Chapter 7
After leaving the safe house, Brain quickly followed the instructions wispered into his ears by the shadow demon. As creepy as it was, Unglaus had grown fond of his invisible bodyguard, even if he knew his job was also to kill him if he did anything against Nazarick.
Suddenly, Brain turned around and gave a look to a place he knew it belonged to his old rival. The location of Gazef's house ws known to him because he'd been gathering information on him in order to challenge the Warrior Captain to a duel in the future. But it was secondhand information and there were slight discrepancies with the truth.
"Psh, there's no sword stuck in the roof." Cursing the information dealer who told him such half-baked rumors, he took a close look at the house. It was far smaller than the mansions nobles lived in and seemed more like a place for regular citizens with a little extra money. Like the place we've gotten ourselves.
It disappeared behind a corner as the shadow demon told him to turn left on a wide street. But he still thought about Gazef. When he searched his heart for the vengeance he once desired, nothing was left of it. His previous great goal had been completely erased. Not even a husk of it remained.
Something new was forming. Brain wasn't sure what it was, but now that he belonged to Nazarick he was sure he'd achieved something far beyond his dreams. That is, if he didn't disappoint his new master and mentor.
Glancing down at his right hand, he saw his katana. He'd been holding Cutter III so tightly on his way through the astonishing Nazarick due to the many monsters who lived in it. Not everyone was more powerful than him, but many were and almost everyone had a deep hatred towards humans. He knew they wouldn't attack him, but he couldn't help being on edge. Even though he was not sure that katana would work on monsters such as Shalltear, it was a weapon belonging to a being on par with the gods if not above them. That way it was as if Lord Oshikuru walked beside him. The feeling of safety that blade gave him was greater than his confidence in being good enough to wield it. That made him smile.
Brain walked along, remembering the way the royal capital was the first time he visited it. Some buildings, like the wizards' guild and the castle, hadn't changed, but he also saw lots of new edifices. As he enjoyed the stroll down memory lane, he came upon a disturbance happening down the road. He frowned at the commotion. He could sense the bristling sensation of violence from the center of the crowd.
"Guess we're gonna have to pass by another way to—"
"No, Unglaus. Look, Lord Sebas is right there!"
Like the shadow demon whispered, Nazarick's Iron Butler was a few meters ahead. The old man was approaching the center of the crowd with such fluid motions he seemed to be gliding.
"… Huh? What the heck? How does he do that?" The words slipped out of Brain's mouth in spite of himself as he blinked several times. I mean, I knew he was strong, but the way he moves is just too unbelievable.
Brain thought he must have witnessed the workings of some kind of spell or a skill unknown to him. It was a skill that required a complete grasp of another's consciousness as well as the overall waves of the pushing and shoving crowd. It was the pinnacle of movement itself, something that amazed him. With zero hesitation, Brain's legs carried him toward the crowd. After pushing and shoving his way through to the center, Brain emerged just in time to see the old man swiftly whack the other man's jaw.
What the heck? And he's certainly holding back… Would I even be able to block that? Seems…tricky? Was he manipulating the guy's attention and gaze? Maybe I'm thinking too hard. Still, that punch was clean enough to be included in a training manual. As Brain ruminated on the attack he'd just witnessed, an impressed grunt escaped his lips.
It wasn't as if he'd seen it clearly, and it was extremely difficult to evaluate fistfighters and swordsmen on the same scale. Still, from just that short amount of time, he understood that Sebas man was terribly strong. But how much?
Certainly less than Master Oshikuru and the other Supreme Being, but what about Demiurge and Shalltear? Biting his lower lip, he compared the old man's profile to the strongest entities he now knew of, but he wasn't sure because he'd seen too little of Sebas.
While he daydreamed, the old man left the circle of onlookers and a boy walked off after him. Dammit, I must talk to him, but what about this boy? Should I get rid of him? Hm, no, the old man probably has eyes in the back of his head, if he wants the kid to die, he'll do it himself. Anyway, let's follow them.
