Volume 8, Chapter 4: Assault
"Who are you?"
The Explosive Dragon King Gouou glared at the corner of the forest.
A woman wearing a mask appeared from the shadows of the trees.
She wore leather armor that revealed the lines of her body, and while her face was hidden, it was evident she had a considerable figure.
However, animal ears protruded from the top of her hair—could she be one of those so-called "kemonomimi"?
"Well, looks like a beastman."
The Tree Sage muttered.
"But seriously, another mask? Is there only masks?"
I couldn't help but interject.
It's always the same.
"Huh? Big brother? It's not like I liked it, I wore a mask too."
Mitsuki pouted.
"Blame guys like Char Aznable for giving masks a bad reputation."
Colonel Kunito complained from the side.
"Anyway, isn't that one over there a kemonomimi? Since we've never seen someone like that before, why bother with a mask? There's no point in hiding her face."
"What's 'kemonomimi'?"
The Explosive Dragon King Gouou asked.
"In our world, when humans wear the ears of non-human animals, they're all called 'kemonomimi'."
I answered.
"I see, that's how it is."
The Explosive Dragon King Gouou seemed to understand.
"Fool. This is a matter of etiquette."
The kemonomimi woman declared.
She's quite resolute.
"So, what? Why did you target me?"
"Heh. You're not the true savior. Our Demon Lord is the true savior."
The kemonomimi woman asserted.
"Demon Lord? Are there really demon lords?"
I asked the Tree Sage.
"I don't know. Even in that world, what they call demon lords are usually gods of extinct races or conquerors who simply referred to themselves as such. They probably don't exist in this world."
The Tree Sage answered.
"Huh? Self-proclaimed? Is she self-proclaimed?"
I asked the kemonomimi woman.
"No, our Demon Lord proclaimed herself."
"Not self-proclaimed?"
"Not at all! The Demon Lord possesses the power worthy of that title!"
The kemonomimi woman further asserted.
"So, she says that I should be the savior?"
I asked.
"That's right!"
The kemonomimi woman said confidently.
"Got it."
I picked up the Tree Sage, held him in both hands, and handed him to the kemonomimi woman.
"This person is supposed to be the educator for the savior."
I explained to the kemonomimi woman.
"Huh?"
The kemonomimi woman was flabbergasted.
"Also, give this to Gouten."
I handed Gouten to the kemonomimi woman.
"Wait, wait, Gouten can only be used by you."
The Tree Sage was very flustered.
"Hey, big brother! What are you doing?"
Mitsuki yelled.
"Is that okay with you?"
Princess Miyabi seemed a little angry.
"Well, I'm a merchant. Above all, I want to give up on being the savior and just focus on my business, enjoying my time with Aoi, Mitsuki, Murasaki, and Princess Miyabi."
Without hesitation, I clearly told everyone.
"...Can't be helped, huh."
Aoi, Mitsuki, Murasaki, and Princess Miyabi blushed and nodded.
"Huh? Is that okay?"
The Tree Sage was astonished.
"Well, if there's no need for a savior, then I wouldn't have had to deal with Char and all that."
Colonel Kunito chuckled.
"Business comes before being a savior, right?"
Apolit also agreed.
"Huh? Is that okay?"
The Tree Sage repeated many times, completely flabbergasted.
"Hey, kemonomimi lady. Since the Demon Lord said she would do it, make sure you entrust the savior role to her responsibly."
I emphasized to the kemonomimi woman.
"Huh?"
The kemonomimi woman was flabbergasted.
"You guys are way too carefree."
The Explosive Dragon King Gouou was exasperated.
"Well, since you said you'd return Gouten, we'll just head back to Patriada like this."
We started boarding the wyverns.
"Hey, are you guys really okay with this? It would be impossible for anyone else."
The Tree Sage was desperate.
"Well, a man who calls himself a Demon Lord and asserts himself as the true savior will definitely accomplish it."
I asserted.
"Huh?"
The kemonomimi woman stood there holding Gouten, dumbfounded.
"Well, you won't say something like 'I can't do it' now. You're a Demon Lord, after all."
I pressed further.
"Um, yeah."
The kemonomimi woman nodded in astonishment.
"Well then, take care."
As I said that, we flew away on the wyverns.
The Explosive Dragon King Gouou and the Tree Sage were staring at the kemonomimi woman holding Gouten in shock.
"Huh?"
The kemonomimi woman stood frozen, still holding Gouten.