I’ve lost track of how long I’ve been inside the tower of gods. It might have been more than several weeks, or months. I’m currently at floor 74 fighting several giant tarantulas which I named as doriantulas since their body is covered in spikes and not hairs. My daggers are sheathed since now they are in bad condition and are no longer my main weapon. I made two curved daggers from a wyvern’s fangs which was the boss of 67th floor. I grinded and polished the fangs with the wyvern’s own scales so the result is quite good if I may say so myself. Their length is about 40 cm each and the handles are wrapped in geckosaurus’ leather from my previous armor which scaly plates have been long since broken.

My current armor is in shape of a jacket made of a giant snake’s leather from floor 69. It looked exactly like a normal leather jacket, however is far heavier and sturdier than it looks, almost as strong as the wyvern’s scale but more flexible. I used another spider type monster’s thread and my daggers to make a small hole to tie the threads so I was able to make a jacket. I tried to make an armor from the wyvern but since the wyvern was more than half as big as my high school’s gymnasium, the scales were also big and thus hard to be made into an armor. If only I have something like a super strong glue maybe I can attach some of the scales to my jacket.

As I was deep in thought, I actually finished the doriantulas. Their eyes were stabbed and some lost their legs because I cut them at the joints.

Somehow I have gotten strong enough to beat even the juggernaut class demon beasts of the floor I first stepped into so I stopped doing reconnaissance. I have also learned to completely control my killing intent and sense others’ so I can hide my presence from stronger enemies and use a blast of it to scare the weaker ones away so going back and forth the lower and upper floor is somewhat easier now.

I walked for a bit and found a teleportation circle which is not even hidden since it was located right in the middle of an open area. However I don’t see any demon beasts around.

A trap? Is the floor boss waiting to ambush me somewhere?

Who cares? I’ll know if I just stepped in…

I get to the circle without hesitating but still in caution.

And I was teleported. No trap, no ambush, nothing.

When I came to I was dazzled by a bright light. I thought it was finally a trap but I was wrong.

It’s the sunlight which I have never seen for who knows how long. The light itself was a bit warm but the surrounding air is chilling and the wind is strong. It is also kind of hard to breathe.

I looked around and I see no wall, no ceiling, and the floor is made from what seem to be polished gemstone as clear as the blue sky itself.

“Is this perhaps the top of the tower?”

I expected the tower to be about 100 floors high and there should be an altar enshrining legendary weapons or something. But there is nothing here. Simply a really wide and flat floor.

I then explored the floor and I couldn’t even find a teleportation circle to go back down.

How can I get out of this place? Don’t tell me I have to jump down there. Or maybe I need to do something here to trigger an event, but what? There’s no clue whatsoever.

“Come on tower of gods, you could at least prepare a last boss.”

Suddenly I heard a flapping sound from afar and I see something with wings. A bird? A Wyvern? Okay, the tower did provide a last boss after all…

Wait a friggin second.

What the heck is that.

The thing closing in and finally landed on the floor about 50 meters in front of me is a super huge dragon. If the wyvern from 67th floor was half as huge as the gymnasium of my high school, this thing is about 4 or 5 times the size. Forget juggernaut class, this one is colossal.

Its scales are black with a tinge of dark bluish glint. The wingspan almost reached the floor’s edge.

As it folds its wings, the dragon then looked at me in silence.

Calm down me, usually this kind of event means that the dragon is an intelligent being and will talk to me. Maybe if I passed some of its trials I can finally get off of this tower. Yeah, it must be so.

……

Damn, I think I just triggered a reverse flag.

The dragon roared with a force that sent me flying a few meters away.

I spun and landed on my feet. The dragon reached its arms at me so I quickly run to the side ignoring my headache and ringing ears.

I might even be smaller than one of its teeth. How do you suppose I kill this thing?

The classic way of going inside its stomach and killing it from inside? No way. There’s no scientific proof that it could be done easily, what if I slipped directly into its gastritic acid?

And there’s nothing scientific about dragons in my world....

I guess for now I should focus to avoid getting killed.

Perhaps tired of trying to grab me with its arms, the dragon got back into its previous posture and I see that something shone within its mouth.

“Breath attack!?”

There’s nothing I can use to shield myself in this flat place so I ran toward the dragon as fast as I could. If I can make it in time I’ll reach the safest place form its breath attack. The dragon’s own body.

The dragon lifted its head while letting out some flame out from the gaps of its teeth then it looked back down, at me.

“Damn!”

As it opens its mouth I jumped forward as strong as I could.

I managed to barely avoid the blazing inferno but I could still feel the heat which was enough to vaporize all my sweat in an instant. I reflexively closed my stinging dry eyes.

I quickly opened my eyes again and jumped to the side avoiding the stomping attack.

“Your breath could kill me in an instant, sorry but I’ll be sticking as close as I can to you.”

I got on one of its legs and climbed up its body.

The dragon tried to shake me away but I clung by holding onto the protruding thorn like scales. I used my free hand to use my wyvern fang dagger to stab the dragon but the dagger got deflected.

Damn, like this I’m less than a mosquito and more like a dead skin cells waiting to be peeled off to this dragon.

