《Suzuki is Cute Even In A Savage World》


 Prologue: Death and Desires

    <h4>Prologue: Death and Desires</h4>


    Morning.


    On the way to his high school, Takashi Suzuki became involved in an ident.


    He was crossing the crosswalk after the traffic light turned green, but the sound of a tremendous impact and a crash hit his ears, and the next thing he knew... he was standing in apletely white space.


    "Nice to meet you, Mr. Suzuki. I am a goddess," said a woman with wings on her back in a clear voice as her gaze went back and forth between a file in a binder and Takashi''s face. "Mr. Suzuki, you died in an unfortunate way. I hope you will lead an ideal life in your next lifetime."


    "Ho, a goddess, for real...? Or rather, I died? And my next lifetime?" Takashi muttered, confused from receiving a lot of information.


    While his mind was stillpletely unorganized, the self-proimed goddess kept her eyes on the file and continued in a clerical tone.


    "By the way, it wasn''t just that you were unhappy at the time of your death. You grew up as an orphan with no rtives and never had a girlfriend. Your only purpose in life was reading isekai novels on novel posting sites. Isn''t that right?"


    "Y--Yes..."


    The goddess had an urate insight into Takashi''s life. She was a radiant beauty, and the wings on her back didn''t seem artificial. He could conclude that she must really be a goddess.


    Wait a moment! He definitely enjoyed reading novels on the inte. That''s for sure. But he didn''t think it was the only thing that made his life worth living!


    "And finally, you got hit by a drunk driver on your way to school. You were so pathetic that the Supreme Deity took pity on you. Now, Mr. Suzuki, please tell me what you desire or wish for."


    "Huh. Hmm. Even if you tell me that all of a sudden..." Takashi trailed off, struggling to get a grasp of the current situation. While he was gawking, a thick voice sounded from behind him.


    "Bastard, stop being so slow and decide quickly. I''ll murder you."


    Takashi turned around and became even more dismayed. Facing him was a strong-looking man with a massive frame, a bald head, and sunsses with his tattooed arms crossed.


    "Yow--!? Are you perhaps a god, too, by any chance?"


    "Eh? What are you saying, you bastard? I''ll murder you."


    The goddess pointed with her beautiful hand at the man who kept ending his sentences with ''I''ll murder you.''


    "This is Mr. Sasaki. He, like Mr. Suzuki, passed away just a short moment ago. It''s so busy these days that the gods don''t have time to devote themselves to one-on-one meetings. So we''re having a three-way conference."


    While Takashi wondered what she meant by "three-way conference," the goddess flipped through the files in her binder. Eventually, she stopped and looked down at one file.


    "Mr. Sasaki was a motorcycle delinquent gang member in his youth, and even until his death, he worked a job with his head submerged in organized crime. The Sasaki Gumi n, which started out with three members, has be one of Japan''s leading designated crime organizations. In recognition of this achievement, we are pleased to award him."


    (No, that''s not an achievement, you know!? Isn''t it more like an evil deed!?)


    However, Takashi couldn''t voice such ament in front of the person in question. Then the goddess asked, "Then, Mr. Sasaki, would you please tell us what you would like to request?"


    "Oh! Then, make me absurdly strong!"


    "Yes. The ability to be absurdly strong, right?" repeated the goddess as she smoothly slid her fountain pen over the documents in the file. "For the ce to be reincarnated in, what kind of other-world would you prefer?"


    "Right. I want the wildly disorganized, chaotic feeling of an end-of-the-world ce. There''ll be a bunch of bad folks out there. I''m going to murder them all myself!"


    "An end-of-the-world feeling other-world with bad people... so you can trash and murder them.... Is that right?"


    "Yeah! I''ll conquer the whole world!"


    Takashi was dumbstruck, listening to Sasaki''s story. Was it okay for a grown man of a mature age to wish for such things as being absurdly strong and aiming for world conquest?


    Twirling a fountain pen around her slender fingers, the goddess asked, "Then, would a very bloody other-world be eptable? The difficulty level of survival is quite high because of all the strong opponents, but..."


    "Bring it on! The more powerful folks, the more it gets my blood pumping, ya know!" Sasaki dered.


    "Certainly!" After giving Sasaki an affirmative, the goddess turned to Takashi as she ced her fountain pen on the binder. "Would you also be satisfied with an other-world with the same feeling, Mr. Suzuki?"


    "N--no. It wouldn''t be good at all! I''d like to live a moreid-back life in a more peaceful and heartwarming other-world!"


    "Laid-back and heartwarming, is it?"


    While Takashi''s hobby was reading inte novels, they were mainly peaceful, otherworldly stories with few battle descriptions. As the goddess had said, he was an orphan and had always longed for an ordinary life. The most mundane life. One with parents, good friends, and no need to move from one ce to another.


    "Then, what should we do about your abilities? Do you want to be absurdly strong like Mr. Sasaki?"


    "I don''t think I need anything. I just want to do some things in another world---raising cute monsters, growing crops, and the like."


    "That''s troublesome! I have to give everyone an ability per regtions, you know," replied the goddess. She frowned a little and then looked at Takashi''s whole body with a peeved expression on her face. "Mr. Suzuki''s appearance looks too ordinary. So, how about enhancing your charm as a human being?"


    "Huh. Then, will I be good-looking or something?"


    "No, you will be reincarnated as you are appearance-wise. But you''ll receive the ''Captivate The Opposite Sex'' ability. Every woman you meet in the other world will unconditionally fall in love with you, Mr. Suzuki!"


    Then it might be easier to live a heartwarming otherworldly life. Takashi did not feel all that bad about her proposal, but Sasaki, who had been silent until now, snorted and spat on the white floor.


    "What a bastard. You talked all nice, but in the end, you''re tryin'' to build a harem? This perverted brat. I''ll murder you!"


    "T--that''s not it! It''s not like that!" Takashi hastily denied it. Seeing this, the goddess also put her finger to her chin and tilted her head in contemtion.


    "Then, let''s change the ability into ''Be Loved Unconditionally By The Local Race.'' That way, it should prevent the situation from bing a tant harem."


    "Uhm. What''s the difference?" he asked.


    "It''s---"


    Just as she was about to exin, Sasaki stepped in between the goddess and Takashi. He brought his rugged face close to Takashi''s, then glowered, "What a pain in the ass! Chop-chop! Get on with it already! I''ll murder you!"


    "Y--Yes! I''m sorry!"


    "In that case, let''s chop-chop. Then, let''s start with you, Mr. Sasaki. Are you ready?" the goddess interjected.


    "Oh! I don''t know if it''s another world or whatnot, but I''m gonna murder them all!"


    "Then, off you go!"


    The goddess snapped her fingers. Then Sasaki suddenly vanished without a trace. It was so unexpected and instantaneous as blowing out a candle with a puff of breath.


    "Next is Mr. Suzuki, isn''t it?"


    "Ehh... Can I contact you if I have any problems over there?" he hesitantly asked.


    "No. This is where we say goodbye. We may meet again when Mr. Suzuki dies again."


    And then the goddess snapped her fingers.

 Chapter 1，Part 1: Reincarnation In A Heartwarming(?) Other-World (1)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 1£¬Part 1: Reincarnation In A Heartwarming(?) Other-World (1)</h4>


    "Ohh! The summoning has seeded!"


    The noise of the crowd resounded. Takashi, who had been chatting with a beautiful goddess in a white room, now stood on a red carpet that stretched in a straight line across a marble floor. Around him, men with the appearance of medieval aristocrats stared at him with expectant eyes.


    Takashi was breathless in the unduly spacious room, which gave a baroque-style impression.


    (I--I really, havee to another world!)


    The conversation with the goddess felt somewhat surreal for him. But now that it really happened, he had no choice but to believe everything.


    (All right! That does it. From now on, I will live an enjoyable heartwarming life in another world!)


    "This One is the King of this country of Leirune."


    A small, plump man with a mustache and wearing a golden crown held out his hand to him. Takashi shook the portly man''s hand.


    "Oh, Hero! Please save this world!"


    "H--huh. Is that sort of thing the plot setting?"


    While he was still pondering about the circumstances of his situation, a man wearing a robe and carrying a silver staff, who looked like a typical fantasy wind sorcerer, timidly presented a single piece of paper to the king.


    "Your Majesty the King. These are the Revered Hero status values..."


    "Let me see."


    Takashi guessed that his status was written on that paper. But then the king''s ecstatic smiling face grew grim.


    "Attack value, defense value, even magic value are all in single digits? What? This chap!! He''s a failure!!"


    That was a very poor way of putting it, Takashi thought. However, he knew from the beginning that he did not have the talent, so he expressed, "No, I just want to live aid-back, heartwarming life here."


    "What the...id-back and heartwarming!! The Demon Lord''s army is about to invade. This situation is a life-or-death matter!"


    "Huh... De--Demon Lord''s Army?" Suzuki repeated, dumbfounded.


    There seemed to be a misunderstanding between the two. The king turned to the sorcerer and shouted, "Hurry! The next summon!"


    "U--um. What about, me...?"


    The king no longer reacted to Takashi''s voice. The sorcerer began to cast a spell, treating Takashi like air. The men in expensive-looking costumes, who looked like aristocrats, shoved him by his shoulders.


    "Hey, you are a nuisance. Get out of the way."


    "You are no longer needed. Get the hell out of the castle."


    They all red at Takashi as if they were looking at something filthy.


    (W--what is this!? This! This isn''t what I was told!)


    Right then and there, at that precise moment. The doors behind Takashi opened with a loud bang. Out of nowhere, strange figures appeared. Demons or beastmen with mouths ripped open until their ears, giants over three meters in height---all carrying blood-soaked weapons---stormed in.


    "De--Demon Lord''s Army!!"


    The king''s blood-curdling yell coincided with the guards near the door being decapitated by the demon''s broadsword.


    "Hyaaaaa!"


    The aristocratic-like men who had mistreated Takashi earlier made pathetic noises and ran away. A beastman with a face like a lion shed one of the fleeing men from behind with razor-sharp ws. Fresh blood stained the marble floor red.


    "Wha--Wha--Wha...!"


    Takashi was in a state of shock. He saw everyone present get decapitated, disemboweled, or eaten from the head down by ferocious fiends.


    (Not a tad heartwarming, riiiggghhtt!)


    Takashi screamed internally. The ce plunged into pandemonium. In the back of his mind, Takashi thought of a bald-headed man who wore sunsses and kept threatening to f*cking kill him even though he was already dead. Sasaki''s words came to mind.


    [---the wildly disorganized, chaotic feeling of an end-of-the-world ce.]


    (I--Impossible... It''s not the other-world I wanted!?)


    Indeed, the pronunciations of Suzuki and Sasaki were simr. However, it should be strange for a deity to make a blunder like that, but given the circumstances, it was not impossible.


    Soon after, the fiends ravaging the humans stopped moving altogether. Then three demons entered through the door. All the other fiends knelt down and made way for them.


    Takashi gulped at the majesty of the female demon leading the way. Her jet-ck hair reached to her waist, and goat-like horns sprouted from her head. Her ck leather armor, almost like a bathing suit, revealed her tanned-colored skin. Large breasts. Tall and well-built with an awe-inspiring face. However, her beauty was opposite that of the goddess. Hers was the bewitching kind of beauty.


    And that demon was heading straight to him.


    "Sa--save me, please!"


    The king of the castle was kneeling on the red carpet, prostrated with a pitiful expression on his face. The tanned demon silently walked past him. The king showed a relieved expression, but suddenly, his head fell to the carpet.


    (Wha--!? Right now, what did she do?)


    .


    Takashi could not see the tanned demon''s attack. The terrifying demoness who had instantly in the king walked toward him with two child-like demon girls on either side of her. One with red hair in twin tails and a sickle as tall as she is, the other with blue hair in a ponytail and holding knives in both hands. Their faces were almost identical, but the red-haired one had pointed ears like a cat''s on its head, while the blue-haired one had rounded ears.


    Takashi nced behind him. Almost everyone had died, but several maidens in maid outfits were trembling behind his back.


    (S--since things have turned this way, I''ll have to do it myself!)


    This ce wasn''t the heartwarming other-world he wanted. But if the current situation persisted, they would all be killed.


    Takashi''s heart pounded furiously with fear. But even so, he had a small glimmer of hope. When the king saw his status earlier, he dismissed it as a failure. However, if the goddess had made a mistake between him and Sasaki...


    (If I fight seriously, I should be able to use the "Absurdly Strong" ability!)


    "Whoaaaaa!!" Takashi gave a short war cry, raised his fist, and punched toward the tanned demoness with all his might.


    Boing~


    It was a sound so far removed from the concept of strongest. As if sucked into them, Takashi''s fist got buried in the valley between the demoness''srge breasts.


    "Wah--Wah!?" he shrieked and pulled his arm away. He was surprised at his own powerlessness,bined with the shock of unintentionally touching a woman''s breast.


    The tanned demoness looked down at the frightened Takashi with cold eyes and opened her fanged mouth, "Human-like creature! You deserve to die for what you have done!"


    Takashi trembled at the husky and powerful voice. As if to rub salt into a wound, The red-haired, twin-tailed demon shouted, "You dare to strike Lady Nephira, you reckless scum!"


    The demon with blue hair and a ponytail said in a high-pitched voice with a happy sneer, "Let''s pull out his entrails--! Let''s make intestinal nes--!"


    "Gigegegege! How about hollowing out his eyes while he''s still alive?" the red-haired twin-tailughed in a vulgar voice once again.


    (I-I... got hurled into a savage other-world without any noteworthy ability!? Damn it! What about this is considered my ideal life?!)


    Inside the throne room stained with the blood of ughtered humans, with tears in his eyes, Takashi looked helplessly at the demons in front of him.


    ¡ô

 Chapter 1，Part 2: Reincarnation In A Heartwarming(?) Other-World (2)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 1£¬Part 2: Reincarnation In A Heartwarming(?) Other-World (2)</h4>


    For Nephira, the leader of Thunder-Lance Charge, the special strike force under the direct control of the Demon King, this day was the long-awaited invasion of the Land of Leirune.


    More specialized in offensive attacks than any unit in the Demon Lord''s army and always spearheading major battles, the Thunder-Lance Charge,posed of six hundred elite fiends, sessfully conquered the city. With their bodies sshed with human blood, they marched into Syness Castle.


    Skilled soldiers and sorcerers staffed the entirety of the castle, but they were no match for the prided elite of the Thunder-Lance Charge. Nephira proudly entered through the front door. Together with her top brass demons, the sisters Meru and Kiru, they cut the soldiers'' throats, scattered their guts, and reached the king''s chamber. They captured Syness Castle so easily.


    Humans have their uses as ves and food, but the city''s inhabitants were sufficient for that. She nned to kill everyone in the castle to set an example. Reigning by fear was the demon''s standard method, and Nephira had been doing it for a long time. Like any other demon, she felt no empathy for humans. Killing insects had never perturbed her.


    Not until that moment.


    Nephira currently felt very disturbed. The problem was the creature in front of her. It definitely looked like a human being. A being she considered scum, an insect, no more than that. And yet...


    (Eh. Wait, what''s this? Cute...)


    What about that charming appearance with medium height and round eyes? Its frightened appearance was also pitiful and made one want to gently extend a hand.


    The feeling of this creature stroking her chest region moments ago still remained. Per usual, she would have killed the human instantaneously before it could even touch her. And yet, she allowed herself to be touched. A strange sensation struck Nephira.


    (My chest feels warm. What is it? This feeling? N--no, right now, rather than that...)


    Nephira inwardly bit her teeth with remorse. Her regret... was that she had so brazenly dered in front of her subordinates that this lovely human-like being ''deserved to die.''


    The human-like being had attacked her, someone profoundly favored by the Demon Lord. It was the natural response for the leader of a battalion. However, how could she possibly kill this iparably lovely and adorable human trembling and quivering before her eyes? No, she couldn''t do it.


    Because he''s such a cute thing!


    On the other hand, saying something like, "Just kidding. After all, let''s... not," would be bad for her reputation as amander. Nephira tried to keep herposure while deeply troubled.


    (Aaaaah! What the hell am I supposed to do?!)


    ¡ô


    The right hand of Nephira, the top brass of Thunder-Lance Charge, Meru of the twin demon sisters, held her blood-stained assassin daggers tightly. During today''s invasion, she had cut down more than a hundred humans with those weapons.


    She nced at her sister, Kiru, standing beside her. In contrast with her blue hair in a ponytail, Kiru had red hair in twin tails. And earlier, she had decapitated more than two hundred human heads with her beloved grim reaper''s scythe.


    The two sisters were not on bad terms. However, Meru somewhat felt considerably inferior to Kiru. She wanted to win against her older sister. Such was the feeling in her heart.


    The trouble started with her sister, Kiru. Nephira, theirmander, was attacked. Before Meru could say anything about it, Kiru busted out, saying, "You dare to strike Lady Nephira, you reckless scum!!." In other words, her sister had beaten her to the punch.


    (Uhh!! I don''t want to lose to my sister...!)


    In a panic, she thought she needed to say something more potent and devilish.


    "Let''s pull out his entrails--! Let''s make intestinal nes--!" she had excitedly dered.


    But after saying those words, she calmed down and looked at the human being again. Meru''s hobby was collecting stuffed fiends, but the human being in front of her was more lovable than any stuffed animal she had ever seen.


    Regret surged over her like waves as she gazed at the indescribably lovely human. His face looked like he was about to burst into tears when he heard them saying they would make nes from his intestines. Intense guilt swirled inside Meru. The thought of dragging out the viscera of such a lovely creature? No, no, impossible. What exactly was an ''intestinal ne'' anyway? She didn''t need it. Who would wear such a thing?


    She wanted to prostrate herself and apologize. Such thoughts filled her mind. However, expectedly, a demon could never bow down to a human.


    Still, Meru had one hope.


    (Lady Nephira will never let this human who attacked her go scot-free! That''s my chance!)


    Meru had decided to plead directly to Nephira. However, the other party was the leader of the Thunder-Lance Charge. She was a ruthless, inhumane, and unrivaled demon. Of course, she expected it wouldn''t be free. So she nned to offer one of her own arms as an apology. That surely would satisfy Lady Nephira, and the human would no doubt be grateful.


    ¡ô


    The red-haired twin tails of the twin demon sisters, Kiru, also regretted her actions.


    Although Kiru was extremely vicious towards humans, she acted differently to her own kind. Kiru liked to care for young fiends and was a good caretaker for them. And the trembling creature in front of her, even though she had never met it before, was somehow as lovable as a younger brother.


    Despite this...


    When their leader Nephira got attacked, she shouted, "You dare to strike Lady Nephira, you reckless scum!" She saw the cute little human shiver a little when he was called a scum. She really regretted it, but... well, he attacked theirmander. She gave him full marks for that courage. The problem was what came after that.


    Meru had uttered the devilish line, "Let''s pull out his entrails." Kiru just thought she''d drop a line afterward to keep the momentum going and had blurted, "Gigegegege! How about hollowing out his eyes while he''s still alive?" Kiru could not tolerate what she had just said.


    It would be insane to hollow out the eyes of such a lovely human being while it is still alive. No, usually, she would be able to do it as easily as breathing, but not with this human being. Because if she did it, she would feel sorry for him.


    And her biggest regret. In front of that human, she hadughed with her mouth open wide with a "Gigegegege."


    (What was thatugh sound?! I''m so embarrassed! I want to die!)


    Kiru doesn''t usuallyugh like that. The only reason she used that tone of voice was to create a strong impression since there were still people alive around her.


    What would this lovely human have thought when he heard the hideous, crudeugh she let out? He must have thought it was vulgar. No doubt he didn''t want to be near it. Aah, she wanted to turn back time and say, "My, my. We don''t appreciate that sort of thing, dear."


    His first impression of her was probably the worst. But she still had hope. The ruthless Lady Nephira would surely kill this human who attacked her. That would be her chance. She would chop off her own leg and offer it to exchange for forgiveness for this human being. That would surely make this human see her in a new light.


    ¡ó

 Chapter 1，Part 3: Reincarnation In A Heartwarming(?) Other-World (3)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 1£¬Part 3: Reincarnation In A Heartwarming(?) Other-World (3)</h4>


    The three demons were staring at Takashi. A long, lingering silence. During that lull, all the fiends that had invaded the king''s chamber and perpetrated their tyranny had left.


    In the king''s chamber, other than Takashi, only the tanned-skinned demoness and the two petite demons with simr facial features remained.


    They did nothing and simply stared at Takashi. Time passed in vain until he couldn''t stand the silence any longer.


    "W--what in hell are you nning to do with me?!" he shouted btedly. His voice trembled with fear.


    The tanned demoness nced at her subordinates'' faces. She responded, "Ah, aah. That''s right. You, bastard, are a human. Of course, you won''t get away with this for free."


    "I--I knew it. You are going to kill me...!"


    One of the petite demons raised her scythe while the other readied a dagger. Both were breathing heavily. An unusual atmosphere permeated the air. Takashi shuddered and squealed "Eeek" at the situation. However, the tanned demoness raised her right hand as if to hold back the petite demons.


    "Don''t be in such haste. It doesn''t mean I''m going to kill you, bastard."


    "Lies! You just said it was worthy of death a while ago!"


    "C--certainly, I did say that. However, I never said anything about killing you."


    Even the other two demons looked at the tanned demoness with nk faces. Huh. What? Saying worthy of death did not mean getting killed? Then what did it mean?


    "I''m a little ufortable calling you ''human.'' Identify yourself."


    "Suzuki... Takashi..." he muttered softly. Thereupon, the tanned demon''s cheeks reddened a little.


    "Suzuky... It''s a good name..."


    Even the petite demons smiled kindly.


    "Yeah. It''s a really good name! It has a pleasant ring to it..."


    "Aah, it sounds wonderful! It''s got a certain noble ir!"


    All three demons were praising his surname, which was verymon in Japan. Takashi was absolutely terrified by theirments and behavior.


    (W--What is this? Why''d they suddenly start praising myst name?)


    He didn''t understand. Demons and humans must havepletely different thought processes. And then all of a sudden...


    "I--I, my name is Meru--! I''m the younger sister of Kiru over there--! Nice to meet you--!" said the demon with a ponytail as she held her hand out to Takashi. Takashi trembled in fear.


    The twin-tailed demon shouted, "Meru, you bastard! Who dares introduce themselves before themander, Lady Nephira? ...I am Kiru! Meru''s older sister! Let''s get along from now on!"


    The twin-tailed demon also offered her hand to Takashi. And a momentter---


    "You bastardsss! I''m firsstt!"


    ---Nephira raised one long leg high enough that her important ce could be seen, and then brought it down in a single motion. The marble floor cracked and sank from a mere foot stomp.


    "Eek-- I''m sorry--!"


    "I--I also apologize!"


    The demon sisters hung their heads, but Takashi was more horrified by Nephira''s terrifying power, which created a crater in the marble floor with a single stomp.


    "Our name is Nephira. Commander of the Thunder-Lance Charge, leading 600 fiends. Much stronger than Meru or Kiru. In other words, incredibly distinguished."


    The two demons timidly backed away. Takashi shuddered at the sight of the triumphant-looking Nephira.


    (Since a while ago, these gals... were arguing about who gets to take the lead? ...HUH!)


    Takashi thought of something terrifying. Perhaps, were theypeting over who gets to eat him first? That''s it! That must be it!


    "Even if you eat me, I won''t taste good!" he cried out in terror.


    After a moment of silence, the demon sisters startedughing.


    "Ahahahaha! Eating Suzuky, doing something like that--!"


    "You''re an idiot, you know! Aren''t you too prejudiced against demons?"


    Seeing the two''s behavior, Takashi felt a tad relieved. He murmured hesitantly, "Is that so? You gals, don''t eat humans, do you?"


    "No, we usually eat plenty of them!"


    "Yes! We heartily eat them, you know--!?"


    "I knew you were going to eat me! Or rather, I remember now! You, earlier, said something about dragging out my entrails!" Takashi yelped, pointing at Meru. Meru''s eyes darted about ufortably.


    "...I didn''t say that."


    "Yes, you did! Why are you spurting lies?! And after that, the redhead over there said something about hollowing out my eyes while I-I''m still alive!"


    To avoid facing Takashi''s pointing finger, Kiru looked away and yed with her redhead''s twin tails.


    "...I don''t remember any of that!"


    "What the hell? What the fudge!?"


    They said they would kill him, then said they wouldn''t. They said they don''t eat humans, sure enough, then said they do. And now they said they don''t remember things that they have said. Takashi had no idea what these demons were thinking---he couldn''t understand at all. The thoughts of fiends must be far beyond humanprehension.


    Nevertheless, no. Precisely because of it, Takashi had to make sure.


    "In the end, what are you nning to do with me!?" he shouted. The twin demons turned anxiously toward Nephira.


    "Huh, wait..." Nephs said, looking confused for a moment, but then immediately tightened her face, held up her right arm wide, appropriate for a fiend of her stature, and dered, "Prison! Throw Suzuky into the castle''s underground dungeon!"


    At Nephira''s instruction, the twin demons nodded, and each held one of Takashi''s arms while blushing slightly.


    "Wait!!"


    Just before Takashi was about to be taken out of the king''s chamber, Nephira''s bellow echoed through it.


    "Three meals a day!! And make sure to give him plenty of water! And provide restrooms both inside and outside of the prison cell! In addition, make sure he gets a healthy amount of sleep!! Take him outside for sunbathing when the weather is fine, and always have a demon on guard in case he gets sick! After that, give him a snack at 3 pm! Understood?!"


    ¡ô

 Chapter 1，Part 4: Reincarnation In A Heartwarming(?) Other-World (4)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 1£¬Part 4: Reincarnation In A Heartwarming(?) Other-World (4)</h4>


    (I wonder if Suzuky is all right. Is he feeling lonely in the dark prison?)


    That same night. In the queen''s chambers in the Syness Castle, Nephiray on the bed, restlessly chewing her nails. Of course, she was concerned about Suzuky. Was he thirsty? Was he eating enough food? Was he able to go to the toilet? Ah, she was worried...


    She wanted to check on Suzuky immediately, but the Thunder-Lance Charge had just conquered the Land of Leirune. The fiends under hermand constantly asked her for instructions. The range of topics was very diverse; the questions ranged from the governance of the conquered country to the selection of humans for food and very. Not long after, a new fiend visited Nephira.


    "Pardon the discourtesy."


    Again there was a knock at the door. Nephira half-raised herself from the bed and brushed her lustrous ck hair with her hands to create the austere atmosphere of a dignified leader.


    "Mm-hmm. Come in"


    Pholus, a bird-headed demon, opened the door and entered. After bowing respectfully, he turned his beaked face toward Nephira.


    "Lady Nephira. What should we do with the Knight Commander?"


    "Make an example of him. Kill him as brutally as possible in front of the surviving townspeople."


    "Yes!"


    Nephira knows that doing so would incite fear and dread in humans, making them more obedient.


    After that, Pholus continued to ask about the assignment of rooms to the demons in the fallen Syness Castle and various other matters. While Nephira gave out instructions, her thoughts wandered elsewhere.


    (Suzuky. Are you doing alright?)


    She couldn''t help but be concerned about him. Intrinsically, it was unthinkable that a demon, themander of the special attack force directly under the Demon Lord to boot, should be concerned about a single human. That was why she patiently endured for several hours since parting from Suzuky. But now, she was at the limits of her patience.


    "Hey. How''s Suzuky, by the way?"


    "Huh? Suzuky? What is that?"


    "It is the human in the king''s chamber during the invasion. I instructed him to be locked up in the underground dungeons of the castle," Nephira asked as casually as possible so that Pholus would not sense her anxiety. "Thereupon, that guy, who is taking care of him now? Meru? Kiru?"


    "No. The two are executing the remnant soldiers as per usual. For some reason, they were reluctant to do it today, even though they are usually happy to do so."


    "Wait. In that case, who is currently taking care of Suzuki?"


    "One moment, please," Pholus said, leaving the room for a moment before returning shortly after. "It appears to be that the human was transferred from the underground dungeon to the torture chamber."


    "...Huh?"


    "About now, I suppose Uhouguru is torturing him."


    "Idiot!!"


    Torture. When she heard the name, "Uhouguru," she unconsciously bolted to her feet. The strange appearance of Uhouguru shed through Nephira''s mind.


    Uhouguru always wore a blood-stained bup sack mask, so it was impossible to see what it looked like. It also wore a ck robe on its body and was rumored to have a variety of torture devices hidden inside it.


    On one asion, Nephira had witnessed Uhouguru torture, but even she, feared for her ruthlessness, couldn''t bear its bad taste. Uhouguru kept bugs in its robe and sent them into the openings of the humans. The bugs would then eat their way into the brain and internal organs; the human writhes in agony, shedding tears of blood, as Uhouguru ridicules them while watching.


    Whether it be a woman or a child, Uhouguru never held back in any way. The wordless Uhouguru was a bizarre and eerie presence to Nephira and the other demons.


    "Isn''t Suzuky, going to be tortured to death?! I ORDERED IT! To ensure he got enough sleep, received enough food, and so on! Despite this, why the torture? Moreover, with Uhouguru!"


    In a fit of rage, Nephira grabbed Pholus around the neck and shook him vigorously.


    "B-b-but, this Suzuky or whatever it''s called... it''s only a human, isn''t it?" Pholus pped his beak to grunt. But Nephira''s wrath was unrelenting.


    "You bastard can only say such a thing because you have never seen Suzuky! That guy... what... he''s... incredibly cute..."


    "Cu--cute...?"


    "He has incredible tactical value! You morons!"


    "Eep! I had no idea he was such an important human! I will bring him back immediately!"


    "Enough! It''s fine! I''ll go myself!" Nephira dered and rushed out of the chamber. She passed by demons in the halls who looked at her twice in surprise.


    The calm and collected Nephira was running without caring about appearance, her ample bosom shaking. Yet Nephira didn''t pay any attention to them and ran frantically through the castle.


    (Wait for me, Suzuky! I''ming to save you now!)


    ¡ó

 Chapter 1，Part 5: Reincarnation In A Heartwarming(?) Other-World (5)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 1£¬Part 5: Reincarnation In A Heartwarming(?) Other-World (5)</h4>


    The underground dungeon of Syness Castle, where the twin demons Meru and Kiru took Takashi, was quiterge and held one man and one woman other than him. The woman was in a maid outfit and sat in a corner, frightened and weeping. Probably a maidservant at the castle. On the other hand, the man sporting a haircut like those portraits in the music room approached Takashi with a frown.


    "Hey. Hand over that food."


    "Ah, yes..." Takashi handed over the bread to the man.


    The man snatched it up and red at Takashi as he bit into the bread. He grumbled, "Tsk. Why is this brat the only one who gets preferential treatment?"


    Within a one-meter radius of Takashi were things that appeared to be a portabletrine, spare clothes, and of course, bread and other food as well. Meru and Kiru had prepared those for him.


    [Suzuky, I''ll give you this--! Eat it when you get hungry--!]


    [If you feel like peeing or pooping, I''ve made arrangements. Here they are, alright?]


    With those words, the twins left. What were those gals really thinking? He didn''t understand. Perhaps they were teasing him.


    Takashi let out a heavy sigh. Rather than outrage toward the goddess who had so carelessly reincarnated him in the wrong ce, his anxiety about the future far outweighed his anger.


    "Ahh... I wonder what will happen to me from now on..."


    Before long, a full-body skeleton soldier appeared in front of the cell. It unlocked the door, entered, and grabbed the man who took the bread from Takashi by the scruff of the neck.


    "Eek!?"


    "Kakaka. Torture starts with you."


    "Tor--torture!? This must be a mistake!! Wha-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa!!"


    The cage was locked again. Takashi looked outside the cell and saw the man taken into a small room a few meters away.


    (W--What''s going on!?)


    Takashi''s hair stood on its end as a masked monster with an eerie appearance entered his field of sight. The masked monster bound the man to a chair with a rope. The man''s screams echoed all the way from over there.


    "Sa--save me, please!! I''ll pay you whatever you want!!"


    "..."


    "I''m a nobleman...! I know! I''ll prepare for you a substitute human!"


    "..."


    Did it not understand humannguage? The masked creature silently slid its hand inside its ck robe and pulled out a writhing insect like a centipede. The bug was inserted into the man''s ear even though he tried to avoid it by shaking his head.


    "Gya-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa-a!"


    The man''s screams made the masked creatureugh in a low, muffled voice that seemed out of this world. The masked creature then silently inserted one bug after another into the man''s nose and mouth. The man kept screaming, blood dripping from his eyes and mouth, and then he stopped moving.


    (W-Will we have to go through that too after him!?)


    "Eeeek...!"


    Behind him, the woman in a maid outfit moaned while covering her ears. If the woman had not been nearby, Takashi might have cried pathetically too. He could barely keep his sanity in front of the masked creature''s torture because someone else was nearby.


    The skeleton soldier left, dragging the motionless man with him, but soon after returned and walked to the cell where Takashiy. It then unlocked the door and took the woman''s hand.


    "Kakaka. You''re next"


    "Noo-oo-oo-oo-oo-ou!!"


    The woman cried out. Takashi''s eyes met with the woman getting dragged by the skeleton soldier. Unable to stand still, Takashi mustered up all his courage and stood before the skeleton soldier.


    "Ho--hold up for a bit! Take me first!" Takashi said, his voice shaky. Even so, he could not abandon the woman sobbing pitifully.


    "Eh. Y--you? I can, but I wanted to take youst..." The skeleton soldier replied as it scratched its cheek with its fleshless finger.


    It paced around and fidgeted, as if hesitating, but before long, it made up its mind and grabbed Takashi''s arm. It then spoke, "I understand. Don''t think poorly of me. This is my job."


    ¡ô

 Chapter 1，Part 6: Reincarnation In A Heartwarming(?) Other-World (6)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 1£¬Part 6: Reincarnation In A Heartwarming(?) Other-World (6)</h4>


    ¡ô


    As usual, Uhouguru put bugs inside the human''s body. The man begged it to stop, but this only further fanned Uhouguru''s sadistic tendencies.


    Kukuku.


    Nothing felt more pleasant than that. Shrieks. Screams. Human misery and suffering! They were its delight and nourishment.


    Uhouguru had thought that way for a long time. But when it took a look at the next human the skeleton soldier had brought, Uhouguru felt something it had never felt before.


    (Cu...te...?)


    For Uhouguru, who had no friends among the Thunder-Lance Charge, bugs were soothingpanions. Their wriggling, writhing forms and thergepound eyes looked the most charming to Uhouguru.


    The human in front of it wasn''t wriggling around, nor did it have more than two regr eyes. And yet, what was this? The human looked cuter than any bug Uhouguru had ever seen.


    Even when the skeleton soldiers tied him to a chair, the human kept his lips tightly shut and acted stout. But Uhouguru noticed he was getting a little teary-eyed. He must have seen his own people being tortured and killed.


    (I see. Was he watching the previous torture?)


    Suddenly, Uhouguru felt the urge to crawl into a hole in the ground. It was an extremely embarrassing feeling, like when you were dancing in excitement, thinking no one was watching, only to realize someone had been peeking.


    With a fidgety twirl of its finger, Uhouguru spoke to the cute little human.


    "...Your name is?"


    "Y--You, you can talk?"


    "Yes, just, I don''t talk much, usually.... Your name is?"


    "It''s Suzuki, but..."


    "Suzuki... it is a good name."


    "I--It''s good, I guess. A--A--Are you going to start torturing me or something...?"


    "No, I''m not going to torture you."


    "Huh. The--then, what are you nning to do to me?"


    "I''m going to chat with Suzuki."


    "Chat...?"


    "That''s right. Why were you captured?"


    ...After hearing the details, Uhouguru was in despair. He had attacked Lady Nephira! For that, he had no salvation!


    "No way!! What a stupid thing to do!! You stupid human!! You''ll be executed for sure!!"


    "Eep! Uhh--...!"


    Seeing that Suzuki had started to cry, Uhouguru became agitated. Uhm, Uhouguru had said too much! Uhouguru had made him cry! What should it do. What should it do?!


    "F--For raising my voice, I apologize," Uhouguru said as it waved its hands in a fluster. Looking for something to wipe his tears, Uhouguru took its own linen mask and handed it over. "Wipe your tears with this."


    Suzuki looked at Uhouguru with a puzzled look on his face. He didn''t know what to make of what he saw. Uhouguru had short hair, a little longer than a man''s, and a face marked with scars.


    "You were... a woman?" Suzuki asked in surprise.


    "Oh. I''m from the Ogre Tribe. You don''t fancy rugged, muscr women like me, do you?"


    "N--No, not particrly."


    "No, huh?"


    "Well... it''s..."


    "Say it clearly!! Which is it?!! You fancy them or you don''t?!!"


    "Eep!? W--Well, you were more of a beauty than what I thought you would be!! I''m surprised, for real!!"


    "Huh... I--is that so? Fufu. A beauty? I am, a beauty? Fufufufufufufufufufufu!"


    A warm feeling spreads through her heart. Uhouguru was so happy that she reached into her robe and pulled out a bug she had secretly named "Pochi."


    "Do you want a bug?"


    "N--No, I don''t want it."


    "I see..."


    With sadness, she returned Pochi to her robe. It seems the human wasn''t happy to receive bugs, after all. Even so, she wanted to do something to make this human happy. Something like that, even an uneducated person like herself understood what it was.


    "I''m suddenly sleepy. I''ll sleep for a while."


    "Huh..."


    After untying him, Uhouguru pretended to be asleep. When she nced at him, Suzuki looked stunned, but eventually, he stood up quietly.


    (That''s right. Run away. Suzuki, you must run away.)


    However, Uhouguru realized something. The same skeleton soldier from earlier was in front of Suzuki, who was about to leave the torture room.


    She stopped pretending to be asleep and decided to knock out the skeleton soldier. But the skeleton soldier also stood still, tilting her head and emitting a snoring sound from her bony mouth cavity. Suzuki ran past.


    As Uhouguru watched, the skeleton soldier gave her a fleshless thumbs-up.


    (Oh, I see. You want Suzuki to be saved, too?)


    It had been fifty years since she had joined the Thunder-Lance Charge. For the first time, Uhouguru felt a sense of connection with herrades.


    (All right, go, Suzuki. Run away in good health and grow up fast. And one day, I hope you''ll show me your healthy face again.)


    However, Uhouguru''s wish was soon crushed.


    The sound of footsteps echoed violently from the basement stairs. Nephira, the leader of the Thunder-Lance Charge, appeared with a bloodthirsty look on her face.


    (N--Not good!!)


    If Suzuki were to get caught and considered an escapee, he would be killed instantly. Uhouguru ran out like a rabbit and held her hands out in front of Nephira as if protecting Suzuki.


    "Lady Nephira, please wait!"


    "No, before that.... Who are you bastard?"


    "I''m Uhouguru!"


    "Uhou---- Eehhhh...! We''ve been working together for more than 50 years... and you... look like that...?!"


    "Yes. That''s right, Lady Nephira. Don''t kill this human..."


    "I don''t need you to tell me. Torture has been suspended. Suzuki will be taken to the ves'' cell."


    Uhouguru was relieved. vebor, was it? At least he would not be tortured nor turned into food.


    At the same time, she felt lonely. Now, they would probably never see each other again. No, that''s fine. It would be better for him not to be around torturers like herself. But why? Tears dripped from her eyes.


    Within her blurry vision, she saw Suzuki, who had been taken by the hand by Nephira, looking back at Uhouguru.


    "U--Uhm. You know the next one is a girl, right? I hope you don''t hurt her or kill her, but..."


    "If I don''t kill her, will I see Suzuki again?"


    "Uhm..." Suzuki hesitated and nced at Nephira.


    Nephira looked back and nodded lightly, "Sigh. You will see him again."


    .


    "Really? Then, I, will not kill her! So, pleasee and visit us again!"


    "Understood."


    "Definitely?"


    "Y--Yeah."


    "Absolutely!" Uhouguru hollered at Suzuki, who nodded silently. "Unmistakably absolutely!"


    Wishing for him to definitelye and visit again, Uhouguru reminded him once again. Suzuki looked a little hesitant, then waved at her. Uhouguru was so happy that she shouted as loud as she could.


    "Unmistakably, absolutely, for sure----------!!"


    "You''re so persistent, Uhouguru! Shut up!!"


    Uhouguru got angry at Nephira.

 Chapter 2，Part 1: The Suffering Of The Slaves (1)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 2£¬Part 1: The Suffering Of The ves (1)</h4>


    After being rescued from the torture chamber by Nephira, Takashi was ced in a ve cell. The ve camp was a shabby wooden shack located a short distance from the Syness Castle, and he was put in one of the ten or so cells lined up in a row. Inside was a straw mat and several vats of water.


    The smell of beasts pierced Takashi''s nose. He spected that this was where the castle raised livestock before the demons conquered them.


    (Somehow, I was spared from torture thanks to Uhouguru''s change of heart...)


    The ve cell he was assigned contained men and women dressed in filthy, prison-like clothing. Including Takashi, there were five men and three women. Eight in total.


    He thought back to what happened earlier.


    "To ensure fairness, ves are auctioned to determine which demon they will serve. Stay here for a while until the selection day," Nephira had told Takashi as she walked out of the torture chamber. Incidentally, Nephira then blushed a little, and offered, "You can stay in my room until the day of selection, if you like."


    Takashi immediately refused, thinking that entering the room of the Thunder-Lance Charge''s captain would be like sticking his neck into a hanging noose. However...


    (When I refused... that demon, she looked a little sad, didn''t she?)


    Sitting on the straw mat, Takashi thought about such things. The stuff received while in the previous prison wasid out in front of him. There were things like a water bottle, a portable toilet, a creepy doll, and strange pieces of meat. Aside from the water bottle and the portable toilet, he didn''t know what the other items were for.


    A few moments after Nephira left, arge, muscr man walked toward Takashi.


    "You, look at you douche."


    Standing about 190 cm tall, he looked at Takashi and wrinkled his brow. Soon, the man with the fox''s eyes, sitting near the water bottle, approached Takashi as well.


    "This guy has dark eyes. By any chance, were you the one summoned as a hero?"


    "...Yes, that''s right," Takashi affirmed, and at that moment, he felt a shock and pain in his abdomen as he was blown away to a nearby pile of logs. The muscr man had struck Takashi.


    "Guh. Wha-What the hell did you do that for...?!"


    "Shut up, you piece of trash! If only you were stronger, we wouldn''t be in this position!"


    "Tha-that''s right! It''s all this guy''s fault!!"


    The man with the fox''s eyes was also furious and lunged at Takashi. After being kicked repeatedly, Takashi was forced to grovel on the ground helplessly.


    "Stop!"


    An imposing voice echoed through the shack, and the two violent men stopped in their tracks. Somehow, Takashi managed to look up at the source of the voice. A beautiful girl with chestnut-colored hair braided in the back stood tall. She wore the same prisoner''s outfit as Takashi and the others, but she possessed a sharply defined expression in her emerald green eyes. Her eyes were full of strong will, and her entire body exuded a noble aura.


    The fox-eyed man was puzzled by the regal girl, but the muscr manughed through his nose and snorted, "Don''t act so conceited! You''re not a princess or anything anymore. The castle has fallen, you know?"


    Then an old man with a white beard next to the girl stood up and with a hoarse voice, shouted, "Logue! Know your ce!! How dare you, a mere knight, address so rudely the Third Princess of the Kingdom of Leirune, Lady Exce!"


    "You mean, the former third princess of the Kingdom of Leirune. Besides, I''m not a knight anymore," replied therge man named Logue as he approached the old man with a white beard. And without hesitation, he punched the old man in the face.


    "Uh..."


    "Orneo!" the girl shouted and ran to the fallen old man. The girl red at Logue while showing concern for the old man. "What cruelty...!"


    "YOU better know your ce. Now that the demon race has conquered Leirune, you royalty are the biggest criminals of all. My position and yours have been reversed!" Logue spat at the copsed old man.


    Takashi could not remain silent at the repeated rampage. He stood up, holding his stomach. He called out, "Stop it!! We are all humans, you know!"


    "Can it!! Like I said, this is all your damn fault!!!"


    Takashi received a hard kick to the abdomen, and his body bent into a boomerang shape. He rolled onto the straw, vomiting up his stomach contents. With a snort, Logue approached Exce.


    "You are also a cocky witch. Let''s see our princess."


    He reached out with his fat hand to her chest and ripped her clothes off in one swift motion.


    "Noo!"


    Exce''s once regal face contorted into shame.


    Seeing this, Logue smiled wickedly, "We have no future anyway. So let''s have some fun, shall we?"


    "That''s good! Please give me a turn, too!"


    The man with the fox eyes approached Exce with Logue. The other men and women around them acted unconcerned---as if they didn''t want to get involved.


    "S--Stop...!"


    Takashi tried to stand up again, but the kick was too hard that he could not muster his strength. The old man, Orneo, seemed to be in the same condition as him. He cursed at himself. He couldn''t do anything but watch as the girl was about to get vited!!


    "Hey, Suzuki! And also, the rest of you livestock! It''s time to eat!"


    Suddenly, a voice full of excitement filled the ve cells. The red-haired, twin-tailed Kiru and the blue-haired, pony-tailed Meru entered the ve cell with innocent smiles on their faces, almost un-demon-like. Logue clicked his tongue and stepped away from Exce, who he was mounting like a horse.


    In the tense atmosphere, Kiru entered the cell and, without paying attention to the other ves, ran totteringly to the portable toilet she had given to Takashi. After peeking into it, her attitude changed.


    "H--Hey, Suzuki! You, haven''t pooped today, have you? Are you okay?"


    "I''m FINE!!" Takashi screamed, embarrassed.


    (Would you stop it?! Why are you talking about me pooping in such a heavy atmosphere!?)


    In the first ce, why would she be concerned if he hadn''t defecated for just one day? As if having no clue how Takashi felt, his sister Meru tapped arge iron pot with adle.


    "Here you go---- It is porridge!---- You better be grateful!----"


    After tossing a few dirty bowls on the straw, Meru mmed her hand on the straw mat.


    "Then, next---- Bring me some food for Suzuki----"


    Two skeleton soldiers appeared, carrying several tes. ced around Takashi were giant whole fish and bread of all sizes. They also served him hot soup and a drink that smelled of fruit.


    Logue shouted in rage, "He''s treated like a king?! Why is he the only one?!"


    Takashi felt the murderous gaze of Logue. C--Could this be the demons'' way of harassment!?


    (Are they trying to iste me from everyone else? If that''s the case, it''s too insidious!)


    On the contrary, the thin man, who had been cowering in the corner, muttered to himself as he held a bowl of porridge.


    "W--What''s the point of eating! W--We''re all going to be killed anyway..."


    In an uninterested tone, Kiru replied, "You are not food, but ves. Suzuki, in particr, will never be killed so you can rest assured."


    She patted Takashi''s shoulder in a friendly manner while saying so.


    "I am sure that Suzuki will be Nephira-sama''s ve. He''ll have a nice life at the castle."


    "Yeah. Until then, he''ll have to be patient here in the stable for a while----"


    "See you, Suzuki! You should take a poop properly!"

 Chapter 2，Part 2: The Suffering Of The Slaves (2)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 2£¬Part 2: The Suffering Of The ves (2)</h4>


    The twin demons were about to leave after saying so when the old man Orneo called out to them.


    "P--Please excuse me, but would you please move me and Her Highness the Princess to a neighboring cell?"


    "Huh---- Why----?"


    "Because they have been violent with the princess."


    Orneo pointed with a crooked finger at the muscr man and fox-eyed man.


    "Old thing! You bastard!"


    The two men''s faces turned red with rage. Still, Meru and Kiru grew bored and absentminded.


    "Hmmm. I see----"


    "A transfer of cells. What a hassle... Yeah. Well, get along. That''s all. See ya."


    They were about to leave. Orneo panicked and then pointed at Takashi.


    "P--Please wait! They assaulted that boy, too!"


    The two sisters turned around at the same time, their faces red with rage.


    "What did you say!?"


    "Huh---- unbelievable----!!"


    Then they rushed toward Takashi in a panic.


    "Suzuki----! Are you okay----? Are you hurt----?"


    "If you look closely, he is holding his stomach, isn''t he?! Let me see!"


    Kiru rips Takashi''s clothes open. The blue bruises from Logue''s punches and kicks were clearly visible. Kiru approached the muscr man and the fox-eyed man standing a short distance away.


    "Hey. The one who did something terrible to Suzuki, was it you?"


    "W--What if I was?"


    "I''ll murder you!"


    "You said it earlier! You don''t kill ves!"


    "I don''t care! I''ll murder you!


    Kiru''s eyes shone with a strange light that Takashi had never seen before. Logue raised his fist as if he just had a major epiphany.


    "Don''t joke with me, you weak-looking little devil!"


    Logue winded his arm out wide and drove his fist into Kiru''s abdomen as if to gouge her. With a thud, the small body floats in midair.


    "Hehe..."


    Logue smiled smugly. Suddenly, however, his face became distorted with pain.


    [Crunch crunch munch crunch]


    A bone-crunching, gruesome sound echoed through the ve cell.


    "Guaaaaaaahh!!!"


    Logue''s arm remained stuck in Kiru''s abdomen as he screamed. Takashi, however, couldn''t believe his eyes. Logue''s thick arm was gradually bing shorter and shorter.


    (W--What, is that...!)


    Kiru''s clothes ripped open, revealing a huge mouth with fangs emerging from it. Logue''s arm was being devoured by the huge mouth that had opened up in Kiru''s abdomen. Then, as if sucking up from his arm, the mouth opened wide and bit off the upper half of Logue''s body. The lower half of Logos'' body was left, splurging guts and fresh blood, and it crumpled on the straw.


    "Phua. Oh, no---- This guy, was so oily."


    "E--Eeek!"


    Kiru pounces on the man with the fox eyes, who tried to run away screaming. As she tightened her hold on him tightly, the fox-eyed man pleaded.


    "P--Please spare m--"


    Snap. The fox-eye man''s plea disappeared mid-sentence. The man was engulfed from head to torso, and like Logue, was reduced to only its lower half. The men and women in the cell all let out a shriek.


    "Hm---this guy''s like the guy before. A piece of shit on the inside."


    The sound of bone-crunching chewing was emanating from her stomach, but Kirupletely changed her attitude as she turned and smiled tenderly at Takashi.


    "Suzuki! I killed the bad guy! Now you can live morefortably!"


    However, Takashi was horrified and abashed by the sight of Kiru eating a human right in front of him.


    "F--For real, she, she ate a human...!"


    He muttered in a trembling voice. Kiru covered her stomach with her hand suddenly as she realized her mistake.


    "I do not eat humans, you know!"


    "No, you eat them!! And you ate two of them in a row!"


    "N--No, you are mistaken, Suzuki! I thought I was doing the right thing...!"


    Takashi was frightened. Kiru covered her eyes with her hands and ran out of the cell.


    "Waaaaaah!!"


    "D--Dear older sister----!!"


    Kiru started to cry and left the ve cell while Meru chased after her.


    ¡ô


    For a while, Takashi was stunned, but then he calmed down and reconsidered.


    (Hmm... Kiru helped me... didn''t she? N--No, I still think that''s a bit of a stretch!)


    Takashi shuddered as he took one look at the two dead bodies that only had the lower half of their bodies left, wondering if anybody would quickly clean up the mess.


    Orneo walked toward Takashi, who was inwardly unsettled. Then, he suddenly held Takashi''s hand.


    "Huh?"


    "As I thought, you are indeed the summoned hero! You have a great ability!"


    "N--No, no. You saw the way they hit me, right? I have no ability whatsoever,"


    But Exce, holding her torn clothes, stood beside Takashi, her eyes shining.


    "In the eyes of demons, humans are an abomination! Despite this, the demons are not hostile toward you! On the contrary, they treat you as if you are one of their own!"


    (So to say...)


    When he was summoned, he received scorn from the king who called him a failure and was treated roughly by everyone around him. But that was because they were human.


    Thinking back on it, Nephira, Meru, Kiru, the skeleton soldiers, and Uhouguru... all the demons treated him well. He had thought he was being yed with because of their different behaviors from humans, but... that wasn''t how it was. Was it their own way of being nice to him?


    Looking at the lovely food and portable toilets ced only around him, Takashi recalls the Goddess''s words.


    [I''ll gift you the ability to be loved unconditionally by the local race]


    (I see. The other-world I was sent to was wrong, but the ability I received was the original one.)


    Finally, Takashi became convinced. Exce was staring at such a Takashi who had a serious expression on his face. Takashi noticed tears in Exce''s eyes. She held Takashi''s hands in hers as if to envelop them.


    "Lord Hero! Please use your ability to save the world!"


    "B--But, that''s assuming I have the ability to make demons like me, right? Even so, I can''t save the world with that kind of ability!"


    Takashi smiled bitterly in denial, but the old man Orneo turned his deeply wrinkled face toward Takashi.


    "Fighting demons with swords and magic does not necessarily make you a hero. For example, if those demon''s leaders take a liking to you... And if you could move from the shadows...''


    "Orneo! That is too dangerous! If he does that and he makes a mistake, he will lose his life!"


    "Yes, that''s right. Let''s just treat that as the rambling of an old man."


    "Ah, aah..."


    ¡ô


    That night, while lying on the straw in the ve cell, Takashi thought to himself. Originally, Takashi had hoped for a light-hearted life in the other-world he would be sent to. However, the situation was not quite what he had in mind. This was a terrifying world where humanity had been conquered by demons.


    (But, I have the ability to be loved by demons. In that case...)


    Takashi stood up and walked to the entrance of the ve cell. He then approached the skeleton soldier on watch.


    "Can I go to Nephira''s quarters?"


    "I have been instructed to listen to Suzuki''s requests as much as possible. But, what are your intentions?"


    Takashi told the skeleton soldier clearly.


    "I want to be Nephira''s ve."

 Chapter 2，Part 3: The Suffering Of The Slaves (3)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 2£¬Part 3: The Suffering Of The ves (3)</h4>


    The former queen''s quarters have been turned into Nephira''s quarters. Today, too, Neph''s pointed ears heard a demon knocking on her door.


    Not again, Nephira thought. The number of audiences and consultations had decreased considerablypared to the days immediately after the conquest of Leirune. Even so, someone would always visit her once an hour, except during her bedtime.


    "Lady Nephira. Please excuse me."


    Nephira''s face broke into a small smile at the sound of Meru''s voice, her loyal top-brass subordinate. When she entered, Meru was apanied by a snake-headed fiend that gave off a shady impression.


    "What''s wrong?"


    "Uhm----. This is Gharaga!----. The one that ate a human baby!----."


    "Sorry, Leader. I meant no offense. "


    Gharaga was a senior soldier who had distinguished himself in battle. However, his ferociousness was undeniable, and he caused problems at every turn.


    Gharaga stuck out his long, red tongue. He seems to have no malicious intentions.


    "You eat humans, too, right? Forgive me, will you?"


    "Except in cases of force majeure, troop rules forbid the eating of human babies for personal gain."


    After the conquest, the humans in the town were to be raised in such a way that they would not be extinct. They consider humans to be an abomination, but they have their uses. Even the loss of one of them would cause problems.


    "Kekeke. Don''t be so stiff!"


    Nephira shed her hand like a sword at Gharaga''s floundering tongue.


    "Guhaaaaa!"


    Gharaga screamed as his tongue was cut out in half, gurgling green fluid from his wounds.


    "...Three days, put him in a cell."


    "I understand----. Hey! Get moving! ----."


    "Damn!!! Damn youuuuuu!!"


    After Meru took the rampaging Gharaga away, Nephira sighed with a fed-up look on her face.


    (Ah... It''s tough.)


    (It''s hard tomand demons, especially due to their own entricities. I know that very well, but I can''t stand it when my people keep causing problems when I''m already so busy after the conquest.)


    Nephira''s slightly irritated ears heard another knock at the door.


    "That''s it for today! Come tomorrow!"


    "I--I understand. I apologize for the inconvenience!"


    She answered with an angry shout, and a skeleton soldier apologized through the door. Then mumbling and whispering could be heard from the other side of the door.


    "Suzuki. Today''s no good. Let''se back tomorrow."


    "I--I see."


    (Suzuki!?)


    Nephira rushed to the door and opened it. There stood the adorable Suzuki.


    (Ah, He''s so cute today, too--!)


    Just looking at Suzuki soothed away the fatigue of the day. What cuteness. What sce. Ah, imagine being able to look at him at all times.


    "This ve insisted on meeting you, Lady Nephira! However, you seem to be very busy! We wille back another day!"


    "No! I will listen to what Suzuki has to say! You can return first!"


    "Huh? Ah! R--Roger!"


    After the skeleton soldier bowed and left, Nephira invited Suzuki into her quarters.


    (Ah, he said he wanted to meet me... Suzuki... with me!?)


    Nephira''s two hearts beat wildly. Suzuki hesitantly entered the room and noticed Gharaga''s tongue still lying on the floor. The tongue was twitching eerily.


    "W--What, is that!?"


    "It''s Gharaga''s tongue. Don''t let it bother you."


    "No, it''s really bothering me! It''s moving!"


    Nephira reaches her arm out towards Gharaga''s tongue. Then, she activated lightning magic from her palm and burned it away. Suzuki''s body quivered slightly, watching her.


    "That ruffians broke the rules. That''s why his tongue got cut off. When ites to our own people, we must judge even more strictly."


    "Hey... wasn''t that a bit too severe, Nephira..." Suzuki mumbled.


    "So, Suzuki. What do you want?"


    After a slight hesitation, Suzuki looked away from Neph while saying, "...I''d like to be Nephira''s ve, but"


    (Y... --------------------------------------------Yay!!)


    Nephira was thrilled in her heart. What! What!!! Suzuki, with me, he likes me!? Oh GOD. Aren''t we already in love with each other!!


    "Wh--What is wrong, Nephira?"


    "I''m dizzy from standing abruptly. Wait a second."


    She thought she was acting calm, but her legs were shaking.


    (No, I can''t, I can''t. As the leader of the Thunder-Lance Charge, I must not lose my dignity.)


    She had to keep her cool and think things through. ves must be chosen through the auction, ording to the rules in the Thunder-Lance Charge.


    Nephira snapped her fingers, causing a ck vortex to appear in the space in front of her. The astonished Suzuki watched as Nephira plunged her hand into the whirlpool and pulled out a scroll containing the rules of her corps. She then unrolled it.


    [Article 7 of the Regtions of the Corps: The selection of ves shall be determined by mutual consultation in the interest of fairness.]


    Nephira gritted her teeth at the rules she had set herself. What''s, with these corps rules? Even though, even though Suzuki had volunteered to be her ve!


    She nced alternately between the scroll and at the adorable Suzuki. Eventually, Nephira''s heart began to waver.


    Wouldn''t it be fine to break a rule or two?


    (It is fine, you know! I, am the leader. I decided on the rules and regtions for the corps in the first ce...!)


    Having convinced herself, Nephira took a fountain pen made of bone from the vortex and added a note to the scroll.


    [Article 7 of the Regtions of the Corps: The selection of ves shall be determined by mutual consultation in the interest of fairness. (¡ù Except for themander.)


    (There we go!)


    She felt bad for Gharaga, whom she had just punished for breaking the corps rules. Even so, she couldn''t get over Suzuki''s cuteness. Well, she was a demon by nature. And that made her cunning by nature. It was a quality she couldn''t deny.


    "Nephira. In exchange for bing your ve, I''d like to ask you for a little favor."


    "What is it?"


    "You see. Regarding the people in the very cell that I was in, I ask you to, as much as possible, find a gentle demon to be their master. I don''t want the ves to be harmed in any way. Especially for Exce or any of the girls. I don''t want them to suffer the brunt of the violence from the demons."


    (Exce... Ah, the daughter of royalty, right?)


    Because she was concerned for Suzuki, Nephira knew to some extent who was in his ve cell. She remembered that the third princess of Leirune was in the same cell.


    Originally, Nephira had nned to kill everyone in the castle, including the royal family. However, Suzuki was inside the castle at the time of the invasion. To avoid the possibility that others might think that Suzuki''s survival was a mistake, the rest of the people in the castle got enved as well.


    (Well... even though she''s royalty, she''s only the third princess, which is close to the end of the session line. It should be fine. I''m sure that would make Suzuki happy.)


    "I understand. I will choose the demons to be their masters. I''ll make sure it won''t be a brute like Gharaga."


    "Thank you!"


    Seeing Suzuki''s happy face, Nephira felt happy too.


    "It''s alreadyte today. Are you going to sleep or is there still something you n on doing?"


    "A, AH! Well, I''ll take my leave"


    "What are you saying? Suzuki is my ve, right? Sleep here."


    "Eh...!"


    ...


    ...A few hours passed. Nephira wanted to sleep next to Suzuki, but it was too strange for a demon to sleep with a ve. So, with tears in her eyes, she decided to sleep in separate beds.


    In a dark corner of the room, Suzuki was lying down, wrapped in a nket.


    (Suzuki, is he asleep?)


    Nephira got up from the bed and slowly and quietly approached Suzuki.


    She saw Suzuki''s adorable sleeping face illuminated by the moonlighting from the window. Ah, cute. Too adorable. She felt the desire to embrace him. She wanted to undress and get intimate with each other.


    (No, NO GOOD! That''s not good!)


    Nephira shook her head wildly to ovee her desire. The cuteness of Suzuki should not be tarnished by anyone. To make a lovely creature like Suzuki the object of one''s sexual love was sacrilege---as if one were disgracing a demon god one should worship.


    (A--And yet, that''s what makes it a little exciting, right...?!)


    She thought her impulses were wrong. Yet it also aroused her demonical sadistic desires. Just a taste! It would be fine if it is only cuddling a tad, right!! Yes, cuddling! An embrace of affection towards the demon god!!

 Chapter 2，Part 4: The Suffering Of The Slaves (4)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 2£¬Part 4: The Suffering Of The ves (4)</h4>


    Takashi volunteered to be Nephira''s ve for a reason. He wanted to use his ability to be unconditionally loved by demons to save the country, as Orneo hinted in the ve cell.


    If the leader of the Thunder-Lance Charge, Nephira, took a liking to him, they could establish a good rtionship. The short-term goal was the liberation of ves. Eventually, a peace treaty between demons and humans... Takashi dreamed of such a goal.


    (But... I was too naive...!)


    Right now, Takashi was filled with regret and trembled with fear.


    Nephira, who was supposed to be sleeping a distance away from him, was, for some reason, right next to him. Nephira''s big chest approached closer to him as she breathed deeply.


    "Eeep!? Nephira!! Why are you next to me!?"


    He couldn''t help but shout. Then Nephira''s body winced in surprise, and she cleared her throat.


    "Uhm, I--I... I''m a terrible sleeper, you know. I''m afraid I identally rolled my way here..."


    Takashi nced at the canopy bed where Nephira slept. The queen''s quarters were spacious, and Nephira''s bed was at least five meters from Takashi''s current position. No, how far did she roll? That''s a lie for sure!


    Suddenly feeling uneasy, Takashi shuddered.


    (Surely, she wasn''t nning to eat me, right?)


    His ability might not necessarily mean "Being loved by fiends = Being loved by fiends." One could love a pet or love one''s favorite food. If so, there was a good chance that Nephira might kill him in the future. Cold sweat broke out on his back as he recalled how one of the twin demons, Kiru devoured Logue. However...


    "I''m sorry about this. I''m going back to my bed."


    "Ah. O--Ok."


    Takashi was relieved to see Nephira leave without a hitch.


    Nephira didn''t do anything after that, but Takashi couldn''t sleep for the rest of the night.


    ¡ó


    (I''ll have to prepare something tasty for Suzuki to apologize for yesterday! I wonder what would be good!)


    The next day, Nephira was strolling alone in the town market. She felt quite remorseful for having snuck into Suzuki''s bed in a moment of desire. In order to continue to get along with their master-ve rtionship, she wanted to make up to him for yesterday.


    But what did humans like to eat, anyway? She didn''t know. Vegetables and fish were probably safer than bloody beast meat.


    While looking at the various foodstuffsid out on the mat, a well-built troll approached Nephira.


    "If it isn''t Lady Nephira! We have fresh products!"


    "Oh. What product?"


    "Fresh human hearts!"


    "Hey, you...! You''ve got to be kidding me...!"


    As a human, Suzuki couldn''t eat human hearts. This fiend was trying to tear apart the rtionship between herself and Suzuki. Nephira red at the troll.


    "W--Why are you making such a scary face? Lady Nephira... isn''t human hearts your favorite food!?


    "Mu. That''s true. But, right now, I''m looking for food for my ve."


    "Ah, if that''s the case, please just say so!"


    After the vegetable and fish shopping, the shopkeeper bowed down to Nephira in a humble manner.


    "If you like, how about that human heart of earlier as an apology? Free of charge, of course!"


    "I appreciate the gesture. But I''m not really in the mood today. "


    Saying that, Nephira left the market.


    After walking for a while, she suddenly stopped. Human hearts were indeed her favorite. And the shopkeeper had offered it to her free of charge. Why, then, had she turned him down?


    She wondered a little about her change of heart, but more than that, she wanted to see the joy on Suzuki''s face, so she quickly returned to the castle with the ingredients in her arms.


    (Should I boil the fish? Should I grill it?)


    Nephira was in a cheerful mood. However, just after passing the castle gate, a skeleton soldier hesitantly approached her.


    "Lady Nephira. There is something I would like to bring to your attention..."

 Chapter 2，Part 5: The Suffering Of The Slaves (5)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 2£¬Part 5: The Suffering Of The ves (5)</h4>


    Exce, the former Third Princess of the Kingdom of Leirune, was praying in her ve cell. It was a daily routine for her, but these days, the object of her adoration was not God but Suzuki. Orneo had told her that Suzuki had be Nephira''s ve.


    "Lord Hero¡­ Please be safe."


    Such prayer from Exce was interrupted. The door to the ve cell opened loudly and violently, and Nephira walked straight toward her. She shrank back at the unusual look on Nephira''s face. The icy gaze shot through her eyes.


    "You wench. I heard you have been plotting to free the ves by instigating Suzuki."


    For a moment, Exce thought she might stop breathing. W¨CWho in the world could have bbered?


    Quickly looking around, she realized. The man who was always in the corner, biting his fingernails and trembling, was gone. I see. He was listening to them. Perhaps in exchange for that information, he asked the Demon Lord''s Army to guarantee his safety¡­


    "T¨CThe princess did not instigate the hero!"


    Orneo tried to intervene, but Nephira was not interested. She kept her sharp gaze fixed on Exce.


    "Youngss. Don''t look down on a DEMON!"


    "W-what about Lord Hero!!! What will you do to Lord Suzuki!?"


    "I didn''t tell Suzuki about this. Suzuki is just a victim of your evil schemes."


    (L¨CLord Hero will not bear the brunt of their wrath¡­!)


    In such cases, the hero who infiltrated as a ve would normally be the first to be suspected and then punished. And yet¡­


    It was as she expected. His extraordinary ability shook Exce to her core. With his ability, he really could win over the Demon Lord''s Army. The total liberation of ves was not a dream. However, it seemed unlikely that she would witness that beautiful future for the human race.


    (Surely, I will be killed now.)


    Even so, Exce was fine with this oue. Because in this brutal world, she could see a glimmer of hope.


    (Lord Hero will change this world into something new. In the future, without me¡­)


    However, Nephira clicked her tongue in annoyance.


    "I''d like to kill you right now, but¡­ Suzuki might be saddened if you die."


    (Ah, my God!!)


    Exce thanked God for saving her. However, the hope that had bloomed in Exce''s heart soon faded.


    Nephira''s icy gaze shifted from her to Orneo.


    "As your substitute. I''m going to kill this senile old fool."


    "N¨CNo way!"


    "He is a senile old fool with a foot on the grave. Suzuki won''t be too saddened even if he dies."


    .


    Exce was about to rush toward Nephira, but Orneo ced his hand on her shoulder and shook his head quietly.


    "Sooner orter, the head advisor of the Demon Lord''s Army, Serphiano will arrive in this country. Then this senile old fool will be executed."


    With these words, Nephira turned on her heels.


    ¡­


    After Neph left, Exce sobbed as she clung to Orneo.


    "Why! Why! Why Orneo!"


    "My Lady. Don''t worry. It was just as that demon said. I''m not going to live long anyway."


    "Orneo has always been there for me! Even after Father and Mother abandoned me!"


    Born as the Third Princess of Leirune, Exce was excluded from the session to the throne due to her thin royal blood. Orneo was always kind to her, even though she often was mistreated in the castle. From an early age, he raised her as if he were her own grandfather.


    (And yet!)


    Perhaps it would have been easier for her if it was her that was to be killed. Exce''s chest felt as if it was about to burst open.

 Chapter 2，Part 6: The Suffering Of The Slaves (6)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 2£¬Part 6: The Suffering Of The ves (6)</h4>


    Three days had passed since Takashi became Nephira''s ve. Although he wasn''t allowed to leave the castle without permission, he could eat three meals a day and sleep freely. Takashi was living a life without any inconvenience.


    Nephira didn''t do anything to Takashi and simply treated him like a guest. Nephira had told him she nned to make this country her home until the next expedition. In some cases, they would stay in the conquerednds for several years.


    After climbing the tower connected with the castle, Takashi stood alone in the wind, contemting. As the goddess had said, the feelings the demoness had for him were different from what he understood as love. So what was really the "Ability to be Unconditionally Loved"? The more he thought about it, the more he realized that it was an ability that was vague and difficult to grasp. Takashi himself was unsure of how powerful his ability was.


    (But well... I can feel that they, at least, care about me.)


    He had be familiar with demons other than Nephira. The MeruKiru sisters, as well as the skeleton soldiers in the castle, were all very friendly to Takashi.


    He descended from the tower and walked around the castle. He met a demon dressed as a maid who smiled at Takashi.


    "Good morning."


    "Hum. G''Morning."


    "How are you feeling today?"


    "Ah... Not bad."


    He was allowed to go out as long as he was with Nephira. The demons they met outside bowed to Nephira and talked to Suzuki in a friendly manner.


    While browsing for groceries at the market, he met Uhouguru, the torturer from the dungeon.


    "Hey! Suzuki!"


    "Oh. You''re not masked today, are you?"


    "I took it off. So, Suzuki''s looking at my face... <em ss="chakra-text css-0">fufufufufu!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Uhouguru bashfully wiggled her hands. Huh? What? Did I... say something to her? </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I know! Want, a bug? It is a different one from the one before!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I don''t want it." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...I see." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Meanwhile, Nephira returned and handed Takashi the ingredients she had bought. It was a ve''s job to carry his master''s luggage. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Let''s go, Suzuki." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah. See you, Uhouguru." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...The gentle sunlight and the demons smiling at him. And next to him is Nephira, who is pouting but seems to be in a good mood. Nephira must have been concerned about Takashi. The load given to him to carry was not heavy at all. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Huh? It''s pretty heartwarming, isn''t it? Maybe this is the life in another world I''ve always wanted...) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> When he was thinking that... </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Come on in! Human flesh is cheap today!!--" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He heard the voice of such a fiend. Furthermore, a demon with a human woman with bruises on her face passed right next to Takashi. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Walk quickly! You useless ve! I''ll kill you! ... Ah, Lady Nephira and Suzuki! Good afternoon! It''s a beautiful day, isn''t it?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi shook his head at such a sight. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (N--No, No good, no good! There is no meaning if I''m the only one having a heartwarming life!! </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ... </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Back at the castle, Nephira cooked the ingredients she had chosen. Normally, ves were supposed to take meals separately from their masters, but Nephira wanted to sit at the same table as Takashi. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira''s cooking was surprisingly quite tasty. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Sipping blood-colored wine, Nephira spoke to Takashi. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Tomorrow, the head advisor of the Demon Lord''s Army, Lord Serphiano, wille to the castle." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The head advisor of the Demon Lord''s Army? What does he want?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "He ising to see how the conquered country is doing. Well, it is fine if you don''t worry about it, Suzuki" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira brings a piece of seafood simr to a shrimp to her mouth. She seemed a bit drunk and happy. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lord Serphiano is an amazing person. In the past, we, the Demon King''s Army and the Beast King''s Oni Squad, attacked the human nation of Krevalun. The Beast King''s Oni Squad had the upper hand, but among the enemy humans was a sorcerer. He used his mysterious sorcery to make the Beast King''s Oni Squad believe they were friendly with the humans of Krevalun." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hu--HUH. Really?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Apparently, it was quite the powerful sorcery. It was so powerful that no one in the Beast King''s Oni Squad even noticed that they had fallen for the technique." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira continued to exin. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "However, in the presence of the third eye of Serphiano, the head advisor of the Demon King''s Army, there was nothing to fear. Lord Serphiano immediately saw through the sorcery. The Beast King''s Oni Squad came to their senses and killed the sorcerer. After that, they ughtered everyst human in Krevalun." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi gulped heavily as he listened to the story. T--That sorcerer''s sorcery is simr to my ability, isn''t it...? </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You will be introduced to Lord Serphiano as my ve. No problem, you will be free from any me as long as you carry on as you normally do." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Y--Yes. I understand." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He knew his own voice was trembling. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Head Advisor of the Demon Lord''s Army, Serphiano...! Is such a dangerous demon reallying...!?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After that, Takashi could not taste anything from the food he ate.</em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em>

 Chapter 3，Part 1: The Threat Of The Demon Lords Chief Advisor (1)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 3£¬Part 1: The Threat Of The Demon Lord''s Chief Advisor (1)</h4>


    Two small dragons were pulling a cart along the road to Asia, where human bones once rolled. From the back of the dragon carriage, a roof covered it, and the interior was surprisingly spacious. In the leather chair was Serphiano, the Counselor of the Demon Lord''s army. A little further away sat Grant, the ogre apanying her.


    Serphiano had long, flowing silver hair and wore an unmistakably demonic silvery-white dress, giving her the appearance of a goddess to strangers thaty eyes on her.


    Between the eyebrows of her seemingly beautiful and demure face, however, shone a reptilian third eye that glinted with suspiciously gleaming light.


    "Grant, let us hurry up on our journey. Make the dragon chariot go faster."


    "Ugha..."


    Grant, an ogre with bright red skin, muscr and strong, stood up, went to the driver''s dais, and gave the dragons a whip. The dragons roared in response, and the speed of the carriage increased.


    Serphiano closed her eyes except for the one on her forehead. In her mind''s eye, she saw exactly the Syness Castle, which she was now heading for in her dragon chariot. It was overflowing with an abominable peach-colored disturbance. She bit her lip as her third eye caught the waves of love, which was considered foul by demons.


    (He is already using his charm-technique. The Thunder-Lance Charge should already be seen as under the control of the enemy.)


    Serphiano, the Chief Advisor of the Demon King''s army, had already detected an anomaly in the Land of Leirune with her third eye, the awe-inspiring ability aptly named "irvoyant Sight".


    It felt simr to the sorcery of the sorcerer in Krevalun before. However, this powerful wave... The range and power were even greater than at that time. But...


    (Don''t you dare underestimate this Serphiano, the Chief Strategist of the Demon King''s army!)


    Serphiano, who had absolute confidence in her ability, irvoyant Sight, and her own wits, gloatingly grinned inside the shaking dragon chariot.


    ......


    "...Dame Serphiano. Thank you foring."


    Nephira, themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge, weed Serphiano as she stepped out from her dragon chariot. Led by Nephira, she headed for the castle with Grant.


    She and Grant parted ways at the entrance to the castle to avoid suspicion. She then went to Nephira''s quarters.


    Upon entering the room, she sat on the chair offered to her. Then Nephira offered her a ss of wine, but Serphiano shook her head. The abhorrent wave was bing more intense.


    "I''ll get right to the point, Nephira. Are you keeping any humans near you?"


    "Keeping? Perhaps, you are referring to Suzuki?"


    "Suzuki... It is an odd name. I wonder if it is some otherworldly being summoned as a hero?"


    "I do not know much about it. He''s a human who was in the castle of Syness at the time of the invasion. I made him my ve. He is quiet and obedient. He is an excellent ve. No problems at all."


    "Is that so? I would like to see the ve once, if possible.


    "You want to see Suzuki? I''ll make him bring in some sake right now. Just a moment. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufufufu" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Sephiano has never seen Nephiraugh outside of battle. And yet, she was grinning as if she was proudly introducing her son. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> It was futile to try to persuade someone who is under the influence of powerful sorcery. There is a simpler and surefire way... to kill the sorcerer. Serphiano believes this is the best strategy. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (The moment the door is opened. I''ll kill Suzuki immediately, regardless of his intentions.) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Serphiano had made up her mind. Under the table, out of Nephira''s sight, the nails of her right hand sharpened as if they were knives. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (With this w, Suzuki''s... yes, Suzuki''s back, let''s give it a good scratch. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kukuku. Gently and carefully scratch him without... hurt... ing... him...?) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Serphiano was astonished when she noticed the change in her thoughts. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Th--Th--This is ludicrous!! Before I had even met him, I was ready to kill him!? I--I had no idea it would be this powerful!!) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> It was like a divine power. Suzuki''s ability far exceeded Serphiano''s imagination. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Step, step, step. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Something is approaching. This is bad! A monster! Suzuki ising!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (F--For now, I can bear it somehow! But! This is... before I have even met him...! If I look directly at him...!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Excuse me..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suzuki awkwardly brought the te to the table. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Gyuuu!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Unexpectedly, Serphiano let out a yell she had never uttered before. At the same time, she became flushed, and a certain part of her felt a bit damp. Suzuki, in his awkwardness and cuteness, was something that couldn''t be described in a thousand words. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "This is Dame Serphiano, the Chief Advisor of the Demon''s Lord Army." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh--Uh-hum. Nice to meet you. I''m Suzuki." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After cing the te containing sausages on the table, he curtsies politely with a bow. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (W--What an unprecedented cuteness! Ah, adorable! Adorable! I want to make him my ve.... HUH!) </em></em></em>


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


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Serphiano, making a strange noise, mmed her face into the te of sausages that Suzuki had brought in. Suzuki and Nephira were startled. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, wait!? This person, what is she doing!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Wh--What''s wrong!? Dame Serphiano!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Stop----------------it!! I''m losing my marbles!!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In an instant, all sense of reason flew out of her body. What is this, this creature? It''s just too cute! Isn''t it?! </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Feeling fear as if her brain was being eroded, Serphiano repeatedly mmed her face against the te. The te cracked, and the sausage got crushed into a soggy mess. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Phew~ phew. I can... Somehow...!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> When Serphiano looked up, she saw Nephira and Suzuki staring at her with shocked expressions on their faces. She was able to keep her reason, but she felt that she had lost something important as a general. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Serphiano tried to smooth the situation over with a wry smile. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hohoho. It sure is a delicious sausage, isn''t it? Nom, nom!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Pl---She''s eating, by the te? Is this how the Demon Lord''s Chief Advisor eats!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki! That is not important! Dame Serphiano''s face is bleeding! Get something to wipe her up!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m on it!"</em></em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em></em>

 Chapter 3，Part 2: The Threat Of The Demon Lords Chief Advisor (2)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 3£¬Part 2: The Threat Of The Demon Lord''s Chief Advisor (2)</h4>


    "Suzuki! That is not important! Dame Serphiano''s face is bleeding! Get something to wipe her up!"


    "I''m on it!"


    Suzuki scurried around the area but could not find something to use, so he ripped off a piece of clothing and offered it to Serphiano.


    (His own clothing!? Please stop!! In addition to the cute appearance, that... Don''t show such amendable attitudeeeeeee!)


    "Hoashaaaaaa!!!"


    Once again, Serphiano got up from her chair, screaming. She then rushed toward the wall and hit the wall head-on. The room echoed with a sound simr to fruit dropped from a high ce.


    "Dame Serphiano!?"


    "What the HELL was that all about? This person!? She''s messed up, isn''t she!?"


    After mming her head against the wall ten times, she finally regained her reasoning and consciousness. Serphiano returned to the table, blood dripping from her head. Her dress was torn from the wild violence, and one of her breasts was sticking out. However, she did not have the luxury of worrying about such things.


    "Nephira!! Suzuki!! Get Suzuki out of the room!! And please bring me a thick chain for binding magical beasts!!"


    "Wha--What the hell, do you mean...!?"


    "Do it quickly! While my, PHUA--PHUA--PHUA!! Consciousness is still, HUFF!! Normaaalllll!!"


    As if ovee by Serphiano''s ghastly appearance, Nephira called for the skeleton soldiers. After that, she kicked Suzuki out of the room. As soon as Suzuki was gone, a skeleton soldier came with a thick chain.


    "Nephira!! You must bind me with those chains!!"


    "Why?!"


    "Just tie me up, quickllyyyyyy!!"


    Finally, Serphiano smiles a little when she is bound to the chair by being wrapped in huge chains.


    "Th--This will do. Haa, Haa, Zaa, Zaa"


    "Dame Seraphino, what is this!?"


    "Let''s call it... Self-bondage measures. I had no choice but to do this to protect the integrity of my mind and the future of the Demon Army..."


    "I''m not sure I understand what you are saying, but...!"


    "Anyway!! We must execute Suzuki at once!!"


    "Wha--!? That''s--!!"


    "Suzuki... <em ss="chakra-text css-0">that is a terrible weapon of mass destruction, which drives demons mad!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That can''t be true!! Suzuki is a docile human!! Execution and such...!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Huh? "Execution"? Execution, is it? Did I, did I say that? That is strange. Why did I say such a deplorable thing...?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Since her hands were tied, Serphiano kicked the floor with her feet. The chair tipped over with tremendous force, and Serphiano was knocked to the floor headfirst. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "OH--OHF...!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Dame Serphiano ah, oh, oh, oh!?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Because of her upside-down position, her underwear waspletely exposed. The whites of her eyes were showing, and she was foaming from her mouth. Serphiano was horrified, even as Neph helped her correct the chair. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (What -- What a horror! Any attempt to harm Suzuki will result in more severe mental damage! For sure, we must execute him with absolute certainty! For the survival of the Demon Lord''s army!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Immediately!! Execute Suzuki right now!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The--There will be an execution of an old man shortly! Dame Serphiano! I beg of you!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, I don''t care about a GEEZER!! NO!! NO!! NO!! Absolutely------------not. Regardless, Suzuki must be executed!! He absolutely must be execu------------ted!!" </em>


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


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "My orders are the orders of the Demon Lord! This is apulsory execution order issued for the Thunder--Lance Char------------ge!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Damn...! Shi--...!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Pe--Perhaps there might be others with abilities simr to Suzuki''s...) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Seeing Nephira''s pained face, Serphiano proimed with herst ounce of strength, </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s not only Suzuki!! Kill all the people who were in the castle when it was conquered!! Prepare for execution now!! Ohhhh, ahhh! Kill them while my ego is still intact!! Kill them ablobablot!! Hurry!! I beg you, please, hur------------ry!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ¡ó </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Damn it... because an ipetent like me pretended to be a hero or something...) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi looked around, feeling like he was about to burst into tears. After chaining their wrists, the skeleton soldiers brought them to a ce that resembled a bullring he had seen on television. He could see many Thunder-Lance Charge fiends sitting on bowl-shaped seats. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi was now in a waiting area a short distance away. Exce, Orneo, and dozens of other chained ves stood around him with despairing looks on their faces. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What the hell! What the hell!! I thought you said ves wouldn''t be killed! AHHH!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A thin man screamed in despair. The women were crying heavily. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> It was possible that Serphiano, the chief advisor to the Demon Lord''s army, considered executing all of the ves because Takashi had been with Nephira. Takashi was too ashamed to look Exce and Orneo in the eyes. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "NO! STOOOP!! I don''t want to diiieeeeeeee!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A skeleton soldier pulls the arm of a man who continues to yell in terror. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Shut the bloody hell up. First is, you." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "EEEKK!! NOOOOOOOO!!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The skeleton soldier forcibly drags the wailing man away. Takashi, bound by chains, was helpless.</em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em>

 Chapter 3.3: The Threat Of The Demon Lords Chief Advisor (3)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 3.3: The Threat Of The Demon Lord''s Chief Advisor (3)</h4>


    The round arena of the former kingdom of Leirune. Now an execution site.


    In a special seat overlooking the execution, Nephira sat with an anguished expression on her face. She was rocking one leg up and down, restlessly.


    (Ugh, why is Suzuki...!)


    The thought of Suzuki being killed made her feel like crying. However, demons, and even more, themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge, would not be allowed to weep. That''s why Nephira endured desperately.


    "NOOOOOO!!! HELP MEEEEEE!!"


    Suddenly, the execution site was haunted by the voice of a thin, gaunt man. The Skeleton Soldier held him by the arm. It was the same man who had once informed them that Exce was scheming against the demons.


