[TS] Surviving in a Yuri Visual Novel

Ryuren.

The right-hand and closest aide of the former Demon King. The only warrior whom the former Demon King entrusted his back to, an archdemon of Mazoku, a hunter of humans, a slayer of heroes. There were many titles that described her.

I had a rather unpleasant feeling, considering the familiar magic power.

The only Mazoku I knew who possessed this kind of mana were the Archdemon who had fought countless battles on the field.

So, while I could understand it on one level, my mind could not accept it.

Denying reality was more beneficial.

I heard from Leticia that the current Demon King, upon ascending to the throne, kept only the vampire queen who pledged her loyalty among the surviving Archdemons of the former Demon King.

According to Leticia, those Archdemons who attempted rebellion against the former Demon King were all executed.

Among them, the woman referred to as the right hand of the former Demon King had to be killed, and many Mazoku had charged at her, but she had reportedly slaughtered all the Mazoku trying to kill her and concealed her whereabouts. I never imagined that she would be at the center of this academy terror.

I swallowed hard. If it were Damian, I could understand, but in a state of Charlotte, I could not defeat her.

Just defending myself well enough not to lose my head would be enough of an achievement.

Each strike was so fast that I could hardly track it with my eyes. I could see that her sword had grown sharper since the last time I saw it on the battlefield. Even as I desperately defended myself, I could feel a scratch appearing on my body, proving that I could not fully block her attacks. At this rate, my fate would be nothing but defeat.

And with a speed so quick that it was called lightning, Ryuren closed the distance and swung her sword at me. In a rush to survive, I quickly blocked her with my sword and kicked at Ryuren’s abdomen.

Unlike me, who was trembling, Ryuren showed no signs of pain as she was pushed back. She shook off the blood from her sword and gave a small smirk.

It felt as if she was mocking me, and I gritted my teeth.

“Ugh…!”

“To block that, you are quite impressive.”

“I don’t feel the slightest bit happy getting a compliment from you?!”

“Don’t get your fur up too much. There aren’t many swordsmen who can match me in skill. Even the Hero, Leo Starfield, cannot reach me with pure swordsmanship without the blessings of the Hero. So don’t feel too ashamed of your defeat.”

“What? Hah. Could you please refrain from deciding victory on your own? I really can’t stand your stiff tone and condescending words! You always bothered me, you!”

I was annoyed that this was predicated on me losing from the start. I glared at Ryuren with cold eyes, and she sneered back at me, pointing her sword inward.

“I’ve decided to kill you, so your only fate is death. Don’t worry. I’ll ensure that you have some friends in death so you won’t be lonely afterwards.”

With an arrogant smile, Ryuren’s face was overflowing with confidence, unlike mine.

If it were in the past, she would have never been able to smirk like that, but it seems she’s been living quite well since I disappeared?

I put on a provocative smile.

And then said, “When Senki (千鬼) vanished, did you think you could be the strongest?”

“…What?”

“In the days when Mazoku and humans were violently clashing, I don’t think a woman who fled the battlefield at the mere rumors of Senki showing up has the right to speak. Ah, speaking of which, I remember you peed your pants in fear before Senki took your head… Uwah?!”

“Shut that mouth of yours!”

The air trembled with a malevolent energy. Ryuren’s swordsmanship, charged with rage, was sharp and precise, unlike one inflicted by anger. However, because this was an attack fueled by rage, I could at least follow her movements with my eyes this time.

Yet, if I failed to evade just once, each blow would be fatal.

Swiish—!

“Die! Die! I’ll tear your limbs apart and make this land your grave!”

…Wow. This is terrifying. How did I even fight against a woman like this in the past?

Certainly, Damien Redius was impressive. Could it be that I fought a monstrous being before, with swords swinging indiscriminately and perilously like this?

Sweating profusely, I dodged Ryuren’s attacks while trailing the trajectory of her sword.

Clang! Clang! Clang—!

Sparks flew as our swords clashed. I stared intently, putting up a fierce defense, facing Ryuren’s overwhelming presence as if I were a single beast.

With my current skills, I would only be able to exchange blows a few more times.

How many times had I been able to avoid and block attacks that felt like they would spill my insides at any moment? At this rate, my defeat felt inevitable. After exchanging a few more strikes, I took a step back and furrowed my brow.

