Deadmeat Saga

In the Nehan Kingdom-

Tabarga Castle-

Himeko and Princess Libania had tea and snacks with Scarlet and Princess Lydia.

"So, you want to join my Heroic Group?" Himeko asked while analyzing Scarlet and Lydia.

Each of the two girls had five evolvable talents.

 

Lydia: Elite Wind Archer(Evolvable), Elite Wind Hunter(Evolvable), Elite Wind Blade Dancer(Evolvable), Swift as the Wind(Evolvable), Favored by the Wind(Evolvable)

Scarlet: Elite Berserker(Evolvable), Berserk(Evolvable), Adamantine Defense(Evolvable), Herculean Strength(Evolvable), Calm Storm(Evolvable)

 

When she saw Lydia's talents, she inwardly nodded. Lydia was an exemplary Elemental Archer with melee self-defense abilities. But when she saw Scarlet's status-

"Oh, my heavens! She is a walking powder keg!" Himeko inwardly sweated.

Scarlet's delicate appearance and gentle demeanor were deceiving. At the snap of a finger, she could turn into an indestructible murder machine.

"Hopefully, she knows how to distinguish between friend and foe while berserk." She prayed.

Not knowing her thoughts, Scarlet gave an angelic smile. "Yes. I wish to join your group in the hope it could alleviate my- Condition." Scarlet calmly said.

"Well, no shit! I am surprised you are sane!" Himeko thought.

"And I also want to join. I always loved being an adventurer." Princess Lydia added.

"We will be happy to accept both of you!" Princess Libania readily accepted them.

"EH?!" Himeko wanted to retort. "I understand Lydia, but why Scarlet?! The moment she snaps, it would be worse than being in the cage of a rampaging silverback gorilla!"

As if understanding her worries, Libania reassured, "Scarlet and Lydia are well-known B-rank Adventurers, so their credibility is flawless. And although I understand your worries about Scarlet, remember that you are a Saintess!"

"Eh? I don't get how being a Saint helps with- Going berserk?" Himeko squinted.

"Some healing spells can temporarily reinforce and calm the mind. If you cast such a spell on Scarlet, she would have control over herself during her agitated state. And if the legends are true, she would develop mental resistance talents thanks to your heroic talent. It's perfect! We need a front-line warrior anyway!" Princess Libania happily explained.

"Oh... Okay. That makes much more sense now." Himeko thoughtfully nodded. "I should probably learn those spells then."

"Pleased to be working with you." Scarlet smiled.

"Same." Lydia also smiled.

"H-Hey! You didn't even cover the risks!" Himeko retorted.

"We already know the risks. We are adventurers who put our lives on the line." Scarlet gently said.

"We know of the Corrupted and Echos and understand the risk of fighting them. We know that we can die in the line of duty, and we came here fully prepared for that." Lydia added with a determined look.

Seeing they were aware of the risks, Himeko sighed and warily smiled, "Okay, I accept the both of you."

After chatting, the four women exited the room and walked to the courtyard, where the remaining candidates were sparring and training.

"Hah... So, with this, five are already decided on, hah?" Himeko muttered.

"Oh? You already decided on someone else?" Scarlet inquired.

"Yes, he is Primo, a Sword Saint with a Pure Divine Bloodline." Princess Libania said.

"P-Pure Divine Bloodline?! Sword Saint?!" Princess Lydia went slack-jawed.

"The contest is fierce, I see," Scarlet muttered.

Having a Pure Divine Bloodline was a ticket to greatness. Without much thought, they understood that unless this Primo had significant personality flaws, he would get picked by the merit of his bloodline alone. And he wasn't just some Divine Bloodline, but also a renowned Sword Saint, the most respected top fighter in the world. It wasn't easy to match that.

"Then do you have anyone in mind for the last one?" Princess Lydia curiously asked.

"Prisca's daughter, Domentzia, shows promise." Princess Libania said. 

"If nothing unexpected happens, Domentzia will be our sixth member." Himeko nodded.

Domentzia was a stereotypical cold beauty, aloof, talented, and intelligent. But that didn't hinder her from being a team player. She could also tell she had some deep-seated childhood scars, covering herself in a hard shell to shield her soft side.

"Ah, I met her once. She is indeed a sharp one. In more than one way." Princess Lydia nodded.

Soon, they arrived at the palace's training grounds, where over a dozen men and women were training and competing under the watchful gaze of the Reverand. Among them, a dazzlingly handsome man was practicing alone, given a wide berth as he swung his sword in a blur as if fighting an invisible opponent.

"So strong!" Scarlet and Princess Lydia thought in tandem. Without needing introductions, they knew who he was.

"That is Sword Saint Primo, our third member." Himeko happily said while looking at Primo training as if seeing her favorite treat.

Whether it was his charming looks, temperament, or swordplay, they were enough to make her addicted to just watching him practice. She once spent two hours just looking at his training.

"He is a very hardworking and nice young man. I am sure you will get along well." Princess Libania added. She also enjoyed watching him from time to time. He even guided her when she practiced her swordsmanship. To say she wasn't attracted to him would be a lie.

As if sensing their gazes, Primo paused, turned to look at them, and gave them a gentle and honest smile and a nod before continuing his practice.

"Handsome!" The four women thought.

Whether it be men or women, few disliked those who were beautiful or handsome, and even more so if they were friendly and approachable. Scarlet and Princess Lydia immediately had good first impression.

They didn't know that Primo felt odd when he saw them.

"Scarlet and the 7th Princess? They both came here? Is it just a coincidence? Or is it Himeko's Universe Protection?" Primo idly thought as he continued his shadow training.