    He got dragged, screaming, to the center of the execution stage. The Thunder-Lance Charge''s fiends, seated in the bowl-shaped spectator seats, began to roar with excitement.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hya-ha-ha-ha! What is that! Such a pathetic human!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ho-ho-ho! What a miserable face!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ka-ka-ka! Kill hiiiimm!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> They were showing a glimpse of their demonic side, which they usually hid whenever they were in front of Nephira. They seemed excited to hear about the execution of a human. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> """Kill him, kill him, and kill him!!""" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Soon, a loud chanting chorus of fiends began. The voices of the six hundred Thunder-Lance members shook the arena. In the midst of it, Berserker, a muscr durama in an iron mask approached the man, wielding a huge saber. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "S----STOOOPP!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Berserker swung the saber down without hesitation, separating the man''s right arm from his torso. Blood gushed out, and the man screamed even more. Seeing this, a snake-haired demonessughed heartily. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Berserker then cut off the man''s left arm. The man cried out, and the site of execution became filled with theughter of demons. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Just... kill... me... already please..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The man, who previously cried out that he didn''t want to die, now had his arms cut off and was begging for death with wild eyes. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Killing them after inflicting severe pain... That was the demon tribe''s execution method. Nephira turned away from the man whose legs were about to be severed while he remained alive. Normally, she wouldn''t care, but the thought that Suzuki would suffer the same fate made it difficult for her to watch the man''s execution. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> When the man was finally beheaded, the site erupted with excitement. However, a few meters away from Nephira, Serphiano, the chief advisor, was shouting in anger. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What have you been doing all this ti------------me! Wasn''t Suzuki the first one to be executed?! Uh-huh, oh-huh! We have to kill Suzuki as soon as possi------------ble!! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Oeufuu, barf!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Serphiano was screaming and spreading vomit all over the ce. The chains that bound her inside the castle had been broken, but shackles had been used in their ce, and Grant, the ogre apanying her, was holding a noose extending from the chains. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Grant! Take me to the ce of execution right now!* Oggh*!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ugha..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Grant dragged Serphiano away. Serphiano, now looking like a ve to Grant''s will, shouts as he steps onto the execution ground. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Next! You are to execute Suzuki!! Come on, get Suzuki here, quickly! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Oeufuu, barf, barf--!!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Tsk. Nephira bit her lip. Pholus, the bird-headed demon, came to Nephira''s side and spoke to her. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lady Nephira. Are you sure about this?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I--I have no choice! Serphiano''s orders are the same as orders from the Demon Lord!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "But... harming, such a lovable, adorable, cute human..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I know! But disobeying orders would be treason!! Not only me, but all 600 demons will be punished!! And that includes you, of course!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Blood dripped from her mouth due to biting her lip too hard. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lady Nephira..." Pholus hesitated but said nothing more. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The six hundred fiends were getting frustrated because the next round of executions did not begin. The goblin soldiers raised their voices. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The next execution hasn''t started yet!! Hurry up!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The death of one human seems to have added fuel to the fire. The demons at the execution site were excited. Demons and demonesses, beastmen, skeletons, and cyclops, all the gathered fiends revealed their true nature and shouted their desire for more brutal executions. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In the whirlpool of madness, a skeleton soldier brought a boy to the execution site. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0">"Hya-ha-ha-ha!! Kill him, kill him, kill him, kill... ah------------" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Huh..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Wai..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eh..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The execution site went quiet as if their previous passion had been doused with cold water. The fiends sobered up and began to make strange noises. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "He--hey. Could that possibly be, Suzuki?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Unbelievable. Is that cute little human going to be executed now?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I--I can''t watch it...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It is too much! Stop, don''t do it!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The demons that had just been urging to kill, and kill, suddenly showed a somber look on their faces. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Noo!!" The snake-haired demoness screamed and covered her face. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You can''t do this, no, no. It''s not right... " A female demoness, whose mouth had been ripped open up to her ears, uttered while another with horns began to weep and wail. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah! Sinister Evil God of the demon world! Please, have mercy on Suzuki!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Some even knelt down and prayed to evil gods. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The execution site suddenly transformed into something simr to a funeral wake. However, the berserker with a saber approached Suzuki. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Whoosh, whoosh!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Even the ruthless Berserker was breathing heavily in front of Suzuki, who was hanging his head and waiting for his execution. The hand holding the saber seemed to be trembling somewhat. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However--- </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That------------is------------right!! The neck of Suzuki... just like that, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ogh! Cut off the he------------ad! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Abibaba! The ratio of the length of the circumference to the diameter of the circle is 3.1415926535897932... <em ss="chakra-text css-0">FUA, FUA..." </em></em></em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After loudly ordering the execution, Serphiano began to do some calctions as a distraction. The scene looked strange, but of course, Nephira was more concerned about something else. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Suzuki!! They''re going to kill my Suzuki!!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Next to Serphiano, who was counting the circumference of a circle, stood Grant, the most powerful Ogre of the Demon Lord Army. A powerful demon that killed hundreds of demons during a civil war that once took ce. His power truly embodied being a match for thousands. Therefore, he was guarding the chief advisor all by himself.? Even the seasoned Nephira could not know how the fight with Grant would turn out. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (But...!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira stood up with a brisk stride. In an imposing voice, shemanded the bird-headed demon, Pholus. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Bring me my Thunder Spear Blitzberg!"</em></em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em></em>

 Chapter 3.4: The Threat Of The Demon Lords Chief Advisor (4)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 3.4: The Threat Of The Demon Lord''s Chief Advisor (4)</h4>


    "Bring me my Thunder Spear Blitzberg!"


    Right after that, Pholus became frightened at her deration.


    "Are -- Are you defying Lady Serphiano!? T--That''s!!"


    At that moment, a familiar voice reached Nephira''s ears.


    "It''s not necessary for you to go fetch it!"


    The red-haired, twin-tailed demon Kiru stood there, holding Nephira''s weapon, the Thunder Spear Blitzberg, in one hand. Next to her was her twin sister, the blue-haired, pony-tailed Meru. The top brass twin sisters of the Thunder-Lance Charge, Meru-Kiru, also held their favorite weapons, a Grim Reaper''s Scythe and Assassin''s Daggers, in their hands.


    "You gals...!"


    "You''re going to save Suzuki, aren''t you -- --? We''reing with you -- --!"


    "Ha-ha! We can''t let Lady Nephira receive punishment alone!"


    "Do you understand? A battle with Grant is inevitable. Even if we win and save Suzuki, it will be considered treason against the Demon Lord. Win or lose, it will be hell."


    That''s right. No matter how this battle turns out, it can only end badly for the Thunder-Lance Charge. Suzuki was a mere ve. No matter how you slice it, Suzuki should be left to die.


    But even so, Kiru''s mouth turned into a crescent moon as she smiled.


    "Since we''re demons, it doesn''t matter if we end up in hell!"


    "Fu~"


    Nephira also grinned. She received Blitzberg, the thunder spear that had ughtered thousands of humans. Her resolve was made firm. However, before Nephira could advance towards the execution site, Serphiano, the chief advisor, shouted.


    "Get on with it, Berserker!! While I''m still myself!! 3. 1415926535, ah!! I peed myself, uhiheehee!''


    Serphiano sts him, and Berserker, who had been hesitating, raises his saber. Nephira''s two hearts throbbed violently.


    "Let''s see if you can do it!!"


    Nephira, armed with her thunder spear, descended on the execution site. In an instant, she closed the distance of dozens of meters with a tremendous speed imperceptible to humans and lower demons. However, Berserker''s saber was already swinging down on Suzuki''s neck.


    (I''m--I''m not going to make it!? Suzuki!!)


    However, it was at that moment. Serphiano, who was supposed to be mumbling and counting pi, shook off Grant''s restraints and lunged head-first at Suzuki.


    "I knew iiiiitt! I feel sorry for------------him. "


    With arrow-like momentum and speed, Serphiano slipped between Suzuki and Berserker. But the saber did not stop. With a resounding "slid", Serphiano''s head danced across the execution site.


    "EEEEHHHH!?? Dame Serphianoooooooo!?"


    Nephira, who normally does not show much emotion, lost it and screamed. Nephira was not the only one. The demons at the execution site also grew wide-eyed, and their mouths gaped open.


    The person who ordered the execution suddenly jumped in and beheaded herself. ------------ The arena was quiet as it was presented with iprehensible sights.


    The torso of Serphiano, who had lost her head, ran and picked up her head, which had rolled away, and held it under her arm. Serphiano''s face twisted in pain.


    Nephira called out to Serpiano, who now stood like a Duhan (headless horseman).


    "A-Are you ok? Dame Serphiano...!"


    "Guuh...! Somehow, I''m holding on with my wits...! Guh...!"


    "Uh--Uhm... wits has nothing to do with it, does it?"


    After a few moments, Serphiano seemed to have calmed down a bit and spoke, propping her severed head against her neck and pressing down on it.


    "I just got the answer. The ratio of the circumference of a circle seemed to continue indefinitely after 3.14. I have found out the solution..."


    Then Serphiano smiled as if something had been cleared up.


    "The answer is: ''Suzuki is cute''"


    "Hu, huh...?"


    Nephira had no idea what Serphiano was talking about. Serphiano. She was the best intellect in the Demon Lord''s Army deemed to be outside the realm of normal wisdom. However, there was one thing that really bothered Nephira.


    Pointing at the trembling Suzuki, she asked Serphiano, "So, about Suzuki''s execution...?"


    "The execution by beheading has been suspended."


    She was pleased, but at the same time, a little worried. The execution taking ce today should have already been notified to the Demon Lord. There must be a clear reason to cancel the event of a human''s execution in the middle of it happening. It needed to be a clear reason, written in the report to be submitted to the Demon Lord at ater date.


    (How could she do such a thing!? Serphiano, Chief Advisor of the Demon Lord''s Army!!)


    Nephira and the demons in the execution grounds gasped. Serphiano raised one hand and dered enthusiastically.


    "I hereby revise the sentence of execution by decapitation and sentence Suzuki to have his fingernails decapitated."


    (Wha--!?)


    Berserker brought out a small nail clipper that didn''t fit hisrge hand and clipped off the excess nail on Suzuki''s right index finger.


    "Right. The execution is o----ver."


    Serphiano dered. At that moment, the execution site became filled with the thunderous apuse of the demons and their shouts of joy. Everyone hugged each other and rejoiced that Suzuki was saved. Some of them were crying.


    Nephira also patted her chest in relief. Then, she was in awe of the Demon Advisor in front of her.


    (She is indeed the wisestmander in the Demon Lord''s army! What a mind! Such wisdom!)


    After all, she didn''t want to be enemies with Serphiano. Well, if you think about it, it seemed like she just announced that she would carry out the execution herself and then rescinded it, but that''s just about it. There is no doubt that Serphiano was a rare genius.


    Nephira walked up to Suzuki, who had been unchained. She suppressed the urge to hug him and blurted out, "I''m d."


    Suzuki nodded in agreement and pointed to a corner of the execution site.


    "So, then the people after me can get their nails clipped too, right?"


    Suzuki looked at Serphiano. Serphiano looked a little troubled.


    "Well... right. That''s what will happen, I suppose. It is unavoidable..."


    Afterward. Exce, Orneo, and all the ves had their nails cut off by Berserker.


    The execution thus ended.

 Chapter 3.5: The Threat Of The Demon Lords Chief Advisor (5)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 3.5: The Threat Of The Demon Lord''s Chief Advisor (5)</h4>


    After Serphiano left the execution site, Takashi asked Nephira for some time and returned to the waiting area for the ves.


    "Lord Hero!!"


    Suddenly, Exce jumped into Takashi''s arms with tears streaming down her face.


    "Woah!! Exce!?"


    "Thank you... Thank you so much!"


    She buried her head into his chest while crying. Takashi stood there, puzzled, then her retainer, Orneo, smiled and bowed his head.


    "It is thanks to Lord Hero that this old man has survived. I offer my gratitude."


    "St--Stop it, please. I did nothing..."


    Takashi gently pushed Exce back. Exce looked at Takashi with concern.


    "Lord Hero...?"


    "I am totally useless. I just saw one person killed in front of me. And in such a brutal way..."


    The man''s screams as he had his limbs cut off and then finally killed, were still ringing in Takashi''s ears.


    "If my turn hade first, he might have survived."


    "Lord Hero. That''s..."


    "No, if I hadn''te here in the first ce, this country wouldn''t be in ruins! There was this yakuza guy called Sasaki! Ah, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">HAHAHA! He was a real jerk! But if that middle-aged man hade, I''m sure tens of thousands of people would have been saved! The people in the castle wouldn''t have died!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce gently embraced Takashi. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Reversing the previous situation, she ced Takashi''s head against her chest. Her soft and gentle touch soothed Takashi''s grief a little. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The power of the Hero is a miracle that surpasses the might of millions of soldiers. A beacon of hope that will change this world." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> While embraced by Exce, Takashi recalled the ideal life he wished for while in Japan. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The life that Takashi wanted was------ a heartwarming life in another world. He could live it ying with all the magical creatures in the warm sunlight, fishing and cooking... However, now that he had arrived in this cruel otherworld, it seemed like a fleeting dream in a faraway blur. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Nevertheless... If anyone is relying on my help. If there is someone who would call me a hero even though I''m like this...) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi stared into Ex''s eyes and dered, "I, will try my best. So that in this world, humans can live with demons on an equal footing. And maybe one day, we''ll be able to live a heartwarming life." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Yes...!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After wiping away her own tears with her finger, Exce smiled at Takashi. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After Takashi left Exce and the rest, he returned to the execution site, where he found Nephira leaning against a rock wall in the passageway. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...Are you done talking?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ye--Yeah" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Perhaps she might have heard his conversation with Exce. B--But, he didn''t say anything about conquering the demons, so he''s sure it''s okay, right? </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Humans on equal footing with demons, huh? It is nothing more than a pipe dream. Your ideal will nevere true." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> That one sentence convinced Takashi that he had been overheard, and his body shuddered. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira wasn''t angry, but she was leaning against the wall with her face down. She slowly said, "However... it may be possible to get a little closer to that dream." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eh?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "If you be promoted from a ve to a familiar, it''s possible to have human ves. If you advance further as a familiar, you can also gain a territory as a reward. Do you understand what I am saying?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (ves and Territory...? Th--That''s it! If I do it, I will be able to save those around me from the control of demons!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He would have a ce of his own where he could live with hisrades like Exce and Orneo. It would be a peaceful territory where demons do not eat or harm humans. Takashi''s heart beat wildly as he imagined such happy prospects. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Do--Does that mean I have to be Nephira''s familiar? </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh. But as a condition for it--------Suzuki. You will enlist in the Thunder-Lance Charge." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I-In the Thunder-Lance Charge!? No, but, but I''m a human though?! Yet I''m JOINING!?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The demon lord''s army also features undead soldiers and skeleton soldiers. Originally, they were human too." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Indeed... Uhm? But aren''t they, you know, dead? Right?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Wh--Whether they are dead or alive is irrelevant! If there is no opposition, it would not be too difficult to recruit you into the Thunder-Lance Charge. After all that happened, Serphiano said she would like to support you from now on." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Yeah, that''s right..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The former third princess and her retainer, the old man, will be sent to live in a ve cell for a while. If you be a high-ranking soldier in the Thunder-Lance Charge in that time frame..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I can im Exce and the rest!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Hearing this proposal gave him hope. Having a home in his own territory, Exce and the rest could live there... That''s it! It''s a small step, but world peace can begin there! </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Bing a soldier of the Thunder-Lance Charge may mean bing an enemy of mankind. But Takashi looked Neph in the eye and said earnestly. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Nephira! Please let me join the Thunder-Lance Charge!"</em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em>

 Chapter 4.1: Hope And Despair (1)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 4.1: Hope And Despair (1)</h4>


    The Thunder-Lance Charge training grounds, located in the vast estate of the Syness Castle.


    In a clearingrger than the athletic gymnasium from Takashi''s high school, Nephira introduced him to the many demons lined up.


    "From today onwards, Suzuki will be part of the Thunder-Lance Charge as my familiar. He may look human, but he is a demon at heart. Everyone gets along with him."


    (I--Is this really all right?)


    Takashi was a little nervous, fearing pushback from the demons.


    "Ah, I don''t mind at all!"


    "You are Nephira''s familiar, aren''t you? Then I''m not one toin!!"


    "Uhh! Congrattions on your enlistment!"


    Demons and demonesses, as well as fiends of various races, all weed Takashi with open arms.


    (What a relief! I knew it! My ability is amazing! That''s right, even Exce praised me, so maybe I should have more self-confidence!)


    Takashi was weed with friendly apuse. However---


    "Tsk. Why the HELL is a human in the Thunder-Lance charge?"


    A low voice echoed. A serpent-headed fiend with a hideous face spat on the ground. He walked up to Takashi and brought his vicious face close to him.


    "You are an EYESORE. Human."


    "Ugh..."


    Overwhelmed by the pressure, Takashi could not say anything back. Wh--Why? This had never happened before! All the demons had been kind to me!


    "Enough, Gharaga. Suzuki is one of us from today onwards. Besides, this is my decision as themander."


    Neph red at the snake-headed Gharaga. Gharaga then snorted with a <em ss="chakra-text css-0">"phun" and walked away. Nephira let out a small sigh. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Well then, Iron-Rank soldiers. I entrust you with Suzuki''s training." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> With these instructions, Nephira also left the training site. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After Gharaga and Neph left, the remaining fiends split into smaller groups and began swinging their swords and sparring with each other. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> While he was at a loss as to what to do, three goblin soldiers came close to him and smiled. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Nice to meet you, buddy. For a short while, Suzuki, you''re gonna train with us." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ple--Please treat me well." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He was intimidated by Gharaga earlier, so he hesitated a bit to reply. One of the goblin soldiers lightly tapped Takashi on the shoulder. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Don''t sweat it, buddy. Gharaga''s head is missing three, or maybe four, screws." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Yeah, right. He killed fellow demons in training before." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "And he thinks of humans as nothing more than food, ya'' know. If he''s hungry, he will snatch and eat anyone''s ve or baby." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The goblin soldiers talked about Gharaga. Takashi was horrified as he listened. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (H--He is such a dangerous guy! Is that why my ability was less effective!?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> It was only due to his ability to be favored by demons that he overcame and survived during conquest day. If not for his ability, Gharaga might have killed him that day... Takashi was horrified at the thought. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Well, Gharaga is an Adamantine-Rank Soldier. I don''t think he''ll ever train with Suzuki." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Silver-Rank soldier...?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "There are different ranks of soldiers in the Thunder-Lance Charge. Iron-Rank soldiers, followed by Bronze-Rank soldiers, and Silver-Rank soldiers. Above that, the Adamantine-Rank soldiers." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (So that means that Gharaga must be pretty strong...) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uhm. So, right now, I''m a Bronze-Rank soldier, huh?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No. Suzuki just joined, so he''s a ''Stone-Rank'' soldier." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Stone-Rank!?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hahaha. Everyone is like that at the beginning. But if you work hard, you can be an Iron-Rank soldier right away." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ya, or rather, we shouldn''t beughing either. We must be one rank higher as Bronze-Rank soldiers as soon as possible." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The Goblins continued by telling Takashi that the Meru-Kiru sisters were like division captains who united these soldiers and thus existed above and beyond the clouds. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "So, how does one rise in the ranks?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Excluding getting glory by war merit, the fastest way is dueling fellow members. If you challenge a Thunder-Lance Charge member to a duel and win, you get to switch ranks with him." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I see! Dueling!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hey, hey, hey. First, you must train, Suzuki." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The goblin soldiersughed as if to admonish Takashi, who was feeling nervous. Takashiughed no less than they did. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Soon, the goblin soldiers began to swing wooden swords. Takashi, too, received a wooden sword and watched and copied them. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> While swinging the wooden sword, Takashi was thinking. His only strength was the ability to be loved by demons. Of course, that alone was not enough. He had to grow stronger and more powerful to survive this terrifying otherworld. Not to mention that he needed to raise his rank in order to save Exce and the others. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Besides, if I train hard enough, I might even be able to increase my magic and attack power!) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> When he was summoned as a hero, the king dismissed him as a poor candidate with low abilities. However, it is a trope in isekai novels that characters with initially low status will work hard to improve their level and be powerful. Although this was not Takashi''s preferred genre as a lover of heartwarming isekai novels, he had, of course, read such novels on the Inte. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (All right-o! Let''s leave aside heartwarming isekai novels for a while! From now on, it will be the underdog-isekai life!)</em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em>

 Chapter 4.2: Hope And Despair (2)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 4.2: Hope And Despair (2)</h4>


    After they finished the practice swings, the soldiers faced each other in sparring. Takashi nervously faced the goblin soldier in front of him.


    "Hiya!"


    Takashi shouted as he swung his wooden sword at the goblin soldier. Using the wooden sword as a shield, the goblin soldier easily blocked Takashi''s attack. Then---


    "Whoa! Suzuki, you''re good!"


    The goblin soldier fell down andnded on his buttocks. The surrounding goblin soldiers apuded Takashi in a friendly manner.


    "So strong! Suzuki!"


    "Good job! Suzuki!"


    (No, no, no!! Wait, wait, wait!! Didn''t he just fall over on his own ord?)


    After that, the goblins didn''t attack him first, but instead, when they were hit by Takashi''snky attacks, they yelled: "Whoa" "You got me!" "You''re a genius!"


    (This discovery is amazing!! You will never be strong in this environment!!)


    Disgusted by the goblin soldiers who acted as if they were ying with children, Takashi eximed, "Fight more seriously!!"


    The goblin soldiers looked at him with puzzled looks on their faces, saying, "Eh, we are being serious."


    (No, I appreciate the sentiment! But I can''t improve my skills like this!!)


    Then, a huge, hairy monster walked slowly up to Takashi. Brown fur covered its body even up to its face, leaving only its two golden eyes visible.


    "Wha--What is with you? Are you going to fight me, by any chance?"


    "..."


    "He--Hey?"


    "..."


    The hairy creature with the appearance of an abominable yeti stared at Takashi silently. The goblin soldiers whispered in Takashi''s ear.


    "This guy''s name is Gregorio. He doesn''t talk much, ya know."


    "He joined the Thunder-Lance Charge a little before Suzuki."


    "But he is strong. He became an Iron-Rank soldier the very first day he joined."


    (Does this mean, that if I defeat this monster Gregorio in a military duel, I too can be a Bronze-Rank soldier?!)


    He was much bigger than Takashi, but his movements seem slower, partly because of his size.


    "Gregorio. If you are willing, perhaps you could duel with me?"


    Seeing his chance, Takashi asked Gregorio for a military duel. Still not speaking, Gregorio nodded in agreement.


    (All right-o! I have the ability to be liked by demons! Maybe he''ll go easy on me! If I win, I''ll be an Iron-Rank soldier!)


    With his wooden sword at the ready, Takashi faced Gregorio with high hopes.


    "...Puh-uh!?"


    Takashi was knocked off his feet several meters away by Gregorio''s unreserved punch. Apparently, he had been cut inside his mouth by the hit. The taste of iron spread through his mouth.


    Somehow, he managed to get up, but his wooden sword was gone. It had been blown away together with him. He tried to find it, but Gregorio, the hairy monster, was already standing in front of him. This time, Gregorio''s knee gouged Takashi''s stomach. Takashi groaned and crumbled.


    This was the battle Takashi had hoped for, as he had been unable to get the goblin soldiers to fight him seriously. In reality, however, Takashi was frightened to face the monster seriouslying at him.


    The goblin soldiers who were watching the duel were in an uproar.


    "Tha--That Gregorio guy, is amazing..."


    "Ah, ah. There aren''t many people, besides Gharaga, who could have beaten Suzuki the way he did."


    "I don''t know if I feel sorry for him."


    "He''s a little crazy, too, right?"


    He was knocked off his feet again and fell to the ground on his back. Takashi looked up at the sky in disbelief as he heard the goblin soldier''s voice that said, "That far is enough!"


    (Da--Damn! How weak am, I!? This is no good at all!)


    Gregorio beat him severely, but Takashi''s heart remained strong. In fact, he was so inspired by that day that he began to train even harder.


    ......


    A few days passed after that.


    After the goblin soldiers in his group left, Takashi remained alone in the training area, doing push-ups and swinging a wooden sword.


    Skeleton soldiers of a higher rank passed by Takashi.


    "Yo! You''re doing a great job! Suzuki!"


    "Hey, look. If you have time, I''d like you to fight me."


    "Ah, sure! Let''s have some fun!"


    "No, uhm... not for practice, but waging for rank..."


    "By any chance, a military duel?"


    "That''s right, please."


    "Yeah. Then, I''ll do it..."


    "...guha!!"


    Takashi fell in agony as he was hit in the gut by a thrust of the wooden sword from the skeleton soldier. The skeleton soldier rushed over to him in panic.


    "I--I apologize, Suzuki! Are you okay?"


    "Ah, aah..."


    A fellow skeleton soldier who was watching nearby called out in disgust.


    "You''re terrible, you know that? The other party is Suzuki. Go easy on him, will you?"


    "Bu--But, you know! I can''t afford to go easy on him in a military duel! Because rank is important!"


    Hearing this, Takashi became convinced. He was now certain the demons cherished and adored him. However, it was just like loving a pet. No matter how cute his opponent was, there was no way he would cut corners in a serious duel where his own rank was at stake.


    (I knew it! Only being adored by demons is not much of an ability! If this happens, the only way to rise in the ranks is by sheer force! I have to improve my physical strength and attack power!)


    After everyone else in the training area had left, Takashi continued to work on his own training.

 Chapter 4.3: Hope And Despair (3)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 4.3: Hope And Despair (3)</h4>


    Today, Nephira visited the training field. And as she stared from afar at Suzuki, who was hard at work in the training field swinging a wooden sword, Nephira was deeply impressed.


    (His serious face is also adorable! He also does push-ups every day... ah, how I wish I could do something for the hard-working Suzuki!)


    Incidentally, it had been almost a month since Suzuki joined the Thunder-Lance Charge. It would be a good time to mark it as an anniversary. That way, she would have a reason to celebrate with him and give him something.


    ......


    After dinner that night. While sipping her wine, Nephira spoke to Suzuki.


    "Suzuki. I have a gift for you."


    "A gift?" Suzuki asked.


    Then Nephira pped her hands. The door opened, and there stood Exce. Suzuki was astonished and eximed, "Exce!? ...Nephira! This is!?"


    "Uh-huh. Ever since you joined the Thunder-Lance Charge, you have been working hard in your own way. Your reputation among the other soldiers is also good, with them praising you whenever they''re asked about you. You are still a rank-and-file soldier, but in light of the above, I have decided to gift you a ve. From this day on, Exce will be your ve."


    Suzuki beamed upon hearing those words.


    "Seriously? Thank you!! Nephira!!"


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufufu! He is delighted. He is pleased! I''m so d I gave him this gift!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I look forward to working with you. Lord Hero" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce knelt reverently and smiled at Suzuki. Then Exce slowly walked towards him with a limp. Suzuki noticed the bandages on Exce''s legs and spoke in a stutter. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hu, huh? Exce. That leg...?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce looked troubled at his unspoken question and was embarrassed to answer. Nephira exined to him instead. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Because she is a ve. I severed the tendons in both her legs so she can''t run. Walking normally will not be a problem for her, though." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eh...?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> From Nephira''s point of view, this was the natural way to treat ves. However, the air around Suzuki changed and felt tense. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Why... such a terrible thing...!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suzuki''s face turned crimson red as he red at Nephira. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Eh!? He is so mad at me!? Why!? I thought Suzuki would be pleased...!!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suzuki pped the table with both hands. The vintage wine Nephira was drinking spilled, producing a bright red stain on the tablecloth. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What the HELL were you thinking!? Exce might never be able to run again!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "B-Bastard!! Who do you think you are talking to!! Shut your mouth! Know your ce as a familiar!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Normally, she would not have been so harsh. However, in the presence of other people, especially in front of Exce, a ve, Suzuki spoke harshly toward her, his superior, when his status was a familiar. Nephira had to save face and uphold her pride as themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Don''t get conceited!! You helpless worm!! How can a weakling who can''t even survive on his own proim such things with such pompous talk!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Damn...!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> With a snarl, Suzuki kicked the chair away. He then ran straight toward the door. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lo--Lord Hero!! Please wait!! I don''t mind!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce shouted, but Suzuki threw the door wide open and walked out. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You moron!! Fall in line!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira spat out. But in her mind, she was screaming and panicking. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!! I went too faaaaaaaar!!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (How on earth did such a celebration end up like this? I am an IDIOT! Idiot, idiot, idiot, my blockheadedneeeesssss!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> She put her elbows on the table and clutched her head. Exce looked at Nephira, fixed up a smile, and spoke awkwardly to her. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Su--Surely, he wille back right away!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Why... do I have to beforted by you..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira said to Exce, who was wiping the spilled wine with a rag, in a voice that seemed to be a whisper.</em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em>

 Chapter 4.4: Hope And Despair (4)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 4.4: Hope And Despair (4)</h4>


    Outside the castle, rain poured heavily. Takashi ran to the training ground in the pouring rain, which was battering against his skin.


    The rain was raging. Of course, no one was around in that weather. Only the straw dummies used for sword practice were exposed to the wind and rain, swaying sadly.


    "Damn, Damn it!"


    Takashi swung his wooden sword at the straw dummy. He was angrier at himself than with Nephira. What a Hero. The girl he was trying to protect ended up having both her tendons severed, rendering her unable to run.


    Wielding the wooden sword with his emotions and without proper control and form, he eventually hurt his arm when he hit the dummy. Takashi lost strength and dropped his wooden sword to the ground. A throbbing pain came from his wrist. He felt like he had been defeated, even by a motionless straw dummy.


    (Nephira is right. I can''t do anything on my own. I''ve only been living off the kindness of the demons up until now.)


    Facing the rain-soaked straw dummy, he extended out one hand.


    "Fire!"


    He tried shouting, mimicking a wizard he had read about in an isekai novel. He tried yelling again and again while being drenched by the torrential rain. However, no matter how he shouted, nothing came out of his palm.


    Hey down on the ground, battered by the rain, disgusted by his own ipetence.


    ...


    How much time must have passed? Suddenly, he noticed a hairy monster looking down at him.


    "Yo, Gregorio. What are you doing out here, in the middle of this rain?"


    "..."


    "You''re still as quiet as ever. That''s fine. You don''t have to talk. I just wish you''d listen to myints as you are."


    "..."


    "Being cute is not enough to save the world. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haha. Of course not." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After saying this, Takashi noticed that Gregorio had disappeared from his sight. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (He must have been so exasperated that he left. Yeah, that''s right.) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> But when he raised his head, Gregorio was a short distance away. He was moving his hand a little bit. He seemed to be telling Takashi to follow him. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In the constantly pouring rain, Takashi silently followed Gregorio. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After a long walk, they finally arrived at a cabin on the outskirts. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hee. It''s quite a nice house." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He could see chopped firewood piled up near the house. There was an axe close to the pile. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Chopping firewood? By any chance, is this how you train your body?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I see. I should train my body harder too. And one day, I''ll be strong enough to surpass Nephira." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> It was at that moment. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You fool. Are you really a hero?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi was absolutely speechless. From the quiet Gregorio came the voice of a fully grown woman. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Gre--Gregorio?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Even if it is decades. Even after decades of physical training to the point of sweating blood, you have no chance against Nephira." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gregorio''s body started glowing. The huge, hairy frame shrunk, and he became as tall as Takashi. Peach-colored hair trailing behind. Light clothes on a slim figure. An adult woman with nted eyes and an intellectual face was standing there. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Wha--!? You are!?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "My real name is Leelou. I''m a human, just like you." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lee... lou!? Human!? Wh--, Why, is there another human besides me in the Thunder-Lance Charge!?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I am just like you. In order to bring peace to this chaotic world, I infiltrated the Thunder-Lance Charge, aiming to disturb the Demon Lord''s army. However... I changed my mind after I saw you." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Changed her mind... after seeing me...? Ha--... I suppose my ipetence as a hero, disheartened her so much that she lost all motivation...) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Even he was aware that he was ipetent. But to be reminded once again by a stranger. Moreover, being looked down on by another human like him, Takashi ended up shouting--- </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "THAT''S RIGHT! I''m ipetent! HELPLESS! But I wanted to help at least the people around me! That''s why I joined the Thunder-Lance Charge! But I have neither attack power nor magical power! And... Exce had the tendons on her feet severed, losing the ability to run again!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Tears welled up in her eyes as he cried out, feeling ashamed of himself. Even so, Leelou still spoke coldly to Takashi. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Pathetic. It''s because you are not making an effort--that you ended up like that. Human beings are striving creatures. Progress and improvement are what being human is all about." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Do--Don''t talk nonsense without knowing anything at all! Effort? I''m making an EFFORT! I train with a wooden sword and train my body every day," </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That is why you are a fool, you know. You put your efforts in thepletely wrong direction." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Wrong direction...?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Listen to me. You are not ipetent. I have abandoned my original n and revealed myself to you only because I have seen the awe-inspiring power of a hero. Because I thought you could bring about a revolution without nearly any bloodshed and save the world." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "A--Awe-inspiring... my power? My only ability is being adored by fiends!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hero! Earlier, you said being cute isn''t enough to save the world." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Because you CAN''T! I can''t even save myself just because I have the ability to be cute! There is no such thing as a demon that can lose a duel just because someone is cute!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Leelou turned her sharp eyes to Takashi and said with a solemn tone. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I assure you. It is possible to save the world just by being cute." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Th--That''s absurd!! Saving the world with cuteness alone!? How in the hell!?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Follow me." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In the continuous downpour, Leelou turned away and started walking toward the cabin. With her beautiful peach-colored hair drenched in raindrops, she spoke to Takashi without turning her head. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''ll teach you. The 48 adorable gestures that have the potential to liberate the world from the forces of the Demon Lord---- <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Pretties''."</em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em>

 Chapter 4.5: Hope And Despair (5)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 4.5: Hope And Despair (5)</h4>


    Before realizing it, the rain had eased off. Takashi stared in disbelief at the cabin where Leelou had entered as he basked in the misty light rain.


    (48 Adorable Gestures ---- <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis...!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Tsk, WHAT THE HELL!! Are you freaking kidding me? HEY!?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi opens the wooden door of the cabin vigorously in a mor. Is she, taking him for an idiot? I bet she is! Surely! </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Leelou was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the dirt floor. An iron box-like object was on the floor, and firewood burned in it, producing warmth. Wet clothes hung beside her, and Leelou was wearing only her underwear. Beneath her peach-colored hair, he saw Leelou''s bulging breasts and her slender waist. Takashi looked away, embarrassed by the sight of Leelou''s voluptuous body. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki. You, too,e over here. You will catch a cold if you stay wet." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi hesitantly sat down in front of Leelou and nced at her face. She was quite beautiful, although her eyes were somewhat dim. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After regaining someposure, Takashi asked Leelou once again. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I--If I acquire that Pritis or whatever it''s called, will that make me strong?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You will never be strong at all. Your strength and attack power will remain the same." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ha--HUH!?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You are a man of limitedprehension. I never said anything about bing stronger. You''re just going to get cuter." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, like I said!! It''s not enough just to be cute! right?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You seem to be under the mistaken impression, that physical strength and magical power are essential for saving the world." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "O--Of course, that''s only natural!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Without the power to defeat at least lower and intermediate demons, it was impossible to save the world. Takashi thought so. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That is a misunderstanding. By the way, my only ability is the art of transformation. Even so, I was able to engage with the Demon Lord''s Army on equal terms for several years. The point is how you use your power." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (What the hell? She was able to go toe-to-toe with the Demon Lord''s Army? This person, what in tarnation...?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The firewood crackled and red, illuminating Leelou''s face. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki. Your ability to be loved by demons is quite impressive. It is resourceful to such a degree that it even snatched away the senses of Serphiano, the chief advisor to the Demon Lord''s army." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Did you see it? At the execution site..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Leelou nodded in agreement. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "In my opinion, your abilities are more effective against female demonesses. On the other hand, the effect on fiends of the same sex as you seem to be halved." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I see. That''s why Gharaga was trying to make trouble for me... No, made trouble for me." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Well, in his case, something is wrong with his head too. If you handle him poorly, he may even kill you." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "EEHH...! There are demons that can kill me? I knew it, is not much of an ability after all...?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s why you have to make an effort. Up until now, you have been spoiled by your rare ability from heaven. That''s why you''re up against the wall." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "An effort? Then, so <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis, could it be..." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "At the training ground, I watched you the whole time. And I kept on thinking. How to get the most out of your abilities." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Then Leelou stood up and fetched a scroll from the bookshelf in the corner. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "On this scroll, you will find forty-eight of the cutest gestures I have ever devised. To increase your cuteness by twofold, no increase it tenfold---- That is <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Pretty''" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I--Increase my cuteness by tenfold!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh. Do this, and you will save the world." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, like I said, how!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In the end, Takashi did not fully understand. He understood Pritis to a certain degree. It was supposed to strengthen Takashi''s ability "to be loved by demons." However, even if he were to be tens of times cuter than he is now, he still couldn''t believe that would lead to saving the world. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Leelou suddenly asked Takashi, whose face showed ack of understanding. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hey Suzuki. What is your dream?" </em></em></em>


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


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What do you want to do in this world?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi told Leelou. A world where humans are not eaten by demons, are not enved, and can live as equals---- he would like to see a world like that. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Then your dream and mine are the same." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Then Leelou stared at Takashi with a serious expression on her face. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki. You will be staying here for a while starting today. And train with me in the art of <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pretty." </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah, aah..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Uhm. Let''s just trust this person for now and give it a shot) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Thus, Takashi''s training began. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...... </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After such a string of events, the training with Leelou started. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> On the first day--- </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (I knew it, I should quit...!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi suddenly regretted his decision. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You fool! You shouldn''t be satisfied with the cuteness you were given!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Leelou was very strict. When she saw that his behavior was not in line with her teachings, she beat him with the leather whip she held in her hands. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What are you doing? Polish up your cuteness more and more!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (What do you mean by "polishing up cuteness"!? I don''t understand! Hey!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Sinceing to this world, Takashi had been treated kindly by demons for one reason or another. However, as a human being, Leelou was not affected by Takashi''s ability. He was reprimanded severely and repeatedly whipped. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "More flirtatious! And change your clothes for this long and cute outfit with loose sleeves!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What is with, that dull smile! Smile more, with your dimples showing!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Your movements are awkward! Stop being bashful!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "How many times do I have to say it!? I am asking you to wink at me! You keep closing both your eyes all the time!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> During the meal, Leelou continued to scold Takashi. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What a in way to eat! Be more ingenious and eat in a more lovely way, with small bites <em ss="chakra-text css-0">nom-nom!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> At night. When he tried to sleep in a corner of the room, Takashi was still whipped. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "When you go to sleep, make sure to get your face out of the nket just a little bit! Or wrap yourself in the nket like a caterpir!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi was never able to understand what Leelou thought was cute. He was only getting more and more frustrated.</em></em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em></em>

 Chapter 4.6: Hope And Despair (6)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 4.6: Hope And Despair (6)</h4>


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    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Then, three dayster. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, enough, I can''t do this anymoooreeeee!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi finally exploded. In front of Leelou, his face turned bright red, and he shouted. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What the hell is supposed to be the point of all this?!! I don''t even know what Pritis means?! Damn it all!! Who the hell do you think you are!? Are you nuts!?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Usually, training would involve a different kind of struggle and a different kind of sweat. Leelou''s teachings, from up close, seemed to be the kind of foolishness one might expect from a third-rateedian performing in front of a small audience. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Jeez! I, am going home!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> This cannot possibly save the world. He onlypletely wasted time---- With this thought in mind, Takashi turned on his heels and headed out of the cabin. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Wait." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> When he turned around, he saw that Leelou''s body was glowing. As she transforms into Gregorio, the hairy monster, Leelou speaks to Takashi in a hoarse voice. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m going out now. Come with me." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...... </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gregorio, portrayed by Leelou, headed to the town''s marketce. Today, the market was once again bustling with many stalls and demons. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Huh!? What the hell are we doing, in this ce?!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Come on in,e on in! We have fresh fruits from the forest--!! </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The owner of the store, a Cyclops, wasying out colorful fruits on a straw mat and shouting at the top of his lungs. Leelou talked to Takashi in his ear. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki. Go get an apple from that street stall." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uhm... what about money?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "None." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Huh?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Go get an apple from that guy. For free." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Th--There''s no way I can do that!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It will be fine. Just go! Come on!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> With a big push on the back from Leelou, Takashi staggered forward. A few stepster, he turned around only to see Leelou standing at a distance with her arms folded, watching him. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (In--In other words, is she telling me to steal an apple?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi looks at the Cyclops shopkeeper. A single vicious-looking eye and fangs as thick as those of ferocious beasts. The huge body, more than three meters high, looked so intimidating. Takashi gulped and swallowed hard. If a fight were to break out, the odds of winning were definitely zero. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Ah, I want to go home...) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Once again, he turned around. As expected, Leelou still had her arms crossed. He felt a kind of ck aura rising from her hairy body. If he ran away, he''d be whipped for sure. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Damn it! Fine. I''ll have to do it!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Half desperate, Takashi asked the Cyclops shopkeeper. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Can I have, one apple?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Oh, if it isn''t Suzuki!? It''s 10 gold!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Maybe he saw Takashi at the castle or the execution site. The cyclops seemed to know Takashi and was smiling at him. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi hesitantly exined, "Uh--Uhm, that apple... I--I''d like to have it for free." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The Cyclops then broke into a broad smile. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ka-- Ka-- Ka! Hey, hey, Suzuki! Free is impossible, no matter how hard you try! We are a business, you know!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Th--That''s right, isn''t it?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s right, you know! That joke is a bit harsh!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Inwardly, he let out a sigh. It was the natural result. It was the same as a duel in the training ground. The owner of the store also liked Takashi and had a favorable opinion of him. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> But, that was it. That''s all. That was the limit of what he could achieve by being cute. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He was about to head back dejectedly, but at that moment, he looked back. He saw Leelou, disguised as Gregorio, and their eyes met. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Leelou silently raised her index finger. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Uh? The index finger? What? ..."One"? Perhaps "one" could mean?) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suddenly, the three days of ridiculous training shed through Takashi''s mind. If he went back like this, the whip would be there to wee him. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (No choice. Let''s give it a shot.) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> What came to Takashi''s mind when he heard "one". It was a gesture from the scroll that he had practiced over and over again. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...Pritis'' 48 Gestures--First Gesture, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Upward ce''" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi muttered to himself as he lowered himself and stared into the shopkeeper''s face. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Heyy~. Is it really really impossible~?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Like I told you, Suzuki! How many times do I have to say it!? I don''t care how cute you..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The Cyclops'' eye creased angrily, but it immediately drew back when he saw Takashi. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "He--Hey! Don''t do that! Wh--Why are you looking at me with those eyes?! I told you! I''m a businessman!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The Cyclops, who Takashi thought was furious, was in a panic for some reason. Takashi was surprised by the unexpected reaction. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Wh--What is this? Hesitation? Th--This is...!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Immediately, Takashi looked back at Leelou. This time she raised four fingers. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ("Four"! If I remember correctly, Four is...!") </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Pritis'' 48 Gestures--Fourth Gesture, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Hands sping''!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi gently wrapped his hands around therge hands of the cyclops shopkeeper. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Kya!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The Cyclops shopkeeper let out a high-pitched voice that was unimaginable from hisrge frame and vicious face. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Pretty please~? I''m asking you..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Combining it with the upwards nce he had just given him, Takashi pleaded with the shopkeeper while holding the shopkeeper''s hand. The shopkeeper''s cheeks were turning peachy pink. And then... </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "For Pete''s sake. I--I have no choice, right? Just for today, Suzuki! Take it, you cat burr!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ... </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...With the free apple in his hand, Takashi stood stunned. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Unbelievable...! The demon gave me the goods for free...!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He noticed that Leelou, portraying Gregorio, was standing behind him. He addressed Takashi in a hoarse voice. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It doesn''t matter how weak you are or how strong your opponent is. The one and only ultimate technique that exceeds attack power and magical power---- That is <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Pretties''." </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The one and only ultimate technique that exceeds attack power and magical power..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After parroting back, Leelou tapped him on the head while he was still standing nkly. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Why are you going soft in the head? Let''s go back and continue your training." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Y--Yes!! Please take good care of me!! Master!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi called her Master with a naturalness that surprised even him and followed behind her as she started to walk away. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (A--Amazing! I don''t quite understand it, but somehow it seems amazing! With this technique, I might be able to do a lot of good things!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi''s heart swelled with anticipation. However, Leelou stopped walking, stood still, and gave him a warning. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki. Be careful. Your <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pretties only works on demons. If you do it to a human, the most you can expect is being told something like ''What the hell are you doing?'' or ''It''s disgusting.''" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Oh... Yes. I guess so, right..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nevertheless, Takashi''s motivation was rising. He was determined to devote himself to Leelou''s training and master the art of Pritis.</em></em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em></em>

 Chapter 5.1: Awakening (1)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 5.1: Awakening (1)</h4>


    Enjoying the story so far? Share it with you friends and please support us by leaving a review or rating in <em ss="chakra-text css-0">novelupdates, it helps a ton with visibility. You can also join our Patreon and get additional benefits like discord privileges and early ess to chapters. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In her private quarters at the Syness Castle, Nephira sat in a chair, her knees bouncing up and down. It had been more than a week since Suzuki had left the castle. Honestly, she thought he would be back in two or three days at most. However, Suzuki still hadn''t returned. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> She could not eat, had trouble sleeping at night, and often tapped her foot unconsciously whenever she was alone. It even caused the floor of the room to sink in some ces. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> She was so worried that she sent a search request to the Thunder-Lance Soldiers. Some fiend had seen Suzuki at the market not long ago, but that was all the information they had found. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fueeeen!! Where did you go, Suzuki!) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Lying on the bed in the empty room, she burst into tears. If Suzuki ever came back, she wanted to apologize sincerely. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (So, please. Pleasee back soon, Suzuki. I miss you. I miss you so much. Without you, Suzuki, I can''t go on...) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Knocking was heard. And Nephira stood up from her bed with a jolt. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lady Nephira. It''s Exce." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Adjusting the clothing around her bosom, which had been disheveled from lying on the floor, Nephira spoke with a firm voice. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh. Come in." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Pardon my intrusion." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The former Third Princess, Exce, entered the room dressed in a maid''s outfit. The limping that resulted from her severed tendons was now not much different from a normal person''s gait. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Since then, Nephira kept Exce by her side as a ve in ce of Suzuki. For Nephira, Exce was the cause of her fight with Suzuki. She didn''t really want to see her, but she thought Suzuki might get angry again if she treated her roughly, so she let her work as her ve. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, Exce was a modest woman unlike most royalty, and she performed her assigned tasks with great speed and efficiency. So, putting aside the whole incident with Suzuki, Nephira regarded Exce as a remarkable ve. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "So, what can I do for you?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Yes. It seems that Lord Hero has returned." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What!!? Really!!?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> She shouted in a high-pitched voice. Nephira coughed when she saw Exce smiling at her. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "S--So where''s Suzuki now?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The demons say that he''s supposed to hold a promotion match at the training grounds..." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...huh?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira rushed to the training grounds beneath the castle with Exce in tow. The demons were swarming in one corner of the vast training ground. The boisterous crowd hung their heads and moved out of the way when they noticed Nephira''s arrival. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah! Lady Nephira came too?!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "THIS WAY--, Lady Nephira--!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The twin demoness, the Meru-Kiru sisters, waved at her. Nephira joined Kiru and the others. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In the center, surrounded by the other demons, was Suzuki holding a wooden sword. And facing him was a skeleton soldier holding a wooden sword as well. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Eh. Suzuki...?) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Seeing Suzuki, Nephira felt a sense of incongruity. Of course, there was the fact that it had been a long time since shest saw him. But... she couldn''t quite put it into words, but she felt he was much cuter than before. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Ah... So cute...! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa haa... So cute...!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira admired Suzuki''s cuteness for some time but soon shifted her gaze to the skeleton soldier confronting him and wrinkled her brow. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hey. That skeleton is a Bronze-rank soldier, right? Isn''t Suzuki still a Stone-rank soldier?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s true. Apparently, Suzuki himself came forward and volunteered to do it," Kiru said in a concerned tone. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Are you being stubborn because of what I said to youst time? But that doesn''t mean you are unfit, Suzuki...!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> There are several skeleton soldiers in the Thunder-Lance Charge. Their appearances are so simr that it is difficult to tell them apart. Nevertheless, Nephira recognized the skeleton soldier with a crack on his forehead who was confronting Suzuki. His name was Jilfried, as she recalled. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> When he was a human, he was a renowned soldier and master swordsman. He was killed in a great battle in the past, but because of his extraordinary swordsmanship and attachment to life, the Demon Lord brought him back to life as a skeleton soldier. Of course, Jilfried himself has forgotten that such a thing had happened... </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Jilfried walked up to Suzuki. He then made an apologetic expression on his fleshless face. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki. I''ve told you before,d. I can''t go easy on you on a military duel." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ya. It doesn''t matter. Let''s fight each other with all our might." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> And then, a momentter------ they shook hands. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...Pritis'' 48 Gestures--Fourth Gesture, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Hands sping''" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira asked Meru, who was watching the match next to her. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Just now, didn''t Suzuki say something?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Mhm. Is--- Is that so---? ...Ah, more importantly, the duel is about to begin ya know---!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The arbiter, a cat-eared beastman, announced the start of the duel. Both contestants hold up wooden swords. However, something unusual happened soon after the beginning of the match. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Jilfried was shaking while holding the wooden sword. The Meru-Kiru sisters look at each other quizzically. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That fellow, what in hell is he doing? That Jilfried guy." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s like all his momentum from earlier has just flown away, huh---?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira turned her sharp eyes on the duel and muttered. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...It''s the handshake from earlier." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eh? What do you mean, Lady Nephira?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira had not overlooked it. As Suzuki shook hands with Jilfried, he muttered something. That must have been Suzuki''s technique. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "At that point, the battle had already begun. Suzuki''s handshake before the match was a blow to Jilfried''s morale. Furthermore..."</em></em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em></em>

 Chapter 5.2: Awakening (2)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 5.2: Awakening (2)</h4>


    Enjoying the story so far? Share it with you friends and please support us by leaving a review or rating in <em ss="chakra-text css-0">novelupdates, it helps a ton with visibility. You can also join our Patreon and get additional benefits like discord privileges and early ess to chapters. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suzuki approached Jilfried who was trembling with the wooden sword in his hand. And then, </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Pritis'' 48 Gestures--First Gesture, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Upward ce''!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Looking up as if peering from below. Suzuki spoke to Jilfried while staring at him withrge, moist eyes. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Please~ be gentle, with me... Would you~?!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Gnuh...!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Jilfried roared and began to tremble more violently. Nephira, who was watching this series of Suzuki''s actions, was also shaken. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (How, how cute!! And what a lovely thing to see! I feel like wanting to forget about the battle and just want to hug him!) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> If it had been her facing Suzuki instead of Jilfried, she would have thrown away her wooden sword and hugged Suzuki. Then she might have kissed him just like that. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> But Jilfried was different. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh, uohhhhh!!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Jilfried raised his wooden sword above his head and roared to dispel his own tremors and the fluffy warm aura that filled the air around him. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki! You sure are cute! I feel so ufortable that I''m about to duel with you! I feel like I''m in the depths of self-loathing! But!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Jilfried then pointed the tip of his wooden sword at Suzuki. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "For a member of the Thunder-Lance Charge, rank is the most important thing! Second only to life!! I can''t allow myself to lose!!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (That''s Jilfried for you! He''s a first-rate skeleton soldier! But what is this "second only to life"? You''re already dead, you know!?) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> But aside from that, Nephira admired Jilfried''s strong will, which blew away Suzuki''s imminent cuteness. Jilfried, who had stopped shaking, held the wooden sword in his right arm at the uppermost position and his left arm, which was holding nothing, at the mid-level position. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Secret technique! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Skeleton Transformation''!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> As Jilfried shouted, the bone in his left arm made a cracking sound, and it became a long, thin rod. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "He--Hey!! His left arm is now like a wooden sword!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Wait, is that allowed---!? Isn''t that a vition of the rules---!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s his ability. It''s not a vition. Besides, he knows they are not killing each other. As proof, the tip of his left arm isn''t sharpened like a sword." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "But doesn''t that mean Suzuki''s at a disadvantage if his opponent''s a dual-sword style fighter!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> There was no mistake in Kiru''s words. Jilfried was holding a wooden sword in his right arm, and his left arm, which had be like a sword, was crossed with it. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Take this!! Skelede Style, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Bone Disruption Piercing Thrust''!!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A wooden sword on his right and a bone sword on his left. He pointed both swords at Suzuki and delivered blindingly fast thrusts. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Fast!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Jilfried''s sword technique struck with several thrusts in one second. Of course, Nephira''s eyes can see it, but it would be impossible for an ordinary human to see through the stabs. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (S--Stop! Suzuki, is going to get hit!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, the very next instant, Nephira saw an unbelievable sight. Suzuki stood there, unperturbed, exposed to the high-speed thrusts that left afterimages. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Not even a single hit? Are you telling me that Suzuki''s dodging that barrage of attacks?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Tha--That''s not it, Lady Nephira!! Suzuki hasn''t moved a muscle!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What the hell is going on...!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira took another look at Suzuki. And then, she noticed. Not only was he not moving. The wooden sword he was holding was down on the floor. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...Pritis'' 48 Gestures--Twentieth Gesture, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''No Defense''!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (WHAT, is that! It''s not just an opening! How could he dodge high-speed thrusts from such a position...W--Wait! I see! I get it!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> That''s right. Suzuki waspletely defenseless. On the other hand, if Jilfried''s <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Bone Disruption Piercing Thrusts were to strike in such a state, the bones of Suzuki, a human, would be shattered. </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (In other words, Suzuki would be seriously wounded!! Seriously injure Suzuki!? Who in the world, could do such a deplorable thing!!?) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Meru asked Nephira in a loud voice. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lady Nephira---!! What in hell is that---!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s Suzuki''s technique! At first nce, he looks defenseless! And yet, it is the perfect defense!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> An attack that doesn''t hit. However, Jilfried''s <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Bone Disruption Piercing Thrusts continued. </em></em></em></em>


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


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The speed of his hands increased rapidly as his spirit increased. Jilfried''s sword technique, the <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Bone Disruption Piercing Thrust, exceeded human kic vision. However, both swords did not even graze Suzuki''s skin. </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Before long--- </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s impossible...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Jilfried dropped his wooden sword to the ground. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Too cute... for real...! </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> With these words, Nephira understoodpletely. After all, Suzuki was not dodging. Jilfried himself had failed to hit Suzuki. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> All the sword blows that left afterimages were stopped just short of hitting Suzuki or were swinging in the air a few centimeters away from his body. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It is my loss..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Jilfried went to the ground on his knees. It was clearly a signal of forfeiting the duel. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Winner, Suzuki!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The cat-eared arbiter dered, and the surrounding demons were in an uproar. The cheers and jeers soon turned intopliments for Suzuki. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That was awesome, Suzuki!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "From a Stone-rank soldier, you''ve suddenly be a Bronze-rank soldier!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "When the hell did you be so powerful?!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Smiling at the goblin soldiers who were also part of his group, Suzuki slowly walked over to Nephira.</em></em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em></em>

 Chapter 5.3: Awakening (3)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 5.3: Awakening (3)</h4>


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    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Smiling at the goblin soldiers who were also part of his group, Suzuki slowly walked over to Nephira. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Nephira." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In front of the gathered demons, Nephira forced away her happy expression and put on a scowl. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m sorry I ran away so abruptly and didn''t call you until now." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hm. Nephira snorted, but inwardly she was relieved. It seemed that Suzuki was no longer angry with her. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Ah--- I''m so d!) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Let''s leave it at that. Anyway, the military duel was splendid. From today onwards, you are a Bronze-rank soldier, two ranks above a Stone-rank soldier. Once again, you will be granted permission to have ves. I will also give you a small territory of your own." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Thank you," Suzuki answered and smiled happily. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> . </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> While Nephira was staring at him, thinking how cute he was and how she wanted to kiss him, Exce walked up to them. She bent her hips in front of Suzuki and bowed her head politely. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m Exce. From today, I will serve you, Lord Hero, as your ve." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Y--You don''t have to be so formal! Or rather, instead of master-ve, let''s be friends, you and me!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> And then they bothughed together. While watching that scene, Nephira was suddenly enveloped in a feeling of loneliness. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Ugh, Suzuki...! Are you going to leave me just like this...?) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, Suzuki told Nephira with a smile on his face. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m going out for a bit now! I''ll be back at the castle for dinner." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Huun? Are you,ing back to the castle?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m Nephira''s familiar, right? I''m supposed to be around as much as possible." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I--I see! That''s RIGHT! You are, my familiar!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ufufu! That''s right, that''s how it is---! Suzuki is my familiar---! We don''t have to separate just because he received territory, right?! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ufufufu!) </em></em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> While Nephira''s head was a field of flowers from joy, Suzuki and Exce had left the training ground together. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ¡ó¡ó¡ó¡ó¡ó </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Um... Lord Hero. Where are we going?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "There is someone I want you to meet, Exce!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi held Exce''s hand as he walked happily through the town. His destination was Leelou''s cabin on the outskirts of town. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Pritis, impressive! Actually, Master Leelou is even more amazing for thinking of such techniques!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> During his training, Leelou was very strict with Takashi. He could hardly remember her praising him. However, Takashi became a Bronze-rank soldier and gained territory. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Imagining his master''s smiling face while saying, "Well done!", Takashi arrived at the mountain cabin. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Master!! I, did it!! Thanks to Pritis, I won a duel!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He opened the door and shouted, but the cabin was empty, like a haunted ce. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Master...?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He thought she might be out shopping, but he soon realized something was wrong. The bookshelves were empty. The nkets and other things were missing. It didn''t have a lived-in feeling; it was as if she had moved out of the house. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi soon noticed that a letter and the scroll of Pritis had been ced on the table, the same table where Leelou used to read her books. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi took the letter in his hands. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Hey, Suzuki! It seemed that Serphiano, the Demon Lord''s Army Chief Advisor, had noticed my presence with her third eye. I will leave this country before Serphianoes back to Leirune again. I bid you farewell."</strong> </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "N--No way! Master...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi''s hand trembled as he held the letter. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"I''m going to tell you the truth. There are other reasons for our parting. I thought it would not be good for either of us if we stayed together. I am human. Your ability does not work on me. Yet it is strange. As I stood by your side, I grew to love you more and more as I watched you work so hard. It is not proper for a master to be charmed by her pupil.</strong> </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"If you have charmed even me, a human, then surely you can save the world with your cuteness. Polish up your techniques even more. Let us work together under the same sky to create a new world. We may be far apart, but our feelings are the same."</strong> </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The letter ended there. Next to Exce, who was looking at him with concern, Takashi clutched the letter in his hand. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Master <em ss="chakra-text css-0">whaaaaaaaaaaaaa--!!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Then, Takashi hugged the letter and wept inconsbly. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (I... never thanked my master even once! I made fun of the Pritis she created for my sake! And yet... I can''t believe we''re parting ways like this!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...After letting him cry for a while, Exce spoke to Takashi in a gentle voice. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lord Hero. You achieved your earlier victory thanks to this person, correct...?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ya. That''s right. It was all thanks to Master Leelou." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> At that moment, Exce put her hand over her mouth as if she had just realized something. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "If I may ask, is that master a peach-haired person?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Do you know her!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "With peach-colored hair, named Leelou. If so, it must be her. I heard that she was killed in battle at the hands of the Demon Lord''s army during the Great War but... she is still alive, isn''t she...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce was so moved that she burst into tears. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Exce. Who in the world is Master...?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lord Hero''s mentor is the greatest mind among humans------ Former Grand Tactician of the Imperial Army, Lady Leelou Dimension. No doubt." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Former Grand Tactician of the Imperial Army...?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "During the Great War, we used to say things like *''Demon Lord''s Army has Serphiano, but the Imperial Army has Leelou'' *to lift our spirits. The Demon Lord''s Army had an overwhelming disparity in military strength over the Imperial Army, not to mention the difference in individual abilities. But even so, we were able to hold out for several years because of the presence of that one person." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce wiped her tears with her finger and smiled. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It seems that Lady Grand Tactician is also working to save the world. If you continue aspiring to save the world, Lord Hero, I''m sure you''ll meet her again at some point." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I see...?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi recalled what was written in the letter. That''s right. He is not alone. His master is fighting for world peace in a different ce, using all her wisdom. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Then, someday! Just like Exce said, I''ll meet you, Master!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> By then, He''ll have be a splendid Hero worthy of the title---Takashi was determined to do so.</em></em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em></em>

 Chapter 5.4: Awakening (4)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 5.4: Awakening (4)</h4>


    Enjoying the story so far? Share it with you friends and please support us by leaving a review or rating in <em ss="chakra-text css-0">novelupdates, it helps a ton with visibility. You can also join our Patreon and get additional benefits like discord privileges and early ess to chapters. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Just as Leelou''s letter for Takashi had said, Serphiano, the Demon Lord''s Chief Advisor, paid a visit to Leirune shortly after noon that day. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi had attended the meeting between Serphiano and Nephira as her familiar. Because the Thunder-Lance Charge had killed the king and conquered Leirune with lightning speed and swiftness, the reception hall of Syness Castle was still furnished with priceless artwork and furnishings as they were in their original glory. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Around a long, horizontal table sat Serphiano, Nephira, Takashi, and the twin demons, the Meru-Kiru sisters. Nephira addressed Serphiano, who was seated directly in front of her. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The time was very sudden. If you had let us know in advance, we would dly have made arrangements to wee you." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> All three of Serphiano''s eyes turned to Nephira. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "As a matter of fact, my third eye had detected a disturbing presence. The shadow of a human other than Suzuki moving in the midst of the Thunder-Lance Charge...." </em>


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


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The air around Nephira became tense at once. Takashi was inwardly worried, thinking that this must be about his master. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Therefore, I visited without prior notice. However, by the time I arrived here in Leirune, the unsettling presence had already vanished." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> At the same time, Takashi was relieved and amazed at Leelou''s skillful execution. How in the world had she detected the arrival of Serphiano, who possessed irvoyant Eye, when she imed that her only skill was the ability to transform? </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (I don''t understand it, but Master Leelou is really amazing!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Serphiano let out a small exhale with a <em ss="chakra-text css-0">fuu and sipped the cup of tea in front of her. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Perhaps it was just my imagination. It is not humanly possible to instantly disappear from Leirune upon realizing that I''ve been watching with my third eye. However... If there is a person who can do such a thing..." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Below her eyebrows, Serphiano''s eyes sharpen sharply. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...Former Imperial Strategist, Leelou Dimension" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Impossible! She should have died in thest great war!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "My intuition can''t help but feel that she is still alive out there somewhere." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> While listening to Serphiano and Nephira''s conversation, Takashi swallowed hard. She is the most intelligent person in the Demon Lord''s army. She is aware of Master Leelou''s survival. Takashi realized once again that Serphiano was no ordinary woman. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The empire has fallen. But the remnants of the Imperial Army are still scattered all over the world. The world is almost in the Demon Lord''s hands, but we cannot be toocent." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Serphiano drank her tea. When the conversation came to a close, they took a short break, and Kiru spoke to Takashi in a loud voice. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Come to think of it, Suzuki! What happened to that conversation? The matter of those human ves!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah. I''m supposed to have a face-to-face meeting right after this." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s amazing, isn''t it? You have five ves all of a sudden!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suddenly, the ce went quiet. Her sister Meru elbowed Kiru. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "H--Hey Elder Sister---! Don''t talk about that right now---!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah..." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kiru suddenly noticed and gave an embarrassed expression. Although Takashi had be a Bronze-rank soldier, he could normally only hold a maximum of three ves at his rank. However, Takashi wanted to save as many ves as possible. So he asked Nephira to allow him a special limit of five ves. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi nervously looked at Serphiano. After returning the tea to the te, Serphiano firmly stated. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The rules are only meaningful if they are strictly enforced. That''s how disorder begins in a corps unit!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Y--Yes, that''s right! My bad, Suzuki! As expected, you can only have three ves!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Hearing Nephira''s words, Takashi was disappointed. However, suddenly Serphiano blew out the tea she was drinking from her nose and mouth with a <em ss="chakra-text css-0">"buh-buh". </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Da--Dame Serphiano?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Everyone looked at Serphiano, tea dripping from her face. Serphiano then wiped her face with a napkin and smiled beautifully. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Even so, it is fine if it is Suzuki! He is so cute!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (I--I''m d. It was a bit risky, though) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Depending on one''s perspective, the presence of Serphiano, the Chief Advisor of the Demon Lord''s Army, might be a chance for Takashi to make his various requests known. Takashi hesitantly asked Serphiano for help. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eh-uhm. I''d also like to have asrge a territory as possible... Can I?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki! That''s a bit presumptuous of you!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira rebuked him. But after that, both Nephira and Takashi silently looked for Serphiano''s reaction. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What Nephira said is right! The territory should be within the limits set by the rules of the corps." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suddenly, Serphiano began to tremble and mutter iprehensible words. And then, her eyes peeled back. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Dame Serphiano!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> But as soon as Nephira shouted, Serphiano changed her mind and smiled gracefully. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Arge territory is fine. Because Suzuki is so cute!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (All right! This might be a good idea!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> If Serphiano, the Chief Advisor, approves it, surely no one willin. Takashi took the initiative and attacked. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ma--Maybe you could do something like,pletely freeing all the ves...!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> This caused not only Nephira but also the Meru-Kiru sisters to turn pale. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I--Idiot! Suzuki!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Th--That''s absurd, no matter how you look at it---!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh. It''s outrageous!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> But for the time being, everyone stared at Serphiano and waited for her reaction. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Yes. That''s right. If the adorable Suzuki says so, then let''s take the plunge and free all the vvvvvv, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">ofwashaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suddenly, Serphiano was bleeding like a fountain from her nose, ears, and mouth. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uwhaaaa!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi shouted in horror at the sudden slush of blood. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Dame Serphianoooo!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira also shouted. Serphiano nted her face on the table, twitching and spasming. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Serphiano''s "inner rationale for maintaining discipline and her desire to give me special treatment" are at odds with each other! So--Something seems to be wrong! I think I should stop!)</em></em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em></em>

 Chapter 5.5: Awakening (5)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 5.5: Awakening (5)</h4>


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    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After Serphiano left, Nephira brought Takashi along a country road away from the center of town. The area they passed through slowly began to be covered with crop fields and rice paddies. Soon, they saw arge Western-style house at the end of the road. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Turning to Takashi, Nephira said, "I heard it used to be owned by a prominent aristocrat." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Th--This is my home!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi was impressed by the magnificent exterior. Frankly, he never thought he would someday own such arge house. It even had a garden and a pond with fish swimming in it. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s smallpared to Syness Castle, but I guess it''s enough to amodate five or six people." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Yes, yes! It''s the BEST!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Excitedly, he ran and opened therge double doors. Carpets lined the entrance hall, and arge chandelier was overhead. It looked like the entrance to a first-ss hotel. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Amazing! The inside is so beautiful!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Just like the castle, it hasn''t been vandalized." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi went up the stairs to the second floor, where five doors lined the corridor. Takashi checked each room one by one. All the rooms were fully furnished with bedding and other amenities. In particr, the room at the end of the corridor even had a wide and massive bed. Takashi jumped into the bed to try it out. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Feathers? It''s soft and fluffy! Hmmmm! I think I''m going to make this my room!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> While he was mulling about this, Nephira was watching from the other side of the door. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Let me tell you a funny story. The ce where this house''s master was in by soldiers of the Thunder-Lance Charge... It''s the bed you''re currently lying in." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, wait!? You can''t say something like that!! That''s not funny at all!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> If you thought about it, the avability of the mansion meant that the people who originally lived there had suffered some misfortune. Feeling ashamed of his excitement, Takashi turned his head toward the bed and pped his hands together. In any case, he would probably make his room a different one... </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After exploring the mansion for a while, he heard the sound of the door knockering from the main doors. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> As he went down the entrance, he saw Exce and Orneo, together with two strangers, a man and a woman, standing behind them. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Master Suzuki. From today onwards, we will be in your care." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce and Orneo bowed deeply to Takashi and introduced themselves once again. The two people in the back also bowed down to Takashi. Both of them must have been in their early twenties. The man had short blonde hair. The woman had waist-length blonde hair. They both had refined eyes and noses. However, they looked somewhat tired, and their bodies were thin. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "M-Master, I--I am Allen. This, here, is my wife, Kate. And... this is our daughter, rice." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kate was holding a newborn baby in her arms. With the presence of Nephira, themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge, Allen and Kate''s faces were tense. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira announced to the five of them in an imposing voice. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "As a conclusion of our discussions, you are now all ves of Suzuki. Listen to what your master says." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira then took a look at Takashi. Takashi nodded to Nephira and stepped forward. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "All right, everyone. From today on, you will work as ves. Those who don''t listen to me will be severely punished." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Allen and Kate shivered. Nephira, who had her arms crossed, nodded her head in agreement. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh. Suzuki. Very master-like." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Because I''m now a Thunder-Lance Charge soldier, you know. I must keep these ves in line." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s impressive." Wearing a look of relief, Nephira turned on her heel and said, "Well then, I have some business to attend to, so I shall return to the castle." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Nephira. See youter." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira left, and the door of the mansion closed. Then, Takashi''s stiff face rxed, and he smiled at Allen and the others. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m sorry about before! In front of Nephira, I thought I''d try to act the part." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The husband and wife couple were perplexed. Takashi spoke with a smile on his face. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Just do the basic things like housework, cooking, etc., ya know. The rest of the time, I want you to be free to live as you please." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi approached rice, the daughter that Kate was holding. Takashi held rice''s tiny hand. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I don''t know much about babies, but if there is anything I can do, please let me know. Also, if you get tangled up with a demon in town, tell them, ''I''m Suzuki''s ve.'' They probably will stop bothering you! </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ha--Huh..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi smiled again at the dumbfounded couple. Orneo walked up to Takashi. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "So, Lord Hero. How did your meeting with Serphiano go?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He let them in, and then at the table in the hallway, Takashi told Orneo and Exce about the previous meeting. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...Hu-huh, Hu-huh. So, well, then. I think that was the right ce to pull out." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eh, that''s right, you know. If we push too hard, Serphiano maye to her senses and try to execute Lord Hero?this time again." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Th--That would be a problem...!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce talked with a finger on her chin. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Even if Serphiano, alone, were to change her way of thinking, it would be difficult to achieve peace. A sudden order to abolish very could cause a riot among the demons." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Orneo rubbed his white beard as he heard Exce''s words. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "As expected, it would be unreasonable. It''s best to take it easy and slowly fill the moat." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I agree. First, let''s expand our free territory here in Leirune." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "So, should I work harder to move up the ranks?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "If you do, it would increase the number of ves you could own and the territory you could hold. However, won''t the higher the rank, the greater the risk that Lord Hero will end up being sent to war?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What Orneo said is correct. I think it''s best to err on the side of caution." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> As he talked with both of them, Takashi was impressed. Exce was intelligent, and her retainer Orneo was also very knowledgeable. These two people could provide Takashi with insights he couldn''t have thought of on his own. Exce was also the one who rmended the Allens, who had a young baby, to be included in Takashi''s first group of ves.</em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em>

 Chapter 5.6: Awakening (6)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 5.6: Awakening (6)</h4>


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    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> As Takashi and his colleagues were talking enthusiastically, Allen unexpectedly approached the table. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh, Uhm..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hmm?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I was listening to the conversation on the side... and, in other words... Are you people trying to save the world...?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Yeah. Well..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi scratched his cheek with a troubled expression. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "If I were strong, I could help you right away, but... I''m, weak. But I intend to make this ce a better ce to live. So, I''ll be looking at the long term and... huh, WHAA!?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suddenly, Allen held Takashi''s hands with tears streaming down his face. He cried while his voice trembled. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "When Leirune was conquered, we thought the world was over and resigned ourselves! But the heavens have not abandoned us!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> His wife, Kate, also shed tears as she kneeled before Takashi. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah! Lord Hero, thank you so very much!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, don''t be so dramatic!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kate then looked down at the little rice. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It doesn''t matter how many years it takes. If one day, there is a world where this child can live happily, then..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi felt his heart tighten at the thought of Kate''s love for her child. Takashi stared at rice''s innocent sleeping face and swore in his heart. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Someday, for sure, I''ll make the world a ce where people can live happily ever after.) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ¡ó???????? ¡ó???????? ¡ó???????? ¡ó???????? ¡ó </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The open market downtown from the Syness Castle. While Exce was amongst the demons shopping for ingredients for supper, an orc barged into the line. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Get out of the way, woman. I''ll go first." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "U--Uhm..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Behind the bewildered Exce''s back, a golem lets out a thick, muffled sound. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Stop it. Thisd is Suzuki''s ve." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eh. Is that so? About this, my bad." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The orc quietly got in line behind Exce. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...Returning from the market. With a shopping bag in hand, Exce was convinced. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Thanks to Lord Hero, this town is changing more and more for the better! If things continue as they are, there will be peace in the world!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> One week had passed since Exce and the rest had started living in Suzuki''s mansion. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suzuki brought them all the money they needed for their daily life. Thanks to Suzuki''s generosity, the Exce and the rest were able to live a life without any inconvenience. Both Allen and Kate must have started getting used to living there. They showed more smiles on their faces. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After preparing dinner, Kate said while soothing rice. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lady Exce. Is it all right that, we alone, are allowed this happiness?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lord Hero is nning to free all the people of the town from very. More and more people will be happy from now on!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kate smiled gently.------it was then, that a sound like something breaking could be heard from the garden. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Allen dear. I wonder if he knocked over a flowerpot or something." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kate ran to the front door, looking worried. Exce followed her. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The moment she stepped out the front door, she tensed. A snake-headed fiend was standing in front of Allen. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "When I told him that Master Suzuki wasn''t here, this man took a flowerpot from the garden and..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Allen spoke with a tense look on his face. The snake-headed fiend had an aura of evil different from the demons and fiends that Exce encountered in the town. The snake-headed fiend looked over at Exce and the others as if scrutinizing them. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "On-- Tw-- Thre... The old geezer''s here, too. Damn. How many ssves are in here! For an Iron-rank soldier, how dare he!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce tried to keep her voice as cheerful as possible while trying to encourage herself. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Master Suzuki is currently, away visiting Syness Castle. What can we do for you?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m-- ssstarving." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Is that so? If you would like, please join us for dinner---" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah, no. Doing that would be bad. That''s why, Give me that!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The fiend''s vertical pupils were focused on rice, who was sleeping in Kate''s arms. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That little baby. Feed it to me." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No... you must be jest---" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I did not sssaid it as a joke!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The snake-headed fiend tried to walk up to Kate. Allen stood in his way. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "W--We are Master Suzuki''s ves!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ssso what of it!? I''m Gharaga, a Thunder-Lance Charge Silver-Rank Soldier. I outrank that chum." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga tried to extend his sharp-wed hands toward rice in Kate''s arms. Allen grabbed his arm. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Don''t touch my child!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Human. You ssscum are the one who ssshouldn''t be touching me with your filthy hands!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga swung his other arm, the one that Allen hadn''t grabbed. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Die, Out of my way. You ssshit." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In the next instant, Allen''s head separated from his torso, sttering great amounts of fresh blood. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ... </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Thud. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The sound of Allen''s head hitting the ground awakened Exce from her dream-like thoughts. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> And she remembered. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> She was living in a savage world ruled by demons without mercy orpassion.</em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em>

 Chapter 6.1: The One And Only Special Technique (1)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 6.1: The One And Only Special Technique (1)</h4>


    Enjoying the story so far? Share it with you friends and please support us by leaving a review or rating in <em ss="chakra-text css-0">novelupdates, it helps a ton with visibility. You can also join our Patreon and get additional benefits like discord privileges and early ess to chapters. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Having witnessed her husband ughtered, Kate fell to her knees, shaking as she held rice in her arms. Just like the day Syness Castle got conquered by the Thunder-Lance Charge---the things she took for granted in everyday life suddenly disappeared. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> But then Exce stood with arms outstretched in front of Kate, who was holding rice while almost crushed by despair. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Your Highness!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Orneo rushed to her side with haste. Exce''s voice was filled with strength, knowing she couldn''t afford to lose to the vicious snake monster, even if only in terms of spirit. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Gharaga! Did you note here to meet Master Suzuki?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s right! Suzuki... That fucking brat." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> When he heard the hero''s name spoken by Exce, Gharaga''s serpentine eyes narrowed in disgust. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The Thunder-Lance Charge soldiers have been a little too happy to see that little shit. Even Nephira is doing whatever she wants. Why would a human want to join the Thunder-Lance Charge in the first ce? It''s crazy, right?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga stretched his snake-like neck---ring at therge mansion---and spat on the ground. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "A disproportionate number of ssves in a disproportionate estate. What a joke. I''m here to teach him a lesson about the real world." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce felt a roar in her mind. Gharaga''s thoughts were inherently natural for a demon. The fact that a human got epted by demons was truly ridiculous. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (But! Why doesn''t the power of Lord Hero work on Gharaga?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce couldn''t understand. However, it was no use thinking about it now. What she needed to do was to protect Kate and rice. Exce kept her arms outstretched and red at Gharaga. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suddenly, Gharaga''s figure disappeared from her vision. Hearing Kate''s scream, Exce turned around. Gharaga had taken rice from Kate and held her up with one hand. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (N--No way! I couldn''t see his movement at all! This is an Adamantine-rank soldier of the Thunder-Lance Charge!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Seeming to be in a lot of pain with Gharaga holding her by the back of her underwear, rice started crying loudly. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Please don''t do it! I have heard that eating human babies is against corps regtions!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You know your way around. I remember thest time they cut out my tongue and put me in jail. It took a while to regenerate." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "T--That''s why!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Well... but, I''ll think about it after I eat." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kate, who had lost her child, screamed and tried to run toward Gharaga. Orneo held Kate from behind. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You can''t go! He''ll kill you! Just a tad more! Lord Hero will return soon! Until then, bear with it!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Just a tad more...? Could it be?!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce looked beyond Orneo''s line of sight. Across from the garden gate. She saw Suzuki walking toward the vi. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lord Herooo!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Perhaps he heard Exce''s cry. Or perhaps he saw the current spectacle. Suzuki dropped the bag of fruit he was carrying to the ground. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga also seemed to notice Suzuki in the distance. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Did hee back? Then let''s have the baby before he gets here." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce thought it was a miracle that Suzuki had returned at such an opportune time. But Suzuki was more than fifty meters away. No matter how fast he ran, he would never make it here before rice got eaten by Gharaga. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga happily held up the crying rice with one hand. Gharaga''s mouth opens wide, with drool dripping down through his fangs. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Please! Lord Hero!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce sped her hands together as if in prayer and closed her eyes. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What in tarnation..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> At the sound of Gharaga''s deadpan voice, Exce slowly opened her eyes. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lo--Lord Hero...?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce expected the hero toe running at full speed with a determined expression on his face. But even at a time like this, the hero was hopping around on one leg, alternately shuffling his feet. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (S--Skipping? He''s skipping happily!! What a thing to do at this critical moment!!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ke-ke-ke. What the hell. What a stupid gait!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharagaughed at Suzuki, but he continued skipping. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Is he for real?!! Allen is dead, and now rice might, too!!) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What kind of a hero is that? He is making meugh." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (With all due respect, that''s what I think too!! Lord Hero!! Please hurry!!) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Even rice, who was being held up, noticed Suzuki andughed, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kya-ha-ha. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Even the baby isughing at him! Moron hero!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Enough is enough, Lord Hero!! I''m starting to get angry!! I really feel like punching you in the face!!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> At the hero''s skipping, Exce shook her fist. What on earth is he thinking?! I really want to punch him in the face! Not a p, but if possible, a punch! </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> But before she knew it, the hero had arrived before Gharaga. The hero nimbly took rice, who was being held by Gharaga, within his arms. The hero, holding rice, who was enjoying herself with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">kya-kya", then spoke. </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Pritis'' 48 Gestures---Thirtieth Gesture, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Light Hop Gait''."</em></em></em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em></em>

 Chapter 6.2: The One And Only Special Technique (2)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 6.2: The One And Only Special Technique (2)</h4>


    "...Ah?"


    Gharaga''s narrow pupils widened as he realized that Suzuki was holding the baby, rice, whom he was about to eat. Exce was surprised as well.


    (H--He made it in time...!? From that distance!! And he got rice back unharmed!!)


    Exce was ashamed of herself for wanting to "punch him in the face" for even a moment.


    The hero nced at the headless Allen, lying on the ground far away from him, and showed a sad expression. After he handed rice to Kate, his expression drastically changed as he red at Gharaga.


    "Why did you kill Allen...?"


    "That filth grabbed me out of nowhere! That''s why I punished him."


    "Allen was my ve!"


    "What if he was?"


    The hero grabbed Gharaga by the chest. Exce had never seen the hero so furious.


    "If you''re mad at me, take it out on ME!"


    "Get off me, you fucking brat. I hate being touched by humansss..."


    Gharaga raised one hand in the air, just as he did when he killed Allen.


    "Lord Hero!!"


    Exce shouted involuntarily. However, Gharaga clicked his tongue and slowly lowered his raised arm.


    "I''d like to kill you right now, but if I kill you, I''ll probably end up worse than in jail."


    Gharaga''s golden pupils sparkled suspiciously.


    "A Military Duel."


    When Exce saw Gharaga grinning, she gasped for breath. Perhaps this is what Gharaga was after. If he killed the hero, who was favored by Nephira, in the worst-case scenario, he could be executed in return.


    However, if it was due to an ident during a military duel, he would not be charged with anything. Gharaga was trying to legally kill the hero. That was why he killed Allen and had the hero form a grudge against himself.


    (He may look like a psycho, but he''s smart! If this continues, the hero will be forced to y into Gharaga''s ploy!)


    However, ignoring Exce''s concern, Suzuki kept his eyes fixed on Gharaga and nodded his head.


    "I understand. I ept the duel."


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ke-ke-ke. Tomorrow at noon. At the training grounds." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharagaughed in satisfaction and extended his long-wed index finger to the hero''s face. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ow--..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suddenly, the hero''s face contorted. A trickle of blood dripped from his cheek. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m looking forward to it." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga licked the w covered in the hero''s blood with his slender tongue and walked away. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Walking from Suzuki''s vi to a deserted back alley of the town, Gharaga ced his hand against a brick wall. He was a little out of breath from excitement. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (That lowly human dares...!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The baby he was about to eat easily got taken from him without notice. But more importantly. When he was about to hurt Suzuki, Gharaga realized the true power of the hero. That sensation------it was simr to smashing a piece of pottery that you''ve been carefully polishing every single morning and evening for years onto the floor and shattering it. It was unbearable for normal nerves. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> And yet, Gharaga had hurt Suzuki. He could hurt him. That''s right! I can do what no other demon cannot do! </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Recalling the red blood from Suzuki that he had licked earlier. An indescribable sweetness spread throughout his mouth. </em>


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


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharagaughed loudly. When was thest time it happened? When was thest time he tasted something that he could truly appreciate from the bottom of his heart? Twenty years ago... No.... </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (It''s been 30 years.) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> One day 30 years ago, Gharaga began to feel a constant salty taste in his mouth that made him want to throw up. Even after rinsing his mouth, he was left with the salty taste, as if his oral cavity had been dumped with seawater. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The symptoms, which did not improve no matter what he did, only eased when he ate a human. The reason Gharaga joined the Thunder-Lance Charge, a special attack unit under the directmand of the Demon Lord''s Army, was because he would have more opportunities to eat humans at the front lines. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> When he heard that virgins'' meat was delicious, he snatched it up and ate it. When he heard rumors that babies were delicious, he devoured human babies. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, a few moments after eating, Gharaga''s mouth would soon be filled with the salty taste that made him want to throw up again. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...However. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga breathed heavily in the back alley. The sweetness of Suzuki''s blood still lingered in his mouth. It was only a few drops, yet itsted for so long. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (If, I kill that bastard, and eat his flesh...) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga was convinced. His sense of taste would return to normal. No, not just that. If he killed Suzuki, he would reach a new height as a fiend.</em></em><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> </em></em>

 Chapter 6.3: The One And Only Special Technique (3)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 6.3: The One And Only Special Technique (3)</h4>


    Takashi and Orneo built a grave for Allen in the garden. Of course, it was only a simple gesture, but they couldn''t leave Allen''s body where it was, at least for Kate''s sake.


    When Takashi returned to the vi, he found Exce by the table in the entryway with a tired look on her face.


    "Exce. What about Kate?"


    .


    "She''s in her room soothing rice. I think she''s calmed down a little..."


    "I see," Takashi nodded.


    Exce gazed at him and murmured, "Are you really, going to fight Gharaga tomorrow?"


    "Yeah."


    "I''m against it. That guy is different from ordinary demons. Because Lord Hero''s power does not affect him."


    Orneo looked at Takashi with a wrinkled brow. He was looking at the wound on his cheek inflicted by Gharaga earlier. He advised.


    "It''s not toote to reconsider. Let''s inform Nephira and call off the duel--"


    "I''ll duel him!" Takashi interrupted Orneo, causing the two to stare at him. "My power isn''tpletely useless. A little while ago, I was able to get rice back."


    Takashi could not forgive Gharaga. While burying Allen, that feeling became even stronger. Orneo told him that Allen had taken his advice and told Gharaga that he was Suzuki''s ve. And yet, Allen had been killed.


    "I will definitely defeat Gharaga!"


    "I understand how you feel. But there are humans and demons with broken brains. Gharaga is exactly like that. You shouldn''t fight him. Lord Hero''s power will be necessary for the future salvation of this world."


