Wizard, I Have Another World – Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Slaughter

The late afternoon was Brey Foster’s favorite time of day.

The sky was now dim, lacking the harsh glare of the sun, yet not as dark as the night, where one couldn’t see their hand in front of their face.

The twilight was most comfortable.

Women were the same.

A woman wrapped in heavy clothing would be unappealing; without any clothing, too revealing and lacking a certain allure.

Only thin silk was suitable.

Second floor of the tavern.

Several dancers, clad in thin silk, danced gracefully, their lithe figures and fair skin barely concealed, captivating the onlookers.

“Dennis.”

Brey turned to the young man seated nearby, smiling:

“These dresses are products of the Lap Textile Mill. While perhaps not as exquisite as those crafted by skilled weavers, they are inexpensive and plentiful, and I believe they will find a good market in the Kingdom of Sark.”

“Mmm.”

Dennis was a nobleman from the Kingdom of Sark, accompanying Princess Duna on this trip to the Kingdom of Gando.

He showed great interest in the burgeoning textile mill.

“I hear…”

He bit his lip, a blush creeping up his cheeks:

“Many of the designs come from Lady Anne’s own creations, and she has even tried them on herself.”

“Haha…” Brey laughed:

“Excellent!”

“Thanks to Lady Anne’s promotion, the mill’s clothes are gaining acceptance among the nobility.”

“Of course, I believe your true interest lies not in the textile mill, but in Lady Anne herself?”

Dennis nervously lifted his drink:

“No, no.”

“What’s the harm in admiring a beautiful woman?” Brey shook his head.

“The bonds between men and women are stronger than any divine decree.”

“However…”

His brow furrowed:

“Lady Anne is different from other women; she chooses the men she meets, regardless of their social standing. Otherwise, with your status, which woman wouldn’t meet with you?”

“Is that so…” Dennis looked perplexed.

It was clear the young man had little experience with women, lacking a strategy for attracting them.

“Don’t worry.”

Brey leaned forward, saying:

“Your handsome looks are undeniable; perhaps Lady Anne is discussing you with someone right now.”

“And…”

“Women are universally susceptible to glittering things.”

He gestured, and Geary promptly brought forward several pieces of jewelry.

Brey picked up a string of pearl necklaces, placing it carefully in a box:

“Take this. It’s a gift from me. Our friendship is worth more than a small trinket.”

Dennis took the box, and upon seeing the pearl necklace, he was taken aback, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes:

“This… seems rather extravagant.”

As a high-ranking member of the Sark kingdom, accompanying the princess on this trip, Dennis was certainly a man of means.

He immediately recognized the necklace’s value.

Money was of little concern to him, but accepting a gift so readily would be improper for a nobleman.

“It’s alright.”

Brey waved his hand:

“Accept it. Our friendship is far more valuable than a small trinket.”

After some thought, Dennis didn’t decline, placing the box before him:

“Thank you.”

This signified his willingness to consider Brey a friend, and Brey laughed heartily, inviting him to drink.

“Brey!”

Suddenly, a man roared, rushing up the stairs:

“Where have you hidden my Maggie?”

The man was aggressive, but the guards on the second floor held him back, roughly pressing him to the ground.

“Who is this man?”

Brey frowned, displeased:

“How can the guards be so careless!”

The jovial mood was shattered, and Dennis exchanged a puzzled glance.

“Master.”

Geary whispered:

“It seems to be a City Patrol officer, a nobleman’s son, Kerry. As for the woman he’s looking for, Maggie…”

“…it’s probably the woman Kun brought over a few days ago.”

“Ah!” Brey understood, knowing the woman’s whereabouts. He waved his hand:

“Remove him!”

“If he continues to cause trouble, take him to the alley behind for disposal; I have more important matters to attend to.”

“Yes.” Geary replied:

“He will not disturb you.”

Just then, someone cried out.

“Careful!”

“Crash…”

A figure burst through the shattered window, hurtling towards Brey at an astonishing speed.

A flash of steel preceded the figure.

“Clang…”

The guard, who had remained silent throughout the encounter, suddenly drew his sword, blocking the intruder.

A knight!

The guard’s expression grew serious:

“Master, be careful!”

He stepped forward, his sword flashing, a cross-shaped blade of light appearing.

Cross Slash!

This was a sword technique passed down through the Royal Guard of the Kingdom of Gando, refined by Church knights.

It was a balanced offensive and defensive knightly sword technique.

“Clang…”

Taro Sword Da Wu parried the attack.

The two clashed in a flurry of steel, shattering the floorboards around them.

