“The demon, resembling a ‘Palcheok ghost’, had a deformed body, but in the end, it was closer to the form of a human.
Because of that, all patterns were judged based on the humanoid standard, but because of its elongated body, distinguishing it wasn’t easy.
Well… in the end, it just flails around, so there’s no need to categorize it too much. Anything that isn’t a pattern capable of pairing will just be avoided anyway. The only thing to be cautious of were the random kicks thrown in between.
“Gya gya gya gya gya gya gya gya!”
“Rudion! Are you okay?!”
But for some reason, Seria’s concern came flying in.”
“It seemed like she wouldn’t normally be so worried, no matter what I was fighting. She probably knew I had fought and won against demons before.
It seems that because I got hurt once, the illusion she had been holding… started to break or something like that.
I have nothing to say. I’m sorry for worrying you.
But this much is nothing. I’m fine.
“Whoosh. Whi-whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. Dodged it.”
“Stop joking around and take it seriously!”
Crack-“
“So, I intentionally acted like I was carefree to show I was in control, but what came back was a lethal spoonful of magic.
Something suddenly flew and made a hole in the demon’s belly.
Whoa. I guess I shouldn’t joke around.
More importantly, Seria’s attack is working.
Well, considering she pierced the Empress’s protective magic, this demon’s endurance might not be that impressive.
“Gya gya gya gya gya gya gya gya-!!!”
Whether it’s from pain or anger, the demon charged at me recklessly and launched an eardrum-terrorizing scream.
“Ah! I’m sorry, Rudion! I didn’t think it would get this intense!”
“Normally, when a hole is made in your stomach, you can’t get excited. You’ll be dead.””
“Th-That’s not what I meant!”
At that, Seria seemed flustered as if she’d done something wrong, but it didn’t really matter.
‘Every time it lets out a horrible scream, something’s dripping out of the hole in its stomach. It’s diaphragmatic breathing.’
I had enough composure to think that way.
Compared to the hardcore evasion challenge I just went through, this was child’s play.
Even while I was thinking that, the demon’s attacks kept coming.
It may look a bit clumsy with just its limbs flailing around, but the destructive power was still worthy of its name as a demon.
It pulverized whatever it touched—floor, walls, columns, whatever.
That meant even a grazing blow could be fatal.
I didn’t want to experience my body shattering, so I remained cautious and avoided everything.
Since I wasn’t using any patterns that could be parried, that was the best choice.
Then, the demon’s movements started to feel unusual.
No matter how nameless the demon was, it was still a special monster. It had its own unique pattern, and now it was about to pull me in.
A normal pull-in was a pattern that appeared occasionally, but this demon’s was a bit special.
It had a gimmick that pulled all targets within range into its embrace.
Even after coming here, that ability was still effective, and as soon as the pull-in motion began, I could see the danger zone.
Of course, I noticed it immediately just from the motion and had already avoided it.”
Do you think memorizing demon patterns is as easy as chewing gum?! This much can be dodged as easily as breathing!
Besides, the pull-in motion is very long, and I knew that it becomes defenseless during the casting.
So I waited for the right moment, and when Seria stuck her magic in…
BOOOM!!!
“Gyaah!”
…Suddenly, the demon, hit by something, flew straight into the wall and stuck there.
I glanced over, and Seria was glaring at the demon she had sent flying with a terrifying look.
“What do you think you’re trying to pull in? Absolutely not.”
Is that really what matters, Seria?
Well, she did a good job…
But I couldn’t really say anything, so I decided to let it go.
“Before it gets back up, hit it with something big.”
“Got it!””
With a lively response, several of the magic circles, which were so numerous they were almost impossible to count, began to glow.
They quickly gathered in front of Seria and combined to form a highly geometric-shaped magic circle.
It didn’t even take a second to do that.
Wow, that was fast.
The dozens of magic circles she had set up before the battle definitely paid off.
At first glance, it might look like she did it for style, but a magician is someone obsessed with efficiency.
Style? It’s just like preparing the ingredients before cooking.
The reason she was able to blow away the demon that was about to pull me in so quickly was probably because she was prepared.”
Anyway, another magic spell surged toward the demon lying on the floor.
It seemed to be a cutting magic, as the demon’s neck was cleanly severed with a sharp strike.
It probably wouldn’t die from that, but with its head separated, the demon was temporarily immobilized. In the end, it couldn’t resist at all and was mercilessly pummeled by Seria’s magic until it met its death.
Seeing the demon turn into smoke and fly away in its final moments, I looked at Seria with a wistful expression.
“That was cruel, Seria.”
“You’re saying strange things again. Just give me a compliment already.”
“Well…”
After that, I gave her the praise she was hoping for.
