The Spearmaster and the Black Cat Chapter 124 part1

Eribol panics as he shakes his head in denial of Bill's words.
He's trying to cling to Bill with teary eyes.

“Please pick up a weapon. This youngster is likely an assassin.” (Bill)

“I know that. Shit! Why are you making me hold a weapon!? Can't you quickly finish him off by yourself!?” (Eribol)

Was the answer different from what he expected? Eribol throws a tantrum like a child.

“Your Excellency! Hurry up and take up a weapon, now!” (Bill)

Bill furrows his eyebrows and threatens Eribol with a glare.

“U-Uuh, nuu, understood…” (Eribol)

The plump-faced Eribol retrieves a dagger from below the desk, stands up from his chair, and comes out from the side of the table with a trembling body.
His legs quiver like those of a newborn fawn.

“You know, anyways…”, while sighing, “… Are you done with the farce?” I ask.

I talk down to the other party with ridiculing words, but Bill doesn't react.
He fixes his eyes on the Magic Halberd in my right hand.
And, looking at the figure of the RollodeenBlack Panther, he hesitates.

“… Youngster… you are a lancer?” (Bill)

The grim old man asks politely.

“Yes, I am. You are the one known as president, am I correct?” (Shuuya)

“Indeed. I'm President Bill Sokuld, the president of 【Owl's Fangs】.”

Bill is pointing the tip of his heavy-looking two-handed sword at me, yet still introduces himself courteously.
In that case, I suppose I might as well introduce myself too, though I'll limit it to just my name.

“My name is Shuuya. Shuuya Kagari.”

“Shuuya, huh? So, to which dark guild do you belong?” (Bill)

“Dark guild? It looks like you're misunderstanding something here; I don't belong to any dark guilds.” (Shuuya)

“Don't play dumb here!—” (Bill)

Flaring up almost instantly, Bill suddenly begins to rage.
The wrinkles converge on his forehead, as if new cuts had been added.
No sooner than forming an expression filled with anger, he kicks the floor and thrusts out the two-handed sword's point.
His sword is reasonably fast because of his skillful footwork, utilizing the Magic Combat Style.
I draw backwards to dodge the coming sword.
Even though I'd evaded his attack, Bill doesn't care and pulls back the two-handed sword, which he'd extended straight forward, and continues into his next action.
While holding the broadsword slanted towards the ground, he rotates his arm around as if to draw a big moon, and alongside a single, precise step-in, throws the broadsword blade off it's diagonal position.
I can't sense anything but anger from Bill's expression, but unlike his emotions, his swordsmanship is very calm.
The chain attack of sword thrusts is similarly smooth.
I'll keep him company in close quarters combat for a little bit.
While making a slight retreat to avoid the two-handed sword's blade, closing in on me from above in a diagonal zigzag as if it were a snake, I hit it slightly with the top part of my Magic Halberd, repelling it.
Given that Bill had his two-handed sword knocked upwards, his chest is full of openings.
— I launch a piercing stab towards his chest to repay him for his own assault.
I thought that my return thrust would sink into Bill's chest without resistance.
However, Bill hurls his raised two-handed sword high into the air and comes at me unarmed. He dodges the red spear section by sliding on his feet towards me, and then continues by smacking his hands on the ground and twisting his body upwards.
As he does so, he unleashes a roundhouse kick from the left. A blade is protruding out from the tip of his boot.
So that's how you're going about it? — I dodge the bladed kick with a twist of my body.
Had he assumed that his kick would be evaded? He continues by limply twirling like a puppet, and unleashes a backhand chop at me.
I duck, evading said chop.
— Eat a kick!
I eagerly lift my knee, similar to that of a thai boxer, from my bent-down posture, and send forth a mancharged knee strike.

Bill immediately reacts with a movement unbefitting of his gigantic physique.
While jumping back a bit to the rear, he catches the two-handed sword that he had tossed into the air and uses it as a shield to defend against my front kick that is coming at him, sole first.
— He retreats while making his body shrink.
However, seemingly having failed to kill the kick's impact, he crashes against the desk behind him with his back.
At that moment, I notice the sound of water splashing and can see that Bill's boots have gotten soaked.

Still on his feet, he launches a fast, powerful chain attack, forcing me to parry it with an equally fast counterattack, fending off his onslaught within only a few milliseconds.
Bill appears to possess the amount of strength one would expect from the president of a shadowy organization.
In addition, his handling of the heavy-looking two-handed sword is incredibly skillful.

