CH 450

There were more than ten demons whose eyes rolled back and fainted in the demon king castle’s throne room.

After that parent and child demons fainted, the people who in the past got left behind from entering the holy precinct heard the commotion here and came running one after another. That caused the damage to spread in succession.

Their expression looked exactly the same like “someone whose SAN parameter got greatly reduced from encountering cosmic horror”.

It was chaos, pure and simple.

The air was deathly silent. Even the old man with unknown intention who sought for a meeting that forcefully, even the man in knight uniform who were holding him back, and then even Shuu and Sumire and the other parents were harmoniously watching in mute amazement.

In addition, the human and beastman soldiers who seemed to be the troops who were stationed here, and also the people with matching emblem embroidered on their chest who seemed to be the members of the delegation could be seen cam running here in great hurry while raising their voice.

Hajime glanced at those before he looked at the unconscious demons.

「Good grief……even though we had also talked before I returned to Japan.」

Perhaps it was because this reunion was too sudden? Hajime sighed. He scratched his head because of this bad timing while looking at Tio and Aiko.

「Sorry but, can you two use soul magic on them?」

「Ah, yes! Leave it to us!」

「Umu. It might cause misunderstanding if they immediately shriek and faint again after getting awakened. So we shall also temporarily strengthen their soul so they can endure even when looking at the sca~ary Goshujin-sama.」

Aiko who was getting treated completely like a psychiatrist now immediately acted. Tio followed behind her while smiling leisurely to tease Hajime.

Sumire tugged at Hajime’s sleeve and Shuu walked to his side.

「H-hey, Hajime. It’s enough with the sightseeing isn’t it?」

「Yeah. We’ll be just a bother if we keep being here after this kind of commotion.」

Even though the interaction between the many races was going well, they came here and might become a new spark for conflict. And so Sumire and Shuu were feeling guilty and suggested retreating from here using the gate.

Tomoichi and the others also finally came back to their senses. The demons kept coming one after another and yelling things like 「What happened here!」「Did someone come here?」「Don’t tell me……that’s the human who got called the demon king……」「Tsu, that one who killed the god?」「Is that true!?」「What’s going on?」. The atmosphere wasn’t quite turbulent, but the commotion was getting bigger. Seeing that made them agreed with Shuu and SUmire.

It was then. There was someone who would be troubled with that and took action.

「BE QUIETTTT!!!」

A sharp rebuke thundered. It caused everyone there to feel electrified over their skin. They even felt like their mind got beaten into shape by that voice.

The commotion from the demons stopped still from that thunderous shout. Even the garrisoned troops and delegation members who were lining up before the door to the throne room to force their way in reflexively stopped still while their shoulders shook. Myuu, Kaoruko, Akiko, and even Kaori and Shizuku were startled and jumped on their feet with 「Hya!?」.

Everyone’s gaze naturally gathered toward the owner of that weighty and deep voice that was overflowing with dignity.

It was that old man. A demon race old man whose blood colored sword was already returned back into its sheath. He had long white hair that was tied on his back.

「It is us who are being the discourteous side here. So don’t make too much ruckus. I will tell all of you about the circumstance later. That’s why everyone, I ask all of you to clear this room for now.」

His voice was calm, even gentle. It was as though the shout just now was just a lie.

But, his voice mysteriously carried until far away. And also as expected, they could feel a dignity that was similar to Adol Clarus from him, someone who could naturally admonish and guide other people.

In fact, it seemed the old man was greatly trusted among the demons. The demons all said 「If that’s what Kamal-san said」 and returned from where they came from like a receding wave.

It seemed even the garrisoned troops and the delegation members also trusted the old man to the same degree. Even though the old man had entered this throne room with a forceful way, they didn’t seize or drag him away. And yet they also couldn’t possibly not do anything when in the presence of Hajime and co……

Because of such situation, everyone was looking at each other in hesitation of what to do.

For now seeing that at least things didn’t develop into a riot, Hajime took the initiative to talk to the old man called Kamal.

「I didn’t see you among the demons who arrived to this capital before I returned home. Are you one of the guys who came here later? Or one of the awakened? Either way, it looks like you’re being really trusted by everyone here despite not being one of the initial members.」

Old man Kamal turned his gaze toward Hajime.

As expected……no hostility or the like could be felt from him. His eyes that had the same color like his blood red sword was containing a composure like a spring deep inside a forest as they ascertained something from Hajime.

「U-umm Hajime-san. He is──」

「Your highness the princess of Heiligh. Long time no see. Please allow me to express my heartfelt apology for my rudeness this time despite all the kindness that you have given all this time. If possible, I also wish to be allowed to personally express my gratitude and greeting to everyone else too.」

Liliana was about to introduce Kamal, but the person himself bowed his head in order to show as much sincerity as possible.

A demon was lowering his head toward a royalty of human race.

「……I see. It doesn’t look like you’re a demon supremacist.」

「True desu. His atmosphere is also clearly different from all the demons we fought at the royal capital.」

「U-umm! Is grandpa a demon who came from a hidden village nano?」

「That is indeed true, small merman lady.」

There wasn’t any dislike at all that showed in his expression even when he was asked a question by Myuu──a child of beastman race. Rather his eyes when looking at Myuu were gentle. He even looked like a kind grandpa like that.

Yue and Shia’s words also supported it. It seemed that it wasn’t a mistake that he belonged in an anti-demon king faction and he was living quietly at a hidden village.

