I Only Summon Villainesses

Her hands had flown out before she heard me, and even though she heard her name, she didn’t stop until her whip bit deep into the shoulder of her opponent, traveling towards his torso.

The other men had lunged to corner her even as she turned and she had almost moved until I shouted again.

”Stop, fools! You don’t have to die pointlessly!!”

They froze, looking at me, still with twisted, vicious faces.

”We are not Inquisitors of the Eternal Light church or tied to them in any way.”

They turned to each other with confusion, then they focused on the guy with me, a silent question appearing in their eyes.

”B-But the flames?”

The one in my hand muttered, his voice breaking.

”The fact that I have white flames does not mean I’m an inquisitor; have you even tried thinking about other possibilities?”

He slammed his butt to the ground as I released him from my grip and turned to the others.

They also still had wary frowns.

”How then do you explain that cursed white fire?”

”Don’t trust him, Maran! He’s lying to get out of this!”

I laughed a little.

”Get out of this? Look around, young man, I just slaughtered five of you without even lifting my hand. The so-called flames you’re here for haven’t even made their debut. And you think that?”

I scoffed mockingly.

”You have a very small brain, man.”

Turning my face to the man that had spoken initially, with orange-colored overflowing hair and beard, and grey-blue eyes, I spoke with a harmless tone.

”I am only doing this because the Iron Cult had once helped me. I would gain nothing from killing you all over a little misunderstanding. Live to fight another day... but if you don’t want that, then we can settle it here and all.”

They tensed but held their weapons tighter.

The man glanced back and stretched his hand outward by the side, giving his guys some kind of signal, and immediately, they relaxed, but still watching warily.

The orange-haired man straightened. He took a look around. Although the darkness coated it all, the body of his men littered the ground, their blood sinking into the white snow.

”It seems we have trespassed based on misinformation.”

He paused briefly, sending a painful glare at the cause of all of this, who was on the ground.

Immediately, he saw the look on the man’s face; his voice rolled out in scattered words.

”Arena Master! I- I swear he had flames all over him!!”

The man had a painful look on his face still, but he turned to me and asked in a level tone, his voice thick like ancient wood.

”I apologize for this miscommunication, but do you care to tell us who you are and why you have the flames of divinity?”

I stayed in that thoughtful silence for a while, weighing the pros and cons of talking and how much I was willing to say. Especially since there was someone here I had to be wary of.

I glanced casually at the Hammerfeld boy, he was quite far away with Sulin putting him behind her.

I sighed and spoke, deliberately lowering my tone, but enough for the man to hear me.

”I am the recently infamous Heretic of the church, the one that burnt people at the Athermere plaza.”

The man narrowed his gaze.

”I’m not familiar with that story...”

One of his subordinates came closer and spoke into his ear. His eyes widened by the second. After the subordinate stepped back, the way he looked at me changed slightly.

”Hmm, it seems we have common enemies then.”

He nodded subtly, lowering his head to look at the bodies on the soil.

”Once again, we are sorry about this.”

I sighed and waved dismissively.

”It’s alright... but why? Why are members of the Iron Cult here in this harsh region, one that belongs to Solaria nonetheless?”

The man studied around.

”We are trying to cross over to Forgoria, but are being heavily hunted by the church. They established a new order, I’m guessing you also have to be part of the reason, the best I can say is... if you come across them, run. Those people, are incredibly strong packs of Summoners who fight without even using their summons, led by a very, very evil man.”

His emphasis on ”very, very” had me slightly disturbed. How evil did one have to be to make someone, an experienced killer like this man, look so pale.

”I will take your advice into consideration...”

I paused and studied their numbers, trying not to feel bad that they were down to this thanks to me.

”Do you perhaps want to travel with us... we might be able to...”

The man smiled somberly and shook his head.

”I don’t think that’s a bad idea... something tells me that may be as good as walking into the hands of our pursuers.”

His words had me wronged for a moment. But then, I wouldn’t fault him for that line of thinking. With what they knew about me, it was only reasonable they kept themselves away from me.

I was trouble and they recognized it.

’Not that I was looking forward to traveling with you to begin with.’

They lowered their head and formally bowed to me, and to Sulin, apologizing sincerely before leaving. The one beside me scurried away after them like a fowl.

After they had retraced their steps and traveled back deep into the darkness and snow fog of the bridge, only then did Sulin relax and turn to me.

”What happened? Who are they?”

Looking at their disappearing figure, I explained.

”They’re members of the Iron Cult, that had attacked us because...” my voice slowed down for a moment, noting the Hammerfeld boy’s focus before I finally said, ”they thought I was an Inquisitor.”

He raised his gaze intuitively.

”Are you not?”

Sulin also watched me, looking forward to my answer.

I let out an exasperated breath.

”No, I’m not. I’m just a Heroic Summoner, and I happen to control a Grand Inquisitor from the church’s past.”

That was all I said and all I was willing to share.

However, his eyes exploded with a radiant awe.

”Wahhh... that’s so awesome! You’re a Heroic Summoner, I’ve never seen a Heroic Summoner! Hey, can I see your summon?”

I immediately turned away from him.

”No.”