I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain-Chapter 61 (1)

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As he had barely managed to thin out the numbers a bit, Ian clicked his tongue while observing the approaching crowd.

Even if it wasnt them, the situation was actually not as good as it seemed.

His aggressive fighting was merely intended to instill fear in the enemies.

He was still unfamiliar with mounted combat, and there were several close calls where he almost fell off his horse.

Even though they were just consumables.

Except for a few, the imperial cavalry and the imperial guards kept their distance and just followed.

They were undoubtedly waiting for him to run out of strength while observing him.

So he pretended to be unperturbed, but his intuition was still sending danger signals.

There must have been skilled fighters mixed in, comparable to the two he had met before.

At least that much was certain.

Her name was Charlott, wasnt it?

Except for the first few minutes, she didnt stand out at all.

It was clear that she was changing her position to stay out of his line of sight.

But he couldnt just focus on her alone.

Although the black cavalrymen might be a bit lacking in individual skill, they were numerous and not letting their guard down.

It would be nearly impossible to subdue them all through physical combat alone.

No matter how high his stats were and how helpful his traits were for close combat, the essence of his physical combat power as a mage had limits.

The fortunate thing was that they didnt seem to be trying to overturn the carriage.

It seemed they assumed that with the carriage running so fast, Luci could get hurt if it broke apart.

Plus, time was on their side.

The closer they got to the Abandoned Lands, the more desperate they would become.

The observers would eventually have to approach them as well, once they passed through the valley.

That was when Ian planned to settle the score.

Before those uninvited guests appeared.

These damn!

Miguel, who had been fiddling with the crossbow, eventually pulled on the reins.

It was an unavoidable choice.

No matter how enchanted the barded horses were, they couldnt just charge recklessly into that crowd.

The ones who had charged from the front dispersed to the left and right of the valley as the carriage approached, turning their horses around.

They were skilled in horsemanship.

A mixed group of knights and mercenaries, like the pursuers following them.

Hiram bastards. They must know theres a mage Ah, right. Crossbows.

Ian thought, clinging to the side of the carriage.

No matter how formidable, a mage was powerless if they couldnt complete their spellcasting.

In that sense, alternating crossbow fire was a basic and effective measure.

Not that it would mean much to me.

The pursuers at the rear widened the gap at the appearance of the uninvited guests.

Apparently to secure their own territory.

Soon, the two sides exchanged glances.

A tense atmosphere hung in the air.

In terms of quality, the rearguard mixed with the imperials would likely be superior.

But thanks to Ian killing several, in sheer numbers the newly joined forces were far greater.

I guess were the fish theyve caught.

Even as he thought that, Ian decided to observe the situation.

Though the speed had slowed, the carriage was still running.

Unless he could break through the encirclement in one go, there was no need for him to take the lead in shattering this stalemate.

I am Jamie, a knight of Hiram and acting lord regent!

A shout burst out from the vanguard.

Jamie was shouting while turning back.

You are engaging in unauthorized combat! The ones in that carriage are criminals who have destroyed many assets of the domain, and we must apprehend them! Stand down!

They are runaways from Agellan who have fled here! We were the first to give chase, and this is Agellans matter, so outsiders stay out!

The reply came from the left side.

Ian curled one corner of his mouth as he turned to look at the owner of the voice.

It was a familiar face.

Jonathan, of the Imperial Guards, who had always looked at him with ardent admiration.

Of course, now their gazes were filled with animosity beyond mere hostility.

This is Belronde! This could be interpreted as an armed invasion! Remember how dishonorable that would be!

Jamie retorted without backing down.

A mocking laugh followed from the right side this time.

Oleg, the hulking bodyguard of the Celestial Scales, was the source.

Were here on the orders of His Highness Larmuth of the Empire! You surely know how dishonorable it is to go against the Empires will?

We already know youre employees of the Celestial Scales! But the fact that youre acting on Larmuths orders has not been proven, so follow proper procedures!

The argument grew increasingly heated.

Ian approached the drivers seat.

Quite a ruckus theyve raised. Damn it

Miguel, who had been wiping the sweat from his brow and mumbling, looked back at him.

Looks like theyll end up fighting each other.

Not immediately. Maybe after they capture us.