He jumps with his back facing me, and while doing so, he directs his gaze towards me and deliberately let's go of the leather wrapped sword hilt as it's suspended in the air. The movement of once again grabbing the two-handed sword in mid-air, as if he had eyes on the back of his head, was amazing.
There might be a school of two-handed sword techniques as well, but for now I'll just use him as reference.
With this, I'm able to study new ways of handling Cursed Sword Beet.
But, to continue with these movements for so long, ah—
Upon seeing him once again trying to thrust at me, Rollo suddenly joins in.
RollodeenBlack Panther starts attacking Bill with six of her tentacles as she dashes forward.
It appears that she's come up with a game plan while she was watching my battle with Bill.
She has chosen a very good point in time to join in…
Somehow, she seems to have been getting quite skilled at assisting in battle as of recently.

Bill just keeps defending, unable to move even the slightest bit.
Even the desk behind him is receiving rapid strikes from the tentacle bone swords.
The bronze owl statue, that had been placed on the desk, becomes full of holes and drops to the floor.
The desk, which was the sole remaining cover for Eribol, gets demolished from having been whittled down by machine gun-like rapid attacks.

“Hi-Hiiii” (Eribol)

Did the one-sided onslaught crush Eribol's will to fight so much that he's fallen to his fear? He sinks to the floor, as if he were weakly crumbling apart.
RollodeenBlack Panther continues her assault unrelentingly, without any signs of stopping the chain attacks of tentacle bone swords.
While revealing a frantic expression, Bill grasps the two-handed sword tightly with his left hand, and defends against the unending chain attacks with the tip of his sword as if in a Slash Mode*. Sparks, that could be confused for fickle lights, scatter from the intense clashing of blades as the shrieks of screeching metal shake the atmosphere. (T/N: Reference to a card of Buddyfight, see https://fc-buddyfight.com/cardlist/detail/4304/, probably depicting the specified dragon entering a special state of hack n' slash)
Apparently running out of steam, Bill begins to pant, his shoulders heaving up and down.
However, he doesn't try to run away.

Although he's ingeniously defending against the tentacle attacks, he doesn't try to take a single step forward or backward.
"Isn't that odd?" Thinking so, I shift my gaze to his legs.
Aah~, I see. The puddle of water underneath Bill's feet is Helme, isn't it?
It certainly makes sense for an unnatural puddle to spread appear across the floor, if it's her doing.
Once I examine properly, I can see that Bill's boots are frozen over, his legs already covered with ice almost to his thighs.
It looks as if Helme's magic is gradually corroding Bill's legs.
I don't know whether he's aware of this situation, but the chain attacks released by RollodeenBlack Panther are becoming even more intense.
Wow! The speed of her rapid fire assault resembles that of a gatling gun.

As expected, even President Bill can't handle the unending thrusts of six bone swords while having his legs frozen over.
Being stabbed in the chest, neck and head, blood gushes out from wounds all over his upper body.
Moreover, once the bone swords pierce into his lower body, that's corroded by ice, everything waist down turns into meaty smithereens upon the ice shattering. At that point Bill passes away while exposing a part of his intestines.
The two-handed broadsword he held drops into a spreading pool of blood with a splash.
Helme, in her liquid form, is struck by the two-handed sword, but it doesn't look like she's received any damage.
Once the slime-like water wriggles, it swells up in order to swallow the two-handed sword, and then transforms into a woman's body.
Eventually, Helme is standing on the floor, stepping on the two-handed sword with her bluish-black leg.

“Rollo, Helme, good work.” (Shuuya)

“Nyao.”

“Yes! Rollo-sama's magnificent tentacle bone swords are marvelous!” (Helme)

“Nyano.”

As if saying 『Ah, well nya』, RollodeenBlack Panther turns around with her butt facing Helme.
Making her tail stand up like the handle of an umbrella, she poses with her tail and the fur on her buttocks swaying.
It's impossible for me to understand what she, or to be exact, the black female cat wants to do.
Did she get influenced by Helme's butt poses? Nah, that doesn't really seem to be the case, but… ah, I got it… she might want to pee.

“… Rollo-sama! You are praising me by releasing the scent of your butt, aren't you!?” (Helme)

That's how she interpreted it…?