Since no one was his match, he opted to fight himself after hearing Havre's suggestion. After you get used to it, it is like playing chess against yourself. Naturally, he wasn't afraid of not being selected. On the first day, he was already unchallenged. There was nothing to challenge since he was too perfect.

While he was busy practicing, the four women looked at another corner. They saw a black-haired, cold beauty having a match with an equally handsome and cold young man, both wielding practice daggers and exchanging blows at high speed.

"Oh? Who is that? He is keeping up with Domentzia?" Himeko wondered.

Himeko rarely saw the candidates first-hand. Usually, she left it to the Reverand to sort out the less talented. Only after confirming they were up to standard did Himeko see them. She focused on learning about this world, healing people, practicing, and having some leisure time. That meant this man arrived recently. And up until now, none of the rogue-types managed to fight Domentzia on equal ground. It was the first time.

As for his handsome looks? After seeing Primo, Himeko's standards were too high to be moved.

"If I recall correctly, he is Baldri from the nearby Swuycor Republic, an up-and-rising B-rank Adventurer." Princess Libania said.

The fight escalated as the two figures turned into shadows, exchanging blows.

Bang*

"Ugh!"

Suddenly, the match ended as Baldri found an opening and kicked Domentzia in the stomach, sending her flying for over five meters before rolling on the floor and supporting herself with shaky hands and legs. From her contorted expression of pain, she sustained some damage.

"That is enough! Baldri wins this match." The Reverand, who acted as a referee, announced.

"Thank you for the match." Baldri gave a curt bow and left.

"..." Domentzia looked down with a gloomy look.

"I'll go heal her," Himeko rushed to Domentzia's side.

Meanwhile, Primo analyzed the man again.

 

Baldri's Talents: Elite Assassin(Evolvable), Elite Agent(Evolvable), Elite Shadow Magician(Evolvable), Elite Shadow Spellblade(Evolvable), Favored by Shadows(Evolvable)

 

Curiously, Baldri and Domentzia had almost identical talents. The only difference is that Domentzia was a Merchant while Baldri was an Agent.

Primo wouldn't pay much attention to the man if that were all. However-

"This guy isn't a regular candidate, not even a Dark Servant. He is an Echo!" Primo narrowed his eyes.

From the moment the Echo entered this city, his Agents spotted him. Of course, Primo didn't confront him, instead monitoring him. Who would have thought this Echo would be so audacious to join the Heroic Group?!

"Seems like the Echos have the same idea as I do." Primo thought.

It made sense to hide in the place where one least expected it. And with the advanced hiding talents the Echos have, it was little wonder why one would attempt it. Although assassinating Himeko is impossible, he can enjoy the heroic blessing and even guide Himeko astray. If he played his cards right, he could even corrupt her!

Baldri noticed Primo's gaze and looked back at him, giving him an acknowledging nod before leaving, hiding the cold glint in his eyes.

"A Pure-Blooded Sword Saint in the Heroic Group? And such a handsome, exemplary young man with boundless prospects? I can't allow this. It would spoil my seduction and gradual corruption plan. I must find a way to make Himeko disgusted with him and kick him out. But how? Himeko and her group trust him far more than myself due to his looks, talent, connections, and longer exposure." Baldri thought.

As for assassination and poisoning? Baldri didn't dare think about it. Although to a lesser degree, the Protagonist Halo of a Heroic Otherworlder also fell on their perceived group members. He could already tell that Himeko accepted Primo as a party member. Furthermore, if Primo suddenly died, he would likely be a prime suspect, thwarting any chance of joining the Heroic Group, costing his life one way or another, with Primo miraculously surviving.

Dozens of schemes ran through his mind before locking on one. "I can make him look like a womanizing scumbag, perhaps giving him an aphrodisiac? No. Himeko's Analyze Status would see through it- no, I am making a wrong assumption. I don't need to make him do anything wrong. But who should I target? And how do I do that?"

While thinking about that, he recalled that Ianuarius had several lovers in this city.

"Prisca and Nereida. Of course. I can blackmail Prisca to make Domentzia invite Primo, making him go to their mansion. I can then set up a stage, making Prisca accuse Primo of drugging and bedding her daughter and demanding he take responsibility for it. As for the truth of the matter, I can bed a drugged Domentzia myself while drugging Primo to sleep before putting them both in the Silver Silk Lounge and arranging some eyewitnesses using the Black Hand. I only need to plant the seed of doubt, and Himeko would half convince herself that what Prisca said is the truth. I can slowly tear down the Heroic Group from within while gaining Himeko's trust. Before long, he would get kicked out, and I would be the most desirable guy in the group."

Like a poisonous snake, he already thought of a method. It might have even worked if it wasn't for Prisca and Nereida already belonging to Gerhart or Primo knowing his identity from the get-go.

"That snake is planning something. I can smell it." Primo coldly thought. "He would probably try to screw me over somehow, kicking me out as a male contender so he can seduce Himeko more easily."

Sure enough, later that day, Prisca informed him that a masked man crept out in the middle of the night and was blackmailing her with being the consort of an Echo. He wanted her to instruct her daughter, Domentzia, to invite him for dinner tomorrow and drug him and her daughter with heavy sleeping drugs before throwing them in the Silver Silk Lounge, where the masked man would rape Domentzia before accusing Primo of the rape and demanding he took responsibility. He would also arrange for the Silver Silk Lounge staff and the Black Hand as witnesses. Soon after, Nereida also attested to this, a masked man threatening her with exposing her and her daughters' affiliation with Ianuarius. Isidorus, the head of the Black Hand, was also approached.

When Primo heard it, a chill ran down his spine.

"What a vicious bastard. Fortunately, I converted them, or I would likely get kicked out of the Heroic Group." Primo thought.

A counter-plan quickly brewed before he gave instructions.