Ian whispered back.

No matter how many fools existed in this world, they wouldnt be foolish enough to point swords at each other in a moment like this.

Just as the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, there would likely be a reasonable compromise at the end of this verbal dispute.

But for Ian, it was meaningful information.

Because he had a way to amplify even the smallest cracks.

Damn Looks like this really could become my grave.

Dont lose your nerve. Ill try to figure something out.

Do you have a plan, sir?

Roughly. Just focus on crossing the river. And always be prepared to abandon the carriage if things go wrong.

Ian glanced at Luci, who was peeking out from behind the drivers seat.

Luci nodded as if she understood.

At Ians signal, Miguel handed her the backpack next to him.

If it comes to that, ride the same horse as Miguel, Luci.

Yes.

Even if we cross the river, it seems theyll keep following us to the end, Miguel added.

Ian turned his gaze and muttered,

Well talk about that again then. Get ready.

Tension appeared on Miguels face.

Holding the reins with one arm, he hurriedly gripped the crossbow.

Because the dialogue between the two sides was heading toward a conclusion.

Then for now, well decide to cooperate in subduing the criminals!

Jamie shouted, as if in response.

As a show of cooperation, Ill share an important piece of information with you all!

Speak!

Theres a mage among their group!

A mage? That cant be! We havent seen nor heard of one?

Were they trying to lull us into complacency? A new accomplice who joined in Belronde-

The pursuers stirred.

Good. They didnt catch that its me.

Ian muttered inwardly as he readjusted his grip on his sword.

With his head slightly lowered, he incarnated a wind blade.

Enough with the chit-chat! What are you bastards doing? Attack!

Ube, the mercenary captain, shouted.

The Hiram mercenaries who had been engaged in the staring contest wheeled around as if theyd been waiting.

The Naslan mercenaries rushed to join them in turn.

The difference was that their target was the carriage.

Likely intending to leave Ian to the Hiram mercenaries.

Damn it!

Miguel lashed the reins.

The carriages speed increased again, and Ian observed the mercenaries charging towards him.

His nerves grew taut, his concentration reaching its peak.

Hraaah-!

It was then that the lead mercenary swung his axe.

Ians body twisted back as if lying down.

He wasnt even looking at the axe grazing past his face.

He simply glanced at the mercenarys nape.

His slackened arm whipped out like a lash.

Shurik-

The keen wind expelled along the swords blade slashed the mercenarys neck.

The mans head flew forward, blood spurting from his neck.

Youre insane?!

The mercenaries following behind rushed in, spewing out gasps of astonishment.

To their eyes, it seemed as if one of the riders heads had fallen off as soon as they crossed paths.

Ians pupils looked simultaneously at the two charging from left and right.

His body began moving as soon as it registered them.

While tilting his blade to deflect the falling sword from the left, he simultaneously twisted his body as if falling off the saddle to avoid the spear thrusting from the right.

Following up, he sharply grazed the flank of the passing horse as he remounted the saddle.

Kihihing!

In the moment when the horse with its flank ripped open tumbled, pinning its rider to the ground, Ians gaze had already turned towards the nape of the spear-wielding mercenary.

His fingers tingle, and the resentment of the accursed marsh spreads out.

He killed the two in an instant, but had no time to rest.

Pulling the reins to turn the horses head, Ian placed his foot on the saddle.

Unable to overcome its inertia, the horse staggered and slipped, and then another mercenary approached, but

Ians gaze was directed towards those trying to board the carriage.

The moment the mercenary tried to swing his sword, Ian leapt straight off the saddle.

The wind pushed him, and in an instant the carriage several meters away became close.

Uah?!

The mercenary who had just grabbed onto the carriage looked up at him in surprise.

Raising his arm with the sword gripped in a reverse stance, Ian stabbed it straight into the mans back.

Kuwajik!

Kughuk!

Having pierced through both the mercenary and the partition, Ian used the sword hilt as a support to grab the top of the partition.

As he pulled himself up and withdrew the sword, the struggling mercenary fell away.

Phisseuk-!

A bolt grazed Ians ear.

Dont shoot! Whoever shoots arrows will meet my blade! Olegs shout followed.

Thanks for telling me instead.

Translator; ippo

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