The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 17

Chapter 17: Let’s Rise Up

“Hmm? Upon closer inspection, isn’t that weapon of yours one of our kind?” Ruskdite pointed at the Chaos Crusader I held.

“Our kind… Are you a comrade of this thing?” I asked.

“Not exactly a comrade, as you are a non-human with free will, but you could be considered a fellow in the sense of those who have gained free will. I sensed that it had awakened, but to ally with humans so quickly,” Ruskdite said, her gaze assessing me with a hint of curiosity. She exhaled a seductive breath and elegantly crossed her legs.

“Well, my interest in you is far from over, but let’s save that for later. It seems I have business with the young lady beside you,” she said, pointing at Aria with her sharp-clawed fingers. Aria stepped forward, determined.

“We seek powerful creatures that can become weapons. We call them rare drops. Ruskdite, can you become a weapon?”

“Interesting…” Ruskdite trailed her fingers along her lips as she looked at Aria. Then she spoke slowly, “In conclusion, it is possible. But I won’t become your weapon.”

“Why not?” Aria asked.

“Simple. Why should I serve someone weaker than myself?” Ruskdite retorted, pointing at Aria.

“For those like me with free will, becoming a weapon is equivalent to pledging loyalty from the heart. I’ll give you credit for making it this far, but that’s a different story. However, if you can complete the trial I set, I might consider it.”

“A trial?”

“Yes. If you can accomplish the trial I set, then maybe… your friend will be within your grasp.”

“A trial?” I echoed.

“That’s right. You two must complete the trial I set. And upon your success, the girl… your friend, may indeed become yours,” Ruskdite said with a sly smile.

Aria turned to me, and I nodded in agreement before facing Ruskdite.

“Understood. We’ll accept this trial.”

“Hahaha, that’s the spirit. Now, come forth, Balrogs!”

Ruskdite rose from her throne and snapped her fingers. Flames erupted from beneath my feet.

Aria and I were propelled away from the flames, but something emerged from the fire and approached me. I defended against it with my hand axe, and it turned out to be a fiery whip.

The whip wound around my hand axe and ascended with the flames, pulling me along. Once again, we ascended into the heart of that fiery crater.

—

“Beruk!”

I shouted as Beruk was taken upward. I turned to the one who caused it, and Ruskdite descended nearby, her fiery wings fluttering.

“Don’t be in such a hurry. Whether he survives or not depends on you,” she said.

“Is this the trial?” I asked.

“That’s right. The time limit is until he’s killed. Before that, prove to me that you’re worthy by defeating me,” Ruskdite replied.

I drew my longsword and infused it with magic, preparing to strike. Ruskdite stopped my blade with her claws and created flames in her free hand, launching them at me.

I leaped backward to avoid the flames. Ruskdite trailed her claws near her lips, her eyes glowing with a bewitching light as she looked up.

“I like strong individuals, ones who stir up desire and excitement in me. In that regard, your mate was appealing, but she’s already partnered with one of our kind,” Ruskdite said before targeting me again.

“If you want to possess me… then try to excite me as much as she does,” she added.

Her wings on her back blazed intensely.