The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

  The one who took the elf children hostage was the mid-level demon Zendu.

  He was the man who had kidnapped the elf children and used Seori to plot the confrontation between the dragon species and the elves. This time too, he approached Saaya and the others with despicable means to force them into infighting.

"What a cowardly act..."

"Hah, call it cunning, brat."

  Zendu snorted with laughter.

  A trap that can inflict status ailments on this many people isn't something an ordinary magic user can create. He must be a demon skilled in traps and underhanded tactics.

  Normally, they would have had overwhelming numbers, but because of this, only Saaya and her companions remained able to fight.

"Come on, hurry up and kill each other, you brats. Are you okay with innocent children dying?"

"Muu. I don't want to attack big sisters and the others~"

  Punisuke was honest.

  Saaya wanted to say the same thing, but with Zendu's fingertip threatening the elves' lives, she couldn't take any careless actions.

  Zendu was shaking with laughter as he watched the frustrated expressions of Saaya and Punisuke.

"You're making good faces. But hey, when did I say it was okay to just stand still? Come on, female brat, hurry up and kill that familiar over there--"

"'Flare Purge'"

"Dwueeeeh!?"

  A spell was fired without question. Needless to say, it was Elenora.

  Zendu threw himself to the ground to avoid it at the last second. Having dived face-first into the ground, he rolled over and got up with a nosebleed.

"So close"

"Wait a minute! You spawn of the Demon King! Can't you see there are hostages!?"

"Hm? I can see them."

  Elenora's expression seemed to say, 'So what?'

  Zendu, shuddering at the realization that he would have died instantly if his reaction had been even a little slower, said,

"Don't make a move! Didn't you come to save these guys? Are you crazy enough to sacrifice them for your own safety!?"

  It was a very reasonable opinion.

  Naturally, Saaya was also dumbfounded.

  However, Elen tilted her head.

"Mmm. If I die, total annihilation."

"W-Well, that's what I'm planning to do... but that's not the point! The hostages are kids! Doesn't that hurt your heart?!"

"Mm? You're the bad one."

"That's true, but!"

"Bad guys must be defeated."

  This is hopeless.

  Certainly, Zendu's methods were cowardly and would have tremendous effect on a decent opponent with a conscience and common sense.

  But against a slightly unhinged battle maniac, it only provided an excuse for attack.

"Are you a psychopath..."

  Zendu's cheek twitched.

  Nevertheless, he had noticed that Elenora was properly considering the safety of the hostages. Immediately after firing Flare Purge, she had completed a high-speed chant of "Air's Lock" in an instant, without Zendu noticing.

  It's unclear how Zendu would give instructions to the hostages, but Elenora probably judged that restricting the children's movements would be enough.

  However, since the next spell was limited to "Air's Lock", she shouldn't be able to attack directly...

  As Saaya was thinking this, Elenora glanced at her.

  I see.

  If that's the case, leave it to me!

"Become holy -- 'Holy Enchant'"

"What!? Are you planning to abandon them too, you damn brat?!"

  Zendu's voice cracked as Saaya recast the spell on her sword.

  Abandon them? She had no such intention at all.

  Elenora is always greedy, bad at waking up, and usually just a rival-like existence who's always fighting, but in battle, she's a trusted and important comrade, just like Ruruk.

  How could she not believe in the meaning, the judgment of such a comrade entrusting her with the attack!

"Y-You're just bluffing! Fine, I'll make an example--"

"Eiyaaa!"

  Saaya charged at Zendu with all her might.

  Zendu's eyes widened at the physical ability that couldn't be imagined from her appearance, and he immediately leapt away from that spot. The sword grazed his arm, and smoke-like substance rose from the small cut.

  Holy magic must be his weakness! We can do this!

  Saaya kicked off the ground to launch a follow-up attack without delay.

  However, this time Zendu also directed his hand towards Saaya.

"'Berserker Transformation'!"

"Ugh"

  Thump, Saaya's heart beat heavily. She staggered, losing her balance.

  Zendu's racial skill was "Frenzy Bestowal". It was a mental abnormality bestowing skill, so it was the worst match for Elenora, but it was effective against Saaya who didn't have a nullification skill.

