Climb watched Nana's ghostly movements, deeply longing to learn such techniques.
However, Nana noticed Climb's eager gaze and responded bluntly, "I refuse."
"But I haven't even said anything yet," Climb replied.
"It doesn't matter what you say; my answer is still no," Nana declared, dashing any hopes Climb had of asking for guidance.
"Nana, did you leave any of them alive?" Yulia asked.
"Um, I don't think so," Nana replied, lowering her head as if realizing she'd made a mistake.
"Good girl, Nana. It's okay; just remember to leave someone alive next time," Peroroncino said gently, patting her head.
Shalltear, seeing this interaction, became noticeably jealous. She sidled up to Peroroncino's other side and grabbed his hand, placing it on her own head.
Climb and Brain, who hadn't paid much attention to Shalltear earlier, now noticed her presence. Their eyes widened in shock. She was... enormous.
Meanwhile, Brain's mind flashed back to the vampire he had encountered before. She, too, was a busty loli.
Still, he didn't connect Shalltear to that encounter. How could someone as powerful as Shalltear be casually traveling with humans, let alone clinging to this handsome man like a lovesick kitten?
"There seems to be one still alive, though barely," Sebas noted, having discovered someone who hadn't quite succumbed to his injuries.
"Puppet Control."Sebas used his skill to take control of the survivor. Through him, they learned who had sent the assassins and the location of their base.
"Lord Chino, should we eliminate them?" Sebas inquired.
"They've already sent assassins after us, so let's root them out completely," Peroroncino replied. "Nana, Yulia, return to the tavern for now."
"Yes!" Nana agreed, though she was reluctant to leave. Since it was Peroroncino's command, she obeyed without question.
Peroroncino anticipated that things might get bloody and preferred to keep Nana away for her own sake.
"Let's go," Chino said.
"Please let us come along!" Climb and Brain pleaded.
"Sebas, do you think we should bring them?" Chino asked.
"I believe it's better to have them along. The more people, the greater the strength," Sebas replied.
Peroroncino mulled it over. Taking them along provided a convenient scapegoat for anything that might happen. Given his limited knowledge of this kingdom, staying under the radar was preferable.
"Alright, you can come," Peroroncino decided. "I'm Chino, and this is Shaya."
"Shaya... Shalltear..." Brain murmured. "Do you know someone named Shalltear Bloodfallen?"
Peroroncino hesitated briefly before answering, "Never heard of her."
"Who's that?" Shalltear chimed in, feigning ignorance.
"She's... uh, never mind," Brain replied, deciding not to elaborate.
"I'm curious. What happened between you and this Shalltear?" Peroroncino pressed.
"She's... a powerful vampire. She easily blocked my ultimate technique with just the tip of her pinky nail," Brain confessed.
"Sounds impressive. I'd love to see her in action!" Peroroncino said with feigned enthusiasm.
"She's incredibly strong. If you ever encounter her, it's best to run," Brain warned earnestly. "Maybe only someone as powerful as Sebas could face her."
"You overestimate me," Sebas replied modestly.
"No, I'm certain you could hold your own against her," Brain insisted.
"Let's move," Chino said, ending the discussion.
"Lord Chino, will Shaya be safe with you?" Climb asked, concerned. He assumed Shaya, like Evileye, was a magic caster and thus vulnerable in close combat.
"You don't need to worry about her. Her close-combat skills are on par with Nana's. She can protect herself just fine," Peroroncino assured him.
In truth, Peroroncino counted on Shalltear to protect him if things got truly dangerous. Her presence was his safety net, despite the resurrection items he carried.
The group arrived at the assassins' hideout. Sebas, Peroroncino, and Shalltear entered through the front door, while Climb and Brain went around to the back.
"Try to leave someone alive if possible," Climb requested.
"Don't worry; we're not bloodthirsty," Peroroncino replied, waving them off.
Sebas promptly tore the front door off its hinges.
The occupants inside froze, dumbfounded at the sight.
"Apologies," Sebas said politely, holding the door. "It seemed rusty, so I accidentally removed it."
Realizing they were under attack, the occupants armed themselves.
"Intruders!" someone shouted.
Sebas swiftly incapacitated everyone in the room.
The trio proceeded to the basement, where they found a pig-like man beating a woman while several other battered women lay nearby.
Sebas immediately pummeled the pig-like man.
"S-stop!" the man shouted.
"Oh? Why should I?" Sebas asked, his tone still polite.
"B-because—" the man stammered, attempting to flee.
"Shaya, make sure he dies painfully," Peroroncino ordered.
"Yes! Summon Minions," Shalltear said, summoning a swarm of black rats from the shadows beneath her feet.
The rats swarmed over the man, leaving him no escape.
"Help! Someone help me! No, please!" the man screamed as the rats bit him, tearing his flesh away piece by piece.
The pain was excruciating, both physically and mentally. This was far worse than any execution method, a torment that touched both body and soul.
Sebas and Peroroncino exited the room.
"Sebas, for someone like him, a swift death would have been far too kind," Peroroncino remarked.
"I agree. Quick deaths are a mercy they don't deserve," Sebas replied.
"Eye of Insight."
Peroroncino activated his skill and discovered a hidden passageway.
"Sebas, I'll check the passage. You search the other rooms for survivors," he instructed.
"Yes, my lord," Sebas replied.
The passage led Peroroncino to a back exit, where he heard a desperate shout.
"Help!" Climb's voice rang out.
"Looks like I arrived just in time," Peroroncino said, stepping out nonchalantly.
"Damn, reinforcements already?" an enemy cursed.
"I won't let you past me!" Climb declared, standing firm at the doorway.
"Eye of Insight."
"Succulent."
Class: Illusionist Swordsman.
Level: 30.
"Climb, do you know the best way to grow stronger? It's through combat. I won't interfere—you'll have to defeat him yourself," Peroroncino said.
With determination in his eyes, Climb gripped his sword tightly and charged.
"For Lady Renner, Climb, you can do this!" he whispered to himself as he faced the enemy head-on.
End of chapter
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