“…Erm, th-thanks. I–I don’t really think I’m that great, but… I’m a bit happy that you’re giving me so much praise.”
“Hmm… Unglaus-sama.”
“Elder, just call me Unglaus. I’m not worthy to be referred with honorifics by someone like you, elder!”
“Then since my name is Sebas Tian, please call me Sebas. …Then Unglaus-kun.”
Although he felt a bit awkward at having ‘kun’ attached to his name, it wasn’t strange when considering the difference in their ages.
“How about you were to teach the sword to Climb-kun here? I believe that it will prove beneficial to Unglaus-kun as well.”
“Ah, I apologize! My name is Climb, Unglaus-sama.”
“Then elder …excuse me, will Sebas-sama not be the one to teach him? It seemed you were discussing that before I interrupted.”
“Yes, that was what I intended initially. But I felt that it was necessary that I deal with my guests— ah, here they are. It seems they were busy donning their equipment.”
Brain belatedly turned his eyes in the direction that Sebas was looking.
Three men showed themselves. They each wore a chain shirt and held a bladed weapon in their thick leather gloves.
They clearly gave off a killing intent that surpassed mere hostility. Although their bloodlust was only directed at the old man, they did not seem to be the type to have mercy and spare witnesses.
Seeing the men, Brain unwittingly spoke out in a shrill voice filled with surprise.
“No way! They’re coming this way even after receiving that bloodlust? Are they that strong?!”
Then he could only imagine that each one of them was as skilled— no, even stronger than Brain himself. Was the reason that their shadowing was sloppy because they focused on perfecting their warrior skills instead?
However, Brain’s fears were rejected by Sebas.
“The bloodlust from earlier was only directed at you two.”
“…What?”
Even Brain thought that his own voice sounded stunned.
“For Climb, it was to train him. For you, because you seemed to have no intention of showing your face, I sent it to try and drag you out and to root out any hostility you might have along with your will to fight. I did not do it to those men because I knew that they were enemies from the beginning. It would be troublesome for me if they were to grow frightened by my bloodlust and flee, after all.”
Sebas had sneaked in something terrifying in his explanation. Brain could not even bring himself to be surprised. To think that he could control bloodlust of that scale with such precision, that was no longer something that could be understood within the confines of common sense.
“I–I see. Then do you know the identity of those men?”
“I could venture a guess but am not certain. That is why I intend to capture one or two for information. However—.”
Sebas bowed his head.
“I do not wish for the two of you to be dragged into this. Will you not leave this place immediately?”
Hearing his words, Climb asked him.
“Before that, I have a question that I’d like to ask you. Those men… are they criminals?”
“…It seems that way. I don’t think they’re the type of people who’ve led proper lives.”
Having heard Brain’s answer, fire burned in Climb’s eyes.
“Though I may only be in the way, I want to fight as well. As someone who protects the capital’s peace, it’s obvious that I must protect the citizens.”
In his mind, Brain thought that there was no guarantee that Sebas was the just one in this situation. Well, no doubt that anyone who compares the men who just appeared with Sebas who gave off the impression of integrity would believe him to be the good side. But even so, there was no guarantee.
A greenhorn…
However, he sympathized with him. When comparing the one who saved that child from the drunkards with these men, it was certain which side Brain would take.
“Though you probably won’t need any help… Sebas-sama, I will lend a hand as well.”
Brain stood next to Climb. Sebas would not need any assistance… no, there would not even be any meaning in them being here. However, in order to try and imitate Climb who was fighting for the sake of someone else, Brain chose an answer that his past self would not. Even if the boy’s heart was strong, his skill with the sword was lacking. He would protect him.
Brain glanced at the weapons the men were holding and frowned.
“Poison… It seems that they’re experienced seeing how they’re using a weapon that could kill them… Are they assassins?”
There were lines engraved on the blades of their daggers, also called mail breakers. The fluid on the blade gave off a sinister glint. And the way their nimble movements focused on mobility, different from those of swordsmen, all but confirmed Brain’s words.
“Climb-kun, be wary. Although it would be different if you had a magic item that blocked poisons, consider yourself dead if you were to get hit even once.”
Even though Brain’s great physical ability rendered the average poison ineffective, it would be difficult for Climb to resist them.
“Seeing how you did not attack immediately after revealing yourselves head on, is it fine to assume that you planned a pincer attack and have two more lying in wait? Since we have already passed that point, first, shall we break through?”
Sebas purposefully spoke loud enough so that his opponents could hear him, causing the men to momentarily freeze. They were shaken because their plan to attack while surrounding them had been seen through.
“It seems that it is the safest option. It would be better to crush the front and then attack those in the rear.”
Brain agreed with Sebas. However, that idea was rejected by the one who made the suggestion.
“Ah, but then there is the possibility that they will get away. I will take care of the three in the front. How about you two turn to the opposite side and face the two who will be coming?”
Brain replied that he understood and Climb nodded his head in agreement. This was Sebas’ battle and they were the ones who were forcefully lending him their strength. As long as Sebas did not make a critical mistake, they would have to follow his instructions.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Brain spoke to Climb and turned his back on the men. Although he showed his defenseless side to the people who were overflowing with hostility, thanks to Sebas, he was not worried. As he left his back to him, he felt a rising sense of security, as if a thick castle wall had been built around him.
“Now, though it is unfortunate… I will be your opponent. — Oh no, I cannot have you be unfaithful with these two.”
When Brain looked over his shoulder, Sebas was holding three daggers in the fingers of his right hand. He flicked his fingers and the daggers that the men threw towards Brain and Climb’s defenseless backs all fell to the ground.
The bloodlust in the men’s eyes lessened considerably.
Obviously, seeing thrown daggers being blocked like that would make anyone lose their will to fight. So you guys finally realized just how strong Sebas-sama is, eh? But it’s already too late.
There was no way to escape from that old man. Even if the three of the them were to split off into different directions.
“Incredible.”
Climb walked up next to Brain.
“Indeed. If someone were to say that Sebas-sama is the strongest in the Kingdom, I’d have to nod my head.”
“Even stronger than the Warrior Captain?”
“You mean Stronoff. Truly, against that elder, I… I…, sorry. I’ll speak how I normally speak. Even if Stronoff and I attacked him together, there’s no way we could win. …Ah, they’re here.”