So Brain pursued the boy and Sebas. As soon as he started after them, he realized there were multiple people shadowing either the old man or the bo from different angles, but Brain didn't care. Whoever they are, if they're trouble he'll dispose of them. Let's just play along for a little while.
Eventually the two of them turned down dimmer and dirtier streets. Brain thought Sebas was now leading his pursuers into a trap and evilly smiled as he prepared himself for the show of a Floor Guardian revealing more of his great powers. Just as he started to question if all the other chasers didn't wonder where they were going, the kid called out to the old man.
Fortunately for Brain, they began having a conversation immediately around a corner, so he hid himself behind it and listened. To sum up their conversation, the boy wanted lessons from the old man. Heh, There's no way. A Floor Guardian of Nazarick would surely never take this little turd as a disciple. Comparing their ability levels, Brain figured that if the boy was a pebble, the old man was one of the brightest gems. Their worlds were too far apart.
How sad. How incredibly sad that he can't even see the gap in their abilities. Just leave it at that, kiddo, don't get yourself killed, you're already annoying him enough! Brain whispered silently in his head. It was meant for the boy, but at the same time he was mocking his foolish old self, who had been convinced he was the strongest. He listened on and heard about the brothel mentioned by Lord Oshikuru. Good, it appears we're gonna have some fun soon enough.
Then, the old man then decided to offer the boy some training this one time. He had no idea what Sebas saw in him. What could it mean? Or am I missing something? Nah, that can't be. That brat has barely any ability as a warrior and next to no potential! What kind of training would it be? He could hear from his current position, but he couldn't see. Letting his curiosity get the better of him, he moved, concealing his presence, to peek around the corner. That was when—
A horrifying presence pierced his entire body. He let out a wordless shriek. His entire body froze.
It was like the breath of a gigantic carnivorous beast. The world was coated in an overwhelming sense of impending death, so much that he couldn't blink, much less move. He felt like even his heart had stopped. Even if he'd never felt Oshikuru's full killing intent (and he never would or his human body would shatter) he realised this power was second only to his, and perhaps Shalltear Bloodfallen's.
Far from seeming to stop, a weaker man's heart would probably have actually failed. His legs shook so hard he fell back onto his butt. If this is what it's like for me, that kid's probably dead, or passed out if he's lucky! Scared though he was, Brain crawled into a position from which he could see the two figures and what he saw was so unbelievable he completely forgot his fear for a split second.
The boy was still standing. The same fear assailing Brain made the younger man's legs tremble, but he was still standing. Wh-what the heck? How can that kid still be on his feet?! Brain couldn't understand how the boy could stand if his own legs were shaking like twigs in a storm. Has he got a magic item or martial art that protects him from… that? Or is he a talent holder? Those things weren't completely out of the question, but seeing how helpless he looked, Brain sensed that it was something else.
It was an impossible conclusion, but it was the only one he could come up with: the young man was stronger than him. No way! That can't be true! He was probably working out, but he wasn't anywhere near big enough. Judging from his footwork and his technique as he'd tailed the old man, Brain didn't think he could have a terrible amount of ability. The boy didn't seem to be made of much, but this outcome said otherwise. Wh-what is going on? Am I really that weak?
His vision began to blur. He realized he was crying, but he didn't have the energy to wipe away the tears. "Wagh, ngh…ngh…" He frantically stifled his sobs, but the tears fell one after the other. "Why…? Why?" He clenched the dirt beneath him and stood up. He could see the boy's back.
The boy was still standing. He was still facing the old man projecting all that bloodthirst. He'd thought the boy was weak, but now he seemed so far beyond himself.
"Am I… really this weak?" He was irritated at himself. Even when the killing urge vanished, he could barely stand. It seemed like the boy and the old man were going to continue their training but, unable to hold himself back any longer, Brain mustered his courage and jumped out from behind the corner. "W-wait, there's something I wanted to ask you!"
In his current state, Brain didn't have the wherewithal to consider that he shouldn't interrupt them or that he should wait for a better moment. The boy whipped around with a jerk of his shoulders, startled at the panicked voice. If Brain had been in his position, he probably would have reacted the same way.
