162 And then I find out.

I've got you cornered!

Confirmed. I'll get him.

Ao's army of skeletons surrounded a lone dragon that had fallen into a pit.

No, its flesh is only bones, no flesh or blood. Or should I say skeleton dragon?

He is working with the creator of the demon world to tame the unique class of demons that exist in the Quama demon world, but the demon king has tremendous potential.

The Ao are a subhuman tribe that originally made their living by hunting. She had mastered the art of hunting down her prey, and the skeleton herd she controlled was very effective in driving the skeleton dragon back.

With the archers in check and the spearmen obstructing the path, she was able to minimize the damage of the demons that would normally have been scattered, and successfully led them to the location of the trap she had set.

The chains were deployed, and the Six Towers of Chains were constructed. Completely blocking the Skeleton Dragon's movement.

It was good that I had replenished the chains I had lost in the battle with Harkdock, but they were still not as precise as the old ones. I'll need to acclimate it to my magic as soon as possible.

Okay, restraints are complete.

Then, please maintain it for a while.

Ao approaches the skeleton dragon. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

I'm not sure what to do. If you are a low class being, you will obey the orders of the demon king who has a lot of magic power.

However, when a demon grows into a unique class, it is able to generate magic power from the core of its body.

The strength of the magic power is the factor to resist the control from the magic power of the demon world. In order to make them obey effectively, it is necessary to discipline them by giving them direct magical power.

The Purple Demon King also trained his great demons by giving them magical power through his "pawn masks".

In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find a great deal more information on the web.

It's over. Thank God you're a quiet girl.

"Mature ...... with this?

When I look around, I see a lot of dead skeletons scattered around.

I'm not sure what to make of this.

It's okay. We'll reuse the bones. Skeletons resemble people, but skeletons born from the demon world are not made of human bones. Bones are also built with magic. They can be used like magic stones.

The surviving skeletons are gathering up the scattered bones. It is a rare sight to see a demon collecting the corpses of demons.

"Are they going to feed them to other demons?　I think it would just spill out if you put it in your mouth.

"It's easy for ghosts to prey on their own kind. Skeletons are more like plants. You crush the bones and bury them in the ground. The bones are crushed and buried in the ground, where they can be infiltrated by the same kind of magic and become more powerful.

It's like fertilizer.

It's like a fertilizer, isn't it? - Yes, it is, because water helps the bone powder mix with the soil. It's inefficient to give the skeletons magic power individually, so I'll spread it around the base to boost their strength. I'll put some in her bed, too.

I know about the demon's life to some extent because I was familiar with it.

Demons are capable of absorbing magic power from the air. They can also prey on demons other than their own kind. When they die, they turn to dust faster than other demons and mix with the magic of the air.

My father, Beguragud, kept track of the number of demons in his territory and disposed of those he deemed unnecessary, thus deepening the magic of the land.

In addition, since grown demons are more effective, he would raise lower level demons to intermediate level before disposing of them. In that case, many demons were assigned to me as my training partners.

The ecology of demons is often different, isn't it?

I'm only familiar with the demons born in my own world. I'm only familiar with demons born in my world. They're born from individual magical powers. There's bound to be differences.

So, have you located the next unique class yet?

Yes. It's just a bit far. Even if we leave the skeletons in this area, it will take time to gather the skeletons around it.

I wouldn't mind taking care of it myself.

I'm sure you'll be fine on your own.　But I want to train too. I've heard that scarlet demons are good at fighting, so I need to improve my skills as well.

...... I don't sense any will in these guys, can they be raised?

It will. Specifically, they will be able to do what I say quickly. You can't just give me vague instructions, they're of limited use.

Ao was also adjusting his command in preparation for the upcoming battle against the Scarlet Witch King.

It is true that compared to the vague invasion of the undead that we have seen before, today's movements were much more coordinated.

Unique class, this skeleton dragon has a will, right?

"Yes. Yes. Unlike demons, it has only the intelligence of a beast, but it can vaguely accept my will. I mean, you call it a skeleton dragon, don't you?　I've always seen them as skeletons.

If you lumped them in with skeletons, you might get the wrong idea.

That's true. It's a unique class, and you could give it a name of some sort, but ...... I'll leave that up to you.

"...... for me?

He obeys me, of course, but he also seems to like you more than I thought.

He crosses his arms and worries. I've been known to be followed by animals. In fact, even now, the animals that live around Taze's cave approach me without warning.

The fact that this is the case with this demon is a bit of a mixed feeling.

