Shirone the Maiden of Swords

　We flew in the sky and headed north.
　We were quite late in our departure. The reason is because of the hippogriffs flying behind me.
　Kyouka-san and Kaya-san are on the hippogriff flying behind me. Kyouka was late because she took time to prepare for the flight.
　If it was true, I was going to head north by myself. I can't bother everyone about Kuroki.
　I will definitely rescue Kroki from the Demon King's capture with my own hands.
　I'm very happy to be in this world. I'm excited to come to this world of adventure and exploration.
　And then there's Reiji, Chiyuki, and everyone else.
　Sometimes it's a little bit difficult, but I can get through it because of everyone.
　But what about Kuroki?
　Kuroki is an ordinary person. He's never had any adventures or explorations or anything like that. He's not like Rage-kun. He's a boring, uneventful, peaceful, everyday person.
　After bringing him to this world by force, there's no way I'm going to force him to fight.
　That's why I want to help him out of there as soon as possible.
　But the speed of the hippogriff is slow. I want to go quickly, but I can't complain about them coming to me.
　The only reason the two of us are here is because Chiyuki-san, who was worried about me going alone, asked Kyouka-san to go with me.
　I look at the hippogriff. A hippogriff is a magical beast whose front half is an eagle and its back half is similar to a horse griffon.
　It's weaker than a griffon, but it's docile and suitable for riding.
　The luggage carried by that hippogriff is clearly overweight. Kyouka's luggage is too much.
　It would be good if there was another one, but we don't have that many magical beasts for riding. Also, Rage and the others use magical beasts, so there was only this hippogriff.
　The hippogriffs are also very tough. It would be better to let it rest.
　I went near the hippogriff.

"Sir Sirone!　It's time for us to get some rest.

　Kaya suggests.
　I nod and go downstairs.
　I let the hippogriff rest in an open area of the forest with a few fewer trees.

'We can't go any further today. Let's find somewhere to sleep in.'
'What? We haven't made much progress yet.
'I can't go on any longer. Night will come soon. Hippogriffs can't fly at night.
It's true, though: ......

　It's true that hippogriffs are a bird's eye, so they can't fly at night. But I am not. I can fly at night, too. If I fly at full speed, I can reach Argoa and Velos today.

"Lady Cirone: ....... Please don't think foolishly of going alone.

　Kaya-san nailed it, as if she had guessed my thoughts.
　The reason these two came with me in the first place is because Chiyuki-san, who was anxious about letting me go alone, asked me to go with her.
　Incidentally, there was talk of attaching a temple knight together, but considering the incident in Roxx's kingdom and the fact that it's quite far from St. Renaria, we decided not to talk about it.
　At any rate, everyone is worried about me. I can't disregard that favor.

'All right, Kaya. But you can go to .......

　I say and look at the package.

'Can't we reduce it a bit more: ......

　The speed of the hippogriff is slow due to the heavy load on it. It would fly faster if it were reduced.

''Oh, I don't know how long we will be staying in the north country. That's about normal.

　Kyouka, I can't say anything to your words.
　It is my self-interest to go to Veros and Algore, which are in the north. If I go near Nargol, I may get some information about Kroki.
　It is on such uncertain possibilities that we go north. We don't know when that information will be available. I had to be prepared to play a long game.
　I would have to thank the two of them for being prepared to come with me for that long game.
　And even though most of the luggage is Kyouka's, my luggage is in there as well. I can't complain about it.

''Ugh. Okay. ......

　I give up.

'Well, now that you're convinced, we've found human country on our flight to tonight's sojourn, we'll go back and get there.




Shirone the Maiden of Swords

　The country was too small to be a country.
　The population was small, perhaps less than a thousand. The architecture is crude and reminds me of the thatched huts I have seen in books in the past.
　Human country like this village is called Koki, and this is also a country. It's not the first time I've come to a small country like this. I have stopped several times on the way to Nargol with Reiji and his friends.
　However, such a small country is often closed, and even if you try to stop by, it was often turned away at the door.
　Of course, it is not Mr. Rage to ask such a thing. I was forced to enter the country and sleep in it.
　Because I hear that it is not possible to let the girl sleep in the field at any rate. Thanks to that, we didn't have to stay in the camp.
　Kaya-san is negotiating with the person who seems to be the head of Koki country. We will be turned away from the gate, won't we?
　What will Kaya do then? There is no way I would let Kyoka stay in the field, so I feel like I'm going to push through with force.
　The inhabitants were scared of the hippogriff until they came to this chief's house. If we threaten him, we might be able to manage it.

