The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"It's hot... It's so hot, Master..."

"It gets hot because you keep saying it's hot. At times like these, if you say with all your might that it's cold, you'll start to feel cold."

"Cold, cold, cold, cold, co--"

"Shut up."

"Aww..."

It's our fourth day walking through the desert.

We're casually walking along, wasting energy by chattering unnecessarily.

We should be able to see Saturn's stronghold soon. As we progress, the number of monsters visibly decreases. Perhaps even monsters don't want to get too close to upper-class demons.

"Walking has become easier, but without monsters around, we're more conscious of the heat."

"Without monsters, Ruruk is noisy too."

"He's noisy even when they're around, you know?"

"...You're right."

Nagi's sharp tongue is on point today, but this time I win... Wait, is this even a win?

"So, how about it? According to Nagi's memory, are we getting close?"

"The scenery hasn't changed much, so I can't say for sure... but we should be approaching the 'Death Sand Zone' soon."

"Huh? What's with that ominous term?"

"It's the area under Saturn's influence. There are patrols and guards too."

So he has comrades as well.

Thinking calmly, of course he would. Even in human territory, there are many subordinates. Naturally, an upper-class demon vying for supremacy in demon territory wouldn't be living alone.

"By the way, how many people do you think are in Saturn's castle?"

"Probably no less than 100."

"That's a lot~"

To think you were planning to barge in there alone, Nagi, aren't you a bit of a fool?

We don't need to charge in head-on either. We'll probably be viewed with suspicion since we're human, but I plan to ask for a meeting, saying we've come to talk.

It seems Nagi doesn't intend to challenge them head-on either.

"Nagi will hold back until she sees Saturn's face. Ruruk, please do the same."

"Leave it to me."

"I'm a little... rather... quite anxious, but I'm counting on you."

"Why did you rephrase it twice?"

"...It's nice weather today."

She averted her eyes.

"Hey Nagi, do I really seem like such an impatient man to you? We've been traveling together for five days now, you know?"

"It's precisely because we've traveled together."

"Come on, don't lump me in with how I act around monsters. ...Ah, those must be the patrol guards you mentioned. Watch, Nagi. I'll show you how trustworthy a man I can be. Hey! You guys over there~"

I confidently puffed out my chest and waved at the approaching shadows.

Three pairs of demons were approaching, riding what looked like vehicles.

What are those... they look like electric kickboards?

The two outer wheels at the back are kicking up sand to create propulsion. There are two riders on each board, one holding the handlebars and another behind them.

The guards noticed us and headed straight for us.

They stopped their boards, surrounding us, and the most authoritative-looking man spoke while still on his board.

"What business do humans have in a place like this? Have you come to be killed?"

"We've come to meet Saturn. We're lost lambs hoping for an audience!"

"Meet Lord Saturn? That's a lousy joke."

The demon laughed through his nose and then said, observing us:

"Two human brats and a lower demon... hehehe, you're a defective product, aren't you? And that human male is defective too, right? It's rare to see natural-born failures from both demons and humans traveling together. Did you come for a costume party today? You're quite amusing. I don't know how you made it this far, but this is no place for naive incompetents. And you want to meet Lord Saturn? You might be lucky, but you clearly lack intelligence. Then again, I shouldn't expect much from defective products... And what's with those clothes? They're beyond shabby. I didn't know lower demons couldn't even procure proper attire. And you, human male, aren't you overestimating your strength? Those impudent eyes of yours, what's with them? Should I gouge them out and feed them to the magical beasts? Hmph, the female behind you doesn't look like much either. A weak presence in a scrawny body, just fit to birth mediocre offspring of an incomplete race--"

"Take this!"

"Guhaa!?"

I ended up punching him.

The demon collapsed unconscious, and his companions drew their weapons. Surprising that the demons here are armed.

Nagi was holding her head as if in pain.

"Ruruk, I want to ask. Do you know what 'trust' means?"

"I regret it. But I don't regret it."

Besides, even if we had stayed quiet, I didn't think these guys would guide us to Saturn anyway.

The remaining five demons readied their weapons and started casting magic.

"Oni Imagination Style -- 'Dragonfly Cut'"

Nagi spun around, cutting through all the incoming magic. No matter how powerful the magic, it's useless before Nagi.

Perhaps they didn't expect their attacks to be deflected by a sword, but an opening appeared in their movements.

Not missing that chance, Nagi cut down two demons who were in the back simultaneously.

...Her efficiency is impressive, but isn't she being a bit too merciless?

"If we take them down before they can report, there's no problem."

"Ah, I see."

Nagi leapt at another pair.

