Arifureta : King Of Demons

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==============

A little earlier in time, when Hajime and Aldias began their battle.

"Hmph, truly troublesome."

High above the Royal Capital, a gigantic black dragon and a white dragon clashed fiercely.

"Surprising. To encounter a survivor of the Dragonfolk in such a place."

Currently, Tio, in her black dragon form, was confronting Uranus and Freed. Though Uranus was a size smaller, the oppressive aura Tio exuded surpassed that of Uranus. Under normal circumstances, she would have been able to fight Uranus on equal terms, or even gain an advantage. However, Freed, who was mounted on its back, was a nuisance. Even if she tried to attack directly, Freed would cast spells, preventing her from getting close. And if she tried to stop his chanting, Uranus would block her. Tio even let out a gasp of admiration at Freed and Uranus, who displayed such perfect coordination, as if filling each other's weaknesses.

(What perfect teamwork. Breaking that is extremely difficult.)

While Tio grumbled at the stagnant battle, Freed felt the same way about Tio.

(She's been taking my magic attacks, yet she shows no signs of faltering. In terms of durability, she far surpasses Uranus. Moreover, her oppressive aura increases with each hit she takes.)

At first, he thought it was just his imagination, but after it happened repeatedly, it turned into conviction.

(A long battle is disadvantageous. However, I can't afford long incantations.)

Spatial Magic "World Piercer"—if he could activate it, he could certainly catch the black dragon by surprise. However, as an ancient magic, it required a long incantation, and the black dragon wouldn't patiently wait during that time. Most of the monsters Freed controlled were deployed for the conquest of the Royal Capital. He considered redirecting them here, but he couldn't afford to reduce the forces for the Royal Capital invasion.

"Grrrooooooooh!!"

As he pondered what to do, Tio suddenly let out a deafening roar into the sky and swooped down from above, wings spread, charging at Freed. In response, Uranus unleashed a breath attack at Tio, but Tio deftly twisted her body in mid-air, dodging the breath. Maintaining her momentum, Tio closed in on Uranus and opened her jaws, intending to sink her fangs into its wing.

"You won't!"

However, Freed's "Scarlet Spear" instantly chanted, closed in on Tio. Tio, seeing the massive fiery spear approaching her, bit into Uranus's wing anyway.

"Gahhh!?"

"Urgh!?"

"What!?"

Freed was astonished that Tio charged forward even after being pierced by the fiery spear. Tio then swung Uranus around after biting it, throwing it with sheer force. Uranus managed to regain its balance in mid-air, but a considerable amount of blood dripped from its wing.

"Uranus!? Are you alright!?"

"Growl!"

When Freed spoke to Uranus, Uranus replied with a powerful roar. Its eyes still clearly showed a strong will to fight. Freed understood that it was saying, "I can still fight," even without words.

"Yes, that's my partner."

"Graaaaah!!"

Following Freed's words, Uranus's roar echoed through the Royal Capital's sky. Tio had succeeded in landing a hit on Uranus, but her own damage was now significant. The wound from the fiery spear was by no means small. The pain was enough to make her lose consciousness if she let down her guard. It was fortunate that the fire had cauterized the wound, preventing excessive bleeding. No matter how much she possessed "Pain Conversion," she couldn't endure it indefinitely. However, a faint light immediately enveloped her body. This was the power of Regeneration Magic, obtained from the Melusine Underwater Ruins.

"Indeed. Truly a fine master-servant relationship, or rather, partners, I should say. For humans and monsters to communicate so deeply... For one who knows five hundred years ago, it's an unbelievable sight."

"Uranus is an important partner to me, and indeed, like family. Differences in species are merely trivial."

"...If there had been someone like you five hundred years ago, perhaps our situation, that of the Dragonfolk, would have been different."

"There's no use dwelling on the past. What's important is not what was, but how we live from now on... Those are the words of our King."

"I see, the Demon King's words..."

