Let's give it some thought.
　It's not a bad idea to decide on the momentum, but apparently the situation is more serious than I thought.
　Even though she is of the demon tribe and has a long life span, it is not normal for her to say she is going to be a slave to a man she doesn't know, and Aeon's prison crests are, no matter how I look at it, inexplicable.

　As for me, the fact that Shamash-san, a beautiful woman and a demon, is coming to visit me is a dream come true.
　Aeon has a prison crest and a strong impression of strength, but she's definitely beautiful.
　If this was the first time I came to this world, I would have accepted it without a second thought.

　But now it's different. It's not the same as when I met Deanna and Marina.
　I already have a lot of responsibility in this world, and I've deepened my relationships with many people.
　That's why - even if we don't say that Shamash-san and Aeon-san will be trouble, we have to consider the possibility that they will become a source of trouble or have conflicts with the original members.

　Hmm .......

...... I just want to check a few things.

　Shamash's face lit up at my words.

'You're in the mood for that?　Ask me anything. Anything I can answer, I'll answer.

　A glimpse of her double teeth softens her impression of maturity.
　A sweet fragrance like a thin chypre perfume rises from her ivory-colored (ivory) hair, tickling my nostrils.
　I wonder if this scent is natural. I wonder if they have different odor glands than humans, since they are called demon race. ......
　It's just a deceiving scent. She's a bad girl.

'First of all, it's the most important part. You can use the spirit stone to get a print, or is it a purification?　I hear you can do it, but if you can purify it and erase the crests, then you're free to go?

　This is the important part.
　Even if the prison crests are removed, it's useless if you get caught again with "that's it, that's it, that's it".
　Shamash nodded vigorously to this question.

''Yeah. That's only natural. Essentially, when you've lost your blessing, it means you've been punished. The polar crests can be exorcised with a spirit stone and then you'll be acquitted of the crime. ...... Oops, bad ion. Of course I know you're wrongly accused. This is just a generalization.

You don't have to follow up on that, Shamash.

Oh, I see. Anyway, just wash the prison crests with the spirit stone and that's it. Aeon will be free.

　Hmm.
　So, a bounty hunter.
If he is no longer a "seeker," then there will be no reason to be hunted.
　In other words, using Aeon-san as a maid or Shamash-san as a slave is the price for the "100 gold coins" to exorcise the prison pattern.
　If you think about it that way, the story is really simple.
　100 gold coins is a small amount of money, but I don't think it's so high for a slave.
　Considering that Marina's amount was 60 gold coins, which was on the cheaper side for a slave, 100 gold coins for a demon race should be a bargain.

''Aeon-san, do you feel like you're being chased by hunters for gold coins as a bounty hunter?　You were very wary when you ran into me earlier.

　However, it depends on the contents of the "Wakuwari" part.
　If it's a bargain for 100 gold coins, you should think that there's something wrong with the "wacko" part.

...... it is.

　Shamash stammered.
　I thought there was a problem, but surprisingly, it was Aeon herself who took over the phrase.

'Shamash, fine. I'll say it myself.
That's what I said, Aeon. Can I go to ......?
It's okay. If you say this is the Great Spirit's will, then we'll just have to believe it.
But .............

　Aeon's complex expression, which can be taken as both resignation and determination.
　It seems there are some deep circumstances, after all--

'Ayase. If this encounter was guided by the Great Spirit, then our meeting must be meaningful.

　I'm not sure what you mean. Is it a checkmate?

I don't think there's a great genie in the bottle when it comes to encounters, though. It's up to the people themselves to decide whether or not they want to turn their encounters into something meaningful, right?

　I don't like the idea that everything has to do with God and Buddha.
　It is possible that there may have been some sort of power at work, like the guidance of the Great Spirit, but it is an unprovable matter after all.

I agree: ....... It is true that I didn't have the power to shape my own destiny. So I was tricked and caved in, ran away and ran away to this ...... place.

Did you get tricked?

'Yes. I was stupid and innocent. ...... I was the only one living in my own personal paradise.

　He speaks in a very abstract way.

'I'm sorry ....... I said something crazy.

'That's fine, but ....... Are you okay?

