<h4>Chapter 102 : A Brief Rest and The Trend of Revived Four Demon</h4>


    「I see nyaow. So thest skill used by Aria-chan is her derivate skill!」


    「Yes. It’s the derivate skill of my 《Sacred de》, 《Excalibur》. For that skill to awaken at such timing. Moreover, for me to activate it reflexively…」


    After the fierce battle against Orthos and Cyclops, Aria and co. had returned to the guild of Labyrinth city.


    Aria exined to Vulcan and others about the derivate skill that she had used on Cyclops, the skill that had awakened at thest moment.


    「The condition to attain a derivate skill is achieving mastery of a skill’s basic form and intense emotions. Alisha did tell me before departing that with your current proficiency, you were likely to awaken your derivate skill if you got cornered in the middle of a battle.」


    After gulping the liquor, Prince Julius told spoke.


    「Alisha-sama had predicted that I would awaken my derivate skill in the previous fight?」


    「Yeah. Only she’s capable of doing that. Well, she’s Maiya’s wife, after all. She can do almost everything.」


    Prince Julius replied to Aria’s question with a wry smile on his face.


    His eyes then moved on to Aria’s twin melons; to be exact, on Tama, who was sandwiched in between the twin melons.


    Even though the awakening of Aria’s power was a surprise to him, the matter about Tama was on a whole another level.


    Elemental Cats could grow up to two meters in height upon bing an adult. But, it would take them years to reach their adulthood. A sudden transformation like what Tama showed in the fight was impossible for an elemental cat to acheive.


    「Tama, could it be that you’re actually not an elemental cat… but the great sacred beast?」


    Aria petted the head of Tama, who waszing around in her deep valley, and asked him the question.


    However, Tama replied with a「Nya~n?」, as if he were saying ‘What are you talking about?’.


    「Well, it doesn’t really matter! No one died thanks to the efforts of Aria and Tama. Let’s just celebrate our safe return first. But still, I’m really ashamed of myself as a hero. To think that I’m weakened to the point where I have to rely on a girl and her cat.」


    After he spoke those words with a self-deprecating smile on his face, Prince Julius lifted his ss.


    Aria and Vulcan, who were also raising their ss, spoke up.


    「Please don’t say that, Your Highness.」


    「That’s right. The reason we came out victorious in the previous fight was Julius-sama had been protecting us from our enemy’s skills.」


    ――We’re cheering on him.


    （Such honest people. I’m sure they’ll be even more powerful in the future.）


    Prince Julius felt so as he looked at Aria and the others.


    「GUHAHAHAHA! NOTHING CAN BEAT MEAT AFTER A DAY OF FIERCE BATTLE!」


    「Yaaay, pancakes are the best!」


    「It’s melting in my mouuth!」


    Ste was busying her hands with the meat on the bone steak, while Lily and Faeri were entranced by the line up of sweets that included pancakes, fruit punches, etc on the table.


    As a reward for their participation in the fierce battle where they had to put their lives on the line, they were allowed to order as much of their favorite food as they wanted.


    Even though they had fought like a fierce veteran warrior in the battle, they had now reverted to being a girl and children in front of the food.


    Vassago managing to escape to the spirit world was a fatal blow to their side.


    However, it would take him quite some time to make his move since he had to gather his minions first. Prince Julius had predicted Vassago’s next n to some extent.


    As long as they waited in this city, they would soon receive thetest news from Beelzebub, Alisha, or a messenger. So, it was better to make the preparation for their next move.


    But at the very least, he must let the girls before him enjoy the brief rest for the time being.


    Prince Julius only apanied them for another ss of ale, then he excused himself. After returning to the high-ss hotel room that had been prepared for him, he copsed on the bed. He wanted to heal his tattered body that was pushed beyond its limit in today’s battle.


    ◆


    In a castle located in a certain ce in the Spirit World, a voice rang out.


    『My connection to Orthos and Cyclops disappeared. To think that they lost against small fries…』


    One of the Four Demon Dukes, Vassago, cursed in front of a mirror with an annoyed look on his face. The summoned beast and its summoner were connected by mana. So losing that connection meant that the summoned beast had died.


    Vassago couldn’t hide his agitation at the fact that his summoned beast was defeated by a group of girls without special power and a weakened hero.


    『Well, it doesn’t matter. As long as I’m alive and gain 〝THAT?, I can resurrect Mamon-sama. Wait for me, Humans.』


    Vassago let out a wicked smile and moved on to the next stage in his ns.