Sorcerous Stabber Orphen Rogue Journey Vol 1 Chapter 5

Sorcerous Stabber Orphen

Chapter 5 - Night of “Hunting”

“d.a.m.n it, we've searched the entire warehouse and can’t find it. That monster must have taken it.”

Childman was as cold as ever.

“For five years, me and my men have been after that monster. You can understand why we must kill it.”

“So you intend to erase her from existence?”

Orphen mumbled, but Childman’s expression never changed —— his cheek didn’t even twitch. He just coldly replied.

“She died five years ago. We are only hunting a flying monster.”

“Azalie is that flying monster!”

“As long as her sanity remains, I know she won’t kill me.”

Hartia then spoke next. However, Orphen didn’t pay attention to him.

“But Childman, even with your magic skills can you beat her?”

Childman’s footsteps came to a sudden halt.

“Maybe, but she has a hidden trump card.”

“......White magic.”

Orphen said flatly. Hartia’s face had lost some of it’s color.

Childman continued, as if he was giving a lecture.

“White magic has the power to manipulate time and energy. Although it sounds rather simple, it’s actually a very powerful form of magic, when used right.”

He gently waved his hand.

“Even the usage of white magic in wartime has been known to turn to tide of the war.”

Childman put his hand to his head, and started stroking his hair.

“What’s wrong Childman, talking isn’t usually your style.”

“If you would have let me finish, I was going to say that white magic isn’t everything. That’s because, the most powerful fighting force is a well disciplined black sorcerer.”

“......Are you still planning on killing her?”

Orphen said with clenched teeth. However, the teacher was as cold as ever.

“Of course. However, I could do with your a.s.sistance.”

“Screw you!”

“Krylancelo, this is ——”

Hartia made every effort to get Orphen’s attention. However, the red headed man bit his lip.

“This is your atonement for leaving the Tower of Fang. Besides, if we work together we can find her faster.”

“I want to find her alive, I don’t want to kill her.”

“Krylancelo, I want you to partic.i.p.ate in our plan. We’ll find her—— no, the monster and get back the sword. If you do, you could rise to a high position within the tower. You could perhaps become an a.s.sistant to one of the teachers.”

Orphen was filled with a sense of disgust, so much that he almost vomited.

“I’ve had enough of you and that place. You’ll have to rely on your own means to succeed, I’ll have nothing to do with you.”

“Can’t you see that this is only causing harm to the Tower of Fang and it’s reputation? If we fail in our quest, the authority of the Tower will plummet! Please come back, you can gain what you have lost. You can still become one of the candidate’s again, don’t throw your past away.”

Hartia swallowed and took a deep breath.

“Do you want to do odd jobs for the rest of your life?”

“My hope is that ——”

Orphen was cut mid sentence by Childman, whose cough stopped the two men bickering. Hartia turned to look at him, but he said nothing. He just watched them for a moment, then he began to talk.

“You two are arguing over pointless things. Krylancelo, listen to me. Tonight, we are organising our forces on a crusade against the monster. Several black sorcerers from the Tower of Fang will also be partic.i.p.ating.   

“......Do you know her location?”

“When you were in this branch the other day, I snuck into the Everlasting residence. I found the sword in the warehouse, and I put a tracking spell on it. That way, I can track where it goes.”

“......You always were one step ahead of me.”

“Tonight we will kill that flying monster. You can come with us, but if you do you will follow my orders. So, are you coming or not?”

“............”

Taking everyone is consideration, they’re power could rival that of even the Thirteen Apostles.

Orphen quietly asked Childman a question.

“......Do you really think you can stop Azalie with white magic?”

“Possibly.”

Childman answered, as cruel as ever.

“That isn’t a definite answer, what’s the real plan?”

“Why do you think I brought so many people. It’s like chess, the p.a.w.ns sacrifice themselves for the King. It doesn't matter how many people die in the initial attack, what matters is that someone can get close enough to kill the monster.”

“I think that’s fairly obvious.”

Orphen said while thinking to himself.

(Who knows)

He then asked another question.

“So, who’s leading the charge against Azalie?”

“You are. The young are the most tenacious, and you have great combat skills. Though your character could do with some improvement——”

“Besides, if you die. That means less paperwork for me.”

