The Sahagins were almost here and I took a stance underwater.
I was heavily outmatched out here, but I refused to give up.
I already screwed up; I wasn't going to, again.
The Sahagins were pretty weakened thanks to Curse and I was definitely focused- not panicking. Totally not panicking.
So- 'Slow steps…'
Backwards-
[Suggested skill- Clutter]
Heh!
What timing!
With a grin- "Clutter!"
The sword started vibrating- loads of water bubbles.
Actually, my whole body started to vibrate and oddly my movements were out of my control.
Almost as though- my limbs- my body had a mind of its own…
"Garhh!" A Sahagin chief!
Headed straight me- clawing my left shoulder-
In a second my hand automatically sliced through the first Sahagin chief- in another second- second one. I didn't even see that one coming, and yet-
Both- headless.
[Exp gained- 515]
[Drop item- Black Gem]
[Exp gained- 520]
'WOAHHH!!!'
Every time the skill activated- it immediately cost me one MP. 'I'm not gonna faint underwater- am I?'
As for the final one, it started swimming away. Instead of walking back, my feet just acted like a spring and sped through the water like a frigging arrow, spiraling forward- immediately slicing off the head of the Sahagin.
Seriously, what was up with this damn body!
[Exp gained- 565]
[Drop item- Chief's bodily fluids!]
[!! Out of MP!!]
And what do you know, I was away from the middle of the river, on the other side and definitely able to finally raise my head above the damn water.
Certainly, still alive and still conscious!
Did I feel great?
Nope!
"WHOOOH!"
Pant!
Pant!
I definitely still needed air but- but I could move around. "I'm okay!" I yelled at the cats.
Both of which were desperately trying to cross the river.
The mother was barely floating with the cub on her back.
"Roar!" The mother cat panted as she traced back.
They still couldn't swim.
"Mew!"
Both were glad to see me but they were basically at their limit.
Water was apparently the worst enemy of White lions; they couldn't swim.
And who'd have thought the royal ones also shared the same trait?
Anyway- the clear river water kind of turned red.
However, with the Sahagins dead and I, barely able to move, I somehow made it to shore, stared at the orc woman in beautiful clothes, and- "You okay?"
-Fell head first.
Thump!
Suffice to say, things just went black.
***
Soft.
Ah, so soft.
Such a nice smell-
I could just melt-
Oh-
My eyes opened.
I was under the sweet soft lap of someone.
Someone I knew.
'Oh, shit….'
The noble lady.
Black hair- pink skin, two protruding fangs, and an innocent stare.
I was not dreaming, no.
"Ah, pardon me, my lady," I immediately stood up and almost fell over, thanks to the pounding headache.
The cats had somehow made it ashore and they had also collected the dead bodies.
'Thought you people couldn't swim?'
Both cats were half-drenched.
'Or is it that you were afraid of water?'
Or maybe they just crossed the bridge quite a way from here-
In that case how the hell did the bodies show up?
Honestly, I didn't even want to know.
"But Sir, are you okay?" The woman spoke, voice kind of soft and awfully betraying her orcish looks.
Then again, she was a noble so the least she could do was act like one.
So, this shouldn't have been that surprising.
To a prince who'd never come to Blumrose though, this was definitely surprising.
"I'm fine… what about you?"
I was not fine!
Damn shoulder hurt like hell!
"As you can, perfectly fine…"
Judging by the sun- I was out for at least an hour. And in that time, quite a few wolf bodies had accumulated along with three twin-tails. 'These cats work hard….'
"If I may, why are you here? And what happened?" I asked.
Judging by the number and quality of the monsters, it sufficed to say, this woman was targeted and this didn't happen by chance.
"I was on my way back when suddenly we got attacked and I think you know the rest," she said.
'That I do…' Yeah, it was too early to conclude things but I didn't have time to be worrying about others. I just needed my reward.
"I see…"
Her conduct, her clothes, and her expensive jewelry were all proof that she was indeed a high noble.
And I'd just saved her, which meant most of my hard work was already done.
However- if I act all chummy and demand a reward then the next phase of my plans was going to be hampered.
Which was why-
"I'm sure guards would soon come. I'll stay with you till then and take my leave. I have some urgent quests you see…"
Both of which were perfect lies of course-
"But Sir! You're injured!"
Wait, really?
I took a proper look around. And yes, I was bleeding from my left arm.
'NO wonder it hurt like hell…' All this time I thought the arm was just mildly scratched- but no… three distinct claw marks…. Rather deep too.
Was a potion going to be enough for this?
However- "It's not that big of a deal. In this line of work, this is something you have to learn to live with." I moved towards the corpses and pretended to examine them while also pretending that it didn't hurt one bit. "But since no guards are coming, shall I escort you to the gates?"
One of the Sahagins still had my knife, so I took it back.
As for the sword?
It was useless thanks to my skill… pretty dull.
Meaning- using that skill was a no-go.
'Wait aren't both skills kind of useless then?'
Divinity drained most of my Mana while Clutter rendered my sword useless…
Sigh.
"Yes, that would be preferable. And we can then treat your wounds!" she cusped her hands together almost like in a prayer. Very polite.
Oddly it felt like she was more worried about me, than me!
Which was a good sign because this meant I'd definitely get at least some kind of reward- and getting land wasn't going to be farfetched either.
Heh! The grin just didn't stop.
'No, no! don't get excited…'
I couldn't forget what happened just moments ago after all…
So…
We headed for the bridge rather than cross the damn river… leaving all the bodies behind for the guards and adventurers.