After the attack by the War King's envoys that suddenly appeared, Sieg
and Anima defeated Eta and Theta, and Sigma, a Baron-level highranked Demon, started to break his silence.
And then, the ultimate idiot appeared as our helper and stopped him.
[Aren't your treatment to me too bad!?]
Don't send tsukkomis to my inner monologue, idiot…
Anyway, I'm grateful that Alice came to our rescue.
It's only my guess based on her actions so far, but I think she's pretty
strong.
[Now then, now then, where's Kaito-san's enemy?]
[You don't even know what's going on here!?]
[No, I don't~~ To be honest, I was already over there waiting for the
"cute furry to make her entrance"…But when I was thinking of a cool
way to make my entrance, I was surprised to see the whole situation
change!]
[...…]
I don't know if we can really rely on this woman…
Still in her stuffed costume, Alice looked around and when she noticed
Sigma's presence, she tilted her head… no, she tilted her whole body.
[…Kaito-san, isn't that a High-ranked Demon?]
[He's apparently a Baron-level high-ranked Demon…]
[Ah, is that so. A Baron-level huh, then I'm relieved.]
[…The clown over there, what the heck are you trying to say…]
Hearing Alice's words she said in a dopey tone while popping her
stuffed costume's large hands together, Sigma's expression changed to
one of clear displeasure.
I mean, Alice, he just met you and he immediately calls you a clown…
[No, look, a high-ranked Demon about the Count-ranked would really
be monsters… So it would be a tough fight~~~ is what I thought… but
I'm glad that I'm just fighting a "weakling".]
[…You… Are you mocking me?]
Hearing Alice's carefree words, his vein popped out on Sigma's
forehead.
Even so, he still doesn't immediately slash our way, is it because of his
pride as a warrior, or is it because Alice isn't in any stance yet?
Against such a Sigma, Alice leisurely turned around and took a step
forward… and crumbled on her knees.
[Guhhh…]
[Alice!?]
What!? Did something happen!?
I can't really see any of their attacks, so I wouldn't know if he attacked
already…
[W- Why are my old wounds, at a time like this…]
[Old wounds?]
I thought she had been hit by an invisible, swift attack, but apparently,
that's not the case.
Still lying on the ground, Alice puts her hand out to the size and makes a
sphere the size of a baseball appear.
[A- At a time like this… if I only I could have "sold this Newest Portable
Illumination Magic Tool for 1000R", I could easily defeat that guy…]
[...…]
[Sh*t, I can't believe I had to watch you get beaten up, Kaito-san!]
…This f*cking bitch.
She exactly knows what was going on, but she's still messing around.
I silently approached Alice, took the magic tool from her hand and
placed a silver coin in its stead.
Thereupon, Alice stood up as if nothing had happened.
[I won't allow you to hurt Kaito-san, even if the Gods themselves allow
it, I won't allow it! Come at me, you servant!!!]
[......]
Arehh? Alice came here to rescue me, right?
But what is this, this budding feeling of mine… This feeling of wanting
to smack her in the head with all my might…
[Are you finished with your farce? Well then… die!]
[Wha!?]
At that moment, Sigma had already approached right in front of Alice in
an instant.
Thereupon, a high-speed strike released from his iaido stance cut
Alice's body in half diagonally from below.
[Alice!?]
[Aliiicccceeee!!!]
[…Unnn?]
Seeing that, I reflexively shouted, but for some reason, another voice
shouted along from beside me as well.
[How could this be, for that Alice to be easily defeated… This is the
appearance of an incredibly powerful enemy! Kaito-sa—— Ouch!?]
[…What the heck are you doing there…]
Before I knew it, Alice had taken off her costume and was beside me in
her opera mask, messing around as if it's obvious, so I struck my fist on
her head.
Alice rubbed her head and opened her mouth in a somewhat
dumbfounded manner.
[But~~ That guy was so slow… I was bored with waiting until he finally
came over here, so I went around and joined the spectator's side for a
bit.]
[…I'm slow? Now you said it, clown.]
[That's right~~ I'm a clown after all, and I can't get excited without any
fanfares.]