“I hope you got some weak spot somewhere on your body.”

I reached its back when it finally jumped off the tower and flew.

I don’t know how fast it is flying but the wind is so fierce and I felt like I could faint anytime from the G force.

It made some sudden movements and I was shaken off.

Shit, I could only see clouds below me, is this the end? I couldn’t get my revenge…

The dragon turned around and now is flying straight at me while opening its mouth.

“Heh, I guess I can’t get a decent ending after all… Like hell I’ll just give up so easily!”

I threw my old daggers to the closing in dragon, aiming at its eyes.

It closed its eyelids in response and I was spared from getting eaten but I got hit by its flapping wings as it got past me.

“GAHHH”

My whole body aches and as I was still spinning midair the dragon returned while preparing a breath attack.

“You prefer a cooked meal who can’t retaliate eh? Sorry but with your flame you will only get a coal like human shaped thingy, or even just some ash.”

I don’t want to give up but I couldn’t come up with anything else. Even if I was spared by the dragon, I won’t survive the fall.

I don’t want to die.

At least not until I kill that bastard and crush the empire.

For a moment all I could see was a blazing hell which then enveloped me and after that, a complete darkness.

I’m getting familiar with this now.

Yeah, it’s that complete darkness again, wait, it’s not a complete darkness this time. My chest, the amulet or Praesia to be precise, is shining strongly.

“…rry…’

Eh? A voice?

“I’m sorry…”

I could hear a girl’s voice.

“I’m sorry, but with this I can no longer protect you.”

The bluish light from the amulet focused on one place and a figure appeared.

A girl dressed in a white robe appeared before me.

“La…vi…nia? Is that you?”

No wait, her facial features are a perfect resemblance but her hair and iris are of different color. They are all pure white, almost hollow. I could also see a pair of wings folded behind her back.

She shook her head to my question.

“I’m not her, my name is Praesia.”

“Praesia… the goddess?”

“I’m not exactly a goddess either, but I guess that is how the people of this world call me.”

She showed a bitter smile before continuing.

“I teleported you to the tower because the only remaining teleportation gate which I can access is there. I thought you would give up and get off the tower after several floors but you managed to reach the top.”

“Well, I think I should thank you for that though… So, am I still alive this time as well?”

“Yes, I created a barrier around you and the dragon gave up as well, however you are currently still falling. The amulet does not have enough power for teleportation.”

“Eh? Falling?”

“However, my barrier will be enough to absorb the impact of the fall as well… I hope.”

“Please don’t say ‘I hope’ while averting your gaze away.”

“I’m sorry but this is all I can do right now. I don’t want you to die as well. I had planned to have you conquer the tower in the future after you get stronger and defeat the dragon.”

“Wait a minute, you know how it went before, I can’t do anything against it.”

“You will need a stronger weapon. Or, although it can use flame breath, the dragon is actually weak against fire, its scales will only be as hard as an iron plate when an extreme heat is applied. If you can at least use an advanced level fire spell that would be enough. Crushing an iron plate with a punch is nothing with your current strength.”

“Umm, the thing is I don’t have any elemental affinity, that’s why I can only use intermediate class magic at most.”

“Hmm, then just look for someone who can, or you can get into a pact with a high level demon race and get an affinity.”

“Eh? A pact with demon race? You can do that to get an elemental affinity?”

Praesia showed a surprised expression before she continued.

“To be exact you will get the same of at least one of the demon’s elemental affinity after the pact. Both of the involved parties will also get stonger. Ah, I forgot that the humans and demons have been at war for more than 80 years. I guess not many people would still know about that especially for the short lived humans.”

“I see…”

“Anyway, I need you to defeat the dragon. I promise that doing so will benefit you. I will tell you why after you do because there is no time. You will reach the surface soon and because of the barrier the amulet will lost all of its power… And I’m sorry…”

“Why are you apologizing again?”

“The barrier might not be able to absorb all the impact after all, so your body might get some damage. But don’t worry, you won’t die, it’s just that it might take some time until you will be awake.”

As she finished her sentence, the smiling Praesia then disappeared into the amulet which in turn lost all its light and everything returned to complete darkness once again.

“Oh great.”

The demon lord Orcus is dead.

The little demon girl fell to her knees as one of the demon general who found her hiding in the closet told her that.

Not long after that there was a dispute to elect a new demon lord. As she was only a little girl she won’t be able to succeed her father yet. Except for the loyal servants of her father everyone else cast her aside and some even tried to kill her fearing she might rise into power in the future as she has already shown her potential with her high magical capabilities.

The servants protected her and managed to take her away from the capital with some sacrifices.

She is currently hiding in a forest close to the border with human’s territory. The servants made a small cottage and set a barrier to prevent demon beasts from getting close. However she is all alone now. The servants who were with her are dead. Some got killed by the lurking demon beasts while scouting and food gathering in the forest. Some who were strong enough to fight got killed by the assassins sent for her while returning to the nearby town to gather intelligence and supplies. A few days ago, after leaving some food supplies the remaining ones also left her alone due to fear of getting killed themselves.