“… Helme, you can return to my eye.” (Shuuya)

“Yes!” (Helme)

In an instant Helme settles into my left eye in a parabolic spiral.
The only one remaining is Eribol.
Just like a person who's lost something important to them, Eribol displays a haggard expression after having fallen on his backside, similar to a kappa that had just climbed a hill. (T/N: Kappa is a mythological creature living in water with a leaf on its head and green skin)
He stares at a point of the desk that had turned into a pile of sawdust with dull eyes.
He's completely lost his fighting spirit.
I unsummon the Magic Halberd and approach the dazed Eribol.

“Eribol, as you can see, the president, who was your last ray of hope, has died.” (Shuuya)

“Hyaah, hiiii— d-don't come.” (Eribol)

When I enter his sight, Eribol raises a strange voice.
His eyes have become bloodshot and he's lost all control over his bladder.
The spreading waves of an ammonia scent mixes with the metallic stench of blood.
Eribol tries to retreat to the back, but his hands slip due to the pool of blood and he falls down, making it impossible for him to retreat successfully.

“Calm down. Eribol, you are a major merchant, aren't you? Show a bit of backbone…” (Shuuya)

I speak in a clearly-threatening tone.
I take out a dagger from my chest strap and bring it near his haggard face.
I crouch down on my knee in order to match my gaze with that of Eribol's.

“I-I'm a wealthy merchant who possesses connections to the Oseberia Kingdom! … If you kill me, it will almost-certainly result in you being hunted by the country!” (Eribol)

Looking at the naked blade of the dagger I'm holding, he is scared, but in reverse he shows a defiant attitude and tries to threaten me.
It seems that even he has some backbone remaining.
As expected of a man who'd once led a major company.

Though, the pee leaking out from his nether region easily contradicts his bravery.
Eribol is bluffing on the surface, but his pathetic state is all too apparent.
However, even in such a state, this guy is still one of the Eight Lights.
Therefore he might possess plenty of the information I still lack.

“Who cares. If you can give me some kind of valuable information, “I” will leave you alone without killing you.” (Shuuya)

Staring into his eyes, I give him an offer while flashing the dagger's blade in front of his face.

“R-Really? What do you want me to tell you?” (Eribol)

“Really really. First, however, I will have you tell me the names of the other Eight Lights and the corresponding organisations they lead. Next, you will fully inform me about what kind of role your Macbayn Company and 『Owl's Fangs』 play, with whom you are doing business, and with whom you are having disputes.” (Shuuya)

“Got it. The other Eight Lights are…” (Eribol)

Dark Guild 【Bloody Long Ears of the White Whale】
The leader is the elf Razorise Phul Rostein

Dark Guild 【Assembly of Stars】
The leader is the unknown race Adolian Rearcancor

Dark Guild 【Sea King Hornet】
The leader is the fishman Blue Brave

Dark Guild 【Shafa's Lightning】
The leader is the human Gay Gewelbun

Dark Guild 【Knowledgeable Tiger】
The leader is the tiger beastman Linabell Pewzuna.

Dark Guild 【Hand of Beychara】
The leader is the scaled person Garon Arkneto.

Dark Guild 【Pledge of Noctarl】
The leader is the catman Hokbar Shafeed.

“Including me, the leaders of these seven dark guilds are the heads of the Shining Eight's dark guild. It's the Eight Lights, a nominal organization of the community, established for the sake of handling the underground auction.” (Eribol)

“The Shining Eight Baldies”; I guess that's not the simple reason for the naming?
If it's 【Bloody Long Ears of the White Whale】 and 【Sea King Hornet】, I know of them.
I might have heard the names of the other guilds somewhere, but I suppose the majority of them are a first for me.
It looks like I will end up forgetting them eventually, but for the time being I will try to keep them in mind.

“Doesn't something like a meeting and symbol of the Eight Lights exist?” (Shuuya)

“There's no symbol. To the bitter end, the Eight Lights is nothing more than an organization for the sake of allowing the underground auction to run smoothly. If it's a meeting, it happens at the end of the year, the day before the underground auction takes place. All of the leaders are supposed to gather in Pelneet on that day. Strengthwise, there are many dark guilds who possess power nearing that of the Eight Lights. 【Skull Ogre】 which is the main power of 【Iron-squared City Lalarbuin】 which is close to the royal capital's south, 【Shadow Wing Brigade】 of the 【Miner's City Tandart】 far in the southeast, 【Blood Court of the Great Grave】 located at the east coast close to the royal capital, though it's not a city, and so on and so forth…” (Eribol)

Hee, I guess it'll turn into a big meeting then, won't it?