    Takashi also understood Gharaga''s abnormality. Takashi''s legs trembled when his cheek got scratched. As Master Leelou had said, if he wanted to, Gharaga could kill him. Nevertheless...


    "I will fight! This is a battle between Gharaga''s ferocity and my cuteness!"


    After saying this, Takashi wondered if he had said something strange about the bout. He noticed that Exce''s eyes were on him.


    "Not long ago, Lord Hero skipped all the way to the vi, didn''t you?"


    "Ah, yeah"


    "Allen just got killed, and when rice was about to be killed as well, I couldn''t believe you were skipping. It looked insane. Frankly, I thought of punching you in the face."


    "I see... No, wait a minute! Did you really think that, Exce?"


    "Yes. If rice had died due to that, I was going to wallop Lord Hero in the face."


    "Moreover, wallop...!"


    Takashi was shocked. As expected, from a human''s point of view, they will think, "What is he doing? Gross!"


    It was sad. He was trying. It had been his very best.


    Then Exce smiled at him.


    "But as a result, rice was saved. A swordmaster or a grand sorcerer couldn''t have saved rice under such circumstances. In this world, there is only Lord Hero."


    Then, Exce sped Takashi''s hand with both of her hands.


    "I believe in you! In Lord Hero''s power!"


    Takashi nodded broadly to Exce. Maintaining the smile on her face, she put her hand on her bosom, took out a flower, and offered it to him.


    "What''s this?"


    "It''s a flower from the garden. Please put it in your hair if you would like. I hope it adds a little bit of cuteness."


    Takashi did as he was told. He put the flower in his hair, then turned to Orneo and asked, "How is it?"


    "Eh. No, well, that... I think it is cute..."


    "N--Not so good, right? Let''s not!" The princess pouted at Orneo''s reaction.


    "Or rather, Your Highness. I don''t think that is what cuteness is all about."


    "Is that so...? I apologize..."


    "N--No! I could understand your feelings!! Thank you, Exce!"


    Although he removed the flower from his hair, Takashi still felt encouraged by her.


    ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô


    One day, 30 years ago, Gharaga met a girl in the forest.


    "Mr. Snake, Mr. Snake! You have such a cool face, you know!"


    The little girl, not even half Gharaga''s height, looked up at him and said such things.


    Humans feared and abhorred the basilisk race Gharaga was part of. And Gharaga himself was taught from an early age by his parents that humans were ves or food.


    And yet.


    "I am Mimi! Nice to meet you, you know!"


    The girl was not afraid of Gharaga and even smiled at him.


    He thought about eating her, but the sight of the small, skinny Mimi made him lose his appetite.


    Mimi took the liberty of telling him her personal story, even though Gharaga had not asked her about it. She had been living with her grandfather in a cabin in the forest, but he had died of an illness about a month ago.


    "That''s why Mimi, you know, was VERY lonely! But! I''m so d I met Gharaga!"


    "...I don''t get what you mean!"


    Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing.

 Chapter 6.4: The One and Only Special Technique (4)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 6.4: The One and Only Special Technique (4)</h4>


    Whenever he went hunting for beasts in the forest, he always met Mimi.


    "Gharaga! You''re looking good again today, you know!"


    "You''re being TOO familiar! Don''t talk to me, human."


    "Good Morning, Gharaga! Spring is warm and fluffy, you know!"


    "Shut up. I''ll eat you."


    "G-Good evening, Gharaga! It''s snowing t-today. It''s cold, you know."


    "I don''t care, idiot."


    Gharaga was unfriendly, and no one, not even humans or demons, was willing to talk to him.


    ...No one except for Mimi.


    As he spent time with Mimi, Gharaga''s way of thinking began to change. He was taught that humans'' value was nothing more than ves or food. However, he did not feel bad when he was with Mimi. He did not dislike seeing Mimi''s delighted face when he picked fruit from tall trees.


    However, his parents were worried about him.


    "Gharaga. It seems you''ve been ying with humans in the forest, haven''t you?"


    "You shouldn''t y with food!"


    Despite their repeated admonitions, Gharaga didn''t care. Seeing Mimi in the forest had somehow be a source of pleasure for him.


    One day, however, Gharaga''s parents stopped saying anything about Mimi. And Gharaga no longer saw Mimi in the forest.


    A short timeter, Gharaga found Mimi''s torn clothes in the kitchen of their house. Holding Mimi''s clothes, Gharaga inquired with his parents.


    "Ah. That was supper five days ago!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ha-ha-ha. Gharaga. You ate it like it was a delicacy." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> His parents'' words did note as much of a surprise. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0">(Ah, I see. The meat from that time. The meat that I thought had a different texture from that of animals.) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Ridiculous. No wonder he could not find her when he searched around. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0">(Ke-ke-ke. Because I was the one who ate her. She couldn''t be found because I already ate her. No matter how hard I searched, there was no way I could find her. Ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke.) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> But what on earth exactly did Mimi taste like? He couldn''t remember much. As he tried to remember, his mouth felt salty, as if it was flooding with seawater, and he vomited violently. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...Years have passed since then. However, Gharaga could never get used to the unpleasant taste that chafed the mucous membranes of his tongue. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In the morning, as soon as he woke up, Gharaga vomited the contents of his stomach into a bucket. It had always been like that. The saltiness was especially strong upon waking up. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Wiping his mouth with his arm, Gharaga grinned while breathing heavily. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (I''m going to get rid of this shitty disease today! If I kill Suzuki, everything will change!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...... </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> When Gharaga arrived at the training grounds, he found the ce crammed with hordes of demons. It seemed that they all knew that Suzuki would be participating in a military duel. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Even those who don''t usuallye to the training grounds because they seem to hate training. Could it be that he''s rallying all the members of the Thunder-Lance Charge?) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The junior soldiers were looking at Gharaga from afar and whispering secretly with each other. When Gharaga looked at them, they quickly looked away. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In contrast to Gharaga''s usual unapproachable self, Suzuki was surrounded by a group of demons with worried expressions on their faces. There was even Nephira and the top-brass Meru-Kiru Sisters. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s dangerous, you know, Suzuki!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You shouldn''t do this!---" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> . </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Meru, Kiru. Thank you. But this is how I''ll settle it with Gharaga." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ke-ke-ke. That''s a very bold statement.) </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, the Meru-Kiru sisters seemed to really want Suzuki to call off the duel. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki! I know! Your ve was murdered, right!? That''s why I found you another ve!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kiru pushed a middle-aged man with arge mole on his face in front of Suzuki. The man bowed his head. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">He-he-. My liege. I''ll be in your care!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, you see... That''s not what this is about, Kiru." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Meruughed as she kicked away the middle-aged man that Kiru had brought with her. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You don''t understand---, My Elder Sister---! Because Suzuki is a boy! Of course, it''s better if he is fixed with a woman, isn''t it?---!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Meru presented a voluptuous, erotic woman withrge breasts in front of Suzuki. The woman gazed at Suzuki with eyes like a dead fish. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "From now on, please use me as your sex ve, Lord Suzuki..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Like I said, that''s NOT what this is about!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In front of the angry Suzuki, Nephira, themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge, smiled confidently. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You fools. You don''t understand how Suzuki feels. Can''t you see? Suzuki''s ve, Allen, is dead. You have to consider that." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira then presented a very young boy to Suzuki. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "This is Eren. His name is simr to Allen''s, isn''t it? You are satisfied now, right? Suzuki. Now you can call off the duel." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, I''m not satisfied at all!? You don''t know how I feel about any of this, do you!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suzuki raised his voice as if he couldn''t stand it any longer. Then he noticed Gharagaughing at him with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">ke-ke-ke," and gave him a scowling look. </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em></em>


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

 Chapter 6.5: The One And Only Special Technique (5)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 6.5: The One And Only Special Technique (5)</h4>


    Suzuki raised his voice as if he couldn''t stand it any longer. Then he noticed Gharagaughing at him with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">ke-ke-ke," and gave him a scowling look. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "For Kate and rice!! Allen was irreceable! He was so indispensable!!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Hearing such a shout, Gharaga gnawed his teeth together. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (He''s talking silly nonsense. My nausea that had subsided has returned.) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Well, then. When you''re both ready, pleasee this way---!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The cat-eared female beast-man who usually takes the role of referee appeared again today, wagging her tail, and led Suzuki and Gharaga to the center of the training grounds. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Surrounded by so many demons, Suzuki seemed a little nervous. Some of them, if not more, were cheering for Suzuki. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Now, both of you! Face each other!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (For what it''s worth, it''s all going ording to my n. I''m going to kill you right now, human!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, just before the battle began, Gharaga noticed that Suzuki was unarmed. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hey, shitty brat. How are you going to fight me without any weapon?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Combat is not all about strength. I''m going to teach you that right now. " </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Don''t you dare underessstimate me." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga lightly shed Suzuki''s other cheek with his fingernail. Another streak of blood dripped down. The demons in the training grounds were in an uproar. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">That Gharaga fe. He wounded Suzuki a tiny bit!?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">That cute Suzuki!! Unbelievable!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">He''s crazy...!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Even the words of the audience sounded pleasant to Gharaga. When he looked at Suzuki''s legs, they were trembling slightly. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ke-ke-ke. I knew it. He''s scared, ain''t he?) </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Then, from now on, the duel between Gharaga and Suzuki will begin!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> At the same time as the cat-eared referee spoke, the training grounds filled with cheers. Most of the support was for Suzuki. Suzuki took a deep breath as the demons cheered him on. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I... believe in Master." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eh? What are you talking about, bastard?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Then Suzuki wiped the blood from his cheek with his thumb. At some point, the trembling of Suzuki''s legs had stopped. He gave Gharaga a piercing re. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The one and only special technique, surpassing both attack power and magical power. That is <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis." </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Don''t talk nonsense that makes no sssense to me!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga shouted and swung his right arm. He intended to kill Suzuki at that moment. He was ovee with a terrible sense of loathing as if he was about to attack the evil god that served as the subject of the demonic race''s faith. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ke-ke-ke-ke-ke! I don''t give a damn! I''m going to kill it! Even if it''s an evil god!) </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A momentter, he let his fury take over and tried to swing his right arm out with all his might. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Pritis''s 48 Gestures---Fourth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hands sping''." </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suzuki''s whisper sounded in his ears. At the same time, Suzuki was holding Gharaga''s left hand. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Bastard!! Don''t touch me with your FILTHY HANDS!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, Gharaga thought that this was his chance. Before Suzuki''s ability activated, he would drown himself in a sea of anger and cut off his head. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> With this in mind, Gharaga looked at Suzuki. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Moron...!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> An impossible sight stopped Gharaga''s movements. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Until now, he had been fighting against Suzuki. And yet, right in front of his eyes... </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>Gharaga! Long time no see, you know!</strong>" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Mimi was holding Gharaga''s left hand. The young Mimi spoke to Gharaga with that same smile. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>Let''s y! Gharaga!</strong>" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The dreadful-like emotion rising from the pit of his stomach caused his fangs to rattle. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ga... Gaaaaa--!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga screamed in an attempt to erase the illusion in front of his eyes. It worked. Mimi was gone, and in her ce stood the loathsome Suzuki. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "This sorcerer familiar!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He was unexpectedly holding one of his hands just now. Perhaps that was the trigger for the illusion to activate. He wouldn''t let that happen next time. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga raised both hands, showing off his sharp ws, high in the air. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Wicked Serpent Cross w Guillotine!!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga''s signature strike, which cuts through the target with both ws crossing each other, was aimed at Suzuki. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, before Gharaga''s arms could reach the target, Suzuki murmured. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Pritis''s 48 Gestures---Twenty-Fifth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Puffy Face''." </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suddenly, Suzuki''s cheeks puffed up in anger. A demon in the audience could be heard eximing, "How cute!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What in the hell is so cute about it? Stupid idioooooooot!!" Gharaga shouted. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (You''ve got to be kidding me, you son of a bitch! I''m going to slice your face off in one fell swoop!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga made up his mind to do so but then realized that Mimi was standing in front of him. Once again. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>Gee! GHARAGA! You''ve got to stop screwing around, you know!</strong>" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Mimi''s cheeks were red like apples, showing that she was angry. It was the same as thirty years ago, just like in his memory. Mimi''s realism shook Gharaga to his core. The raised arms lowered without any force. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Su--Suzuki, looks like Mimi...? No, I''m, a moron! This bastard is a man! He''s not even the same age as Mimi... and they... don''t look anything alike!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga''s frustration was at its peak. With bloodshot eyes, he extended his left arm forward. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Fine! One arm, I''ll let you have it!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Without hesitation, Gharaga sliced off his left arm with his sharp ws. Blood gushed out. The demons were surprised by Gharaga''s strange behavior. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Intense pain interferes with the illusion! No more! Your techniques WON''T work anymore!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em></em>


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

 Chapter 6.6: The One And Only Special Technique (6)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 6.6: The One And Only Special Technique (6)</h4>


    <strong>TL Note:</strong> I apologize for the sporadic release schedule this month. I had been extremely busy and didn''t have much time to revise my trantions, and I would have hated to release something unpolished. As a way to make it up to everyone I will be releasing 3 parts per week for the following 3 weeks. Happy reading.


    Gharaga, an Silver-rank soldier, knew how to break the enemy''s illusions from his manybat experiences. The pain of losing his arm was outweighed by the thrill of blocking Suzuki''s technique. Gharaga looked at his hated enemy with a grin on his face.


    Suzuki''s eyes filled with tears as he stared at Gharaga with concern.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Ay-ay-ay, that looks painful, ya know. Are you okay, Gharaga?"</strong> </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> At the same time, he heard Mimi''s voice. Suzuki must have spoken imitating Mimi''s voice. His stomach was churning. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You''ve got to be kidding me, you fucking brat!! You''re DISGUSTING!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> As he was about to pull his arm back, determined to kill him this time, Gharaga saw another unbelievable sight. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A young Mimi was standing next to Gharaga. Mimi had moved away from Suzuki and was looking up at Gharaga from right beside him. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...Pritis''s 48 Gestures---Thirteenth Gesture, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Tearful Eyes''" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Mimi split from Suzuki! Wh--What, the heck? Wasn''t it an illusion sorcery?) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Like Suzuki, Mimi had tears in her eyes and looked at Gharaga with concern. Mimi''s image was clearly visible without any blurring. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (A ghost? Is this guy a necromancer?? No, he''s not! This is something else...!) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga was having difficulty breathing. It was not an illusion sorcery. Perhaps it was also different from a Spiritism technique. Suzuki''s technique did not conform to Gharaga''s knowledge of sorceries. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Hey, Gharaga. Do you want me to bring you some medicine??"</strong> </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (It does NOT matter if it is a hallucination or a ghost!!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Rather than Suzuki in front of him, he thought he had to deal with Mimi first. Gharaga swung his arm around and tried to sh Mimi. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Damn you! Do NOT look at me that way!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, the moment Gharaga''s ws struck Mimi, she disappeared without a trace. The next moment, she was standing on the opposite side from where she had been. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Gharaga. Your arm is bleeding, you know."</strong> </em></em></em></em>


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


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> This time, he aimed at the head and delivered a thrust. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Gee, cut it out. Please? We need to get you patched up quickly."</strong> </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Just when he thought he had for sure hit, Mimi disappeared again and was now standing right next to Gharaga. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The attack was not sessful. But while attacking, Gharaga realized something decisive. </em></em></em>


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


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (I understand! I knew it was all a hoax!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharagaughed loudly. That Suzuki! He got carried away and dug his own grave! "Medicine"? "Patch you up" was it? </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ku-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke!! Mimi would never say such a thing to ME!!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> What kind of person would be worried about an enemy who has eaten her?! That statement proved that it wasn''t the real Mimi! He had seen through Suzuki''s shallow technique! </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> . </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You moron!! Mimi is full of RESENTMENT and HATRED towards me!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga was convinced that he had seen through Suzuki''s technique. Even so, Mimi''s illusion would not disappear. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I do NOT care!! Then, I''ll eat you again!! I''ll swallow you whole!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In front of the young Mimi, Gharaga opened his big mouth. He tried to bite her head off. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Be gone!! Impostor!!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The moment Gharaga was piercing her with his own fangs, he saw------ it was Mimi, smiling innocently at him. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Y--You... are...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Seeing her smile, a perfect replica of the one she had 30 years ago, a sense of dread ran through Gharaga''s body. The gentle smile that stuck in his mind made him stop moving. For the first time in his life, Gharaga experiencedplete terror and copsed, leaving his mouth open as if it were about to take a bite out of Mimi. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Why... Why are you smiling...? How can you have a smile on your face like that...? I ate you, didn''t I...?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (And, I was just about to eat you... right now...!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Mimi looked at Gharaga with a curious expression on her face. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"What do you mean, why? Isn''t it obvious?"</strong> </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Mimi beamed with a big smile. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"It''s because I love you! Gharaga!"</strong> </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...That''s right. Mimi was smiling. She must be smiling. He was sure Mimi had forgiven him for eating her and was smiling, just like that time. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga reached out with a trembling hand to the small Mimi in front of him. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I also... I also... you...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (I finally understand. Why I''ve had that salty taste in my mouth for so long.) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You... Love you...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Tears welled up in Gharaga''s eyes. Tears, which he had swallowed for thirty years, fell uncontrobly down his eyes, soaking the ground. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...Pritis''s 48 Gestures---Final Gesture, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Radiant Smile''." </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He heard Suzuki''s voice and looked up. Mimi had disappeared, and Suzuki was standing in front of Gharaga, who was kneeling down. Gharaga could feel that Suzuki had a sad look on his face. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The surrounding demons began to make amotion. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hey! Gharaga kneeled down...!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Un--Unbelievable! He''s crying!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">I mean, that guy confessed to Suzuki that he liked him at the end, right!?" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Not to him, you idiot!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, he didn''t think it was necessary to bother to say such a thing. Gharaga was feeling wonderful right now. He wanted to enjoy this feeling in silence for a while. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Before long, the cat-eared referee raised her hand and announced. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eee-uhm... Gharaga cried and told Suzuki ''that'' ------ The winner of the military duel is Suzuki!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The roar of the demons'' cheers reverberated through the training grounds. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em></em>


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

 Chapter 7.1: Promises (1)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 7.1: Promises (1)</h4>


    <strong>TL Note:</strong> As Promised, extra chapter tomorrow.


    In the Western-style house given to Takashi by his Master, Nephira.


    When he stepped out of the garden, the countryside spread out before his eyes under the gentle sunlight.


    Looking over the vast expanse ofnd, Takashi felt deeply moved.


    "All this... is my domain..."


    Nephira nodded her head next to Takashi.


    "You have defeated Gharaga and have be a Silver-rank soldier. It is only natural that those who are capable should be rewarded ordingly."


    Nephira spoke nonchntly, but she seemed pleased. Takashi thought it might be the satisfying feeling of seeing her personal familiar proving himself and going up the ranks. Still, it was very generous of them to give him all thend within sight of the vi!


    Behind Takashi, the Meru-Kiru sisters also expressed their delight.


    "It''s great, Suzuki!"


    "I''m really happy for you, ya know---!"


    "Thank you!"


    He thanked the demons honestly. When he did, Kiru smiled at him brightly.


    "If it''s this big, you can poop anywhere, anytime, for as long as you want!"


    "No, how long are you going to go about that!? I, I''ve be a high-ranking soldier, haven''t I!? Please stop saying things like that."


    "M--My bad. But, I''m worried about your health."


    He was not so happy about it. He was afraid that no matter how high he rose in the ranks, he''d still be like a pet to Kiru. Furthermore, Meru hesitantly asked Takashi:


    "Uhm---. Suzuki, you''re gonna have a rtionship with Gharaga from now on, aren''t you---?"


    "HUH!? That''s impossible!!"


    "But, but---. Gharaga, dered to Suzuki---. Maybe Suzuki isn''t too satisfied about it---."


    "That''s NOT what he meant!!"


    "Then, what did he mean---?"


    "That was..."


    Takashi was not certain how Gharaga''s state of mind was affected by Pritis''s influence. Even so, Takashi thought. Gharaga must have been confronted by his own past during the battle.


    "In any case! Gharaga and I don''t have that kind of rtionship!"


    "If so, I''m d---!"


    Meru then wrapped her arms around Takashi''s arm. Nephira red at Meru and cleared her throat. Meru hurriedly and panickedly let go of Takashi''s arm.


    "That Gharaga, though. He requested to resign from the Thunder-Lance Charge."


    "Eeh! Really!?"


    "Gharaga, resigned---? Why---?"


    The Meru-Kiru sisters were astonished. Takashi, of course, was also surprised.


    "His reasons were ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Because the taste has vanished'' apparently. I don''t understand what he meant by that." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After saying it, Nephira tilted her head in wonderment. Kiru made a smug face. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I think he was frustrated because he lost to Suzuki and dropped a rank, ya know!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (No... that''s not right.) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He saw Gharaga''s tears that day. And then, the refreshing expression on his face, as if he had finally gotten over something. Gharaga must have made peace with his past and ventured in a new direction. Takashi was convinced of this. And he had another belief. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Gharaga may not eat humans ever again." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What makes you think that?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi smiled at Nephira''s question. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Just because." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Then Takashi looked up at the wide sky, feeling refreshed. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (All right-o! I have to take a new step forward!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...... </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After separating from Nephira and the others and returning to the vi, Takashi discussed the situation with Exce, Orneo, and Kate, who was holding risse, in the reception room on the first floor. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce smiled graciously at Takashi. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I heard that in addition to the vast territory, the number of ves you can own has increased. It is truly wonderful." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, no. It''s all thanks to my Master''s <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi humbly sipped the tea Exce had brewed for him. After the battle with Gharaga, Takashi, with the help of Nephira''s favor, was allowed to have fifteen ves, three more than the limit of ves that Silver-rank soldiers were allowed to have. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Orneo stroked his beard in satisfaction. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "With this, we''ll be able to save even more humans." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uhm. That''s the thing, though... I think there is a limit to the number of ves one can have." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi stood up, walked to the window, and beckoned everyone to join him. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He looked out the window and said, "I wonder if we could turn this vast domain into a vige? And put all the ves and the people who would be used as food here to work. I think, if we do that, we can save a lot more people." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kate hesitantly addressed Takashi, "That''s a wonderful idea, but... Is such a thing permissible?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''ve thought it through. We give a percentage of the crops we produce from farming to the Thunder-Lance Charge. Like paying a tribute." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh. I see. If it works, then maybe we''ll be able to negotiate with the demons." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Orneo nodded his head in agreement with Takashi''s idea. Takashi looked out the window and talked about the vision he had in his head. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I want to turn this ce into a vige where people can live in peace and security. The people could build houses, raise animals, and grow crops..." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He then noticed that Exce stood next to him, her eyes shining. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It is like a dream! If that were to happen, it would save dozens, if not hundreds of times more lives!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Even so, within all of Leirune, he could only save a fraction of the lives. It may be mere self-satisfaction. Nevertheless, Takashi was determined to take action anyway. Otherwise, nothing will ever change. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I can see it. I can see so many people living peacefully here..." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce said, deeply moved. risse was sleeping peacefully in Kate''s arms. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Everyone remained quiet and thoughtful for a moment. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em>


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 Chapter 7.2: Promises (2)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 7.2: Promises (2)</h4>


    <strong>TL Note:</strong> EXTRA CHAPTER


    The moment was peaceful and calm. Suddenly, Exce held up her index finger as if in a fit of inspiration.


    "Eureka! Let''s name the vige ''Suzuknd''!"


    "Eh...!"


    Suddenly, Takashi felt as if time had stopped and furrowed his brow.


    (Exce''s naming sense... is pretty bad...!)


    Not only Takashi, but Orneo and Kate were also perturbed.


    "I--It sounds kind of cheap, somehow."


    "It gives the impression of a spectacle, doesn''t it..."


    risse, who had been sleeping peacefully, began to cry loudly. Witnessing such a scene, Exce''s eyes threatened to spill tears.


    "I--I... don''t have a naming sense, don''t I!?...! Waaah!"


    Kate and Orneo were dismayed to see the weeping face of the former Third Princess of Leirune.


    "N--No, Perish the thought! Right? Lord Orneo!?"


    "H--Hu-huh. I did not mean anything of the sort! Uhm... Ah! Lord Hero!"


    "Eh!? Ah, yes!! I--It''s a good idea!! Suzuknd!!"


    Exce looked up at Takashi with teary eyes.


    "Are you... being honest?"


    "Yes! It''s not as bad as it sounds! If I had to say whether it''s good or bad, I would say that it seems to be leaning a little bit in the good direction!"


    Takashi nervously babbled on, his words ambiguous as to whether he was praising or ridiculing her. Even so, Exce disyed a flowery smile.


    "I''m d! Then, Suzuknd it is!"


    (I--It''s settled...! The name is strange, like an amusement park...! W--Well, it doesn''t matter what it''s called! Yeah!)


    ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô


    In her room inside the Syness Castle, Nephira was reading with her back straight. Her eyes darted over the boldly written text.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Listening to the familiar and doing whatever he tells you is not always the right thing to do. Sometimes it is necessary to be strict with the familiar for his own good."</strong> </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Oh ho! It''s instructive. Whoa---) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira put the book on the table, feeling impressed. The cover of the book read "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">How to Train a Graceful Familiar by Serphiano". The most intelligent demon in the Demon Lord''s Army had authored several books to educate the demons in the army. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira had never read such a self-help book before. However, in order to be a good master for Suzuki, she picked up Serphiano''s book and opened its pages to continue reading. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...... </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> On the evening of that day, Suzuki visited Nephira in her room. To describe the contents of his proposal, </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...Oh. You want to build a human vige, called ''Suzuknd'', in your territory?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "As I said before, I''ll offer half of the vegetables, fruits, and whatever else I harvest to the Thunder-Lance Charge! Not a bad proposition, right?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Food provision. It wasn''t just not bad. It was also an unsolicited proposal. But... </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Oops. My mistake! I have to strictly enforce discipline!) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira put on a serious face and turned toward Suzuki. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Is this really the case? Could it possibly be a n like, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">''Gather the humans in your territory and plot rebellion against the Thunder-Lance Charge''------" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "H--HUH!? That''s not what I''m doing!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I meant that there may be demons who think that way." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira looked away from the flustered Suzuki and softened her tone a tad. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Not long after you joined the Thunder-Lance Charge, you defeated Gharaga and became a Silver-rank soldier. Your promotion in such a short time is unparalleled. I am proud that you are my familiar." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eh--. T--Thank you...?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Therefore, I do not want to arouse suspicion from other demons." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> This was the "carrot and the stick" principle described in Serphiano''s book. And this was Nephira''s true intention as well. Suzuki was not only a cute and adorable familiar but also one worthy of her pride. She didn''t want anyone around her to talk badly about him behind her back. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "For that reason. I can''t allow such a request." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "T--That''s...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Yes! It''s a little harsh... but it''s for Suzuki''s sake!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> At that time. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A knocking sound rhythmically echoed, counteracting the somewhat heavy atmosphere. With Nephira''s permission, the Meru-Kiru sisters entered. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lady Nephira, I apologize. What should we do with these guys?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Saying this, Kiru randomly pulled people chained together. Three people staggered around. A middle-aged man with arge mole on his face, a woman with breasts sorge they threatened to tear off her ve''s clothes, and a very young boy. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hey. Do not bring any humans into the room except Suzuki." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I--I''m sorry---. Lady Nephira---. But---" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I was thinking about what we should do with them. You see, before Suzuki fought Gharaga, I made arrangements for this middle-aged man to persuade Suzuki to stop his recklessness. Meru for this ve woman. Lady Nephira for the little one, didn''t you?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Now that she mentioned it, the human child looked familiar. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Ah, that''s right, isn''t it? I was trying to discourage Suzuki from fighting Gharaga.) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "However, in the end, Suzuki won overwhelmingly against Gharaga. ...Which meant that they no longer have a role to y. Would all three of them be sent to the human-flesh trader?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Immediately after hearing those words, Suzuki''s expression changed and he leaped in front of the three of them. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "W--Wait!! I, all of them, will take them in!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em></em>


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

 Chapter 7.3: Promises (3)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 7.3: Promises (3)</h4>


    "W--Wait!! A-All three of them! I will take them in!"


    "All three of them?? Hey, Suzuki. If you keep taking in tons of people because you feel sorry for them, won''t your vi be overcrowded?"


    "That''s why! I was talking to Nephira about building a human vige in my territory!"


    Nephira let out a sigh. It seemed that Suzuki had not given up yet.


    (That''s right! Meru and Kiru should chide him too!)


    "Suzuki keeps saying that he will build Suzuknd and he''s not listening to me. You guys should say something to him, too."


    "Suzuknd, eh?"


    .


    "What''s that---! That''s weird---!"


    "It doesn''t matter what it''s called! It could be advantageous to the Thunder-Lance Charge, too, you know!"


    Suzuki was desperately appealing to the Meru-Kiru sisters. The earnestness with which he was trying his best was adorable and cute.


    As Nephira stared at Suzuki, Kiru burst outughing.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ha ha-ha. I understand, I understand. It''s all about that thing, right? You''re going to create a ce where both humans and demons can enjoy themselves, right?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "W--Well, I guess it''s something like that." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Meru nodded smilingly. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh, uh-huh---! Sounds like--- fun, ya know---!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Eh--!? W--What!? You guys!! By any chance, do you agree with him!?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira, inwardly impatient, said to the Meru-Kiru sisters, "You guys. Don''t say something so irresponsible! If a human uprising were to ur in Suzuknd, are you nning to take responsibility?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Oh, ye---ah. Then, in that case, I''ll be keeping a close eye on Suzuknd from now on!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Me too, me too---!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (...Huh?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Then they both smiled at Suzuki. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "We''re on Suzuki''s side!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki---! We''ll support you---!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "T--Thank you! Meru, Kiru!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suzuki''s eyes sparkled with happiness as he grasped the sisters'' hands. The Meru-Kiru sisters also smiled, embarrassed, as they shook Suzuki''s hand. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (W--Wait!? To receive a handshake from Suzuki... I''m so jealous!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira then looked at the situation from a broader perspective. This made her look like a stubborn and disagreeable boss who is the only one inflexible. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I--I didn''t oppose it for no reason at all! I had to! I had to as a precautionary measure!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s fine, it''s fine! Leave it all to us!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s right, that''s right---. We''ll see to it that there is no rebellion or anything like that---." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I--I see. Uh-huh. However, if that''s the case, I should probably keep an eye on Suzuknd too." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lady Nephira is very busy so we''ll handle it. It will be fine---!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s RIGHT! Since Lady Nephira is themander! We will take care of the rest!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (M--Mean!! Left out!? You intend to have me left out!?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Watching the three of them talking in harmony about the future of Suzuknd, </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I, too... I, too, definitely, will be going to keep an eyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira eximed with tears in her eyes. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Nephira seemed angry, but somehow it all worked out.) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi walked around, surveying the vastness of his territory. It had been several days since he had received permission from Nephira to run Suzuknd. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Orneo and Exce were in charge of deciding whom and where in the territory everyone should be assigned. He found out that there was a butcher block, which offered even worse treatment than the ve block. The inhabitants of Suzuknd were people brought mainly from that block. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> At first, they were puzzled, but as soon as they listened to the n, they quickly epted the situation. They started creating their own living spaces by bringing in undamaged furniture from their former homes. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "This is a list of the current residents of Suzuknd." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Orneo, walking next to Suzuki, handed him a bundle of straw papers. The people''s names, gender, and assigned duties were written on the paper. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (There are quite a lot of them now, but I need to make sure I know who all of them are.) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> As Suzuki walked with Orneo, the Meru-Kiru sisters followed a few steps behind. Although they called it "monitoring," Kiru was humming, and Meru was ying with her hair while doing it. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A middle-aged woman who was tilling the soil in the field approached Takashi. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lord Suzuki! Good morning!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh. Morning." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "This is Ellie. She''s the one growing grains over there." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Then after walking for a while, Orneo pointed to a pond in the distance. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s Jake over there. He was assigned to take care and manage the fish." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Yes, yes! Now it''s starting to feel more like a vige!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi felt deeply moved. But then he heard a sigh with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">fuaa" and looked back at the Meru-Kiru sisters walking behind him. The sisters seemed somewhat dissatisfied. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em>


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 Chapter 7.4: Promises (4)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 7.4: Promises (4)</h4>


    Takashi felt deeply moved. But then he heard a sigh with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">fuaa" and looked back at the Meru-Kiru sisters walking behind him. The sisters seemed somewhat dissatisfied. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah---hh. So boring, ya know--- right?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You know, Kiru. It''s not about it being boring or something like that." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hey, Suzuki. There''s a man over there in the field, right?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah, ahh. Uhm..." Takashi looked at the straw papers and matched the location to find out the name of the worker and said, "That man must be Mr. Glen." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He was working with a hoe and sweating from his forehead. He looked like a nice young man, a little older than Takashi. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kiru picked up a huge stone, bounced it up and down in her hand, and said, "Is it okay, if I hit Glen, with this rock?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "NO, WHAT FOR?!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi immediately moved toward her, trying his best to stop Kiru, who was already in pitching form. Kiru stopped her action at his efforts and waved her index finger sideways near his face indicating "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">tsk tsk". </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "This is for the best of Suzuknd. I think we need some kind of attraction. So, we could attach targets to the clothes of these humans and hit them with rocks. Sounds like fun, right?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Not at all. It''s NOT fun!!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Chaa-- No good?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kiru threw down the stone she was holding. Itnded on the ground with a thud. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (How big a rock are you trying to throw!? If you hit him with that, you''ll kill Mr. Glen!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Next to Takashi, whose mouth was hanging open, Meru was thinking with her hand on her chin. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ye---ah. I wonder if we cane up have a better idea---" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Y--You see. Meru, Kiru. I''ll think of something..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Don''t be such a BORE! Because we, too, want to help you, Suzuki!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s right, that''s right---! I said I would support you, didn''t I?---! " </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi was perplexed. Orneo, who had been watching the situation quietly until now, carefully said, "I think it would be more resonant with the people around us if we made it sound like ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">A vige built by demons and humans together''." </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Well, now that you mention it, yes, that could be true..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "All right, it''s decided! I''ll do my best to think of something!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Me too, me too---! By the way, I heard that Nephira ising to conduct an inspection tomorrow, ya know---!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "T-Tomorrow!? For real?!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Well then, we''d better get ourselves ready for it!" Kiru dered as she pounded her left palm with her right fist. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Meru turned to her older sister and happily suggested, "Not a simple human---. How about we find a rare human and bring him in---?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s it-" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (No, no!! This isn''t an expo! Is this really going to be ALRIGHT!?) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In contrast to their excitement, Takashi felt an unmistakable sense of foreboding. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...... </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The next day. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (W--What''s with this crowd?) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The day of the Suzuknd audit conducted by Nephira had arrived. And yet, the surrounding area had a festive atmosphere that surprised Takashi. At a nce, more than a hundred demons belonging to the Thunder-Lance Charge had gathered and could be seen walking around. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Damn! It must be the work of Meru and Kiru!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi didn''t expect demons other than Nephira toe on this day. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "We will now begin the audit of Suzuknd," Nephira said. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi nervously swallowed his saliva. Next to him was Nephira, themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge. If he could not satisfy Nephira, the operations of Suzuknd mighte to a halt. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suddenly, Nephira''s hand touched Takashi''s hand. She squeezed his hand tightly with great force. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eh!? W--What!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The area is overflowing with demons. I--It wouldn''t be safe for you to get lost, you know!" Nephira said with a slight blush. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Uhh... If she doesn''t like what she sees here, it''s not good.) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Thinking that not reciprocating might affect the audit, Takashi gently squeezed Nephira''s hand back. Her hand was slightly hard, but her fingers were slender and slightly warm. Takashi was getting a little nervous and had to control his breathing. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa---! Haa---! Zee---! Zee---! Haah---! Haah---!" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, Nephira''s breathing became even more erratic than Takashi''s. She ended up gripping Takashi''s hand back as if she was mping it in a vise. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ouuchhhhhhh!? It''ll break!! It''s snapping!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Huh!? I''m sorry!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In the meantime, the Meru-Kiru sisters arrived. Takashi felt somewhat embarrassed and quickly let go of Nephira''s hand. As if on cue, Nephira also moved away from Takashi and acted as if nothing had happened. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Well then, we''ll be your guides for today!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The sisters announced as they started walking in front. Takashi followed the Meru-Kiru sisters with Nephira. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kiru smiled and pointed at a man standing in front of a house. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That guy is the baldest guy in town." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The man without a single hair on his head smiled shyly when Kiru introduced him. His head somewhat reflected the light of the sun as he bowed. Nephira nodded with a "Hou." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After walking for a while, Meru pointed her finger at another person this time. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That man is, ya know---! The FATTEST guy in all of Leirune---!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The giant man bowed humbly at the introduction. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hmm. He looks like a troll," Nephira shared her impressions. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The Meru-Kiru sisters looked happy as they went around and introduced the people to Nephira, but Takashi felt deeply troubled. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (No, what the hell is this!? It''s a FREAK show!!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kiru soon pointed at a woman standing there. She was the woman Meru had brought to be Takashi''s new ve before the duel with Gharaga. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "This gal, from all the town, has the BIGGEST tits!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Not anymore! That''s just sexual harassment!!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em></em>


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

 Chapter 7.5: Promises (5)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 7.5: Promises (5)</h4>


    <strong>TL Note:</strong> EXTRA CHAPTER


    Kiru soon pointed at a woman standing there. She was the woman Meru had brought to be Takashi''s new ve before the duel with Gharaga.


    "This gal, from all the town, has the BIGGEST tits!"


    (Not anymore! That''s just sexual harassment!!)


    "She must have tits the size of Lady Nephira''s, right?"


    "Is that so? I think I''m bigger than her, though," Nephira replied, ring her breasts a little.


    (D--Don''t you have any shame!? Well, that''s just the way it is with demons...!)


    Takashi had to do his best to avert his gaze from Nephira''s profile.


    Meru approached the woman, seemingly curious as to who really was bigger between Nephira and her.


    "Hey--- hey---. Show me your boobs, a bit---"


    "Y-yes..."


    The woman''s cheeks flushed as she pulled up her top. The woman''s ample bosom was then exposed.


    For a moment, Takashi stared at them intently, but then he mustered all his rational faculties to tear his gaze away and shouted.


    "Stop!! Stripping!!"


    (Since a while ago, humans have been treated like a freak show. You''ve got to be kidding me! This isn''t what I wanted to happen!)


    The Meru-Kiru sisters, however, didn''t care about Takashi''s thoughts and got carried away.


    "It would be interesting to build a human mating house, and show their sexual behavior!"


    "Naisu--- Naisu---!"


    "The vulgarity is escting!? Don''t, don''t!! It''s not good at all!!"


    When Takashi became furious, Kiru''s mouth closed, and her expression dropped.


    After he let out a sigh, Takashi noticed the woman still had her breasts exposed.


    "G--Geez, you can hide them now!"


    The woman put her clothes back on when she heard him. Takashi nced at her face and saw that she was in tears. Takashi was feeling so apologetic and lowered his head.


    "Sorry. I forced this on you."


    However, the woman smiled while rubbing her eyes.


    "No. I... would have been butchered if I hadn''t been invited to live in Suzuknd. I thought about how lucky I was to get away with only something like this, and I started to cry..."


    "Eh. Is that so?"


    "Yes. The two men next to me were nearly butchered. They were crying and rejoicing, saying that they were lucky to be bald or fat."


    "I--I see...!"


    "Of course, so was I. And when I see all these demons rejoicing while looking at and talking about my breasts... Somehow, I feel like my body is on fire...!"


    She seemed to have awakened to a new fetish. Takashi was speechless at the sight and sighed again.


    They soon moved on, leaving the people introduced behind. Then Meru eximed in high spirits.


    "Then, let''s go to the next area---! My stuffed PLUSHIES area---!"


    A long stand was set up beside the path, disying a number of stuffed plushies in the shape of people.


    "These, I made them---!"


    "Meru, really loves stuffed plushies!"


    "E-Eeh--"


    "This is---! All of them, are stuffed plushies of Suzuki---!"


    "Of me!?"


    As it turned out, although the stuffed plushies were different in size, they were all the same in design. They had ck hair and were wearing the same outfit Takashi always wore.


    "I''m totally embarrassed, to have my own plushie...!"


    "But---. Suzuki is the symbol of Suzuknd, right---?"


    "No, I''m not a symbol, or anything like that..."


    While Takashi was talking with Meru, an orc came into the stuffed plushies area. He stared at Takashi''s stuffed doll and then took it in his hand.


    "This, can I have it?"


    "For one, thirty gold for one---!"


    "You''re even taking money for it!?"


    "We''re going to use the money as a fund to run SUZUKILAND---!"


    "I-I see. In that case, it is okay but..."


    Takashi noticed that Nephira was breathing heavily.


    "Should I take one too? Give me twenty, or so."


    "Binge shopping!?"


    Takashi was surprised. Nephira grabbed most of the dolls on the counter and, taking one under her arm, instructed her demons to deliver the rest to the castle.


    "I''m d Lady Nephira likes them---!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fuun." Nephira snorted at Meru in response. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> While grinning, Kiru asked, "Lady Nephira. What do you think so far? About Suzuknd." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Well... I think it''s good." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira was not wholly dissatisfied. As evidence, she was still holding one of Takashi''s stuffed plushies as if she treasured it. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Then, this concludes our area of jurisdiction," Kiru said as she smiled, looking proud of their work. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Oh! Finally, we can introduce Nephira to what is truly Suzuknd! All right, let''s go for it!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "From here on. Suzuki''s in charge." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s NOT very interesting---!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s interesting! Nephira, this way!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi led Nephira while pointing to the field with a straw paper sheet in his hand. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s Hyde! He''s always out there tilling his fields!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "And that one is Jessica! She grows fruit!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "A-Also, over there, plowing the fields, is Polinky..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "We saw someone plowing the field earlier, isn''t he the same?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, like I said, that was Hyde." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Faa---a~" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (S-She''s yawning!?) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Unlike before, Nephira had clearly lost interest. Kiru picked up a stone from somewhere and said while looking at Polinky, who was tilling his field. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lady Nephira. Would you like me to try to hit him with a rock?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh. I would." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Whooooa!! I told you not to do that! Why do you want to hit a person working hard on a farm with a rock!?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, you know, because... I thought Lady Nephira might be bored." </em></em>


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


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi grew a little impatient. He tapped Nephira on the shoulder, pointed to a pond in the distance, and spoke in a brighter voice. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Look! Jake is fishing in the pond over there, you see! The caught fish are delivered to the Thunder-Lance Charge while they are still fresh!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He tried his best to emphasize the advantages they could offer for the Thunder-Lance Charge, but Nephira''s mouth hung open. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...<em ss="chakra-text css-0">faaf~" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Yawning again!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, I''m sorry. I just can''t help it. I''m sleepy." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I understand, Lady Nephira. This area is so boring, ya know." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (I-I''m starting to feel really frustrated! Should I have focused more on being more entertaining? N-No, that was not the objective, you see!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Meru peeked at Nephira''s sleepy face. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lady Nephira---. Perhaps, are you feeling hungry---?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Now that you mention it, I guess you''re right." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Then this way! We also have STALLS---!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (For real! They even prepared a food stand?) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It is possible to stroll around and eat! This is a great way to enjoy even the most boring of Suzuki''s assigned areas!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Don''t call it boring!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (B-But I have to say, the two of you certainly have some pretty good ideas...!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He was pissed, but he had to admit it. The Meru-Kiru sisters brought them to a food stall that filled the air with aromatic smoke and savory smells. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Thanks, pleasee again." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The goblin owner said with a smile. And the beastman who had bought the goods looked happy. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Human arm, yummy!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He walked next to Takashi, holding the roasted arm of a human... </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "WAAAIITTT AAA MMIIINUUUTEE!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em></em>


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

 Chapter 7.6: Promises (6)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 7.6: Promises (6)</h4>


    "WAAAIITTT AAA MMIIINUUUTEE!!"


    Takashi screamed so loudly that his voice became hoarse.


    "That guy, what was he eating!?" he frantically asked.


    "You can tell by looking at it. It''s a roasted human arm. We''re going to have some of that and then have a great time touring through Suzuknd!"


    "How can you eat a human arm while looking at humans!? That''s crazy!! Stop it!! Stop it right now!!" Takashi said with all his being.


    ""Eeeeee--!""


    They both shouted at the same time. The Meru-Kiru sisters looked unhappy, but Takashi resolutely removed the stall from the area.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa--. I''m tired...) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> While Takashi was sitting and resting away from Nephira and the others, Exce and Orneo arrived nearby, went up to him, and asked. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "How is it going, Lord Suzuki?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Like this and that..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi told them what he just witnessed, the story of a demon that sightsaw while eating a human''s arm. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I can''t believe this!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He shook his head while exining. It''s really impossible for him to understand. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (How ABSURD was that? I can''t imagine such a thing happening on Earth. What were those demons even thinking... Ah... Wait!! Sometimes we go around the zoo while eating frankfurters, don''t we...?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What''s the matter, Lord Suzuki?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hmm." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi thought deeply. He felt that this other world he now lived in was totally foreign and abnormal. However, from a livestock''s perspective, the world he came from might as well have been hell. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I, am starting to lose my mind..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "B-But, I''m SURE progress is being made in saving mankind!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Is that so?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> While talking with Exce, Takashi suddenly noticed a lot of noise in his surroundings and looked in the direction the ruckus came from. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The demons were gathering around Kate and staring at risse, who was being held in her arms. Seeing that, Takashi stood up in a panic. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "H-Hey! risse is not a sideshow!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Fearing that risse might be harmed, Takashi rushed to her, but as neared them--- </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Oh-- there, there." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A snake-haired demoness was holding risse''s tiny hand. Next to her, a Cyclops folded his arms with a gentle expression on his face. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Seeing them like this, even human babies are adorable." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Furthermore, a parent-son demon pair watched that, and the parent stroked her son''s head. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I remember when you were like that, too." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Come on, Mom." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Surrounded by multiple demons, risse was in a good mood, giggling andughing. Kate was also smiling while still looking bewildered. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A fiend with an insect-like face tossed the roasted human hand he had just purchased onto the grass. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m starting to feel like this was not a good idea. You don''t eat humans while looking at them like that." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi gazed at such a scene in a daze. Orneo made a high-spirited remark at Takashi''s side. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "This is a wonderful change! The demon said that risse, who has nothing to do with Lord Suzuki''s power, was cute! Furthermore, some of them began to feel against the idea of eating human flesh while looking at a human!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "F-For sure!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi nodded vigorously. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce was also excited and she blushed a little as she enthusiastically said, "A new unprecedented ideology may spread among the demons!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (I see! I guess what I''m doing is starting to bear fruit little by little!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He felt like all his hard work had paid off, somehow. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira soon arrived. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hey, Suzuki. I think it''s time for us to go home." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-Uhmmm. How was it, Nephira? Suzuknd...?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh. Not a problem." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (All right! Suzuknd will continue to exist!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> As a result, everything went well. Takashi''s face broke into tears. It was exactly at that time. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Don''t be RIDICULOUS!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A man''s angry voice was heard. The demons were all in a state of confusion. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">What''s up, with that ve? Where''s the owner?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Did he break his chain?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi was curious and peeked out from among the demons to see a human youth making bizarre noises. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (W-What, what?) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi''s eyes met those of the rampaging human''s. The man''s eyes widened as he noticed Takashi, and he slowly approached him. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You are the Hero?...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The man raised his voice even more. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "My father was! Yesterday, he was butchered!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He turned his bloodshot eyes toward Takashi and shouted. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Stop screwing with me! You are leaving everyone but those in Suzuknd to die!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I-I''m...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi was unable to continue his response. How in the world could hefort a man whose parents had been eaten? </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce stood in front of Takashi as if protecting him. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "L-Lord Hero said he wanted to start small!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "While he is taking his sweet time, people are being killed every day! If you''re a hero, save them all right now!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Both Exce and Orneo were speechless. The man red at Takashi. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You hypocrite!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The man''s words cut through Takashi''s chest. And then, a momentter. The man''s head separated from his body and rolled off the ground, gushing fresh blood. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Eh...) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira kept her arm outstretched and her steely eyes fixed on the headless corpse. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You little worm. Apologize with your death." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "W-What? Nephira...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki is my Familiar and a Silver-rank soldier. A human spoke up against a superior soldier from the Thunder-Lance Charge. He deserved to die." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "But that doesn''t mean you have to kill him!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "L-Lord Hero!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> As Takashi was about to approach Nephira, Exce tugged his arm. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "If you get into an argument with Lady Nephira now, you will never be able to achieve your dream!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s right! The very existence of Suzuknd, which has been finally approved, will be in jeopardy!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ugh..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After being admonished by Exce and the others, Takashi regained some of hisposure. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After taking a deep breath, Takashi slowly approached Nephira. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Nephira. Let''s discuss it together." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em></em>


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

 Chapter 7.7: Promises (7)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 7.7: Promises (7)</h4>


    That night. Nephira was waiting for Suzuki in her room at the Castle of Syness.


    She looked at her hand. Today, she held hands with Suzuki.


    (Held hands, I did it, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">ufufufufu!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira shook her head widely, almost at ease. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Suzuki is cute. He''s so darn cute. The cutest ever.) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, Nephira also had her own reputation as themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge to take care of. She believed Suzuki was nning to tell her not to kill humans from now on. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (There are some things I can listen to and some things I really can''t. It doesn''t matter even if ites from Suzuki!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Among the demons, there are also human flesh dealers. A prohibition on killing humans could lead to riots. In the first ce, could a demon that doesn''t kill humans be called a demon? </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> There was a knock at the door. As expected, Suzuki appeared with a serious, determined expression on his face. Nephira used her chin to point to the table. Suzuki sat down in his chair without saying a word. Nephira sat down opposite him. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> At any rate, she decided to strike first and give him a stern talking-to. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Suzuki. You are my familiar. And yet you are imposing your opinion against your master." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "N-No, I''m not giving you my opinion. I came to ask for a favor." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "A favor? You don''t mean to tell me that you want me to stop the killing of humans, do you?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suzuki remained silent. As expected, she had hit the nail on the head. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (I''m sorry, Suzuki! But I have no choice but to do this!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After a few moments of silence, Suzuki''s voice came out as if he was trying to squeeze it out of him. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I-I don''t mean humans from all over the world, just people from this town," </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> . </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I refuse. There are demons in this town who make a living selling human flesh." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Then! Then you, at least! Nephira, please don''t kill humans!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> With moist eyes, Suzuki stared at Nephira. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Please, don''t kill..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hmph." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira snorted and turned away. She couldn''t look directly at Suzuki any longer. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kyaaaaaaaaa!! So darn CUTEEEEEEEEE!!) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He is a little tearful. That was also unbearable. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira''s hearts were starting to shake. She wanted to see more. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (More! More and more of Suzuki''s cuter expressions, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">haa haa!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Despite her inner excitement, Nephira''s voice was firm and cold. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s all too one-sided. How can you expect me to listen to such a request?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "D-Do you want me to get down on my knees and b-beg for it?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> With her heart pounding, Nephira got up from her seat and sat down on the bed. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Come here." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Then she beckoned to Suzuki. Fearfully, Suzuki approached and sat down next to Nephira. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Show me proof of your loyalty!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Proof of my loyalty?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s why, here. K-Kiss me with your lips." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira presented her hand to Suzuki. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I-I understand!..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira was thrilled as she stretched out her arm to show the back of her hand. But Suzuki put his own face close to Nephira''s, and then------ </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Eh--. Wait. That''s. Unbelievable!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suzuki''s lips touched Nephira''s cheek. At that moment--- </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ka-fa---" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A strange noise, which she had never uttered before, escaped from Nephira''s mouth. Nephira fell into the bed just like that. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "W-What''s WRONG!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ha-Ha-Hand, I thought it would be in my hand...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "EH!! Is that so!? S-Sorry!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "N-No, it''s fine. It''s totally fine. It''s very fine..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira stared at Suzuki, fidgeting. Suzuki speaks with a shy tone. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uhm, well, you see... Will you do me this favor now?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Nephira won''t, kill humans anymore?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh. I won''t kill them." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Promise?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Promise" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suzuki smiled happily and got up from the bed. Nephira quickly grabbed the hem of Suzuki''s clothes. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hey. Are you leaving already?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m going to have a meeting with Exce and the rest to discuss Suzuknd," Suzuki answered. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Boo... Don''t leave..." Nephira muttered while staring at Suzuki. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suzuki tilted his head slightly in puzzlement. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "B-''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Boo''? Did you, just say ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Boo''?? Nephira, what''s with your unusual tone of voice? You sounded like a typical girl..." </em></em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> She was surprised at what she heard. Because of the kiss on her cheek, her usual voice didn''te out the way it usually does. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira felt her face heat up beyond her boiling point. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Who sounds like a typical girl aaa-aaa-aaaa-aaaa!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In her embarrassment, Nephira raised her foot and mmed it down on the floor. The floor that was stepped on boomed with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">BOGOON" from the tremendous power of her legs. The bed on which they had just been sitting tilted up significantly with the force of the quake. </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "EEEEPPPP!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Get ouuuuuuuuuuuuuut!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I-I-I''m sorry!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After that, Suzuki left in a hurry. In her room, where it looked like a magical beast had gone wild, Nephira gently stroked her cheek with her fingers. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (K-Kissed me...! Suzuki... likes...! I wuv him...!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Wrapped in the sheets of her tilted bed, Nephira writhed in secret. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em></em>


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

 Chapter 8.1: World Saviour (1)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 8.1: World Saviour (1)</h4>


    <strong>TL Note:</strong> EXTRA CHAPTER. Next week is back to regr schedule.


    After leaving the Thunder-Lance Charge, Gharaga headed for the forests of his hometown. Having lost his mother and father in the Great Human-Demon War, Gharaga had been left on his own.


    When other demons asked him why he was going back to his hometown after all these years, Gharaga himself could not give a clear answer. However, there was one thing he wanted to do.


    (Even though there''s not even a bone left of her body...)


    Gharaga smiled wryly.


    After his duel with Suzuki, he felt an overwhelming urge ------ to build a grave for Mimi.


    (I wonder what I''ll do after that.)


    Gharaga, by virtue of his nature, did not get along well with other members of the basilisk race. Still, he thought it might not be a bad idea to stay in the vige for a while.


    As the familiar forest came into view, Gharaga''s sense of smell, keener than a human''s, picked up on a certain stench.


    Blood. And from his own race.


    Gharaga approached, keeping a watchful eye out. He was surprised by what he saw from afar the basilisk vige, only a short distance away from the forest.


    Human soldiers were walking around the vige. Not a single member of the basilisk race was in sight.


    (Hey, hey. Could it be that humans have conquered us?)


    When he contrasted the current situation with the smell of his kindred blood that he sensed earlier, he reached that conclusion. However, things didn''t add up. The Demon Lord''s army had defeated the Empire and now controlled more than eighty percent of the world. He had not heard of any human offensive.


    Paying close attention to his surroundings, he slowly headed toward the center of the vige. Looking from the corner of a dpidated hut, he saw a group of humans in armor standing in a line. It was as if they were about to invade.


    "...There''s still a basilisk breed out here?"


    He heard a human voice from behind him, and Gharaga turned around. Three soldiers were standing there with tense expressions on their faces.


    Gharaga clicked his tongue with a ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">tsk''. Although he had been caught off guard by the impossible sight, it was rather imprudent of Gharaga, a former Silver-rank, to be so careless. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The soldiers drew their swords simultaneously. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s a little dangerous, humans. But right now, I''m not in the mood." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He raised his hands to show that he had no hostile intent, but as if on cue, all three of them jumped at him. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga let out a sigh with a ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">fuu''. Without taking a single step, he swung his tail in a circr motion. With that single movement, the soldiers went flying as if they had been hit with a powerful whip. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga raised his sharp ws in a threatening gesture. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Next time, I''ll cut your throat." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "W--Who the hell, are you bastard?!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m Gharaga. Thunder-Lance Charge, Sssilver..." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He almostughed when he called out his name. He had left the unit, he was no longer a Silver-rank soldier. Right, right. Because he had lost to that weak bastard. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Th--Thunder-Lance Charge...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The special strike force under the directmand of the Demon Lord''s army!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The soldiers backed away in fear. It seemed that his usual habit of calling himself by such a name now paid off. Now he won''t have to kill anyone. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I just had some business to attend to. I''m leaving." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga was determined to walk away from those demoralized soldiers------ he wanted to. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lady Marguerite!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Following the soldiers'' gazes, Gharaga''s narrow pupils widened. With her silver hair---tied back in a ponytail and swaying with the wind---there stood a sharp-eyed woman wearing silver armor that matched her hair. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Since when, no, how...?) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> It was not the same as when the soldiers took his back because he was distracted earlier. He was in the middle of a battle with the soldiers. He was already highly aware and alert. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "This scum, is a soldier of the Thunder-Lance Charge!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Upon receiving the soldiers'' information, the woman nodded silently. Gharaga was also a veteran of over a hundred battles. He immediately sensed that his opponent was no ordinary human being. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The woman drew her sword. The sword had such a gleam that made it clear at first nce that it was the work of a master. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Don''t do this. I, I''ve decided I''m not going to kill any humans for a while." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "... It''s a good chance to see how well I could fare against a member of the Thunder-Lance Charge." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The woman''s voice had an icy coldness to it. So uncharacteristic of humans------ almost demon-like, Gharaga thought to himself. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (It''s not, going to be easy to deal with her. I''ll have to sacrifice an arm) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga looked at the woman seriously as if they were in a duel, and his ws became sharp. The woman quietly opened her mouth again. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "eptance is preferred. A hero''s, godly swordsmanship sent into this turbulent world." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Huh...?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The woman disappeared------ for a moment, he thought she had disappeared. Somehow, Gharaga followed the afterimage and looked behind him. The woman had already swung her sword. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Divine de ''Mizzle''." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A series of sharp sounds were heard. When he looked at the woman, he saw that she had already ced her sword in its sheath. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (T--This gal... is she, human...?) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After his vision shifted as if he had been dropped from a great height, Gharaga looked at his arms and legs lying on the ground through his severed head. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Even after being decapitated, Gharaga, a member of the basilisk race that boasted a strong life force, was still conscious. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> He had never met such a strong human before. When he was in the Thunder-Lance Charge, he was in awe of Nephira''s overwhelming strength, but this woman was just as strong... Or perhaps even stronger. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The woman with icy cold eyes walked up to him. Then, she raised her foot and crushed Gharaga''s head without hesitation. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Gharaga''s vision turned jet ck. He was not afraid of dying. He would never have regrets when inbat. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, his only regret was not being able to build a grave for Mimi. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em></em>


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

 Chapter 8.2: World Saviour (2)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 8.2: World Saviour (2)</h4>


    A humming sound made Nephira look around her room.


    (Eh. Wait, what''s that?)


    The sound did not stop. She thought maybe a small winged insect had gotten into the room, but it wasn''t that. The sound wasing from a crystal ball Serphiano had left as a souvenir when she visited the other day.


    Nephira approached the crystal ball suspiciously. A momentter, the face of Serphiano, the chief advisor to the Demon Lord Army, appeared in the crystal ball.


    "zzt---Gree---zzt---tings. Good morn---zzt---ing."


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kyaa!?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Inside the crystal ball, Serphiano was smiling. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Not surprised at all. As expected of Nephira." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Y--You surprised the HECK out of ME!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Both of Nephira''s hearts were pounding rapidly. Even so, Nephira''s surprise never showed on her face. As themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge, Nephira had mastered the art of keeping her emotions from showing on her face. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "At any rate Dame Serphiano. Are you not feeling a little cramped? To be inside such a small crystal?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fu-fufu. It is as if we are having a conversation face-to-face, isn''t it? However, I am far away from there. I''m currently in the Imperial Capital." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What! How is that possible?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "This is a magical tool that I spent many years developing. It uses magic power tomunicate with distant ces using this crystal ball as a medium." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "To invent such a magical tool! As expected from Dame Serphiano!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Well, it consumes a lot of magic power, so I can''t use it for long." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Although she was impressed by the genius of Serphiano, Nephira''s face instantly tightened up. The fact that she even used such a magical tool to contact her meant that it must have been an urgent matter. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Serphiano must have seen Nephira''s serious face through her crystal ball. She also spoke with an earnest expression. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "In the Kaluambaru area, remnants of the Imperial Army have appeared." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Kaluambaru was a cold region located far north of Leirune. After the Beast King''s Oni Squad of the Demon''s Lord Army destroyed the nation of Krevalun, they ruled thosends. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Feeling a bad premonition, Nephira hastened the conversation. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "And then?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The rebel army that appeared was suppressed by the Beast King''s Oni Squad of the Demon Lord''s Army." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Well, that''s natural. How could the martial-oriented Beast''s King Oni Squad be defeated? I''m ashamed of being worried about them.) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> She was relieved. Even so, Serphiano''s face in the crystal ball was somber. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "However, the Beast King''s Oni Squad of the Demon Lord''s Army was also annihted." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...Huh?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Raigus, themander of the Beast King''s Oni Squad, was killed while fighting against the enemy." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (He was defeated by a human? That Raigus? That can''t be!) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s not just Kaluambaru. Simr reports areing in from the troops of the Demon Lord''s Army stationed throughout the region." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The Demon Lord''s army should be conquering the world smoothly. And yet, here they were, being hindered and facing the humans'' counterattack. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Still, it''s a mystery. How is it that humans with so much power have only just begun appearing now?..." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (That''s RIGHT!! If they had such power, why didn''t they use it in thest major war!?) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Apparently, even the genius Serphiano could not figure out why. Nephira let out a small sigh. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I cannot leave the Imperial City at this time. So I am using the crystal ball to contact each location." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The gaze of Serphiano''s three eyes pierced Nephira. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Nephira. Do not let your guard down." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I understand." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Is something on the move? Something big enough to change the world? But...) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Nephira furrowed her brow and bit her lip. After a while, Serphiano''s expression rxed a little. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "All this gloomy talk... It''s depressing, isn''t it?... I know. How is Suzuki doing these days?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah. He''s doing fine." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "That''s great!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Serphiano seemed happy to talk about Suzuki. Nephira, too, seems to have lost her gloomy mood and spoke in a rxed manner. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "And he''s getting higher and higher in rank, you know?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eh---! That''s great---!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufufu. That''s RIGHT! He has already be a dependable familiar that''s highly ranked even within the Thunder-Lance Charge!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Whoa---, that''s nice---! I''m jealous---!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Well, to be honest, I''m also very proud of him!" Nephira spoke, raising her nose from pride. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "How is it? Has there been any... progress?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Huh? Progress, you say?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Because, you know, right? You guys live together, right?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What in hell has that anything to do?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I mean, I mean---! Please don''t flip out on me okay---? I''m talking about a rtionship between a man and a woman!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Wha!? M-Me and Suzuki are not like that!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Eh---? For real---?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After a little hesitation, Nephira boldly dered. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "A--Actually, the other day... Suzuki... gave me, a kiss." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "EEH---! Lies---!! It has gotten that far---!? Oh boy---!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah! I''d say there is still HOPE! Hope!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, no---!! Eh---!! Oh boy!!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Serphiano looked very jealous. A tremendous sense of superiority swept over Nephira. That''s right! She was kissed by such a cute little Suzuki! Oh boy---! </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The two of them happily chatted, forgetting about the time. But, </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyu" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> On the other side of the crystal ball, Serphiano suddenly vomited blood from her mouth. Blood droplets adhered to the crystal ball. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Dame Serphiano!?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Startled, Nephira shouted. Serphiano wiped the crystal ball and her mouth in agony with a napkin. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I-If youmunicate with the crystal ball for too long, your magic power will decrease and your body will suffer. And the sender loses more magic than the receiver. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyu-byu." </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Then, then let''s stop talking!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Right. I''m afraid that when ites to Suzuki, the conversation bes lengthy-<em ss="chakra-text css-0">byu." </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lengthy-<em ss="chakra-text css-0">byu!? You are already even ending phrases by vomiting blood!?" </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Yes. Then, I''m going to hang up now. I''ll talk to youter <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyu-byu and <em ss="chakra-text css-0">byu." </em></em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Serphiano''s figure disappeared from the crystal ball. Nephira stared at the dimmed crystal ball in worry. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (I''m hopeless. I got carried away and made the chit-chat on the crystal ball too long. Eh, uhm, what was it? That''s right. Remnants of the Imperial Army.) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> She''d have to strengthen the town''s security. Then, the biggest concern would be Suzuki''s territory. If anything should happen to Suzuki, it would be a disaster. Perhaps she should ce a few more Silver-rank soldiers around Suzuki. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> However, she was themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge. Meru and Kiru are her right-hand demons. Neither of them should be away from the Castle of Syness for long periods of time. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (If that''s the case, she''s the right person for the job.) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em></em>


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

 Chapter 8.3: World Saviour (3)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 8.3: World Saviour (3)</h4>


    "P-Pleased to work with you."


    Right in front of Takashi, Uhouguru bowed down and smiled awkwardly.


    "Ah, yeah. P-Pleased to work with you."


    Takashi also returned the awkward greeting.


    On Nephira''s orders, Uhouguru was dispatched to Suzuknd. Takashi''s territory was located on the western edge of the outskirts of Leirune, and there were concerns that enemies might infiltrate from the outside.


    (But what enemy? The world is almostpletely controlled by the Demon Lord''s army, right? Why would they strengthen their defenses after all this time?)


    He had one more question. While they were walking to the ce where Uhouguru would be staying, Takashi asked her about it.


    "Uhouguru, did you quit, being a torturer?"


    "Ya. Because Suzuki doesn''t like it when I abuse humans, right?


    "That is, as a matter of course..."


    "I, don''t want to do, anything that Suzuki doesn''t like."


    Takashi nced at Uhouguru. Although she is a tough-looking person who is now a former torturer, she is kind to him. He was d to hear her clearly say that she would never torture humans again.


    (And if they are protected by Uhouguru, the people living in Suzuknd will feel safe, too!)


    He didn''t know how strong Uhouguru was. But, ording to what he heard, she was even better than the Silver-rank soldiers. As a protector, she was extremely reliable.


    Takashi smiled at Uhouguru with a grin.


    "Then, I''m counting on you! Please protect the people who live here."


    "YES! I, definitely, will protect them!"


    As they walked along, they arrived at a small hill where they could enjoy a panoramic view of the interior and exterior of Leirune. Nearby was a watchtower once used by humans.


    "This is where Uhouguru will stay!"


    It was a depted and deste hut. He felt somewhat sorry for letting her stay in such a ce, but Uhouguru didn''t seem to mind at all. She took out bugs from her chest as usual. Two creepy bugs were wriggling around.


    "Want, bugs? Today, a male and a female, a mating pair..."


    "Don''t need them."


    "I see..."


    "If you need anything more, just let me know."


    "Suzuki, you''re leaving already?... "


    Takashi waved goodbye, but Uhouguru had a sad look on her face.


    "I''lle visit you to y once in a while. So please keep an eye on the town, will you?"


    "Y-YES! I, will work hard, to protect Suzuknd!"


    Thus, Takashi parted ways with Uhouguru.


    ...


    A few dayster.


    "...I''d like to talk to you about Lady Uhouguru."


    When Exce started a conversation,


    (Right off the bat, something went wrong...)


    Takashi thought to himself. However, Exce smiled cheerfully.


    "It seems that she noticed wild dogs tearing up the fields and chased them away. Hyde was very grateful, and he hoped that I would pass this on to Lord Suzuki."


    "He---! I see!"


    (What!? Uhouguru is trying her best?! I didn''t need to worry at all!)


    Orneo stroked his own beard in satisfaction.


    "It''s about time we reap our first big harvest. The soldiers of the Thunder-Lance Charge will be pleased."


    Fish and the like were sent to the Thunder-Lance Charge every time, but vegetables and fruits took longer to produce. However, it would also be possible in a few more days.


    "It''s starting to feel more and more like a vige."


    "Orneo. It''s not a vige, it''s Suzuknd!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haha. That''s true." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Yea, yeah! It''s a nice feeling! The name is a bit strange, though!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> While Takashi was smiling, Uhouguru came over to him. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi smiled and waved to Uhouguru to thank her for protecting Hyde''s farm. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Yo. On patrol?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ya. There''s something that''s been bothering me..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Uhouguru pointed to the northern sky. Two streams of red smoke were rising into the sky. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What is, that?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I don''t know. The color is unnatural for a campfire. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Is, Red n Cross..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce muttered with a mystified look on her face. Orneo, too, was staring at the two smoke streams with a serious expression on his face, but his expression suddenly rxed. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Well, it''s just a simple campfire. Nothing to worry about." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lady Uhouguru. Hyde was very grateful! Thank you for getting rid of those wild dogs." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I-Is that so? <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufufu! I, did good!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Satisfied, Uhouguru returned to make her rounds. After she disappeared from their sight, both Orneo and Exce tightened their faces. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Lord Hero. That was a signal called the ''Red n Cross'' from the former imperial army. It seems that the troops are trying tomunicate with the people of this town." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "T-The troops? For what purpose?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "We''ll have to go and find out." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> At the urging of Exce and Orneo, Takashi walked in the direction of the rising smoke. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After a short time, they reached the outskirts of town, where they found a golem standing guard. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (That''s right. The security, they said they were going to beef it up.) </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Heya, Suzuki!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> With a deep voice, the golem spoke to Takashi. Takashi tried to smile. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''d like to leave Leirune for a bit to pick some seeds for my crops... is that alright?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Nope. You can''t just take off on your own and leave town!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The voice tone was gentle, but it was a clear refusal. Yes. It looks quite formidable. If this is how it goes, I''ll... </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Pritis''s 48 Gestures---Fourth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hands sping''!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi gently wrapped his hands around the golem''s angr hands. Then the golem''s attitude changedpletely. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s alright!! It''s totally alright!! But since it''s dangerous, I''m going with you, you know!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "N-No, you don''t have toe with me." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "If that''s the case, then it''s no good as expected!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The conversation was back to square one. Orneo and Exce were whispering to each other. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s pretty stubborn, huh?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s a golem trait, you know." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Then, I''m going to do it for real!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Saying this, Takashi stood before the golem once again. For the stubborn monster in which his hand sping was ineffective, it was up to <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis to give the final push! </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Pritis''s 48 Gestures---Sixteenth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Petition''." </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi tilted his head, sped his hands together, and made a request to the golem. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I beg you! Please~. As a favor~. Really~. This is really a once in a lifetime favor~. I can only ask you..." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The golem continuously shivered, as Takashi repeatedly requested, before giving up and raising a big thumbs up. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "All right, I understand! You can go ahead! But be careful though!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em></em>


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

 Chapter 8.4: World Saviour (4)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 8.4: World Saviour (4)</h4>


    It was the first time Takashi hade outside of Leirune since he arrived in this other world.


    Outside the town, a paved road stretched, but it was sunken in ces, with grass growing in the cracks. asionally, what appeared to be human bones could be seen scattered around. Takashi was terrified and then felt sad as the reality of this world pped him in the face once again, realizing the demise of the era of mankind.


    They continued walking until the Castle of Syness in Leirune was far behind them. One could only make out its shape in the distance.


    Orneo muttered, "There used to be a Leirune fort around here."


    They could see remnants of solid structures and copsed rock walls. Orneo said it used to be a fortress, but now there was no trace of such a structure.


    "That''s it, isn''t it?"


    In the corner of Exce''s eye, she noticed a campfire, the source of the red smoke. The fire was burning at a distance, and the smoke was crossing in the air.


    Takashi carefully scanned around. The group approached the source of the smoke, but there was no one around.


    "Orneo. I''m guessing it is this door."


    "Uh-huh. Probably, that''s it."


    Exce and Orneo looked at a rotting door near the burning firewood. It was probably debris from the copsed building. From the cracks of the chipped and rotten door, the ruins of the deserted building spread out.


    While Takashi wondered what they were talking about, Orneo slid half of his body through the rotting door. Soon, Orneo''s figure vanished.


    "EEEHH!?"


    "Lord Hero, let''s go this way as well"


    Led by Exce''s hand, Takashi entered through the door as well. It was like passing through an enchanted barrier. Once behind the rotting door, the scenery changed drastically. Now, Takashi saw multiple human soldiers in front of him. He also noticed a dense formation of tents that had been set up.


    "T-This is, a different spatial dimension!?"


    "No. It is a type of sorcery. They must be hiding in this way to protect themselves from demons."


    "Sorcery!? That''s kind of amazing...!"


    Takashi once again realized that this was a fantasy world after all.


    Orneo gazed at the military camp as he said, "Nevertheless, I can''t believe there are still people who can use such a high level of sorcery."


    Takashi also looked toward the camp. The soldiers who noticed Takashi and the others hung their heads. And then, as if weaving in between the soldiers, two female knights walked up to them. One was a woman in her thirties with silver hair tied in a ponytail. The other woman had silver hair as well, but this one had boyish short hair and looked much younger, aroundte teens.


    When they arrived in front of Exce, the knights got down on one knee. The older of the two spoke in a rather low voice.


    "Former Grand Burrell Empire, imperial swordsmanship instructor, Marguerite Torino."


    "Third Princess of Leirune, Exce."


    Exce greeted them solemnly, exuding an air of nobility that she did not usually show. Orneo followed suit and introduced himself. Leirune, like the Empire, had been conquered by the demonkind. However, the reason why Exce had not added the word "Former" to her title was perhaps because she took pride in the fact that she was determined to restore the kingdom.


    "So, Dame Marguerite, were you the one who signaled with the Red n Cross?"


    "Yes. Being the case of urgent matters."


    While answering Orneo''s question, Marguerite took one look at Takashi.


    "By any chance... Are you Lord Suzuki?"


    "H-How did you know about me?"


    "I learned about you in a letter from Grand Tactician Lady Leelou Dimension."


    "From Master...!"


    "That someone from another world has joined the Thunder-Lance Charge and is trying to disrupt it from within."


    (W-Well, disrupt it, you say, that''s not quite the right word.)


    Takashi smiled wryly, but Marguerite''s face remained serious.


    "The main reason I requestedmunications with the Red n Cross this time is because I was thinking of working together with you, Lord Suzuki, to wipe out the Thunder-Lance Charge."


    "W-Wipe out!?"


    "T-That''s...!"


    Exce also seemed surprised and nced at Takashi''s face. Takashi was also at a loss for a response. They had apletely different mindset from them who were trying to coexist with the demons.


    Orneo stepped forward.


    "The Thunder-Lance Charge is a unit under the directmand of the Demon Lord''s Army that specializes in offensive operations. Our Syness'' Castle fell in less than half a day. I doubt such a small force could wipe out the Thunder-Lance Charge."


    The short-haired girl behind Marguerite red at Orneo and snorted, "It seems to me that the old man is taking us lightly."


    "Noelle, watch your mouth."


    "Mother..."


    Takashi realized that they were mother and daughter. No wonder they had the same hair color. Now, he couldn''t help but notice the simrity in their faces. Both of them were beautiful, but Noelle had a slightly more masculine look on her face.


    Marguerite''s mouth corners raised slightly in response to Orneo.


    "The number of soldiers is not the only thing that counts. With the Master Swordsman Lord Tartarin as our leader, we, the Salvation Crusaders, entrusted by God with the task of saving the world, are a mighty force as powerful as a thousand men."


    (Salvation... Crusaders?)


    Takashi wondered at the term he heard for the first time.


    Meanwhile, Orneo''s mouth dropped as he listened.


    Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing.

 Chapter 8.5: World Saviour (5)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 8.5: World Saviour (5)</h4>


    "God''s mandate to save the world? That''s quite the tale," Orneo spoke with a doubtful face.


    "Since Sir Orneo was in Leirune, it is not surprising that you do not know about it. However, the world has been changing dramatically since the day the oracle received the divine revtion from the heavens," Marguerite answered to rify his suspicions.


    "A divine revtion from the heavens, was it...?"


    "A divine decree descended. <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>''The Master Swordsman Lord Tartarin is the true saviour who emerged in this world without a hero.''</strong>" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "T--The world-without-a-hero''s, true saviour!?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi eximed in surprise. He was not expecting that. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (What the hell? My existence, they are denying my existence!?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce also raised her voice. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "L-Lord Hero isn''t... Lord Suzuki isn''t the world saviour?! Is that what you are saying!?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Marguerite did not answer but instead signaled one of her subordinate soldiers with her chin. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Read out the sacred scriptures." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> A male soldier unraveled a scroll. And then he read out the contents out loud in a clear voice. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "''<em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>The hero of salvation who was sent into the world before was not the true hero, but an impostor...''</strong>" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "An impostor, you mean ME!?" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi shouted again. The reading was interrupted, and Marguerite cleared her throat. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Please listen calmly. Lord Impostor... No, Lord Suzuki" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What the hell? What do you mean by Lord IMPOSTOR!!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "L-Lord Hero! Stay calm!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "U-Uh-huh! Let''s hear what they have to say first!" </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After being pacified by Exce and Orneo, Takashi reluctantly decided to remain silent and listened to what the so-called sacred scriptures had to say. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>''ording to Divine Regtions, another hero cannot be sent from another dimension. But God, in His mercy, will not forsake your world. We bestow the heavenly sword and the heavenly power upon a vessel that inhabits this earth to serve as your savior.''</strong>" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Heavenly Sword and Heavenly Power...? What the hell...?) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>''The heavenly sword is for Tartanin in the easternnds. The heavenly power is for Zhaviest, who dwells in the West. The world shall once again be led to peace through the work of the true saviours who possess the power of God."</strong>'' </em></em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The soldier rolled up the scroll, bowed, and stepped back after finishing his task. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What a...!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Orneo, who had been smiling earlier, now muttered with a serious expression on his face. Exce was also speechless. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi tried to process in his mind what he had just heard. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Perhaps that goddess realized she had made a mistake with the two people, Sasaki and Suzuki, after reincarnating them into another world. If that is the case, Sasaki or someone with equivalent power should be reincarnated into this world again, but divine regtions only allow one reincarnated person per world. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Therefore, she had no choice but to bestow to talented individuals living in this world the ability to save the world, namely, the "Heavenly Sword" and the "Heavenly Power" as a measure to amend theck of strength of Takashi, the reincarnated person in this world. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (But that doesn''t mean I''m an impostor!! I mean, God is probably that goddess who sent me to this other world, right!? If that''s the case, then she''s the ONE to me!! It''s not my fault I was sent here by mistake!!) </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi wasn''t sure if it was that goddess who gave the divine decree or not. However, he had a hunch that this was the case, and that thought made him angry. Marguerite turned her sharp eyes on Takashi and the others. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The saviour of the world, the bearer of the Heavenly Sword, the master Swordsman Lord Tartanin, is steadily making preparations to retake the Imperial Capital. As part of those preparations, we, the Salvation Crusaders, have been entrusted with this operation, namely, the task of subduing the Thunder-Lance Charge." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Um, Ms. Marguerite. You said you saw Master Leelou''s letter, right? What did Master say?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After a slight hesitation, Marguerite said, "She said she was willing to leave thisnd in Suzuki''s hands." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I-If so!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Nevertheless, Lord Tartanin sent us here because he wanted to save the world as soon as possible. Working together with Lord Suzuki''s power to restore human society------that would be the best course of action." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You''re going to join forces with my power?" Takashi asked at the unexpected statement. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Of course, we must work together to kill all of the Thunder-Lance Charge demons." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Takashi was astonished at Marguerite''s nonchnt remark. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Wa-Wait a minute please! That''s ridiculous!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce also spoke out in support of Takashi. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "T-That''s right! Lord Suzuki is also already working on a n to save Leirune!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Marguerite raised an eyebrow at Exce''s words. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hou. What kind of n is it?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Coexistence with demonkind!" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce''s words caused aplete hush over the room. After a moment of silence... </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Hey, hey. Coexistence with those fiends?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Of course, that''s impossible." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The soldiers who had been listening to the conversationughed and stared at them. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Exce blushed, but she exined, "Lord Suzuki has the ability to be loved by demons." </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> The soldiers allughed at once. </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "What the hell is that? Is that really what you call an ability?" </em></em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em></em>


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

 Chapter 8.6: World Saviour (6)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 8.6: World Saviour (6)</h4>


    "He really is an impostor, isn''t he?" said one of the soldiers staring at them.


    Hearing that caused Exce to raise her voice in response while moving her gaze toward the surrounding men.


    "I-Impostor!? That''s not the case! Lord Suzuki is!"


    "Don''t worry about me! Please calm down, Exce."


    Takashi was d that Exce was angry on his behalf as if she was the one who was being criticized.


    However, the soldiers'' ridicule did not stop, and Exce shouted angrily.


    "Enough is enough!! Lord Impostor is not Suzuki at all!"


    "No, Exce!? You''re a bit of a wreck?! You really need to calm down!!"


    Seeing Takashi and Exce like that, the soldiersughed even harder. Marguerite called for them to quiet down in a hushed tone, but even her voice got drowned out by the soldiers'' mockery.


    "I said to quiet down!!"


    Her voice and tone were loud and booming, creating a sharp contrast from her previous calm tone.


    "Y''all fools!! The power of Lord Suzuki is real! The fact that he is still alive in Leirune, where the Thunder-Lance charge rules, is proof enough of that!"


    The brawny soldiers fell silent at Marguerite''smanding words. Marguerite bowed her head to Takashi.


    "I apologize for that. It seems that Lord Suzuki himself has some ns of his own. Looks like we''ll have to revise our original n."


    Takashi was relieved. They had spent a lot of time building a rtionship with the Nephira and the other demons. He really wanted to avoid such a dangerous settlement as killing everyone.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fueh. I''m d Ms. Marguerite is a reasonable person.) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Let''s take a moment to discuss the current situation. Sir Orneo, do you mind?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Uh-huh." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Marguerite singled out Orneo, and the two walked to arge tent. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> ...... </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After Marguerite and Orneo left, the soldiers led them to a small tent where Takashi and Exce sat next to each other. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "C-Cheer up, please! Lord Hero!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ah, yeah! I''m totally FINE!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Although he was acting cheerful in front of Exce, Takashi felt depressed inside. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> As the soldiersughed at him, he thought his abilities were meager. Just as he was doing his best, trying to make the world a better ce, God gave him notice that he was out of the job. It naturally depressed him. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suddenly, he heard footsteps outside, stepping on gravel. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Excuse me." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> While saying those words, Marguerite''s daughter, Noelle, entered the tent. She was holding a bottle and sses on a tray. After cing the tray on the wooden table, Noelle sat down near Takashi and Exce. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m sorry about earlier. I hope you will forgive my soldiers for their rudeness." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> After speaking, she bowed her head deeply. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "It''s fine! Since I don''t mind." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I think it is difficult for people to ept------coexistence with demons. To be honest, even I have my doubts about how that could even be possible." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I have seen the power of Lord Hero up close and personal! Coexistence is not a pipedream!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The Hero''s power, huh? Excuse me for a moment..." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Suddenly, Noelle''s face came close to Takashi''s, leaving him perplexed. Noelle''s left eye was soon covered by a blue mist. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Offensive power, defensive power, agility------ All in single digits." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Ah---. Did she see my stat values?) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Noelle apparently could see the stat values of other people. Next, she turned her attention to Exce. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "...Princess Exce has higher stat values" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "No, Unbelievable! I, have a lower stats than Exce." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I-I have acquired, some martial arts training!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (Maybe being a former princess gave her ess to a gifted education... but, did they make Exce RUN!? I, I''m in good health, and I''m still behind!? I''m shocked!!) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The power of the Lord Hero is, is different from that of simple military might!!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I see. That was my bad." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Noelle took the sses from the tray and offered them to Takashi and Exce. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "This is my apology." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Noelle tilted the bottle. The red liquid was poured into Takashi and Exce''s sses. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "The Empire is proud of its wines. It tastes good." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I, will have some!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Perhaps a little excited, she took the ss from him as if to snatch it away. Takashi was surprised when she sipped it as if it were natural. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "U-Uhm, how old are you Exce?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''ll be 16 this year." </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> (She''s one year younger than me, and yet she drinks alcohol...) </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> This is not the world where he came from. Takashi kept his mouth shut, feeling that it was wrong to go into details about her alcohol drinking. Noelle gave him a curious look. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "You won''t drink?" she asked. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "Ahh. I''ll pass!" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "How old are you Suzuki?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m seventeen years old, but---" Takashi started but was cut off by Noelle''s words. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "I''m the same age as you. You at least know how to drink, right?" </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> In this world, it is not against thew. Still, feeling somewhat ufortable, Takashi declined the wine. </em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"> "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ahaha. I hate to say it, but you really are not a hero." </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Noelleughed as if looking at something funny. </em></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><em ss="chakra-text css-0"> Do you want more free chapters? <strong>CHALLENGES</strong> are active. You can participate by leaving us either a rating or a review on Novel Updates (or better yet both). Every time we clear one of the challenges an extra free chapter will be released. Happy reviewing. </em></em>


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

 Chapter 8.7: World Saviour (7)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 8.7: World Saviour (7)</h4>


    "I have always thought that in order to bring peace to the world, you needed to be strong enough to bring down and annihte the demons. And to be a splendid knight like my mother, I''ve been working hard every day, but..."


