“Beautiful”

I was entranced by Eri’s appearance. She was wearing a Blood Red Dress with crinoline. The Dress is accompanied with black frills that highlights the Red Dress. She also has her make-up and her hair done. Her horns were hidden using a Red Beret. She looks extremely gorgeous than her usual self, while maintaining her usual aura. Beauty that can Definitely Kill.

“Huh?”

She looked at me with confusion while she approaches me.

“Uhm, what? I didn’t say anything.”

“If that’s the case… I must’ve just misheard something. So? How’s everything?”

“I was… flocked. And I received a lot of invitation for marriage. Also, I have befriended the Princess.”

“Ok. in short, nothing worth talking about.”

“Yeah, you can put it that way.”

Looks like she’s not interested about everything that happened.

“For now, let’s find a table. Let’s continue after that.”

I extend my hands to her.

“Would you like me to escort you?”

She stared at my hands, then she looked at me. After that, she just walked, leaving me behind.

“So, it’s a no.”

I quickly followed her.

While we were walking, I noticed that there are many gazes that’s following Eri. From the sons and daughters of the lords to the lords themselves. Looks like she had caught the attention of the attendees, men and women alike.

“There, that table’s empty.”

She looked at where I’m pointing and head then head towards the table.

“You really won’t talk to me?”

I followed her until we reach the table. She remained silent even after we reached our table.

“So, what took you so long?”

She looked at me. She was smiling, which is weird enough in itself. Her smile seemed fake and feels like she’s trying to control herself.

“Nothing worth mentioning.”

I can feel that she’s pissed off right now.

“Did something happened while you’re preparing? Were you attacked?”

“Not really. They were quite hospitable, you see. They brought me fruits for me to eat while I was being fitted. Though, I prefer if they were not laced on poison.”

“What?!”

“Oh, and there was a maid who tripped right in front of me. it really is dangerous to walk while carrying a poison-laced knife, you see.”

“Wait, what?”

“Oh, and the room is filled with traps. Nothing to worry about, right?”

“Stop right there! There are various things on what you said that is totally not to be discarded. You were almost poisoned and stabbed? What the hell is happening?”

“Well, of course. Because I’m a Demon, that’s why.”

“You’re a Hero’s Comrade, they should know very well not to mess with you.”

“Oh, you’re addressing yourself as the Hero now.”

“That’s not what this is all about!”

“Come on, don’t be so sketchy! After all, I tried my best to hold myself from killing everyone in that room, you know.”

What she said intrigues me.

“Hmm, I didn’t know you have it in yourself in terms of controlling your anger.”

“It’s none of your business. Besides, you want to forge a relationship with this Kingdom, right? Not that I want to.”

“So, you understand what I’m saying earlier in our room!”

“Haaa! What a Drag. Stop looking so amused every time I do or say thing in unconventional ways, it makes me feel like I’m an idiot.”

“Oh, come on, I know you like being praised.”

“Shut up or I’ll Kill you.”

She pointed a bread knife that she happened to reach, at me. She’s really angry right now.

“Try me.”

She stared at me while pointing the knife in my neck. After a few seconds, she put down the knife and let out a sigh.

“Just stop being a pain in the ass. Will you?”

“Sure, I’ll stop right there.”

I smiled at her and once again, she sighed.

“So? What should we do now?”

“Just go with the flow, I guess? That’s what I’m doing ever since I stepped foot in this hall. So far, it’s effective.”

“I’m not good with that.”

“I know. You’ll definitely kill everyone here without hesitation if I’m not here, right? They’re just insects, after all.”

She said nothing.

“Okay then, I’ll interact with the other lords over there, feel free to not do anything.”

Before I can stand up, someone approached us, rather, someone approached Eri.

“What a great evening, don’t you think?”

“Uhm… Who are you?”

“I am not talking to you. I’m taking to the beautiful flower over there.”

Looks like she’s talking about Eri.

“It’s a pleasure to meet a gorgeous lady such as yourself, in this occasion. May I ask your name?”

Eri did not answer, she doesn’t even look like she’s interested.

“I think you should st-”

“I’m not talking to you.”

I was told to shut up.

“So you’re a hard-to-get type, huh? I love girls like you. I am Artur Alexei, son of Karil Alexei, right hand to the King. Would you like to accompany me?”

Eri’s expression’s starting to get distorted, looks like she’s going to burst anytime soon if that guy don’t stop.

“Uhm, I really think that you should st-”

“How many times do I need to tell you to shut up! Can you not understand words! Ha! So you’re the Hero, huh. I bet you just let your comrades subdue the Demon King and his generals while you wait to deal the final blow so that you will be praised as the Hero. I bet I can easily become a Hero if I were the one to attack the Demon King. You look weak, you’re not threatening, at all. You’re not even born a noble, am I right? Commoners like you should just stay where they are and obey us, your gods. So, can you stay quiet while I take the beautiful lady to have fun? Before I am forced to kick your ass, that is.”