She was in despair. This is the first time she who lived a sheltered and pampered life has no one to rely on.

Currently she is sitting on her bed while looking outside the window without any expression.

“I don’t want this… I don’t care about being a demon lord… I just… don’t want to be alone…”

Tears are flowing down her cheeks. She hugged her knees and wailed as hard as she could.

Suddenly she heard something like a big explosion from afar and the earth also shook a bit.

Surprised she stood up and walked outside while wiping her tears with her sleeves.

“The sound came from over there…”

With reason unknown to herself, she then walked towards the source.

Ignoring the fact that she got out of the barrier’s range and the possibility of meeting a demon beast she kept walking until she found a huge crater tens of meters across.

“What happened?”

She looked around the crater and was surprised to find a figure in the middle of the crater.

She rushed down the crater and approached the figure.

It was a human male with a battered body. He is breathing so he is still alive although unconscious.

His hair color is the rather uncommon black and his skin tone is somewhere between fair white and light brown color.

“Why is a human…” Her head hurt for a second when she looked at his face but since it wasn’t serious she ignored that.

‘An enemy’, was what she thought for a moment. Humans are the ones who killed her father.

She reached her hands to his neck and grabbed it but she released her hands soon after.

She could not bring herself to kill him. Something in her is preventing that. She tried once again and this time she could not even bring her hands close to the human’s neck.

What stopped her was not hesitation. It is completely baseless but she felt that she does not want to harm this human no matter what.

She pondered for a while and decided to take him back to the cottage.

My whole body is heavy, it also aches a lot. It seems the barrier really couldn’t absorb all the impact.

I opened my eyes to find myself in a small room. The wall and ceiling are made of wood. Sunlight seeps in through the glassless window to my right.

“What? Where is this?”

My body is wrapped in bandages where it hurts the most. Somebody must have taken care of me although you can see in a glance that the bandages were done clumsily.

When I looked around I see someone, a girl sleeping on a chair with folded hands and head on the table.

She looks kind of familiar. I noticed a blanket which fell onto the floor near her chair and forced myself to get up. I sluggishly approached her and wrapped the blanket on her body.

“Blackish scarlet hair... And are those horns?”

I noticed that her ears are pointed but the length is not much different than a human’s. There are also mini sized typical demon wings on her back. Wait, isn’t she...

“Fuee...”

The girl raised her face and looked at me while rubbing her eyes.

“Uhh, morning.”

“Good morning...”

We looked at each other for a while.

“Kyaaah!”

Suddenly she shouted, jumped away, and ran outside the room.

I just stood there and look at the door.

She’s peeking in and when our eyes met she hid again.

“Don’t worry, I won’t bite. And it felt kind of hurts when you just ran away like that you know...”

She showed herself again then walked back into the room, timidly approaching me but stopped before she gets too close with head looking down.

I approached her but she said an “Eek!” and stepped back so I stopped.

“Are you alone in this house?”

I couldn’t feel anyone else in the vicinity but I asked anyway.

She nodded weakly. I guess she really is alone.

“Where is this?”

“In the forest of Suvaard near the border with human’s kingdom of Rifst.”

From what she said it seems somehow I ended up in the demon race’s territory.

“Um, are you the one who brought me here and took care of me?”

She nodded.

“I see... It must have been quite a trouble. Thank you.”

“Ah, um...”

She looked at me and tried to say something but stopped.

Is it just me or did I just see her smiled for a moment there?

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Only two days.”

Two days eh, well not that it matters since I don’t have any pressing plan. I guess I can take a rest from fighting for a while.

“By the way, are you related to demon lord Orcus?”

As I finished saying that, her pupils dilated.

“You… know my father?”

As I thought.

Eh? Wait, why is she asking me that? I’m one of the heroes who killed him, why wouldn’t I know? We should have also met.

“You don’t remember me?”

“A, are you an acquaintance of my father? I’m sorry but I don’t know you. I don’t even know that father had a human acquaintance.”

What is she saying?

Don’t tell me... The annhilation spell.

I’m alive since Praesia saved me but what if I got affected somehow.

I feel sorry for her but this works in my favor.

“Sorry to impose on you but could you let me stay here for a while? I promise I won’t do anything strange.”

“Eh, really? You will stay?”

As if the previous her was a lie she approached me and showed a bright expression.

“I need to recuperate. Also, that is if you don’t mind a human like me here.”

“Not at all. I don’t think you are a bad person.”

What are you saying to someone who took part in killing your father? Is what I wanted to say.

It seems she had been through quite a lot herself. She even took care of me, a human.

She must be a very kind girl.

Suddenly my stomach announced its desire for food by growling.

“Ah, you haven’t eaten anything for two days... I will prepare something. It’s also time for breakfast anyway.”

She walked to the door in a hurry.

“Sorry, is there anything I can help with?”

She halted and turned around. Showing me a bright smile.

“Please don’t worry. The job of an injured person is to rest.”

Now I feel really bad for using her.

What is this? A gruel? The dark green color might have come from vegetables, but why is it so slimy? The smell is also amazing in many ways.

I thought I could eat normal foods again after so long. But what is this?