"First, please accept my heartfelt apology for interrupting you, but I couldn't wait."
"Er… Do you know him, Sir Sebas?"
"… No, I do not. So you don't know him, either…?"
Sebas lied, but he had expected that. "My name is Brain Unglaus. Please allow me to apologize again for interrupting you. My deepest apologies."
He bowed even lower than the first time and sensed the pair shift slightly.
When enough time had passed to properly express his regret, Brain lifted his head. He could tell the boy was a little less wary of him now.
"And what is it you want?"
At the old man's question, Brain flicked his eyes to Climb.
"What could you possibly want with me?"
It was difficult for Brain, but he asked the puzzled boy, "Why… how… were you able to stand in the face of such murderous pressure?!"
The boy's eyes widened slightly. Because he was holding a neutral expression, even that small of a change implied a large emotional shock.
"I want to know. That was beyond the realm of what a normal person can handle. Dammit, that was beyond what even I could take. But you're different. You did it. You stood. How did you do it? Up against something so powerful?!"
He was so agitated, it slipped into his speech. But he couldn't hold himself back. He'd fled from the overwhelming power of Shalltear Bloodfallen and survived only thanks to an even greater power. But this seemingly weak boy had stood there when faced with an equal thirst for blood. Where does the gap come from? He just had to know.
Perhaps his intention had gotten through. The boy seemed flustered but still gave the question careful consideration before replying, "… I don't know for sure, but it might have been…because I was thinking about my master."
"… Your master?"
"Yes. I was thinking about the person I serve… and I managed to hang on."
Brain wanted to shout, There's no way that's all you did! But Sebas began to speak.
"So your loyalty is so great it overcomes your fear of death. Sir Unglaus, humans can display an unbelievable power if it's for someone they hold dear, like how a mother can lift the beam of a collapsed house to save her child or how a man can hold his wife by one hand if she's about to fall. That is, I believe, the greatest strength of humans. This boy was able to tap into that power. And he's not the only one who can do that. If you have something you could never give up to, or someone to whom you gave your absolute loyalty, you can probably display power beyond what you think you have, as well."
Brain couldn't believe it. His thirst for power that he'd thought he could never give up had turned out to be meaningless, hadn't it? He'd easily broken, become frightened, and run away. And he read between the lines. I'd do anything for Lord Oshikuru, but how—"
His expression had been clouding over, but he snapped back to attention as Sebas continued, "… When a human cultivates something on his own, it's weak, because if he bends, that's the end. If instead, you build something with another person or for someone, you may bend, but you won't break."
Brain remembered how he'd decided all of his friends and relatives weren't useful to him and so he'd thrown away those relationships. So the things I've abandoned in my craving for power were actually the most important? Brain laughed bitterly. His whole life was mistake after mistake. And so he ended up grumbling, "Do you think I can do that?"
"You'll be all right. I don't have any innate ability, and I was able to do it. I'm sure you can do it, Sir Unglaus! It's never too late."
They were the baseless words of a boy. Still, Brain felt some warmth in his heart. "You're kind… and strong… I'm sorry."
The boy answered the sudden apology with a blank expression. He was so strong, but Brain had been looking down on him as just a "turd." I'm a fool. I'm just such a fool.
"By the way, you wouldn't happen to be the Brain Unglaus who once fought Sir Stronoff, would you?"
"…You know your stuff, huh? Were you watching the fight?"
"Oh no, I didn't see it. I just heard the story from someone who did. They said you were a fantastic swordsman, certainly one of the best in the kingdom. The way you carry yourself, your balanced movements, makes me think it's the truth!"
With the pure goodwill weighing heavily on him, Brain stammered out a reply. "…Uhh…thank you. I—I don't think of myself like that at all, but to hear you praise me… makes me kind of happy."
"Hmm. Sir Unglaus—" began the old man.
"Sir, just Unglaus is fine. I'm not worthy being treated with such respect by someone… with such strength."
"Very well. My name is Sebas Tian, so please just call me Sebas… Now then, would you mind instructing Climb here in swordsmanship? I think it'd benefit you as well."
