Chapter 9

In the blink of an eye, I had killed five goblins.

The familiar smell of blood lingered in the air. As I remembered my days as an adventurer, I flicked the goblin blood off my sword and sheathed it.

Although I’m still inexperienced, with the skills I developed in my past life and the body I’ve acquired in this life, five goblins are no match for me. Of course, I don’t let myself become complacent, but they were just weaklings.

“Lord kraze, as expected of you!”

“Hmph, it’s only natural for me, kraze!”

As I basked in the afterglow, Frill and my brother arrived. Of course, Alma and the escort mages were also there. Why is my brother so full of himself?

“Lord kraze, will you be taking the magic stones?”

The male mage asked. A magic stone is a translucent stone found in the heart of magical beasts. Its color and the quality and quantity of the magical power it contains vary by beast.

Generally, the stronger the beast, the higher the quality and quantity of the magical power. The magic stones from the goblins I killed were of low quality and quantity. They were the lowest tier of magic stones.

“Ah… it’s fine. They’re just goblins after all.”

“Understood.”

If I were a novice adventurer, I would definitely collect them. Because they could be sold for some money. Novice adventurers are generally short on cash. Even the magic stone from a goblin would be a decent income.

However, I am now the second son of a marquis family. I have no trouble with food, clothing, or shelter. Although there are limits, I can obtain what I want. Therefore, there was no need to bother with the goblin magic stones.

“You’re in a good mood, aren’t you?”

“Hmph, of course.”

Indeed, I am in a good mood. My mouth is even turned up, and I feel like laughing at any moment. To have this level of skill at just five years old… thinking about the future makes me shiver with excitement.

“That expression of yours is great!”

“Guh…”

My vision went dark. My brother had hugged me. Damn it… I can sense killing intent and malice, but since my brother doesn’t direct such feelings at me, I was a bit late in avoiding it.

My vision cleared. But I was still being hugged. Skillfully, my brother was walking while holding me from behind. It must be incredibly difficult to walk like that… but does he really want to cling to me that much? I don’t quite understand.

After walking for a while, my brother finally let go. I knew the reason—he had noticed the magical beasts.

“kraze, may I handle this?”

“Go ahead.”

While I wanted to handle it myself, I also wanted to see my brother’s magic. I knew he practiced magic in the garden, but I didn’t know its full extent or how he would perform in battle. In other words… it’s just curiosity.

By the way, the magical beasts were approaching us not gradually, but at a considerable speed. Though their appearance was not yet visible, from their killing intent, I could tell that there were several four-legged beasts.

The sound of footsteps grew louder, and their forms became visible.

“Raul, huh?”

Grayish fur with pale green eyes. Sharp fangs visible from its breathing mouth. Although it isn’t large, it always acts in groups.

Their danger level is one level higher than goblins, at rank eight. If there were more than ten, it would be rank seven… but since there are six in front of us, it’s rank eight. If there were only one, it would be rank nine.

Even when I was an eight-rank adventurer in my past life, I struggled with them. Although Raul’s only attack method is biting, being attacked from all directions is quite tough.

Now then… what kind of magic will my brother use?

“I don’t have any grudge against you, but… I’m your older brother. I want to look good in front of my little brother.”

Hey… that’s not something you should say to Raul, who’s approaching with caution. I was exasperated with my brother as usual. Alma and the two mages nearby were also exasperated.

Unaware of my brother’s words, the six Rauls began surrounding him. We were hidden by the male mage’s magic, so they didn’t notice us.

As the Rauls slowly closed in, my brother remained unchanged. He showed no fear or unnecessary tension.

Slowly, my brother raised his right palm and began speaking.

“—Wigmalga’s Wind Dancer.”

Several blades of air swirled above my brother’s right palm. Normally, it’s hard to see blades of air, but since several were swirling in one place, they were clearly visible.

Raul became even more cautious of my brother’s magic. He lowered his posture, ready to move at any moment, unsure whether to attack or flee.

However, Raul’s decision was too slow.

The moment one of the Rauls moved slightly, the whirl of air blades erupted.

Extremely thin and numerous blades of air assaulted Raul. Even if Raul tried to turn and flee due to the imminent danger, it was too late. The air blades released from my brother’s hand wrapped around every Raul’s body.

—“Gyaa…!”

