The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"I, the upper-class demon Skat, shall be your opponent."

Upper-class demon Skat.

That's how the demon lurking in the shadows introduced himself.

An upper-class demon... This is going to be troublesome.

According to Roze, demon society doesn't have the concept of nations.

In demon territory, there are constant territorial disputes. Strong demons expand their territory to demonstrate their power and compete for hegemony. Weak demons follow strong demons they like and enter under their protection through servitude contracts.

The higher-ranking demons increase their influence by having more subordinate demons and wider territories.

Simply put, it's like the factional disputes of Showa-era delinquents.

When you think of it that way, it's kind of a cute habit for demons.

By the way, all the demons competing for hegemony are called upper-class demons, and there's apparently a clear difference in ability between them and the middle and lower-class demons.

The boss of the demons trying to mess with Saaya this time was supposed to be an upper-class demon called Saturn.

So that means this old demon is on the same level as that mastermind.

"Upper-class demon, that's the same as this Saturn guy who's ordering you around, right? Do upper-class demons ever serve other upper-class demons?"

"Ho ho ho. It's not common, of course. But I'm old, you see, and if I'm going to die anyway, I'd rather die being used up."

"...I see. That's troublesome."

You can't threaten someone who's looking for a place to die with death.

Based on the sense of danger I've cultivated through my adventurer life, this opponent is undoubtedly above my level. Even in his old age, there's not a single opening in his stance or behavior.

What's with the old people in this world? Vergana, the Guildmaster of Stoania, and now Skat... Have they forgotten about physical aging because they're too senile?

Anyway, I should be cautious and observe the situation. Being an upper-class demon, he definitely has a race skill, so there's a possibility of being caught off guard by something unexpected. I doubt hiding in shadows is his only ability.

"So, Skat-san, are you seriously going to fight us?"

"Hmm... To be honest, I'm confident I could win against the Demon King's seed or the Destruction Factor's seed. But with you, I feel rather uneasy."

"Aren't you overestimating me?"

"I don't know if I'm overestimating you or not, that's why I feel uneasy."

Hmm, so he's the sharp type too.

However, Skat seems to be hesitating as well. It doesn't look like he's ready to start fighting yet, so I'd like to buy time through dialogue if possible.

As I was considering how to find a conversation topic, I felt a tug on my back.

I turned around to see Saaya with a worried expression.

"Hey, did this demon just call me a Destruction Factor?"

"...Who knows."

Of course, she would have heard it if she was right behind me.

As I was thinking about how to deflect this, Skat laughed eerily.

"Oh? The Destruction Factor's seed isn't aware of it?"

"Isn't that just your misunderstanding? Saaya has nothing to do with such a dangerous-sounding term."

"Oh ho? Are you saying I'm mistaken?"

"Well, everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Why don't you look somewhere else?"

"Ho ho ho. The Destruction Factor's seed is here. It's responding properly to my technique."

"I'm telling you, that's a misunderstanding--"

"Ruruk, it's okay. It's probably about me, right?"

Saaya interrupted.

I was at a loss for words. I can't acknowledge that.

"So, it means the town was attacked because of me, right?"

"...Saaya."

"It's okay, I'm fine. ...Of course, I feel sorry for the people who were sacrificed, and I know apologizing won't bring back the dead. But you don't need to hide things or stay silent, Ruruk. I'm happy you're worried about me, though."

Saaya changed her anxious face into the best smile she could manage.

"You know, I don't want to be the kind of woman who's satisfied just being protected by you. I want to live sharing both the painful and happy things. So I can handle knowing that someone was hurt because of me. Besides, these guys are the real culprits. If anyone needs to apologize, I'll make them do it."

"I see. Are you really okay with this, Saaya?"

"Of course. And didn't I tell you? I'm ready to bear the sins together with you. If I'm with you, Ruruk, I don't mind if the whole world becomes our enemy."

Saaya spoke so clearly, even if she might have been putting on a brave front.

Ah, I see.

While saying I'd protect her, was I doubting Saaya's strength, or looking down on her? Even though she never asked for that.

I gave a wry smile at my own naive thinking.

"So there you have it, Mr. Demon. We're going to keep living together from now on. We won't lose to the likes of you."

"My, such spirit. That's befitting of the Destruction Factor's seed."

Skat narrowed his eyes.

However, he doesn't seem to be taking Saaya's provocation. He's standing quietly, as if sharpening his blade, perhaps waiting for me to show an opening.

It also looks like he's waiting for something else, which makes it even more eerie.

I might be able to catch him off guard if I attack with mystic arts, but... I have a bad feeling about this.

The frustrating staredown continues.

"Ho ho ho. Are you getting impatient?"

"Well, yeah. But the Mystic King will be here soon. Are you okay with that?"

"It would be good if she comes. She might lose to my subordinate, though."

"She's truly immortal, you know? There's no way she'd lose."

"Ho ho ho ho ho ho"

Skat laughed loudly.

"Well, well. There's such a thing as compatibility, you see. Whether my subordinate wins or the Mystic King wins... either way, I don't think it will be settled quickly."

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

When Roze noticed the anomaly, she was walking through the street market.

