The Priest of Complete Dispel ~ Every Time I Save a Cursed Beautiful Girl with My Status Abnormal Cure Skill, For Some Reason Her Dependence on Me Maxes Out ~ - Chapter 49.1: Soft Skin

Chapter 49.1: Soft Skin

“――<Stealth>”

The moment Medina sensed Dorotheia’s presence, she reflexively activated her skill. The air lost its sound for an instant.

“Medina, please take care of Erina.”

Iris’s faint voice.

Medina understood its meaning and moved like a shadow without replying, vanishing from the spot.

“That is the demon Dorotheia…”

“Such an abnormal magical power… my skin is prickling…”

“Ah… I can tell just by standing here. She is beyond normal.”

Glen and the others let cold sweat trickle down their foreheads as they stared at Dorotheia standing before them.

The magical pressure emanating from her body seemed to make the very space creak.

“I didn’t intend to do any killing in this city… but unfortunately, I got that kind of request.”

“…Why do you obey the client?”

Glen judged that she was someone he could talk to and tried conversing.

That question also served as a slight delay tactic.

“How much do you know about us demons?”

“—Monsters born from sudden mutations, beings incompatible with humans. They act on whims, do not form packs, and always try to use people… that is what I have heard.”

It was the first time Glen and the others had come face-to-face with a demon.

Their ecology was full of mysteries, and no one knew where they lived. Each one held different beliefs, and they were said to embody freedom itself.

“Hehe, well, that is mostly correct. Among them, the word ‘whimsical’ describes us the best, I think.”

“Then—why take a human’s request!”

“I just said ‘whimsical’ a moment ago—didn’t I!”

In that instant, Dorotheia’s figure dispersed like mist.

“—!?”

A killing intent assaulted him from the side.

Glen reflexively drew his treasured sword and barely blocked the approaching claw.

“Urgh…! Everyone, hold out until Erina arrives—!”

“Got it!” “Yeah!” “Yes!”

The clash of metal rang out fiercely.

As Glen pushed back the claw, the three of them synchronized their breaths and reformed their formation.

Standing behind them was not Erina, who always provided rear support, but Iris, who held her holy staff at the ready.

Yet Iris would fully carry out Erina’s role in her place.

“<Protect>, <Strong>, <Air Boost>!”

The chants overlapped, and a pale light array spread out at the three men’s feet.

Support magic that boosted defense, attack, and speed all at once surged forth.

“There is a delicious-looking man here too!”

Dorotheia licked her lips with a slurp and laughed defiantly as she tore through the air and leaped in.

“Risia, she’s coming!”

“Like hell she is!”

Garo, who held a large shield, cut into the path as Dorotheia aimed for Risia.

The sharp claw struck the shield, scattering sparks.

“—Now! <Fire Lance>!”

At the same moment as Risia’s chant, a spear of flame shot straight out.

But Dorotheia simply waved her hand lightly and dispersed the flame.

“You think that level of fire can burn me? How amusing!”

“Wha—!”

“Guoh…!?”

Garo’s massive body, shield and all, rolled across the ground after being blown away.

However, Glen struck from behind during that opening.

“—So tough…!”

The sword did not connect. The blade was blocked by Dorotheia’s left claw.

“Is this the extent of the top human strength in this city? If so, it is disappointing.”

In the next instant, Dorotheia closed in, and her right fist pierced Glen’s side.

“Gu…!”

A dull impact sound. His breath caught, and Glen’s body slid across the ground.

“Glen!”

“I-I’m fine…!”

Tasting blood, Glen used his sword as support to stand.

And he advanced once more—that light dwelling in his eyes had not faded.

“I had some expectations, but humans are fragile after all.”

“—<Heat Haze>”

Glen’s outline wavered, and his figure melted into the darkness.

By the time she noticed, he had slashed at Dorotheia’s head in a flash—

“Hoh? You use an interesting technique.”

However, that sword too was stopped by a strike from her claw.

“As expected… it seems difficult without Master Shu…”

Iris gritted her teeth and gripped her holy staff tighter.

A voice like a prayer was drowned out by the clamor of the battlefield.

◇◇◇

—Around the time Glen and the others began their battle.

In the depths of the mansion, in a silent room.

“…N, ah… u…”

Along with a hoarse breath, Erina slowly opened her eyes.

Her vision was still blurry, and an orange lamp flickered in the dim interior.

The soft sensation touching her back felt just like lying on a luxurious bed.

“…Where… is this…”

She tried to lift her head, but her arms felt heavy.

She realized the reason the moment she tried to move her hands.

—Jangle.

“…!? Wh-what… is this…!”

Silver restraints bound both her wrists, and similar ones were visible on her ankles.

The chains swayed faintly, producing a dull sound.

“Hehe… you are awake, it seems, Liena. Welcome to the lounge.”

“…You are… Jilbe…”

The one who slowly appeared was the guard Jilbe.

He held a wine glass in one hand and swirled the red liquid inside.

His smile was chilling, as if masked.

“I was waiting for you to wake up. I am a gentleman, am I not?”

“How is any of this situation gentlemanly…!”

With a voice trembling in anger, Erina glared at him.

However, Jilbe twisted the corner of his mouth as if enjoying it.

“That expression… it is irresistible. I am surprised; you resemble a woman I know. Just as refined and beautiful…”

(…He still has not realized my true identity… but if this continues…!)

Cold sweat ran down her entire body.

Jilbe’s gaze held no light of reason, only the intent of a beast.

“…From your appearance, you are about twenty. You are an adult already. You can imagine what will happen from here, right?”

“…………!”

Erina tugged at the restraints with a clank. But they did not come off.

Meanwhile, time passed, and impatience alone tightened her chest.

—She had no choice but to use magic now.

“<Holy Lance>!”

Light should have run—through her.

However, the power gathered at her fingertips vanished emptily, and no light was born.

“I heard at the venue that you are a cleric, so I used special handcuffs just in case.”