I Became a Raid Boss

Chapter 17

Standing at the edge of the cliff, I gazed at the familiar view of the mountains.

-“It’s pretty noisy today.”

It’s a mood that makes me think of the past.

Though, when I say the past, it’s only been a year or two at most.

-“Don’t you think so?”

-“You haven’t changed a bit. Still as rude as ever.”

“Why would I be polite to an uninvited guest?”

Schreng.

The silver blade slid out of its sheath.

“Or is this the kind of courtesy you were hoping for?”

-“I wasn’t expecting that kind of courtesy, but if it will help you relieve your frustration…”

“Tch.”

I clicked my tongue and put the sword back.

“So, what brings you here? Feeling guilty for killing him and now come to pay your respects? Or are you just here to make sure he’s really dead?”

-“Don’t be like that. I’ve been put out of commission because of the wounds I received from that guy.”

“Hmph. A retiree? As if.”

Sure, he may have been injured, but there’s no way that old snake would sit quietly in retirement.

He’s probably operating from the shadows of the Empire, claiming to be in recovery.

-“I received a tip. One of the Apostles came to tell me that a girl named Kana lives in this mountain.”

“Oh?”

A tip-off, huh…

-“So what? You came here to fight?”

“Don’t test me. You and I both know we can’t do that.”

I turned away from the cliff and walked back.

In front of the small cabin, a man who looked to be in his twenties sat on a roughly-made chair, wearing a neat expression.

-“In fact, I don’t want you dead. I’d much rather have you join the Empire. Talented people are always in short supply. What do you think? Even now, if you come, I can ensure you’re treated as well as any duke, maybe even better, if not as high as the Emperor.”

“I’m not going.”

-“You’ve never even been particularly patriotic toward Grasis.”

The man tapped his cane against the poorly made chair.

-“Wouldn’t it be better to live in luxury in the Empire than like this?”

“If you let me drive my sword through your heart, I might consider it.”

-“Hm, I see living in this mountain might not be so bad after all.”

Clear air, beautiful scenery.

The man joked with a grin.

His smug face irritated me, and I spoke sharply, scowling.

“Cut to the chase. I’m barely holding myself back from driving this sword into your repulsive face.”

I’d have done it already if I could, but as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t.

Wizards are always such a pain.

-“You’re so violent. Swordsmen, I swear.”

“Surprising. I was just thinking something similar.”

The man clicked his tongue and slammed his cane to the ground.

Mana surged rapidly, swirling and forming complex patterns.

A Pact of Existence.

It was the ritual of a wizard staking their very being.

-“I have a favor to ask of you. If you do it, I’ll protect the place you hold so dear.”

“Protect? You?”

-“You’re still doubting me even after seeing this Pact?”

“I’d trust a dimensional creature more than I’d trust you.”

-“Fine. I’ll erect a barrier around here, one that no one can pass without your permission. It’ll last as long as I live. How’s that? Is that enough for you?”

“….”

‘He’s such a cunning bastard that even with an Oath of Existence, you can’t tell what tricks he might pull. Still, with such detailed conditions, it might be worth trusting him for now.’

“What exactly are you asking for?”

-“You won’t find it too harmful either, so hear me out.”

Despite my crossed arms and obvious displeasure, the man remained as calm as ever.

-“Earlier, I mentioned that one of the Apostles had reported about you, right? Because of that loudmouth, things have gotten a bit complicated.”

The man began to explain.

-“As you know, your notorious reputation precedes you. After the fall of Grasis, you disappeared, and no one could track you down…”

“No one could find me? Or no one dared to? Because they didn’t want to die.”

-“…Ahem! There are still many who remember you. And many who hold grudges.”

“Of course. I still remember what you did, after all.”

-“Ugh, stop interrupting me and just listen. Anyway, after hearing the report, one of the knight orders set out on an expedition.”

“…After me? That’s odd. Anyone who saw me on the battlefield wouldn’t be foolish enough to do that.”

-“It’s not that they wouldn’t do it; they couldn’t. Most of them are either dead or half-crippled.”

The man smirked, turning my own words back at me.

-“And they’re not the ones who survived the war. This knight order was recently formed, full of young hotheads. It seems they’ve developed a thirst for honor. Using the excuse of hunting monsters, they’ve set out, but their real goal is to capture you.”

“From your perspective, I guess I am a monster. After all, you lot were always calling me one.”

-“You don’t understand Arkish, but you know that?”

“How could I not, when I heard it constantly?”

How could I forget when they never stopped calling me a monster?

I heard it so much that I could understand it without even trying.

Besides, when you learn a new language, insults are often the first thing you pick up.

“Are you warning me? Telling me to be careful? Or are you asking me to spare their lives and send them back?”

