109-Episode 109: Shadow Despair

After casting a marker into the escaped demon, I escape from the subspace and return to the original world.

It seems that the time that passed in the subspace was minimal, and the area is filled with the demons that I defeated earlier.

It seems that the demons that were behind it were able to avoid a direct hit from the earlier attack, thanks to the distance between them.

Despite the damage, it looks like they can still fight.

''Alright!

Having strengthened my legs with body-enhancing magic, I leapt and looked around the battlefield from above.

The area around the gate must have been chased away by the adventurers, but there were no demons in sight.

Right now, they are advancing in pursuit of the demons that are coming towards us.

''Hm? What is it?　Those demons over there are acting weird?

When you look closely at the swarm of demons outside the protective wall that protects the town, just opposite the gate, they move in and out, moving back and forth, occasionally suddenly moving in a different direction.

''What in the world was that... ah.

I tilted my head at the strange movement, but then I noticed a white, round thing moving around in front of the crowd of demons.

"So it's a fluffy wrinkle.

Yes, the demons stopped, but there was Mohumoff.

The mohumofu attacks the demons and they try to get away from the mohumofu, but the mohumofu immediately goes around to the other side and stops its movement.

The demons seemed to be trying to escape from the mohumofu, going this way and that way.

And the demons who failed to escape became the prey of the mohumofu in turn.

I think it's a good idea to leave those demons to the Fluffy Mofu. It would be good exercise.

But I'll have a smaller meal tonight.

We don't want to gain weight if we eat too much.

But the other demons are all heading this way. I'm sure the demon from earlier ordered the demons to gather here.

Immediately after the battle began, I used magic to build a series of walls around the town to break up the demons' siege.

The demons that had been blocked by the walls were coming toward us, bypassing the walls.

'But why did they break the siege?

Hmmm... maybe it's because they realized that the defensive wall they were trying to destroy was magically reinforced?

I'm not able to cast such a strong defensive spell because I didn't have time, but the demons gathered this time are all small fish that are not very strong in number.

It's a good idea to concentrate your efforts on breaking down the wall and doing a one-point breakthrough.

Rather than breaking a single thick wall, it's structurally easier to destroy a gate that works to open it.

Besides, even if the demons that aren't very strong, if they came charging in relying on numbers without thinking about sacrifice, the demons that couldn't fully intercept them might break through the gate and enter the town.

That's not a good idea.

''But then, why didn't the demons come out directly?

If it were me, I'd use the demons as bait and make sure to break down the gates and walls by ourselves.

Hmm, is that some kind of strategy?

Well, I guess we'll find that out later when we catch the escaped demon.

"Let's do what we can do now!　High Area Marshbound!

It's a good idea to use a wide range of restraining magic to the second wave of demons that are approaching.

It's a good idea to make sure that you have the right tools and equipment for the job.

High Area Marsh Binding, this is a magic that creates a bottomless swamp over a wide area and stops the target in its tracks.

The demons are trapped in the deep mud and cannot walk properly, and when more than half of their bodies have sunk, the mud loses its moisture and returns to the earthen ground again.

After restraining the rest of the demons coming from the other direction, the adventurers who were coming this way also arrive.

What the hell is this? A bunch of monsters are buried under the ground!

The adventurers who had come to fight the demons expressed their surprise when they saw the restrained demons.

''Oh, hey boy, did you do that with magic?''

It's a minor magic that not many people use for wide area restraint magic.

It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

But now I'm not a hero, I'm an adventurer.

That's why I have to keep the value of defeated monsters from decreasing so that I can sell their materials at a higher price.

I used ranged magic to protect the town in the first place, but I've learned that there aren't many strong demons in the past battles.

'Yes, there were a lot of them, so I used magic to restrain them. I still have a lot of work to do, so may I leave it to you guys to finish the job?

Yeah, that's okay, but...　You don't want to end up taking the credit for that!

The adventurers get all excited when they are told that they can defeat the demons I've bound.

Well, from the point of view of someone who doesn't know anything about it, it's like they went out of their way to tie up a demon and present it to you.

''Yes, as you can see, there are a lot of them. I'm not sure how much time I'd have to spend if I had to do it all by myself, and also strip off the material.

There's still the whole demon thing.

I think you should give those jobs to other people who can pass them on.

I know. Sure, if we kill all these demons one by one, we'll be lost for the rest of the day.

All right, all right. We'll take care of these demons. You can finish what you came for.

