I Thought It Was a Fairy Tale but the Genre Is Strange

Episode 66 – Snow White (7)

Count Vivid. A young man with a gentle impression. His eyes, almost closed, looked like slits, with silver-white hair shining brightly, and a composed smile. He gave off a distinct feeling of being incredibly obnoxious. Even worse, in his hand he held a glass filled not with wine, but with blood.

“Hmm~ It’s a pleasure to see you all.”

“Count Vivid!”

“It’s, it’s the Count!”

“That damned b*stard!!!”

The dwarves and Snow White gnashed their teeth and shouted.

“Return the huntsman immediately!”

“Hmm? My, my, Princess. Asking me to return the huntsman. How brazen of you, considering you tried to kill me?”

Well, I guess from the Count’s perspective, Snow White, who had tried to assassinate him, was now nonchalantly demanding he hand over his hostage, which was quite absurd. I casually surveyed the troops. Just based on what I could see, there were easily over 100 of them. There were so many people that I couldn’t see beyond them, but there was a strong possibility that there were even more.

Even if Alice and Ariel were strong, could they fight against so many soldiers? If the two of them went wild, it might be possible, but the problem was that there were just too many enemies to fight while also protecting us.

“And yet, to see you strolling about so freely before I had the chance to personally meet you. Did you come here to surrender peacefully?”

“Shut your mouth! We’re on our way to punish you, you leech who sucks the lifeblood out of the people!”

“Hmm? Really? You, all of you? Without a huntsman and only seven dwarves… Ho-oh?”

Count Vivid, as if he hadn’t received any information about our presence, raised his eyebrows and looked us over. Alice smiled sweetly when she met the Count’s gaze.

“Huh? That’s the Count? He looks like you could snap him in half with a tap. Like you, honey.”

Alice grinned and patted me on the back.

“Ugh, this isn’t the time for jokes.”

“So, you came here thinking you had something, but all you’ve got is two women and a boy? You really think *they* can handle us?”

“Yeah! These folks are the ones who took care of your precious lackey, Willump!”

Bibid flinched at Snow’s words.

“I wondered… I didn’t see him when I went to look. Hmm, so you killed Willump, must be pretty skilled. You there, boy?”

Huh? Is he talking to me? I looked around and it definitely seemed like he was looking at me, so I answered.

“Me?”

“Yes, boy. You might look ordinary, but I can sense an extraordinary power coming from you. Ten to one, it was you who took down Willump, the Captain of the Guard. So, let me offer you a proposition. Why be under this weak princess, when you can serve me? I’ll give you power and authority beyond your wildest dreams. What do you say?”

I was dumbfounded at his words. It wasn’t me. It must be because Ariel and Ellis, who look delicate, are next to me. I’m bigger, so he figured I was the one who took down Willump.

“Power and authority, you say?”

“That’s right. Anything you want, I’ll give you.”

“That’s too vague, isn’t it? When you’re trying to sway someone, you should specify what conditions, power, and authority you’re offering.”

“Ho ho, so you want concrete terms. Very well.”

My question surprised Snow and the dwarfs, they turned to look at me, clearly not expecting that. No, instead of looking at me, think of a plan while I buy time. Instead of helping by letting Ariel and Ellis go wild, think of a way to make sure we’re not a burden.

“First, I’ll give you the Captain of the Guard position. If you wish, you can be my personal knight. I’ll give you a mansion and authority over soldiers as well. And I will bestow upon you overwhelming power beyond that of any human.”

“Ehh~ That’s stingy~ Who’d go for something like that?”

“Ho ho, do you have a standard in mind?”

Ah, screw it. I pointed at the Earl and said,

“Give me your seat. Then, I’ll personally put you in prison and take care of you until your old age.”

“……Puh-hah, you’re audacious. Really, without a lick of fear.”

The Earl was smirking, but it was clear he was pissed at my provocation, the wine glass in his hand cracked. I got a little scared at that and whispered to Ellis and Ariel.

“Think we got a shot at this?”

[Yeah, they’ve got a lot of soldiers. But don’t worry. If we fight with that crazy b*tch, we can somehow pull through.]

“Pfft, why are you even thinking about it? I’ve done this kinda thing a bunch of times, y’know?”