His way of visiting here was dangerous, but it seemed he didn’t come here for a fight. The parents relaxed slightly after knowing that.

The old man faced Hajime once more and put his hand over his chest while bowing.

「It’s an honor to be able to meet you, godslayer-dono. My name is Kamal Dastole. I was someone who managed a hidden village before.」

「I’m Nagumo Hajime. So you are the head of the hidden village’s preceding group? There should be someone else who acted as the village chief if I remember it right.」

「He was acting as hidden village leader that it would be alright even if he got found out in the worst case.」

「……I see, you’re saying that there is another hidden village where most people live that is truly kept in secret. There are several other hidden villages for the purpose of camouflage and the preceding group was like an investigation team. All those are for protecting the true hidden village.」

「Correct. But we too have come out after knowing that all the other countries are seriously considering the path for coexistence.」

「And? What kind of business the so called true hidden village leader have with me? You’re even bringing something dangerous like that with you.」

It was clear to see even from a distance. Hajime’s magic eye saw how the sword in Kamal’s possession was enveloped in an abnormal aura.

It was clearly an artifact of the highest class. It was an exceptional demonic sword that wasn’t at all inferior to the holy sword.

Although the tension had been cleared up after seeing the old man’s character, Yue and the others had also been sensing the demonic sword’s imposing aura. They still wouldn’t leave the side of the parents as well as Liliana, Myuu, and Remia.

「It’s only natural to be wary toward this sword, but I didn’t bring it out for the sake of fighting. And even if that is actually my intention, the like of me won’t be a match against godslayer-dono……if it’s required then I shall accept any restrain. ……However, I wish to talk to you.」

Old man Kama’s quiet but naturally overpowering eyes were looking straight through Hajime.

An ordinary person would flinch and avert their eyes from feeling that the gaze was judging them for some kind of fault. A depth that rivaled the dragon eyes that could see through the truth could be felt from those eyes.

Hajime caught that gaze head on without averting his eyes at the slightest.

「That’s so sudden. It seems that you’re already aware but, you’re disturbing our family trip here.」

「Allow me to apologize for that once more. I have also done great wrongs to everyone else too. But I’m begging you as you can see, please allow me this audience.」

Kamal lowered his head once more. Shuu and the others who were watching the going on quietly──or rather, they were unable to interrupt because of the old man’s strange intensity hurriedly shook their head.

「P-please don’t mind it. It’s us who are being a bother here after all!」

「Y-yes. You must have some kind of urgent business with our son aren’t you? We are fine with it!」

Sumire and Shuu, followed by Tomoichi and the others naturally replied positively.

That was surely because they had felt the unvarnished sincerity from Kamal’s apology. At the same time, his humbleness definitely made them felt like a low-grade employee who got the company director bowing at them.

As expected, this person wasn’t someone ordinary at all.

「I am greatly obliged by everyone’s magnanimity and unmerited thoughtfulness for me. I couldn’t possibly let go of this chance no matter what because my life is about to reach the end.」

「「「「「!?」」」」」

Everyone was speechless this time. The parents could only let their eyes wander unsurely after hearing the heavy reason of Kamal’s forceful visit that he just said so casually.

「Do you really know how long you have left to live?」

「Yes, from the beginning this is a life that has gotten lengthened half forcefully. I have calculated backward from the weakening of the power that is maintaining my life just how long I have left to live.」

「I see.」

Hajime narrowed his eyes and stared at Kamal’s demonic sword. The corner of Kamal’s lips rose slightly into a smile as though to tell him that he was correct in his guess.

「And? What do you want to talk about?」

「About that……」

Kamal’s gaze turned toward the unconscious demons. Aiko and Tio’s mental treatment & strengthening had also coincidentally finished at that timing. The ten-odd demons including the father and son got up at the same time.

They shook their head and looked confused for a moment, wondering what had just happened. Then their gazes caught sight of Hajime and they groaned 「NNN~~」 to hold back their scream. But, this time they somehow managed to endure, even the child.

「Please lead them outside.」

Liliana couldn’t bear to see their state and smiled bitterly while giving order to the soldiers who were remaining in the throne room. But there Kamal interrupted.

「……No, please I ask so that they can also be allowed to be here. I intended to settle this with a comprehensive dialogue but……this is just right in a sense.」

He stopped Liliana and said something that was hard to understand.

The soldiers looked at Liliana with hesitation. Liliana looked at Hajime. Hajime nodded wordlessly, so Liliana too ordered the soldiers to stand at a bit of distance and simply watched the dialogue quietly.

Kamal turned toward Hajime once more and opened his mouth with a solemn atmosphere.

「I ask you, the one who is called as the new demon king and liberated this world from the binding of the god. I heard how you killed civilians who weren’t in the military just like them. Is that true?」

「That’s true.」

「Do you feel any guilt? Regret? What do you consider the life of a member from another race who isn’t in the military as?」

It was a piercing question like a spear. Gasps could be heard from here and there.

「Wait, Kamal-san!? That matter is already-. Why are you asking such disquieting──」

「Forgive me Guardner. But, I decided that this question is the fastest way for me to know what I wish to know.」

It seemed the name of the father of the demon father and son was Guardner. The other demons also seemed to be filled with trepidation that Kamal might have incurred Hajime’s displeasure.

Although Kamal called it as a question, his aura was sharp as though it was criticizing. The parents were holding their breath. The complexions of Kaoruko and Akiko were especially bad from recalling the disastrous scene of someone getting dismembered and annihilated without a trace.