I clenched my fist. This brat really needs to know a lesson or two about pain and how not to talk to me.

“Okay, you can do as you please, I will not interfere. Eri, you can do what you want with him.”

Artur strike a pose, as if trying to be cool.

“So, your name is Eri, huh. That’s a beautiful name! come on, let’s go have some fun!”

Artur grabbed Eri by the arm and tries to drag her.

“… me.”

Eri began to murmur.

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Don’t touch me.”

Eri said in a cold, stern, yet composed and relaxed voice.

“Oh come on, it’s just a touch! We can do a lot more later at our mansion, I know you’d like what I have in store.”

“Did you not hear me? I said don’t touch me.”

I can feel a lot hostility and bloodlust towards Eri’s voice. Looks like one more push and she’ll go full berserk. I kind of want to see that, moreover when I think that the brat will be the one to receive it all.

“Don’t be a bitch and just follow me!”

“I said… DO NOT TOUCH ME!!!”

Artur was sent flying at high speed all the way to the opposite wall.

“Did anyone ever told you to respect someone stronger than you? That’s what you get, you asshole.”

Everyone in the Hall was stunned about what they just saw, even the music players stopped playing music due to their shock.

“He pissed me off. I warned him three times, it’s his fault for not listening to it.”

“That, we can agree on. That was awesome, by the way. The way you sent her flying, is pleasing to the eyes.”

“But not as fulfilling as straight up beheading him.”

“Hahaha. Let’s not go there, Ok?”

“What have you done?! You imbeciles! Don’t you know who that man is?!”

An angry man bolted towards our direction and began shouting at us.

“Uhm, he just introduced himself before Eri sent him flying so… we are certain that we know who he is.”

“Then what have you done to my son?!”

“Well, he’s being a bother so, Eri pushed him a little.”

“A little? You call that ‘A Little’?!”

Eri is the one who replied.

“I didn’t even push him with all my strength, you know. I am surprised how weak your son is.”

“You’ll pay for this, you vermin. I am the King’s right hand and I will make sure that you will be executed! I don’t care if you’re a Hero’s comrade or what, you’ll be executed!”

“Oh, I don’t think so, Sir.”

“Stay out of this, Hero! This matter is between that me and that vermin!”

I looked at Eri and saw her clenching her fist while smiling grimly.

Yup, she’s seriously angry now, is what I thought.

I don’t know what would happen if this doesn’t stop. Well, I actually know, she’s going to destroy a whole kingdom. But I don’t even want to think about it.

“Sir, your son made a mistake to not listen to me. I implore you to not make the same mistake as him.”

“You’re just a lowly commoner! Don’t you dare oppose a noble like me! I don’t care if you’re a hero or not, I will make sure that you will suffer if you oppose me!”

I stood up and went in front of him.

“Sir, this will be my final warning. Leave us alone and forget about what happened. This is for your safety and everyone else’s.”

“You, filthy commoner!”

Karil snatched a sword from a guard nearby and ran straight towards me while shouting “DIE!”.

Okay, that’s it.

I directed raw, untapped bloodlust to him. The moment he felt that, he froze in place. Everyone else in the Hall was confused about why he stopped. I then went ahead towards where he is. After reaching him, I retrieve the sword that he’s holding and return it to the guard. After that, I returned to where he is and put my hands onto his shoulder.

“I am really grateful for listening to a selfish request of mine. I can really see how compassionate are you. Thank you very much, sir lord.”

After saying those, I hugged him and told him something that only the two of us can hear.

“Don’t mess with me, or everyone close to me, anymore. If you do, you’ll wish that you’ve settled for my bloodlust, okay?”

No response.

“Do you understand me?”

No response.

“If you agree, then nod. If you didn’t, I’ll take that as you opposing me and I will deal with you immediately, are we clear?”

This time, he nodded.

“Good.”

I pulled myself away and smiled at him.

“Thank you for understanding, Lord Karil.”

He was pale when I left him. After that, he walked towards a seat while staring blankly.

I returned to our seat and the music resumed and everyone else minded their own business, as if nothing happened.

Eri seems to be staring at me while I’m walking towards her. After I reached our table, she lightly slammed the table.

“I don’t require your help that time. I could’ve handled it myself.”

“Yes, I know. But your way of dealing with things usually involves blood, right? I just want to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.”

Eri averted her gaze away from me.