  Zendu smiled, confident that the skill had worked on Saaya.

  However.

"Too naive!"

"What did you say!?"

  Saaya had swallowed the second Sugo ball that she had kept in her mouth when she drank earlier.

  She had already taken countermeasures, knowing from the first move that the opponent had skills that caused status abnormalities. She swung her sword, deeply cutting Zendu's thigh.

"Guuuh!"

"Not done yet! 'Wind Bomb'!"

"Gahah!"

  She caused an explosion of wind behind Zendu as he stepped back. Of course, Zendu had noticed, but he had no room to dodge and took a direct hit.

  As he stumbled forward, Saaya swung her sword horizontally at his chest.

"The final blow!"

"D-'Self Destruction'-- Guaaaah"

  The sword slashed across his chest, and the holy attribute magic power began to break down the enhancement formula that had been cast on Zendu.

  It was clearly a fatal wound. Zendu's eyes rolled back as he fell to his knees, and as his body slowly began to fall... it jerked.

  Blood flowed endlessly, and smoke rose from his entire body as Zendu forcibly stood up.

  It was clear that he was no longer conscious, but it must have been the effect of the skill he activated at the last moment.

  His body continued to grow larger, transforming into a physique about twice its original size. Had he cast the berserker status effect on himself?

"Gu, Guwaaaaaa"

  Drool dripped from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes, still rolled back, spun around to focus on Saaya.

  Facing an opponent who had lost their reason and grown gigantic, a bit of fear sprouted in her.

  Saaya unconsciously stepped back, but Zendu didn't attack.

"'Air's Lock'"

  No matter how much he had strengthened his body, in this state, just stopping his movement would be enough to win.

  Elenora, who had accurately judged this, restrained Zendu. Unable to move his body, which was now just draining life force and magic power, his vitality rapidly depleted.

"Guuuu..."

  Zendu, unable to do anything, glanced at the fallen Flats one last time.

  A faint amount of magic power seemed to fly towards Flats... but nothing particular happened, and with that, Zendu's strength ran out.

"...Huh? Where am I?"

"Fuaa. Slept well... Slept?"

"Huh? What was I doing?"

"Master, more... *cough*"

"Hm? Was it a dream?"

  As Zendu's magic wore off and both the rampage and paralysis were lifted, everyone started to get up. Their memories seemed to be confused, as they didn't remember what had happened.

  Saaya took a deep breath and sheathed her sword.

"Phew. That was close."

"Mm"

  Taking down the demon who was behind this incident should be considered a gain.

  Moreover, it seems the elf children, who were the objective, are safe.

"Bring out the potions!"

"Understood!"

  Distania rushed to the elf children and hurriedly began treatment.

  Zendu must have had some skill or formula that allowed him to control others to some extent. The reason he didn't use it directly on Saaya and the others was probably because it had no effect on those with high resistance. He seemed to be weakened from the start, so they probably couldn't resist.

  Although the mastermind's appearance was unexpected, let's consider it a success since we rescued the elf children as planned.

"Hey Flats, what's with these serious injuries! Leelin, we need a high potion."

"O-Okay!"

"Hmm. This demon must have attacked him. I vaguely remember seeing Miss Saaya defeat him. We were saved. I'm sure Flats will be grateful when he wakes up."

"Um... yeah."

  Well, it was actually our child who injured him. Of course, I'll keep the truth to myself. It was necessary.

"Gehehe, Ruruk-sama~ that place is off limits~"

  While everyone was rushing to respond, only Karmarike was mumbling in his sleep. Drooling and grinning, he was having a dream full of worldly desires.

  Everyone present witnessed Karmarike's shameful state, but they all pretended not to see. Everyone was half-smiling, so they're probably planning to tease her at the next drinking party.

  Saaya, looking at Karmarike who was creating a black history in real-time with pitying eyes, muttered just one thing.

"It was somehow a despicable trap after all."

  And so, the dungeon conquest team's mission was completed.

 □　□　□　□　□ 

"I see. So you're going to seek revenge on Saturn to avenge your brother."

"Yes."

In the castle of a mid-level demon.

While rummaging through what appeared to be the treasure room, I was conversing with a petite demon named Nagi. Mererosu, Lakirala, and Seori were tending to the elf child in an empty room, so they weren't here.