“Roar!”

Da Wu roared, his eyes widening as a surge of battle aura erupted from him.

Battle Aura!

“Interesting.”

Brey, surrounded by his guards, remained unmoved by the fierce combat, instead showing curiosity:

“A disgraced nobody, commanding such a skilled fighter?”

“Ayu!”

“Here.”

A petite woman emerged from the crowd.

Her appearance was unremarkable, like an undeveloped girl, her attire blending in with the other staff.

“Take him down.”

“Yes.”

The woman vanished from sight.

A knight!

This seemingly ordinary woman was a formal knight, and she too could unleash battle aura.

However, unlike Da Wu, her aura was more contained, yet more ferocious and deadly in its eruption.

Like a silent assassin in the night.

Ayu’s weapon was a dagger, her movements elusive and unpredictable, flashing with cold steel. Her actions, combined with her companions, gave them the upper hand.

“Clang clang…”

“Thud!”

With the combined efforts of the two knights, Da Wu stumbled, his leg slashed open by a dagger.

His face paled.

Though the wound wasn’t deep, the knight’s formidable physique couldn’t stop the flow of blood.

His trousers were quickly stained crimson.

As his blood loss increased, his strength waned, making it harder for him to fight back.

“Take him alive.”

Brey sneered:

“A knight attempting assassination suggests a higher power is at play; take him and question him thoroughly.”

“Yes.”

Ayu replied.

Her actions were swift, indicating she still had energy.

“Ugh!”

Da Wu roared, his sword style changing from defensive to aggressive, as if determined to fight to the death.

“Don’t panic.”

Ayu remained calm, her eyes fixed on Da Wu:

“He’s trying to escape.”

Feigning an attack to buy time for escape was a common tactic.

Seeing this,

Ayu’s attacks became even more relentless.

Da Wu fought furiously, despair evident in his eyes. He regretted his impulsive actions.

Just then.

An invisible pressure filled the room.

Not only the combatants, but everyone present felt their hearts pound, as if a natural disaster was about to strike.

“Careful!”

Dennis’s guard pulled him back.

The next instant.

“Boom!”

The tavern’s roof collapsed, and a three-meter-tall metal giant crashed down, accompanied by falling debris.

The entire second floor trembled.

The giant was clad in iron armor, only its cold, stern brown eyes visible.

“Brey!”

The metal giant spoke, its voice like thunder echoing through the clouds, radiating immense pressure.

Even Da Wu and the others paused their fight, all eyes fixed on the newcomer.

“Brey Foster!”

Karl’s gaze fell on Brey, his eyes hardening:

“Is that you?”

“Who are you?”

Brey’s throat tightened, and he instinctively backed away:

“I… I haven’t done anything to offend you.”

“Hmph!” Karl scoffed, his gaze shifting to Geary, his killing intent intensifying:

“Die!”

The ground shattered beneath his feet, and his massive form surged towards Geary.

A gust of wind erupted from his hand.

“Thud!”

Geary didn’t even have time to scream as he was flung through the air, his body breaking apart in mid-flight, meeting his demise.

His body crashed against the tavern’s wall, creating a spiderweb of cracks.

Then, he fell to the ground.

“Master!”

Ayu cried out:

“Quick, get out of here!”

But Karl, having disposed of Geary, turned towards Brey.

The guards in front of him were pale with fear, charging forward, but it was futile.

Before the metal giant’s terrifying power, they were mere toys.

“Boom!”

The giant’s force tore through the second floor, sending several figures flying.

However, as Brey’s most favored son, he always had a knight as a protector.

As Karl struck down the others, a flash of steel pierced towards the giant’s throat.

At the same time.

Ayu and another knight, leaving Taro Sword Da Wu behind, charged towards Karl.

Three knights, attacking together.

All-out assault!

Facing the three, Karl remained unfazed, lowering his body, his life force burning fiercely within.

Ring of Protection!

Technique—Bloom!

A visible shockwave erupted from Karl, repelling everything around him.

The invisible force swept across the room.

The tavern, apart from the exterior, was completely destroyed.

The second floor…

…was gone.

“Thud!”

The three knights coughed up blood, their spirits wilting, unable to hold their weapons.

“Run!”

Dennis’s guard, terrified, pulled him away, fleeing the tavern.

“Uncle Fred!”

Dennis gasped, asking:

“What was that thing?”

A person?

How could someone be that large?

It’s said there’s a giant kingdom west of Colon, but it’s just a rumor; no one has ever seen it.

“It was a person.”

