After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 173
### Chapter 173: The Master of Darkness
When we leave the basement, we find that the enemy has already lit lamps and is attempting to half-surround us with a group of ten or so people. With voices heard from various parts of the upper floor, it’s clear that reinforcements will soon arrive in greater numbers. Fortunately, there are mostly men and fewer mages, which is a relief. Given that this is a prison-like stronghold, direct combat may not be expected, but numbers are always formidable. We are gradually pushed into a corner of the hall.
“Michaela-san! Target the mages!”
“Yes! Hnn!”
With a voice full of anime-like energy, Michaela launches something like a shadow from her hand, piercing the throat of a middle-aged woman who had already started chanting a spell. A young woman who had hastily started preparing her magic is also struck in the heart by a second volley of pebbles. It’s no wonder the women hesitate to chant their spells… Michaela makes sure to deliver fatal wounds to each mage in the order she prepares to cast, and no one would want to be the first target.
I am astonished by Michaela’s fighting style. She quickly and calmly assesses the order of attack from the mages and delivers ruthless, lethal attacks to those deemed most dangerous… There is no hesitation, just a cold-hearted slaughterer. Her experience fighting monsters and bandits alongside adventurers since she was five is no joke. Though it’s unimaginable from her normally innocent appearance… this is probably her true nature.
“Secure the escape route!”
Following Ayaka-san’s orders, the men run towards the exit door. With the mages already taken care of by Michaela, it’s now a matter of physical combat. Our ninja squad from Baden Territory should not falter here; some enemies are stabbed with short blades that resemble kunai, while others are strangled and fall to the floor.
It seems that even enemies are handled with the intent to avoid killing men as much as possible. Mages, however, must be dealt with ruthlessly to avoid danger on our end. It’s a complex feeling to see such a reversal of gender roles from the original world.
“Come on, quickly.”
In a gentler tone, Ayaka-san guides the priestess’s family. As they hesitantly begin to move, flames suddenly erupt from their feet.
“You won’t escape.”
From the second-floor deck of the hall, three women look down at us. The elderly woman in the center likely cast the fire magic. On either side of her, women in their twenties and thirties have already surrounded their hands with flames and are ready to strike at any moment.
“I’ll make sure to burn the first one who moves. If you value your lives, stay quiet… If you can tell me who ordered you to do this, I won’t harm you.”
Well, these threats are pretty standard. Even if we reveal all the information about our backers, we wouldn’t be saved… it’s just a matter of being burned to death by magic or strangled by subordinates.
“You are the Campbell Viscount?”
“Yes. It seems you are the leader of the ‘Dark Clan’… royal lapdogs, huh? I didn’t expect the royal family to get involved here.”
Confident of victory and looking down both physically and mentally, the viscount’s words cause Ayaka-san to momentarily relax her expression.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, we are indeed the ‘Dark Clan’ loyal to the royal family. However, the one our clan reveres is not only Her Majesty the Queen.”
“What?”
“Our protector and ruler is the most distinguished gentleman on the continent.”
“A gentleman… a man??”
“Yes. The one we, the Dark Ones, all revere, like the warm sunlight…”
“Such a man does not exist! Men cannot fight, earn money, and are merely surrounded by women! If such an outstanding man exists, show him to me!”
Noticing Ayaka-san’s hands, I see her five fingers intricately forming a pattern. This means… the Dark Clan’s magic manifests through seals. She is buying time with this pointless conversation to complete some magic.
“Yes, our master is… Lutz-sama. The husband of Princess Beatrix and the next king consort, Marquis Ludwig von Stuttgart.”
I’m bewildered by Ayaka-san’s flashy promotion, which doesn’t suit her character, but this must be part of her strategy. I need to play along. I remove my deeply pulled-down hood and reveal my face.
“Mu, ah… You are…”
Well, as a viscount, she would have been at the corner of a wedding reception or something. It seems she remembers my face, turning pale and then red.
“I am Marquis of Stuttgart. I have confirmed that you, Viscount Campbell, have unjustly deceived and imprisoned this family. I must report this to Princess Beatrix.”
“No, th-this is…”
Well, there’s no excuse. We’ve directly rescued Cecilia’s family.
Glancing at Ayaka-san, I see that the finger movements have stopped. The magic is ready. It’s time to press on.
“Your crimes are now clear. Prepare for severe punishment!”