    (Well, most people would think like that.)


    Takashi thought back to Marguerite from a while ago. She was a woman, but she had the air no less than that of a strong man. It might be somewhat simr to Nephira leading the Thunder-Lance Charge.


    "It was so impressive. Ms. Marguerite."


    "Mother is strong. She is leading the Salvation Crusaders with strength as just one woman. She even killed a high-ranked demon the other day. I have always admired her and aspired to be like her someday.


    Noelle was happy to talk about it. Takashi thought that she must really respect her mother.


    "Mother is a skilled user of Tengen, which she inherited from Lord Tartanin."


    "Tengen?"


    "It''s a holy aura... That''s right. If you are truly a Hero, you may awaken tremendous power. Wanna give it a try?"


    "R-Really! Then let''s do it!"


    Noelle put her hands together and concentrated. Her hands became enveloped in a blue mist.


    (Ooh---! That''s Aura!)


    Noelle ced her hands directly over Takashi''s head. Then all of a sudden---


    <i><strong>"I''ll murder you! I''ll murder you! I''ll murder all of you!"</strong></i>


    A man''s voice that sounded familiar kept reying in his head. Takashi''s head ached with pain.


    "Uh, Pu---...ah, I feel nauseous..."


    "A-Are you okay?"


    When Noelle let go of her hand, the nausea and headache subsided.


    "It seems that your body is rejecting Tengen."


    ording to Noelle, most people can receive Tengen itself. However, Takashi seemed to have an unusual constitution that did not allow him to receive Tengen itself.


    "Even if you can receive Tengen, it is very difficult to master. Even when granted Tengen, most people cannot make use of even ten percent of its power. In fact, my mother granted me Tengen as well, but..."


    Noelle mmed his trembling fist down onto the wooden table.


    "Aah, how frustrating! I loathe myself for not inheriting my mother''s tremendous talent!"


    "C-Calm down! Noelle!"


    "If only I had been born a man to begin with! I could have been much more useful to my mother!"


    Afterining a lot, Takashi spoke to Noel, who looked really frustrated and depressed.


    "Noelle, you really like Marguerite, don''t you?"


    "I don''t think that ''like'' is the right word. Mother is my ideal, my inspiration."


    Noelle spoke with a distant look on her face.


    "On the battlefield, she can appear ruthless at times. But, Mother is really kind."


    "I''m kinda... jealous of you..."


    "What do you mean?"


    "No. Because I... I have been alone since I can remember."


    Takashi was an orphan with no family. Although the foster caretakers at the orphanage were kind to him, he grew up without knowing the love of his parents.


    "So you don''t know what your parents look like...?"


    "I don''t know. They threw me away! Surely I was, a hindrance for them, right"


    Takashiughed bitterly as he scratched his cheek with his finger. Noelle shook her head sharply.


    "That''s not true! There must have been a deeper reason why they couldn''t raise you!"


    Noelle dered with a very serious expression on her face.


    "No parent would treat their child as a hindrance! I absolutely think so!"


    "I-I see."


    Takashi thought that even though Noelle was fiery and passionate, she was a good and pure girl. He had never talked to anyone close to his own age before sinceing to this world, except for Exce. Noelle was also thinking about the future of humanity, albeit in a different way from him.


    Takashi was happy to see that they had developed a sense ofradeship. Suddenly, Exce leaned on Takashi''s shoulder.


    "Huh, Exce?"


    Exce softly breathed while sleeping on Takashi''s shoulder.


    "She must be drunk."


    Noelle smiled and pulled a nearby nket over Exce. Takashi looked at Exce''s ss. More than half of the wine was still left. What. Isn''t she a lightweight?


    As sheughed, Noelle said to Takashi.


    "It''s alreadyte today. Take a rest. It''s all right."


    (Yeah. But, Nephira and the rest will be worried if I don''te home...)


    "Thanks. Noelle. But, I''m leaving!"


    "I see. Well then, let''s work hard with each other. For the sake of humanity."


    Noelle held up a ss of wine toward Takashi. Takashi hesitated to ept the ss, but---


    "A token to our friendship."


    "That''s... right"


    Takashi epted the ss, feeling rejuvenated by Noelle''s words. Noelle clinked her ss.


    "For the future of mankind."


    "Yeah. Cheers"


    After clinking sses, Takashi sipped wine for the first time in his life. He thought it was bitter and not tasty at all, but when he saw Noelle emptying her ss in one gulp, he decided to do the same.


    (Uuh. I knew it, this is bad...)


    You may have to be an adult to appreciate the taste. Takashi put down his ss and looked at the sleeping Exce.


    "Exce. We should get going! Ex... ce..."


    He tried to shake her awake, but he suddenly felt dizzy and copsed on top of her.


    (H-Huh?)


    Then, Takashi lost consciousness.


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 Chapter 8.8: World Saviour (8)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 8.8: World Saviour (8)</h4>


    The main camp.


    Away from the tent of the Hero and Noelle.


    In a spacious tent that could amodate up to ten people, Orneo sat facing Marguerite.


    "Honestly, what are your thoughts on this, Sir Orneo?"


    Marguerite turned her sharp eyes toward Orneo.


    "His n to coexist with the demons------seems like a pipe dream to me."


    (Indeed. So Dame Marguerite''s true intentions are different from what she had just told the soldiers?)


    That''s why she wanted to clear the room and talk alone with him. It is certainly not surprising that Marguerite would think so. Orneo himself used to think like that in the beginning.


    Orneo felt that if it truly was like that, he would have to exin the abilities of the Hero to her.


    "My thoughts are the same as Lord Suzuki''s. I think coexistence with demonkind is possible."


    Marguerite looked a little surprised, then shook her head lightly.


    "Fire and water are ipatible. You can either extinguish the fire by dousing water over it or vaporize water by heating it over the fire. There is only one or the other."


    "If you heat tea leaves with water over a fire, you can make a good cup of tea."


    "That is a bunch of nonsense."


    "Lord Suzuki sessfully built a vige where only humans could live right inside Leirune---and that had been conquered by the Demon Lord''s Army. The coexistence with the demons had already begun."


    Orneo spoke carefully about Suzuknd and what the Hero was doing there. Even so, Marguerite''s expression remained unsettled. Orneo smiled wryly.


    "I understand how you feel, Dame Marguerite. Until I met Lord Suzuki, I had never thought of coexisting with a demon.


    Orneo looked Marguerite squarely in the eyes.


    "ording to the divine message, Lord Suzuki is not a Hero, but I do not agree. I believe that Lord Suzuki... is one of the heroes who will save this world."


    "Can you really call yourself a hero if you have nobat power?"


    "War is not the only way."


    Marguerite shrugged. She stood up from her seat as if to freshen up and returned with sses and a bottle of alcohol.


    "Let''s take a little break. Here you go."


    Marguerite poured a ss of wine. Orneo epted the wine with a smile, smelled the aroma, and inspected it under the light.


    "It has a good color. But the aroma is not so good."


    Orneo dumped the wine over. A purple stain spread on the ground.


    "I smell a sleeping drug. Do you intend to invade Leirune while we are knocked out?"


    "You are very paranoid, aren''t you? I would never do such a---"


    "I am certain of my nose. I was also the princess''s poison tester."


    Suddenly, Marguerite''s expression changed. She turned her cold gaze on Orneo and said, without a trace of apology.


    "You should just drink and fall asleep."


    Marguerite pped her hands twice, and her men in armor entered the tent. Marguerite gave orders to her subordinates.


    "We will now execute our original n. Eliminate all demons in Leirune."


    The soldiers saluted and left the tent. Orneo said hurriedly."


    "W-Wait! There are many humans living in Leirune! If you attack now, they will suffer as well!"


    "We have been entrusted by Lord Tartanin with the duty of destroying the Thunder-Lance Charge."


    "How can you overlook the fact that there are ways to save lives without spilling too much blood?"


    "There has never been a revolution in history without bloodshed."


    "Nevertheless! Dame Leelou said it! Lord Suzuki has the potential to do it!"


    "Is this about, coexisting with the demons? I am disgusted. That is the thinking of a bastard who has surrendered to the power of demons and lost his dignity as a human being."


    "T-That''s not true! You are mistaken, I assure you!"


    "Even Grand Tactician Leelou Dimension has fallen. Such naive thinking cannot save the world. Only by eliminating all the demons will mankind prosper."


    Marguerite turned her icy gaze in the direction of Leirune.


    "The bastards of Leirune, with their foolish ideas of coexistence and their ttery of the Demon Lord''s army. They are just as guilty as the demons."


    (I-Impossible! You want to kill the people in the town too!?)


    "Dame Marguerite! Calm down!! We must work together with Lord Suzuki to find a better way!"


    A momentter, Orneo grabbed Marguerite''s shoulder in an attempt to stop the rampage.


    "Don''t touch me."


    Marguerite''s sword shed, and Orneo''s right arm flew through the air, spraying blood.


    "You sold out your soul to demonkind."


    "Arghh--!"


    Orneo fell to his knees due to the intense pain and bleeding. Breathing heavily, he looked up and saw Marguerite with her sword raised in the air.


    "I-If you want a truly...... peaceful world...... for humankind......!"


    "I don''t want anything like that."


    "Wha......!?"


    Orneo saw a vile color in Marguerite''s eyes. The distorted color of her eyes, which he had seen, so many times in the past, during the struggle for the throne. The color of someone obsessed with self-interest and greed.


    (Lord Suzuki... Your Highness...! Marguerite is dangerous...!)


    Orneo somehow managed to get out of the tent, but the moment he heard the sound of shing, he felt a burning sensation on his back.


    For a brief moment, memories of chasing after a very young Exce shed through his mind, but the innocent youngdy''s back soon became more and more distant---until Orneo could see nothing at all.


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 Chapter 9.1: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (1)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 9.1: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (1)</h4>


    <strong>TL Note:</strong> WE HAVE REACHED OUR CHALLENGE GOAL! Double Feature iing!


    After putting Suzuki and Exce to sleep, Noelle went to Marguerite''s tent in the main camp. There, she saw Orneo, who had lost an arm and was bleeding from the upper half of his body.


    "D-Did you kill him?...!"


    "He had a rebellious spirit."


    Marguerite grabbed her sword and headed for Suzuki''s tent. Noelle could feel the same deadly atmosphere she had felt on the battlefielding from her mother.


    "As nned, I gave him a drink containing sleeping powder! No problems!"


    "I want to make sure to be on the safe side."


    "H-However! You can''t kill the Leirune Princess!"


    "She''s a former princess. Besides, it''s also for the greater good..."


    A soldier rushed to the hawk-eyed Marguerite and reported.


    "Lady Marguerite. We are ready tounch our attack, ma''am."


    "Mother!"


    Marguerite paused, remained silent for a moment, then sheathed her sword.


    "...The fact that they''re ipetent means they wouldn''t be able to cause problems even when they wake up"


    Noelle patted her chest. If the preparations for the Leirune offensive had been dyed a tad longer, Suzuki and Exce would have had their necks cut off.


    "Let''s go, Noelle. We will decimate the special attack force, directly under the control of the Demon Lord''s Army, the Thunder-Lance Charge, and use it as a signal of the deration of mankind''s counterattack."


    "YES!"


    ...


    The soldiers rode their horses in the moonlight. Noelle reminisced about a distant past as she chased her mother''s white horse, which led the soldiers on the way to Leirune.


    Marguerite Torino, who was called a genius and appointed as a swordsmanship instructor in the Empire despite her being a woman------ the legitimate heir, the daughter of that genius, Noelle, had no talent for swordsmanship. In addition to this...


    <i>"It would have been better if Lady Noelle had been born male, right?"</i>


    As a young girl, she overheard the conversations of her handmaidens and understood that her mother had originally wanted a male heir. When Noelle picked flowers to show her or tried to have a conversation with her at the end of the day, her mother would say she was busy without even looking Noelle in the eyes.


    Nevertheless, Marguerite''s gant striding through the Empire with her numerous subordinates was the object of Noelle''s admiration. Noelle made every effort to win her mother''s favor. This was also the reason why she referred to herself as male and acted like a man.


    When her younger brother Sam was born, her mother''s attitude changed noticeably. Her mother smiled at Sam with a smile she had never seen on her face before.


    (I knew it... I''m not needed after all.)


    She felt as if all the efforts she had made to gain her mother''s favor had gone to waste.


    While Noelle was crying in her room without taking meals, she heard a knock at her door. Her mother came to her room uncharacteristically and handed her a silver-haired rabbit mascot. It was the first time Noelle had ever received anything from her mother.


    After wiping away a tear, Noelle moved the rabbit mascot as if it were alive.


    "<i>Puu Puu.</i>"


    "What? Noelle? What''s that?"


    "It''s a rabbit''s cry, Mother."


    "Rabbits don''t have vocal cords. They don''t chirp."


    "They do, Mother. I, once petted a rabbit. And it cried with a <i>''Puu Puu''</i>."


    Her mother turned up the corners of her mouth just a little bit. Seeing this, Noelle smiled as well.


    After that, Noelle continued to work hard. No matter how well Noelle performed in the swordpetition or how high she got in the magic examinations, her mother never praised Noelle.


    Even so, she knew of her mother''s kindness.


    "...Noelle."


    Noelle''s consciousness was brought back to reality by Marguerite''s voice. Before she knew it, she was riding alongside her mother''s white horse. She may have called out to her several times, but she did not notice.


    "I apologize. I was just lost in thought."


    "I heard that there is a vige of humans coexisting with demons in Leirune. They are a group of traitors who have given up their human dignity and willingly became the ves of the demonic race."


    Marguerite turned her sharp eyes on Noelle.


    "Kill them without reservation."


    "Yes."


    Her mother''s eyes were sharp and cold. But it was for the greater good.


    The Castle of Syness came into view. While slowing her horse, Marguerite handed Noelle a vial and said with a smile she rarely showed.


    "Use it in case somethinges up."


    "This is?"


    "Lord Tartanin bestowed upon me this elixir to enhance my abilities."


    "Thank... Thank you so much."


    (Ah! As expected! Mother is!)


    It was the same as when she gave her the rabbit mascot. Right, only she knew. The kindness of her mother... Her true side that she would never show in front of the soldiers.


    Noelle held back the tears that were about to flow.


    Marguerite''s squad was to attack Leirune from the east, and Noelle''s from the west. Her mother''spany changed course.


    "Mother. May you have fortune in war."


    Marguerite silently raised one hand and rode away.


    .


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 Chapter 9.2: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (2)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 9.2: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (2)</h4>


    TL NOTE: As promised, extra chapter! Next Challege goal at 100 votes!


    Noelle''s toon split from Marguerite''s and headed southwest of Leirune. When the lights in the vige came into view, Noelle stopped her horse.


    After hiding the horses in the woods, she marched silently with ten soldiers. Noelle approached the guarding skeleton soldier from behind, and, with a practiced hand, cut off his head and cracked his skull open. The next one they encountered, a golem, was surrounded by arge number of soldiers and cut down over time, as the established practice she had learned in the swordsmanship academy.


    "Set it on fire. Burn the whole settlement to the ground."


    The soldiers scattered, torches in hand, one by one. Noelle''s squad was a diversion. They were tasked with killing the demons and setting fire to the town in order to create chaos in Leirune. Taking advantage of this opportunity they created, her mother''s main force would attack the castle of Syness.


    A human male rushed out of a burning house in panic. A soldier cut him down with his sword without hesitation. Noelle ground her teeth and looked away.


    (They are traitors who have sold their souls to the demons.)


    Repeatedly speaking it in her mind over and over again, as if to validate its righteousness. Suddenly, she noticed a huge monster standing in the middle of the road with the moon on its back.


    "U-Uhouguru, Suzund, protect!"


    (Ogre race... This vige watchdog, perhaps?)


    Like with the golem, Noelle instructed her soldiers to surround the demon---and then drew her sword from its scabbard.


    ¡ó¡ó¡ó¡ó¡ó


    <i><strong>"Forgive me... Takashi..."</strong></i>


    In the darkness, he heard a voice. Takashi knew this was a dream. It is a dream he has had repeatedly since he was a child.


    <i><strong>"I''m sorry... I''m really sorry..."</strong></i>


    A woman''s voice, whose face he did not recognize, echoed. It was the voice of the mother who abandoned him.


    The things that he and Noelle had talked about earlier ovepped with the dream.


    (Deeper reasons for not being able to raise me, huh?)


    Indeed, his mother''s voice in the dream sounded sad. What could have been the reason for not being able to raise him?


    In his dream, Takashi longed to hear his mother''s voice again. His mother''s voice echoes in his brain.


    <i><strong>"I apologize... but... right now... you have to wake up"</strong></i>


    (Have to wake up?)


    Suddenly, he woke up startled by Master Leelou''s voice and realized that his body was being shaken violently. Exce, her cheeks wet with tears, kept shaking Takashi''s shoulder.


    "Orneo is... Orneo is...!"


    He knew that this was something out of the ordinary. Takashi stumbled back as Exce pulled him by the hand. His head was spinning. He had never had such a bad night''s sleep in his life.


    Still, he had an ominous feeling about the sobbing Exce and rallied himself to enter the main tent.


    "HU---!"


    At that moment, Takashi thought he would stop breathing. Orneo, who was missing an arm, was lying in a pool of blood.


    "W-We need to give him treatment!"


    The copious blood seemed to being from his upper body. Exce sobbed and shook her head.


    "He already... passed away."


    "That''s! Who in hell did this?"


    "There''s a wound consistent with a sword sh. Marguerite probably killed him."


    "Marguerite?!? Why!!"


    Exce wiped away her tears and silently walked out of the tent. The area was still and quiet, with not a single soldier in sight.


    Exce pointed with her finger. The direction of Leirune, the one Takashi and the rest havee from, shone brighter than before.


    (Are those... mes? A fire?)


    "The Salvation Crusaders were about to invade Leirune... Orneo was probably killed for opposing them."


    Exce stared at Takashi. And then, used a dignified voice in order to encourage him.


    "I beg you, Lord Hero! Protect the people who live in Leirune!"


    "Y-YA!"


    .


    While Orneo''s death must have been heartbreaking. And yet, Exce was very determined. She begged him to protect the people of Leirune instead of herself, who could not run because of her shed leg''s tendons.


    The Salvation Crusaders'' soldiers were human. Takashi''s abilities would not be effective. Nevertheless, knowing how Exce felt, Takashi immediately ran toward Leirune.


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 Chapter 9.3: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (3)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 9.3: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (3)</h4>


    Noelle''s eyes caught the sight of Uhouguru swinging a log as if it were a light twig. The soldiers, who got hit by the log, were blown away due to the ogre''s tremendous physical strength. And to make matters worse------


    .


    "B-Bugs!! There are bugs inside my bodyyyyy!!"


    The rest of the soldiers were screaming and iling around at the strange bugs that entered through their ears and nostrils.


    (A powerful arm by itself is troublesome, and yet it uses a demonic bug as well? This is a High-Rank Soldier of the Special Strike Force, under the direct control of the Demon Lord''s Army, the "Thunder-Lance Charge"...!)


    A soldier who has somehow survived crawled over to Noel and told her.


    "L-Lady Noelle! Please retreat, at once!"


    "Never! I can''t face my mother if I let my actions interfere with the mission!"


    Noelle tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword and headed for Uhouguru. She breathed quietly as she trotted. Noelle''s body soon took on a pale blue aura.


    "Tengen manifestation!"


    At the same time, she rushed toward Uhouguru, drawing her sword from behind her. Uhouguru tried to use the log to brush off Noelle. The log roared but struck nothing. Noelle, with her superior speed, took Uhouguru''s back.


    "Divine de ''Ice Sting''!"


    She thrust her sword into the back of the Uhouguru with determination. Noelle thought it was settled with her attack connecting. However, there was a sound as if iron and steel were shing, and her sword arm became numb and aching.


    (Wh-What the hell?)


    Noelle took some distance and looked at Uhouguru''s back. Buzzards of fly-like insects had gathered on her back.


    (Did it use hardening magical bugs to defend itself?)


    The bugs that protected Uhouguru''s back now gathered around her thick arms. A momentter, when her right arm seemed stained ck by the dense concentration of bugs, Uhouguru lunged at Noelle this time.


    "<i>Guh!</i>"


    Uhouguru''s charge exceeded Noelle''s expectations. She had assumed that its speed would be slow because it was an Ogre species with a reputation for monstrous strength. However, before she realized it, Uhouguru was already within striking range. Uhouguru mmed its fist, coated with demonic bugs, into Noelle''s stomach.


    The sturdy fist shattered her armor with a "<i>Guha</i>", and Noelle rolled on the ground, spewing gastric juice from her mouth.


    (I-I have to stand up. It''s going to finish me off!)


    While she was enduring the pain, Uhouguru was still in the same position as before, looking down at Noelle.


    "Get out of Suzuknd."


    (Why? Howe it isn''ting after me?)


    Noelle noticed this and looked around. The soldiers who had been blown away by the logs and the soldiers who had bugs inserted into their bodies were still alive, though they were lying on the ground and moaning.


    "Y''all, humans. That''s why I won''t kill."


    (A demon showing mercy to humans? Ridiculous!)


    Uhouguru said to Noelle, who was standing up using her sword as a cane.


    "It''s useless. You, that power, you haven''t mastered it. The aura does not extend to the sword."


    Noelle ground her teeth. Uhouguru had it exactly right. Her previous "Ice Sting" was just a copy of her mother''s technique. As an ordinary person, she was incapable of mastering aplete divine de.


    "You fiend! Are you taunting me?!"


    Noelle trembled with anger. What Uhouguru said was true, and it deeply gouged Noelle''s heart.


    She had worked hard since she was a child. She wielded her sword until she was covered in mud and sweating waterfalls. Even so, her mother''s back was always far away.


    <i><strong>"Use it in case somethinges up."</strong></i>


    Her mother''s words shed through her mind. Breathing heavily, Noelle pulled out the vial from her pocket. And then, she popped the cork with her teeth and gulped down the liquid in one gulp.


    "<i>Gu...u Guaaaahhhh---</i>!!"


    Noelle screamed as her stomach, and then her whole body, felt like it was in mes. The blood vessels in her arms rise to the surface, and the nails on both hands be sharp and pointed.


    When the burning sensation in her body subsided, Noelle felt an elevation of mind and body. She swung her sword with one hand. The sword created a wind pressure that she had never felt before.


    (I can win! With this!)


    "Tengen manifestation!"


    Once again, a blue aura enveloped Noelle''s body. Surprising even herself, Noelle closed the distance between herself and Uhouguru in an instant. Nevertheless, Uhouguru still reacted. She concentrated her defensive demonic bugs on her chest to block Noelle''s sword.


    "<i>Gaaaaa---</i>!"


    Noelle howled and thrust her sword straight into the protected chest. Noelle''s sword, d in Tengen, did not break but instead shattered Uhouguru demonic bugs. And then...


    "<i>y</i>"


    The sword pierced straight through Uhouguru''s chest.


    (Not yet!)


    The life force of an ogre is said to be enormous. Noelle drew his sword and repeatedly thrust it again and again into the chest and abdomen of Uhouguru.


    "I won... I won!"


    Noel sneers while gasping for breath at the sight of Uhouguru lying on the ground. The soldiers, who had wounds all over their bodies, were shivering in awe, realizing they had defeated such a powerful enemy.


    Soon, however, they raised their voice toward her.


    "L-Lady Noelle...! Your appearance is...!"


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 Chapter 9.4: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (4)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 9.4: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (4)</h4>


    "L-Lady Noelle...! Your appearance is...!"


    "Horns and ws! And also fangs! It''s as if!"


    The soldiers shut their mouths to contain the words that were about to follow.


    Noelle, of course, sensed the changes in her body. There was only one elixir in the world that could give you the strength to defeat an ogre far beyond your own strength.


    During the Great Human-Demon War, it was forbidden to use this powerful concoction. By injecting the mana of a demon into one''s body, one could gain attack power and magical power that is unattainable by humans...


    In other words, it causes "demonization".


    (I don''t care! As long as it will help my mother!)


    Suddenly, footsteps running on the ground were heard. Noelle turned around, rmed.


    Suzuki''s expression turned grim as he ran towards the copsed Uhouguru.


    (Suzuki... Has the sleeping powder worn off by now?)


    Neither Exce nor Suzuki had finished their wine. She had expected them to be asleep until morning. No, she wanted them to sleep.


    As Noelle and the soldiers stared in silence, Suzuki, with tears in his eyes, held the vicious ogre''s hand.


    "Uhouguru. You protected Suzuknd, didn''t you?"


    "I, have killed... many humans. That''s why... This time, I wanted to be useful to humans."


    "Thank you. Thank you so much."


    "Suzuki... Run away... that gal... is strong"


    "It''s okay. Don''t worry."


    Uhouguru smiled and hung her head in distress. She seems to have just lost consciousness.


    (How can it still be alive after taking so many blows?)


    As she stood in awe at the ogre''s tremendous life force, she noticed Suzuki standing right in front of her.


    Suzuki turned his eyes away from Noelle for a moment and looked around at the burning houses and the dead vigers.


    "WHY!? How could you have done this..."


    "Sacrifice for the greater good."


    "Are those Noelle''s true feelings?" Suzuki asked in a low, quiet voice.


    Noelle red at Suzuki, feeling as if he had seen right through her.


    "Shut up! Mother''s will is my own will!"


    Noelle, apanied by her soldiers, attempted to walk past Suzuki. However, Suzuki stood in the way of Noelle.


    "I won''t let you go any further."


    "If you don''t want to die, retreat. There is no way that you, who are so weak, can win against me, who has be a demonic human. Even the bug-using ogre couldn''t do anything against me."


    "Couldn''t do anything? Uhouguru has done enough! Now... I have a fighting chance."


    "What are you talking about? Don''t you know your own weakness?"


    "That''s right! I''m weak. But it doesn''t matter how weak I am or how strong Noelle is."


    "You don''t know what you''re talking about," Noelle irritably said.


    However, Suzuki turned his determined gaze toward Noelle.


    "<i>Pritis</i> will work."


    (W-What the hell? Was it like this when we first met...?)


    As she looked at Suzuki, her heart pounded in her chest. Noelle had a bad feeling about this and drew her sword.


    "Do you really want to die that badly? Then you should learn...! The power of the Heavenly Sword that will save the world!"


    Tengen filled Noelle''s body. She controlled the blue aura and transferred it to the sword at will. It was a technique she couldn''t use no matter how many times she practiced. However, now that she''d turned into a demonic human, it should be possible.


    (It''s the least I can do as a gesture of mercy. With the Divine de "Mizzle", I will send you to the other side without feeling any pain!)


    If "Ice Sting" was a one-hit kill technique, "Mizzle" was a continuous strike technique. It instantly cuts off the victim''s head, slices off the torso in half, and severs off the limbs as well.


    (He should have just stayed asleep with the sleeping powder. If he had not woken up, he would not have died. And yet... Ah, Ah---... what a pity...)


    Noelle was horrified by her own thoughts.


    (What a pity!?? What the hell!? What the hell am I thinking in the middle of a fight?)


    She shook her head from side to side. As Noelle concentrated onunching Mizzle, she put all her strength into the hilt of her sword.


    In response, Suzuki------


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures---Twentieth Gesture, ''<i>No Defense''</i>"


    She realized that Suzuki was trying to do something.


    (It''s no use! Without magic power or agility, how can you dodge sword blowsing at you from every direction?)


    "Divine de ''Mizzle''!"


    .


    Noelle passed by Suzuki while swinging her sword at a speed that leaves afterimages. Noelle hesitated for a moment and then looked back. There, she should have seen the dismembered body of Suzuki.


    "...Huh?"


    Noelle could not help but be shocked. Suzuki was standing there in perfect health as if nothing had happened to him.


    (D-Dodged? Mizzle''s continuous strikes? N-No, he didn''t move an inch!)


    She immediately noticed that Suzuki had not moved an inch. In other words, did she... miss?


    (What..? Do you mean to say I subconsciously thought I didn''t want to hurt Suzuki?)


    Noelle gnashed her teeth.


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 Chapter 9.5: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (5)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 9.5: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (5)</h4>


    (How immature! Be as ruthless as Mother! The feeble state of mind that the other party was a human had dulled the Heavenly Sword Style! He is the enemy! Don''t think of him as a human!)


    A momentter, Noelle regained her nerve and looked at Suzuki with determination. But Noelle almost fell t on her back.


    A rabbit the same size as a human... stood in front of her.


    "HUUUUHHHHH!?"


    It looked like the rabbit mascot Noelle''s mother had given her but scaled to a human-sized version. Its adorable ears twitched.


    Indeed, she had just gotten herself into a state of mind that considered Suzuki as not a human. However, it never crossed her mind that he would turn into a giant rabbit.


    "Mo-Mo-Monster! Kno-Knock it off...!"


    The hand holding the sword was shaking. The mascot was a precious, very precious mascot given by her Mother. She had carefully cleaned all the finger marks and stains, and even at her current age, she still carried it around with her. A rabbit many timesrger than the rabbit mascot now stood right in front of her.


    (Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong! That''s not the rabbit Mother gave me!)


    While being on guard and paying attention to Suzuki, she gently took out the mascot she was carrying on her person and held it out to confirm.


    (Ahh---! The spitting image!)


    As expected, they were the same. Moreover, bigger. It was so big and fluffy.


    (...I wonder how in the world would feel to the touch? ...Ah---!)


    Noelle punched her cheek with her fist. A single drop of blood dripped from her lips.


    "Vile sorcerer! That magic! I''ll break through it!"


    The Salvation Crusaders had repeatedly practiced harsh mock battles up to this point. Of course, they had not neglected countermeasures against the enemy''s sorcery.


    Noel sheathed his sword and quickly formed the seal taught by the Sage Amgustus with both hands.


    "Total Dispel!"


    It was a sacred technique to nullify illusions and curse-like spells, handed down from the Sage of the Empire after bloody training.


    (How''s that!?)


    After making theplicated seal, Noelle looked at Suzuki again.


    ...The big and cute rabbit was still standing as usual.


    (It hasn''t been removed at all!!)


    Unbelievable. What was that training with Sage Amgustus for?


    (N-No, this may be something different from an illusion or a curse! In that case!)


    Noelle stepped back and distanced herself from the giant rabbit. The more powerful a magic or skill is, the narrower its range of effect! That''s thew of this world!


    After getting more than enough distance from the giant rabbit,


    "Divine de ''Wind sh''!"


    Noelle swung her sword, charged with a blue aura, horizontally. The aura emitted from the sword formed an arc and flew. Noelle unleashed a ranged sword technique that decapitated the giant rabbit... or at least it was supposed to.


    Wind sh cut into the ground a few meters away from the giant rabbit.


    (Ridiculous!! Even, from this far distance? Not only the "Mizzle", but even "Wind sh"!!)


    Noelle''s forehead became covered with cold sweat.


    (The Heavenly Sword, the Divine de techniques that God gifted to save the world is useless!? This can''t be happening!!)


    This can''t be true. At the same time, Noelle became convinced. Suzuki has to be finished off for sure here! This strange ability will surely be an obstacle to Mother''s vision of the world!


    (Suzuki has no defense! If I hit him, I can win! And this time, I''m going to hit him! That''s right, it''s the sight of that cute little figure that makes me lose my aim!)


    Noelle closed her eyes and drew his sword backward.


    (I can do it. This time, it will hit the mark. Even if I somehow miss a vital point, it will still do damage.)


    "Divine de..."


    With her eyes closed and relying only on her own senses to detect his presence, Noelle was about to unleash a Wind sh when she heard a sound.


    "<i>Puu Puu</i>"


    Noelle doubted her own ears.


    (C-Chirping...!! The rabbit chirped...!?)


    She couldn''t resist opening her eyes. The shock caused the Wind sh Stance that her body was performing to copse, and the aura faded into the void without so much as grazing at Suzuki.


    Noelle''s body quaked tremendously. Then sheughed self-deprecatingly.


    "<i>Fu-Fufufufu! Kuku-ku-kuku</i>! FINE! I''ll admit it! Your ability! My inexperienced sword cannot reach you!"


    Noelle threw down her sword and yelled.


    "If my sword cannot reach you! I''ll use my wide-range overwhelming ze Magic to burn you to the ground!"


    Noelle, who self-depleted and considered herself to have mediocre talent, was not only obsessed with swordsmanship but also devoted herself to polishing her magical talents. As a result of her tireless efforts, she had mastered the art of ze Magic to the level of a high-ranking sorcerer. However, no matter how powerful the magic, it would be meaningless if her aim was off.


    (If that is the case, it would be better if someone with a different will of my own released the fire! An overwhelmingly powerfulbustion of ze Magic that burns the entire area to the ground!)


    Noelle raised both hands to the heavens as if to offer up her whole self.


    (I should be able to do it! Now that I''ve turned into a demonic human!)


    "Spirit Summoning!"


    The soldiers who were watching the battle reacted with a gasp. A huge, blood-red magic circle appeared beneath Noelle''s feet. Noelle''s silver hair stood on end with the outpouring of magical power.


    "Come forth! Spirit of Fire, Ifreet!"


    A thunderous sound like a bolt of lightning echoed through the air, turning the night sky into a brightening red like twilight. The sky directly above Noelle''s location ripped open and soon---


    "GHAAAAAA...!"


    The Legendary Spirit was about to make its appearance.


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 Chapter 9.6: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (6)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 9.6: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (6)</h4>


    <strong>TL Note:</strong> WE HAVE REACHED OUR CHALLENGE GOAL! Double Feature iing!


    The sky had already turned blood-red when Exce, unable to run due to a severed tendon in her legs, somehow made it to Suzuknd at the southwestern edge of Leirune. Huge arms tore through the skies, and the Spirit of Fire looked down toward thend.


    (Th-This...! Just like in Mythology...! It is beyond human understanding...!)


    She had read stories about summoning a spirit from picture books or folk tales. There were also rumors that at the time of the Great Human-Demon War, several very high-ranking summoners risked their lives to summon spirits. Even so, for Exce, summoning spirits was still within the realm of picture books and folklore.


    "Burn them to oblivion! Ifreet!"


    The screams of the now-transformed demonic human, Noelle, struck Exce''s ears. Far up in the sky, Ifreet raised its right arm. The dazzling energyparable to a sun soonpressed in its palm.


    (If a fireball like that were to fall, the entire area, would be reduced to cinders!)


    Exce shuddered. And then, Ifreet''s pair of eyes gazed down ahead.


    "Lord Hero!"


    Exce approached the hero with a limp.


    "Let''s run away! Before we get engulfed in fire!"


    The soldiers were scattering and fleeing, but Noelle herself had her arms outstretched to wee Ifreet. She must be nning to face off against the hero. The hero also shook his head silently at Exce''s words, as if he had made up his mind to fight.


    "Master Leelou even gave up her original n and entrusted me with this town. That''s why I have to protect this town."


    "But!"


    "It''s ok. For my sake, Master thought of 48 gestures for me to save the world------ Pritis is invincible."


    The profile of the hero seemed more impressive than ever before. His words were strong and full of confidence.


    Even so, Exce''s anxiety did not disappear.


    (Will Pritis even have an effect on Ifreet!?)


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures---Sixteenth Gesture, ''<i>Petition</i>''"


    Exce clenched her fists and watched the battle between the hero and Ifreet with bated breath. And yet, the hero was---


    "Ah-hem! Please excuse meee! Please stop thaaat! Pretty pleaseee!" shouting to Ifreet.


    The gap between the two was so great, that Exce was almost ovee with a sense of loss of strength.


    (N-No! This is the way that Lord Hero fights! This is PRITIS!)


    He repeatedly called, "Please stop thaaat!" over and over again. Even so, there was no change in Ifreet. It was still putting energy into the fireball.


    (UGH! Ifreet is far up in the sky! It can''t hear your voice, Lord Hero!)


    "L-Lord Hero!"


    The hero seems to have understood her meaning and looked up silently at Ifreet.


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures---First Gesture, ''<i>Upward nce</i>''!"


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    Ifreet, which had been forming a great fireball in its palm, stopped for a moment. However, Ifreet still extended its arms wide. The energy infusion did not stop. The great fireball soon becameplete.


    (OMG! Pritis has NO effect in Ifreet!)


    Noelle chuckled and mocked.


    "<i>KUKUKU</i>! How could such a cheap trick ever work on a Spirit?"


    Ifreet was already on the brink of throwing the fireball. Exce was in despair. And the hero, too, fell to the ground as if he had given up.


    (Ah! We are done for...No...)


    However, the hero did not cave in. With a wavering stance, he looked at Ifreet with upturned eyes and bit his fingernails.


    "...Shift! Pritis''s 48 Gestures---Eleventh Gesture, ''<i>Nail Biting</i>''!"


    ("S-Shift"!? Still maintaining "Upward nce" and yet starting a new Pritis gesture!?)


    Exce became shaken by the simultaneous activation of Pritis. A first-rate high-ranking sorcerer could simultaneously cast two magic spells without reciting a single spell chant!! Lord Suzuki could do something simr to that!?


    The hero fidgeted with an upward nce while biting his nails. Exce thought he was not only cute, but also had a refined, morous appearance.


    Exce shifted her gaze from the hero to Ifreet. The spirit looked frozen in a stance of being on the brink of throwing the fireball. The hero continued by saying---


    "...Shift! Pritis''s 48 Gestures---Sixteenth Gesture, ''<i>Petition</i>''!"


    (Th-Th-Three gestures simultaneously!? No, but "Petition" is no bueno! Ifreet is far up in the sky! It can''t hear his voice!)


    Orneo''s death. The trampled down in Suzuknd. The culmination of all these events had caused Exce to be extremely stressed and angry. She grinded her teeth.


    (What the HELL are you doing?! Geez! That''s the one that didn''t work earlier! LEARN from it!)


    Unaware of Exce''s frustration, looking like a frail and helpless woman in a copsed position, the hero even removed his fingernails from his mouth, leaving behind his nail-biting gesture. And then, his mouth started to move.


    Exce realized.


    (I-Is this, Lip Sync!? I cannot understand what he is saying at... all NO! If I look closely, I can tell by the way his lips are moving!)


    Although she did not know how to lip-read, Exce could hear the hero''s words in her mind as if he were speaking directly to her heart.


    "<i><strong>Ple---a---se---S---top---?</strong></i>"


    (Because of the Lip Sync, I can''t hear what he is saying! However, that also brings out the cuteness of Lord Hero even more! I have a vague feeling that this is the case!)


    "Upward nce", "Nail Biting" and "Petition."


    (Three Pritis gestures simultaneously. Will the effect be as great------?)


    Exce looked at Ifreet, her heart almost crushed by the extreme tension.


    Ifreet, who was about to unleash the huge fireball, hade to aplete stop. Eventually, the fireball in its palm shrank down and disappeared.


    Ifreet''s arms drooped down, and then its huge gaping maw opened. Ifreet spoke in a voice that seemed to echo from the depths of hell.


    "Unfeasible...! Cute...! Can''t...!"


    Ifreet''s body gradually faded and disappeared as if sucked into the sky. After that, only the dawn spread out. Exce shouted with delight.


    "Hooray! You did it! Lord Suzuki''s cuteness beat Ifreet!"


    "I-I-Impossible!! This!! Can''t be happening!!"


    From a distance, Noelle''s lips trembled with a despairing expression. She stared at the hero with a look of horror on her face.


    "This is... Pritis...!"


    She then plunged to her knees. The hero ran up to Noelle, defenseless.


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 Chapter 9.7: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (7)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 9.7: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (7)</h4>


    TL NOTE: As promised, extra chapter! Next Challege goal at 125 votes!


    "Lord Suzuki!? It''s dangerous!!"


    Exce was concerned for the hero''s safety. However, Noelle, whom she was guarding against, was trembling and shaking. This was not only because the summoning of the Spirit had ended fruitlessly. Noelle''s face cracked, and her skin began to crumble---as if paint was peeling off.


    (This is... decay!? It''s the side effect of the demonization!!)


    The reason such a potion was condemned as inhumane and forbidden by imperial military regtions during the Great Human-Demon War was now being witnessed by Exce and the hero.


    Noelle''s breathing became rougher. The fissures spread throughout her body and eroded Noelle.


    The hero asked Exce with a sad expression on his face,


    "Exce! What should I do? What should I do? How do I save Noelle?"


    (In such a state, no one can help her anymore...)


    Noelle herself spoke up in ce of Exce, who was silent.


    "Since the moment I drank the Elixir... I already knew I would die."


    Noelle''s mouth turned up slightly.


    "Mother... It''s a shame I couldn''t be of more help."


    "That Elixir... was by any chance Marguerite''s...?"


    "It was my prerogative to drink it..."


    The hero mmed his fist down on the ground in frustration. Noelle smiles at him, even though she''s cracked all over.


    "Mother is thinking of humanity... that''s why, she has no other choice..."


    "Wrong! Marguerite is mistaken!"


    Noelle may no longer be able to hear the cries of the hero. Half of her body had already crumbled away like sand. Noelle''s upper body copsed onto the chest of the hero.


    "You are weak... And yet I couldn''t beat you... I now understand it! ... Your power is truly greater than magic power and attack power..."


    Noelle then took the hero''s hand.


    "With that power... I hope that... you can create a world where humans can truly live in peace..."


    Noelle''s body crumbled to ashes. Only Noelle''s armor and a small rabbit mascot remained in the hero''sp.


    ¡ô????¡ô????¡ô????¡ô????¡ô


    The bird-headed demon Pholus mmed the door violently and rushed into Nephira''s quarters.


    "Hu-Human soldiers! They are invading the Castle of Syness from the east!"


    Serphiano had told Nephira with the crystal ball that there were some strange movements among the humans. As such, Nephira was not too surprised. However, she had one question.


    "Haven''t the town''s defenses been strengthened as directed!?"


    "Those guys defeated the guards with a strength unseen in humans...


    It appears that several casualties have already urred!"


    Serphiano warned Nephira to be on her guard. Therefore, Nephira had ced as many high-ranking soldiers as possible in various parts of Leirune, but it seemed the enemy''s strength was far greater than she could have imagined.


    Nephira, who had been calmly analyzing the situation up to this point, suddenly remembered Suzuki, causing her hearts to beat faster.


    "H-Hey. How''s Suzuki?"


    "I don''t know! However, we''ve been informed that the enemy also invaded Suzuknd!"


    (Wa-Wait a minute! That''s really bad!)


    "However! Uhouguru is also with him, so I don''t think you need to worry about him."


    Nephira pounded the table with her fist.


    (Wrong! With such a powerful enemy, it wouldn''t be surprising if something should happen to him!)


    In a hurry, Nephira put on her battle armor, exited the room, and walked swiftly through the castle.


    "Pl-Please wait, Lady Nephira!"


    Pholus followed at her heels, carrying Nephira''s favorite weapon, the Lightning Spear Blitzberg. Nevertheless, Nephira continued to move forward, looking only ahead.


    (Suzuki! I''ming now, ya know!)


    When Nephira stepped out of the castle, the area was in turmoil. Near the gate, Kiru was confronting a human being with her grim reaper''s scythe at the ready. Her sister, Meru, next to her, was also holding up her assassin''s daggers.


    Two top brass of the Thunder-Lance Charge were there. Nephira, thinking there would be no problem, tried to head to Suzuki, but---


    "Whoaaa---!?"


    Kiru''s sickle got knocked away, and she ended up rolling toward Nephira. After five spins and adjusting her stance, she noticed Nephira.


    "Ah. Greetings, Lady Nephira. <i>Eh-hehe</i>."


    "It''s rare for you to suffer damage."


    "I-I was just a little careless! This won''t happen next time!"


    In the middle of their conversation---


    "<i>Hiyaa</i>!"


    Meru also rolled over, just like her sister. While taking a breath, Nephira stared at the castle gate. A silver-haired female knight, who had handled the Meru-Kiru sisters, was also staring back at her. She slowly walked past the gate with a sword still in her hands.


    "...Are you themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge?"


    "That''s right."


    The moment Nephira answered,


    "Divine de ''Wind sh''."


    Without saying a word, the woman immediately swung her sword, enveloped in a blue aura. A huge, arch-shaped aura de flew toward Nephira. Nephira quickly grabbed the Meru-Kiru sisters with both hands, threw them away, and then bent down to dodge the aura herself.


    With a tremendous noise, arge crack appeared in the wall behind Nephira.


    (What a strong clump of fighting spirit...!)


    She thought it was simr to the signature move of the most powerful ogre in the Demon Lord''s army, Grant, who served as Serphiano''s bodyguard. However, until now, she has never met a single human being capable of performing such a feat.


    (Anyway, I''d better knock her down quickly so I can go get Suzuki!)


    She silently extended one hand to the frightened bird-headed demon Pholus a distance away, still holding her Lightning Spear Blitzberg. She wanted to ask him to give her Blitzberg, but... she kept her mouth shut.


    <i><strong>"Then you, at least! Nephira, please don''t kill humans."</strong></i>


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 Chapter 9.8: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (8)

    <h4>Vol. 1 - Chapter 9.8: Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (8)</h4>


    The promise she made to Suzuki shed through Nephira''s mind. If she were to fight such a powerful enemy with her lightning spear, it would surely be a battle to the death.


    Kiru spoke to Nephira with concern.


    "Lady Nephira. Your lighting spear?"


    "I don''t need it against an enemy of this level. Instead, you should go and check out the situation in Suzuknd. Meru, evacuate the demons near the castle. And the human ves, while you''re at it."


    "Eh¡ª But¡ª"


    "Hurry"


    Nephira then approached the female knight bare-handed.


    "Human tramp! Your name?"


    "From the Salvation Crusaders ¡ª¡ª Marguerite Torino."


    Right after speaking, Marguerite kicked the ground with a resounding bang, instantly closing the gap between her and Nephira¡ª


    "Divine de ''Mizzle''."


    ¡ªAnd swung her sword with all her might in every direction.


    Nephira watched her actions. A brittle de from a feeble human being. It should have been, and yet¡­


    (Fast!)


    She turned her head, but unable to dodgepletely, the sword grazed Nephira''s ck hair, sending strands flying off into the air. In rapid session, she also got shed shallowly around her stomach area. Her blood, colored ck due to being a demon, trickled down to the ground.


    "EHH¡ª!! Lady Nephira¡ª!? Unbelievable¡ª!!"


    Meru eximed in surprise. Nephira was equally surprised. The wound was shallow. But to be cut by a human woman?


    (It actually hurt... She''s strong, this gal. As expected, I think it will be difficult without Blitzberg¡­)


    Kiru rushed over to her, carrying her Grim Reaper''s scythe.


    "I knew it! I''ll help you out!"


    "Like I said, I told you to go to Suzuknd!"


    "No, they will be fine. Because, you know."


    Looking in the direction Kiru''s finger was pointing to, Nephira saw Suzukie running through the gate, gasping for breath.


    (Ah¡ª Suzuki!! Thank goodness!! You were safe!!)


    Suzuki looked shocked to see Nephira holding her abdomen. Then he stood in front of Nephira, facing Marguerite.


    "Stop it already! Marguerite!"


    (EEEHHHH!? Protecting me? Suzuki is way too adoraaaable! Supreme!! I feel as if I''ve descended to the depths of the demon world!)


    Nephira forgot about the pain in her stomach and felt the greatest happiness as a demoness.


    ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó


    Takashi was breathing hard as he red at Marguerite. Marguerite is human. Takashi''s Pritis will not work. Even so, he mustered up the courage to get between Nephira and Marguerite because he strongly wished to prevent anyone else from dying.


    Takashi showed Marguerite the rabbit mascot.


    "Marguerite¡­ Noelle is dead. After she fought me, her body decayed and disintegrated because of the demonization."


    Marguerite snorted with a "<i>fuun</i>".


    "She turned into a hideous demonic human and was still defeated. She was useless to the end."


    (Wha¡ª¡­?)


    Marguerite''s reaction was unexpected. There was not a single hint of sadness in her eyes at the loss of her daughter.


    "No-Noelle was your real daughter by blood, wasn''t she!?"


    "There are other heirs. It doesn''t matter if Noelle dies."


    In Takashi''s mind, he recalled Noelle talking happily in the tent.


    <i><strong>"Mother is really kind."</strong></i>


    "Wha¡ª Hey. That''s a lie, right? You''re only saying that because you''re in front of demons, right? The truth is, you thought Noelle was precious to you, didn''t you? H-HEY! YOU gave her THIS! Noelle was holding on to it until the end!"


    "A half-wit who can''t handle the Heavenly Sword without turning into a demonic human is not a child of mine."


    The moment he was about to hand over the rabbit mascot to her, Marguerite brushed Takashi''s hand away. The mascot fell to the ground, and Marguerite crushed it with her foot.


    "Noelle was defective."


    A hot feeling surged up from inside Takashi''s chest. In front of him was a formidable foe, strong enough to injure Nephira. Even so, Takashi confronted Marguerite with his feelings.


    "Noelle believed in YOU until the end! In order to save the human race, you are killing your hearts and bing merciless! That''s what she believed!"


    "Saving the human race? You''re wrong. With the Master Swordsman Lord Tartanin as our lord, we, who can wield Tengen freely, will stand at the top of this world. That is the new world that I seek."


    Saying this, Marguerite caressed her belly lovingly.


    "And the child I will have with Master Swordsman Lord Tartanin will be my true heir."


    When he saw Marguerite''s mouth contort into a wide smile, all the events that had urred since his arrival in this world shed back into Takashi''s mind.


    The massacre in the King''s Chamber. The torture room. The execution site. Gharaga''s attack. The summoning of the Spirit¡­ There were so many horrible things that he wanted to cover his eyes and ears. Yet, the human being before him seemed more vicious and uglier than any demon.


    Takashi looked at Marguerite and reflected.


    (This isekai world, is too savage...!)


    Marguerite''s sword flicked.


    "Die."


    Takashi''s body floated in the air at the same time he heard Marguerite''s voice filled with killing intent. The earth-shattering rumbling impact was only averted by Nephira''s tumbling with Takashi in her arms.


    After adjusting her stance, Nephira nced at Marguerite, who was a few meters away, then peeked at Takashi''s face.


    "Suzuki. I made you a promise but¡­ Is it okay if I break it?"


    Takashi also looked straight into Nephira''s face. Then, after some hesitation, he silently nodded his head.


    "¡­My lightning spear, Blitzberg."


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 Vol. 1 - Chapter 9.9 - Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World (9)

    <blockquote ss="chakra-code css-1cl98my">


    <strong>TL:</strong> Next week we will be the END of Volume 1 and the BEGINNING of Volume 2, stay tunned for extra chapters!


    </blockquote>


    "¡­My lightning spear, Blitzberg"


    As Nephira raised one hand, Kiru threw the lightning spear at her. Nephira effortlessly caught Blitzberg in one hand as it flew over, spinning around propelled by Kiru''s arm strength. Simultaneously¡ª


    "Divine de ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Mizzle</em>''!"


    ¡ªMarguerite rushed toward Nephira and fired a volley of shes that appeared only as afterimages to Takashi''s eyes. Nephira defended herself against the attack by using her Blitzberg as a shield, but she was on the defensive. She retreated slowly as if overwhelmed by Marguerite.


    (Nephira is outmatched even with her weapon!? What a ridiculous bullshit strength!!)


    Overwhelmed by Marguerite''s unimaginable power, Takashi could not contain himself and shouted to the Meru-Kiru sisters.


    "Nephira can''t do it alone! You have to help her!"


    "Right now is impossible. If we try to intervene, we''ll get caught in the middle of it!"


    "Eh?"


    "Coming! She''s gonna do it¡ª! It has been a while since she went all out!¡ª!!"


    Even at a time like this, Meru was happily jumping up and down like a kid.


    Takashi heard the sound of something that sounded like a series of explosions. Takashi quickly took his eyes off Meru and Kiru and focused on the fight between the other two.


    Marguerite had an expression of dismay. At the other end of the line of her sight was Nephira, holding her lightning spear Blitzberg with both hands. The lighting spear, as its name implied, emitted a golden glow while shing with a thunderous sound, as if d in lightning. The electricity from the lightning spear traveled up her arm and spread throughout Nephira''s body.


    "Wearing an armor of lighting¡­ is it?"


    Marguerite muttered.


    (N-No! Rather than an armor of lighting, that is¡­!)


    Before anyone knew it, the lightning spear Blitzberg had vanished. Instead, Nephira''s entire body glowed golden, emitting a crackling sh as a lighting. It was as if Nephira herself had be lightning itself, absorbing Blitzberg into her body.


    "Divine de ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Wind sh</em>''!"


    Marguerite quickly moved away from Nephira, who would surely electrocute her if she so touched Nephira, and released her sword''s fury. She moved quickly to dodge Nephira and then¡ª


    "''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Five Fold Wind sh</em>''!"


    Marguerite continued to fire her arch-shaped aura. Thinking that physical attacks would be ineffective against Nephira, who had turned into lightning, she quicklyunched wind shes. What''s more, five in quick session. Takashi swallowed hard. Marguerite, as expected, was a master.


    Perhaps thinking she couldn''t dodge all of the Wind sh attacks, Nephira simply charged straight at Marguerite in a Kamikaze attack. Marguerite smirked.


    One of the wind sh attacks hits Nephira in the torso.


    "Nephira!"


    Takashi shouted unintentionally. However, the wind sh passed through Nephira''s body as if nothing was there. Only the wall behind Nephira was greatly damaged.


    "What the hell!"


    Marguerite roared. Nephira thrusted a lightning-d arm at Marguerite''s neck. Marguerite turned her head, but not in time, and used her sword as a shield.


    Marguerite''s sword shed with Nephira''s arm. The two sides flicker, emitting tremendous sound and light.


    "Gah¡ª"


    When the blinding sh of lightning passed, Takashi saw Marguerite kneeling in front of Nephira. Marguerite''s right arm and the right upper half of her body were charred ck after receiving Nephira''s de-like arm attack. Her right arm, which had turned to charcoal, fell to the ground with a thud, still holding the sword.


    "You¡­ monster¡­!"


    Marguerite looks up at Nephira in frustration.


    "All, All Right! Nephira won!"


    With neither her sword nor her dominant arm, Marguerite no longer had a chance. Next to Takashi, Meruughed innocently.


    "There is no way Lady Nephira would lose when she is serious¡ª!"


    Kiru bragged about it as if it were her own aplishment.


    "She assimtes with Blitzberg to negate physical and magical attacks for a certain amount of time! Only Lady Nephira, who possesses the attribute of lightning, can perform this invincible technique thatbines offense and defense! That is the secret technique ''Thunder-Lance Charge''!"


    "Thunder-Lance Charge, was it...? That''s the name of Nephira move¡­"


    "Huh¡ª? Suzuki¡ª. You didn''t know the origin story of our crew¡ª?"


    A cheat technique that gives you invincibility for a certain amount of time. Therefore, it consumed a lot of magical power. After the Thunder Lance Charge was released, Nephira''s shoulders waved up and down as she breathed. But then, with a sharp look in her eyes, she approached the copsed Marguerite and grabbed her slender neck with her hand. Marguerite gasped as her body was lifted by one hand.


    "Ya¡ªay! Do it, Do it¡ª!"


    "That''s right! Fucking finish her off!"


    The Meru-Kiru sisters shouted. Takashi stared at them with cold eyes.


    (That''s right. That''s RIGHT! Such a bad person should die. It''s for the world''s good¡­)


    Just when he was about to avert his eyes from Nephira...


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Mother is my ideal, my inspiration."</strong></em>


    Suddenly, Takashi remembered his happy conversation with Noelle. After Noelle''s voice faded, he thought of Master Leelou''s smug smile.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"We may be far apart, but our feelings are the same."</strong></em>


    (Noelle¡­ Master Leelou¡­)


    Takashi gritted his teeth, approached Nephira, and grabbed her by the arm that held Marguerite''s neck. Then he silently shook his head.


    "Suzuki¡­"


    Nephira murmured. Soon, Nephira''s arm loosened. After being freed from Nephira, Marguerite copsed and coughed violently.


    When Marguerite finally looked up, Takashi spoke to her.


    "Get out of Leirune."


    Marguerite staggered to her feet with her half-burned body and red at Takashi with bloodshot eyes.


    "You fool that have sided with the demons. Along with the demon race, walk the road to ruin."


    After spatting such curses, she slowly limped to the gate, where her own soldiers were waiting for her.


    "¡­Wait."


    Takashi said. He red back at Marguerite, who looked back at him.


    "When you return, tell the Sword Master Tartanin... I will save this world."


    Marguerite immediately became enraged.


    "This¡­ Impostor¡­! God has not the slightest expectations of you¡­!"


    Marguerite gritted her teeth and held her ground, wanting to move toward Takashi, but the Salvation Crusaders shouted, "Retreat!"


    Marguerite was soon carried away from Syness Castle in the arms of two of her subordinate soldiers.


    <blockquote ss="chakra-code css-1cl98my">


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 Vol. 1 - Chapter 10.1 - Epilogue: The Determination Of The Hero And The Beginning Of The End (1)

    With the help of the inhabitants of Suzuknd, Takashi built graves for those who died in the invasion of the Salvation Crusaders.


    Near the grave of Kate''s husband, Allen, Takashi buried Noelle''s armor with her rabbit mascot and joined his hands together. At Orneo''s grave, Exce was shedding tears silently.


    As Takashi approached her, Exce buried her face in his chest. Takashi gently held her trembling shoulders.


    "I, I''ll do my best! To never let this happen again."


    "Lord Hero¡­"


    She looked up at him with teary eyes. Takashi smiled a little to reassure her.


    "But, to be honest with you, I didn''t understand what exactly I was supposed to do. Until a while ago, I thought if I could just deal with the demons, I could manage somehow. But then I saw Marguerite, and I realized. The humans living in this world may also need to change their way of thinking."


    Takashi said to Exce, who nodded her head slightly. He then dered¡ª


    "There are many things that need to be done. That''s why, Exce. I need you to stay by my side and help me."


    "If you are alright with me, I''d be happy¡­!"


    Exce muttered in a deep emotional state, then put her hands around Takashi''s body and hugged him tightly. Takashi became flustered when he felt the softness and warmth of Exce''s body.


    "Ehh-Exce?"


    "Like Orneo and Lady Leelou, I also believe; That Lord Suzuki is the true world saviour sent to save this world."


    (¡­I don''t know what will happen or what I can do in the future. Even so, there are people who believe in me. If that''s the case, I will do everything I can for them.)


    Takashi thought.


    Suddenly, he heard a coughing sound, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gohon</em>," and Takashi turned around. Nephira, arms folded, red at Takashi and Exce as the two embraced each other. Takashi and Exce hurriedly move their bodies away from each other.


    "To secretly flirt with each other in front of a gravesite, humans are more indecent than demons."


    "N-No, that''s not the case!"


    Takashi shook his head. Nephira red more at Exce with scornful eyes than at Takashi. Exce''s face turned bright red, and she merely turned her head down, avoiding Nephira''s gaze.


    In the awkward atmosphere, Takashi tried to patch things up.


    "Eh, well, Nephira. How''s Uhouguru''s condition?"


    "Don''t worry. She will recover after a few days of rest."


    "I-I see! That''s an Ogre indeed!"


    Nephira walked up to Takashi. Then, with a serious face, she put her hand on Takashi''s shoulder.


    "Suzuki. Thanks to you, we were able to repel the insurgents. Thanks for your hard work."


    "N-No, I did nothing. There was nothing I could do. Marguerite would have been impossible without Nephira. And I wouldn''t be able to beat Marguerite no matter how hard I tried."


    The only reason he was able to beat Noelle was because she had turned into a demonic human. Against a human being, his abilities arepletely ineffective. Thinking this, Takashi smiled with embarrassment. Nephira remained staring at Takashi silently for a while.


    "I''m not so sure about that. The words you spoke to Marguerite. That woman was actually affected by them."


    Takashi shudders as he recalls how he taunted Marguerite before. Even though Marguerite was wounded, she could have killed him with a single hand. Why had he said what he said?


    "At that time, you¡­ were¡­ what is it called¡­?"


    Nephira''s cheeks turned crimson red, and fidgeting,


    "You looked quite... quite cool!"


    She said as if she was shouting.


    "EH?"


    Takashi asked back, feeling a tad strange.


    "Cool? Not cute?"


    "Uh-huh. C-Cool."


    Nephira said shyly. Exce giggled.


    ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô


    In the imperial city where Serphiano resided, the Demon Lord''s Army was holding a campaign meeting in the name of deciding the course of action to suppress the rebellion of the Salvation Crusaders and other human rebels.


    In the conference hall in the imperial castle, Serphiano sat in the center of a round table, surrounded by the top-brass leaders of the Demon Lord''s Army. Undeads, Beastmen, Giants, and Demons. The fearsome fiends, each with the strength of a battalion, were talking about the current war situation and exchanging information while revealing their hostile intent toward humans.


    Nephira, themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge, a special attack force under the direct control of the Demon Lord''s Army, was also present, along with the Meru-Kiru sisters. She reported on the recent invasion of the Salvation Crusaders.


    All the demons present finished their statements. Just before the demon presiding over the meeting gave closing remarks¡ª


    "Wait!"


    Nephira said while pping her hands.


    Suddenly, a human being opened the door, entered the conference hall, and walked up to Nephira. The top-brass leaders'' wicked gazes fell upon the human at once.


    Next to Nephira, the human opened his mouth.


    "My name is Suzuki, Adjutant of the Thunder-Lance Charge''s Commander."


    All the demons at the round table were in an uproar.


    "Ridiculous! A human at the Demon Lord''s army campaign conference!"


    "What''s more, he''s amander''s adjutant¡­?"


    "Don''t fuck with me!"


    For a moment, the demons turned their piercingly stern eyes on Suzuki,


    "But¡­ he''s cute."


    "Yes. So cute."


    "Since he''s so cute, it doesn''t matter!"


    After a few seconds, they looked at Suzuki with gentle eyes as if they were looking at an infant.


    Suzuki took a deep breath and began to speak.


    "What I am about to tell you may sound like an oundish pipedream. But I still want you to listen."


    Looking around at the terrifying-looking demons, Suzuki dered,


    "I''m aiming for the coexistence between demons and humans!"


    Suzuki nodded his head as he watched the murmurs of the Demon Lord''s Army leaders grow even louder.


    "You probably think that it is impossible! I know there are things you want to say and things you want toin about! But I believe in it! I believe that one day, demons and humans will be able to live together, hand in hand, in harmony!"


    Suzuki''s speech continued. The hall became quiet as Suzuki spoke desperately with a mixture of mannerisms and hand gestures.


    "The humans are also trying to start a war! I also think it''s selfish to say not to kill all humans! But at least! I want to avoid needless ughter! That''s where I want to start!"


    After expressing all his thoughts and feelings, Suzuki bowed his head with a low bow.


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 Vol. 1 - Chapter 10.2 - Epilogue: The Determination Of The Hero And The Beginning Of The End (2)

    The moment the Demon Lords'' Army''s decision assembly was over and they exited the castle gate, Suzuki fell into a heap on the spot. Nephira looked at Suzuki with concern.


    "What''s wrong? Are you all right?"


    "Ah, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ahaha</em>. It''s just... the tension I''d been holding on to had been finally released. But I¡­ I did everything I could!"


    Suzuki''s face appeared tired but satisfied with his work. He stood up and asked Nephira.


    "Hey, Nephira. What do you think of what I just said? I''d like to hear your honest opinion."


    "About that¡­"


    Nephira put her hand on her chin and murmured.


    "You said something like ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">yap yap</em>,'' I think."


    "No, I didn''t SAY anything like <em ss="chakra-text css-0">yap yap</em> at ALL!!"


    From Nephira''s point of view, Suzuki, who was talking so earnestly, was just as lovable and heartwarming as watching your own child and was thinking inside her heart, "Hang in there! Do your best!"


    She didn''t remember what Suzuki said at all.


    "Kiru!? You heard me right, didn''t you!?"


    Kiru, who was standing next to Nephira, gave Suzuki a thumbs-up.


    "Yea! I heard you! But I couldn''t make any sense of what it meant!"


    Suzuki slumped down on the spot again as if he had lost all his strength.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa¡ªAh</em>¡­ I, what in hell did I¡­"


    Meru''s cheerful voice greeted the dejected Suzuki.


    "But, But¡ª! There were so many demons from the upper ranks! Some of those demons may have shared Suzuki''s thoughts on this!¡ª!"


    "T-That''s right, Meru!"


    "Yes, that''s right!¡ª! But I had absolutely no idea what you were talking about¡ª!"


    "Damn it all!!"


    "¡­Then, let''s go home. To Leirune."


    Nephira said. Suzuki walked totteringly out of the imperial castle.


    ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô


    The imperial capital, Castle Town, which had turned into a den of demons.


    Today, a tavern was upied by a group of beastmen.


    A beastman with a tiger head held a cask of sake and spoke out loud.


    "My older brother, did you see? That cute human."


    In front of him, a beastman with the head of a lion bit off the roasted leg of a human, and answered.


    "Yea. He was saying something like <em ss="chakra-text css-0">yap yap</em>."


    The tiger beastman nodded.


    "The content of the speech was unclear and did not make any sense to me. Even so, I was convinced."


    Then he turned to face the lion beastman.


    "If we can get our hands on him, the Beast King''s Oni Squad will be reborn!"


    The Beast King''s Oni Squad had been in a state of semi-copse since its leader, Raigus, was killed in battle at the hands of human rebels.


    The lion beastman thought. The unparalleled, unprecedented cuteness was certainlyparable to the Six-Type Spirit Vessels. If they could obtain that cute human, the Beast King''s Oni Squad would regain its former glory.


    (No¡­ On the contrary, I might even be able to put the entire Demon Lord''s army under our control!)


    While burning with a hidden ambition, it devoured the human leg whole. The beastman''s face then contorted into a ferocious lion''s grin.


    ......


    A doll made entirely of stitched-up parts unsteadily walked around the imperial city at night. From behind the doll, a young man with a rotting body called out.


    "Lord Duma. Where are you going?"


    Every time the man spoke, ck blood spewed from his mouth. The flesh of the man''s face had been scraped away, exposing his rotting innards.


    "Lord Duma. Lord Duma."


    The undead called out to him over and over again¡ª


    "S-Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"


    The doll was so furious that it bit into the nape of the undead''s neck. Its needle-like teeth tore off the undead''s neck.


    "S-Silence, Silence, Silence, Silence!"


    "Lord¡­ Duma¡­ a¡­"


    As his head was bitten off, the undead soon ceased moving.


    Without looking back at the handsome undead boy he had spent so much time creating, the doll demon walked down the alley.


    That human he saw at the campaign meeting. How about his cuteness, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">yapping</em> about something with a big grin on his face? Compared to <em ss="chakra-text css-0">that</em>, all of Duma''s corpse collection seemed like garbage.


    "W-Why, only the T-Thunder-Lance Charge, has the s-s-sole right to <em ss="chakra-text css-0">that</em> thing?"


    He muttered to himself, moving his mouth with a <em ss="chakra-text css-0">kapakapa</em> sound.


    (Lord Demon Lord, Serphiano¡­ Not involved, not involved! Geez, it doesn''t matter, either way!)


    The murkyck of what he desired heated up the bloodless chest of Duma, themander of the Immortal Fleet of the Demon Lord''s Army.


    "T-That, I-I, It''s mine and mine alone! W-W-Want, Want, Want, Want, Want!"


    ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô


    The night after the campaign meeting.


    Up in the side tower of the Imperial Castle, Serphiano, the chief strategist of the Demon Lord''s Army, was alone, gazing at the moon. Quietly, as if in meditation, she reflected on the current situation surrounding the Demon Lord''s army.


    ¡­The appearance of humans with new abilities.


    ¡­The life or death of Leelou Dimension.


    ¡­Furthermore, an unsettling atmosphere was drifting inside the Demon Lord''s Army.


    She concentrated on the third eye on her forehead. However, even with Serphiano''s irvoyant Eye, it was impossible to predict what was about to happen.


    Looking at the stars in the sky, Serphiano pondered about the far future.


    How will it be a hundred years from now? Will it be the Demon Lord''s army that will rule the world? Or will it be humans?


    (Or¡ª¡ª)


    Tired of thinking, Serphiano pulled a crystal ball from her pocket. Spell-bounded, she looked at the image of Suzuki that she had secretly taken at the conference hall with the image-saving feature that she had recently developed.


    The world is about to enter an era of turmoil. But, well, that being said¡­


    Suzuki is cute.


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 Vol. 1 - Chapter 10.3 - Afterword

    <strong>Afterword</strong>


    Thank you very much for picking up a copy of "Suzuki is Cute Even in a Savage World".


    Although the title contains the specificst name of "Suzuki," there were others besides Mr. Suzuki such as Mr. Sasaki and Mr. Kato; I hope many people find joy in reading this book such as Mr. Goshogawara and Mr. Mitarai and many others. I believe that those who like other worlds, as well as those who like brutality and those who like cute things, will also enjoy this book.


    Since some of you may start reading from the Afterword, I''ll give you a brief description of the contents of this book¡ª¡ª The story is about Suzuki, the main character, who fights with only his cuteness as a weapon in a savage world ¡­I apologize. That''s almost exactly what the title says. Let me add a few more details.


    The main character, Takashi Suzuki, who was reincarnated in hopes of living a peaceful, slow life in another world, with the "ability to be loved by demons", was sent there by mistake by a goddess to a cruel, isekai world without a shred of warmth. There, mankind is overrun by the demon lord''s army and oppressed as livestock, ves, and food.


    At first, Suzuki is just trying to survive, but when he discovers that his ability could make even the most vicious of demonspliant, he begins his quest to save the isekai world.


    Peerless through cuteness. Sometimes, hardship. As the author¡ª¡ª I would be very happy if you could feel Takashi Suzuki''s growth as a human being while reading about his encounter with his Master in this book.


    I would like to thank the Dengeki Shin Bungei editorial department for their support in developing this work into a book.


    The artist, Mr. Nekosuke Okuma, for drawing the attractive illustrations.


    All those who were involved in the book-producing process.


    Above all, I would like to thank all the readers who have taken the time to read this book. Thank you very much. I would be more than happy if, after reading this book, you thought, "It was funny," "It was interesting," or "It was cute," even if just a little.


    Incidentally, "Brutality" and "Cuteness" are both quite profound when you think about them, and I couldn''t possibly write about them fully in this work alone.


    Therefore, I would like to end this postscript with the wish that we will meet again in the next volume, which will be even more brutal and even cuter.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Light Tuchihi</em>


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 0.1 - Prologue: The Three Great Powers (1)

    A small boatnded on an uninhabited ind facing the southwest of the former Grumbarrel Empire.


    Two hooded figures stepped out of the wooden boat-like vessel onto the sandy beach. When they saw that there were no humans or demons on the beach, one of them took off his hood.


    Her beautiful peach-colored hair trailed in the wind. Imperial Army Former Tactician, Leelou Dimension, and her attendant hide the boat in the woods along the shore and walk away in silence.


    For a while, they walk along an animal trail surrounded by virgin forest. Suddenly, the attendant heard a rasping, beastly cry from somewhere, and she braced herself.


    "No worries."


    Leelou said softly to her attendant, trying to calm her down. When Leelou peeked into the forest, she saw low-grade monsters no taller than a human''s knees fighting amongst themselves.


    There was a slime, a one-horned rabbit, and a mushroom monster named Matango. It''s not umon for low-grade wild monsters to fight each other in territorial disputes, but¡­


    (Three at once is rare.)


    Unable to hide her curiosity, Leelou observed, and her attendant timidly opened his mouth.


    "Lady Leelou. The ndestine meeting is about to start¡­"


    "Which one do you think will win?"


    After a slight hesitation, the attendant replied to the carefree-smiling Leelou.


    "The one-horned rabbit that has an edge onbat power?"


    "I predict the slime."


    "The slime, was it?"


    The attendant tilted her head doubtfully. Leelou''s mouth raised on the corners.


    "Look closely at the progress of the battle. Neither the one-horned rabbit nor the Matango had any interest in the weakest slime. After the other two weaken themselves in their battle, thest one standing will probably be the slime."


    "Indeed. As expected from Lady Leelou."


    The attendant''s facial expression changed from doubtful to one of admiration.


    "Once the ndestine meeting is over, everything will be settled. I could look forward to the return trip."


    With a smile, Leelou left that ce.


    After traversing through the virgin forest, a small hill came into view. There, around a towering and solid stone fortress, soldiers wearing the armor of the old imperial army were deployed.


    Now that the Demon Lord''s army had conquered eighty percent of the world, Leelou had chosen this uninhabited ind for ndestine meetings. She had also ced powerful barriers throughout the entire ind to prevent the demons from detecting the ind.


    Even so, the wielder of the Heavenly Sword, the Master Swordsman Tartanin, was a very cautious man, and he was apanied by arge number of armed men.


    Inside the fortress, at a round table used for strategy meetings, Tartanin had encased his mighty body in golden armor and was apanied by his loyal retainer Marguerite next to him. The powerful man with short, neatly trimmed blonde hair caught sight of Leelou and red at her sharply, like a hawk.


    (He is as cautious as ever. The only thing that has changed is¡­)


    In the days of the former empire, Tartanin was a man with etiquette, even if it was rugged. But now Tartanin red contemptuously at Leelou and her attendant as if they were demons. When Leelou expressed her thanks to him for epting this invitation, he snorted with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hmph</em>".


    "What is the point of this type of ndestine meeting? Dame <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Former</em>-Tactician."


    Tartanin emphasized "Former" with an arrogant attitude. As if to imply that he was now of a higher rank.


    "The heavenly sword of the east, and the heavenly power of the west. I believe that if both sides work together, the salvation of mankind wille even sooner."


    "By the means of the power of my Heavenly Sword, that alone is enough to save the world. There is no need for the heavenly power, nor do we need to confer with the bearer who wields it."


    "However¡­ if you are too arrogant, you may cause yourself unexpected harm."


    Leelou looked at Marguerite as she said this. Marguerite, who had lost one of her arms in a battle with the Demon Lord Army''s special attack force, Thunder-Lance Charge, growled softly, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gugh</em>."


    Leelou had advised them in advance in writing that the invasion of the South should be postponed. Despite this, the Salvation Crusaders led by Marguerite invaded the city of Leirune, which was under the Thunder-Lance Charge. As a result, Marguerite lost an arm, and their group suffered more casualties than the enemy.


    "L-Lord Tartanin is making preparations to retake the Imperial Capital on his own! There is no room for other parties! Of course, that includes you! Dame Former-Tactician!"


    Marguerite reddened and shouted those words.


    Good grief, Leelou thought. She appeared to be remorseful, but her defeat seemed to make him more and more determined. The atmosphere in the conference room had suddenly turned tense. But then, suddenly¡ª


    "I apologiizzee¡ª! I''mte¡ª!"


    A voice echoed, dampening their motivation. A priest wearing priestly robes rushed into the conference room. He had a tonsure¡ªa bald, smooth top head¡ªand a ck beard around his mouth.


    In front of the round table, the priest was hunched over and out of breath. A littleter, children about ten years old, dressed in white, gathered around him.


    Marguerite looked at the priest and the children, who did not seem to belong there, with a look of disgust on her face, as if she had been drained of her own malice.


    Offering him a seat, Leelou asked him politely,


    "Are you the herald where the Heavenly Power resides, Zhaviest?"


    "Yes. Indeed¡­ OH¨C! That beautiful peach-colored hair! So you are as alive as they say, Grand Tactician Lady Leelou Dimension! Ooh, how beautiful! It is truly a work of God!"


    As Leelou chuckled at Zhaviest''spliments, one of the children in the group suddenly coughed violently.


    "Who are these children?"


    "These are children from the town of Cobb, which was destroyed by the Demon Lord''s army some time ago! This unworthy me is looking after them!"


    Tartanin red at Zhaviest, who smiled proudly.


    "Such a man is world saviour¡­ the herald of the Heavenly Power?


    A messenger of the heavenly powers? A priest, a mere priest, pretending to be a champion?"


    Zhaviest looked back at Tartanin, who was cursing. However, Zhaviest was not angry,


    "It''s The Master Swordsman Lord Tartanin! No, no! What an interesting face and appearance! I bow down to you!"


    At Zhaviest''s friendly smile, Tartanin let out a small sigh and silently shook his head. Zhaviest turned his gaze to Marguerite, who was standing next to Tartanin.


    "Is that the Imperial Army''s swordsmanship instructor, Lady Marguerite, the one I can see! This one is also beautif¡­ul? What''s with the arm?"


    "That''s none of your business!"


    Marguerite raised her voice at the mention of her wounded arm. Zhaviest said with concern.


    "H-However, isn''t this Lady Master Swordsman''s right-hand man? That arm. Howe you haven''t healed her?"


    "If I could heal it, I would have done so already!"


    Leelou took one look at Marguerite, who was outraged. That arm was nine out of ten probably cut off by Nephira, the Thunder-Lance Chargemander.


    (The amputation surface is necrotic due to lightning magic.)


    If that were the case, no amount of medicine or healing magic would be able topletely regenerate the arm.


    Nevertheless, Zhaviest''s smile remained on his face.


    "Then let my Heavenly Power do it!"


    He muttered and nced back at the boy behind him.


    "Please assist me."


    "Yes!"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 0.2 - Prologue: The Three Great Powers (2)

    The boy smiled broadly and rolled up the sleeves of Zhaviest''s priestly robes. A muscr arm with a flower tattoo appeared, uncharacteristic of a priest. Zhaviest put his hands around Marguerite''s missing arm.


    "From the ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Holy Natural Flower</em>'' Gospel ¡ª ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Peony in Full Bloom</em>.''"


    Upon muttering that, a mist emerged from Zhaviest''s palm, which immediately formed many petals. The flowers made of aura gathered around the location of Marguerite''s missing arm.


    "Wh-What in tarnation, this is¡­!"


    Marguerite was surprised. Before long, the swarm of aura flowers scattered in a gust of wind. And there it was, Marguerite''s right arm, which was supposed to be gone.


    Marguerite''s eyes widened, and she opened and closed the fingers of her regenerated hand.


    "OOhhh-!"


    The soldiers around them eximed in amazement.


    Marguerite''s mouth dropped open at the return of the arm she thought would never recover, but then she realized what had happened and eximed toward the priest, "M-My Gratitude!".


    The soldiers are abuzz at Zhaviest''s unchanging smile.


    "I thought it would be impossible to regenerate an arm in such a state!"


    "This is the Heavenly Power! The power of a World Saviour!"


    Seeing Zhaviest''s abilities, the soldiers and even Marguerite began to change their disrespectful attitudes. However...


    "¡­Nonsense."


    Tartanin said as if he was spitting out his own words.


    "The healing ability is about the same as that of a high priest. It''s an auxiliary-oriented support power. Such trivial power will not be enough to destroy the Demon Lord''s army."


    Zhaviest, who had been harshly criticized, scratched his cheek with his finger.


    "Y-Yes. My power is, as you say, a supportive power. I think, perhaps, it was given to me by God to assist the Heavenly Sword Herald, Lord Tartanin¡­"


    Zhaviest did not argue back to Tartanin but instead kept his head down. However, Leelou was now shaken by seeing a glimpse of Zhaviest''s power.


    (A power truly worthy of being called a World Saviour Power.)


    Tartanin''s estimation is low, but even a High Priest cannotpletely regenerate a missing arm. It is, in other words, a Legendary-ss ability.


    (But, the source of this mighty power is¡­?)


    As Leelou pondered this, the child coughed once again. This time, he coughed more violently than before and threw up blood on the floor. Tartanin looked at the child as if he was looking at something filthy.


    "Hey. This brat. Do you think what he has is contagious?"


    "N-No. This child was born with a weak constitution¡­"


    Zhaviest exined while rubbing the child''s back.


    "Lord Zhaviest! Thank you so much!"


    The boy smiled happily, thankful to Zhaviest, even though he had coughed up blood.


    Tartanin got up from his seat with a bang.


    "At any rate, this rifies things. It is not the Heavenly Power that will save the world. It is my Heavenly Sword."


    Leelou became deted as she saw Tartanin rush to leave the hall.


    (N-No, No! We haven''t even talked about anything yet.)


    "In consideration of the Lady Former-Tactician''s honor, I have shown my face today. However, this is the only time such a meeting will take ce. "


    Tartanin wanted to see how powerful the Heavenly Power was. So he reluctantly attended the meeting. However, he was relieved to know that the power of his Heavenly Sword was far above.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa</em>¡­ Well, it went as expected.)


    "Tartanin. I only have one request."


    Leelou said to Tartanin as he prepared to leave.


    "This is the second time I''ve said this¡­ Leave the affairs of Leirune in the hands of the Hero sent by the heavens before you."


    Leelou took one look at Marguerite and reminded them. Marguerite looked away ufortably.


    "Suzuki is trying to save the world in a new and unprecedented way."


    "Marguerite has told me about it. He is an ''Impostor Hero'' who had the ability to be favored by demons¡­"


    Tartanin muttered. And then, a momentter ¡ª¡ª He unsheathed his golden sword and went behind Leelou''s back.


    Tartanin smiled as he took Leelou''s back in the blink of an eye.


    "The Heavenly Power, The Power of the Impostor Hero, and your very own power are all equally insignificant. In the face of such mighty power, it is so easy to snatch a life. Just like this."


    After showing off his abilities¡ª


    "It was a prank. Forgive me."


    Tartanin put his sword down with a satisfied look on his face.


    "Rest Assured. At the moment, I am busy preparing to retake the imperial capital. I do not have time to worry about Leirune."


    "That''s good."


    "Uh-huh. That''s good."


    "¡­What?"


    Tartanin''s brow furrowed as he overheard the same voice from Leelou parrot back to him from behind. Leelou''s attendant behind Tartanin''s back sounded exactly like Leelou.


    "If you only look at what you can see in in sight, you will eventually get tripped up."


    When the attendant took off her hood, her peach-colored hair flowed out. Tartanin''s mouth twitched slightly as hepared the two Leelous.


    "I see. A body double, huh? Your transformation technique allows you to change the appearance of others as well."


    "It''s not just humans¡­ Tartanin. You left behind your sword here."


    Leelou ced Tartanin''s sword, Gold de, on the desk. When Tartanin noticed that the sword he was holding had somehow turned into a wooden sword, he spat out, vexed in disgust, "You vixen!"


    At that moment, Tartanin effortlessly shattered the wooden sword with his arm. The magnificent strategy hall lost its grandeur and turned into rubble and stone ruins.


    Marguerite and the soldiers became flustered.


    "T-This is¡­!"


    "She was transforming the space itself?"


    Amidst the soldiers''motion, Leelou and her attendant left the stone ruins, feeling Tartanin''s piercing gaze on their backs.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 0.3 - Prologue: The Three Great Powers (3)

    <blockquote ss="chakra-code css-1cl98my">


    <strong>TL Note:</strong> We will be experiencing dys releasing chapters in the next couple of weeks. I apologize for the inconvenience.


    </blockquote>


    After the ndestine meeting, the two individuals with the face of Leelou walked through the virgin forest.


    Leelou could release her technique of transformation from her attendant, but the attendant wanted to fulfill her duty as a body double until they arrived at their base.


    "As expected, Tartanin and Marguerite are dangerous."


    The attendant''s disgusted tone made Leelou chuckle a little.


    "Uh-huh. They are like a powerful concoction. Depending on how they moved, they could be medicine or poison. "


    Tartanin was steadily advancing his n to retake the Imperial Capital. However, Leelou thought he should wait until another year to have a more solid footing and more troops before proceeding with the campaign.


    Tartanin, who had been conferred as the heavenly sword bearer, continued to gather more and more supporters. Tartanin''s army was now formed by thest of mankind''s forces. If they were to be defeated, mankind would have been brought down twice by the Demon Lord''s army. If that happened, aeback would bepletely impossible.


    To prevent that from happening, if the Heavenly Power and the Heavenly Sword joined forces and increased their military forces to the point where they could besiege the Imperial Capital, then they would have favorable odds of winning¡ª¡ª Today, Leelou was nning to advise Tartanin to do so, but¡­


    (The results were as poor as I predicted.)


    Although the ndestine meeting was a failure by all ounts, she managed to grasp Tartanin''s current situation and witness Zhaviest''s Heavenly Power up close. She could consider it to have been worthwhile in its own way.


    (Well, as always, Tartanin needs to be monitored.)


    Tartanin''s straightforward nature made his behavior easy to read. Rather uncanny was¡­


    Zhaviest''s facade-like smile shed through her mind. And also, the children with the same unnatural smile.¡ª¡ª


    (Heavenly Power¡­ that is, probably¡­)


    A power of a different kind from the healing power of a High Priest.


    Remembering the terrifying waves of dread that Zhaviest''s body emitted when he had activated it, Leelou shook her head.


    To save the world, God had bestowed the Heavenly Sword and the Heavenly Power to Tartanin and Zhaviest, two vessels. In reality, however, things are not likely to turn out the way God envisioned.


    (Can they truly be the saviours of the world? Which of them is the "Impostor Hero"?)


    As she walked along, Leelou suddenly remembered. She wondered what happened to the three monsters they saw fighting on their way to the ndestine meeting.


    (It was somewhere around there, I think.)


    As she wandered off the path and looked into the woods¡ª¡ª Leelou''s slit eyes widened.


    "What the¡­!"


