Chapter 9 “Night Brawl”
We didn’t need to search for the source of that voice since the amount of crowd was more than enough to act as a landmark for that. While running toward the place, I looked around and noticed that if not because of the crowd, I would probably miss it since the buildings around that place was very similar. It was just a simple wooden building made in a shape of a square that has two floors with a few windows scattered in a uniform way on the wall. On the doorway is an entrance that has a small plank that has a number on it. All of them are completely the same.
“E-Excuse me!” I shouted as I tried to swim my way toward the voice. I glanced back and I noticed Nerva was in the same predicament as me. But why did he make it look easy?
“Hey! Watch it!”
“Don’t push!”
“Kya!! Where are you touching me!?”
Ignoring the shouts, especially that last one, I continued to swim in the ocean of people. Although the number of people was not so much, but due to the narrow path it was enough to crowd the place. Thankfully, I was tall enough and strong enough to break through the crowd. I also tried my best to not hurt anyone in the process. The last thing I need at this moment is injured people due to my carelessness.
“Say that again, you whore!”
“I’ll say it as many time as I want!”
Woah, thing is getting too heated up too quickly. I really need to get there as soon as possible.
“Excuse me, coming through!” After that last shout, I finally came out of the ocean of onlooker. “W-Waah!” I almost fell forward due to using excessive force to push through the crowd. I straightened myself and looked to my side and found Nerva standing without an ounce of fatigue. How did he do that? This guy is really amazing.
“Tch! She’s already making trouble.” I heard him muttered that under his breath.
With that word, my attention was sent toward the scene in front of me. My eyes immediately fell on a group of a five men that was in the middle of a heated argument against a tall woman that was standing in front of a crouching girl.
I examined the first party that consisted of five males and found that all of them wore a set of dirty looking set of leather armor. From their ragged appearance, I could guess that all of them were either mercenary or bodyguard for a passing caravan that stayed in this town. I also noticed that at least three of them had a sheathed sword on their belt. The other two looked unarmed but I doubt that is the case. There is a high possibility that they are carrying concealed weapon such a dagger or short sword hidden under their armor.
I then shifted my attention to the opposing party. At first, I examined the crouching girl. She has a slightly long brunet hair that seemed to be dirtied by dirt. I also noticed that she was holding her cheeks. Is that…a bruise? Oh, so she was probably hurt by the men there. Ugh, this is a typical situation in here. I often heard report from my soldiers that patrol here that situation where the customer treated their ‘companion’ roughly to the extent of injuring them. Usually the guard was more than enough to stop the problem before it escalated into something out of control. I guess this time the guard didn’t get here fast enough. Ugh, I’ll have to reorganize their route next time. Even though it is not something big, but I hate to hear a report that a fight breakout in this part of the town, or any part of town in that matter.
“B-Big s-sis, i-it’s allright…”
“Shh! Don’t worry, dear.” The woman in front of the girl smiled at her while shielding her further from the men’s view.
I moved my view to the woman in question. At first, I thought that the owner of that loud voice would be a rather big and rough looking woman. I couldn’t be more wrong. The woman in question has an appearance that wouldn’t lose against the Three Diamonds any time. She has a pair of long slender leg that is wrapped with a brown pair of tight looking pants and a pair of black tall boots on the bottom. On her top she wore a brown and red jacket that emphasized her chest, which was quite on the large side. I also noticed the design of her jacket was quite…unique. A lot of straps could be found on her sleeves and the area around her stomach.
As my gaze traveled upward, I was taken aback by her face that showed perfectly chiseled features as if she came out of a statue made by a master sculptor. Or maybe even by a great deity at that. While her face showed a beauty, her hair that possessed the burning color of fiery amber gave her a gallant aura worthy of a huntress. And just like what Nerva mentioned, there are a few strands of white on her long hair. A combination of beauty and gallantness. Such a magnificent person.
“Leave her to us and we’ll forgive you!”
“Don’t make us angry, you whore!”
“You’ll regret trying to pick a fight with us!”
Torrent of provocations was thrown by the group of five toward the woman. The woman just sneered at their cheap and petty provocation, showing not a bit of fear. She shielded the girl even more as he girl was trembling visibly under the pressing aura of the men. I pity the girl and I am tempted to just jump into the commotion and beat the men away.
“Wait.” But I was stopped Nerva that put his arm to prevented me from rushing to them. “Stay down. There’s no need to get your hands dirty, Eryell.”