"Oh! Please excuse me! My name is Climb, Sir Unglaus."
"Sir, ah, Sebas, won't you be training him? It seemed like you were going to before I interrupted."
"Yes, I had intended to, but we have company, so I think I will deal with them… oh, here they are. It must have taken some time to arm themselves."
A moment later, Brain turned in the direction Sebas was looking.
Three men slowly showed themselves. They wore shirts of mail and in their hands, protected by thick leather gloves, were their naked blades. Their mood had already gone beyond hostile and was simply murderous. It was directed at the old man, but it didn't seem like they had a fraction of the mercy necessary to leave any witnesses alive.
Brain was shocked and shouted hoarsely in spite of himself. "Of all the ridiculous—! They felt that bloodlust and still want to come over here? Are they that strong?!"
If that were the case, they each had to be stronger than him. Maybe the reason they were so bad at stealth was because they had specialized so intensely in warrior abilities.
But Sebas dismissed all of Brain's worries. "I only directed that at you two."
"… Huh?" Brain knew he sounded like an idiot.
"For Climb, it was training. For you, it was to smoke you out, or I suppose to discourage you from fighting or taking a hostile stance, since I didn't know who you were and you didn't show yourself. I knew these men were enemies from the beginning, though, so I didn't direct any killing intent at them. It would have been problematic if they had gotten scared and run away."
Listening to Sebas's horrifying explanation, Brain gave up on being surprised. The ability to control that much power to exclude targets transcended common sense. "I see. Then you know who they are?"
"I have a guess, but there's no conclusive evidence. So I'm thinking to capture one or two and get some intelligence out of them; however…"
Sebas turned his head to Climb.
"I do not wish to involve you in these matters. Could I ask you to please get away from here immediately?"
"Before that, I'd like to ask you something. Are they…criminals?" Climb asked.
"…They sure seem like it, the type with something to hide."
Brain's comment saw flames leap into Climb's eyes. "I don't mean to intrude, but I would also like to fight. As a keeper of the peace in the capital, it's only natural for me to protect the people."
It's not like you know Sebas is representing justice. And if I know anything about Nazarick, is that it's above the laws of men, thought Brain. Sure, compared to the guys who had just shown up, anyone would think Sebas and his mien that practically screamed integrity were in the right, but there was no guarantee. This kid's so green…
But he knew how the boy felt. Comparing a man who would protect a child from a bunch of drunks to these guys, Brain knew which side he would choose. On the other hand, his own duty was to fight by the side of his colleague.
"Not that I think you need reinforcements, Sebas, but I'll be damned if— Er, I mean I'll help out as well."
Brain stood next to Climb. Sebas didn't need assistance, really, there was no point for them to even be there. But Brain figured he would follow Climb's example and try fighting for someone else, choosing the option he wouldn't have taken before. He would protect the boy whose heart was strong but whose skill with the sword wasn't enough to match it. Later on, I'll think if loyalty to Lord Oshikuru could make me defeat all fear… His hand on the katana given to him by his master, he felt the usual safety that blade gave to him. Wait, so is this really?… I think I know what this is about…
With newfound confidence, Brain peered at the weapons the men were holding and furrowed his brow. "They're poisoned…? If they're using something they could end up hurting themselves with, they must have some experience… Could they be assassins?"
The grooved daggers, called mail breakers, glistened with some kind of slimy, abnormal liquid in the depressions. What confirmed Brain's murmurs were their nimble movements, which prioritized mobility more than a swordsman's would.
"Climb, be careful. Unless you have a magic item that will protect you from poison, consider even a single hit bad news." When one's physical ability was at Brain's level, it was normal to have built up a resistance to the most common poisons, but Climb probably wouldn't be able to withstand anything very potent.
"The reason they're facing us head-on but not immediately attacking is because they're waiting for the other two to flank us, correct? If we have the chance, why don't we just break straight through?" Sebas had purposely spoken just loud enough for their opponents, even those coming from the other side, to overhear. They froze for a moment, startled that he'd easily seen through their plan to surround them.
