Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 748

"Lady Ibi, a horde of monsters has truly appeared?"

"Yes, I do not lie. Or perhaps it is faster for you to see for yourself."

She, who had been standing formally outside the carriage, said this and pointed forward.

"See for myself..."

Alighting from the carriage and looking in the indicated direction, my eyes widened in shock. In a part of our path ahead, I could see a black, distorted mass of magical power rising. The surroundings were lush and green with trees, but that spot alone was stained black, its abnormality obvious at a glance.

It still seemed some distance away, but that must be the horde of monsters overflowing from the dungeon.

"...That is indeed a horde of monsters that has overflowed from a dungeon. It is the same as what I saw in my adventurer days."

"Yes, I agree. It closely resembles a scene I have witnessed in the past as well."

At Tink's words, who had positioned herself beside me at some point, Capella concurred, but his expression was stern as he continued, "However..."

"This may be the first time I have seen a horde on such a large scale. What about you, Lady Tink?"

"It is my first time as well. It likely overflowed from an exceedingly large dungeon."

From their tones, I could sense the situation was more serious than imagined, and the atmosphere was instantly enveloped in tension.

"If you both say so, there must be no mistake."

As I murmured in agreement, I was called from behind. "Ridd."

Turning around, Amon wore a severe expression.

"Given that scale, for safety's sake, it would be better to turn back the way we came and head to the Horse Tribe territory via the Zuberan royal capital."

"...You are right."

I was interested in the 'horde of monsters overflowing from a dungeon,' but I never imagined it would be this large. I cannot risk danger out of mere curiosity or interest. Here, as Amon said, even if it takes time, we should turn back.

"Understood. Then, let us..."

"Lord Ridd, Lord Amon. With all due respect, that will not be necessary."

Just as I was about to suggest turning back and taking another route, Ibi shook her head.

" 'Will not be necessary'... what do you mean?"

When I asked in return, she bowed respectfully.

"We will eliminate the monster horde. Please wait here for a short while."

"Eliminate that horde..."

Looking sideways, the area where the black, distorted magical power rose seemed vast even from a distance. A tremendous number of monsters must be gathered.

No matter how elite Ibi and the others are as Avian tribespeople, I cannot believe they could face that many and remain unharmed.

"Ibi-nee..."

Hearing a frail voice, I looked to see Aria gazing at us worriedly. Ibi did not even glance her way, seemingly resolved to ignore her.

I took a deep breath, organizing my thoughts before speaking.

"We do not mind waiting. But will you, Lady Ibi, and all members of the Guardian Ten Wings return safely? If possible, we could..."

"Please rest assured."

As I tried to offer assistance, Ibi spoke over me.

"Our strength as the Guardian Ten Wings falls far short of Lord Horst's, but we are a gathering of individuals whose power rivals or surpasses that of the other Clan Chiefs. We will not be bested by such a rabble."

" 'Rivals or surpasses the other Clan Chiefs,' you say?"

At these astonishing words, I could not help but blink. While every tribe held the belief and pride that their own was strongest, Ibi was the first to state it so directly. Above all, her eyes and words held not a hint of falsehood or arrogance. She genuinely, wholeheartedly believed it.

"That is somewhat difficult to let pass."

The one who objected in a thorny tone was Amon.

"Certainly, the latent power I sense from Lady Ibi and the others is formidable. However, to say that you members of the Guardian Ten Wings fall far short of Lord Horst but rival or surpass the other Clan Chiefs is an overstatement. Depending on the interpretation, it could be seen as an insult to the other Clan Chiefs."

"...My apologies for that."

Ibi bowed her head lightly, but immediately continued, "However..."

"For the purpose of succinctly conveying our strength in this situation, it is by no means an overstatement. We are confident we possess that level of power. And, at the very least..."

" 'At the very least'...?"

At her suggestive tone, Amon frowned. Ibi suddenly smiled.

"...We are stronger than those 'Clan Chiefs of the era' who were historically carried as political figureheads, lacking true strength."

"...You have quite the tongue."

Uncharacteristically, Amon's eyes turned sharp and threatening. 'Clan Chiefs of the era carried as figureheads'... I see. She is likely teasing him, fully aware of the circumstances under which Amon became Clan Chief and his position. But Ibi remained unperturbed, smiling back smugly.