“And what do you suggest?” I could hardly keep my temper at bay at his words. Although I tried my best to keep my voice down, my emotion probably leaked out enough for him to notice. “This is a crime and it is my responsibility to deal with it!”
“No, this hasn’t yet become a crime.” Huh? What is he talking about? “Each of them didn’t make any move that could be deemed as a crime. Besides, there are too many people here and I doubt all of them are just innocent onlooker.”
“Huh? What do y–N-No way!” I immediately realized what he meant by that. “Their friend might be among them?”
“Exactly.” He nodded. “I…could detect their presence among the crowd. Don’t turn around!” He immediately grabbed my hand to preventing me from doing that. “They’re near us.”
“…How many?”
“About…one…three…five.” What!? That many? And I didn’t notice any of them. “You can’t notice them as they didn’t let out a killing intent.” Ugh, he read me again. Kind of annoying whenever he did that.
“So what are we going to do?” I’m certainly not going to let those scum do whatever they want!
“Just like what you do at your hunting trip.” Huh? What I do at my hunting trip? Sensing my obvious confusion, he smiled at me. “Observe, my dear Eryell. And then, we’ll strike at the right time.”
“Just that!?” I almost couldn’t keep my voice down. After saying that, I felt his hand squeezed mine.
“Patient, my dear Eryell. We are not waging a war here. In fact, our only mission is to get her, nothing else.“ I immediately frowned at his words. “Although, saving that girl is not a bad deal too.” Of course it is not! In fact, I actually care to help the girl more than that woman. “But for now, we wait. Don’t make yourself too obvious.” He then stepped in front of me and then shifted his full attention toward the commotion in front of us. Although I have a lot to complain, I felt that his plan might be the best at the moment. Because of that, I just kept quiet for now.
“Young lady, do excuse our behavior.” A sudden voice came from the man that stood in the rear most of the group of five. As he stepped forward, the other three that has been arguing with the woman made way for him. He looked to be the leader of the group judging from the way he talk and also from the action of the other three. “We are just…how do you say it, impatient. A tiring full day of working has made us a bit impatient and with that…we have become boorish.” The man, clearly trying to be as calm as possible, kept talking. “But that doesn’t mean that you, young lady, can just take our…entertainer away like that. So if you can give her back, we can forget all of this and let us all enjoy the night. What do you say? Isn’t that the best option for all of us, young lady?”
A moment of silence came and it seemed that the tension was lessened. I glanced around and noticed that some of the onlooker let out a breath of relief as it seemed the commotion can be solve in a civilized manner. But I, on the other hand, felt a bit unconvinced about that. I looked at Nerva, but he just stood there in silence, not showing any kind of reaction.
“Eww, disgusting!”
“W-What!?”
The crowd all gasped in surprise at what they heard. Just like them, I also showed the same reaction. All eyes immediately focused on the woman that looked at the group of men, winching in apparent displeasure. She looked at them as if looking at a disgusting pile of trash.
“Trying to sound all civilized? Ugh, your effort was…eww!” She didn’t finish her sentence. Her arms then hugged herself and her body shivered a bit. “Ugh…that really made me shiver. Can any of you be more disgusting? Try to look at yourself in the mirror, you idiots. Don’t try to act like what you aren’t.” She waved her hand at them while throwing insulting remarks like it was a normal action. The man, especially the leader of them, showed a very furious expression. With reddened face due to the mix of embarrassment and anger, their hands were trembling. Their eyes were glaring at her with a single obvious intention. Kill. I could know that since their looks reminded me of an angered beast.
“Tch!” I glanced at the source of that sound. “She’s letting her mouth ran wild again.” I felt displeasure from Nerva’s voice. From what he said, it seems that the woman, whoever she is, really has the tendency to turn an ugly situation much uglier just by using her mouth. I could only smile wryly at his comment.
“What now, Nerva.”
“Wait.” His reply was short but firm. I actually envied his ability to stay calm in a heated situation. I, on the other hand, will probably lash out immediately. It is a bad habit of mine that my sister and Nerva has always reminded me to take care off as soon as possible.
“Y-You damn whore!”