I don’t think this is poisoned either, at least not intentionally.

She looked apologetic and is eating her share but I think she is forcing herself. You can see her face distorts whenever she puts the mystery gruel into her mouth.

“Have you been eating this all the time?”

“N, not really, until a few days ago there were still some servants who could cook.”

“And where are they now?

“They... left.”

I can see where this is going. Better change the subject quickly.

“Shall I make something else?”

She nodded to my suggestion.

I followed her to the kitchen to find a complete mess. I remember those days in elementary school, whenever I brought some friends over it’s like a typhoon just ransacked my room. Toys scattered everywhere, don’t ask me how or why but sometimes even the heavy bed got flipped.

The situation right now is almost the same, the difference is that the ones scattered are raw ingredients for food. There are even some slimy materials on the ceiling.

“Umm, what did you do here.”

“Cooking.”

“What?”

“Cooking.”

“I’m sorry...”

“COOKING!”

Okay it’s cooking, period.

Just how did she do the cooking anyway?

I silently cleaned the mess and she followed suit.

By the time we finished cleaning, it was already noon so the hungry me just picked some preserved meat, gave it some seasoning and roasted it. We then eat together, again in silence.

The two of us didn’t say anything from the start to finish.

After the meal I got out of the house to get some fresh forest air. I walked into the forest to do some scouting.

I could see Orum Arx but since it looks so small and I can’t see the base it must be several kilometers away. Luckily the waves of war never reached this area since the tower is an important part of the neutral adventurers guild. Well I’m sure that now the adventures on that side will mostly be humans though.

I don’t feel any presence of demon beast. Maybe something is set up to prevent them from getting close.

“Did somebody set a barrier around?”

“Yes, a servant of my father knows how to etch magic circles and crafting magic tools. She also made the magic cooler box in the kitchen. The mana is being supplied directly from me though.”

“I see, by the way why are you following me?”

“I don’t want you to get lost.”

“Not like I will get lost here. We’re not even that far from the house.”

“But you might wander too far.”

“I’m aware of my condition. I won’t do that.

“But who knows if something might happen to you.”

“Like I sa... Wait, are you perhaps worried about me?”

“Of course! Besides, if you left as well I would be all alone.”

She looked down while holding my hand.

“Erik.”

“Eh?”

“You can call me Erik... It would be inconvenient to not know each other’s names if we’re to be together. So, what’s yours?”

She didn’t say anything right away, apparently she’s getting dumbfounded.

“I... It’s Lissa’aelle.”

“Nice to be of your acquiaintance, I... It’s Lissa’aelle.”

I grinned.

“Lissa’aelle! Lissa’aelle Mir Tristi Arciea”

She pouted and shouted directly to my ear.

“I know, I know... It’s kind of long and difficult to say so can I just call you Liz?”

She got dumbfounded again.

“Oi, hello. Do you not like it? Shall I call you lady Lissa’aelle instead?”

“No, please call me Liz. No need to add ‘Lady’.

Ehehe, it’s the first time I got a nickname.”

Where is that little girl who screamed when she saw me this morning?

The girl next to me is smiling while holding my hand.

I’m sorry, I promise that someday I will tell you about the me who killed your father.

As I made such a promise to myself we head back to the house while holding hands.

“Erik, how’s your condition today?”

It has been five days since I first woke up here. Before I know it Liz has started to talk to me in a casual manner.

I have also been using her bed all this time. I told her that I would use the servants’ room but she told me not to worry about that. That is still good and all but she’s been sleeping next to me and I couldn’t get any decent sleep thanks to that. I tried to snuck out and go to the servants’ room which got 4 bunk beds but I changed my mind every time since she would always hold my hand and also cries while sleeping, muttering words like ‘father’ or ‘I don’t want to be alone’.

“It still hurts a little but I think it would no longer hinder me even if I have to fight a demon beast.”

“Hehehe, don’t worry. No demon beast will come here.”

“I know, just saying…”

Liz stood up from the chair and approached the door.

“I will gather some firewood, could you make some breakfast while I do?”

“No problem.”

I also stood up and get out of the room. Cooking has been my duty since that mystery gruel incident. I’ve been cooking with firewood. I could only use basic and lower intermediate level fire magic so I can’t cast a continuous fire spell. I could only light fire on the firewood. When I was in the tower I had to go back and forth the forest area to get some firewood until I found a monster with flammable bones in the upper level..

Apparently Liz can use fire magic to the master class but somehow I just don’t want her to be in the kitchen while I’m cooking.

I chose some ingredients and noticed that the amount will only be enough for a few more days. I don’t plan to stay here forever but It’s never bad to have some more stock.

I fixed some sunny side up eggs, which obviously not chicken eggs from the rather huge size. I also roasted some sliced meat. Well, they might look like your standard bacon and eggs if not for the egg’s size and the ‘I don’t know what’ meat.

I brought the two servings to the living room and put them on the table.

“I’m back. I put the firewood in the storage outside.”

“Perfect timing, I just finished as well.”

Liz entered the room and approached the table, sits and…

“Wait, wash your hands first, I don’t want you to get sick.”