If it was to the point where even the Imperial Knights weren’t needed, that was definitely worth praising.
I, who had told her to stay put because it was dangerous, ended up feeling embarrassed.
Later, the Imperial Knights, who arrived too late, were shocked when Seria told them they were late, and they went off to train their agility. Meanwhile, Seria and I went straight to the room where the Emperor was and explained everything.
Even though we had broken a magic stone that was like a family heirloom, Seria managed to explain things well enough, and we were able to get through it smoothly.
Since a demon came out from inside, I guess they couldn’t really say anything.
In fact, they were probably wondering if they should give us a reward. After all, demons were that dangerous.
As for me, I’m nearly invincible as long as I have evasion and parrying, and Seria has been growing at an unexpectedly incredible pace, so we managed to take care of it quite easily.
But normally, when demons appear, it’s a national crisis.
If it’s seen as something we handled by finding it early, we’d be praised as heroes.
But I don’t really need that. Even if they offer, I’d refuse.
A hero? Such grand titles don’t really suit someone like me, an ordinary citizen.
Being called a hero won’t increase my stats anyway.
I don’t really want anything else. There’s nothing I’m lacking, and any further greed would just make me more noticeable for no reason.
Just forgiving me for breaking the magic stone would be enough.
So, while they were talking and seriously pondering something, I didn’t really care.
“Seria. Isn’t it about time for the engagement soon?”
“Why are you suddenly bringing that up… Ah, um… yes, it’s true…”
The conversation suddenly started to take a strange turn.
“I’m sure there’s someone you’re thinking about, right?”
“…Yes.”
“It must be someone you know. Someone who’s here right now.”
I said, “That’s… right.”
“This father gives his permission. Damn it. I never thought I’d be the one saying this…”
“AAAH!! Why are you saying that here?!”
Seria, flustered, started hitting my arm in excitement.”
“Uh… um… Excuse me, but are you not going to listen to my opinion?
It seems like they’re not going to listen.
“After graduating from the Academy. Until then, absolutely no crossing the line.”
“Ah, uh… okay.”
“Why are you hesitating? Could it be that you already…”
“No! Not yet!”
“Not yet?”
Suddenly, the conversation stopped, and they both started staring at me.
What are they expecting from me?
Even though they were staring at me, they quickly realized it was pointless and broke eye contact.
“My daughter has turned out like this. I’m worried now, I can’t allow it. Forget what I just said.”
“Ah, Dad!!”
“Don’t even hold hands.”
“Seriously, stop being unreasonable!”
As I watched them bicker, suddenly, the Emperor turned to look at me…”
““Rudion.”
“Yep.”
“…Damn. This damn brat. Did you really want to steal my daughter so badly? Why are you so desperate to make a good impression on me?”
I don’t know why they’re talking among themselves and jumping to conclusions… I had no such intention at all.
The Emperor let out a deep sigh and, without continuing the conversation, just moved on.
In the next moment, the Emperor’s gaze became sharp.
“I won’t ask how you got the information about this matter. However, I would like you to answer just one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Are you planning to betray Seria… or humanity?”
“Yes, of course.”
“…Ha, your answer was so immediate that I’m now embarrassed for asking.”
Well, it’s a world where good and evil are already defined from the start.”
There was no reason to side with the demons, and there was even less of a reason to betray humanity.
“I’m a man overflowing with love for humanity.”
“…”
But as I tried to express that, it got a bit tangled, and I ended up saying something ridiculous.
Because of my foolish words, an awkward silence fell.
Feeling embarrassed, I stayed silent, and the Emperor briefly looked at me before subtly turning his head toward Seria and asking,
“…Seria. Is a man like him really okay?”
I sometimes wonder that too. But he really does love humanity.”
“Right. If he’s overflowing with love for humanity, I can rest easy.”
This is why every word is so important.
I was supposed to be the awesome guy who handled the Imperial family’s danger in advance, yet I ended up being teased.
I figured arguing wouldn’t get me anywhere, so I decided to just stay quiet.
That evening, unlike yesterday, it was decided that we would eat separately.
There was the matter of the broken magic stone, and apparently, there were things the family needed to discuss.
I was fine with that. It meant I could have personal time right after finishing my meal.
Enjoying the service of being led to the guest room, I opened the path to the secret space once again.
From now on, no one would come looking for me. Even if someone did, I had already told Seria, so she’d probably cover for me.
“I think I can finish everything today.”
Regardless of the grand result of stopping the apocalypse, the content is quite lacking in volume. If I go in now and push hard, I can probably finish it before midnight.
With that thought in mind, I went inside, and shortly after…
[This action may attract their attention. Do you really want to proceed?]
A message I had never seen before greeted me.