Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 163: The Imperial Capital

Episode 163: The Imperial Capital

“──A magical beast! A magical beast has appeared in the Imperial Capital!!”

“““What!?”””

Upon hearing the scream, we hurriedly looked around. But in the back alley, it was just us, and there were no signs of any approaching humans. 

As I pondered what could be happening, the ground shook, and the sounds of people’s screams and buildings being destroyed echoed around us.

‘[Super Jump]! …No way, why are there magical beasts in the city!?’

I was shocked, forgetting my own situation. 

What I saw when I jumped high into the air was a horde of magical beasts advancing toward the center of the city, among which was a single Sovereign Beast.

In the center of the Imperial Capital stood the Imperial Castle, where the Demon King resided. It was surrounded by the noble district, with the commoners’ district further outside. 

Currently, the magical beasts were attacking the walls separating the noble district from the commoners’ district. 

That earlier tremor was likely caused by this.

‘(I get the situation, but why did they suddenly appear?)’

There were many unnatural points to consider. 

For instance, the magical beasts that made up the horde. The center of the horde was the Sovereign Beast, but there was no unity among the species below the Grand Beast level. 

Then there was the damage to the city. If the magical beasts had invaded from outside, there should be signs of destruction along their path. But there was no trace of them having come this far. 

It was almost as if someone had teleported the magical beasts here. 

However, it seemed unlikely that anyone besides Paula could use such magic. 

Moreover, it was strange that the magical beasts were acting in unison. 

There was usually no sense of solidarity among magical beasts; if they encountered each other in the wild, they would either fight or flee. 

‘(…Huh? This situation feels familiar… but this isn’t the time to think about that.)’

Fortunately, since the attacks were focused on the castle walls, there didn’t seem to be any casualties so far. But that might not be the case for long. 

Even now, I could see soldiers gathering. And if left unchecked, one of them might become a victim. 

For now, I relayed what I had seen to the two in the back alley and then ran toward the noble district.

I hopped from roof to roof. But in reality, I was flying thanks to the power of the artifact. I quickly arrived at the plaza in front of the castle walls.

The ground, which should have been paved, was in ruins from the aftershocks of the attacks. But there were no fallen people in sight. I should clear this out while I can. 

The magical beasts were clinging to the castle walls. With my attack power, I might accidentally breach a hole… but I had a perfect [Skill] for such a situation.

‘([Challenge], then [Scorching Treasure])’

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~Skill Details~

[Scorching Treasure]

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • While being observed by any creature, this skill intensely draws out the observer’s intent to attack the [Skill] holder. If the [Skill] holder is killed, the killer’s <Soul Fragments> dramatically increases. Additionally, creatures observing the [Skill] holder take heat damage proportional to their distance.  

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The [Scorching Treasure] was an advanced skill I gained when I became a Beast King, an upgrade from the [Bewitching Gleam].

In addition to the traditional effect of attracting attention, it now possessed a new power. 

That was this:

“““Gyaaaaaaaah!”””

‘(Burn!)’

With the power of combustion, the magical beasts that had been rushing at me were suddenly engulfed in flames.

This effect increased firepower according to our proximity. It was especially effective against the Sovereign Beast, which was the closest and had the highest speed.

It inflicted enough damage to send it rolling on the spot.

‘([The Endless Cycle of Thunderous Rebirth])’

With that, I took the lives of the magical beasts that had been ripped away from the castle walls and stopped in their tracks. 

The twisted bolts of lightning pierced through them all, killing every magical beast in one go.

The magical beasts that had suddenly appeared in the city were entirely wiped out.

‘(Phew, that settles that. But what on earth were they…?)’

I examined the corpses closely but couldn’t figure out anything. 

Then I heard a voice calling out to me.

“What incredible lightning magic. I was momentarily captivated. That unusual outfit suggests you are an adventurer. What is your name?”

The person was one of the soldiers. 

He jumped down from the high castle wall and approached me.