Tio narrowed her eyes slightly at Freed's words. Demon King Aldias. She had heard rumors of that king. A prodigy who ascended the Demon King's throne at the youngest age in history. His strength in the war against the humans was evident. The fact that a man like Freed swore such loyalty to him clearly indicated that not only his power but also his spirit was exceptional. As the king of a nation, and a Demonfolk at that, she had thought he would be difficult for her, a Dragonfolk who had disappeared from the public eye, to approach. What would have happened if she had met him before meeting Hajime...?

(No, that's just a pointless thought now.)

She shook her head, dispelling the thought that had surfaced in her mind. She was drawn to Hajime's strength. She wasn't so fickle as to easily switch allegiance just because someone stronger appeared. Her own body, her heart, had decided. To dedicate her life to this man.

"But I will not be defeated either! For Master's sake... if you interfere, I will show no mercy!"

"Very well. Come at me. No matter how much resolve you possess, I will—"

"And then I'll make Master punish me a lot!!"

"Overcome, and... what?"

Was she hearing things? A nonsensical phrase just entered her ears.

"Hmm? Punishment, I said. Master brutally beat me, wrestled me down, and inflicted defeat upon me with pain I'd never felt before! He even took my first time, and then suddenly my behind... it was so intense, so amazing!"

"..."

At this point, Tio's statements had already exceeded Freed's limits of comprehension. "Brutally beaten," "pain," "defeat." These alone he could still understand. The woman before him was undoubtedly a Dragonfolk survivor. He, who was actually fighting her, knew well her high combat prowess. She had probably fought Nagumo Hajime for some reason and been defeated. However, the problem lay in what followed. "Took my first time," "suddenly my behind." These words had nothing to do with combat; rather...

(No, calm down. Nagumo Hajime is a man Aldias-sama noticed. He wouldn't commit such an outrage against a woman he just met—)

"He impaled me with that thick, glistening black rod! Even when I begged him to stop, to pull it out, he roughly twisted it... Pant, pant, mmh—remembering it makes me feel...!"

"..."

"Growl..."

All light completely vanished from Freed's eyes. Tio's statements, no matter how one looked at them, were those of sexual assault. However, Tio's eyes, the supposed victim, shone brightly, and behind the black dragon, Freed hallucinated the image of a drooling pervert. Uranus, who had been overflowing with fighting spirit just moments ago, now cowered, as if saying it wanted no further involvement.

"Mmph, I've gone off topic. I can't waste any more time if I'm to rush to Master's side! Let's go!!"

As he healed Uranus's wounds, Freed thought from the bottom of his heart:

(Aldias-sama. I don't mean to doubt you, but... is Nagumo Hajime truly a person worthy of your attention?)

He had served Aldias for over a decade. For the first time, Freed doubted his own King's judgment.

Royal Capital - Upper Reaches

"Hah, hah, hah..."

Shea was running. All over the Royal Capital. Across rooftops, through alleys.

"Freezing Rain"

"Whoa!?"

She dodged the ice needles raining down from above by rolling forward.

"Mmph, surprisingly agile."

"Dangerous!? It grazed me, it just grazed me!?"

"Don't worry. This time I'll pierce the center."

"No, thank you!?"

Currently, Shea and aletia were in the midst of a tag game that utilized the entire Royal Capital. Shea wasn't running from the beginning. She had intended to defeat the girl before her and rush to Hajime's side. In conclusion, the situation was desperately bad. Shea's combat style primarily revolved around close-quarters combat with Durandal. However, aletia, who was crucial to their fight, remained mounted on her dragon, simply firing spells at Shea from above without attempting to close the distance. She probably judged that close-quarters combat would be disadvantageous after seeing Shea's physical abilities when the battle began. Shea fired explosive slug rounds from Durandal, but they were easily blocked by "Holy Seal."

(Magic is cheating!? But I don't have time to dither here!)

While dodging aletia's attacks, Shea, who was constantly looking for a chance to counter, also felt a sense of admiration for Shea's abilities.

