Tilea's Worries

[TL notes: Previous and this chapters are quite long so splitting this chapter.]

"What!? Casey-chan has escaped!?"

I couldn't help but shout out in response to the pervert's report.

Casey-chan and the others had been put to work as community service for attempting to steal furniture from the Or family. The specifics of the service were left to Timu and the others, so I wasn’t sure of the details. Most likely, they were cleaning or handling chores in the underground empire, which is Or's vacation home.

Timu and the others had been delighted to get some lively slaves...

Hmm, I hope they didn’t bully them. Well, they can get carried away, but deep down, they’re good guys. They probably didn’t do anything too nasty.

First, I need to grasp the current situation.

"Weren't you guys supposed to keep an eye on them, just in case?"

"We sincerely apologize."

The pervert and the members of the second division bow down to the ground.

Good grief, you guys... Where's Or?

Or was supposed to be the main person supervising Casey-chan and the others.

"Where's Or?"

"Ortissio was knocked out by Casey."

... Seriously?

Or, were you really that weak? Normally, would a grown man get knocked out by a little girl?

Well, with Or, it’s possible.

"I understand about Or. But the rest of you were there, right? How could you let kids like Casey-chan and the others escape? Were you really keeping an eye on them?"

"Y-yes, but Lady Tilea, you instructed us not to confine them, so we didn’t monitor them too strictly."

"Of course! I told you to just keep an eye on them to make sure they were doing their service work properly. Couldn't you even do that much?"

"We deeply apologize. However, Casey used a forbidden technique to increase her magic power..."

Forbidden technique? What are these guys rambling about now?

These middle school syndrome sufferers always come up with interesting excuses.

"Explain in detail."

"Yes, ma'am. Casey used a forbidden technique of sacrifice to multiply her magic power several times."

"Sacrifice?"

"Yes, by using the forbidden technique of sacrifice, one can absorb the magic power of their entire clan."

"So, in summary, Casey-chan powered up by sacrificing the people from her village, making it difficult for you to handle her..."

"Exactly."

What a ridiculous thing to say.

Casey-chan did seem to dabble in martial arts. Given these weaklings, it's plausible she could overpower them. They’re too embarrassed to admit a kid beat them up, so they made up this story.

Normally, I’d scold them for such a silly lie.

But...

Upon closer observation, I noticed the perverts had bruises on their faces.

These guys didn't pass out like Or, but they were shamefully beaten up by a little girl. Their pride as men must be in shambles, having been humiliated by a child.

Even they are feeling the sting of this. I’ll humor them this time.

"I understand. If her magic power was boosted to 530,000, then it’s understandable you had trouble handling her."

"No, it didn’t increase that much. Probably around 30,000."

What? I was trying to play along with their story.

30,000... another ambiguous setting.

Did they think 530,000 was too unrealistic, so they settled on 30,000?

But even 30,000 lacks realism... well, whatever.

The problem is these guys making up lies on the spot.

You guys are contradicting what you said earlier.

"Niel, didn't you say before your magic power was about 42,000? If it's just 30,000, you should have been able to handle it."

"No, my magic power has now increased to 70,000."

Why compete now?

"Okay, fine. Even if it's 70,000 or 100,000, you should still be able to handle a little girl with 30,000."

"But Casey not only increased her magic power but also had hidden assassination techniques and the ability to temporarily boost her power several times."

"I get it, I get it."

Temporarily boosting magic power... like Kaio-ken?

This is getting ridiculous. Listening to their excuses is just wasting time.

"So, Andy and the others also escaped?"

"No, Andy and the others were sacrificed in the forbidden technique and turned to ashes."

"Oh, right. That was part of the story."

What to do?

Casey-chan and the others have done their service work to some extent. Maybe it's time to let them go. They've atoned for their attempted theft.

Besides, they fled in the middle of it. Forcing them back would just result in them running away again.

"Alright, let’s leave it be. They’ve probably already gone home. It’s pointless to look for them now."

"Please don't worry. I have left the pursuit to Lady Camilla."

"What? Did you really ask Timu to do that?"

It’s just a little girl with some martial arts experience. You guys should be able to handle this yourselves.

Don't drag Timu, the top student of the magic academy, into such trivial matters.

I want Timu to focus on his studies, so I haven’t been asking him to help with the store either.

You guys are just pathetic.

"We deeply apologize. However, Lady Camilla will undoubtedly bring Casey back."

