Chapter 57 - Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Beast King

Facing the attacking Azuka, Shu dealt with the situation calmly.

(Well, killing is not an option, I guess.)

Indeed, he showed some restraint.

While it wouldn't be a problem for Shu to kill Azuka, the issue lay in the fact that it was in the heart of the imperial capital, Aldaar. The city was ostensibly protected by the law. Committing a murder here would complicate matters.

Thus, he deployed a small vibration magic array in his palm to predict Azuka's movements. Angry and underestimating Shu as an ordinary person, reading his movements was relatively easy.

Transformed into a beastman with lion-like features through transformation magic, Azuka attempted to slash Shu with sharp claws. However, Shu countered by lunging into Azuka's embrace and striking him with a palm heel, shaking his brain with vibrations.

As the magic array floated in his palm, no one noticed that magic had been activated in the middle of the city.

"What...?!"

"You're not knocked out from a single hit? Quite tough."

"Damn... What the hell..."

"At least follow some rules, idiot."

"Ugh..."

After receiving a second blow, even Azuka succumbed.

Quietly sapping his magical energy with death magic, no one seemed to have noticed. The fact that an S-rank magic-equipped soldier had been defeated in an instant was shocking. No one seemed to have realized.

"Not a big deal."

"It's just that the opponent you're comparing with is unusual."

"Let's eat quickly."

Shu and Iris entered a seafood restaurant as it was, leaving behind a small commotion in the streets.

◆◆◆

"Ha!"

Azuka abruptly sat up from the bed.

And he looked around to assess the situation. He realized he was in a military infirmary.

"Have you woken up, Lord Flap?"

A medical officer in the infirmary addressed him. Then he handed Azuka a cup of water. Azuka, unable to recall the situation, took the cup and drank.

The shaking of his brain had left Azuka's memories in disarray.

"I remember... I..."

By Emperor's orders, he had set out to defeat the colossal giant Gigas. As a disaster-level creature, an S-rank magic-equipped soldier was dispatched.

Gigas was a physically powerful monster, but Azuka had countered with his beast transformation magic, significantly enhancing his physical abilities. Naturally, he emerged victorious.

"That's right... I..."

Upon returning to the imperial capital, Aldaar, Azuka had confronted Shu at the seafood restaurant. He couldn't recall anything beyond that. Judging from the circumstances, he had been knocked unconscious.

By whom?

It had to be Shu.

With his long black hair and distinctive black eyes, Shu's appearance was unlike that of the people from the western Slada continent.

"That bastard!"

Azuka tried to leap out of bed and leave the infirmary.

The medical officer immediately stopped him.

"Lord Flap, please stop. Rest today. Just to check if there's any abnormality in your brain..."

"What? Abnormality in my brain? You think I'm an idiot!?"

"No, not like that..."

Yes, Azuka was indeed foolish.

He was an S-rank magic-equipped soldier and also the commander of the Beast King Corps, but he was fatally unintelligent.

The medical officer was powerless to stop Azuka. He was in a predicament.

But then, help arrived.

"You're making quite a racket, Azuka-kun."

A narrow-eyed young man entered the infirmary.

Azuka recognized that face and yelled.

"You! Ryuuk!"

He was called the "Thunder Emperor," Ryuuk Fermer. That was the young man's name.

He was also an S-rank magic-equipped soldier and the commander of the Thunder Emperor Corps. In other words, they were colleagues. Ryuuk was capable of restraining Azuka.

"Azuka, they've ordered you to rest today. Since you're causing a ruckus, our superior has ordered us to keep an eye on you. So please rest."

"Shut up!"

"Be quiet."

Ryuuk touched Azuka with his thunder-controlling magic, instantly paralyzing his nerves. Azuka fell to the floor and couldn't move, his tongue also numb, making it difficult to speak.

(That Ryuuk...)

"I understand what you want to say, but this is an order. Besides, this is also punishment for abandoning your mission and attempting to harm the citizens," Ryuuk said.

Ryuuk lifted Azuka, now that he was conscious. Now that he was awake, he simply needed some rest in the room.

"Excuse me then."

"Yes..."

Ryuuk, with his already narrow eyes narrowed even further, held Azuka and opened the door to the infirmary. For Ryuuk, Azuka was a troublesome junior, and he believed it was his responsibility to clean up Azuka's mess.

Leaving the room, Ryuuk headed down the military hallway toward Azuka's bedroom. There was more work for him to do even after placing Azuka there.

(But still...)

Ryuuk pondered as he walked.

(Even though he had exhausted his magical energy after the mission, incapacitating Azuka in an instant... I wonder who that person could be.)

◆◆◆

The morning after the incident.

Azuka got up from his bed.

He moved his arms and legs, flexed his fingers, and closed them.

The magical power cast by Ryuuk's magic-enhanced restraint had dissipated, relieving the numbness. After all, he hadn't eaten anything since yesterday. He was hungry, and his magical energy hadn't recovered either.

"Damn it..."

He didn't hold a grudge against Ryuuk for what he had done.

