Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 156: Maneuvering Behind the Scenes
That feels weird. It was as if it was something he had really missed but had never seen before. It was a terrifying presence.
He flew at a very high speed across the sky. Releasing her spirit form, Aisia headed to the place where the strange presence was manifested. And then, it didn't take long for him to meet his target. The man whose body was covered in black robes stood alone on top of the hill.
"…………………… . This is the first time we've met in person this way, right. My name is Reis. Nice to meet you . 」
The man— Reis bowed politely and introduced himself in a cold voice.
「.............. It looks like you're the one who made your subordinates chase after us. But what is your business with us? 」
Aisia asked as she looked at Reis blankly.
See So, so you heard various information from Arein-tachi huh. What a good grief. That was my mistake. Since I met you here, does that mean your contractor is the one who is dealing with Arein-tachi? 」
After answering his question, Reis sighed and then asked back.
「I don't need to answer your question. 」
Aisia blatantly refused to answer her question.
「Hahaha, it seems like I can't lure you that easily. But I went further to introduce myself. 」
「You were the one who attacked us using those demons back in Almond. I'm not going to tell you anything and I'll never trust you 」
「Ah, come to think of it, you're the one I almost missed on the outskirts of Almond right? What I did at that time was purely out of curiosity but, in fact I am interested in you, so I chose this approach. 」
Saying so, Reis showed a cold and empty smile to the ears. It was hard to understand how much of what he said was the truth. He's too clever.
「If you have business with me, just say it now. 」
Aisia replied without showing her expression.
「……. . Spirits, as time went on getting higher and becoming stronger, to the point that their characters and appearances got closer to humans, and yet, you are extremely pale when compared to us. It is as if you are just a newborn spirit. 」
Reis thought about it with a serious expression. .
"Certainly? Is it normal for a human-type spirit to be like you? In this case, I am fine with my current condition. 」
Aisia said those words with a hint of displeasure in her tone.
「Hahaha, it looks like you have self-assertion. By the way, I'm not a spirit. I am something similar to their fake. Well, you might think of me as their brother 」
「………. I saw . Since I don't have any more time for you, this is my last question. Tell me where Lucius is. 」
Reis' expression changed slightly when he heard Aisia's question.
「………. . I see, the one who attacked the search party for princess Christina in Creia was you guys huh. Geez, you don't need to go this far to ask that question since it might end up being leaked by Arein-tachi. 」
He said with a long breath.
「In this case, I will force you to answer my question. 」
Aisia said those words in an indifferent tone.
「Well, no need to rush. I mean that person likes to appear in unexpected places and situations. Allow me to say that even I don't know his whereabouts right now. Are you satisfied with my answer? 」
「……………. . I know that you have no intention to tell me the truth 」
「I really don't know of his whereabouts, but well, he might be somewhere around the northern region by now. Because that person is similar to me, he likes to move behind the scenes. 」」
Reis grinned widely while shrugging his shoulders.
「………. I saw . Enough . 」」
After saying that, Aisia immediately turned around.
「Oya, already gone? 」
Reis asked, surprised when he saw the woman return it to him. Aisia stopped in her place.
「If you don't have business with me, I don't need to stay in this place. 」
「You won't ask about Lucius-sama? 」
「There is no guarantee that you will tell the truth even though I asked you. It's just a waste of time. 」」
「Didn't you say that you would force me to tell you? 」
「My current job is not to catch you. I don't need to waste my time if you won't be a barrier for us 」」
"I saw . You're pretty cool, yeah. But, it will cause trouble by my side. 」」
Reis sighed as if he still had some spare time. At that moment, an extremely heavy pressure rose from his entire body. Aisia immediately turned around and looked at Reis. Then, the shadow at Reis' feet rapidly expanded, covering the surrounding ground as far as they could see.
The next moment, something resembling a lesser dragon species called a winged lizard and a jet-black minotaur carrying a stone sword in its hand emerged from the shadows.