The demons retreated in panic while casting magic, but such things couldn't stop Nagi's advance. One was pierced through the heart without a chance to resist, while the other was split in half along with the sword he had drawn.

"One more -- Ruruk, please."

A young-looking soldier had somehow mounted a paddleboard and was trying to escape.

I could probably catch up if I ran, but I don't intend to go through such trouble.

"'Fist Transfer'"

I punched from a distance. The young demon who tumbled over with his paddleboard and got covered in sand was now unconscious with his eyes rolled back.

That should do it for now.

I feel like we were able to respond quickly because they were caught off guard.

I gazed at the corpses lying nearby.

"You're quite merciless, aren't you?"

"Anyone who sides with Saturn is a target for revenge."

Nagi said with a dark expression as she approached the demon who had first lost consciousness, and without hesitation, cut off his head.

Seori tightly closed her eyes.

"Eek!"

"It would be troublesome if he woke up and reported."

While saying that, I walked towards the last demon I had punched and ended its life in the same way. I was reminded once again that I was indeed possessed by revenge. However, I had no intention of blaming Nagi, and I had come along expecting this, so I had no reason to complain. I just needed to check one thing.

"Nagi, are you alright?"

"...There's no problem," Nagi answered matter-of-factly while wiping the blood from her sword.

I was worried about her demeanor, but there was no time to question her, nor did I feel like doing so. I just wanted to make sure.

Since it was a patrol, there must be a set time, so we needed to leave here before the other guards noticed anything unusual.

While stroking Seori's back, who had turned pale, I checked the direction they had come from.

From here, I could only see the familiar desert, but since there were guards, we must be close to the castle. There were several sand dunes, so we might be able to see it once we cross them.

Nagi nodded as well. "Yes, we're quite close. Saturn's castle is designed to look like a sand dune from a distance. It's probably one of those over there."

"Got it. Let's move then."

For now, we head towards the sand dunes in front of us.

Since it's within visible distance, it's not too far, probably a few hours' walk.

But I'm getting tired of walking... Oh, that's right!

"Nagi, do you think we could ride these?"

"I'm not sure... but it seems they run on the rider's magical power, as there's no other visible power source."

I picked up one of the soldiers' boards.

It had a handlebar and looked like a kickboard. It had a streamlined shape that seemed to prioritize lightness, and indeed, there didn't seem to be any other power source.

I try to appraise it.

[『Sand Skiff』: Moves with magical power. Can only run on sand. Magical power is supplied through the handlebar.]

Just as I thought.

I try gripping the handlebar. For a moment, I felt like my precious single point of magical power was being drained, but nothing happened.

"...Well, of course it doesn't move."

"It's not something Nagi and the others can use."

Nagi, seemingly uninterested in the sand skiff, had already started walking.

With only 1 point of magical power, I can operate magical devices that switch on and off, but I can't operate those that need a continuous supply of magical power.

Which means, there's only one person who can move this.

"...I-I don't need such a lowly vehicle!"

"Hey, don't look away. Since we're here, let's give it a try. Even if you fall, it's sand, so it'll only hurt a little."

"Fueee..."

I placed the trembling Seori in front of the sand skiff's handlebar. I hold onto Seori's shoulders from behind.

The back seat is quite spacious, probably designed for fighting while riding, so if we squeeze, we can all fit. Since we're all relatively small, including me, we should be within the weight limit.

"Master... what should I do?"

"Just grip that handlebar. Then, flow your magical power into it like you would with a magical device."

"L-like this...? Funyaaaa!"

It accelerated suddenly.

Seori let go of the handlebar, and we both rolled backwards. The paddle board continued forward for a while before tipping over.

Ugh, I got sand in my mouth.

"Well, at least it doesn't hurt because it's sand. Are you okay, Seori?"

"I-I was surprised..."

"You need to grip the handlebar more firmly. And you flowed too much magical power. Alright, let's try again."

I go back to retrieve the sand skiff.

Seori, with a tense expression, grips the handlebar again and starts to slowly flow magical power.

"Oh, it's moving, albeit slowly. Not bad."

"W-when it comes to me, this much is-- Awa, awawawawa!"

This time, perhaps due to the undulations in the sand, the handlebar started to sway left and right.

Seori endured for a while but eventually lost balance and fell.

We're covered in sand again.

"That was close. It seems like it might stabilize once you get some speed. Seori, can you still go on?"

"Hah, foolish question. This much is nothing for me!"

Having learned that falling doesn't hurt, Seori suddenly started to show confidence.

She's so easy to read.

"Then, one more time."

And so, Seori challenged it over a dozen times.

She spectacularly... failed to master it.

"Master, there's sand in my mouth~"

"Here, rinse with some water."