    The battling Slime, One-Horned Rabbit, and the Matango¡ª¡ªall of them had copsed and had perished.


    Leelou herself had predicted that slime would have the highest probability of survival. Of course, she considered many other possibilities as well. But¡­


    (I never expected all three of them to simultaneously strike each other into a draw, causingplete annihtion¡­)


    ......


    Listening to the sound of the squeaking rudder as the attendant maneuvered the small boat, Leelou quietly closed her eyes. Then she thought back to the rare sighting she had just witnessed in the woods just a few moments ago.


    The fight between those monsters may have been an omen. The Heavenly Sword, The Heavenly Power, and the Demon Lord''s Army. When powerful forces sh with each other, even such terrible oues are possible.


    Leelou continued to reminisce¡ªabout the boy who came from a world different from hers.


    After disembarking from the boat, Leelou walked on without speaking a single word to her attendant. At the fork in the road leading to Tartanin''s base, Leelou stopped for a moment¡ª


    "¡­Lady Leelou?"


    (As I thought, this world needs that power.)


    "What is the matter, Lady Leelou?"


    Leelou then realized she was being addressed by her attendant. After making up her mind, Leelou turned her stern eyes onto her attendant.


    "I will continue to monitor Tartanin''s movements. You go to Leirune."


    After saying this, Leelou brought out a parcel from their luggage and handed it to her attendant.


    "I want you to deliver this to Suzuki. And... I want you to be my apprentice''s strength."


    "Acknowledged."


    Kneeling down and epting the parcel, the attendant returned from her altered Leelou form to her original appearance.


    A lustrous garment with a slit below the waist. Hair arranged in two buns. A youthful, beautifully formed face with lovely features.


    "Lady Leelou. Please take care."


    "You too."


    They both parted and walked down two different paths.


    TL Note: Harem member number 5 iing? Or is it 6? Maybe 7? Does Uhouguru and Serphiano count?


    ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong><strong>EXCESSIVE SWEARING WARNING!</strong></strong></em>


    "I had no idea she had transformed space itself! Ultra-high level illusion! Grand Tactician indeed!"


    After Leelou, Tartanin, and the rest of the Salvation Crusaders have left. Zhaviest smiled and muttered to himself¡ª¡ª while he was striking the wall with his fist with all his might.


    "I mean,e on¡­"


    The sound of bones cracking, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">mesha</em>," was heard, and a crack also appeared in the stone wall. Zhaviest''s nose twitched, and the smile he had been trying to maintain broke down. Instead, his face distorted enough to look like a monster.


    "I went to the trouble ofing all the way to this remote area! And I even healed her arm! Those fucking youngsters¡ª!"


    There was a sharp contrast in his tone of voice between the time of the ndestine meeting and the current moment of punching the wall while yelling. Zhaviest continued swearing, recalling Tartanin''s pretentious attitude.


    "You made a wrong move! You''re getting carried away, you piece of shit! AH¡ª I''m so pissed off!"


    He pounded his fists against the wall again. The wall became stained red with Zhaviest''s own blood, and the bones of his knuckles were showing because of the excessive force of the strikes. Even so, the children apanying him were still smiling with a dreamy face as ever.


    "I don''t give a damn anymore. Tartanin, if I murder you, is it possible I''d die too? No, won''t it be more painful to kill Marguerite? Those guys are capable of that. That''s right, that''s right, isn''t it?¡­"


    With bloodshot eyes, he looked back with determination. But, at that moment¡ª


    "¡­Ouch¡ª"


    Noticing the pain in his knuckles, Zhaviest regained his senses.


    (Calm down, calm down! It would be foolish to use our abilities on those assholes!)


    "That''s RIGHT, Yes, indeed! Why would I have to die for THAT fucking asshole!? <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kakaka! Kaka kakakakaka</em>!"


    Heughed loudly. Afterughing for a while, Zhaviest wiped his tears and started to walk away.


    Before realizing it, Zhaviest''s injured fist had healed. And under Zhaviest''s feet, a dying child, unable to even cough anymore, copsed on the floor, breathing raggedly and repeatedly gasping for air.


    Zhaviest looked down at the fallen child with icy eyes.


    "I have healed him continuously. Oh well, nothing to be done. Maybe you''ll see your mama in heaven, right?"


    Removing his burdensome priestly robes, he assumed the form of a mercenary in light armor. Both of Zhaviest''s exposed arms were tattooed with a flower that does not exist in this world, the "Tree Peony".


    No, tattooed was not quite urate. When Zhaviest received the Tengen Aura from God and invoked his Heavenly Power, the flower imprints naturally appeared on his arms.


    "Healing magic, was it? Idiots! Who knows who may end up as my enemy? I''m not going to reveal my true power in front of that man! You''ve got it all wrong! And, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">slowly</em> getting ready to retake the Imperial capital? You''re wasting your fucking time¡ª!"


    Without looking back at the child whose breath was gone, Zhaviest started to walk away.


    "What are you doing!? Let''s go, brats!"


    The smiling children followed Zhaviest. He pulled a bottle of liquor out of his pocket, removed the cork with his teeth, and then slurped the contents down his throat.


    "There are no two kings in heaven, ya know¡ª! The true world saviour, is the honorable Heavenly Power Herald, this Zhaviest!"


    Zhaviest''s aggressive personality, which had been present since he could remember, had grown stronger and darker since he received his heavenly power.


    In Zhaviest''s mind, another person''s self whispered to him. Zhaviest''s voice echoed that whisper.


    "I''ll fucking murder¡ª¡ª any asshole that gets in my way!"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 1.1 - The Advent Of The Immortal Fleet (1)

    The Southwest corner of Leirune.


    In Suzuknd¨Ca vige for humans created by the hero¨Cthe former Third Princess of Leirune, Exce, walked around with a bundle of poor-quality straw paper. Next to her was Kate, who was holding her baby risse.


    Suzuknd was burned to the ground due to the invasion of Leirune by the Salvation Crusaders led by Marguerite. Looking around at the houses with still burned ck ces, Exce looked down at the list of names on the sheets of straw paper.


    Currently, the confirmed death toll has reached seven. Praying that there would be no more fatalities, Exce knocked on the hut door. A frightened woman answered, and the door gently opened.


    "T¨CThis is, Lady Princess¡­!"


    She had damaged blond hair, and the paltry clothing made her look like a ve. However, the woman with breasts sorge that they threatened to tear off her clothes stood there with a surprised look on her face.


    "Ah¨C! You are ''The gal with the biggest tits in the whole town,'' aren''t you?!"


    She was a ve who had once been brought to Suzuki by the Meru-Kiru sisters, who were part of the top brass of the Thunder-Lance Charge. She had been invited to Suzuknd for a variety of reasons, but¡ª


    "I''m so d you''re safe!"


    Exce took her hand into hers while saying this. She smiled for a moment but then turned sad.


    "But¡­ ''The Baldest Guy in Town'' and ''The Fattest Guy in Town'' have died."


    "W-What did you say? The baldest guy in town and the fattest guy in town is¡­!"


    These two were people who had also been brought to Suzuknd as a freak showpiece. Despite these circumstances, they lived peacefully in Suzuknd, thankful for their luck in being spared from being eaten by demons. And yet¡­


    Exce gritted her teeth.


    (How could they have been killed by human soldiers instead of demons? I can only imagine how frustrating it must have been for the baldest guy in town and the fattest guy in town¡­ No, I mean¡­ It has been rude not to call them by their proper name since that time, right?¡­)


    Exce flipped through a thick directory, checking the names of Suzuknd''s inhabitants.


    "So, Uhm¡­ you are called Ms. Cherry, right?"


    "Y-YES!"


    "Do you have enough food? If you are experiencing any troubles, please let us know."


    After several rounds of questions and answers, Cherry asked Exce shyly,


    "Is Lady Princess, going from door to door doing this?"


    "Yes. I thought I should do something to help."


    Exce looked back at Kate. Kate smiled a little wistfully as she soothed risse.


    If her retainer Orneo were still alive, he might have been able to give her quick and precise guidance. However, he was no longer with her. Whenever she remembered Orneo''s copsed body forming a puddle of blood, she felt like bursting into tears.


    After Orneo''s death, Exce spent several days tumbling on the floor in poor health.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Exce. I need you to stay by my side and help me."</strong></em>


    While in bed, she recalled what the hero had said to her and felt ashamed of herself.


    (The hero pushed back his painful emotions and went to the Demon Lord''s Army campaign assembly. And yet I¡­)


    Exce was frustrated. Therefore, she decided to get out of bed and confirm the safety of Suzuknd. It was also in order to whip her weakened mind and body into shape.


    "Orneo willugh at me if I continue moping around!"


    While saying this, she smiled broadly in front of Cherry and Kate.


    Perhaps she could feel Exce''s feelings radiating because Cherry looked at her with a passionate look in her eyes.


    "Lady Princess! I''d also like to help in some way!"


    She was so happy that Cherry felt that way. Exce looked at Kate and smiled.


    With Cherry''s help, the confirmation of the safety of the residents of Suzuknd waspleted earlier than expected.


    Cherry looked on in amazement as a Cyclops carried away the debris from the burnt-out houses.


    "All the demons are helping us out too, aren''t they?"


    In Suzuknd, there were always demons stationed on guard duty, and they were now helping repair the damaged houses. At times like this, the physical strength of demons beyond human capabilities was very dependable.


    "This is also the fruit of Lord Hero''s effort!!"


    Demons and humans working together with each other¡ª¡ªthis was unimaginable before Leirune was conquered by the Thunder-Lance Charge. As Exce, once again, thanked the hero in her heart, Kate smiled as if she had just thought of something.


    "Why don''t we bring some tea to all the demons?"


    "That''s a good idea! Let''s do that!"


    The three prepared steaming tea and tea cakes for several people and put them on a tray.


    (I believe they were around here before, weren''t they?)


    As Exce and the rest were approaching the corner of the hut...


    "¡­I knew it, humans really tick you off, don''t they?"


    (EH¨C?)


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 1.2 - The Advent Of The Immortal Fleet (2)

    The three of them stopped in their tracks when they heard such ament. Fearfully, Exce peeked out from the shadows. At a distance, a Cyclops, a goblin, and a skeleton soldier were standing in a circle, talking to each other.


    "I don''t get it, you know! We were attacked by humans from those guys, the Salvation Crusaders, right? And, the residents of here, Suzuknd, are also humans. Why would we need to protect them?"


    "Well, if you put it that way, you''re right!"


    "Lady Uhouguru was badly injured. I bet she is angry."


    "Oh well. I heard Suzuki''s returning from the Imperial capital today. I heard he''s a newmander adjutant, and he''s very pumped about it."


    "As cute as he is, Suzuki is still a human, just like those detestable Salvation Crusaders."


    "AH. I''m starting to get kind of angry. Let''s just¡­!"


    The tray in Exce''s hand trembled with the disturbing atmosphere.


    (N-Not good! The trust that Lord Hero has been steadily building up is about to copse!)


    Kate asked with concern.


    "W-What is going to happen in the future?"


    "If things continue as they are, Lord Hero may be attacked by a demon! T-That''s right! I should inform Lady Nephira about this,"


    At that time, the Cyclops raised his raspy voice.


    "Ah¨C! I''ll tell you what I heard! That asshole Suzuki has returned!"


    (L-Lord Hero has returned!? What bad timing!! If we don''t do something, there will be big trouble!!)


    Anyway, it was not safe to let the heroe this way right now. That''s what Exce thought when¡ª


    "Don''t! Lord Heroooo!"


    She threw out the tray and ran out from the corner of the hut. Although she still couldn''t run well due to the previously severed tendons in her feet, Exce still desperately pushed forward, and then¡­


    "¡­huh?"


    Exce was astonished by the sight before her.


    The hero was walking slowly toward them with a body-bandaged Uhouguru. Small wild animals, such as baby squirrels and rabbits, pranced around them.


    Uhouguru raised her bandaged arm and gave the hero a big smile.


    "This, is but, a scratch, a trivial wound to an ogre like me!"


    "I see. I haven''t heard the word "trivial" in a long time! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ahaha</em>¨C!"


    "Oh, yeah? <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ufufufufufu</em>!"


    Uhouguru alsoughed, enticed by the hero''sughter. The little squirrels and rabbits hopped around happily in unison with them.


    (W-What a heartwarming feeling!! Pic!! It''s exactly like a pic!!)


    The hero was not carrying baskets full of sandwiches. Even so, as they walked cheerfully, surrounded by flower petals dancing in the wind and drifting in the air with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Paaaa</em>,"¡ª¡ªExce saw such fantasy.


    Suddenly, she heard a series of "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Dosadosa</em>," sounds of multiple objects falling in session. She noticed the demons had dropped their weapons on the grass.


    "Whoaa¡­ Cute¡­!"


    "I knew it! Suzuki is so darn CUTE!"


    "I can''t believe I was about to attack that cute Suzuki¡­ We, why were we thinking such a dangerous thing?"


    "I had a lot going on, and my mind was a bit of a wreck. I feel so ashamed of myself."


    "If the cute Suzuki is a human, that means other humans are not so insignificant either!"


    "Let''s get back to work! If we skip work, Suzuki will be sad!"


    Exce was trembling with emotion as she watched the demons hurriedly return to their repair work.


    (The atmosphere that was so cut throat instantly changed! This is the power of Lord Hero that will save the world!)


    Next to Exce, Cherry and Kate also murmured in a very emotional way.


    "Lord Hero was REALLY cute, wasn''t he!?"


    "Yes, yes! For real!"


    Both Cherry and Kate blushed a little.


    (¡­Eh?)


    Exce stopped for a bit.


    (Ah, what? Wasn''t the power of Lord Hero not supposed to work on humans?)


    And "Cute," was it?


    Exce shyly inquired with the two of them.


    "Ah, uhm¡­ Lord Hero was¡­ cute? I don''t really understand it, but¡­"


    "Yes. Lord Hero was CUTE! Lord Hero was..."


    Kate said with surprise. Cherry nodded her head, saying, "I think so, too," while putting her hands on her ample breasts and showing an ecstatic face.


    "Aahh¡­ I''d love to put him between¡­"


    A moment of silence. Kate put her hand over her mouth and patted Cherry on the back.


    "Gee¡ª! Wait, No way¡ª!"


    "I mean, I mean¡ª!"


    The two of them were giggling together.


    (W-What on earth are they talking about?)


    Exce wondered as she looked at the two women.


    (What did she mean by put him between? Why and what would they put him in between? Like eggs in bread? No, that''s WRONG! I don''t understand¡­)


    The adult conversation between a widowed housewife with a child and an alluring, seductive, sexy woman was something Exce could not understand. Even so, Exce beamed a smile of satisfaction from inside her heart. She had a long rtionship with Lord Hero. She knew a side of Lord Hero that the two of them did not know.


    "Ah¨C! Exce!"


    The hero noticed her and came running to her, waving his hand. The sight of him made Exce''s heart skip a beat.


    When Noelle summoned Ifreet to cause destruction, Exce thought back to that time and the heroic way he stood up to terrifying Marguerite, unafraid of her.


    (Both of you are mistaken! Lord Hero is not cute; he is cool-looking! Like¡­ simr to the Ancient Champion, Hartline!)


    "Wee home, Lord Hero!!"


    With a big smile on her face, Exce greeted the hero while thinking of her favorite Champion of all time.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 1.3 - The Advent Of The Immortal Fleet (3)

    "HEY! Are you going to work or what?"


    In the Castle of Syness, upied under the direct supervision of the special attack force of the Demon Lord''s Army, the Thunder-Lance Charge, the angry voice of Nephira, themander, roared out. The demon soldiers were working on repairing the castle, terrified of Nephira''s scolding.


    Like Suzuknd, Syness Castle had also suffered damages from the invasion of the Salvation Crusaders. Nephira reprimanded the bird-headed demon Pholus.


    "You have not repaired anything at all!! What the hell have you been doing!?"


    "I sincerely apologize!!"


    There were two reasons for Nephira''s irritation.


    The first reason was that she had asked Pholus to repair the castle while she was in the imperial capital for the Demon Lords Army''s campaign meeting, but he hadn''t been able to do as well as she had hoped. And the other reason was¡­


    (Geez! I can''t believe Suzuki, we just came back, and he went off to Suzuknd!)


    For some time now, Suzuki and she had not been able to spend time alone together. The true reason she epted Suzuki''s request to be amander adjutant was because she wanted to keep him close by her side. For Nephira, the recent short excursion to the Demon Lord''s Army''s campaign meeting was supposed to be a honeymoon opportunity.


    However, the Meru-Kiru sisters hade with them to the Imperial Capital under the pretense of being top-brass staff of the Thunder-Lance Charge. Nephira gritted her teeth as she recalled the dragoon carriage they had taken on the journey.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Uh¡ª. Rest time, not yet¡ª?"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Stay patient, Meru. We are almost at the Imperial Capital. Suzuki will be able to pee-pee in a little while, ya know!"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"No, I don''t need to¡­"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Really? Are you holding it in!? If you really need to do it, put it in this jar!"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"I''m telling you it''s FINE! This pet treatment, I''ve had enough of it!"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"I''m worried you''re going to die from bursting your dder with pee-pee!"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"I''m not gonna hold it in until my dder bursts."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Uuhh¡ª! Older Sister¡ª!"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"W-What''s wrong, Meru?"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Sorry¡ª! I peed my pants¡ª!"</strong></em>


    (No, why did you WET yourself!!)


    Nephira''s head ached as she recalled the top brass''s failure. It wasn''t just on the road. The Meru-Kiru sisters were constantly on both sides of Suzuki, arm-in-arm with him.


    (What is it with you gals!? That''s my role, isn''t it?!)


    She would not take the Meru-Kiru sisters anymore. Nephira thought about Suzuki while making a firm pledge in her heart.


    (Suzuki¡­ Why aren''t you by my side even though you''re themander adjutant? I am your Lord, aren''t I? I''m your Lord, I mean, your precious person, or rather, your lover, right?¡­ Anyway, it''s not that I''m lonely! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Sigh</em>¨C!)


    Nephira was in tears for a moment, but when the bird-headed demon Pholus came running toward her, she immediately tightened her face, exuding the dignity of amander.


    "Lady Nephira. It appears that the crystal ball in your quarters is rumbling."


    "I understand. I will be on my way. Now, you must make sure the demons hasten the repairs."


    ¡­¡­


    When Nephira opened the door to her quarters, she heard a sound like small winged insects. Arge crystal ball on the desk showed the smiling face of Serphiano, the Demon Lord''s Advisor.


    "Yaho¡ª. Hello¡ª."


    "Yes. Hello."


    The three-eyed demon Serphiano, who boasted the greatest intelligence within the Demon Lord''s army, had also seeded in remotemunication using a crystal ball powered by magical power.


    "So Nephira. What is going on? How is Leirune?"


    "Yes. Things are finally calming down."


    "I''m d to hear that. Really, it''s been a bit of a mess over here too, ya know¡­"


    "Could it be that the Salvation Crusaders are the Imperial City!?"


    "No, no. That''s not the reason. Currently, we are in the process of reorganizing the Imperial Capital into the Demon Capital."


    "Ah, Indeed."


    It was not a pleasant feeling to use a city built by humans without changing its name. In order to show the power of the Lord Demon Lord, the facilities in use should be reconstructed for demons as much as possible¡ª¡ªat the recent Demon Lord''s Army campaign meeting, such an opinion was expressed.


    (I think I should change the name of Syness Castle too. Such as "Suzuki and Nephira''s Love Castle"! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ufufu</em>!)


    "¡­Nephira. Are you listening?"


    "I-I apologize. I was lost in thought."


    "I mentioned that the Imperial Capital is in the middle of renovations, right? Currently, due to abination of factors, we are now providing a ce for education of new demons."


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hou</em>. That''s a wonderful thing."


    "Right? That''s why, ya know. I would like to invite Suzuki to join us for a four-day, three-night demon induction course!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hou Hou</em>. That''s wonderful¡­ huh? S-Suzuki¡­? R-Right now, what did you say?"


    "I said, we''re inviting Suzuki to participate in the demon induction course."


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 1.4 - The Advent Of The Immortal Fleet (4)

    After a moment of silence, Nephira shouted out to Serphiano in her crystal ball.


    "Suzuki does not need demon training!! He is already more than enough, even too much of a nefarious demon!!"


    "No, No, What are you talking about? Suzuki is a cute human, isn''t he?"


    "T-That is not the case! Suzuki''s recent behavior has already been so inhumanly nefarious that even I am not sure what to make of it."


    "Yes, yes. Well, you see. The other day, he was babbling on <em ss="chakra-text css-0">yap yap</em> about something at the Demon Lord''s Army''s campaign meeting, wasn''t he? Something like, ''Don''t kill humans <em ss="chakra-text css-0">yap</em>!'' That kind of thing is not good!"


    (Uugh¨C! I knew it! I shouldn''t have allowed Suzuki to speak!)


    "T-That was something of a joke, or an obscenity, that sort of thing!"


    "I don''t think that was an obscenity, no matter how much you want to call it that. Anyway, Suzuki''s invitation to the Imperial Capital was ordered, as usual, by Lord Demon Lord."


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gu</em>¨C! It pains me to hear you say that!)


    "If so, then. I will go with him!"


    "Deni¡ªed. This time, Suzuki alo¡ªne."


    "Huh¨C¡­? I-I-Idiot! If you are not allowing me to apany him, then I can''t let him go! What if Suzuki goes alone and bes lost?! He''ll die of hunger!"


    "If he gets hungry, he will eat something by himself, won''t he? Denied, Deni¡ªed. No matter what you say, it is not allow¡ªed."


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Guuh</em>¨C!"


    "Honestly. Nephira is themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge, right? Let Suzuki stand on his own a little more¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyu</em>¨C¡­ oh, my. The blood vomiting has started."


    Crystal ballmunication consumed arge amount of the caller''s magic. The long duration of the call was taking a toll on the caller''s health.


    Even so, Serphiano seemed to be ustomed to it and showed a calm expression.


    "Well then, I guess I''d better get going. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyu</em>"


    "Not allowed! Before that, please allow me to go with Suzuki!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyu¨CGobyu</em>. No, like I said is not allowed."


    "Dame Serphiano!! Please authorize me to apany him!!"


    "You are persistent, aren''t you? ¡ª I''m hang¡ªing off from my crystal ball. Bye-bye Nephi¡ªra Ah, huh¨C?"


    "I WON''T let you go until you approve!"


    Before she knew it, a golden aura overflowed from Nephira''s body. The crystal ball was soon covered with a love-battle aura that burst through the space.


    "C-Communication is not disconnecting!? This is ridiculous!! Could it be that the crystal ball is reacting to Nephira''s lightning magic?! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyupopopo</em>!!"


    "Dame Serphianooooo!!"


    "Y-You must no¡ªt!! You are themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge!! You need to be self-aware of your own actions <em ss="chakra-text css-0">GobyuUUUUuuu</em>!"


    The "I''ll apany him" and "Not allow¡ªed" continued for several minutes until Serphiano was spewing blood out of every hole in her body.


    Eventually, Serphiano, covered in blood, screamed out in frustration.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ogohee, Gobabyu</em>! Understood, Understood!! I already understood! The crystal ballmunication, let me cut it oooff! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gohagehe</em>¨C!!"


    "R-Really, right?"


    "I''ve lost, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyu</em>, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyu</em> and <em ss="chakra-text css-0">byu</em>! That''s why! The crystal ball..."


    "I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Dame Serphiano!"


    "I''m d with your gratitude, so hurry up! In terms of danger level, it would be already at the maximum level FIVEE! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Uuuaaaaaaa</em>!! My throat itcheeeeees!! I''m starting to see hallucinatioooons!!"


    Serphiano''s throat ripped open, and she was shedding tears of blood. Nephira, almost relieved, suddenly realized.


    (No, wait! All that Dame Serphiano had said was, "I understood" and "I''ve lost"! Dame Serphiano is the Demon Lord''s Army''s most intelligent strategist! It could be an act! I have to make sure she doesn''t try to overturn her decisionter!)


    Nephira red at Serphiano, who was covered in blood and screaming, "It''s Leveeeel Five!" incessantly.


    "Dame Serphiano¡­ Final confirmation. Are you really, for real, positive¡­ allowing me to apany Suzuki, as well, right¡­?"


    "Do you, have eaaaaars!! Since a while ago, I''ve been saying that I''m at <em ss="chakra-text css-0">ebe</em>f 5, haven''t I <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gaa¨CHee</em>¨C!!"


    "If that''s the case, I need you to clearly state ''Nephira can apany Suzuki''!"


    "Nephira <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Goboge¨CSha</em>!! Can apany Suzuki Byurubyu¨C!! Please, hurry up and let me disconneeeeeeeeeeeect!! I''m dyiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!!"


    After assuring her statement, Nephira removed her hand from the crystal ball. At the moment the video cut out, all three of Serphiano''s eyes were seen rolling back, showing the whites of her eyes. Apparently, it was neither an act nor a strategy.


    (Yes. I did a bad thing. I''m really sorry.)


    After a little reflection and a deep sigh, Nephira left her quarters.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa</em>. Again. To the Imperial Capital. I just went there recently.)


    Nephira sighed, thinking she had to repeat the same back and forth from Leirune to the Imperial Capital.


    (N-No, that''s not what is happening! Let''s change the way I think! That''s right! It''s revenge fromst time! This time, I''m going to be even friendlier with Suzuki!)


    The thought of flirting with Suzuki made her hearts swell with excitement. Then, Nephira gradually began to enjoy her delusions more and more. The demons who passed by her muttered as they saw Nephira advancing down the corridor with a sly smile on her face.


    "H-Hey! Lady Nephira is smiling at us!"


    "Lady Nephira, who rarely smiles except when battle is¡­!"


    "She must be fired up for revenge against the Salvation Crusaders!"


    "It''s gonna rain blood¡­!"


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ufufu</em>! Wait for me, Suzuki! Not a moment too soon, we will flirty flirt and flirt!)


    While the Thunder-Lance Charge demons were misunderstanding her, Nephira clenched her fists.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 1.5 - The Advent Of The Immortal Fleet (5)

    The rubble and debris from copsed buildings littered the crumbling cobblestone road, forming a dpidated scenery.


    Takashi Suzuki, who was on his way to the Syness Castle with Exce, saw the devastation caused by the assault of the Salvation Crusaders.


    Takashi felt a sense of helplessness, and bowed his head to Exce, who was walking next to him.


    "I''m so sorry. For me to leave Leirune at such difficult times¡­"


    He apologized in a dejected voice, causing Exce to hurriedly respond.


    "N-No! That''s not the case!"


    After the incident of the invasion of the Salvation Crusaders, the Demon Lord''s Army held an emergency campaign meeting in the imperial capital. Takashi knew that Suzuknd was in turmoil during such a time, but it was precisely because of what had happened that he had asked Nephira to let him participate in the Demon Lord''s Army''s campaign meeting.


    He thought it would be the perfect opportunity to convey his intentions directly to the top brass of the Demon Lord''s Army.


    "So, how was the campaign meeting?"


    "Yea. Well¡­ I said what I wanted to say¡­ but¡­"


    Takashi replied clumsily. He faced off the campaign meeting with firm determination. He managed to express his thoughts and feelings to the top-brass leaders, but he was not satisfied with the results. He did not feel as if his actions had achieved anything.


    "To be honest, I don''t think anything has changed."


    Takashi sighed listlessly, and Exce forced a cheerful voice out of her.


    "B-But! For the first time, a human participated in a campaign meeting of the Demon Lord''s Army! It used to beposed of demons exclusively! I think that alone is very meaningful!"


    "That''s very kind of you to say!"


    The two of them continued to walk in silence. Takashi thought he needed to cheer himself up in front of the Exce, but his depressed mood was not easily reversible.


    Suddenly, a demon with a cored human woman in tow passed right in front of Takashi.


    "What are you waiting for? You shitty woman!"


    After saying that, the demon kicked the woman in the stomach. Takashi immediately ran to the crumpled woman.


    "H-Hey! You shouldn''t abuse ves!"


    "Ah¨C, Suzuki¡­"


    The skeleton soldier next to him poked the demon in his side with his elbow.


    "Idiot! It''s ''Lord Suzuki'' now! He has be a Commander Adjutant, you know!"


    "S-So it was! I apologize, Lord Suzuki!"


    The woman was separated from the demons, who started smiling and speaking pleasantries. Takashi took her a short distance away and talked to her tenderly.


    "Uhm... is that guy always like that?"


    "N-No. But since the invasion of the Salvation Crusaders, he has been in a bad mood¡­"


    Takashi ground his teeth upon hearing her words.


    Because of Marguerite and her troop''s invasion of Leirune, many Thunder-Lance Charge demons were also killed. It seemed that the hatred towards humans was ring up among the demons after that event.


    (Damn it¨C! When finally... the demons in Leirune were starting to change their perception of humans!)


    Takashi''s disappointment was enormous. First of all, he firmly admonished the demon not to abuse his ves as he had just done, and then he slumped his shoulders down and started to walk away.


    "Uhm¡­ Lord Hero. May I have a moment of your time, please?"


    Exce gingerly inquired toward the depressed Takashi.


    "Mhm? Ah, yeah."


    Despondent, Takashi absentmindedly responded. With a smile, Exce pulled his hand and led him somewhere.


    ¡­¡­


    "This is my room."


    Exce led the way to her former room on the second floor of the Castle of Syness. The furnishings have been arranged in a neat and orderly fashion that reflects Exce''s meticulous nature.


    However, no one seemed to be using the room now, and the desk and bookshelves werepletely covered with white dust.


    Exce walked to the bed, brushed the dust off with her hands, and beckoned at Takashi with a smile.


    "Lord Hero. Right over here, please."


    (Eh. W-What?)


    Takashi sat down on the bed nervously. Exce, who was standing right next to him, looked into Takashi''s face.


    (E-Exce, somehow you seem a little erotic today¡­?)


    Exce stared at Takashi with moist eyes. She then moved her face closer to his underbelly and spoke softly.


    "I¡­ want to make you feel better, Lord Hero¡­"


    "N-No! T-That''s not necessary!!"


    "That''s why... I''m willing to give it to you..."


    Exce bent down and pushed her arm under the bed. After rummaging around for a while, she finally pulled out an old book.


    "I wanted you to read this book, Lord Hero!"


    (O-Of course! Of course, it was that! Whew! I was so surprised¡­)


    Takashi shook his head lightly as if to regain hisposure, then took the old book presented to him by Exce.


    "I hid this book under my bed because I thought of the possibility that it would be forbidden to read these kinds of books."


    Takashi looked at the book Exce gave him. On the cover was a picture of a man in armor, holding a sword and challenging a dragon. Takashi slowly read out the title written at the top.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">''The Legend of Champion Hartline''</em> huh?"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 1.6 - The Advent Of The Immortal Fleet (6)

    Takashi slowly read out the title written at the top.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">''The Legend of Champion Hartline''</em> huh?"


    "Yes. Lord Hartline. He is the hero who saved this world from the once-ruling tyrannical Dragon King. Lord Hartline, despite the loss of one of his arms, fought back, and in the end, defeated the Dragon King and saved the world."


    While listening to Exce''s story, Takashi flipped through the book. On a double-page spread was an illustration of the tall, muscr Hartline splitting the sea in half with a sh of his sword.


    The description read¡ª


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>The Champion, Hartline, with his Sacred Sword, Excaliburrus, cut the sea in two.</strong></em>"


    "What?! T-This, this is, so cool¨C¡­!"


    Takashi''s mouth naturally emitted an exmation of admiration.


    "I know, right!"


    Exce eximed and clenched both fists in front of her chest, her face flushed with excitement.


    "It has been passed down as a legend that a sh of Lord Hartline''s sword split the sea in two! Anyway, his cool-looking figure is just so wonderful!"


    Takashi was surprised to see how excited Exce was, something he had never seen before. Exce''s eyes were the eyes of a woman in love.


    (I see. Exce likes a manly, cool-looking man, huh.)


    "Some schrs try to rationalize and say that Lord Hartline never existed, but I do not believe them! Lord Hartline absolutely did exist! It was said that Lord Hartline was the one whoid the foundation that led to the Grumbarrel Empire''s establishment 300 years ago..."


    Exce rattled on and on excitedly.


    Takashi muttered in a whisper¡ª


    "I want to be such a cool Champion too."


    Exce, in response¡ª


    "Of course you can! No! Lord Hero is already so cool-looking!"


    "R-Really!?"


    "Yes!"


    Exce showed a big smile. Takashi felt a little embarrassed at that sight and scratched his cheek. Exce looked into Takashi''s face with curiosity, wondering about his reaction.


    "What''s wrong, Lord Hero?"


    Takashi''s heart also fluttered the other day when Nephira told him he was "cool-looking."


    (Yeah! I knew it! I''m happier being told that I''m cool-looking rather than cute! Alright! I''ll do my best to be called as such! Like the Champion Hartline!)


    "Thank you, Exce! I really do feel a little better!!"


    Hearing the story of the manly Champion who saved the world, Takashi felt inspired and regained his strength.


    (That''s RIGHT! I need to live up to the expectations of the people I care about! I can''t afford to fail over something like this!)


    "First of all, we must start by rebuilding SuzukiLand! Let''s go, Exce!"


    He said to Exce, having thought of starting with doing the things he could do right now.


    "Yes!"


    At that moment, the door opened wide with a bang. The twin demons, the Meru-Kiru sisters, came barreling into the room.


    "Whoa!? Meru and Kiru!?"


    Takashi hurriedly hid the book behind his back as quickly as he could. He was not sure how the twins would react to seeing the book about the human Champion.


    "Suzuki! I didn''t know you were in a ce like this! I''ve been looking for you all over the ce!"


    "Lady Nephira is calling for you¡ª!"


    They both informed Takashi with a smile.


    ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô


    "T-The Imperial Capital again!? I just got back!?"


    Takashi raised his voice upon learning from Nephira about the demon training program he was invited to attend. However, Nephira spoke to him in a serious tone, not epting any rebuttals.


    "You don''t have a choice. It''s an order from Lord Demon Lord. You will have to participate in the four-day, three-night demon induction course. That''s already decided, and it''s final."


    (Just when I thought about moving forward to get Suzuknd restored to its former glory, things got messy again. Or rather¡­)


    "You have an induction course? In spite of being fiends¡­"


    Takashi muttered to himself, and Kiru, who was listening by his side, wrinkled her brow.


    "Hey,e on, Suzuki. Do you think we''re like animals, huh?"


    "Ye¡ª Ye¡ª. My sister and I have alsopleted our training program as well! You know¡ª?"


    Meru''s cheeks were slightly puffed up as she responded to his mutterings.


    "Ah... I''m sorry."


    Takashi bowed his head meekly. Indeed, he may have looked down on this world as agging civilizationpared to Japan. Takashi reflected a little in his heart. Looking at the three of them, Nephira cleared her throat with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gohon.</em>"


    "Anyway, a demon must be strong. I''m purposely throwing you into a den of fiends. Learn well at the demon induction course ande back well-trained."


    Contrary to Nephira''s dignified speech, the two sisters eximed happily.


    "All¡ªRight, Meru! Let''s make preparations for our trip!"


    "Yeah, Yeah¡ª!"


    Nephira red at the two and sternly spoke to them.


    "Denied. You gals stay behind."


    ""EEHH¨C!!""


    "It is a longer length of stay thanst time. It''s impossible to allow two top brass leaders of the Thunder Lance Charge absent from Leirune for that duration."


    "Ugh¡­ For Real?¡­"


    "Wait¨C"


    The twins were not able to refute her words. Takashi, wondering, turned to Nephira and asked.


    "Well, then, Nephira. Does that mean I''m going to the imperial capital alone?"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 1.7 - The Advent Of The Immortal Fleet (7)

    Takashi, wondering, turned to Nephira and asked.


    "Well, then, Nephira. Does that mean I''m going to the imperial capital alone?"


    Nephira, however, proudly responded¡ª


    "You are the Commander Adjutant. In other words, I, themander, and you are two hearts beating as one. So I have no choice but to go with you."


    Meru''s cheeks puffed a lot.


    "Only Lady Nephira is not fair¡ª!"


    "Fool. There is no such thing as not being fair. I don''t even want to go right back at all. I''ve already gone to the Imperial Capital the other day. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufufu</em>. Ah, what a hassle. Ah, I don''t wanna, don''t wanna. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufufu fufufu</em>."


    (She looks like she is happy¡­! And by a lot, too...!)


    After rolling his eyes a little at Nephira, Takashi thought earnestly.


    (But demon training? W-Will I be okay? It gives the impression of being a little bit dangerous. Will I even be able toe back home safely?)


    He then noticed that Nephira also had a serious expression on her face as she looked at him. Takashi swallowed hard at the tense atmosphere brought about by her seriousness.


    He then noticed that Nephira also had a serious expression on her face as she looked at him. Takashi swallowed hard at the tense atmosphere brought about by her seriousness.


    "Suzuki. Demon training is extremely tough. I''ll give you one word of advice."


    "Ah, yes!"


    "If at any point during your training, you find yourself thinking ''This is too hard,'' ''Maybe it''s impossible,'' or ''My head hurts today,'' let me know right away! Feel free to take measures such as resting, non-attendance, or the like. And above everything, if you find yourself thinking, ''I just can''t get over it,'' or ''I knew it, it is still too tough,'' then you can quit. That''s all!"


    (Wow, such a rxed education!)


    She may be overprotective as if spoiling a child, but still, with Nephira by his side, nothing seemed to be a big problem. Takashi felt relieved at this thought.


    "Well then, bring Suzuki''s luggage."


    Nephira pped her hands. Three demons carryingrge leather bags marched in.


    "T-That''s a lot of luggage. It''s only three nights and four days, right?"


    "Most of it is your snacks."


    "No, I don''t need all this much food, though?"


    "B-But¡­ without your snacks, all your luggage will be reduced to be carried with one hand?"


    "If that''s the case, that''s fine!"


    "I see... But take at least a few candies with you."


    "Candies, was it¡­!"


    At the time Takashi was embarrassed, feeling that Nephira treated him as a toddler, skeleton soldiers hurriedly rushed in.


    "Lady Nephira. The Commander of the Immortal Fleet, Lady Duma, has arrived from the Imperial City!"


    "Wha¡­! They''re already here!? Moreover, why is it Duma¡­!"


    When Nephira heard it was Duma, her face changed color. The air around Nephira suddenly became tense. Seeing this situation, Takashi became anxious again.


    (What in the world? What kind of demon ising¡­?)


    The door to the throne room opened with a loud "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">gigigi</em>" click sound. At the end of the red carpet spread out in a straight line, the Commander of the Immortal Fleet of the Demon Lord''s Army, Duma, wearing a ck dress, stood in a slightly inclined position.


    The Meru-Kiru sisters and all the other Thunder-Lance Charge demon soldiers within the king''s throne room bowed their heads in unison. Takashi felt strange seeing the sight of the fierce-looking demons of the Thunder-Lance Charge kneeling before Duma, who had the physique of an elementary school girl.


    In the midst of all this, Duma walked unsteadily and awkwardly. From a distance, she looked like a small and fragile girl, but upon closer inspection, you could see that her skin color was different in some ces, as if they all had been pieced together. Her elbow joints revealed by the scant dress turned out to be spheres.


    (A p-puppet doll demon! Come to think of it, she was at the campaign meeting!)


    As Takashi looked at Duma, Duma also nced at Takashi.


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


    And then sheughed in a high-pitched voice. In her mouth, densely packed needle-like teeth could be seen.


    (Eep¨C!? She isughing at something after seeing me¡­!!)


    Duma exchanged a few words with Nephira and then approached Takashi.


    "Y-You are Suzuki, aren''t you? I-I-I, Duma¡­"


    Facing a puppet-doll demon that speaks in halting tones, Takashi was not at ease with its eeriness.


    From this demon in front of him, he smelled something far more dangerous than ordinary demons¡ª¡ª and Takashi quickly made up his mind.


    (All right! For the sake of the future, I''m going to give Pritis a shot!)


    "Duma! Nice to meetcha!"


    Takashi forced a smile and extended his right hand to Duma.


    (Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªFourth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hands sping''</em>!)


    The moment Duma shook his hand, Takashi activated the "Pritis" gesture, one of the forty-eight gestures that enhances Takashi''s cuteness taught by his teacher, Master Leelou.


    (Cold¨C!)


    Takashi felt chills on his back due to the handcking body heat. The touch felt like he was touching a mannequin.


    (B-But, with this, she shouldn''t be hostile with me now, right¡­ eh¡­?)


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kiki</em>¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ke ke ke ke ke</em>¡­!"


    Duma''s eyes widened greatly¡ª


    "A-A-Arms with flowing blood-od-od-od-od-od!!"


    She yanked Takashi''s arm in her grip with tremendous force, causing his body to move toward her..


    "WHOA¨C!?"


    Then, Duma brought her face close to Takashi''s and rubbed her cheek against him. Takashi felt a cold, smooth sensation.


    "W-Warmmmmm! G-G-Guzzle him up! I-I want to, want to, want to!"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 1.8 - The Advent Of The Immortal Fleet (8)

    "W-Warmmmmm! G-G-Guzzle him up! I-I want to, want to, want to!"


    "H-Hey! Duma!"


    Nephira made a panicked noise, seeing her reaction.


    "La-Lady Duma, calm yourself!!"


    The skeleton soldiers shouted, and suddenly, there was amotion around them. Soon, Duma noticed themotion in the throne room and stutteringly spoke.


    "I-I apologize. Lo-Losing myposure¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kiki ke ke</em>¡­"


    She fixed her disheveled dress and smiled in order to keep up appearances.


    (W-W-What?)


    Beads of sweat flowed down Takashi''s forehead as he watched Dumaugh out loud dryly. He had wanted to get a small advantage, wanting to be the one holding the initiative against Duma. And yet¡­


    (Right now, it seemed like Pritis had the opposite effect¡­?)


    Duma then turned back to Takashi.


    "Well, then, Suzuki¡­ L-Let''s go?"


    Nephira raised one hand to stop Duma from leaving for the imperial capital right away.


    "Don''t be in such a hurry, Duma. Unlike you who don''t even eat, we need time to prepare. That''s why we set sail tomorrow."


    However, the bird-headed demon Pholus reverently stepped in between Nephira and Duma.


    "Lady Nephira! No need to worry! We already made the preparations!"


    "W-What¡­?"


    "Eh¡ª? Nice job! Pholus!"


    Pholus rubbed hisrge beak proudly with his hand when Kiruplimented him.


    "We''ve been overdue on the castle repairs! This was a great way to REDEEM ourselves! Preparations areplete! Ready! Perfectly! Done! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Wha¨Chahahaha</em>!"


    Nephira red at Pholus.


    "Pholus¡­! You... are demoted¡­!"


    "Gigeee¨C!? Why¨C!?"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kiki ke ke ke</em>. T-Then at once, Suzuki, l-let me take you to my ship."


    When Duma saw Takashi, she opened her doll''s mouth with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">kapa</em>," and burst outughing.


    "I-I''ll show you, m-my onboard collection!"


    "O-Onboard collection¡­?"


    Nephira pulled her ck hair in vexation, then rose from the throne.


    "Then, I''m also going."


    "Ah, huh? I thought... I-I was told... only Suzuki?"


    "Suzuki is my adjutant. I''m Suzuki''s guardian as well."


    After clearly informing her intentions, Nephira walked gantly toward the door.


    Following Nephira and Duma, Takashi exited the throne room, feeling somewhat uneasy. And soon, after a while...


    (¡­Mhm?)


    Takashi noticed that the hem of his clothes was being pulled from behind him. He turned around and saw Exce gripping the hem of his clothes with a desperate look on her face.


    "E-Exce...?"


    Then, Exce stared at Nephira and Duma, who were walking in front of Takashi, as if ring at them.


    "Please allow me to apany you! Because... Because I am Lord Hero''s ve!"


    "¡­HUH?"


    Nephira wrinkled her brow in obvious displeasure.


    "You never said anything about going before!"


    "O-Orneo passed away recently, and I had been feeling weak in mind and body! However! I''m now in good physical condition! Above all, the honorable Commander''s Adjutant of the Thunder-Lance Charge should never travel without a single ve!"


    Meru and Kiru, who were listening nearby, looked at each other and nodded.


    "Yeah, the top-brass ss demons need ves to carry their bags."


    "I agree¡ª"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Guh</em>¨C!"


    Nephira gnashed her teeth. Meanwhile, Takashi approached Exce and whispered in her ear.


    "B-But Exce. Are you really okay?"


    "I am fine now. Besides¡­ I have a bad feeling about this¡­"


    Exce also whispered in Takashi''s ear with a somber look on her face. Her gaze was on Duma, who, a little further away, moved her mouth with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">kapakapa</em>" p sound.


    (C-Certainly, it would be reassuring to have Exce with me.)


    Takashi nced at Duma and tried to ask her.


    "Uhm¡­ My ve, can I bring her along?"


    Unexpectedly, Duma smiled in a good mood.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike ke ke</em>. I-It''s fine. T-The more <em ss="chakra-text css-0">ingredients</em>, the better, you know¡­"


    "Ingredients?"


    "N-Never mind. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ki ki ke ke ke</em>."


    Although he was concerned about what Duma had said, Takashi decided to check with Nephira for the time being. As expected, Nephira looked like she was chewing on a bitter bug.


    "I''m against it! I''ll be the one to take care of Suzuki!"


    Exce stood in front of Nephira and looked at her with her emerald eyes, full of willpower.


    "Themander is going to take care of themander''s adjutant? It seems to me that the priorities are backward?"


    "What...! Exce!! You, despite your ve standing, dare to question my decision!?"


    Nephira exuded a strong sense of intimidation. Takashi''s pounded rapidly as a lightning aura came bursting from her.


    (Exce!? You shouldn''t talk to Nephira like that!!)


    However, Exce was not to be outdone. She stared back at Nephira with a rxed expression.


    "Uhm, perhaps¡­ Lady Nephira likes Lord Suzuki? That''s why she wants to be alone with him¡­?"


    At that moment, Nephira''s aura and dignity vanished instantly. Nephira''s face turned bright red.


    "Hu-HUUUUUUUUUUUUHHH¨C!? T-There is no way such a thing, right¡ª!! What are you saying!? Hey, this child, what are you talking about!?"


    "So it''s okay if I apany you, RIGHT?"


    "D-D-D-Do as you please!!"


    Nephira turned her head the other way. Exce looked at Takashi, then smiled while winking at him.


    (Eh! Nice job, Exce!)


    Takashi also looked at her and secretlyughed.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 2.1 - The Slaves Of The Phantom Ship (1)

    Near the coachman seat of the undead-operated dragon carriage, Duma''s back swayed as she sat in the luxurious seats.


    Arge dragon carriage, with Suzuki, Nephira, and Exce in the back seat, was heading for the harbor east of Leirune.


    In the seat in front of Exce, Nephira was poking the Hero with her elbow.


    "Hey Suzuki. Perhaps we should have brought more candies?"


    "¡­No need."


    "I see. There is a rare preserved food made frompressed grains. You like that kind of thing, don''t you?"


    "I said I was fine!"


    "You have no appetite? You must be dragon-carriage-sick. If you feel ill, just let me know. I have a puke bag."


    "I''ll be fine!"


    The Hero looked out the window with a sulky look on his face.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufu</em>. They''re like mother and son, aren''t they?)


    Exce had such a heartwarming thought. At the same time, she recalled what she had said to Nephira earlier and reflected on it.


    (It would be better for world peace if the demoness Lady Nephira and the Hero became closer to each other. And yet I¡­)


    Her own reasons for offering to apany them were clear and simple. She did it because she didn''t want Nephira to be the one with the Hero.


    (As the Princess of Leirune, my foremost priority should be to bring peace to the world. I should have known in my mind¡ª¡ª I should not let my personal feelings get in the way¡­)


    The smell of the sea soon interrupts Exce''s train of thought.


    (Ah¨C! It''s been a long time since I''ve been to the port of Coure!)


    It was a port that Exce had fond memories of. Orneo and her visited many times in the past. However, when she looked out the window, her eyes widened in astonishment at what she saw.


    The port of Coure was shrouded in a deep fog. On the coast, with an ominous atmosphere hanging in the air, decaying ships that resembled ghost ships had gathered.


    (T-This is, the Demon Lord''s Army Immortal Fleet¡­!)


    After descending from the dragon carriage, not only Exce but also the Hero became breathless at the imposing sight of the Immortal Fleet. Nephira touched her chin with her hand, admiration on her face as she watched the fleet fill the harbor.


    "It''s always a spectacr sight."


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kikekeke</em>. M-merely a fragment! Th-This time, just came to pick up Suzuki."


    It was said that the Immortal Fleet, an armada with 13 warships, including a huge mothership, destroyed three nations in thest great war. The immortal fleet sailed at speeds unthinkable for ordinary ships and the human soldiers it defeated became its undeadpanions, making them stronger and stronger.


    "C-Come on. M-My Ship. L-Leaving soon¡­"


    Pointing at a ck ship sorge that one had to raise one''s eyes to look at it, Dumaughed eerily.


    (Ugh¡­ I still have a bad feeling about this¡­!)


    ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó


    As soon as Duma ascended to the deck of the huge ship, the dozens of undead that had been roaming around the vessel knelt in unison. Takashi, who was walking behind Duma¡ª


    "Ugh¡­"


    ¡ªPut his hand over his mouth.


    The smell of rotten flesh, mixed with the sea breeze, hit him in the nose. There were many skeleton soldiers in the Thunder-Lance Charge, but few undead with flesh. From up close, he could even see the bones protruding from the skin and the internal viscera. Feeling nauseated, Takashi tried not to look the undead in the eyes.


    The ship had already departed and was sailing through the foggy sea. The port of Coure behind them was moving away from them quickly. Takashi and the rest were on arge, old sailing boat. Yet, they are sailing at the same speed as ships with propellers or internalbustion engines. Takashi thought that this was probably due to magic.


    "D-Down here, is the cabin!"


    Following Duma down the creaking staircase led to a cabin about the size of the King''s Throne Room in the Syness Castle. Undead and skeletons were still kneeling on both left and right sides.


    "Only possible for an Immortal fleet. All skeletons and undead."


    Takashi muttered, and Dumaughed happily, "O-Oh you! You''re embarrassing me!"


    (N-No, I didn''t mean it as apliment!)


    "Th-This are only low-ranked soldiers! S-Suzuki, I-I''ll show you my <em ss="chakra-text css-0">collection</em>¡­"


    Duma pped her hands with a dry sound. Then the door opened, and a few undead came waddling in.


    "F-From all over the world, I-I collected, t-the corpses of beautiful men!"


    Duma proudly boasted. Takashi looked at the undead once again. Although their skin color and height were slightly different from each other, they all had simr facial features. It must be Duma''s preference. The skin of each undead was partially ripped in ces, revealing dark flesh, suggesting that they were beautiful men before their deaths. However¡­


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Guh</em>¨C! The stench of decay!)


    Takashi gagged with a strong feeling of nausea. Nephira rubbed his back with concern.


    "N-Not to your liking? T-Though immortal, the undead will eventually rot and l-lose the use of their limbs. S-So here is the next <em ss="chakra-text css-0">collection</em>¡­"


    When Duma pped her hands again, the beautiful male undead left, and three white-skinned men entered through the doorway. Almost naked, their skin looked like white wax.


    (This... they don''t stink, but they look like mannequins¡­)


    Duma snapped her fingers. Then those men got down on all fours in front of Duma. Their backs were covered with a brown carpet.


    Takashi was surprised to see Duma sit on the back of one of the men as if it was natural.


    "W-What the HELL are you doing!?"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ke ke kikeke</em>. I-Is a ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Human-Chair</em>''. A-Abducted living humans, t-turned them into puppets, skinned their backs, and i-imnted animal hair on them. S-Suzuki. Y-You too, sit down.


    "Who would SIT DOWNNNNNNNN!!"


    Takashi screamed.


    (This bitch, what the hell does she think humans are!?)


    Anger welled up, boiling inside Takashi''s heart. However, next to Takashi, Nephira was already sitting as if it was natural on a different human-chair.


    "Ooh, Suzuki! It is soft and fluffy!"


    "Nephira!? Why, are you sitting there nonchntly!?"


    "Didn''t you once say something like, ''I want a fluffy'' something?"


    "I didn''t mean I wanted this creepy, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">fluffy</em> otherworld life!!"


    "N-Not to your liking either? T-Then, here''s collection number three."


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 2.2 - The Slaves Of The Phantom Ship (2)

    "N-Not to your liking either? T-Then, here''s collection number three."


    As Duma pped her hands, a mannequin-like man crawled through the doorway. The man''s limbs were cork-like, with no ends beyond the ankles and wrists. On his back, he carried a round wooden board.


    The man approached Duma and Nephira, who were sitting in the so-called human-chairs, with a thumping sound. Dumaughed as she ced her elbows into the backside of the man in a kneeling position.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike ke ke ke</em>! I-Is a ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Human-Table</em>''!"


    "Ooh, Suzuki! You can put the snacks on it! Let''s have a tea time!"


    Nephira happily took toffee out of the leather bag she was carrying but¡ª


    "It is NOT TEA TIME!!"


    Takashi angrily swatted the candy off with his hand. The candy Nephira had brought was scattered on the floor.


    "Oh¨C¡­ I went to the trouble of bringing it with me¡­ Suzuki¡­ Don''t be so careless with food¡­"


    Takashi was so angry that he didn''t even care about the sad look on Nephira''s face. He gave Duma a fierce look.


    "What a bullshit chair set you have made!!"


    "L-Lord Hero! Calm down, please!"


    Takashi looked back at Exce, who shouted from behind him and pointed at the pathetic human-chairs, humans who had been transformed into puppets.


    "BUT! Human lives are being yed with! They''ve turned them into such a body that can''t even utter a single word!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike ke</em>. T-That''s not true. C-Can speak just as well as when they... W-Were alive."


    "Huh¡­?"


    (I-If that''s the case, they''re still conscious?)


    Duma lightly poked the head of the Human-chair on which she was sitting. And then¡ª


    "Yes, Shair!"


    The Human-chair spoke cheerfully.


    When Duma poked him again, as expected, he repeated, "Yes, Shair!" with a nk expression.


    "Y-You see? I-Isn''t he talking?"


    ¡­


    Takashi waspletely fuming with rage.


    "DON''T ''Yes, Shair!'' MEEEE!!! Chair!? Because he''s a chair, you bastard bitch!!"


    "Calm down a little, Suzuki. You''re getting too angry."


    "So, Nephira, why have you been nonchntly sitting on a human-chair all this time!? STAND UP!!"


    Nephira stood up as if she was losing her patience with the raging Takashi. Duma looked down at the human-chairs while giggling with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">ketaketa</em>"ugh.


    "N-Nothing toin about, right? Y-You guys?"


    """Yes, Shair!!"""


    "That''s ALL they will F-ING say!!"


    In a fit of anger, Takashi hit the backboard of the human-table. Then a distressed male voice came from the table, "UGH¨C¡­"


    (Huh¡­?)


    "H-Hurts¡­ It hurts¡­s"


    The human-table was speaking bitterly.


    "H-Hey! This man, is still conscious!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike ke ke</em>. I-it looks like he didn''t have enough fluid in his system¡­"


    As soon as she said this, Duma''s mouth opened wide as if it was about to burst open. As soon as her needle-like teeth were out, Duma bit into the neck of the human-table. The human-table rattled and spasmed.


    "Y-You, What are you DOING!?"


    "T-This is how, my bodily fluids, I-I inject into them, for d-dollification."


    "No¡­ help me¡­ father, mother¡­!"


    The man''s emotion-filled face of tears disappeared in the next instant. The man became as expressionless as a mannequin and quietly returned to his table position.


    "N-Now, his ego is cpletely gone!"


    "You''re kidding me! Put it BACK where it was!"


    "I-Is already, impossible! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike</em>! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike ke kike ke ke ke ke ke ke</em>!"


    (T-This bitch¨C! Unforgivable!)


    Takashi red at Duma fiercely.


    "Didn''t I tell you at the Demon Lord''s army''s campaign meeting not to kill for no good reason?"


    "U-Using them, as c-chairs or tables. I-Isn''t that beneficial?"


    "YOU¡­!"


    The undead and skeleton soldiers around them began to move slowly as if sensing the imminent danger to their Lord. The rotting undead soldiers opened their mouths as they crept closer and closer to Takashi.


    "Th-This human¡­ Cuteeeeeeeee¡­!"


    "But¡­but, but, but, but!"


    "Those who stand against Lady Duma, must be eliminateeeeeedd!"


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fuun</em>. You are all very well controlled. My original cuteness is not enough to stop you, huh?)


    Even so, Takashi was neither upset nor afraid. It was because he had a technique that Master Leelou gave him for times like this.


    (The one and only special technique that exceeds offensive power and magical power¡ª¡ª That is "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em>")


    Takashi held his arms above his head. After he had captured the attention of the undead who surrounded him,


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªTwenty-Fifth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Puffy Face</em>''!"


    Takashi''s cheeks puffed up like a hamster.


    "C-Cute¡­¨C!"


    Nephira was the first to murmur this. And then the undead followed suit and began to moan and groan.


    "OOOOOHHHHH¡­!"


    "AAAAAAAHHHHHHH¡­!"


    "The undead seem to be in pain!"


    Takashi nodded in agreement with Exce''s voice. All right! Their minds are wavering between my orders and Duma''s!


    In other words, Pritis could be used against the undead and skeletons of the Immortal Fleet. Gaining confidence, Takashi takes one look at Duma. Duma was also trembling slightly.


    (Just one more push.)


    "Hey, Duma. Don''t do this ever again, okay? Do you understand?"


    A moment after Takashi spoke while maintaining a puffy face,


    "GI¨CGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! C-C-CUTEEEEEEEE!!"


    With fangs bare, Duma leaped at Takashi.


    (Hu¡­ HUH¨C!?)


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 2.3 - The Slaves Of The Phantom Ship (3)

    With fangs bare, Duma leaped at Takashi.


    (Hu¡­ HUH¨C!?)


    Shaken, Takashi backed away. Duma was ferociously trying to bite Takashi''s neck, but Nephira intervened with tremendous speed, and swatted her away, using her arm with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fuah</em>," fueled with fighting spirit.


    Duma received Nephira''s fist and mmed into the wall of the ship''s cabin. However, although she crashed into the wooden wall, Duma quickly scrambled back to her feet. She appeared to bepletely unscathed.


    "C-Cute Suzuki!! I-I want to make him my own personal doll! I want, I want, I waaaaaantt!!"


    Before long, Duma''s eyeballs turned hollow and ck. With a terrifying facial expression and disying sword-like fangs, Duma truly looked and felt like a vicious boss-ss monster.


    Fearful and agitated, Takashi shouted frustratedly.


    "Pritis isn''t working!? Why does she KEEP attacking me!?"


    "P-Perhaps, the more you doll yourself up with Pritis to look cute to her, the more Duma wants to transform Lord Hero into a literal doll!?"


    Takashi gritted his teeth at Exce''s words.


    (I-In other words, does this mean that Pritis will have the opposite effect on Duma?)


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kikia Kekeke</em>!! M-My body fluids!! I''ll permeate you with them nooooww!!"


    Duma crawled on all fours and approached Takashi as ferociously as a beast, but Nephira stood in his way once again. Even so, Duma''s momentum was unstoppable. She bit down on Nephira''s arm.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gigegagarurururu</em>"


    "¡­Enough is enough!"


    Nephira grabbed Duma''s head while she was still biting her¡ª¡ªand snapped her neck, producing a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pakin</em>" sound.


    (Wh-Whoa! She killed her!?)


    However, even when Duma''s neck bent more than 180 degrees, she still had a nk look on her face.


    "H-huh? Huh? Huh?"


    "Have youe to your senses?"


    At Nephira''s prompting, Duma pulled away from Nephira, still with her neck crooked. Then, with a rumbling "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">gokigoki</em>" sound, she put her head back on her ce at the neck andughed, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kikeke</em>" as if nothing had happened.


    Nephira sighed and then spoke as if to admonish her.


    "Duma. You were in the wrong a while ago. Suzuki is a human. He has every right to be angry when his fellow humans are turned into chairs or tables.


    (Eh. Nephira¡­?)


    Takashi was surprised by Nephira''s words. A little moved, Takashi approached Nephira and thanked her.


    "Nephira. Thank you."


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fuun</em>. Being with you has changed my perspective a little bit."


    "I see. But¡­"


    Takashi turned his white eyes to Nephira, who was dignifiedly sitting on a human-chair.


    "...I''ve been telling you to stop sitting in the human-chair for a while now!!"


    "Well, let''s leave it at that¡­ Duma. Wouldn''t you hate it if your fellow race was treated the same way? That''s what I''m saying."


    "I-I see. Fellowship. I-Indeed¡­"


    Duma approached the human-chair and rubbed his head.


    (You understand me a little more¡ª¡ª)


    Just as Takashi thought those words, Duma swung her leg up and dropped her heel on the human-chair''s head.


    "Wha¨C!?"


    The human-chair''s upper body was shattered into pieces by the heel strike containing tremendous force. Stomping on the severed arm, Duma let out a dryugh.


    "I-I don''t need any fellows! I-If they break, j-just make more! A-Any number of puppet dolls and undead, easily receable! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike</em>! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike kiki ke ke ke ke</em>!"


    "Th-This bitch! Seriously!"


    Takashi''s anger, which had begun to subside, red up again. Immediately, Nephira grabbed Takashi by the shoulders.


    "Enough, Suzuki!"


    Uncharacteristically, Nephira directed strong words of rebuke to Takashi. The hand gripping his shoulder was also unmistakably filled with strength. Nephira brought her serious face close to Takashi''s ear.


    "The Immortal Fleet was entrusted by our Lord, the Demon Lord, with all the battles on the vast oceans. In other words, they boast and possess that much power and ability. The rank of the Immortal Fleet is also higher than the Thunder-Lance Charge. And above all¡­"


    After a short pause, Nephira spoke.


    "Duma is strong."


    (Uh¨C! How can even Nephira say she''s strong¡­!)


    Takashi watched the battle between Marguerite from the Salvation Crusaders and Nephira up close. Nephira, holding her lightning spear Blitzberg, was truly as strong as the might of a fierce god.


    (A-And yet, is Duma even stronger than THAT Nephira!?)


    "No matter how powerful the attack, whether physical or magical, Duma will not die. Or should I say, she will not break. She is a genuine, invulnerable immortal monster."


    "Invulnerable immortal¡­ monster¡­!"


    Takashi repeated, feeling a sense of fear at the sound of those words. Duma was nearby, stillughing, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike-ke-ke</em>," and said.


    "I-I merely, w-wanted to make Suzuki happy, ya know¡­"


    "Duma. I''ve had enough of your bad-taste grotesque collection. Are there separate individual bedrooms? I want to rest."


    "Then, I-I''ll show you the way! F-Follow me."


    With these words, Duma started walking away.


    Soon after, the group also left the huge ship''s cabin. While walking slightly away from Duma, Nephira whispered to Takashi.


    "She is dangerous. Never approach Duma without me being present, okay?"


    "A-Ah. I understand."


    Takashi nodded with a meek face at Nephira''s words.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 2.4 - The Slaves Of The Phantom Ship (4)

    "A-At the speed of the Immortal Fleet, w-we''ll be in the Imperial Capital tomorrow. G-Get some rest."


    "Uh-huh."


    Nephira replied to Duma without hesitation. Surprisingly, Duma went away peacefully.


    In the corridor, individualpartment cabins lined up side by side. Next to Nephira''spartment cabin was Suzuki''s, and next to that was Exce''s. After confirming that Suzuki had entered his own separate cabin, Nephira also entered hers.


    It is a simple room with a bed, as well as a desk and chair in a corner. Nephira still stood near the door, remembering the incident between Duma and Suzuki.


    She tried to actposed, but inside, Nephira was on edge. There aren''t many demons that would dare to stand up to Duma. In addition to her eerie puppet doll''s appearance was the threatening, murky ck aura emanating from her body. Any knowledgeable demon should be able to sense the danger of Duma the moment they see her.


    (And yet, Suzuki did not. He''s got a tendency to be rash, doesn''t he?)


    But, well, Nephira thought that such a thing was also cute and innocent.


    (Be that as it may¡­ If I hadn''t stopped her earlier, that bitch Duma would have bit Suzuki! RIGHT? I won''t allow you to sink your teeth into Suzuki ahead of me!)


    Nephira''s face suddenly flushed red as she imagined the scene of her lips crawling on Suzuki''s neck.


    (A-All right¡­ Let''s go¡­!)


    She opened the door and headed for Suzuki''s cabin. Nephira took a deep breath in front of his door.


    (Atst, the moment I''ve been waiting for has arrived!)


    She groomed her hair with her hands. Then, suppressing her eagerness, she knocked on the door.


    "Suzuki. Are you there?"


    "Nephira¡­?"


    "I''ming in."


    Twisting the rusty brass door knob, she entered Suzuki''s cabin. As soon as the door closed, Nephira quickly locked it.


    "It would be dangerous if the Duma were to enter here."


    She nonchntly said, but her true intentions were different.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufufu</em>! This is now a locked room! No one is going to get in my way today!)


    Unlike Leirune, there are no Thunder-Lance Charge demons around. It is just the two of them.


    While Nephira''s two hearts leaped with joy at the prospect of spending <em ss="chakra-text css-0">honeymoon</em> time with Suzuki, she suddenly noticed Suzuki sitting on the bed with a pained expression on his face.


    "Hey. What is wrong?"


    "I''m feeling a little sick. Probably seasick."


    "I see."


    Nephira sat down next to Suzuki. She then patted her thighs.


    "Rest your head here."


    "EH! B-But¡­"


    "It''s ap pillow. It''ll calm you down."


    Suzuki hesitated, but it seemed that he was really in pain, and eventually, heid his head on Nephira''sp.


    "¡­Uhm. It is probably helping me calm down."


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fuun</em>. I''m d."


    She said it bluntly, but Nephira''s two hearts were pounding so hard they felt as if they were about to jump out from her.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa Haa Haa</em>! I''m notposed at ALL! Cute, Suzuki is cute! I want to kiss him! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa Haa Haa Haa</em>!!)


    A few minutes passed in the blink of an eye as she was so excited and lost in her fantasies. Takashi lifted his head from herp.


    "I feel a little more rxed. Thank you. Nephira."


    (Ah¨C!? You''re not getting away today!! I''m going to press forward all at once!!)


    Such opportunities are rare. Nephira renewed her resolve. Then, her smiling face at Suzuki was reced by a slightly stern one.


    "If so, Suzuki. Show me proof of your loyalty for today!"


    "P-Proof of loyalty? Uhm¡­ K-Kissing¡­ T-The back of your hand, correct?"


    "Uh-huh. That''s the proof of loyalty in the Thunder-Lance Charge."


    "It''s kind of embarrassing, but¡­"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hahaha</em>. Fool. What in the world are you misunderstanding? The proof of loyalty is simply a disy of a retainer''s rtionship with one''s lord. No need to be embarrassed at all."


    "T-That''s RIGHT! I suppose it''s just like hugging in foreign countries!"


    "What do you mean?"


    "Ah? No, it''s a matter of speech. Then, Nephira. Your hand."


    "Wait. We''ve changed the rules a little bit recently. Instead of the back of my hand¡­"


    Nephira brought her face closer to Suzuki''s and eximed with bloodshot eyes.


    "You''re going to perform the proof of loyalty on my loins!! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa Haa Haa Haa</em>!!"


    "No, what kind of proof of loyalty is that!?"


    Suzuki was shocked and tried to run away, but Nephira pressed closer and closer to him.


    "Wait!! Now, press your face toward my groin and show me your firm, unwavering LOYALTY!!"


    "I have no idea w-what you''re talking about!!"


    However, Nephira firmly gripped Suzuki''s shoulder to prevent him from moving. She then pushed him down on the bed. Nephira''s libido, which had been building up over the past few days, was now in full swing.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa Haa Haa Haa</em>!! Proof of loyalty! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Sho</em>¨C<em ss="chakra-text css-0">ex</em>¡ª <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Sho</em>¨C<em ss="chakra-text css-0">ex</em>¡ª!!"


    "Wait, wait, WAIT!! What is this!? Nephira is WAY more dangerous than Duma!!"


    "That is not true! This is just proof of our lord-retainer rtionship!"


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Uhe he he he</em>! I''m going to go all the way todaaaayyyyy!!)


    "Wh-WHOA AA AA AA!?"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 2.5 - The Slaves Of The Phantom Ship (5)

    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Uhe he he he</em>! I''m going to go all the way todaaaayyyyy!!)


    "Wh-WHOA AA AA AA!?"


    The moment she grabbed Suzuki''s head with both hands and tried to press it against her crotch. The end of the mattress bed rose, with the sheets flying in the air.


    (¡­Eh¨C?)


    Nephira stopped moving with a jolt.


    "Such a proof of loyalty, I have never heard of it¨C!!"


    Nephira''s eyes widened in astonishment. She was surprised to see Exce standing on the bed.


    "Wha¨C!? Exce!? W-Why the hell are you here!!"


    "Because I''m Lord Hero''s ve!"


    (T-Then, you were already in the room before I arrived!? And then, you hid yourself in the bed¡­!!)


    The embarrassment of being seen in her own foolishness and many other things got mixed up chaotically in her head, and Nephira screamed out loud.


    "Exce, you bastaaaaard!! What a lecherous woman you are, sneaking into a man''s room!!" (TL Note: The pot calling the kettle ck here)


    Simply putting Nephira''s actions aside, Exce must also have been embarrassed. Her face turned bright red.


    "I-It is a misunderstanding! I wanted to read a book together with Lord Hero!"


    With these words, Exce took out an old book.


    (Huhh?! WHAT even is that!? Don''t LIE!)


    "In any case, it is a lecherous book!!"


    "It''s not a disgusting book! This book is ''The Legend of the Champion Hartline''!"


    "AHH!? ''The man who made women squeal <em ss="chakra-text css-0">hee-haw</em> with his huge schlong'', the legend of such a shameless man!!"


    "What kind of legend... is THAT!! Lady Nephira! It was you! You were the one who shamelessly pushed Lord Hero onto the bed!!"


    "Y-You think I assaulted Suzuki? Tha-Tha-That''s ridiculous!!"


    "Nephira¡­ Exce¡­ stop it already¡­"


    In a soft voice, Suzuki was muttering something. But Nephira, who had be heated up, continued to argue and bicker with Exce, yelling and screaming at each other.


    Eventually, Suzuki became unbearably frustrated and couldn''t stand it any longer and shouted.


    "I told you I''m feeling a little seasick! Both of you, get out of here alreaaaaaady!"


    ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô


    About an hour had passed since Duma took Nephira and the others to their cabins.


    (I-It''s about time, right? already slept?)


    Duma walked down the dimly lit corridor. Her destination was Suzuki''s cabin.


    (Ahh, Suzuki! I-I can''t wait to make you my very own doll, I want, I want, I want!)


    Remembering how cute Suzuki was, Duma couldn''t stand still. As she walked, she imagined turning Suzuki into a doll inside her head.


    (C-Cute Suzuki! I''ll make you a doll that will never die, and we''ll be together forever and ever! O-Of course, when I go to bed, I hold him in my arms! We-We-We''ll take baths together, too! I''ll wash and clean e-every nook and cranny of you! Forever, and ever and ever, Suzuki will be mine! Mine and mine alone! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike</em>! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ke ke kike ke ke ke ke ke</em>!)


    However, as she approached Suzuki''s cabin, she could hear a lot of morous voices. It was the voice of Nephira and the ve woman who had been with Suzuki.


    "¡­Tsk¨C"


    Duma clicked her tongue. The female ve could be killed instantly, but a battle with Nephira wasn''t a good idea. In frustration, Duma bit her own finger with her teeth.


    (C-Calm down. O-Originally, I wasn''t nning to swe-sweep him away here)


    That''s what she told herself. It was an order from Lord Demon Lord to take Suzuki to the Imperial Capital. It would be better if he could participate in the demon training as much as possible.


    And then, on the way back from the training course, she will outwit Nephira and the others and sail away with only Suzuki on board. She could make it look like a shipwreck, kidnap Suzuki, and slowly turn him into a doll. Of course, Nephira would be furious, but if she reported that it was for the sake of strengthening the Immortal Fleet, the Demon lord would not condemn or rebuke her.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike kikike</em>! I-I''ll have to save the fun f-forter!)


    Hearing Nephira and Exce''s voices behind her, Duma turned back down the corridor with a gloating smile on her face.


    ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó


    By noon the next day after departing from Leirune, Duma''s ship had already arrived in the imperial capital.


    (Exce was right. That was really fast.)


    Takashi was deeply moved as he gazed at the streets of the imperial capital from the ship''s deck. He didn''t know the exact distance from Leirune to the imperial capital, but thest time he traveled by dragon carriage, the journey took about three days. Duma''s ships may be faster than those of Japan, where science was more advanced.


    Duma''s ships, powered by magic and could travel long distances, were certainly impressive, but there was a price to pay.


    (Ugh¡­I feel unwell¡­!)


    Takashi was now experiencing severe seasickness. Exce spoke to him in a concerned tone.


    "Lord Hero. How''s your health?"


    "Uh, yeah. I feel much better, I guess..."


    "I''m so sorry about yesterday¡­"


    "No. Don''t worry about it."


    In front of Exce, he tried to act as cheerful as possible, but, in reality, he could barely stand up. In addition to the fact that this was the first time he had traveled by ship, there was another major factor¡­


    "Lady DumaaaaAaaa! Just like you asked, another Hyuuu! Human have been abducteEEeeDd!"


    During the voyage, rotting corpses were roaming around the ship. Their stench made Takashi''s seasickness even worse.


    (Ahh, I feel unwell¡­ Wait!? Right now, what did that guy just say!?)


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 2.6 - The Slaves Of The Phantom Ship (6)

    (Ahh, I feel unwell¡­ ¡ªWait!? Right now, what did that guy just say!?)


    An undead walked up to Duma''s ship, which was currently docked at the harbor of the Imperial City, with a small person wearing tattered clothes.


    On the deck, Nephira and Exce did not bother and were preparing to disembark, but Takashi was curious and spoke to the undead.


    "H-Hey. That person is?"


    "Just now, it was walking over therEee. It is a candidate for Lady Duma''s dollificatioONoonNn."


    "Don''t ''It was walking over thereee.'' me! Don''t just randomly snatch people off the street, you kidnapper!"


    Takashi grabbed the ragged-clothes-d person''s arm to pull him away from the undead. And as soon as he did so, he became startled by the touch of something thin and delicate.


    (Eh¨C? Could it be perhaps¡­ a girl?)


    Takashi was convinced when he saw a glimpse of the glossy lips peeking out from the hood that was pulled over her eyes.


    "Uhm. You, what''s your name?"


    But she was silent. After a while, a muffled "ugh" could be heard. As expected, it was a female voice. However¡­


    "This gal, hasn''t spoken since earlieeeEErr."


    The undead next to him said. It could be that she was born without the ability to speak or that she lost the ability to speak due to the shock of being abducted. The girl was trembling slightly, though her face was not clearly visible due to the closely pulled hood she wore.


    "Let''s go!"


    Takashi held the girl''s hand as he said so. The undead looked troubled because Takashi had taken over the human he had brought with him. But when Duma noticed this, sheughed with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike ke ke</em>" and said.


    "I-I don''t mind! Since from the start, the d-doll, I was nning to give it to S-Suzuki as a present."


    "I already told you I don''t want that!"


    Takashi red at her, but Duma seemed oblivious to it.


    "Th-Then, I''ll be waiting here for your return home, ya know. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ke ke Kiki ke ke ke</em>!"


    ......


    After leaving Duma and disembarking from the ship, Exce bowed and spoke to the girl wearing the tattered rags.


    "I''m, Exce! I''m looking forward to working with you!"


    The girl pointed to herself with a trembling hand¡ª


    "A¡­ Ai¡­ na¡­"


    ¡ªanswered in a halting manner.


    "Aina¡­? By Aina, you mean you are Miss Aina, right!?"


    The girl nodded her head.


    (I see. It''s not like she can''t speak at all.)


    Takashi spected that she may have only temporarily lost her ability to speak. However, it would be horrible and unreasonable to ask Aina about the cause of the problem.


    "I''m Takashi Suzuki! Nice to meet''cha!"


    Takashi cheerfully told Aina. Aina bowed her head slightly to Takashi as a greeting. Nephira sighed as she watched the situation from the side.


    "Suzuki. I have been telling you that you should not indiscriminately pick up any ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Abandoned Human</em>'' in front of you. Can you properly take care of her?"


    "It''ll be fine! I will make her my ve and look after her! Also, please don''t call humans ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">abandoned</em>'' as if they were dogs!"


    "However, aren''t you about to undergo demon training?"


    "Th-Thats¡­"


    Exce smiled at Nephira, who looked like she had to chew a bitter bug.


    "Lady Nephira! I will look after Miss Aina in the Lord Hero''s absence!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Tsk</em>. Good grief."


    Nephira scratched her ck hair, exasperated. Takashi patted his chest, relieved that there was no further opposition to his proposal.


    Takashi nced at Exce and said, "Thank you," as he followed Nephira, who had started to walk away. Exce smiled and acknowledged Takashi with a slight bow.


    Led by Nephira, Takashi and the others walked through the Imperial Capital. The city was as bustling as it had been when they came there a few days before, far more so than the city of Leirune.


    It was said that the number of demons living in the Imperial Capital was more than ten times those living in Leirune, so it was not surprising. The demons were working on their carpentry projects everywhere one looked. Just as Serphiano had said, they were renovating the city into a demon metropolis.


    Once on the main street, the streets were full of stores run by demons, and the roads were well paved. The horrors of the invasion of the Imperial Capital now seemed like a long time ago, and it was almost as if this ce had been a demon metropolis for a long time.


    Suddenly, an indescribable smell wafted through the air, and Takashi looked in that direction. An orc was holding up a roasted human leg and was raising his voice for potential customers.


    "Patronage our human flesh restaurant¡ª! Our rmendation for today is grilled human¡ª!"


    As Takashi passed the restaurant with suppressed irritation, another demon raised its voice nearby.


    "Now, now, how about some useful furniture? There''s even a human chair made by the Commander of the Immortal Fleet, Lady Duma!"


    Nephira cheerfully tapped Takashi on the shoulder.


    "Hey, Suzuki! I see they are also selling chairs! Mhm! The price seems to be quite expensive! You should have gotten it!"


    "I don''t want such a thing!"


    Takashi told Nephira, who was somewhat excited.


    (Damn! Nothing has changed!)


    Then, Takashi ground his teeth. As expected, his speech at the campaign meeting had no meaning at all!


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 2.7 - The Slaves Of The Phantom Ship (7)

    (Damn! Nothing has changed!)


    Then, Takashi ground his teeth. As expected, his speech at the campaign meeting had no meaning at all!


    The smell of grilled human flesh wafted around the area, mixed with his frustration, and made him feel ill again.


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


    "L-Lord Hero!?"


    The nausea was so bad that he felt sick to his stomach, and he crouched down on the spot, holding his abdomen. Nephira patted Takashi''s back to nurse him.


    "I''m sure it is seasickness and fatigue. There is a restroom nearby. I''ll go along with you."


    "I-I can go alone! Just tell me where it is¡­<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Uupp</em>!""


    (Ugh¡­ My stomach is rumbling¡­! I think it will be easier if I threw up¡­)


    (Lord Hero. I wonder if he''s alright.)


    Exce was worried about Suzuki''s condition. The nausea he had been suffering from had not subsided since then.


    When they arrived at the demon training center near the downtown capital, he immediately rushed to the washroom. It had been more than ten minutes, but he still hadn''t returned.


    Exce looked around rather vacantly as if she were lost.


    (This ce is... the training institute of the former imperial capital, isn''t it?)


    It was easier to use the facilities of the humans as they were than to build new buildings from scratch. It was not limited to this training center, but it seemed that the Demon Lord''s Army often used the housing facilities of the conquered humans as they were, except for demons with far too different body shapes or sizes.


    (Hmm... But I guess their pride won''t allow them to do so permanently. That''s probably why they''re slowly changing the interior and remodeling the Imperial Capital into a demon metropolis.)


    "¡­Hello¡ª"


    Suddenly, a somber voice sounded behind her, and Exce turned around. Serphiano, the Demon Lord''s Army staff advisor, hade to the waiting area of the Demon Training Center and was waving to Nephira with herpanion, Grant, next to her.


    When Nephira bowed slightly as a greeting, Serphiano put her finger to her chin and looked at her curiously.


    "Oh. Suzuki is missing. Why is that?"


    "He has gone to the washroom. He is currently very seasick."


    "Well. Is that so?"


    After a look of deep concern on her face, Serphiano turned her cold gaze on Exce and Aina.


    "These humans are?"


    "Exce and Aina. They are Suzuki''s ves."


    "I-I''m looking forward to working with you¡­!"


    In front of Serphiano, who was known as the most intelligent demon in the Demon Army, Exce felt very nervous. Serphiano''s three eyes, which seemed to see through everything, almost felt like licking her whole as she gazed at her.


    Eventually, Serphiano turned her attention back to Nephira.


    "Since it looks like Suzuki won''t be here for a while, shall I show you the ssroom first?"


    "B-BUT! If we don''t wait for him properly, Suzuki will get lost, won''t he?"


    "No, he won''t. It''s not that big of a ce. Gee, Nephira, are you being overprotective again¡ª?"


    Serphiano smiled with a slightly wicked look on her face.


    "Overprotective, you say? That would never be the case! I-I understand, in that case, let''s go! To the ssroom and stuff!"


    Nephira said as she quickly set off.


    While walking behind Serphiano and Nephira, Exce silently listened to their conversation with Aina.


    "As a matter of fact, there have been recent attacks on towns stockpiled with humans for food and very. The top brass of the Demon Lord''s Army seem to think and believe that this is the work of the low-ranked soldiers stationed there."


    "The work of low-ranking soldiers? Why do they think so?"


    "The soldiers of the demon lord''s army stationed there have disappeared without a trace. They could have been enticed by a powerful demon. It was also possible that they had attacked on their own initiative. Either way, it''s reasonable to assume that the soldiers conspired against us. That''s why we had this kind of educational opportunity prepared as soon as possible."


    "Uh-huh. So, that''s how the demon training program came to be."


    (Indeed. It must be tough for the Demon Lord''s army as well¡­)


    Needless to say, humans are a single species. On the other hand, the Demon Lord''s Army is a mixture of many races, including demons, beastmen, and even undead. It must be quite a feat to unite all the fierce-tempered demon species into one.


    Exce could somewhat understand the hardships the Demon Lord''s Army was going through.


    In the meantime, they reached the end of the corridor.


    "This is the ssroom where Suzuki will be doing his training."


    Smiling, Serphiano quickly turned on her heels.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 2.8 - The Slaves Of The Phantom Ship (8)

    "This is the ssroom where Suzuki will be doing his training."


    Smiling, Serphiano quickly turned on her heels.


    "In any case, let''s go to the castle next. We are currently in the middle of remodeling it into a Demon lord''s castle, so please assess our progress¡­"


    As soon as she did, Nephira''s face lit up in surprise.


    "P-Please wait! From now on, Suzuki training will take ce here, right?"


    "Yes. So I thought we''d kill some time somewhere in the meantime."


    "No, No, No! Since we havee all this way, let''s do a Suzuki''s ss visitation!"


    "E¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªeh! Nephira... you really are overprotective, aren''t you?¡ª!"


    "I-I will observe the ss, no matter how overprotective I may seem! Since I''m almost like Suzuki''s guardian!"


    "Amander''s adjutant is not supposed to be protected by themander. But, well, I understand. Then, Nephira, please observe the ss. Then, Aina and the rest¡­"


    Serphiano''s gaze turned to Exce and Aina. Exce opened her mouth hastily.


    "S-Since we are Suzuki''s ves, we will do ''ve Visitation'' as well!!"


    "S-ve Visitation¡­?"


    Nephira muttered, her mouth gaping open. Seeing this, Exce suddenly became quiet.


    (AAAHHHHHH¨C!? I regret saying such strange things!)


    "What, is that¡­?"


    Serphiano also had a strange expression on her face. Exce''s face lit up, burning with shame. Eventually, Nephira snorted "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">fuun</em>," and pointed at Exce.


    "In case you didn''t know, she''s Suzuki''s ve. I think it''s a good idea to let them participate."


    "Suzuki''s ves, huh?¡­ that''s fine. Aina''s group, you two ves will be allowed a visitation. This is for future reference, so make sure you study hard!"


    Serphiano told them this without so much as smiling, though. Exce bowed her head profoundly.


    "Y-Yes! I greatly appreciated it!"


    (How can my opinion, as a human being, be approved when Lord Hero is not here?! I knew it! The world is changing little by little, Lord Hero!)


    Exce was happy to feel a faint glimmer of hope. However¡ª


    "Well then, let''s all go inside the ssroom."


    ¡ªthe moment Serphiano opened the sliding door, a chill ran down Exce''s spine.


    (Ugh¨C! This is¡­¨C!)


    The buzzing sound of demons with hoarse voices. The demons with evil-looking vicious expressions were sitting wherever on chairs and desks.


    Exce felt as if she had wandered into a monster''sir and became agitated, but Nephira asked Serphiano in an indifferent tone of voice.