Once again, the air between Eri and I became awkward. Or am I the only one that felt that? I don’t know. But something tells me that I need to do something about this situation.

And as if the gods have heard my resolve, the music in the Hall changed and, pair by pair, everyone went in the middle and dance.

That’s it!

I looked at Eri.

“Hey Eri.”

“What is it?”

“Let’s dance.”

Eri looked at me. replied immediately.

“No thanks.”

“Come on, just this once!”

“No.”

“You really don’t want to?”

“How many times do I need to tell you?”

“Okay.”

I stood up and looked behind her.

“You know, the moment I left this table, you will have to deal with everyone behind you.”

Eri looked behind her and saw a bunch of young men attempting to talk to her and dance with her.

After seeing those, Eri looked at me with eyes who wants to complain but can’t. she offered her hands to me.

“Just this once.” She said while glaring at me.

“Ok, just this once.”

I reached for her hands and we went to the dance floor. I put my hands in her hips and hers in my shoulder.

The music that was playing is your typical fantasy-like orchestral piece that you can always hear in an opening screen of a MMORPG game. Even though that is the case, it still blends well to the current atmosphere. A suitable music for a dance.

I tried to lead our dance and started with the usual swaying. I tried my best to match the pace of our dancing to the pace of the music.

This reminds me of the school ball that happened last year. It really brings back good memories, specially, the part where I asked Mira to dance. I still can’t forget the feeling I had when we were dancing. Her bashful face and her cute puffs when our eyes meet. Everything about that event is really important to me, it feels like I’m in a bliss, now that I think about it.

We were swaying for some time and there are fewer pairs in the dance floor now. I looked at Eri and she looks like she was getting bored. When she noticed that I was looking at her, she smiled and said:

“Hey, are you done leading me?”

“Huh?”

“I’m getting bored now. Mind if I take the lead?”

“Uhm, sure?”

“Good, now be careful and try not to lose footing. Also, try not to look like an idiot.”

I can see mischievousness in her eyes.

“Be my guest.”

The moment I said those, she stepped abruptly and straightened herself. She then grabbed my right hand with her left hand then she looked at me and said:

“Prepare yourself.”

After saying that, she started moving, and I followed.

Few minutes have passed and I can say with certainty, she’s a no joke when it comes to dancing. Her poise, the turns that she makes, the way she moved, the way she leads, everything she does screams professional. If a normal person tried to match her, they will undoubtedly fail. Lucky for me, I have taught how to dance before, when I was still in my old world.

“Oh, you’re not bad.”

I was praised by Eri while dancing.

“You too.”

“I guess, this is enough for a warm-up. Are you ready for the real thing?”

“What are you sa-”

Before I could finish my sentence, she suddenly changed the way she’s dancing. It became a lot more fierce and wild than before, it also picked up the pace and became hastened. The music also changed to match our pace. I looked around us and saw that no one else is on the dance floor, only the two of us.

It became a lot harder to follow her lead. She was so disciplined, I can’t help but think that she’s a trained dancer. Her expressions match her way of dancing and her moves are completely in sync with the music.

Because of her lead I managed to match her pace, although barely. And the dance became a lot more fun than I anticipated.

As the music came near its end, Eri looked at me.

“Do as I say.”

“Okay!”

“Lift me! Now!”

I lift her.

“Spin around.”

I spun around. After that, I put her down.

“Now, spin me!”

I spun her. After 3 spins, she said:

“Wrap me around your arms then dip me!”

I did as I was told and dipped her right exactly at the music’s end. We stayed in that position for a few moments. After that, I helped her stand up, she then pulled me towards her and whispered something.

“You’re not bad for a brat.”

“Really? That’s what you’re going to call me? the dance was pretty fun though.”

“It’s good to have fun and all, but look around, the princess is missing.”

“What?!”

“The guards escorted her outside. Looks like orders from the King.”

“Oh, that? You don’t have to worry about it.”

Out of nowhere, a window was shattered and 3 men were thrown inside the hall. One of them is the King.

“See? Nothing to worry about.”

Eri pulled out from me and assume a guarding stance. While I stood there and stare at the one who did those.

“Hey Princess! Come inside!”

The Lorelei was standing outside.

“I told you to call me Lorelei, right! We’re already friends after all!”

“Never mind that, come here!”

“Wait!”

Lorelei went back inside the hall. As for the three who was sent flying, they were still unconscious.

“Hans!”

The door burst open and Lorelei head towards me while shouting my name.

“Hey, Lorelei, Welcome back!”

“Good! Friends should call each other by names, after all.”

“That’s really not what we should’ve been talking right now, you know?”

Everyone was stunned on what just happened. The fact that the King emerged from the windows and is unconscious is weird enough to see and comprehend. Even the guards just stood there and did nothing.