The final scream echoed.

The blades of air sliced through their necks, torsos, legs, buttocks, and heads.

However, it wasn’t a grand dissection. The Wind Dancer of Wigmalga, a wind-based magic, generates many air blades with relatively low cutting power and attacks the opponent with sheer numbers.

I couldn’t tell how many blades were produced. It was a troublesome but not particularly difficult spell I had seen in my past life.

The male mage deactivated the concealment spell.

“Ah, kraze! How was it? How did you find my magic!”

Gone was the serious expression from earlier. My brother, now back to his usual eccentric self, looked at me with an expectant face. It was annoying, irritating, and troublesome all at once, and I sighed in exasperation.

“Alright, let’s move on.”

“Waaaah! kraze ignored me…!”

“Come on, Lord kraze. Stop sulking and let’s go.”

Alma urged my brother, who was now sulking and crying. And no, his crying wasn’t an act or a joke. It was genuine. I often wonder about his emotional state.

The Wind Dancer of Wigmalga is a spell not usually used by a seven-year-old child. It’s the same even among talented nobles. Thus, my brother’s ability to use such magic is incredibly impressive, making him a so-called genius… but his eccentricity ruins it.

He’s a genius but an eccentric, and an eccentric but a genius. It’s a world I don’t understand… or rather, now that I think about it, I might also be an eccentric when it comes to swords. Thinking like that might make me somewhat understand my brother’s feelings… or not. It’s hard to say.

We walked on for a while. Physically, I had no issues, and my fighting spirit had only decreased by about 10%. With this level of leeway, I could fight three more times.

“There are magical beasts ahead. Orcs… three of them.”

Just like the previous two times, the female mage reported. Goblins, Rauls, and now Orcs. It’s important to stay alert, but they are opponents we can definitely defeat.

By the way, Orcs are rank eight. They are higher than Goblins and the same as Rauls, but there’s no need to be overly intimidated.

To be honest, the danger level varies by person. For a mage skilled in long-range attacks, Orcs are just big targets, while the fast Rauls are more troublesome.

Conversely, for a swordsman, Rauls are easier to handle because their attack power is low, while Orcs, with their heavy and destructive attacks, require caution.

The key is not just looking at the danger level but also understanding both your own attack methods and those of your opponent.

“Brother, may Frill and I handle this?”

“Of course, kraze! But Frill… Grrrrr.”

My brother glared at Frill while grinding his teeth. Frill, on the other hand, wore a calm and even smug expression. Both of them were troublesome.

“Since I was chosen by Lord kraze, I must apologize, Lord Lowen.”

“Damn it… Even though you’re just a maid!”

My brother’s face contorted with obvious frustration as he stamped his feet. There was no tension despite the approaching magical beasts. Is he foolish or just overconfident…?

Alma and the two mages were beyond exasperation and wore blank expressions. Although he’s the eldest son of the Raynostia Marquis family and the next heir, I worried a little about whether things would be alright at this rate.

“Let’s move quickly.”

“Yes.”

We had approached the Orcs while they were aware of our presence, unlike the ambush during the goblin encounter. The goal this time was not to kill the magical beasts but to train. Therefore, we decided to fight in an exposed situation.

We treaded on the weeds, passed through the raised ground caused by tree roots, and continued forward through the trees.

The familiar odor of Orcs from my past life wafted in. It wasn’t so bad it would twist my nose, but it was definitely an unpleasant smell.

“Frill, can you handle it?”

“Of course. Those pigs need to be exterminated.”

“Watch your language.”

“Oh, my apologies. Their ugliness just brought out some crude words.”

Orcs are disliked by humans, especially women, due to their appearance, smell, and habits. The reason they are disliked is their habits.

It remains unresolved, but Orcs have a preference for human women. Of course, they cannot reproduce due to the difference in species. However, they show an abnormal interest and obsession with human women.

If I were to rank the hated magical beasts, Orcs would definitely be in the top three. They are that despised.

“Well then. How shall we kill them?”

“…Well, I guess it’s fine.”

Frill was no exception. Normally, she’s fluffy and easygoing, but when it comes to Orcs, it’s different.

There was a hint of murderous intent in her tone, and her fighting spirit was sharp.

Although my stomach hurt a bit… I was more excited about swinging my sword and killing Orcs.