　It's hard to tell with the tattoo that extends to his face, but he has a blue face and a quivering lip.

'Ayase. As a matter of fact, it's possible that ............ I'm still in pursuit of you. Regardless of the prison crests.

　I'm in a tailspin: .......
　Well, when you ran into me, you said, "What hand is that?

It was two years ago. I fell out of the capital after being involved in a political war between rival factions. It has been more than a year since I was sheltered here by Shamash. In the country, the succession ceremony is already over and my brother has been enthroned and I am supposed to be dead ....... I don't know ...... the details. When I lost my blessing, I lost my succession, and on the contrary, I should have died ............

Hey, we're talking about factions, conflicts, succession, and something big. In the end, Mr. Aeon, who are you?

"Lucreon. That's my real name. ...... ion is a pseudonym.

You used a fake name?

　Well, yeah. It's a natural course of action.
　It's not like the person you're asking can't reveal their real name.

"And ...... my real name is Lucreion Aquamarine von Hannok.

　Huh. Well, it's a mouthful.
　Former aristocrat, eh? An aristocratic young lady with a lot of character.

"......... oh, that's it?　You're not too surprised, are you?

Oh, yeah?

'Oh, hey mister. How can you be so calm ......?　Are you a real person?　I don't call myself the royal family--

　The grand master was so dazed that he just fell out of his chair.

　I wonder if he is a famous aristocrat.
　If the last one Hanok is his surname, then he is a Hanok family.

　Hanok.
　Hanok......?
　I've heard of that ...... somewhere. .......

　...... is the name of this country!　That's the Hanok Empire.

''Third in line of succession to the imperial throne. Formerly ......, though.

　And Aeon.
　That means you're ...... a real princess.

　Hmm .......
　Looks like you can't use her as a maid for now!



　◇◆◆◆◇



　But ...... pursuers?
　Even though she's lost her inheritance, Aeon-san is a real princess.
　And she's not just a princess. She's the emperor's daughter. No, I heard that her brother has already ascended the throne or something.

　In terms of age, Aeon-san is still in her teens, or at most twenty years old.
　If that's the case, it's unlikely that his siblings are that much older than him. And of course, his father.
　I don't know about this world, this country, or any other political situation, but does this mean that the former emperor, or Aeon's father, died young ......?　They said the succession was already over.
　Or is there some other reason?
　To begin with, I don't understand the formality of the succession to the imperial throne in this country.
　I don't really understand, but it's probably my own brother or sister who released their pursuers.
　Then, can't I just comfortably shelter them?
　It's not like the whole country is on the lookout for criminals, but the pursuers, or in other words, assassins, might come.

　However, our mansion is warded.
　It's impossible for a stranger to get in, and the only place around us is Rebecca's house in the countryside.
　Even if a villager or something saw my face, it's hard to imagine that anyone would know the face of the princess from the far away imperial capital.
　If that's the case, you can disguise yourself. Even just changing the color of your hair would give you a very different impression, and hair color can be bought at any number of pharmacies.
　At the very least, you have no idea how much better it would be than continuing to live in a cave like this, where you have to bargain with the world.

　If you lay out the terms, it's easy to say, "I'll protect you! I'm not a brave person who would say that, but it doesn't seem like such a bad story.
　I'm not going to be able to get a lot of information about this, but I'm not going to be able to get a lot of information about it because I'm a stubborn princess.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get a lot of work done at home, because even our fake princess, Deanna, can't do any work at all.
　When it comes to ......, is the relationship with Shamash-san still the creepy one?

　In exchange for being able to get a slave of the demon race for the cheap price of 100 gold coins, hide the princess who is being chased by assassins.
　In other words, here's the order. In a nutshell.

　The risk is .......
　There is, but I'm not sure.

What do you think, Grand Master?

　In the meantime, I asked the grand master, the only third party here, about it.

"Mister. You have the face of a man who has already made his decision.

　Oops, did I see that in your face? A con man's calling is shapeless.

I'm sorry to hear that your husband is a softie. I'm sorry to hear that you have to live with the polar crest, but 100 gold coins is not an amount that can be easily paid out. And ...... this princess is probably the real thing. I've heard the story of Princess Lucreon, too.

