[TS] Surviving in a Yuri Visual Novel

The human realm, as well as the Demon World, began to see dungeons appear. At those words, everyone in the room froze.

Was this incident not orchestrated by the Demon King after all? On one hand, I was suspicious that it might be a ruse by the Demon King and Lumani, but considering Lumani’s expression and tone, I completely dismissed that doubt.

As a general, she would be the best at hiding her emotions from others, but it seemed she wasn’t even trying to conceal her anger at that moment.

If that was acting, then being fooled couldn’t be helped. Accepting that internally, I pressed my furrowed brow with my index finger.

“The mastermind behind this incident is definitely Ryuren. If the goal is the Human-Demon War, it would only make sense to pull some tricks in the Demon World as well.”

To them, the Demon King, who had usurped the seat of the former Demon King, was nothing more than an obstacle that did not follow their will. Starting with a declaration of war at the Academy, they must have been preparing for war for quite some time.

I was a step behind.

If their goal was the second Human-Demon War, then by now they would have made some preparations, having even acquired Mazoku capable of creating dungeons.

Clenching her teeth, whether she realized it or unwilling to admit that they were late, a drop of blood fell from Lumani’s lips onto the floor, but she seemed unconcerned.

It’s burning fiercely.

If Ryuren were in front of her right now, she would have the momentum to tear him apart.

“First, I’ll leave the matters of the Demon World to you, Lumani. I think we need to take care of the dungeons that have appeared in the Human Realm first.”

“Leave it to me.”

Lumani nodded at my words. I also nodded in response and continued.

“Leo, and Chloe, Irina. You two should move to the nearest dungeon that has appeared in the Empire and investigate it immediately. Even if it’s said there’s no damage, since it has appeared in a place where civilians live, there could still be casualties.”

“Got it.”

“A dungeon in the heart of the Empire? This has become a troublesome situation. Even during the height of the Human-Demon War, dungeons rarely appeared in the capital.”

“Even if they did, their numbers were remarkably low. That means the enemy has been thoroughly preparing for war beneath the surface. Unpleasantly enough.”

The Mazoku, whom even Lumani and the current Demon King do not know, have the ability to create dungeons and managed to sneak them away without being detected?

They managed to slip away quite well. In a way, they were really impressive. It wouldn’t be strange if they were ripped apart and exterminated on the spot.

I asked Lumani out of a sense of curiosity.

“Tepes. Did the former Demon King have any children besides the current Demon King?”

“…So now I’m no longer just Ms. Lumani but Tepes? Being called by my surname rather than my name feels like we’re growing distant, which is rather disappointing.”

Really, what a hassle. With a look of disbelief, I gazed at Lumani and then glanced at Leticia, who was looking at me and Lumani with an annoyed expression, and let out another deep sigh, looking exhausted.

“Ms. Lumani.”

“Heh. You should know this too, have you forgotten? The former Demon King had no children apart from his majesty. Other vermin say that he was a usurper of the throne, but in any case, there was only this majesty to become the next Demon King.”

Ah, that’s right. I mistakenly thought there would be other princes or princesses because the previous Demon King led a rather unsatisfactory private life. Indeed, as Lumani said, apart from the current Demon King, who possesses the sole legitimate bloodline, there were no Mazoku capable of creating dungeons.

The current Demon King can’t even create dungeons. I brought up another possibility and asked Lumani.

“Isn’t there a chance of a bastard child from the former Demon King?”

Bastard child.

At that sensitive topic, Lumani’s expression hardened.

Though arrogant, coercive, and reckless, he had the charisma that many Mazoku recognized, making him a truly trash-like Demon King.

Until now, regardless of how many times Demon Kings and Heroes were replaced, no one had considered igniting such a large-scale war, but the former Demon King turned the ridiculous conflict between Demon King and Hero into a war that put the entire world at risk.

Oh, and he was promiscuous and frivolous too.

I really should have beheaded him myself back when he was Damian; it was a regret I held.

Lumani seemed to ponder for a moment, placing her hand on her chin before replying negatively.

“Myself and the current majesty are considering that possibility, but there is no concrete evidence. The former Demon King had no bastards. Well, even if he had, considering his temperament, he would have killed them immediately.”

There is a possibility that the former Demon King killed them directly without even the general knowing. To the Mazoku race, a bastard child is a symbol of misfortune. Furthermore, if it were known that a Mazoku in the position of Demon King had a bastard, it would be a tremendous disgrace.

If Lumani was right, he would have guaranteed that anyone he fathered, including the woman he kept, was killed.

