The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

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"Excuse me! I have an urgent report!"

At that moment, the man was meditating.

Meditation was like a daily routine for the man. He would speak to his own magical power, spending quiet time in dialogue with himself.

It was neither training nor self-improvement.

Honestly, it was just a way to kill time.

The subordinate who burst into the room looked flustered upon seeing the meditating man, but the man quietly raised his hand to allow him to speak. After all, it was just a pastime, so he had no reason to complain about being interrupted.

The subordinate saluted and immediately began reading from a document.

"Zendu-sama, who had infiltrated Bargia, has been killed. The elf children were taken, and it seems all plans under Zendu-sama's charge have been thwarted."

It seemed to be bad news.

However, the man's expression didn't change at all.

"I see. Thank you for your report."

"N-No... Also, regarding the matter of the ruin factor, the astrological calculations are still being deflected, and Tetis-sama reports that if this continues, they will certainly find a way to deal with it."

"...I see."

This report made him growl lowly.

The man's name was Saturn.

He was a high-ranking demon known as the 'Sand King', feared by many demons.

Saturn closed his eyes for a while in silent contemplation, then slowly opened his mouth.

"So, do we have any information on who killed Zendu?"

"Y-Yes. It seems to be a joint team of adventurers from Bargia and elves... The details are unclear."

"Where?"

"In the primordial dungeon at the southern edge. At its lowest level."

"...Wasn't that a place where you couldn't reach the lowest level unless you noticed the teleportation trap?"

"W-Well, it seems there's a strange organization behind the adventurers."

"A strange organization? Have we investigated?"

The subordinate hurriedly flipped through another paper.

"Y-Yes. It's a new company called Luney Trading Company, originating from the Kingdom of Mataisa. It seems to be a mysterious organization rapidly expanding its influence, but... they're very secretive, and both their business model and organizational structure are unknown. It's difficult for us to investigate further, so we don't have any more information."

"...Luney Trading Company, huh."

Something caught Saturn's attention.

It was a slight sense of incongruity that he couldn't put into words, but he instinctively felt that there was something there.

"Continue investigating that company. If there's any possibility that 'she' is involved, report it as the highest priority."

"Yes, sir!"

The subordinate nodded and quickly left the room.

Saturn returned to his meditation.

However, this time it wasn't to kill time, but to think quietly.

The recent incident with the ruin factor -- since the defeat of the 'Shadow King' Skato, the plans have been going awry bit by bit.

Of course, he didn't expect everything to go smoothly. No matter how many subordinates he had, there were limitations to operating in human territory. He had no intention of blaming his subordinates for their failures.

Still, there were too many interferences.

Saturn once again organized the multiple plans that were simultaneously in progress.

Even if many failed, if just one of them worked out well, Saturn should be able to achieve his goal.

...Yes, everything was for that purpose.

"Everything is to kill that person..."

Saturn muttered quietly.

At the end of that path from which there was no escape.

To reach there, he was willing to make any sacrifice.

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After passing through the forest area in the southern part of the demon realm, a desolate land spread out.

The trees growing here and there were thin and unreliable, and the weak weeds looked like they might fly away if the wind blew.

A large shadow was speeding across this lifeless wasteland, kicking up a cloud of dust.

A giant red lizard -- a Bloody Salamander.

The Bloody Salamander is a B-rank monster, with a rough temperament that attacks even superior opponents. Its large body and powerful bite from quick movements are quite a threat to adventurers.

On the back of this Bloody Salamander running across the wasteland,

"Yahoo! Out of the way~ Time to disinfect the filth~!"

The one cheerfully shouting this cliché line was... yes, none other than me.

There wasn't anything blocking our way, let alone filth, but I just felt like shouting it. It felt surprisingly good.

Next to me, there was another person striking a chuunibyou pose, exuding a fragrant aura.

"Hmph... Anything that stands in the way of my master, I shall destroy utterly!"

"Well said, my familiar! Come at us, monsters! Our battle is just beginning!"

"As expected of my master! Is there no monster among you common rabble with the spirit to challenge us bravely? Is this the extent of your pride?"

"Are both of you alright in the head? Also, please stop standing up, it's putting a strain on the salamander."

The one who calmly retorted was the quiet demon girl, Nagi, sitting down.

Pointed out by this low-tension girl with eyes like a dead fish, Seori and I pouted.

"Eh~ But we're bored."

"That's right."