'We are travelers. 'We would like to stay in this country for one night, if that is alright with you? Of course I'll pay you a gratuity.
No, no, no, I'm not getting any gratuity. You can stay at my place for the night, if you like.

　But contrary to expectations, the head of Koki readily agreed.
　The head of the Koki was a well-dressed uncle, smiling and laughing.
　And there was something strange about his smile.

''Well then, please come this way. That magical beast will be in the barn, I'll show you later.''

　But Kaya shook her head at the words.

'No, we'll all be in the same barn, if you don't mind. Would you mind showing me around?

　Kyouka and I are surprised by those words.

'Ha ...... yes, then come here.'

　The head of the Koki seemed as surprised as we were. He's a little stumped for words.
　Then we are led to the barn.

'What do you mean, Kaya?'

　Kyouka questions Kaya.
　I don't want to sleep in the barn when Kyouka-san is there too. I don't want to sleep over, even if it's a hippogriff, but I don't want to sleep over.

'Miss. Can I ask Shirone-sama a question about that?
What, me?

　I'm surprised when he suddenly turns the conversation around.

'Did you feel any discomfort from the man you just spoke to?'

　Kaya asks me and I think about it.

'Yeah. From my uncle, who I think is the head of this country, I get the feeling that the demons looked at us the same way they looked at us.

　I said and Kaya nodded.

'Yes, I felt the same way as Shirone-sama.

　That uncle's eyes were caught in my enemy detection. That uncle had the same eyes as the demon's eyes, which were aimed at us as prey. It was only a few things, so I thought it might be my imagination, but if Kaya felt it too, it wasn't my imagination.

''It seems that the head of this country has some bad thoughts about us.

　Kaya laughs a little. That smile is a little scary.

'What do you think?　Out of this country?

　If this country has harmful intentions towards us, then it is better for us to leave this country as soon as possible. But Kaya shook her head.

'As much as I'd like to do so ......, it's almost nighttime. It's hard to find a place to camp now.'

　Hippogriffs can't fly during the night. None of us are capable of night vision or decent lighting magic. To some extent, they can move in the dark with object detection. But there was a limit to how much we could rely on that.
　As Kaya-san said, they wouldn't be able to move now.

''Then what are we going to do, Kaya?''

　Kyouka asks. There's a bit of frustration in his voice.

''Of course, we'll take care of it by force. I don't know what the people of this country are up to, but if we beat them up, there won't be any problems.''

　Kaya brings her fists together.
　I sigh. The people of this country are going to have a terrible time with this.
　But I also think it can't be helped.
　If all you have to do is chase them away, Kaya-san wouldn't have done anything so terrible. But if she attacks them, it's a different story.
　At that time, I could feel more than one person gathering around the barn we're in.
　I look out the barn window. The barn is surrounded by people with weapons.
　Among them was the chief of this country. It seems that he had kept us in place and was gathering his friends with weapons.

'It seems that he has arrived. Let's give them a little punishment then, miss.

　Saying that, Kaya clasps her fists together in front of her chest.




◆Deputy Ethigos.

Mr. Ethigos!　Please, please, for the love of God!　Forgive me!　Don't take my daughter away from me!

　The man in front of me rubs his head against the ground.

'I'm sorry, but I can't do that. I've decided that the daughter I'm going to give to Master Zeng is your daughter.
'Make it happen!　Preferably a daughter from another house!

'You're just another man who can't help it. You don't care what happens to other girls if you save your own.

　It makes me laugh a little. Other people's misery is the taste of honey. That's why I can't stop doing this job.

'Dad!

　Someone walks into the room. The face was familiar. It's the man's daughter, kneeling unceremoniously in front of me.

'Matime!　How did you get here!
Dad, stop it!　I just need the ogre to eat me, that's all!　That way we won't have to sacrifice any other kids!
"But if you do that, you'll have to go to ...... and you'll have to go to ......
'No, dad ....... I was lucky to be born your father's child. ......

　The father and son hug each other saying so.
　It's a story that will make you laugh ...... and cry.