(No matter how much she focuses on dodging, to evade my attacks to that extent... She definitely has some kind of precognitive ability. But while her physical abilities are amazing, her technique isn't that great. She probably doesn't have much combat experience. If she trains more, she could become quite a force.)

Shea had gained extensive practical experience and constantly trained during her journey with Hajime, but from aletia's perspective, she still had a long way to go. However, at the same time, it also meant she had a lot of room for growth.

"...Hey, if you surrender quietly, I won't attack you anymore."

From the information she heard from Ulfric and their demeanor, there was no doubt they weren't part of the Kingdom's forces. If they weren't enemies, there was no need to force a confrontation. Thinking so, she indirectly suggested that Shea surrender, but Shea shook her head, refusing.

"No! I can't stay in a safe place while Hajime-san is still fighting!!"

"...Why? You've seen Aldias's power firsthand, haven't you? I don't think you're at a level where you can do anything even if you go."

"...I know that. I can still vividly recall that time. And that someone of my level can't be of any help..."

"Then—"

"It doesn't matter."

"Huh?"

"It doesn't matter if the enemy is strong, or if I can't win. The person I love is in a desperate situation. There's no option to not rush to their side at such a time."

"..."

"Hajime-san saved me when I lost my family and was on the brink of despair. He told me he loved me, someone who was detested by everyone but my family. Beside Hajime-san, that's where I belong!!"

Even if it's hell, even if it's at the Demon King's feet, it doesn't matter! Seeing Shea declare so powerfully, aletia, who had been dumbfounded, gradually began to smile.

"Yes, I understand completely."

Though their circumstances and environments were different, aletia felt a sense of empathy for Shea. aletia herself would undoubtedly rush to Aldias's side if he were in a desperate situation, no matter how dangerous it was. Logic or reason weren't necessary. She was there simply because she wanted to be. A girl in love would charge into any deadly situation for the man she cherished.

"Mm, I understand. I won't say anything more. But I also can't allow you to interfere with Aldias. Sorry, but I'll stop you even if I have to be a little rough."

"Bring it on!!"

Shea threw a dull gray disc into the air from her Treasure Trove. Faster than aletia could decipher its intent, Shea zigzagged towards aletia, using the disc and surrounding buildings as footholds. aletia's aim was thrown off by her erratic movements.

"Taaahhh!!"

"Holy Seal"

A gleaming barrier appeared at the end of aletia's raised hand. With a powerful yell, Shea's Durandal collided with the barrier, scattering sparks everywhere. However, it wasn't enough to break through aletia's "Holy Seal." The next moment, a blaring alarm from her "Foresight"'s derivative skill, "Precognitive Sight," made her immediately jump back.

"Scarlet Spear"

A beat later, a spear of flame passed through the spot where Shea had been just moments before. Wrinkling her face from the burning pain on her cheek, Shea landed on the rooftop and immediately pulled out a red metal sphere from her Treasure Trove. Shea attached a chain extending from the metal sphere to the top of Durandal, then kicked the metal sphere into the air and struck it with Durandal.

The metal sphere was launched at a speed difficult for ordinary people to perceive, but aletia clearly saw its trajectory. aletia easily dodged it, but then her eyes widened in surprise. The metal sphere, which was supposed to pass by aletia, suddenly changed its trajectory and rushed towards her.

"!--Ugh!"

aletia narrowly avoided a direct hit, but the gray dragon carrying aletia on its back had its wing grazed by the metal sphere and was sent flying.

"Mm, sorry. Leave the rest to me."

aletia, judging that she couldn't push the dragon any further, floated up using gravity magic and removed the gray dragon from the combat zone.

"I've never seen that weapon. Did you make it yourself?"

"Hajime-san made this weapon for me!"

"I heard you use rare artifacts, but I really haven't seen anything like it..."

Besides that metal sphere, she had also seen long-range attack methods and shields being deployed. aletia's alert level rose at the unknown artifacts that defied her imagination.