"That seems like the safest move. It's probably even safer to crush the vanguard first and then take on the ones behind," Brain suggested, but Sebas shot it down.
"Oh, but they'd run away if we did that. I'll take the three in front, so could you take on the two coming around?"
Brain and Climb nodded. This was Sebas's battle. They were just forcing him to allow them to help. Unless Sebas sent them to death, their role was to act in accordance with his plan.
"Okay, let's go!" Brain told Climb, turning away from the men approaching by the other side. He was confident to show his open back to the hostile enemies because Sebas was there. Letting a Floor Guardian cover him gave him peace of mind like a thick castle wall would.
"Now then, unfortunately for you gentlemen, I'll be your opponent—" He suddenly stopped talking to catch something in mid-air.
"Oh, but please don't get distracted by these two friends of mine."
Brain looked over his shoulder and saw three daggers between the ringed fingers of Sebas's right hand. When he spread his fingers, the daggers the men had thrown at the defenseless Brain and Climb fell to the ground.
The five assassins' will to fight shrank visibly. Brain smiled at that. "No kidding. Anyone would lose the motivation to fight after watching their daggers get caught. Did you finally figure out how strong Sebas is? But it's too late now, they wouldn't be able to escape this old man, even if they scattered."
"Amazing!" Climb moved in line with the swordsman.
"Yeah. If someone said Sebas was the strongest… man in the capital, I would agree."
"Even stronger than the captain of the Royal Select?!"
"Stronoff? Yeah, to be frank, even if Gazef and I took Sebas on two to one, we'd still have no chance—oh, here they come."
Two men appeared and circled around the outside. As could be expected, they looked much like the other three. At the sound of a sword being drawn next to him, Brain followed suit. The reason one of them isn't hiding in the shadows throwing daggers must be because Sebas was onto them.
An ambush is effective if it's hidden. Once revealed, all it does is diffuse muscle. Those assassins must have figured that: since they'd already been discovered, they had a better chance of victory if they each took one man.
"They have no idea… Climb, I'll take the one on the right. You take the left," he instructed the boy after judging which of their opponents was weaker from his stiff movements. Climb nodded and assumed a stance. His unhesitating manner was that of someone who had already been in a life-threatening skirmish before. Brain was relieved he wasn't a battle virgin who had done nothing but training exercises. Climb should be able to win against this guy… but considering that this guy has poisoned weapons, it might be a pretty close shave.
Even if Climb had experience in actual combat, Brain couldn't imagine he had walked a bloody gauntlet that included frequent battles against poisoned weapons. It might even be his first time.
Even Brain was overly cautious against monsters who used corrosive acids or deadly poisons. It made it hard to fight at his full potential.
Should I kill this guy right away and support Climb? Would that actually be good for him, or at least what the Iron Butler wants? Or would it just mess up his effort to help Sebas? Should I step in and fight for him? No…if it came to that, Sebas would probably save him. If it doesn't seem like he's coming, then should I intervene? I never thought I'd worry about stuff like this… Brain gave his head a self-conscious scratch with his free hand and stared down his opponent. "Okay. You're gonna be a human sacrifice to make up for lost time."
In the meantime, three blows could be heard in the alley. Sebas charged and, before the men on his side could react, much less defend, he'd thrown three punches. That was the end of it.
Of course it was. Save the Supreme Beings, only two individuals in Nazarick could rival him in a fight, so he could defeat this level of assassin with his pinkie finger. He shifted his eyes from the men crumpling to the ground unconscious and checked on the clash behind him.
Brain was keeping constant pressure on his opponent, so he didn't have to worry about him. The assassin fighting him seemed to be searching for an opportunity to run away, but Brain wouldn't let him, like he was toying with him. No, rather than that, it seemed to Sebas like Brain was trying to remove his own rustiness by testing out various attacks. He's not bad at all, not that I could doubt Lord Oshikuru's decision to welcome him to Nazarick… the real question is why's he here. Guess I'll figure it out later. Come to think of it, I did hear something about making up for lost time. And he must seem a little distracted because he's worried about Climb and wants to be in a position to help him right away if need be. He appears to be a fairly good person.