“Ah, that’s more like it.” Instead of becoming scared after being shouted like that by the whole group, the woman put on a wide smile without any sign of fear. “You barbaric guy really suited that way of thinking and talking, you know? Oh, I mean that you better stay away from trying to use polite language and fancy stuff. It’s just doesn’t suit you at all. Sorry if I made that hard to understand for you. Silly me.” After hurling those insults, the woman let out a giggle that unfitting for the kind of situation she is in.
“How dare you!?” One of them shouted the loudest than the other. “I’ll cut that mouth of yours!”
“Oh, good, good.” She nodded several times while crossing her arms. “That kind of rustic and simple insult is very suitable for your ugly and disgusting appearance. Ah, but maybe try to look angrier. Meaner and more intimidating. Hmm, but then again…” She paused and then tilted her head. “Is that even possible? I mean with your weak look and…ah, yes, yes, that’s impossible. Sorry about that.”
“…B-Big s-s-s-sis…” I could hear the little girl looked at her with a pale face. I actually shared her opinion. Is this woman really right on the head? She kept throwing insult after insult like it was a normal conversation. And to make matter worse, those were insults delivered without a sign of insulting.
The effect was to be expected.
“Y-You bitch!!!” Metallic sound resounded from the direction of the men as they unsheathed their sword. Each and every one of them showed their intention of killing the read haired woman. I felt my whole body tensed as their bloodlust filled the air. Some of the onlookers have fled the scene, not wanting to risk themselves getting hurt. In the end, the crowd has reduced to only a dozen people, I and Nerva included. There is a high chance that most of the people here are the five men’s comrades, which make this into a much more dangerous situation than it already is.
“Wow! Now that’s more like it! Hahaha!” A loud laugh escaped her mouth. Facing a group of armed men like that the woman didn’t faze a bit. It was either a sign of bravery or stupidity, I don’t really know. But her next move will probably tell me more. “Stand back, girl. This will get dangerous.” An excited grin spread on her face. The girl didn’t take long to think for a respond. She immediately got up with a wobbly leg and get behind the building, peeking slightly on to the would-be-battlefield. “Since I’m in a good mood, I’ll take care of you quickly. How’s that?”
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“You’ll regret underestimating us!”
“Hah! Underestimating? Aren’t I taking you as a fair fight by using my weapon? Bah! Whatever! Get ready, you scum!” Her hand then reached onto her back, as if trying to pull out something. I never noticed that she had a weapon.
“Tch!” As I heard a clicking noise from near me, I turned my head toward Nerva. “Troublesome fellow.”
“Huh? Nerva?”
“Sorry, Eryell, I will do this alone.”
“H-Huh? What do yo–hey! Nerva! Nerva!” I shouted as I saw him jump right onto the battlefield.
Of course, the addition of a new person in the already heated situation certainly startled both parties in question.
“Who the damn are you?!”
“N-Nerva?”
While the two showed a very different reaction about his appearance, it was clear that his appearance wasn’t expected by any of them. I even heard a sudden gasp from the onlookers around me.
“…You troublesome fellow.”
“W-What!? Why are y–GUH!!” He didn’t let her finish her sentence by delivering a straight jab right onto the middle of her chest with his walking stick, incapacitating her in a split second. The red haired woman fell forward and he caught her inches before her head meet the ground. He then lifted her up and put her on his shoulder.
“I should do this from the start.” I could hear him muttering, although only slightly. He then walked toward me without minding the stares that were thrown at him. “Let’s go,” he said after he got closer to me.
“O-Oh, right.” My response came out as a stutter. Before we could take another step to leave the place, we found five men surround us. It was not the previous group, but their comrade who were mixed into the onlooker. I could see the ones who are not with them just looked at us and then distanced themselves from us.
“Wow, wow, wow there.” A voice came from behind us. The two of us turned around and found one of the five, the one that shouted the loudest, looked at us with disgust and contempt. “Do you think that you can get away just like that? It doesn’t work like that.”
“Hahaha, please excuse us, my good men.” Nerva said to him calmly. “I apologize if my friend here cause you trouble. She is, after all, just a hot headed idiot.”
“Well, that hotheaded idiot friend of yours insulted us. And we feel that she needs to make amend with us.” He then let out a creepy snicker at us. Ugh, I know these kind of guy. “Don’t worry, we won’t hurt you. Just leave her to us and we will…have a nice and long night with her.”
“Please, my good men, can you all find it in your heart to forgive this foolish woman? Surely a man of your caliber wouldn’t take a fool’s words into their heart, right?” Ugh, I know that Nerva tried to reason with them, but hearing him using polite tone against this bunch of scum…just doesn’t sit right with me.
