I got curious, so I decided to help with the dog search.
"My name is Wof."
"I'm Celeste. I'm here today to assist with the search. Thank you very much."
Celeste spoke politely and bowed politely.
"No, I was just curious. Besides, it must be tough searching in an unfamiliar town."
"I'm sorry. I only just arrived, so I have no idea where anything is."
"It's a dog, but does it have any other distinguishing features?"
"It's wearing a large black collar."
"Sounds like it stands out, then."
"Yes. It should stand out, but I always struggle to find it."
Celeste kept bowing her head over and over.
She seemed like a conscientious person. But what caught my attention was—
"Why is the dog carrying a greatsword on its back?"
"That is... I'm terribly sorry. I can't tell you the reason."
"No, if that's the case, then that's fine."
"I'm truly sorry."
"No, no. In any case, it should stand out, so let's go around asking people the same way you've been doing."
"Yes. Thank you so much!"
Celeste bowed deeply. All right, let me start asking the nearest houses.
I went around asking everyone, but not a single person knew.
Some even got angry and shouted that no such dog could possibly exist.
I hadn't actually seen it myself, so I couldn't argue back.
"Huh? Celeste?"
She'd been with me the whole time, going door to door asking, but she was gone.
I looked around. There she was. Um.
She was drifting toward a group of rather unsavory-looking men, in an area with no people around.
That narrow path was an alleyway.
No way. I gave chase. She was right there!
A large dog with blue fur. It was wearing a black collar and carrying a greatsword on its back!
It really was carrying a greatsword... That's incredible. This is fantasy.
It casually turned the corner. What should I do — chase after it?
But Celeste! I didn't need to choose which one to prioritize.
I ran down the narrow path. From there, I headed into the alleyway.
"Celeste...?"
In an open space in the alley, men's corpses were scattered everywhere.
In the center stood a blood-drenched woman.
She held a blood-smeared curved sword with casual ease, and despite this gruesome scene, I thought she was beautiful.
When she saw me, she flicked the blood from her cheek with her thumb and smiled.
A shiver ran through me. Because she looked ecstatic.
"Wof."
"Um, this is..."
I didn't even need to ask. Celeste had been led into the alley.
That alone told me everything I needed to know about why these men were dead.
There were several headless corpses. Their heads had been scattered about.
"I'm sorry. She said she saw something in the alley, so I followed her, and they attacked me all at once. When I put up a token resistance, they drew their swords, so I'm sorry, but I killed every last one. I made sure to only sever their heads, so they should have died without suffering. I'm sorry, but this was the last mercy I could offer."
She sheathed her sword and bowed.
What a bizarre scene — but right, I needed to tell her.
"Um, the dog. I found it."
"Is that truly so?"
"Yes. It was walking along. But I prioritized you and ended up missing it. I'm sorry."
"No. I'm the one who caused you trouble, and I'm truly sorry. Which direction did it go?"
"Um, the western corner."
"Ah, sorry. It seems that's no longer necessary."
"Huh... ah!?"
I turned around in surprise. The dog was there. Sitting.
A large dog with blue fur. It was wearing a black collar and had a greatsword strapped to its back.
I couldn't tell the breed, but if someone called it a wolf, I could see it — though they said it was a dog.
The greatsword on its back was about as long as the dog itself.
A black handle wrapped in layer upon layer of cloth, with a silver knuckle guard extending horizontally — striking.
The sheath that housed the greatsword appeared to be metal. It had patterns carved into it.
Impressive, but for some reason I didn't think this sword was an OOPArt.
If anything, the curved sword Celeste carried was probably the OOPArt.
The dog was looking at me. Gray eyes.
I vaguely recalled from my past life that dogs see in black and white. Was this dog the same way?
"You had me worried. Please don't wander off on your own."
Celeste spoke to the dog.
The dog looked at Celeste, stood up, turned on its heel, and walked away.
"Wait! Wait — you really just do whatever you want, don't you. S-sorry. I'm sorry. Wof. Thank you so much for helping with the search today. I will absolutely repay this favor. But for now, I must take my leave."
"Y-yes. Take care."
I thought airily that it was quite a handful — but at this rate, things would get ugly.
So I was using [Banish] to clean up the corpses.
That was when it happened.
"That's a handy method."
I was startled by a voice suddenly coming from behind.
"Wh-who are you...? Huh."
I was twice shocked by the person standing there.