While muttering to Sigma, who has clearly become more irritated and
regained his stance, Alice takes out a pocket watch from her pocket
while still looking carefree.
[Three… Two…]
[You, what in the world are you—— Wha!?]
Immediately after Sigma dubiously looked at her bizarre action, the
remnants of the stuffed costume lying at Sigma's feet flashed with light.
[One… Boom.]
[ ! ? ]
Thereupon, after a thunderous sound resounded, a flash of light
engulfed Sigma's body.
[F*cking clown! You and your little tricks!]
Sigma shouts evasively as he dispels the smoke caused by the explosion.
And then, a few knives come flying in his direction, cleaving through the
smoke.
[Tsk!]
However, Sigma is a Baron-level high-ranked Demon, quickly knocking
away the knives that flew at him.
A moment after he was about to move away from the smoke, knocking
away all the knives sent his way, Sigma heard a small wind noise and
moved his sword on the back of his head.
[Oya? I was blocked huh.]
[…Don't look down on me. (I can't feel this clown's presence at all? Is
she a hidden warrior? It would be bad to fight her while visibility is
poor.)]
Sigma moves away from the smokes, knocking down the knife swung
away from his blind spot and keeping Alice in check as her blades
return back to her.
Towards such a Sigma, Alice approaches her from the front without any
tricks, unlike she did before.
[Got you!]
[Whoa there.]
[What!?]
As Sigma calmly swings his sword in a sideways slash toward Alice,
who was charging at him with a fast, but filled with openings charge,
but she avoids by sinking her body low… down on the ground.
She then flips her body around with one hand on the ground, and from
that position, she unleashes a kick at Sigma's face.
It's a very tricky move, but Sigma anticipated the trajectory of her kick
and quickly avoided it… but just as he was about to do so, a knife
planted on Alice's shoes popped out.
[ ! ? ]
[Fyuuu~~ Even this attack only made a scratch huh, you have a great
reaction time!]
Even the strike with her hidden knife didn't result in a direct hit, and
Alice quickly rotated her body to regain her stance and stepped away
from him.
With Sigma's physical ability, it was possible to chase after her, but
Sigma didn't choose to do so, but stood there and sharply stared at
Alice.
[…You're quite a versatile fellow huh.]
[Why, thank you.]
[...…(She's precisely aiming at my vitals. Moreover, it looked really
polished… An assassin?)]
Sigma was measuring Alice's strength in that exchange just now.
Her speed was fast, but her power, not so much. An opponent that was
light on her body and could unleash tricky attacks…
[I have a clear understanding of your power already. I see, you are
indeed very fast for a human… but you are no match for me. The next
exchange will be your death.]
[You don't sound convincing with that cut on your face. Or rather, you're
just like a fool.]
[You… fine. This is the end of the needless talk. The speed that you're so
confident of… shows your limits as a Human. Let me show you… the
fastest slash.]
With that said, Sigma deeply leans down his body, and takes an iaido
stance while boosting himself with his magic power.
A super-fast strike released from the physical ability of a Baron-level
high-ranked Demon, a strike that is far beyond the level of human
perception anymore, that's what Sigma thought would settle this
matter
.
And then, the distance of about five paces was closed down in an
instant, and a strike that would reap away Alice's life—— didn't
happen.
[…Wh… at?]
[Did I even say that was my top speed?]
Yes, when Sigma was about to move to attack, Alice had already landed
in front of Sigma… and stomped on the hilt of his sword.
This time, Alice leisurely swings the knife in her hand against Sigma,
who looked at her, astonished.
[Guh!? Sh*t!]
[…Was it too shallow?]
Sigma leaps backwards to dodge the slash aiming for his neck, but he
can't completely avoid it, and blood flows from his neck.
[Your premise is wrong to begin with. Humans are indeed inferior to
most Demons in terms of physical ability if you just look at them as a
race. However, that doesn't mean that there are no Humans who can
defeat Demons~~]
As Alice speaks as she flippantly laughs at him, Sieglinde, who was
watching this situation which looks like she's completely overpowering
this Baron-level high-ranked Demon with Kaito from a distance, opens
her mouth in astonishment.
[How… strong.]
[Sieg-san, is that magic?]