"My, I merely said 'those Clan Chiefs of the era who were historically carried as figureheads rather than for their true strength.' If Lord Amon has someone in mind, I shall offer my apologies. After all, I am but a country girl who rarely leaves the Avian territory and am somewhat ignorant of worldly affairs. I beg your indulgence."

"...No, think nothing of it. More importantly, I have become interested in the power of you, the Guardian Ten Wings."

As Ibi bowed deeply, Amon smiled, narrowing his eyes as he turned to me.

"Ridd, what if we leave this to them once?"

"Amon, are you serious?"

Startled, I asked back. He leaned close and whispered in my ear.

"I am curious about their intent, to go so far as to provoke me to flaunt their strength. I suspect there is some hidden intention."

"Some hidden intention... you mean Horst's intention?"

"Most likely..."

Amon glanced briefly at Ibi. She had already returned to an expressionless state, silently watching us. That Horst is hostile towards us is certain, given the incident in the royal capital where he tried to hypnotize me. However, it is hard to discern what Ibi and the other Guardian Ten Wings members are thinking. They seem fundamentally loyal to Horst, but I sense it is not solely that.

"Hey, Ibi. How long do you plan to keep us waiting?"

Suddenly, a voice thick with displeasure and menace boomed from the sky. Looking up, there was Leus Padgry, said to hold the position of the Second Wing among the Ten. He scanned us with sharp eyes, then landed beside Ibi.

"I told them we would take the lead, but Lord Ridd and Lord Amon would not agree. It seems they are concerned for our safety, considering returning to the checkpoint and proceeding to the Horse Tribe territory via the royal capital."

"...Then they should hurry back to the checkpoint."

"What...?"

At Leus's unexpected words, I blinked. I had fully expected him to declare they would subjugate the monster horde.

"That would not do either."

Ibi sighed and shook her head.

"We have been ordered by Lord Horst to treat them with utmost courtesy. If Lord Ridd's party were to head to the Horse Tribe territory via the royal capital while under our escort, Lord Horst would be furious. You know this too, Leus."

"...How bothersome. Then, all we need to do is show them there is no need for concern."

Leus spat out the words as if annoyed, then slowly grasped the massive greatsword on his back. Tink and Capella tensed, but he turned towards the direction of the monster horde, showing us his back.

"It's a pain to retrieve, so I rarely use this technique... Lord Ridd, Lord Amon. I will show you. The power the Guardian Ten Wings possess... a fragment of it."

"Huh...?"

As we stood dumbfounded, Leus underwent Beast Transformation, and a wave of heated magical energy swirled around him. His Beast Transformed form was the spitting image of a Wolfman's gray-furred transformation, but the wings on his back radiated an eerie presence.

However, what caught my eye was the pale blue, flame-like magical power shimmering and overflowing from Leus's entire body.

"Body Enhancement: Blazing Fire...? No, this is different...?!"

"Open your eyes wide and watch closely. The power held by the Guardian Ten Wings... and that there exists a level above even this."

Leus spat out the words and soared high into the sky.

"Ignite the karmic flames, O Karma-Scorching Sword."

"What...?!"

Not long after he ascended, pale blue flames erupted from the sword in Leus's hand with tremendous force. My eyes widened at the sight. The atmosphere was somewhat similar to the 'Fireball using compression magic' I used back in Renarute. Was he planning to infuse that magical power into a projectile and unleash it upon the monster horde to incinerate them all at once?

As I watched intently, Leus twisted his body in mid-air and raised his sword high for a great swing.

"Reduce all to ashes, Karma-Scorching Sword. Tyrant's Hammer."

The moment after Leus's roar showered down upon the ground, he released the power he had coiled and... threw the sword in his hand.

"Wh-What?!"

I was stunned, never imagining he would throw it. The thrown sword vanished towards the epicenter of the black, distorted magical power I assumed was the monster horde, tracing a pale blue line of light.

But the next instant, a colossal pillar of fire erupted from the point of impact, shaking the earth as a thunderous explosion roared.

"What...?!"

What destructive power!

As I stood dumbfounded, my eyes wide, Ibi, silhouetted against the light of the rising pillar of fire, smiled and narrowed her eyes.

"Lord Ridd, we have demonstrated our capability. So now, you can entrust the subjugation to us, can you not?"