Chapter 35 /// Screams of the Souls ///

As is the case with all ogre species, the size and muscle strength of their bodies is unmatched by humans.

On top of that, it has a violent personality and will attack violently if it sees a human.

Nine of them appeared.

Against the backdrop of the miasma, the ogres came walking toward us. Their purple skin meant that they were former beastmen, and this made the soldiers nervous and upset.

So Darga, the chief soldier, immediately asked for instructions from Crail.

“What should we do with them?”

“I’m sure you’ll be happy to know that there is holy water here. But by the looks of it……”

Aria has more than ten bottles of [Holy Fresh Water] at the ready. Therefore, she can try to cure the ogre.

However, that’s only if they appear one by one. With a large number of them, there is no time to heal them.

“It’s a tough decision, but we’ll take them dow - Hm!? Soldiers in the vanguard, be careful!”

Crail shouted a warning to the soldiers, because several ogres made a huge leap with their strong legs.

“Th…They fucking jumped! Everybody, shield up!”

“That’s not gonna work… Well then…”

Even with armor and shields, a crushing blow from the weight of the ogre would be fatal. A few of them would die for sure, Crail could tell.

It will make the formation will be further disrupted and they will be swept around by their monstrous strength.

‘I’ll take care of this, sir’

It was Haku, running like the wind, who changed the worst of the future.

“Haku-san? …… But what’s that color?”

Haku became a green fox, and his agility increased. In this state, he moved close to the vanguard and generated a strong wind upward.

“”Ooooooh……””

This caused the ogres to be pushed back and land in the middle of nowhere. During this time, Darga gave the order to reassemble the group.

“Impressive …… So that’s the power of the Variant Fox Monster?”

Shion tells Crail and the soldiers, who are full of admiration.

“Haku has other attributes besides that one. Add to that the power of me and Aria. We’re not outnumbered. So, I have one favor to ask. I want all nine of them to drink the [Holy Fresh Water]”

The soldiers were startled by this proposal. It’s too difficult, no matter how you look at it. They all looked at Crail, the leader of the operation, at once.

“I understand how you feel Shion…… But please look at that”

The nine ogres roaring madly. It was too risky to stop them from moving and make them drink the holy fresh water.

Of course, knowing that, Shion would not back down.

“Please, if there’s a chance, I want to take it”

“From me too, please! I’m confident I can freeze them!”

“Even Ms.Aria… Fine, I’ll give you a chance for five minutes. If you don’t succeed within that time frame, we’ll take them down”

Crail instructs his soldiers who fight to reduce their strength without killing them, and the battle with the Ogre begins.

Shion thanked him and immediately got into a fighting stance.

“Hey Shion, do you want me to freeze it like we did before?”

“Please do, and I’ll use my [Dark Hands]. - Haku, please keep the ogre away from us for a while”

‘Wilco!’

Shion and Aria concentrated on polishing their magic, while Haku stopped the Ogre’s advances.

The ogres are not smart, but a slightly stronger individual will have a higher intelligence regarding combat. If there is a rearguard trying to use magic, they will ignore the enemy in front of them and charge.

This time was no different.

One of the ogres tries to attack Aria, blowing away the soldiers.

‘I won’t let you’

Haku hits the Ogre from the side and blasts it away. But the trouble is that there are nine enemies, and another one is now falling from above.

‘Goodness me…! Eat this!’

A whirling wind shot out of Haku’s mouth, sending the ogre that was hit directly into the air far away. We can’t be too careful. Another one struck out at Aria and the others.

Haku bites down on his fist.

“Ogaaaaaaah!”

‘Squishy and soggy… not very tasty’

As the opponent’s movements is blocked, Aria gave a signal that she’s ready.

“Thanks, Haku. Now, freeze!”

The feet of the five ogres near Shion and the others freeze at once. The soldiers shouted in admiration at the widespread freezing attack.

“What a move. That’ll absolutely work”

“Nice! That’s our Water Hero!”

But this was not the end. Next, Sion activated his [Dark Hands] in a wide area as well.

Instead of two arms as in the case of the winged goblin, a total of ten arms extend from the ground according to the position of the ogre to block the enemy’s movement.