    "Dame Serphiano. Who are these demons?"


    "They are low-ranked soldiers who have freshly joined the Demon Lord''s Army."


    "Neers, huh? No wonder they all have bad attitudes."


    They were chatting as if they were ignoring the appearance of Serphiano, the Staff Officer, and Nephira, themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge. However, neither Serphiano nor Nephira paid attention to them and just stood silently behind them.


    One of the demons turned its head and looked back at Serphiano.


    "Excusee me! Is ss not starting yet~?"


    "Please wait a few more minutes. Your homeroom teacher will be here shortly."


    Despite Serphiano''s amicable response, one of the demons threw his feet up on the desk.


    "For fuck''s sake! Why the hell''s it taking so long? What kinda jerk''s this teacher, anyhow?!"


    "I can''t stand this! Idiot scum."


    Exce gulped down saliva in the presence of these hooligan demons.


    (I-I knew it! They have their own one or two peculiarities, right? Lord Hero... Are you going to be alright fitting amongst these people?)


    At that moment, the door opened with a bang. The eyes of the ss all turned toward that direction at once.


    A lion-like beastman, more than two meters tall, crouched down, ducked through the door, and entered the ssroom.


    "¡­I''m the instructor, Leos."


    He said in a low voice, but there remained a buzz in the air. A demon threw his feet up on the desk whileughing, and Leos walked over to him.


    "Hey, bastard. I''m talking now, aren''t I?"


    "Ooh¡ª? What is it, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">teacher</em>?"


    "Listen here. Remember. In front of me, ''talking in ss is¡­"


    The demon was stillughing loudly. Exce''s heart was pounding ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Doki-Doki</em>'' on her chest.


    (He seems to be a very strict teacher!! Most likely, he will say, "Talking in ss is prohibited!!" Will he punch him?!)


    The next moment, Leos''s golden pupils dted.


    "''Talking in ss is an infraction punishable by death''!!"


    He said and then swung his sharp-wed arm. The demon''s head rolled around the ssroom after receiving such a powerful blow from Leos, and ck blood gushed from its neck like a fountain.


    """EEEeeeeeeek!?"""


    The ssroom was soon filled with the screams of the demons, but the moment Leos nced at them, the ss becamepletely silent.


    Of course, it was not only the demons. The cruel and bizarre sight of that scene made even Exce shudder.


    (No!? He was killed just for talking in ss!? "Talking in ss is punishable by death"!? Don''t you think that''s TOO STRICT!!?)


    After the encounter with Duma, Exce had another tremendous and unpleasant foreboding.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 3.1 - Demon Training (1)

    The ssroom was tense because of the sudden tragic event. Exce''s stomach ached, just like Suzuki''s before. Even so, Serphiano, the Head Advisor, and Nephira, the Commander of the Thunder-Lance Charge, were calmly watching the lesson from the back of the ssroom.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hou</em>. That''s some strict guidance, isn''t it?"


    "Professor Leos is from the Beast King Oni Squad. When I met him the other day, he told me how passionate he was about bing a teacher."


    "Indeed. The martial arts faction of the Beast King Oni Squad, huh? That makes sense."


    (I-I am not really convinced with that logic!! Being killed just for talking in ss? It''s no longer a matter of education or training! If you are killed, you will never be able to reflect, reform, or grow, will you?!)


    It was nonsensical. There was the possibility that humans and demons have fundamentally different ways of thinking. As Exce was thinking about this, she suddenly noticed Leos was looking at her.


    (Eeep¨C!?)


    Exce was panicking, but it seemed that Leos'' eyes were not on her and Aina but on Serphiano and Nephira. Serphiano smiled at Leos.


    "Professor Leos, Nephira and these ves want to observe the ss. Is it alright?"


    "Ye. Not a problem."


    Leos replied in a hoarse voice. Even Leos was courteous to Serphiano, the Head Advisor of the Demon Lord''s army.


    "In that case, I look forward to working with you. I have some other business to attend to. If you''ll excuse me."


    Serphiano waved his hand to Nephira, saying, "Please give my regards to Suzuki!" and left the ssroom.


    When Exce looked back at the front, she saw Leos at the teacher''s podium, looking over at the ck register of names.


    "There are twenty students in total, huh? No¡ª¡ª I killed one, so there are neen. All right! Then I''ll take attendance."


    (I-I don''t understand what he meant by "All right!"¡­ It looks like he ns to start taking attendance now, isn''t he?!)


    The fact that the Hero had not yet arrived worried Exce greatly, but Leos quickly read out the first name.


    "Ashtar. Is Ashtar here?"


    "P-Pre¡­"


    The incident earlier had left the low-ranked soldiers feeling intimidated. Leos approached the ck demoness with pointed ears named Ashtar, who had answered in a somewhat stuttering and hushed voice. He then raised his fist in front of the seated Ashtar.


    (I-I-It couldn''t be¡­!)


    Exce''s fears came true. The steel fist of Leos swung down on top of the seated Ashtar''s head. With a loud thud, Ashtar''s brain matter sttered onto the desk.


    "You must stand up first before replying! Die!"


    (A-Another one! Another one has been killed!!)


    "All right. Let''s continue with the attendance call. Second person¡­"


    After that, Leos read out the names as if nothing had happened.


    However¡ª


    "Your voice is too soft! Die!"


    "You have bad posture! Die!"


    "Don''t drop your pencil on the floor! Die!"


    "You, in the back seat! Just in case! Die!"


    By the time attendance was over, the bodies of ten ughtered students were lying in the ssroom.


    (WTFFFFF!? Before the ss had even started, the number of students was cut in half!? What kind of homeroom is this?!!)


    The dreadful confirmation of attendance caused Exce to breathe heavily. Meanwhile, Leos looked at the list of names and frowned.


    "Suzuki¡­ hmm? Suzuki is not here!?"


    Next to Exce, Nephira raised one hand.


    "Suzuki is currently in the washroom. Due to a stomach ache."


    Leos clicked his tongue in disgust with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Tch</em>." But then, as if realizing something, he bowed to Nephira and continued the roll call.


    (Ugh¡­ Is it going to be safe to bete? Lord Hero¡­)


    Afterpleting the roll call, Leos red at the students.


    "Then, we will now begin the ss. All of you! Answer my questions!"


    (A-Atst! What in the world kind of lesson is this?)


    Tension shed through the ssroom as if it were wartime. The ssroom was quiet as if it had been doused with cold water, and Leos'' deep voice echoed through the room.


    "A human child falls on the street and cries.¡ª¡ª So, what do you do? One, Laugh. Two, Eat it. Three, Help¡­"


    Next, Leos pointed to a mantis-like fiend sitting in the seat right in front of him.


    "You. Answer with a number."


    "I wouldugh. So ''One''!"


    "I see. Then how about you, the neighboring student?"


    "T-''Two''! I''ll eat it in a heartbeat!!"


    The goblin sitting next to the praying-mantis-like fiend said. Leos silently walked toward them.


    (Both answers were cruel! B-But what in the world, is the right answer¡ª¡ª HUH!?)


    The heads of the two demons simultaneously flew through the air, sttering fresh blood as Leos swung his thick, club-like arm away with a boom.


    "The correct answer is ''Laugh while you eat'' or ''Eating whileughing''! Die!"


    (No, that was not even an option! And even though you said, "Answer with a number," that wasn''t a number! Who would understand? That kind of question!)


    Encountering a question-and-answer lecture with a 0.001% correct-response rate and a 200% fatality rate, Exce eximed in her heart.


    (I-I had no idea that the training would be so absurd and life-threatening! Ah¡­ AAAHHH¨C!?)


    At that moment. The sliding door opened with a tter of "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">gararin</em>."


    "I apologize, I''mte. I had a bad stomach ache¡­"


    When the Hero appeared, he looked a little gaunt, and he had his hand on his stomach. Exce clenched her fists.


    (Lord Hero has finally arrived! Moreover¡­ He iste¨C!!)


    Exce could feel nothing but despair when she thought about the fate of the Hero who had arrivedte for the training program.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 3.2 - Demon Training (2)

    "You had a bad stomach, was it¡­?"


    Leos stared at Suzuki from head to toe while muttering in a low voice.


    Unbelievable, but Suzuki''s stomach must have really been hurting as he kept holding his abdomen in distress. Moreover, he was also fidgeting, probably from the awkwardness of beingte.


    As he stared at Suzuki, Leos'' mouth almost dropped open. However, he pinched his side with his finger¨Cin a way that no one else would notice.


    (Guh¨C! As expected, this guy is cute! And to the point of being bewitching!)


    "¡­<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fuun</em>. Well, it''s fine. Sit down."


    While averting his gaze from Suzuki''s cuteness and maintaining hisposure, Leos informed Suzuki.


    Suzuki was surprised to see dead bodies of demons scattered here and there in the ssroom and said, "Eh? HUH? What the hell is this!" but headed to his seat as instructed by Leos. Then he sat down on a chair.


    The appearance of Suzuki suddenly caused a stir among the demons.


    "H-Hey. That guy, he waste, and he wasn''t even rebuked!? We''ve been getting killed for the slightest thing!"


    "No matter how cute he is, that is favoritism! ¡­HUH¨C!?"


    Leos was standing behind the two demons who spoke. The two victims'' heads became encased by the beastly hands of Leos. Then, he crushed them like smashed fruit.


    "''Talking in ss is punished by death''¡ª¡ª Don''t make me repeat myself! Die!"


    "What was that!? Scary!!"


    Suzuki shouted. While watching the frightened Suzuki by his side, Leos was inwardly gloating.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kukuku</em>. Finally, I''vee this far. The n is on course.)


    Ever since Leos had seen him at the Demon Lord''s Army''s campaign meeting, he had been nning to kidnap Suzuki. If he could get his hands on the most unprecedentedly adorable human ever, he would be able to revitalize the Beast King''s Oni Squad, which was on the verge of being dismantled after his Commander, Raigus, was killed in battle. No, it would not be impossible to gain even more influence than that.


    The Commander adjutant of the Beast King''s Oni Squad, Leos, recalled what happened a few days ago. Gahbell, a tiger-faced beastman who had been with him for many years and addressed him as "Brother" despite not being rted by blood, spoke to him in a low voice.


    "Brother. So how are we going to abduct Suzuki?"


    "A demon training for low-ranking soldiers will be held in the imperial capital soon. Serphiano, the head advisor, is looking for instructors to teach there. I''m going to be one of them."


    "EH!! Brother as an instructor? Is it going to WORK OUT!? And won''t other demons be running for the position!?"


    "Irrelevant. All of those demons, I suppose I''d kill them. That way, I''ll be the only candidate."


    "I-Indeed!! As expected, you are so smart, brother!! In fact, you might be a natural instructor, you know!!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fuun</em>. In any case. I will be an instructor and give a ss in front of Suzuki. Then, I will fail Suzuki with a very difficult question that will be impossible for him to answer. After that, Suzuki and I will be left alone together for a remedial ss. That way, I would be able to safely abduct Suzuki without ANYONE noticing."


    "Pawrfect!! Brother, FOR REAL! You are so smart!!"


    With this n in mind, Leos first went to meet the Head Advisor of the Demon Lord''s Army, Serphiano.


    "Well then Master Ork. I am appointing you as Demon Training''s Instructor."


    "I''ll do my best! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Buu</em>!"


    The pig monster was shaking its huge body happily. It seemed that the selection of instructors had already concluded.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Tsk</em>. This is bad...)


    Leos hurriedly petitioned toward Serphiano.


    "Wait, Dame Serphiano. I want to be an instructor, too."


    "Oh, my. That''s troubling, isn''t it? It''s already been decided!"


    "I really want to educate the lower-ranked soldiers! For the future of the Demon Lord''s army!!"


    Passionately in his plea, Master Ork snorted fiercely andshed out at Leos.


    "Why, you! Don''t get in my way! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Buu</em>! I''ve been chosen to be the new instructor! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Buu</em>!"


    Leos red at Master Ork and jerked his steel-wed right arm in arge motion.


    "Shut up, Pig Bastard! Die!"


    "Buu BUU¡ª¡ª¨C!?"


    Master Ork''s head flew through the air. The w attack of Leos instantly shot out and cut off the thick-as-a-log head of Master Ork. Trampling on the tumbled head with his long-wed foot, Leos grinned.


    "Kukuku. The passion for bing an instructor has reached its peak."


    "I-I said it had already been decided¡­ you ughtered the chosen candidate¡­!?"


    The next moment, Serphiano, who was trembling slightly and muttering to herself, broke out into a blossoming smile.


    "Wonderful! What a strong passion for education! I have been looking for a highly motivated instructor like you! Teacher Leos! Please take over the role of the deceased Master Ork¡ª¡ª¡ªI mean, that you have in, and teach at the demon training program!"


    "Yes! I''m going to educate those stupid low-ranked soldiers to be great soldiers of the Demon Lord''s army! Right, sometimes even by killing them! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kukukuku</em>! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hahahahaha</em>!"


    ¡­After recalling how Serphiano had recognized him a few days earlier, Leos nced at the Thunder-Lance Charge''s Nephira, who stood a few meters behind Suzuki, watching with her arms crossed.


    (To avoid raising suspicions from Nephira, I''ll have to tread lightly, won''t I...)


    Leos'' sharp, beastly eyes sharpened even more.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 3.3 - Demon Training (3)

    When the hero entered the ssroomte, Exce was not in her right mind.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Lateness!? Punishable by Death!!</em>"


    She was worried it would end up in a situation like that.


    However, his ability to be loved by demons was said to be a power given by the gods to the hero. Leos did not particrly punish the hero but simply let him sit down.


    (Aahh, thank goddess¡­!)


    Even so, the bloody ssroom filled with the ughtered corpses of the soldiers killed by Leos did nothing to ease Exce''s fears. Exce nervously asked Nephira, who was standing next to her.


    "Lady Nephira!! Is Lord Hero going to be alright!?"


    "U-Uh-huh. As expected, I''m starting to get worried that Suzuki will be subjected to the same strict guidance¡­"


    Even the usually calm Nephira''s expression changed when the subject was the hero. Exce could feel her agitation.


    Nephira turned to Exce with a very serious look on her face.


    "Exce! If anything should happen, we will be there to stop him! Be prepared!"


    "Y-YES!"


    Exce replied, then gulped hard.


    (That''s right! When the timees, we must protect Lord Hero!)


    Before anyone noticed, the training had be a life-threatening hellish training. Leos red at the hero with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">girori.</em>"


    "In any case, Suzuki. I''m going to ask you to answer a question I raised when you weren''t here."


    (Wha¨C!? If that''s the case, is it that absurd question!?)


    "A human child falls on the street and cries.¡ª¡ª So, what do you do? One, Laugh. Two, Eat it. Three, Help¡­ Answer with a number!"


    (I knew it! It was that question! The correct answer is not within the numbers listed but "Laugh while you eat or eat whileughing"! B-But, Lord Hero being a human, surely¡­!)


    As Exce expected, the hero immediately attempted to answer the question¡ª


    "That''s easy, right? The answer, number three¡­"


    (You mustn''t, Lord Heroooo¨C!!)


    "GOHOON GOHO-GOHO¨C!!"


    Exce coughed as loudly as she could. All eyes in the ssroom were on her. Of course, the hero was also looking back at her.


    Exce continued coughing and waited for the right moment when the other students'' gazes would turn away from her to some extent. And when Leos would take his eyes off of her as well.


    (Now is the time! Lord Hero! Somehow, please acknowledge this as a signal.)


    After locking eyes with the hero, who was worriedly watching Exce''s coughing fit, Exce did a "while smiling moved one hand in a gesture of eating something" action.


    Nephira, who stood next to her, noticed Exce''s intention and whispered in her ear.


    "OH! Good thinking, Exce! As I thought, you are quite the remarkable ve!"


    "Thank you very much! But now we need to see if my message got conveyed to Lord Hero¡­!"


    Exce nced forward. The hero raised one corner of his mouth while holding up his thumb.


    "All right, it will be fine! Exce! Your message has been clearlymunicated to Suzuki!"


    "Ah, I''m d!"


    The hero remained seated and turned to face Leos. He stared directly into Leos''s eyes and said confidently.


    "The answer is number three! ''Help''!"


    ""IIDIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT""


    Exce and Nephira both eximed in unison.


    (You didn''t understand it at all, didn''t you? This person! Then WHY did you give me a thumbs up earlier?! It''s misleading!)


    Although she usually acteddylike as the former third princess, Exce was quite angry. She grinded her teeth "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">girigiri</em>" at the hero whopletely did not understand her meaning.


    (Geez! What are you DOING, you idiot?! Give me back the time and effort I spent earlier!)


    "I-In any case, we are in a terrible situation!"


    Nephira''s words made Exce calm down. Leos'' face showed his clear dissatisfaction.


    "Bastard¡­! Three, was it? That''s¡­"


    (AH¨C! He is going to say, "Incorrect" and "Then, DIE!")


    "Lady Nephira!? Let''s go save Lord Hero!!"


    "N-No, wait, Exce! Suzuki is up to something!"


    (Huh¨C?)


    Once again, she looked forward. The hero slowly brought his right hand towards his head.


    Then, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">kotsun</em>," he lightly tapped his head and at the same time stuck out his tongue.


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªThirty-ninth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Bashful nk Tongue (Tehepero)</em>''!"


    Next to Exce. Nephira stood there, wobbling and trembling.


    "W-W-What cuteness¨C!! I know he''s wrong, but I feel like I have to forgive him."


    "I-Is that so? Although I just find it rather cheeky and detestable¡­!"


    (But the teacher, Leos''s reaction is¡­)


    Exce breathed heavily and looked at Leos.


    Leos clenched his sharp fangs with a "girigiri," but before long, he averted his gaze from the hero and opened his mouth.


    "¡­Correct."


    He said in a small voice.


    (C-Correct answeeeeerrr!? This answer is obviously different from the previous one!!)


    Surprise and joy intertwined, Exce and Nephira took each other''s hands in delight.


    "As expected! The power of Lord Hero is incredible, isn''t it?"


    "Ah!! I mean, it''s because he is so cute!! Suzuki is!!"


    Nephira, as if realizing what she was doing, shoved Exce''s hand away. Even so, Exce smiled with relief.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 3.4 - Demon Training (4)

    Away from Suzuki''s seat, Nephira and the human ve were holding hands in joy. Leos gritted his teeth as he recalled his earlier actions.


    (DAMN IT! I ended up saying it was correct!)


    Looking at him smiling and sticking out his tongue, Leos felt that Suzuki was too cute... he inadvertently blurted out that he was correct. Leos regretted it bitterly.


    It would not be easy to kidnap Suzuki, who was also the samemander adjutant but of the Thunder-Lance Charge. In order to prepare for this, Leos went as far as brutally killing several students from the beginning of the homeroom.


    He wanted to instill in the students the idea that "If you get the answer wrong on a question from Leos, essentially you get the death penalty." And to top it off¡ª


    [Suzuki. You got the question wrong. You are getting remedial lessons.]


    ¡ªif he spanned the story like that, Nephira wouldn''t be able to say anything because she''d be relieved that Suzuki didn''t get the death penalty. After ss, Suzuki and Leos would be left alone together in a very natural way. Then he could abduct him easily that way.


    A well-thought-out n ¡ª¡ª¡ª and yet, Suzuki''s cuteness got the better of him.


    (What an idiot! Keep your guard up! Aren''t you resolved to use Suzuki for the sake of your purpose?!)


    [Dealers should never use their own herbs or drugs. Always handle them as tools.] ¡ª¡ª¡ª Leos had always told his trusted retainer, Gahbell, the tiger beastman, as such.


    (But how could I be ensnared by Suzuki?! Like herbs or drugs, Suzuki is a tool! A mere tool for the benefit of our rise in the ranks!)


    He could not believe his very own actions in response to Suzuki.


    (I''ll make sure to fail him in the next question!)


    Leos stared at Suzuki with fierce, determined eyes.


    "Suzuki! I''ll continue to give you questions! Answer me!"


    "Y-Yes!"


    "Second question! ''Can humans and demons coexist? One, they can. Two, they can''t. Three, they can''t without a reason¡­ Answer with a number!"


    (Suzuki will definitely choose "One, they can"! At that moment, I''ll dere the answer incorrect and fail him!)


    It''s a simple task. This time, Leos turned to look at Suzuki, bracing himself, determined not to be misled in any way ¡ª¡ª¡ª However, Suzuki was not in his seat.


    (I-Impossible!? Where the hell did that son of a bitch go? Tha¡ª¡ª)


    And there, right in front of Leos'' eyes, stood Suzuki.


    (Whoa¨C!? Too close!! Suzuki is too close¨C!!)


    "H-Hey, bastard!! Don''t get up from your seat without permission¡ª"


    "The answer is¡­ ''One. They can!''"


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fu</em>¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">fu</em> <em ss="chakra-text css-0">hahaha</em> <em ss="chakra-text css-0">ha</em>¨C!! I knew it!! Just as I thought! You said it!!)


    "You moron!! That answer is inco..."


    Just as he was about to say incorrect, Leos felt warmth in his hand.


    (¡­rrect?)


    He noticed that Suzuki was sping his hands with both of his.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Eep</em>¨C!? W-W-What in the hell, does this guy think he''s doing?!!)


    "They can¡­"


    "AAH!? What did you say!?"


    Suzuki eximed, his eyes moistening.


    "Definitely!! They can definitely coexist!! Humans and demons can understand each other if we open our hearts!!"


    (You''re too intense, man! And don''t hold my hand, please!!)


    Leos thought about shaking off Suzuki''s burning hot hands away and opened his mouth.


    "D-Don''t touch me<em ss="chakra-text css-0">nya</em>!!"


    (No, what the hell is "me<em ss="chakra-text css-0">nya</em>"!! I was in such a hurry that I blurted out something weird!!)


    After clearing up his throat to smooth over his mistake¡ª


    "I-In any case, your answer is¡­"


    And then he looked at Suzuki once again ¡ª¡ª¡ª Leos was astonished.


    The perturbed Leos was greeted by Suzuki, who looked like a lion beastman, just like himself, standing in front of him. Moreover¡­


    (A-As if¡­ he is a two or three-year-old brat beastman? Isn''t he¡­!)


    In the eyes of Leos, Suzuki appeared to be a young lion beastman. And he was an infant. He was at the cutest age for both man and beastman.


    Even the ruthless and cold-hearted Leos had a love for his own race. His desire to revive the fallen Beast King''s Oni Squad was also his own expression of such feelings.


    (AH¡­ Cute<em ss="chakra-text css-0">nyaa</em>¡­! HUH¨C!? Not good!!)


    Suzuki, who looked as adorable as a toddler beastman, was eximing at Leos.


    "Teacher!! The correct answer is!?"


    (Who is a teacher?! This, this is all just a ploy, in order to deceive YOU!! I''m not some kind of teacher or anything!)


    "Teacher!! Instructor Leos!!"


    When he was called, "Teacher" over and over again, Leos'' heart throbbed tenderly "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">tohkun</em>".


    (W-What, is this feeling¡­!)


    "Instructor Leos!! Please tell me the correct answer!!"


    "A-Ah. That''s¡­"


    Leos'' heart started pounding faster with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Dokidoki</em>."


    ("Teacher"¡­ How pleasant that sounds¡­! Call me "Teacher" even more! Ah¡­ more, much more¡­ I would like to instruct together with Suzuki.)


    "Demons and humans CAN coexist, right!? Instructor Leos!!"


    (Coexist¡ª¡ª¡ª I''m starting to feel like they can. Yea. Wouldn''t they be able to do it if they worked hard enough? <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hahaha</em>. They can, surely they ca¡­n, No, what am I thinking? That''s incorrect!! Say it!! Say that it¡¯s incorrect!! I gotta say it!! I gotta say iiitttttt!!)


    "In¨C In¨C In..."


    The words stuck to his throat like petrol sludge, and Leos tried to force it out with all his willpower. The result was...


    "In<em ss="chakra-text css-0">nyaaaaaaaa</em>¨C!!"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 3.5 - Demon Training (5)

    "In<em ss="chakra-text css-0">nyaaaaaaaa</em>¨C!!"


    Leos intended to shout out "Incorrect," but the only thing that came out of his mouth was a lovely squeal simr to the chirp of an animal. Suzuki''s eyes rolled back in his head.


    "Yn-Instructor Leos!? What the heck did you just say?"


    (What did I just say...? This meeeeeeeeeeee!!)


    Leos couldn''t believe it himself even more.


    (I''ve never made that sound before in my life! C-Calm down! I''m Leos, Commander Adjutant of the Beast King''s Oni Squad! I''ve dived through countless life-or-death scrapes! Compared to that, this is nothing!)


    It was no longer a matter of failing Suzuki or abducting him. Leos'' heart was about to burst.


    (Not good! If I keep looking at Suzuki any longer, I''m going to lose my mind!)


    Still, Suzuki was demanding an answer. And yet, "incorrect" ¡ª¡ª¡ª that one word would note out of his throat.


    (Shit! What the hell, am I going to do? I don''t know! I don''t even know¡­ what''s going on anymore<em ss="chakra-text css-0">nyan</em>!)


    Leos clenched his fists with all his remaining rationality. Blood dripped from his palm.


    "T-The answer is¡­ tsk, for the next ss¡­ it will be homework¡­!"


    "Eh¨C! Ho-homework?"


    "Goddamn moron! Don''t always think you can easily get the answer from your teacher! Think by yourself frantically until the next ss! That is real learning!"


    "Y-Yes! I understand, Instructor Leos!"


    "Today''s demon training session is now over¨C!!"


    After shouting that, Leos ran out of the ssroom as if he was trying to escape.


    ¡­¡­


    "What are you doing, brother!? I thought you were bringing Suzuki with you!!"


    In a grassy area away from the ssroom at the training institute, the tiger beastman Gahbell raised his voice at Leos. However, Leos looked at his sworn younger brother, Gahbell, with a very different eye, kinder and clearer than usual.


    "I, today, I realized the beauty of education¡­"


    "B-Brother?"


    Recalling how Suzuki had called him "Instructor Leos" during the training session, Leos wriggled and sighed, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hanyan</em>." He then started to walk aimlessly.


    "No, Please WAIT! Weren''t you going to use Suzuki to REBIRTH the Beast King''s Oni Squad?!"


    "I will not. I have decided to devote myself to my vocation as a teacher."


    "Are you really going to be a teacher!?¡­ Te-Where are you going!? Brother!?"


    "I''m going to make a question set workbook for tomorrow''s ss. And, instead of ''Brother,'' just call me ''Instructor'' from now on."


    "From now on¡­? EEEEHHHH¡­!"


    Leaving Gahbell with his mouth gaping wide open, Leos walked away.


    Leaving the grassy area, he walked alone in the Imperial Capital. And then, in an isted alley, Leos, who checked that he was alone, blushed, and put his hand on his own heart, which was beating wildly.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa Haa Haa</em>¡­!! <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>Teacher</strong></em>¡­ Beautiful<em ss="chakra-text css-0">nyaa</em>¡­"


    ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó


    While Suzuki was attending demon training sessions with Leos, Serphiano was busily running a quill over a sheet of parchment. On her desk, stacks of papers piled up in a mountain. The most intelligent demon in the demon lord''s army was being bombarded with an avnche of clerical paperwork from a variety of matters.


    (Good grief. I hate it when I have to work even on days like this!)


    She left the ssroom with a disinterested look on her face, but in fact, Serphiano wanted to observe Suzuki''s ss. Even so, she couldn''t neglect the workload that had piled up.


    (Ugh¡ª. I also wanted to see Suzuki in his lesson¡ª)


    After letting out a small sigh ¡ª¡ª¡ª Serphiano''s face contorted into a grin.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufufu</em>! But it is fine! I have a secret that Nephira does not kn¡ªow.)


    She looked at the time, and her smile grew even more.


    (The training should be over by around now, I think?)


    From the cleavage of her dress, Serphiano pulled out a small crystal ball, different from the ones she had given to Nephira and the othermanders of the Demon Lord''s army. cing it on the desk, Serphiano poured magic into it.


    Soon, Suzuki''s face appears in the crystal ball, looking perplexed. Serphiano''s heart fluttered.


    "Yaho¡ª! Is my face, being projected correctly¡ª?"


    "Y-Yeah. It''s disying¡­ or perhaps I should say, this''s amazing. It''s like a video call¡­"


    Serphiano had secretly given Suzuki a crystal ball in advance. Looking at Suzuki''s adorable face, Serphiano asked with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">dokidoki</em>," feeling excitement and thrill.


    "I have something very important to tell you¡­ right now, are you alone¡ª?"


    "Ah, yeah. Since I''m on my way back from the washroom. What was the important thing?"


    "What kind of demoness is your type, Suzuki?"


    "N-No, I don''t have a type of demoness in particr, but¡­"


    "Well then, well then¡ª. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ufufu</em>! How about me¡ª?"


    "EEH¨C!?"


    (He''s so embarrassed¡ª! A¡ªh! So cute¡ª!)


    After that, Serphiano continued chatting with Suzuki as if she were trying to relieve some of her grief at not being able to watch his ss. And then¡­


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ohgyu</em>¨C"


    As usual, Serphiano vomited blood.


    "Eep¨C!? What''s wrong, all of a sudden?"


    "Ah, I''m fine. Long crystal ball transmissions can take a toll on the caller''s stamina. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyu</em>!"


    "What kind of dangerousmunication device is this!? Then, shouldn''t you hang up already?!"


    "No, I won''t. This is for the sake of the Demon Lord''s army-<em ss="chakra-text css-0">byu</em>!"


    Serphiano was so excited and agitated that she did not even care about vomiting blood.


    (Even though Nephira is there, Suzuki and I are sneakily video-calling over the crystal ball! How sinful and immoral! How stimtingly pleasant!)


    She didn''t care about the blood running down her cheeks either. Suzuki, however, seemed quite worried, and as his face turned pale, he shouted.


    "No, geez, you are covered in blood and are frightening!!"


    "Not at all. I can still keep going-<em ss="chakra-text css-0">byu</em>!"


    "Your sentence-ending has also be strange, and even your eyes are bleeding!? ¡­ H-Huh? Wait a minute¡­"


    "Suzuki? What''s wrong?"


    "Uhm¡­ an undead is summoning me. Eh¡­ From Duma''s¡ª¡ª is it?"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 3.6 - Demon Training (6)

    </a>


    "Suzuki? What''s wrong?"


    "Uhm¡­ an undead is summoning me. Eh¡­ From Duma''s¡ª¡ª is it?"


    For a moment, she thought it was Suzuki''s way of cutting off their crystal ballmunication, but then she heard an undead roar behind Suzuki''s back.


    (What in the hell, would Duma want with Suzuki? I believe I ordered her fleet to anchor in the Imperial City''s harbor for the duration of the demon training program, but¡­)


    "Sorry! Well then, see youter!"


    "Ah¨C Suzuki. Please wait¡­"


    The crystal ball became dark. It seemed that Suzuki had put the crystal ball back in his pocket.


    "A-ah. I''ve got cut off. I would have liked to talk more¡­ I ¡ª¡ª don''t understand!"


    Serphiano''s mouth twisted into a smile.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fu¨Cfufu</em>! It is not good to UNDERESTIMATE the chief strategist of the Demon Lord''s army! From the bloodshed, you''d think Suzuki would have already cut off themunication! However, themunication has not been cut off yet! The image is pitch-ck, and you can''t see anything, but the sound CAN still be HEARD!)


    "This is ''n Wiretapping''! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufufu</em>¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyubobobobobo</em>!"


    Serphianoughed while vomiting blood.


    (With this, you can even listen to the sounds that Suzuki makes in the toi¡ªlet! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyubo</em>! Oh no, I''m so excited, that I might lose all the blood in my body¡ª!)


    Serphiano put her ear close to the crystal ball to hear the lovely Suzuki''s voice. And then¡ª


    "OoOGghhH! S-SUZuKIiiII! This is an emergency notice from Lady Duma! OoOgGHhH!"


    (Wai¡­ I DON''T want to listen to the voices of filthy undead! Shad''up undead, idiot! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyu</em>!)


    "I-it is LeiruneEHheH! It''s apparently being attacked by a big horde of demons! OoOgGhhH!"


    "Unbelievable!? Because in Leirune, Kiru, Meru, and even Uhouguru are there!!"


    "It''s said to be a group of stray demons that AREN''T part of the Demon Lord''s army! OoOgGHhH! iT''S tRue! OoOgGHhH! If we don''t get back soon, they might get wiped out! OoOgGHhH!? This is absolutely the truth! OoOgGHhH!"


    (No, it''s all lies! You keep saying, "It''s true! It''s true!" You persistent liar!)


    However, from the crystal ball, she could also hear the anxious voice of Exce.


    "L-Lord Hero! If it''s true, it''s a serious emergency!"


    "A-AH! I''m worried about Suzuknd, too! ¡­Hey, where''s Nephira!?"


    "She embarked beforehand and is waiting for you on Duma''s ship! OoOgGHhH! Because Lady Serphiano said, we should hurry back! OoOgGHhH!"


    (I don''t remember saying such a thing, nor do I remember hearing about any of this! Geez, I''m certain of it now¡­)


    Serphiano vomits blood violently, her three eyes ring.


    (You have conspired against us, haven''t you? DUMA!! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gobyubyu</em> and <em ss="chakra-text css-0">byu</em>!!)


    ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô


    Nephira received an urgent summons from Serphiano.


    Nephira rushed, gasping for breath, to the director''s office of the training center and opened the door with all her strength with a bang. There, alone in a leather chair, Serphiano was sitting.


    "Dame Serphiano! Suzuki is missing! I knew he would be a lost child!"


    "It seems he is in a more troublesome situation than bing a lost child! Please look at this."


    Letting out a sigh, Serphiano showed Nephira the crystal ball. Unsure of what to expect, Nephira did a double take, looking back and forth between the crystal ball and Serphiano''s face.


    "This is the counterpart crystal ball, for the ball I made Suzuki holds for the sake of my peace of mind. I will now y back the audio captured by the recording function, alright?"


    "Uhm¡­ I''m not sure I understand what you mean¡­?"


    "You''ll understand soon enough."


    As Serphiano manipted the crystal ball, she heard the voices of Suzuki and the undead talking to each other.


    (I-It''s Suzuki''s voice!¡­ Eehh¨C? Leirune being attacked by a horde of demons¡­!? And, I''m waiting for him on Duma''s ship!?)


    "Suzuki! That''s not true! He''s lying!"


    "Like I said, it''s from the recording function. This is a conversation that happened a few minutes ago."


    "A conversation that happened a few minutes ago¡­?"


    After repeating the line, Nephira finally understood what Serphiano meant and became pale.


    "I-In other words, does this mean that Suzuki has been abducted by Duma!?"


    "Yes. That''s what it means."


    "T-That, DUMA!! My Suzuki¨C!!"


    Nephira''s fist mmed into the desk in the director''s office, causing it to cave in, and Nephira asked Serphiano as if she was begging for help.


    "And right now, where''s Suzuki!?"


    "The sound was cut off just as he was about to board Duma''s ship. I believe the powerful magic of Duma has cut off themunication ¡ª¡ª¡ª or, I infer that Duma, suspecting something amiss, has destroyed Suzuki''s crystal ball."


    "Guh¨C! Then, how do we track Suzuki''s trail before it disappears, a-and then, he will be together with Duma somewhere in the vastness of the sea¡­!"


    As if she couldn''t bear to watch Nephira restlessly chewing her nails, Serphiano fetched a ceramic pot. Then, with graceful movements, she brewed a cup of tea.


    "Let''s just calm down a little bit."


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 3.7 - Demon Training (7)

    "Let''s just calm down a little bit."


    She offered Nephira a cup of tea. On the rim of the cup of tea was an orange fruit slice.


    "This is something I have recently invented. If you put a little Ramonne fruit in your ck tea, the acidity will bring out a taste different from the ones we usually have."


    (HUH¨C!? This is NOT the time to be so enthusiastic about drinking tea!!)


    Nephira was about to m her fist into the desk again, but she noticed that Serphiano''s hand was shaking as she held the teacup. Perhaps Serphiano was also trying to calm herself down. Taking a deep breath, Nephira tried calming her mind as much as she could. Then she turned her serious eyes to Serphiano, who was sipping a cup of tea.


    "Suzuki''s demon training was ordered by Lord Demon Lord! Duma went against that order! It is no overstatement tobel this as treason!"


    "What are you trying to say?"


    "Contact the Demon World! With the authorization of Lord Demon Lord, let us search for Suzuki, employing all of our troops! Even though he''s at sea, he can still be spotted by Wyverns, Dragons, and other assault squadrons, aerial squadrons of the Demon Lord''s army, searching from the skies above!"


    "You know, don''t you? The Demon Lord''s Army assault air-force squadrons are to be deployed only in case of emergency."


    "Right now, it is that case of emergency! Suzuki, who came to the Imperial Capital under the orders of the Demon Lord, has been abducted!"


    Serphiano then became silent. She was awkwardly twiddling her index fingers.


    "Dame Serphiano?"


    "¡­Actually, Lord Demon Lord doesn''t know about this."


    "That''s why! I''m now going to inform Lord Demon Lord that Suzuki has been abducted¡ª"


    "That''s not what I meant. ''Lord Demon Lord does not know that Suzuki hase to the imperial capital for demon training'' is what I meant."


    "¡­Huh?"


    After a moment of silence, Nephira raised her voice.


    "A-Absurd!! Wasn''t Suzuki''s demon training a decree from Lord Demon Lord!? Dame Serphiano!! You told me as much, didn''t you!?"


    Serphiano quietly put down the tea she was drinking on the desk.


    "I can''t hide it any longer, can I? It wasn''t Lord Demon Lord who summoned Suzuki to the Imperial Capital for demon training. It was <em ss="chakra-text css-0">this</em> me."


    "No way!! What the hell!? T-Tell me your reasons!! Depending on the circumstances, I¡­"


    "¡­I wanted to meet him."


    "Eh¨C"


    Serphiano, with a miserable look on her face, shouted with all her might.


    "I wanted to meet with Suzuki, to¡ªo!! I wanted to talk with him more and mo¡ªre!!"


    "T-That is your reason?!"


    "YEE-SSU!"


    Nephira trembled as she looked at Serphiano, who held her index finger by Nephira''s face.


    (Then, aren''t you the cause of all this!!)


    However, even if it were true, she couldn''t say such a thing to the head advisor of the Demon Lord''s army. Unaware of Nephira''s frustration, Serphiano began to speak with a distant look in her eyes.


    "At first, I was satisfied with just looking at the image of Suzuki in my crystal ball. However, Nephira is always with the real Suzuki. And yet, I am stuck with a fake Suzuki in a crystal ball. I also wanted to meet and talk with Suzuki in person. When you bragged about how you got kissed by Suzuki in our crystal ball call, I actually almost went mad with jealousy. While feigningposure on the outside, I was cursing you ''Idiot Nephi¡ªra! Full of crap!'' in my heart."


    "Are you, a child!!?"


    After a slight chuckle, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fu¨C</em>," Serphiano stood up. Still holding a cup of tea, she slowly walked around the training center director''s office, talking to herself.


    "In the human vige of ''Leaven,'' which is northwest of the capital, the cultivation of grains is thriving. The vigers call a sticky food, made by kneading a special grain grown in Leaven, ''mochi.'' When that mochi is baked, it puffs up. Well, it''s not so tasty for us demons, as you know."


    (Wh-What in hell, is she talking about?)


    Serphiano was a genius. She may be talking in some kind of metaphor. However, Nephira had no idea what she was trying to convey. Serphiano continued.


    "As I mentioned earlier, I envied you for your intimacy with Suzuki. My cheeks, burning bright red with jealousy, puffed up like baked mochi. ''I will invite Suzuki to the imperial capital and snatch him from <em ss="chakra-text css-0">you</em>.'' ¡ª¡ª¡ª In other words, this is..."


    "Th-This is¡­?"


    Serphiano turned her wise and sharp eyes on Nephira.


    "This is the ''Baked Mochi n'' (Resentful Jealousy n)!"


    (What the hell has she been talking about all this time, this person!? She rambled on and on about nonsense for so long! I''m starting to think that maybe she is so intelligent that she went full circle and became a in idiot!)


    Unable to contain her frustration, Nephira lunged at Serphiano.


    "Dame Serphiano! I would like to mention one thing! Suzuki is the Commander Adjutant of the Thunder-Lance Charge! In other words, it belongs to me! It does not belong to you!"


    Then Serphiano changed her beat and made a hateful look on her face.


    "HAH¡ª? That''s just Nephira''s own selfish belief, isn''t it¡ª? Doesn''t all beings that are part of the Demon Lord''s army belong to Lord Demon Lord¡ª?"


    "T-That''s a technicality!"


    "You are the one who is talking sophistry. As I said, Suzuki belongs to everyone. Please don''t monopolize it."


    "Damn¨C!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fuun</em>. Are you frustrated? Frankly, I feel like you should be ashamed of yourself."


    Serphiano then stuck out her long tongue.


    "YA¡ªY. This is payback for the previous Crystal Ball Communication where you kept bragging. I¡ªdiot! Piece of crap! Sucker!"


    "Th-This f¡­!"


    (What the hell, with this tramp! I''m so furious! I want to retort! But the other party is the greatest mind in the Demon Lord''s Army! I can never match her with my mouth! What should I do!?)


    Nephira saw her fists trembling with anger.


    (Th-That''s it! This is it!)


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 3.8 - Demon Training (8)

    "YA¡ªY. This is payback for the previous Crystal Ball Communication where you kept bragging. I¡ªdiot! Piece of crap! Sucker!"


    "Th-This f¡­!"


    (What the hell, with this tramp! I''m so furious! I want to retort! But the other party is the greatest mind in the Demon Lord''s Army! I can never match her with my mouth! What should I do!?)


    Nephira saw her fists trembling with anger.


    (Th-That''s it! This is it!)


    "OohRAAA¡ª¡ªAAAH!"


    After pulling her right arm far backward, Nephira mmed her fist into Serphiano''s abdomen.


    "BAOH¨C!?"


    With a dull sound, Serphiano folded in a boomerang shape. After she vomited the contents of her stomach, her eyes snapped wide open with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">pachikuri</em>." Surprise outweighed the pain.


    "Eh¨C Huh¨C!? What the hell are you doing? I''m, the head advisor of the Demon Lord''s Army¡ª? Just because you lost in a battle of words, isn''t violence the lowest you can go!?"


    "No, since I''m a demon! Lowest is splendid! I''ll do violence!"


    "''I''ll do violence!'' was it¡­! Ah¡ª, I see! Yes, yes! It''s that kind of defiant attitude, isn''t it? Yes¡ª, I understand now¡ª! Well then, I''ll slug you too¡ª!"


    Serphiano looked at Nephira and made arcing movements with both hands like a martial arts performance.


    (T-This is my first time fighting Serphiano! What kind of attack would a woman of such a renowned reputationunch?)


    Nephira was a little nervous. Serphiano extended her hand to Nephira''s chest and pinched her boob.


    "Ouch!? No, where are you touching?"


    The bottom-of-the-barrel attack of being pinched on the boobs was even more than what she had expected, and Nephira''s tone reverted to normal.


    "I mean, is this the attack of a skilled general!? Are you, an idiot!? Hey!?"


    "No, the one that called the other an idiot is the BIGGEST idiot! That''s why the idiot is Nephira. I¡ªdiot! I¡ªdiot!


    "You know, you''ve been making me really angry for a while now!"


    "I''ve been furious at you for a long time¡ª!"


    "What the?! Geez! This idiot!"


    Nephira also grabbed Serphiano''s breast with one hand. Then she pinched back. However, her target was the tip, and Serphiano gasped with a sound of "Ahe¨C!".


    "No, No, No!! You can''t pinch the tip!! That''s an unspoken agreement¡­


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ah da da da da</em>!? It''lle off¡ª¡ª!! Please sto¡ª¡ªp!! I give!! I give u¡ª¡ªp!!"


    She yelled in a desperate cry of surrender, and Nephira let go with her hand. With teary eyes, Serphiano looked down at her breast under her dress and huffed and puffed, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fuu fuu</em>," around her nipples. After the probably pointless treatment, she red at Nephira.


    "Nephira¡­ It seems that you have seriously angered me, the chief advisor of the Demon Lord''s army, aren''t you¡­"


    "I have been seriously angry for a while now!"


    "Shad-up, Idiot. Anyhow, to fight me, who can foresee the near future, is the height of folly! I will prove it to you! That I am better than you in terms of pure offensive ability!"


    (I guess I made Serphiano serious, didn''t I!? But bring it on! Because I''m extremely pissed off!)


    Serphiano smiled with a calm, wide grin at Nephira, who was thinking ¡ª¡ª that she had to win on the first move and crush her before she had time to make any moves. Serphiano then pointed to the floor with her index finger, which had long nails.


    "Look under your feet. You are soaked, aren''t you? While you were pumping yourself up earlier, I was roaming around the room scattering conductive liquid."


    "What do you mean¡­"


    "Don''t you understand? It means your lightning strike, which is your specialty, is sealed. The only way you can defeat me now is by using physical attacks. And then, the next step is to block those physical attacks with my third eye."


    (Ugh¨C! I thought she was an idiot, but maybe she is smart after all!)


    "Third eye activation¨C!"


    The reptilian eye on Serphiano''s forehead slowly began to glow.


    (Every physical attack will be neutralized! I have to do something before it''s fully activated!)


    "I-I have to make it!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufufu</em>, you fool. The distance between you and me is 3.68 meters. At this distance, your attack will not reach me. My third eye will fully activate first."


    However, even Nephira did not rush in without a n. In Nephira''s hand was the slice of sour fruit Ramonne, which Serphiano had put in her tea earlier. Nephira rushed forward and crushed the Ramonne fruit in her hand,


    "Take that¨C!"


    The juice was then directed at Serphiano with a motion of her hand as a sword in striking. The Ramonne''s juice sshed onto Serphiano''s face.


    "Ah¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C? The Ramonne''s juice seeps into my e¡ªye! My third eye won''t open, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Igugabooh¨C</em>!?"


    Nephira high-kicked Serphiano in the nose while she was talking. With a dull thud "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gouh¨C</em>," the tip of her toes dug into Serphiano''s head. The force of the blow was so powerful that Serphiano''s head snapped off and separated with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gochi¨C</em>" sound. Somewhat like a pinball, Serphiano''s head bounced back and forth across the room.


    (Ah¡­ this is bad¡­!)


    Finally, Serphiano''s headnded with a thud "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">doboon</em>" in an ornamental aquarium tank in the room. The head looked as if it was in agony with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">gahogaho</em>." Serphiano''s body, which has lost her head, rushed to the rescue. Her body fished her head out of the tank and pressed it against her neck.


    "I-I apologize. Dame Serphiano. I went too far¡­"


    Nephira felt so guilty that she bowed her head down, and Serphiano spat out a tropical fish from her mouth with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pyu¨C</em>."


    "Good grief. If I wasn''t a genius, I''d be dead!?"


    (Does it even matter if she''s a genius or not!? I mean, this person is also immortal, isn''t she!!)


    "However, I, too, have calmed down a bit now that my head has been in the fish tank. Anyway, now is not the time for infighting. I''m worried about Suzuki."


    "Y-You''re absolutely right!"


    "Nephira. Let''s work together to find Suzuki."


    Nephira firmly grasped the hand offered by Serphiano, and the two women nodded silently to each other.


    They made up for the time being, but Nephira''s heart was still pitch dark with hopelessness.


    (But, even though I said I will find him, what am I supposed to DO!! While we were doing this, Suzuki might be being turned into a dooooooolll!!)


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 4.1 - Cursed Puppet Doll (1)

    </a>


    "It is expected that Lady Duma and Lady Nephira will be here with you shortly. UhuuHUh. Wait here for a while. OooUgGhhH."


    After guiding Takashi, Exce, and Aina to Duma''s ship, the undead went away whileughing in a way unique to the undead.


    Takashi looked behind him from the deck. In the blink of an eye, the port of the Imperial Capital was moving away from his sight. Duma''s fleet was traveling at a breakneck speed through the seawater.


    (Did they attempt the attack knowing that Nephira was away? Could it be a demon insurrection? Or was it another plot involving the Salvation Crusaders¡­?)


    Takashi continued to be worried about Suzuknd and the safety of the Meru-Kiru sisters. However, after a while, Exce''s face turned pale, and she immediately turned to him in panic.


    "L-Lord Hero, something''s not right! This ship isn''t heading towards Leirune!"


    "What?"


    Takashi eximed in surprise. Exce then exined that judging from the position of the sun, the ship was heading in apletely different direction from Leirune.


    "Ugh¡­"


    Aina also groaned with concern. Time passed as the three of them kept being tormented by anxiety and foreboding. Then the ship gradually slowed down until finally¡­


    "D-Did it stop?"


    Before they noticed, the sun became obscured by thick clouds. Under a cloudy sky, Duma''s big ship stopped in the middle of the calm sea without heading anywhere.


    "In any case, let''s go to Duma''s location!"


    "Eh, yes! That''s right!"


    At that moment, footsteps echoed from below the deck of the ship.


    "Th-That''s NOT ne-necessary¡­"


    Then, Duma herself, themander of the Immortal Fleet of the Demon Lord''s Army, personally walked up the stairs leading to the deck.


    "Duma! Where''s Nephira?" asked Suzuki, worried that something might have happened to Nephira.


    "S-Still in the Imperial Capital! H-Here, there is no one but, y-y''all and me."


    Dumaughed happily with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kikeke</em>". Takashi noticed many undead and dolls on the deck, surrounding him and everyone else. Takashi red at Duma.


    "Did you lie about the report of Leirune being in danger?"


    "T-The whole thing, I made it up!"


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Phew</em>. I''m d¡­ NOT. As expected, this situation is¡­)


    "Su-Suzuki. I-I want you. L-Leave the Thunder-Lance C-Charge and, j-join my Immortal Fleet."


    Duma spoke in an excited voice, causing her to stutter more.


    "I refuse! Who would want to be working under a demon that deceives people to bring them along!?"


    "T-That''s a shame."


    As soon as Duma finished speaking, one of the undead tried to get close to Takashi.


    "Suzuki will be an undead TOO OooUgGhhH¡ª"


    Takashi braced himself for the attack. However, Duma silently and quickly sneaked behind the undead, and opened her mouth wide with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">kapa</em>" sound. Her mouth cavity, which opened up until her ears, was lined with sharp, thin fangs reminiscent of needle-point handiworks. With a loud bang, Duma chomped the whole head of the undead.


    (Whoa¨C!?)


    Everyone else couldn''t move from shock.


    Dumaughed as she munched to pieces the undead''s head with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">goshagusha</em>."


    "Y-Y''all stay out of it. A-As for Su-Suzuki, I''ll take care of him m-myself."


    Duma approached Takashi with her characteristic "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">furafura</em>" puppet doll gait.


    "I-I will be gentle with you. I''ll pour my fluids into you slowly, ma-making sure it do-doesn''t hurt¡­"


    "You''ve got to be kidding me! I don''t want to be something like a chair set!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike ke ke</em>! Then that just means I''ll have to force you down, with all my might, and forcefully in-inject my bodily fluids into you, don''t IIIIIII!?"


    Duma''s eyes went wide open. She went down on all fours, crouched, and assumed the stance of a savage beast on the verge of pouncing.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike ke ke</em>¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">ke</em> ''Form Metamorphosis''¡­!"


    Two arms burst through the dress from around Duma''s nks. New legs appeared from the hip as well. Four arms and four legs. Duma had taken on the appearance of a spider. Her eyeballs were hollowed out and turned into cavities. Exce''s lips trembled as she noticed needle-like fangs growing out of her dark eye sockets.


    "M-Monster¡­¨C!"


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


    Duma rushed toward Suzuki,ughing loudly. Takashi quickly hid behind the thick mast of the ship, but Duma continued to ram towards him. The mast cracked and snapped right away after it was hit by Duma''s charge.


    "H-HEY!? You''ll KILL me!!"


    Suzuki shouted in panic, seeing the force contained in her attack.


    "Y-You may get fatally wounded, but that''s okay! I-I''ll patch you upter! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike ke</em>!"


    (Duma of the Immortal Fleet of the Demon Lord''s Army! This guy, is a real pain in the ass!)


    Duma, like the other demons, thought Takashi was cute. That was the reason why she wanted Takashi to join the Immortal Fleet and also the reason why she wanted to turn him into a doll. The problem, however, was that Takashi''s life or death was irrelevant to Duma.


    "R-Resign yourself, and be my doooooooooooolllllll!!"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 4.2 - Cursed Puppet Doll (2)

    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¨C!)


    "L-Lord Hero¨C!?"


    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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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 4.3 - Cursed Puppet Doll (3)

    The first awareness of Duma. It was in the demon world surrounded by an overwhelming negative aura.


    In the pitch ckness, where not even a ray of light could prate ¡ª¡ª¡ª there was a voice.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Do you hate humans?"</strong></em>


    The voice echoed in Duma''s head, cold and heavy as if it had be one with the ckness of the surroundings.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"¡­hu, hate..."</strong></em>


    Duma muttered unconsciously. The words came out of her mouth so naturally.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Hate Hate Hate Hate Hate Hate Hate Hate Hate Hate Hate Hate Hate Hate"</strong></em>


    As if to vent out everything that had been bottled up inside her chest, Duma called out in rapid session.


    There was no reason for it. Hate. Just absolutely hated humans. It was an instinctive feeling that was inherent in Duma.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Then I will strengthen that power. Duma! Be the bane that destroys all of mankind."</strong></em>


    A voice of darkness was heard from far above. The chaotic atmosphere that pervaded the area felt very pleasant for Duma.


    She found herself kneeling in front of the vast and boundless evil.


    While subconsciously showing the utmost respect she could muster, Duma opened her puppet doll''s mouth with "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kapari.</em>"


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"I-I understand. L-Lord Demon Lord¡­"</strong></em>


    It was the earliest memory of Duma. From the moment she was born, Duma had an intense hatred in her heart. If she had anything close to what humans called a "heart," it would be that "hatred." It was a powerful hatred for mankind that she had harbored in her since the day she was born as a demon.


    (A-And yet, Suzuki is¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">kike ke ke ke</em>!)


    When Suzuki told her that she had a conscience deep within her, Duma had no choice but to burst outughing. There was no such thing. How can a puppet doll have a conscience? Right now, the urge that rose from the depths of her heart... was only one.


    (I-I want to turn you into a doll! T-That''s AAALLLLLLL!)


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


    A momentter, she pounced at Suzuki furiously and tried to bite his defenseless, thin neck. Duma noticed that Suzuki had his right hand covering his face.


    (H-He''s trying to invoke some kind of magic or sorcery, isn''t he?! I-I don''t care! It doesn''t matter what kind of attack, since I-I will not die!)


    Duma decided to continue her attack. She opened her mouth, which split open until her ears and bared her needle-like fangs.


    (U-Use plenty to flood him! I''ll pour my fluids, a-all over you, ya knoooow!)


    "¡­Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªThirteenth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Teary Eyes</em>''!"


    Just before the fangs reached his neck, Suzuki removed his hand from his face.


    "Eh¡­ EEEHH¡­?"


    As soon as he did, Duma was startled and stopped moving. With her mouth open like a snake''s mouth, what Duma saw was¡­


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Sniff</em>¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Sniff.</em>.."


    While rubbing his face with his hand, Suzuki wept quietly.


    Suzuki''s actions were too unexpected for Duma. He was not casting magic or using a physical attack but whimpering and weeping with an absolutely pitiful expression on his face.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Sniff</em>¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Sniff</em>..."


    Finally, Suzuki covered his face with both hands.


    (N-No, why? Why are you crying when you haven''t even been bitten yet¡­!?)


    Somehow, she felt like she should not attack Suzuki while he was in such a state. However, Duma shook her head.


    "C-Crying is USELESS! Puppet dolls d-don''t have feelings of guilt, you know!"


    The only reason she stopped the attack was because she was surprised by the strange behavior. While telling herself this, Duma opened her mouth again and bared her countless needle-like fangs.


    She lowered his stance and was about to pounce at him, hoping to finish him off this time. Again, Suzuki opened his mouth.


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªFourteenth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Melodramatic Tears</em>''!"


    (This time for sure, h-he will try something!)


    Duma braced herself for Suzuki''s attack. However¡­


    "S<em ss="chakra-text css-0">niff Sniff</em>¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Sniff</em>¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Sniff Sniff</em>¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Sniff</em>¡­"


    Suzuki was weirdly struggling, just as before.


    (I-It''s the same thing as before! N-No¡­ it''s a little different¡­!?)


    This time, Suzuki did not cover his face. And from his eyes,rge drops of tears were falling "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">boroboro</em>."


    (H-He''s bawling, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">boroboro</em>," h-his eyes out¡­!!)


    The ve woman, Exce, who was watching the battle, raised her voice.


    "What huge tears!! They look like something straight out of a children''s picture book!!"


    They were indeed the biggest tears Duma had ever seen. How was a human capable of shedding suchrge tears? The tears flowed down "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">boroboro</em>" like beautiful gems. N-N-No, that¡­ just¡­ what was the point of it¡­!


    "Within the cuteness, pityness is contained! A series of Pritis moves that will make your enemies sympathize with you! That is the ''Sorrow''s Flow''! Isn''t it?"


    Suzuki nodded in agreement with Exce''s words.


    (Pityness, you say? Indeed. Certainly, the current Suzuki is more than only cute.)


    If most ordinary demons saw him, they might feel sorry for him and hesitate to attack him.


    (B-But you know! Th-That kind of thing! Doesn''t work on puppet dolls! W-Without a heart, for me is¡­!)


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Don''t die. Deene. Don''t die."</strong></em>


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 4.4 - Cursed Puppet Doll (4)

    At that moment¡­


    Suddenly, a sad man''s crying voice echoed in Duma''s head.


    (Ah¡­?)


    With a snap, a crack appeared around Duma''s chest as if an impact had struck her. Then, the next moment¡ª¡ª¡ª.


    Duma, who should have been fighting Suzuki on the ship, was in a dimly lit room.


    (A-Absurd¡­? W-Where, am I¡­?)


    She was lying on an old bed, looking at the wooden ceiling. And Duma was shocked.


    It was because a young human man was standing beside her, holding her hand while crying.


    (W-What the, this man is¡­ ah, AHH¡­¨C?)


    Seeing her own hand sping his, Duma became even more agitated. It wasn''t her usual hard doll hand but the soft and slender hand of a human woman.


    (W-What the f-hell is going on?)


    The vision was from her point of view, but the body didn''t belong to her. Holding the confused Duma''s hand, the man continued to call out, <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Deene"</strong></em> while tears streamed down his face.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Don''t be sad. Elmer."</strong></em>


    This time, Duma''s mouth moved on her own, and she uttered a beautiful, pearly voice, one that was like an angel, different from her usual voice.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"I''m so happy, to have met you!"</strong></em>


    The woman''s fluent voice was interrupted by a sudden wet cough.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Deene!"</strong></em>


    A gurgling cough, sounding as ifing from deep in the lungs, came from her current body. With the man rubbing her back, Duma looked at her hands. The soft, non-doll-like palm was now covered in sticky red blood.


    (T-This gal, is she sick¡­)


    Finally, the coughing stopped. The woman''s voice was faint as if she was about to disappear.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Even if I die, my¡­ heart will always be with you!¡­"</strong></em>


    The man held the woman''s blood-soaked hand tightly without caring about the blood. The man''s hands were trembling slightly.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"DON''T! Please don''t die and leave me behind!"</strong></em>


    *** "I love you! Elmer"***


    Duma''s vision flickered.


    The man shook the woman''s body, but she was like a puppet with broken strings¡ªnever to move, never to speak again.


    ¡­A humid sea breeze hit her cheeks, and Duma''s consciousness returned to reality.


    The vision of the woman lying sickly on the bed had vanished, and Suzuki was standing a short distance away. Duma was confronting Suzuki on the deck of her ship, which hade to a halt at sea.


    (F-For a few seconds, I-I was knocked unconscious, right?)


    She was shown a hallucination of a person she didn''t know and a human woman on the verge of death. The hallucination now was definitely an attack by Suzuki. However¡­


    (Ha-llu-ci-na-tions of a s-tran-ger hu-man? Is that¡­ really what happened?)


    Her feet wobbled, and Duma''s eyes widened.


    (I-I''m perturbed? This me?)


    If so, it was only because she was shown such a strange vision. Duma''s fingertips became sharply pointed and stabbed her temples without hesitation. Sheughed as she drilled a hole in her own head and fiddled with it with her fingers so that she would never be tricked by those strange magic arts again.


    "T-That''s quite an interesting trick y-you used there¡­"


    "It''s not a trick. It is Pritis."


    Pritis¡ª¡ª¡ª Suzuki had said that earlier. The nonsensical crap that he dered to have surpassed magical and offensive power.


    (A-All that for such a trivial power that o-only produces illusions!)


    Just as Duma was thoroughly thinking this to herself, the undead on the deck started screaming and shouting, "Ahh AHh AHh a Ahh." They were probably trying to join forces with Duma, the captain of the ship. However, this was not because of the will of the group of undead, but because Duma had ordered them to do so in advance.


    "Y-you guys need to stay out of this and stay put!"


    She was so irritated that she shouted to the undead¡ª¡ª¡ª Duma was shocked to her core.


    (T-This¡­ is¡­!)


    Quickly looking around at all the undead on deck, Duma''s irritation became even more intense.


    All of the undead''s faces resembled the face of the man that Suzuki had just shown her.


    For a moment, she thought the hallucination was still continuing, but upon closer inspection, she realized that every single one of them had a slightly different face from that man. They were truly the people that Duma herself had kidnapped from all over the world and turned into undead.


    (I-In other words, this is ¡ª¡ª!)


    Duma couldn''t believe it herself.


    (Does this mean that all this time I''ve been collecting undead with a face simr to that man''s?)


    However, she had no choice but to realize it.


    (I-I, that man''s appearance, I''ve been subconsciously pursuing it¡­?)


    That''s right. The man she just saw was not a hallucination. She definitely recognized that man. Someday, somewhere, a long time ago¡­


    As if trying to mend a broken puzzle, Duma unconsciously collected and gathered undead that resembled that man.


    (What in the world... Her... for what purpose ¡­was I?)


    "I love you! Elmer"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 4.5 - Cursed Puppet Doll (5)

    <h3 ss="chakra-heading css-o4tw6g">NOW WITH A NEW TIER ON OUR PATREON! CHECK IT OUT!


    A woman''s voice echoed in her head, and Duma growled.


    (M-My head¡­ i-is breaking¡­!)


    The sensation of reality and hallucination constantly shing with each other in her mind caused a stir in Duma''s chest.


    (P-Painful! W-What, is this!?)


    As soon as Suzuki invoked some strange technique called "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em>," she became disoriented as if her own consciousness had split apart.


    (H-How could such an inexplicable skill exist in the world!? I-I underestimated him! Suzuki''s ability to rise to the rank of Thunder-Lance Charge Commander''s Adjutant in such a short period of time was real!)


    Duma opened her mouth. Soon, all of her fine, needle-like fangs retracted into her mouth cavity. Instead, they ripped through Duma''s dress, and countless needles protruded from her body below the neck.


    Duma, with the appearance of a hedgehog, red at Suzuki.


    (F-For real! I-I have to take him down!)


    The Immortal Fleet Commander Duma''s special move, "Puppet Doll Flying Needle Fang," which shoots out with great speed hundreds of highly powerful fangs from her body¡ª¡ª if used, will turn all the enemies around her into miserable, hole-riddled corpses.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike Ke ke</em>! I''ll sew up your t-torn skin togetherter!"


    Exce raised her voice in impatience in ce of Suzuki, who was still hanging his head down.


    "Perhaps, she is going to send those countless needles flying!? Lord Hero, it''s dangerous!?¡±


    (I-Idiot! It''s NOT merely "dangerous!" If I activate it, I-I will also skewer every one of the undead and puppets on deck! Y-You''ll die instantly!)


    "K<em ss="chakra-text css-0">e ke ke</em>¡­! ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">P-Puppet Doll Flying Needle Fang</em>''¡­!"


    The countless needles were on the verge of shooting out of her body. Duma, who had been watching out for Suzuki''s reaction for a moment, was horrified.


    (Wha¡­¨C!?)


    "e-<em ss="chakra-text css-0">hic</em>, a-<em ss="chakra-text css-0">hic</em>, i-<em ss="chakra-text css-0">hic</em>!"


    ¡­Suzuki was still crying. He was still hanging down his face, spilling tears and wiping them with his arm. He was crying so hard he was practically hupping in a crying fit.


    (H-He''d been crying, since earlier a while ago!? How LONG, has he been crying!?)


    As expected, from inside her chest, a "thrusting" sound could be heard. At the time she had a strange hallucination and was thinking stuff like, "Who is that man?" or like, "His face is simr to the undead I have collected so far!" or "Did I meet him somewhere by any chance...?"


    (You''ve been sobbing your eyes out the whole time!? No, no, it''s not true!? You''re crying too much!!)


    "A¨C<em ss="chakra-text css-0">phu</em>! i-<em ss="chakra-text css-0">hic</em>! u-<em ss="chakra-text css-0">hic</em>!"


    And all he did was cry and do nothing.


    (W-What is going on?)


    Duma''s chest area began to feel painful.


    "U-U-Until when, a-are you going to keep crying!?"


    "L-Lord Hero!! Duma''s technique is iing!! Please stop crying!!"


    Exce seemed to be getting anxious and was rubbing the hero''s back. Even so, Suzuki just kept fretting around, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gusu</em>¨C! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hau</em>¨C!"¡ªcontinuously crying.


    "Hang in there! Lord Hero! There, there! Oh, there, there!"


    (I-Is this a battle¡­ it is, right?)


    As Duma watched pitiful Suzuki sobbing as the woman rubbed her back, her will to attack withers away. The Puppet Doll Flying Needle Fangs, which were about to leave Duma''s body, retracted into her body in response.


    "Lord Hero! Don''t cry anymore! Because you are a boy! Ok¨C?"


    "Y-yea¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">afuu</em>¨C! I can''t stop¡­! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gush</em>¨C!"


    (What the hell is this? Even babies don''t cry like this. It''s really too pathetic. Ah¡­ if you put it like that¡­)


    Duma looked at Suzuki with nk eyes.


    (I-I think I''ve seen someone as p-pathetic as this before¡­)


    At that moment, Duma noticed that Suzuki''s tear-stained eyes were fixed on her. The hero''s eyes glistened sharply as they were filled with more tears.


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªThirty-second Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Houghing</em> Tears''!"


    A momentter, after she believed Suzuki had said something, Duma found herself in a different space once again.


    (Tsk! N-Not again¡­!)


    An old bed. A musty smell. Duma immediately recognized the room as the one from the hallucination she had been shown earlier. However, the arrangement of the furniture was slightly different. And then¡ª¡ª¡ª


    (I-It''s that guy¡­!)


    The man sitting in the chair near Duma was the same. He now had a mustache and wrinkles etched into his forehead. It seemed several years had passed since thest time she had just seen him.


    (T-That woman called him "Elmer.")


    When she looked closely at the man named Elmer, she noticed it was not only his appearance that had changed. He was currently tied to a chair with a rope and a pained expression on his face.


    Suddenly, a loud voice echoed through the room.


    "There is no money, nothing¡ª at¡ª all!"


    Behind Duma, a strong-looking man with a scar on his cheek said while kicking a wooden chest of drawers as he spoke. Next to him, a man with nted eyes twirling a long-ded knife was looking around.


    Elmer was tied up, and next to him were some men with evil looks in their eyes¡ª¡ª¡ª Immediately, Duma grasped the situation.


    (R-Robbers?)


    Humans were no different from demons. They oppress and rob those who are weaker than themselves.


    Elmer was restrained against the chair, and Duma looked at him with widened eyes as if she were watching Suzuki.


    (W-When I think about it, this guy, i-is even more pathetic than Suzuki. He lost the woman he loved to illness, and on top of that, h-he was robbed by burrs! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ke ke</em>! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kike ke ke ke</em>!)


    She was in a joyful mood, and she wasughing inside her heart¡ª


    "¡­Boss. How about that?"


    One of the men pointed in Duma''s direction. A bald man who appears to be the leader of a band of thieves that they had called "boss" approached Duma.


    "Aah¡ª? I don''t see how this creepy doll will sell!"


    (W-What¡ª? A-Are you looking at me¡­? Ah¡­ AAH¡­¨C!)


    Behind the bald man was a full-body mirror. Seeing this, Duma began to breathe heavily.


    In the mirror, Duma was reflected. This time, it was not a human woman. It was, without a doubt, her puppet doll self. However, instead of her patchwork skin, this one looked like it was just freshly made with white waxed skin and was sitting quietly in a chair.


    Elmer''s blood ran cold as he shouted.


    "Please stop! Anything but that doll!"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 4.6 - Cursed Puppet Doll (6)

    Elmer''s blood ran cold as he shouted.


    "Please stop! Anything but that doll!"


    "Hey. This thing, did you make it?"


    "Y-Yes¡­!"


    (Wha¡­!?)


    Duma shivered when she saw Elmer nodding his head in affirmation.


    (Th-This man, made me!? L-Lies!! I was born in the demon world!! I was created by Lord Demon Lord!!)


    "An artist? That''s a nice social status, isn''t it? I wish I could live like that¡ª too. I want to save up some money and retire."


    The leader of the robbers was not as belligerent as the other robbers around him, and he was smiling at Elmer. However, his smile was cold and inorganic, just like Duma''s, a puppet doll. The man with the nted eyes asked the leader.


    "What is this talk about retirement? Boss?"


    "Ye¡ª. Maybe a church priest would be a good choice? If I pray for peace, the stupid believer will give me money, right?


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Geh</em>!! Boss as a priest!?"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hyahaha</em>!! What kind of sh*tty priest would that be?!"


    The ruffiansughed. After a shortugh, the bald leader said with a fake smile.


    "As such, for the sake of my healthy retired life, will you please cough up the money quickly?"


    "I said it earlier, that''s everything! I-I''m telling you the truth! "


    The leader twists his head to the side with an "Hm¡ª?" as if he didn''tpletely buy his story. A man with a scar on his cheek, seemingly having lost his patience, drew close to Elmer.


    "You are spewing f-ing lies! Don''t you have money to make this doll?!"


    The man then grabbed Duma by the hair and lifted her.


    "P-Please stop!! That doll means everything to me!"


    Elmer shouted, rattling the chair to which he was bound. Duma, too, red at the man who was holding her from her hair.


    (H-Human scum! Who are you to grab me by my hair!? I-I-I''ll kill you!)


    However, Duma''s body did not even twitch.


    Sounds of grinding teeth, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">buchibuchi</em>" and screams shouting "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">No</em>" could be heard as a few torn strands of hair fell to the floor with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">para para</em>" sound.


    "Ah¡­ Dee¡ªne¡­!"


    The man muttered in a crying voice. At the same time, Elmer''s voice echoed in the back of Duma''s head.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">"Your hair is, you know... It belonged to Deene."</em>


    Duma''s chest, which should have had no heart, pounded loudly with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Dokun</em>."


    (Deene! I-It''s that sick woman! I-In other words¡ª¡ª¡ª!)


    A realization came to Duma''s mind.


    (This guy, w-when he made me, used the hair of his lover who died of illness¡­?)


    ¡­The scenery changed in session. The robbers in front of her had vanished before she knew it, and Elmer was gentlybing through Duma''s hair as he sat on a chair in a peaceful room with the sun shining through the trees.


    (T-This hair of mine is, from a human woman, n-named Deene¡­!)


    (That''s why, there was a memory of the woman who was sick and coughing up blood before her death?! I-I don''t believe it!)


    (I-I am! In the D-Demon world! By L-Lord Demon Lord!)


    Elmer brought in a full-body mirror and ced it in front of Duma.


    "If Deanne and I have ever had a child, we were going to name it the same as you."


    The mirror reflected Elmer''s smiling face and her own. For Elmer, it was a joyous asion, but for Duma, it was like something out of a nightmare.


    As Duma was about to be crushed by despair, Elmer uttered another devastating statement.


    "Your name is Duma."


    (F-False, False, False!! H-Human!! This man cannot be my creator! My father!)


    "L-Lord Hero!! Duma is in pain!!"


    Duma regained consciousness at the sound of Exce''s voice.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Uhguh</em>¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">giga</em>¡­!"


    At the same time, Duma realized that she was roaring in pain.


    (N-Not a hallucination¡­ is it...? Y-You are telling me¡­ it was true¡­!)


    Her body was creaking with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">gishigishi</em>," simr to her crumbling spirit. Just one light blow would be enough to knock off all her joints.


    (N-Not good, not good, not good¡­!)


    Never before, even in the fiercest of battles, had Duma suffered so much damage.


    Duma red at Suzuki. He, too, stared at Duma with tears in his eyes, his eyes full of determination.


    (I-I never thought, I-I''d be so cornered like this!)


    For the first time in her life, Duma was extremely flustered.


    (I- I don''t care whether he cries or squeals! I-I must kill Suzuki as fast as possible! Or else, otherwise!)


    Duma''s body was fissured and on the verge of disintegrating.


    (Suzuki will, b-b-break m-me!!)


    Her invulnerable body, which defied all physical and magical attacks, was on the verge of copse due to Suzuki''s mental attacks, which affected her deep consciousness.


    With herst ounce of strength, Duma rushed toward Suzuki.


    "D-Doll!! Kill Suzuki, turn him into a dooooollll!!"


    "Lord Hero¨C!!"


    (I-In reality, he is merely just crying! He is h-helpless!)


    She drew all his magical power from her decaying body and channeled it into physical attack power¡ª¡ª¡ª Duma was about to deliver her most vicious blow to Suzuki. No matter what, if I bite him on the neck and instantly tear him off!


    "¡­<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Munch</em>"


    She heard a strange sound and caught a glimpse of Suzuki. Duma''s legs got tangled, and she fell to the ground with a thud.


    (T-T-That!! H-How can!! I-In the middle of a battle, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">that</em> can''t be happening!!)


    In Suzuki''s hand, he held a lump of grains. And then, Suzuki was putting it in his mouth.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Mun</em>! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Munch</em>!"


    While crying, Suzuki was¡ª¡ª¡ª somehow, eating an omusubi. The ve woman Exce shouted.


    "No, from where did you get that out of!?"


    Suzuki did not answer, but was chewing on the omusubi, munching while sobbing.


    "You ate another one once again!? What the hell is going on?"


    Exce shouted, clutching her head. Suzuki, who was chewing on the omusubi he had pulled out from somewhere, looked at Duma silently without saying a word.


    (O-Omusubi¡­?)


    She had heard that the people of Leaven, a human vige northwest of the capital, ate rice and other grains as their staple food, not bread. The lumps of rice generously were called "omusubi" or "onigiri" and apparently were an effective way to preserve food.


    However, the question is not so much how or where, but why on earth was Suzuki eating omusubi while crying in the middle of a battle?


    It was all beyond Duma''sprehension. Suzuki took one look at Duma, who was still stunned with a cracked body.


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªForty-Fourth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Crying Humbly Alliance (Crying Omusubi)</em>''! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Munch</em>!"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 4.7 - Cursed Puppet Doll (7)

    ¡­Suddenly, a pleasant aroma wafted through the nostrils of Duma, who has no sensory receptors of smell. It was a fondly remembered, nostalgic, warm aroma of corn cereal soup. Elmer was sitting at the dining table, nibbling on a piece of bread.


    And in front of Duma''s eyes was the same cereal soup and bread.


    (W-What an idiot! Dolls, c-can''t even eat.)


    After Elmer had finished his meal, he approached Duma.


    "Duma looks so cute today too."


    (So u-unpleasant! As if a d-doll''s face could fickle change so easily!)


    However, there was the possibility that the doll might deteriorate and be old. In fact, Duma''s skin was not the same white wax surface as it was then, but rather a series of patchwork surfaces.


    While thinking about this, Duma suddenly realized that Elmer was stroking her head.


    (S-Stop! This idiot!)


    She was seized by a queasy feeling in her chest and got upset. While having no way of knowing how Duma was feeling, Elmer smiled at her and said.


    "Duma. You are my chef d''oeuvre."


    (AHH¡­ A¡­)


    She wondered why. Her chest was burning. Her body was burning. When she looked at Elmer, she felt as if something was welling up from inside her chest.


    (Ah¨C¡­)


    Suddenly, Elmer raised his voice hysterically. He knocked the te of corn soup with his arm and dropped it.


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


    The sound of pottery shattering into pieces when it fell on the floor could be heard. At that moment, the scenery changed once again.


    "Please stop!! This doll is my CHEF D''OEUVRE!!"


    The same words that she had just heard came into Duma''s ears.


    (A-A continuation of that scene¡­)


    Aplete reversal from the peaceful dining scene she had just witnessed. Duma caught a second glimpse of the robbery assault scene once again.


    In front of Elmer, who was tied to a chair with a rope, the robber tore off Duma''s dress andughed at the sight of the doll''s body.


    "What are you calling your CHEF D''OEUVRE! You gotta make her look perfectly womanly even under her clothes, man. She has no¡ª tits¡ª!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hihihi</em>. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">This</em> isn''t going to help you quench your thirst at night, is it?"


    "Stop¡­ Please stop¡­!"


    Elmer was crying. Elmer was sobbing pitifully as if his daughter was being disgraced in front of him by those ruffians. Elmer''s sobbing seemed to have ignited the thieves'' sadistic tendencies.


    "Let''s swap out the arms and legs!"


    "Let''s rip it to pieces!"


    "P-Please!! Please don''t destroy it, anything but this doll!! The soul of my dead lover still remains in Duma!!"


    "Are you, stupid? What are you saying about a MERE doll?"


    A man with nted eyes twisted the joint of Duma''s right arm. With a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">gokiri</em>" dull sound, Duma''s right arm came off.


    (Th-This son of a bitch¡­!)


    Within Duma, an unparalleled rage rose, but contrary to her intentions, her body did not even twitch.


    "Next, let''s go for its left leg."


    "Stop¡­! I''m begging you¡­! Please stop¡­!"


    Elmer cried out in tears. The bald leader of the thieves looked disgusted, saying, "Don''t be¡ª dicks¡ª," but he didn''t seem particrly interested in stopping them.


    Elmer swung his body while still being tied up. Elmer struggled so violently that the chair toppled over, and his face kissed the floor while weeping. Seeing this, the robbersughed even harder.


    "S-Someone¡­ help¡­ someone¡­"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hyahaha</em>! ''God, help¡ª'' was it!"


    "Hey, Boss. You, you wanna be a priest in the future, right? Won''t you listen to him?"


    "No, like I said. You guys, instead of doing something like that, go look for anything worth something."


    However¡ª


    "Help¡­ Lord Hartline¡­!"


    When he heard Elmer say something that could neither be a prayer nor a murmur, his eyebrows rose, and he red at the fallen man.


    "¡­HEY. You scum, what did you just say?"


    The robbers, who had been joking around until then, suddenly became all tense at once due to the leader''s change of attitude.


    "You scum, you said Hartline, didn''t you? You said it, right? Motherducker."


    The leader slowly walked up to the fallen Elmer. The robbers shrugged their shoulders.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ah-ha</em>. He snapped."


    "In front of our boss, you can''t say that name."


    The previously tame leader had changed, and with bloodshot eyes, he kicked Elmer in the stomach.


    "Hartline, the champion!? Are you a fucking moron, scum!? There''s no f-ing¡ª way, he would BE¡ª here, scum."


    Elmer was kicked again and again. The heavy sound of the foot reaching his internal organs continued unceasingly.


    (S-Stop¡­! Elmer¡­ D-Don''t kick him¡­!)


    It was strange. Before she noticed, Duma felt that every kick thatnded on Elmer felt the same way as she herself was being kicked.


    (S-Stop¡­ Stop¡­! Stop it¡­ Stop it¡­)


    Before long, inside of Duma''s head. A voice repeated, bing high-pitched and childish.


    (Stop it!! Don''t be cruel to Papa!!)


    Just like that time, Duma was shouting in an inaudible voice and couldn''t reach them.


    The leader, with an ogre-like face, put his hand on the sword sheathed at his waist.


    "I''ll make you the SAME as that doll!"


    The chieftain pulled the sword with a de like a naginata from its scabbard.


    (Don''t! Stop it!)


    Duma prayed silently. The doll herself couldn''t move or speak. Still, she absolutely wanted to save Elmer and prayed fervently with all her heart.


    (Stop it! Don''t bully Papa!)


    Nevertheless, the man''s sword still fell mercilessly on Elmer.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 4.8 - Cursed Puppet Doll (8)

    Nevertheless, the man''s sword still fell mercilessly on Elmer.


    (Papa!! NO!! Papa, PAPA!!)


    Elmer''s body continued to be chopped into pieces in front of Duma''s eyes. Even after he had decapitated Elmer, the manughed like a fiend and continued to chop him limb from limb.


    Eventually, as if he had finished his handiwork, he revealed his bloody face to his men and smiled with satisfaction.


    "Then, I''ll leave the rest to you¡ª. Burn the house down¡ª so there''s no evidence LEFT behind!"


    The robbers responded with a cheerful "Aye!" and then began to leave the room in session.


    ¡­Elmer''s head, with an expression full of pain, tumbled and rolled in front of Duma.


    (Why? Why did you do this horrible thing? What did Papa and I do?)


    A short timeter, smoke entered the room. The men must have set the house on fire.


    In the midst of zing mes. Unable to cry, Duma just watched as the fire engulfed everything.


    Burning. Papa''s house. Papa''s memories. Papa too. Me too. Everything. All of it. Burning.


    Duma''s skin was also being burned. Her jaw joint snapped open due to the high temperatures.


    (AAAHH¡­ AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH¡­!)


    Outside the crumbling house, the menughed while smoking cigarettes lit with the roaring mes.


    "The Boss is still as bad as ever, right?"


    "Yeh, while we''re the ones who have to do all the troublesome work¡ª."


    "Let''s just finish our smoke, then let''s get the hell out of here¡­ huh? What the hell is that?"


    The men''s gazes shifted from the decaying house to Duma, who was walking slowly toward them.


    (W-Who¡­ am I?)


    "H-Hey. The doll is walking toward us?"


    "That doll, I thought we tore it all apart! What the hell is going on?"


    Her head was confused, and her consciousness was clouded. However, when Duma saw the humans in front of her, a powerful urge came over her.


    (H-Human!! Hu-Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate! Hate!!)


    With a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">kapari</em>" sound, Duma''s mouth split open all the way to her ears. A frightening voice emerged from her mouth.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gige</em>! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gigegagegigigigigigigi</em>!"


    "M-Monster!!"


    Seeing Duma''s needle-like fangs, the men drew their swords. Duma, on all fours, attacked the men as her instincts dictated. She sliced them and bit them, taking no notice of their attacks. No matter how much they cried or screamed, she tore off their limbs and bit into their torsos while they were still alive.


    After scattering the men''s guts all around, Duma scouted around the vicinity.


    (N-Not enough!! Not enough!! S-Something still missing!!)


    It was a thirst for murder that continuously rose from the depths of her body. She had already forgotten the reason why. However, someone was constantly shouting in my head. "Hate Humans."


    ¡ª¡ª¡ªAnd...


    Duma was breathing heavily with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">haa haa</em>." Dolls never feel fatigued. The heavy breathing was in response to a desperate attempt to keep her body together, to somehow hold on to her crumbling body with magical power.


    (H-How could I, have forgotten it until now?)


    She had an intense hatred for the robbers who killed Elmer. Because of that, she fell into the demon world. Lord Demon Lord gave her strong magical power and was appointed one of the Demon Lord Army''smanders, entrusting her with the Immortal Fleet.


    No matter how many humans she killed, she was never able to quench her thirst because she had yet to avenge her father''s¡­ Elmer''s death. And everywhere, she constantly sought the image of Elmer, the man who made her. That''s why she had collected so many undead and dolls that resembled Elmer''s¡­


    She nced at Suzuki. Up until now, she had been trying to kill Suzuki and turn him into a doll.


    Suddenly, the image of herself, who had been trying to turn Suzuki into a doll by force, and the ursed robber ovepped.


    (W-What I''m doing is, t-the same as those guys¡­?)


    She looked at Suzuki. He was very cute. If possible, she wanted him to stay by her side forever. However, if she forcefully and violently got what she wanted¡ª¡ª¡ª then she would be no better than those despicable robbers.


    Suzuki approached Duma, who was barely able to stay standing. And then...


    "I''ll give one to you too, Duma."


    Suzuki smiled and put yet another omusubi on Duma''s head.


    "AH¨C¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª!"


    She screamed without realizing it. The feeling was very simr to when Elmer touched her hair.


    When Duma looked at Suzuki once again¡ª¡ª she turned speechless.


    She saw Elmer standing in front of her, not Suzuki.


    "Duma..."


    The same gentle voice and smile that she remembered from that time spoke to her,


    "Papa!"


    Her voice came out naturally. It wasn''t the usual halting voice of Duma, but the voice of a young human girl.


    (T-This is an illusion. I-I know it. Even so¡­)


    Duma dove into Elmer''s chest. And then, she let out everything that had been bottled up in her chest.


    "Papa! I missed you! I, was lonely!"


    "Duma. I''m sorry I left you alone up until now."