I'm sure it's a very auspicious thing to do, daughter. Then you are ready to go.

　I say to my daughter with a divine look on my face as I stifle a laugh.

'Yes, Mr Ethigos: ......'

　she says with a nod.
　'Brave girl,' she says. I would touch her if it weren't an offering to Master Zeng.
　This country is under the rule of the ogre, Xeng. The men of this country are ogre chattel.
　This girl is the daughter I chose as an offering for the ogre deng who rules this land.
　Last time Zeng asked me to choose a daughter to bring to his mother for her birthday, I chose one that looked good based on her looks and flesh.
　I'd really like to choose another girl who is not as good looking, but if Zeng doesn't like her, I'm in danger. So it's a shame, but I'll have to let this girl die.

''Ethigos-sama!

　Someone comes in again.

'What is it this time, it's noisy?'

　The one who came in was under my command.

'A traveller!　Three girls are coming!　She's quite a beautiful woman.

　A beautiful woman.
　I couldn't miss those words.

"Are you a traveler?" "Take me to .......

　I am taken by my men to see the woman.
　And then I meet the three of them.

Hou ......

　I couldn't help myself. She was more beautiful than any woman I've ever met.
　Probably the leader of the three of them was the woman in the middle, who looked very haughty. The clothes she was wearing were also quite fine, and she could be a princess from some other country.
　I wanted to keep this woman in this country at all costs.
　And behind the three of them was definitely a hippogriff.
　I had heard of a demonic beast that could be tamed before, but I never thought I'd be able to see that hippogriff.
　Perhaps they bought a bred hippogriff.
　If so, this hippogriff should be quiet to humans.
　I'm also lucky to get a tame hippogriff as well as a woman.

We are travelers. We are travelers and would like to stay in this country for one night. Of course I'll pay you a gratuity.

　A woman standing to the left negotiates with me.

No, no, no, there's no way I'm going to pay you anything. If you'd like to stay at my place, you can have it for the night.

　I respond.
　Of course, we're going to take off all our clothes anyway. I don't need to get a gratuity now.
　I feign composure and look at the three of them with my prey eyes.

''Well then, please come this way. That demonic beast will be in the barn, I'll show you later.''

　I try to show the three of them around.

'No, we'll all be in the same barn, if you don't mind. Would you mind showing them around?

　However, the woman on the left shakes her head and asks for directions to the barn.
　The barn is not suitable for a human being to stay in as much as it is covered with straw. I don't know why, but the maid's voice is a little scary.

The first thing you need to do is to go to ...... yes, then come this way.

　I lead them to the barn with some doubt.
　I lead the three men into the barn and call my men to gather the warriors of this country.
　The most important person to watch out for would be the woman with her hair pulled back with a sword. I'm sure she's skilled enough to guard a woman of high status.

"Looks like a good-looking one came in, Ethigos.

　A voice called out to me from behind my back.
　When I turned around, I saw a man with a large sword on his back. He has a large body with muscular arms and canine teeth in his mouth. The appearance is that of a man who stands up for himself with violence.
　And the presence of this man is also one of the reasons why no other demons have come into this country.

''Well, well, well, Mr. Daigan. As you said, it's a moderately high ball.
You want to trick these women into letting their guard down?
'Yes, of course, sir. Gufufufu.
Oh, my dear Ethigos, you are evil.
No, no, you're no match for Mr. Daigan. Gufufu.

　Daegan laughs.
　Yes, with this man, there is nothing to fear from any opponent.
　While traveling as a peddler, he was grabbed by the ogre Zeng.
　However, with the wagging of his mouth and tail, he managed to become the keeper of Zeng's human breeding grounds.
　The Daigans were loaned to me by Zeng to make the breeding process work at that time.
　The people of this country are so afraid of them that they are at my mercy.
　I was a mere human merchant, but now I am the king of this country. With Zeng's power, I can do anything I want.
　And what should I be afraid of when I'm dealing with three women?
　The only thing I'm afraid of is the possibility of hurting the girl when I catch her.
　Besides, it would be fun to have at least one of them before giving them to Zeng.
　I couldn't help but laugh.




◆Deputy Ethigos.

'Master Ethigos. The woman is in the barn.