"Of course. What do you think Timu is? I wanted you guys to handle this minor matter yourselves."

"We have no excuse."

"Really pathetic. Getting beaten up by a little girl..."

"Lady Tilea, although we were caught off guard, Commander Nielsen did manage to land a blow on Casey."

The members of the second division said something ominous.

I have a bad feeling about this.

"Explain in detail."

"Yes. Casey received a blow from the super magic explosion attack. After all, we couldn't let her get away without striking back to preserve the honor of the Evil God Army."

The pervert smirked and showed his fist.

"Do you mean you punched Casey-chan, who was rampaging, with full force?"

"Exactly."

"Without holding back?"

"Exactly."

"Did you break her ribs?"

"Most likely."

...

"What the hell did you do!?"

I grabbed the pervert’s head with an iron claw and squeezed hard.

Recently, I’ve been focusing on Or, but the pervert was no slouch either.

It’s been a while since I used the iron claw. I made sure to shake his rotten head thoroughly.

"Ugoooo!"

Ugooo, my foot.

What are you doing punching a little girl for real?

I always knew you’d commit a crime eventually.

And you did it. 

This is clearly child abuse. Assaulting a little girl... you can’t walk proudly in the daylight anymore.

Wait, this is bad.

Casey-chan is currently injured. I need to find her and give her medical attention immediately. Even if the pervert is weak, a young girl’s bones are fragile. If there’s even a fracture, it’s a serious matter.

"Everyone, search for Casey-chan. Move out!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Casey thought to herself.

What kind of place is this?

That day, we were knocked out by the Evil God's Earth Demon Strike and became slaves of the Evil God Army. We thought we were surely dead, but it seems it was just a game for the Evil God. They stopped their big attack just short of killing us. The fear of the Evil God's power, able to handle such a massive attack like a plaything, was greater than the humiliation.

Andy and the others had their confidence shattered and became living corpses.

We were forced to endlessly cool a huge freezing device called a "reizouko." Every day, that bastard Ortissio would yell at us, "Lower it once, lower it twice. Don't lower it too much. It's not a freezer!"

Moreover, they noticed our clan had higher magic power than others, and we were used as fuel for magic supply. One by one, our clan members were brought from the village and drained of their magic to maintain the "reizouko."

We must do something soon. At this rate, our clan will be wiped out.

"Sandra."

"Hiiee! Evil God-sama, please, help me."

Sandra trembled like a frightened child.

Damn, still broken by the Evil God.

"Bivia."

"So scary, so scary. Why did we come here? It’s terrifying, terrifying."

Bivia muttered curses as if she were possessed.

Damn, she’s still scared of the Evil God's shadow.

"Andy--"

"Hey, you! Don’t slack off! Spit out your magic power faster!"

"I-I'm sorry, Ortissio-sama."

"If you have time to apologize, raise the magic power output!"

"Y-yes!"

"See, whip them and they’ll perform. That’s good magic power. Let’s increase the refrigerators to two units..."

"T-two units! Please, no..."

Andy cried with snot running down his face as Ortissio tormented him.

Thinking these were the elites of my Jet Black Slaughter Corps is just sad.

I made a mistake in my education policy.

I should have let them fail.

They were too self-indulgent and didn’t truly level up in the real sense.

Elites are weak against adversity.

After the daily magic supply routine, I approached Andy and the others.

"You guys..."

"Casey, I was wrong. I was foolish. This place is hell. We stepped into a horrifying nightmare."

"Andy is right. We’re powerless. It’s over."

"Evil God, so scary, please, save me."

They were barely able to speak, exhausted and defeated.

I see, I understand now.

"You guys... leave the rest to me."

I smiled reassuringly.

"Casey! Do you have a plan, a strategy to turn the tide?"

"I do."

"Really!?"

"Yes. Don't worry anymore. Rest easy."

Andy and the others, their spirits broken, found hope in my words without any doubt and felt genuinely relieved.

No good. They can’t fight anymore.

It’s time to make up my mind.

While supplying magic power as a slave, I secretly prepared for something. Fortunately, we weren’t confined, and the surveillance wasn’t too strict.

This showed how much we were underestimated, but it allowed my preparations to proceed without interference.

A few days later--

I had to use the forbidden technique.

Casey sighed to herself.

The forbidden technique "Old Rain" that I had vowed never to use. It was my personal secret, kept hidden from the clan.