But the only time I've ever given a name or ...... a name is for a technique.

I can't think of one right now. I'll think of one at night.

"I'll think of one at night." "I don't want you to come up with an easy name. Just so we're clear, you're not going to pull names from other demons, are you?

My father's name would not be appropriate for this skeleton dragon.

"Beguragud, right? It's nice to have an intelligent demon who can call himself that. Well, smart demons have their own set of problems.

Is that so?

I'm sure he'll be happy if he follows his heart like Duvraeus. But for a demon with an ego, a demon king is a natural disaster that cannot be defied. It would be humiliating for a being who is aware that he is the king of his garden.

It's true that if my father, Beguragud, was still alive, he would have been summoned by the Purple Demon King.

It's obvious that he would have fallen into the position of being obeyed by force just like the other great demons.

In that sense, it might have been fortunate that Lakra defeated him while he was still the King of the Garden.

I'm sure you're right.

I'm sure you're right. ...... Well, we have some time, so let's eat.

Ao took out a small basket from his luggage. I'm not sure if you've brought any food with you.

The food was probably cooled by magic to prevent it from hurting. She magically brought the basket back to room temperature and took out the cloth that was hanging inside it.

Inside was cooked poultry and vegetables, wrapped in a thin loaf of wheat bread.

I remember my compatriot saying that bread in our world is hard and seedless, and that we should consider whether to call this dish a sandwich or a crepe, but I think it's strange to put seeds in bread in the first place. But then again, this is .......

...... Sorry, but can you just eat this with the 'blue'?

What? Why?

I'm not a big fan of meat. I'm not a big fan of meat. It's all over the place. ......

You should eat whatever you want. If you don't eat, you won't last the night.

One meal won't be a problem. That's what I've been planning all along.

I had never thought of eating in the demon world in the first place. It's true that my body has become a demon, so I won't get sick if I stay in the demon world for a long time. In fact, I'm still in good shape.

"Just eat!　I'll order you to eat if you keep talking about it.

"I don't want to do that, but ...... okay. Just a little bit of .......

If you eat without being conscious, you may be able to manage.

Change your nasal breathing to mouth breathing, pick up one and take a bite. The meat inside was chewed up and put into my mouth without any resistance.

This is not a problem--no, no. My body remembers the texture of the meat.

Memories of the past are pulled out, and my brain replays the feeling of that time.

The discomfort, the nausea, even when I was dying I never felt this sick.

I moved to the shade of a rock and vomited out the contents of my mouth. At the same time, the gastric juices in his stomach also flowed back, causing a burning pain in his throat.

When Ao sees this, he rushes towards you with a look of surprise and anxiety on his face.

"Hey, hey, hey, are you okay?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. My body doesn't seem to accept meat after all. ......

I can tell by looking at you!　It's not like you don't like it!　Are you a herbivore?

No, I'm human ...... and now I'm demonic. I was fine with it until a certain age. ......

You can see the disgusting sweat flowing from his body. You'll be able to get a lot more than just a few of these.

It's funny that you should have such a rejection reaction!　You must have some kind of disease!

"Sick, ......, I think so. Something happened a long time ago and I'm not allowed to eat meat anymore.

What old thing? ......

Well, it's an excuse for wasting a meal you prepared for me. But I'll have to explain myself.

My body is heavy. Even after all these years, this curse still remains.

Since we will be friends with Ao for a long time to come, this is information that should be shared.

I borrowed his shoulder and sat down on a nearby rock. I close my eyes and think back to the past.

That was around the time I was sixteen. ......

◇ "Father.

"Father. Today's training went off without a hitch.

I grew up under the tutelage of my father, the great demon Vegragudo, and I spent my days honing my skills.

The demons I fought were always trying to kill me. But my fear of that has faded over the years.

"I see. But we can't train with only intermediate demons. The lower levels are out of the question.

No, even low-level demons can help you hone your skills if you have enough of them.

You can only hone so many skills with small fry. What you need to make you stronger now is the experience of fighting stronger people. From now on, if you can't get a few mid-level players, you won't need combat training.

And when you're not doing that, you can train in magic.

Exduk, it's time for you to learn something else.

I've seen my father laugh many times. I've seen my father laugh many times. Whenever he laughs like this, it's always a harsh experience.

The first time he was made to fight a demon, when he was prepared in numbers, when he was upgraded to a mid-level demon: .......

"What's the other thing?

Your technology is designed to kill humans. When you're finished, you'll be on your way to the humans.

