CH 21

『It’s the Demon Lord’s domain, 《Demon’s Territoria》』

「Haa…… Haa…… S-so tired……」(Tao)

「…… Kazuha. I propose we take a break……」(Ruru)

Said the little girl and china girl who had fallen behind.

After entering the 『Demon Lord’s domain,』 the monster’s strength has remarkably increased.

Even Tao’s dagger isn’t causing any damage.

So we shared duties.

Tao’s duty was to protect Ruru.

Thus, the person with the cheat like swordsmanship (former hero) -me- got the duty to mow down the monsters.

「Eh-? We’re getting closer the Demon lord’s castle so hang in there-」(Kazuha)

「……. Guu…… What a demon…….」(Tao)

「…… A demon… she is……」(Ruru)

The Demon Lord’s domain is filled with uncanny trees and overgrown thickets.

And, inside of that forest people’s faces appear like those in “jinmenju.”¹

I mean, it looks like everything has been manipulated with some sort of magic or something…

(This really is a weird thicket……. as always…….)

『GYAGYAN!!!』

I swung《Angel’s Blame》 in my left hand while in thinking.

(After arriving at the demon lord’s castle…… even is we come face to face with the demon lord…….)

『GEEEeeee!!!!』

I swung 《Angel’s Blame,》 drawing it out to the side then thrusting it upwards, splitting the approaching monster in the air into two.

Ah, this is a『One handed sword』skill called 《Slide Cutter.》

My 『One handed sword』 is the upgraded version of the『Dual swords style,』 so I can still use the skills I’ve learned when only of one of my one handed swords is equipped.

Yep, so convenient.

(…… It’s probably impossible……. to 『steal』 the demon lord’s sword……)

Tao somehow managed to catch up as I looked back.

Indeed, Tao is strong.

She’s lived for many years in『Furthest town.』Furthermore, she was a former 『thief.』

However, comparing it with the many experiences I had as the『hero with the party,』 it’s still too little, is what I think.

Heroes fight everyday.

Then, they arrive here, at the Demon lord’s castle, whether they like it or not.

『GYOEEEeeee!!!!』

I used 《Criminal Darkness》 in my right hand on the next monster that popped out and opened an air hole for him.

(…… But I can’t think of any other way…… This is troublesome……)

『GUHAAAA!!!』

I swing both of my swords in a cross formation and cut the monster in four equal parts.

「……. Wa-…… it…… Haa…… Haa……. You’re too…… fast……」(Tao)

「…… Can you please remove this 《Bind》? Kazuha……」

No.

A dragon is scary.

You’re immediately going to eat me right after I untie you…….

『GAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaa!!!!!!』

A bear like thing suddenly jumped out from behind me so I cut it while spinning. Into two.

There are too many monsters!

◆◇◆◇

『Demon lord’s castle 《Granzyme》』

「Ah~. finally arrived~. Le’s eat~!」

「Haa…… Haa…… We can’t …… eat….. in such a place……」(Tao)

「…… Kazuha’s thinking is already far removed from common sense……」(Ruru)

Said the spirit that already defies common sense……

「Even if you say that, if we’re already inside, ain’t that where we should eat.」(Kazuha)

「…… That’s true, but……」(Tao)

「…… In either case, I am not hungry yet……」(Ruru)

The both of them sit down hard.

「Ah~, then I’ll eat by myself and you two can wait.」(Kazuha)

I took out emergency rations from the satchel and headed towards the gate.

「Both of us, eh…… What will you do about the 『cursed sword』?」(Tao)

「Ye~~ah………… Dunno.」(Kazuha)

「What “dunno”!」(Tao)

「Haa…… Irresponsible as always…… you are……」(Ruru)

Said the little girl with a sigh……

But what’s with this? This positive feeling……?

「Well…… Somehow it’ll work out in the meantime………… Yeah」(Kazuha)

「I’m curious about that 『room,』 but……」(Tao)

「It’s fine Tao-san…… . Let’s leave this person alone, and take a rest.」(Ruru)

「…… Right, that’s for the best.」(Tao)

Somehow they both were in agreement.

Whatever, I have no friends after all.

Thus, I entered the Demon lord Castle alone, and marched straight towards《Granzyyme.》

・・・

『BOFUAAAAAAAaaaa!!!』 『GUGYAAAAAAaaaa!!!』 『GUHEEEEEEeeee!!!!』

I bury the three leading monsters inside the Demon lord’s castle in one strike.

(…… If I remember correctly, if I go straight down this corridor then turn right I’ll enter a warp zone. Then I have to continue south……)

I’ve already assessed the maze on the inside of the demon lord’s labyrinth and memorized all the various paths.

(….. For the meantime, I’ll go down the shortest path to the demon lord……. Then I’ll think about it there, I guess……)

No new ideas came up after thinking about it over and over, so I abandoned thinking.

Yep.

‘Cause’ I can’t think of anything. So it’s useless.

(…… It’s right there…… Beyond that large door……)

I arrived in front of a door that shone with black and silver light.

As always, this emits an ominous amount of magic power.

Now that I mention it, I didn’t know before but only the demon lord and his subordinate demons are capable of using 『magic.』

So, this world’s human ancestor-sama captured a few demons and conducted research…… Well, it’s not a human research experiment but magic body experiment?

With that they found the so-called 『magic gene』 thingy?

Which was implanted in those days into the royal family, they said.

It’s somehow amazing. Their Ancient technology.

So, several thousands of years later, this world’s human schools now teach that anyone can use 『magic』 if they learn about it.

This is trivia.

(…… Thinking about it like that, then maybe there isn’t that great of a difference between humans and demons…….)

While thinking that, I somehow opened the door with a *gigi*.

『…… I have waited for thee…… You abominable brave humans are all the same……!』

「・・・」

『…… The human’s……. hero…… is alone…… huh? …… Fumu」

「・・・」

Huh?

I rubbed my eyes.

Nn?

I again rubbed my eyes.

Unn?

I again rubbed my eyes as if I had a rash.

「………………. Who are you?」(Kazuha)

Seated in the demon lord’s throne in a proud manner—-.

— is a single *boing* onee-chan.