SWNOVELXO Chapter 510
Chapter 510. Proof of Trust
Q. Who is Valentius Ton Fermindia Feretoria Ignotia Aro Pitara Margaria Sel Opsgardia?
A. A handsome dark-skinned nobleman with wavy black hair who was almost turned into a vampire’s servant and was saying “gishaa” inside an emergency transport carriage. He is part of the noble family of the Opsgardia territory. Without Liliana, his life would have ended as a servant.
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The scorching summer sun blazed down on the afternoon.
Valentius sat down in the village square, seeking refuge in the shade of a tree. Dressed in a relatively casual outfit consisting of clothes and a cloth armor, next to him lay his armor, ready to put on at a moment’s notice.
Typically, full-body armor requires assistance from attendants to be worn, but the magic armor made by dwarves was an exception. If he crouched down and slipped his arms into the sleeves, the armor would adhere to his body automatically, completing the donning.
Around him, his subordinate knights and attendants similarly rested in the shady spots and under canopies. They were all preparing to regain their stamina during the day—
“When I stand by the edge of the forest and look up,
The boughs of trees filter the blessings of the sun,
The shimmering breeze dances with its singing voice,
The rustling leaves and whispering flowers
Gently stroke my heart—”
Leaning against the tree trunk, Valentius hummed a poem by the Forest Elves. In the stillness of the village, his murmurs seemed to resonate loudly.
—This time of day in a rural community should have been lively with villagers busy with fieldwork and children helping out.
However, with vampires on the prowl, the residents huddled together, armed, and spent sleepless nights. They needed to rest during the day. A few were seen sweating over essential farm work that could not be delayed.
Even indoors, where sunlight didn’t reach, they took extra care to stick together in groups. Yet whether the powerless common folks could withstand a vampire remained a mystery—
“Valus-sama!”
A fully armored knight dashed over with a clatter.
“What’s wrong?”
“It seems the vampire hunters have returned.”
“Ah! I’ll go at once!”
By the way, the full name is quite long, so it can be a bit overwhelming, but ‘Valentius’ itself is long too, so close acquaintances affectionately call him ‘Valus.’
After crouching down to equip his armor, Valentius followed his subordinate.
“—Valentius, thank you for waiting.”
The vampire hunters, including Alexa and the Forest Elves like Lily and Orderju, were back from the abandoned mine.
While Alexa had a serious expression, was there any progress…?
“Alexa. What’s the status of the hunt?”
“It’s over.”
“Hmm?”
“It’s over. There were three vampires lurking in this area that were attacking the village, and we just eliminated them.”
“……..Huh?”
Valentius, who usually strived to behave appropriately as a noble, couldn’t help but open his mouth agape and let out a foolish sound at that moment.
Coming back to reality, he gazed up at the sky, but the sun was still quite high. He thought perhaps he had dozed off in the village and lost track of time, but it didn’t seem like it had been more than a few minutes since parting ways with Alexa and the others.
No, even if a few hours had passed—
“You eliminated them—?”
Too fast…!
“If that is… true, I cannot thank you enough, but—”
“I understand.”
Alexa nodded as if to say “no need to elaborate.”
“Even I have to say… it was quick…”
“Indeed. How in the world did you—?”
Well aware it was a secret technique, Valentius still felt he had the right to pose some questions.
“I’m afraid…”
Predictably, Alexa averted his gaze sheepishly.
Valentius instinctively glanced behind him at Orderju and Lily, appealing for help. But Orderju maintained a stern face like an ancient tree, while Lily seemed apologetic and shrank down a bit.
“……..”
Among the beautiful Elven race, Lily’s beauty was exceptional… she even seemed divine at times… While thinking such escapist thoughts, Valentius pressed his temples, enduring a headache.
“…I see. In that case, as proof of the hunt, could you show me the ashes of the vampires?”
Delivering his modest request, Alexa made an even more sour face.
“I apologize…”
Not even that?!
“You can’t show me the ashes…?”