To begin with, all three of them were surprised that they could have a peaceful conversation with a demon. Since the common perception is that demons = enemies, they couldn't believe in the existence of someone like Nagi.

That's why I had taken Nagi aside to hear her story.

"That must have been tough. It must have been painful."

"I don't need your sympathy. Others can't understand Nagi's suffering..."

I suppose that's true.

A demon born with magic deficiency syndrome is too pitiful to even look at. After all, they were born without any of the unique racial characteristics of magical talent.

But I would sympathize, if you make such a gloomy face.

"More importantly, how can you talk to Nagi so normally? Those three over there seemed to be hostile towards Nagi. I've heard that humans hate demons."

"Well, there are all kinds of demons, right? At least I have no reason to hate you, Nagi-san."

"...Is that so. You're a strange person."

"For me, that's a compliment, Nagi-san."

"...Just Nagi is fine. What's your name?"

"I'm Ruruk. Nice to meet you, Nagi."

We didn't shake hands or anything, but it seemed like we could form a decent relationship.

There are good demons and bad demons. It's the same as with humans.

I had no intention of doing anything to Nagi as long as we weren't enemies. That's not limited to demons, though.

"So, what have you been doing all this time?"

"Well, since Nagi was kind enough to defeat the castle lord, I thought I'd look for some spoils."

"...You're looting."

"You could say that. Isn't there anything you want, Nagi? Does demon society have money?"

"No. We don't have currency like humans do, nor do we have shops or merchants. Gems are only valued for their beauty, nothing more. If we want something, we take it from others, even our own kind... It's a boring society."

She really does say it like it's boring.

From what I heard next, Nagi was born and raised in a settlement she found two days ago. By the way, the dismembered corpses were apparently those of the villagers who had oppressed Nagi.

If she could cut down more than a dozen lower demons like that, I guess it was her real strength that allowed her to defeat the mid-level demon here too.

Well, I don't intend to say much about personal revenge. It seems she was treated pretty badly growing up.

Anyway, Nagi's hometown was a settlement in the demon realm quite close to the Great Lunera Forest. She might have heard a lot about human society. She might also be self-deprecating about the cultural gaps with other races.

She seems pretty smart.

"So, is it okay if I take anything I want from here?"

"I don't mind... but why are you asking Nagi? These things don't belong to Nagi."

"Because demons live by the law of the jungle, right? Doesn't that mean that Nagi, who defeated the lord of the castle, is now the new lord of this castle?"

"...I had forgotten. But Nagi has abandoned the world to kill Saturn. I have no interest or attachment to unknown places or things."

"I see. Then I'll help myself."

"Yes."

However, there didn't seem to be anything particularly valuable or unusual.

What I'm looking for is information or items related to "Dispel" that I heard about from Kemuna. Even someone with such a skill would be fine. Since we've come all the way to the demon realm, I wanted to get at least some clues, even if just rumors.

If not, I'll eventually be killed by the Dragon King. That's the last thing I want.

"Nagi, do you remember any skills or items called 'Dispel'?"

"No. What kind of effect does it have?"

"It can erase the subjugation mark along with the contract, apparently."

"...If such a thing existed, Nagi would want it."

A deeply sunken voice.

It was such a weak, dispirited voice that I had to stop what I was doing and turn around.

"...May I ask why?"

"This."

Nagi suddenly bared her upper body.

What she was wearing was just a shirt that looked like a rag and shorts that looked like hot pants. It was quite a shabby outfit, and of course, she wasn't wearing a bra.

When she opened her shirt, what was there was bare skin.

She's petite and lacks curves, but still, it's a woman's naked body. Her healthy brown chest was fully visible.

Nagi was pointing at the subjugation mark below her slight swelling - above her navel.

"This is Saturn's subjugation mark engraved on Nagi--"

"W-Wait, what are you doing?"

"...Why are you panicking? Why are you hiding your face?"

Nagi tilted her head.

No, no, this is weird.

"Me, man, you, woman."

I became so flustered that I started speaking in broken language.

Nagi looked puzzled for a while, but after a moment, her eyes widened and she hurriedly put her clothes back on.

