In addition, such arrogant beings typically took pleasure in making the weak suffer. They would take the extra time to torment their victims even if they could have finished them off in a matter of seconds.
With that faint hope in mind, she decided on a three-on-three.
“Paladins, if the two who stepped up are defeated, continue fighting them one-on-one. The order goes: Sabicus, Esteban, Franco, and Galban.”
They were abandoning their advantage in numbers to buy time. Simply put, she was ordering everyone to kill themselves. However, the paladins did not hesitate for a moment when they received those orders.
This was what it meant to be a paladin.
This was what it meant to embody justice.
This is what it means to sacrifice yourself for others.
This was probably the last time they would be seen alive and unscathed. Even so, Remedios did not take her eyes from the three demihumans for even a moment. She did not want to miss any chances to glean information from them.
I don’t have a clear picture of what’s going on, but the first two demihumans look like skilled fighters. Perhaps that ape-like demihuman is a monk. That four-arms looks like a magic caster. Or is it something else?
There was nothing to fear when dueling demihumans who relied on brute strength alone, but demihumans who had been trained were truly frightening. If they had received warrior training, then they could stack their training and their natural physical abilities to become exceptional individuals who could surpass even veteran warriors of the Holy Kingdom. In truth, the opponent who had given Remedios her hardest fight ― Jaldabaoth aside ― was such an entity.
She recalled the blow that had stabbed her through her abdomen. That was why she paid attention when fighting demihumans and heeded the warnings of her instincts on top of that.
…Spellcasting demihumans are the most troublesome to deal with. It’ll be bad if they can fly through the air.
While Remedios could use her armor’s abilities to fly for short periods of time, she would not have her full range of movement while in flight. Ascending, descending, and turning were all very exhausting, and she would not be able to use her usual fighting style. If her opponent could cast 「Fly」, she might never be able to reach them with her attacks. While she possessed martial arts which allowed her to make ranged sword attacks, it would be difficult to win quickly when one took into account the fact that their effectiveness was a great deal lower.
The three demihumans entered through the gate, and then stopped.
“―To think we’d have to join forces for a puny human.”
She could not make the three demihumans out clearly through the smoke, but their relaxed tone had reached her.
The hand gripping the holy sword beaded with sweat, and a bitter taste spread over her tongue, something that only happened when danger drew close.
She could keenly feel her opponents’ approach.
The beast and the ape were definitely among the best of the best. While she was not sure about the four-armed one, the fact that she could stand by their side meant that she was on their level. In other words, these three demihumans were a match for Remedios.
“This smoke’s getting in the way. What a pain in the ass.”
A strong wind blew the remaining smoke away with a whoosh.
The demihumans’ forms were revealed. Standing at their head was a gigantic demihuman who wielded a battleaxe.
“Zoastia!” Paladin Esteban exclaimed.
Remedios was somewhat baffled. Zoostia? she thought. Was that the demihuman’s name?
“Hmm… well, it makes sense that you’d know of me,” the beastman said with an evil grin on his face. “In that case, I’ll spare you on account of your learning, so that more people will hear of my strength.”
“Heeheehee, Vijar-dono. Jaldabaoth-sama will get angry if you take matters into your own hands like that. At the very least, have him drop his weapon and take him prisoner.”
The entity addressing the Zoastia was the ape-like demihuman.
Thoroughly confused, Remedios turned to the people around her, a question mark floating above her head.
“Zoastia? Vijar? Vijar Zoostia? Zoostia Vijar?”
While she was simply asking the names of the opposition, Vijar did not realize that and so he laughed in delight.
“Kuhahahaha! You’re calling me that because you’ve concluded that I’m the leader of our race? You humans have good taste!”
“She’s just being polite, Vijar-dono,” the four-armed demihuman behind and to the left of Vijar said in a mocking tone.
“That, that’s right, it’s just a courtesy, Vijar!”
It was only then that Remedios realised she had made a mistake about his species’ name.
Right after that, the demihuman called Vijar twisted his face in displeasure.
“Hm, and I even asked Jaldabaoth-sama for permission to spare anyone who pleased me. Don’t regret it.”
“Who’s going to regret it? You can regret fighting us in the afterlife!”
“Heeheehee, what a spirited young lady you are… you are a young lady, right? I’m not good with the ages of other species…”
“It doesn’t matter, that ought to be it.”
The demihumans were probably being very serious. This was simply the difference between their species.
”Now then, human girl, I shall introduce ourselves. I am Halisha Ankara. This is Vijar Lajandara, who needs no introduction. And last of all is Nasrene Bert Kyuru-dono.”
“Those names! Aren’t they the White Elder and Iceflame Lightning!?” Paladin Sabicus exclaimed.
“Kukukukuku. Even the humans know our names. The fledgling, on the other hand―”
“―Human. Do I not have a title like that?”
“I’ve never heard of the name Vijar Lajandara. However, there’s an axe-wielding Zoastia like you who’s quite famous. It’s the Demon Claw, Demon Claw, Vaju Sandiknara.”
“That was my old man,” Vijar snorted. “I’m the heir to the title of Demon Claw, Vijar Lajandala. I’ll make sure you think of my name when you hear the words Demon Claw.”
“Heeheehee. We’ll leave the human general to you then, Vijar-dono.”
“So be it. It’s hard enough that you’ve been forced to come right up to your opponents instead of using spells from a distance. Frankly speaking, I was planning to fight them all by myself.”
“Heeheehee. We were ordered to work together, you know?”
“So you’re having trouble because you’re getting on in years?”
“Tch!”
The four-armed demihuman (Nasrene) who had clicked her tongue turned and gave Vijar a scary look. In truth, it felt like they might start killing each other at any moment if they were left unchecked.
“Now then, I really am fine doing this by myself…” Vijar stared at Remedios. “But let’s hear your name before that. While it’s a pain to have to listen to some mook name themselves, that sword of yours looks pretty good.”
“Remedios Custodio.”
Vijar and Halisha’s expressions changed, but in different ways.
Vijar was smiling with bloodlust at the thought of meeting a strong foe, while Halisha was surprised.
Nasrene, on the other hand, remained unmoved.
“So you’re the one, huh? You’re Remedios Custodio? They say you’re the strongest paladin in this country. Excellent. If I kill you, I’ll become famous. I’ll be the Zoastia who defeated the strongest paladin in the Holy Kingdom. The new successor to the title of Demon Claw!”
“Hmph. In that case, that must be the holy sword, right? Say, Vijar-dono, how about letting me face her instead? I’ll have my people sing your praises if you let me take your place.”
Both demihumans reacted immediately to Nasrene’s words.