Good thing you adventurers are so quick to talk!

If this was a knight's guild from a previous life or something, I would have wasted my time fighting for the credit or something.

''Don't worry, I'll make sure to report to the guild that you held the demon in custody, and I'll ask you to get your share of the credit!

'What?　No, it's not like that........you guys.

I remembered the faces of those adventurers.

I remembered the faces of the adventurers who took part in my dismantling class.

I'm not only learning how to dismantle dragons, but I was given a sharp weapon to use. I'll pay you back for that!

That's what I'm talking about. We Demolitionists will help you. After all, dismantling demons is what we do best!

""That's what it's all about!"

If you look at it, it wasn't just the adventurers, but also the demolitionists who participated in the defense of the town.

''Everyone........''

Yo! Well then, I'm going to put a stop to that demon!

Oh, look out! That's a grade A demon!

Heh, they can't move very well, the sooner the better.......──.

Oh, one of the adventurers who went to the demon was blown away by the demon's tail.

''It's because the fool is greedy. There are many demons that can attack even with their legs blocked!　Watch out and fight!

""Oh, yeah!"

The adventurers who decided to do it moved quickly.

They all swarmed the demons at once.

''Watch out for a counterattack with your tail!

I know! But it's a lot easier than a normal fight!

'Yes, and we have this dragon armor and spear!

I can't fight anymore without it!

"I'm going to hunt a bunch of demons and buy all this equipment for sure!

The adventurers go towards the demons that suit them, the demons that can win easily, the demons that fight back, and the demons that are dangerous even if their legs are bound. Some of them are attacking demons above their own rank and getting blown up like the person just now.

I mean, if you're going to buy dragon equipment, why not buy a better one, not this makeshift item?

''I was fighting for my life just now, it's like a festival.

And while I was thinking about that, Liliella and the others came over.

'Thanks for your help. Was the gate okay?

Yes, the demons stopped attacking and started heading towards us halfway through, so we ended up attacking the backs of the fleeing demons, which was a lot easier.

I see, with the change of policy by the demon, it seems that the fight for Liliella and the others was getting easier.

It's a waste of time. That's your magic, right? Why bother giving the credit to the rest of the guys?

And Jairo-kun seems unhappy that I left the defeat of the demons to the other adventurers.

They seem to be prepared to give me my share of the money, though.

There were a lot of them. I've decided to give priority to chasing the demons rather than killing them all myself.

Oh, I don't blame you if you're a demon... right?

""What a demon!"

Liliera and the others look at me with a scowling face.

''What!　Did a demon come out again?''

Yeah, it's that again.

'I just thought it was odd that the town was suddenly attacked by such a large group of demons. There must have been demons involved.

Then we all look at each other in agreement that we can understand.

We've gotten used to it, compared to before.

So, what are you going to do now?

Liliera-san asks me what we're going to do next.

I've succeeded in attaching a tracking marker to the body of a demon, so I'm going to disappear and chase it down, then gather it up and crush it when it meets up with my friends.

Crush a bunch of demons... huh?

It's an outrageous thing to say when you think about it...but when Lex says it, it sounds like something you could normally do, so you'll have to be careful.

""I understand."

What? !　I think it's perfectly normal to be able to defeat a demon!

But if that's the case, we shouldn't follow them. It's the disappearing thing, right?　We're the ones who have to hold hands. If you want to use it outside like we did before, it's fine, but if the escaped magician's hiding place is too small, we'll only get in the way if we go with him. If someone accidentally bumps into a mage, it's the end.

Indeed, my magic is made in such a way that my friends can disappear with me, so that we can recognize the people we touch as friends and see each other.

That's why if you come in contact with them, even people who aren't your friends will be involved in your magic.

Liliera-san's opinion that it would be difficult if the fact that you've been chased before checking the total number of demons is revealed is certainly correct.

''Yes, first I should go and scout out what kind of place the demons escaped to.

I'm sure Mr. Lex would be able to solve the case as it is with his reconnaissance.

""I think, I think, I think"

Why is everyone humming so much earlier?

Well, I'll be going out for a while.

Yes, we're helping Mr. Lex deal with the remaining demons until he comes back.

Nice to meet you!

Alright, let's go after the escaped genie again!

You're not going to be able to do that.

It's gone... or is it a transference spell...

I was watching the scene.

A human, no, the Dragon Emperor, had suddenly disappeared.

I'm sure that's shifting magic.