“I see. Next, tell me about what your company does.” (Shuuya)

“My company deals in marine transportation. It undertakes the important task of forming a connection with the independent city of the ocean, as well as linking each city that is near the huge waterway, Heim River, together.” (Eribol)

What's this? Independent city, huh?

“Be a bit more detailed about the independent city of the ocean.” (Shuuya)

“It's the Sea Light City Gazeljan. We have tied a non-aggression pact with the dark guild which rules that place, 【Sea King Hornet】. The context of this treaty also includes an oath of protection stating that they will protect the merchant ships of 【Oseberia Kingdom】 from sea monsters and Gazeljan's pirates. Thanks to that, I'm on quite good terms with Marquis Langlied, the minister of Oseberia Kingdom's navy.” (Eribol)

That guy is trying to make me believe that he still has some value left, isn't he?
But, well, it's consistent with what I remember about the black market agreement Ga・Pe that Serva mentioned.

“I see, so it's connected to this country?” (Shuuya)

Once I show that I'm pondering about it a little, light returns to Eribol's eyes and he reveals a grin for an instant as if to “I've got you.”

“T-That's right. I do have value. Even you don't want to be chased by a country, do you? Let bygones be bygones regarding this time's matter. And I will even hand you a huge amount of money.” (Eribol)

The sly old fox is starting to get carried away.

“Shut up. You just have to answer my questions.” (Shuuya)

“Ugh…” (Eribol)

“— What about your reply?” (Shuuya)

I tap the cheek of the old sly fox with the blade of the drawn dagger.

“I-I understand.” (Eribol)

Once I threaten him slightly, the stench of ammonia begins to spread once again.

“So, about the contract with that independent city… why did your 【Owl's Fangs】 tie a non-aggression pact with the dark guild 【Sea King Hornet】 that's ruling the Sea Light City?” (Shuuya)

“It's because it allows us to use sales routes for all kind of trades other companies don't have such as the smuggling Orib oil, Cruque fruits and synthetic magic drugs, and the selling of slaves. By both sides using a huge market, both sides make an enormous profit.” (Eribol)

Orib oil, eh? Is that good for the body?
The name is close to the one (T/N: olive oil) on earth, isn't it? Is it a different oil? Also, Cruque fruit? I feel like I heard that name somewhere.
Rather than that, it seems there's still something he hasn't mentioned yet.
How suspicious.

“… Is that really all? You have taken hold of some kind of weakness of 【Sea King Hornet】, haven't you?” (Shuuya)

“Hii… t-there's nothing like that.” (Eribol)

At that moment, Eribol's eyes flicker towards a cabinet in the corner of the room for but an instant.
A reaction that's easy to read; naturally I didn't miss it.
Is there something over there?

“Rollo, watch this guy for me.” (Shuuya)

“Nyao. — Garuuuuh.”

Rollo opens her mouth, baring her fangs. She points her tentacles at Eribol.
I search the cabinet after putting my dagger away.

“How did you know…?” (Eribol)

Eribol hangs his head.
Seeing as the cabinet was locked, he has apparently put something quite important to himself in there.

“A look says more than a thousand words. You don't know that proverb? Well then, Eribol, hand over the key for this cabinet.” (Shuuya)

“I-I don't want to… My everything is in there…” (Eribol)

“Do you want to die?” (Shuuya)

Once I threaten him like that, Rollo acts on my words immediately.
The tip of a glimmering silver bone sword growing out of her tentacle is pressed against Eribol's forehead.

“— Uhaa, uuuh, I-I got it. Please don't take away everything… here's they key…” (Eribol)

Eribol takes out a necklaces that had been hanging around his neck.
He holds that necklace and removes a key from it. He trembles as he lifts up the key.
Rollo skillfully snatches that key with a tentacle, twists it into an arc in mid-air, and carries the key over to my location.

“Nice, Rollo.” (Shuuya)

I receive the key and insert it into the keyhole.

———————————— End of Part 1 ————————————–

Chapter end