Calmly considering his actions, Azuka knew he was at fault for causing a commotion in the infirmary. However, he showed no remorse for attacking Shu.

"That bastard... If only I had magical power! That guy!"

His magical energy had been greatly depleted during the Gigas subjugation mission. Dealing with a disaster-level creature like the Catastrophe-class Gigas consumed a significant amount of magical energy, even for an S-rank magic-equipped soldier. Recovery required proper eating and rest.

He needed to eat now to restore his magical energy.

"That guy... I'll knock him out!"

His wounded pride fueled Azuka's anger.

◆◆◆

Second day in the Imperial Capital.

Shu and Iris were strolling around the city for sightseeing. Basically, the two of them repeated the process of walking through the city and entering any shop that caught their interest.

By the way, both of them have a significant amount of magical capacity, so no matter how much they eat, it gets converted into magical energy. If they come across a place that serves delicious-looking food, they would enter without hesitation.

"Should we go to that shop next?"

"It's a sweets shop!"

"I heard their citrus-flavored cakes are refreshingly delicious."

The two of them were thoroughly enjoying their time in the Imperial Capital of Aldaal, just on their second day.

The Imperial Capital, often referred to as the world's greatest city, is a cutting-edge place. No matter what they do, it's fun and exhilarating.

"Well, there are certainly a lot of people here."

"That's true."

"It's typical of a metropolis, after all."

With a population of around ten million, the Imperial Capital is said to be densely populated. People everywhere, and whenever they enter a shop, they're inevitably met with lines.

To be honest, keeping an eye on the directionally challenged Iris to prevent her from getting lost was quite a hassle. Hence, the two of them walked hand in hand. This made Iris quite happy.

"Shu-san."

"What is it?"

"Just wanted to call your name."

"If you don't have a reason, don't call me."

"Don't you understand a woman's heart!?"

Such exchanges had become quite common.

In such a crowd, Shu also had to be wary of pickpockets. He had most of his money in the bank, and some of it was stored with the shadow spirits. Still, he carried a significant amount with him, so he had to be cautious of theft under normal circumstances.

However, Aldaal, the Imperial Capital, had excellent public safety.

Precisely because people were well-off, they didn't feel the need to steal. When one's basic needs of clothing, food, and shelter are met, the idea of resorting to theft doesn't usually arise. Especially if the education emphasizes that stealing is wrong, people tend to avoid theft unless their lives are at risk.

This meant that they could have careless conversations without much worry.

"Speaking of which, Iris."

"What is it?"

"Shall we casually look for a job?"

"A job?"

"Do you forget? You have that 'Grim Reaper' gig."

Iris was referring to Shu's job as the 'Grim Reaper'.

Shu had already scoped out several of the black cat taverns in Aldaal. While he hadn't revealed his face yet, if they were in need of work, going there would likely lead to job opportunities.

Considering the size of this city, there would be plenty of options.

Shu believed that there would be a fair number of assassination jobs available as well, even with the good public safety. While it was true that good public safety reduced the likelihood, there would still be ample opportunities for assassination work.

"It's not that kind of job. I mean, I'm looking for something respectable. You can't help but be suspicious of someone who seems to be doing nothing and yet suddenly comes up with money from nowhere."

"That makes sense."

"So, I thought of finding a decent place to work."

"But will it be easy to find?"

"Oh, it'll be easy to find."

Shu pointed at the wall of the shop they were currently lined up in front of. There was a sign written in the Civil script commonly used in the Subarokia Empire, stating:

"Part-time workers wanted. Inquire with the staff for details."

"See?"

"Really!?"

There were plenty of signs like this if you looked around. While Iris seemed completely unaware, Shu had been keeping an eye out.

"Once we're done enjoying today, let's go look for work tomorrow."

"Understood."

Even if it wasn't a part-time job like this, there were certainly suitable jobs for Shu and Iris. For instance, being a magic instructor. In a vast empire that actively promoted education about magic and magical equipment, there was high demand for such a role.

With Shu's assistance, Iris had even managed to invoke the tactical-grade magic, "Heartless Void Concentrate". When it came to wind magic, she was undoubtedly an expert. And Shu, who could employ spells up to the level of divine incantations, was even more proficient.

"Alright, it's our turn. Have you decided what to order?"

"Of course. I'll go for the fruitcake with the orange cream on top."

"Ah, that one."

Shu had also intended to order the same thing. So, he decided to choose a different cake. As they were observing the showcase, there was a commotion behind them.

Shu and Iris turned to see what was happening.

A person clad in the formal uniform of the Subarokia Empire Military stood there. Somehow, Shu recognized him. Iris did too.

(Isn't that...?)

The face was still fresh in their memory.

Yesterday, he had challenged Shu and attacked him. He was Azuka Flapp, a battle mage known as the "Beast King".

As soon as he spotted Shu, Azuka confidently approached, pointing his finger and declaring:

"You! I challenge you to a fight."

"Huh...?"

The atmosphere around them froze, quite understandably.