No matter how prepared I was to die as I embarked alone on the mission to slay the Demon King, I hadn’t lost my mind to the point of engaging in a reckless and hopeless battle. If anything, I had become colder and more calculated in my pursuit to kill more demons.
Thus, for the past three years, I had been postponing something I fully understood, merely hoping that an opportunity would eventually arise.
But finally, the opportunity has come. Thanks to Presia’s joining, I am now able to attempt something I had previously deemed too risky to undertake.
That something is none other than the elimination of the Four Heavenly Kings.
Truthfully, the best course of action would be to overthrow the Demon King, the leader of all demons and an object of veneration. However, the forces guarding the Demon King, who has yet to fully regain his strength even after several years, are an impenetrable fortress. Even I would consider sneaking into the Demon King’s Castle’s innermost chamber without being detected tantamount to suicide.
Of course, the Four Heavenly Kings are no pushovers either. They’re not some random neighbor’s dog, and their strength shouldn’t be underestimated, especially since merely adding Presia to our forces doesn’t make them any less formidable. In fact, considering that the Demon King hasn’t fully regained his original power, the core strength of the Demon King’s Army largely lies with the Four Heavenly Kings.
But even the Four Heavenly Kings aren’t invincible. They were defeated in my previous life, after all, by me and my friends. Though we ultimately fell into a trap just before facing the Demon King, leading to a repeat of a new fifth life.
This time, the member of the Four Heavenly Kings I’m targeting is the weakest among them. While they are still stronger than most Upper Demons, they attained their place among the Four Heavenly Kings more due to their noble bloodline and the special powers it entails than sheer might.
From humanity’s perspective,Ironically, this weakest member of the Four Heavenly Kings is even more troublesome than any powerful demon we’ve encountered up until now.
“Of course, even the weakest of them is extremely dangerous. If you decide against it, Sir, I’ll consider it too risky and abandon the plan.”
“But if Alicia told you, doesn’t that mean she sees a chance of success?”
“That may be so, but we can’t be sure of the variables. Please make your decision without feeling pressured.”
If Presia refuses, I genuinely intend to give up. Even before she joined, I had been delaying this mission. Additionally, if I were to die, so would Presia. In such a situation, how could I recklessly endanger her life?
“Alright, let’s go.”
But without any hesitation, Presia immediately agreed. Her attitude was so matter-of-fact that it left me somewhat bewildered.
“Sir? Are you sure you heard correctly? We’re talking about the Four Heavenly Kings, the direct subordinates of the Demon King.”
Because I was worried she might have misunderstood, I even attempted to dissuade her—this alone indicates how shocked I was.
“Yes, I understand. But since Alicia mentioned it… though she has tricked me once before, I still trust her. Does Alicia not trust me?”
Her words touched me, but the bitter reminder of being deceived once still struck my conscience like a dagger.
“So, shall we rest well tonight and set out tomorrow?”
“Wait! Wait a moment, Senior!”
Just as the conversation was about to wrap up, Luna, who had been rolling around in bed hugging her Tokki plushie, suddenly sat up and exclaimed.
“Huh? What’s the matter?”
“Why are you only asking Presia and not me? Discrimination is wrong!”
Though Luna had been teasing Presia since they first met, she still remembered that it was Presia who removed her Master-Slave Mark. Despite their bickering, Luna always addressed Presia respectfully as “Sister.”
“Of course, you’re obviously coming along. But isn’t it natural for women to appreciate being asked even if they already know the answer? Wait… Are you thinking of me as an already-caught fish?”
Her apparent sulking aside,
“Why would I even ask you? I wasn’t planning on bringing you.”
Presia and I would have enough trouble as it is, and adding Luna to the group just isn’t an option. Sure, her stealth skills are enough to at least secure her own safety, but her age is still a concern. She’s barely 17, after all.
Even if it came down to it, I could always ask Lindy for a little time off, but bringing Luna along was simply not under consideration.
Upon hearing this, the annoyed expression on Luna’s face evolved into one of shock. Her eyes even welled up with tears.
“S-Se…Senior… do you find me annoying now? Is it because Presia is here that I’m no longer needed?”
Then, all of a sudden, Luna shouted so loudly that everyone could hear. Fortunately, there weren’t many customers, but the innkeeper still looked our way, startled by the unexpected noise.
She doesn’t know when to quit!
