The demon race, resembling a twisted form of humans, had a grotesque body but ultimately was closer to the human shape.
Thus, all patterns were judged against the humanoid standard, but distinguishing them was not easy due to their elongated bodies.
Well… in the end, it just flails around, so there’s really no need for major classifications. After all, if it’s not a pattern I can parry, I’ll just dodge it anyway.
As long as I keep an eye on those random kicks they throw out, I should be fine.
Karong!
“Rudion! Are you okay?!”
But for some reason, Seria’s worry reached me.
I used to not worry about fighting anything, really. She must know I’ve fought and beaten demons before.
It seemed that because I had been hurt once, the fantasy she held was shattered or something.
I have no words. Sorry for worrying you.
But I’m totally fine. No big deal here.
Whoosh. Swoosh. Whew. Whoosh. Dodged it!
“Stop messing around and take this seriously!”
Smash!
So, I intentionally showed off my leisure by pulling some stunts, but what came back was a deadly spoonful of magic.
Out of nowhere, something smashed into the demon’s gut.
…Wow. No more playing around.
And hey, Seria’s attacks are actually landing.
Well, considering she pierced the Empress’s protective magic, this demon’s toughness might not be much after all.
Kyaaaah!!!
Whether it was hurt or angry, the demon rushed at me, creating a symphony of ear-piercing screeches.
“Yikes! I’m sorry, Rudion! I didn’t think it would get this excited!”
“When you have a hole in your stomach, you generally can’t get excited. You’re gonna die, you know?”
“W-Well, that’s not what I meant!”
Seeing her in such a fluster made me feel like she regretted acting rashly, but it wasn’t really a big deal.
‘Every time it screams, some goo is leaking out from the hole in its belly. Looks like it’s using its diaphragm to breathe.’
I was relaxed enough to think that.
Compared to the hardcore dodge challenge I just experienced, this was child’s play.
Even while I was thinking that, the demon’s attacks kept coming.
Flailing limbs might look a bit silly, but those destructive powers were true to the name of a demon.
Floor, walls, pillars—anything it touched turned to dust.
In other words, even a brush could mean a fatal wound.
I didn’t want to experience my body shattering, so I stayed vigilant and dodged everything.
Not using any parryable patterns was the best course of action.
At that moment, the demon’s movements became suspicious.
Even if it was a run-of-the-mill demon, it was a special monster. It had its unique patterns, and one of them was a big hug attack.
While a typical hug attack was sporadic, this guy’s was a bit special.
It had a mechanism that drew in all targets within its range.
As the hug motion started, it was clear to see the danger zone.
Of course, I had already sensed it from just the motion and dodged in advance.
Do you think I’m a fool? This level of dodging is as easy as breathing for me!
Besides, I knew that the hug motion was very long and it was vulnerable while casting.
So, waiting for that moment, if Seria could land her magic…
Boom!!!
“Kyaa!”
Suddenly, the demon, having been hit by something, was sent flying and smashed against the wall.
I glanced back to see Seria glaring fiercely at the demon.
“What do you think you’re hugging? Absolutely not!”
Is that really what’s important, Seria?
Well, she did well, though…
It felt a bit awkward to say anything, so I let it slide.
“Before it gets up, land a big hit on it.”
“Yeah!”
With a lively response, several magic circles scattered around began to twinkle.
They quickly converged in front of Seria, merging into a highly geometrical shape.
It didn’t even take a second to do that.
Wow, that was fast.
The several magic circles set up before the battle were definitely paying off.
At first glance, it might look like a show-off move, but wizards are obsessed with efficiency.
Show-off? Nah. It’s just like prepping ingredients before cooking.
The quick response was thanks to the preparations made to blow away the demon that almost hugged me.
Anyway. Another spell rushed toward the demon lying on the ground.
It was a slicing spell, and the demon’s neck got cleanly severed.
That level of damage wouldn’t kill it, but with its head off momentarily unable to move, the demon could do nothing but be pounded by Seria’s magic until it finally succumbed.
Watching the demon turn into smoke and fly away, I looked at Seria with a nostalgic expression.
“You’re ruthless, Seria.”
“Stop saying strange things again! Just give me some praise already.”
“Okay…”
After that, I praised her as she wished.
When she didn’t even need the help of the Royal Guard, she deserved it.