Sebas turned from Brain to Climb. It was an unstable exchange of offense and defense. He was a little concerned about the poison weapon, but it didn't seem like he needed to jump in and save him immediately. It pained him to involve kind people in his problems. If he hadn't told me he wanted to get stronger, I would save him… Real combat is good training. I'll step in if it comes to that. Sebas stroked his beard as he watched over Climb's fight.
Climb parried a stab with his sword. His back was drenched with cold sweat. A moment too late and his armor would have been punctured. For a split second, he saw discouragement on his opponent's callous features as he failed to land the blow
.
Climb thrust with his sword to put some space between them, but his opponent's quick steps back and forth didn't let him. Climb generally fought by blocking with a shield and then attacking with his sword, so using just a sword was a mentally and physically taxing experience. The poison-drenched blade was also a major source of stress. Since a mail breaker was a stabbing weapon, he knew quite well that he had to worry about only thrusts, but still, the idea that he couldn't get so much as a scratch made his movements more conservative.
He reined in his erratic breathing, a product of his general exhaustion. He's panting, too. I'm not the only one who's tired. His opponent's forehead was also slick with sweat. He kept Climb at his mercy with his agile, assassin-like fighting style. That was why if Climb could injure at least one of his limbs, his advantage would be obliterated and the balance in their abilities would be disrupted.
One blow would decide the battle. That fact was the true nature of the tension between them. Of course, that's how it always was in a clash between equal powers, but it was magnified in this encounter.
"Shit!" With a sharp exhalation, Climb struck. It was a small swing without too much power in it. He was worried about the potential opening a larger swing would create if its target dodged. The assassin, who easily avoided the swing, put his hand in his breast pocket. Climb, anticipating the assassin's next attack, kept a close eye on that hand. When the dagger shot toward him, Climb batted it away with his sword. He'd been lucky. He'd been able to repel it because he was paying such close attention.
But before he could even sigh in relief, the assassin launched himself, gliding toward him in a low posture. Crap! A chill went up his spine. He had no way to defend against this follow-up. He'd swung too widely when he'd batted away the dagger, perhaps because he was frightened. Since his sword was still in the follow-through, he'd never get it back in time to attack. He wanted to devote all his energy to evading, but the assassin was too quick. He was cornered, but at least he could use his arm as a shield.
Climb had made up his mind when the assassin in front of him suddenly put a hand to his face and leaped aside. A pebble no bigger than a bean had nailed him right above his left eyelid. Climb had been able to see it with his enhanced consciousness in these extreme circumstances. He knew even without turning around who had thrown it. As proof, he heard Sebas's voice. "Fear is an important emotion, but you can't let it constrain you. I've been watching for a while, and you're fighting too monotonously. You're not putting enough into it. If you were really going to sacrifice an arm, you would have died. If you're losing on the physical side, then please win with your spirit. Sometimes the mind surpasses the flesh!"
Yes, sir! Climb answered in his head and was surprised to find himself feeling calmer. It wasn't the entirely dependent relief of being rescued but the comfort of having someone watching over him.
"If I die, please tell Princess Renner… tell her that I fought bravely!"
He let out a long breath and slowly brought his sword back up. Climb sensed a different kind of light in the assassin's eyes. It had been only a short while, but had they come to understand each other as they risked their lives in this battle?
His opponent, who sensed Climb's determination, also made his own decision. The assassin charged. It was only natural, but he closed the distance between them in an instant, without a word. Once his opponent had come into range, Climb brought his sword down. That instant, the assassin jumped back. He'd read the speed of Climb's swing and used himself as a lure to pull off a feint.
But he'd overlooked one thing. Maybe he'd seen through most of Climb's sword techniques, except one. The one move that Climb had confidence in, his overhead swing, was way faster and harder than all his others. The sword came down on the assassin's shoulder, but the mail shirt stopped it from cutting off his arm. However, it easily snapped the man's clavicle, tearing through his flesh and breaking his scapula. The assassin flipped as he fell to the ground. He was in so much pain he was drooling and he let out a soundless howl.