    Elmer''s voice, gentle and warm, and at the same time nostalgic, made Duma''s heart ache deep within her chest. The heat from deep within her chest pooled under Duma''s eyelids.


    "Papa, papa!! I, have done cruel things! I''ve been doing cruel things up until now!"


    Elmer smiled at Duma with a gentle expression.


    "I created you. Therefore, your sins are also my sins."


    "Wrong! Papa has done nothing bad! Everything, is all my fault!"


    Elmer gently held close the screaming Duma in his arms.


    "It''s alright. Papa will always be with you!"


    "Papa¡­!"


    Tears welled up in the young Duma''s eyes. Tears blurred her vision. Elmer''s image gradually faded away.


    Duma was convinced. That this was thest time. After today, she will never see Elmer again. That''s why¡­


    (I-I have to say it. At thisst moment¡­ to Elmer¡­)


    The young Duma looked up at Elmer and smiled as best she could.


    "Papa! Thanks for making me!"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 4.9 - Cursed Puppet Doll (9)

    <h3 ss="chakra-heading css-o4tw6g">NOW WITH A NEW TIER ON OUR PATREON! CHECK IT OUT!


    "AAH!! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!"


    Duma''s death-throes-like desperate screams were reverberating throughout the deck. The cracks in her chest spread outwards rapidly with a cracking "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">mekimeki</em>" sound throughout her body, and eventually, her limbs, neck, and torso all crumbled into pieces.


    When Exce saw this, she screamed.


    "No, Omusubi was put on her head, and then Duma fell apart!? How could that be?"


    Nevertheless, the hero was still chewing on his omusubi with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Mun Munch</em>" sound.


    "Please stop eating and EXPLAIN!? Even after you said, "I don''t intend to break her," she''s already TORN to pieces!?"


    Exce pointed at Duma''s head with her retortment¡ª¡ª¡ªand then realized. Like iron attracted to a ma, the scattered limbs were slowly gathering around the head.


    "Aah¨C she revived!! Just like Lady Nephira said, Duma is immortal!!"


    Exce impatiently pulled the hero''s arm. Finally, the hero stopped eating and calmly opened his rice-grain-covered lips.


    "It''s alright! Exce. The battle is over."


    "Eh¨C¡­"


    Duma, now with her limbs re-attached and restored to life, picked up the omusubi that Suzuki had just ced on her head and dusted it off.


    "I-It looks delicious, ya know."


    It seemed strange that a doll would say that an omusubi looked delicious when it was supposed to be unable to eat. As Exce pondered this, the hero smiled kindly at Duma and said.


    "Go ahead. Bon app¨¦tit."


    Nodding in agreement, Duma put the omusubi in her mouth. The hero also took another bite of his half-eaten omusubi.


    "Wha-What the hell, is this¡­! The two of you are facing each other and eating omusubi¡­!"


    Perhaps not fully repaired, Duma''s stomach had a hole in it. The rice she ate was spilling "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">poroporo</em>" out of her from there in chunks.


    (What the hell am I, supposed to be seeing here¡­?)


    Even so, the two of them finished eating the omusubi at about the same time. The hero was the first to say, "Thank you for the food." Then Duma also murmured, "T-Thank you for the food." And then, as if they had just finished a sword fight match, they bowed politely to each other.


    Exce curiously approached the hero and asked him shyly.


    "Eh- Ehm, Uhm¡­ did you win¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">this</em>?"


    "Yes. It''s my victory."


    "I-I¡­ have never seen¡­ a fight like this before¡­! ''Thank you for the food'' was it¡­!"


    The hero was smiling innocently, but from Exce''s point of view: "After the hero bawled his eyes out and cried a lot, then he started eating omusubis, finally, he put an omusubi on Duma''s head, and in some way I don''t understand, won."


    (¡­Huh¨C!?)


    As a matter of fact, there were a lot of big question marks floating around in Exce''s head.


    "¡­I mean, where did you get them from? Those, omusubis?"


    "Nephira leather bag! She packed it with many things, like snacks and other things! Truthfully, it was of great help!"


    (Y-Yeah¡­)


    Exce was still bewildered by the situation. However, Duma muttered gently.


    "I-I''ll return the ship to the capital¡­ I-I''m, somehow, kind of tired¡­"


    Exce was surprised to see Duma looking as if her curse had been lifted.


    (Y-YEAH! Even Lady Nephira is afraid of the Invincible Duma, themander of the Immortal Fleet of the Demon Lord''s Army, and she was defeated by Lord Hero!)


    The details of this battle were, to be honest, iprehensible to her, an ordinary person. It would be easier and clearer to understand if he would have cut down his enemies gantly, like the legendary Champion Hartline, but¡ª¡ª¡ª Well, she shouldn''t say something like that.


    While telling herself this, she smiled at the hero.


    "I''m truly d! As you would expect from Lord Hero!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ahaha</em>! You are embarrassing me!"


    After scratching his head and blushing a little, the hero asked Exce.


    "H-Hey Exce. I, was I cool?"


    "No, not at all! It didn''t make one ounce of sense to me at all!! Especially when you started eating omusubi, I thought I wanted to kick you!! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ufufu</em>!!"


    "No, unbelievable!? Exce, you were going to kick me!? Don''t ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ufufu</em>'' me!? Why are youughing!?"


    "I-I''m sorry!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa</em>¡ª¡­ I knew it... no one is able to understand <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em>, right¡­"


    The hero said,ining, and slumped his shoulders.


    "B-But, oh well, it was a good oue! Wasn''t it? Ri¨CRight?!"


    While Exce wasforting him, Aina, wearing a hood, slowly walked toward Duma. Aina pulled her sword from its sheath at her waist, and the de gleamed.


    Exce''s cheerful "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">ara</em>" voice was drowned out by the shing sound of Aina''s sword as Aina swung it down.


    (¡­Huh?)


    Before Exce could grasp the current situation, Duma''s body was split into upper and lower halves. The upper half of Duma''s body rolled on the deck.


    Exce and the hero were stunned. Sharp eyes peeked out from under the hood.


    Aina stared at the speechless hero and spoke clearly.


    "What the HELL are you doing? Finish her off with a clean sweep."


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 5.1 - The Other Disciple (1)

    Takashi was speechless at the sight before him. Aina had sliced Duma''s body in half with her sword. Not to mention, the other thing as well¡­


    "Y-You, can speak? Aina!?"


    Takashi finally managed to get his words out, to which Aina simply snorted with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">fuun</em>."


    Takashi stared at Aina, whose attitude had changed drastically. Aina took off her hooded rags and, underneath them, wore a red dress that clung tightly to her body. The outfit''s appearance was reminiscent of a Chinese dress, withrge slits that entuated her slender legs. Her ck hair was parted in two and curled into two buns, reminding Takashi of a female fighter in a video game.


    "A-Aina is, is such a cute girl, isn''t she?¡­!"


    Takashi silently nodded his head in agreement with Exce''sment.


    (Certainly, she is cute¡­ by normal standards¡­!)


    Well-featured, small feminine face. Plump lips. Petite but well-styled, good-looking¡ª¡ª¡ª from the humans'' point of view, Aina was idol-ss cute. It is an innate and authentic cuteness, different from the strange and iprehensible cuteness that Takashi acquired as a gift from god.


    Takashi almost lost himself in admiration but shook his head lightly and then pointed at the severed body of Duma.


    "I mean, why did you have to go this far? It was already settled!"


    Aina then rolled her eyes, turning the white of her eyes to Takashi, and said coldly.


    "The opponent is amander in the Demon Lord''s Army. It''s only natural that we should finish her off properly. Roughly how many people do you think this fiend has killed so far? There''s no way we can forgive her, is there?"


    "T-That''s¡­"


    Takashi couldn''t retort anything back and looked down at Duma. Duma, with just the upper half of her body, was roaring in agony. Her regeneration speed seems to have slowed down due to exhaustion from her battle with Takashi. There was no sign of her fusing with her separated lower body.


    The undead on deck began to rustle because of the damage Duma had sustained. However, Duma somehow managed to raise one hand and restrain them.


    (I knew it! Duma had already changed her mind! But!)


    Aina kept her icy gaze on Duma as she asked,


    "I have but one question. Have you been to Cove Town recently?"


    "I-I-I haven''t¡­"


    "Really?"


    Aina plunged her sword into Duma''s head with no expression on her face. A "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">gigya</em>" sound escaped from Duma''s mouth.


    "H-Hey!! What are you doing!?"


    "I don''t want her to attack me. A precaution."


    Then, while paying attention to Duma, she exined to Takashi and Exce in a matter-of-fact tone.


    "Three months ago, Cove Town, west of the Imperial City, was attacked by the Demon Lord''s army. The poption was roughly 500. They were all wiped out. Including small children."


    "T-Terrible¡­"


    Exce put her hand over her mouth and showed a somber expression. Duma, who had a sword thrust into her head, said a few words in a halting manner.


    "T-The Immortal Fleet, h-has not killed, s-so many humans, s-since the Great, War¡­"


    "Hmm. Well, when the undead attack, they leave behind a trail of rotting corpses and whatnot, you know. I thought it was a deed of the Immortal Fleet."


    Aina seemed to believe Duma''s story, at least for the moment. Takashi spoke to <em ss="chakra-text css-0">such</em> Aina.


    "You''re looking for the fiend that attacked that town? That''s why, you let yourself be captured by the immortal fleet on purpose¡­?"


    "That, as well. But you know. My ''heart'' chose you."


    "Eh!"


    Although Takashi was a bit nervous at the mention of her "heart''s chosen," it was clear from the atmosphere that she did not mean it in a romantic way. Aina gave Takashi a sharp, yet contemptuous re.


    "I just wanted to make sure! I wanted to confirm whether you''re really worthy of being a hero or not, you know. And sure enough, the tactics were as sloppy as I expected, and the attitude as naive as I expected. I''m disappointed."


    "Wha¨C!?"


    It was not Takashi who was angry at being criticized, but rather, Exce.


    "That''s not worth considering! Lord Hero won the battle UNSCATHED without being hit by Duma''s attacks!"


    (Exce! Thank you!)


    Takashi was moved by Exce''s anger as if she herself had been wronged.


    "Lord Hero''s battle was a very ufortable fight. Crying, eating omusubi, and other iprehensible things that made no sense at all! But even so, it is true that he still won!"


    (No, that''s not how much of a follow-up!)


    As a result, Takashi was even more depressed. Aina, not caring about Exce feeling''s, maintained her confident attitude and said to Takashi,


    "Don''t you remember? If I hadn''t hit you with my body, you would have been KILLED by Duma!?"


    Takashi was at a loss for words. If Aina had not protected him from Duma''s charge immediately after the battle began, there is no doubt that he would have been seriously wounded, if not killed. Aina''s next words shook Takashi and Exce.


    "Moreover, I would have been able to finish off Duma a lot faster."


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 5.2 - The Other Disciple (2)

    Aina''s next words shook Takashi and Exce.


    "Moreover, I would have been able to finish off Duma a lot faster."


    "H-HUH¨C!? That''s impossible no matter how you cut it!! There is no one who can bring down the deathless Duma besides Lord Hero!!"


    "There is. RIGHT here. Okay? Princess of Leirune. Humans are always progressing."


    Ainaughed fearlessly and plunged her sword into Duma''s head once again. This time, the sword pierced through her cheek and her mouth cavity, rendering Duma unable to speak. Suddenly, a frightening roar filled the air.


    "C-Can''t stand it any LOOohoOONNNNGEeheEHER!"


    "How dare you, to Lady DumaaaAAAHAaa! This human is unforgivaaAhahable!"


    The undead, seemingly fed up by Aina''s repeated outbursts, went on a rampage. Their movement was slow, but they were closing in on Takashi and the others, surrounding them.


    (10¡­ 20¡­ no, many more! Dreadfully tons of them!)


    It wasn''t only the undead on deck. But all the undead and puppet dolls on board as well, as if they hade to their Lord''s aid in her time of need. Exce let out a small cry of "Eep¨C!"


    Takashi stood in front of the terrified Exce.


    "I''ll handle it!"


    "B-But Lord Hero! This many is!"


    Takashi almost said, "It''s alright," but then shut his mouth.


    (C-certainly, this many is maybe bad news¡­!)


    Takashi tried to keep hisposure so that Exce would not see through his inner trepidation. It would not be easy to deal with the horde of undeadmanded by Duma.


    (And even if I''m safe, Exce and Aina wouldn''t be!)


    There was a good chance that the undead that escaped him would head towards the two of them. Takashi was more nervous than he had been in his fight against Duma,


    "¡­<em ss="chakra-text css-0">fuuu</em>"


    Aina''s sigh could be heard. Then, she dashingly leaped in front of Takashi.


    "You two, please stay back."


    (Unbelievable! Suchcency!? Aina are, are you really that strong!?)


    From her martial artist dress outfit, Takashi imagined Aina''s offensive capabilities. However, unexpected events unfolded before his eyes.


    The undead stopped moving in front of Aina.


    "UnforgivaaAhahablee¡­ but oooOhohH!"


    "But, but, this tramp aaAaAHhh!"


    """"C-Cuteee aaAaAHhh!"""


    (EEEEHHHHHH!?)


    The undead shouted in unison. A shock hit Takashi''s body.


    (C-Cute!? Cute, was it!?)


    Aina was certainly cute even to the casual observer. Her looks were those of an idol, almost entertainer level. But that is only from a human''s perspective.


    (I can''t believe a demon would look at a human other than me, and call them cute!)


    It was something that had never happened since Takashi came to this world. And then, a further shock came after that.


    Aina looked around at the undead with a re, frowning while covering her nose.


    "Ah, stinky. Y''all guys really stink. I feel like throwing up."


    Aina''s words made even the undead, who had been calling her "cute," angry.


    "This arsehole oooOhohH!"


    "I knew it, unforgivaaAhahablee!"


    The undead tried to pounce on her. Aina, however, suddenly changed her expression. Aina''s cheeks turned pink with embarrassment.


    "But¡­ that stench. I don''t dislike it."


    Once again, the group of undead stopped moving. Aina continued to speak as if reaffirming her own words.


    "Yeah. Rather, I might like it!"


    Aina fidgeted in a shy manner. Aina''s gesture made all the undead begin to fall in love with her.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Guuhh</em>! I see, I see aaAaAHhh!"


    "She''s being shy EeehHHeh!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufu</em>. Hey¡­ can you guys,e over here for a sec¡­?"


    "EEEHHHHH?"


    "What is it? oooOhohH?"


    Aina led the group of undead to line up at the edge of the deck. Of course, the sea was behind them.


    (N-No way¡­!)


    Takashi''s fears were proved correct. The undead were calmly and obediently listening to Aina''s words and lining up in a row,


    "Seiyaaah¨C!!"


    With a spirited shout, Aina shoved them with both hands and pushed them into the sea.


    "No, Aina, what was <em ss="chakra-text css-0">that</em>!? Was it your <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Push-Off Skill</em>!?"


    Exce eximed in surprise. Takashi was surprised as well, but his astonishment was due to the gesture Aina showed to the undead before she pushed them down.


    "E-Exce¡­! T-This girl¡­!"


    Aina wiped her hands with an embroidered napkin, soiled from pushing the undead off. After that, she said in a whispered manner.


    ""Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªSeventeenth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Revolving Shining Shyness (Tsumudere)</em>''"


    (I knew it!! This girl, is using Pritis!!)


    The seventeenth gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Revolving Shining Shyness (Tsumudere)</em>,'' was a Pritis that alternated between cold and warm attitudes to cajole the enemy.


    "T-That can''t be!! How could someone other than Lord Hero be using Pritis!?"


    Exce was also astonished and raised her voice. However, Takashi''s surprise was even greater.


    "Howe...? W-Wasn''t Pritis, one-of-a-kind!?"


    Takashi thought that Leelou had created Pritis just for him. And yet, hold a minute!! How can someone else use it!? Isn''t it strange!?


    Aina maintained a calm demeanor in the presence of these two very flustered people.


    "Just like you said, Pritis is a one-of-a-kind, unparalleled technique that surpasses both offensive and magical power. However, you are not the only one who can manage to do it. It was given to me too! From Lady Leelou!"


    "M-Master Leelou, gave Pritis to someone besides me¡­?"


    During the middle of their conversation, the remaining undead on deck came to their senses and shouted.


    "How dare you, to our mates oooOhohH!!"


    "I''ll bite you to death UUuUhghHh!"


    More than fifteen undead were approaching once again. A horde of fiends, evenrger than before. However, Aina did not show any signs of anxiety. Rather, she had such a leeway to raise the corner of her mouth.


    "Observe me! This is MY power!"


    <blockquote ss="chakra-code css-1cl98my">


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 5.3 - The Other Disciple (3)

    "Observe me! This is MY power!"


    Aina then crossed her arms in front of her chest, as if to unt to Takashi rather than the undead. Takashi was again shaken by the sight of Aina''s D-cup breasts, entuating her cleavage.


    (This is! No way!)


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªTwenty-Seventh Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Push-up Breast (Tits Persuasion)</em>''!"


    Aina eximed, and Takashi gulped. Not only ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Revolving Shining Shyness (Tsumudere)</em>'' but also ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Push-up Breast (Tits Persuasion)</em>''! This girl really, learned Pritis from Master!


    Next to him, Exce blurted out with her cheeks flushed slightly,


    "W-What is that? It''s not so much as cute asing forward with a lewd impression, but¡­!"


    "Ah¡­!"


    Takashi believes that Exce is right. In fact, regarding <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Push-up Breast (Tits Persuasion)</em>,'' Takashi had never used this Pritis in a real battle. Because he also thought, "No, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">This</em> has nothing to do with being cute, right? I mean, it doesn''t make sense for a male to do it, right?"


    Nevertheless, in practice, its effect was quite tremendous. The group of undead were all raising their voice in excitement.


    "Woah-oooOhohH!!"


    "I feel like I''ve seen something good!! UUuUhghHh!!"


    Aina turned her eyes away from the undead who were slouching forward from stopping their movement and stared at Takashi with a look of mockery on her face.


    "You were smugly talking about Pritis'' Flow earlier, but that was just you parroting what Lady Leelou told you, wasn''t it? Are you... even practicing your <em ss="chakra-text css-0">pritis</em> properly?"


    "O-Of course I am!"


    Takashi impatiently retorted to what felt like a rebuke from an older apprentice.


    (Well¡­ in reality,tely, I have been cking off in my practice, but¡­)


    With the Salvation Crusaders invasion and everything else that had happened, he had been neglecting his <em ss="chakra-text css-0">pritis</em> practices. Aina snorted through her nose with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">fuun</em>" as if she could see right through Takashi''s thoughts.


    "There are a few <em ss="chakra-text css-0">pritis</em> that are effective against multiple enemies, aren''t there? Did you forget?"


    "That''s¡­ uhmm¡­"


    Takashi had a feeling that Master Leelou had taught him such techniques. However, Takashi could not remember.


    With a sigh, Aina turned to the undead. Aina seductively wiggled her hips in front of the love-struck-looking undead.


    The undead boiled with excitement.


    "OoOoOhohH!!"


    Aina made a heart shape with both hands in front of her cleavage.


    (I-If I''m not mistaken, that is!)


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªForty-Seventh Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Love Shot</em>''!"


    Aina''s pink aura expanded from her hand into a form resembling a bow and arrow¡ª¡ª¡ª Takashi saw an illusion with that impression. The undead became ecstatic and crouched down, holding their chests as if they had been shot by arrows.


    Fifteen undead were instantly incapacitated. Exce was startled by this situation and opened her mouth and said.


    "R-Right now, what in the hell!?"


    "Wiping out multiple enemies, impossible to defend, invisible projectiles¡ª¡ª¡ª that is LOVE SHOT!"


    "A-Amazing¡­!"


    Exce let out an exmation of admiration. Takashi was also shaken by Aina''s power.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufu</em>. My love shot works on up to a maximum of 30 fiends at once!"


    Aina said, full of confidence.


    "I''ve been working hard practicing my <em ss="chakra-text css-0">pritis</em> morning, noon, and night! And then, I came up with my own Flow! From <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Push-up Breast (Tits Persuasion)</em> to <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Love Shot</em> ¡ª¡ª¡ª this is MY Certain-Death Flow!


    Aina looked at Takashi with a suppressedugh. Takashi turned his eyes away from Aina as if frightened and hanged his head.


    "Suzuki. This Flow, can you do it?"


    "From <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Push-up Breast (Tits Persuasion)</em> to <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Love Shot</em>¡­! I-I can''t¡­!"


    "Lord Hero!?"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufu</em>. I knew it, regarding ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kyutie</em>'', my ability score is higher than yours, you know."


    Exce reacted to the unfamiliar word.


    "''Kyutie''!? What is that? What does it mean!?"


    "Lady Leelou has introduced a concept of a new attribute score of ''cuteness'' to the abilities of all the races, including humans. A new status value was added to the existing ones of offensive ability, defensive ability, magic power, and agility. That is <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kyutie</em>!"


    "Offensive ability, defensive ability, magic power, agility, and Kyutie¡­ No, one of those does not quite sound like the others!?"


    "I-It''s got nothing to do with how it sounds!"


    Aina eximed, cleared her throat, and continued talking.


    "By the way, my pritis is effective not only up to intermediate level demons but on human males as well!"


    "I-I''m sure many men are attracted to Aina''s looks, but¡­"


    "That''s right. In other words, we can surmise that my overall Kyutie level is higher than that of the hero. That''s what I meant when I said mine was superior!"


    "You''re a better Pritis wielder than Lord Hero¡­!"


    Exce muttered, giving Takashi a worried look. Takashi remained silent, clenching his fists.


    (From P<em ss="chakra-text css-0">ush-up Breast (Tits Persuasion)</em> to <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Love Shot</em>!? I can''t do it!! There is no WAY, I can do that!! Because, because!!)


    Takashi shouted in his mind.


    (It''s too embarrassing!!)


    <blockquote ss="chakra-code css-1cl98my">


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 5.4 - The Other Disciple (4)

    <h3 ss="chakra-heading css-o4tw6g">NOW WITH A NEW TIER ON OUR PATREON! CHECK IT OUT!


    ¡­Takashi recalled his training with Leelou. Inside the hut, Leelou exposed her chest broadly in front of Takashi.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"What''s wrong? I''m going to teach you how to perform Push-up Breast (Tits Sway). Look closer."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"B-But, this, that..."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Takashi turned his head away in embarrassment. Leelou was about to push the two bulges "boing" even closer together. However, on the way, she fixed her disheveled bosom instead.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Well¡­ Indeed, Push-up Breast (Tits Sway), when performed by a man, gives off an extremely gross sensation."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"RIGHT!? If you understand it, then don''t make me do it!?"</strong></em>


    Takashi shook his head as he recalled his training with Leelou. Aina looked at him and shrugged her shoulders.


    "Lady Leelou was very fond of you, but you are not that big of a deal or anything, you know. Or did my <em ss="chakra-text css-0">pritis</em> somehow overtake yours without me noticing it?"


    "L-Lord Hero doesn''t need, that kind of vulgar technique!"


    When Exce shouted angrily, Aina''s face hardened.


    "V-Vulgar!? Wait a sec, what are you talking about!? This is why you are called ''your highness bumpkin princess''!!"


    "Who calls me ''your highness cute bumpkin princess''!!"


    "I never said CUTE, did I!! You''re so arrogant!!"


    "You were so much better when you were wearing a hood! When you looked so meek!"


    Both of them red at each other. Takashi, unable to overlook the situation, intervened, saying, "W-Well, well."


    Aina clicked her tongue, turned on her heel, and then approached the undead, who had been reduced into shells of their former selves by the Love Shot attack.


    "Yeah, suuure. This way, everyone¡ª."


    Aina led them like a professional tour bus guide, and as before, she lined them up in a single file at the edge of the ship. And then¡ª


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Dosse¡ªi</em>!!"


    Aina nimbly dumped the undead, starting from the right and working her way left.


    ""EEEHHHHHH¡­!!""


    Takashi and Exce were taken aback.


    "S-S-Stop¡­ it¡­"


    They noticed that Duma, stuck in ce and unable to move after being stabbed with a sword, was howling.


    (Duma¡­ you?)


    Duma, who previously had no regard for the undead and the puppet dolls, was now saying, "Stop it."


    Takashi was touched by Duma''s change, but it was already toote, Aina had already removed all the undead from the ship.


    "Well, then. Let''s put the finishing touches."


    Aina approached Duma''s upper body and drew her sword from her waist. Then, without hesitation, she shed Duma''s neck off as if she were cutting vegetables with a knife.


    "Whoa¨C!? Aina, what do you think you are DOING!?"


    Aina did not answer Takashi but instead grabbed Duma''s head from a handful of her hair.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Yo¨Cse¡ªi</em>!"


    With a strange shout, she threw it into the sea. After drawing a parab, the head of Duma fell with a thud into the distant sea. Ignoring the dumbstruck and speechless Takashi and Exce, Aina deftly chopped off Duma''s body into pieces. She then threw the limbs and other parts of the body in different directions.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Sei, sei, se¡ªi</em>!"


    After throwing all of Duma''s body parts into the sea, Aina smiled with satisfaction.


    "After all this effort, even a deathless person can''te back from the dead, can she?"


    Takashi, who had been dumbfounded by the spectacle, finally opened his mouth.


    "You didn''t have to go this far!! Did you!? Duma, had already reformed!!"


    "Huh? It is impossible for a demon to be reformed. ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">After cajoling them, kill them by taking advantage of the opening</em>.'' ¡ª¡ª¡ª this is the correct way to utilize <em ss="chakra-text css-0">pritis</em>."


    "Did Master, say SUCH a thing!?"


    "No. It was my idea. But you know, right? This world is savage. It''s kill or be killed!"


    "B-But that doesn''t mean¡­!"


    Takashi looked at the sea where Duma had been thrown away, biting his lip in frustration.


    With no undead or Duma, the deck was deserted. Suddenly, the ship swayed, and Exce, who had been standing next to Takashi, grabbed onto the mast.


    "W-What is happening!?"


    Takashi looked around. Thendscape, which had been stationary until now, was now moving. Duma''s ship, which had been anchored at sea for some time, began to move slowly.


    (Is the ship moving on its own!?)


    With a click of her tongue, "Tsk," Aina headed aft (toward the stern of the ship). Takashi and Exce followed.


    In the steering cabin, an old wooden rudder swayed unsteadily from side to side.


    "No one is here¡­ even so, what?"


    Takashi muttered anxiously. Aina put her hand on her chin and looked like she was thinking.


    "Uh-huh. It seems that this ship has been powered by Duma''s magical power until now. And I kicked Duma off the ship. That''s why the ship lost its rudder and started drifting!"


    "Makes sense¡­ Wait, then, this is Aina''s fault!! Why are you, taking that attitude?"


    "THAT''S RIGHT! Because she threw them out ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">poi-poi</em>'' without caring who they were!!"


    "Y-You''re so obnoxious! At the very least, I can steer a ship!"


    Aina said this and took the helm in her hands. She was just about to say, "For the time being, let''s go back to the imperial capital," and turn the rudder back when ¡ª¡ª¡ª the rudder handle came off with a cracking sound of "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">gokin</em>."


    Aina said, "Ah," while making a stupid sound.


    "¡­It looks like it''s rotten."


    "What are we going to do, now!? AINA!!"


    "Lord Hero! Calm yourself. This is but a minor problem!"


    (This is but a minor problem, for real!?¡­!)


    "S-Seriously, is it going to be alright?"


    Exce anxiously grabbed the hem of Takashi''s clothes. The ship was gradually increasing its sailing speed. The ship was moving forward with no destination, swaying and shaking. Suddenly, Takashi''s seasickness began to reappear.


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


    "Lord Hero!"


    Exce rubbed Takashi''s back as he crouched down. Aina looked at him as if she were seeing something worthless.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 5.5 - The Other Disciple (5)

    After the ndestine meeting with Tartanin that Leelou had arranged, Zhaviest went to the vige of Leaven, which was said to have been conquered by the Demon Lord''s Army.


    With three apanying children following him, Zhaviest took a swig from the sake bottle he brought out of his breast pocket. The six children he had at that time, now reduced to half, were of no interest to him.


    He walked through the countryside, gazing at the fertilend through which the river flows with a suspicious look in his eyes. Soon, what appeared to be a vige came into view.


    Then, a group of ox-headed demons, who looked like vige guards, approached Zhaviest slowly.


    Zhaviest put his sk of sake away and produced a smiling face. The demons let out a muddy voice.


    "Hey, you. Where''s your demon master?"


    "I DON''T have a master. But¡­ that''s right, you know. If I had one, I suppose it would be god?"


    Zhaviest remained aloof, but he did not stop walking.


    "This guy. Is he a stray human?"


    "How rare, in these days."


    The demons simply followed after Zhaviest, seemingly unnerved by hismanding attitude.


    Eventually, they arrived at an open area that looked like a vige square. Zhaviest confirmed that the ve vigers, d in dirty clothes, were watching the situation from a distance.


    (Let''s, do it here?)


    The ox-headed demons were discussing the situation casually with Zhaviest at a sidelong nce, who had stopped walking.


    "Who wants, this ve chap?"


    "I''m just in time! But rather, I don''t want something like a middle-aged man as a ve, you know. Let''s take just the brats."


    Ignoring Zhaviest, he turned to face the children that ox-headed demon was bringing along.


    "Rest assured. I won''t kill you, you know! Y''all work hard as ves."


    However, the children were smiling, evenughing. A momentter, petals fluttered from behind one of the boy''s back. The tree peony''s petals whirling in the wind formed a human shape in the blink of an eye, and a bizarre figure, several times taller than a child, rose to its feet.


    "¡­Ah?"


    The demons were stunned. A beautiful, statuesque female face. A halo above her head. On her back, white wings. The figure, which closely resembled the shape of an angel as described in folklore, took off from behind the boy''s back and fluttered over the head of the ox-headed fiend. A halo-like divine radiance descends from the angel to the demons.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gah¡­ ah guh gah</em>¡­!"


    Smoke poured out of the demons'' bodies. Before long, rather than calling it incinerated, it was more like vanishing¡ª¡ª¡ªthe demon gotpletely erased from the world itself. After bringing it down, the angel flew over the head of another demon.


    "¡­From the ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Peony Bloom Revtion Gospel</em>''¡ª ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Holy Hiten y</em>.''"


    Zhaviest muttered, and the voice of the angel,ughing gently, echoed through the town.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Hohoho. Hoho hoho hoho hoho."</strong></em>


    Several angels soared through the air above the vige of Leaven, which was under demons'' dominion. When they spotted a fleeing demon, they flew over their heads. The holy light immediately annihted them.


    A swarm of demons vanishing. The vigers, who had been watching from afar, began to gather in droves.


    "L-Lord Angels¡­"


    "Saviour! It''s the World Saviour!"


    After ying all of the Demon Lord Army troops stationed in Leaven, Zhaviest bowed humbly to the vigers as they surrounded him.


    "I''m the World Saviour from the descended Divine Decree. I''m called Zhaviest, the humble herald of Heavenly Power."


    "OOHH¨C!" cheered the crowd. Both men and women praised Zhaviest with tears in their eyes.


    "Thank you so much! Thank you so much!"


    "Ah, Lord Zhaviest! We ask you to please save the world!"


    "Yes, yes. I will take care of it."


    The white-bearded vige leader staggered up closer to Zhaviest, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.


    "God has not forsaken us!"


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kakaka</em>. God, huh?)


    Zhaviest smiled wryly as he recalled the time when he received his heavenly power.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">It''s been a year since Zhaviest, a retired member of a thief gang, became a priest at a church in a remote town. When he was drinking sake bought with the money he had gotten by swindling old people under the pretense of purifying departed souls ¡ª¡ª¡ª Zhaviest received a divine revtion from god.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"In these turbulent times, let the pure in heart serve GOD¡­"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Zhaviest was listening to the solemn woman''s voice in a trance-like state of inebriation.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">(HUH¡ª? Me? Pure? No f-ing way¡ª right?)</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"If you were to acquire mighty power, for the sake of what would you use it for?"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">After taking another sip of his sake, Zhaviest said with a red face.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Of course, I would SAVE the world from the demons! ¡ª Since I''m a priest, you know¡ª"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Zhaviestughed as he said this with a slurred speech. Again, a voice came from the heavens.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Wonderful mindset. As I thought, worthy of being a World Saviour vessel. Well then, let me give you a small fragment of the power needed to save the world. Please receive the Tengen''s aura."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Hey, He¡ªy. I''m grateful for your blessings.¡ª"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"This is the power ofpassion, which is the power to receive a small portion of the life force from living creatures other than demons as alms and turn it into offense power or even defense power¡ª¡ª¡ª''Heavenly Power.''"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Roger that¡ª"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">The female voice continued to exin. Zhaviest thought to himself, "Shut up¡ª man," and half-heartedly listened to the story.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">¡­He had strange dreams because he was drunk, and when he was about to put his hand on his pounding head¡ª¡ª¡ªhe was astonished when he saw his arm. Floral patterns, like tattoos, appeared on both arms.</em>


    *Zhaviest left the church thinking, "This can''t be real." *


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">A stray cat was walking along an alley on a moonlit night. Zhaviest turned his hand toward the cat. The floral auraing from his arm transformed into an angel, which then moved toward the cat. Before long, the cat got tired of walking andy down on the spot. In return, his body was filled with strength. His hangover had flown away in an instant.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">(I received a portion of his life force, huh?)</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">The woman''s story was bothersome, and he had carelessly paid no attention while listening to thest part, but it seemed to be exactly the same way as she had exined. It seems that he had indeed been granted a mighty power by someone.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">(The Power of Compassion... "Heavenly Power," right?)</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Suddenly, it urred to him. Zhaviest extended his hand once more toward the cat, who was yawning and looking exhausted.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"¡­This time, siphon it all off."</strong></em>


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 5.6 - The Other Disciple (6)

    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">(The Power of Compassion... "Heavenly Power," right?)</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Suddenly, it urred to him. Zhaviest extended his hand once more toward the cat, who was yawning and looking exhausted.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"¡­This time, siphon it all off."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">An angel smiled eerily. The cat let out a piercing, shrilling mewl.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"OOOHH¨C!"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Zhaviest was delighted by the tremendous power that surged through his entire body. It was nothingparable to what he had just felt.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Hey, hey. If this is the life of one single cat, then what about the life force of one HUMAN!"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Looking down at the dead cat, Zhaviest raised the corners of his mouth andughed, "Kakaka."</em>


    *****


    With a smile on his face, Zhaviest firmly held the hand of the weeping Leaven''s vige leader.


    "You want the world to be saved, right? If so, please sacrifice yourself for the sake of the world."


    "¡­eh?"


    The vige leader had a dumbfounded look on his face. An angel abruptly appeared behind Zhaviest''s back and enveloped the vige leaderpletely. The vige leader smiled in relief at the angel''s embrace, but the next moment, the angel''s mouth was split open, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">gapah¨C</em>," ripping open until the ear.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Hoho hoho hoho"</strong></em>


    In response, ectosmic gassy fumes emerged from the vige leader''s mouth and were absorbed by the angel''s mouth cavity. Immediately, the vige leader copsed as if a puppet''s thread had been severed. He remained motionless.


    Zhaviest took a sk of sake from his breast pocket. When the angel returned to Zhaviest''s side, a drop of a glowing liquid that looked like saliva dripped from his mouth. Zhaviest''s face darkened.


    "I knew it. It''s not good. This old fart¡¯s life force, right?"


    "L-Lord Zhaviest!? What on earth, is going on!?"


    "What was what? To eat, you need money. To defeat demons, you need life force. The world revolves around such exchanges."


    In front of the frightened vigers, both corners of Zhaviest''s mouth raise with a grin.


    "This vige life force, hand all of it over."


    "Eh-EEEEEKK¨C!?"


    The vigers ran for their lives. Zhaviest muttered with a smile on his face.


    "From the ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Peony Bloom Revtion</em>'' Gospel ¡ª ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hiten Life Kiss (Hiten Life Siphon)</em>''!"


    Behind Zhaviest''s back, tree peonies were in full bloom. Tens of angels were born from them and soared into the sky. They then fluttered to find vigers and suck the life force out of them.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Hoho hoho hoho hoho..."</strong></em>


    The angels smiled while absorbing the life force of the vigers who were running away frantically with agonizing cries in pandemonium, trying to escape. Zhaviest was drinking sake as he watched the spectacle.


    (Angels that hunt down humans¡ª¡ª¡ª <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kakaka</em>. It''s pretty ridiculous, isn''t it?)


    The screams of the people, theughing voice of the angels, and a hint of liquor smell mingled together in the air, and Zhaviest drunkenly staggered through the vige in a good mood.


    Yet, Zhaviest''s footsteps stopped in front of a filthy stone statue in the center of the vige. He looked at the stone statue of a Champion, holding a sword and a shield¡­


    (Damn it¡­!)


    Zhaviest mood took a plunge and became very ill-humored.


    The legend of Hartline, the champion who saved the world by defeating the Dragon King. It was said that with his sacred sword, Excaliburrus, he sliced the sea in two. Everyone knows him as the champion from the children''s picture book. And thus, in some towns and viges, the champion Hartline was deified and worshipped as a guardian deity.


    (You''ve got to be fucking kidding me. If there''s such a chap, why was my dear mother raped and killed by a demon? Why were the humans defeated by the Demon Lord''s Army in the Great Human-Demon War? Why did I fall to this point where I currently am?)


    Zhaviest was so angry that he kicked the statue, toppling it to the ground. The statue easily copsed, in part because it had been damaged during the invasion of the Demon Lord''s Army. Hartline''s head rolled on the ground. Zhaviest stomped on the head of the statue with his foot.


    (It is violence that rules this world. A little stronger, no, the strongest chap is the one who rules!)


    And now, he had obtained his own power. Heavenly Power. A true power that is neither an old folk tale nor a questionable passed-down legend.


    (I''ll, do it! I''ll be a World Saviour¡ª¡ª¡ª No, a pure, unadulterated, true Champion!)


    Suddenly, he heard a heartbroken woman''s voice from behind him. When he turned around, he saw a mother holding a child in her arms while an angel was clinging to her.


    "I beg you! Not this child! Just this child alone!"


    "Okay, Okay."


    Zhaviest assessed the child. She was about five or six years old. She could walk on her own.


    (They are bing fewer and fewer. I''ll use her for protection on my travels.)


    Zhaviest had been able to defeat the demons that attacked him on the way to the vige of Leaven, thanks to his Heavenly Power, obtained at the cost of the life force and life of the children.


    Among all living things, humans have the strongest life force. He was able to draw the greatest power from virgins and children, especially those who were young in age. Of course, he gave his power a try with demons, but as you would expect, there was no way to kill a demon bypensation for the power to kill demons ¡ª¡ª¡ª there is no way such a convenient power existed. The only way to kill a demon was to transform the life force of a human or animal into a sacred power.


    (A cost. There is always a price to pay in this world.)


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 5.7 - The Other Disciple (7)

    </a>


    (Ship grounding¡ª¡ª¡ª ¡­ No, shipwrecking, I think it''s called, <em ss="chakra-text css-0">this</em>...)


    Takashi looked back at Duma''s big ship from the sandy beach while thinking about this. Exce did the same, looking at the ship she had just entrusted her life to and said.


    "For a while, I wondered what would happen to us."


    "Totally!"


    After a long night, Duma''s ship had washed up on a shore somewhere. Aina, next to the exhausted Takashi, had no spare energy to take a nap due to seasickness and anxiety.


    "It looks like we drifted westward for a good distance, right?"


    (As if it were someone else''s problem!)


    Takashi furrows his brow at Aina''s nonchnt attitude. This kind of attitude, even though it was her fault that they had drifted to this unknown ce.


    (If she hadn''t kicked out Duma in the first ce, we would have been able to return to the imperial capital by ship!)


    It was irritating, but saying such a thing to Aina, who had an unyielding spirit, would surely lead to a fight. Takashi was tired and didn''t want to argue. Takashi held back and kept his mouth shut.


    Because there were ruts from horse-drawn carts, Takashi wondered if there might be people living nearby.


    After a while, they could see the ruralndscapes of the countryside spreading out along the banks of arge river.


    (Those are rice fields!)


    Are they perhaps cultivating rice? It reminded Takashi of Japan, and he felt a little nostalgic.


    "It seems that this is the vige of Leaven. I heard they grow a lot of grain, and mochi is their specialty."


    "Eeh! Mochi, huh!"


    It seemed more and more Japanese. Takashi was thinking that he would like to eat mochi again for the first time in a long time when he saw Exce standing motionless with a changed expression on her face.


    "Hm? What''s wrong, Exce?"


    "Th-That is¡­!"


    Takashi looked at the other end of Exce''s trembling finger and his eyes widened. People from the vige were lying copsed all over the ce.


    "Th-This is!?"


    Even from a distance, it was obvious that they were not asleep. While Takashi was looking at it with high alert, Aina ran up to the fallen man, ced her hand on his neck, and then shook her head.


    "¡­He''s dead."


    A chill ran down Takashi''s spine. Within his field of view, tens of people were copsed. P-Perhaps, all of these people, were dead¡­!


    "H-Horrible¡­!"


    Exce choked up when he said that.


    "What the hell happened to this vige?"


    "I''ll look into it more thoroughly!"


    Aina said and trotted toward the public square. Takashi and Exce enter a private <em ss="chakra-text css-0">minka</em> house with an open door, being very careful. The person inside was also lying on the floor, not breathing.


    "There is no sign of injury in them! Everyone looks as if they were quietly asleep¡­"


    "A-AH¡­"


    They certainly looked as if they were quietly asleep. However, the face of those lying on their backs was etched with fear, as if they had seen a monster or something.


    The door opened with a creaking "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">gigi</em>" sound, and Takashi''s body trembled. Aina walked up to him.


    "D-DON''T scare me like that!"


    "All of them, it''s been two days since they passed away! No external injuries. They look like they''ve been sapped of their life force."


    Suddenly, Aina turned her sharp eyes on Takashi.


    "Hey you, what''s your analysis?"


    "Eh¨C! Analysis?"


    Takashi bes nervous at being told such a thing out of the blue. Aina again showed her disbelief in her face.


    "''All of them, choked to death on mochi''¡ª¡ª¡ª you''re not thinking about something like that, are you?"


    "I''m NOT thinking that!! How can the vige specialty kill everyone in the vige!!?"


    Aina turned away with a frown.


    (What''s the matter with you? Geez! Why are you being such abative brat!?)


    Ever since Aina revealed herself, she had been in this kind of attitude toward Takashi. Next to the irritated Takashi, Exce pped her own thigh with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">hata</em>" sound.


    "''Sapped of their life force'' ¡ª¡ª¡ª Perhaps it is a drain-type fiend?"


    "That''s right! I think so, too. I saw a town destroyed in the same way when I was on my way to the imperial capital territory."


    "That was Cove Town, wasn''t it?"


    "Yes. Probably, the same drain-type fiend attacked Cove Town and the vige of Leaven. It''s siphoning off life force to nourish itself!"


    "Is THERE such a type of fiend!?¡­!"


    Takashi muttered to himself, recalling the web novels and games he had read in the past. Drain-type, was it? Are ghosts or undead those types?


    In this regard, it was not surprising that Aina had suspected the immortal fleet.


    "Anyway, let''s get out of this vige before dark."


    "T-That''s right! It''s eerie¡­"


    "Do you have any suggestions?"


    "If this is the vige of Leaven, I have heard that Lord Zhaviest''s base is nearby."


    "Zhaviest?"


    "One of the world saviors. The bearers of Heavenly Power!"


    The might that the goddess had prepared to rece Takashi, the "Heavenly Sword" and the "Heavenly Power." Takashi recalled that it was one of the two, and he prepared himself. He was worried that he might be a belligerent and dangerous person like Tartanin or Marguerite.


    "W-What kind of a chap is he?"


    "He''s a priest who uses advanced high-level healing magic!"


    "A priest¡­ huh?"


    Hearing this, he felt a little relieved. Exce''s tense face also rxed.


    "A healer as well as a monk? He sounds like a kind person! Doesn''t he?"


    "I''ve only seen him once, but he gave the impression of having a gentle demeanor! A lot more decent than someone LIKE Tartanin! He was even apanied by children without living rtives from Cove Town, you know."


    Takashi suddenly remembers his teacher at the orphanage. The teachers were kind to the young Takashi, who had no parents.


    (There are no bad people who like children, right?)


    They didn''t want to stay in a dangerous ce like this, anyway. Both Takashi and Exce nodded in agreement to Aina''s suggestion.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 6.1 - Hill of Bliss (1)

    The Imperial Castle was undergoing renovations and repairs to transform it into a Demon Lord''s Castle, turning the Imperial Capital into a Demon Lord''s Capital City.


    In the former emperor''s chamber, Serphiano issued instructions to the demons from the throne. Serphiano watched the demons busily at work withoutint and thought.


    (Yes. Yes. Everyone''s doing their best, aren''t they?)


    Serphiano turned his attention with reproachful eyes to Nephira, who was sitting in the corner, eximing as she folded a piece of ck parchment diligently.


    "Please keep Suzuki safe!! Please keep Suzuki safeeee!!"


    "Nephira. What in tarnation are you doing?"


    "G<em ss="chakra-text css-0">ikori</em>," Nephira red at Serphiano with tired, sunken eyes.


    "Don''t you know!? It''s 666 bats!! I am praying to the evil god for Suzuki''s safety!!"


    "Is that some kind of curse? I don''t think there''s any point in doing this weird origami nonsense. There''s no logic to how it works."


    "That''s not the case!! If you fold Six Hundred and Sixty-Six of them, my wish wille true, and Suzuki wille back! That''s why, could you not call it something like weird origami nonsense!? Heeey!?"


    "Yes, yes... <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haah</em>."


    The situation with the abduction of Suzuki had reduced her to that state. It seemed best to leave her alone until she calmed down.


    (Besides, well, you never know if that has a distracting effect on her from her grief and panic.)


    Looking at the pile of origami that continues to pile up, Serphiano also worried about Suzuki. Naturally, Serphiano felt responsible for what happened to Suzuki. That''s why, to hide her frustration, she had been working hard on the renovation for the demon city and was busily giving instructions to the demons.


    (Uh-huh. There are a lot of issues.)


    Moreover, there were other concerns as well besides Suzuki. Following Cove Town, there were reports that the humans in the vige of Leaven had also been wiped out. They were humans who had been preserved and set aside for very and food purposes. And the same as before, the Demon Lord''s army troops stationed in Leaven had disappeared.


    (I knew it. There''s truly a rebel element in our midst¡­?)


    Because she was so absorbed in her thoughts, Serphiano did not notice themotion that rose around her for a while.


    "What are you doing!"


    "Stop, stop!"


    At the sound of the skeleton soldiers'' angry voices, Serphiano finally turned her three eyes toward the double-door entry doors. There, a spider-like fiend was stopped and surrounded by skeleton soldiers.


    The intruder didn''t stop walking, even when they pointed spears at him and questioned its purpose. He approached Serphiano, shedding tears of purple-colored blood from thepound eyes concentrated in the center of its face.


    Sensing danger, Grant stood in front of Serphiano. He was a mighty warrior ogre who was a match for a thousand and had been entrusted with the protection of Serphiano, the chief strategist of the Demon Lord''s army.


    "Heei! I told you to stop!"


    The spider, which had been forcibly pinned down by the skeleton soldiers, soon let out a pathetic plea, "H-Help me!"


    "Dame Serphiano. This is¡­?"


    Nephira, before anyone noticed, had stopped folding bats and was standing next to Serphiano.


    "It is obvious that someone or something is controlling him, isn''t it? Who? Bring bindings¡­"


    At that moment¡ª


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ka</em>¨C<em ss="chakra-text css-0">kakakaka</em>!!"


    The spider''s voice suddenly changed to that of a different individual.


    "The Gospel! From ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Peony Bloom Revtion</em>'' ¡ª ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Radiant Deration</em>''!"


    Everyone watched the spider, which had shouted out loud, carefully and with breathless attention. The spider looked up at the ceiling andughed loudly again.


    "My name is Zhaviest, the humble herald of the Heavenly Power! In three days! When the sun rises over the Miremia in! Y-Y''all, all of you¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">fu fu fu</em>¡­"


    Suddenly, the spider began to convulse. At almost the same time, Nephira shouted, "Get away from him! It''s dangerous!"


    ¡ªthe spider''s voice of "I''ll murder you!!" was heard.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Guwaaaaaaah</em>¨C!?"


    Suddenly, there came a blinding sh of light emitted from the spider''s body, and the skeleton soldiers screamed. However, their screams cease midway through. The skeleton soldiers'' skeletal bodies turned to ash in an instant.


    After the light subsided, the spider and five skeleton soldiers vanished, without a trace.


    "Wh-What dreadful holy power¡­!"


    Serphiano muttered unintentionally. In response to the attack, Serphiano had already erected a barrier of darkness between the suspicious intruder and the emperor''s chambers. And yet,


    (This potency¡­! It''s unbelievable...!)


    "Are you alright? Nephira."


    "I defended myself with my lightning aura."


    Nephira answered nonchntly. As you would expect from themander of the special attack unit force of the Demon Lord''s Army, the Thunder-Lance Charge. Serphiano then put her hand on Grant''s shoulder as he had stood in front of her to defend her.


    "Grant. Thank you for your service."


    Serphiano then noticed that Grant''s skin was slightly charred just as he replied, "Uhgah."


    (To have burnt Grant''s skin. "Heavenly Power"¡ª¡ª¡ª One of the two blessings granted by <em ss="chakra-text css-0">that</em> god to destroy us, the demon race, and the counterpart of the Heavenly Sword¡­)


    Serphiano put her hand on her chin and pondered.


    (If we only look at what just happened, it would be a mind-controlling type ability but... it is different, isn''t it? The control over the spider was probably only a part of its power. The essence of that ability is, with the power of Holy Light as a foundation, that power is then applied in various forms...?)


    Serphiano bit her lip quietly as she thought.


    (If that was the case, it would be a troublesome ability.)


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 6.2 - Hill of Bliss (2)

    Serphiano put her hand on her chin and pondered.


    (If we only look at what just happened, it would be a mind-controlling type ability but... it is different, isn''t it? The control over the spider was probably only a part of its power. The essence of that ability is, with the power of Holy Light as a foundation, that power is then applied in various forms...?)


    Serphiano bit her lip quietly as she thought.


    (If that was the case, it would be a troublesome ability.)


    And the greatest mind in the Demon Lord''s Army further pondered the issue.


    (But, how did he acquire a holy power so mighty that it could wound Grant?)


    In this world, there exists such a thing as magical theory. Serphiano could not believe that the holy power that had wiped out five skeleton soldierspletely without a trace and had scorched Grant''s body, which boasted iron-d defense abilities, hade from a single human.


    Serphiano closed her pair of eyes and slowly opened her third eye instead. And then, she takes a bird''s eye view of the situation, breathing quietly as if in meditation.


    (If, hypothetically speaking, the events in Cove town and the vige of Leaven were not a rebellion within the Demon Lord''s army¡­ The humans that died because the life force was siphoned out of them¡­ The disappearance of the Demon Lord''s army troops stationed in the area¡­)


    Before long, Serphiano opened all three of her eyes.


    "Indeed. Everything that happened, all those incidents, it was all the deeds of that one person, wasn''t it?"


    (It siphons the life force out of living beings and transforms it into the power of a holy light that destroys us, the demon race¡ª¡ª¡ªthat is the true nature of the "Heavenly Power"?)


    After seeing through the enemy''s abilities, Serphiano informed Nephira in a dignified voice.


    "In preparation for the campaign in the Miremia ins, let''s rally half of the Demon Lord''s army forces stationed in the various regions back to the Imperial Capital."


    "But¡­ nine times out of ten, wouldn''t it be a trap set by the enemy?"


    "I don''t give a flying fuck. After annihting a town and a vige that served as storehouses for the Demon Lord''s Army, he shamelessly and boldly delivered a deration of war. There''s no way I could ever tolerate that."


    Instead of a night raid like the Salvation Crusaders, he went out of his way to deliberately use a demon as a messenger. He must be very confident in his abilities.


    (Even so, we have already seen through most of the enemy''s capabilities. In that case, let''s daringly ept this challenge, overturn all their ns, and crush them even with all their tricks!)


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufufu</em>! Human race! Show me what you can do!"


    Serphiano eximed, showing a devilish side that she does not usually disy.


    Hearing Serphiano''s voice, silence fell over the area. Soon after, Nephira timidly began to speak.


    "B-But¡­"


    "The Thunder-Lance Charge is also encouraged to participate. I want about three hundred troops, including Kiru, to march towards the Imperial Capital."


    "N-No, uhm¡­ Dame Serphiano."


    "Ah, No need to worry. I will transmit the information via crystal ballmunication."


    Nephira repeatedly nced at Serphiano and then looked away. Serphiano smiled at Nephira, who seemed uncharacteristically anxious.


    "I understand what you are trying to say! Of course, there is also the possibility of being a diversion tactic. It might be possible that they are trying to draw attention towards the Miremia in and retake the Imperial Capital. Even if that is the case, there is nothing to worry about. You can rest assured."


    "N-No. It is not exactly that. Dame Serphiano¡­"


    Nephira was at a loss for words. Serphiano suddenly realized it.


    (Whaaaaat, is that what you meant?! It''s been a while since I showed you my dreadful side, isn''t it!)


    Serphianoughed. However, Nephira pointed to Serphiano''s chest area and said awkwardly,


    "Dame Serphiano¡­! One of your breasts is hanging out¡­!"


    "¡­Huh?"


    Serphiano looked down and saw her own chest. The right half of the white dress was partially ripped, and, as she was told, one of her tits was peeking out.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hiyaaaaaaaaaaaa</em>!? WHHHYYYYYYYY!?"


    She thought that Grant had protected her perfectly. However, the heavenly power had slipped past Grant''s defenses and burned off a part of Serphiano''s dress.


    (Wa-Wa-Wait a minute! So, since that moment, I''ve been¡­?)


    Serphiano''s face turned bright red, and she yelled at Nephira.


    "Say something SOONEEEEER!"


    "I WAS GOING TO MENTION IT! But you said things like, ''No need to worry'' or like, ''I understand what you are trying to say'' and wouldn''t listen to me! You made me wonder if it was just inconsequential."


    "It''s not INCONSEQUENTIAL at all! With a tit out, going ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">boing</em>!'', I said things like ''show me what you can do'' whileughing!? Didn''t I end up looking like an IDIOT!? That was the case, RIGHT!?"


    Serphiano loudly pressed Nephira. Thereupon, Nephira stutteringly replied.


    "Y-Yes! You looked like an idiot!"


    It was said inly. Grant nodded his head in agreement with an "Ugha!" Furthermore, the surrounding guard soldiers, who thought she asked them all, also shouted in unison, "You looked like an idiot!"


    Serphiano, while hiding her exposed breast, violently mmed her fists containing her resentment into the marble floor.


    (B-Bastard!!! Shitty Humble Herald of the Heavenly Power, Zhaviest!! I''ll absolutely crush you to smithereens!! I''ll make sure of iittttt!!)


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 6.3 - Hill of Bliss (3)

    It had been several hours since Takashi and the others had left the vige of Leaven. Tired of walking along the deserted footpath trail, Takashi red at Aina''s back, who was walking in front of him. The sun had already set, and the area was already dark.


    (I was hoping to get there before it got dark.)


    Takashi suppressed his desire toin and ask the question¡ªAre we there yet?


    He thought a bit more before he spoke to Aina in a chit chat-like manner.


    "This Zhaviest person is an acquaintance of yours, right Aina?"


    "I have been in his presence, you know. He probably doesn''t know what my face looks like, though."


    "Eh? What do you mean by that¡­?"


    Interrupting the conversation between Takashi and Aina, Exce raised her voice, expressing her surprise.


    "W-Wait a minute! Then doesn''t that mean you don''t know the exact location of Lord Zhaviest''s base, do you?"


    "Yeah. I only heard about it! I think it''s somewhere around here, though."


    Takashi felt his own nose twitching with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">pikupiku</em>."


    (N-Not Good! I''m at the end of my patience! I''ll snap!)


    Eventually, Aina stopped walking at the end of the path where a steep wall cliff loomed high above. Even Takashi, who was usually not short-tempered, finally lost his patience.


    "You are lost!! What are we going to do?! It''s already night!!"


    "What are you talking about? We arrived right on time!"


    "The cliff is the base? That''s not f-ing possible!! Are you messing with me!?"


    However, Exce reached for the wall of rocks on the cliff timidly.


    "This, is perhaps¡­"


    While saying, "Let''s go," Aina walked briskly toward the cliff. The moment Takashi thought Aina was about to run up against the cliff, she disappeared as if absorbed by the cliff.


    (Ah! By any chance, this is!)


    "Sorcery!"


    "It seems so!"


    Takashi and Exce also moved towards the rock face resolutely. Then, their vision suddenly changed.


    A small hill spread out before them. Wooden houses stood at regr intervals. Even though it was dark, thanks to the torches in front of the houses, the whole view of the hill could be seen clearly. Arge Western-style house stood in the center.


    "The Salvation Crusaders used the same kind of sorcery."


    When Takashi muttered that statement, Aina looked at him as if she was making fun of him.


    "Didn''t you know? This sorcery is something that Lady Leelou has developed! Applying her transformation technique, you know. It was thanks to Leelou''s sorcery that Tartanin''s group was able to prepare their army without being detected by the demons!"


    "What! So that''s how it is! As you would expect from grand tactician Lady Leelou!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufu</em>! Of course! Because Lady Leelou is a genius!"


    Aina was simply delighted to hear praises for Leelou as if she were the one being praised. Her smiling face was so adorable that Takashi forgot his irritation and gazed at her. However, when Aina noticed Takashi''s gaze, she immediately changed her expression to a sour face.


    "Come on. Don''t just stand there. Let''s go! I''m sure that big mansion is where Lord Zhaviest resides!"


    "I KNOW!"


    Takashi climbed the hill and saw women and children with flower crowns on their heads. It was already dark, but they were picking flowers with smiles on their faces.


    "Ah, uhm..."


    When Takashi approached, the little girl ran away. As he reflected on whether he had frightened her, the girl returned with a smile on her face, apanied by a man in priest robes.


    "It would be rare to have visitors in this kind of ce, no?"


    The balding man, who appeared gentle-tempered, said.


    (This person is Mr. Zhaviest, huh?)


    Aina immediately lowered her head.


    "Lord Zhaviest. Please forgive our sudden unannounced visit."


    "Eh-uhm, Aina¡­"


    "I am Aina. Before, at the time of the ndestine meeting, I was apanying Lady Leelou."


    "Ahh¡ª! The body double!"


    (B-Body double¡­? You''re doing a lot of things, aren''t you, Aina?)


    "This personage is Her Highness the Princess, Exce of Leirune. And this one is the hero, for the time being."


    "This one? For the time being, was it!"


    Takashi huffed and pouted. Zhaviest turned a kind gaze toward Exce and Takashi with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">hou hou</em>."


    Aina began to exin to Zhaviest how they came to be there.


    "¡­<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hou.</em> Indeed, I see. A vessel of the Immortal Fleet shipwrecked¡ª¡ª¡ªthat must have been tough on you."


    "Because of that, we would like to stay here for the night... if that is alright with you¡­"


    "Of course! This is also God''s guidance! You are wee to stay as long as you like, not just one night!"


    "Thank you very much!"


    Like Aina, both Takashi and Exce bowed their heads down to Zhaviest.


    Takashi thought to himself.


    (We would have been grateful even if only for just one night. You are really a nice person!)


    Afterward, Zhaviest invited them to join him for dinner. Takashi and the others, who had not eaten a good meal since the shipwreck, decided to take advantage of Zhaviest''s hospitality.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 6.4 - Hill of Bliss (4)

    Afterward, Zhaviest invited them to join him for dinner. Takashi and the others, who had not eaten a good meal since the shipwreck, decided to take advantage of Zhaviest''s hospitality.


    In the dining room of the mansion, women, dressed in white, with smiling faces, served tes of bread, sds, chicken, and other dishes at the long table. Takashi was suddenly curious and asked Zhaviest.


    "What''s with all these women and children here?"


    "Everyone, all of them, are those whose families were killed by the Demon Lord''s army. This unworthy me is hiding them."


    "How noble!"


    Exce said as if she was deeply moved. Takashi nodded his head.


    "I named this ce Hill of Bliss. I wish the world could be a ce where all the people around the world could live happily in this way."


    Takashi nodded his head repeatedly. He felt that his ideals and Zhaviest''s ideals were the same. Takashi was happy to know that others were thinking along the same lines and working hard to achieve it.


    While eating, he nced into the room next door. Little boys and girls were weaving flowers with smiles on their faces as if they were truly enjoying themselves. The heartwarming atmosphere scene was closer to Takashi''s ideals.


    (Suzuknd can''t be left behind! More! There is more we can do!)


    With positive determination, Takashipletely ate up his bread. After the meal, Zhaviest was still smiling as usual. However, he made an unexpected proposal.


    "Lord Hero. How about a little sh? As an exercise to help digestion."


    "A little sh, was it¡­ EHH!? N-No, I''m!! I''m powerless against human opponents!"


    "Excuse my discourtesy! I used the wrong phrase! We simply need to show each other what our capabilities are!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ha-Haa</em>. Well, if that is all¡­"


    (I know my ability doesn''t work unless there are demons, but oh well.)


    They had received a ce to stay, and a meal had been offered, making him unable to refuse. Takashi could do nothing but nod his head.


    "I''m going to go make some preparations. When you have also finished your preparations, Lord Hero,e to the front of the chapel."


    Zhaviest said and then left. As Takashi was about to leave for the chapel in the public za, Aina tugged on his sleeve.


    "Please wait. I know he said it was to show each other''s capabilities, but Lord Zhaviest is serious!"


    "But, Mr. Zhaviest is a healer, isn''t he?"


    "That confidence¡­ But then again, he may have abilities other than healing, you know."


    After thinking about it for a moment with a serious expression on her face, Aina took out a package from her luggage and showed it to Takashi.


    "This is something that was entrusted to me! It''s for you, from Lady Leelou."


    "F-From master for me!?"


    The fact that she was giving it to him with this timing suggested that it may be battle gear. Takashi''s heart was pounding.


    (I knew it! Even though we''re far apart, Master is still thinking about me!)


    Such a happy feeling turned to doubt the moment he received the package. The package was unexpectedly light for a weapon or armor.


    Takashi wondered why and carefully opened the package. Inside, a pink-colored outfit was folded up.


    "Wh-What is this¡­?"


    Unsure of the implications, Takashi lifted it and unfolded it in front of him. The full picture of the outfit became clear.


    It was a one-piece outfit with a frilly miniskirt attached to a pink top. If looked at closely, you could see an embroidered one-horned rabbit on its stomach section.


    "N-No, No, No, No!! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">This</em>, is not for me! Definitely!!"


    "T-That''s right! Because, this looks like something a little girl would wear¡­"


    Takashi and Exce looked at each other andughed. However, Aina gave Takashi a ring stare.


    "No. It is unmistakably your OWN exclusive equipment!"


    "My¡­ equipment¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">this</em>¡­?"


    Takashi stared at it intently. Meanwhile, the rabbit embroidery seemed to be staring back at Takashi too.


    "Equipment you said¡­ this is not¡­"


    After muttering those few words, Takashi mmed the pink outfit against the floor.


    "Isn''t this just CROSS-DRESSING!!"


    At that moment, Aina''s countenance turned bloodthirsty.


    "W-What the HECK are you saying!? This is a Holy Cross-Dress made by Lady Leelou, you know!!"


    "You just said it was CROSS-DRESSING!"


    "Just hurry up and go change your clothes!"


    "Can I even fit into these cheap-looking clothes that look like they came out of an issue of primary-school girl magazine? Master, are you making a fool out of me? Is that it!?"


    "C-Cheap-looking was it¡­?"


    "I mean, look at it! This crude pink! And the worst part is the embroidery on the stomach section! What the hell is with this overpowering, aggressive, poorly-made rabbit!? And there''s even a miniskirt! Isn¡¯t <em ss="chakra-text css-0">this</em> already a penalty game, RIGHT?"


    Thinking that Master Leelou was making fun of him, Takashi became very angry and vented out his anger. At that moment, there was a dry sound, and a sharp pain shot across Takashi''s cheek.


    "¡­Huh?"


    bbergasted, Takashi presses down on his sore cheek. In front of him was Aina, who looked much angrier than Takashi.


    "Apologize!!"


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 6.5 - Hill of Bliss (5)

    (This prick! He''s really irritating!)


    Looking at Suzuki who was holding his cheeks as if he didn''t know why he had been pped, Aina felt the urge to give him another smack.


    (He really pisses me off! No, I''ve been angry with him since the moment I met him!)


    Aina red at Suzuki, her eyes filled with anger and disappointment.


    (The clothes that Lady Leelou went to great pains to make!)


    Aina, whose parents were killed by a demon when she was still a young child, volunteered to be a soldier in the Imperial Army at the age of fourteen.


    Although she was a woman, no one made fun of her because of her dedication to harsh training to save the world from the Demon Lord''s army. Although Aina had no talent for magic, she was more skilled in martial arts and swordsmanship than most men.


    However, the Imperial Army was annihted in the several-year-long human-demon war against the Demon Lord''s Army in which the fate of mankind was at stake. In the end, mankind had sumbed to the demons.


    Aina''s unit was defeated, barely escaping with their lives. Rumor had it that Syness Castle in the south had also fallen into the hands of the Demon Lord''s army. As the news of mankind''s continuous defeats spread, Aina''s superiors, who had treated her as if they were their parents, and herrades, who were like siblings to her, were all killed by the demons that pursued them.


    Before she realized it, Aina found herself alone in a deep gorge. Her tears had dried up from all the crying, and just as she was about to throw herself into the waters, someone grabbed Aina by her shoulders.


    She looked back and saw beautiful peach-colored hair. Standing there was Imperial Army Strategist Leelou Dimension with a sorrowful expression on her face.


    "L-Lady Grand Tactician!? You''re supposed to be dead!?"


    Leelou silently shook her head. And then¡­


    "I apologize."


    She hugged Aina and apologized.


    "Lady Leelou¡­?"


    "All of this is due to my failure and my inability to take action. I cannot apologize enough for what I''ve put you through."


    Tears streamed down from Leelou''s eyes. The great strategist, whom up until today Aina had only seenmanding from afar, was shedding tears for the sake of Aina, a no-name foot soldier.


    "It''s not your fault, Lady Leelou!"


    It was because of Leelou Dimension''s ingenuity that the empire had been able to survive the several-year onught of the Demon Lord''s army. And yet, the strategist shed tears and said in a voice that sounded as if she was trying to wring them out of her mouth.


    "I can''t say to you, "Don''t die," after making the world like this. Still, I want you to wait before you die. At longst, I have found it. A ray of hope for a world overrun by the forces of the Demon Lord''s army."


    "That is¡­?"


    After a long, distant look, Leelou suddenly put her slender finger on Aina''s chin as if she had just noticed. Then she brought her face close to hers as if looking into her.


    Aina''s face turned red. Leelou whispered to her from a close distance, as if she could feel her breath.


    "Uh-huh. I see glimpses of that talent in you as well."


    "I-I have the talent to save the world?"


    ¡­From that day onwards, Aina became Leelou''s disciple and began training in the art of <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em>.


    Leelou treated Aina like a parent, sometimes harshly, sometimes tenderly. Aina, who had previously only thought to avenge her parents, now had a new goal in mind.


    (I will devote my life for the sake of Lady Leelou!)


    One night, when Aina had be proficient enough in <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em> to the point where she was able to serve as Leelou''s escort. Aina noticed that Leelou was strugglingte at night with a knitting needle in her hand.


    "Lady Leelou, I see you knit too as well, don''t you?"


    "I''ve just started. It''s quiteplex¡­ Ouch!"


    "A-Are you ok!?"


    She apparently had stabbed her hand with the tip of her knitting needle.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufu</em>¨C! Lady Leelou is such! She''s a grand tactician, but she''s got a certain cuteness about her!)


    Aina thought as she watched Leelou continue despite a little clumsiness.


    (But, this kind of peach-colored little girl outfit, who in the world is going to wear it¡­?)


    "And with this holy cross-dress, you''ll look, even cuter!"


    Aina realized when Leelou said so.


    (I-I''m so d that Lady Leelou took the trouble to get *this *for me!)


    "I''m thinking of adding some frills to the skirt section. What do you think?"


    "It would be awesome, Lady Leelou!"


    "I''m thinking of embroidering a one-horn rabbit on the stomach part."


    "It would be perfect, Lady Leelou!"


    (You stayed up all night for my sake! Oh¨C! Lady Leelou!)


    Aina worked even harder to master the art of <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em>. In order to be worthy of the holy clothing that Leelou is weaving.


    However, after the ndestine meeting with Tartanin and Zhaviest, Leelou handed Aina a package containing the holy female attire and said.


    "I want you to deliver this to Suzuki."


    (It wasn''t¡­ for me¡­!)


    Aina felt a deep sense of despair. But, somehow, she managed to keep herposure so Leelou would not realize it.


    (I''m an idiot! It was my own misunderstanding from my selfishness! That''s right! If the hero wore this and saved the world, then I''d be satisfied!)


    Aina forced herself to think that way and pushed her feelings out of her mind.


    And yet, and yet¡­


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 6.6 - Hill of Bliss (6)

    (And yet, it''s this prick¨C!)


    She hated Suzuki, the person in front of her, from the bottom of her heart. Suzuki was in a state of shock from being hit in the cheek by Aina, but soon became furious and shouted.


    "It hurts! What the hell did you do that for?"


    Exce intervened to try to stop him. However, like Suzuki, Aina''s frustration was not subsiding.


    "You treat the holy female attire that Lady Leelou made for you with such DISRESPECT!!"


    "HUH¨C!? I don''t remember asking for <em ss="chakra-text css-0">this thing</em>!!"


    "How much effort do you think Lady Leelou went through to make this gear?"


    "I don''t know! If that''s the case, why didn''t Master wear it herself? She is a woman!"


    Aina became a little calmer when she heard Suzuki''s words.


    "Lady Leelou said that she has a fatal w that prevents her from exerting Pritis to its fullest!"


    For a moment, the ce was quiet. Suzuki also asked with a serious expression on his face.


    "T-That is?"


    "¡­she said it''s because she has monolid eyes!"


    "That BS reason!!"


    "I am sure you can understand! Lady Leelou is more beautiful than cute!"


    "I mean, she can look however she wants with her ability to transform, monolid eyes or not!!"


    "She said that cuteness that is manufactured is not good enough. Pritis has to radiate from the inside! You have to be spiritually pretty, or else it is no good!"


    "That just sounds like a convenient excuse to me!! I''m sure she won''t wear it because it is embarrassing!! That''s why you make me do all this dirty work, Master!!"


    "D-Dirty work¡­?"


    Aina took pride in her abilities. Not only because of the praise she received from Leelou but also because it was the ray that gave hope to this savage world ¡ª¡ª¡ª that was what she believed was Pritis. Aina''s fist trembled.


    "Seriously, you are so unmanly!! Aren''t you?"


    "Wearing <em ss="chakra-text css-0">THIS</em> attire is unmanly!!"


    "I-I also think so¡­"


    Exce, who had remained silent until now, spoke up.


    "There is no such thing as a man that wears women''s clothes! Men have to be manly! And women should be womanly!"


    Aina clicked her tongue, thinking that this was antiquated thinking. However, it was a way of thinking that waspletely expected. In this world, they were taught at an early age that ''Men should be manly! And women should be womanly.'' Exce, who was educated as the Princess of Leirune, must feel even more strongly about this. However¡­


    "Right now, the issue is not if it is man or woman!!"


    "If that''s the case, I''ll wear <em ss="chakra-text css-0">this</em> instead of Lord Hero!"


    "It doesn''t matter what you wear!! Moron!!"


    "M-Moron!? Please don''t call me a moron!! Stupid!!"


    "Anyway, I''m not wearing it no matter what!!"


    "Didn''t I tell you to wear it!? This MORON!!"


    "Wha¨C? Don''t call me a moron!! Stupid!!"


    The three of them started quarreling, "Stupid, moron, STUPID!" with each other. Soon after, a knocking sound was heard, and the door opened.


    "Ah, uhm¨C. I''ve been waiting for a while, but you haven''te at all¡­ What''s going on¡ª?"


    Zhaviest was smiling with an awkward expression on his face.


    ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fuuh</em>. My earlier emotional outburst. I regret it¡­)


    Exce was ashamed that she, as royalty, had called each other "Moron, stupid."


    However, that garment that she saw earlier. She was vehemently opposed to the idea of letting a hero undergo such humiliation.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Man should be manly, woman should be womanly"</strong></em>!


    (Furthermore, I want Lord Hero to look cool while he saves the world!)


    While thinking that, Exce looked at Zhaviest and the hero facing each other standing in front of the chapel. Around them were women and children with torches, who were watching the scene with gentle smiles on their faces as if they were enjoying a festival.


    Aina was standing next to Exce. Exce thought about apologizing but the mood for it was not right at the moment. Aina was looking at the hero with the same as-ever frowning face. After all, the hero had not worn the holy cross-dress.


    "In any case, let''s get started, shall we?"


    Zhaviest''s eyes were piercingly sharp,pletely different from those he had shown at mealtime. Simr to a soldier''s hunting the enemy on a battlefield.


    (He called it a little sh, but¡­)


    Exce felt uneasy. In front of the hero who had a nervous look on his face, Zhaviest spread both of his arms. Petals immediately fluttered surrounding Zhaviest''s arms.


    "T-This is?"


    "It is Aura materialization, you know."


    Aina, who was standing next to her, said in a whispered voice.


    "When the aura on those flower petals touches the target, it manifests healing abilities."


    "B-But¡­"


    Flower petals were swirling and whirling in front of Zhaviest. Eventually, arge number of flower petals gathered to form a human figure.


    "¡­From ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Peony Bloom Revtion</em>'' Gospel ¡ª ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Twelve Choirst</em>''"


    Zhaviest muttered, and one by one, the flower petals transformed. In front of the hero, twelve figures that looked humanoid appeared. Like Exce, Aina was surprised at this situation.


    "I-It''s not like thest time I saw it¡­! I knew it! The Heavenly Power is not only healing magic! He can also convert this holy power into an offensive power! When it is dedicated to healing, it is named ''flower''! And when it''s specialized to attack is¡­"


    "An¡­ gel¡­!"


    The word came naturally from Exce''s lips.


    (Such beauty¡­!)


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 6.7 - Hill of Bliss (7)

    "An¡­ gel¡­!"


    The word came naturally from Exce''s lips.


    (Such beauty¡­!)


    She was captivated. Reflected on Exce''s eyes were the very angels she had seen in her picture books. Since Zhaviest had used his aura to materialize their angelic form, it was natural that their form was the figure that the humans of this world recognized as angels.


    Exce blinked her eyes lightly and concentrated on the fight.


    (Lord Hero''s power, is the ability to be loved by the savage races of this world! If they are angelic beings and not human beings, it should work on them!)


    ording to lore, the holy power of angels is a power that affects only demons and is harmless to humans.


    (I-If that''s the case, what on earth, kind of attack is Lord Zhaviest going to unleash!?)


    Twelve angels spread their pure white wings. Each of them gently floated into the air and surrounded the hero.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Guh</em>¨C!! My ability is not working!?"


    The hero let out his voice with a tone of impatience. Indeed, the angels were circling around him without seeming to be moved by the cuteness of the hero. And to his surprise, the angels spoke humannguages.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"This child, he''s not that cute."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Well, he''s cute, but it''s not that cute, or at least not as cute as he says he is."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"That''s right. If I had to choose between cute and not cute, I''d say he''s cute, but nothing to write home about."</strong></em>


    The unexpected attack made Exce''s eyebrows twitch.


    "Lord Hero is being mocked!! ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Siege, surround, and diss</em>'' ¡ª¡ª¡ª is THIS the attack of angels!?"


    "I don''t know. But, it is certain that the abilities of the hero are not as effective as they could be, you know."


    (C-Certainly!)


    Aina continued to speak calmly.


    "I have heard that an angelic race once existed in this world. If they were genuinely from the angel race, Suzuki''s ability would have worked. However, those are artificial angels created from the aura of the human Lord Zhaviest. From the looks of it, his cuteness is probably only about 30% as cute as usual, you know."


    "Less than half? ¡­!"


    "Yeah. But that doesn''t mean the cuteness skill isn''t working at all. There is a way, you know."


    With a serious face, Aina shouted to the hero.


    "HEY, what are you doing!!? This is what Pritis is for, isn''t it?!"


    (That''s right! If you want to enhance Lord Hero''s natural cuteness, you have Lady Leelou''s directly imparted art of <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em>!)


    "Suzuki! The angels are multiple! ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Push-up Breast (Tits Persuasion) to Love Shot</em>'' would be effective, you know!"


    Aina''s special Pritis, the one that wiped out the undead within Duma''s ship. Aina was advising the hero to use that technique. However...


    "P-Pritis''s¡­ 48 Gestures¡­ Push-Push¡­"


    "L-Lord Hero!?"


    Exce noticed that the hero was acting strangely. The frightened attitude and embarrassed face of the hero convinced her.


    (He is embarrassed! He doesn''t understand what she is saying!)


    "What do you mean by Push-Push, this prick¡­!"


    Aina was clenching her fists in frustration. The angelsughed <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"hoho hoho ho"</strong></em> as they spun around Suzuki and looked at him, who was making a strange shape in front of his chest that they were not sure if it was a heart or something else.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Puah¨C What is that? That gesture?"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"How effeminate. I wonder if he''s ashamed of himself."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Ah, wrong, wrong. It''s disgusting. A boy must be strong."</strong></em>


    The angels continued to spew scorn as they circled around the hero. Eventually, Exce noticed tears welling up in the corners of the hero''s eyes.


    "I-Is that the "Flow of Mncholy" perhaps¡­?"


    "Wrong! That''s not <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em>! That moron is CRYING like a normal person!!"


    "EEEHHH!?"


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Hoho hoho hoho hoho hoho ho"</strong></em>


    The angels'' taunts and verbal abuse continued. Aina, who had lost her patience, started to shout.


    "How long are you going to stand there!? Fight back!"


    Aina''s voice must have been heard. The hero said in a quiet voice as if it was the hum of a mosquito.


    "Y-You are mistaken¡­ I can''t get my strength up¡­"


    "Can''t get your strength up, was it?"


    And then, Zhaviest said while smiling.


    "''The energy from the holy light damages the targeted subject.''¡ª¡ª¡ª that is the heavenly power converted into an attacking force."


    Aina bit her lip at Zhaviest''s words. However, as she watched the hero breathing from over her shoulder, Exce felt a sense of difort.


    She knew that light-element magic could deal a lot of damage to demons. Moreover, if the light magic is powerful enough, it will produce heat and can do some damage to non-magical creatures. However, the light emitted by the angels was so gentle that it did not seem to be enough to harm humans.


    (But in fact, Lord Hero is suffering¡­?)


    The hero was barely managing to stand, supported by his hands pressing on his knees. Suddenly, Zhaviest snapped his fingers. The angels surrounding the hero suddenly disappeared.


    "I have a rough idea of your power, Lord Hero. Let''s end it at this point."


    In the middle of Zhaviest''s statement, the hero suddenly copsed on the spot.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 6.8 - Hill of Bliss (8)

    "¡­Damn¨C!"


    Lying on his back on a modest bed, Takashi vented his frustration to the ceiling. The old wooden hut was a vacant house provided by Zhaviest. Because Exce and Aina were women, Takashi was given a private hut away from the women.


    Takashi looked at the package containing the holy garment that he had ced on the corner of his bed.


    (Would I have won if I had worn <em ss="chakra-text css-0">this</em>¡­? No, there''s no way that''s possible! If I wore such an outfit and lost, I would have been even more miserable than I am now!)


    It was the right decision not to wear it, Takashi told himself. At that time, suddenly, without knocking, the door opened with a bang. When he was surprised and turned his head to look, Zhaviest was standing there.


    "Sorry to interrupt your rest. Are you alone, Lord Hero?"


    "Y-Yes"


    "I was so focused on the battle that I was slow to stop the attack. I am truly sorry."


    As he closed the door, Zhaviest put his hand on his hairless head in embarrassment. Takashi returned a friendly smile.


    "No. It''s my fault for being so weak."


    Zhaviest brought a wooden chair from the corner of the room and sat down near Takashi''s bed.


    "It''s a little hot in here, so please excuse me."


    Then he took off his heavy-looking priestly robes. Zhaviest was wearing light gear simr to chainmail armor. Zhaviest was much more muscr than Takashi had imagined. However, what caught Takashi''s attention more than that was¡­


    "T-Tattoos?"


    Zhaviest''s exposed arms were tattooed with tree peonies. Zhaviestughed cheerfully.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ka¨C ka¨Cka</em>. It is different from a tattoo. It is something that emerged spontaneously when I received the bestowal of Tengen''s aura from god. I call them divine crests."


    "Oh¡­ indeed"


    (Not good, me. I get scared when I see this kind of thing. It''s not the same world as I was before.)


    There was a reason Takashi was disturbed when he saw Zhaviest''s arm. Zhaviest''s divine crests looked very simr to the tattoo that Sasaki, a yakuza man he had met before his transmigration, had tattooed on his body.


    "I have told Miss Aina and the others about this, but just in case, I thought I would let Lord Hero know as well¡­"


    After this preamble, Zhaviest, next to Takashi, began to exin.


    "In two days, the Imperial Capital will be engulfed in war. Therefore, I would like Lord Hero and hispanions to stay as far away from the Imperial Capital as possible!"


    "That''s¡­"


    "Let me put it simply. I will use the might of my own Heavenly Power to retake the Imperial Capital from the forces of the Demon Lord Army."


    "Retake the Imperial Capital!? I-If that''s the case, I''ll also participate!!"


    Takashi tried to get up from the bed, but he still was unable to muster the strength. The best he could do was raise the upper part of his body.


    "I do not need to borrow Lord Hero''s power for help. Leave the affairs of the Imperial Capital to me and enjoy your peaceful time in Leirune."


    "B-But! I mean, I am the hero! My power, can help a little,"


    In the middle of his words, Zhaviest leaned forward from his chair and brought his face close to Takashi''s. Zhaviest, still smiling with his same good-natured smile, said.


    "It is useless, you know! That shitty-looking power."


    "Eh¡­"


    "I thought that the life force of a hero must be really amazing, but it is no different than that of an ordinary human being, you know¡ª. In fact, it''s even weaker than the average. I don''t have any use for you, you know, pal."


    "Mr. Zhaviest¡­"


    "Since you''re only a little urchin, I''ll give you a firm warning, so don''t butt in uninvited."


    While Takashi was in a daze, Zhaviest continued to talk indifferently.


    "Listen, will you? Neither you nor Tartanin... no, I don''t even need a single soldier, you know. I alone will retake the Imperial Capital."


    "O-Only yourself!? That''s absurd and reckless!!"


    "It''s not reckless, you know! For me, it''s not. And, I''m already finished with my preparations."


    Zhaviest showed Takashi two sake sks that were in some kind of holster hanging from his armpits.


    "Cove and Leaven vials. With this, I can wipe out the Demon Lord''s army forces stationed around the Imperial Capital.


    "What are you talking about¡­?"


    Cove and Leaven. Certainly, those were the names of a town and vige that was destroyed by the Demon Lord''s Army. Yes, by a fiend that used drain¡ª¡ª¡ª


    (DRAIN!?)


    At that moment, Takashi realized. The very exact situation that he was in right now. It was as if all his strength has been sucked out of him¡­


    "I-Is the heavenly power, the power to drain!?"


    "It is a little wrong. Drain is only siphoning, right? ''Siphon the life force out of humans, increased by a factor of ten times and convert it into an attacking force''¡ª¡ª¡ª That is the Heavenly Power¡­ no, the applied technique of Heavenly Power that I came up with."


    "Then, you killed all those people for that!? Cove Town, Leaven town too, you did!?"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ka¨Ckaka</em>. A necessary evil. But you don''t need to worry about it, though. With the mind maniption of the heavenly power, you can dieughing as if you were smoking weed. It''s God''s mercy!"


    Takashi''s body trembled with anger as Zhaviest said this without a trace of remorse.


    (W-What priest!? What holy light energy!? This fellow, he''s a very bad guy, isn''t he?!)


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 6.9 - Hill of Bliss (10)

    As she rode in the carriage driven by Aina, Exce felt a sense of awkwardness in the air. The reason was that the hero sitting next to her remained with his head hanging down, not saying a word since they left.


    While reading the Legend of Hartline that she brought with her, she nced at the hand of the hero. The bandage around his hand was bothering her.


    "Lord Hero. About that hand?"


    "A-Ah. I twisted it yesterday when I fell."


    "If you''d like, I can apply an ointment¡­"


    When Exce tried to touch his hand, the hero shouted angrily.


    "Don''t bother!"


    "I-I apologize!"


    Exce hurriedly apologized. For a while, only the sound of the horse''s hoofs echoed,


    "¡­sorry."


    The hero apologized in a hushed tone.


