SWNOVELXO Chapter 508
Chapter 508. Mastery of the Realm
“I’ve hunted them down!”
Bishop Lexar suddenly popped his face up from the ground without making a sound.
“Whoa, already?!”
That was fast! He just went down a moment ago!
Looks like I, the vampire hunter Alex, really did nothing at all.
While I was wondering what to do while waiting, it seems everything’s already been taken care of!
Following Bishop Lexar, Arthur and the other vampire hunters also started popping up from the ground one after another.
“I don’t think I let a single one escape… I suppose.”
Arthur, a bit unsure, looked down at the small silver shield placed on the ground—Avalon. Just like when we hunted the vampire pirates at Aulitos Lake, a spherical barrier—Absolute Defense Zone—was deployed, ensuring not a single ant could escape.
“Still, being able to use something even after death is quite a handy tool.”
Antendeixis said with a sarcastic yet impressed tone. Speaking of which, Adamas also recognized me as his master even after I had died once…
Right after I called Arthur at Aulitos Lake, he untangled the chain-like Avalon that was wrapped around my arm. Since it can change shape according to Arthur’s will, it’s no wonder it can deploy the barrier.
“I’d like to check with Lily and Odigos to see if there are still any hiding in the underground space we all searched.”
In response to Arthur’s request, the two eagerly answered, “Of course!”
Having been chased around by the vampire hunters in a space with no escape, and even if they were lucky enough to hide, they faced the additional Guidance… That’s pretty terrifying, even as allies.
“—Odigos, let me know if there were any other vampires targeting that village.”
Lily said this as she smoothly released her hand, but Odigos remained standing upright.
“It seems there aren’t any others.”
“No, we can’t let our guard down yet. Currently, they’re not targeting that village, but please also search for the vampires still lurking in the area underground.”
Bishop Lexar interjected seriously. He was determined to ensure complete extermination…!
“That’s a simple task.”
But Odigos continued to stand upright, showing no signs of activating Guidance.
“It seems we’ve really eliminated them all.”
“Wonderful…”
At my words, Bishop Lexar nodded deeply, as if savoring the thought.
“Wonderful!!”
Then he turned towards me with a fierce expression!
“Can you understand how moved I am—do you get it, Alex-kun?!”
“I understand—”
Wait, do I really…?!
“I—I’m under the impression I get it, but I can’t say I fully understand!”
“Good! Then allow me to explain!! The vampires hiding in the underground base could only be accessed through a collapsed tunnel, and reaching it in person is practically impossible… It’s a nightmarish situation! If we were to take them down normally, it might take weeks!”
Bishop Lexar excitedly pointed to the ground.
“First of all, identifying their exact location is quite difficult! We’ll need a skilled wind spirit user to scout! Even then, whether we can pinpoint their location is left to fate!”
I glanced at the group of Forest Elves.
“And even if we do locate them, we’ll need the dwarves to dig through the tunnels! But if they catch wind of the noise or vibrations, those vampires could escape! Therefore, we must use soundproof barriers along with the dwarves’ secret magic to dig slowly! During that time, to prevent new victims, we’ll need to station forces around the nearby settlements! Even after all this, it’s still very likely the vampires will notice our presence and disappear…!”
With a grim expression, making a fist out of translucent material, Bishop Lexar seemed to grit his teeth. His fierce shining eyes turned towards Lily and Odigos, who both jumped a little.
“But look at this! We pinpoint their location in a flash! It’s something even the cunning vampires couldn’t possibly predict! And this spirit form! The ability to pass through walls and ground at will! Considering it can also work underwater, it’s not an exaggeration to say it’s a superior version of mistification…!”
He got a bit carried away and even started rhyming…!
“The existence of Avalon is also huge! The large-scale barrier that traps the vampires is something we’ve long desired! A seamless wall we can set up without needing a massive setup—truly the dream of a vampire hunter! And then!! As the cherry on top!! The reassurance of Guidance after the extermination!! This is far too significant—!!”
Bishop Lexar was practically wriggling with excitement. Though he had often expressed his murderous intent towards vampires, it was rare for him to show his emotions like this.
