The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 65

Chapter 65: Purification

Most of the monsters attacking us were undead or carried poison. As we advanced, various species appeared, baring their fangs.

I charged toward a giant scorpion, nearly twice the size of an average human, using Wind Step. Dodging its swinging pincers, I thrust my sword, held in a reverse grip, straight into its eye.

The giant scorpion let out a bizarre cry, thrashing wildly. Its long, spiked tail came rushing toward me as I clung to its back, but I struck it from below with my hand axe, deflecting the attack. Pulling my sword free, I slashed through one of the segments on its tail.

Grabbing the dismembered stinger as it flew through the air, I drove the blackened spike down with force into the scorpion’s head, piercing it to the base.

Kicking off into the air with Wind Step, I returned to Serena and the others. Moments later, the giant scorpion convulsed before collapsing, lifeless.

“Is it over on your side too?”

“Yeah,” I replied.

Rakul, sheathing his knight’s sword, called out to me. Nodding, I checked to ensure everyone was unharmed before we proceeded.

“Is that…?”

Something came into view. Up ahead were what looked like collapsed and decayed wooden structures. As we approached, we found several more scattered about.

“So, this is…”

“It must be the village of Hijima,” Rakul said.

Upon entering the village, we found a dome-like rock structure in the center. Just as I was about to ask Serena to prepare for purification, I sensed something approaching.

“Everyone, fall back!”

The moment my shout rang out, something shot up forcefully from the ground. It was a monster—a snake clasped in its jaws—staring down at us.

“An Acid Peacock…”

The Acid Peacock, also called the Poison-Feeding Peacock, is a powerful monster that preys on venomous creatures and monsters. Despite its peacock-like appearance, it can fly, and its vividly colored feathers are said to contain enough poison to kill ten people with a single plume.

If we fought carelessly, the resulting spread of poison could have devastating consequences. To defeat it, we had to act swiftly.

“Serena, sync with me.”

Raising my sword, I gave the command. The Acid Peacock flapped its wings, releasing its toxic feathers. At the same time, I leapt into the air, chanting words of power.

“Battle Armor Manifestation: Chaos Crusader!”

A swirling black storm erupted around me, scattering the poisonous feathers. Emerging from the storm clad in armor, I slashed through one of the Acid Peacock’s wings in a single, passing strike.

“―――――!!?”

Losing its balance after the wing was cut, the Acid Peacock struggled. Seizing the moment, I raised my sword overhead and unleashed Storm Bringer, a black blade technique. At the same time, Serena infused the blade with water, creating a swirling vortex of holy water around it.

“Rahab, the Sword of the Sacred Dragon!“

With a sword cloaked in holy water, I struck down the Acid Peacock. The blade cleaved through its body, purifying the poison with the holy water. As I landed, the creature let out a dying cry before its body dissolved entirely.

With the Acid Peacock defeated and the presence of monsters in the area gone, we began preparations for the purification ritual.

Standing in the village’s center, bathed in the light of Kamtsuhi, Serena held True Tear and began chanting sacred verses. Even Amery, a fellow woman, was captivated by her beauty in that moment.

“Tear Armor Manifestation: True Tear Angel, Seer of Truth!”

Serena, transformed into an angelic figure, struck the ground with her staff. A piercing sound echoed as pale blue ripples spread outward. The murky air and the blackened ground were cleansed, restored to their natural state.

Before long, the poison that had tainted the mountain and the village was completely eradicated.