“Okaaay. Sheesh, Erik sounded like the old nanny who took care of me before.”

“Wha…”

I scratched the back of my head while watching her trotting with light footsteps to the washroom.

We started eating right after she got back. Somehow she always sits next to me and not across of me whenever we eat.

“By the way, Liz.”

“Un?”

“I should have a pair of daggers and black leather jacket with me. Do you know where they are?”

She stopped her hands.

“… Un, I have them.”

“Can I have them back?”

“The jacket is in my room, in the wardrobe.”

“And the daggers?”

She doesn’t say anything else and just looked downwards, but suddenly she faced me with a sad expression.

“Are you going somewhere?”

“Huh?”

“You’re leaving right?”

Ah, so that’s how it is…

I stroked her head and she looked at me with confused eyes.

“It’s not that. Our food supplies will only be enough for a few more days so I was thinking to hunt for food.”

“Really?”

Well, I’m going to leave this place for sure, but I guess that can wait a bit longer. I can’t just simply leave her alone after all.

“You can check the supplies yourself if you want to.”

She seemed to be thinking for a moment while muttering “It’s been more than two months since then, I think it will be alright.” in a low voice before continuing.

“Then how about we go to a town close by? If we walk for about two hours to the west we can reach Leinadt town. My servants had marked some places with magic so I won’t get lost. We can go there to buy some supplies.”

“I assume you have the necessary money, but will it be okay for a human like me to go there?”

“Ah…”

“Well, not that I mind whatever treatment I’ll get there. But I’ll still need my daggers after all. We might meet some demon beasts on the way.”

“S, someone might try to kill you over there… I don’t want that.”

It is unlikely that I’ll meet anyone strong enough to kill me in a remote town close to the overlooked border. Subjectively speaking, I might have become stronger than the demon lord Orcus myself.

“How about I draw a fake slave brand on myself? That way I’ll only get some sneering at most. Of course the role of master is yours.”

Both sides make slaves out of another. Most prisoner of war are either tortured to death for information or then magically branded and made as slaves. I’ve seen some of both sides in my time as hero. Even though it isn’t necessary some people even purposedly put iron collars on their slaves’ neck just for the sake of it.

“Slave?”

Her expression shows a discontent. She might not like such idea as well.

“Don’t worry, it’s my own idea anyway. Or maybe we really should just hunt for food? I don’t think seasoning like salt can be hunt though.”

Truth be told I wanted to go to this town myself. I might be able to get some unexpected information.

“I, if you say so then.”

Thus it has been decided that today we will be going to this Leinadt town. She gave me the wyvern fang daggers and black snake jacket back to me but since the jacket is kind of conspicuous I decided to leave it in the house. I placed the daggers on my waist for now but I might have to hide it under my clothes when we get to the town.

Liz also got changed to her travel gear. She’s wearing brown leather boots, dark blue hooded mantle, and a small knife.

As for me, a pair of ragged sneakers, ragged gray trouser of my old uniform, and a plain white shirt. Well, I need to look like a slave so this is better. The sneakers are strange for this world but not many people will intentionally stare at your feet so I guess it’s okay.

Before we depart I drew a mark on the back of my left hand with ink for drawing magic circles which was Liz’s servants’ belonging. The mark I drew was based on one I’ve seen but since I don’t want it accidentally becoming real mark when mana is supplied if I use magic, I made some random modifications. I heard that a ceremony must be done with the one to be a master chanting the enslaving contract but one can’t be too careful, right?

After approximately half an hour of walk, we finally encountered some demon beasts. At first Liz panicked and tried to use magic attack but a single kick or punch from me killed them in an instant before she could do anything.

“I didn’t know that Erik is so strong.”

“Hm? Nah, the monsters here are just too weak.”

I shrugged and continued walking ahead of her. She followed while saying

“But the demon beasts here are considered strong enough to kill a group of 5 adventurers in a short time.”

Oops, did I just do something quite extraordinary then?

I’ve been killing juggernaut class demon beasts so my view might have become biased unconsciously.

“R, really? Well, the demon beasts roaming the region where I was before coming here are stronger so maybe that’s why.”

She looked to be thinking hard. Was that an obvious lie?

“Come to think of it, you never told me anything about yourself before. “

“I guess so.”

“I, I want to know more about you, Erik. Can we talk about you?”

Okay, this isn’t good. I can’t tell her yet that I was a hero and the one who contributed the most in killing her father.

“Well, I don’t really have anything interesting to tell anyway.”

“Maybe it’s so to Erik, but it interests me…”

Oh dear, why are you blushing Liz? And stop that upturned eyes please. Somehow I thought that was really cute for a moment. Crap, I sense a dangerous flag. I’m not a lolicon, I’m not a lolicon, I’m not a lolicon.

“Maybe next time…”

“Un, okay.”

She replied me with an expectant smile.

We reached the town without trouble and as expected, the people there looked at me with hostility but then it changed to a mocking ‘humph’ after they see the fake brand and Liz whom I told to walk in front of me with a bit of distance. To my surprise there were also some who simply don’t care when they first see me, I don’t know why though.