***

“Oh, poor me. Why do I have to suffer like this? That b.a.s.t.a.r.d should get his own hands dirty for once!”

Vulcan said as he was walking through tall gra.s.s and weeds. Meanwhile, his brother Dortin was cutting the tall gra.s.s and weeds in front of him.

“What right do you have to complain?”

Behind Dortin was Vulcan, who was holding a lamp to light the way, and cutting the occasional weed with his own machete.

“I have every right!

Behind Vulcan was Cleo, she was wearing lightweight riding clothes and holding a sword.

“I heard that you got some information so you could help Orphen. Will those sorcerers really go there?”

“Don’t question my intelligence gathering skills.”

Vulcan didn’t look back.

“As a matter of fact, a friend of mine told me where those Alliance of Sorcerer’s fellows were going.”

“Can you actually trust those so-called friends of yours?”

Cleo asked. However, a look of impotence went over Vulcan’s face. He didn’t have the heart to face the girl with her sword out.

“Watch where you're pointing that sword.”

“How dare you, a knight’s sword is held with justice.”

Cleo majestically held up her sword into the air. Seeing this, Vulcan started to move faster. But there was no escape, so Vulcan raised his own weapon.

“You say knight? Since when did the Everlasting family become n.o.bles? If you don’t stop this nonsense, I’ll kill you with a pencil!”

A loud roar resounded through the forest. It was deafening, so much that gusts of air blew through the forest. Sending branches and leaves alike flying, Orphen even had to use his arm to protect himself.

Then, the roar happened again.

(That’s Azalie’s roar!)

Instantly, Orphen happily rushed out ahead —— he thought Azalie’s roar was a reaction to his yelling. If that was the case, then she still retained some of her sanity.

(No —— wait)

Orphen ran many ideas through his head, as to why Azalie was roaring.

(Could she have known that human’s were approaching, is that why she roared? If the beast continues to do this, she could escape.)

If that’s the case, then there was no chance for him to catch up to her. That goes for Childman too.

“I won’t give up!”

Adrenaline pumped through Orphen’s system, as he started to run through the forest at a miraculous speed. He could hear Azalie roaring as he neared her position, leaping from place to place he heard——

Azalie roar again, but this one was different, it shook the forest to it’s very core. As compressed air was sent flying in all directions, causing multiple explosions. This made Orphen consider moving more slowly, however the earth itself began to shake. And all the trees and weeds within a ten metre radius of Azalie began to sink beneath the earth, as Orphen looked in dismay. But it wasn’t the now desolated area he should be concerned about, but the huge shadow in the center.

(Azalie……)

Orphen gazed at the huge beast as he sat a mere ten metres away, staying as quiet as possible. Although large, the beast may be low of energy after the battle last night. He could tell this as Azalie was now three metres in length. He could see something s.h.i.+ning —— it was the sword of baltanders.

Orphen stared at the beast, while it laid there motionless.

(Why did it create an open s.p.a.ce in the forest?)

Orphen carefully questioned himself.

(Naturally, she probably knew people were hunting her. But it didn’t make any sense for her to destroy part of the forest. Unless ——)

Orphen started thinking, then Azalie roared, as to signal her movement.

(Unless she made this open area to fight!)

Azalie started purring, just as Orphen tried to retreat.

But at that very moment, numerous b.a.l.l.s of light were sent flying right at Orphen. Catapulting him into the air momentarily, until he regained his footing. He then shouted at Azalie.

“Azalie! Don’t you recognize me?”

She answered his call with another attack. But luckily he was able to roll out of the way, he then shouted again.

“Have you really lost your memory of me, Azalie?”

The beast didn’t seem to care, it just roared again.

Numerous blades of light and compressed air were sent flying over the deafening roar.

Orphen put out his arms, and shouted.

“Amber s.h.i.+eld from my fingertips!”

The s.h.i.+eld made from compressed air protected him. However, parts of Azalie’s attack made it through, leaving some scratches on Orphen’s face.

(She’s going to kill me.)

Orphen was stunned at the immense power that the beast had, he knew that he couldn’t escape. He will probably be her first kill of the night.

(Factoring in our difference in power, I’d say I have no chance in winning.)

