Chapter 282 – Thrall and Mercenary

Following Serulis and Shia, Grulf also began to attack the thralls.

“Grau-grau!”

Thralls were tough. However, Serulis, Shia and Grulf had the upper hand as the fight moved on.

While making sure to not hurt any of the Charmed humans, they dodged all of the physical attacks.

Shia and Serulis blocked the magic attacks with their swords, and with precision, they landed blows on the thralls alone.

Grulf also moved impressively.

He could even dodge the slash attacks and arrows of first-rate warriors.

I could not even imagine Grulf being hit by the thralls or Charmed.

Serulis, Shia, and Grulf must have grown a lot when fighting against the true ancestor, High Lords and Lord.

It was like I was watching our old party when we were younger.

And then, the enemies that were attacking me, changed their target to Serulis and the others.

“I won’t let you bother them.”

I used magic to bind three of the charmed humans. The rope was made of magic energy, and it sealed their movement.

I did not forget to gag them as well.

After all, the Vampire who controlled them might order them to bite off their tongues.

I then knocked them to the ground and then I called out to the ordinary humans.

“I will ask you again. Do you realize that you are being used by the Vampires?”

“As I said before, the royal capital is protected by the barrier! There are no Vampires…”

But then one of the humans screamed, and they all froze.

Just then, one of the thralls was defeated by Shia, Serulis and grulf.

“They defeated them! But they were amazing fighters!”

One of the four humans shouted.

Apparently, they could not believe that the thralls had been defeated.

So that was why they were talking to me so calmly, even after the fight had begun.

They didn’t believe that two inexperienced girls and a dog would stand a chance.

“Huh? Ashes? What? What is going on?”

Another exclaimed in surprise.

Thralls turned into ashes when they were defeated. Upon seeing this, they must have realized that something was wrong.

“Wh-what happened to him?”

He asked me with a look of horror.

“Surely you also have basic knowledge of what happens when you fight Vampires?”

“Uh, yes. But…”

I didn’t know if these ordinary humans were Adventurers or mercenaries. Or maybe they had a completely different occupation.

However, any job that involved fighting would demand that you had a basic knowledge about Vampires.

“In that case, you should know that thralls turn into ash when they are killed.”

“…”

The humans were shocked.

Perhaps they had been friends. And so I said it, just in case.

“They had been turned into thralls by a Vampire. And so they had to be killed.”

“Thralls? Impossible…”

Even now, they could not believe it.

“But you saw them turn into ashes right after being killed.”

I said again, and the humans groaned.

“Bu-but… We were talking normally just a moment ago.”

“They were complaining about the food being bad. And now…”

Just then, Shia and the others defeated another thrall. And that one turned into ashes as well.

“When a high-ranking Vampire turns you into a thrall, they can give orders that make it difficult to tell them apart from other humans.”

“…”

I spoke to the human that was a sorcerer.

“If you can use Magic Exploration, use it now. It will tell you that they are thralls.”

“…I can use it, but I have to be touching them.”

“…I see.”

Perhaps that was normal for most sorcerers.

I had forgotten, as I was around such brilliant sorcerers, like Kathe and Luchila.

But if they could not use long-distance Magic Exploration, then it would be difficult to submit any more evidence to them.

“Well, that is fine. Do you surrender now? Or will you fight me as the Vampire’s subordinates? I do not care which you choose.”

“I…”

As one of the humans tried to speak, the leader interrupted him.

“Lies! Do not be deceived by him! If anything, he is probably the real Vampire!”

“Hey, hey. Just a moment ago you were saying that there are no Vampires because of the barrier?”

“Shut up! You have all infiltrated the embassy! And for that sin, you will die!”

The leader shouted angrily.

“Now calm down. I don’t think he is lying.”

“You! Are you going to betray me?”

“Why are you so excited? We’re just mercenaries. If the person who hired us is a Vampire, that means we were lied to.”

Apparently, the humans were mercenaries, not Adventurers.

“Aye, that’s right. We were betrayed first. And so we have a right to break away.”

I didn’t know much about mercenary culture, but it seems that they could do that.

Indeed, mercenaries were easy to trick and betray. They were disposable pawns.

And so they needed to protect themselves.

“So, will you surrender then? It would make things a little easier for me.”

I said to the four mercenaries once again.