I feel like a dad teaching his daughter how to ride a bicycle.

Riding the sand skiff seemed unexpectedly difficult. Unlike soil, sand is unstable, and if you're not used to gripping a handlebar and driving, you probably can't ride it right away. Well, if you're used to riding a bicycle, you might be able to drive it...

And then, I have an idea.

"Are you done? Let's get going instead of playing around."

"Wait a moment, Nagi. Let me try one last thing."

Nagi, who had been watching until now, urges us on.

I put Seori on the driver's seat once more, and from behind, I place my hands over Seori's hands gripping the handlebar.

Seori's eyes widen.

"Master..."

"I'll handle the balance of the handlebar, so Seori, you focus on flowing magical power. Just tell me when you want to slow down."

"Hm, teamwork, is it? I accept."

Seori, with a serious expression, concentrated on flowing magical power.

The sand skiff starts moving slowly. A unique sensation of running on sand is transmitted through the handlebar, but with the back being two-wheeled, it seems manageable with about the same adjustment as a bicycle.

It soon started gliding smoothly.

"Oh! This is easy!"

"World, engrave our performance firmly in your memory!"

After test driving for a while and confirming there were no issues, we head towards our destination.

Oh, but before that.

I circle around Nagi, who's looking at us coldly.

"You've been looking like you want to say something, Nagi? Do you want to ride? You want to ride, right? If you just honestly say so, I wouldn't mind letting you--"

"Hmph!"

Nagi jumps on.

We almost lose balance, but somehow manage to maintain it.

Although there's space since I'm sticking close to Seori, it's dangerous to jump onto a moving vehicle like that.

"Were you afraid of being left behind alone?"

"Mun!"

Clang!

Nagi's elbow strike was blocked by the "Domain Arbitration" wall, and she was again holding her elbow in pain.

"Ruruku's body is incomprehensible."

"My skin is made of steel."

While exchanging such banter, I drive the sand skiff straight ahead.

The comfort of moving as if swimming, this could become addictive once you experience it. I don't think I can travel the desert on foot anymore. Maybe I can keep one of these later?

"This is indeed nice. The heat is somewhat more bearable too."

"Right? It was worth trying."

Apart from using Seori's magical power, there are no downsides.

If I had to say, the only thing might be that while Nagi is holding onto my waist, I'm in close contact with Seori who's in front of me.

...

...Seori is soft.

I'm reaching out my arms as if embracing the slightly small Seori, our hands overlapping. Her buttocks pressing against me feel pleasantly soft. Or rather, we're completely pressed together at this point.

She's quiet, concentrating on supplying magical power, so right now Seori is just a beautiful girl. Have I ever been this close to a beautiful girl before?

...Crap, now that I'm conscious of it, I'm getting fidgety.

Prime numbers! I need to count prime numbers to calm down!

Certainly, Seori's developing body is attractive. From the perspective of dragon-kind who have no concept of adulthood, it wouldn't be a crime to make a move on someone Seori's age as long as there's consent... But calm down, me, we're talking about Seori here? Getting excited over someone so innocent with only kindergarten-level knowledge of sex, isn't that mentally being a lolicon? I'm already in danger of being suspected as a lolicon, being sandwiched between Elen and Saya, little girls, on a daily basis. If I make a move on a mental loli, I won't be able to deny it anymore, right? That's right, I'm normal. My preference is for caring older sister types. Not loli, yes onee-san!

"Nn..."

Seori let out a small voice. Her hips moved slightly... and somehow pressed even closer.

Looking closely, Seori's ears are bright red. Is she hot? No, but the way she moved her hips, pressing against me... does that mean she's noticed my, well, growing excitement? Yet instead of moving away, she's consciously... Wait, does Seori have that kind of knowledge? No way, seriously? Or is it just a coincidence?

"Master..."

Seori moved her right hand fingers.

Trapped between the handlebar and my hand, she moves just her pinky to intertwine with my pinky. Gently, as if caressing, cherishing, yet passionately.

As I gulp, Seori turns her head back.

Her eyes are melting with desire. Her breath is hot, her lips moist.

T-this is an invitation...!

They say it's a man's shame not to accept an invitation, right!?

"Ahem. I'd like you to remember that Nagi is here too."

Yes, the "Cool and Collected" senpai has activated. Sniff.

That was dangerous, dangerous. I almost made a move in this situation.

"You saved me, Nagi."

"You look rather disappointed though."

That's not true... is it?

We continue riding the sand skiff in silence for a while.

By the way, Seori, who had turned bright red like a boiled octopus, smelled incredibly sweet and good.

Phew.

It's a good thing I'm the epitome of reason.