“Luna! Shh! Shh!”
In an attempt to quiet her down, I frantically motioned with my finger to hush, but she only cried louder without caring about the onlookers.
“Sniff… To me, I was just fleeting fun to Senior, wasn’t I?”
Suddenly, Luna burst into loud, dramatic tears. Seated right beside me, her crying was already disruptive enough, yet Presia seemed completely unbothered, calmly eating lunch as she ignored the situation.
“…Seriously, it’s excessive, even for girls. You’re not some cute delinquent with no sense of responsibility. You should know better.”
“That’s not… it’s not what I mean!”
Things took a turn for the worse when the innkeeper started making absurd assumptions. Moreover, the lunch crowd was growing, with more and more customers entering the store.
“Fine! I’ll bring you along. Just stop!”
Fearing a rumor that I’m some trashy lesbian might spread throughout the town, I reluctantly agreed to bring Luna along, just to pacify her.
Once I gave in, Luna immediately stopped crying and glanced at me suspiciously.
“Really?”
“Alright, fine. But if it gets dangerous, you promise to run away without looking back. Otherwise, no matter how you throw a tantrum, I won’t bring you.”
“Hehe! Senior’s the best!”
The dramatic turnaround in Luna’s behavior suggested that her earlier outburst was all an act. With a beaming smile, she threw her arms around me. Looking back, I don’t remember acting half this immature when I was her age. But then again, this proves how much I’ve come to mean to her. I had to grow up fast since I was destined to fight the Demon King, but this is her youth, after all.
Still, the innkeeper seems pleased by our reconciliation, apparently mistaking us for a lesbian couple. Though we’re leaving tomorrow, I seriously considered whether it would be best to change accommodations now.
*
So, you’re going to capture one of the Four Heavenly Kings?
“That’s right. The residence of one of the Four Heavenly Kings isn’t too far from here.”
Even more surprising, the one we’re targeting has relatively weak combat prowess and doesn’t bother setting up much security at their hideout. On the contrary, they prefer to stay concealed from their followers. While there might be some discrepancies since I’m in my fifth life, checking it out seems worthwhile.
Is that info something you learned through regressing?
Lindy, the only person who knows I’m actually Zeno, has known about my regression for a long time now. Though the knowledge gained from regression isn’t always useful, Lindy has utilized it effectively to help me. That’s why I was able to become the representative of the Information Guild within just three years.
Still, if Alicia thinks it’s okay, it must be fine, right? But I can’t help but worry. Alicia, do we really need to go after the Four Heavenly King right away?
“Not really. We decided to go after one of the Four Heavenly Kings on a whim because it wasn’t originally in our plans.”
“Then wait a few days! I’ll finish my work quickly and join you!”
“Are you sure? You don’t need to push yourself for my sake… Remember how you interrupted things last time?”
“Pfft, why do you care about stuff like that? Of course, it’s true I’m busy, but a single date with Alicia could definitely recharge my motivation!”
Lindy started teasing me after showing genuine concern.
“Alright.”
However, I didn’t reject her offer this time. I owe her a great deal for helping me without expecting anything in return, and if a date can keep her motivated, it seems like a fair deal.
“Ugh, guess that’s… Wait, what did you just say?”
“I said I’ll go on a date with you, so just finish your work quickly and come.”
“H-Hey, is this really Alicia? Is someone pretending to be her? Or… is she being coerced into this by someone?”
“…Wanna make this go away?”
“Ah, no! Alright! I’ll handle everything in two days, not three! Just wait for me there!”
Before I could even reply, Lindy dashed out of the room, then quickly came back to turn off the communication crystal she had forgotten.
Still, even if it’s Lindy, I doubt she’d go as far as to harass me during a date. Seeing her so eager makes me wonder if I’ve been neglecting her all this time. That said, my wariness of her stems from her own initial behavior, so it’s not entirely my fault.
Still, her participation would increase our chances of success far beyond my expectations. I don’t know if all elves are the same, but Lindy’s archery abilities live up to the typical image associated with elves.
I’ve had a few chances to fight alongside her, and her inclusion on the mission brings immense reassurance. I considered asking her myself, but given her busy schedule, I held back. Her willingness to join, despite everything, is much appreciated.
That said, enduring the misunderstanding that I’m some trashy lesbian by the innkeeper for a few more days makes me somewhat bitter.