"Even so. We've finally obtained a useful means of transportation. To ride for a long time, please be quiet."

Saying this, Nagi stroked the salamander's back.

This Bloody Salamander-chan is a wild monster that attacked us as we were coming out of the forest into the wasteland.

When I was about to counterattack, Seori was complaining that her feet were tired, so I (with my fist) asked if we could ride it, and it kindly let us on.

I think the salamander was crying at that time, but it must have been out of goodwill.

Well, certainly, this will be our legs... ahem, companion for the next few days until we reach the desert region.

It wouldn't be good to put too much strain on it.

I stroke it too.

"Sorry, Salad. My familiar got carried away. Come on, apologize, Seori."

"Master, how cruel!?"

"Salad, you say?"

Ignoring Seori's scream, I respond to Nagi who tilted her head.

"Yeah. It's Salamander, so I shortened it to Salad. I think it's a pretty good naming sense for me, don't you think?"

"...It's simplistic."

Huh~ I thought it was good.

Well, it doesn't seem like there are any other suggestions, so Salad it is.

"Anyway, it's all wasteland as far as the eye can see. The magic essence is denser than in the forest, and the monsters are higher level too."

There are monsters hiding in holes and behind rocks, but not even half as many as in the forest.

Instead, it feels like there are more high-level monsters. The weakest monster hiding nearby is about level 20, a C-rank.

"Of course. This area is Depth II."

"Depth? What's that?"

That's the first time I've heard of it.

"The demon realm is classified from Depth I to Depth V based on the concentration of magic essence. Basically, it gets deeper as you go north, and the monsters get stronger."

"I see. So the reason the monsters in the forest weren't that strong was because the depth was shallow?"

"Yes. The monsters are weak, so we lower demons live in Depth I lands."

So I shouldn't assume I know the demon realm just from that forest and dungeon. The line "Demon realm? Not a big deal" would definitely be a flag.

"So, to some extent, there's a habitat division based on depth?"

"Yes. Mid-level demons live up to Depth II, and high-ranking demons live in lands up to Depth III. This is just a general guideline."

"Then what about from Depth IV?"

"I've heard that the magic essence is too concentrated for even high-ranking demons to live there. Without poison immunity and magic nullification skills, it would be difficult to even breathe or fight monsters. It's said that only royal-class demons and above can enter, so it's also used to determine whether someone is of royal status."

Since there are no churches in the demon realm, appraisal must be rare. So they use such lands to determine whether their rulers are high-ranking demons or royal-class demons.

"Then what's at the northern edge of this continent? If it's Depth V, hasn't anyone entered it?"

"I don't know. My brother didn't tell me that much... Brother..."

Nagi's expression sank deeply again as she remembered her brother.

This is troublesome. Really, I wish she'd spare me from not knowing where the landmines are.

"A-Anyway, so this area is Depth II. That's why the monsters are stronger than before."

"...Yes. But Ruruk should be able to win. Judging from earlier."

Nagi was taken aback when I tamed the Bloody Salamander with my fist.

But thanks to that, we can travel easily, so you should rather respect me.

"...You really are strong. Despite having the same magic deficiency syndrome."

"You're strong too, Nagi."

Nagi had been cutting down all the monsters we encountered along the way with a single stroke.

I've only seen her simplified status, but Nagi is still only level 18. Her stats probably aren't that high, and according to Nagi, she only has the "Poison Immunity" skill.

In adventurer terms, she'd probably have average D-rank stats, yet she was overwhelming even B-rank monsters.

And that's just with swordsmanship.

Of course, the fact that her long sword is "mythical class" isn't unrelated, but more than that, Nagi's sword skills were too amazing. She must have desperately tried to make up for the disadvantage of not being able to use magic.

"That's not true."

"It is. Nagi, you're amazing. I seriously respect you."

"......"

When I praised her, Nagi lowered her head and fell silent.

Surely, being praised like this is something only her brother used to do. Seeing Nagi hurt as she remembers her brother makes me feel restless too.

Really, I'm not good with this kind of atmosphere. I don't know what to do.

"...Master."

The dragon girl who had been quiet until now pulled on my clothes.

"What is it?"

"There's something over there."

She was pointing ahead, so I narrowed my eyes to look.

In the middle of the wasteland, I could see a group of human-like figures. Probably demons.

This group of demons seemed to be fighting a monster slightly larger than our Bloody Salamander. It's hard to tell from a distance, but... a powerful monster that walks on two legs and looks like a combination of an elephant and a hippopotamus could only be the A-rank monster, Behemoth.