“However, if there really is a bastard child, and that child is still alive and part of the organization that Ryuren that damned woman belongs to, then the issue of the next Demon King’s heir would vanish.”

“In that case, the issue of legitimacy disappears, and for the Mazoku, where power is the most important…”

“If a bastard child of the former king existed, it would be the height of happiness for the traitors. But after all, it’s just a possibility. It’s more likely that a Mazoku we don’t know is hiding their ability to create dungeons or has awakened it.”

Dungeons cannot be created through magic. They are an innate ability found only in high-ranking Mazoku and the heirs of the Demon King, born with a minuscule probability.

Although there are cases where it can be awakened over time, such instances have only occurred once every few thousand years. Lumani dismissed it, laughing as if it were absurd, mentioning that it only existed in the legends of Mazoku.

“Regardless, right now, our top priority is to destroy the dungeons that have appeared in both the Human Realm and the Demon World. Hey, Sage.”

“What?”

“His Majesty is passing a message to the Emperor of the Empire. ‘It’s fine to destroy them.’ And if you happen to find the one who created the dungeon or anyone related to them, please share information immediately. That’s all.”

Leaving those words, Lumani stood up with a grim expression as if she really needed to return to the Demon World, turned to look at me, and continued with a peculiar smile on her face.

“I’ll see you again next time. I hope it’s just the two of us then.”

“Just the two of us? Get lost.”

“It’s not good to hoard all alone, Sage.”

“Don’t covet someone else’s lover!”

“It’s the same when I was a man, but I don’t care much about gender. As long as I can give birth to outstanding genes, it doesn’t matter to me.”

“…I don’t think there’s ever going to be a time for just the two of us.”

I didn’t need to apologize, so I didn’t. More importantly, I was being squeezed tightly like a plush toy by Leticia, making it hard to breathe.

The touch against my back felt good, but that aside, I really felt like I was going to suffocate.

Leticia, you’re a mage, aren’t you? When did you switch to a magic fighter…?

To be fair, I was the warrior in this situation, so was this really right? I thought the gap in our specs wouldn’t be that great anymore, but I guess I was still far from it. After all, there was no way the gap from all that time could be easily filled.

But more importantly.

“Leticia. Can you let go now?”

I can’t breathe. As I said this, Leticia, frowning as if to say what the problem was, tightened her grip again.

“No.”

“…Gah. Ugh, ugh…! I get it, so loosen up already…!! Ha. And Ms. Lumani. If you’re done with your business, you should head back to the Demon World.”

“Hmm. I do need to go back. But I haven’t done anything yet.”

Do you think I wouldn’t notice that you’re still secretly rummaging through Leticia’s feelings?

What on earth…

[Passive ability is automatically activated. Due to the influence of Lily (S), Lumani Tepes’ favorability toward the player rises significantly.]

…You’re the biggest problem. It’s because of you that the current situation is in such disarray.

I sighed and observed Leticia glaring at Lumani with a displeased expression, then turned my gaze to Lumani, who was looking away.

Women’s quarrels are terrifying.

I gain another awareness today.

“Then, as you said, I’ll take my leave for now.”

“Get lost quickly.”

“…Leticia. Sigh, fine. We’ll handle the dungeons in the Human Realm, and we’ll chase Ryuren’s group, so if you receive any related information, please share it.”

Lumani agreed to Leo’s words and, smiling, waved goodbye like a cat flicking its tail to everyone in the room, including me, as she left.

And then Lumani’s presence vanished. Perhaps it was urgent, as it seemed she headed straight back to the Demon World.

After all, dungeons that had only been assumed to be gone suddenly appeared in various places in the Demon World, so she must be busy.

A passage connecting the Demon World and the Human Realm. Were they preparing to kick off the war in earnest by linking the two realms, or did they have some other purpose? In any case, they created a considerable number of dungeons in both the Human and Demon Realms, so whatever their aim was, it didn’t feel good.

“It’s about time we start moving too.”

“Yeah. Take care. We never know what could happen, so stay cautious.”

“And you, don’t wander alone, and if possible, go with Leticia. You’re not as strong as when you were Damian.”

“…You know me better than anyone, huh.”

Honestly, even if I said I would wander alone, I felt like Leticia wouldn’t allow it in any case, so I was planning to stick with her.

I was flustered again by Leticia pulling me back into her embrace.

Leticia, don’t get so close…!

“You’re acting shy after having seen everything already.”

That’s different! Unfortunately, there was no one here who would take my silent cry seriously.

---