CH 126

Chapter 126 - Lion Demon Slayer

“I’m that Souya, the Demon Slayer.”

Souya told the three adventurers belonging to the Royal Capital as such.

I was a little concerned about one point, that he acted like a gentleman, but I did not mention it now.

Unfortunately, that was probably how it had spread in the Royal Capital. Hearsay is often unreliable.

“…… I see. It was Merylou, right? Did you also participate in the subjugation of the Silver Demon?”

There was a moment of silence between us, but it was Rita, the dark elf, who opened her mouth.

She and Merylou had just been in the midst of a falling out.

“…… In case you’re wondering. I was there, but Souya was the only one who beat it. It summoned by a swarm of poisonous insects, and it was all I could do to keep myself and Mia alive.”

When Merylou said this, Mia nodded in response.

“Still, you did not die when you confronted with the Silver Demon …… I see. I apologize for underestimating you. Pleasure.”

Rita changed her attitude and shook Merylou’s hand. She must have decided that she was not just an ordinary Silver-class adventurer.

Merylou responded in kind. Both of their faces were stiff, and Souya was relieved that they had at least ostensibly made peace, although he did not know what they were thinking inside.

(……The experience of that death struggle has come in handy. Merylou-kun was able to stand up to it without fear. She has the spirit to stand her ground even at an absolute disadvantage.)

No matter what form it takes, it is a great experience to have once faced and survived an out-of-standard monster such as the Silver Demon.

There were five people, including Souya, in the church of the old fort. Aside from Rebecca, who had lost her will to fight, Merylou, Mia, and Thomas, who had already retired, were also bravely facing the overwhelming presence, even though they were cowed by it.

This proves that they can stand up to monsters of that level or lower without fear even when confronted.

“Wait a minute …… Souya. Did you really defeat the Silver Demon by yourself?

Belmont, the young man with red hair and black tights, asked Souya with his arms outstretched. He was a man whose overacting stood out in every way. Souya looked away slightly and decided to have a conversation.

“Belmont-kun, I think you’re wrong about being alone. Naturally, I have the support of my friends. I don’t think I can face him alone.”

“No, I think it’s safe to say that you faced it alone. I think so. That’s why you are the only one who calls himself the Demon Slayer.”

Merylou interjected. She seemed to want to emphasize Souya’s success.

“The poisonous insects and small demon Imps that keep being summoned are taken care of by the wind spirit Sylph that you summon. Mia-kun’s recovery and your bow and arrow also provided support. I wouldn’t say I was alone.”

“But that big pummeling shot would have had to have obliterated it.”

“Big pummeling shot …… you don’t mean the Magic Bombardment [Penetrate]?”

Belmont’s expression clearly changed. Until now, when he heard the name “Demon Slayer,” he still had a somewhat condescending air about him, but he doesn’t seem to have such an air about him anymore.

“If he can do that, there is no doubt that he is one of the best …… I see. I accepted this request with the intention of exchanging information with the adventurers in Ilstadt, but this was worth the trip all the way from the Royal Capital.”

When he finished saying this, Belmont stared at Souya with his arms crossed.

Earlier, he had been looking at Mia and Merylou with ulterior motives and had no interest in Souya, but after learning that he was a superior magic warrior, his interest seemed to have shifted to Souya.

“Demon Slayer Souya.”

“…… What is it, Belmont-kun.”

“I wonder if you would be willing to spar once tomorrow. I am interested in your abilities as a magic warrior. Are you better than Rand the Hammer, who is said to be the strongest in Ilstadt?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never met Rand-san. He seems to be in the Deep Dungeon now.”

“No, before I left for Loloa, I met Old Rand at the Adventurers’ Guild in the Royal Capital. He said he was going to stop his search at the labyrinth and pull back to Ilstadt. He also said it was an emergency.”

By emergency, I assume he means the Red Horn. We had made arrangements to call him back on the matter.

From the looks of it, the appearance of the Red Horn may not have spread that far in the Royal Capital yet.

“I’m a Demon Slayer too …… Well, I didn’t do it alone. I’ve had the opportunity to slaughter two of them.”

“Two. That’s quite a feat, Belmont-kun.”

Souya was honestly interested. With two of them, at least the chance of a lucky shot was greatly reduced. There was no doubt that he was one of the best in the Platinum-class.

“…… No. It’s not something I’m proud of. In one of them, I was accompanied by the rose …… No mighty adventurer could but bow down to her prowess, her accomplishments, and her beauty.”

Hearing the title, Souya involuntarily looked directly at Belmont, who had been out of sight for some time.

“Rosalind the Rose, the Arch Demonslayer, the Lion Demon Slayer. This is a title given to only six people in the world. Three of them have disappeared, and two are no longer active as adventurers …… She is the one, the only, and the strongest adventurer in the world.”

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The first meeting was over, and tomorrow morning we would have another meeting to discuss the request.

The conversation got sidetracked, and the initial discussion of a spar was ultimately left unanswered, but I didn’t really want to do it since it had nothing to do with the request.

Souya was relieved to learn that they would be using the four-person room that had been mutually prepared for them. Being alone with Belmont, he thought, would be tough. Mainly because of his abdominal muscles.

“Valiant Demon Belmont, huh …… He looks like a ridiculous pervert, but I bet he’s strong.”

That was Merylou’s first comment when she arrived at the four-person room. It seemed that she had seen it that way after all.

With that line, Souya finally reached his limit.

Souya plopped down on the bed and covered himself with the covers, letting his laughter dissipate without them noticing.