BXBX NOVEL Chapter 197 196: Confrontation
Hanging on her back was a giant war axe, the large blade gleaming in the light of the lava like behind us.
The other six were wearing a spattering of different armors; an Elf was clad in tight leather, multiple daggers strapped to her lithe body, while a burly Boarkin rested his hands on his great sword, his steel chainmail dangling over his muscular body.
One thing each of them had in common was the dark green sash that hung on their waist, and I frowned as I saw the glimmering runes embroidered on the cloth.
However, Jahi stepped forwards, a smirk on her face as she said "So you were warning me yourself huh, Orc?"
My frown deepened as I glanced at Jahi, before turning my eyes back to the Orc woman.
For a moment, my desire to kill her where she stood flared to an unhealthy degree.
How did Jahi know this woman?!
Why had I never seen her?!
When did Jahi get the time to meet this female Orc?!
Taking a deep breath, I clamped down on those dangerous feelings, deciding to trust in Jahi; besides, her words, and lack of using a name, meant she knew little about this woman.
She was safe, for now.
Hearing Jahi\'s words, the others on the hill glanced at the Orc, who was presumedly their leader.
"I don\'t know what yer talking about, Lady Asmodia; I\'ve never personally met ye."
Jahi chuckled, muttering "Sure, sure~!"
Patting the dark green sash, the Orc spoke, her tone low and sharp.
"Respectfully, Lady Asmodia, we would like to avoid trouble. Our... employer wants you to leave the Aurim Family alone, or else."
Frowning, Jahi stared at the Orc before saying "Yeah, no. They\'re too useful for the March to give up. So..."
Patting her dual metal blade, Jahi smirked at the group, her eyes flickering to that wondrous gold.
"Leave me and my Family alone, or else."
A Human female stepped forwards, a sneer on her weathered face as she spat "You\'re just a damn brat, still wet behind the ears. You don\'t know what\'s good for you. Listen to what we tell you to do, \'Lady Asmodia\'."
Chuckling, Jahi started stretching her arms, rolling her shoulders as she gave the woman a cold smile.
"You might want to watch your tone. Not only are you speaking to the future Marquess Asmodia, but you\'re doing so in a such a disrespectful tone. Besides, there are only five- scratch that, six people who can tell me what to do, and you do not place on that list."
Unsheathing her short sword, the Human growled "Damn nobles. So arrogant, with not an inkling of what the real world is like! I\'ll enjoy-"
"Tris! Quiet!"
The woman, Tris, flinched when the Orc growled at her.
"Sorry, Lady Asmodia. Please forgive her... however, while her words may be crude, there is some truth to them. Ye know not what is happening behind the scenes, hidden behind the thick curtains of politics."
Jahi nodded, her expression serious.
"I know, but I also know that I cannot let the Aurim Family go; their expertise in potions is still second to none, if you ignore the Kameiel Family. Therefore..."
Raising her blade, the Orc frowned as she watched Jahi coat her sword in golden mana, the light shining brightly inside the dim cavern.
"I suggest you turn around and walk away, lest you lose your lives. I\'m not like the other nobility; I\'ve been polished since birth, by a Knight of Cinder and Saintess. My pedigree is more than the rest of my generation, and you\'d best not forget that."
The Orc took a deep breath, her pale eyes conflicted.
She likely knew that; if she was sent by a Noble House intent on capitalizing on the current political landscape shifts from the Sariel-Kameiel alliance, then she had to have done research on Jahi.
Which would let her know that the woman standing before her could go toe to toe with an instructor at the Academy; not just a basic spar, but one of an entirely other level.
Without the aid of her potent, insanely powerful mana.
However, she likely was backed into a corner; being employed by a Noble House, and failing at your job, tended to have...
Heavy consequences.
Sighing, the Orc drew her axe and stared at Jahi, saying "I still have to try, Lady Asmodia. Besides..."
I frowned again as brown mana coated her body gave off a strong feeling.
As the others saw that, they activated their own Mana Cloaks, the assortment of reds, greens, browns, and blues casting shimmering glows on the ground.
Leone stepped forwards, making all seven Adventurer\'s look at her.
"Before we... begin, you do realize that you are not only attempting to threaten a Marquess, specifically Marquess Asmodia, but you are also threatening us, her wives? Must we remind you of our backgrounds as well? The amount of hell that would rain down upon this Empire should any harm befall us..."
The Elf gulped, glancing over at the Orc.
"S-She\'s got a point, Eusa. The Empress, the Sultana... those aren\'t small Nobles; weak Nobles..."
That made Tris scoff, saying "Who fucking cares; as long as we don\'t kill \'em, we\'ll be fine."
Which made me raise my brow; we had seen their faces, so should they touch a hair on Leone\'s head, bounties with some of the largest rewards ever seen would be plastered around the Empire.
And yet...
The Orc, Eusa, sighed.
"Don\'t kill any of them. Just..."
Hefting her axe, she narrowed her eyes as she stared at Jahi, growling "Scare \'em a bit."
Saying so, she charged forwards, her feet slamming into the ground and causing tremors with each step.
Raising my hand, I traced out the runes for a spell, only to roll to the side as an arrow made from wind flew past my face.
Tracing the path of it, I saw the Elf raising her hand as well, a green spell circle glowing in front go her palm.
She and a Lizardkin stood on the hill, casting spells, while the remaining five charged down the slope, towards us.
Glowering at her, I avoided another wind arrow and flicked my hand towards her, sending my own wind arrow towards her.
She dodged it, but that moment allowed me to erect a giant wall of ice between us and them, giving us some much needed time.
Glancing at one another, Jahi, Anput and I formed a wedge, the Demoness at the \'tip\', forming a protective cordon around Leone, who was rapidly tracing runes into the air.
With such a large pool of fire mana behind her...
I held in a chuckle, wondering what these Adventurers would have to counter Leone.
However, my head snapped back towards the ice wall, which cracked as something slammed into it.
Keeping my dagger in my hand, I raised both palms and poured mana into the wall, repairing it as quickly as I could.
However, I was barely able to keep it at the same state it was at now, as more and more attacks pounded into the thick ice wall, doing more damage than I could repair.
Using these precious moments, Jahi\'s hands moved in a blur, and a dome of golden light appeared around us, just in time to block a barrage of wind arrows that slammed into the golden barrier.
As for Anput, she was layering the black sand before us with small, sharp metal spikes, preparing to use them against our attackers.
Meanwhile, the ritual circle around Leone only grew brighter, the orange light turning harsh as she funneled more mana into it.
They might have restrictions about killing us, but...
We have no such binds, so when they came charging at us...
Lethal force would be used.
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I wonder who they might work for~?
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