“Hahaha, nice try. But no can do.” He shook his head. His friends then snickered at Nerva. “A fool or not, we demand compensation from her. Or maybe…” I felt his sight moved to me. That made me shivered instinctively. “How about your friends here entertain us? The more the merrier, right?” The man and his friends let out a laugh after he said that.
I felt my blood boils with anger. Even if Nerva tried to reason with them, I will not! How dare they look down on us!? Even if I’m wearing my civilian clothes, that doesn’t mean they can underestimate me like that! I will teach them a lesson they will not forget any time soon! I guarantee that!
“…Oh, really?” But before I could pull out my weapon, I felt a sudden change around me. I glanced around and noticed that I was not alone in that. The group of men walked back instinctively while the unrelated onlooker paled in fear. I then looked to my close companion and saw that his smile was nowhere to be seen. His expression was cold, as cold as the air around us. “So…you want to take her with you?” He tilted his head and then slowly put down the woman onto the ground gently. “Is that true?”
“H-Hah? O-Of course it is true!” Hey, hey! If you’re sure, don’t stutter! Or is he just trying to act tough? Probably that. “So just leave those two here and you can go free!”
“Is that so?” Nerva tilted his head again. His voice grew colder and I felt a sense of danger in it. I don’t know how I can feel that, but that is what I felt from hearing his voice alone. “ So…if I don’t comply, then…hmm…ten of you will beat me up, right? You will win, right? You will have number of your side, right?”
The man looked at Nerva with a confused expression, not knowing why he was questioned with such questions. Just like them, I was also confused by what Nerva asked. It sounded like simple but weird questions, but at the same time it felt like his words were tests. For what, I couldn’t know at the moment.
“Y-Yeah! You will be beaten up by us! You hear that?”
“Oh, I see. Then.” He tapped his stick onto the ground. Together with that, an invisible wave rippled throughout the air. I didn’t see it, but I could sense it.
The moment I sensed the wave, a surge of chilling terror that my body had never came across with invaded my mind and soul. It was so chilling, that my body started to tremble and shiver. No, it was not a sign of the cold temperature, it was a sign that something has happened. Once again, it seems that I was not the only one that felt the sudden change. I confirmed that as I glanced around and noticed the people showed similar reaction.
Without able to understand completely what just happened, I felt my whole body become heavy and sluggish, as if a load of lead was strapped on my whole body. Not only that, my vision also blurred slightly for a second. But then it became worse. While the chill had not worsened, my mouth felt dry and sour and the back of my throat ached. Dizziness also invaded my head after that. I’m still puzzled at what happened.
“…Urgh…” Groan and moan resounded all around us. As I looked for the source, I found that almost all the onlooker has fainted while the men that threatened us has either fell onto their knees with watery eyes and terrible complexion or crouching while holding their own trembling body with the addition of paled and empty gazes. It was a sight I have never seen in the entirety of my life.
“So…why are you crouching down?” A voice that instill fear and dread resounded in the air. I turned to my side and found Nerva walking leisurely toward him. He could stand as usual? He didn’t get affected? So…he’s the one doing this? B-But how? “Stand up” But the man in front of him didn’t budge, only a slight trembling could be seen from him. “Stand up.” No change from him. “…Is that so?” Nerva then raised his walking cane slightly. I felt a sudden fear that he was going to kill the man. No matter how I hated and despised that kind of guy, killing is not a proper punishment for them. I opened my mouth to stop him but my voice failed to come out. Only a slight groan escaped my mouth.
“W-W-What ar–AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!” A loud scream echoed all of a sudden. The one who screamed was the man that has become Nerva’s target. I was dumbfounded at what I saw. To my relief, Nerva didn’t hit him or anything, but just poked him slightly on the area around his leg. But that was enough to make him scream like that and fell on the ground while holding his leg? “I-I-IT H-H-HURTTS!!!!”
“…Is that so?” Nerva then poked his hand that held his leg.
“GUUUAARRGGHH!!!” Another painful scream erupted from the man. This time, he rolled with his hand being held by his other hand. “I c-c-can’t feel my h–GAAARRGHH!!!” Before he could finish his words, another scream came. This time it was because Nerva has struck the other hand. “P-Please h-h-have mer–AAARRGHH!” This time, Nerva’s cane has landed on the man’s other leg. “I-I c-c-can’t…f-feel…”
“…Is that so?” Nerva then reached out to him and grabbed the man’s hand. Without saying anything, he swung the arm up, lifting him onto the air. While still in mid-air, Nerva pulled the man’s arm down, slamming him onto the ground. I flinched at that sight and the sound of heavy impact.