    Eating the hardtack and drinking the water that Zhaviest had given them, the wagon rode for several hours. Aina, who was holding the reins on the coachman section, was silent the entire time, but as the sun began to set, the carriage suddenly slowed down and came to a stop.


    (Taking a break, right? N-No¡­ could it be a fiend?)


    A little nervous, Exce got out of the carriage and said, "Ahm¡­"


    From where she and Aina were standing, she could see the horizon. And further, to the east, a blurry empire could be seen. The wagon had stopped on the vast Miremia ins.


    (This ce tomorrow, will be a battlefield¡­!)


    Exce felt her heart pounding. Aina, looking over her shoulder, approached the hero.


    "¡­at that time, why didn''t you put it on!?"


    The hero did not answer but remained silent.


    "If you had worn the holy garment, surely, the oue would have been different, you know."


    "Ah, Miss Aina! Right now, Lord Hero is not feeling well!"


    Exce tried to cover for the hero, but Aina shouted at him without giving him any consideration.


    "Get serious, man! Lady Leelou told me! Pritis was something she designed for your sake! You are a beacon of hope! Aren''t you?"


    Finally, the hero opened his heavy mouth.


    "Even if I wore it, it wouldn''t have made any difference anyway. Probably, I would have been called more disgusting things."


    He muttered in a somber tone of voice. This seemed to irritate Aina even more.


    "Um, you know what! I''ve told you this many times! Right? The holy garment was made by Lady Leelou,"


    "SHUT UP!! Leave me alone already!!"


    As if exploding atst, the hero shouted again.


    "L-Lord Hero¡­"


    Aina was no longer angry. After turning her cold, almost resigned-eyes eyes on the hero, she, alone, left the carriage behind and walked away.


    "Ah, Miss Aina!"


    Exce chased after Aina. After calling out to her three times, Aina finally stopped walking. She said to Exce in a curt voice.


    "You, know how to handle a carriage, don''t you?"


    "I have ridden a horse before but¡­"


    "In that case, there is no problem. This is where we part ways!"


    "B-But, what will you do, Miss Aina?"


    "Together with Lord Zhaviest, I''ll fight the Demon Lord''s army here in the Miremia ins."


    "EH¨C!? Miss Aina? You told us that you were asked by Lady Leelou to protect Lord Hero, weren''t you!?"


    "That''s right. That''s why, I wanted to see for myself. If Suzuki was truly a hero worth risking my life to protect. And this time, I found my answer¡­"


    Aina turned her icy gaze on the hero, who was with his head hanging down in the distance.


    "Suzuki or Lord Zhaviest. I don''t need to tell you which one of these men is worth protecting, right?"


    Hearing the character of the hero, who had been working together with her, being questioned, even Exce, as expected, could no longer remain silent.


    "Lord Hero is, the champion that will save the world! I have seen miracles many times in Leirune!"


    "Miracles?"


    "Yes! I believe that Lord Hero, is the reincarnation of the champion of old, Lord Hartline!"


    Exce said while she hugged the book she''d brought from the wagon. Aina looked at the book andughed through her nose.


    "''The Legend of the Champion Hartline'' huh? How old, are you!? Are you acting like that because you still think you''re a ''little princess''?"


    "I-I still am!"


    "The Great Human-Demon Warsted several years. Even in the unprecedented crisis when the Demon lord''s army invaded the Empire, Hartline did not appear. And mankind was annihted by the demon lord''s army. You need to SEE reality!"


    "Ugh¨C¡­"


    When she was told a sound argument, Exce was at a loss for words.


    "In the first ce, I wonder if such a person ever really existed."


    "Lord Hartline really existed! I''m sure of it!"


    "I wonder. There is no way a sword could cut the ocean in half, right? It''s a children''s fairy tale!"


    "T-That is! For instance, it may be metaphorical!"


    "You mean he used magic instead of his sword? Impossible, impossible. It''s beyond the reach of even the highest-ranking sorcerer!"


    After smiling mockingly, Aina''s face tightened.


    "I don''t believe in miracles. You have to make your own path!"


    Aina''s intensity rendered Exce speechless. Eventually, Aina''s expression rxed a little.


    "Well, it''s actually quite convenient, though. If he goes back to Leirune and lives in peace and tranquility, I will have done what Lady Leelou asked me to do and protected that guy."


    "Miss Aina¡­"


    "Well, I wish you the best."


    After saying her parting words with sarcasm, Aina walked away from Exce and Suzuki.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 7.1 - Instructor Leos Lesson (1)

    (Suzuki, please stay safe! I''ll also do my best!)


    Nephira continued to fold bats in the imperial castle. While shaking off the doubts that sometimes would emerge, such as, "I wonder if this is a waste of time," or "What am I even doing?"


    When she realized it, there was already a mountain of folded origami bats standing tall.


    A skeleton soldier walked up to Nephira, who was absorbed in her origami folding, stepped, and bowed to her.


    "Lady Nephira! Lady Kiru and three hundred elite soldiers from the Thunder-Lance Charge have arrived at the demon capital!"


    "Ah¨C is that so!? Shut up!"


    "Eh¨C, ah¨C? M-My apologies!!"


    Seemingly sad with slumped shoulders, the skeleton soldier stepped back. While physically exhausted and mentally fatigued, Nephira nevertheless picked up another piece of ck parchment and continued to fold absent-mindedly.


    And then soon...


    "I-I did it!! It''s done!! DONE¨C!!"


    Finally, Nephira had done it. She had folded and folded once again until 666 bats were done. With perfect timing, Kiru appeared in front of Nephira.


    "Sorry to keep you waiting¡ª! ¡­I mean, what in hell are you doing, Lady Nephira?"


    "It''s 666 ck bats. I had just,pleted them!!"


    "Is this a prayer for sess in this war? But that is FAKE news!"


    Kiru said with a smile on her face.


    (Seriously! Both Serphiano and Kiru are non-believers! Aren''t they?)


    However, satisfied with her aplishment, Nephira never lost her smug face.


    "I don''t mind if you are a believer or a non-believer. However, this is an ancient spell passed from generation to generation. It always works without exception."


    "No, like I said, it''s aplete sham. It was me and Meru who spread the rumor about the 666 bats."


    "¡­Eh?"


    "About 20 years ago, in our spare time, Meru and I came up with the idea together, you know?! A bullshit story that if you folded 666 bats of origami, your wish woulde true! Then everyone really started folding origami bats! I had a greatugh with Meru!"


    "Y-Yo-You¨C¡­"


    A thunderous aura of lightning, "baribari," surged out from Nephira''s body.


    "You came up with iii¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªitt!!"


    The surging lightning set the mountain of bats aze. Nephira grabbed Kiru by the chest.


    "I-I''m sorry¨C! I didn''t think even Lady Nephira would fall for it!"


    "Shut up! Give me back the time I spent folding bats!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Yaah¨C</em>!? Please stop pulling my clothes off!!"


    Nephira tugged at Kiru''s clothing without hesitation. Kiru apologized to Nephira, trying to prevent her bosom from showing, but Nephira''s anger did not abate.


    "Give me back my time! Give me back Suzuki too¨C!"


    "S-Suzuki!? What did you do to Suzuki!?"


    "He was snatched up by Duma, and he hasn''t returned yet! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">UHWhaa aa aa aa aa aa a¨C</em>!!"


    "Eeh¨C!? But if that is the case, isn''t Suzuki right over there!!?"


    "Eh¡­"


    Nephira''s eyes rolled into the back of her head when she saw what was at the end of the tip of Kiru''s finger. In front of the door, Suzuki stood together with Serphiano with an apologetic look on his face. Exce was also next to him.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">UHWhaa aa aa aa aa aa</em>!? Suzukiiiiiiiiii!?"


    "Nephira. I''m back."


    Was it a dream? Or an illusion? As soon as she hadpleted the 666 bats, Suzuki had returned.


    Nephira turned excited and hit "banban" on Kiru''s shoulder.


    "See? See! It was sessful! Hey¨C hey¨C!"


    "N-No¡ª. I think it was just a coincidence."


    (What are you saying by just a coincidence!!? My love got across! I''m sure that''s what happened!!)


    Then, as if flood gates had been opened, Nephira dashed forward and embraced Suzuki.


    "Are you hurt!? Did you eat!? Did you poop properly!?"


    "¡­I did..."


    Suzuki said this with a sad smile on his face.


    (Ah, huh? Normally, if I hugged him, he would get embarrassed?)


    Her love got across¡­ does not appear to be the reason. Suzuki simply was not in good spirits. If you looked closely, you could notice that his right hand was bandaged.


    "H-Hey. What happened to your finger?"


    "Nothing at all"


    Then, Suzuki hung his head down. Serphiano showed a troubled look on her face.


    "I''m sure he has been through a lot. Let himfortably rest for now."


    "T-That''s right, isn''t it?"


    "Nevertheless, Suzuki. Please tell us just one thing. What happened to Duma after departing?"


    When asked by Serphiano, Suzuki told the story of how Duma had fallen into the ocean. Nephira listened with a look as if she was biting down on a bitter bug.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fuun</em>! That Duma bastard! She got what she deserved!"


    "Eh, uhm. So, does that mean that the Immortal Fleet has been lost?"


    Instead of Nephira, who was furious, Kiru asked Serphiano.


    "No. Even if her body were to be chopped into a hundred pieces, given enough time, Duma will be able to pull her parts together and bring herself back to life."


    "She can restore herself after all that!? Insane¡ª! As expected, from a deathless!"


    (That means, she might try to mess with Suzuki again, right?)


    Nephira tried to reassure Suzuki with a few words.


    "Suzuki. From now on, I will strengthen your protection. If necessary, I''ll attach a few demons as guards."


    "I''ll be fine. You don''t need to worry!"


    As expected, Suzuki said in a dark tone of voice.


    "No, but¡­"


    Nephira stopped as she was about to say something.


    (T-That''s right, isn''t it? Something strange happened. He must be exhausted, right? Serphiano is correct. Let''s leave him alone for now.)


    "I understand. At any rate, you and Exce should go back to Leirune first and recover. We will now suppress the humans'' rebellion."


    "Meru will be waiting for you in Leirune! Wa-Please, wait there for a bit!"


    After Nephira, Kiru gave Suzuki a smiling face.


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 Vol. 2 - Chapter 7.2 - Instructor Leos Lesson (2)

    (I can''t believe that Nephira, who always wanted to be with me, told me to go back.)


    As he and Exce walked through the Imperial Castle, which was hectic with the preparations for battle, Takashi thought back to the conversation he had just had with Nephira.


    Although Takashi pretended to be unaware of it, he was sure the rebellion must have been Zhaviest''s. After all, Zhaviest had already dered war on the Demon Lord''s Army.


    (Nephira and Kiru were both talking casually, but the opponent was Zhaviest. Will both of them really be alright?)


    Takashi shook his head as that thought crossed his mind.


    (No, it''s useless even if I''m the one worrying. And if the demons are defeated and the world is at peace, what could be better than that?)


    Takashi and Exce were heading for a fortress far from the imperial castle. ording to Serphiano, they could board a dragon carriage bound for Leirune there.


    As Takashi and Exce walked, a group of vicious-looking demons passed by, heading toward the Imperial Castle. ording to the reports, half of the Demon Lord''s forces in each local region were being concentrated in the Imperial Capital.


    "What a huge army¡­"


    Takashi muttered, and Exce nodded.


    "I heard that the vanguard troops have already departed for the Miremia ins."


    "You mean... there will be even more troops."


    "Yes. I heard them saying that they were quelling a rebellion¡­ but this is more like a second Human-Demon Great War."


    It was not surprising that Exce was trying to catch her breath. Right now, the entire imperial capital was beingpletely filled with demons.


    Suddenly, Exce opened her mouth.


    "Are you sure we¡­ should go back to Leirune?"


    "Even if I went to the campaign, I wouldn''t be of much use, you know?"


    "B-But! There is Lord Hero''s <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em>!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haha¨C</em>. They have Aina, don''t they?"


    He said with a dryugh. Then Exce fell silent.


    At the dragon carriage, the demon apologetically lowered his head to Takashi. He told him that they seemed to be short on dragon carriages since they were being allocated for the battle in the Miremia ins, and it would be some time before they could prepare one for setting out toward Leirune.


    Takashi sat next to Exce in a waiting chair and waited, but the dragon carriage did not seem to be ready any time soon.


    "I''m going to go for a little walk, you know, until it''s ready."


    "Y-Yes. Take care¡­"


    Feeling awkward, Takashi walked out of the imperial capital alone.


    As time passed, most of the demons that had gathered in the imperial capital seemed to have departed for the Miremia ins. As he walked through the sparsely popted Imperial Capital, Takashi suddenly remembered Exce''s words from earlier.


    (Aina¡­ will she be alright working together with someone like Zhaviest? ¡­N-No! Aina is a stronger <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em> user than I am! I should just leave it to her!)


    He sighed loudly.


    (I mean, if there is a better <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em> user than me, doesn''t that mean that my existence ispletely meaningless?)


    Until recently, Takashi thought that he could somehow save the world. However, that feeling hadpletely faded away.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Thump</em>, the fingers that Zhaviest broke hurt. Takashi looked at his bandaged hand.


    (I just wanted to live a heartwarming, another-world life. Why do I have to go through all this!?)


    There was no anger towards Zhaviest. Or rather, perhaps Zhaviest had broken his finger because he was in the wrong. That was right. If you think carefully about it, Zhaviest had a point. Human sacrifice is essential to save the world. As Zhaviest had said, even the victorious side woulde with casualties. The defeated side... with even more death. That is reality. Without shedding blood, there is no such convenient power that can achieve it ¡ª¡ª¡ª


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"I have revealed myself to you only because I have seen the awe-inspiring power of a hero. Because I thought you could bring about a revolution without nearly any bloodshed and save the world."</strong></em>


    Recalling the words he heard when he first met Leelou, Takashi gritted his teeth.


    "¡­It''s impossible, of course it is."


    At that very moment, just as he was talking to himself and feeling as if he was going to throw up.


    "Oh no¨C! I''m runningte! Gotta hurry!"


    "Older brother. Do you need something like a spaulder?"


    "I DO! Commander Raigus died from a sh in the shoulder because he didn''t have one!"


    He heard a coarse voice that he had heard before. The lion beastman, who was racing in a fluster, saw Takashi''s face.


    "Su-Suzuki¨C!?"


    He expressed such astonishment that his jaw seemed to drop off.


    "Instructor Leos¡­"


    Takashi muttered. The surprised expression on the face of the demon training instructor Leos, however, quickly turned to anger as he walked over to Takashi.


    "YOU, Idiot! You haven''t beening to ss at all since then, have YOU? You delinquent student!"


    "I''m sorry for worrying you."


    "I wasn''t particrly worried about you or anything¡­!"


    Leos cleared his throat with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">gohon.</em>" After the awkward look on his face, he left the tiger-faced beastman who was apanying him.


    "Come here for a bit!"


    He forcibly pulled Takashi''s arm and took him into a back alley.


    "W-What is it, Instructor Leos?"


    Once they were alone, Leos crossed his arms and said to Takashi.


    "IT''S NOT ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">what is it?</em>''! Let''s hear it? The answer to your homework.


    "Huh? Homework¡­ you mean, what was it again?"


    "Don''t FORGET about it!! You, seriously, are a delinquent student!!"


    (Eh-uhm¡­ that''s right. If I remember correctly, ''Can demons and humans coexist?'' I think that was the question.)


    Takashiughed bitterly as he remembered. At that time, he insisted that they could coexist. And then Instructor Leos told Takashi to think it over more carefully and not to give an answer right then and there.


    (Yeah. As you would expect from a demon-training instructor. After much thought, I have figured out the real answer.)


    "So Suzuki. The correct answer is?"


    Takashi said clearly to Leos, who looked a little embarrassed.


    "From that time, I... will change my answer. Sure enough, since we are from different races, I don''t think getting along is possible."


    "The correct answer is: ''If you work hard, you can coe¡­'' HUH!? EH!? Wai¨C What did you just say!?"

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 7.3 - Instructor Leos Lesson (3)

    "The correct answer is: ''If you work hard, you can coe¡­'' HUH!? EH!? Wai¨C What did you just say!?"


    Leos was stunned, but Takashi continued.


    "I, was childish. Coexistence is a pipe dream! Isn''t it? I now believe that humans are weaker than demons and that it is better to know our ce and live modestly. That''s why, I n to return to Leirune and live out the rest of my life in silence."


    "W-Wait! Then, Suzuki, you''re noting to my ss anymore?"


    "Yes. I won''t."


    "Eh, EH¨C! Seriously?"


    "I''m sorry. This is thest time I''ll see you, Instructor."


    Takashi bowed his head to Leos, who was opening and closing his mouth repeatedly, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">pakupaku</em>," like a fish.


    "Instructor Leos. Even though it was for a short time, thank you for all your help."


    Then Takashi began to walk away. But after a moment,


    "¡­You got to be fucking kidding me."


    A shrill-inducing voice came from Leos, and he rushed to Takashi in a frenzy.


    "You, didn''t you say that humans and demons could coexist!! Don''t give up so easily, you bastaaaard!!"


    Takashi was shaken so vigorously that he felt as if he might suffer a brain concussion from the force applied by the beastman, and he panicked.


    "I-I-I mean! No matter how much effort I put in, it''s all POINTLESS!"


    "Pointless¡­ was it?"


    He stopped shaking him and brought the vicious beast''s face close to Takashi''s.


    "I don''t know what happened to you while I wasn''t looking! But you know what, Suzuki! Did you ¡ª¡ª¡ª really give it your all?!"


    "Eh¨C"


    "The Beast King''s Oni Squad will also go full strength to defeat a one-horn rabbit! Full strength, all-out! Always give it our all! Do you know why?"


    "N-No! I don''t know!"


    "So that when we die, we won''t have regrets!!"


    "Won''t have, regrets¡­?"


    "That''s right! Life is now, at this very moment! That''s why we don''t care about something like appearances! We don''t care about how we look through the eyes of others! We fight desperately until the bitter end regardless of appearances! That is the code of the Beast King''s Oni Squad!"


    Leos firmly held Takashi''s shoulders and brought his face close to his.


    "Did you do all you could!? Did you really do it!? Did you risk your life doing it, so that even if you were to die, at this very moment, you WOULDN''T regret it!?"


    Takashi''s heart pounded loudly "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">dokun</em>".


    (Did I give it my all¡­? I did not! No, wrong! I didn''t even try!)


    Takashi''s body became hot as if the passion of Leos had been transferred to him.


    (Concerned about how I look in other''s eyes! I was trying to look cool for Exce! I was embarrassed!)


    The phantom of Zhaviest, which had been weighing heavily on Takashi''s mind, instantly cracked and shattered.


    (Why am I being persuaded by a scoundrel!? No matter what the reason, it''s not right for a human to kill another human! I was so afraid of Zhaviest that it chained me... that I shut up my own feelings!)


    Takashi realized his own mistake.


    (Besides... "frightening"? At any rate, I have already died once! There''s nothing more to be afraid of anymore! And now, I''m going to die again without being able to do what I want to do! If I die like this, I will definitely regret it once again! ¡­or rather ¡­I should say¡­)


    "ws! Oooouuuuchhhhhh!!"


    The ws of Leos were digging into Takashi''s shoulder.


    "Ah, sorry¡­"


    Leos removed his hands. However, for the current Takashi, even the pain in his shoulder felt pleasant.


    (All right! Somehow, I felt more invigorated after shouting!)


    Takashi gave Leos a wide smile.


    "Thank you very much, Instructor Leos! I will give it another try! This time, I''m going to give it my all, no matter what it takes!"


    "Oh, yeah! Indeed!"


    As he was about to start running, Takashi looked back at Leos.


    "Instructor. May I seek advice from you again, at another time?"


    "Yeah. Anytime."


    Takashi waved his hand at Leos. Leos also raised one hand to Takashi. As they parted, Leos blurted a whisper, "I knew it, teaching is the best <em ss="chakra-text css-0">nya</em>¡­"


    Takashi thought it was probably just his imagination and ran without looking back.


    ¡­¡­


    Takashi hurriedly rushes over to the parcel containing the holy garment that he had left on the waiting chair.


    (I''m d! It''s still here!)


    Then, he unfolded the holy garment. The frilly peach-colored costume fluttered in front of Takashi''s eyes. At the same time, the nostalgic smell of Master Leelou wafted through the air.


    (Crude and cheap-looking? My eyes and my heart were clouded¡­)


    "This is the color of master''s hair. Stupid me..."


    Feeling her gentle touch, Takashi embraced the holy garments. At that time, Exce''s voice came from behind him.


    "Lord Hero, I am so d that you are back! The dragon carriage appears to be ready!"


    Next to Exce, the demon smiled apologetically.


    "My bad. I''ve kept you waiting for a long time. Your destination is Leirune, right?"


    Takashi shook his head.


    "No. The destination is the Miremia ins."


    "L-Lord Hero!?"


    "Exce, sorry. In addition, you''ll have to wait a little longer. I have to change into this."


    When she saw Takashi embracing the holy garment, Exce opened her mouth with a gaping maw.


    "You are going out, wearing <em ss="chakra-text css-0">THAT</em>!? You are kidding, right!?"


    Exce''s words were erratic, perhaps because she had been astonished too much. After she screamed, she seemed to notice, and her cheeks turned red, blushing.


    "I-I don''t mind if you go to the Miremia ins! But, you don''t need to wear such a thing! There is no need for Lord Hero to be disgraced by dressing up as a girl!"


    "No, I¡¯ll wear it. This is now my own decision."


    "A-Are you for real¡­? You''ll willingly cross-dress¡­ EEEHHH¡­!"


    "Zhaviest is mistaken. By any means necessary, this war must be stopped."


    "I under¡­ stand¡­"


    With a look of distress on her face, Exce pulled out a shiv out of her bag. And then silently handed it to Takashi.


    "Eh¨C¡­ Wai¡­ Are you telling me to die?"


    "That''s not it. When you change clothes, use this to remove the hair from your shins."


    "Ah? Aahh! Indeed! Thank goodness! Exce, thank you!"

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 7.4 - Instructor Leos Lesson (4)

    In the western region of the Imperial Capital. The sun was shining brightly over the vast Miremia in. The sun was slowly approaching directly overhead.


    Nephira looked behind her. The elites of the Thunder-Lance Charge were lined up, with Kiru leading them. In addition, behind them, the troops of the Demon Lord''s Army were gathering one after another. Behind them was the imperial capital. Ironically, it was now the Demon Lord''s army that had encamped in a defensive position to protect the former human capital.


    Among the thousands of demonsprising the current force, Nephira saw several unfamiliar objects that she would not see in a normal battle.


    A several-meter-tall mobile structure, a yagura, reminiscent of a watchtower, with a giant crystal crowning it at the top of it. The fiend carrying it also seemed to be trying to figure out what the thing was supposed to be good for.


    Suddenly, the face of Serphiano, the three-eyed Demon Lord''s Head Advisor, appeared in the giant crystal of the Yagura.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Eh¨C Testing, Testing. Can everyone, can hear me¡ª?"</strong></em>


    Multiple giant crystal structures were installed at intervals. And all at once, they were projecting the image of Serphiano, just like a monitor.


    "L-Lady Serphiano!?"


    "W-What in tarnation¡­!"


    The troops were in a panic, and the demons were in turmoil. In the midst of it, Nephira was calm.


    Nephira recalled her conversation with Serphiano in the imperial capital.


    ¡­¡­


    "I still have a bad feeling about it. As expected, isn''t it a diversion? While we are away from the demonic city, the Salvation Crusaders will invade¡­"


    When Nephira suggested this, Serphiano snickered.


    "Of course, that''s what we''re expecting. That''s why we''ve rallied half the army instead of all of it, you know."


    "In any case, I''m a little concerned. Isn''t Dame Serphiano leaving the demonic city a tad dangerous?"


    She was told that Serphiano herself would be inmand in the Miremia ins. Nephira feared that this might be a personal grudge regarding the one-tit-slip gag.


    However, Serphiano showed Nephira a round crystal ball.


    "Do you think I developed this crystal ballmunication system just for the sake of flirting with Suzuki?"


    "Y-You mean you didn''t?"


    "On that day, I will prepare several giant crystals. And then, I will remotely broadcast my instructions to the Demon Lord''s army in the Miremia ins. This way, I can lead the army while staying in the demonic city."


    "Indeed. However, what about¡­ coughing up blood?"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufufu</em>. I have seeded in refining the amount of magical power used in the process. One hour ofmunication or so, will not cause me to cough up blood."


    Nephira nodded her head in agreement. Certainly, then, it would be possible to give precise orders to all units at the same time. Furthermore, the constant visibility of themander will boost the morale of the soldiers.


    ¡­¡­


    (It is as you would expect from someone like Serphiano, wouldn''t you?)


    Nephira thought so as she gazed at the beautiful face reflected in the giant crystal.


    (Well, as a matter of fact, I definitely thought she was an absolute moron when she did the one-tit-slip gag. However, as expected, she is not simply a moron, after all.)


    As Nephira looked over at Serphiano, Kiru shouted nearby.


    "Lady Nephira, Lady Nephira! It''sing, you know!"


    Nephira''s eyes narrowed as she looked at the other end of Kiru''s fingertips.


    (Is that Zhaviest¡­ isn''t it?)


    A gentle-looking monk wearing priest robes strode across the Miremia ins with several children in tow.


    "What the heck? I don''t know. He took some brats with him."


    "That guy, what the heck is he ¡ª doing?"


    The Demon Lord''s army was confused. Nephira was also taken aback. He went out of his way to dere war. She thought he woulde with arge force like the Salvation Crusaders'' invasion of Leirune. And yet, he brought children, no¡ª


    (¡­Just one person?)


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"All troops maintainbat readiness while staying on standby."</strong></em>


    Serphiano said in a calm voice. Serphiano''s voice was amplified from the giant crystals on top of the several yagura structures, echoing across the Miremia in.


    (That''s right, isn''t it? It could be a trap.)


    Behind Zhaviest''s back, however, was only a vast expanse ofnd. The possibility of an ambush was low.


    Zhaviest stopped, and after smiling daringly, he rolled up the sleeves of his priest robes in one hand. Two sks of liquor were contained in a leather holder. Holding both bottles in his hands, Zhaviest swallowed the contents at the same time in one gulp.


    "Now he''s started drinking booze, huh?"


    "Without a drink, you can''t put your back into it!"


    The Demon lord''s armyughed. However Nephira did not miss the aura that radiated from Zhaviest''s body in ard scale at that moment.


    "Wrong! That''s not booze! It was a powerful energy replenishment!"


    "¡­From ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Peony Bloom Revtion</em>'' Gospel ¡ª ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Six-Fold Scale Chorist</em>''"


    Immediately, red petals fluttered in all directions around Zhaviest. Tree peonies in full bloom scattered in all directions and then converged to form human figures. And each one transformed into a beautiful angel.


    "T-This is¡­!"


    Nephira was absolutely mortified. The area around Zhaviest had transformed into a flower field, from which angels were being conjured one after another at a ghastly rate.


    "What arge number¡­"


    "L-Lady Nephira, isn''t this seriously bad?"


    Theplexion of the Demon Lord''s army, which had beencking a sense of urgency due to their numerical superiority, suddenly became tenser. After the tree peonies fluttered, filling up to the horizon, they noticed that there were more angelic forces than those that the Demon Lord''s army had rallied to the Imperial City.

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 7.5 - Instructor Leos Lesson (5)

    The angels were all alike in appearance, but there was only one angel that carried four wings on its back and was enveloped in a silvery light aura. It floated behind Zhaviest as if it were his guardian spirit.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kakaka</em>. I can''t believe how pale your faces have turned despite your earlyposure¡ª! Roughly 7,000 units!"


    Then Zhaviest looked up to the heavens and shouted, acting as if he was drunk on his power.


    "Kneel down, Demon Lord''s army! This is the ''Heavenly Power''! The power of the Saviour chosen by God, sitting at the top of the world!"


    (I-I didn''t realize they had a military force of such a degree!)


    In hindsight, Serphiano''s decision to gather half of the Demon King''s forces in the Imperial Capital was a wise one. However, it still wouldn''t be enough to fight with the army of angels in front of her.


    Nephira and almost the entire demon lord''s army could not hide their dismay. However, amidst all this, Serphiano''s calm voiceing from the giant crystals rang out.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Do not be deceived. The scale is preposterously enormous. However, this is a spell. If you kill the sorcerer, all the conjured angels will vanish. He is our only enemy! Kill Zhaviest, and it will all be over!"</strong></em>


    She strengthened the tone of her voice at the end. And then the Demon Lord''s army roared, "That''s right!"


    (You are collected, aren''t you Serphiano? And you''re right. If we cull the bastard called Zhaviest, victory will be ours.)


    However, the other side was also exceedingly aware of it. It is hard to imagine how many sacrifices will be necessary to reach Zhaviest.


    At that time, Nephira''s thoughts were interrupted by a loud voice that rang on the battlefield.


    "It is as Lady Serphiano has said! I hear that the angelic race died out a long time ago! In other words, they are nothing more than a deceptive, showy imitation without substance created by humans!"


    A Cyclops, several meters in height, matching the loudness of its voice, was shouting. The giants'' races behind him roared in response. The Demon Lord''s Army''s Giants Corps¡ª¡ª¡ª a military faction of huge-bodied fiends, led by Giganboss.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Giganboss. Do not approach carelessly. Let''s start by throwing a boulder at it and see what happens."</strong></em>


    As soon as Serphiano gave the order, a cart arrived with arge number of boulders.


    Giganboss'' soldiers easily grabbed the boulders, which were bigger than the head of a man, with one hand and tossed them toward the throng of angels.


    However, the angels dodged the boulders with a gentle smile and a nimble flutter.


    "You little, bastards!"


    Giganboss, enraged, rushed headlong into the fray, heedless of Serphiano''s attempts to stop him. The giant soldiers under hismand followed suit.


    "Don''t hide in the back,e out, you human!!"


    He shouted towards the flock of angels. But the next second, Giganboss was down on one knee. Above Giganboss'' head, an angelughed, <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Hoho, hoho, hoho, hoho."</strong></em>.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ah¡­ Ah, Gah</em>¡­!"


    Giganboss, a hulking giant boasting tremendous strength, fell to the ground helplessly. Foaming from his mouth and remaining motionless. Angels also flew over the heads of other giants. One after another, the mighty giants fall over as if they were having a heart attack.


    Kiru, next to Nephira, shouted.


    "H-He''s been felled!? Without being able to do nothing!!"


    "An Angel''s drain?!"


    (Moreover, they died almost instantly. What a nuisance)


    Nephira looked at Serphiano''s reflection in the giant crystal. After lightly shaking her head at the Giant Corps who had ignored her orders and rushed into the fray, her attitude changed and she gave out new instructions.


    "ck-Death Sorcery Division. Please perform an artillery sorcery assault."


    Upon receiving Serphiano''s order, the demon bishop sorcerers unleashed a variety of magic against the angels. The mes undted like snakes, and arrows of ice rained down on the angels. However¡­


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Impo¡­"</strong></em>


    Serphiano growled. The smiling faces of the angels continued even when the magic attack hit them. It seemed as if there was no damage.


    (Are they immune to the dark energy unleashed by the demonic race?)


    Nephira wrinkled her brow. Fire, Ice, Earth ¡ª¡ª¡ª or any other attribute, the magic of the demonic race was always tinged with their dark attribute. And the same was true about Nephira''s lightning strikes. Strictly speaking, Nephira''s lightning was a "dark lighting attribute."


    (My lighting strikes would probably won''t work on them either. Even if they did, they would be less than half as effective, right?)


    "Their affinity is the worst."


    Nephira muttered. Giganboss said they were "showy imitations without substance" but that can''t be farthest from the truth. Depending on how you look at it, they may be more powerful than the angelic race that once existed.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Attention, everyone. I have analyzed these angel chaps to have one-to-one power equivalent to a Dominion-ss angel."</strong></em>


    Serphiano announced solemnly. Kiru gave Nephira an inquiring look.


    "Dominion-ss angel, what did she mean?"


    "Simply put, it''s an angel with about the same level ofbat power as Meru and you."


    "Ohh, I see¡ª¡ª¡ª I mean, t-there are 7,000 of them!?"


    (It is the same thing as dealing with threepanies of the Demon King''s army''s Imperial Guard Division. The city will probably be destroyed.)


    Nephira looked at the four-winged angel standing behind Zhaviest.


    (And one more thing, that aura is different. That one is amander. A Cherubim-ss angel, I''d say.)


    "Heavenly Power¡­ A power that specializes in killing us, the demonic race."


    Nephira whispered those words so the Thunder-Lance Charge soldiers would not realize her inner turmoil.

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 7.6 - Instructor Leos Lesson (6)

    (I guess it''s unnecessary for me to join him, isn''t it?)


    Aina watched the war progression from the shadows in the grass. Zhaviest''s unleashed flock of angels had brought down the Cyclops and his giants, seemingly oblivious to the faith-caster demons'' magic.


    In the distance, giant crystals with Serphiano''s face projected on them were lined up at equal intervals. Aina felt a sense of unease when she saw Serphiano''s face, thinking she had developed a strange magical tool.


    The Giant Army Corps had been destroyed, and their magic was ineffective. And yet the corners of her mouth turned up slightly as if she was expecting something.


    Aina looked at Zhaviest with a bad feeling. Zhaviest was near the boulder that the cyclops had just thrown. A momentter, the rock twitched as if it had a will of its own. The boulder revealed a vicious face with eyes and a mouth. With a muddled voice, the rockughed.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gigigi</em>! Glory to the demon lord''s army!"


    A momentter, a sh of light was emitted and the boulder exploded. Immediately, the four-winged guardian angel behind Zhaviest spread his wings to protect his charge. Furthermore, an apanying boy leaped in front of Zhaviest.


    (A mineral demon! Serphiano, you cunning vixen!)


    Aina bit her lip lightly and ran to Zhaviest''s side. When the ck smoke cleared, Zhaviest and the boy were lying on the ground.


    "Lord Zhaviest!"


    "Ouch¡ª. You yed a cheap trick on me."


    Apparently, the angel''s protection was not enough to prevent damage. Zhaviest was holding his leg. Even so, it seems that his life was not at risk. The problem was the child who became his shield. His whole body was burnt, and his breathing wasbored. The wound was fatal.


    Although the time was critical, Zhaviest gave Aina a calm smile.


    "Ahh, this is Miss Aina. Could it be that you havee as reinforcements?"


    Nodding her head, Aina shouted out.


    "Lord Zhaviest! With your heavenly power of healing, treat the boy!"


    Aina had seen Zhaviest regenerate Marguerite''s missing arm before. It''s all right! Equipped with that healing ability, I''m sure he can save the child!


    Zhaviest walked toward the boy with a hobbling limp. He then held out his right hand towards the boy.


    (Eh¡­)


    Aina''s eyes widened in shock. Zhaviestughed and ced his left hand on his injured leg. The child held in his right hand convulsed, and Zhaviest''s wound closed instead.


    "Right-o. It''s healed."


    Aina shouted as she witnessed the moment when the child, with a smiling face, drew hisst breath.


    "J-Just now, what the hell did you do!?"


    "Ahh. I was given a portion of his life force, you know."


    The child was dead as if he had fallen asleep. It was simr to the vigers of Leaven whose life force had been sucked out of them by a drain.


    (No way¡­!)


    Aina realized and looked back at the angels.


    (If these angels were created in the same way, then it would mean! To obtain this scale of life energy, the life energy of a town''s worth of humans is necessary! If that is the case!)


    "Cove town and the vige of Leaven, you were¡­!"


    "The heavenly power is the divine power of divergence. To eradicate the Demon Lord''s army, we needed the life force of multiple humans as coteral. This is something that can''t be helped, you know."


    "Misappropriation? This is, you know ¡ª¡ª¡ª it''s called misuse! You IDIOT!"


    Aina red at Zhaviest with eyes brimming with anger.


    "You are an enemy of mankind, aren''t YOU!!?"


    "Miss Aina. I am very disappointed in you. I was sure you had noticed and hade as reinforcements for me¡­"


    "That can''t be true! Right? If I knew, who would join you!?"


    A dozen angels descend upon the openly hostile Aina.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Haa</em>. You are the same as that green, naive brat, aren''t you? If you are, your assistance is already enough as it is. Instead, you can be fertilizer for Heavenly Power."


    "Don''t make light of me!!"


    (The angels are the same as me, female type! The effect is weakened against same-sex opponents! I''ll use my certain-death special flow to attack them all at once!)


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures ¡ª Twenty-Seventh Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Push-up Breasts (Tits Persuasion)</em>''!"


    Aina revealed her bosom, creating a cleavage. She then lowered her hips,


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures ¡ª Forty-Seventh Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Love Shot</em>''!"


    In front of her cleavage, she formed a heart with both hands. This was Aina''s certain-death signature flow, which managed to defeat even the undead of the Immortal Fleet. This was a series of consecutive <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em> gestures that was effective against multiple opponents at once.


    But the angels burst intoughter with a mixture of mockery and scorn.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"What the hell, is that! That''s not cute at all."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"I''d say it''s more of a sex appeal thing, if anything."</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Vulgar woman."</strong></em>


    (Damn¡ª! I knew it, the effect is weak on the angels! But, what about Zhaviest¡­?)


    Suddenly, a man, without a shred of reserve, mmed his fist into Aina''s abdomen. With a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Gaha¨C</em>!" Aina vomited the contest of her stomach and fell.


    "Myyy bad. I''m not interested in little urchins at all!"


    Then, Zhaviest grabbed Aina by the hair.


    "The hero did it, and you as well, what''s with all these stupid techniques?"


    "Pritis is¡­ the one and only ultimate technique that surpasses attack power and magical power¡­"


    "HUH? The Heavenly power is the strongest, the one and only ultimate power. Your power is a sham, you half-wit."


    Zhaviest then mmed Aina''s face into the ground. Tears and nosebleeds streamed down Aina''s face.

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 7.7 - Instructor Leos Lesson (7)

    Zhaviest then mmed Aina''s face into the ground. Tears and nosebleeds streamed down Aina''s face.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Uh-guh</em>¨C¡­"


    "I mean, you called me an idiot earlier! Didn''t you? Apologize to me!"


    She was hit repeatedly in the face. In her hazy consciousness, Aina heard the voices of the demons who were watching her in stillness.


    "What? Infighting?"


    "Lady Serphiano. How would you like us to proceed?"


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"The atmosphere doesn''t seem to indicate that it''s an act. All forces remain in position. Stand by. This is a great opportunity to analyze that Heavenly Power. And if she could reduce Zhaviest''s strength a little, that would be even better¡­ Well, that may be impossible, isn''t it?"</strong></em>


    Aina''s head was stomped on with a foot with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">gusha</em>" squelch. Arge pool of blood had formed around Aina''s mouth.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kakaka</em>. No one ising to save you. Pathetic, aren''t you¡ª?"


    "I-I am¡­"


    "Ahm? Are you finally feeling like apologizing? All right, go ahead and get down on your knees."


    "I-I am hey¡­ it certainly is as you said, I might be a sham¡­"


    Aina''s face was stained with blood as she recalled her training with Leelou.


    Leelou praised Aina for her mastery of <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis.</em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"I knew it. You have the talent for Pritis."</strong></em>


    (I was overjoyed. But¡­)


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"We will strive to be as close to Suzuki as possible. Suzuki is the only one who has an innate talent. The one and only ultimate Pritis user."</strong></em>


    Leelou''s face, as she spoke proudly, looked like a mother''s face¡­ no, more like¡­


    (Like a maiden in love¡­)


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"W-Who is that? I believe I told you to wait and see before attacking!"</strong></em>


    Serphiano''s sudden shout brought Aina''s thoughts back to reality. She looked up, and Zhaviest''s brow was furrowed as he too, gazed ahead.


    "Uhm? What is, that fiend?"


    A single fiend advanced toward them, refusing to heed Serphiano''s orders. When Aina had visual confirmation of that fiend, her eyes widened greatly.


    "Lady Duma! That is Lady Duma!"


    Several demons shouted. Almost simultaneously,


    "That treacherous traitor!!"


    Aina could also hear the angry voice of Nephira, themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge.


    (Duma! Is this the worst-case¡­)


    She diced her to ribbons with her sword and threw her overboard. Duma seemed to havee back to life and tracked her down in order to settle that grudge.


    However, Duma stopped in front of Aina and turned her wrathful expression toward Zhaviest.


    "T-This¡­ m-man is¡­!"


    With a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">bikibiki</em>" creaking sound, Duma''s face became the appearance of a vengeful spirit.


    (W-What? Is Duma acquainted with Zhaviest?)


    "Hmm¡ª? Have we met before? But I''ve forgotten. Since I''ve killed so many people and demons."


    Zhaviest was calm andposed. In contrast, Duma looked tattered and worn out. Herboured breaths with horse "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hyuu-Hyuu</em>" sounds came from her creaked body. Her limbs were somehow connected, but she could barely walk.


    As Duma eyed intensely at Zhaviest, Aina saw a glimmer of hope. If a fight between Duma and Zhaviest were to break out, a gap might appear, giving her the chance to flee from that ce.


    However, just as she was thinking that, Duma red down at Aina. And then, Duma approached Aina, and loomed over her as if to topple on top of her.


    (Damn¨C! I knew it! She wants to kill me first!)


    From that position Duma would bite her neck off¡ª¡ª¡ª that was what she imagined. However, neither death nor pain came after a while.


    Duma remained motionless, still looming over Aina, covering her. The demons were bewildered by this situation.


    "H-Hey. What the hell is Lady Duma doing?"


    "It looks almost as if she''s protecting that woman¡­"


    (Protecting? That''s moronic! That can''t be right!)


    If so, why hasn''t Duma attacked her yet? Aina couldn''t understand it either.


    Eventually, as if frustrated by the situation, Zhaviest kicked Duma.


    "Hey. Out of my way, you piece of junk."


    Duma continued to be kicked. Aina also felt the violent vibration from the kicks. Even so, Duma did not move away from Aina. It was as if... she was really protecting her.


    (I don''t have a clue why!! Duma, why the hell are you protecting me!!?)


    "What? W-Why¡­?"


    Aina whispered to Duma, who was being kicked by Zhaviest, with a voice that sounded like she was trying to wring it out of her. Duma spoke back in her halting, emotionless, puppet voice.


    "T-This man¡­ I don''t want to see him¡­ d-destroy anything anymore¡­"


    (A demon sticking out for a human¡­? Lies! This is NOT possible!)


    The Demon Lord''s army silently watched the situation from the sidelines. If themander of the Immortal Fleet was being attacked by a human¡ª¡ª¡ª under normal circumstances, it was only natural that they would go to her aid. However, there were no orders from Serphiano. It was probably because Duma had previously disobeyed military regtions and abducted Suzuki.


    The sounds of Duma''s cracked body were transmitted directly to Aina. Aina thought back to what she had said to Suzuki on the ship.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"It is impossible for a demon to be reformed. ''After cajoling them, kill them by taking advantage of the opening.'' ¡ª¡ª¡ª this is the correct way to utilize Pritis!"</strong></em>


    Aina gritted her teeth tightly.


    (The one who didn''t understand was me! The way Suzuki utilizes <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis.</em>.. was the correct way to do it!)

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 7.8 - Instructor Leos Lesson (8)

    (The one who didn''t understand was me! The way Suzuki utilizes <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em>... was the correct way to do it!)


    Zhaviest continued to kick her, and Duma was no longer able to move. Her mouth was hanging open without even speaking as if all functions had ceased working.


    "What''s with this, piece of junk fiend? It''s so weak. It''s not worth using an angel¡ª!"


    While Laughing, Zhaviest swung his leg on a wide arc in an attempt to finally finish her off. However, Aina covered for Duma as if she were switching ces with her.


    "DON''T be so smug¡­ about tormenting a weakened demon¡­!"


    "HUH¡ª? This time, you''re going to get kicked instead of it? Up until a while ago, what do YOU think, has been happening?"


    "You don''t get it, do you? Neither you nor I! Had any idea WHATSOEVER! But you know what? Even this ignorant me... understands one thing for certain."


    Aina cast her sharp, prating eyes on Zhaviest.


    "You''re not some kind of savior! You are neither a Hero nor a Champion! In this world! There is a power that can never hurt anyone! A power that doesn''t require something likepensation, a power that doesn''t require bloodshed! A genuine power, unlike something like yours! What will save the world is the Hero''s¡ª¡ª¡ª"


    "Shut uu¡ªpp. You''ll die soon, skank."


    Aina''s head was stomped on so hard that dirt got into her mouth and she was unable to speak any longer.


    ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó ¡ó


    Nephira crossed her arms and watched from a distance as Duma and Aina were assaulted by Zhaviest.


    She was infuriated with Duma when she thought about the Suzuki incident, but Zhaviest spitting on the weak was also getting on her nerves.


    She clicked her tongue, turned away, and looked at the giant crystal. She could see Serphiano looking a little impatient and apparently talking with the demon next to her.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"¡­eh? Suzuki has not gone back to Leirune? He took the dragon carriage heading to the Miremia ins from the Demonic City?"</strong></em>


    "Wha¨C!? Suzuki did!?"


    She couldn''t help but to speak out.


    (Ugh¡­ that child, why does he always refuse to listen to what I say¡­!)


    Nephira bit her lip in a motherly manner.


    (Geez, damnit Suzuki! But perhaps you were worried about my safety? You''re so cute!)


    From all the multiple giant crystals installed at regr intervals, Serphiano spoke at once.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"All demons in the Miremia ins are hereby notified! Suzuki may appear on the battlefield! If you spot him, please under no circumstance let him head for the front lines!"</strong></em>


    Serphiano''s face was serious. She must have reflected on the fact that Duma had kidnapped Suzuki because she had invited him to the demonic city. Nephira also gave an order to the Thunder-Lance Charge soldiers that had been rallied.


    "You guys! Don''t let Suzuki through no matter what!"


    Everyone nodded in agreement. Kiru smacked herself with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">don</em>" on her modest chest.


    "I''ll put up a barricade around the perimeter! I have to make sure Suzuki lives a long life!"


    "Hu-huh"


    Nephira looks over behind towards the Thunder-Lance Charge soldiers. The demons were assembling in droves. Following Serphiano''s orders, all of these demons will not let Suzuki pass through.


    "There are no gaps for even ants to crawl in! Suzuki will now be safe!"


    Nephira nodded in agreement and felt relieved at Kiru''s words. Suzuki will never find his way to this ce. The problem was¡­


    Nephira shifted her gaze forward. Angels, more numerous than the number of demons behind her, were gathering around Zhaviest, covering the horizon.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"All troops, thank you for your patience."</strong></em>


    Suddenly, the imposing voice of Serphiano reached Nephira''s ears.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Enemy analysis has beenpleted."</strong></em>


    (Atst, Serphiano is making her move, huh? Looks like you finally finished your preparations for battle, didn''t you?)


    The voiceing from the giant crystal which Serphiano was speaking from, sounded to Nephira as if Serphiano was speaking directly in front of her.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Imperial Decree! The special attack unit under the directmand of the Demon Lord''s Army, the Thunder-Lance Charge! Take the vanguard, and OFFER YOUR LIVES to the Demon Lord!"</strong></em>


    "¡­With pleasure!"


    Serphiano said that she hadpleted her analysis of the enemy. She thought her odds against the angels were sufficiently favorable. However, at the same time, she gave an unusualmand ¡ª¡ª¡ª "<em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>OFFER YOUR LIVES</strong></em>."


    Serphiano''s third eye was foreseeing the same or maybe even greater casualties as in thest major war. Certainly, Nephira herself recognized the dreadful power of Zhaviest.


    "¡­Lady Nephira."


    Kiru muttered in a whisper. She had a serious expression on her face, which she usually would not show.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">This</em>, our troops... more than half will die, right?"


    "Yeah. It has been a while since ourst battle to the death. Scared?"


    "Are you joking?! I''m really getting PUMPED!"


    Saying this, Kiru brandished her beloved scythe. Her face was a mixture of tension and excitement. Nephira also felt her own body sweating.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufu</em>. I''m getting pumped up too. The demon''s saga, perhaps.)


    Nephira stared at their target.


    (It''s so lonesome that I won''t be able to meet Suzuki anymore after I die. However, as a demon, I can''t suppress the instinct I was born with. Combat against formidable enemies¡­ The thirst for battle¡­ Impulses of life and death¡­ The excitement makes my body hot.)


    Then she remembered.


    (If Suzuki were to find out about this, he would hate us.)


    Still, the corners of Nephira''s mouth spontaneously rose.


    After showing a grin and a devilish smile for a brief moment, Nephira gave out an encouraging promation to the soldiers in the Thunder-Lance Charge.


    "Let''s march! On our corpses will be built the victory of the Demon Lord''s Army!"


    The roaring bellows of herrades echoed across the ins.

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 8.1 - Legend of the True Champion (1)

    A sea of people, you could call it something like that ¡ª¡ª¡ª Zhaviest thought as he looked at the spectacle unfolding before his eyes. The thousands of Demon Lord''s Army soldiers squirming a few dozen meters away were as spectacr as a surging sea.


    (Well, those guys are not really "people", are they?)


    After a chuckle, he imagined a future, one where he ughtered this entire army of demons and retook the Imperial City all by himself. Zhaviestughed loudly as he envisioned the cheers, the glory, and finally, Tartanin''s frustrated face.


    (I will destroy you all, you demon army. Every singlest one of you)


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ka¨CKAKAKAKA</em>! A century¡ª¡ª¡ª no a millennia, it is the beginning of the legend of a true champion that will soon be passed down for a thousand years!"


    Aina''s moan of pain came from beneath Zhaviest''s feet.


    "Huh. Still alive, aren''t you?"


    He looked down at Aina with cold eyes. The only feeling that sprouted from him was the same as if a bug you thought you had smashed to smithereens was still alive. Indeed, he was about to crush Aina''s head when a troublesome feeling hung in the atmosphere around him.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kya</em>¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¨C!!"


    The voice came from the demons stationed in the distance.


    (¡­What the?)


    Zhaviest rxed his foot over Aina''s head and squinted in the direction of the voice. The voices of the demons echoed continuously, ovepping each other like a chorus. The voices were not screams but rather a joyful cheer of happiness.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Uhooaaaaaaaaaa</em>¨C!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Yaa¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªan</em>¨C!"


    The male demons let out a wild, festive yell. The female demonesses were making seductive noises.


    Zhaviest also noticed something strange in the west. In the rear end, the horde of daemons in the mist. It was slowly being separated in two.


    (Huh¡­? The swarm of demons is breaking in half¡­)


    Zhaviest was so taken aback by the spectacle happening before his eyes that he forgot about everything else for a moment. Thousands of demons were splitting apart and separating from the horde. As he looked closer, he could see that the demons were wobbling about, screaming, and copsing to the ground.


    One after another, the demons fell. They were falling over one after another, like a series of wooden nks "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">patpata</em>" falling one after another.


    "What the HELL, is happening¡­"


    As he muttered, Zhaviest''s mind drifted back to an old nostalgic memory. Zhaviest had read a simr story in a children''s book a long time ago.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"His divine sword, Excalibarras, sliced even the sea in two."</strong></em>


    Everyone who lives in this world knows about it. The legend of Hartline, the champion who defeated the Dragon King and saved the world 300 years ago. It was the kind of old tale that was doubtful whether it was true or not. However, the bizarre scene unfolding in front of Zhaviest eyes resembled the illustrations in the book he had read.


    Someone was walking toward Zhaviest, tearing the sea of demons in half.


    Zhaviest''s eyes, who had been squinting, fully widened the moment he saw it.


    Zhaviest''s field of vision caught a glimpse of a frilly skirt pping in the wind. The vivid pink of his entire body shimmered beautifully, like the wispy hair of the Empire Grand Tactician Leelou Dimension.


    "You¡­"


    Zhaviest''s temples twitched when he recognized Suzuki''s figure. Combined with his long hair for a man, Suzuki''s figure looked like a girl. The demons shouted.


    "T-Too Cuteeeeee!!"


    "I, can''t take it anymore¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª!!"


    The one-horned rabbit embroidered on the abdomen area of the holy garment was as if it were a gorgon. As soon as they saw it, the surrounding demons fell to the ground with a trance-like expression on their faces as if its petrification skill had activated. Without paying attention to the situation, Suzuki stopped a few meters in front of Zhaviest and his keen eyes became sharp.


    After swallowing a mouthful of spit, Zhaviestughed.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ka</em>¨C¡­ <em ss="chakra-text css-0">kakaka</em>. Are you for real, bastard? What''s, with that outfit? You gotta be messing with me!"


    "You''re the one who''s messing around. You''re stepping on mypanion. Get your filthy foot off."


    "I told you I''d kill you if you got in my way, didn''t I? Perverted Cross-Dresser son of a bitch. You''re disgusting!"


    "Say whatever you want. But, lift your foot out already!"


    (This son of a bitch is a hero? Of all the moronic things you could say!)


    Zhaviest signaled to the angels behind him by moving his index finger.


    "Kill him. Suck ''im dry."


    But, the angels did not move. The angels were staring at Suzuki''s figure.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"He, Heey¨C. Isn''t he kind of cute?"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Right on, that pink! I want to wear it too!"</strong></em>


    "¡­Hey. What the hell, are you guys, saying?"


    The angels were fidgeting and cackling with excitement. Zhaviest''s brow furrowed.


    "Have y''all gone MAD!"


    Zhaviest moved his foot away from Aina and waved his fist as if to brush the angels away. Immediately, several angels who had been excited by the sight of Suzuki suddenly disappeared.


    (Is it possible that this stupid-looking bizarre outfit is having an effect on demons and angels?)


    Still, it was the first time he had seen that an angel he had created had been subdued. The vicious-looking female demoness on the front lines also became like a newborn foal when he saw Suzuki.


    "Su-Suzuki¡­! I-I can''t¡­ Too cute to move¡­!"


    "Lady Nephira, this is bad! Today''s Suzuki is a real powerhouse!"


    (Even that bunch of top-brass-looking demons... can only barely stand on their feet.)


    Suzuki was ring at Zhaviest. Zhaviest also red back at Suzuki.


    It is indeed a troublesome ability, depending on how you look at it. But what about in this situation? What good is the power of charming demons and angels within a few meters of you?


    "Bying out here, you''re not going to change anything!"


    Zhaviest turned on his heel and faced the angels standing behind him. The fact that Zhaviest had just eliminated a few of them seemed to have made the angels more determined.


    "I don''t care about formations. All angels. All troops charge in at this moment."


    Zhaviest''s will was conveyed to all 7,000 angels. The angels, in such numbers that filled the horizon, suddenly fluttered into the air.

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 8.2 - Legend of the True Champion (2)

    "Miss Aina! Are you okay!?"


    Aina felt crushed when she heard Exce''s voice.


    "E-Eh¡­ Somehow I think..."


    Aina tried to get up, but the damage done by Zhaviest left her wobbling on her feet. Exce lent her shoulder to Aina. Aina silently entrusted her body to Exce.


    As she was being guided by Exce back behind the demon lines, Aina turned her head and looked back. She saw Suzuki''s figure, with an imposing stance facing against the flock of angels.


    (Suzuki¡­)


    She was angry at her own inability to join Suzuki, who stood on the front lines farther than anyone else in the Demon Lord''s army. However, under the present conditions, she was but a liability to Suzuki. There was no choice but to retreat.


    Exce brought Aina to the position where the Thunder-Lance Charge was deployed. Nephira, themander of the Thunder-Lance Charge, somehow managed to maintain her posture by using her thunder spear as a walking cane.


    "C-Can you move your body? Kiru?"


    "I almost lost my self-consciousness because of Womanly-Suzuki''s cuteness but¡­ one way or another, I''m fine!"


    "All right! We will breach the enemy camp and protect Suzuki while trying not to look directly or closely at him!"


    Then, after taking deep breaths and regting her breathing,


    "Charge!!"


    Nephira''s voice echoed across the Miremia ins. After a short dy, the raging battle cries of the demons followed.


    Aina felt a chill down her spine when she heard the voices of Thunder-Lance Charge soldiers rushing toward her, shaking the earth.


    (What vigor and sense of intimidation! This is the Thunder-Lance Charge, the special attack force directly under the control of the Demon Lord''s Army!)


    The vanguard demons, led by Nephira, began to advance, closing the distance between them and therge army of floating angels.


    On the other hand, Zhaviest''s side was nning to advance toward the Imperial Capital in the disorganized state they were in. Heaven and Earth, divided into two, the flock of angels marched forward in response to the demons'' charge.


    How many casualties will there be between demons and humansbined? If the mes of war were to spread inside the Imperial Capital, more than a hundred thousand lives might be lost.


    As Aina looked over both sides of the conflict, the three monsters she had seen with Leelou resurfaced in her mind.


    Wouldn''t demons, angels, and even humans, everyone, be falling today? Feeling such anxiety, Aina closed her eyes. However, at that moment.


    "Wait!"


    Aina looked up when she heard Suzuki''s voice. Suzuki was facing the demons, holding one hand in the air as if to stop their march.


    (Im-impossible! Geez¡­)


    In this situation, there was no way to avoid a sh between the two armies. Contrary to the despondent Aina, who had given up all hope, Suzuki raised his voice.


    "Can you hear me? Serphiano!"


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Y-Yes! I can hear you! That outfit, it is totally adobs¡ª KYUTE!!"</strong></em>


    "If that''s the case, I''m d! Can you project my image onto the crystal?"


    Then Serphiano, inside the giant crystal, had a puzzled look on her face.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"O-Of course I can. It is possible if I use my magical power. But¡­ If I do that, I won''t be able to give any orders to the demons¡­"</strong></em>


    "I beg you, Serphiano! Focus all your giant crystals on me! Please!"


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Ah¡­ Cute¡­! Even at a time like this, you''re a¡ªdorable¡­!"</strong></em>


    "Serphiano! Please hurry!"


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"D-Dreadful! But cute¡ª! ''DreadfullyCute''!"</strong></em>


    After a short dy, Serphiano''s reflection in the giant crystal disappeared, and Suzuki''s entire body was projected in its ce. All the angels and demons looked up towards the giant crystals that Serphiano had ced at regr intervals tomand orders to all the demons.


    (Suzuki¡­ What in the, hell are you¡­?)


    Still in his holy garment, Suzuki took a deep breath, then showed his chest a little. Then he crossed his outstretched arms in front of his chest. Aina swallowed hard.


    (T-That gesture, could it be!)


    Suzuki slowly opened his mouth.


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªTwenty-Seventh Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Push-Up Breast (Tit Persuasion)</em>''!"


    Aina immediately looked around¡ª¡ª¡ª and then shuddered.


    The floating angels had stopped moving all at once. Furthermore, the demon lord''s army, including the thundernce charge, were also wavering on their feet.


    Suzuki''s pritis had left the battlefield in a state of nkness for a moment. However,


    "Don''t you dare to stop mongrels! Get in there, angel troops! You want to be obliterated?!"


    At Zhaviest''s cry, the angels resumed their march towards the Imperial Capital as if they had just remembered. From the sky toward thend, a flock of angels poured in like a thick cloudy miasma.


    (N-Not good! They won''t stop, after all!)


    Aina looked at Suzuki in despair. Suzuki was hunched over with a glint of light shining in his eye.


    (I-It is not over yet! That was a series of consecutive pritis starting from Push-up Breast (Tit Persuasion)! In other words¡­!)


    Aina couldn''t help but be surprised.


    (My own certain death flow!)


    Aina''s special signature move, which she had practiced over and over again. But now, with Suzuki in front of her eyes, Aina''s eyes reflected an even more refined gesture.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">While still maintaining the position of the Push-up Breast (Tit Persuasion), lowering his hips enough, and bending over to create a smooth back-and-forth r-rocking</em>. He continued by gently outlining a heart in front of his chest with his fingers.


    Aina''s eyes widened greatly at the sight of this wless gesture.


    (I see, INDEED! That''s Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªForty-Seventh Gesture¡­!)


    "¡ª¡ª Love Shot!"


    Suzuki muttered. At the same time, from all the giant crystals installed at regr intervals, a tidal wave of peach-colored shockwaves generated¡­ Aina had such a hallucination.

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 8.3 - Legend of the True Champion (3)

    (I see, INDEED! That''s Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªForty-Seventh Gesture¡­!)


    "¡ª¡ª Love Shot!"


    Suzuki muttered. At the same time, from all the giant crystals installed at regr intervals, a tidal wave of peach-colored shockwaves generated¡­ Aina had such a hallucination.


    With a heavy thud sound "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">dosu</em>," Aina realized that Nephira had dropped her favorite weapon, Blitzberg, to the ground. In session, "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">datadata</em>," the Thunder-Lance Charge demons copsed to the ground with ecstatic expressions on their faces.


    Looking further behind her, Aina waspletely lost for words. All of the several thousand soldiers thatprised the Demon Lord''s Army had copsed limply to the ground mid-march.


    (W-What about the angels!?)


    Next, Aina looked back toward Zhaviest. However, the angels were still drifting in the sky, not moving, as if they were unfazed.


    "Not good!¡­huh?"


    Aina struggled to squeeze out a bitter voice. However, Exce, who was standing next to her, shouted.


    "No! The angels are afflicted as well!"


    Upon closer inspection, the angels were still floating, but with their heads in their hands. The angels onnd also had the same look of anguish on their faces.


    """AAH¡­ AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"""


    The angels'' loud voices and screams echoed across the Miremia in. At the same time, there was a deafening explosion. The bodies of the angels were engulfed in mes and exploded with a thunderous bang. All the angels in the sky and onnd were exploding to death one after another as if setting off a chain reaction.


    Seeing this scene, Exce was even more surprised than Aina.


    "No, why are they exploding?"


    "They must have been vexed that he was cuter than them!"


    "Angels... explode when they get vexed!?"


    "The man-made artificial angels without a physical body, created by Zhaviest, were bombarded with an ultra-high concentration of Kyutie by Suzuki''s Pritis. It''s a foregone conclusion that they''ll be unable to sustain their existence and explode!"


    "I-Is it a foregone conclusion? THIS¡­! I, as an ordinary person, have no idea of what in tarnation you''re talking about¡­!"


    Aina thought that it was indeed difficult for ordinary people to understand this phenomenon. Zhaviest''s face also twitched at the impossible sight.


    "Seven thousand angels were annihted¡­? What, kind of bullshit power is that¡­!


    He muttered in a stunned tone. The army of angelic flock behind Zhaviest''s back was all but obliterated. All that remained was the grass in the meadow, swaying in the wind.


    Aina suddenly recalled her own conceited speech to Suzuki on Duma''s ship.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"My love shot works on up to a maximum of 30 fiends at once!"</strong></em>


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fufu</em>¨C. I''m so embarrassed! I am so ipetent.)


    After the self-mockery, Aina muttered to herself.


    "You were right, you know, Lady Leelou. With his innate natural talent, he is a one-of-a-kind pritis user. I''m not even close to someone like Suzuki."


    (It''s so overwhelming that even my frustration vanished, you know. On the contrary, it''s so refreshing. I wonder if this is what reverence feels like, you know.)


    Aina, with all the strength she could muster in her aching body, shouted out to Zhaviest in a loud voice.


    "Did you see it? Zhaviest!! An impossible-to-defend, shot-through-the-heart, invisible projectile that can prate thousands of targets at the same time!! That''s a genuine Love Shot!! The power of a TRUE savior!!"


    "Rotting skank¡­!"


    Zhaviest red at Aina with a fierce expression on his face. At that moment, Nephira, who was somehow able to stand while using Blitzberg as a walking cane, after being charmed by Suzuki''s cuteness, eximed.


    "S-Suzuki! Is not over yet! There''s still, one more angel left!"


    Aina also noticed an angel with a half-keloid face standing a short distance away from Zhaviest.


    (Zhaviest''s guardian angel! Somehow, it managed to withstand the love shot!)


    Zhaviestughed triumphantly as he gave his orders to the creepy-looking angel.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kakaka</em>! Murder Suzuki! Cherubim!"


    <strong>"<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hihi</em>! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hihi hihi hihi</em>!"</strong>


    Half of its four wings had been torn off, and it was wounded throughout its body. Still, the angel''s uncharacteristically evilugh rumbled out, and the powerful angel took flight to siphon Suzuki''s life force from its roots. But a moment after reaching point-nk range, Suzuki, dressed in his holy garment, touched the angel''s hand.


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªFourth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Hands sping</em>''"


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"¡­Yaan¨C"</strong></em>


    The moment Suzuki lightly grasped its hand, the cherubim emitted a charming voice that was hard to imagineing from such a terrifying face.


    Just by being touched by Suzuki as they passed each other, the cherubim exploded with a sh of lighting from its body.


    ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô ¡ô


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">How on earth could it all be over in a single blow?</em> ¡ª¡ª¡ª)


    Like Aina, Exce was inplete awe of the hero who had obliterated the cherubim with a mere shot.


    (Now all the angels have been annihted! That was amazing! Lord Hero!)


    The battle was now decided. Exce took a nce at Zhaviest, who must surely be despondent. However,


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ka¨C¡­ Ka¨CKakakakaka</em>!"


    (Wha¡­?)


    Contrary to Exce''s expectations, Zhaviest wasughing happily.


    "You''re good,d. I knew it, I should have killed you when I had the chance back then.¡ª"


    (He''s only bluffing, that''s all! I mean, he has no way to achieve victory now!)


    Zhaviest, who had lost 7,000 angels, will only be ughtered by the Demon Lord''s army as he stands. Exce addressed Zhaviest, speaking in an imposing, royal voice.


    "Please surrender! You no longer have a chance of winning!"


    "No¡ªu. That''s not the case you know."


    With a grin, Zhaviest disrobed out of his priestly garb.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ka¨CKaka</em>. I still have one more vial."


    (Th-That''s!)


    The vial he retrieved bore a striking resemnce to the one that had been infused with the life energy of the destroyed Cove Town or the vige of Leaven. The face of the previously calm hero grew impatient. The hero asked Zhaviest.


    "H-Hey!! You have no more coteralpensation, do you!?"


    "Have you forgotten? About my stronghold"


    "The people of the Hill of Bliss¡­? That''s¡­!"


    "Everyone was either virgin maidens or children. Their power ratios were high."


    (Every child and woman on the Hill of Bliss¡­?! Wh-What a terrible¡­!)


    Thinking back on the smiling women and children, Exce felt a sense of helplessness. In hindsight, they were in a mass hypnotic state caused by the Heavenly Power. They were all killed for the sake of Zhaviest''s angelic creation without even knowing it was happening¡­


    After downing the vial in one gulp, Zhaviest wiped his mouth with his arm in satisfaction.


    "Refilling Complete. I''m overflowing the most today."


    "Zhaviest¡­!"

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 8.4 - Legend of the True Champion (4)

    After downing the vial in one gulp, Zhaviest wiped his mouth with his arm in satisfaction.


    "Refillingplete. I''m overflowing the most today."


    "Zhaviest¡­!"


    The hero gritted his teeth and red at Zhaviest. Even Exce could feel the air around tense up. Of course, Exce was angry, but the hero was even more furious. However, Zhaviest snorted with a look of satisfaction on his face.


    "The ''Heavenly Power'' was bestowed upon me after you came into this world. Inevitably, it''s a power more advanced than yours!"


    "Master Leelou said this. Human nature is about progress and improvement. Me as well¡ªI''m no longer the same person as I was then."


    "In that case, let''s put it to the test, shall¡ª we? Let''s see which of us is ¡ª STRONGER!"


    Tree peonies bloomed all around Zhaviest. The tree peonies'' petals gathered in front of Zhaviest and solidified to form a single giant flower.


    "This time, I will not disperse the power. I will concentrate my heavenly power on only one form."


    Exce had heard that huge flowers grew in the southernnds. But the flower in front of her eyes seemed more than that. From petals the size of a pond emerged a golden angel''s head.


    "From ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Peony Bloom Revtion</em>'' Gospel ¡ª ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Golden Great Seraph</em>''!"


    The head, then the chest, the angel gradually appeared, making Exce''s hair stand on end.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">(W-What size! That is no longer what you call an angel, but one at the level of a goddess!)</em>


    Exce looked up so high, to the point that her neck hurt, and she noticed that her legs were shaking. The golden statue of the goddess in its full glory must be fifty meters high. It moved slowly as if it were a living creature, and ced Zhaviest on its massive palm. Zhaviestughed loudly once he was over the shoulder of the statue of the goddess.


    "Magical attacks nullification and physical attack nullification! Your attacks on the spirit are no¡ª exception, you know!"


    (I-It certainly seems to be impervious to any attack! I mean, does this thing even have feelings at all!?)


    The face of the golden statue of the goddess was as motionless as a sculpture. The statue of the goddess began to walk toward the imperial capital with a fixed expression on her face. The earth shook "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">zushin zushin</em>" with each footstep of her giant feet.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kakakakaka</em>! Trample everything!"


    And then, in front of the hesitant Demon Lord''s army, she swung down her massive arm. Then came a roar and a tremor. Limbs of demons flew off, and the earth copsed under the fist of the statue of the goddess. The impact was so great, that Exce fell on her behind just from the shock.


    (T-This thing, how are we supposed to defeat it!?)


    A huge crystal appeared in the distraught Exce''s vision. The crystal was already projecting Serphiano, not the hero, and her face was agitated. Serphiano had advanced her central army forces forward to attack Zhaviest after the annihtion of the 7,000 angels.


    The statue of the goddess smashed and crushed the demons that Serphiano sent forward.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"R-Retreat! Sound the retreat!"</strong></em>


    The Demon Lord''s army left the front line at once. Everyone thought it would be easy to escape from the seemingly slow and heavy statue of the goddess. However, the mouth of the statue of the goddess slowly opened, revealing a dazzling ball of light in the mouth cavity.


    The rays of light emitted from the statue''s mouth hit the retreating demon lord''s army. Hundreds of demons bathed by the ray dissolved into sludge in an instant.


    "What the heck¡­! I never thought he was hiding such a powerful trump card¡­!"


    The giant crystal projected Serphiano gnashing her teeth. Seeing this, the Thunder-Lance Charge demons, including Nephira, also retreated.


    Now, there were no demons around the statue of the goddess. Except for one figure.¡ª¡ª¡ª


    (L-Lord Hero!?)


    The hero was looking up at the towering statue of the goddess.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0">(No¡­ toward Zhaviest riding on the shoulders of a statue of a goddess.)</em>


    Nephira, realizing that the hero was not evacuating, also shouted from the rear, "Run away!"


    Nevertheless, the hero shook his head.


    "I will never forgive him."


    The statue of the goddess approached the hero. Like Nephira, Exce advised the hero to flee, but she noticed the hero in his holy garment was full of extraordinary determination.


    (He intends to stop it! All by himself! Just like during the Salvation Crusaders Invasion, when he returned the summoned spirit Ifreet without causing any harm to it!)


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªFirst Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Upward nce</em>''!"


    From far up in the sky, the statue of the goddess turned her emotionless eyes on Suzuki beneath her feet. But she didn''t stop walking.


    (S-She ispletely devoid of feelings! Th-This is¡­!)


    Exce''s faint hopes were shattered. The hero''s Pritis, which destroyed 7,000 angels and changed the mind of the puppet doll Duma, had but a mere hair''s breadth chance of working on the statue of the goddess.


    "Please run away, Lord Hero! It''s impossible!"


    "That''s right! She''ll trample you underfoot!"


    Nephira also shouted at the hero. But the hero, as if he had not heard them, instead pursued the statue of the goddess toward the imperial city.


    (It''s dangerous to get so close to that thing!)


    Just as Exce had predicted, the hero''s legs got tangled, and he fell to the ground with a thud on his backside.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Aahh</em>¨C hang in there, Lord Hero!"


    Still, he got up and started to run again, but at that moment, he fell again with a thud.


    "Suzuki fell again!"


    While Nephira and Exce were worrying about him, the hero pratfall on his buttocks for the third time today.


    "No!? How many times are you going to fall!? Is he a clumsy girl?!!"


    However, next to Exce, Aina shook her head. Aina spoke with strong words, even with her body that could only crawl.


    "You are wrong! He falls down on purpose to evoke sympathy! That''s Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªSeventh Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Mochi Rump</em>''!"


    "Eehh¨C!? Is that a pritis too!? He isn''t just a clumsy girl, is he!!?"


    "That''s far from being a clumsy girl act... that''s a PERFECT mochi rump! Even after ten years of desperately insane practice, I doubt I could ever perform such a beautiful mochi rump¡­"


    Aina looked at the hero with slightly moistened eyes.


    (Ah, huh? Miss Aina?)


    The always harsh Aina seemed to approve of the hero in this battle. However, while she was doing so, the hero continued to fall down.


    "Does it have any significance? <em ss="chakra-text css-0">THAT</em>!?"


    "The statue of the goddess has certainly not stopped moving forward. But, please take a closer look. The statue of the goddess has not tried to crush Suzuki into mincemeat or burn him with a ray of light, even when he''s scurrying around aimlessly underfoot."


    "Ah! Certainly! Does that mean it also thinks he''s a little cute!?"


    "I don''t know. But Suzuki''s love shot caused the angels materialized by Zhaviest to explode. It should have a simr effect on the statue of goddesses as well."


    Aina looked at the hero, who continued to fall down with eyes filled with determination.


    "Let''s BELIEVE in Suzuki! In the invincible Forty Eight Pritis Gestures that Lady Leelou devised!"


    "Yes!!"

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 8.5 - Legend of the True Champion (5)

    "Let''s BELIEVE in Suzuki! In the invincible Forty Eight Pritis Gestures that Lady Leelou devised!"


    "Yes!!"


    The hero was currently being ignored at every turn by the statue of the goddess, but even so, he did not give up. While continuing the Mochi Rump, another pritis was activated.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Radiant Smile"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Petition!"</strong></em>


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Crying Humbly Alliance (Crying Omusubi)!"</strong></em>


    He fell down,ughed, cried, ate a rice ball, and fell down again. The hero was performing such pritis that Exce could hardly believe her eyes and thought, "I think that''s a little bit wrong at this point, right?"


    Still, there was no change in the statue of the goddess. The statue just kept moving forward to the Imperial Capital.


    "Daaamn¨C!! Suzuki is so fricking cuuuuute¨C!!"


    Nephira eximed. When Exce looked over, Nephira was hemorrhaging so much blood that she was almost copsing from the nosebleed.


    (This mighty power! Lord Hero, you are fighting Zhaviest with all your strength!)


    At first nce, the rolling sequence of pritis seemedical, but Exce realized that the hero was fighting desperately and without pretense.


    (That''s right! Just like Miss Aina said, I have to believe in him! In Lord Hero!)


    However, Exce noticed the look of despair on Aina''s face.


    "¡­Miss Aina?"


    "S-Suzuki has no more¡­ He has already tried all of Pritis'' 48 gestures¡­!"


    "What the heck!? Wasn''t Pritis supposed to be invincible!?"


    He tried everything, but the statue of the goddess wouldn''t stop. If this is the situation, there is no other way but to retreat.


    Then Zhaviest''s taunting voice could be heard from on high.


    "HEY! HEY! At this pace, we''re gonna blow the imperial capital to pieces¡ª!"


    The statue of the goddess was close to the front line. The hero stood in front of the demons as if he was protecting them.


    Aina shouted out to the hero in frustration.


    "ENOUGH already! You''ve done enough!"


    "That''s right, Suzuki! We must retreat for now!"


    Nephira also shouted. However, the hero stated it clearly.


    "Not YET! That''s not my all! Not yet!"


    "But! You''re out of options! There''s no way to beat it!"


    Exce also shouted to stop the hero¡­ and then she noticed. Underneath his skirt, both of the hero''s legs were scraped and bleeding.


    (He is bleeding from falling too hard during his Mochi Rump!)


    But, the next moment. Exce doubted her own eyes. No, it wasn''t just Exce. Aina, Nephira, Kiru, and all the other demons present were astonished by the hero''s action.


    The hero wiped the blood from his leg with his hand and put it on his lips.


    "Wh-What the hell is that¡­!? The color of his lips has be more vivid!"


    Nephira eximed in surprise. Exce was simrly surprised. There was a culture of makeup in this world as well. <em ss="chakra-text css-0">But, a man!? He applied crimson rogue to his lips!</em> ¡ª¡ª¡ª that was unthinkable by any stretch of the imagination.


    (WHAT A DAMNED SURPRISE! Lord Hero, more than ever, looks like a girl!)


    Exce, who was raised with the gifted education proper of a youngdy, had prejudice. She was raised to believe that men should be manly and women should bedylike.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ah, I don''t want to see it! I don''t want to see Lord Hero like this! I want Lord Hero to save the world by looking cool! Ah, huh? But, if I look closely¡­</em>)


    She took a slow and closer look at Suzuki''s current situation and atmosphere.


    (Depending on how you look at it¡­ it is somewhat¡­ cool?)


    While Exce''s feelings were shaken, Aina opened her mouth in bewilderment.


    "Or rather¡­ W-What the HELL, is <em ss="chakra-text css-0">that</em>¡­!? <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Pritis</em> doesn''t have that kind of technique!"


    "EEHH¨C!? What in the world, is that supposed to mean!?"


    As if Exce''s questioning voice had been heard, the hero soon spoke.


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªForty Ninth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Red Lips</em>''!"


    (Forty-Ninth!? S-Such a thing! He has increased the number! There were only forty-eight pritis! All on his own!)


    Exce was astonished at the unrestrained freedom of the hero.


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">How can you not follow what your master taught you!? Such Selfishness! If Zhaviest is an anomaly, the hero himself is also out of the ordinary!</em>)


    Suddenly, there was a deafening explosion.


    Exce looked over and saw that the right leg of the statue of the goddess, which seemed unlikely to be damaged in any way, was shattered below the knee.


    "H-Hey! Hey!"


    Zhaviest''s voice came out in irritation as the statue of the goddess kneeled on one knee. Zhaviest, perched on one shoulder, lost his bnce but somehow managed to brace himself around the massive arm.


    "I-It worked!! It had an effect!!"


    Exce could not understand¡ª¡ª¡ª


    (<em ss="chakra-text css-0">For what reason, would red-colored lips destroy the right foot of the statue of goddess?</em>)


    But the hero, as if in pursuit, followed up by pointing his fingers at his lips.


    "Pritis''s 48 Gestures¡ªFiftieth Gesture, ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Lips Throwing</em>''!"


    Then, with a smooch "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">chun</em>," he threw a kiss toward the statue of the goddess. Then Nephira shouted out.


    "AAHH AHH AH A¨C!! What ascivious gesture! U-Unendurable! I want you to do the same thing to me, too!!"


    And then Exce eximed something else.


    "He is banging like a drum on his own and selfishly adding more and more pritis!? Isn''t it rather absurd that there are only forty-eight gestures in total, but he performed a fiftieth gesture!?"


    "¡­There''s nothing wrong with that at all."


    Aina muttered with a serious face as she exined.


    "Every day, I focused solely on honing the skills that Lady Leelou had taught me. But Suzuki went beyond that by improving Pritis in his OWN WAY!"


    "W-Well, It certainly sounds impressive when you put it that way¡­!"


    "As Zhaviest said, the heavenly power might have been a more advanced power bestowed by the goddess! But you know! Suzuki HAS been making advancements, too!"


    Following Aina''s gaze, Exce looked up far above her. The golden face of the statue of the goddess that received ''<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Lips Throwing</em>'' was soon cracked. The cracks gradually spread from the face of the statue of the goddess to her neck, upper body, and then to her entire body.


    Eventually, the golden statue of the goddess exploded with a rumbling sound that shook the Miremia ins.

 Vol. 2 - Chapter 8.6 - Legend of the True Champion (6)

    (I-It''s done! He did it! Lord Hero has obtained victory!)


    The statue of the goddess made with Zhaviest''s aura exploded and vanished from the Miremia ins without leaving a trace of its original form.


    "Y-You¡­"


    Exce''s body trembled with fear as she heard Zhaviest''s voice filled with resentment.


    A distance from the Exce, Zhaviest was lying on the ground, his arms and legs bent in strange directions. Just before the statue of the goddess exploded, the shoulder copsed down the arm, and Zhaviest fell to the ground.


    Zhaviest''s bloodshot eyes red at the hero, but in the next instant, he vomited out a mouthful of blood and lost consciousness. Falling from tens of meters high, he suffered bruises andpound fractures all over his body.


    <em ss="chakra-text css-0"><strong>"Capture him! Capture Zhaviest! Immediately!!"</strong></em>


    At Serphiano''smand, the strongest fiends of the Demon Lord''s Army surrounded the unconscious Zhaviest and bound him.


    (I-Is it over¡­? With this, everything is¡­)


    Exce looked again at the hero. A figure standing in the Miremia ins,posed,manding ¡ª¡ª¡ª <em ss="chakra-text css-0">no, it was a cute figure.</em>


    He wore a pink outfit with a frilly skirt. Yet the hero appeared to Exce more rugged and dignified than any soldier.


    "Lord Hero¡­!"


    As Exce tried to approach the hero, the demons began to make amotion.


    "Suzuki has won!"


    "The Thunder-Lance Charge''s Suzuki has defeated the insurgents!"


    Kiru, with a proud look on his face, poked the shouting soldier with her elbow.


    "It is Lo-rd-Su-zu-ki! He is ourmander''s adjutant!"


    Then Kiru, with a grin on her face, nced at Nephira, who was wiping the corner of her eyes with her hands.


    "Oh my oh my? Could it be that... Lady Nephira, you''re crying?"


    "I-I''m not crying¨C!"


    Witnessing these demons boiling over with excitement like that, Exce was ovee with emotion. Along with her excitement, she also became filled with resentment toward her own small heart.


    Exce clenched her fist and bit her lip.


    (I''m an idiot! The Champion Hartline and Lord Hero are totally different types of heroes! And yet, all along, I kept trying to make them the same¡­! NO! The power of Lord Hero, who asks for nopensation, is far greater than Hartline''s! I can''t believe I didn''t even realize that!)


    Near Exce, Duma had regenerated her body, and wasughing with a "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kikekeke</em>."


    "Ah¡­ C-Cute¡­ A-And strong¡­! T-That''s why I like Suzuki so much¡­! I-I knew it... I still want to transform him into my personal doll¡­!"


    Exce nodded her head in agreement with Duma''s words.


    (I was mistaken! A hero is not a mere figure! A hero is one who, for the sake of the world, will cast away even his pride ¡ª¡ª¡ªone who possesses such a noble spirit. That is... the hero!)


    Suddenly, the book in her traveler''s tote bag seemed annoying and filthy. Exce took out the book of The Legend of Hartline and smashed it violently to the ground with a bang.


    Nephira, who was nearby, wrinkled her brow.


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Uhm</em>? Exce. What the hell are you doing? That book, what is it?"


    "It is a SHITTY kind of book! This kind of thing! This kind of thing¨C!"


    In her self-resentment, and as an apology to the hero, Exce stomped down on the picture book with a thud "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">dosu dosu,</em>" disheveling her clothes and hair.


    "H-Hey¡­ Exce?"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ora</em>¨C! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">Ora</em>¨C!! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">ORAAAAAAAAA</em>¨C!!"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Eh</em>¡­! Wai- What''s going on? What''s wrong with this child? Scary¨C¡­!"


    Even Nephira became frightened by Exce, who became heated and kept stomping on The Legend of the Champion Hartline.


    The hero walked up to those two. The hero looked at Nephira with his usual gentle smile.


    "Nephira. Are you safe?"


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Fu-Fuun</em>. Naturally. About before¡­ Well done. You did well."


    Next to Nephira, who had replied to him casually, Kiru showed a big smile on her face.


    "Suzuki is, truly awesome! With this, we don''t need to take care of feeding and cleaning up after you poo anymore¡ª!"


    "Like I said, I didn''t want that from the beginning!"


    The hero eximed in a rush. Exce became amused and chuckled. The surrounding Thunder-Lance Charge''s demons alsoughed as if enticed by it.


    In the midst of all this, Aina unsteadily walked closer to Exce. Although she had wounds all over her body, her face looked refreshed. Aina gazed at the smiling Suzuki, surrounded by Nephira and the others.


    "One man alone stopped a war¡­ This is... the power that Lady Leelou entrusted the world to¡­"


    "YES! Lord Hero will surely guide this world towards true peace ¡ª¡ª¡ªthat''s what I believe!"


    "That''s right! Me too! From today forward, that is what I would believe!"


    Suddenly, the hero turned around over his shoulder.


    "Exce! Let''s go home! To Leirune!"


    "Yes¨C!"


    Exce responded with a big smile to the hero, and at that moment¡ª¡ª¡ª


    "<em ss="chakra-text css-0">Kaka</em>¨C! <em ss="chakra-text css-0">KAKAKAKAKAKAKAKA</em>!!"


    Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere in the Miremia ins was disrupted by the evil sound ofughter.


    Zhaviest, who had been bound, seemed to have regained consciousness. A Cyclops, who was restraining Zhaviest, spoke with a perplexed expression on his face.


    "What''s with this guy? As soon as he woke up, he startedughing."


    "Let''s just kill him quickly!"


    Zhaviest, who was being held down and restrained so that he could not move, stoppedughing and red at the hero with a fierce expression that had changed drastically from his usual demeanor.


    "So you''re posing as a Champion and even feeling pretty good about it, huh? Really thinking you''ll get your ''Happy Ending,'' don''t you? Shitty brat¡­"


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