CH 38

[Am I… dreaming or something? I sure hope I am. My favorite eatery was ravaged by outlaws. But then, a leader of the famous Demon King’s army reined them in with the help of a boy… was it? …This truly is a bizarre turn of events, don’t you think?] (Osiris)

They were in the facility occupied by the soldiers of this city.

Osiris, the head of this facility and a magic swordsman, invited our protagonists in his office, and had them sit on the sofa.

Satis, one of the leaders of the Demon King’s army, and Seto, a young magic swordsman of unknown origins.

Normally, any figure of authority would have abstained from inviting people like them in, and as a powerful individual, it was a rash decision.

However, Osiris’ eyes stared at them with a brilliance that surpassed that of gold, trying to discern the truth.

And confront them with his own questions from a perspective unshackled by any prejudice related to social status, affiliation, or state of affairs.

[Let’s begin with the introductions. I’m sure you already know my name. I’m the man who goes by “Osiris”.] (Osiris)

Sitting in front of his desk, he answered with a confident smile, while also sharply probing the reactions and state of mind of his two interlocutors.

Satis had never met Osiris before today.

The latter, however, had already seen and heard about her.

Satis was hesitant to introduce herself, perhaps out of fear of his abilities, and perhaps because this place was the lair of humans trained to fight off monsters.

As for Osiris, he had some doubts.

The Satis he knew would use either her silver tongue or seduction to come out on top.

Yet right now, she was behaving like an innocent girl afraid of suffering her parent’s anger.

This really is bizarre… She’s acting so timid… but what’s even more curious is that all her attention is focused not on me, but on this boy. …I must find out who that kid truly is. (Osiris)

Osiris turned his gaze toward Seto while keeping his smiling face.

With one light hand gesture, he prompted him to introduce himself.

The boy was about to comply when Satis’ hand grabbed his arm, slightly pinching it.

Osiris did not miss that, and grew increasingly suspicious.

Rather than an attempt to stop him, it seemed more like something done in the spur of the moment to appease her own feelings and feel his warmth in the face of impeding terror.

[My name is… Seto. There’s probably no point in hiding it from you, so I’ll tell you this: I’m a magic swordsman.] (Seto)

[…”Seto”? So you’re the boy of Destruction and Storm!? I’ve heard so many rumors about you. The one who’s had an aptitude for magic swords since his early childhood, and has triumphed over all kinds of powerful foes and life-or-death situations with his magic sword, the legendary boy soldier, Seto!] (Osiris)

[You’re appraising me too highly. I was just a convenient errand boy.] (Seto)

[Kuhahahahaha! You’re surprisingly eloquent! I like you!] (Osiris)

[Not that it means much…] (Seto)

[Now don’t say that. …Even so- Or rather, that’s precisely why I fail to understand you guys. A leader of the Demon King’s army, and the legendary boy soldier. …Just what exactly is the meaning of this association? Does this have anything to do with the current global situation?] (Osiris)

Osiris narrowed his eyes.

The tea, which must have been served some time ago, was already cold.

Neither of the three had taken a single sip, the silent surfaces still showing their reflections.

A testament of how solemn and tense the atmosphere in the room had become.

No lie could fool Osiris.

No doubt he would keep bringing this matter up until he was satisfied.

[…Perhaps it does.] (Satis)

Satis suddenly broke the silence.

Naturally, Osiris turned his gaze on her.

[As you already know, I was once part of the Demon King’s army. However, due to a series of failures, I was expelled from its ranks.] (Satis)

[Expelled? A wise strategist like you…?] (Osiris)

[Then I ran for my life, and met Seto in a forest along the way.] (Satis)

Satis gave him a recap of her meeting with Seto, and everything that happened afterwards.

Of course, she included the fact that the boy used to belong to the Hero’s party.

[I see… I now have a grasp of your situation. The two of you bear no ill will, and simply wish to live a peaceful life together.] (Osiris)

“What a wonderfully romantic elopement”, or so Osiris muttered.

He had a hunch that this duo had their own complicated circumstances, but not even in his dreams would he have imagined that such a story was unfolding behind the scenes of History.

[So, what do you plan to do with us?] (Seto)

[Right. Let’s see… What would you like?] (Osiris)

[If possible, we would like you to leave us in peace.] (Satis)

[I thought so. But sadly, I belong to an organization. Of course, I do hold some degree of authority, but…] (Osiris)

After thinking for a moment, Osiris looked at Seto and grinned.

[Come back to this facility tomorrow morning.] (Osiris)

|What?] (Seto)

[Not the best of decisions if you plan to arrest us.] (Satis)

[Hahaha! I won’t do that. Well, you’ll understand when you come back.] (Osiris)

Osiris personally escorted the two of them out of the building, keeping the contents of that promise vague.

As he watched them leave, one of his soldiers addressed Osiris.

[Are you certain of your decision to let them leave unsecured?] (Soldier)

[Don’t be absurd. First, I’ll monitor and observe them. This is also part of my plans for tomorrow.] (Osiris)

[Plans, you say…? You seem to be in a merry mood, Captain…] (Soldier)

[Of course I am. That’s the scary thing about us magic swordsmen. Once we meet another one like ourselves, we can’t help but want to determine who’s stronger. …Keep the training arena clean and ready. Tomorrow, Seto and I will fight in a duel!] (Osiris)