“...guh…” No scream came from him after that impact. Only a small whimpering came from him.
“…Is that so?” After saying the same thing again with a cold and merciless tone, Nerva pointed his hand onto the man’s leg and then lifted it the same way again. But instead of slamming him onto the ground once, he did the same thing thrice. I couldn’t watch the brutality that was happening in front of me and I averted my eyes.
“…p…p…lease…” Only a quiet pleading could be heard from the man. I looked at him again and noticed that there wasn’t a lot of blood from all that carnage. Although some scratches could be seen from him, chances are that he had a couple of broken bones here and there.
“Y-You bastard!” I heard a shout from one of his companion and found that he was able to stand up. With his sword pointed at Nerva, he charged at him. “Die!” The enraged man managed to get closer to Nerva, but his blade was parried aside effortlessly by the silent Nerva. “W-What? H-Ho–ARRGHHH!!!” The attacker become the victim and found himself writhing on the ground helplessly. A split second after Nerva parried his sword he poked both of his leg. I don’t know what exactly he did to him. All I know is that it was deadly effective in term of incapacitating opponent. “M-My legs! I c-c-c-can’t feel th–AAARRRG!” Another scream erupted from him due to Nerva poked both of his arm. Now the enraged man has joined his friend writhing on the ground like a dead fish.
“…Is that so?” I felt another chill attacked my body as I heard his voice. He picked up his latest opponent and then threw him next to his previous one. It was thrown a bit rough that I could even hear a crunching sound from him. Ugh! This is…too much. “Nobody wants to join?” He scanned the area, but the other men, completely terrified by what they have seen, were too afraid to give any single response. “Then shall we finish it then?” W-What? What did he mean by that? O-Oh no! He pointed his cane toward the first man’s chest. If that move of his could stop them feeling their limb, then if he did the same move on their chest then…I have to stop him!
“N-N-Ner…va” No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t muster enough strength to let out a shout. “N-Ner…va…” But I kept trying, hoping that he could hear me. “S…Stop…”
“…Hmm?” Ah! He reacted! I have to shout louder.
“N-Ner…Nerva…S…S….S…Stop…” But all I could manage was just a broken sentence with a quiet voice. “…Pl…Please…”
“…Tch!” He then put down his cane and just settled to kick both of them so that the two was laid with their body spread open. A small thumping sound was made as Nerva tapped his cane onto the ground. Just like before, an invisible wave rippled and I could feel my condition improved.
“Ugh…*cough*…” After letting out a cough, I could finally stand up, although still with a wobbly stance. “Nerva…” I called him while looking at him with uncertain eyes. I felt that his back that facing me felt cold and distant. It was not the back of someone I know. “Are you…okay?” I scolded myself mentally as my tone came out as a scared one.
“…I’m fine.” He then turned around and walked toward me. I couldn’t help but flinched the moment he turned toward me. Unfortunately, Nerva noticed that judging from his sudden change of expression. Although it only lasted for a few seconds that was enough to tell me that he was actually hurt by my reaction. “You guys.” Without turning around, he addressed the fallen men that have started to stand up.
“Y-Yes?”
“Keep your mouth shut tightly or you’ll lose yours.”
“Y-Yes! Understood!” Without an ounce of hesitation, they all gave an agreement to his merciless sentence.
“Eryell.”
“Y-Yes?” Once again I scolded myself mentally at that tone of mine. And just like before, a slight pain could be seen from his face.
“Could you…give some money to the girl from before?”
“Huh?”
“She’ll need it. To buy new clothes. And…to calm herself down.”
“O-Oh, okay.” I then immediately ran toward the girl that hid herself not long ago. I approached her and I finally realized what he meant by that. The girl, although looked calm, was shaking profusely and under her was a puddle of slightly yellowish liquid. I could only smile wryly at how accurate Nerva senses were.
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Author Note:
Actions! If you can call it. It was rather one-sidedly.
Please give me comment and opinion for this story, or even critique so that I can improve my writing. Do tell me if you find something strange or wrong with the chapter. Thank you for reading!