It was Roze's daily routine to visit the information broker at the beginning and end of each day.

Rumors and hearsay flying around town are a mix of truth and fiction, making it difficult to discern what's correct. Even the smallest piece of incorrect information can be troublesome, so she always uses the Information Broker Guild, which only deals with verified information.

Of course, it's not because Roze is shy and uncomfortable talking to strangers in taverns. No, that's definitely not the reason.

Anyway, after updating her information today as well, Roze was leisurely walking back to the inn with no particular rush.

...I'm being followed.

She noticed it because of the fluctuation in magical essence. There's no suspicious presence around, but the magical essence around Roze keeps fluctuating slightly. It's undoubtedly magical tracking.

Moreover, it's quite advanced, not directly targeting Roze but designating the surrounding environment to avoid detection.

This level of tracking technique is impossible for ordinary humans.

It's probably a high-ranking demon.

"So you've come."

Roze muttered softly and changed her destination.

She quickened her pace through the alleyways, heading towards less populated areas. She stopped at what looked like a deserted park-like square. Since the sun had already set, no one was there.

"That's enough. Come out now."

"Ho ho ho. It seems the rumor about your proficiency in magic is true."

From the shadow of stone materials piled at the entrance of the square, an old man-like demon slithered out.

There's no doubt it's the one who killed the white-armed demon.

"As expected of the Mystic King Roze. To see through my 'Shadow Tracking,' what impressive discernment."

"Spare me the flattery. More importantly, how did you approach the town? You didn't trigger the detection magic from a while ago, it seems."

"Oh, it's simple. I can traverse space on the scale of a single town."

"...An upper-class demon, huh."

It's probably a movement technique using shadows. With such a useful skill, the precision of his tracking magic, and the composure to not flinch even in front of the Mystic King. If he possesses all of these, he must be at least an upper-class demon.

When Roze made this assertion, the upper-class demon nodded.

"Indeed, I am the upper-class demon Skat. For certain reasons, I'm lending my power to young Saturn."

"And what business do you have with me... though I hardly need to ask."

"As you've surmised, Mystic King. I've come to kill you."

Skat directed his killing intent towards Roze, speaking in a tone as casual as small talk.

Roze sighed, as if to say 'What nonsense are you talking about?'

"Kill me? Me, who even a Royal Demon couldn't scratch in the past?"

"Oh? I heard it was a human Destruction Factor who defeated the former Demon King."

"I raised that hero. If I wanted to, I could have saved the world myself."

"I see... So the Mystic King was our enemy who creates Destruction Factors."

The killing intent intensified dramatically.

Skat, still glaring, slowly sank into the shadows, speaking as if melting away.

"In that case, Mystic King, I have no hesitation in killing you. I don't know how much of an existence an immortal is, but you must have strengths and weaknesses. My subordinate is quite formidable, you know?"

Skat disappeared into the shadows.

And as if replacing him, a demon emerged from the shadows.

Skin as white as if covered in white powder, a bright red nose and lips, blue makeup around the eyes.

What appeared was a tall, slender demon that looked like a clown.

The moment it made its grand entrance, its smile instantly turned to an expression of shock.

"Huh? Wait... what? Kage-sama, is today's opponent really the Mystic King? No way, no way, no way! There's no way I can win! Hey, Kage-sama? Please answer me, Kage-sama? Kage... Shadow King Skat-sama!"

"...What's with this guy?"

The clown demon, even with tears in its eyes, shouted while rubbing its cheek against its own shadow.

I'm getting a headache.

Do I really have to fight this guy?

"Sigh. So, are you going to fight or not?"

"Eeeeh! You're asking me that? I'm still a lower-class demon, you know! There's no point in fighting against the invincible Mystic King-sama. Is there any reason to fight when I know I absolutely can't win? I don't want to die in a place like this either, but Kage-sama told me to fight so I have to, but is there really any meaning to this? There isn't, right? Isn't this pointless? Isn't this just me dying in vain? Waaaaaah! Ah~ I don't want to, I don't want to, I don't want to fight~ ...Hah, but I know, you know. If Kage-sama said to fight, I have to fight. Ah~ I get it! I get it indeed! This lowly demon who hasn't even been given a name yet, I'll make my death bloom here! 'Fireball'!"

The shouting clown lightly popped a fireball from its hand, which floated gently in an arc.

It's like a low-quality firework, Roze thought as she looked up at the slowly falling ball of fire and sighed again.

Thunk

With a light sound, a small knife pierced Roze's chest.

"Huh?"

She lowered her gaze to look at her own chest.

She couldn't understand what had happened.

Blood leaked from the corner of Roze's mouth—Roze, who was supposed to be immortal and invulnerable because she was all things.

The pain, like heat, was something she couldn't remember feeling in her memory.

"Ugh..."

Roze fell to her knees.

Looking down at the Mystic King, the clown demon grinned.

"Does it hurt? Is it painful? That's splendid. Now that the stupid audience has been fooled and the stage is heating up, let me re-in-tro-duce myself properly. My name is Stanchik. I'm a middle-class demon who dearly loves clowns and mysteries."