Liz herself hid her face with her hood. She said that not many people know that she is Orcus’ daughter but she doesn’t want to risk it. If a rumor that say Orcus’ daughter was seen here comes out, who knows what will become of her. There might be some who will approach to take advantages out of her, assassins from opposing faction, or Orcus’ fans who might worship her. It sounded strange but the last one is not exactly impossible.

Sometimes Liz slowed her pace so I adjusted my pace to stay behind her. I don’t know why but when I do she walks faster in response and I could tell that her mood also worsened.

“Aren’t we there yet milady?”

She stiffened when I asked her that.

“I, it should be near the plaza so we’re almost there.”

She said she has only been here once. It was before she lives in the forest so I hope she still remembers correctly. Not like we can’t ask other people for the way though.

“!!!”

I quickly turned to look behind since I felt killing intent which stood out from the surrounding enmity for an instant.

I looked around for a while but I found no one who’s emitting such killing intent.

“What is it, Erik?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

It might be that I’ve become too sensitive to killing intents ever since the tower but guess I’ll just keep my guard up.

After about ten more minutes of walking we arrived at a big grocery store. The building is made almost completely from wood but compared to most houses around the windows are bigger and have real glass on them.

Liz entered the store and I followed.

“Welcome, what a young lady we have today are you shopping alone? Oh...”

The shopkeeper auntie with pale bluish skin and one small horn on her forehead approached Liz with a smile which faded soon after she saw me.

“My, what a bad looking slave you have there young lady...”

How rude... Even like this I have appeared in the TV at least once you know. It was on a reality show where the host did a prank on pedestrian, I was the victim. Wait, it has nothing to do with looks.

“He’s not bad looking!”

“Oh my, I’m sorry young lady. Yes, you are a good girl who would even take care of how your slave looks.”

She smiled again at Liz but this time I could clearly see that it was a business smile.

Liz only pouted in turn.

I told her that I don’t care whatever treatment I’ll get in the town but big bro is happy that you’re getting angry for him li’l Liz.

The shopkeepers kept saying some bad things about me for a while but since they finally realized that Liz’s mood keep getting more and more sour whenever they do that they then stopped.

We bought necessary seasoning for foods like salt and even the expensive sugar, some huge -unknown to me- eggs, fresh meat chilled with magic, etc. We didn’t buy vegetables and fruits since I’m used to gather edible plants and that there are plenty of them including fruits in the forest. Of course I’m the one who carries all of them. By the way, I didn’t get any information on the war by listening around. I guess this area really is an overlooked border.

We finally left the store but Liz is still pouting.

“What is on your mind milady?”

I asked her half jokingly.

“I don’t like it!”

She said in a muffled voice.

“Huh?”

“I don’t like it when people treat Erik badly! I don’t like it when they think that Erik is my slave! I don’t like it when Erik walks behind me and calls me ‘milady’!”

She looked at my face with teary eyes and clenched fists at her sides.

Haha, she was really angry for me. I put the groceries down and stroked her head as gentle as I could. She let out a “Fuee?” and blushed in response.

“Liz, I’m happy that you’re angry for me. But this was just acting and I don’t care whatever they say to me. To their eyes I’m just one of the captured enemy after all.”

“But, I don....”

“Just that feeling of yours is enough for me. Thank you, Liz.”

She didn’t look much convinced but she finally smiled again.

We ignored the surrounding crowds’ look of amazement, disgust, and also warm gaze showered on us and walked towards the forest.

Suddenly I felt another strong killing intent, however the target isn’t me.

“Liz, don’t move.”

“Eh?”

I dropped the groceries and grabbed her shoulder. At the same moment a knife passed right in front of her face then hit the wall a few meters away from her. From the knife stabbed in the wall I could see some black liquid dripping down, poison?

Ignoring Liz’s “Fue!?” I picked whatever I could quickly reach from the dropped groceries and threw it at the assailant hiding in the crowds.

“Guhagh! *Cough cough.”

It seems the bag of flour hit its mark but the assailant managed to escape.

“Eh, what? What was that?”

Liz couldn’t grasp what happened and looked at the knife stabbed in the wall and at me in confusion.

The surrounding people also started to make a ruckus.

“Let’s get away from here.” I picked all the groceries with one hand and grabbed Liz’s hand with the other then quickly walked away.

Meanwhile, not far from where the knife incident just happened, hidden in the alley were three men in hooded mantle talking to each other.

“You failed, eh?” said the man with tallest stature among the three.

“I’m sorry. It seems she still has quite a capable servant.” The man with rather high pitched voice answered. His face is hidden but you could easily see the white mark of flour on his chin and hood.

“From what I could see, it was a human. I could also see a slave brand on his hand.” The other man added.

“A human slave… If he was capable of sensing your killing intent and responded in an instant then he might have been a soldier or maybe even a knight.”

“It was our long awaited chance after more than a month of waiting in this town where she was last seen and it got foiled by a slave. What a stupid thing to happen eh?”

“We can’t go back to the capital unless we get the princess’ head. You know where they were going right?” The man with tallest stature whom also seemed to have higher authorities of the three asked the high pitch voiced man.

“Yeah, it was to the forest.”