On the other hand, Yue and the others were narrowing their eyes dangerously. And Myuu was starting dither around, looking like she wanted to say something to Kamal.

Only Shuu and Sumire were taking the stance of watching quietly, although their expression and atmosphere had turned grave. They quietly watched Hajime’s back to give him their support.

「I see. I can somehow guess your intention now. Nice timing. Shuuzou-san and the others too, do you have anything that you want to ask from me? Perhaps there is a certain part of the past that you all wish to see?」

Shuuzou and the others widened their eyes when Hajime turned his gaze toward them.

「You noticed……no, so you’re resolved yourself from the start to show that past.」

「So you showed the pasts with foolish honesty without even any editing using illusion because from the start you don’t mind it even if you got questioned about the right and wrong huh. In this trip you have really showed everything that you had done without hiding anything, so I guess this is only natural……」

Koichi sighed with a bitter smile and continued.

「Certainly, we couldn’t say anything when watching that projection because your ghastliness at that time overwhelmed us. Even after that we didn’t say anything because we didn’t want to pour cold water on the place after witnessing Myuu-chan’s gallant figure.」

「Yes, that’s right. We would go back to the palace after this, so we figured that we could just have the talk slowly at night……」

It seemed that Kirino was thinking the same like Tomoichi and the others. Tomoichi scratched his cheek while looking at Hajime with a gaze that contained concern somewhere in them.

「Most likely, Shuuzou-san and the others also want to ask the same thing, no, I believe that they will want to ascertain it. Hajime-kun.」

「Yes, Tomoichi-san.」

「Were they……your enemy?」

Shuuzou and the others didn’t ask anything else. “They are enemy so I kill them”, that was the creed that Hajime had persisted in until now. They were asking him if killing those people at that place didn’t go against his policy.

Hajime opened his mouth──but there was someone else who spontaneously raised their voice before he could say anything.

「What are you saying, Otou-san?」

It was Kaori. She seemed somewhat angry, however she talked with a tone that was holding back so she wouldn’t become emotional.

「Kaori……」

「Try imagining it. If Hajime-kun ran out of strength and we were also unable to move, would those people simply let us go?」

Kaori’s gaze turned toward Guardner and the others. They averted their gaze. That answered the question more definitely than anything else.

「When one of the soldiers mistook me as an apostle and said “let’s dispose of the heretics”, these people’s eyes were filled with hostility and scorn as though doing that was only natural. Also, they are demons. They’re by no mean powerless.」

「True desu. They didn’t do anything hostile at that time was simply because their heart had been broken by Hajime-san’s overwhelming violence before they could do anything.」

Shia too added to the explanation about the situation at that time. Guardner and the other demons were certainly just civilians in the demon country, even so they were unmistakably hostiles at that time.

「Though of course, we too thought that it was too merciless……and most of all, Hajime looked like he really was going to go off the rail, so we tried to stop him.」

Shizuku put her hand on Kaori’s shoulder to calm her down while smiling bitterly. Then Shuuzou’s expression became a bit troubled and backed up Tomoichi who was faltering in front of his daughter’s menacing look.

「Don’t misunderstand. We too, even Tomoichi-kun aren’t trying to criticize Hajime-kun.」

「T-that’s right Kaori. ……We had heard that wailing and also such rampage that created a power so dreadful it felt like reality was completely overwritten. How can someone like us who are merely sightseeing here say anything?」

「Otou-san……」

「The only one with the qualification to say anything to Hajime-kun are only those who died and the people close to him. That’s why, we still asked him in spite of that──」

「Because you are worried about me, isn’t it? That perhaps I’m being burdened by a lot of things.」

Hajime finished what Tomoichi was about to say. Tomoichi and the others nodded silently.

「Nagumo Shuu and Sumire-san, they surely have talked much about this matter with you. After all it’s concerning you. I guess this is just us poking our nose where we don’t belong.」

Tomoichi said that while glancing at Shuu and Sumire who were quietly watching the happening without saying anything behind Hajime. The two nodded quietly at what Tomoichi said.

「You aren’t poking where you don’t belong. I’ll listen to anything you want to say to me. In the first place, I have prepared myself for that when deciding to show the past through this trip. Rather, everyone, aren’t you all coddling me a little bit too much?」

「I’m the one who don’t want to coddle you the most in the world! Just so you know, I plan to scold you mercilessly if I think that your answer is morally problematic!」

「I honestly respect that side of yours Tomoichi-san.」

「Don’t think you can win me over by flattering me!」

Tomoichi-san averted his gaze a bit shyly despite what he said. Though he instantly folded like wet tissue when Kaori hugged his arm and said 「Otou-san, I’m sorry that I jumped to conclusion like that」.

「Now then, sorry to make you wait.」

「……No, even just the exchange right now was something worth seeing. You have a good family.」

「Thank you.」

Hajime turned his gaze toward Kamal, then to Shuuzou and the others, then a second passed.

Hajime looked straight toward Kamal and told him firmly without any hesitation or wavering in his voice.

「I, don’t feel guilty of killing htem.」

「……You also don’t regret it?」

「No.」

Suddenly there was the sound of gulping. It came from Kaoruko and Akiko who were quietly watching the event progressing. Unexpectedly Guardner and the other demons didn’t show any noticeable reaction.

Kamal narrowed his eyes and asked further question with a tone that was lowered by several degree.

