Takashi tried to find a shield to hide behind, but Duma rushed forward again without giving him any time to take cover. The ferocious monster''s power made Takashi impatient, and he staggered to his feet.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ki ke ke ke kike ke</em>!"


    (Wai… this… Not goo–!)


    "L-Lord Hero–!?"


    Exce shouted. Just before Duma was about to take Takashi''s life, his body got struck by an impact. He was knocked down by someone or something and tumbled across the deck.


    "…eh?"


    Takashi noticed Aina lying on top of him. He realized she had saved him from Duma''s charge by mming him with her body.


    "T-Thank you, Aina!"


    "Ouh Ouh…!"


    Aina''s mouth peeks out from under the hood, smiling with humility. Duma turned around, red at Aina and Exce, and clicked her tongue.


    "H-Huh. Those guys are a h-hindrance. I am not interested in human women. C-Can I perhaps use them as live feed for the undead?…"


    The undead on deck started moaning and groaning.


    "uOooUgGhhH! HooraaaaAAyyYY!"


    "Food FoooOOHhhoodD!"


    A hot, searing sensation spread through Takashi''s heart as he watched Exce and Aina back away in fear from Duma''s words and the undead''s reaction.


    (Feed, was it? I won''t let you put a finger on either of them!)


    "Enough already! Duma!"


    A passionate feeling overflowed from the depths of Takashi''s heart as he shouted to get her attention. Duma was certainly strong. Takashi''s unique ability does not work that well on her either.


    (That''s true... But!)


    "Mypanions, I will never let you hurt them!"


    Takashi''s determination as a hero overcame the fear of Duma in his heart. In order to protect both of them, Takashi stood in front of Exce and Aina. From behind him, he heard Exce''s distraught voice.


    "Lord Hero! Pritis is counter-productive on Duma! The prettier you make yourself look to her, the more she''ll want to turn you into a doll!"


    Takashi nced back at Exce and smiled.


    "It''ll be okay. Just as Duma changed forms, so does my cuteness have many forms."


    "C-Cuteness'' Forms… was it?"


    Exce couldn''t help but slowly repeat his words, irrespective of their current situation.


    Despite his predicament, Takashi was surprisingly calm. Perhaps his strong desire to protect hispanions gave him such power.


    As Takashi looked calmly at Duma, he recalled the past of his training with his master, Leelou.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Suzuki. From now on, you will have to fight against various kinds of demons. Some of them will find you so cute that they might want to eat you... in different forms. Some might even want to stuff your hide and turn you into a decoration, etcetera. There could be beings, who have such fetishes and desires, that you might encounter in the future."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"I-If I fight against something like that, I''m finished!"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">In contrast to Takashi''s panicked reaction, Leelou smiled.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Even the most heinous inhuman fiend cannot easily strike down a crying baby."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"A crying baby…?"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Pritis is not just about the cuteness that makes demons'' hearts flutter. There is also a Pritis that appeals to the sentimental heart of monsters, evoking pity."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Do you mean ''Tearful Eyes''?"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"There is more than just Tearful Eyes. There are several simr techniques in the 48 gestures of Pritis. Don''t you remember?"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Eh-uhm…"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Takashi, who was not yet proficient in Pritis, could not think of any immediately. After lightly smacking Takashi on the back of his head, Leelouughed and said.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"A series of attacks consisting of several Pritis gestures with simr effects. That''s what I call [Flow]. Use a series of attacks based on [Flow] to deal with demons with special dispositions."</strong></em>


    After recalling his training with Leelou, Takashi kept an eye on Duma, who was in front of him, and said to Exce.


    "I''ll finish off Duma with ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Flow of Mncholy</em>''!"


    Takashi dered in a serious-sounding voice, which he believed was a little bit cool.


    "’F-Flow of Mncholy,'' was it? I''m not sure what that means, but… it sounds kind of cool!"


    "YEAH! Leave it to me, Exce!"


    Duma had obviously heard Takashi and Exce''s conversation. She thenughed out loud.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ke ke kiki ke</em>! Y-You''re going to finish me off? N-No one, can break <em ss="chakra-text css-0">this</em> me!"


    "I don''t intend to break you."


    "Ah? W-Well, then, h-how are you going to beat me?!"


    "The one and only unparalleled technique, surpassing both magical power and offensive power. That is <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em>. It''ll work on the deep-seated conscience that lies asleep inside your chest."


    Suzuki responded while pointing toward Duma at the end of his words.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike</em>! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike ke ke ke ke ke ke ke ke ke ke ke</em>!"


    Duma spread her arms wide, herughter echoing out in the sea.


    "P-Puppet Dolls!! DON''T have a conscienceeeeeeeeeee!!"


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