Once activated, the technique consolidates all the clan's magic into me. It grants immense power in exchange for the life of the entire clan. It was a backup plan in case of an unbeatable enemy.

A trump card... its value lies in not using it, yet I did.

Surviving at the cost of the entire clan, what would become of my Jet Black Slaughter Corps?

Rebuilding the organization from scratch, training a group with such assassination skills again would take countless years.

It’s like an octopus eating its own leg. While the forbidden technique has benefits, the drawbacks are significant. If it could be resolved by sacrificing myself alone, I would do so.

But it was an unavoidable situation.

Ortissio's relentless demands were the final straw.

Hah, this isn’t like me. Enough regrets. Now, I just need to escape!

Today, most of the guards had moved to the diplomatic mission’s quarters for a visit from the Demon King’s envoy. There would be no better opportunity to escape.

My magic power had risen to nearly 30,000. But this level alone wasn't enough to escape this monster-filled mansion.

I’d use the highest risk assassination technique, Magic Shun Ken. It temporarily boosts one's magic power. Of course, there are risks. There’s a time limit, and the recoil after using the technique is severe. For three days, I’d be unable to move. I had to escape beyond the influence of the Evil God Army within that time.

Secretly leaving the slave quarters, I entered the food storage area.

Ortissio was inspecting the food storage. On such an important day of diplomatic negotiations with the Demon King’s army, he was here.

Was he being sidelined?

Anyway, he was the only officer in the underground empire. If I could defeat him, the first barrier would be broken.

"Ortissio-sama."

"What? Where were you? The refrigerator temperature has risen by 0.5 degrees."

"I apologize."

"Stop dawdling and freeze it quickly."

"Yes, sir."

I replied obediently and slowly approached Ortissio.

I couldn’t let him sense my killing intent. I concealed it as I walked.

"Casey, wait."

"Yes?"

Had he noticed?

Though he was an idiot, he was still a high-ranking officer in the Evil God Army. I couldn’t underestimate him.

A cold sweat ran down my back.

"Before you freeze it, move the vegetables. Don’t you think the vegetable compartment should be in the middle?"

What a trivial matter! It was another one of his whims.

Damn it, he kept making us rearrange the fridge, saying things like "the placement of the food is wrong" or "increase the egg stock."

Moreover, since it was a whim, it was incredibly inefficient.

No, I couldn’t let my anger show. I maintained my composure as I moved the vegetables according to Ortissio’s instructions. I finally managed to get behind him.

"Casey, move the vegetables."

"..."

"Casey?"

"Magic Shun Ken!"

I amplified my magic power all at once.

"What!? Casey, that magic power--ugh!"

Using Magic Shun Ken, I struck Ortissio in the face and escaped from the food storage area.

The first barrier was broken.

Now, only the ordinary soldiers of the second division were left. Without their leader, their chain of command would be in chaos.

I used Magic Shun Ken to sprint towards the exit.

"Commander Ortissio!"

"Damn it. Commander Ortissio has been defeated."

"Alert! Escapee! There’s a runaway slave!"

Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy. The guards quickly detected the commotion. Pursuers were closing in.

"Death March!"

Using the assassination technique Death March, I took down the pursuers with my fists. By boosting my magic power to nearly 60,000 with Magic Shun Ken, I struck them. This attack could crush an A-rank adventurer in one hit, but it only managed to temporarily disable the Evil God Army soldiers.

But this was enough!

There was no need to kill them. Delaying them would attract reinforcements. Magic Shun Ken had a time limit. The recoil was significant.

I had to avoid combat and escape quickly.

I knocked out several guards and approached the exit.

Almost there--.

Just as I felt relieved, I sensed someone and quickly hid.

"What’s the commotion?"

"Commander Nielsen! You’re just in time."

A dignified voice of an old gentleman with a mustache was met with relieved responses from the guards.

Damn, an unexpected problem.

The core of the Evil God Army, the invincible Nielsen, had returned.

Had the meeting with the Demon King’s army already ended?

Too fast. This was bad. If I lingered, Camilla and the other monsters would return. If that happened, escape would be impossible.

Fortunately, Nielsen hadn’t noticed me yet.

I dashed past Nielsen’s side.

"What!? She’s already this far...!"

"Damn, she’ll escape."

The guards warned, but it was too late.

I punched Nielsen and the others in the face as I passed by.