「Are you saying that the life of other race, the life of the demon race is no different than a stone at the roadside? Is it because we were at the camp of the god?」

「No, that’s unrelated. Kaori and Shia had mentioned about it a little. It’s because of my creed.」

「……Please continue.」

「It’s simple. I don’t care about my enemy’s status or race. If someone bearing hostility appear before me, I won’t be merciful even if they are just merchant or a farmer around the area. That’s why, if you ask me whether I feel guilty from killing “someone who isn’t warrior” or “other race”, then my answer is “no”.」

「……I see. In other words, you are not looking down on the demon race by any means.」

「That’s right.」

The two’s gazes clashed head on. Their gazes were sharp, just like swordsmen who were trying to slash the other to death in a flash. Kamal was trying to ascertain the truth from Hajime’s words, while Hajime accepted that stare head on. Both sides wouldn’t look away from the other.

Nobody spoke up. Nobody even thought of interrupting them. The two weren’t radiating hostility, but an intensity that seemed to bind the consciousness of other people was pressuring the atmosphere of the place.

But, even that atmosphere relaxed after a second passed. Hajime relaxed his expression. A wry smile surfaced slightly on his lips.

Kamal narrowed his eyes dubiously. Hajime said to him 「But……」 to show that there was continuation to his words.

「I can only answer Tomoichi-san’s answer with “I don’t know”.」

「Are you saying that they might not be your enemy?」

「It was just as Kaori said, they were potential enemy. That was why, even when half of my sanity was blown away at that time, I targeted the demons first rather than my classmates──my comrades. But, the problem isn’t there. There was something that made them different than everyone else that I had killed.」

「And that is?」

「I killed them without a clear intent.」

That act was simply the result of him yielding into his hatred and anger. That was certainly something that differed from his other fights.

「They got dragged into my rampage, no, I killed them half for venting my anger on them. It was something nastier than killing because you’re brainwashed to do it.」

Hajime’s gaze turned toward Tio. Tio’s eyes widened. He smiled slightly to her before saying.

「It’s just as Tio said. No matter what is the cause, you should take responsibility for what you have done. Someone who have far more ground to be given allowance still tried to take responsibility despite that. There’s no way I can run away by myself. That kind of guy has no business standing at the side of a lofty dragon race.」

「G-goshujin-sama……」

Even though usually their relationship was like perverted SM master-servant, there was no change to Tio’s fundamental part. Hajime had seen that from her until now, so there was also a lot of things that he had learned from the dragon race Tio Clarus.

Tio once killed some adventurers when she was brainwashed and atoned for it. There were also the words that she said about the end of Freed who had fanaticism planted into him.

Hajime had certainly kept either of them in his heart.

「Besides, if I concluded what I did as can’t be helped because my lover got taken away and I went crazy, that would be the same like using Yue as my excuse for killing.」

He couldn’t accept that kind of lame reasoning by any means. Hajime patted the head of Yue who had come to his side and snuggled on him when anyone realized.

Yue felt down when she saw the past replay, thinking that it was her fault Hajime yielded into resentment and hatred. But here Hajime told her once more that it wasn’t like that, that it was simply because he was immature. She muttered 「Hajime……」 and snuggled even closer to him.

「It’s easy to just ignore this matter. I have the strength for it after all. But, for the advocator of the proposal for the future of coexistence to ignore the result of what he did without even any clear intent behind it……is a foolish act that will only leave behind a seed of trouble in the future that he wished for.」

「That’s why, you promised Guardner and the others that if there is someone close to the people you killed who get awakened in the future, you will meet those people personally if they wish for it, so you want them to tell you if there is such a case, is that right?」

「What, so you really know about that.」

「Naturally, I heard about it from Guardner and the others.」

Yes, what Liliana was about to say at the beginning was about that.

Actually, the demons who were left behind from entering the holy precinct didn’t actually know each other or anything. They were gathered from every area in the southern continent using Freed’s “gate” and the army then divided them into groups randomly.

And so, they still didn’t know who were the friends or family of the demons who Hajime killed at that time, or in which location they were sealed.

That was why, when Hajime gave them the choice to be sealed or to accept the duty of managing the demon capital with the future of coexistence in mind, he promised that to them.

Liliana had also been told about that promise. In case any such people got found, Hajime would be told about it through Liliana.

「Were you unable to believe it?」

「No, my “instinct” told me that what Guardner and the others told me is the truth.」

「That’s right Kamal-san. We already told you.」

And yet why was he doing something like this where he seemed to be doubting Hajime? Guardner was dripping with cold sweat while he turned a protesting gaze at Kamal.

The truth about god and then his extermination. It was Hajime who told about them to Kamal and the other demons.

These people had been raised with the demon supremacy doctrine as their sense of values since they were born. The shock from what seemed to be their whole world being destroyed was far than enough to render several of them mad or invalid if there wasn’t any assistance from soul magic.

「I thought that it was definitely a nightmare. I wanted to believe that everything would return back to normal when I wake up. I even thought about accepting getting sealed.」

Guardner talked with halting speech. His hand was holding the shoulder of his son who was half hugging him at his side. Then he said 「But……」 with a troubled expression.

「Gerto──my son told me, “That girl was really cool. She really treasured her father”. He said “They helped each other……just like us”.」

Human race was greedy and haughty and savage. Beastman race was an inferior race that didn’t possess magic power. Therefore, it was none other than the demon race that was the supreme race──that was the education that was given to the demon race so they thought of themselves as the chosen people.

But, that common sense hadn’t completely dyed Guardner’s son because he was still in the same age bracket like Myuu.