He had a sincere expression, and I didn’t feel any hostility from him. I had heard that many adventurers had strange appearances, so it seemed he thought I was one of them.

He probably just wanted to question me about the sudden appearance of the magical beasts, but… that would be troublesome. 

After all, my [Mimicry] couldn’t reproduce vocal organs.

I could only speak in “sla”, and I didn’t know the language of this world. 

I had originally planned to have the Sage and the others speak on my behalf at first. But that plan had gone awry. I needed to think of a reason why using [Telepathy] wouldn’t raise suspicion. 

‘……………Sla.’

“Sla?”

“—!!?”

As I could no longer endure the silence and let out a sound, a single bird-like Sovereign Beast flew over the castle wall about a kilometer away.

Next, a clear explosion rang out. It sounded like the barrier stretched across the air was being breached. 

Before the soldiers could turn around, I took off running.

“Damn it, was this a diversion!?”

The other soldiers were heading in that direction too, but there simply wasn’t enough time.

The soldiers stationed atop the castle wall had already been thinned out due to the initial attack. And there was insufficient manpower to stop the bird-like magical beast.

However, I could make it in time.

With my saved |Speed|, I sprinted along the castle wall faster than anyone else present.

As I prepared to leap at the flying bird, 

‘(What!?)’

“……….”

I spotted a person on the bird’s back and stumbled.

It was a worn-out woman with deep shadows under her eyes.

Her left eye was covered by an eye patch, and she was intently staring at a specific point with her right eye.

‘(…………!?)’

What she was staring at was an unusual group.

Walking along the outskirts were humans that resembled ceremonial guards, prioritizing formality over functionality. 

At the center of them, there were figures wearing costumes that looked like neither knights nor priests. Their faces were hidden by masks. They were carrying a dazzling portable shrine.

On top of the shrine sat a single man on a pure silver throne, suggesting his elderly status with his mixed gray hair.

While the people who had been watching them fled toward the castle, this group appeared utterly unperturbed. 

They walked in formation, seemingly oblivious to the magical beasts behind them, moving leisurely.

“──!”

The woman clenched her teeth, pulled several sheets of paper from her pocket, and tore them all at once.

And with the number of sheets torn, an equal number of Sovereign Beasts appeared.

With an unusual sense of solidarity, they all charged toward the portable shrine.

Even witnessing this, I didn’t move. 

I didn’t even feel like moving. 

That was because I understood that it was unnecessary.

“Go! Bring heavenly punishment upon him──”

“So noisy.”

The man on the portable shrine declared in a deep, resonant voice, turning his back as he cast a spell.

With just that, everything ended.

The suddenly summoned Sovereign Beasts and the woman behind them, who had been about to unleash a spell, all stopped moving as if someone had pressed pause.

Those in the air remained suspended. Even those in positions that clearly indicated they were about to fall seemed frozen in place, not moving an inch.

At first, I thought it might be a ‘Freeze’ ability like that of the “Polar King”. But the magical beasts conveyed emotions of confusion.

It seemed they were stopped by some other kind of force.

“Your excessive disrespect will be redeemed with your lives. [Order Execution].”

The voice of the man on the throne, though not raised, carried surprisingly well. It held a certain dignity. 

And as soon as his voice resonated, the bodies of the magical beasts began to move.

No, it wouldn’t be accurate to say they moved. They fell.

The man on the throne was now using a new magic. That was likely the cause of what was happening.

Multiple Sovereign Beasts were instantaneously killed without being able to resist at all.

The portable shrine then halted its advance and turned to face the woman.

“Surely you didn’t attempt to challenge me with such a small force? This attack is far too careless and juvenile. Your assault this time──”

‘(Ah, I knew it.)’

After witnessing that overwhelming magic, I became certain.

From the moment I saw him, I knew. This extraordinary presence was unmistakable:

“──Did you dare to act so brazenly knowing I am the Demon King?”

Nova Esperas Order. He was the very emperor who ruled this continent.