Manowa

◎ Dolmu City, Nearby Meadow

In that place was a man who was just like the chaos born from darkness had changed into human form.

The armor covering his body had shapes attached to it that looked like devil faces with wicked smiles, and the armor on his limbs were covered with protruding sharp spikes. He was wearing an ominous jet black cloak large enough to cover his entire body, and his full face helmet was shaped like a fusion of dragon and an oni, with large twisted horns protruding from both sides. Everything was also engraved with red lines like blood vessels that were shining like pulsing red veins.

Furthermore, the bright red eyes slightly visible from his helmet gave off a sense of intimidation that would freeze the viewer, and when his mouth opened, his voice would cause the listener to tremble violently from primordial fear.

In front of that personage who was like a Devil King from a minstrel"s story was Naoki, the rank B adventurer famous as number one among Hyvern"s youth.

The man brandished his giant jet black sword and spoke to that Naoki.

『So you"ve come, hero. This time we"ll settle it!!』

「Aye!!」

The jet black Demon King started running, then slashed at Naoki. Naoki with the Crystal Dragon horn sword in one hand and the dragon flame magic sword in the other fought back against his enemy.

「What is that?」

「Devil King pretend play?」

Tiara was taking a break during early morning training and asked Yumika, who wasn"t able to skillfully produce the words for an adequate reply. Tiara stared at her with reproachful eyes after her response, so Yumika further explained.

「I"m told Kazane"s『Warrior"s Memory』leveled up after eating dragon steak yesterday, and it seems her sword skills rose as well, right? So she thought she"d be a good training partner for Naoki. But Naoki is a Siscon, you know? During the flow of discussion it ended up with Kazane fighting him with that disguise.」

After hearing that much, Tiara could imagine the rest.

「It"s quite elaborate.」

「It seems that"s called Devil King Kazanerian.」

「The name is a joke, but she seems to be stronger than I expected.」

Jinrai was with them and so commented. Naoki and Kazane"s duel certainly seemed intense.

「Since she"s using various other Skills with her Shapeshifting technique and Arms Creation. Well, I don"t think Naoki can win without using the ability of his magic sword.」

Yumika calmly replied to Jinrai.

「It seems so.」

With a crash, Devil King Kazanerian forcibly pushed forward with her greatsword and sent Naoki flying. Jinrai said「He didn"t put his back into it.」It must be remembered that Kazanerian"s physical strength was unchanged from her original form. She wasn"t vastly stronger than Naoki, so Kazane"s ability to unilaterally send Naoki flying was probably because he didn"t put his back into it, exactly as Jinrai said. And with Kazane"s『Intuition』and『Warrior"s Memory』Skills, she was able to attack at the perfect timing to destroy Naoki"s posture.

That expertise was thanks to her Skills, but it still dumbfounded Jinrai.

「Well, fighting with two swords is much different than what he"s used to. His balance being easily destroyed can"t be helped.」

Yumika nodded after Jinrai"s words.

「Master can handle a two sword style, right?」

「More or less. But the best option for Naoki"s training would be to have someone more capable at it guide him. However, there are few people who use a two sword style.」

Jinrai said and groaned, but after thinking a bit, it seemed something came to mind.

「Mm, that"s right. Her Majesty the Queen Yuuko"s body double Iria is a two sword style user. Asking her for help might be a good idea.」

In fact, Jinrai learned his two sword style from Iria. And a considerably long time had pa.s.sed since Jinrai was taught it. As long as Iria hadn"t neglected her training during that time, Jinrai thought she might be a good mentor for Naoki.

Though Iria wasn"t with them, and more importantly, a.s.suming she"d agree would be counting their chickens before they hatched. Then early morning training ended, and Kazane and the others decided to return to the hotel.

And while it was still morning, they left the hotel and went to the Adventurers Guild office to receive the money from the material sales and the request reward before they headed to Deer South. The unsold materials from the Demon Wolf subjugation were the Demon Wolf"s pelt and fangs, the bardiche from the Kobold King, and the Dragon Heart from the Earth Core Dragon. Since other adventurers helped defeat it, the rest of the Earth Core Dragon"s materials were handed over to them.

Also, Louise hadn"t returned for the last two nights. When she suddenly returned early in the morning, she smelled like she had spent a day with Mokko and Rondo respectively, so Kazane thought (Ah, that"s what happened), but she didn"t say anything. Unless it was inside the party, she didn"t think there was anything for her to say in particular.

◎ Hyvern Dukedom, Dragon Road, Deer South Direction

「Today we"re heading to Deer South. Tatsuo is also waking up early and devoting himself to Mega Beam training. It seems he wants to quickly become a dragon like Husband. So then, I"ll send another letter later... done.」

Kazane clicked the Send b.u.t.ton on the Window to send the email to Ao. Kazane sent a letter to Naga through Ao once or twice a day.

And according to Naga"s replies, the village barrier was being maintained without any problems, and the forest that was burned to deal with the Dragon Eater seeds was in the middle of being restored.

And the one most active in that restoration was Valaon, the dragon that was once parasitized by a Dragon Eater. Since that incident, Valaon had been able to manipulate plants, and he could also encourage their growth. The email said that he may have turned into a rare Wood Dragon, and they were currently asking the eastern dragons about it to confirm their abilities.