　The guards report to me.
　There are fifty armed men around me.
　It seems like too many against just three women, but it's a reasonable force, since the goal is to dissuade them from resisting by showing off their absolutely unbeatable strength.
　Now how shall we step in?
　But before I stepped in, the barn door was opened.
　There were the same three people there as when I met them. In other words, they are still armed.

'Should I ask them why, just in case?'

　The uppity woman who would be their leader asks me.
　What shall I tell her?

Oh, my daughter would be better off if you replaced me!　I'm sorry, but I need you to take my place!

　I was about to say something, but the man who had just bowed his head replies instead.
　The three women look at each other at his words. And they seem to be discussing something.

It sounds like you have some kind of situation. I'll listen to you and then you can talk to me.

　The proud woman asks again if the conversation has been settled.
　But she had no intention of talking any more in vain.

''That's not going to be enough, ladies. If you don't want to get hurt, I'll ask you to lay down your weapons.'

　I warn you.
　What are they going to do by listening to me in the first place? Humans are no match for ogres.
　If you're quiet, I'll let you have a good time until you give it to Zeng.
　I looked at the woman with that in mind. Then the woman with the sword glares at me.
　The look in her eyes almost makes me squirm.

''If you resist, you will be in pain!

　I shout, but the women's attitude doesn't seem to change. Why is it that they are surrounded by so many people?

'I don't care! Get the girl!

　The men under my command approach the woman as I give the order.

'Apparently, some of you have to be in pain to understand. 'Kaya! Mr. Cyrone! Let's give him a little punishment.

　The women on either side nodded as the proud woman said.

'Miss. Please step back.'
Kyouka-san, stay back.

　The women on either side were probably still followers. The haughty woman in the center of the room is lowered back and comes forward.
　The woman on the left holds her fist and the woman on the right holds her sword.
　The five men under her command challenge the woman on the left.

''Please don't injure ...... eh?''

　I couldn't believe my eyes at the sight.
　Five men had suddenly collapsed without a voice. The men were rolling on the ground and moaning.

''Whoa!

　Suddenly, a shout goes up from the right.
　I look and see that the men who were trying to catch the woman on the right are also on their asses. Some of them seem to be unconscious.
　The weapons and ropes they were carrying have been slashed to pieces.
　If you look closely, that wasn't the only thing that was slashed. Their hair wasn't there either.
　There were no bald men under their command, so their hair must have been chopped off in an instant. If so, what a quick job.
　The men under their command were frightened by the situation.

''Eei! What the hell are you doing!　It's only three little girls!　You want the ogre to eat you!　Just get the hell out of there and get him!

　He yells out and sends his men towards them.
　They end up being tossed to the ground and their hair torn out, just like the first one who went there.
　These women are strong.
　I am also frightened by the situation.

'Stand back, Ethigos. This I will do.
Dear Mr. Daegan, .......

　Lower your men.

You're not very good at this. I'll take care of it myself.

　When Daegan says that, his body swells up.
　His originally tall frame becomes even taller. Bristles grow out of his body and the mouth of his face splits open and becomes larger.

'Werewolf?　WARWOLF!

　A woman with a sword at the ready shouts.
　Daegan's true identity is a werewolf. The ogre Zeng sent me to this country to protect my cattle, the humans.
　This Daigans are trained by ogres and do not eat humans, the ogre's livestock.
　But he is a beastman, and he is very strong. No matter how good he is, he is no match for a human.

Hmmm, a werewolf. Then I'll take care of it for you.
　The woman with the sword is unconcernedly poised. Instead of being afraid of dealing with a werewolf, she seems to be having a little fun.
　Daegan is angered by this attitude.

'You little b*tc*!　Don't lick it!

　Daegan draws his sword and slashes at me.
　I panic at the sight of him. It's not good to kill her. The woman can't move or she doesn't even try to block the sword.

"What ......?

　Daegan makes a dumb noise.
　I can't believe my eyes at the sight either. Daigan's arm, from which he should have pulled out his sword, was gone.
　When I looked closely, I saw that he was hanging from the hilt of the sword on his back. The sword hadn't been pulled out and was still in its scabbard.

''Wha, that's ridiculous!　? When did that happen!

　Daegan is unnerved.
　No blood spurted out of the slashed arm, but it was smoking. Flames clung to the woman's sword.

'Do you still want to?'