In the middle of the battle, Orphen hesitated. Azalie put her head into the air and started summoning a giant ball of light, which expanded rapidly. Orphen’s body was suddenly wrought with pain, as a strong electrostatic discharge made his hairs stand up. Azalie must be summoning a ma.s.sive attack, no matter what kind of defense Orphen has, it will hit him directly.

(I’m gonna be killed——)

Orphen closed his eyes in despair——

Though even with his eyelids closed, he could still see a some of the light.

Orphen opened his eyes, and Azalie’s attack wasn’t released.

Bam!

From behind of him a wave of light and heat struck Azalie in the face, then the ball of light exploded. A blast of wind was sent in every direction, and even grazed Orphen’s skin. In the center there were only flames, he couldn’t even see her shadow.

(Is Azalie dead?)

Not knowing what had just happened, Orphen turned around to the forest behind him. He saw Hartia standing with the group of black sorcerers and the old man.

“Childman? He’s here?!”
 

Orphen shouted. Childman could still hear his cries over the explosion, as he calmly walked towards him with no expression. Hartia and the other’s followed after him, the could all see the fear on Orphen’s face. All the other sorcerers had a wide variety of expressions, but none of them were moved by what they had done. The old man who used white magic came towards Orphen, and pa.s.sed him by. Behind him, there was only a pillar of fire surrounding the monster. Orphen then looked over at Childman.  

“I wanted to surprise you.”

Orphen mumbled, while Childman replied coldly.

“Oh, really? I thought I made myself clear.”

He shrugged.

“I said you were leading the charge.”

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”

Orphen shouted at Childman. Darkness suddenly fell all around them, then the pillar of fire dissipated.

Azalie roared again. At the same time, Childman moved behind the white sorcerer, who was now surrounded by blue and white flames.

“............!”

He didn’t even have time to scream, the flames were so hot that it killed him instantly. He was incinerated.

“Spread out!”

Childman quickly gave orders to his subordinates, the black sorcerers rushed in all directions like  a pack of dogs. Only Childman remained in the center, meanwhile Orphen watched him.

“She’s so stubborn.”

Childman and the other’s began to talk softly, then the black sorcerers went on the attack.

“Fire!”

They all shouted their own spells, Fire, Wind, Light and so on. A total of six attacks came from all directions. However, Azalie roared resounded throughout the night sky, and all the attacks stop half way.

Then Azalie roared again, and a bolt of lightning hit one of the black sorcerers, blowing up his body. It seemed he didn't have enough time to release his defensive magic. Staring at what was left of the young man’s body, Orphen wondered what he should do. He knew that even though Azalie was fighting, she couldn't hold it up for long. So, Orphen had to do something to help her, but he just didn't know what to do.

(I understand. But, can I do it?)

Orphen glanced over at Childman. Right now, the teacher’s attention was concentrated on the men who were fighting Azalie. He also noticed that Childman was holding back, and so he made up his mind. Orphen was determined, and he ran in the direction of Azalie.

(I need to take that sword away from her and escape. That way, Childman will come after me and Azalie will retreat just like last time.)

He looked at the sword lying at her feet, Orphen opened his mouth and began chanting a mantra. And with one deep breath, he increased his body's strength. With the strength of a beast, he slid past Azalie and grabbed the sword. Then he made a break for the forest, but behind Orphen ——.

“Hartia! Krylancelo has taken the sword! Go after him!”

In the midst of the battle, Orphen could hear Childman give Hartia an order.

Boom, boom...

He could constantly hear explosions going off behind him. From the sound of things —— he could tell that Azalie wasn't dead. He tightened his grip of the huge sword of Baltanders, and stopped in his tracks. Looking into the forest, he couldn't see anyone approaching.

(Childman probably sent one or two guys with Hartia after me. However, this will only give Azalie the advantage.)

Orphen began to run again, he wanted to avoid fighting Hartia at all costs.

But——

“Fire!”

Hartia shouted. The tree Orphen just ran by caught fire, and began to burn. Orphen knew he had to turn around and face him, or risk getting hit in the back. Orphen stood there waiting for him, and for the first few seconds he couldn't see him. The suddenly, he came out of the heavy forest and threw his rifle to the ground. He pulled his sword out of it’s sheath and charged forward.