It was a bit embarrassing for me to act tough telling her to stay still since I was the one who was actually useless in the situation.
Later, the Royal Guard, who arrived late, heard Seria say they were tardy and went off in shock to train their agility, while Seria and I headed to the room where the Emperor was to explain what had happened.
Even after breaking a treasure-like magic stone, thanks to Seria’s skillful explanation, things went pretty smoothly.
Since demons suddenly appeared inside, they couldn’t really say anything.
They were probably wondering if they should reward us, given how dangerous demons are.
For me, as long as I have dodging and parrying, I was nearly invincible, and Seria was growing vastly beyond my imagination, so it was pretty simple to deal with, but demons usually posed a national crisis the moment they appeared.
If this was seen as detecting and handling it in advance, I would undoubtedly be seen as a hero.
But I didn’t particularly need that. I would refuse if offered.
Hero? That grand title doesn’t really suit a simple citizen like me.
Even if they praised me as a hero, my stats wouldn’t increase.
I also didn’t want anything more. I had nothing lacking, and pushing for more would only bring unwanted attention.
Just forgiving me for breaking the magic stone would be enough.
As I was indifferent to what they were muttering or concerning themselves with…
“Seria. Isn’t it time you should be engaged soon?”
“Why are you bringing that up suddenly…? Ah, um… Yes, it is.”
Suddenly, the conversation veered into strange territories.
“You must have someone in mind, right?”
“……Yes.”
“It’s someone I know. Someone who’s here right now, right?”
“Th-That’s right…”
“I’ll allow it. Damn it, I never thought I’d be uttering these words….”
“Ahhhhh!! Why are you saying that here?!”
Seria started hitting my arm in excitement.
Uh. Um. By the way, are you even interested in my opinion?
Doesn’t look like it.
“After graduating from the Academy. Until then, absolutely do not cross the line.”
“Ah! Um… Yes.”
“Why are you hesitating? Could it be… already…?”
“No! Not yet!”
“Not yet?”
“…”
“…”
Suddenly, a silence fell as we stared at each other.
What are you looking at me for?
They quickly turned their gazes away, as if they realized it meant nothing.
“My daughter has such loose morals. I can’t allow this. What I just said is canceled.”
“Dad!!”
“Don’t even hold hands.”
“Seriously, stop it with the forceful rules!”
Watching the two bicker, the Emperor suddenly looked at me and called my name.
“Rudion.”
“Yes?”
“Damn it. You wanted to take my daughter away that much, huh? Why are you so desperate to win my approval?”
Wait, why are you two discussing this and coming to conclusions on your own?… I had no such intentions.
The Emperor sighed deeply and decided not to pursue that topic further.
In the next moment, his expression sharpened.
“I won’t ask how you knew about this incident. But I would like you to answer just this one thing.”
“What is it?”
“You won’t betray Seria… nor humanity, will you?”
“Of course not.”
“Ha, I’m so straightforward that it makes me embarrassed for even asking.”
Well, in this world where good and evil are clearly defined…
There was no reason to side with demons, let alone betray humanity.
“I’m a man overflowing with love for humanity, after all.”
“…”
But as I was trying to express that, I fumbled and ended up saying something foolish.
An awkward silence followed because of my foolishness.
Feeling embarrassed, I stayed quiet, and the Emperor glanced at me before turning to Seria.
“…Seria. Is it truly good for him to be this way?”
“I sometimes think about that too. But still, he’s overflowing with love for humanity.”
“Yeah. If he has love for humanity, then I can rest easy.”
This just goes to show how crucial every word is.
Clearly, I’m a fabulous man who has dealt with a crisis for the Royal family, yet I’m being ridiculed.
I figured refuting it would yield no results, so I decided to remain silent.
That evening, unlike yesterday, it was decided we would eat separately.
With the magic stone breaking and various things to discuss among the family.
That was fine by me. I could have my personal time right after finishing my meal.
Enjoying the service as I headed to the guest room, I opened the path to my secret space again.
From now on, no one would come looking for me. Even if they did, I told Seria to handle it well.
“I think I can finish everything today.”
Despite being tied to the grand outcome of stopping the apocalypse, the content was quite scant. If I go in and push hard, I could finish it before midnight.
With that thought in mind, I went inside, and shortly after…
[This action may draw their attention. Do you really want to execute it?]
A message I had never seen before welcomed me.
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