Behemoth... I've never seen one before.

"Hmph, it's just a monster. Become our sacrifice."

"Wait, wait, you're planning to blow away the demons too. We haven't decided they're enemies yet, so stop."

She really doesn't show any mercy to demons.

Well, if they saw Seori's form, they'd probably attack without question...

But wait a minute?

If dragon species can be detected by magic power, couldn't we disguise it? Thanks to the "Eye of Illusion", I can now visually perceive magic essence, so couldn't I combine it with perception interference?

If that's decided, let's try it right away.

I grab Seori's shoulder and stare at her intently.

"Seori, don't move."

"Y-Yes!"

Seori blushes slightly.

I observe only the magic power with the "Eye of Illusion". I repeat observation and assumption in my mind many times to figure out how to make it appear like human magic power, constructing the formula.

Seori was flustered for a while, but halfway through, she seemed to make up her mind, closed her eyes, and puckered her lips--

"'Threshold Compilation'... Alright, this should hide it. From any angle, she looks like just a human."

"Eh?"

I successfully made Seori's magic power appear to have a wavelength similar to Saaya's.

"Now they won't suddenly attack us... What's wrong, Seori?"

"Nothing! You idiot!"

"Why are you angry?"

I don't understand. And stop hitting me, it hurts.

As I stop Seori's arms that keep hitting me, Nagi sighs.

"...You really get along well. But we're about to engage the enemy. Are we going to defeat the monster?"

"Yeah. It's a Behemoth, but can you win, Nagi?"

"I've never done it before, but it would be tough to do it unscathed..."

"Then, let's fight together."

It would be tough to handle that huge body with just a sword.

I stand up on Salad's back.

"You demons over there! I don't know the situation, but I'll lend a hand! Don't attack us!"

The demons were surprised to see the Bloody Salamander suddenly joining in, and us on its back.

Some of them had already been attacked by the Behemoth and were injured, with some severely wounded.

Salad, who doesn't care about facing a superior opponent, body-slammed the Behemoth. Although it couldn't knock it down, it managed to make it flinch.

The staggering Behemoth turned its black eyes towards us.

Our eyes meet perfectly. Let's greet it.

"Hey, Behemoth. You look like you'd make some strong materials, mind sharing a bit?"

"HU, MAN...!"

"Oh, you can talk. If you can have a calm conversation, we don't have to fight--"

"KILL! DEMON, HUMAN, KILL!"

This is no good.

Didn't you learn in elementary school that conversation isn't just about language? It's only established when mutual understanding is achieved.

Even a cockatiel can exchange words.

"Alright, shall we go, Nagi?"

"I'm ready."

Gripping her sword that's taller than herself, Nagi leapt from Salad's back towards the Behemoth.

She's not that fast, so the Behemoth swung its huge trunk to try and knock her down.

The trunk is thicker than Nagi's body. Just being hit would probably be instantly fatal-- but.

Nagi ran her sword along it, slipping past the trunk.

To be precise, she deflected it with such smooth swordplay that it looked like she slipped through. Without putting in force or resisting, yet still slicing while deflecting the impact.

"GNUU!"

Blood sprayed from the Behemoth's trunk with a "Bshuu" sound.

It didn't quite cut it off, but it probably halved the power of future trunk attacks.

Nagi landed on the ground and immediately tried to swing her sword at its feet.

The Behemoth, seeing Nagi as a threat, stomped the ground with its thick foot.

An incredible shock shook the earth. It's about magnitude 7.

Of course, Nagi lost her balance. The Behemoth's other foot was about to stomp on her--

"Yoink!"

I kick that foot from the side.

It was heavy, but I managed to deflect it. The Behemoth lost its balance and tilted.

Nagi wouldn't miss this opening.

"-- Oni Imagination Style: 'Six Arms'"

Nagi unleashed six consecutive attacks too fast for the eye to follow.

The Behemoth, receiving all of them in its belly, let out a pained breath.

It dealt considerable damage, but it's far from a fatal wound.

As expected of a monster with thick skin.

"It's hard."

"Well, it's a Behemoth. Any spots that look easier to attack?"

"...The skin seems thinner from the neck up."

"Got it. I'll create an opening."

Now it's my turn.

I kick off the ground and jump up, rising to eye level with the Behemoth, meeting its black eyes again.

