The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Rabies (2)

"The ash wolves' condition is definitely strange."

"That's..."

Sione nodded at my words.

Her narrowed eyes fixed on the ash wolves.

Then her narrowed eyes widened and her suspicious expression changed as if realizing something.

"Could it be... magi?"

I couldn't help but be internally surprised by Sione's muttering.

Of all people, I never imagined Sione, who had lived in a world cut off from the outside in her room, would recognize magi.

I really hadn't expected this.

I thought the only things Sione could identify on sight were types of snacks and flowers.

I became curious about how much Sione knew about magi.

Moreover, it would seem strange for someone of slave origins like me to know about magi.

So I pretended to know nothing about dark energy and asked:

"Magi, you say?"

"...It's the wicked energy that demons wield. It's famous for having the power to turn humans into demons and make monsters violent."

"So you're saying these ash wolves have been contaminated by magi?"

"Yes."

Sione's blue eyes watched the ash wolves more coldly than ever before.

I could sense the gravity of the situation from her stiffened face.

I hadn't known Sione could make such an expression, following after Ainel and Siabel.

Putting aside thoughts about seeing many new sides of Sione today.

I listened to Sione's words flowing quietly without inflection.

"The bloodshot eyes and blackened fur. And that wicked energy emanating from them. Everything points to the influence of magi."

"You can sense the dark energy energy too?"

"Who am I?"

"Lady Sione Sianella."

"Then the answer should be obvious."

She should just say it quickly without drawing things out.

Sione unnecessarily delayed speaking while watching my reaction.

When I tilted my head and looked at her as if telling her to speak quickly, she finally opened her mouth again.

"The blood of House Sianella inherits the Demon Slaying Authority, the power of our ancestor who was awarded the rank of Count for the achievement of exterminating demons in the past."

"The Demon Slaying Authority... you say?"

"Yes, though the power has become quite diluted over time... it seems it hasn't completely weakened."

After saying this, Sione walked toward Siabel, who had also hardened her expression.

Following behind Sione, I read the status window that had appeared again after just one day.

[You have discovered the power held by House Sianella, 【Demon Slaying】!]

[Quests related to the Authority 【Demon Slaying】 have been added to available quest types!]

[Through quests related to 【Demon Slaying】, you can awaken the Demon Slaying Authority held by Sione Sianella and Siabel Sianella!]

I quietly nodded my head.

I was familiar with the Demon Slaying Authority after all.

If I remembered correctly, this very Demon Slaying Authority was possessed by a hunter ranked within the top 50 world hunter rankings...

I recalled that person had been someone who excelled faster than anyone else in demon-filled dungeons by leveraging the Demon Slaying Authority.

An ability that could make one stronger than anyone else specifically against demons.

The most desperately needed power in a world destined to be destroyed by demons.

Though it was still too much power for the current Sione Sianella.

Thinking of Siabel and Ainel, hope finally began to appear.

Ah, but if they had the Demon Slaying Authority... why hadn't they noticed anything about those demon worshippers before?

Though demon worshippers often carried magi, even if not as much as these ash wolves.

While lost in such thoughts.

Sione, who had reached Siabel's side, opened her mouth.

"Sister, those seem to be..."

"From your expression, it seems you noticed too."

Siabel drew the sword at her waist.

The sharp blade gleamed beautifully like her silver hair in the sunlight.

"To think there would be monsters tainted by dark energy in the Beltrin Mountains. Let's cut their throats immediately and thoroughly search the area."

"...Understood."

The soldiers and Siabel rushed at the ash wolves with their weapons raised.

The ash wolves also charged at the soldiers with drooling mouths and crazed eyes.

"Oh no, this...!"

"Grrrr... woof woof!!!"

The soldiers were flustered by the ash wolves that kept biting madly even with swords piercing their bodies.

The reason magi-infected monsters were troublesome:

They wouldn't stop attacking until their last breath, no matter how mangled their bodies became.

Since the ash wolves charging recklessly without regard for danger were not good opponents.

The soldiers also gritted their teeth as they cut the wolves' necks or pierced their hearts.

The problem was that there were over ten such creatures.

Perhaps because there were so many, the ones not caught in the ambush began drooling while looking at Sione and me.