How. What does that say?

Yeah, some holy knight or general or something and elope with him or her. It's a story that can be heard even in the countryside, and I thought it was something that would raise eyebrows. The actual person is in a place like this, so maybe it wasn't a lie at all.

　Elopement.
　Well, not a bad excuse to frame a missing person, I suppose.
　I don't know how he ended up with the crucifixion, though.

"I am not eloping. ...... I didn't have the courage to take such action. It was just that he took advantage of my faint love for him and his sincerity. ......

　Mr. Aeon opens his mouth. Apparently, there was such a partner.
　You're ...... that was used.
　Hmmm ....... It's a little heavy.
　No, it's not surprising, considering the circumstances of the person in question.

'...... Aeon-san. I have some sympathy for you, even if I don't know much about your situation. That's why I'm beginning to think that I'm willing to take this story. But if you're looking for revenge or something, I'll let this story drop.

...... Yeah, I don't want revenge--

'If not, that's okay. I can hide you in a better situation than you are now, and I have friends I can trust. Regardless of what happiness looks like for you, I can make things a little better than they are now. ......, but not if you want revenge. That will only make you unhappy. For everyone.

　If it's up to me to make the unfortunate a little bit better off, I can do it.
　But I'm not mature enough to give them what they want beyond that.

...... Well, 100 gold coins is a lot of money to me anyway. I'd like to discuss it with my friends, and I'm willing to hold off for now, Mr. Shamash.

　This story was basically brought to us by Ms. Shamash.
　Mr. Aeon seems to be under Mr. Shamash's patronage and the decision-making authority should be with him.

'Yes, it's all right. I think I've made an unreasonable request all of a sudden.

　Shamash-san must have known it was an unreasonable wish.
　But she doesn't know her value, in fact, a slave of the demon race is cheap for 100 gold coins.
　I haven't actually checked, but apparently they have a long life span like elves, they will remain beautiful forever, and most importantly, they will be able to use magic. I've heard that even a human sorcerer's slave is quite expensive.
　And I've heard that demons themselves are rare in this area.

　Well, it's completely like human trafficking and it feels awkward, but it's also nowhere near as bad as it should be.
　It's bad enough to call them slaves. It's just that we'll sign a proper employment contract. It's an employee promotion.
　I'm sure the demon tribe will do a good job.
　I'm sure that they'll be able to help you with the other side.
　He himself said something like Marina that they can't take advantage of his brown skin, but alas!　I'm a big fan.
　Shamash-san, who is a little thinner and more mature than Marina, has a mature s*xiness that Marina and Deanna don't have.
　She's also unknowingly sprinkling pheromones, and it looks like it would be better if I put her under control. It's a MOTTAINAI in terms of resources to relegate a natural weapon like this to such a remote location.

'Basically we're looking forward to it, so you can look forward to it. Just checking in at ............, do you really think Mr. Shamash is willing to be my slave?

　Let's make sure we're in the right place.
　We don't want a verbal ayah or something like that.
　Even if we don't actually sign a slave contract, I'd like to have them move in or at least sign some kind of contract.
　As expected, I have a feeling that it would be impossible for me to live in the mansion with the elf Deanna, though.

''Of course. If you do what I want, I will meet your expectations with all my heart and soul. That's what a contract is for. I can have your baby if you want .......

'Boohoo!　Oh, gosh!　What are you talking about, all of a sudden?

　It's so real, it made me spew tea.
　Looks like I'm not lying about being a slave, but I'm getting past the devotion and into the awesome part!
　I knew it was a natural weapon!
　It's a tone of voice and intelligence, but it's so straightforward.

"Hmm, I'm serious. A birth is a woman's joy. I'm in a hurry, but that's the first time I've ever felt that way. You know, if it bothers you, I'll raise it myself. Of course, you can't have a child on your own, so I'd like you to have that ...... partner at least once--

Hey, Shamash!　What the hell is wrong with you?　She's not an a**h*le woman!

　Well said!　Mr. Aeon!