Lorelei took a good look at her surroundings and said:

“Oh, about father? Don’t worry about him.”

“There are plenty of things to worry about in this situation, but let’s start with this: What happened?”

“Well, my father called me outside and we had a little chat about me not being able to seduce you. Things got out of hand and father hit me, but he’s the one that got hit. He tried to hit me again and again but he was the one that keeps on getting hit. He then called a mage and tried to attack me with magic, then that thing happened.”

She points at the unconscious men near the broken window.

Just like what I anticipated. The king looked so discontent before, that’s why I had to give Lorelei something to defend herself.

Lorelei looked at me again and said:

“Come to think of it, After I told my father about the thing that I told you earlier, he became furious.”

“So that’s why!”

“Hmm?”

“Stop acting like you’re innocent!”

“I’m not acting, why would you say that?”

I can’t deal with this girl. I never thought this girl has a huge gap in her character. I just let out a sigh and got over with it.

“So, what should we do now?”

“I’ll leave it to you.”

I walked towards the unconscious King and tried to wake him up.

After a few minutes, the King woke up while trying to cope up with the current situation.

“What happened?”

“You were thrown inside the hall, your majesty.”

“Inside the hall? What?”

He appears to be a little groggy and is still trying to remember what happened. After a few seconds, his expressions changed and he immediately looked at Lorelei.

“You!”

Everyone then looked at where the King is pointing at.

“You, ungrateful child!”

The King then stood up.

“You dared to go against me? The King?! If that’s what you want then fine!”

He called the guards and they surrounded Lorelei.

“You are no longer fit to inherit the throne! I hereby disown you and charge you with high treason! You will be sentenced to death by beheading!”

The guards slowly closed in towards Lorelei. Since we’re near Lorelei, we’re also inside the closing circle. Looks like the King intended us three to be caught. Maybe he associated the fact that he can’t seem to hit Lorelei, with me who might’ve done something for that to happen.

“What now, Hans? Looks like they want us too, not only the Princess.”

The princess looks like she’s enjoying the current development. I’m so going to scold this girl later.

“Looks like we need to assert our position yet again. *sigh* He should’ve learn by now that it’s not good to mess with us, right?”

“Should I handle them all?”

Eri looked like she’s trying to hide her excitement.

“No, stay put.”

“Huh?! Why?!”

“You’ll definitely kill them. That won’t do.”

“That would be the easiest way to assert fear, you know. Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

“Just let me handle this one, please?”

“Whatever.”

Eri shrugged me.

“Well then, -”

As the guards’ spears are drawing near, I called out to the King.

“- I know you’re angry, your majesty. But this is the second time you tried to take us in. You should’ve known by now not to mess with us, right?”

I used my ability to make the temperature around me, cold. After that, I let my bloodlust ooze out. It’s true that killing is the best way to instill fear, but the same can be said you make them feel chills run on their spines, literally.

As if to show that I’m right, the guards surrounding us stepped back and dropped their weapons. The King, even if he’s not showing it, seems to be taken aback by what happened.

“Good instincts.”

I went to where the King is standing. Upon reaching, I whispered something to him.

“I hope that you learned your lesson now. We are quite fond of this Kingdom, you see, and I would not want to see it crumble because of wrong judgement by the King. Lorelei is my friend, and I will not turn my back away if they are in need or in danger. She’ll be the next in line of succession for the crown and If you tried to make her ineligible for the crown or hurt her again, I’ll make sure that this kingdom will not be able to rebuild again, ever. Understood, Lucar? Oh, and just so you know, We will know if something happened to her even if we’re not here so, I would advise not to do any underhanded measures just because we’re not here anymore.”

The King is left standing. He then nodded once and ordered the guards to retreat. The crowd was left stunned and nothing to do. The atmosphere of uneasiness flooded the whole room and it’s because of us. The King and the guards then left the hall.

Eri and Lorelei approached me afterwards.

“Thanks for protecting me from my father. I appreciate it.”

“Don’t mention it, that’s what friends are for, right?”

Lorelei smiled.

“Really, thank you.”

Damn, she’s cute when she smiles.

Eri suddenly pat my back hard enough to make a loud sound.

“Threatening the King? Not bad. So? What’s our next move?”

“First, stop slapping me in the back.”

Eri stopped and looked at me while waiting for an answer.

“Well, we wait.”

“Just that?” Eri said while sounding a bit disappointed.

“Since we’ve threatened the King, it’s only natural for his loyal subordinates to restore his honor. We should be expecting underhanded and blatant attacks while we’re sleeping, Heck, they might even attack us in our sleep. You know what I mean right, Eri?”

“Yup, it’s my time to shine.”