Fred muttered:

“He likely used some secret technique to enlarge his body; in terms of raw power, he could rival a Grand Knight.”

“Oof…” Dennis gasped:

“You aren’t a match for him?”

“I certainly wouldn’t be.” Fred sighed:

“Even in my prime, I wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“It’s not just strength…”

He paused, continuing:

***

“The technique he used was also extraordinary, at least a Grand Knight-level inheritance, perhaps even…”

“…Legendary-level!”

The three knights, united, were no match for him, demonstrating peak knightly strength.

And a legendary inheritance suggests a formidable power behind it.

“Master,”

Fred whispered:

“You should avoid further contact with the Foster family. If you wish to do business, seek other avenues.”

“If you wish to meet Lady Anne…”

He sighed:

“…seek another way.”

Lady Anne’s allure is unmatched; not just your master, but even I found myself captivated by her after a single glance.

“Mmm.”

Dennis nodded, adding:

“Brey, I fear he’s beyond reach.”

…………

Inside the tavern.

“Thud!”

“Thud!”

Karl struck down the remaining guards, his expression cold and emotionless.

Until there were none left.

He approached Brey Foster, about to deliver the final blow.

“Wait!”

Kerry interrupted:

“Can we wait a moment?”

“Wait until I ask him something, then you can kill him?”

Da Wu sighed, pulling Kerry back:

“Are you out of your mind?”

The metal giant was like a mowing machine, his eyes devoid of emotion.

Everyone else had already escaped the tavern, but you’re rushing in.

If you anger him…

“Interesting.”

Karl turned to Kerry.

His friend, normally timid, was surprisingly bold today.

Fearful yet daring.

“Alright!”

He grabbed Brey, tossing him to Kerry:

“Quickly.”

He then swept a table cloth from the debris, collecting valuables.

Money bags and weapons were the priority.

“Thank you!”

Kerry rejoiced:

“Thank you!”

“Speak!”

Karl held Brey down, demanding:

“Where did you hide my Maggie?”

“Hmph!”

Brey’s face paled, his voice strained.

Though he knew he was likely doomed, his eyes still held disdain for Kerry.

“You…”

“Tell me!”

Kerry raged, striking Brey’s abdomen:

“Speak!”

“Where is my Maggie?”

“Cough… cough…” Da Wu cleared his throat, surprised that Karl had actually given Brey to Kerry, and whispered:

“Don’t interrogate like that.”

“Do you need help?”

Kerry nodded vigorously:

“Yes.”

Da Wu smiled, pulling out a dagger, slowly approaching Brey.

Without a word, Brey’s fear intensified.

Sometimes.

Silent intimidation was far more effective than physical assault.

…………

Soon after.

A group of officers and patrolmen arrived, led by Chief Goff.

Dana and others were present.

Goff’s face grew grim upon surveying the scene.

The tavern was in ruins, bodies being carried out and placed on the ground outside.

All were severely injured, as if struck by a giant hammer.

“Chief,”

Dana said softly:

“Ten people died, all from the Foster family, including Brey Foster.”

“Mmm.”

Goff took a deep breath, speaking to a grieving man kneeling before Brey’s body:

“Sizar, my friend, please accept my condolences.”

“We will find the killer and bring them to justice; Brey Foster will not die in vain.”

“Goff,” Sizar Foster, head of the Foster family, looked up, his eyes red:

“Can I trust you?”

“Of course!” Goff’s expression grew solemn:

“Such a brutal crime demands accountability, for you and for all the citizens.”

He emphasized:

“Even a powerful killer cannot escape justice!”

“I hope so.” Sizar lowered his head, his hands clenched, his voice choked with emotion:

“I need to take the bodies away.”

“Certainly,” Goff stepped back, gesturing:

“That is your right.”

“Chief!”

“Chief!”

Kerry pushed through the crowd, approaching Dana.

“What are you doing?”

Dana pulled him aside, reprimanding him softly:

“Do you know how this could affect your family? The chief will question you.”

Kerry was present during the incident and witnesses claim he spoke with Brey moments before his death.

Suspicions fell upon him.

Certainly.

Dana knew her subordinate’s nature; he couldn’t and wouldn’t commit such a crime.

“Chief,”

Kerry stated urgently:

“Brey was involved in the illegal trafficking of people; one of my friends was taken by him.”

“He’s being held in a warehouse in North City.”

“Oh!” Dana raised an eyebrow, glancing at the bodies, and said:

“Wait.”