Nielsen and the others staggered from the surprise attack.

I did it. Luck was on my side. The successful ambush was pure luck. The exit was now in sight.

I accelerated my running speed, but...

A chill ran down my spine. My instincts, honed through countless battles, warned me.

Be on guard!

I immediately set up five layers of barriers.

Just as expected. Nielsen thrust out his fist, sending a wave of energy.

That was close. If I’d been a moment slower--gah!

No... way...

Nielsen’s energy wave easily shattered my barriers, which had been boosted by my magic power to nearly 60,000. I had created five layers of barriers, but Nielsen’s energy wave broke through each one, hitting my ribs.

What a powerful strike. If I hadn’t used the forbidden technique, my body would have been shattered.

I must... escape...

The severe damage made me feel faint. Forcing myself to stay conscious, I moved away from the area. Using my assassination stealth techniques, I managed to escape the underground empire.

Panting heavily, I felt my legs grow heavy.

The previous battles had left me with various injuries. I wanted to cast healing magic, but my magic power was depleted. Natural recovery wouldn’t be enough.

Especially the rib injury from Nielsen was severe. I needed to rest or I’d lose consciousness.

Panting, I had to keep moving, further away...

If the pursuers came, I couldn’t fight. Exhaustion and injuries had left me in bad shape.

This... this might work.

I hid in an abandoned house nearby.

Panting heavily, I leaned against the wall and took deep breaths. I needed at least a day or two of rest to have any chance of escaping.

Those monsters. My self-confidence felt pitiful. I had revealed all my cards and escaping was the best I could manage.

As I sighed in self-deprecation,

I sensed a presence near the door.

Damn, already?

I quickly took a combat stance.

"Where are you looking?"

"What!?"

When did you...

She had perfectly taken my back.

Even though I was injured, for a top assassin, this was a grave mistake.

"It’s been a while."

"Ca-Camilla..."

Standing before me was the silver-haired, bewitching demon smiling eerily. The number two of the organization had come herself... my luck had run out.

"What’s the matter? You broke through the surveillance of my subordinates. Show me that power."

Camilla provocatively taunted me.

Even at my best, she was an unbeatable opponent. Now, injured and weakened by the Magic Shun Ken’s recoil, it was hopeless.

Despair took over.

Surrender or die?

Even if I fought, the chance of victory was zero.

As I racked my brain for the best move,

"Gah!"

Suddenly, Camilla hit me with a wind pressure punch.

My head felt hot, and blood trickled from my forehead.

"What are you dawdling for? You lost focus. When facing me, be on full alert!"

So fast. Such speed.

Trying any tricks was useless.

I made up my mind.

This was the only way.

I took the Evil God's Earth Demon Strike stance.

"Oh, imitating your sister’s stance, are you?"

"No stance is more logical."

"Interesting, very interesting."

Camilla laughed heartily and raised her hand.

This... healing magic...?

The healing magic rained down on me, to my utter surprise.

My open wounds closed up instantly. What an effect, I was fully healed.

"... What’s the meaning of this? I was ready to die. Mercy is an insult."

"Heh, you react just like Nyger. You do resemble Nyger’s combat style."

"Nyger and I once fought together. We even trained together."

"I see. That makes sense. Very well, let’s have a match. Normally, I’d execute an escaped slave immediately, but I’ve changed my mind."

"What do you mean?"

"Show me your power. Prove you’re too valuable to kill, and I’ll spare your life."

"... I’d rather die than return to slavery."

"Don’t worry. I don’t make those I favor mere magic slaves. I’ll treat you as a subordinate, a warrior."

"I see."

Greed surged within me.

If I could become a part of this monstrous group...

Thanks to Camilla, my stamina and morale were fully restored. I could use Magic Shun Ken up to three times.

"Magic Shun Ken!"

"I see. So that’s the technique you used to defeat my subordinates. Very interesting. It’s due to the curse marks within your body."

Sharp. She saw through it immediately. As expected of Camilla, the pioneer of magic systems. I couldn’t hold back.

"Magic Shun Ken... threefold!"

I boosted my magic power to nearly 100,000 and aimed a punch at Camilla,

"Impressive, well-honed punch. I commend you."

Camilla easily caught my punch. Despite my attack, she remained unfazed.

It was over.

Using Magic Shun Ken at threefold, I could only maintain consciousness for ten seconds.

The recoil hit me, and I collapsed on the spot.