「They’re just like us…… It was something that was hard to accept but, the godslayer himself, someone who can actually rule over the world as he please went out of his way to meet and talk with us. He gave us the freedom to choose. He said, that he won’t ignore us, even our thinking.」

It wouldn’t be strange for the demon race to be persecuted after the final battle as the race that was in the god’s camp. Something like the demon country’s circumstance was something that the average people in human race had no care about.

But, the person with the most strength in the world came to talk to them, people who didn’t have any special position or anything and told them that such thing wouldn’t happen.

「It made me want to believe. So that my son’s future too won’t become filled with suffering.」

That was why, he didn’t choose to run away from reality by choosing to be sealed. He also lent an ear to the persuasion of the demons who came here from the hidden village. At the end he chose the path of taking care of his brethren in the demon capital.

Guardner stared at Kamal with moist eyes.

「Kamal-san, it’s awful that you bring up that matter again at this point. I can’t stop sweating you know?」

「No, umu. It was my bad. It was my bad but……」

Even though he should have accepted that Hajime had no intention of making light of the future of the demon race from talking to them, he intentionally brought them up again like this. Guardner criticized Kamal like that. To this old man Kamal faltered a little.

「All of you, you said that you believed in that promise, and yet why did you all scream and faint like that?」

「Eh? T-that’s……」

「I heard that godslayer-dono use the power of the age of god. Perhaps everyone is simply being ruled by fear? It can’t be helped that I think like that after seeing how everyone reacted.」

「「「「「Certainly.」」」」」

Voices of agreement came not just from the parents, but also from Yue and the others. Also, Hajime’s voice was included in those voices.

「N-no, should I say that’s that, this is this……old man Kamal just don’t get it! It’s because you weren’t there! That eye……that horrifying eye that was like sludge that have gotten boiled down thickly!」

「That’s right that’s right! Just because he is sane now, there’s no way we’ll ever be able to forget that expressionless face that makes all your hair stood on end! Uoeh, just remembering it made me want to vomit……」

「That wasn’t an aura from a human……surely, that was just pure terror wearing human skin to pretend to be human!」

「Heheh, look at this. This arm, it won’t stop getting goose bumps…………hihih, as expected from the new demon king-sama yeah, hihihih」

Old man Kamal looked toward Hajime with a gloomy expression.

Hajime averted his eyes.

So that was why. Their trauma still hadn’t vanished. They would be able to talk with Hajime if they were told about it beforehand and given time to harden their resolve, but apparently it was no good if they got “Demon king peekaboo!” so suddenly.

It was understandable for old man Kamal to want to use this chance to ascertain just in case, that there wasn’t really anything like rule of terror going on.

「Cough. Now then, Tomoichi-san. Shuuzou-san and others too. Have you ascertained what you want to ascertain?」

Hajime asked Tomoichi and the others partly in order to divert the topic.

Tomoichi and others smiled wryly and nodded.

「I planned to lend an ear if you are shouldering some kind of heavy burden, and I also thought that you would have to be admonished if you’re ignoring the people you killed as trivial matter but……as expected, it seems that it’s just my needless concern.」

「I also have seen enough. I understand now how do you look back at what you had done without any clear intent behind it.」

Koichi and Kirino, and also Kaoruko and Akiko whose complexion had recovered shook their head to show that they had nothing particular to say.

「What about Tou-san and Kaa-san?」

Hajime looked back across his shoulder toward Shuu and Sumire who had only been watching quietly all this time.

「If it’s talk then we had done it a lot after you went home right? We have nothing more to say at this point.」

「We told you right? If you ever take the wrong path in the future, we’re going to slap you and drag you back. If you’re going to take responsibility then we will take it together with you.」

「I see……you did say that.」

Shuu and Sumire noticed Kamal’s gaze and turned toward him. They both bowed to him. Kamal too understood how that was the disposition of Nagumo family. He returned the bow with an expression that had turned gentle.

「Now then, is there anything else that you want to ask?」

The atmosphere was filled with relieve after seeing that the talk had reached a stopping point for the moment. When Hajime asked that to Kamal……

「Rather, the main topic is from here.」

Kamal grimaced apologetically.

「……What do you mean?」

「……Are you perhaps, looking for a way to prolong your life or something?」

Yue spoke of her guess. Kamal’s lifespan was about to run out, so such request was certainly possible if he was worrying about the fate of the demon race in the future.

But, what he said was the exact opposite of that.

「No, I wish to end my role soon. My true objective for coming here is to present this demon sword to the demon king-dono.」

Kamal called Hajime as the demon king for the first time.

As though the dialogue just now was his way to ascertain whether Hajime was worthy to be called like that.

「I have no plan to become the king of the demon race. Society tend to call me like that because at the northern continent, there are a lot of fairy tales of human opposing the god and got called as demon king.」

「I’m well aware of that.」

「Then, why?」

「Because this demon sword is too dangerous. To a degree that it might even lead the demon race to ruin in the future.」

Kamal untied the sheath from his waist and showed the demon sword with both hands as though he was offering it.

「Ruin you say?」

「Yes. This demon sword can cut through any magic power.」

「……I see. You were able to cut through my barrier easily was because of that demon sword’s ability.」

「That’s certainly an amazing item. It even cut through Yue’s barrier. But, isn’t it exaggerating to say that it will lead to ruin just from that?」

「Of course, that’s not all there is to it.」

According to Kamal, the sword could be active constantly as long as it absorbed the owner’s magic power. In such case, the owner could also put up something like barrier that wouldn’t allow any magic power or magic to approach without even needing to cut them with the blade.