“We can’t wait!” Kerry exclaimed:

“They might take him away at any moment. I don’t know what they’re planning, but no one taken by Brey has ever returned alive.”

“Chief…”

“Please help me.”

“Understood,” Dana’s expression grew serious:

“I’ll take some people to investigate.”

Elsewhere.

Sizar, holding his son’s body, walked towards his carriage. As he moved away from the crowd, the grief on his face slowly faded.

Only coldness remained.

“Master,”

The butler whispered:

“Please accept my condolences.”

“I just want to know,” Sizar said gravely:

“Was Brey’s death due to someone uncovering something?”

“No.” The butler quickly shook his head:

“Master only handled minor matters; if he had committed a serious crime, the entire family would have been implicated.”

“It’s likely a personal feud.”

“A personal feud?” Sizar narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling on Kerry and Dana:

“Inform the Spider’s agents; get the bodies moved immediately. Someone might investigate.”

“And…”

“…tell them, Archbishop Antonio has likely left Signo City quietly. Now is the time to act.”

“Yes.” The butler replied.

*

*

*

The next day.

News of the tavern massacre spread throughout the city, and Kerry’s story became a topic of conversation among colleagues, even reaching Karl’s ears.

“So, you really had a first love? Borrowing money from colleagues was to save her?”

Looking at Kerry’s timid demeanor, it’s hard to imagine such a romantic tale.

“My fiancée!”

Kerry insisted, covering his face with his hands, looking dejected:

“Where is she now?”

“Not found?” Karl frowned:

“Didn’t Brey tell you the location?”

“He did.” Kerry nodded:

“A warehouse in North City, but we only found spiderwebs.”

“No one there!”

Spiderwebs?

Karl frowned, immediately thinking of the Spider Goddess Elise’s followers, and their connection to the Colon Fire Thieves.

“Kerry!”

Dana approached:

“The chief wants to see you.”

“Yes.”

Kerry stood up, looking disheartened.

“Did you hear? The killer was a three-meter-tall giant, wearing full body armor!”

“How could there be such a person?”

“Right! If the killer was that tall, it would have been noticed. It’s probably just a rumor.”

People whispered amongst themselves.

Compared to Kerry’s gossip, more rumors surfaced about the killer.

Initially, it was quite normal.

Gradually.

The stories grew more bizarre—a giant, covered in fur, wielding a large wooden club, smashing houses with a single blow.

It’s unclear if it was a wild man or a giant.

Karl shook his head, putting aside his thoughts and returning to his books.

For him, these were mundane matters; even if Brey Foster had hired followers of an evil god, it didn’t concern him.

He was about to leave Signo City; everything here would be irrelevant to him, so he had no need to pay attention.

However, progress was being made regarding the Free Port situation.

…………

“Dried leaves, decaying oil, dried fruit…”

Anya meticulously added the ingredients to the cauldron, stirring them, and checking the progress.

“Numbing potion takes time to work, but is very effective against large creatures, and can also be used for wound healing.”

Karl stood with his hands behind his back, explaining:

“Sometimes, injuries require cutting flesh and scraping bones, and a numbing potion is needed to relieve pain.”

“Master,” Anya said:

“I think even if someone bought the numbing potion, it’s more likely for hunting sea beasts than for saving people.”

The Endless Sea has many massive sea beasts, hunting them is often difficult.

Using potions in that situation isn’t easy either.

But the numbing potion at least offered a different perspective.

“Mmm.”

Karl nodded, not disagreeing:

“You only need to know what the potions can do; you don’t need to concern yourself with their intended use.”

“Yes.” Anya replied, adding:

“Susan, from the Dragon King Trading Company, visited yesterday. She invited you to join the company.”

“The Dragon King Trading Company offers a free shop in the Vanilla Market. They’ll also sell our potions, with priority given to their company.”

That makes sense.

Karl nodded slowly.

He had crafted dozens of potions, mostly healing potions, and some with special properties.

For example,

fire resistance potions, numbing potions, and potions that provide slight defense.

…and so on.

“The Sea God Society also came, demanding that our potions be sold through them, but they would give us a portion of the profits.”

Anya said:

“But they would provide a rune for underwater breathing, or other equivalent runes.”

Karl’s eyes lit up.

“Knock knock!”

A knock at the door.

“Master,”

Xiao Nan’s voice called from outside:

“Members of the Sickle Brotherhood wish to see you.”

The Sickle Brotherhood, the Sea God Society, and the Dragon King Trading Company—these were the three major powers in Free Port.

The latter two had already visited; the former would naturally follow.

Request Collection!