Chapter 42: Implication
Just a friendly reminder in case someone still believes this Leylin is the same as the original: DISCLAIMER FOR DARK STUFF. LEYLIN IS A VILLAIN, NOT AN ANTI-HERO. PROCEED WITH THE STORY AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
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Signs of movement came from the trees nearby. Leylin hid the bandage with his cloak and straightened his posture.
He had decided to patiently wait. Aralis had already informed him of what was coming in his direction, after all.
The shouting gradually became closer. The bushes nearby split apart as a large guy protecting a nobly dressed young lady rushed out into the clearing where Leylin stood.
When the large guy saw Leylin, he was shocked. He never expected someone had set up camp here.
He said with a bitter smile at Leylin: "What bad luck you have. I'm afraid you'll also be implicated in this."
"Don't let him escape!" -A group of armed soldiers in leather armor rushed over on horseback. Their leader wore an elegant set of chainmail armor and in his right hand, a golden cross blade was pointing at the huge man.
'That man's outfit does not resemble something a mercenary or an adventurer would wear. These people are most likely the personal retainers of some member of the local aristocracy. And considering that Aralis detected how the soldiers' leader is right below me in terms of power as a Knight, he must be the right hand of said noble.'
According to the A.I.'s scan, the large guy was mildly injured but he still had the strength of a preparatory Knight. As for the rest of the pursuers, the leader was the only one at Knight level, whereas his soldiers were merely a little stronger than the average human.
"Who are you?" -The leader looked at Leylin.
"I'm just a tired hunter, please continue and don't mind me." -Leylin took out a waterskin and calmly drank from it.
This casual vibe obviously made the private squad leader feel somewhat apprehensive since the large guy and young lady stood to his side.
"Please save us! We are the descendants of Viscount Barrett. If you were to lend us a helping hand, I will definitely remember your kindness, and you will forever have the friendship of the Barrett family!" -The young lady implored Leylin.
She had a pair of mesmerizing sapphire eyes, shoulder-long black hair, and a curvaceous body. At this moment, her face had a pleading expression that would most likely move the majority of noble male youths to impulsively swear to fight for her honor.
"Miss Lanning, the Viscount only asks for you to return. I beg you: do not resist." -The leader told the young lady.
"That underhanded and despicable worm! He coveted the possessions of my family and poisoned my father so he could inherit everything! Even if I die, I will not go back!" -The young lady poured all of her problems out into one statement, as she glanced at Leylin from time to time. Although her movements were extremely well concealed, Leylin saw through her easily.
'She wants to drag me into her petty feud? Hmm, I already know what I'll do...' -Leylin smirked darkly under his mask of obliviousness.
"My Sire has not done any of the things you claim. As for the inheritance, it is to be decided after the meeting with the nobles!" -The leader exclaimed loudly.
"I will never trust him or you with my safety! He has tried to have his way with me even before marriage! I have proof on my body!" -The young lady snarled.
"Enough! Quick, bring the Lady home!" -The Knight seemed resolved not to negotiate any further, as he commanded his detachment of soldiers.
A few of the common troops brandished their swords and charged forward. The large guy beside the lady roared and positioned himself so he could shield her.
The large guy's strength was not bad. Even though he was injured, he still made 5 of these mounted soldiers pay with their lives. Leylin was not impressed though.
The troops eventually managed to chop and retrieve the head of the large guy. Then they tied the screaming noble young lady up and only then did the leader gave Leylin a suspicious glare. He had been wary of the Farlier heir since the beginning.
"I regret doing this to an innocent man, but the secrets of our Sire cannot be heard by anyone else." -The Knight leader flourished his sword slowly.
"Regret, you say? Pathetic." -Leylin took out his crossbow before anyone could see his movements.
A black line pierced through the Knight's chest at that instant. When he saw the bolt had cleanly entered from his chest and exited his back, he fell down from his horse with a look of disbelief. Blood had been spilled everywhere since the bolt had gone right through his heart.
"He... He killed the Captain! Charge!" -One of the soldiers yelled, and led a cavalry charge at Leylin with the other 12 men.
They were about to reach him when he took a small gray pouch from his satchel and sprinkled a cloud of white dust in front of him.
The soldiers and their horses immediately fell like bags of potatoes on the ground, unable to move. They still followed Leylin with their eyes, but could not do anything else.
'This paralyzing powder I made for fun seems quite effective when used against ordinary creatures. Noted.' -Leylin nodded in satisfaction. He would not be able to use it on stronger enemies, but it was pretty convenient to deal with pests.
Leylin forthwith strode to where the young lady was currently taking cover behind a tree and towered above her. He cut her restraints and took a couple of steps back.
He stared down at her and the young lady quickly reacted, standing up and dusting her gown off.
"Are you... a Magus?" -The young lady looked at Leylin as her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Is that your way of saying thanks? Line up those soldiers and then use this to finish them." -Leylin pointed at the fallen soldiers on the ground, as he handed the lady a dagger.
The young lady pursed her lips but she still moved the paralyzed soldiers over. She even moved the corpses of the Knight leader and the large guy that was protecting her.
Afterward, the young lady's eyes flashed with malicious intent. She prepared the dagger and then stabbed all of these paralyzed soldiers to death. She did not prioritize a fast kill and occasionally stabbed the same man twice or thrice.
Throughout the whole process, Leylin watched intently with a warm smile as the young lady stabbed her pursuers to death.
'Such an amateur. She's positively never killed someone with her own hands before. Probably had her guards or servants do it for her.' -Leylin inwardly mocked the girl's technique or lack thereof.
"You are definitely a Magus, aren't you? That thing you used was magical, I know it." -The young lady said confidently.
