Published at 28th of February 2022 03:07:11 PM

529 Battle of Words

Aruane jumps on top of the dead fenrir and bites into its neck, revealing the huge beast-like fangs normally hidden inside her mouth. The fenrirs insides were scattered as a result of my [Dimension Claw], and yet as Aruane bites into it, it rises again with unnatural, jolting movements. I guess she must have sent more of her blood into it to use [Blood Doll] again.

It seems that, with enough damage, the control of her [Blood Doll] can be broken from a corpse, but thats only because too much of her blood is lost for her to maintain control. By putting more of her blood inside it, she can regain control.

However Looking at her stats, even a fenrir thats been strengthened with [Blood Doll] shouldnt be as fast as she can run I wonder if theres some sort of reason shes going out of her way to ride on a zombie. Does she want the additional fighting force because she doesnt know when might have to fight me? Or is it that she simply cant feel at ease unless shes using her strongest weapon?

I have Aruane and the zombie fenrir take the lead, while I follow with Aro and the treant on my back.

Is Lilixiras goal [Spirit Servant]?

Aruane turns around to face me and nods twice.

Yeah Thats right, thats right. Aruanes [Blood Doll] should have been fine, but Saint-sama said that a [Spirit Servant] that can move on its own is better! Thats why, thats why Aruane did her best to capture the spider girl!

Aruane declares with apparent pride. Irritated by her tone of voice, I kick the ground hard, but she doesnt seem to notice. She probably said it in earnest, not to try and shake me.

From what she said, I guess a corpse is no good for [Spirit Servant]. Lilixira might have to make contact with a living monster. That explains why shes still alive.

So, why did you leave the atlach-nacha alone?

Huh?

Aruane tilts her head to the side as though confused. It seems my words didnt get through. Shes the worst kind of conversation partner. I restrain my urge to bare my fangs. If shes playing ignorant here, shes quite theactor.

Im asking why you left her alone and went to go ride a fenrir by yourself! Your [Blood Doll] works against living creatures too! Why didnt you control her and take her with you!?

Aruanes shoulders shake as though frightened.

Umm, you see, umm Aruanes [Blood Doll] doesnt work great against living children. Thats why she stopped the spider girl from moving and hid her away for the time being.

Its true that [Blood Doll] can be resisted by living targets if their stats are high enough.

Normal Skill [Blood Doll]

The users blood can be freely manipulated.

By placing the blood in the body of a living being, the target can be manipulated like a puppet, but depending on the targets status, this effect can be resisted.

If the target is a dead body, then they can be freely manipulated regardless of their status.

She doesnt seem to have said anything thats an obvious lie. About this, at least.

Why did you hunt a fenrir and get it to work for you with [Blood Doll]? What were you trying to do after you had captured her?

Aruanes stomach was empty, you see Thats why she had to do her best to find something to eat!

My head hurts I want a reason to believe her, but I cant understand her thought patterns at all. It might be a mistake to try and understand someone who is neither human nor monster.

Dragon-god-sama

Aro calls out to me quietly from my back. I strain my ears to listen.

This route seems strange. At first it was fine, but Were getting further and further from where we left her

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A sense of unease suddenly presses in on me. As I stare at Aruane riding the zombie fenrir ahead of me, I realise something strange.

Lilixira must want Aruane to quickly return to her since she finished her work. But, if [Blood Doll] doesnt work against the atlach-nacha, then Aruane cant move quickly with her.

Thinking about it that way Then, could the fenrir I thought pointless have been to forcefully carry the atlach-nacha? If thats the case, then where is she leading me now?

No Aro also didnt seem certain. The idea that the zombie fenrir was to carry the atlach-nacha is just my own conjecture. Besides, everything shes said is consistent, and I find it hard to imagine shes capable of maintaining a single story like this.

However I should try to confirm one way or the other. It doesnt change the fact that shes not someone I can trust. If she really is lying, then Im worried about where shes leading us.

Aruane. Isnt there a fault in what youve said? Ill ask that you dont try and deceive me. The moment I think I cant trust you, Ill tear you limb from limb.

?

Aruane looks back at me with an expression of wonder.

If you were planning on switching sides from the start, then you should have known that messing with the atlach-nacha would only worsen my image of you. And yet, why did you obey Lilixira to such an extent?

I threaten her with more force than perhaps necessary, so that shes not able to change the subject. Following her any longer is a risk, and I cant take on any more risks. If I feel her response seems even slightly suspicious, Ill attack right away.

Aruane opens her mouth and stares at me.

Whats wrong, answer the question

Doesnt look like this can be stretched out any longer.

The fenrir shes riding on abruptly jumps at me. I immediately release a [Dimension Claw].

But, I didnt expect her to move with this timing, so I miss Aruane herself. I slice through the zombie fenrirs head, and it collapses to the ground.

M-master-dono, what!?

She didnt have any plans on helping from the start! She noticed that Id gotten more wary, and took the chance to act first! She knows how she appears objectively, and acts like that intentionally!

Shes far from the simpleton I took her for. Shes ridiculously cunning, and the moment things looked impossible for her, she switched strategy immediately.