That was the biggest reason why the hidden village was able to escape even from god’s eyes for so long without getting found out until now.

「It also has the ability to create blade of magic power that can extend freely, ability to attack from distance, ability to be summoned back to the owner’s hand, ability to grant super instinct that will notify the owner of any falsehood and danger, and even the ability to restore even the owner’s body.」

「Oi oi oi……ain’t that thing’s ability even greater than the holy sword?」

Kamal listed the sword’s ability without stopping. Even Hajime was taken aback by the information. Naturally, the other people also opened their eyes wide in astonishment and stared fixedly at the demon sword.

Kamal looked at the demon sword with various emotions filling his gaze while nodding 「Yes……」.

「Its origin, is unknown. It has been lost to history for a long time.」

「But, it’s said to have been passed down to the one who protected the demons who wouldn’t obey the demon country.」

「Yes. This demon sword doesn’t actually have any clear will but, it also has the ability to choose its own wielder. The chosen one will be allowed to prolong their life using its “restoration ability” until their limit come in its truest meaning.」

That limit most likely referred to the limit of the wielder’s soul itself. There was no doubt that the wielder’s own soul was exhausted to the very limit as the effect of having their lifespan forcefully prolonged.

In fact, Hajime’s magic eye that could even look at the soul could only see a very faint light within Kamal’s body.

「That’s certainly a heck of capability.」

「Yes, with this sword in the hand of the demon race, surely someone who think like this will also appear──”Won’t it be possible to regain the demon country of old as long as I have this demon sword?”」

In reality, it was a foolish thought as long as Hajime and co were alive. But, people could sometimes become terrifyingly simple. Forget about the past glory of the demon country, perhaps someone who thought that they would be able to use this sword to achieve even greater desire would appear. Everyone could understand Kamal’s worry.

「So it’s for the safest to let it go huh……」

「It will be the safest to entrust it with the godslayer himself won’t it?」

「Are you really going to entrust that thing that can be said as the last fortress to protect the demons to me?」

「The dialogue just now was for me to make this decision. It’s because it’s you, the one who took the first step to guide all the countries toward the future of coexistence that you are worthy to safeguard this sword.」

「……If it’s us, then even prolonging your life is possible you know?」

「What a horrible thing to say. Are you planning to overwork this old man even more?」

In contrast to those criticizing words, Kamal’s expression was peaceful. It was a transparent expression that could only be had by those who had seen that their death was near and came to term with it.

「……I had never left the village since I was born.」

「……」

「It was the mission of my lifetime to keep the village isolated from the world. I did things like creating other hidden villages for the sake of the youth who longed for the outside world but……sometimes, I was also forced to cut down my own brethren.」

Among them, there must also be people who could endure living in hiding forever and tried to change something even if it would bring danger to the people in the hidden village.

He offered his whole life to be the protector of his brethren, and yet sometimes he had no choice but to cut down that same brethren. Nobody here could even imagine what he must be feeling.

「I’m feeling, a bit tired. Demon king-dono, can you please tell this senile old fool, that it’s fine to take a rest already?」

Just how long this person had lived until now?

Even though he was staring straight at Hajime with a peaceful gaze, relieve was oozing out from his expression because he finally would be able to end his mission. Hajime couldn’t offer any more argument.

「I understand. I’ll hold on to it.」

「O-oo……my thanks. My thanks……」

Hajime’s tone changed. It was a tone that was filled with respect, the same like when he talked to Adol or Shuuzou and their like.

While everyone was watching quietly, Kamal kneeled in front of Hajime and quietly presented the demon sword.

Hajime solemnly accepted it.

That sight looked as though he was accepting the meaning of Kamal’s life itself. Guardner and others were shaking. Even Shuu and Sumire and the others were also holding their breath.

「Is the sword’s name also lost from history?」

「No, no. That is the only thing that still remain. When drawing out the sword’s ability, please call its name by all means. The protector demon sword, its name is──”Ignis”.」

「Ignis……I understand. When a worthy wielder for it appear, I shall tell them that name. Together with the legend that you have spun until now.」

「……I thank you from the bottom of my heart.」

Nobody could say anything for a while. They continued to watch the sacred ceremony of transferring.

After that.

Hajime and others continued their sightseeing with Kamal and Guardner and the others accompanying them.

Although most of the past projections were just like supplemental, so the parents, especially Yaegashi family and Shuu and Sumire asked if Guardner and the other demons could talk with them.

Of course, it was Myuu who displayed a cheat-like communication ability at this kind of time.

「Hello! I’m Myuu! Do you want to be Myuu’s friend! Nano!」

「Yhes!?」

She ran straight toward Guardner’s son whose name was Gerto. When she greeted him with a bright smile, Gerto-kun jumped on his feet like in comic and hid behind his father.

But, Myuu immediately circled around! She mercilessly talked to him.

「Can I call you Gerto-kun? You can call Myuu as Myuu nano!」

「Eh, ah, ee?」

「Did you think that Myuu is cool nano?」

「T-that’s, errrrr, umm……」

Gerto-kun’s face became bright red because Myuu persistently came at him. Even the adults who were talking went 「Oh?」 and inadvertently focused at those two.

Gerto-kun wouldn’t meet Myuu’s eyes at all. It made Myuu felt rejected and her shoulders drooped down despondently.

