Chapter 108

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on March 8, 2025

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Episode 108

Eldein attempted to seduce Eri by holding her wrist and manifesting the power of an incubus, but it had no effect on her. The power of an incubus does not affect married women, more specifically, pregnant women.

Lea had summoned Eldein to confirm this fact, and indeed, Eldein’s charm had no effect on Eri.

As Eri stood there in shock at the revelation, they were already congratulating her.

“It seems you’ve gotten close to Dein pretty quickly.”

“It’s a good thing.”

“Congratulations, Ms. Eri.”

Eri looked at them dumbfounded. Lea, who had been congratulating her, spoke.

“In that case, I should bring Dein here. But who among us can infiltrate the human realm…?”

“I’ll go.”

Cecili raised her hand. Indeed, Cecili had previously visited the human realm to assist Seere.

“Yes, Cecili should go. Eldein, you report this to His Majesty. He’s likely on the 50th floor.”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

“And Eri.”

“Yes…?”

Lea smiled faintly.

“Congratulations. Your room is always kept tidy, so go rest for a bit. Let us know if you need anything.”

“Ah…”

Eri nodded. As she left the room, Lea smiled slightly.

“This news might stir the Emperor somewhat.”

#

“Hmph.”

Dein looked behind him. He had successfully shaken off the other stragglers, but one person in particular clung to him stubbornly.

“You’re fast. Your skill ranks among the best on the continent.”

There was no joy in hearing such praise. Dein adjusted the small, sharp throwing daggers hidden under his robe and slid one onto his finger.

Tsk!

Dein threw it swiftly, but Adelbert was no easy opponent. He dodged most of the daggers Dein threw, and caught the one aimed at his forehead with his hand.

Faced with such incredible skill, Dein cursed under his breath, “You’re insane,” as he sped up.

However, Adelbert sped up as well, maintaining his distance from Dein.

‘It’s…’

It was becoming clear. If he could keep up, that meant he could have caught up much earlier. But choosing to match Dein’s pace deliberately suggested…

“Hmm?”

Dein turned around and stopped abruptly. Adelbert stopped too, and questioned Dein.

“Have you given up running, friend?”

“… You’re the one luring me while babbling nonsense.”

“You’ve noticed. Naturally, the first method wouldn’t work, so we move to the second approach.”

Adelbert sighed, drew his twin daggers, and crossed them in a ready stance. Adelbert’s daggers were curved Jambiya daggers, while Dein’s daggers were Fairburn-Sykes knives optimized for thrusting.

If the daggers were to clash, the Jambiya would hold the advantage. However, the Fairburn-Sykes daggers were specifically designed for the swift and lethal execution.

Adelbert glanced at Dein’s dagger and offered a relaxed smile.

“Whether your aim is the weapon or the man, I can already see the difference in your tendencies.”

“Tendency? Ha, it’s nonsense.”

Dein smirked in response.

“Here you are, an assassin, yet you’re putting on airs.”

“…I wouldn’t have thought of it in a million years.”

Adelbert crossed the Jambiyas in both hands.

“Never would’ve imagined you’d end up here facing me one day.”

“That goes for you too!”

Dein launched his left-hand dagger first. Designed for thrusting, its lethal force was just as deadly when thrown.

But Adelbert wasn’t an easy target. He responded to the attack by swinging his crossed daggers in perfect timing.

“…Huh?”

Just before the dagger reached Adelbert, it suddenly turned mid-air. There was no temporal manipulation involved.

“Tricky!”

It was simply a thread tied to the dagger that Dein had pulled back. As his dagger was retracted, Dein was already behind Adelbert, attempting to stab his neck.

It was a perfect angle. Or so it seemed, until Dein overlooked something.

Clang!!!

“…You reacted to this?”

“I haven’t grown rusty yet.”

Adelbert had deflected Dein’s knife with his own dagger in one fluid motion, adjusting his stance at the last moment.

This world’s top assassin was no joke. Dein abandoned his lost dagger and retreated, while Adelbert casually tossed it aside.

“Alright, one down.”

“…Good job.”

Dein spread his robe, and Adelbert squinted upon seeing what was beneath. Dein produced another identical dagger from within the folds and announced,

“One out of ten.”

“…Carrying so much weaponry without sacrificing speed?”

“Practice makes perfect.”

Through daily training with heavy sandbags in the Demon World, Dein had managed to maintain his speed. Unlike an ordinary assassin, he was muscular, almost like a seasoned warrior. Even Eri had commented on this firsthand.

“Kuh, kuh!”

“…What’s so funny?”

“Not really… I noticed from our conversation. You’re different from Lukah.”

“Huh?”

“I thought you might have fallen victim to mind manipulation like your friend. But you haven’t. You’re fully aware, aren’t you?”

“…”

“Mind manipulation. Exactly what that implies. The reason I had no other choice but to eliminate Lukah—did you think it was simply because he acted as an errand boy for the Demon World? I don’t kill guild adventurers lightly for such reasons.”

Dein scrutinized Adelbert’s expression, posture, breathing, and gaze, but all seemed genuine.

‘…No.’

It wasn’t a lie. Dein denied this truth inwardly and shut out Adelbert’s words.

“Don’t try to confuse me with lies. Does that change the fact that you killed Lukah?”

