Chapter 104: Even More Unexpected Encounters

Chapter 104: Even More Unexpected Encounters

October 10th, 2089

Reijis POV

Come again? I asked the girl who I ran into this morning while Minato was still hiding in the bushes. My name is Vivian Pendragon. I am in charge of a Pandemonium Task Force in England, and I would like to ask you about the incident on August 30th. Pendragon, as in the Royal Family? Please say no, please say no, please say no. The girl nodded in affirmation. SHE SAID YES!!! I ASSAULTED ROYALTY THIS MORNING!!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Um, are you okay? the Crown Princess Vivian, the future head of one of the nine most powerful countries in the world, looked at me worriedly as I resisted the urge to panic. Now I know why Minato dived out of the way. Had I known she was a princess I wouldve tried to run away as well. The ojou-sama type does nothing to tickle my otaku heart, Im a cat-girl man all the way! GAHHHH!!!!! I do not need this right now!

Oi, Reiji! What are you doing? Thank goodness, Aito and the others have arrived. I saw him flush a little red after noticing Vivian. Kiyoshi was silent and Koji was talking about angels from heaven. I introduced the group to each other, noting how the Princess showed flashes of recognition at their names. Ah, shes here about Pandemonium after all. It makes sense if she knows the names of the only few witnesses who werent drugged out of their minds.

We started walking away from the school, the Princess perfectly content to walk along with a group of strangers. I shudder to think how many guns and the like are focused on us from her security team. So, could you tell me about the attack? she asked once again. The four of us went quiet as we each remembered that day in our own way. The blood, the gore, running in fear, Akemi disappearing in the inferno. The knot of emotions in my chest tightened painfully as I remembered everything I went through. The Princess did not say anything as she waited patiently for us to speak. None of us did, not even Koji. She then said something that was shocking.

SUSAN, YOUR ASSISTANCE IS APPRECIATED BUT UNNECESSARY! I ALONE CAN DEAL WITH THIS REMNANT! Ibaraki-doji bellowed as he continued to thrash my barrier. His dedication was paying off, as I could feel the artifacts magic start to waver. Princess Veronica though decided not to wait. She drew a shining sword from what looked like nowhere and slashed at Ibaraki-doji, who was forced to try and block. The shining sword detonated as it hit the kanabo, knocking the oni over. Excellent! I shall assist you! Seal of the Enlightened Shadow Emperor! Koji pulled out a pair of talismans, crumpled them up, and threw them at Ibaraki-doji. Before they could connect, a pillar of ice erupted from the ground and blocked them.

Ha. He carries no smell of inner mana. It appears that the Abyssal Vortex Champion is merely a normal human who uses magic items. What a waste of time. Ibaraki-doji, clear out the scum while I deal with the human with the relic. Susan coldly spoke without an ounce of inflection in her voice. She waved her arm, causing an icy wind to blast Princess Vivian off to the side before she could retreat back inside the barrier. She looked rather injured by the move, although the sheathe of her sword was shining and seemed to be healing her. It doesnt look like itll finish in time to get the princess to stand up and deal with the slowly approaching ice demon. I would try and save her, but Im trapped here as Ibaraki-doji resumed his attack on my barrier. Damnit! What do I do now!? Am I going to have to watch another person die?!? Shit, if only I werent so weak! Minato, where the hell are you?!?

And of course, the instant I asked that question is when a piercing bolt of light blasted into Susan. She had managed to conjure a frozen shield, but it simply shattered under the force of the shot, blasting her away to slam into a nearby tree. Ibaraki-doji turned to check on his comrade, which ended up being a mistake. A very large black fox with 3 tails rammed into him and sent him flying in the direction of Susan. Shit. Lord Dantes betrothed seems to be here. Ibaraki-doji, were leaving. This other fraud isnt worth our time. Susan said as magic enveloped her and the red oni. They teleported away, just in time to avoid a salvo of magic bullets that tore up the area where they were just in. Wait, did they say Dantes betrothed?

I looked at the terrifying form of Rin, which was spitting black flame everywhere as she snarled at the fleeing demons. Yep, I can now confirm that Rin was at the concert attack. That was definitely her that blasted off the stadium roof. Minato was there at the concert attack. Why didnt he mention that? What is he hiding? Whats his relationship with Dantes betrothed? Is that a reference to Rin? I put the questions out of my mind as I ran over to check on the Princess. Are you okay? I asked as she managed to unsteadily get back on her feet. A little frostbitten, but otherwise Im alright. Are the others okay? I glanced back at Aito, Koji, and Kiyoshi, who were all staring at Rin warily. Yeah, were fine our end. I responded. Princess Vivian followed my look, and she understandably stiffened at the sight of Rin.

Is that thing a threat? she asked warily. I was about to answer no, but the demon fox apparently overheard. Im not a thing! Youre a thing! Meanie! The demon fox turned her head away as she pouted in displeasure. It was odd, seeing a monstrous fox doing that. She then vanished in a puff of black smoke, leaving behind 4 shocked individuals and a facepalming me. After some pause in which we confirmed that the confrontation was really over, the Princess sheathed her sword (which then seemed to vanish from sight) and focused her attention onto me. You know that fox. You relaxed when it appeared and didnt show any surprise at our sudden magical assistance. Explain, and while youre at it explain everything you know about magic and the true nature of Pandemonium. Her blue eyes seemed to bore a hole through me as she waited for a response.

I hope youre happy with yourself Minato. Your refusal to reveal yourself and your demand that I keep you out of this has forced me to have to start lying my ass off to a princess. What has happened to my life? Mysterious and magical best friends, princesses, demons galore all are conspiring to mess up my life! And yet Im still an ordinary otaku with no supernatural talents! I want a refund on this crappy anime setting!