It was indeed impossible to win through mere swordplay alone. If that’s the case, I need to use my skills, but I really questioned whether they would even work on her. I glanced down at the sword created from my own blood and let out a sigh internally.

“Ha.”

By the way, it seems my taunts have increased with this body. Seeing her that angry over just a single slip is amusing. I mean, who would like to hear a story about almost being killed on the battlefield?

I wiped my furrowed brow and couldn’t help but smile mischievously at the image of Ryuren blushing and pouting.

“You were quite cute back then…?! That’s dangerous!”

“Die. Just die. Please. You insect! You shouldn’t be alive! A trashy insect like you! Dieee!!”

“Insect?! Do you even know how you break character?!”

“Shut it! More importantly, how do you know that secret about me?! That’s… that’s a secret only that damn Redius would know! That other guy! You’re not telling everyone, are you?!”

No. I know because I am Damian. But I thought it would be better to not say that, so I firmly shut my mouth and wore a mysterious smile.

Depending on the situation, taunts can be a stronger ally than ever.

Typically, a powerful individual like Ryuren would scoff and ignore taunts, but in her current state, she was off-balance, and I could capitalize on that. When she charged at me again intent on killing me, I could pierce her with the skill “Blood Thorn” instead of my sword, claiming victory.

And as expected, Ryuren tightened her grip on her sword’s handle so hard that veins bulged and charged at me.

“Die!”

“…You really have a way with words!”

Gotcha. The blood-thirsty gauge accumulated from my uncontrolled thirst was more than enough. Even if I couldn’t kill her with this attack, I could at least inflict a scratch. I reached forward with my unarmed right hand and beckoned the sword-wielding Ryuren toward me.

At the same time, sensing some unease, Ryuren’s eyes went wide, but she was already within the range of my Blood Thorns.

It was a strike that she could never dodge from this distance. Even Ryuren would have trouble avoiding a single scratch at this point. My blood pooled on the ground, rising up in dozens of thorns as they shot up from the earth.

“What?!”

Ryuren’s eyes widened in shock, clearly caught off guard. However, by the time she realized it, it was already too late. She attempted to pivot her body to evade, but the Blood Thorns pierced her right shoulder, abdomen, and right leg.

Crimson blood scattered in the air. With cold eyes, I stared down at Ryuren, who was spitting out blood.

Our gazes locked. Watching me smile, Ryuren’s face twisted in pain. With a plop, plop, the sound of blood dripping caught the attention of the high-ranking Mazoku who had been lurking behind her.

“How dare!! A worthless half-Mazoku like you dares to attack—!! I’ll kill you, you… hkk!? Ryuren-sama…!”

“…Ugh. Stop, Alberto. This one is my prey.”

Ryuren held back the high-ranking Mazoku, who was charging in with a furious expression. Her bloodied appearance looked every bit like a predator.

Gulp. The high-ranking Mazoku, pale in the face, silenced and retreated with his head lowered. It seemed that despite the difference in rank, the hierarchy was clear.

I clicked my tongue at the sight of bone and flesh writhing and mending in real-time from the gaping hole.

She’s improved while I was away.

“…Regeneration is a technique that even noble-level vampires among Mazoku cannot acquire so easily, yet she’s using it.”

“Thinking it’s merely the technique of vampires is a mistake.”

Regeneration is a signature skill of vampires, but I never expected this woman could recover by herself. I swallowed hard.

Crack, crack—. As Ryuren cracked her neck, her eyes glinted menacingly.

“You pulled something foolish.”

“How is that foolish? It was a perfectly fine attack…”

“Ha. Truly. You amuse me greatly. By the way, that was slightly dangerous. But do you truly think such an attack would work on me?”

“…A little?”

“Hmph. Foolish. I realized you were foolish the moment you rejected my proposal. Now, die.”

Contrary to her words, which sounded like the death sentence of an executioner, Ryuren’s lips curled into a gentle smile. Meanwhile, as she lightly grasped the handle of her sword and prepared to swing it, my face stiffened—

“Did you think I’d allow that?! Damn it! I didn’t want to use this for my pride…!!”

[Characteristic, Lily (S) activates its power on the target ‘Ryuren’ according to the user’s will.]

There’s no need to be so detailed about it!!!

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