「Is Myuu scary? Because Myuu is papa’s daughter?」

「Eh? N-no, that’s not……」

「……Sorry. You see, that time Myuu wanted to save papa nano. It wasn’t because Myuu want to protect Gerto-kun and your papa the most nano.」

「Eh? Ah, no, that’s……」

「Yep, Myuu think you know that already nano. That’s why, it might be difficult for us to be friends but, Myuu is──」

「That’s not true at all!」

Gerto-kun’s eyes snapped wide open.

Even though Myuu was despondent, she didn’t want them to stay as strangers without any connection getting formed at all between them. Everyone was doing their best in order to achieve coexistence in the future, so perhaps it would help if she could also get closer to a demon race person even just for a bit. Thinking that she did her best to form the words to say, but Gerto-kun interrupted Myuu and began the one who spoke insistently this time.

「It was a fact that you protected us, and at that time you were really cool! Certainly, I’m still scared toward your father but, you aren’t scary at all! Y-you’re cute! Courageous, and umm……you’re cute!」

It was something important, so he said it twice. Surely that was all, no other intention.

The parents were going 「Oh ho」 with a grin on their face. Hajime papa’s eyes were narrowed. Guardner-otousan was drenched in cold sweat. His gaze was pleading 「Stop it alreadyyy! Whose daughter do you think she is!?」 to his son, but Gerto-kun’s sight was completely filled with Myuu so he didn’t notice.

「Err……then, will you be my friend?」

「O-of course! If you’re fine with me!」

「Thank you nano! Don’t call Myuu with you, just use Myuu from now!」

「……yes.」

Gerto-kun pressed his hand on his chest while looking befuddled. It went without saying that the reason why his reply lagged for a second was because he was staring at Myuu’s bright smile.

Apparently another pitiful boy who got caught by Myuu’s devilishness had appeared.

Hajime papa fell into thought for a little bit before he walked toward Gerto boy with fast steps. Guardner-otousan was about to cling on him and begged 「Mercy! Please have mercyyy!」, but Kamal immobilized him smilingly.

「Gerto boy.」

「? Hii!?」

「I’ll tell you something good.」

「Wha, w-w-w-what are──」

Hajime slowly brought his lips close to the terribly shaken Gerto-kun’s ears and said.

「Actually──there are already two boys who are seriously planning to make Myuu as their wife.」

「What did you say?」

「The two are already rushing ahead of you. All for Myuu’s sake.」

「No, way……」

「Do you, want power?」

「Po, wer……」

There was no denying it, this was the demon king. The way he was demonically whispering temptation fitted him to a tee.

And so Myuu pinched her papa’s cheek with reproachful gaze.

「Papa? Don’t tell Myuu you’re planning to make my friends fight each other again nano? You see, Myuu is still angry about papa giving Ariel-chan a bundle of muskets like that.」

「Ah, yes. Sorry……」

His prank backfired and he got scolded by his daughter. Hajime walked back in low spirits. Yue and the others welcomed him with an exasperated look.

Gerto-kun who saw that sight muttered 「Amazing……」 and his sparkling eyes were filled with even more respect and longing toward Myuu. A second passed.

He put on the face of a man and said.

「Myuu-chan! I’ll work hard!!」

「Myu?」

「Demon king-sama! I’ll work hard!!」

「……I’ll let you meet Randell and the others one day.」

The parents muttered 「Oh my~」 in amusement. The other demons including grandpa Kamal were looking at Gerto as though they were looking at a hero.

「That girl, she did it again……」

「W-well, isn’t it fine? His age is also close with Randell, they will become the bridge that connected the races in the future, maybe?」

Remia looked greatly troubled. Beside her Liliana sported a conflicted smile while trying to justify what happened. But, Aiko spoke with a twitching expression.

「In the worst case, it will become a conflict between the kingdom and the empire and the demon country……that won’t happen right!? No matter what it’s just impossible!」

If that actually happened, Myuu would be a real countries-toppling beauty……

Everyone seemed to hear their conversation. It went without saying that they imagined such future somewhat and got a faraway look in their eyes.

Also, Guardner-otousan’s complexion became pale white seeing his son stepping into such an outrageous path.

.

.

.

That night.

Hajime and co returned to the royal palace and finished having dinner. After that they were amusing themselves by chatting and relaxing with some after meal tea as accompaniment.

「……Hajime, what have you been doing so passionately since some time ago?」

Yue who was talking with Shuu and Sumire about the events that happened today turned her focus toward Hajime beside her.

She must be curious. The others also stopped their conversation and looked toward Hajime who was putting the demon sword that was radiating an ominous aura and its sheath on the table.

「No, this sword has really absurd abilities, so I’m analyzing it just in case.」

「Did you learn something? I get the feeling that for some reason, this aura is similar with the great scythe of that mad dog princess though?」

「This one art colored like blood but……they art certainly similar.」

「Could it be, both have the same root?」

「That’s possible if they rivaled even the holy sword……」

「The material of this sword has fundamentally the same nature like that scythe, so it’s just as Kaori said, perhaps they have the same root. But, it seems that this demon sword was strengthened later on.」

Hajime said that and took the demon sword.

「It seems, something else is mixed with the original sword with superb balance. I’m guessing that originally it only had the ability to cut magic power and firing blade of magic power. And then, it seemed material with other abilities got fused into it in a way that didn’t damage the original.」

Hajime said that and turned the pommel to the front to make it easier to see. And then he sent his magic power into it. It caused small letters to faintly form.

Hajime and others who possessed “Language Comprehension” read those letters as “R O”.

