Chapter 316: Hidden Talent

Chapter 316: Hidden Talent

Chapter 316 – Hidden Talent

“S-Shion-sama...could...could you please explain it to a foolish person like me once more...?” Saburou pleaded while pressing his head against the ground, his whole body well-roasted.

At a glance, he looks like he’s on the verge of death, but...this idiot possesses 《Fire Resist》, doesn’t he...? Contrary to his appearance, the damage he suffered is low, so he’s definitely not regretting anything...

If Kanan was here, she’d earnestly insist on stabbing him with Gáe Bolg, I’m sure. But, I’m unwilling to waste precious combat power in light of us facing the enemy soon. I guess I’ll leave the games at this and get on to the main topic.

“I don’t mind explaining it, but...can’t you make a guess?”

“No...not at all...”

“By the way, do any of those present here have an idea?”

I surveyed the subordinates around me. Many of Team J’s members have rather eccentric personalities, and all of them are either former demon kings or humans. It’s possible that one of them might have realized my strategy.

――!

“You over there! Yes, you,” I pointed at a woman who used to be an Elf Demon King.

“M-Me?”

“Yes. Err, if I remember correctly, your name was...”

“10th Calamity. Mao, the 10th Calamity.”

Mao...I turned her into my subordinate around Nanao City, didn’t I? She was a Demon King of a Domain that was a pain to take because of her high resourcefulness. I should have left her in Yataro’s care after making her submit, but at some point she apparently was won over by Saburou’s Team J.

“Mao, I don’t mind if it’s wrong. Try guessing my plan.”

“For a lowly and dumb woman like me to infer of a wise and clever person like you, Shion-sama, is――”

“Drop the preface and get to the point.”

“O-Okay... Forgive me. I have heard that the enemy is currently proceeding through the 11th floor. And you have set the 13th floor as a transfer destination. The answer is to be found with time.”

Hoo... As I thought, this woman is smart.

“Is there any unit you wish to join?”

“――Wh-!?”

Saburou opened his mouth widely.

Or rather, Saburou...you should have made Mao your strategist instead of that funny slime...

“I know that it is very presumptuous of me, but...I wish to stay with Team J.”

“Hoh.”

“Team J is like a family for me.”

“――Wha-!? That’s bad...really bad...10th Calamity...I can fully understand your wish of wanting to aim for the position of being my legal wife, but...I have Kanon-tan...and a replacement called Lily――”

――《Fire Lance》!

“Haaaaahhnn!!?”

“Mao, are you really okay with Team J?”

“...U-Umm, yes. We have such a team leader, but he is cherishing us as friends...more than anyone else.”

“Hoh.”

I glanced at the scorched, twitching Saburou.

“Besides, I have been able to display the resourcefulness you noticed in Team J as well. Please allow me to continue serving you in the future through Team J as well.”

So Mao was one of the reasons for the clown team’s success?

“Well, sure. Keep working hard for the Aster Empire.”

“Yes! I swear by heaven and earth to do it!”

Okay, time to wrap up the chatting and get the defenses ready.

I used my smartphone to prepare everything.