-“No. Quite the opposite.”

The man stood up, using his staff for support. As he straightened his once-bent back, his shadow stretched long, like that of a snake.

-“They are to be used according to the will of the Black Master. A sword that runs wild and strays from its master’s hand is no longer needed in the Empire.”

“Hm.”

I tilted my head slightly.

“With that kind of task, can’t you handle it yourself?”

-“As I mentioned earlier, I’m just an old man now. It would be troublesome if I were caught using too much power.”

“I don’t know how long you plan to keep up that ridiculous act, but fine, I’ll play along. Even so, this seems like a pretty one-sided deal in my favor.”

-“Consider it my respect for a worthy rival. I don’t want the death of a peer to be sullied either. And don’t underestimate them too much. Even a sword gone rogue can still be quite sharp.”

“A sharp sword is still just a sword.”

-“So, you agree?”

“Hmmm…”

I dragged out my words.

If you’re asking whether there was anything suspicious about the offer, well, of course, there was.

In fact, the whole thing reeked of suspicion.

However, even considering that, the Oath he offered seemed necessary for me.

In the past, I would have rejected it without even listening, but now, there was something I wanted to find out.

Leaving Garid’s tomb unattended had been bothering me, but with this detestable man being a Master Mage, at least I wouldn’t have to worry about the grave being defiled.

The timing was so perfect it was almost suspicious.

After a brief hesitation, I slowly nodded my head.

“Alright.”

-“Good. Now, give me your hand for the Oath. …Not that one.”

“What a hassle.”

I withdrew my right hand, the one with the ring, and extended my left.

“I vow to make this Oath.”

When the man shouted a simple activation word, the magic circle floating in the air dissolved back into the form of mana.

The softly flowing mana wrapped around me, emitting a bright light as it was absorbed into my hand.

For a spell that could potentially ruin someone’s life, it had a rather gentle effect.

As the mana fully dissipated, the man made a show of wiping sweat that hadn’t even formed.

-“Phew, it’s done. As you know, I’ve already put up a barrier, so you can relax.”

“If you’re done, then get out.”

-“So impatient. I was already leaving. I trust you’ll handle things well, Kana.”

“…Don’t call me by my name.”

-“Then what should I call you? The Crimson Reaper? The Bird of Death? Or perhaps, Kana—”

Swoosh!

The swiftly charging blade ripped the man’s form to shreds.

His body scattered into bits of mana before he could finish his sentence.

It would’ve been great if it were the real body instead of a clone.

Of course, if it had been the real body, that senile snake wouldn’t have been standing in front of me in the first place, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit of regret.

He really does know how to push my buttons.

“I don’t know what you’re scheming…”

He claimed to have learned through a report?

With the Empire’s intelligence network and that cunning snake’s abilities, they probably already had a rough idea of my whereabouts.

On top of that, he made a one-sided contract that only caused him harm, leaving me unaffected.

He even sent the Imperial Army to me on purpose.

The snake said he didn’t know, but there’s no way he didn’t.

In fact, it’s likely the whole expedition of the army was orchestrated by his influence.

Everything about it reeks of suspicion…

“Still, I’ll play along for now.”

I was planning to come down anyway, the noise had been getting on my nerves.

I thought I had finally escaped that wretched war, but living peacefully just doesn’t seem to be in my destiny.

Standing before the Crimson Aegis, I ran my hand over the hilt.

As if beckoning me to use it, the familiar texture greeted my touch.

This sword, embedded with a rare Dragon Orb, was crafted by a proud dwarf after much pleading and begging.

I had named it Crimson Aegis, with the resolve to protect Grasis in my heart.

A sword with a name like “shield” — what an ironic yet fitting gesture from Garid. It made me laugh back then.

After Garid’s death, the sword became mine, but…

“I don’t deserve to wield it.”

That senile snake had said it, too. Why live in such a place when I lack any patriotism?

He’s right, I have no lingering attachment to the fall of Grasis.

The only thing that weighs on my mind is failing to uphold Garid’s legacy.

I failed to protect what needed protecting. How could I possibly wield a sword made for that purpose?

As I closed my eyes and felt the warmth of the blade, I forcefully pried my hand away, despite the lingering reluctance.

It’s fine — I have another great sword anyway.

Gazing down at the worn blade in my hand, I realized I had never given it a name.

Well, I didn’t expect to use it for this long.

I had planned to toss it once it wore out, but who would’ve thought it’d last this long?

A good name came to mind, so I decided to give it one.

“Alright, from now on, your name is Flyswatter.”

A sword cherished enough to earn a name, huh?

The blacksmith who made it would be thrilled to hear that, wouldn’t he?

Yeah, he definitely would be.