“That monster killed Komikuron! Do you remember him? He was from our cla.s.s, Childman’s cla.s.s!”

Hartia shouted. He was killed when Azalie hit him with her lighting, Orphen mustn’ve noticed that it was him.

“......That was Komikuron?”

Orphen muttered. Then Hartia angrily spoke.

“Everyone knew how dangerous this operation would be, but you continue to disappoint us!”

“Disappoint?”

“You betrayed us!”

Hartia fiercely said, as he pointed at Orphen.

“If you are so determined to save her, then end her suffering. Can’t you see she doesn't have the will to fight?”

“You want me to kill Azalie.”

Orphen’s smile was full of irony. He then stuck the Sword of Baltanders into the ground, standing upright.

Hartia’s look changed to that of disgust.

“She no longer has a heart, she is simply a beast.”

“That’s not true, the sword can change her back to her old self. And I’ll be the one to do it!”

“Did you forget? She killed Komikuron!”

“Yes, because you attacked her first. It’s called self-defense.”

“Even so, didn't she attack you first. That’s not what I would call self-defense!”

“It seems our opinion runs along two parallel lines.”

Orphen deliberately imitated the tone of Childman. This lit a fire in Hartia’s eyes.

“Then it’s war from here on out!”

“This won’t end well for you. Remember what happened last time, Black Tiger?”

Orphen quickly began to chant.

“Sword of Light, whom I do release!”

Boom!

A wave of light and heat exploded between the two men, dirt and dust was kicked up all around them. Orphen took advantage of this and jumped backwards, to distance himself from Hartia.

Meanwhile, Hartia started chanting.

“Darkness!”

At that very moment, darkness came upon them from every direction —— so much that you couldn’t even see the stars. Even with his strong nighttime vision, he couldn’t see through this darkness. Orphen continued to jump backwards, he didn't think Hartia would have casted this in such a big area. But no matter how much he moved backwards, he couldn't escape the darkness. So, Orphen gave up retreating, stuck out his hand and shouted.

“I withdraw thee——”

However, someone grabbed Orphen’s arm.

“……...!”

Orphen was flung through the air and hit the sword, but it didn't seem to be Hartia who did it.

Orphen threw away the sword, put both of his hands together at this chest and shouted.

“I erase thee, demon's footprints”

He emitted enough power to bring down the magical environment, it collapsed like a mirror being broken.

Orphen looked around, where he saw Hartia standing ten metres away. But then that’s when he saw her, even Hartia noticed his expression of disbelief.

“Cleo!”

“Orphen!!!”

She spoke with a tearful voice and came charging through the bushes behind Hartia, she kicked the red-haired man onto the ground. Then she stood on top of him —— no doubt about it, that’s Cleo.

“Help!”

Then Vulcan and Dortin came jumping out for the bushes too, jumping on the poor Hartia as they came running towards Orphen.

“Monster! There’s a monster! This is your line of work, you black sorcerer b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”

“What my brother means to say, is help.”

“You guys, what’s going on?”

Orphen said as he hugged the girl, the moved onto the hard questions.

“Well, I wanted to help find the monster and ——”

“She hit it with a rock! You've got to help us.”

“I didn't do it on purpose you dimwit!”

“Calm down guys. You mean Azalie, don’t you?”

Orphen looked in the direction he had just came from. He saw Hartia attempting to lift himself up, he had an extremely angry face.

“You b.a.s.t.a.r.ds!”

But just as he shouted, a huge figure came flying out of the bushes.

Hartia screamed as if he was gonna die, as it looked like the beast was going to trample him. Orphen quickly took a stance, and started changing.

“Sword of Light, whom I do release!”

A bright light lit up the entire forest.

A wave of light and heat struck the shadowy figure, blowing it up. After the dust had settled, Orphen could see that the explosion sent Hartia flying a couple of metres from where he last was. He ignored Hartia writhing in pain, and concentrated on the half blown up corpse of the monster. He could see that it was squirming as it’s organs were now exposed, it was smaller than he thought. It looked nothing like Azalie, for one it looked like a mixture between a cow and a bear. It also had a large bladder near it’s throat. 

“Looks like your monster was just a wild animal.”

“Is it dead?”