“We searched the forest before and couldn’t find anything but if they just went in we might be able to track their trails to their hideout.”

“Alright then, we can’t wait any longer so let’s track them and do our job.”

The three men then moved quickly to the direction of the forest.

“Erik, I’m sorry.”

As we are running in the forest Liz said so to me.

“For what?”

“The incident earlier… Actually, some assassins were sent to kill me. Most of my servants were also killed by them.”

She looked downwards and almost tripped if I didn’t stop and pull her hand up.

“Don’t worry. I’ve also thought about the possibility.”

This far seems good. We shouldn’t head back to the cottage directly. Professionals could track our trails easily so it will be better to take a roundabout way and erase our trails here and there to confuse them. Or it would be faster to just confront them. I doubt that there is only one assassin so can I do that while also protecting Liz?

“Even if you say so, I have brought danger to you. If something were to happen to Erik because of me, I…”

I put the groceries and patted her head lightly.

“If I was scared of such thing then I wouldn’t be here with you, Liz. And didn’t I tell you not to worry?”

“But I don’t want anything bad to happen to Erik.”

*Sigh… This girl should really worry about herself more…

“Liz!” I raised my voice and she seemed startled.

“Y, yes?”

“I’m sure they are coming for us even now, so I’m going to wait and fight them here. You should go and hide somewhere further.”

“No! I’m not going to leave Erik.”

“Liz, trust me. I’m confident in my strength you know.”

“But… I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

“Aargh… Then Liz, you said before that you are capable of attack magic of advanced and master class right?”

“U, un. Fire and earth element. I don’t know many non-elemental attack spell but I can use them as well.”

“Alright, then use earth magic to make a burrow over there and hide in it. We’re going to ambush them. Don’t come out of the burrow except if I need some support.”

“O, okay.”

She nodded and ran toward the spot I told her.

There she concentrated for a bit and

“Eht rumeris”

After she chanted the name of earth shaping spell the ground were hollowed with enough space to crouch. She entered and chanted the spell again to close it while leaving some holes for air and for peeking out. I then put some dirt and fallen leaves on it as camouflage.

Chanting just the spell’s name is an advantage of the demon race. Some more capable demons like Orcus and his generals are even capable of using magic without any incantation. If I’m not mistaken, the cause is that the magic circuits of each race in this world are unique to their own and thus the way to use magic is different although the spells used are basically the same which are based on ancient magic used by the gods and goddesses of old.

“Erik, you should hide as well.”

She spoke from within the burrow.

“No, I’m going to face them head on. You’re the ambush, Liz. I’ll be counting on your support when I need it.”

Not that I intend to have her do it though.

“Eh?”

“Besides, it’s already too late. Stay quiet okay. And please don’t scream whatever you see here, I’m sure that they will fight with the intention to kill so I plan to do the same.”

“!!!”

I ignored Liz’s muffled exclamation of surprise and walked forward. After a few steps I could see three figures running towards me.

The figures halted immediately after they got about ten meters before me.

“You’re the slave!”

“Acting as a diversion until your master gets away eh? What a poor guy, slaves can’t go against their master’s order after all.”

The two on the right and left side prepared their weapons. Short sword for the one to my right and throwing knives for the high pitch voiced floury hooded one to my left.

The one in the middle just observed me intently. Is he their leader?

“If it isn’t the amateur assassin from earlier, how was the flour? It was of high quality and expensive you know…”

I mocked the floury hooded guy and he took the bait.

“Amateur you say? What a cocky slave. Take this!”

He threw some knives at me but I just shifted my posture and avoided them.

“Wha?!”

“See what I meant? Your killing intent explodes out before you attack like telling me ‘Hey, here I go’. What an assassin you are… I thought assassins are able to completely hide their killing intent. Anyway, I guess it’s my turn now.”

I jumped to the trees above then randomly jump over from tree to tree soundlessly while approaching their location. Leaves are falling from the branches I stepped on but with this many and my speed it would be hard to ascertain my position.

“Shit! I couldn’t tell his position.”

The hooded men are looking up searching for me in a panic. Only the man in the middle is calm.

I prepared my daggers and jumped down behind the floury guy.

“Hello, and good bye.”

“!!!”

I cut his throat and he let out a voiceless scream of terror and agony.

Suddenly I sensed something coming at me from the left so I quickly jumped away, then a serrated blade slashed the air of where I was a moment ago.

“Ooh, scary. You used one of your men to get me eh? Now this is what I call a pro.I didn’t feel any killing intent as well.”

The tallest man whom I thought as the leader opened his hood. He is holding a uniquely shaped sword which both edges are serrated.

“You are a very interesting slave... Were you a well known knight before?”

“Sorry, but all the knights I know would rather die than become a slave.”

“Then, were you a mercenary?”

“Hmm, that is not entirely wrong. I was fighting for a reward which I could never get. I’ve even lost more of what I thought as important.”

The image of that day crossed my mind for a moment, calling forth my hatred.

The remaining two men shuddered as I was unintentionally leaking some killing intent.

Oops.

“Aaargh!”