"Magnificent."
Sebas approached from behind Climb and casually kicked the assassin in the stomach. That was enough for him to go limp like a doll. He'd probably lost consciousness.
In the corner of his eye, Climb could see Brain, who had already defeated his assassin, raising his hands to celebrate for him.
"Very well, now we'll begin questioning them. If you have anything you'd like to ask, please don't hesitate."
Sebas dragged one of them over and jolted him back to consciousness. Then he put a hand on his forehead. It took less than two seconds. He didn't even push very hard, but the man's head bent way back and returned like a pendulum. And with that, the man's eyes had changed. Now they were unfocused, like a drunk's.
Sebas began the inquiry. The assassin, who should have known how to keep his mouth shut, blabbed everything.
Climb found the scene so strange that he asked, "What did you do to him?"
"It's a skill called Puppet Palm… I'm glad it worked."
It was something Climb had never heard of, but he was much more concerned about the leaked information itself. He was an assassin trained by one of the Six Arms, the strongest members of the Eight Fingers security division, and he had been tailing Sebas in order to kill him.
Sebas turned to Climb. "… I don't know much about the Eight Fingers, but they're a pretty big criminal organization, right? They must have some mercenary connections…"
"Yes, that's right. And the Six Arms is a name for the strongest members of the group. I remember hearing that each of them is equal to adamantite rank. I don't know who they all are, of course, since it's an underworld matter."
The assassin kept on revealing everything he knew. Apparently, Succuronte, who had shown up at the mansion where Sebas served, was one of the Six Arms and had the nickname "Illusion Maniac." His plan had been to kill Sebas and take his beautiful master back with him to do with her what he wished. Having heard that much of the man's story, Climb was assailed by chills. The source of cold rage was Sebas.
He stood up slowly and Brain asked, "What are you going to do, Sebas?"
"Now I know exactly what to do. First, I'll go get rid of the place at the root of all these problems. He said Succuronte is there, too. It makes sense to brush away the sparks before there's a fire."
His resolute answer made Climb catch his breath. If he was going to raid the place, that meant he was confident he could win against people with adamantite-rank ability, the pinnacle of human strength. Of course, it makes sense. He made swift work of those three assassins even though they were so tough, and Sir Unglaus respects him. Who in the world could Sir Sebas be? Maybe a former adamantite adventurer? But, more importantly…
"… He also said there are still others held captive. We should probably act as soon as possible."
"Aha. If the assassins don't return, they'll know something is amiss and I won't be able to save the captives if they relocate them," Sebas commented sharply . Letting time pass would put him at a disadvantage and give Eight Fingers the upper hand. "Okay, my plan is to march in there now. I'm terribly sorry, but I don't intend to change my mind. If you two would please drag these two to a guardhouse…"
"Please wait, Sebas! If it's all right with you, I'd like to go along and teach these bastards a lesson. Only if it's all right with you, of course." Brain smiled on the inside as everything went according to Lord Oshikuru's plan.
"Me, too! As one who attends Princess Renner, it's a matter of course for me to keep the peace. If any of this country's people are suffering, I'll rescue them with this sword."
"…Unglaus may be able to handle it, but I think it might be a bit dangerous for you."
"I know it'll be dangerous!"
"Climb…I think he means you'll be in the way. Well, from Sebas's point of view, we might both be in the way, but…"
"No, no, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just worried about you. I don't want you to be misled into believing I would be able to protect you like I did before."
"I understand, but—"
"You and your master may not get any credit for what we're about to do, you know. There is most likely a more suitable place for you to risk your life."
"Averting my eyes from injustice because it's dangerous would make me a worthless man unfit to serve my master. As much as I can, I would like to reach out my hand and aid those who suffer the way she does." The way she reached out to me…
At Climb's steely resolution, Sebas and Brain looked at each other. Something beyond Climb's knowledge silently passed between them. Should we involve someone unrelated to Nazarick?
"… You've made up your mind, then."
Climb responded to Sebas with a single nod.
"I see. Then I will say no more. Both of you, please lend me your strength."