Ariel said like it was no big deal.

“Just gotta take out the head honcho first…”

That’s when Ellis’s eyes narrowed. Like she was staring at something far away. I followed her gaze and saw something glinting in the sunlight on the roof of a building. What the hell is that?

A thought flashed through my mind. Come to think of it, how did the enemies find Snow White’s hideout? Why didn’t I think of it? It’s so obvious. There was only one person who could have given up the location.

The Huntsman.

“You gotta be fucking kidding me!”

The instant I saw the glint on the roof move, I threw myself towards Snow White. An arrow came flying at breakneck speed, aimed straight for Snow White’s chest. Just before the arrowhead pierced her fragile, soft body—

*Ting!*

It smacked against my scythe and ricocheted to the side. Ugh, the impact from the arrow was enough to make my arm tremble.

“S-Siyu! Are you okay!”

Snow White asked, worried about me, and I forced a smile, nodding.

“Yeah. But we have a problem. Looks like the Huntsman is backing them up over there.”

“Huh? What…what do you mean…”

Snow White’s pupils dilated. Count Vivid, impressed by the fact that I barely managed to block the arrow, grinned.

“Ho ho, quite impressive. I didn’t think you’d spot and block an arrow aimed for Snow White like that.”

“Shut up. Anyway, weren’t you guys trying to capture Snow White alive? Are you just openly trying to kill her?”

“Heh, well, that’s the Lord’s intention, I guess. But I’m not the kind of guy who likes being a loyal dog. If the Lord transcends by taking Snow White’s blood, what’s stopping me from doing the same? As long as I get the blood, it doesn’t matter if the princess is dead.”

“Oh, should I tell your Queen right away?”

“Your joke goes too far.”

The Count snapped his fingers, and a hunter who had been sniping at us from afar suddenly appeared in front of him in an instant. The hunter’s body displayed solid, battle-ready muscles, like that of a warrior who had undergone intense training. Seeming to be in his mid-thirties, he knelt on one knee, showing loyalty to Count Vivid.

Large scars were visible all over his body, and it was unclear whether these were from being tortured by the Count to extract information or if they were pre-existing. However, what was certain was that something was off about his condition.

“Hunter!!”

Snow White called out to the hunter urgently, but the hunter didn’t even react.

“Heh heh, Mr. Hunter, would you show your face to poor, despairing Snow White?”

“Yes, Master.”

Hmm, it feels a little awkward to hear a rugged man who appears to be in his mid-thirties call someone “Master.” The hunter slowly turned around, and a red ring-shaped mark on his forehead flashed.

“Hunter! What on earth has happened to you!”

“How dare you point a bow at the princess!! Are you out of your mind!”

“Please, get ahold of yourself!!”

The dwarves yelled, but the hunter maintained a blank expression. Snow White, seemingly feeling an indescribable rage at the sight of the controlled hunter, trembled all over and drew her sword.

“You b*stard!! What did you do to the Hunter!!!”

“Can’t you see? He betrayed you for my great power…”

Count Vivid couldn’t finish his sentence. His thin eyes opened, revealing red pupils. What was reflected in those eyes was…

A giant water droplet. A huge water droplet casting a large shadow in the center of the plaza. So slow to notice, you fool. Ariel shouted with a fierce expression.

[How dare you mess with my Prince!!! I’ll wipe you all out!!!]

As Ariel powerfully stretched out both hands, the water droplet writhed and changed shape. A long body and a dragon-like face emerged, and a magnificent water serpent appeared. The serpent opened its jaws wide and lunged at the Count.

SWoooShhh!!!!

An uncontrollable torrent swept through the area where the Count stood.

“aaargh! S-Save me!!”

“Glub glub! Kyak!”

The soldiers screamed, helplessly engulfed by the rapids. But amidst it all, the Count and the Hunter stood with an air of composure. The Count had created a crimson barrier around himself and the Hunter, keeping them safe within the flood.

“Kyahahaha!”

But the moment Ariel attacked, the shadow of Alice, having leaped out simultaneously, fell upon them. The Count chuckled dismissively, standing still as if to say, ‘Go ahead, try it.’

“Honey, what I was going to say earlier, is this.”

Alice said, her red eyes flashing ominously.

“You take the enemy commander’s head first!”