[Yes, it's probably magic that only increases her speed to the limit… But
at such a tremendous speed, it shouldn't be possible to control it with
the kinetic vision of the Humans but…]
[But just now, Alice…]
[Yes, I can't believe it. She's… probably stronger than Lili. She's clearly
beyond the limits of humanity.]
Alice's combat prowess was unbelievable, even to Sieglinde, who had a
large amount of experience as a warrior.
From the tip of his astonished gaze, Alice quietly muttered to Sigma.
[There sure are lots of high-ranking demons that have these so-called
"peerage ranks". People like you who're overconfident in their own
abilities… who never doubted that their own ability would be
surpassed by a Human… makes a really good prey.]
[…Indeed, I need to change my perception of you. You are strong…
Anyone who can't keep their head straight would be no match for you.]
[That's right~~]
[However, you talked too much. And now, I've finally calmed myself
down.]
It could be said that Sigma had been caught off guard because he
thought of Alice as an inferior opponent just now… and that last
exchange and Alice's words helped him regain his composure.
Considering the point of pure combat power, Alice was originally
greatly inferior to Sigma except for her speed.
If a solid attack was made on her while he remains calm and alert, it
would be difficult for her to win.
However, hearing Sigma's words, Alice doesn't seem to be flustered at
all, as a smile appears on her mouth.
[There's no problem…"It's already over" after all.]
[What did you say?]
[…Since we're at it, how about I tell you what they call me "over there".]
While saying that, Alice throws the knife on her feet.
Thereupon, Sigma's feet… the shadows under them turned into
countless spear-like shapes and skewered Sigma's body.
[Ghaa!? Haaaahh!?]
[…Shadow Edge… Well, you don't really have to remember it.]
As the skewered Sigma falls down on the ground, she turns away while
muttering with disinterest.
Her opponent's a Baron-level high-ranked Demon… He should be one of
the high ranks in the Demon Realm, but in the end, Alice held the pace
from start to finish, and he was defeated without being able to make a
single move.
[Well~~ That was quite a formidable opponent.]
[…You were actually amazing huh, Alice.]
[Eh? What's with that? It kinda feels like you're really surprised
though!? What did you eve think of me of all these times!?]
[Just an idiot.]
[Kaito-san, aren't you just being too harsh on me!?]
[That guy, is he dead…?]
[No, I made sure that I wouldn't hit his vitals. Otherwise, I'm sure Kaitosan will be angry at me~~]
Hearing the words she said with a smile, I let out a sigh of relief.
It may seem like a naive idea to do for people who came to attack us,
but as expected, I don't like seeing someone die.
[Well, we just need to find out why they suddenly attacked Kaito-san…]
[Alice?]
[Ahh~ Kaito-san, is it alright for me to go home after all? As expected, I
can't beat that one…]
[Eh?]
Alice's expression, which had seemed carefree until now, disappeared,
and I could even see a streak of sweat on her forehead.
Feeling uneasy about her unusual appearance, I moved my gaze in the
direction Alice was looking at.
Then, from the end of the road, there was someone walking slowly
towards us.
A huge old man who must be well over two meters tall, wearing heavylooking armor.
He had a huge axe in his hand, which combined with the sound of his
clanging armor, gave off an intense sense of intimation towards us.
[Geez, I even told them not to rush in acquiring achievements and not
to misread Megiddo-sama's will…]
[No way… Could he be… the "Ironblood Bacchus"…]
Seeing the old man whose calm voice shows his deep experience, Siegsan mutters while trembling.
Ironblood Bacchus… Looking at Alice and Sieg-san's reactions, I could
understand that he will be a tremendous opponent.
Perhaps sensing my doubts who this old man is, Alice nervously
answered.
[There are five Count-level high-ranked Demons serving War Kingsama… and each of the five generals under War King-sama… to put it
bluntly, were monsters.]
[…so they're dangerous opponents huh…]
[They're not just dangerous. High-ranking demons from the Count-level
and above them were truly exceptional. They have the power to wipe
out an entire city…]
[ ! ? ]
A person who is so powerful that he could even wipe out an entire city…
No matter how I think of it, he's a dangerous person.