　The woman with the sword asks. Her face is smiling, but her eyes are not smiling.

'Cain!!!!'

　Daegan sounds frightened and tries to run away. But he can't escape and collapses. This time, his left leg is gone. When did he cut it off?

Cain!　Cain!　Heeeeeee my arms, my legs, my legs!

　Daegan is rolling around on the ground in a haphazard manner and moaning.

'What the hell, you guys are ......'

　I mutter. 'This strength is unusual.

'Refrain!　You guys!

　Suddenly a woman with a fist at the ready yells out.

'Stand down!　Who do you think this person is? She is Keoka-sama, the younger sister of that brave man of light, Raji-sama!　You are in the presence of the Lady!　Both of you refrain!

　The words of the woman with her fist at the ready startle me.
　She says she's the brave man's sister. ......
　I've heard rumors of a brave man. It's a man who walked into Nargol, where there are far more terrifying demons than ogres.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you.
　In the end, it seems that the demon king could not be defeated and was defeated by the dark knight, but just reaching the demon king's castle in the depths of Nargol shows its strength.
　And I've heard that the brave man has already recovered. If this woman is the hero's sister, she might come to take my life that she tried to attack.
　No, if not, these women are still strong. It's not a very good match, but it's not an enemy.

''Hahaha!

　I lie down flat to the woman called Kyoka. The men around me do the same.
　I will follow the strong to the letter. That's my way of life.

'I didn't think you were the hero's sister! I'm so sorry!



Shirone the Maiden of Swords

　In the moonlight, we walk along the road at night.
　Our destination is the castle where the ogre Zeng lives.
　Basically, ogres build castles and palaces in the mountains and live there.
　A castle looks like a castle from the point of view of humans, but from the point of view of the ogre, who is a huge body, it is a mansion.
　Since they only build castles, they are highly skilled. They are also skilled in magic. Their arms are strong, their magical abilities are high, and if it's only their latent abilities, they are no match for the elves, let alone the humans.
　But for all their abilities, they are not very intelligent, and sometimes they lose to humans in a battle of wits. In the story, there is a dumb ogre who was tricked by a cat elf into taking over the castle.
　Also, fortunately for humans, their numbers are small. Therefore, the majority of humans have been able to avoid being ruled by them.
　However, the country I just mentioned was ruled by ogres.

''That is it, Kyouka-sama. That is the House of Zeng.''

　Ethigos, who is leading the way, points to the mansion on top of the mountain and says.
　It was quite magnificent, just because it was an ogre's mansion.
　This castle is located near the country of Koki and was an hour's walk away.
　The sun was already setting and we wanted to rest, but we forced ourselves to come.
　The ogres are very good builders and they live in the mountains, building palaces and castles. Some ogres are said to be able to build castles on the clouds.
　It is said that there are many treasures in the ogre's dwelling. The bigger the ogre's dwelling and the more treasures he has, the stronger he is.
　I look at the house of the ogre. It is more impressive than a human dwelling, but smaller than any ogre dwelling I've seen before.
　Zeng is not a very strong ogre, it seems.

''Well then, I'll leave you with this: ......

　I grab Ethigos' clothes as I turn to leave.

'Is it that ......?　Lady Syrone.
Do you think you can go home, Mr. Ethigos? I don't care if it's someone else, you and that werewolf over there can't just leave for free.

　When he said that, Ethigos and Daegan nodded.
　This Ethigos is a human, but unlike the others, this Ethigos has ruled over the people of Koki by flirting with the ogre. We can't just let them go.
　Koki's country was ruled by the ogre Zeng. Kaya found out that it's not unusual for a country to be ruled by a powerful demon like this.
　Such a country would not be attacked by other demons instead of being ruled by that demon. Therefore, it seems to be beneficial to humans.
　But it's a relationship between owners and livestock. If you're the one being eaten, you won't feel it's a good thing.
　When we told them that we would defeat the ogre's zeng, they were more than willing to help us.
　Aside from me, Kyoka and Kaya, there are several other people following us to this zeng's mansion.
　Ethigos, the guide. Daegan, the baggage carrier who has recovered his arms and legs with the resilience of a beastman. And some people from the land of Koki.
　When we get to the gate of the pavilion, we urge Ethigos.

'Mister Zeng: ----!　Dear Zeng: ----!　Open the gate, please---!