“…Yes, that remains unchanged.”

Adelbert addressed Dein,

“Then let me make you a proposition. I hadn’t planned on this, but your skills have changed my mind.”

“…What?”

“You can have your vengeance. In return, you need to follow in my footsteps.”

“What nonsense…”

“And I’d like Eri to join along as well.”

The moment he mentioned Eri, Dein’s expression shifted dramatically. His face, which moments ago was startled by a shocking revelation, contorted into rage.

“You.”

“Such a telling reaction…”

The atmosphere shifted. Adelbert could distinctly feel an overwhelming killing aura, as if the surrounding air had frozen.

“What have you done to Eri?”

“…I simply came for her. If she doesn’t resist too much, she won’t get hurt.”

“Hah… So that’s how it is. You must’ve known from the start where Eri and I were staying.”

“Your inference is sharp. Almost spot on. But there’s one correction to be made.”

“What?”

“The fact that we know where you operate wasn’t me—it was someone else’s plan.”

Dein was left momentarily stunned. If guild members were after Eri, and with a skilled assassin like Adelbert targeting her, Eri, a magician without protection, would be utterly defenseless.

“…If I were to trust you… would Eri be safe?”

“Guaranteed.”

“…”

Dein gripped his dagger tightly. Should he believe Eri could handle it on her own and continue fighting? Or abandon all uncertain choices to ensure Eri’s safety?

“I…”

“What are you hesitating about? Your friend might be in danger.”

“I don’t need to listen to that, Dein.”

Suddenly, a woman interjected, cutting between them effortlessly. Neither Dein nor Adelbert had sensed her approach.

The orange hair with perky fox ears and fluffy tail revealed she was not human, and oddly enough, she wore a maid uniform.

Dein recognized her, but Adelbert had no clue about her identity. Thus, Dein understood her sudden appearance, while Adelbert was left puzzled.

Adelbert, realizing the significance of not detecting an S-rank assassin approach, broke out in a cold sweat.

“…When did you arrive?”

“Just now. Dein, Eri is safe. There’s no need to listen to these words.”

“…Is that true?”

“Return first. Commanding under such circumstances would be unreasonable.”

“…Understood.”

Dein obediently followed. Watching this, Adelbert eyed the fox-eared maid with suspicion and questioned,

“…Are you the one pulling the strings?”

“Me?”

The maid stared blankly at Adelbert for a moment, then subtly curved her lips and chuckled,

“Hehe, I’m just a maid.”

“…What?”

“Be thankful that you haven’t harmed Dein yet. If you had inflicted any injuries… I wouldn’t have left it be.”

Adelbert was cautious. He recognized engaging with an unknown maid of this caliber without understanding her abilities would be reckless.

However, his sense of moral duty gnawed at him. Allowing a Demon World member to leave unpunished was creating guilt within him.

“…Keh.”

Adelbert ultimately chose the rational approach. With a slight smile, the elegant fox-eared maid commented,

“Good choice.”

The mysterious maid disappeared with Dein, leaving Adelbert behind. He sighed, feeling like a cooked meal had slipped through his fingers.

“…”

#

The peaceful everyday life had crumbled. Dein mourned the two years spent peacefully with Eri, knowing such a life might never return.

“Good times…”

Seeing Dein’s obvious regret, Cecili giggled.

“Dein.”

“…Yes?”

“You don’t need to be this gloomy. A tremendous piece of joy awaits you.”

“What does that mean?”

“Once you see, you’ll know.”

Cecili led the confused Dein to the Demon King Castle. The corridors were bustling with noise.

Cecili halted a passing maid and inquired,

“What’s going on? Why so noisy?”

“Ah, His Majesty has returned. He heard about Ms. Eri…”

“Ah.”

So, the noise was for that. Dein, however, wondered what news about Eri would cause such commotion.

“Exactly what is this all about?”

“Ask her yourself.”

Cecili opened the noisy door where Lea was present, and other early arrivals welcomed them.

“Is there a baby here?”

“I-I don’t really feel it yet…”

“But I can’t hear anything.”

“Well, it hasn’t grown much, has it…!”

“So how exactly did you seduce the guy? Can you teach me your secrets?”

“E-Excuse me!?”

“Haha.”

Seere was uncharacteristically leaning her ear to Eri’s belly in a manner far removed from that of the Demon King. Dein took a while to grasp this unexpected scene, while Cecili smiled amusedly.

“Congratulations.”

“…Eh?”

“Eri, you’re having a baby.”

“…”

Dein’s eyes widened and he couldn’t say a word. Slowly turning his head, he met Eri’s eyes. When Eri, blushing furiously, bowed her head, Dein realized the truth.

“Ah.”

“Dein, I’m glad you’re doing fine.”

“…Really?”

“Huh?”

Dein slowly approached. Watching him, Seere graciously stepped aside. Without time to thank her, Dein was drawn towards Eri.

“Is it…real?”

“…Yes.”

Eri replied in a flustered tone. In that moment, Dein’s face brightened immensely—so much that it was shocking to see him so jubilant.

“Eri!!”

“Kyaa, Dein!?”

Dein picked Eri up and laughed heartily. Watching this, Seere chuckled lightly.

“He’s really happy. His mouth might split.”