『Will Father reply soon?』

Tatsuo asked Kazane while watching the email with a cheerful expression.

「As might be expected, Husband can"t do it right away. Let"s relax and wait. There"s plenty of time.」

So saying, Kazane opened a Window t.i.tled Golem Maker this time. Then she opened a save file called Emily Strengthening Plan and started tapping away.

Yumika saw it from the side and muttered「Emily Strengthening Plan?」As might be expected, she had turned away during the email, since looking at the contents would have been a violation of privacy, but she had unconsciously looked now due to another Window being opened.

「Eh, me?」

And naturally, with her name said, Emily asked that. Kazane answered without any particular timidness.

「Yeah. It looks like Emily has learned Break, so I thought doing something soon to sh.o.r.e it up would be best, right?」

The word『Break』Kazane said was the bow equivalent to the spear technique『Shake』that destroyed st.u.r.dy monsters with vibration. A spear would be held directly, so the bow version was more difficult, but Emily had finally learned it.

「No, but even if you say sh.o.r.e it up, I"ll be getting my hands on a considerable number of dragonfang steel arrows when we reach Deer South, right?」

Although Emily"s activity during the Demon Wolf subjugation was overshadowed by the others, she had defeated many monsters with the arrows made of Magic Steel and Earth Core Dragon fangs. She had also recovered 18 of the 20 she had originally received, and she would be receiving an additional 200 in Deer South.

「Well, it"s still simply a plan. Wait without expecting anything.」

Emily, Yumika, and Tiara all felt like another outrageous something would be made, but they didn"t say it.

They feared that the moment they said something, that would become reality. However, Kazane wasn"t all-powerful, and she said「Is it difficult?」as she closed the Window and started looking at the outside scenery with Tatsuo. When things weren"t going well, a change of pace was necessary.

And this time, Jinrai hadn"t done anything particularly unfaithful, so without being threatened by angry dragons, they extremely peacefully arrived at the capital and pa.s.sed through Deer South"s main gate with Hippomaru-kun and the Thunder Chariot. The gatekeeper that was threatened by dragon roars last time also only felt slightly nervous at the majestic appearance of Hippomaru-kun and Thunder Chariot. That was the usual scene.

The party immediately headed to the Barnes family"s residence.

The pa.s.sersby stared at the black horse and carriage with its strange atmosphere, but that was also the usual scene, so they didn"t care. Someone who minded couldn"t be part of the White Party. Naoki and Lyle following behind on Hippo-kuns High and Clear had embarra.s.sed expressions, but they didn"t mind. And without losing their way or being called to halt, they arrived at the Barnes family estate. Through some unknown method, Cindy had sensed her husband"s return and was waiting for them at the front of the house, but her complexion didn"t seem very good. When Jinrai asked why, Cindy spoke sadly.

「Jiraid was arrested for slandering a dragon.」

It seemed he was imprisoned. Moreover, since quite a while ago.

Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Magic Swordswoman

t.i.tle: Ogre Killer, Dragon Slayer, High Beast Summoner, Rea King

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Two Handed Sword『Black Fang』, Draghorn Tonfa x2, Dragonscale Breastplate, Drake Gauntlets, Silver Sheep Clothes, Sylphyn Skirt, Plasma Pants, Dragon Eating Ogre King"s Greaves, Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Heroic Spirit Summoning Ring, Circlet of Wisdom, Aim Bracelet, Magic Acc.u.mulator, White Magic Acc.u.mulator, Rainbow Necklace, Rainbow Dragon Ring

Level : 33

Health: 135

Magic Power: 260+420

Strength: 57+20

Agility: 52+14

Endurance: 33

Wisdom : 65

Dexterity : 41

Spell : 『Fly』『Torch』『Fire』『Heal』『Firestorm』『Healer Ray』『High Heal』『Golden Dusk「Dragon Exclusive」』『Mirror Shield』

Skill : 『Kick Devil』『Warrior"s Memory: Lv2』『Night Vision』『Crushing Blow』『Dog"s Sense of Smell: Lv2』『Golem Maker: Lv3』『Rush』『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』『Healing Principle: Fourth Chapter』『Air Jump: Lv2』『Killing Leg: Lv3』『Fear Voice』『Invisible』『Tiger Eye』『Wall Walking』『Intuition』『Cheat Death』『Nimble』『Charge』『Material Shield: Lv2』『Information Link: Lv2』『Optical Camouflage』『Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Regenerate』『Soul Breaking Blade』『Stealthy Hand Placement』『Thunder Chariot: Lv2』『St.u.r.dier Teeth: Lv2「Dragon」』『Crystallization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Fabricated Coercion』『Stone Minotaur: Lv2』『Mega Beam: Lv2』『s.p.a.ce Expansion』『Pseudo-Silver Creation』『Poison Claw』『Fireball「Dragon」』『Cuticle「Dragon」』『Arms Creation: Black Flame』『Ingredient Connoisseur』『Dragon Pheromone「Dragon」』

Kazane:「Why did this happen?」

Yumika:「In any case, you"re the cause, aren"t you?」