I'm aware of that.

No, you're not. There are many humans. Some of them are capable of destroying the higher and unique classes. Even if you grow to your full potential, if you attack people like a beast, you'll soon be surrounded by them and you'll be dead before you can show your strength. Then my entertainment will be in vain.

My father may have looked down on humans, but he never underestimated them. That's probably why he came up with the idea of raising me.

"So you want me to learn about humans. How do I do that?

Not so fast. I'm already prepared. If you want to know about humans, get it from them. I have a human. You'll learn about humans from him.

There's another human. I was more than a little surprised by those words.

Ever since I can remember, I've only seen demons, and I've only ever known humans to be killers.

I went to the place I was told. It's part of a place where low-level demons are killed together. I was once thrown into this place.

There was a man there in chains. Same white skin as me, short dark purple hair. Very similar build.

The only difference was that the other person was better equipped and had a different gender.

...... Oh my God, a human!　You came to save me?

No. I was sent by my father to get information about humans from you.

What is that, a third-rate joke?　Can you get me out of these chains?

I can't do that. And I'm not kidding. My name is Ecdysius and I was raised by the great demon Vegragudo.

I'm not kidding. ...... A demon raising a human is the height of insanity. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. I'm Leixia Pentes of the Holy Order of Mejis.

I think Lacia was a little older than me. I say "I think" because when I asked her her age, she told me it was a secret.

Her character was more of an adventurer than a knight. But that helped me a lot in learning about humans.

If she had been a knightly member of the demon-hating Holy Order, she wouldn't have talked to me, who was raised by demons.

But Laceia was able to explain human society to me easily.

I don't want to blame my immaturity for getting caught by a demon, but I don't think there's any concept of cooking here.

"It's cooked. Don't complain.

I will!　It's really just boiled and baked!　The soup my sister makes is a thousand times better!

Leixia ignored her captive position and complained about the food she was given that day.

Demons occasionally eat the flesh of beasts. Not to gain magic, but to enjoy the sound of the beast.

My diet consisted of wild beasts and whatever fruits, vegetables and mushrooms I could find along the way.

My father, who was aware of the vulnerability of humans to get sick from eating raw, taught me how to use fire, so I was able to eat at least a minimum of food. Naturally, there was no concept of cooking.

"Go ahead, make it.

Oh, you're going to unchain me?

I'll stretch it. If you can travel some distance, it won't be a problem.

I put some magic into the chain and activated the spell to extend the distance. Laceia looked at me strangely, but quickly agreed.

It's a useful technique. It's not that simple.

Don't do anything crazy. If it senses magic, it will instantly return to its original length.

You can't start a fire then!　Then help me!　...... I need to finish up a few things.

I think that's enough.

That's not good!　You may be a knight, but I'm a woman!　At least get me a jar with a lid!

Do I have to have a jar if I'm a woman?

I don't care!

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

It was then that I first learned of the existence of cooking.

With just one spice, I felt the ingredients I had eaten before change drastically.

"...... is delicious.

He said without thinking. When Laceia heard this, she beamed with pride.

I know!　But this is just a humble meal for a camp. You can get better food in a human city. You'll only be unhealthy if you stay here.

"It doesn't matter if you have a life. I'm not going to live with people who sacrifice me to survive.

What do you mean?

I explained my birth. When the demons attacked the human village, they offered me up as a beggar.

I told Lacia everything my father had told me up to that point.

Well, some parents are like that. But not all of them are like that. There are more parents who would give their lives for their children.

But I was given mine. And no one has ever gotten to this point.

Hmm, well, most people don't think that a baby taken away from them is still alive. Except, of course, when they find out they're alive.

Do you think the people who feared my father, the Great Satan Beguragud, and would give up their babies, would change their minds if I was alive?

They will. It's human nature to ask for help if you can't help yourself. If your parents had known you were alive, they would have asked us for help.

The look on Laceia's face was so straightforward, I couldn't have said it better myself.

Even if they did, I'm not going to leave this place. I'm going to do what I have to do.

"You're stubborn. ...... Fine. You can do whatever you want. But you need to know more about humans. So learn a lot about humans from me.

You're not afraid to share your information with the Devil's men, are you?

You're still a human being. It's the role of a knight to save his country and his people. I'll give up trying to convince you. Not in this position. But I will show you the way and guide you.

I did as my father asked and tried to learn about humans, and Laceia tried to help me understand them.

Thus began a short relationship between me and Laceia, despite our slightly different interests.