Chapter 147: The Battle Ends

"Ah— How was it?"

Captain Howe came out from inside the house and asked. He was breathing heavily and his sword was soaked in blood. His face was also splattered, so the inside of the house must have been a bloody mess.

"This is"

He jerked his chin toward the ogre (placeholder).

Captain Howe shone a light on the ogre (placeholder).

"Ah, he’s a jagi. I thought this big guy had suddenly disappeared and escaped. But you three took him down. Really, thank you."

He bowed deeply.

"He was incredibly strong," I said.

"Of course. He’s big, but his movements are fast and his sword arm isn’t ordinary at all. Apparently, among the villains in the capital, he’s said to be the number one or two sword user. If the three of you defeated him, then you three also have great skills. I underestimated you. Sorry."

Captain Howe bowed again. His tone had become quite casual.

"Indeed. It took the three of us to finally bring him down. But one of our security team members died in the process."

I pointed to a security team member lying against the wall.

"Ah—! When I thought you’d disappeared, you were killed?! I told you not to separate! That’s what I said, right?!"

Captain Howe rushed over to the fallen man, stroking him and shaking him. He wouldn’t revive him, but he would still do it. Soon more team members gathered. It seemed the only casualty from this ambush was that one soldier. Of course, there were injured people too, so some were receiving healing magic.

"What the—?! This is—!!"

A loud voice echoed. I turned around and saw what was probably the commoner district security team, holding torches and illuminating the area. They had arrived just in time. But once the lights came on, we could see the pile of dead thieves and pools of blood on the ground.

"You made it."

As he spoke, Captain Howe headed toward them. I left the rest to him.

After Captain Howe and the security team finished talking, he muttered,

"We’re going back."

From somewhere, they brought a tank and loaded the dead bodies onto it. The Anderson ducal security team began to move. Outside the thief house, the dead bodies of the thieves were simply left where they fell. The commoner district security team would clean them up later. They really did nothing.The Anderson ducal house really is something. No, they’re amazing.

On the way back, we arrived at the ducal mansion with nothing special happening. As expected, the old man was waiting.

"Hard work. How was it?"

To his question, Captain Howe replied,

"Yes, our objective was achieved."

He didn’t mention the deaths.

"I see. That’s the most important thing."

After saying that, the old man turned to us and said,

"Everyone who helped Prince, thank you. As for the reward, I’ll do as I mentioned earlier."

He spoke with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Well, since there wasn’t much fighting (though we did struggle a bit),

"I’m glad we could be of help. The sword you received was also useful."

"Hou, so you used that one. I heard that one is picky about who uses it. If you could use it, it means it took a liking to you. I hope you’ll keep using it."

"Yes, I will cherish and use it carefully."

"You know, swords get damaged if they’re not used. You can’t rely on them just being displayed. But even when they’re useful, the only thing they’re good for is cutting people, which is a problem."

"Indeed."

"Well, it’s fine as long as you cut evil people and demons. One more thing from an old man, please listen. It’s said that the more mana you pour into a sword, the sharper it becomes. I heard that some young prince is going to a neighboring country soon. I hope that sword won’t see much action."

"I understand. I’ll keep that in mind."

"Again, you speak like a child. Another piece of advice from an old man. There’s something called ’Appraisal.’ Don’t trust it. Appraisal doesn’t always show the truth. I’ve heard there are people who can rewrite what Appraisal shows. So, don’t rely on such things. Rely on your own senses. It’s very common to get into trouble by believing what Appraisal shows and looking down on the opponent. Live long by being careful. Well, we probably won’t meet again. I’ll say it one more time: be careful with everything. Don’t approach people with blind trust. Don’t think every person has good intentions. Though I don’t know if I can say that myself, hehe."

"Thank you. I’ll be careful."

The old man had raised the flag. He raised one hand and left. I remembered this scene from isekai novels. When adventurers join the guild and their skills are measured, they can rewrite levels and colors. Is he doing the same thing? I suspected it, but if it could be seen, I would trust it.

"Now, shall we go home?"

I called to the two. Stevie looked down with a silly grin.

"Ufufu, amazing, amazing! These two grew, ehehe."

It was disgusting.

"Stevie! Stop laughing, it’s gross!"

Lily’s face turned serious. Is Lily also looking down? Then she laughed and said something. Ah, both of them started looking at their skills. Then I should look too.

Status:

Defective Transmission Technique

Sword Skill 6 Spear Skill 1 Combat Skill 4

Endurance 4 Quick Feet 3 Fire 2 Light 1

Stealth 4 Concealment 4 Appraisal 2 Detect 2 Purity 1

Deception 2 Sexual Technique 2 Mana Bag 2

Poison Vision 2 Berserker 2 Strength 2 Water 2

Ohhh! Sword Skill 6! But Berserker... is that the same as the ogre? Strength means he can lift heavy things, right? This is good! I can say that! Also, Water 2 increased. It’s important. It was suddenly 2, but one of them must have had it.

What about Lily and Stevie? Should I ask? I wasn’t sure. Skills are supposed to be secret, but since they were both happily excited together, I could tell them, right? Hey!

"Lily and Stevie, did your skills increase?"

I asked lightly, but Lily glared at me. Yes, I knew skills are secret. But the three of us are comrades, right? If we’re in a party, we should share skills and minimize secrets.