Leylin remained silently observing the girl. His expression was blank.
"As long as you help me with my revenge, I will hand over all my prized possessions to you. This includes the inheritance of a Magus. Naturally, I also will belong to you..." -The girl said in a soft voice, as she unfastened her robes and slowly walked towards Leylin. Her pearly naked body reflected some of the moonlight.
'Inheritance of a Magus... She must think I'm stupid. I've seen drunk people who lie better than she does.'
"You're not actually that hot, to be honest. Moreover, my time is limited. Just suck me off and we can call it a day." -Leylin shrugged as he undid his belt and threw it to the ground.
"What?! Do you think I am some kind of cheap whore?! I am Lady Elia of Barrett; a daughter of nobility! If you want my body, then I demand to have your child!" -She yelled with a cold glint in her eyes.
"Calling yourself nobility as you strip in the middle of a pile of cadavers... These youngsters, I tell you... Alas, I gave you the choice of being useful for once in your life. But if that's what you want, then so be it." -Leylin declared somberly.
Before she could ask what he meant, Leylin had already blinked from his position to being face to face with the lady. Not even allowing her to scream, he placed his fingers around her throat and started to exert great pressure.
"Ah, there it is. The dreadful realization of your incoming death. Lovely." -The Farlier heir whispered in a joyful tone whilst he looked directly into the girl's eyes.
The only sound coming from the girl was her desperate effort to breathe.
"Could it be... Are you lamenting your actions?" -Leylin kept the pressure as he touched the girl's lips with his free hand.
The lady's neck started to make tightening noises, and her eyes widened in distress. Her face was turning notably paler from the lack of blood irrigation.
"No no. Don't die on me yet. Here, your last meal." -Leylin said as he took out his proudly erect member.
The girl's eyes were threatening to go to the back of her head. She felt as if her brain was going to burst inside her skull.
"It was your own fault for offering yourself to me. And I always get what I want, one way or another." -Leylin said with a mad grin.
He shoved her body up against a tree and bent her over his member. He was much taller than her, so it was not a problem.
Following that, he began to thrust his member inside her mouth time and time again; his hand never leaving the girl's neck.
Her oxygen-deprived mind was unable to think of a way out. Her weak muscles were unable to stop him.
Regardless of its futility, nonetheless, the girl looked like she was trying to resist her attacker with all of her last remaining strength.
Unfortunately, the consequence it delivered could not have been more horrifying to her. Her struggle ultimately brought Leylin over the edge, as he released everything inside.
"That was the first good oral I've gotten since my transmigration. I congratulate you. Though I must say, you highborn girls are similar to a coin flip. Either I get an awkward idiot like Neela, or a cunning harlot like yourself who knows what she's doing." -Leylin told indifferently, as he finally snapped the thin neck of the raven-haired girl.
[Good riddance. She signed her death sentence the moment she looked at you, Doctor.] -Aralis chimed in.
'Not really. I was planning to kill her as soon as you informed me they had entered your security perimeter.' -Leylin corrected.
With a face like a statue, he then put his member back into his breeches after he cleaned it using the girl's dress. Then he heaped the corpse of the young lady who died with a grieving look together with the others.
He looted anything of value they had on them, including the leader's cross blade which would serve to replace the one he lost to the sprite's corrosive skin. Then he went over to the still-paralyzed horses that the lady had not killed and finished them off as well.
Once he was done, he withdrew a yellow-colored potion from his satchel and poured it on top of a soldier's cadaver. Soon, the corpse was putrefied into a puddle of yellow viscous liquid.
Leylin did the same thing for the rest of the corpses, destroying them all completely and then storing away the empty potion bottle.
Moments later, the area surrounding him had only a puddle of yellow water left. The horses, the large guy, the young lady, and the soldiers. All of them had disappeared without a trace.
This potion that could putrefy and dissolve corpses was another one of Leylin's inventions, which he had concocted when he was bored. Although his Acidic Aqua Shot was more practical concerning the task of eliminating evidence, he had already used up all of his Spiritual Force in the fight against the mutated sprite.
'I needed that to clear my mind after the incident with my arm. I still cannot forgive myself for that blunder.' -Leylin shook his head.
[So, what next?] -Aralis asked with an indecipherable tone.
'For now, the most critical issue is to get enough ingredients to treat my wounds. As it turns out, I already have a place in mind where I could find what I need.'
[Just say the word and I'll set up the route, Doctor.]
Leylin packed his things once more, and erased any sign of his existence, before disappearing into the woods on top of his black horse. He had left his carriage hidden not far from Messi Village.
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Two days later, at midnight.
On the outskirts of a densely packed forest, a figure fully draped in black robes appeared to be reaching for something.
'Lost Forest. It's here.' -Leylin took in his surroundings and compared them again with his holo map. Without turning around, he delved further into the darkness.
His leather boot stepped on the dried twigs, which let out a crunching sound. In the darkness, it sounded even eerier than normal.
'Aralis, what is the result of your region scan?' -Inquired Leylin.
[I discovered a partial illusionary field. Regular humans who enter it will be baffled, walk around in circles, and eventually leave unknowingly. Basically, a harmless method of keeping non-Magi out.]
'Indeed. No wonder there are tales of ghosts and demons in here. There is often news about humans going missing on these parts. That is also why no one went to investigate the activity of that mutated sprite.' -Although they were under the illusion, Leylin was not affected by it.
"Hello, acolyte! Welcome to the Magus Market!" -Suddenly, a black figure leaped down gently from atop a tree and landed on a broken gravestone. Its eyes were gleaming with a dark green light.