　Daegan says loudly. A large gate is opened.
　Out from inside is a giant man about three and a half meters tall. Perhaps this is Zeng.
　According to Daegan, the ogre Zeng has a mother and eight older brothers, and Zeng is the youngest. It seems that he had Ethigos choose a human woman for the feast, to be served on his mother's birthday, and we came to the land of Koki during the selection process.
　Zeng looks to be about late 30 years old in human years. He is fat and disheveled. He looks very stupid.
　In fact, Zeng, who comes out scratching his crotch, doesn't look very intelligent.

"What's up, Ethigos, what do you want?

　Then Zeng looks at us behind the Ethigos.

'Oh, you brought a woman to take to your mother, thank you for your efforts, Ethigos.

　Zeng laughs when he sees us. Its smile is uncanny. The Ogre tribe has huge fangs that grow upside down as a feature of their race. Perhaps this is why their jaws are square and their mouths are large. Because of this, when they smile, it gives them a frightening feeling.
　The joki people who have been following us here are scared.

'Let's see, what does it look like?'

　Zeng reaches out to Kyouka.
　I was in danger. Kyouka-san is not in danger. Kyouka-san is not in control of her magic. If Zeng touched Kyouka-san and an angry Kyouka-san used his magic, this area would be a burning field.
　That's why I asked him to step back earlier.
　That's also why Kyouka-san is always staying away. At first, Kyouka-san didn't want to be left out, but after Reiji-kun was injured when he defended Sahoko-san, who ran out of magic and failed to escape, Kyouka-san, as expected, agreed to stay in the St. Renaria Republic.
　Zeng's hand is closing in on Kyouka-san. However, that hand is played.

''Shall I ask you to stop touching the young lady?

　Of course, it was Kaya who paid the hand off. I was backing away and before I knew it, I was standing in front of her.

'What are you?'

　Kaya jumps up when Zeng says that.

'Heartbreaking (heartbreak)!

　Saying that, he lightly punches Zeng's chest with his fist.

''Guh!''

　Zeng grunts and falls down.
　Heart breaking is a technique in which a shock wave strikes the chest with a fist to stop the heart inside the body without hurting it.
　The heart is stopped, and Zeng remains motionless as he collapses.

''Well, just in time to feed the hippogriff.

　Kaya looks at Zeng and says, "People around me are afraid.

'No way. ....... It's a blow to the Ogre.
She's so thin.
'And what a great way to feed a magical beast: ....... It's more terrifying than an ogre.

　The Koki people talk about it. By the way, sometimes I'm afraid of Kaya-san, too.
　I give Zeng's body to the hippogriff that Kaya-san brought with her.

I'm tired, Kaya. We need to get inside.

　Saying that, Kyouka goes inside.
　When we also entered the ogre's mansion, it was as magnificent as it looked on the outside.
　According to Chiyuki-san's research, the building skills of ogres are on par with dwarves, and there were people in the past who built castles on the clouds.
　We chose the ogre's mansion, which was more splendid than the human's house, as our lodging for the night. However, since the ogre originally resided there, a little tidying up would be necessary.
　When I entered the room that looked like a bedroom, it was quite messy.
　There were many pictures of naked ogre women on the walls.
　And there was what looked like underwear on the floor.

'This one looks like a dumpster. What the hell, there's a lot of rolled up paper. It's very fishy. ......

　Kyouka makes a disgusted face. It's probably that thing in Kroki's room sometimes. It's best not to touch that paper.

'I hear you talking, it's the room of a typical single lord living alone: ......

　Kaya muttered.

'Kroki's room wasn't as messy as this one. If that's the case, does that one exist?'

　Compared to Zeng, Kroki's room was clean, I think. There were no disgusting pictures on the walls.
　But there was always a naughty book hidden away somewhere. Sometimes it's a bit of fun to sneak into a room and read them.
　I search my room.

Oh, I knew it was there. A naughty book.

　I find a book under the bed depicting many naked ogre women. They're fleshly, but the fangs and square jaws are out of place for human male tastes, I think.

'Master Silone. Please don't spread them out here.
Oh, I'm sorry. I'll get rid of it right away. I'm just like Kroki to have a book like this.
It's filthy. Your brother didn't have any of those books. Isn't that right, Kaya?