...They didn't seem like they would back down from just one or two arrows.

How should we handle this?

I spoke while nocking an arrow:

"Lady Sione, please step back."

"I'll help too."

"We won't be able to stop them just by putting arrows in their bodies."

"Then shouldn't I use a sword? Though I haven't wielded one in a while... I am still a Sword User, aren't I?"

I shook my head at Sione's words.

"...Unlike the sword you used before, your current sword has a single edge and shorter blade, doesn't it? I'm worried you might get hurt needlessly."

"Don't worry. I can still handle ash wolves at least."

She really insisted on making trouble even when told to just watch from behind.

"Please be careful."

"Fufu, I told you not to worry."

Well, since she was a Sword User who had reached that level, even if just barely, rather than someone who had just awakened to mana.

Even though I'd seen plenty of her clumsy side lately, she should know what she was doing.

I memorized Sione's position as she drew her sword and marked one wolf.

Planning to pull her back immediately if she seemed to struggle at all.

No matter what, given what I usually saw, it was hard to have faith in Sione.

I took my eyes off Sione.

"Grrrr!!"

Right now I should focus on dealing with that wolf leaping at me with its jaws wide open.

I immediately loosed my arrow.

Thunk!

"Oh no."

"...Woof!"

Though I'd aimed for its head, the arrow lodged in its leg when it suddenly twisted its body.

That rabid mad dog didn't seem to feel pain in its leg at all, charging at me without even flinching.

Since the distance was too close to nock and shoot another arrow.

Shing—

I drew my sword.

I raised my tension while feeling the cold leather-wrapped handle.

It would obviously charge multiple times even after being cut once.

If I got careless and ended up being bitten by a mere ash wolf, I'd lose face.

"Grrrr!!"

Since there was distance from the other wolves and the soldiers were diligently drawing aggro.

I focused entirely on this one ash wolf.

As it leaped right in front of me.

Just as I dodged to the side, aiming to thrust my blade into its ribs.

"...Eh?"

Someone wrapped their arms around my waist.

Turning my head to see who would do this in such a situation.

"What are you doing, putting yourself in danger like this, man?"

I saw Siabel glaring at the ash wolf I'd been about to catch, her lips curled up.

I stared, wondering how she had gotten here from fighting on the other side.

She spun her body sharply.

Since I was firmly held in her left arm, I had no choice but to be swept along with her movement.

"You're quite reckless too."

As she spun, Siabel swung her sword down without hesitation.

Along the path traced by her blade glowing with blue light, a long line appeared on the wolf's neck and.

Its agile and fierce body crumbled uselessly.

After cleanly cutting down the wolf, Siabel's gaze finally turned to me.

"You know how to handle a sword too?"

Her gaze moved to the sword in my hand.

I hadn't expected her to leisurely ask questions in this situation.

Thinking she would keep holding onto me if I didn't answer, I responded immediately.

"...I have enough skill to take down one wolf."

My words made Siabel's smile deepen.

"Archery, magic, and now swordsmanship."

Siabel chuckled to herself about whatever she found amusing and released her left arm from around my waist.

Finally freed from Siabel, I created distance from her while checking on Sione.

"..."

Her leather armor was stained with blood from what must have been an intense fight, and a wolf lay limply collapsed.

Then there was Sione, loosely gripping her sword dripping with dark red blood.

Her frost-filled eyes were directed at me.

Shiver—

The fight with the wolf must have been quite difficult.

Her aura, different from usual, gave off a deep sense of dissonance.

Averting my gaze from Sione, I spoke to Siabel:

"...Let's quickly finish off all the wolves. Would you mind moving together with Lady Sione if possible?"

"Alright, but in exchange."

Siabel raised her sword.

"It might be nice to meet separately sometime and cross swords. What do you say?"

"If Lady Sione permits it, I would be happy to."

Siabel turned away with an expectant expression at my words.

As I watched her heading toward Sione and took out another arrow to hunt wolves.

I turned my head at the cold gaze I still felt on my skin.

"...?"

Why was she suddenly acting like this?

Sione's gaze occasionally darted back and forth between me and her sister after joining up with Siabel.

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