"I-I forgot. The characteristic of humans is that they can get excited by other races..."

"Wait, wait! That's not it! It's a matter of manners!"

Why is it becoming my fault?

Nagi didn't seem to be particularly embarrassed, as she didn't mention it in detail. I'm glad there's no demon police. It was almost an arrest-worthy situation.

"So, did you see? Nagi's subjugation mark."

"I didn't see it."

"You did see it."

"I didn't see it!"

"You did see it. Why are you stubbornly denying it?"

"I didn't see it! Because if I say I saw it, you'll say I saw you naked!"

"I wouldn't do that. What would be the point?"

"Well, if you demanded compensation, I couldn't win."

Even in another world, there are beautiful women who try to scam men. In fact, you could say there are even more of them.

Actually, when I was living in Stoania, the three guys from [Beer] nearly fell for it several times. How many times did I have to help them out? I won't forget that struggle. I've decided to grumble about it until I die.

Seeing that I was seriously on guard, Nagi sighed.

"I wouldn't do such a thing. Besides, Nagi's body doesn't have a bit of charm, so that theory doesn't hold up."

"It does hold up, that's why I'm saying it. Besides, Nagi is cute, and even though you're underdeveloped, you have a modest charm... wait, forget what I just said!"

That must have been a trap. She's self-deprecating so that I would deny it, and then she'd say 'So you did feel attraction and look at me, you pervert criminal!' That's what it is! I barely avoided admitting it, so I should be safe. That was close, too close.

While I was feeling like I had narrowly escaped death, Nagi seemed more interested in my evaluation of her appearance.

"...Nagi is cute, you say?"

"Well, yeah. I don't know how you compare to other demons, though."

"I see..."

Nagi lowered her head.

Oh, could she be blushing?

As I thought that half-jokingly, when Nagi raised her face, she had a somewhat sorrowful expression.

"Ruruk says the same thing as big brother..."

...Ah, I was wrong.

Nagi, who had been oppressed due to her magic deficiency syndrome. Nagi, who had never been seen as the opposite sex, let alone as a comrade by others. The only one who had praised her appearance, calling her cute, was her now deceased brother.

For those same words to be uttered by a stranger of another race - no wonder she feels like crying.

"...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"Please don't mind it. Nagi was also a bit too dramatic."

Although a glimpse of emotion was visible in Nagi for a moment, her eyes quickly returned to their lifeless state.

"So, did you find anything worth taking?"

"No, honestly, there wasn't anything I wanted. It's all junk."

"Then are Ruruk and the others going back to human territory? It seems you were able to save the elf child you were after."

"...Well..."

By now, Saaya and the others should have found the elf child in the dungeon. If so, we've rescued all the elf children who were brought to the demon realm, so honestly, I was planning to go back.

As I was thinking this, Nagi made an unexpected proposal.

"It's getting dark outside. The forest is dangerous at night, so wouldn't it be better to stay here for the night?"

"No, we don't need to do that. We have a means of transportation."

"...I see."

For some reason, her reaction seemed just a tiny bit disappointed.

It was like the atmosphere of a small dog whose walk had been canceled due to rain. She looked a little lonely, but also resigned.

Maybe Nagi actually likes talking to someone. She's a rare type who approached me, a human, without prejudice or hostility from the start, and even though she's consumed by revenge, maybe she's just purely lonely being all alone. Even if she's not aware of it, she's probably still at an age where that's possible.

I scratched my head and said,

"Hey Nagi, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Do you know where Saturn is?"

"Yes. It's in the desert region about a month's walk from here. Why do you ask?"

"...Are you going there alone?"

"That's the plan. Why?"

Hmm.

I groaned as I pondered.

It's not a decision I can make lightly, and if we do it, it will probably take time.

But this was also important for us, [Rozewill].

It wasn't our intention when we came to the demon realm, but I think this is some kind of fate. Of course, I'll consult with my companions later, but... they'll probably agree.

Above all, to be honest, I was getting irritated about having to sneak around in fear of surprise attacks and take medicine. We haven't done anything wrong.

I tried to say those somewhat difficult words as carefully as my poor communication skills would allow.

"Would it be okay if I help you with that revenge?"