　Kaya nodded at his words.

'It certainly seemed that Rage-sama didn't have such a book. Maybe it's because he didn't need to have such a book: ......

　Kaya says.

'I'm sure you do. Unlike Sirone's childhood friends, your brother would never carry such a dubious book.

　Kyouka's words made me cringe a little.

'It's true that Reigi-kun is amazing, though. I feel sorry for Kuroki compared to the average boy Kuroki.''

　I'll defend Kroki. In the first place, most men would only have a pitiful reputation when compared to Rage-kun.

''That's the thing, Shirone-sama. Can I call him a normal human being?''
What do you mean, Mr. Kaya?
He defeated Master Raige. If Master Raige is special, then he must be special for winning it.
It's .......

　Kaya said to me and I was stuck for words.

'Sirone-sama often talked about his childhood friend, but I didn't get a strong impression of him. But when I saw him in action, he was very strong. Is he really a childhood friend of Sirone-sama's?

　Kaya interjects a question.

'I think that's ...... definitely kroki. Yeah, that's for sure.

　I assure you. There is no way that I could mistake Kroki for anything else.
　Why is Kroki in this world when he is supposed to be living a normal, boring life in his former world?
　That Kroki has become a strong enemy and appears in front of us. That's the strange thing about it.
　He is an ordinary boy with nothing in particular. It should be Kroki. It doesn't make sense.
　Kuroki has never beaten me. He should be weaker than me.
　It's not possible for it to beat the hero, Rage.
　But that was definitely Kroki. My mind boggles.

'If that's the case, then he's been hiding his abilities. His movements felt like the movements of someone who had trained quite a bit. I've trained quite a bit myself, but I think he's more than that. If he didn't have a very strong desire, he wouldn't have been able to climb to such a high level of martial arts.

　Kaya's words came as a strong shock. I thought I knew everything about Kuroki. But in reality, it was different.
　Since I started going out with Rage and the others, I saw less and less of Kuroki. Did I see anything during that time?
　I'm very disappointed that I didn't get to witness something of that.

'Honestly, I don't know either. There's so many things going on. ......

　I reply over my head.

'I see. ....... So let's stop talking about this then.

　That's what Kaya said when she saw me.
　No matter how much we think about it now, we won't get an answer. Let's get Kuroki back and ask him for the truth.

'Yes, Kaya. I need to take a break for good.

　Kyoka says. 'I certainly need a break too.

'Yes, let's clean up this room and make a meal of it. I don't feel like eating meat, but I'm sure I can eat vegetables. The sheets and such are also better than the human ones, and you can rest well.

　I nodded at Kaya's words.
　The people I brought with me helped me clean up my room and then we went to eat.
　The people we brought with us did a great job.
　Especially the father and his daughter, who didn't have to deal with an ogre to get his daughter to work for us, they were very grateful to us and worked very hard.
　But I think some of them are working because they are afraid of us.
　I don't know what's going to happen in the land of the jocks. Now that the ogre is gone, other demons might come.
　But we can't take care of this country any longer.
　They help us clean the room and cook the food, and we let the Koki people leave.
　I heard that the ogre who lived in this pavilion has a brother, but I told him that if he ever comes to Koki's country, I will tell him that we did it for him.
　After the meal is over and a brief hot bath, we rest.
　The sheets on the ogre's bed have been replaced with new ones, so it doesn't smell bad. There was only one bed, but the ogre was quite large, so the three of us could sleep in it.
　It's no use thinking about it now. You'll know when you see and talk to Kuroki.
　We decided to get a good night's rest.



◆Fallen Ethigos.

　Help me.
　I tried to shout that, but I was gagged and couldn't speak well.
　The koki guys just looked at us poorly and left.
　Beside me, Daegan hangs in a stunned state, bound in multiple layers of chains, just like me.
　I didn't get killed for showing him around, but I was bound by a woman named Kaya and hung in chains from the roof of the ogre's mansion. That woman is an ogre.
　It seems that Kaya and Shirone have the ability to sense the presence of someone who wants to do them harm. That's how she was able to see through the evil thoughts of those two.
　And now we're in this situation.
　The night wind is cold.
　I never thought this would happen to Master Ethigos. I feel like I'm about to burst into tears.
　What's going to happen to me?
　Someone help me.