HI3: I Don't Want to Be a Valkyrie

Centaur...

Yes, they're called centaur, but... until you've seen them for yourself, you won't realize they're not actually humanoids sporting dog heads.

And... centaurs aren't demihumans at all, but monstrous creatures like goblins and ogres.

In this world, demihumans perfectly conform to human aesthetics; they usually just have animal ears instead of human ones, or perhaps horns and tails.

Monsters, on the other hand, are humanoid in just one sense—they bear some semblance to humans, but nothing else about them is even remotely human-like.

For instance... imagine a wicked, twisted version of a gorilla gone berserk:

-

"Looks like there're about a hundred centaurs..."

The five of them—Rozaliya and her group—crouched behind a giant boulder covered in bushes, peering at the centaurs ahead...

The creatures were preparing their meal, seemingly getting ready to eat. The food spread out before them was varied: chunks of unknown meats, some fruits, and strange plants...

Around the perimeter of the centaurs, one could clearly see numerous traps, laid out without any attempt at secrecy.

These centaurs had a bizarre appearance. They were short, only slightly taller than goblins, and instead of fur, their bodies were covered in scales. The scale-like skin ranged in color from dark brown to black. Two pale horns grew from their dog-like heads, and they had eyes that sparkled like stars, along with tails akin to a rat's.

Clad in rough clothing of red and orange hues, they emitted sounds that resembled the barking of dogs.

"Madam Rozaliya, these centaurs are inherently timid creatures, but they have a nasty habit of abusing other living beings."

"They prefer to overwhelm their enemies with sheer numbers or cunning tricks. When their ranks thin out too much, they usually scatter," Platinum whispered, her knowledge of centaurs evident as she explained to Rozaliya.

"They seem just a notch above goblins... So why do dragons fancy having centaurs as their minions?" Rozaliya couldn't help but wonder, studying the centaurs before them.

Why would such powerful creatures as dragons favor centaurs?

"I've heard that centaurs carry the blood of dragons, being descendants of dragons themselves. Whether there's any truth to that, who knows?" Platinum's response was filled with uncertainty. "But it's true that all centaurs speak Draconic... So dragons often enlist centaurs to guard the treasures they've seized."

"Dragon lineage, descendants of dragons... Considering their insatiable nature, it's quite fitting," Rozaliya mused.

Staring at the centaurs before her, she couldn't help but marvel at the sheer depravity of these dragons—how could they bring themselves to bed such creatures?

Then again, with dragons and their penchant for experimentation with different species, perhaps it wasn't all that surprising.

"We're still far from the red dragon's lair. As long as we don't make too much noise, the dragon won't discover us. Let's deal with these centaurs quickly." They were at the foot of the mountain, a significant distance away from the Dragon Cave halfway up.

"Yes..."

-

Gazing upon the centaurs ahead, Skyfire, the cat-eared maiden, drew her wand and began to chant an incantation. In no time, over thirty fist-sized fireballs materialized before her.

"Go..."

With a sweep of her wand, the thirty-plus fireballs streaked directly towards the cluster of centaurs.

Just as these centaurs were about to dine, flames suddenly erupted, seemingly out of thin air. Before they could react, at least ten centaurs were engulfed.

They didn't even have a chance to howl, consumed to ash in an instant.

"Woof woof..."

"Ruff, woof? Ruff ruff!"

"Arf arf, ruff ruff ruff."

(TL Note: ( ╹ -╹)?)

-

The sudden attack sent the centaurs into a panic. While some of the young ones swiftly drew their spears and daggers to guard, the others darted about like headless flies.

Thwip!

An arrow loosed, piercing through the skull of what appeared to be the strongest centaur. Its shriek faltered mid-note as it crumpled to the ground.

"Rozaliya, you don't need to join the fray this time. Leave it to me. They're just small fry; no need for you to personally intervene." Seeing Rozaliya about to charge forth, Cellinia hurriedly stepped in with her plea.

"Well... very well!" Rozaliya hesitated briefly before yielding. After all, these weren't worth her effort, and carrying Liliya made movement somewhat awkward.

"I'll give it my all, for Rozaliya and Liliya," Cellinia declared. With that, she charged forward, her demonic blade held high.

As Skyfire and Platinum continued their relentless reaping of centaur heads, Cellinia emerged with her weapon at the ready.

-

The previously bewildered centaurs watched as Cellinia charged forth. Notably, she was alone; no others were in sight. The surviving centaurs immediately seized their spears and rushed towards her.

As the nearest centaur raised its spear, poised to thrust at Cellinia's body, she swiftly sidestepped, rendering the centaur's attack futile.

Before the centaur could alter its attack, Cellinia swiftly drew her pale red demon blade and slashed towards the centaur's chest.

Grrrahh...

With a pitiful cry, the centaur collapsed to the ground. In quick succession, three more centaurs lunged at Cellinia with their spears.

Without thinking, Cellinia instinctively crouched down, her sword horizontal as she swept at the three centaurs' thighs.

Red blood splattered as the three centaurs lost balance and fell to the ground. Cellinia finished them off with three more swift blows.

Just as Cellinia was delivering the final blows, a centaur suddenly appeared behind her, its spear aimed directly at her back.

The spear was mere inches from piercing Cellinia when, as if she had eyes in the back of her head, she swung her wrist behind herself.

"Tear-Edged Blade!"

As her demon blade activated its skill, a spiritual sword shot forth, slicing directly through the centaur behind her.

"..."

Rozaliya's tense heart finally relaxed. Although... even if Cellinia had died, Rozaliya would have found a way to revive her. For instance, by transforming her into Luna Kindred, turning her into a half-human, half-Honkai Beast.

But the fact that nothing went wrong was truly a relief.

-

Though the centaurs were numerous, their power was lacking. Before long, Cellinia and her companions had cleaned them all up.

After all, Platinum and Skyfire were no ordinary people. Equipped with the Stigmata gifted by Rozaliya, they found dealing with these centaurs a breeze.