The magic power consumption is quite large. If you want to fight in the future, you may want to refrain from doing so.

Still, Shion didn’t hesitate to use it.

“Make them drink this. You guys, give me a hand”

Aria gives the [Holy Fresh Water] to Crail and the soldiers.

Then he made the captive ogres drink it. Last time, this method was successful and they returned to the beastmen.

“Uggghagagaga…… whoghhgh… Ighghgh…”

This time, however, something was wrong.

The ogres could not speak well, and their bodies did not return to their human form.

“What’s going on? Why aren’t they turning back?”

‘Ms. Aria, there is a possibility that …… it’s already too late’

“No… way…”

This was confirmed the moment the ogres began to roar in anger again.

“I guess it’s too late……”

Shion bit his lower lip. It was not without its thoughts. This time, the enemy moved in nine bodies - he was worried about not able to control the situation.

This is not the same Ogre that was working alone last time. It clearly seems to be working with someone else’s agenda.

“The Demons must be involved after all”

“It’s settled then, Mr. Shion. There’s no point in continuing. Soldiers, take care of the ogre”

As soon as he gave the order, Crail himself attacked the captured ogre. With his twin swords, he cuts off the head of the ogre in a fluid motion.

The soldiers also attacked the ogre at once, and the five bodies they had captured were quickly taken care of.

“Wait, wait, wait!　I don’t want you to do the four remaining bodies yet”

“Are you going to try the others too? It’s no use. You saw what happened! It’s too late for that”

“But, there’s still a chance!”

“… Now I’m troubled…”

“Aria, lets take care of the other 4”

“That’s the way it’s gotta be!”

In response, reluctantly, Crail orders his soldiers not to kill the rest. Shion is grateful and begins to prepare to capture the rest.

The purple ogre has the healing power to heal any small to medium wounds, and is also monstrously strong.

Nevertheless, Haku’s stand and the sharpness of the movements of the elites played well with them.

Aria activated her magic once more

Shion suppresses them with the [Dark Hands] again

Then, Crail and the others go to make the ogre drink the holy fresh water.

“Raaghhiiiii I’m gakaha …… who …… aaaaaaaaghh - “

“It’s too late…”

Those who cannot regain their selves will have their lives cut short by Crail’s twin blades. Three of them had already died out.

At last, the holy fresh water flowed down the throat of the last one. The skin went back and forth between skin tone and purple. It was more pronounced than the other ogres.

“Aaarggghhhhiiiii…i’m…mmmmgghhhhhrrr…”

“I think he’s turning ba… No, this one’s also too late”

Crail aims at the neck of the Ogre, who seems to be in a daze. Then Shion, who had untied his dark hands, came running in.

“No… not yet…”

“They won’t go back to being a human. It’s unfortunate that we are too late. It’s a waste of time”

“It’s not a waste of time”

Shion pulled the shaking ogre’s face with both hands and called out in a loud voice from his stomach.

“Say your name!”

“Na……me…? Guy…… I’m… no…”

“Guy! Come back! Don’t you have someone important?!”

“Im…por…tan…t”

“I’m talking about the one who’s waiting for you. You’re not an ogre, you’re a beastman. Remember who you are!”

“Im…port…… Father……Mother……”

His skin begins to take on a skin tone, and his face changes as well. Shion brings a more powerful voice to Guy’s soul.

“They’re waiting for you! Be strong and aware, you’re Guy!”

“Rig… ht. I’m… I’m Guy…”

There was an obvious change in the color of his skin and the quality of his flesh. Guy, who had been a monster by all accounts, had finally regained the form of a beastmen.

“Haaa…… Haaaa… I’m Guy… I’m not… a monster…”

“Yes, well done. Good job, Guy”

“I couldn’t have done it without your voice. Thank you. …… Oh, God, I’m so sleepy”

“You can rest now. When you wake up, you’ll see your loved ones again”

Guy smiled once and lowered his eyelids to fall asleep.

Shion was relieved that he had been able to turn one of them back into what they are before.

Haku and Aria, who were watching nearby, and the soldiers cheered loudly.