The man with short sword snapped and dashed to attack me. I didn’t bother to use my daggers and kicked him in the stomach instead, sending him flying away at tremendous speed until he hit and brought down a tree. I don’t think he is still alive.

I didn’t even use my full power, just how strong did I get?

“Amazing… you, how about joining me to serve my master?”

The tall man opened both his arms wide then offered one to me.

“Oh?”

This guy is kind of amazing himself. He didn’t faze to what I just did to his subordinates.

“My master will soon be the demon lord, he is not the type that discriminate humans or demons. He only sees the strong and the weak.”

I showed him my fake slave brand.

“I’m a slave. I can’t go against my current master’s order.”

“Such thing can be easily erased with my master’s magic.”

Doesn’t discriminate human, only see the strong, capable of magic strong enough to erase a slave brand which must be at least master class non-elemental magic. I know one such guy. We fought and talked in the battlefield once. When everyone was scattered around the battlefield he appeared before me. He was really strong. I almost got defeated if Reza and Mira didn’t come to my aid and even the three of us only brought the fight to a stalemate.

“Your master, is he Berudis the Oppressor?”

“…”

He didn’t answer but his expression betrayed his silence.

“Right on the mark eh?”

“Really, just who the hell are you? Stop serving that unneeded princess and come to our side”

“That sounds like a good idea. I might be able to achieve my goal faster like that.”

He smiled to my answer.

“If you bring her head to my master then even you will be given a high enough position. I don’t know what your goal is but if you side with my master anything is possible.”

“Well, my goal is to destroy a single nation of the humans.”

“Hahaha, that is even better. My master also planned to conquer the whole continent. It won’t end with just one or two nations.”

“Hahahahaha.”

“Hahaha.”

We laughed together.

“No thanks. My target is just that one. I’m not so fallen as to let those unrelated to suffer my vengeance.”

“What?”

“More importantly, who would side with a guy who sent assassins to kill a little girl like that?”

I dashed and swung my daggers but he blocked it with his sword. I’m currently holding back but still, this guy is pretty good.

He took out something from within his mouth, a blowdart, and shot it at me. I couldn’t dodge due to the close range and suddenness. The dart hit my left shoulder.

“It’s a paralytic poison. You won’t be able to move for a few hours. You are an interesting material so I’ll take you to my master after I find and kill the princess.”

I looked at the blowdart and plucked it off.

“!?”

“*Sigh… My body might have mutated since no poison could affect it anymore…”

I could see the guy’s surprised look.

“Sorry dude, I won’t let you kill her. She’s my….”

‘Atonement’ I didn’t say it out loud since I don’t want Liz to hear it.

I used my full force and sent an uppercut to his chin, launching him upwards.

“Grrghh.”

The guy is strong, he is still alive and conscious after that punch.

I jumped and got in front of him who’s still in the air. He looked at me while grimacing from the pain. He tried to swing his sword at me but I used my dagger to cut his arm at the base and stabbed his chest with the other.

“Gghaaah.”

He looked at me, grinned, and then opened his mouth to speak.

“You…will re…gret…this…”

He fell to the ground as I landed not far from him. He’s definitely dead but his face is still smiling.

“Berudis the Oppressor, eh?”

One of Orcus’s general. He might be not the only one aiming for the demon lord’s throne so Liz might be in a very bad situation right now.

I have my goal but I can’t just leave Liz like this. However I also showed her something this bad already. Will she still be willing to stay with me?

I approached the place where she is.

“Liz, you can come out. I don’t sense anyone else nearby.”

“…”

“Liz?”

It took a few seconds until I see the burrow started opening. Maybe she hesitated.

“Sorry, was that too much for you to see? I should have told you to close your eyes.”

“I was scared.”

She answered while looking down.

“Thought so. Sorry, but that’s how it is. I’m not the type to hesitate in killing. I’ve killed too much anyway.”

She shakes her head.

“That kind of Erik is scary as well. But!”

She lifted her face and I could finally see that she is crying.

“When Erik talked with that person I thought you will go with him…*sob* Erik said that it was a good idea, so I was scared that Erik would do as he said…”

She said something I didn’t expect so I was speechless.

“Erik, please... don’t leave me...”

She held onto the hem of my shirt hesitantly but strongly as if fearing that I would reject her.

“Liz, listen.”

I crouched down and looked at her eyes, her teary eyes also looked at mine.

“I have a goal which I really want to accomplish so I will have to leave this forest soon.”

“Uuu…*hic.”

Her tears started to overflow again.

“Aah wait. I said I will leave but I didn’t say I will leave you.”

“Eh?”

“I promise I won’t leave you alone, but I can’t stay here forever. So, will you go with me?”

She opened her eyes wide.

“Also, the path I will take will be a very dangerous one but I’ll protect you. Is it okay?”

“Un, I want to stay with Erik.” She said while trying to hold her tears.

“Haha, what’s with that face? Don’t hold back, you can cry as much as you want today. You’ve suffered so much so there’s no reason not to cry.”

She jumped to my chest, hugging me while sobbing and wailing as hard as she could.

I hugged her back and stroked her head. I didn’t care much before but now I’m starting to fear that she might come to hate me if she knows the truth about me and her father.