“Normally! In these kinds of situations! It’s quite hard to get confirmation that all the vampires have been extinguished! You often have to take time to make sure there are no new victims! Any missed ones would be inexcusable!”
But with Odigos here—
“We can confirm the situation! We can safely go hunt the next vampire! What a… what a thing…!! Amazing…!!”
Overcome with emotion, Bishop Lexar even started shedding tears. Silver droplets dripped down into the darkness of the cave, sparkling as they vanished.
…Still, since Bishop Lexar was so moved, the other vampire hunters looked oddly calm and solemn…
“Alex-kun.”
“Yes?”
“It seems, in the end, this might have been for the best for me…”
Wiping his tears, Bishop Lexar glanced down at his translucent arm with a complex expression.
“I’m getting old… How long can I keep fighting on the front lines? How many more vampires can I hunt? Recently, such thoughts have constantly filled my mind…”
“Bishop…”
The other vampire hunters looked like they were thinking “No way,” “You’re kidding,” and “You must be joking.” I felt the same way. You’re the one who fought and dealt a near-fatal blow to Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias…
“But the lives of humans are short. Who knows what might happen in five or ten more years?”
Well… right. A little bit of decline could lead to a fatal mistake. If one continues to stay in such an environment, eventually…
“To be frank… I’m moved right now. Of course, it’s not just thanks to becoming a spirit; it’s also because of the powers of Lady Liliana and Odigos, but even so, I’m now far more specialized in vampire hunting compared to my previous life…! Nowadays, I can’t even lift a sword, let alone swing it—but if I can sneak attack the vampires while passing through obstacles, that’s more than enough to make up for it…”
With an incredibly clear expression—yet still an extraordinarily ferocious grin—Bishop Lexar stared at me.
“I might even be able to thank you now…!”
…………What am I supposed to say to that?
Bishop Lexar seems satisfied, but the young ones behind him look like they’re chewing on bitter bugs…
“That said, this is just my personal opinion. I can say this because I’m just a lonely old man, but….”
It seemed like he came to a realization a bit late, and as he turned to the other vampire hunters and Arthur, he looked a little sheepish.
“Well…”
“I generally have no objections…”
“None, but… even so…”
It felt uncomfortable—surely they too would have happily joined the front lines if they had scattered in battles against vampires and the demon lord’s army, and if they had been summoned as spirits in the Holy Kingdom…
But it was me… of all people…
“I was the one who did it, and I was the one who summoned them.”
I couldn’t say a thing… I have no right to say anything…
“I had a lover back in my hometown…”
One of the vampire hunters said with a dry smile.
Ugh…
“Well, it’s been over a year since I last saw her, and recently, even when I send her letters, I haven’t been getting any replies. I heard through the grapevine that she’s gotten close with another guy, so it’s whatever now…”
Uugh…!
“That’s…”
“Rough…”
“Umm…”
Lily and Leila looked at him with sympathetic faces, and even Orderju seemed to struggle to find words. Me too… what could I possibly say?
Unlike Bishop Lexar, not every vampire hunter had their hometown destroyed.
“Hmm. If you’d like, even now, I could guide you to your destined—no, never mind.”
Odigos started to say something but then held back.
Hey! You almost said “destined partner” just now!
“Is there anyone who would love me even after I’m dead…?”
“If that’s what you wish, it could be tried…”
“……..Hmmmm.”
The heartbroken vampire hunter started to seriously ponder it. No… that’s scary! If Odigos keeps standing like that, he might just disappear!
“How about not going to the Demon Lord Castle, near Enma’s palace…?”
If he’s led to his “perfect match,” then that’s a possibility, I think…
“Ugh, that’s a grim thought in many ways…”
“I’ll pass on that. I have high hopes for the underworld.”
“…Enma, huh.”
Arthur had a strained smile, while the heartbroken vampire hunter seemed to shake off his worries, and Bishop Lexar turned serious.
“Having experienced this myself, I’ve realized—even we who have recently turned into spirits can achieve this much.”
His expression was stern.
“Then just how much can Enma, who has been honing her skills for nearly two hundred years, accomplish…?”