「Because you've been struggling so far, how about playing a little with my collection? 」
Reis asked with a fake smile plastered on his face.
The next moment, the summoned demon moved to surround Aisia.
◇ ◇ ◇
Meanwhile, several kilometers away from Aisia's position, the battle between Rio and Arein-tachi had also just begun.
In order not to be toyed with by Rio who had incredible speed, Arein-tachi moved without stopping. Not getting too close to him, it could be seen that they were very careful in this battle.
「OI, YOU! I'M NOT GONNA GIVE YOU YOUR PAYMENT GUYS IF YOU JUST DIE THERE LIKE AN IDIOT! I DON'T CARE IF HE'S A MAN, CATCH THAT GUY! 」
Lucci shouted at the other assailants who had been reduced to mere spectators. Although they were slightly stunned after seeing the battle between Arein-tachi and Rio, they held their weapons as if awakened by Lucci's voice. But, no one wants to be the first to attack Rio.
「He was a monster but, even he could not face so many people alone. You can win by interfering with him! 」
Lucci threw the knife towards Rio while shouting that. Arein also threw her knife towards Rio almost at the same time as if making use of the time difference. Rio easily brushed off the blade that was thrown from two directions with his sword.
「For what reason do you think I gathered you all together, move! Anyone who can catch it will earn three times the promised wage! 」
The adventurers reacted to the 'three remuneration'. After looking at each other, some of them left as if trying and getting first place. The ones left behind started running to gain some achievements.
Arein and Lucci sneered at their actions. The two of them did not think that they would be able to capture Rio even with the help of hired mercenaries united by the power of money.
But, that was enough as long as they could use the gap made by those fools. Because they are nothing more than sacrificial pawns for Arein-tachi.
（SO come to this place huh h
Rio sighed.
Even if he wanted to get information from Arein-tachi, the ambushers around them were just a hindrance. Although he wanted them to leave immediately once they saw the battle between him and Arein-tachi, he would be able to easily send them flying if they came towards him.
Thinking so, Rio held his sword in his right hand and then pulled out the dagger from the scabbard with his left hand. He put up the horses with daggers and swords in his hands, then looked at his opponents.
On the other hand, the ambushers whose morale increased due to the extra money showed a hint of hesitation as they rushed towards Rio with the mentality of a mass character.
The people holding the quarterstaff were the first to approach Rio by making use of their range. They are mafia characters but still stop that many people are an impossible task even for Rio.
Rio plunged into the crowd to make the first move. Entering right in the middle of them, he made them faint in agony by mercilessly hitting them with a dagger blow.
After which, his opponents swung their heavy staff or quarterstaff in panic. But, Rio easily countered all of them while dodging the wave of attacks easily.
After he sent out numerous ambushes in an instant, a color of fear slowly appeared on their faces. And then, after successfully cutting their morale by beating them——,
（I need one more push ya）
Rio lept away to open the distance. There he sheathed a dagger and faced the attackers again with both hands clinging to the hilt of one hand and half his sword.
After which, he started pouring his magical power into the sword in his hand.
Then, the sword began to emit a pale light. Despite being more than 10 meters apart, the ambushers were wary of him and were clearly ready to escape.
Rio swung his sword horizontally as if he wanted to let go. In the next moment, a fierce storm was leading on a straight line towards the mercenaries. The ambushers received a shock similar to being struck by war hammers all over their bodies that were blown backwards while screaming in pain.
Coupled with the impact of their landing, the majority of them lost consciousness. Although some of those standing behind managed to escape the attack, their morale had reached a low. They started to frantically run away from Rio with frightened faces.
When Rio looked at the fallen assailants, a shadow crept up from his side. It was Lucci.
Although Lucci was trying to exploit the gap between the attacks, Rio easily overcame the attack. Their swords clashed while making high-pitched sounds echoed around them.