But it's impossible, the humans of today should have lost most of their technology in the past war.

Even the Wisdom Family has only recently revived the technology.

This is ... it's a big deal.

If humans can use transference magic, we're going to have to rethink our strategy.

That's right, we demons might have to make a major revision to our re-invasion plan.

''This might be rather a good thing that we failed to assassinate the Dragon Emperor.

Yes, although they failed to assassinate the Dragon Emperor, there is still a chance to assassinate the Dragon Emperor.

It's more important to know that the humans have transference magic.

If they hadn't known this and had carried out the re-invasion plan, they would have been painfully counterattacked by the transference magic possessed by the humans.

''It's entirely appropriate that we pretended to be dead.

That's right. The arrangement I was in charge of in the assassination of the Dragon Emperor just now was an unlucky place with a large number of demons.

I'm sure it's not a bad idea to have the credit for the assassination of the dragon emperor taken away by other people, but this time it worked.

This is why I was able to survive the Dragon Emperor's attack, using the demons around me as shields.

If I bring back this information, I will not be punished for mission failure.

On the contrary, for bringing back information of strategic value, he might be entrusted with commanding an operation somewhere else instead of the Wisdom Clan's people for bringing back information of strategic value.

''This is just your luck,''

The Dragon Emperor was already gone.

Since he said he was going after the Wisdom Clan, the Dragon Emperor was probably headed to the hideout.

If that's the case, I should probably head to the headquarters.

There, I'll make a report and head to the hideout to defeat the Dragon Emperor.

Huh? If that's the case, wouldn't the Dragon Emperor be as good as unarmed for not only being informed of the information about the transference magic, but also for heading to the lair alone?

''Kukku, Dragon Emperor. It's too bad you didn't check the bodies because you thought you'd wiped us out.

I was about to return to my home base in a hurry, but I suddenly changed my mind.

I don't want to go home like this. Or at least a souvenir.

Yes, if we go back to our home base, it will be as if we've escaped back.

That would not be fun.

Fortunately, the Dragon Emperor is nowhere to be found.

And there are a bunch of buoyant humans around.

''Cuckoo.''

Then there's only one thing to do.

Although he's injured, I won't even be handicapped if I'm dealing with these people!

He will bring the rest of the human warriors together to slaughter!

"Huh-heh-heh...

Then, as I tried to stand up, I felt a sharp pain in my back with a broad smile.

What⁉︎ Did I get my wing injured during the last attack?

He spreads his wings to check his injuries and turns his head back to look at them as he turns his head back.

The wings are heavy, this could be a serious injury.

''........What is this⁉︎''

The sight startled me.

A round white ball of hair was attached to my back, near the base of my wing.

What in the world is this...?

Coo.

That's when it happened. The white furball moved with a squeal.

A living being...

The creature, which I had never seen before, amazed me and made me angry.

'You beast! You're going to eat the wings of our proud demons!

In a fit of rage, I decided to tear this furball apart in front of the humans.

"Furball!　It'll turn that white body of yours bright red!

I grabbed the two horns growing out of the furball and tore them apart, spreading them from side to side.

I should have torn them apart....

Stupid...

It is unbelievable that the body of the furball doesn't move.

d*mn it!

I immediately get serious and put both arms into the air.

But even though I'm giving it my all, this furball doesn't show any signs of suffering, let alone being torn apart.

"Kyu~? Squeak?

I don't know what you're talking about.

But I was insulted, that's for sure.

"I'm gonna kill you!

This is inexcusable!　A lowly creature mocks me, a demon!

I deserve to die!

I unleash my full magical power and unleash my biggest magic on the furball in front of me.

''The magic of our demons is incomparable to that of the humans, so bite them at close range!

The magic power is turned into physical power and explodes in front of me.

The stupid furball is a pitiful extinguisher.

I thought for sure I had slaughtered it this time.

I was sure that he hadn't retained any proper form.

And yet!

Kyu?

That furball was standing in front of me as if nothing had happened.

''Nah, nah........''

No way, no way, that's not possible!

I'm a demon! I'm a demon with more physical strength than a human, and more magical power than a human.

I've been attacked by you and not a scratch on a plane.

I don't know what kind of creature this is.

Swoon.

The furball makes a mocking noise.

As if to say, "Is it over? But then he turned his eyes to me.

And I saw it.

The sight of the furball opening its mouth wide open, red as blood.

''Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Oh, I should have just run away and not gotten greedy...