Who Said A Necromancer Can't Be A Priest?-Chapter 62: Extermination (2)
The next day, Aaran received the extermination target list. He was expecting to see the names of a cult. Instead, all the names belonged to a notorious gang near one of the temple cities.
Fang of Doom.
It was a clan made up of thieves. At least, that's what they were officially recognized for. But Aaran knew them as cannibals. After Hell's invasion, the Fangs were one of the first groups to side with the demons.
They killed and burned entire cities. Instead of pillaging or stealing the women for pleasure, they treated everyone equally and cooked them in the same pot. One could say they were the pioneers when it came to gender equality.
However, in the present, they weren't a big or terrifying group. The job should be easy, even for a nine-year-old, if they were Aaran. But the Emperor didn't abandon Aaran. He allowed Analeis to accompany Aaran on the quest.
Naturally, the high priest wasn't happy with it, probably because he had a plan to deal with Aaran. But he didn't have a choice. That's what he got for forcing the Emperor's hand.
A few days later, Aaran left Velrune for the second time. Analeis followed him, grinning from ear to ear.
"What's so funny?" Aaran asked.
"It's been a while since I last swung my axe. But thanks to Your Highness, not only do I get to swing my axe but also slay nobles. Hehe."
As a barbarian, Analeis craved violence. It was a miracle she had kept her cool for so long in Velrune. It was clear, considering she had been carrying her axe everywhere with her. She was itching for violence, and now she had found her fix.
As for the nobles, she was talking about the ministers who would send their assassins after him.
Since they wanted the throne, having their children marry the princess was the easiest way to get to it. That is, as long as they got rid of the fiance first.
"…but I don't get it," Analeis mumbled. "Why are we traveling on foot?"
"Bait," Aaran replied. "We're the bait."
Despite their present low standing, the Fangs were skilled when it came to stealth. They had multiple bases around major cities, and it was nearly impossible to find them in forests between cities.
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That's why the kingdoms had problems fighting them off. After all, one can't defeat a foe if they can't see them.
Hence, the cities didn't waste resources on finding them. Instead, they used the resources to develop defensive measures, stopping the Fangs from entering the cities.
That, alongside the increasing use of magic circles for travel, forced the Fangs into desperation. Their desperation led to their only weakness.
They wouldn't leave anyone who used roads to travel. That was the only prey they could get, hence they wouldn't let go of such an opportunity, especially those accompanied by such a beautiful woman.
"Speak of the devil…" Analeis mumbled.
The two found themselves surrounded by a dozen armed thieves. They didn't say a word and charged toward Aaran.
The man thrust the dagger with all his might. Even a grown adult would have difficulty dodging the attack, let alone a kid. Once the kid died, they'd harvest his organs and sell the maid to someone.
Clank!
Sparks flew in every direction as Analeis blocked the dagger with her axe. Before the man could jump back, she grabbed his hand, snapping it with ease.
"Arghhh!"
The man screamed and fell backward. He saw a glint of silver before his head went flying. Analeis grinned, having fun in her natural habitat of blood and gore.
"Shit!" a thief cursed.
"We've been played!"
"She's a barbarian!" another shouted.
The thieves drew their weapons and rushed at Analeis. She wasn't a maid, but a bodyguard.
She's carrying an axe. Of course, she's the bodyguard.
Aaran rolled his eyes at their stupidity. He couldn't believe this stupid gang caused so much panic in the old world.
Meanwhile, Analeis smirked and kicked the headless body at them, sending them stumbling. Then she leaped into the air and slammed her axe into the ground.
Dust and debris exploded, blocking their view. They couldn't see—but they could hear. The screams of their comrades were cut down by the woman they had tried to capture.
In seconds, ten of the twelve thieves were dead. The last two trembled in fear. One barbarian had destroyed them.
"Where are the rest of you hiding?" Aaran asked, looking around.
Silence.
"Not going to talk?"
Aaran nodded at Analeis. She raised her axe but, instead of their heads, she swung down on one man's leg.
"You're insane—!" the thief howled as he collapsed.
His friend grabbed the severed leg, shaking with fear.
"What about you?" Aaran asked, smiling. "Will you talk?"
The thief said nothing, but Aaran didn't mind. He would get the answers one way or another.
Aaran's smile widened as he looked at Analeis. He could have hypnotized them, but there was no need. Analeis wanted to have fun.
"Play with the other one," Aaran said, his eyes glowing. "I'll get the answers from this one."
***
"Phew~" Analeis sighed, wiping sweat off her forehead. "Why do we have to bury them?"
Aaran didn't answer immediately. He clasped his hands together, praying for the lost souls.
[Guided a dozen lost souls to salvation. Divinity +120]
[First prayer of the day offered. Divinity +50]
[0.17% of necessary divinity gained.]
"Unattended corpses attract monsters," Aaran finally said. "You know that, so why ask?"
"I don't like staying quiet for too long, Your Highness."
"Then learn how to hold a conversation."
"Why?"
"Because your looks won't get you far as a waitress."
After questioning the thief, Aaran learned the location of ambush points in the forest. He also found out where the Fangs' main base was—a pub.
Since he was just a child, he couldn't enter the pub without drawing attention. But Analeis could. With her figure and rare genetics, she'd be hired instantly.
While she worked from the inside, Aaran would take out the ambush spots with his summoned creatures. Once everything was ready, they would strike the pub together and wipe out the Fangs for good.