"Forgive me, I've always wanted to try this -- 'Pega*us Meteor Fist!'"

You think I'm joking?

But I'm serious.

What I activated was "Fist Transformation: Complex". I only thrust out one fist, but countless punches simultaneously assail the Behemoth's face.

The Behemoth reels back.

Alright, success... well, honestly, because it reeled back, only a few hits landed properly.

"Nagi!"

"Yes. Oni Imagination Style -- 'Tile Breaker'"

"NUUU!"

This time Nagi used the back of her sword.

She knocked the Behemoth's right leg outward, forcing it to kneel. Its posture completely broken, its face fell to the ground as it tried to support itself with its arms -- and a flash of sword light gleamed towards its neck.

"Oni Imagination Style -- 'Thistle Hunt'"

As if dropping a withered flower, Nagi severed its neck.

The Behemoth, with its head separated, naturally collapsed and breathed its last.

"Amazing. It's thicker than the trunk and has bones too..."

"If you aim for the gaps between bones, it's not a problem. The trunk's skin was too hard."

Still, it's impressive.

I won't say anything more to avoid a repeat of earlier when I praised her casually.

More importantly, it's good that we could defeat an A-rank monster without much trouble. The materials should be valuable, so I'd like to collect them, but...

"Before that... To the demons over there. As you can see, we've defeated the Behemoth, so you can rest easy."

I turn around and call out to the confused demons.

They were all wearing cloaks that looked like rags, and their bodies looked frail as if they hadn't eaten proper food. There were old people, children, women... everyone had been fighting, but probably only lower demons were present.

The demons seemed unsure how to approach me, but the oldest among them stepped forward.

"We thank you, human. And you, defecti-- ahem. Our poor brethren forsaken by the Demon God."

It seems they can tell at a glance that Nagi has magic deficiency syndrome.

They seemed to correct their derogatory term because we helped them.

"Now then, human, why are you in a place like this?"

"I have some business to the north. What about you? Why are you in the Depth II wasteland? If you'll excuse me saying so, I observed that none of you seem particularly adept at combat."

"...Our settlement was attacked by a large monster, so we're moving to seek shelter elsewhere."

"I see. That's unfortunate."

It's probably more than just unfortunate, but I can't really put it into words.

However, it's also a story I can't entirely believe.

"But you're all lower demons, right? Why are you passing through this area?"

"...It's not something that concerns humans."

"Is that so. I apologize for asking such an intrusive question."

Well, I guess that's fair.

We may have helped them by chance, but demon society probably isn't soft enough to trust us just for that. It's probably good enough that they're not openly hostile just because we're human.

I didn't particularly want to know their circumstances, so I lightly raised my hand and turned my back.

"Well then, take care. We'll collect the Behemoth's materials, but the meat looks tough so we'll leave it for you to use as food."

"...We are grateful."

"Don't mention it."

Behind the old man, there are injured demons and children looking at us with anxious faces.

But if they're not willing to talk about their circumstances just because we're a different species, I have no intention of getting overly friendly either.

Just because we're not enemies doesn't mean I'm the kind of good person who helps anyone and everyone indiscriminately.

"Master..."

As Nagi and I were silently dismembering the Behemoth, Seori was looking at the children with concern.

Aren't you supposed to hate demons? What kind of face are you making?

I continue working as I speak.

"Listen, Seori. I'm not a saint, nor a good person, and certainly not a hero. I'm just a selfish adventurer like any other, so I don't intend to indiscriminately help unrelated people. At most, I'll leave behind the meat we won't use."

"Yeah..."

"Well, but? I'm thinking I might interfere a little bit because it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. But don't misunderstand. This is just a whim... just a simple whim."

Saying that, I take out several potions from my item box and hand them to Seori.

Seori hugs the potions to her chest, a happy smile on her face.

"Yes!"

Seori runs off to the demons with the potions.

As she hands out the potions to the injured, the children run up to Seori and happily cling to her legs.

As I watch this scene from the corner of my eye, I realize Nagi is suddenly beside me.

"You're not honest."

"It's not like that. If Seori wasn't here, I would have abandoned them."

"...Let's leave it at that."

Stop looking at me like that.

Besides, the one who should really be praised is someone pure like Seori.

To be able to be kind to children and injured people even among demons who hate each other... she really is a familiar too dazzling for me.

Nagi also watched Seori and muttered softly.

"...If my brother had met people like you, he might not have died..."

I pretended not to hear those words.