“Yes…”
With an apologetic look, Alexa responded.
“Hmm…”
At this point, it became almost refreshing. No, it was even intriguing. With sharp eyes, Valentius rested his chin on his hand and pondered.
—Why can’t they show the ashes?
1. Showing the ashes would reveal how they were defeated.
2. They were unable to collect the ashes.
3. They did not actually defeat the vampires.
…These three possibilities came to mind, but the last one can be excluded. Rather, it must be excluded.
(A member of the Holy Church wouldn’t lie in such a way.)
Valentius didn’t suspect Alexa too much.
To be precise, he trusted the achievements of the Holy Church and the forest elves like Lily.
He heard from his subordinates that his own transformation into a servant was already terminal. It was undeniably too late for a cure, and he was struggling with whether to end it cleanly or not—so said a subordinate who was riding alongside him in the carriage.
However, Orderju and Lily, who had marvelous talents, managed to treat him. They were not ordinary individuals.
If that’s the case, then Alexa, as one of their companions, should also be considered exceptional.
(1… I have no idea. Is there even a special attack method that a novice could deduce just by looking at the ashes? If a unique attack method was used, the likely outcomes would be either no ashes generated or difficulty in collecting them.)
Intuitively, it seemed likely that 2, “unable to collect the ashes,” was the case.
If this were assumed to be true, it would clarify why Alexa was reluctant to speak.
Some “thing” capable of remotely eliminating a vampire lurking deep underground. Not only does it eliminate them, but it also accurately identifies their location and has the detection ability to assert they have “completely wiped them out”…
(What kind of ability is that…?)
Is it specifically targeted at vampires? It’s a power he would covet himself.
Just realizing something like that existed would cause quite a stir. Truly deserving of the name “secret technique”…
(But how frustrating)
While he had an inkling, it was merely speculation and he couldn’t directly inquire Alexa about it. Prodding too much could jeopardize the mystery, and losing such a valuable resource would mean a loss for humanity.
Yet, still.
Yet still.
“I don’t mean to doubt you, Alexa. The villagers have spent many sleepless nights until now. If only we had ashes from the vampires or some proof of the hunt, they’d be able to rest assured…”
The problem is that the victims of the vampires are not the knights like Valentius, but the powerless villagers.
“That… does seem to be the case…”
With a tense lip, Alexa nodded.
“Under normal circumstances, I think more vampire hunters would have come to this area to support the people for the long term. But… it has come down to just us… my sincere apologies—”
“You needn’t apologize.”
Valentius restrained the bowing Alexa.
“Those vampire hunters must have bravely faced the Demon Lord’s Prince, right? How could they blame you? The root of all evil is Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias. That guy has brought calamity to this land indirectly…!”
With irritation and hatred, Valentius spoke with a scornful tone.
“Oh… yes… you’re right… I’m indeed in agreement with you…”
Alexa replied with lackluster enthusiasm, as if he might vanish at any moment. The deaths of the vampire hunters must have weighed heavily on Alexa as well… a pitiful matter…
A short silence enveloped them.
“What do you intend to do next?”
“…We will head to the next site. I have a strong idea of the areas that have experienced damage.”
As the light returned to his eyes, Alexa answered.
Indeed, with a secret technique capable of locating vampires—it was evident Alexa must be an elite vampire hunter traveling across the continent at a high pace.
It was only natural for skilled individuals like Orderju and Lily to join the group. And as he could pinpoint the vampires’ location via a secret technique, it follows that there were no beastmen in the traveling party…
“I see…”
With a deep sigh, Valentius gazed at the clear, cloudless blue sky.
Thinking of the vampire hunters who fell, yet scattered for humanity, his own duties became clear.
—Had it not been for Lily and Orderju’s efforts, those lives would have been lost.
What kind of person would he be if he didn’t extend his assurances for the achievements of the ones who saved lives?
“I shall declare the extermination of vampires in the name of the villagers.”
Thus, he decided.
To place his full trust in Alexa and the others.