　In any case, why is it that I'm so popular all of a sudden?
　Does having a magic sword strike a chord with the demon tribe?
　Or is it the "This guy is rich. We've got to make a ready-made fact ......" thing.

　Well, whatever the agenda, I guess it's not so bad ...... for me, but maybe I should still be a little cautious .......
　I'm mulling that over.


Oh.


　And Mr. Shamash suddenly made a strange noise.
　And then he stands up with a clatter and walks out of the room.
　I don't know, did I embarrass you because I didn't OK it right away?
　No, you can't give an OK like that. I'd like to, but you can't.

　At any rate, she's eccentric.
　I guess the demon race is a bit different from the norm after all. ......

　Shamash, who left the room, came back in a few minutes.

''I don't understand what happened, but it was bad.

　He says that as soon as he walks into the room.
　There is a serious impatience on his face.

'Just now, the logic flipped. This is on a scale never seen before. Sometimes monsters spring up in these tunnels as well, but the depth is too different than usual. I don't know what's going on, but I don't think it's safe for us to be here. Get the ions ready too.

Hey, what now, Shamash!

'I don't know the details either, Ion. I've never done anything like this before: ....... Huh, today is full of new things. ...... No, I'm not laughing at you.

'You've got to be kidding me!　You're going to have to explain it to me.

Aeon. The demon race and the elven race, you see, have the ability to sense the concentration of spirit power and magic power floating around in this world. That's why whenever a monster sprang up, I was always the one to defeat it right away, right?

Yes.

''So. Right now, its magic concentration still compressed more rapidly than ever before, and then swelled up. That's what's happening in this entire mountain. This means that monsters are starting to spring up all over the place. And ...... seems to have sprung up at levels that are a bit unthinkable.
'Unthinkable level is ......?'

'A magic so densely compressed that even I've never felt that way before. Yes, ...... this feeling--

　So Mr. Shamash took a breath.
　Perhaps he had hesitated to say that one word.

　A disaster for humanity. An inevitable natural disaster.

"...... Yeah. "Hitotsutsuzuki. The same disaster caused by the intersection of two moons. ............ Far from it. It's like having a waxwing and a human crane in this mountain at once!

　Hearing those words, Aeon-san and her grandfather turned pale.
　I haven't experienced the Hitotsutsuzuki, so I don't understand what it is, but for people in this world, it must be very serious.
　If we were talking about Earth, it would be like an earthquake, tornado, tsunami or volcanic eruption.
　In other words.

We've got to get out of here!　Why are you so laid back, Shamash!

　Aeon-san changes her hue and gets flustered.
　It's true that Shamash-san is quite calm despite the fact that a terrible natural disaster is approaching.
　No, Oyakata is also quite calm. In other words, it's the seniority of age, isn't it?

I don't feel at ease. I just don't know why there are so many monsters that have sprung up all of a sudden: ....... The human crane is still a long way off, and it's true that Luclaera is a place where there are many monsters, but even so, ......

I don't care why!　Just run away!

　Aeon gets up and starts packing her bags. It's surprisingly crisp.

'Right. ...... Oh, but wait a minute. I've already got a customer.

　Shamash answers.
　At the same time, you can hear the sound of a violent banging on the door.

　The monster's characteristic is that after it springs up, it 'heads to the one with the greatest magical power in the vicinity'.
　In other words, there must be monsters coming outside.
　That's also true, because there is a demon race or something like that here, which seems to have a very powerful magical power.

It's not like they're that strong that they came outside. ...... but there are a lot of them.

　They say there are a lot of them.

'Yeah, I'll help you with that,'

　I'll have to fight, too.
　It doesn't really matter if the demon race is strong or not.
　I won't be able to just look at them with a stranger's face and say, ''Well, I'll take care of it.

''Oh, it would be great if a man who is strong enough to be recognized by the demon sword would protect my back. And while you're at it, you should also watch my power. Hmmm, I'll definitely make you want to own it.

　Demon magic? I'm certainly interested in that.

　Monsters, swords, and magic.
　It's a fantasy.

　He drew his sword and we ran out of the house.


"...... protect me. ...... Zack.


　Just before I went outside.
　I heard Aeon-san's small muttered voice as she turned her head and gripped her guardian sword.