Slowly flowing, luminous golden hair.
Sharp, black eyes set in a face that was dignified, beautiful, and keen.
A beauty mark under his right eye.
He gave off an atmosphere steeped in some kind of mystery.
A beautiful young man who looked as though a genius sculptor had carved his masterpiece.
He wore a red mantle over pristine white armor — both artistic and practical.
Just standing there, with that backdrop, he alone became a masterwork painting.
That was the kind of man he was.
"Wh-who are you...?"
No matter how you looked at it, he was nobility or royalty. A handsome prince who should be riding a white horse in some far-off country.
Why was someone like him here...?
"I am Alverd von Lutebelt."
"Surname... are you nobility?"
"Something like that, though it's irrelevant. You're Wof, right?"
"Y-yes."
"You're the witch's apprentice."
"Y-yes."
"The witch's apprentice... I have no grudge against you. No history either. This is a commission. [Impact]!"
"——!?"
I leaped back on instinct.
"Oh. You noticed."
"Wh-what was that?!"
What had that man just tried to do?
He hadn't moved a single step, yet I could feel that he had attempted something.
What was that. What was he. What on earth was this person.
My spine went cold. I trembled with dread.
It felt like I was gazing up at a staggeringly vast and treacherous mountain.
"Don't worry. I won't kill you. The commission is to knock you unconscious and bring you in."
"Me? Where? For what? Who hired you?"
"Unfortunately, I can't answer those questions."
"That's kidnapping, isn't it? That's a crime! There's no way a commission like that could exist!"
"It's a named commission."
Alverd spoke in an even tone.
I drew the short sword I'd just received and activated [Banish].
Even seeing me in a combat stance, Alverd didn't so much as flinch.
He watched in silence. I could run — but if I turned my back on him, it was over.
I had no choice but to face him head-on.
I unleashed my full-power [Banish] at Alverd.
"[Crash]"
The single word he spoke. With just one word, [Banish] vanished.
Shocked, I frantically swung my short sword at Alverd.
"[Crash]"
The short sword shattered. Shaken, I used [Quiet One].
"Curious."
"...What is?"
"Why do you bother shaping it? Just look and call it out."
"What?"
"It's the same type of Relic, isn't it?"
I didn't understand.
Realizing I'd lose for sure if I held back, I transformed into [Generous].
My hair turned purple and my eyes turned purple. I glared at Alverd.
"Oh."
Alverd widened his eyes.
Now! I activated it without a moment's hesitation.
"——[Phantasmagoria]——"
Countless [Banish] blades assailed Alverd.
[Banish] was invisible, so he shouldn't be able to see them.
He'd be erased in an instant.
But I stopped just short. His armor would be obliterated, but his body would remain untouched.
He was a kidnapper, but that didn't mean I should kill him. Besides, there were things I wanted to ask.
But Alverd calmly recited:
"——[Crash Rumble]——"
Huh... [Phantasmagoria] shook violently, and one after another, the blades disappeared.
That's impossible.
He could see them? Even if he could, what had he done to them?!
It was definitely a Relic, but... his mastery was on another level. Overwhelmingly... strong.
As I stood there stunned, Alverd was right before my eyes.
Instinctively, I slashed at him with a double-edged knife.
"[Crash]"
The double-edged knife shattered. Undeterred, I raised [the Arm of the Void].
"[Buster]"
I was sent flying, and at the same time the "Gauntlet of the Quiet Saint" was torn to shreds.
Everything — everything about me was being broken.
"Ugh!"
"[Rumble Impact]"
Thud!! A devastating blow struck my abdomen, and I coughed up blood and collapsed.
"Gah... hah... haaah...!?"
Searing pain made my body immovable. The agony in my abdomen spread throughout my entire frame.
I glared up at him fiercely and saw a thin scratch on Alverd's cheek.
He pressed two fingers to the wound.
"Impressive. It's been years since I've been cut. So that's why. But I wasn't told about this, Narcissus."
M-my body... the pain... not a single finger... could move. My consciousness was gradually fading.
It was over. My vision was darkening.
Ah, I've lost. I lost. A total defeat. Ah, I lost.
Damn you... Alverd von Lutebelt...!
I glared up at him with every ounce of killing intent I possessed.
It was the first time in my life. This kind of rage. Hatred. Frustration.
Alverd looked down at me and spoke:
"Sleep. [Impact]"
Convulsions wracked my entire body, and I lost consciousness.