The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet

Chapter 421: The Phantom Attacker

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

At first glance, she had a gentle, soothing smile. But Tania knew there was malice lurking beneath that facade.

Monica was undeniably human. But she wasn't ordinary. At times, she possessed power that rivaled even their own as the strongest species.

"It hasn't been that long since we last met... though we didn't see each other face-to-face during the recent Kagune incident. We did exchange a few words, though... Oh? Come to think of it, Tania wasn't there, was she? In that case, it seems 'long time no see' is correct after all."

"Enough of your chatter... you're so annoying!"

"Hey!"

Tina, standing beside her, panicked. And no wonder. Without a word, Tania had suddenly fired a fireball.

Since they were in the middle of the city, she seemed to be holding back somewhat. It didn't cause any damage to the surrounding buildings, only incinerating the area where Monica was standing. Monica's figure vanished as if she had never been there. But her voice continued.

"To attack me so suddenly, how cruel. I was right to prepare a phantom body just in case."

"Damn it, what a troublesome ability... Where did you get that ability?"

"Let's see... I'll tell you in exchange for something."

"In exchange for something...?"

"Iris is still alive, isn't she?"

"!"

Monica continued to smile gently. With a kind face, she spoke terrifying words.

"Let me kill Iris."

"You...!"

"I heard from Reez that I failed, but since I injured her soul, I thought there would be no problem leaving her be... But it seems there's a possibility that..."

"Possibility" likely referred to the healing abilities of the Phoenix race. Iris might recover with that power. Knowing this, Monica could no longer ignore it and decided to attack... Tania concluded.

However, a mystery remained. Where did Monica learn about the Phoenix race? The same went for when she appeared in Kagune. Where did she learn about Alpha and how did she manage to contact them?

Just how vast and precise was her information network? She had been wary of her as a dangerous opponent, but perhaps she had been too complacent. This might be an enemy with far greater power than she imagined, one that demanded maximum vigilance.

And there was one other thing. Though Tania didn't know it, Monica shouldn't have been there. She was supposed to be traveling to the Northern Continent with Reez. So why was she in Kagune?

"So, what's your answer? Iris won't be saved anyway. Even if you abandon her here, you won't have to worry about it. Don't you think this is a good deal?"

"Don't make me laugh..."

"Before that I'll kick your Ass!"

Before Tania could shout in anger, Tina exploded.

She created a bat of light with magic and swung it with all her might. Instead of hitting a ball, she threw the bat directly at Monica.

It was a bat sized for Tina, so it was small. However, it was forged with magic, making it harder than steel. If it made direct contact, Monica, a human, wouldn't be able to escape unscathed. She couldn't ignore it and moved her body sideways to avoid it.

With a Gaan! sound, the light bat struck a trash can on the street, shattering it to pieces. Seeing this, Monica sighed in exasperation.

"I was trying to resolve this peacefully, but is this your answer?"

"What in the world is peaceful about this?! I'll teach you a lesson! ○○ and ×× in △△, you hear me!?"

"Uh, Tina? Um... that's scary..."

Tania was taken aback by Tina's furious outburst. She even started speaking politely.

She could understand her feelings. Although they had fought before, she cared deeply for Iris as a friend. To be told to hand over someone they cared about to be killed, and that they wouldn't care anyway, was an insult.

It was an unforgivable insult. Tina had been the first to erupt in anger, but Tania felt her insides boiling with rage.

"Very well... I would have preferred to keep it simple, but it seems that won't be possible. I'll show you my power, just like before."

"You think you can take on us alone? You're underestimating us."

"You're the one who should be retreating. If you cause a disturbance in this city, other adventurers and knights won't leave you alone."

"Fufufu, don't worry. I've already deployed a barrier."

"When did you...?"

"Intruders will be blocked by my illusions and won't be able to reach this location."

"Even so, we still have the advantage of numbers, two against one?"

"Oh, but it's I who have the advantage of numbers."

Monica smiled mischievously.

Suddenly, her figure blurred. The outlines of her body multiplied, swayed, and expanded. One, two, three... Monica multiplied until there were ten of them.

Tania and Tina both grimaced.

"Damn... What a troublesome ability."

"More like, it's cheating. It's almost like Iris's ability."

"Fufuf, don't worry. My ability is merely to create illusions and manipulate them. I can't perform such a feat as summoning another version of myself from another world like Iris. The power of my illusions is not that great."

"If you're so open about it, it means it's okay for others to know."

"More like, how did you find out about Iris's ability?"

"Oh dear... I've said too much."

For the first time, Monica furrowed her brow. If this was an act to deceive them or to reveal false information, it was a good one.

"Hmm."

Tina pondered. Iris had summoned another version of herself during the battle at Jisu village. She hadn't used it since then.

Had Monica been watching her even back then? No, that was probably not the case. It would be impossible, even for a god, to predict Iris's irregular movements and observe her.

That meant she must have heard about it from someone who saw the battle. Those who fought against Iris were Rain, Axe, Cell... and Arios.

"Could it be that you heard it from Arios?"

"...Hmm."

Monica's eyes narrowed sharply.

"Do you reach that conclusion so quickly with just one sentence? That's troublesome."

"You're still together, aren't you? Why are you with such a Hero? There's nothing good that can come from being with him, only ruin."

"I have my own reasons for that."

"Either way... if we take you down, we can also get information about that Hero... or rather, the former Hero. We have to do our best."

"Yes. We've  have left that former Hero alone for a long time, and it's about time we put an end to him."

"Fufufu, will you be able to do that?"

Monica readied herself.

Tania and Tina also prepared.

"I'll show you."

"I'll push through."

"My abilities were created to defeat a demon king... I'll get serious now."

TL Note- My net is not working properly....

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