Within that atmosphere filled with heavy tension, Bacchus turns to me
with a wry smile on his face.
[Miyama Kaito… I'm sorry. My subordinates were rude to you.]
[…Eh?]
[Good gracious, it's troubling how youngsters these days are hotblooded… On behalf of my subordinates, please accept my apology.]
[Ah, no…]
Seeing him not looking particularly dangerous at all, I hurriedly nodded
at Bacchus's words, who spoke to me as if we were just making small
talk.
[Geez, no matter how many barriers there are that can block Death
King-sama and World King-sama's detection… If they harm you, they
will be killed afterwards, but they don't know that… I should have
warned them a bit more.]
[...…]
[…However, the fact that it happened can't be helped. I know that it's
our side's fault because they did as they pleased but… I'm sorry, I can't
just go back after having my subordinates be defeated.]
[ ! ? ]
Magic power like surging winds released from Bacchus's body as he
slowly muttered.
[I'm sorry, shall I have you fight against me as well… Warriors of
Humanity.]
[…Kaito-san, this is bad. There's no way we can win. Can't you somehow
use your lucky power to call for a super-powerful reinforcement or
anyone like that?]
[If I could do that, I would have done it by now.]
Seeing Bacchus, who is easily holding that large axe, Alice sounds
flustered, while Sieg-san and Anima stiffened because of nervousness.
The other party is an existence that is so powerful that it can wipe out a
city… There's no we could do anything against him.
And although I wasn't conscious of my actions, before I knew it, I had
stepped in front of the three of them, protecting them behind my back.
I'm not sure I could ever come up with anything to defeat him… but I
didn't want the three of them to get hurt.
However, seeing my actions, Bacchus looked somewhat impressed.
[Hoohhh… I thought you were just some youngster, but for you to still
advance before my magic power, you have quite the spunk in you huh.
And, it is as you perceived… I would certainly be troubled if you were to
stand before me.]
[...…]
I didn't know what he was talking about.
I didn't come forward because I had such ideas, but Bacchus was telling
me that he would be troubled… and that I had perceived something…
[Megiddo-sama told me to bring you to him… but he hasn't told me that
I may harm you. If I harm you, and do something against Megiddosama's will… I will be killed. That is to say, I can't attack you…]
[...]
[However, if I were to follow his will… It will be fine for me to attack
anyone aside from you. Good grief, it's quite tough being old but… I
guess I'll have to be nimble and quickly slip through you.]
[ ! ? ]
I thought I had seen a ray of hope, but that doesn't seem to be the case,
as Bacchus carefreely walked towards us.
The other party is a Count-level Demon… He's probably much faster
than that Sigma earlier.
I can't see any carelessness or openings at all… There's really nothing I
can do about him…
[Everyone, run…]
[I will have to decline.]
[Even though it's master's order, that's something I won't follow.]
[Then, good work out there… Ah, no, it's a lie. I will stay, yes.]
I was ready to give up and be taken to War King-sama, and just let the
three of them run away but… They refused. No, there was that one who
tried to leave normally, but after Sieg-san and Anima glared at her, she
flusteredly stood in front of me.
[Kaito-san's lucky power didn't make explosions yet huh… I guess I can
only prepare myself.]
And now, Bacchus and the three of them… Just as the unwinnable battle
was about to begin, a quiet mutter rang out in the silence.
[…I see, calling it lucky power may really be quite fitting. I was just
passing by this area by chance, but I may actually be led here by Kaitosama's summon.]
[…Eh?]
[Mhmm…]
Hearing that familiar voice resounded, before I knew it, a shadow stood
in front of us.
She, who seems to be on her way home from shopping and leisurely
standing in front of us, holding a paper bag, quietly spoke to Bacchus.
[As you may know, as a maid who spends every moment in accordance
with her duties, I hate doing useless stuff. Therefore, I will only give you
one warning.]
[…Ein… -san?]
[…I suggest you surrender.]
Dear Mom, Dad—– It's often said that lightning strikes twice, and this
time, a Count-level high-ranked Demon appeared, and it certainly was a
desperate situation. However, I guess luck still hasn't given up on us
——– As the strongest (maid) appeared.