「Most likely, this is the initials of the one who strengthened this demon sword. This too is a different material from the original……the ability of the improver was godly.」

「Please wait. These letters……they are the same with the letters that were engraved on many of the artifacts kept inside this palace’s treasury.」

「Is that true?」

「Yes. More than half of the artifacts that were supplied to Hajime-san and others when everyone had just been summoned had these letters engraved on them.」

「……I didn’t notice. Could it be, my transmutation gloves too?」

「I think so. It’s the same with Kaori’s staff and Shizuku’s saber. ……They were national treasures that had saved the kingdom from danger many times.」

「I see……」

The name of a certain person flashed at the back of Hajime’s mind. The name of Oscar’s last disciple who was like his little brother, which came out in his diary. If that disciple inherited Oscar’s name and then it was turned into initials……it matched.

If that last disciple’s put effort to leave behind something for the future as much as possible, and as the result his items bounced from one place to the next and became of aid to help many……

「It makes you realize just what kind of absurd bunch those liberators were huh……」

Hajime couldn’t help but sigh from the strong emotions that welled up inside him.

「In any case, it will take time to research this thing in detail without disassembling it……as expected, taking apart something that is entrusted to me is just, you know……」

「……Amazing. To think that Hajime can hold back in front of an artifact……」

「Hajime-san, are you perhaps feeling unwell?」

「What do you mean by that, oi.」

It was then, there was a knocking sound from the door to this lounge. When the permission to enter was given, Hellina entered with an elegant gait while pushing a cart with a steaming pot of tea on it and some snacks.

「I’m bringing a fresh batch of tea.」

Hellina bowed also with elegance in her movement. Sumire and others thanked her. Hajime was watching that going on without anything particular in mind when he noticed.

「Aa? What?」

The demon sword was vibrating. Even though he wasn’t doing anything, the sword was getting tinged with blood colored radiance.

Why was it suddenly reacting? Hajime was tilting his head in puzzlement. Meanwhile the demon sword’s radiance kept getting stronger.

「What about the snacks? I’m bringing some with me just in case……」

「As expected we’re full already. Thank you Hellina-san. Just the feeling is enough.」

「Understood, Sumire-sama.」

「Eh? You’re kidding me……so it’s like that?」

「Hajime-sama? Is something the matter?」

The sword’s radiance was getting stronger the more it got closer to Hellina who was setting the table briskly.

To test it out Hajime tried standing up from his chair and walking away. The sword’s radiance turned fainter with that. Yue and others also noticed what was going on with that. 「Ee!?」 Their eyes widened in astonishment and they looked at the demon sword and Hellina alternately.

「U-um? Everyone?」

Hellina was confused. Hajime tried to ask her for the time being.

「Let me ask you just in case but……is there a demon among your ancestors Hellina?」

「If that is the case, I wouldn’t be able to become a maid who serve the royal family directly you know?」

「I also guarantee it. Hellina’s family, the house of Count Ashie is a prestigious house with friendly relationship with the royal family even before the founding of the country.」

「That means, you don’t even need to be a demon? ……I don’t get it. I don’t get the requirement for the selection at all……」

「Um, Hajime-sama?」

「Hellina. Don’t say anything. Just try holding this sword.」

「Y-yes?」

Hellina was bewildered, even so she reflexively took the demon sword that was held out toward her. The blood colored aura immediately wrapped around Helina. There was a chill for an instant before the aura dispersed.

The ominous aura vanished and the demon sword stayed tranquil, as though it had found its place to belong and settle down.

「H-how do you feel, Hellina? Do you feel anything strange?」

「Anything, strange……」

Helina stared at the demon sword for a while. Then she suddenly said 「Excuse me for a little」 and walked until the window. She then opened the window heartily and,

「Is it something like this? ……It’s time for strife──”Ignis”!」

She yelled the name of the demon sword even though she hadn’t been told about it. Then she fired a blood colored magic slash toward the sky. Her performance was so sterling that it was unthinkable that this was her first time using the sword.

「H-how should I think about this……for my head maid to be chosen by the sword that has protected the demon race……」

Liliana was holding her head with both hands as though she was holding back a headache.

It couldn’t be helped. The unforeseen situation made even Hajime half laughing while saying 「Seriouslyyy~」

「Errrr……what should I do with this?」

「Hm, well, I’ll give you a treasure warehouse for your own use so take it with you.」

「……Is Hajime-sama giving me, your creation?」

「No, that’s not it. I’ll give you the detailed explanation now but……well, it should be fine for you to have that seeing that it has chosen you. I’ll also fill the treasure warehouse with a battalion of Grim Reaper. You should hold to that sword until there is someone else worthy for it.」

It was unknown whether someone like that would appear though. But Hajime didn’t say that and he along with the others explained about what happened at the demon king castle.

It went without saying that in the end Hellina-san went 「The origin is too heavyyy」 and refused to take the sword.

Although,

「Hellina. Won’t that demon sword help you with carrying out that plan? You mentioned that you would be alright with taking care of the administration depending on the situation but……you have the disposition for fighting in order to protect, perhaps because you have been trained as maid as well as bodyguard.」

Hellina accepted Hajime’s words. Tomorrow they would directly meet Kamal to talk about what just happened. As the result Hellina would be accepted as the demon sword’s temporary owner.

Naturally,

「What is this plan you’re talking about!?」

It went without saying that Liliana pressed them about what Hajime just said.

After that she chased her for the whole night even until into her bed. It was said that Hellina-san didn’t disclose anything about the plan till the end even when faced with such persistence from her princess.