Cleo said, as she tightly hugged Orphen’s waist. Orphen then put his hand on her blonde hair and spoke.

“For the most part yes. Though, I didn’t expect to see this kind of beast around these parts.”

“Ha ha ha!”

Cleo said sincerely, she then threw the sword at Vulcan and Dortin. Both of them caught it and went tumbling backwards.

“Those two can guard the sword. Don’t cast me aside…...I can come in handy.”

“Listen here ——”

After listening to her, Orphen suddenly felt like he had too much baggage. He needed to say something that could change her mind.

“Fine, you can come with me.”

Orphen finished his sentence, Cleo was ecstatic and started cheering. Then moved for a little bit until——.

“Hey, wait a minute.”

“Why?”

“I’ve come all the way here and I’ve got blisters on the bottom of my feet. If I continue like this my feet will start to bleed, could you possibly carry me?”

Orphen ignored her and ran on ahead. The cheering behind him instantly turned into cursing.

He made it back to the battlefield and saw that it was over. It was obvious that Azalie was winning, scattered across the area were a couple of corpses. He saw the burned old white sorcerer, and Komikuron, there were two other headless bodies. Orphen took another look around and saw an unidentifiable black sorcerer that was also burned.  Everyone seemed to be killed by black magic.

(......Why didn't she use white magic?)

This was bugging Orphen, from the first time she appeared at the Everlasting household she didn’t use white magic. He wondered if she could even use white magic at all.

Azalie had an extraordinary fighting ability. After all she was know as the demon witch, one of the best black sorcerers. However, he only counted five corpses. That just leaves Childman.

He was staring directly at Orphen, he had just returned from checking on Hartia. He turned his attention to Azalie, and shouted.

“Light!”

An amazing volley of light emanated from Childman and struck Azalie, causing an explosion. It was so hot that it scorched the ground nearby, but it seemed Azalie didn't suffer serious injuries. She must have casted a magical barrier.

(With such terrible strength, I don’t think Childman can win.)

Azalie then roared, and started to prepare an attack. Then teacher and student both took a stance, and both shouted in unison.

“I spin thee, armor of light!”

Both of them summoned a barrier around them, but Childman’s barrier was less than perfect. Parts of his clothes started to catch fire, he could be in real danger. Azalie loomed over him and prepared her next attack. Orphen smirked and thought it ironic.

“Do you need my help?”

“Komikuron may not be dead?

“I can’t help you. I want to save Azalie and you want to kill her.”

Then Orphen frowned.

“Azalie’s strong isn't she? She has the kind of power that no mere human can match.”

“Of course she does.”

Childman coldly answered, as he started another mantra.

“Light!”

“Stop it!”

Orphen shouted.

Azalie and Childman both unleashed an attack on eachother. Both of their barrier withstood their attacks, but after the bright light disappeared, Childman was nowhere to be seen.

Then all Orphen could hear was Childman laughing.

“Are you really going to defend that monster while I cast magic until dawn?”

“I want you to understand one thing.”

“Demon!”

Tap Tap Tap

It sounded like the devil’s footsteps, a tremendous force weighed down upon the earth. So much that the area surrounding Azalie began to sink into the earth, she could feel the pressure squeezing her tightly.

Azalie started to groan loudly, as if she was gonna cast magic. However, she soon stopped groaning, as the newly formed atmosphere began to surround her. It was like a big black mist that covered the area, and before long she was completely covered in it.

In the silence of the night forest, shouting suddenly rang out.

“d.a.m.n! You b.a.s.t.a.r.d! You're like an old man carrying sacks of flour, I outta whip you into shape.”

“Shut up!”

“If I were two feet taller I could beat you with one arm.”

Orphen looked and saw Hartia holding Vulcan, he then saw Dortin and Cleo following him. Hartia didn't seem to be in pain, he must have strengthened himself with magic. In addition to the three hostages, he was also carrying the Sword of Baltanders.

“Orphen, I’m taking the sword back to the Tower.”

Hartia smirked.

“My acting wasn't bad, right?”

Hartia said, as he was held Cleo and the other’s hostage.

However, Orphen payed no attention to his words. He didn't even care, about Hartia or the Sword of Baltanders. Because Orphen was beginning to understand his stupid tricks.