally forgettable face, sothing not so out of the ordinary.
"But what really bothers is how strong he is." Jas continued. "and for so reason, none of you even noticed. And especially not Amanogawa, who undoubtedly judges people by his preconceived notions."
That was enough to make Shizuku opened her eyes wide before she looked at the guard with more scrutiny. And when she noticed just how relaxed and full of opening his stance seed, she finally understood what Jas ant.
"Incredible." Shizuku praised. "Although it looks like he's full of openings, they're aren't actually any to take advantage of."
"Exactly." Jas replied with a nod. "And Amanogawa is too dim to notice."
And just as Jas said, when the spar started, Kouki, with no tension in his movents, dashed forward, leaving an after-image where he stood before swinging his sword at the guard's neck, intending to stop just before contact.
However, in the split second it took for Kouki to slow his sword's montum, the guard flicked his sword upwards, parrying Kouki's strike before slamming it into his abdon and sending him sliding back to his starting position.
"Is that all you got?" The guard asked as he rested his sword on his shoulder. "Or am I not worth being taken seriously?"
Hearing that, Kouki realized his mistake. He had been looking down on his opponent just because of how he looked. As a result, he showed an angry expression for a mont. Though, that anger was pointed inwards. Then, he put on amore serious expression and took his fighting stance again.
"You're right, that was unbecoming." Kouki replied. "Please forgive ."
Hearin ghat, the guard showed an expression of surprise for a mont. However, his expression soon turned to disappointnt. Even so, he took his relaxed stance once again.
"Well, whatever." The guard said. "Let's just get back to it."
And that's exactly what Kouki did. Or rather, what he tried to do. Dashing forward once again, he swung his sword in a flurry of text book kendo strikes. However, despite his clear advantage in speed and strength, Kouki was not able to land a single blow, the guard dodging each of his strikes with minimal movent.
*Clack!*
*Bang!*
"*Sigh* if this is all you have, I'm sorely disappointed." The guard said as he blocked an incoming strike. He then continued after kicking Kouki in the abdon and sending him flying. "Anyway, I think it's ti to bring this farse to an end."
With that, the guard took an actual fighting stance for the first ti since the spar began. At the sa ti, he released a dense and potent killing intent that made Kouki freeze in place.
"*Sigh* And this is exactly what I was talking about." Jas said loud enough for the rest of the class to hear while shaking his head. "Not only are none of you ready to take a life, but you're not prepared for the chance that your lives could be taken either."
As he spoke, Jas focused on the guard, who dashed forward, his speed much lower than Kouki's. Despite that, Jas knew that Kouki would be unable to defend himself.
And just as Jas thought, Kouki, completely afraid, managed to raise his sword to block the guard's first strike. However, the second strike knocked his arm out of position to block the third. And that third strike, if it landed, would, at the very least, leave Kouki seriously injured, if not dead.
However, just as Jas intended to move to intercept the blow, because despite how little he liked Kouki, he doesn't think he deserves to die for his idiocy, before he could take his first step, Kouki exploded with pure white mana as he reflexively swung his sword, much faster than any point prior, intercepting the more than likely lethal blow, and sending the guard flying at the sa ti.
"Oh, he finally unlocked [Limit Break]." Jas muttered while shaking his head. "Well, a near death experience can do that to a guy, I guess."
[Limit Break], a Skill that uses the caster's mana to enhance all their paraters by three tis. However, once the Skill tis out, the caster would usually end up debilitated thanks to the fatigue of overtaxing their body and their mana.
"Good." The guard said with a grin after seeing the terrified expression on Kouki's face. "It's clear you were no warrior. So, that calm and composed expression you had was quite annoying. This one suits a green horn like you much better."
"What are you talking about?' Kouki asked while starting to hyperventilate. "You could have killed with that last blow!"
"Hmph!" The guard snorted. "Apparently, you don't understand the situation you're in. You're the Hero, the one who is supposed to lead humanity in the war against the demons."
"Of course I understand." Kouki said, thinking this conversation sounded kind of familiar. "I'll save everyone from the demons."
"Ha! You?" The guard asked in a mocking tone. "soone who can neither generate your own killing intent or handle the killing intent of your enemies? Don't make laugh. Anyway, let's continue. I don't have ti to waste on the likes of you."
With that, the guard once again took his fighting stance while intensifying his killing intent. He then tensed the muscles in his legs in preparation to dash forward.
*Swoosh!*
Before he could, however, he felt the small amount of weight provided by the earring in his left ear vanish while a wooden training sword rested on his neck.
"Alright, I think that's enough." Jas, the one interfering in the spar, said while examining the earring in his hand. "He was only a student like six months ago. You don't' have to try to kill him just because he's over confident and incompetent, right, His Majesty, Gahard D. Hoelscher?"
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