"If I hold back, I'll be in danger too."

I'm going to get a little serious, okay?

A wave of magic power, far exceeding anything seen before, surged from aletia, and dark clouds gathered overhead. As Shea broke out in a cold sweat at the sight, a dragon made of lightning appeared from a break in the clouds, snarling. Shea's cheeks twitched at the incredible oppressive aura.

"W-what is that...?"

"My original magic, combining 'Thunder Hammer' and gravity magic."

"N-no way, you're not going to fire that at me, are you...?"

"It's fine. I'll hold back, and I've judged that you won't die... Well, it might sting a little."

"I don't think that's just a 'sting' level!?"

Shea's scream echoed, but aletia's finger mercilessly pointed at Shea...

"Thunder Dragon"

Following aletia's command, the dragon roared, opened its maw, and attacked.

"!"

Shea crouched on the spot, activating Durandal's gimmick. With a clash, the round shield deployed. It seemed she intended to defend herself right there. Shea, who had braced herself for the approaching impact, suddenly felt a sensation of floating and widened her eyes.

"Shea, got you!"

"Whoa!? T-Tio-san!?"

Just before "Thunder Dragon" collided, Tio, in her dragon form, grabbed Shea's body and ascended rapidly.

"Shea! Let's hurry to Master's side just like this!!"

"Eh!? What about Tio-san's opponent!?"

"Details later!!"

Tio, who had soared high into the sky, then began to fly straight towards God's Mountain.

"...Kidnapping?"

aletia, who had been watching somewhat blankly, was about to redirect "Thunder Dragon" towards the fleeing black dragon when—

"It's fine to let them go."

She dispelled "Thunder Dragon" at Freed's voice coming from behind her.

"...Aldias's instruction?"

"You figured it out."

"Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense. I can't imagine Freed letting them go like that."

At first glance, without an explanation, it might seem like Freed's betrayal, but aletia knew well that Freed's loyalty was not half-hearted. That's why she concluded that the order to let the two of them go to God's Mountain came directly from Aldias himself.

"Get on. We're heading to God's Mountain too."

"...Mm."

Freed, confirming that aletia had boarded, instructed Uranus, and they headed towards God's Mountain.

"Is the Royal Capital okay?"

"Yes, Cattleya contacted me. They've occupied the Royal Castle. And secured the King."

"Isn't that too fast?"

"Yes, Cattleya herself was surprised. The Royal Castle's defenses were apparently leaky, too. Honestly, it's hard to believe this is the main stronghold of humanity, who have been fighting us for so long."

Not much time had passed since the attack on the Royal Capital, but the situation already indicated the Kingdom's defeat. While battles were still ongoing in various zones, the Demonfolk held the advantage everywhere, and with the King secured, it could be said that the outcome was decided.

"According to Aldias-sama, he's also finished crushing the Holy Church."

"Then what is Aldias doing on God's Mountain?"

"Well, it seems he's unexpectedly taken a liking to Nagumo Hajime."

"...?"

As aletia tilted her head in confusion, Freed simply relayed what he had heard from Aldias. aletia looked slightly exasperated but then smiled as if to say, "Can't be helped."

"That's so like Aldias."

"Indeed."

"If Aldias cares that much, I might be interested too... What's wrong?"

Freed, who had been smiling faintly just like aletia, suddenly looked troubled and fell silent.

"No, it's nothing. I also think it's inappropriate to easily spread things about someone I haven't met much. Surely, surely it's some kind of misunderstanding... It's fine."

"?"

It couldn't be. There was no way someone recognized by Aldias could be such scum as to commit sexual assault. However, there was indeed Tio, the victim... No, but... If this had been someone unknown, he would have unequivocally labeled them as scum, but the opponent was a man Aldias held in high regard. Moreover, Tio's demeanor didn't convey any distress; she seemed to view Hajime favorably. This further bewildered Freed.

aletia tilted her head, watching Freed muttering to himself, clutching his head.

============

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